If you are planning to renovate your apartment, it is definitely worth seeking advice from professionals. These are experienced people who have checked and tested dozens of different solutions. By following their recommendations, you can be sure that you will achieve the most satisfying result possible. Remember: experience is a lifelong lesson!
Table of contents:
- Useful tips for apartment renovation.
- Mistakes made during apartment renovation — how to fix them?
- Designer advice.
- How to clean an apartment after renovation?
- Why is it worth following our advice and tips?
Useful Tips for Apartment Renovation.
Do you need comprehensive expert advice on apartment renovation? Fortunately, there is no shortage of people who will be happy to help. However, it is not always easy to figure out where and how to find what will truly help you. Here are the 10 most interesting tips on the subject!
#1 “Have a spare” — it’s not wasteful, it’s practical.
Always keep unforeseen costs and unexpected expenses in mind. Such things can happen at any moment and it is important to be prepared for them. There is nothing more frustrating than being unable to renovate your home or apartment due to material or financial problems when everything had already been planned! Make sure that if anything happens, you will be able to rise to the occasion and see the renovation through to the end.
#2 Decide where you will live
When you intend to renovate your apartment, it is important to think about where and for how long you will be living during the renovation. If possible, stay with relatives or friends — that is a great solution! If that is not possible, try renovating the apartment step by step.
#3 Warn your neighbours
This is an extremely important matter and a way of showing respect for your neighbours. They should be warned that a “disturbance” is planned. They will then react much more calmly to what is happening. It is also worth familiarising yourself with the noise regulations in advance, to be sure of the hours during which work may be carried out.
#4 Think about timing
There are public holidays and long weekends to consider. Starting a renovation on 22 December, 30 April, or before Easter is not very logical or rational. If it makes sense, hire crews for periods following the holidays. This has two advantages: a morale one (everyone will have quietly “celebrated” and will get to work in a good mood) and a financial one (after holidays and weekends, service prices are usually lower, and it is definitely worth taking advantage of that fact).
#5 Approve renovations
The time spent obtaining renovation permits can take up 1/3 of the entire renovation process. In such a case, the most appropriate solution is to obtain the permit on your own and only then begin the renovation. This way, neighbouring properties will not be exposed to damage, and any potential sale of the property will proceed without problems.
#6 Dedicate your time to supervision
This applies in particular to expenditure. Without your constant supervision, clever tradespeople will act in a way that causes costs to rise dangerously. The amount of expenses then increases, and you have no idea how much the renovation will ultimately cost! When commissioning the purchase of various materials, it is always best to ask employees to hand over invoices and receipts.
#7 Starting point
During an apartment renovation, it is extremely important to start from the furthest point. This will allow the remaining area to be kept cleaner, and the work will ultimately finish right at the door! For this reason, the first stage of renovation work should be the repair and replacement of windows, doors, and ceilings.
#8 Thermal and acoustic insulation is an important element during renovation
Thermal insulation is an essential element for maintaining warmth and wellbeing inside the home. It not only prevents heat loss but also serves as acoustic insulation. This effectively protects the apartment from bothersome noise. For this reason, it is worth investing wisely in thermal insulation, using only high-quality materials known for their long service life and functionality.
#9 Choosing colours is fundamental
By choosing the colours for each room yourself, you can be sure that you will feel comfortable in them. The shade can be warm or cool, depending on the direction and interior style you prefer. When drawing up the initial plan (primarily regarding the amount of each colour in the apartment), the best practice is to use fabric samples or simulations. This will give you the certainty that after the renovation is complete, there will be no need to replace the furniture or other interior elements!
#10 Waste removal
After the renovation is complete, there are still a few important matters to keep in mind. Many people forget about them until they become a problem. The absolute basics are of course rubbish removal! If you want to avoid severe fines and unpleasant duties related to waste disposal, make sure that no old furniture has been left near the bins. Check when bulky waste is collected in your area and include this in your schedule!
When planning an apartment renovation, remember to carefully consider every detail involved. The BestRemonts team can help you with this task! We specialise in comprehensive turnkey renovations, which means we will handle everything from start to finish. We will work with you to create a plan that fits your vision and budget! ALL OF OUR COMPANY’S SERVICES.
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Bonus: 8 Simple but Essential Tips from Professionals
When it comes to renovation, advice can cover a wide range of issues. However, all of them are important, because the success of your project depends on the details. Here are a few of them!
- Laminate and hardwood flooring are great for rooms, but not for kitchens. They wear out quickly, which results in wasted money on replacement!
- When laying floor tiles, keep in mind that the height of the floor surface should be 3–3.5 cm lower than the general floor level!
- Light-coloured floor grout only looks good on shop shelves. In practice, during use, it gets dirty faster than other types. This should be kept in mind when choosing grouting mortar.
- In the bathroom, it is better not to install standard sockets, but ones with waterproof protection. In that case, using a shaver, hair dryer, and other electrical accessories will be completely safe.
- When every room in the apartment is decorated in a separate, contrasting style, there is no sense of cohesion in the home. Stylistic harmony is an important factor when choosing the final solution.
- If you do not want to return to renovating the bathroom or toilet too soon, and you value style and durability, install stretch ceilings there.
- If you plan to use television or the internet, it is best to lay the cables at the very beginning to avoid unpleasant surprises. Otherwise, you may end up in a situation where “cables are everywhere”.
- When commissioning the replacement of electrical installation, keep in mind that the electrical system should pass through several switches. This will allow the home to remain connected to power even in the event of a blown fuse.
Mistakes Made During Apartment Renovation — How to Fix Them?
When talking about renovation tips and dilemmas, it is impossible to overlook the typical mistakes made by apartment owners when carrying out renovation work themselves or commissioning it to renovation crews.
TOP 5 that we believe occur most frequently!
#1 Changing the apartment layout
This solution is not always necessary or critically important. The reason: reconstruction requires the demolition or construction of new walls, and what we envision in our minds is not always equally necessary and/or attractive in practice. Moreover, it is then extremely difficult or even completely impossible to change later within the next 5–10 years. It is also financially costly.
Therefore, when planning a reconstruction, remember that it is a long and difficult process from an aesthetic, practical, and financial point of view. It needs to be carefully thought through in the finest detail. You then need to go through the approval procedure with the relevant authorities, and only after that put it into practice. Afterwards, nothing will be able to be changed. Otherwise, everything will have to start from scratch. So — think carefully before taking on a reconstruction.
#2 Merging rooms
This issue usually concerns combined bathrooms. In that case, we have much more space in the toilet area. There is, however, a “but”. When three or more people live in the apartment, this is not a particularly good idea. What happens when all the occupants are running late and everyone urgently needs to take a shower?
In apartments where there is a second toilet, combining the bathroom and toilet is considered optimal. Otherwise, in practice, it will cause constant discomfort.
#3 Space organisation and light
Currently, the most fashionable and modern solution is a fitted wardrobe instead of a walk-in closet. This organisation of space is sensible and extremely aesthetic. However, many people forget about appropriate lighting.
In such a case, it would be a good idea to think about the organisation of the space before the renovation, and during the electrical installation work to ensure the wardrobe is well lit.
#4 Cutting costs
Some of the most expensive building materials are those intended for the bathroom and toilet. It seems that we usually spend relatively little time in the bathroom. So why overpay for expensive materials?
In this case, it is important to remember the constant fluctuations in temperature and humidity in this room. And cutting costs may result in yet another problem — the materials will start to come apart unsightly after a few months (if not weeks).
One more thing: if you are buying bathroom tiles, keep a few spare ones (not as a souvenir, of course). Having them on hand in case of replacement will prove invaluable. This way, you will not have to search the entire store for the same model or improvise if a similar tile has already been discontinued.
#5 Lighting and apartment renovation
For some reason, owners think they can change the location of an electrical socket at any stage, and then they are unpleasantly surprised. As a result, electrical sockets are often installed behind furniture, which is very inconvenient.
In such a case, it is important to remember that the replacement and laying of electrical installation takes place at the earliest stages of the renovation. If you do not have a plan for where and what furniture is to be installed, making changes later is very inconvenient.
Apartment Renovation — Designer Advice
When planning and carrying out a renovation, it is worth drawing on the advice and guidance of experienced people. This also applies to decorating the apartment, which is why we present below a few important tips from an interior designer!
Tip #1. The ceiling is the main surface that sets the mood of a room.
Yes, it is the ceiling (not the walls) that draws the eye more than any other surface. It is therefore worth designing it in a way that matches the interior and… your inner world!
Brick and concrete are trendy, but there is always room for old-fashioned long planks too. Even marble can be used for the ceiling, as long as it aesthetically complements the chosen motifs of the room. All of this, however, applies to modern interiors. If you prefer a classic, neo-modernist solution, whitewash the ceilings or install suspended structures with recessed lighting.
Tip #2. Cosiness = textiles and flowers
Living plants like nothing else bring an apartment to life and give it a cosy character. If you want a similar effect, buy decorative, modern bamboo blinds. For a whimsical, romantic, or English style, curtains and drapes will also be needed. And if the walls are finished with wood, plants will look absolutely stunning against that backdrop!
Tip: If you want to create a distinctive shape and shade on the walls, go for climbing plants. These days, they can be found not only in green, but also in turquoise, blue, purple, and even orange.
Such a solution has many advantages and is environmentally friendly. Contact with nature and the opportunity to restore lost energy will make your home a true oasis of peace and harmony!
Tip #3. Water as a source of positive energy
Water not only cleanses and renews, but also adds a natural atmosphere to a space. So why not harness its power and install an unusual water feature in your apartment? It could be, for example, a small fountain or an aquarium, which does require regular maintenance, but in return offers an amazing effect. Fish are associated with exoticism and freedom, and the blue water of an aquarium can be a mini ocean in your very own apartment!
Tip #4. Lighting and vibrancy are the key!
Even the most successful and well-planned apartment renovation will not produce the desired result if there is not enough light in the apartment. If there is little natural light, this has a negative impact on our wellbeing. It is therefore worth thinking about regularly supplying vitamin D at home and investing in impressive artificial lighting.
How to Clean an Apartment After Renovation?
Regardless of how the renovation goes and how satisfying the results are, once the work is finished, cleaning still needs to be done. Here are a few tips on how to do it best!
Windows are your salvation!
Cleaning is best started with the windows — or more precisely, by opening them! After the renovation is complete, all rooms need to be thoroughly ventilated. This will help you get rid of the smell of fresh paint, adhesive, and other building materials.
Tip: If even after ventilating the rooms the characteristic smell does not disappear, place bowls and buckets of lemon water solution on the floor overnight. It will absorb all remaining traces of the paint smell and give the rooms a pleasant freshness!
Taking out the rubbish
Everything that remains in bags (e.g. cement, old tiles) must be removed. If these are “spare” materials, they should be carefully stored in a storage area. To remove large construction waste and old furniture, it is best to hire a van or order a service from a company specialising in post-renovation clean-ups. And voilà — clean and tidy once again!
Cleaning surfaces
Cleaning products for floors, walls, windows, and mirrors should be chosen according to the area of application.
Note: Bathroom tiles should not be cleaned immediately with a disinfectant, but with a dry cloth. An even better solution is to use a microfibre cloth.
Traces of fresh glue and varnish should also be removed immediately. Otherwise, it will be impossible to get rid of them, even with specialist products.
Windows and frames are checked first. If there is silicone or adhesive on the surface, it is removed with a scraper. If paint has been splattered somewhere, the residue should first be removed using cotton wool soaked in acetone. Only then should they be washed and polished. How? They should be washed using a vinegar solution (dilute 2–3 tablespoons of vinegar in half a litre of water).
If you cannot get rid of a stain that looks very similar to grease, use ammonia alcohol. It is the easiest and most popular cleaning helper!
The floor should not be mopped wet, but dry first. Instead of sweeping, simply wipe the floor with a damp cloth. Only then should the floor be cleaned wet. For tiles and linoleum, it is better to use a solution of 2–3 tablespoons of vinegar or lemon juice and 1 litre of water. After “scrubbing the floors”, the skirting boards should be cleaned.
Important: Wooden floors require a special preparation that protects the wood against scratches and extends its lifespan.
Why Is It Worth Following Our Advice and Tips?
Now that you have learned all the tips and advice regarding apartment renovation, you are most likely ready to get to work! Perhaps, however, some concerns and uncertainty remain. In that case, it is best to entrust this process to the hands of professionals. They know best how to carry out a renovation of your apartment quickly and efficiently.
To ensure your satisfaction, turn to professionals with extensive experience. At BestRemonts, among other things, you will find:
- assistance with measuring the space, assessing its condition, and preparing a preliminary estimate;
- a renovation crew that will carry out tasks strictly according to plan and meet agreed deadlines;
- a qualified site foreman ensuring that individual tasks are carried out to the highest standards.
Our “machine”, modestly named BestRemonts, is prepared to carry out tasks exclusively to a high standard. If you are ready to enjoy the results of your investment of time and money, turn to us. We guarantee comprehensive renovations, professional turnkey apartment renovation, and expert advice! We provide a warranty on our services and are responsible for meeting agreed deadlines.
Are you looking for a reliable renovation company?
We work in apartments ranging from 40 m² to 140 m². The first step after getting in touch with us is receiving:
- a free quote;
- an estimated quantity of raw and finishing materials.
We may not have a great deal to offer… but it is more than enough to help you with a comprehensive renovation!
Three levels of quality control.
- Supply of rough and finishing materials at market prices.
- Reconstruction, renovation services, and more under one roof.
