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| Image Credit: Flickr |
1. Don’t start without setting the budget
If you are unsure how much money you can spend, you should set yourself a limit. Budgeting will help you a lot in making decisions.
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| Image Credit: Flickr |
Once you determine how much money you have for remodelling and subtract from that sum the amount needed for the contractors, you will have a clear picture of how much you can spend on the tiles, colour, appliances, accessories, etc.
2. Kitchen? Don’t make it huge
Big kitchen may actually be completely counterproductive if you do not arrange appliances and kitchen elements properly. The biggest problem with a large kitchen and bad arrangement lies in the fact that you will have to walk for miles from stove to a fridge or sink, you may not notice that at first, but your legs certainly will.
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| Image Credit: Flickr |
Another problem is that you are going to need to get more kitchen elements and furniture for a big kitchen and thus burden your remodelling budget. If, in order to save, you choose to get cheaper materials, you are risking that your kitchen will look cheap.
3. “It's not perfect but it is close enough”
Do not agree to compromise. Perhaps a bad solution seems acceptable today because you had enough of contractors and you're tired of remodelling, but be sure that that solution will bother you until you renovate your home again.
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| Image Credit: Flickr |
For example, you like the idea of the kitchen counter in the middle - a separate element in the middle of the room to use as a workspace. However, there isn’t enough space in your kitchen for it. "It is not perfect", you say, but you are now stuck with the kitchen in which you can barely open the oven and you peek sideways into the fridge.
4. Install enough outlets
Adding something after remodelling can be very expensive. A typical example is the addition of new electrical outlets for kitchen appliances. This will require you to break new tiles, dig into the wall, move everything around. Even if you do not plan to purchase a microwave oven or dishwasher at first, install the outlet for them, anyway.
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| Image Credit: Flickr |
5. Don’t compromise when choosing colours
Painting in white or beige just because it is a safe choice can be a mistake. If you choose one of these colours as a dominant in your home, you risk that your home becomes monotonous, but also dirty. Dirt is more noticeable on the bright colours, and I’m sure that you do not want to repaint the walls several times a year. If you want to have walls in beige shades, create contrast, and paint other walls in darker colour.
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| Image Credit: Flickr |
6. Do not save on cleaning
After the remodelling comes cleaning. To avoid unsuitable cleaning agents destroy your freshly painted walls, new carpet or wooden floor, hire house cleaning professionals. They will thoroughly clean your newly remodelled home without causing possible damage due to the usage of unsuitable chemical agents.
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| Image Credit: Flickr |
7. Don’t follow trend uncritically
If you blindly follow trends, and change your home rapidly in accordance with what is “new” you can get lost in all of that quickly. The trend is not a guarantee of satisfaction and does not have to match with your taste; apply only what will make your life easier and thus give you more space for enjoyment and relaxation.
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| Image Credit: Flickr |
This article has been kindly contributed by Marie Nieves. She is a student of economics who loves unusual trips, gadgets and creative ideas. Marie is an avid lover of photography interested in interior and exterior design. Nieves loves to talk about her experiences and she is regular author on Smooth Decorator. You can find Marie on Facebook or follow her on Twitter and G+.
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