Which piece of renovation advice would you NOT pass on?

7 years ago

We all love good advice, but what about advice that proved to be the opposite of you were hoping for? Share them below and warn other Houzzers!

Hackney Flat · More Info

Featured Answer

biigem

7 years ago

Unless you're able to redecorate every few years, do not follow design trends: your renovation/ redecoration will need to outlive the latest fad or "must have look". Find your personal style rather than a copy / paste of what you see in magazines.

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Comments (13)

Jonathan
7 years ago
My friend firmly believes that buying lots of stuff is decorating.
In my experience you need to have a plan of the final look and to start at the beginning. This generally means removing the last decorating mistakes, making repairs, moving radiators, replacing lost features and potentially knocking down walls. These are the things that make the most difference to your home.
annarocks123
7 years ago
You CANNOT sand floor boards with a belt sander. Go to a hire shop and rent the proper drum sander and edger. In this instance the internet is a *********, *******, *******, *******, ******** lier; do not believe it.
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Joanna Biddolph
7 years ago
Recommendations (such as for suppliers) from people who have not used the people they recommend. You only find this out when the supplier proves to be useless or, worse, causes damage or creates problems ... the person who recommended them then says they heard about the supplier from someone else. Please only give first hand recommendations or make it clear they are not personal recommendations.
Sonia
7 years ago
That chalk paints are an easy way to update furniture and require no sanding/primer. I've just painted a pine wardrobe. The paint was difficult to spread and coverage is poor. I've done 2 coats so far and I can still see the wood through it. Then it has to be finished (this paint chips easily) either with wax or Matt varnish. Easy? No way!
turquoisetree53
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Probably the 'worst' advice, we had, was when renovating a house in Provence. Fitting everything into the high-ceiling bathroom including a shower area, meant we were persuaded to build in a bath across our nice window with shutters. (.."There may be someone who wants a bath"...). It was therefore never as easy to just walk up to the (wisteria-fringed) window and look out. In 10 years, we never (once) used the bath, far preferring the really nice walk in shower, as did all our guests. (The bath turned out to be a dust and spider catcher and was a (back) pain to clean). Lesson learned. Having renovated several properties and apartments since, we have simply removed baths and concentrated on installing lovely to walk in, spacious and safe showers with decent water pressure. We have never regretted putting in under-floor heating.
eehchristie
7 years ago
Beware of glowing recommendations. Statistically I have had equally good and bad experiences by using yellow pages. The worst plasterer I ever employed came "highly recommended". The finish was like orange peel and 2 years later very expensive wallpaper was applied.
gilliifer
7 years ago
Go for the tiles you first thought of and don't compromise. They stay there for years
PRO
Stella Michael
6 years ago
"You need to consider how it impacts on the resale value." I want a house I can live and love in. It's a home not an "investment". If I choose to resell in the future I can paint over my bold colour choices or add a bath if people really want one. In the meantime I want to enjoy my home and live for now. Also if something is well-designed then it doesn't date and and tends to look good despite age and taste.

My experience is that people are often scared of experimenting and once they see it in place they are surprised how much they like it.

This goes alongside "paint everything neutral" and add a splash of colour ... sooo boring for me. Walls can be painted, kitchen doors changed etc etc

Live for now ...
PRO
Stella Michael
6 years ago
Regarding recommendations, it's important to consider who is giving you the recommendation and why ... I have some friends who like someone because they are cheap, or friendly or easily available etc. I like good quality finishes, would prefer to wait for a good person, someone I can talk things through with who is open to ideas and collaborating (rather than 'I am the expert') and prefer good design and value for money rather than cheap. We all have different priorities.
Juliet Docherty
6 years ago
Painting your house white will make it look Scandi......not so sure about that.
Gerry Rust
6 years ago
I would disregard most advice unless it is of a practical nature and backed up by hard evidence! There will always be someone to tell you that something can't or shouldn't be done but it's your house and it should reflect your personality and preferences. There is no such thing as the style police so if that means magenta walls and cat figurines on every available surface then go for it :D Stella Michael is 100% right, there is plenty of time to make changes should you decide to sell and it is causing a problem. Also if you have fallen in love with something don't compromise, you will always regret buying the cheaper tiles or whatever it was you had set your heart on but someone talked you out of!
Dundrum 16
6 years ago
I'm looking forward to seeing the others

Which piece of renovation advice would you NOT pass on?

biigem

Comments (13)

Jonathan

annarocks123

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Joanna Biddolph

Sonia

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gilliifer

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