Complete Home Renovation Guide: Effortlessly Create Your Ideal Cozy Home

Home is the sanctuary of the soul. Everyone longs to have a living space that is both charming and comfortable. However, home renovation is no easy task; from initial planning to actual construction, every step hides its own intricacies. Today, we present a super detailed full guide to home renovation, helping you effortlessly unlock the proper approach to creating your ideal home.

Pre-Renovation Planning

1) Determine the Renovation Style:

The renovation style is the soul of a home, as it determines the overall tone and atmosphere of the space.

Common styles include:

• Minimalist Modern Style: Focuses on clean lines and functionality, embracing “less is more” to create a fashionable and grand feeling.

• European Style: Filled with a natural and fresh atmosphere, mainly using white and wood tones, combined with greenery, to create a warm and cozy living environment.

• Chinese Style: Emphasizes the integration of traditional elements and cultural heritage, showcasing elegance and dignity.

When choosing a style, fully consider your personal preferences, lifestyle habits, and the structure of your home.

2) Set a Budget:

The renovation budget is like the “steering wheel” of the project; reasonable planning ensures the renovation process runs smoothly.

Divide the budget into basic construction, main materials, furniture, and soft decoration.

• Generally, basic construction (plumbing, electrical, masonry, carpentry, painting, etc.) accounts for 30%–40% of the total budget.

• Main materials (flooring, tiles, doors and windows, etc.) account for 30%–40%.

• Furniture accounts for 20%–30%.

• Soft decoration (curtains, artwork, cushions, etc.) accounts for 10%–20%.

Of course, these are approximate proportions and can be adjusted according to actual needs.

Basic Construction

1) Plumbing and Electrical Work:

Plumbing and electrical systems are the “lifeline” of a home. Once problems occur, repairs later can be very troublesome.

Before construction, communicate thoroughly with designers and plumbers/electricians to determine the placement of furniture and appliances, allowing for accurate pre-installation of sockets and switches.

Piping should follow the principle of horizontal and vertical alignment, and pressure tests should be conducted to ensure no leaks.

2) Masonry and Tiling Work:

Masonry work mainly includes wall building and tile installation.

When building walls, ensure verticality and flatness. Newly built walls should be reinforced with wall ties to enhance stability.

Tiling is a key step. For both wall and floor tiles, pay attention to hollowing rates: wall tiles should not exceed 5%, and floor tiles should not exceed 3%. For transporting large or heavy tiles, electric wire rope hoists can assist to ensure smooth and safe material handling.

Additionally, waterproofing in bathrooms and kitchens is crucial. The waterproof layer should be at least 1.8 meters in shower areas and at least 30 centimeters in other areas.

3) Carpentry Work:

Carpentry includes ceilings, door and window frames, wardrobes, cabinets, and other custom woodwork.

If furniture is made on-site, pay attention to the quality and environmental safety of the wood.

Ceiling designs should consider the space height and overall style to avoid overly complex shapes that make the space feel cramped.

Pay attention to details in carpentry, such as making joints smooth and flush to avoid gaps.

4) Painting Work:

Painting can give a home a fresh, visually appealing look.

Before painting, prepare walls and ceilings to ensure a smooth surface.

Use environmentally friendly latex paint, and apply according to specifications, generally in two to three coats, allowing adequate drying time between coats to ensure even color and texture.

Main Material Selection

1) Flooring:

Flooring is an important main material in home renovation. Common options include solid wood flooring, engineered wood flooring, and laminate flooring.

Solid wood flooring is natural, environmentally friendly, and comfortable underfoot, but it is more expensive and requires careful maintenance.

Engineered wood flooring combines the beauty of solid wood with the stability of laminate flooring, and is moderately priced.

Laminate flooring is durable and easy to maintain, making it more budget-friendly.

When choosing flooring, consider the function of different spaces and personal preference. For example, bedrooms may use solid wood or engineered wood, while living rooms can use laminate or tile depending on the style.

2) Tiles:

Tiles are widely used in home renovation, including wall tiles, floor tiles, and kitchen/bathroom tiles.

When selecting tiles, pay attention to water absorption, hardness, and slip resistance.

For wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms, choose tiles with low water absorption and good slip resistance.

For living rooms and bedrooms, choose tile patterns and materials according to the style.

Also, consider tile size: large tiles make spaces appear more spacious, while small tiles offer more personality.

3) Doors and Windows:

Doors and windows not only affect the safety, thermal insulation, and soundproofing of a home, but also influence the overall aesthetics. During installation, a pulley system with sheaves can be used to assist in lifting and positioning.

When choosing doors and windows, pay attention to the quality of the profiles. For example, broken bridge aluminum doors and windows offer good insulation and soundproofing.

For glass, double or triple-layer insulated glass effectively reduces noise and heat transfer.

Also, do not overlook hardware; quality hardware ensures smooth opening and closing and prolongs service life.

Home Soft Decoration and Coordination

1) Furniture Selection:

Furniture is the main element of a home space. When choosing furniture, consider space size, style consistency, and functionality.

Determine the placement and size of large furniture like sofas, beds, and wardrobes first, then add smaller pieces for decoration.

Also, focus on material quality to ensure furniture is sturdy, durable, and environmentally safe.

2) Soft Decoration Arrangement:

Soft decoration is the finishing touch of a home, bringing warmth and personality.

Curtains, rugs, cushions, artwork, and other soft furnishings should match the overall renovation style.

For minimalist modern homes, choose furnishings with clean lines and bright colors.

For vintage-style homes, choose patterns and textures that are rich and heavy.

Green plants are also essential in soft decoration. They not only purify the air but also bring vitality and liveliness to the home.

Conclusion

Home renovation is a journey full of challenges and surprises. As long as you plan carefully, pay attention to every detail, and select materials and furniture thoughtfully, you can create your ideal cozy home. We hope this guide provides strong support for your renovation journey, helping you effortlessly realize your dream home.