Tips to renovate the house – Diving deep into this year and a half period going down in history as the time characterized by online classes and work-from-home routines with a steadily growing preference for home-cooked meals, one could sense an incredible inclination towards the idea of “home”.
As massive fractions of the world’s populace adhere to much-needed safety protocols, there is this major switch from working on desks and chairs to casually slumping on one’s favourite couch or spot on the bed; armed with a laptop, a mug of one’s favourite beverage and this hope deep down to be ridden of internet connectivity issues.
With the growing sense of familiarity with the confines of one’s house and being in the same for prolonged periods, it is quite natural to give a fine updo for the same. Be it a student or a working man, we all love to accommodate renovations on a fixed budget; as pocket-friendly, as we can all be.
Following is a list of 10 tips that you can follow to renovate your house without hampering your budget!
1. Keep Up with the Trends, but Safety First! | Renovate the House
A common troupe followed by most renovation enthusiasts is the need to keep up with the trends. Be it exterior or interior, a lot of the decisions undertaken can involve changing much of the existing facade and elements in the quest for something modern and polished or sometimes even retro and vintage. Arriving at the kind of renovation that you want for your space is of utmost importance.
These decisions are the driving force of carrying your renovations forward and will help you narrow down an estimate for your budget. Be it opening up your space, paving way for a new room or having to say, “This roof has to go!”, these are the kind of decisions that are best made in consultation with a professional to avoid a bumpy ride halfway into creating your ultimate zen zone that is home!
2. Choose a Layout
Going into a renovation project, you should have a clear idea as to how the spaces in your house are going to be segregated. From having an open floor layout with rooms that flow into each other effortlessly to creating simple partitions that do not take away from the overall coherence of the space, the possibilities are endless.
To renovate on a budget, you can always go for simple inexpensive means of partitions such as jute ropes, wooden trellises, metal grills, 3D printed screens and even fabric. Creative and cheaper alternatives like these create spaces that are captivating as well as functional.
3. The Essentials – Flooring and Fixtures | Renovate the House
In the case of a project targeted at renovating an interior space, a fixed portion of your budget is to be reserved for flooring and fixtures. One has to look into possible vendors and keep an inventory of possible resources to have a proper idea regarding the expenditure that is to be reserved for both of these crucial entities. Your local artisans and markets can be quite the catch, given the proximity to your house in addition to the touch of the vernacular.
A monotonous polished concrete flooring paired with pale ceramic fixtures can create a minimal look. Terracotta tiles and veneer can evoke warmth and homeliness. Metallic fixtures always stand for durability. Exposed copper pipework can offer a sophisticated modern touch and is also an easily maintainable alternative.
4. Bring on your Lighting Game!
In addition to the openings and ventilation that one may get to renovate, lighting, in itself, plays a determining role with regards to how your space would look and perform during all times of the day. In addition to fixed diffused lighting that could account for a huge space, you, as an occupant, have a huge say in enhancing the quality of your room through lamps and spotlights.
Lighting can be used as statement pieces or as fall ceiling elements that define the boundary of a room. From Instagram fan favourites like cloud lights and moon lamps to every teens’ favourite fairy lights, the options that can be undertaken to liven up an area through lighting are plentiful!
5. Colouring in between the lines | Renovate the House
Colours define your spaces. Your rooms can always have a common ground depending on the colours that you assign for the same. During renovations, people gravitate towards an accent colour that is further enhanced by complementary colours. Primarily, paint sets about a defining factor that would deliberate whether or not the whole space works cohesively.
When renovating, you can opt for painting accent walls or choose a finish that would cost you less. Even with a monochromatic paint scheme, the colours of the furniture, drapes and rugs can pull together a fun and lively room.
6. Let’s go Thrift Shopping!
Ever had your unique taste of furniture be the talk of the party? Well, say no more! Thrift shopping and antique and souvenir hunting can be just the answer when you renovate. In the past decade, there has been a rising trend in upcycling and reusing furniture. Given that this is an area where a lot of money gets involved—a piece of pre-loved furniture that catches your eye—could prove to be an eye-catching show-stopper in your house albeit, with a considerably low price tag.
From upcycling entire facade details, as in the case of the Collage House by S+PS Architects in Mumbai, to having tiny capsules from another era queuing in as your home decor, thrift shopping is a very eco and pocket-friendly option that is perfect for all parties involved.
7. You and Nature – The New Partners in Crime
Nature is the perfect solution to any renovation project. More often than not, a lot of houses are renovated to have larger openings that would filter in views and ensure constant contact with the surrounding environment. Plants can aid with landscaping, performing as natural air purifiers and also enrich the living spaces as decor.
From the tactical security offered by Tarlmonia that often finds its way into a design as an external skin to the majestic gait of Monstera Deliciosa, that captivates any viewer in an interior space, the plus points of plants are in plenty. Pitch in once and nature would stand by you, with a little maintenance and some sunshine!
8. Mix and Match like a Pro! | Renovate the House
In recent years, the burdensome task of having uniformly matching furniture in all your living spaces has seen a steady decline. With a careful eye and knack for combining colours, one can craft the perfect blend of elements during a renovation.
Be it rugs, paint, fixtures or furniture, the ability to mix and match can always keep you within budget and enable you to choose only the things that you deem fit to be a part of your house.
9. Your Local Artist is Your New Best Friend
An instantaneous way of renovating the look of a room would be to hang a piece of art in it. From a simple picture frame to a full mural bounding your room, art can bring in a multi-dimensional quality to your space.
Besides, you can support your local artists and artisans to work on art installations. In some cases, you can put a spin of your own with that paint and brushes that you may have stashed away.
10. Getting Hands-On DIYs | Renovate the House
When it comes to renovation, perhaps the most tried method to staying within budget is to Do It Yourself. You, the occupant, happen to be the person that knows your house inside out. This leaves you with the ability to get crafty and come up with unique solutions to your space.
From DIY Decks to Shelving, the changes that you can bring about to your house are indefinite. So, grab your tools, call the family and make a fond memory in your house with some weekend arts and crafts!
Renovating a house is ultimately a process stemming from the need to customize one’s living quarters. In some way, this process is our way of humanizing the machine that is our house, as juxtaposed upon the words of Le Corbusier. In the end, we ought to ascertain the fact that the space that we are left with is one that truly makes us happy and content.
