Real Life Renovations: Tips for Creating the Home You Want

Whether you are embarking on a large-scale, full renovation scaling your entire home or opting for a smaller update, home renovations can be large undertakings. There are so many factors to consider, and whether you are updating a bathroom for a more modern look or making some smaller adjustments, all have the goal of making your home work better for you.

No matter what kind of renovation you're planning, we have you covered. From pro tips to before and after makeovers to inspire you, these tips will help you create the home you want—and alleviate some of the stress along the way.

How to Pull Off a Live-in Renovation

Let’s face it: undergoing a renovation while living at home is no easy feat. Of course, it’s exciting to finally see your space as you envision it. However, there are the inevitable loud noises, lengthy timelines, and piles of dust that come along with it. 

So, if you’re planning a live-in reno, some healthy prep and planning is always helpful.

The Best Aging in Place Renovations to Do ASAP, According to Pros

As adults age, it may become challenging to get around or complete daily tasks in the home. However, it doesn’t have to be that way—adapting the house can help compensate for decreased mobility and allow older people to stay in their homes longer.

Of course, the best time to adapt your home for future needs is before your health requires it.

9 Home Renovation Projects That Are Actually Green

When it comes to home renovations, there are a ton of things to consider. Aside from the aesthetics, you also need to figure out a budget, timeline, and the team of people who will actually do the work. But these days, there’s something else that should take priority as you plan your reno. When making home upgrades, you might want to make your home a greener, more sustainable space.

Often, environmentally friendly projects aren’t just good for the earth—they can also be good for your wallet. But how do you know which projects will actually make your home greener?

5 Home Renovations People Forget to Do, According to Pros

Home renovations are a great way to upgrade the look and functionality of a home. They can range from simple projects like adding a new coat of paint, to more complex projects like a complete kitchen or bathroom renovation. It’s easy to get caught up in the “fun” renovations that add a big visual impact to your home while neglecting other renovation projects that may actually be more important.

How to Let Your Contractor Guide Your Renovation

If you ever have or are currently tackling a home renovation project, then you know that there’s one person on the team who truly brings it all together: the contractor.

When it came to assembling our home renovation team for our English countryside cottage, my husband and I were starting from zero. Because we don't currently live in or near our village, we didn't know anyone local, so personal recommendations were off the table. This meant a lot of googling, cold calls, and blind faith, but it ultimately led us to our contractor: a local man named Paul.

From our very first walk-through with Paul, we realized why it’s key to find a great contractor as early on in the process as is humanly possible.

5 Home Renovation Trends Experts Say Will Be Big in 2023

One of the most rewarding parts about owning a home is making changes to truly make it feel like your own. Whether you’re remodeling your bathroom, installing a fence, or updating your plumbing or HVAC systems, a renovation can make a big impact on how we live at home, and trends in home renovation can influence home design for years to come.

So what can we expect to see when it comes to home renovation trends this year?

7 Common DIY Renovation Mistakes to Avoid

The DIY industry is booming, with a bevy of television shows dedicated to updating flooring, painting a room, and more. But not everything is as it seems on TV and planning ahead for some common mishaps will help your renovations turn out a lot better. And some tasks really do need a professional in order to meet the vision you have for the project.

11 Amazing Before-and-After Bathroom Remodels

If you dream about swanky bathroom remodels that you find in the pages of magazines and home decor sites, turn that fantasy into reality. Most luxe "afters" had embarrassing "befores." If you have a dark, small, or boring bathroom, see how you can add light, color, or little touches that can turn your washroom into a refreshing spa retreat.