I want you to LOVE your home. Your environment can have a real effect on your mood, productivity, and well being – and you just deserve it! Let’s be real though, unless you build custom, no home is 100% perfect at move-in. So start somewhere and DO something about it. Make incremental changes until it becomes perfectly yours with a phased home renovation.
Are you dying to renovate a bathroom? Replace the vanity but leave the shower for another day. One does not affect the other which means no wasted money or effort. Just because you can’t afford the entire big project today doesn’t mean you have to make compromises on your vision. It’s ok (and I would argue better) to do it in phases.
If you’re wondering how to make smart decisions about what to spend your renovation dollars on and when, the answer is plan, plan, plan. Start by making a master wish list and estimated costs per project (get a copy of my worksheets seen below HERE). If you don’t already budget then it’s time to make one. Record all income and expenses monthly or even by pay period. At the end of that block of time you’ll see what you have leftover to save. If you estimate for the entire year you’ll be able to schedule home projects throughout based on when funds are available.
Don’t forget to find ways to break up projects. It can be really hard to save for long periods of time to do one big project, that’s why I like to do a phased home renovation where I can. For example, I redid our family room fireplace surround and refreshed the room. Redoing the fireplace left holes in the carpet where the old woodwork had been and it’s OK. I love the way the room looks and we use it so much more now. The flooring will come in time, but it shouldn’t have to hold up everything else.
Do you have a dream project? List out all the elements that go into completing it. You might just find there is a small piece or two you can do today to brighten your spirits and keep you motivated for more.
Want more home renovation inspo? Check out how I repurposed our dining room in Make the Most of Your Floor Plan.
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