When it comes to home renovations, prioritizing can be overwhelming. Start with the rooms you’ll use the most or that have the most traffic—like kitchens, bathrooms, and living rooms—before moving onto less frequently used spaces. Focus on essential updates before tackling cosmetic changes, and if possible, get high-traffic areas done before you move in to minimize disruption.
1. Start with the Kitchen
The kitchen is often the heart of the home, and it’s one of the most heavily used rooms. Not only will you spend a lot of time there, but kitchen renovations also tend to give the best return on investment, making it a smart place to start.
Whether you’re doing a full remodel or just updating the countertops and appliances, it’s best to tackle the kitchen first. This way, you have a functional space for preparing meals when you move in, and you won’t be dealing with the mess and disruption of a kitchen reno later on when you’re settled into your new home.
Pro Tip:
Focus on practical improvements like upgrading outdated appliances, replacing old countertops, or adding more storage before getting into aesthetic changes. A functional kitchen is key!
2. Bathrooms: High-Traffic, High-Priority
Bathrooms are another high-traffic area that you’ll want to have functional and updated before you move in. Whether you’re dealing with outdated fixtures, plumbing issues, or an inefficient layout, renovating the bathroom early on is crucial.
If your home has multiple bathrooms, prioritize the one you’ll use the most, like the primary or guest bathroom. Ensuring that at least one bathroom is completely finished and operational makes living in the home easier while you take on other renovation projects.
Fun Fact:
According to many real estate experts, bathroom remodels—especially the primary bathroom—can give you one of the best returns on investment when it comes time to sell your home.
3. Living Room and Common Spaces
After the kitchen and bathrooms, the living room or family room should be next on your renovation list. This is where you’ll entertain guests and spend a lot of time relaxing, so you want it to be comfortable and functional as soon as possible.
If you’re planning on updating the flooring, lighting, or painting, it’s best to do this before moving in to avoid having to move furniture around later. These areas often see heavy foot traffic, so durable flooring and comfortable, functional layouts should be prioritized.
Pro Tip:
Focus on creating a cozy atmosphere with the right lighting and functional furniture placement. This is also a good time to make any necessary updates to your home’s electrical system or wiring for entertainment systems before closing up walls.
4. Bedrooms: Comfort and Privacy
Your bedroom is your sanctuary, so while it may not be as high-traffic as other rooms, it’s important to renovate this space to ensure comfort and relaxation. If you’re planning on updating the flooring, repainting, or adding built-in storage, it’s wise to do it before you move in so that you don’t have to deal with dust and disruptions while trying to sleep.
The primary bedroom should be your top priority, followed by guest rooms or children’s bedrooms. If time and budget allow, knock out these renovations before settling into the home for an easier transition.
Fun Fact:
Even simple updates like fresh paint and new window treatments can drastically improve the comfort and ambiance of your bedroom.
5. Entryways and Hallways
While entryways and hallways may not seem like a priority, these are high-traffic areas that set the tone for the rest of your home. A functional and welcoming entryway makes a great first impression and helps keep things organized. Consider adding durable flooring, storage for shoes and coats, and good lighting.
Since hallways and entryways are often small spaces, these renovations can be done quickly and without too much disruption, making them a good project to tackle in between larger renovations.
Pro Tip:
Choose easy-to-clean flooring like tile or vinyl in entryways, as these areas tend to get dirty quickly from foot traffic.
6. Save Bedrooms, Home Offices, and Guest Rooms for Last
Less frequently used spaces, like spare bedrooms, home offices, and guest rooms, can usually wait until after you’ve tackled the more essential areas. While it’s tempting to want to decorate every room right away, these rooms typically don’t see as much daily use, so you can afford to hold off on major renovations until the rest of the home is in good shape.
These spaces are ideal for projects later down the line when your budget has recovered from the more important renovations and you’ve lived in the home long enough to decide what you really need from these rooms.
Pro Tip:
Instead of rushing to renovate these spaces, consider using temporary fixes like fresh paint or swapping out light fixtures until you’re ready for a full remodel.
Key Things to Consider Before Starting Renovations:
- Budget: Prioritize projects based on your budget. It’s easy to get excited about making changes, but you don’t want to overspend early on and run out of funds for necessary updates.
- Timing: Some renovations are much easier to complete before you move in. Projects like redoing floors or painting large areas are far less disruptive when the house is empty.
- Functionality: Always focus on functionality first, especially in rooms like the kitchen and bathroom. Cosmetic changes can come later once the basics are in place.
Key Takeaways for New Homeowners
When it comes to renovations, start with the rooms you’ll use the most: the kitchen, bathrooms, and living areas. Prioritize these spaces before moving onto bedrooms, entryways, and finally, less-used spaces like guest rooms or home offices. Focus on functionality and essential updates first to make your home livable and comfortable from the start. Tackling high-traffic areas early on ensures that your home works for you from day one, while more decorative projects can wait until you’re settled in.
