Here's How to Make Home Renovation Easy

So you’ve bought or rented your first home and you have a list of home renovation projects that need to get done. They seemed to be easy enough when you made the list, but now it’s time to get started and that list is looking more and more daunting.

Where do you start?

How do you know when you’re finished with a project?

And how many times will you have to go back to the hardware store?

Maybe you’ve tried a home renovation project before and it didn’t go as planned. Or maybe you’re stuck in the planning stages and can’t quite get started. Home renovation isn’t easy, but it doesn’t have to be hard.

Like with anything in life, it takes time and practice.

But don’t worry, these five tips below can help make your home renovation projects go smoothly!

1. Start with a plan

Some of my most frustrating home renovation projects have been started by going to the store and buying something that I thought would be a fun project. Like those peg wall boards I bought at Ikea one time and thought I’d organize my entire garage.

Take some time to think about how you’ll execute the project you thought of this morning. Research how other people have done it, write down the supplies you’ll need, and make a realistic timeline of when you want to get it done. Realistic is the most important word for a timeline; think about what you have going on and how much time you’ll actually be able to commit to a project.

My fiancé loves to give me a hard time about my poor time management skills. I tell him that I’m just overeager and want to get a lot done. When I’m excited about something I want it done now, but that can’t always happen with life getting in the way.

It’s best to take a look at your schedule and plan out home renovation projects by how long they’ll take and how much time you have to dedicate to them. This will cut down on frustration when a project takes longer than you thought it would.

2. Don’t reinvent the wheel

I’ll admit that I hate that corporate phrase, but it really is true. I mentioned it in the previous tip, but look at how others have completed the same project you want to do.

Watch videos if you’re a visual learner or read about them if that’s your thing. Just make sure that someway, you’re learning from other people to help your home renovation project go smoother.

Many people will happily share the mistakes they made and how to avoid them. This helps to avoid problems before they even start in your home renovation project! You can also get inspiration for your own projects if you don’t have it completely mapped out yet.

3. Start small and work your way up

As I said earlier, it takes time to improve at something. Don’t make an entire kitchen makeover your first home renovation project if you have no experience.

Start small with something like a paint refresh in a bedroom, or a living decor makeover, and work your way up. Maybe you change out a light fixture next, then add new flooring to a room.

These easier projects also give you instant gratification – seeing a room with an entirely new color makes it feel like a new space. And makes you feel good about the work that you did! Larger projects take more time and the results are more difficult to see.

Get your feet wet with smaller projects and slowly start to build your home renovation skills.

4. Don’t do it alone

Chances are, you have some friends who have some home renovation experience. Or at the very least, some friends who are willing to help you out with projects.

Two minds really are better than one, as are an extra set of hands. Home renovation projects are a lot easier when there are other people to help, even if you think it’s not necessary. It’s nice to have someone to bounce ideas off of, or offer an idea when you feel stuck.

It’s also fun to have more people around when you’re doing hard work! Offer your friends a free meal in exchange for help and I bet you’ll have willing volunteers.

5. Get quality tools

Having the right tools for home renovation projects is essential. You wouldn’t start running as a new hobby with sandals, so treat your projects with the same care.

Quality tools don’t have to break the bank – try to get a few tools that will help you with multiple projects (this is also where planning comes in handy!). There are also many sales throughout the year, so do some pricing research before buying.

I like to purchase electric tools, so I try and buy the same brand so I can use the one battery for different tools. This helps cut down on battery costs and helps projects run smoothly, so I always have a charged tool.

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You’ll be a home renovation project pro in no time with these tips! It doesn’t have to be hard, and hopefully, these tips make your projects feel less daunting. Let me know what projects you’re getting up to in the comments, or tag me on Instagram or Twitter!