DIY Home Improvement Mistakes To Learn From
Quick tips before you get started on your next home improvement project:
1. Underestimating the time or cost of your project
Underestimating the time or cost of a project can complicate the process and even risk its completion. You should leave room knowing the surprises and costs, as well as the schedule of any third party contractors. For an especially advanced project, you may want to hire a design consult which will alleviate mistakes in cost and time.
2. Following Design Trends
Joanna Gaines might be a leading industry voice when it comes to the hottest trends, however, there is so much over done with shiplap and barn doors. This is not a bad thing if this is what YOU love about your space. Make your space unique to you and not the latest fad. Ask yourself what you really want in your space. If your taste is more of a Shabby Chic Style chances are shiplap won’t work in your space. Let your personal style rise to the surface and ignore the societal norms and trends. Ask yourself what your space says to you….
3. Overwhelming a space by over furnishing
Over-furnishing a space is a common mistake that unfortunately creates a cluttered look. This mistake can be avoided by sticking to a few key pieces for a room. Another option is to avoid unnecessary decorations altogether and creating just one or two focal points with essential elements such as furniture or paint.
4. Lack of a color
Color coordination can pull a room together. In contrast, the lack of a cohesive color scheme will undermine the look and feel of your space. Great use of color can also create focal points to make a room more interesting and visually appealing. Avoid using too many colors choose a few key colors that best resemble your style.
5. Making your kitchen too trendy
The bolder your kitchen, the quicker it will go out of style and possibly bring down your home’s resale value in the future. Kitchen renovations can be expensive and better to be safe than sorry. Avoid overdoing it with appliances at the expense of storage and counter space. If your space doesn’t allow for at least 36 inches of clearance between the island and the other cabinets, move on.
6. Not measuring a room
Map out your space before committing to décor. Avoid overcrowding or under-furnishing your space, keep gathering dimensions. Mark the height, width, and even the depth of furniture pieces. Use painter’s tape directly to the wall and outline your pieces. This way you can visually see how much space you actually have to work with, instead of making guestimates.
7. Changing your mind. A lot
Once your project has begun, stick with your plans. Designers are the professionals that will save you time, money and a lot of guessing. The more changes you make with any projects the more expensive it can become. Let the design professionals do their job. If you listen too much to outside opinions, friends and family you may regret a change you made in the future that you were unsure of.
Before you get started on your next home improvement project, give us a call for help! 603-499-4301
