5 Question to Ask Before Renovating

When doing any remodel the first step is to plan. The last thing you want to do is be halfway through a renovation and realize you've made a mistake, or something doesn't look right, or you've run out of money (see "Utilizing BIM to Optimize My Small Condo Kitchen Renovation" for more on this).  My dad always used to say "those who fail to plan, plan to fail"; I don't always live by those words, but in this case they couldn't be closer to the truth. Otherwise you could end up with a space that looks like this :

Don't want this!

1. Are you trying to do a live-in renovation?

The answer to this question will change your design plan of attack. What do you need to live in a home? A place to eat, cook, bathe, and wash. Make sure you're strategic if you only have one bathroom or you're gutting the kitchen. Plan accordingly. Take the wall tile off last if you're re-doing the only bathroom in your house and make sure you have the drywallers and tile installers lined up back to back for only a few days sans shower.

Same with the kitchen, if you can afford to eat out every day that makes things easier. But if you're still planning to cook, bar a few days of microwave meals, think about that before someone puts a sledgehammer through your 1980s range when your new stainless steel cooktop is on back order... It could save you a lot of money!

Beautiful kitchen, but practical for a daily cook?

A good thing to note is these questions could apply to renovation or new construction homes. Anywhere you're choosing materials to finish spaces. In either case practicality should be your first concern. 

2. Ask yourself: 'what is this space mostly used for?'

If you're remodeling a kitchen, but you hardly ever cook the end result should be much different than someone that cooks everyday. This should change the materials you use: a cook goes for scratch and stain-resistant countertops for easy, hassle free prep (zodiac/quartz), versus the non-cook that opts for the wow factor aesthetic like a marble. After all, heating up take out does not require heavy duty countertops. Also, what you use the space for will dictate your need for storage, how much, what type, and where.

3. 'How often is this space used?' And 'who is using it?'

This question could be applied above in the kitchen example as well. If you're a big cook, you're using the space daily. Same concept goes for a bathroom. Is this the master bathroom that gets daily use: washing your face, brushing your teeth, putting on makeup. However, who is using the space has an impact as well. If it is your master bathroom and you vow to clean after every use (this is the reality of a marble bathroom!!) go for it! You know yourself. We don't think that same resolve will last as long with the kids. Stick with hardy materials for kids bathrooms. Heavier use spaces call for hardier materials for floors and countertops, but that leads me to my next question...

What's lurking behind this bathrooms beautiful marble tops and floors could surprise you...

4. 'How do I live?'

Be honest!! Don't say "I will clean everyday", if you know it won't happen. You must plan for reality. Read reviews of material with actual people. I saw a gorgeous marble bathroom on www.houzz.com and was reading through the reviews. I always wanted an all marble master bathroom. The reviewer was saying how they literally have to whipe down everything after they shower. If that's not a reality for you, don't choose marble! Or at least not for your main bathroom. The road to hell is paved with good intentions. How often you clean and how hard you live can help with choosing materials.

5. Then comes the fun part: What colors, flooring, materials, paint, etc.. Do I want?! Let the designing begin!!