Five Ways to Actually Enjoy Renovations

Renovations are not always fun and easy. They usually are pretty stressful and somewhat terrifying, in case you were wondering. From experience, I've come up with a list of five ways to actually enjoy renovations. 

Or at least ways to renovate and avoid divorce...

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1. Plan. Plan. Plan. 

The best way to prevent a fight is to have a great game plan. Hands down. 

If you are starting a renovation in one room, and plan on moving to the next, think about how all the changes will affect the rest of the house. For example, we replaced a door in our kitchen, but when we went to plan out our kitchen renovation, we ended up moving the door, and the swing was the wrong direction. Had we planned it out, we could have prevented ourselves from buying two doors instead of just one. 

Obviously, there will always be curve balls and changes, but to have a really good idea of what the "big picture" is going to be can definitely help with redundant projects- like replacing a door twice! Or ripping down drywall because you decided you needed some ducting or electrical. 

Knowing what you and your spouse really want in the end is going to save you some grey hairs. I see this all the time between designers and contractors, not just between spouses. To have a bad design costs tons of money, and to make {sometimes} silly changes, can cost tons of money. If the toilet doesn't fit in the room because you forgot to account for the door swing, you are going to have to change it! Depends on what point you are at in construction, but it is not exactly easy to rip out a toilet and just move it. It can mean ripping out your flooring, in-floor heating, plumbing, drywall, everything! So know what you want, and have a good design. If you need to make changes, make sure you make them at appropriate times- like before they cut the marble counter tops. 

Need advice? Feel free to ask! 

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2. Communicate AND Compromise

Not everyone sees eye to eye during renovations. Be prepared for this. She wants the white feminine kitchen, he wants a dark masculine kitchen. Design styles differ, for sure. This is where it is great to have outside advice. 
Between communicating what you want and compromising with what they want, 
this is super important to a happy renovation. 

If you are absolutely set on a design or finish, be prepared to explain why. And be prepared to listen to their side. And together, figure out a compromise. 

You want white, he wants dark. Why not compromise and have dark on the bottom and white on top. Or a dark island (with a light counter) and white cabinets (with a dark counter) 

Contrast is a great design trick, and contrast goes hand in hand with compromise. Below is a great example! 

Transitional Kitchen by Fort Saskatchewan Cabinets & Cabinetry MOD Kitchens.Closets.Design

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3. Don't Tackle it ALL

Between budget stresses and the lack of amenities, I recommend against biting off more than you can chew, especially if you are living in the house. If all your bathrooms suck, maybe try renovating just one at a time. 
Everyone needs a working toilet and shower. 

When we renovated our kitchen, we didn't have a sink or a dishwasher, but at least we still had a working tub! 
Don't make your house uninhabitable while renovating. Just don't. 

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4. Take Time Away

Obviously, during a renovation you want it done ASAP. However, they can draw out for months. Take time away from the project- go for a date, eat dinner OUT (rather than ordering in- pretty typical move for during a 
kitchen reno) Besides, what's one extra day on a renovation? 

Taking breaks actually leaves you feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the world, anyways. Maybe with a few extra breaks, you'd actually be more productive and get it done sooner! Why else do you think employers give you coffee breaks? So, while it may seem counterproductive to take a day away from the renovation, just do it. 
You'll save your sanity, if nothing else. 

Our son, enjoying the view during break time!

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5. Know That It Will Be Worth It

Remembering that it will all be worth it in the end is hopefully enough for you to endure the renovation. 
Patience is a virtue, after all. Getting stressed out and worked up only makes things worse, 
so just breathe, have a coffee break and have fun! If you aren't that excited about the renovations, ask questions and try to learn something to make it a more positive experience.

Remember to laugh and be encouraging to everyone involved in the renovation. If you are encouraging, rather than negative, it makes the whole project more enjoyable- for everyone. Contractors or spouses will always react more positively towards someone who isn't freaking out and being unreasonable. 

Just keep smiling!

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So there you have it! 
Those are my 5 recommendations on how to actually enjoy a renovation. 

Enjoy your renovations, and enjoy your Valentines! Because that's what it's all about: LOVE.
Happy homes make happy families. 

xo Jena 

Please note, however, that I actually am one of those people that really enjoys renovating anyways, 
but even I cried at one point during our kitchen renovation. It's tough, but it really is worth it in the end, 
and feel free to leave it to the experts if renovating isn't your thing!