Moving into your first apartment together is exciting as it is terrifying. You’re about to embark on a whole life ahead and the space you’re starting it off in undoubtedly matters. The idea of an unfurnished apartment is somewhat similar to a blank canvas – you get to decide which paints go where and which designs to apply.
In theory, it’s exciting and seemingly easy to pull out generic images from decor magazines or online boards. However, having to actually implement a multitude of ideas into one space quickly becomes overwhelming.
In a perfect world, we’d all have a professional designer at our disposal to guide us through decorating, redecorating, and renovating processes. Since that’s not how the world works, we need to make do with what we have: Renovating tips from experts.
10 Renovation Tips
Assessing The Layout
Source: Unsplash, Sven Mieke
Before you put your heart on a particular dining room set or bedroom set, you need to be able to realistically fit it into your existing space. Pull out your home’s floor plan and map out what would go where.
If you can’t find an existing floor plan, create one yourself! Map out your living space and set realistic goals plus creative needs for your home. For example, you realistically can’t turn the storage room into a home office because you need storage space. However, you can eliminate a wall between your bedroom and storage room to create a walk-in closet.
Assessing the layout of your space also allows you to better visualize where you can and can’t spend money. For example, an extra bed set for the guestroom cum laundry room isn’t as necessary as a larger dining table.
Read Through Laws and Regulations
Source: Unsplash, Scott Graham
More often than not, homeowners are blindsighted by fines and impositions for not following regulations set by the government, such as obtaining necessary permits. It’s important for couples to familiarize themselves with necessary permits and approvals plus what they might require from building managers before they tear down any walls.
Setting a Budget
Source: Renopedia, Rezt and Relax
Arguably one of the most important and often overlooked requirements is setting a budget for yourself. Your budget controls how much you get to spend, where you can spend it, and where you can’t.
A budget also forms the parameters of your entire renovation. It sets a realistic goal for what can be achieved and what should be held off on.
Fixing a Timeline
Source: Pexels, Renne Amussen
Several unexpected delays often set renovations deadlines back by a couple of weeks, months, and even years. A timeline isn’t set in stone, but it does give couples more certainty over how long the project might take. It allows them to prep accordingly.
Hire Based on Recommendations
Source: Unsplash, Cytonn Photography
Renovations aren’t DIY (although certain aspects of it can be). You need project managers, interior designers, and construction teams to help you in renovating your living space.
Particularly if you’re planning on undertaking huge projects such as completely revamping your kitchen or bathroom. Go for someone based on recommendations from friends and family. Gauge at their experiences and then correlate them with online reviews for more insight.
DIY Where You Can
Source: Renopedia, Forefront Interior
It’s pivotal to remember that just because a project seems easy in theory doesn’t mean it’s as easy to execute. Only DIY where you feel as if you can execute it effectively and easily. Doing work by yourself allows you to save costs and set realistic time frames for the project.
Consider Resale Values
Source: Renopedia, Rezt and Relax
With every renovation you make to your home or apartment, it is important to consider the possibility of selling it. For example, adding in an extra bedroom boosts your property’s resale value by a significant amount. On the other hand, incorporating more space for a personal project might reduce it.
These considerations are important to make if you plan on selling your house. If not, creativity and personal projects trump resale factors.
Word Around a Base Aesthetic
Source: Unsplash, Pixabay
Renovating your home can provide for an opportunity to completely revamp your style and spruce up your living space. When doing so, try not to get too carried away with your new found liberation.
Set a base design or a base aesthetic (rustic, modern, contemporary, etc) and then decorate accordingly. Often times two designs and aesthetics overlap one another. That’s completely fine as long as you set a balance between the two.
Focus on Lighting Solutions
Shown In Image: Felten Minimalist Circular Sleek Ceiling Light
There are three broad categories of lighting: task, accent, and ambient. Every form of lighting serves a dedicated purpose. When all three are applied, the phrase ‘layered lighting’ is used.
Realistically, lighting solutions have varied problems to solve and all three need to be considered to accentuate your living space. Along with artificial lighting, you need to consider natural lighting coming in as well.
This is best achieved by switching out tacky windows for new ones. French windows and doors provide the most natural light to pass through and are often the first choice for lighting ant space.
For more lighting inspiration, browse through our catalog.
Thrift Furniture if You Have to
Source: Renopedia, Livinci Interior
No matter how many corners you try to cut, renovations are bound to cost a hefty sum. Your best bet at staying within your budget, yet achieving your dream home is to thrift wherever it’s applicable.
For example, you could thrift old furniture and then refurbish it to be used in your newly renovated home. Similarly, you can incorporate pillows, rugs, table lamps Singapore, etc. to make your living space look brand new without costing an arm and a leg.
Conclusion
The average Singaporean couple spends anywhere between $45,000-55,000 on home renovations. Prices vary based on their living spaces and renovating needs. On average, renovations take around eight weeks to complete.
Several factors have to be considered when you’re renovating your living space. It might seem daunting when you first begin, but the right preparation can streamline the process and make it easier on you.
