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.
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