10 Essential Details to Consider When Renovating Your Home
Don’t forget to think about more than aesthetics when you’re organising a project
Denise O'Connor
11 July 2020
Denise holds a degree in architecture from Richview School of Architecture in UCD. After graduating in Dublin she moved to London where she worked on residential, healthcare and office schemes including the award-winning headquarters for Holiday Extras for which she was project architect at Walker and Martin. In 2005 she returned to Dublin and set up architecture and interior design consultancy Optimise Design.
Denise is an architecture and interiors columnist for the Irish Times and a contributor for HOUZZ. She is also a regular contributor to various other publications and also gives lectures on a range of topics. She was a presenter for the first series of the RTE TV show ‘The Design Doctors’ and is the creator and name behind the successful paint collection for Dulux called Signature...
Denise holds a degree in architecture from Richview School of Architecture in UCD.... More
There’s so much to take in when you’re planning a refurbishment that it can be easy to focus on the aesthetics and forget about the less glamorous elements. Things such as coat storage, linen cupboards and light sockets all sound mundane, but, without properly planning these bits, your gorgeous rooms could soon be chaotic. Consider these key points to ensure your home is both fabulous and functional.
This article is from our Most Popular stories file
This article is from our Most Popular stories file
Think ahead
Try to plan for the future and not just now. Consider how you can make sure your property accommodates your own changing needs, or evolves as your children grow.
For example, an open-plan layout is great for keeping an eye on younger kids, but might need to be adapted when teenagers want more privacy. A solution would be to design a flexible space where you can add doors or dividers at a later date.
Try to plan for the future and not just now. Consider how you can make sure your property accommodates your own changing needs, or evolves as your children grow.
For example, an open-plan layout is great for keeping an eye on younger kids, but might need to be adapted when teenagers want more privacy. A solution would be to design a flexible space where you can add doors or dividers at a later date.
Know where everything will go
Decide where all of your furniture will be positioned before you plan your radiator, socket and lighting layouts. That way, you’ll know where the row of pendants needs to hang, if a radiator will be in the way, and where you’ll require sockets for computers and other devices.
Decide where all of your furniture will be positioned before you plan your radiator, socket and lighting layouts. That way, you’ll know where the row of pendants needs to hang, if a radiator will be in the way, and where you’ll require sockets for computers and other devices.
Keep some walls
Make sure you leave yourself some wall space. This might sound like strange advice, but it’s easy to run out of walls to hang art or put furniture against, particularly in an open-plan layout.
Try also to resist the temptation to put a window on every external wall. Plan your views carefully to make the most of the garden or landscape beyond, and avoid putting windows that look out onto ugly side passages.
Find a local architect to maximise your home’s potential in the Houzz Professionals Directory.
Make sure you leave yourself some wall space. This might sound like strange advice, but it’s easy to run out of walls to hang art or put furniture against, particularly in an open-plan layout.
Try also to resist the temptation to put a window on every external wall. Plan your views carefully to make the most of the garden or landscape beyond, and avoid putting windows that look out onto ugly side passages.
Find a local architect to maximise your home’s potential in the Houzz Professionals Directory.
Go green
If you’re changing your heating or lighting system, take the opportunity to install smart technology. These are intelligent systems that you can control remotely from a computer or mobile phone. Some can even adapt and react to how you use them. For example, they’ll get to know how warm you like your home and adjust accordingly.
It’s worth putting in the effort now to ensure your home runs efficiently in the future.
If you’re changing your heating or lighting system, take the opportunity to install smart technology. These are intelligent systems that you can control remotely from a computer or mobile phone. Some can even adapt and react to how you use them. For example, they’ll get to know how warm you like your home and adjust accordingly.
It’s worth putting in the effort now to ensure your home runs efficiently in the future.
Choose flooring carefully
It’s easy to get carried away by the look of a floor, but think about the practicalities first. In a kitchen, for example, tiles might be a more practical choice than timber. Yes, a wooden floor is beautiful in a kitchen, but before you decide, be realistic about how much you’re willing to look after it. Timber and water don’t get along, so the area around the sink is the most likely to show signs of wear and tear.
Similarly, consider the pros and cons of using carpet upstairs, or think about how hardwearing a floor you need in the hallway.
Read professional advice on how to choose the perfect kitchen flooring.
It’s easy to get carried away by the look of a floor, but think about the practicalities first. In a kitchen, for example, tiles might be a more practical choice than timber. Yes, a wooden floor is beautiful in a kitchen, but before you decide, be realistic about how much you’re willing to look after it. Timber and water don’t get along, so the area around the sink is the most likely to show signs of wear and tear.
Similarly, consider the pros and cons of using carpet upstairs, or think about how hardwearing a floor you need in the hallway.
Read professional advice on how to choose the perfect kitchen flooring.
Consider ventilation
For living spaces with large expanses of glazing, try to incorporate one or two smaller windows for ventilation. A wide bifold door, for example, looks gorgeous and enables you to enjoy the outdoors during the summer. However, there will be times on colder days when you only want a small opening to ventilate the room.
For living spaces with large expanses of glazing, try to incorporate one or two smaller windows for ventilation. A wide bifold door, for example, looks gorgeous and enables you to enjoy the outdoors during the summer. However, there will be times on colder days when you only want a small opening to ventilate the room.
Don’t waste space
Think about the underused areas in your home that could be utilised as storage. Below the stairs is a great example, but it’s usually just a general storage cupboard filled to capacity and difficult to access. There are great solutions that will allow you to subdivide the space into drawers and cupboards to maximise this part of the house.
Think about the underused areas in your home that could be utilised as storage. Below the stairs is a great example, but it’s usually just a general storage cupboard filled to capacity and difficult to access. There are great solutions that will allow you to subdivide the space into drawers and cupboards to maximise this part of the house.
Opt for designated storage
Storage is a practicality of which you can never have enough. Consider what your requirements are and let what you need to stow away dictate the kind of storage you select. Designated storage is more efficient and useful than a general-purpose cupboard, so it’s worth including it in your plans.
Storage is a practicality of which you can never have enough. Consider what your requirements are and let what you need to stow away dictate the kind of storage you select. Designated storage is more efficient and useful than a general-purpose cupboard, so it’s worth including it in your plans.
Add clever details
If you’re lucky enough to have a laundry room, make sure it’s as efficient as possible. Think about how you’ll use the space and what kind of equipment and storage you’ll need.
Consider raising up your washing machine and tumble dryer, so you don’t have to stoop when using them. By doing this, you’ll gain space below for pull-out drawers that could be used as laundry baskets.
If you’re lucky enough to have a laundry room, make sure it’s as efficient as possible. Think about how you’ll use the space and what kind of equipment and storage you’ll need.
Consider raising up your washing machine and tumble dryer, so you don’t have to stoop when using them. By doing this, you’ll gain space below for pull-out drawers that could be used as laundry baskets.
Make room for coats
Even if it’s a small cupboard off your hallway, a spot for outerwear storage will be an important space in your home. Without it, you risk coats being piled up on the end of your stairs – or on the floor. A bespoke solution like this one works really well, as it has cubbyholes for bags and even a seat for putting on shoes.
Tell us…
What practicalities have you considered during your renovation? Share your ideas and experiences in the Comments.
Even if it’s a small cupboard off your hallway, a spot for outerwear storage will be an important space in your home. Without it, you risk coats being piled up on the end of your stairs – or on the floor. A bespoke solution like this one works really well, as it has cubbyholes for bags and even a seat for putting on shoes.
Tell us…
What practicalities have you considered during your renovation? Share your ideas and experiences in the Comments.
Related Stories
Decorating
Where Do I Start When Renovating or Redecorating My Home?
By Eva Byrne
Keen to get going on a project but not sure where to begin? Read this practical guide to getting started
Full Story
Gardens
How Do I Create a Drought-tolerant Garden?
By Kate Burt
As summers heat up, plants that need less water are increasingly desirable. Luckily, there are lots of beautiful options
Full Story
Architecture
21 Ways Designers Are Incorporating Arches Into Homes
By Kate Burt
Everywhere we look on Houzz right now, a cheeky arch pops up. How would you add this timeless architectural feature?
Full Story
Lifestyle
How to Improve the Air Quality in Your Home
Want to ensure your home environment is clean and healthy? Start by assessing the quality of your air
Full Story
Gardens
Can I Have a Lawn-free Garden That’s Kind to the Environment?
Try these tips to help you plan a garden without grass that’s still leafy and eco-friendly
Full Story
Sustainability
How Can I Incorporate Biodiversity Into My Building Project?
By Kate Burt
If you’re renovating, you have a brilliant opportunity to plan in nature-friendly touches at the outset
Full Story
Lofts
How Do I Begin a Loft Conversion?
Wondering where to start when converting your loft? Ask yourself these questions to ensure you plan well
Full Story
Living Rooms
Where Designers Would Spend and Save in a Living Room
By Cheryl F
It’s your main relaxation space, so what should you splurge or scrimp on in the living room?
Full Story
Architecture
Japan’s Riken Yamamoto Wins the 2024 Pritzker Architecture Prize
The architect is known for creating indoor-outdoor homes and buildings that foster a strong sense of community
Full Story
Working with Pros
How to Choose an Electrician
By Cheryl F
From what to ask to getting the best result possible, here’s what to know when you’re hiring an electrician
Full Story
I know it's super popular to have one large, zoned living space, but I wonder how many of those have a separate utility room or the planet's most efficient extractor system? My partner's flat has a single living space and he gets a lot of noise from his A++ washer dryer, and even with the cooker hood full blast we still notice yesterday's full English breakfast aroma hanging in the air. I love a kitchen diner, but I also love a room away from the noise and smells. It's much more relaxing that way
We renovated and spent a lot of money in the process we now have a lovely large open plan kitchen/lounge but cannot have the washer or dryer on at night as is so noisy especially as they are integrated so we are now building a utility/office room on the side I wish we had realised this at the time
Lights over a kitchen sink.