Remodeling is an exciting step toward creating the home of your dreams. However, many homeowners don’t realize how much a renovation can interfere with daily life and affect their mental health.
Your home is a refuge you can return to after a day of hard work. However, during a major remodel, it changes from a place of peace into a space filled with chaos, strangers and a lot of dust.
Thankfully, you can utilize strategies to help you and your family handle the stress of construction and make it through renovations successfully. Here are seven things you can do to prep your family for a home remodel.
- Pack up Your Things
Remodeling is similar to moving in that there are things you can pack away to make this process easier. You should completely clear out rooms that will be remodeled and remove breakable items from adjacent rooms.
You’ll also need to find a place to store these boxes until the remodel is complete. Make sure you label everything clearly so you don’t forget what’s inside.
2. Anticipate Inconveniences
Parts of your house will be completely deconstructed during a remodel. The earlier you pack things up, the sooner you’ll realize what inconveniences renovations will cause.
For example, if you’re renovating your kitchen, you may lose access to your dishwasher, oven, stove, refrigerator and pantry. Think through how the renovations will affect your house so you can plan how to meet your needs.
3. Remember the Goal
Have a family meeting and talk about your goals for the remodel. What will the changes to your house mean for your family? Will there be an extra bedroom? Will the kitchen be larger? How will the renovation change your yard?
Finding a clear goal and sticking to it will help you make it through intense renovations. Inconveniences will be easier to live with if you remember how the completed remodel will benefit your life.
4. Choose a Second Home
Remodels can be loud, dusty and stressful. The conditions inside your home will probably start to wear on your nerves, even if you have a positive attitude. This is the perfect time to find a second home.
Some families move out until a remodel is complete. However, you can also make a park, library or relative’s house a place of escape when you need a break. Be creative and choose a location that reduces stress and rejuvenates your family.
5. Simplify Life
Most American families have busy schedules. Between work, school, after-school activities, food and sleep, there’s not much time left in the day. However, it’s important to realize that a house remodel will take a significant chunk of your time.
It’s a good idea to simplify your life and pare down on activities until the work is done. Switch out after-school sports for playing in the backyard and schedule stress-relieving activities into your day. The pace of life might not exactly slow down, but it will be much more manageable.
6. Stick to Routine
Routines provide boundaries that increase productivity and reduce stress in your life. It’s more important than ever for your family to have a sense of consistency amid the chaos.
You may need to adjust or reinvent your previous routines during your home remodel. Focus on having consistent sleep and mealtimes, and add structure anywhere your family is experiencing stress. You’ll be amazed at how small changes can keep your family healthy and happy during this time.
7. Blow Off Steam
One of the best ways to reduce stress is by having fun. Take your kids outside on days when you just need to blow off some steam. Eat dinner out, talk to a friend, ask for a babysitter or do a family dance workout.
A Family Affair
Remodeling your home can be stressful, but you don’t have to let it control your life. Try to relax and enjoy the ride – the remodel will be over eventually, and you’ll have a new, updated space to enjoy. Do what you can to invest in a healthy mind and body until then.
Use these seven steps to help your family prepare and thrive during a home remodel. Remember that the results of your renovation will be well worth the trouble it took to achieve them.
