Renovation rows
Surviving a home makeover Is all down to the detail – and a little bit of compromise, says SAM WYLIE-HARRIS
IT’S one of the most daunting decisions a couple can make – agreeing to refurbish your home. However small or bold, a renovation project can be emotionally stressful and chances are, you’ll be at loggerheads somewhere down the line.
According to a survey by home renovation and design platform Houzz (Houzz.co.uk), more than two-thirds of respondents had disagreements with their partners during the process (66%), almost half found renovating with their partner ‘frustrating’ (47%) and one in 10 said the thought of couples’ counselling even crossed their mind.
Here, experts share their top tips on how you can improve your home and preserve your relationship.
Make a plan
“Staying organised helps avoid unnecessary stresses and arguments,” says Victoria Harrison, editor of Houzz. She says planning the scope of the project early on will help in the long run, suggesting online resources can help you build a clear picture in your mind of what you want.
However, Omar Bhatti, director of Space Shack, says: “Your ideas, designs and circumstances may change throughout the project.
“Be prepared for this, and keep an open mind when starting and planning.”
Hire the right professional
“A good professional can take a lot of the stress out of a renovation, and make you feel more confident going forward,” notes Victoria. And Omar adds: “Be sure you both have a good vibe and energy with the professional – it’s crucial you all connect on a design and personal level.
“They’ll be the person helping you make important decisions and compromises if you both have different design ideas.”
Communicate
To ensure a renovation project goes smoothly, Victoria says clear communication between you and your partner will be important to keep you both on the same page.
She recommends deciding on key elements as early as possible, to avoid rushed decisions or arguments later on. Being able to compromise is vital too.
For important discussions with tradespeople, Caroline Nicholls of Slightly Quirky suggests having both parties involved. “It’s important nobody feels left out of the decision-making,” she explains. “A partner who tries to engage later on can be problematic, as some important decisions could have already been made and changes may incur extra costs or delays.”
She also suggests. “Include notes that highlight why you like a particular design, to help your partner better understand your vision for the space.”
4. Stay organised
During a project, you may be balancing a budget, communicating with multiple tradespeople and trying to make decisions on details.
“Keeping on top of it all can seem overwhelming,” says Victoria. She says having everything centralised will help. You could do this by setting up folders where all ideas or communications are stored.
It could also be helpful for couples to delegate tasks to each other throughout the project, says Omar. “That way, everyone’s involved in the entire process, and one-on-one communication is easier – and there’s no miscommunication from multiple parties sending emails on the same topic.”
Take a break
“Renovation projects can sometimes feel all-consuming with decisions to be made and dust pilling up,” says Victoria. “It’s important to take time out to do things together that don’t involve renovations, to keep everything in perspective. Try imposing a ‘renovation conversation curfew.”
Keep the big picture in mind
Despite the strain, Victoria says more than 90% of homeowners said the result was worth the effort, with almost two-thirds adding they felt happier in their homes thanks to the project, plus more comfortable and more organised.
“So, don’t forget to think about the reasons for undertaking the renovation,” says Victoria.
“And remind yourself how it could improve your lifestyle once completed.”