Home Renovation Tips:
How to Live Through a Home Remodeling Project

Our home renovation tips will help you live through the chaos of your next home remodeling project.

Deciding to renovate or remodel your home is exciting, as you think of all your plans and dreams coming to life. But the reality of living through a home renovation can be quite different - frustrating and chaotic.

The first decision to make is whether or not you will stay in your home during a reno. If the renovations will be extensive, it may be better, if possible, to move right out. Rent (or borrow) a trailer for the back yard, stay with a family member or rent a small apartment or house, whatever works best for your needs and budget.

If you do stay in your home during the work, one of the best suggestions we can offer is to get organized even before you start your project. Get a notebook that you use only to keep track of what's happening during the renovation.

The first thing to do is to pack away all non-essentials, especially in and around the area that is going to be under construction first. You may need to set up a kitchen in another room if your kitchen is being renovated.

You will need some kind of table or counter surface for your small appliances, like the electric kettle and toaster. Make sure the table is near a power outlet. Set up a plastic tub to wash dishes in and a tray to drain your washed dishes on.

Leave out just enough crockery and cutlery for the family to use. This isn't the time to worry about preparing gourmet feasts or entertaining. If the weather is nice, consider holding a barbecue if you want to entertain. If you usually bake cookies and cakes, you will probably have to forget doing that during renovations. Store bought cookies will have to do.

One of our best home renovation tips is to use a double labeling system so you will be able to find things you really need. As boxes are packed, mark the side of the box with what is inside. Also number the box and keep a separate list of what is in each box in your renovation notebook.

Some or all of your furniture may need to be packed into a spare room, basement or garage. If access to closets, drawers and cupboards will still be necessary, make sure you leave enough space to get to them.

If you are renovating in stages, your furniture may need to be moved a few times to accomodate renovation work in each section of the house. Stack larger furniture and anything you are sure you won't need in the back of the room, then fill in with smaller items and boxes against it all.

Here is one of the most essential of our home renovation tips - Manage the Dust!

Remodeling your home is dusty work and the dust will permeate the entire house, no matter what you do. So pack away all your bric-a-brac and anything else you don't need, even in the areas not being renovated. To prevent dust from being ground into the fabric on your furniture, throw old blankets or sheets over sofa and chairs, even if they will still be used. Take the covers off when you use the furniture, but replace them right away after use to keep it clean.

Don't be too fussy about cleaning up every day, unless you have allergy problems. Actually, if you or someone in the house does have allergy problems, you may need to relocate during the construction process.

If you have children, pack away most of their toys, just leaving out their favorites. They will get used to having less and will be quite excited about getting it all back again "when the dust settles". Keep a few of the toy boxes within easy reach though. If you really need to switch toys around you will have easy access to them.

Obviously safety is the most important of our home renovation tips, especially if you have children. If you have toddlers, make sure they are kept well away from the tradesmen and their vehicles. Hard plastic mesh kept in place with some garden stakes can create a safe play space outdoors.

With planning, good organization and some patience your home remodel can go quite smoothly and bring you your dream home.