We get it. Committing to renovations can be difficult. Whether you're concerned financially, or feeling indecisive with things like paint or fabric choices... it can take a while before you take the first step. We're here to help with that first step.

Before You Begin:

•  Be as genuine with your introductory budget as you can. No renovations in the history of the world have ever gone as planned, so you may as well be prepared with financial bumper pads.
  
  
• If you are living in a condo or a townhouse community or you’re thinking of making renovations to your yard or other outer structures, make sure you check with all of the necessary authorities before proceeding. You don’t want to design your dream home only to find out that it “exceeds limitations” in the bad way.
  
  
• People can say that carpet isn’t “hip”, but remember that it’s your home in the end. They’re not living in it, so who are they to judge?

The Easy Stuff:

MEASURE EVERYTHING

"measure twice, cut once." Is very solid advice. Don't chance your reno because you've lost track of where you've put the tape measure. Revamping your home is not something you want to be impatient about.

FLOOR PLANS

I've said it before: when in doubt, draw it out. Floor plans give you the best idea of what you can do with a space. Sketch a base plan, allow for the furniture you're keeping and make note of new furniture you're considering. Take the time to see what fits where. In the preliminary stages, even if you're just measuring by "# of doorways wide", it's a step toward realizing the best version of your future house.

THE POWER OF SHELVES

It's easy to get frustrated and feel boxed in by your starter home or current apartment. It's amazing what upper layer shelving and reorganized closets can do for you. They are both practical and a way for you to communicate your style and your interests. Whether it's a new place to put towels, or a place to show off all of your family photos, shelves beat drawers every day of the week. Out of sight; out of mind is a frustrating cliche for a reason. When you have a better idea of what's really in your space it really helps with that stuck-in sort of feeling.

OR RUGS FOR THAT MATTER

You don't have to be a wizard to work with what you've got. You don't need to go tearing up floor boards or even yanking up your counter tops. If you're tight on time, money, or even just feeling overwhelmed by the idea of restyling your home, know that you don't need to go all the way to make great changes. Consider repainting, rugs, or new draperies. It's amazing what a uniform colour theme can do to a room. Having a clear vision doesn't mean being inflexible. When you know what you want to improve about your home, then you can start thinking about what paths you can take to get there.

One More Thing:

The thing about brainstorming is that it can sometimes reveal different answers than you started out looking for. Sometimes floorplans reveal that renovation isn't going to solve your problem. In the end, what matters most is your happiness. Feeling secure and at home is a big part of that happiness. If reno isn't your answer and you're looking for an informed perspective on a bigger home change in your life, you know the people to call. Either way, we're rooting for you!