Home improvement: Make renovations a family affair
If you’re planning a renovation and have children, your project is undoubtedly going to become a family affair. Getting the whole family involved will not only reduce the stress of a project, it can also boost your kids’ self-esteem while teaching them valuable skills.
“The best way for this to happen is to make it a family-friendly project that is DIY (do-it-yourself) level,” says Chris Palmer.
Small tear-outs and demos, painting walls or cabinets, refinishing furniture and installing flooring are other examples of family-friendly projects. “A great project with the wee ones is having them apply fun wall decals to the bedroom or doing a playroom makeover,” Palmer says.
The reasons to renovate your home are many and include customizing it to your unique taste, adding livable space and improving its value. Many families opt to remain in their home and renovate as their children grow up and the needs of the family evolve. We’ve connected with a few Home Show experts for advice on how to make your renovation a family bonding experience and they had lots to say!
Give all family members a say in what they want to see in the renovation, especially if it’s a bedroom, personal bathroom or common area, says renovation expert Jordan Spear. “Get the kids involved too. Simple tasks like a helping hand, painting or cleaning up are a great way to start.
“When kids feel they’re contributing to the final renovation result, it can do wonders for their self-esteem, which will lead to them wanting to help more. Actively doing tasks together is a great way to bring the whole family together. Try to make it fun and not feel like a chore.”
Handyman Shawn Monteith agrees. Consider, for example, allowing the kids to paint a portion of a wall. (Don’t worry, you can repaint it if necessary.) “Have lots of floor tarps and load the brush or roller for them…Seeing the paint on the wall will give them the sense that they’re helping,” he says.
Ask the kids to help bring in products or take out garbage; show them what you’re doing and why; and let them use some of your tools. “With adult supervision, kids can use a cordless drill and help put a screw in or use a hammer to hit a nail. Common sense and the kid’s age should be considered when doing this,” Monteith says.
Planning a demolition? “What 15-year-old wouldn’t love to take a hammer and destroy a wall? Proper training, safety and advice before work will help them not only that day, but for the rest of their lives,” says Monteith. He has seen firsthand the benefits of involving kids in renovation projects.
“My son has been around construction with me all his life,” he says. “I started showing him the little things I did and why when he was very young. Over the years, I would ask him what he would do in a certain situation when building or fixing. He would not only come up with a correct answer most times but would even have a better solution than me a couple of times. This amazed me and I would tell him that he has what it takes to be really good handyman. He started working for me at 15 and after a few years, I even send him on jobs to complete by himself. He hasn’t disappointed me yet.”
REDUCE RENO STRESS
If well-organized renovations can be stressful for adults, imagine the impact on children who thrive on routine. Designer Andrea Coleman offers these tips:
* Explain the renovation to the kids and what it will mean for your family. Ask them for their ideas and input – you may be surprised at their suggestions.
* Outline the steps of work to be done – planning, decluttering/packing, relocating (if applicable), demolition/construction, finishing touches and moving back in – and about how long each will take.
* Stick to a routine as much as possible throughout the process.
* Ask kids what they think of the finishes and include them in the selection process. If redecorating their rooms, preselect a few options – such as bedding, paint colours and lighting – and let them make the final choices. Doing so lets them know their opinion matters and the room will reflect their personality.
* Construction sites can be dangerous places for kids. Sharing photos of the renovation helps them see progress.
COMMON RENOS
Kitchens and bathrooms regularly top the list of in-demand renovations and that’s really no surprise since they’re also the areas of a home that take the most abuse, says Spear. Unfinished basements are also a popular renovation and since they’re blank palettes, they’re typically cheaper and faster to complete than spaces requiring demolition. As an added benefit, basement renos have less impact on your day-to-day routine.
Homeowners are also paying attention to outdoor spaces. “Many people can’t afford a cottage or retreat, so many are upgrading their patios, decks and backyards to create a retreat that can be enjoyed daily,” Spear says. “Creating outdoor rooms allows for additional space, without undertaking a major renovation like an addition or extra storey.”
RENO TRENDS
Smart technology is increasingly mainstream. “Nowadays, it’s not just new cupboards and countertops to consider when designing a kitchen,” says Monteith. Depending on their budget, a homeowner can add things like a smart fridge, microwave, lighting and heated floors.
Creating spaces for multi-generational living, such as elderly parents aging in place or moving in with family and adult children staying at home longer, are also on trend, says Coleman. “Painted furniture paired with raw materials – such as leather, wood, stone, marble or concrete – create a hardworking home that is classic in nature yet contemporary in finish,” she says.
Upscale laundry rooms are also making their way onto renovation wish lists. “Gone are the days of the little dark corner of the basement. Laundry rooms are becoming vibrant, with kitchen-like finishes, colours, textures and decorative fixtures,” says Spear. “Many homeowners are either ditching the tub or incorporating walk-in showers into the existing bathrooms. If possible, most are going for the biggest shower they can fit into a space.”
Source: https://bit.ly/2ISK7Z9
