Lots of us have had to “make do” or change our plans for new homes over the last couple of years. With housing prices as low as they are right now, picking up a fixer upper can be done for a song! But don’t consider it unless you and your family are will to invest the time and effort into doing the work on your own. If you aren’t, quit thinking of renovating your own home, and buy one that has what you need already in place.
For those of you who are up to the challenge, here is a list of Do’s that should be considered before you begin:
- Make choices that are environmentally safe for you, your family, and the future of our world. Thinking green involves more than just solar heat and electricity…it also means using chemical free paints, fluorescent lighting, and renewable sources for flooring and furniture.
- A well planned entryway does not have to be large or costly, but it is the first impression of your home. A guest closet, a small table for hats, purses, or packages, good lighting, a mirror, and a place to sit to remove shoes or boots will tell your visitors that they are welcome.
- If you are adding French doors, bay windows, or additional exits, make sure that they are appropriate to the landscaping. You don’t want to walk out of those dramatic doors and bump into you’re a/c unit, or have your bay window jutting out on your veranda.
- Electrical outlets need to be carefully planned. Great rooms are so popular now, and they usually have furniture groupings that are not along the walls. Outlets need to be placed in the floor of those areas, if you want to be able to have a floor or table lamp. Kitchen counters should have enough safety outlets to be able to plug in and use all of the modern small appliances that are available today. Cable and telephone wiring should be in every room, and on more than one wall, unless you intend to never move your furniture again.
- If your laundry room is in the basement, you should install a laundry chute, so you don’t have to carry it all down the stairs. I personally love having my laundry room next to the bedrooms. After all, that is where most of the dirty clothes are! It seems easier to schlep a few kitchen towels and a tablecloth or two than the laundry for four or five people.
- If you are redoing bathrooms, consider the fact that people are getting both taller and heavier all the time. You might want to consider larger showers and tubs…but remember…these items need to be installed before doorways are framed and doors are hung!
For some ideas on tackling your decorating after you renovate, check out There’s Nothing Wrong With Doing it Yourself .