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Home Renovation Sanity Savers
by Dawn West
dawn.west@homeimprovementideas.net
Home Improvement Ideas Columnist
Whether you're planning a do-it-yourself home renovation or a home renovation involving contractors and professionals galore, you can count on the project taking longer and costing more than expected. Here are a few tips for handling the time/money double whammy and all the other stress a home renovation project can throw your way.
If you want to make it through a home renovation project without tearing your hair out, here are a few basics that will go a long way toward ensuring your sanity.
Tip #1. Make Little Goals.
If the only golden ticket you've got your eyes on is the grand completion of your kitchen remodeling or your living room addition, you're going to have a hard time when the project hits its inevitable snags. Having little goals, like the replacement of the fixtures on the drawers or the installation of the new dishwasher, can help you stay excited about the project throughout.
Tip #2. Maintain an Organized Space.
If you're undertaking a home renovation, particularly a full-scale one that involves just about every room in the house, things can get out of hand -- boxes and plaster and general upheaval everywhere you turn. Picking one room as a "safe zone," say a bedroom that stays untouched until the rest of the renovation is complete, will give you a place to retreat and relax when the walls are literally coming down around you.
Tip #3. Share the Wealth (of Stress).
All the little details that go into a successful home renovation can be a real headache. One of the best ways to cut down on the stress is to divvy out responsibility for some of those details. It can be hard to give up control, but whether you pass some jobs off to your spouse, your kids, helpful friends, or professionals it'll be well worth the stress you'll save.
About the Author
Dawn West teaches writing at Oregon State University. Her previous experience includes working for the Community Development Venture Capital Alliance, a not-for-profit in New York City, and serving as the director for an educational program for at-risk youth in Boston. Dawn holds a B.A. in English from Harvard University.
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