Let’s face it – renovations are something that can be quite tricky to go through. While they always sound pretty awesome on paper, sometimes they can feel like a real hassle when we’re actually in the middle of the process. How can we avoid that sort of stress and frustration?
There are resources out there like this one that can give you some sort of gauge of what to expect, but that doesn’t necessarily make things easier. Today, we’re going to offer you some tips on how to make things go as smoothly as possible – even down to the smallest little details! If that sounds useful for you, be sure to stick around.
Step One: Make a Plan
We know, we know – this is totally obvious, right? Why even bother bringing it up? Well, at the end of the day, creating a definitive and concrete plan is one of the most important parts of starting a renovation (no matter where you plan to renovate). What might we include in one of these plans, though?
You’ll want to do your best to include any and all relevant details. Budget will be a big one of course, along with a timeline that you want to stick to. No one wants to end up stuck in the dredges of a renovation for months or even years, after all – so, setting a deadline can really help prevent that.
Additionally, you’ll want to think about what exactly you’re looking to change or update. For some of us it will be things like the appliances or the counters, but for others, it will also include the smaller (but no less important) details such as the sink or the faucets.
It may seem surprising, but there are a lot of different types of kitchen sink faucets – don’t be taken by surprise later on and do your best to make those kinds of decisions early on in the process. It will definitely save you some stress or angst later down the line.

Step Two: Don’t Forget the Details
While we don’t mean to keep harping on this, it’s a point that’s definitely worth emphasizing. If you look at the above picture, what stands out to you? Whomever decorated that space had an eye for details, and carefully chose all of the fixtures involved. From the lights to the kitchen faucets and even the backsplash, everything is carefully chosen and installed.
When you’re going through a renovation, it can be really easy to lose sight of those small details. However, in the end, they’re what really pulls everything together. It might sound boring but take a moment to explore the different options available – even of your kitchen faucets!
After all, there are tons of options available – from the pull-out options that have hoses attached, the no-touch models that allow for greater convenience, to the filter faucets, it’s worth spending the time to choose what will really best suit your needs. Sometimes, it’s good to “get down in the weeds” and micromanage every little detail of your new kitchen – especially if you’re going to be the one living in it!

Step Three: Contractors or No Contractors?
Of course, one of the biggest questions that plagues most homeowners who take on a renovation project is this one: should we hire a contractor or not? To a large extent, this will depend on the scale of the project you’re taking on.
For example, if all you’re doing is painting the walls or installing a new faucet, you may not need to bring in the big guns. Most homeowners can handle that sort of thing on their own without needing any help. However, if you’re getting all new appliances, ripping out the current cabinets and installing new ones, or changing up any plumbing, it could be time to get the professionals involved.
While it costs more to have a contractor or plumber added onto a project, it’s worth the hassle for those larger-scale operations. Articles like this one: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/16/realestate/kitchen-renovation-home-improvement.html explain why that’s the case, if you aren’t sure about it.
Step Four: Get to Work
Whether you’re bringing in the pros or not, chances are, there are going to be some things that you have to do yourself. It might be painting, or installing a faucet, or simply arranging things once everything else is done – either way, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get it done!
Don’t procrastinate or put these things off – it just makes the whole process more difficult for everyone involved. When you’re lacking motivation, try bringing in a friend or a loved one to help you out! That can bring some much-needed inspiration if you’re experiencing some sort of internal wall that’s got you in a funk.
Step Five: Keep Calm and Don’t Get Overwhelmed
For our final step, we’d like to remind you of something very important: do your best to stay calm, and don’t let the stress get to you. This can be really hard sometimes – we totally get that. However, it’s one of the most paramount aspects of a renovation project. Try to keep it together, even on those days where it can feel impossible.
How can we accomplish this? Well, we’ve got several tips that might be helpful. For one thing, don’t be afraid to take breaks. Trying to do too much at once can lead to burnout, which can be a real pain to deal with. Breaking the tasks up into manageable chunks right off the bat is a great way to avoid that from the start.
Still, though, even with smaller tasks, the pressure can be pretty intense. If you need to, just take a day or two to center yourself again and get back in the zone. Although it might feel like a waste of time, recharging those batteries means that you can get back to things at max efficiency again!
Overall, there’s a lot to juggle with renovations, but hopefully this guide will help you get a handle on it!