Home Remodels Gone Wrong and Lessons Learned

March 16, 2019 by Suzanne Lasky

Guest Post for S Interior Design
By: Paige A. Mitchell

There’s nothing worse than a botched DIY home remodel. But what if you were able to know what not to do before you dove into a home remodel on your own? Here are some prime examples of mistakes to avoid during a home remodel, in hopes that you will be wiser before jumping into the deep end.

Not Planning Ahead

Jumping into a home remodel without a distinct plan in mind is a recipe for disaster. For all intents and purposes, there is no such thing as “over planning” for a home remodel. Make sure you know exactly what you want to remodel and you know why you want to remodel it. Then, make sure you have planned everything as completely as possible, from the budget to the materials to the daily schedule. Leave no stone unturned.

Trying To Stay With The Trends

Everyone gets a little excited when they want to dive into a DIY remodel and the first place they turn to for inspiration is Pinterest. The problem? Going crazy with what the current home trend is, only to have that trend expire after a month and you be left with a less than desirable kitchen filled with Spanish influence. Be sure to pick a look for your home remodel that fits your personal interest and is also timeless. That way, you won’t feel that remodel itch a month after you complete your project.

Running Out Of Budget On The First Day

In the same vein as making sure you plan your home remodel ahead, make sure you completely map out your home renovation budget before diving in. That means making sure you have a realistic budget in mind with real-time numbers for all your materials and labor planned out. Just because you are performing a DIY home remodel does not mean you shouldn’t take labor into account. Even if you are able to perform the entire remodel on your own, which is hardly ever the case, you have to take into account time lost while doing that work.

Did you use paid time off at your work to perform the home remodel? Are you missing out on projects that could have earned you money? Your own time will play a factor in your budget. Along with that, make sure you know exactly how much supplies you need and how much it will all cost you. There is nothing worse than stopping at your home improvement shop only to get to the register and not have enough money for your supplies.

Measuring Once, Cutting A Hundred Times

Measure your work, then measure it again, then measure it again! The last thing you want is to measure your flooring or wood for your patio, get ready to lay it all out, then realize you mis measured and have to cut everything all over again. What could be worse than that? Ruining your materials because you cut too much and have to start from scratch. Check, double check, and triple check that all your measurements are correct so that you only have to cut once.

Going Cheap And Suffering

You’re already saving money by performing your home improvement project on your own. Make sure that when you do spend your money, you are purchasing items that are so cheap that they will fall apart in less than a year. If you are trying to DIY a home appliance, considering instead saving money on a home warranty and have the experts come in to make repairs. The last thing you want is a puddle in the bathroom because you thought you could fix the sink. Make sure you are being frugal in the right places and splurging when you need to same. Same with buying the right materials, know your limits. If you are even slightly unsure about performing a task, hire a contractor.

It’s Time—–Your Home Needs a Make-over Today

October 6, 2011 by Suzanne Lasky

Another guest blog post to share with you! An interesting point of view on the subject of when is the ‘right time’ to do some make-over work in your home. A lot of us procrastinate because we are over whelmed or even scared to make changes to our home environment. I am working with a client who read in her journal from January , 2010 about what she wanted to do to her space and had put off for over a 1 1/2.

Yes, she is a bit scared to finally start making the changes she has thought about for so long. I am guiding her and providing a design plan that she is comfortable with. So, don’t put it off any longer, dive in or slowly put a foot in the water. You may find out that if FEELS GOOD!

Guest Post-

Today I am being forced to put a pen, get a writing pad and write a nice little article to all my dear friends out there. You must be thinking who forced me to do so. Well, that’s a long answer you are asking for. It’s my home who has been screaming at me since a couple of days. It’s creaming out loud, ‘Please, My owner! My custodian! Look at me. Look closely as to what have you done to me throughout these passing years. Just imagine what I was when you moved in and now what a tragic death I am dying”. After hours of recollection I have reached the conclusion that yeah, what the hell have I done to my home. Every nook and corner of this place is crying, asking for attention, and demanding nothing but a make-over and some frequent touch-ups here and there.

Everyone likes change, nobody likes living a stagnant life. Same goes for the interior decor of your living place. A neat, trendy interior design is a must to compliment the good architecture of a building. This involves everything from the selection of color combos to the choice of furniture, from wall hangings to floor mats and carpeting. Also a special attention must be paid while deciding on the interior of the room keeping under consideration as to what the room would be used for. Bedrooms should always have cool light colors with comfortable and cozy fixtures. Living room should have a vibrant and energetic feel to it. These tips are not universal but can be molded per your own taste and requirements.

What is universal and vital is that Interior of your villa or apartment affects your life immeasurably so having a poorly designed home can be such a blow to your lifestyle which can’t be cured or reverted at any cost. Even if a place was given a brilliant interior at the start and was not maintained with changing seasons and passing time, it is of no use. This is something which needs recurrent consideration and refreshment. So be always vigilant about the interior design of your homes that whether they are prim and proper or not. If you feel that things are out-of-place and you are having concerns regarding your living place its time you get its interior modified and get a fresh one.

About Author

Gabriel Ryan is an artist who is passionate about http://www.juliasantengallery.com/

Check out his website www.juliasantengallery.com where you will also find http://www.juliasantengallery.com/go/vintage_posters.html”

10 + Home Renovation Tips

January 2, 2011 by Suzanne Lasky

Welcome 2011!

Some of you may be planning a home renovation project this year. I wanted to share an informative article from
House and Home’s online magazine about 10 plus important factors to consider before undertaking a home renovation project that will save you time and money.

S Interior Design provides additional commentary and photos to the article to make it even more complete. Our edits are shown in red color font.