Focus on quality for reno work
Function should also be a priority
For many, summer is the time to tackle home renovations. InteriordesignerKarenSealy offers these tips to help guide you through the process.
1. Think about the mechanics first
When it comes to renovating, it’s easy to skip the boring stuff such as plumbing and heating and jump straight to the fun interior finishes. But this is a mistake Sealy cautions against.
Before you start dreaming of granite countertops for your new kitchen or hardwood floors for your living room, you need to think about the mechanics of your home.
Do you need a new heating system? Plumbing? Furnace? Water hook-up?
“If you create these amazing spaces in your home and they look beautiful but there’s a drafty room, or cold room, all the work and effort you put in, it’s not worth it if the room’s not comfortable,” she says.
It’s important to consider not just upfront costs but ongoing operating costs and environmental impact, she adds.
For those who are considering a new heating system, Sealy is a fan of radiant heat.
“I love radiant heating because whenever you heat a mass — so concrete, hardwood, carpet — it’s going to hold heat better than air. Furnaces are constantly cycling on and off because air can’t hold heat.”
2. Pick quality over quantity
Budget is often the biggest challenge for anyone facing a renovation. If your wish list is to re-do several rooms in the house, but you’re finding a squeeze on your wallet, pick the room where you spend the most time.
By limiting the reno to just one room, you’ll have a far greater impact.
“If you do a little bit in the basement, a little bit in the kitchen, a little bit in the family room, not one of those rooms will feel done,” Sealy says. “Spend the money where you live.”
Even with the confines of a single space, Sealy recommends choosing quality over quantity.
As an example, she cites an outdoor entertaining space she designed for a client. While the “party pavilion” could have been much larger for the money spent, Sealy chose a smaller footprint and materials that would last a lifetime.
“A gazebo of this size would’ve cost $15,000, whereas this is probably almost twice as much because you’re using quality materials that are going to last a lifetime, that will wear and look good season after season,” she says.
3. Think about the function of the space
Consider how a room will function today — and tomorrow.
“If you’re going to be there five years, 10 years or 20 years, it’s important to think about what your function will be down the road,” says Sealy.
Consider how your room can evolve, such as building storage that will work for your files now but can hide toys later when your family grows.