Home Renovation Guide: Ideas & Tips for Beginners
Looking to give your apartment a quick update or completely remodel your entire house? It's time to renovate! No idea how to start or what you need for your home improvement project? Here are some tips and ideas for your next big DIY project.
"Renovation" Checklist: What Matters Most?
Basically, it makes no difference whether you are planning a bathroom renovation, just wallpapering a single room, or updating an entire house – every renovation consists of the same five steps:
- Assessment: What needs to be replaced, what can stay? What condition is the room or house in, and what do you want to achieve with the renovation?
- Planning: What steps are necessary, what tools and materials will you need, how many people should help, and how long could it take?
- Preparation: Get all materials ready, clear out the room, and protect it from dirt with plastic sheeting, etc.
- Renovating: Follow the sequence of work steps precisely (for example, when sanding windows). Pay attention to any drying times, etc.
- Clean-up: Dispose of renovation waste and clean the area. Put furniture, etc., back in place.
Renovating requires precision and skill. If you don't yet know how to sand a wall or cut tiles, for example, read our guides or ask professionals for help. Then it's time to practice first before you tackle the actual renovation!
Did you know? The difference between renovating and remodeling lies in the goal of the project. When renovating, you make your home look nicer and repair minor cosmetic issues, whereas when remodeling, you fix major structural damage and defects.
The Five Golden Rules of Renovation
Classic renovation tasks include, for example, wallpapering walls, painting windows and doors, and cutting and laying laminate flooring. You can easily do this yourself without much prior knowledge, as long as you always stick to the golden rules of renovation:
1. Always work from top to bottom
Always start with the messiest tasks and work your way from the ceiling to the floor. This is especially important if you want to renovate an entire room. As a general rule:
- Sanding comes before filling
- Drilling before painting
- Wall breakthrough before floor processing, etc.
2. Always plan generously
Whether wall paint or hardware, drop cloths or laminate: a renovation project generates a lot of waste. If you plan for about fifteen percent more materials than calculated, you can easily avoid minor disasters.
3. Cleanliness is key
You can't make an omelet without breaking eggs, and renovating is bound to get messy. Nevertheless, keeping a clean job site is important. Carefully cover all areas that are not being worked on, and remove debris or waste after every step. This saves you from massive cleaning sessions at the end and prevents one renovation step from causing extra work for the next. We show you how to work cleanly and efficiently, for example, in our Planing Guide.
4. Take your time
As soon as you use liquid or viscous materials such as paint, filler, or sealant during your renovation, they need time to dry. You should never ignore the specified drying times – even if it means twiddling your thumbs while you wait. In general, you should be prepared for the fact that a renovation usually takes longer than expected.
5. Save money on the right things
Renovating can get quite expensive. It is tempting to cut corners in some places. However, pay close attention to where you are saving. Tools should be high-quality, as they need to work precisely, last long, and have plenty of power. When it comes to wall paint, a high-quality formula also saves money – because the paint covers perfectly or is best suited for the respective room. For drop cloths, filler, and many consumables, however, you don't necessarily have to go for the premium product.
Small updates instead of a major renovation: Ideas for a fresh home
You don't have to completely remodel your home when you want a fresh look. We have a few ideas for small DIY projects that will easily bring a breath of fresh air into your space:
- New handles for furniture, doors, or windows
- Clean or renew grout
- Paint single walls in accent colors
- Adjust lighting with more ambient light
- Hang new curtains
- Modernize light switches
Don't want to replace anything, but still want that post-renovation feeling? Then grab your cleaning supplies and get ready for a deep clean: empty out the entire room and clean every corner from ceiling to floor – including washing windows or shampooing carpets. It's also the perfect opportunity for a thorough decluttering!
