Remodeling is often done in phases since you still usually have to live in your house through the messy process and while doing an entire house renovation can seem daunting, if you break down the process and take it one phase at a time, it becomes much more manageable. I’m down to the last and final phase for my house which is the master suite! I wasn’t planning on doing it quite so soon, but my daughter discovered mushrooms growing in my bathroom a few weeks ago and let’s just say…we’re on a faster track to get this done!

I am going to try to document this phase and my approach so you can go on this journey with me if you are thinking about your own home remodel. And as anxious as I am to dig in and get started in the demo/construction phase, there is a painful amount of planning that has to be done first. So, it’s not glamorous, but really, none of remodeling is, right?, but it’s very necessary! So, here we go…

1. For months before you are ready to remodel, I hope you’ve been saving pictures of favorite rooms, features, decor, etc on Pinterest and Houzz. I label each board/collection by room so I can easily go back to remember the looks I liked. You’re really just looking for inspiration here. There is no right or wrong, you don’t have to justify why you like a picture (or don’t!), just save it and keep going. Every couple of weeks I go through my saved images and delete what I am no longer attracted to.

2. "Build" the space you are planning to remodel in a digital blue print app such as Home Design 3D. You will measure each wall and literally draw it out in the App. This will make it so much easier to see the possibilities if you want to remove or construct walls. Even if you don’t plan on moving walls, this is extremely helpful to see what new or rearranged furniture would look like before you actually start moving or purchasing new items. Will that king size bed and the new nightstands really fit in along that wall? Check it here!

3. Before you get your heart set on any plans, hire a qualified professional to your home to look at support walls that either have to stay or be supported in another way if removed. If you are not planning on removing any walls, skip this step! This is critical though if you are - don’t just assume you can take a wall out, even if it is a small one!

4. Once you have your draft laid out, get further inspired and start finalizing the space before you even start construction. What do you want your finished room to look like? Start shopping! If you want a new vanity, there are some amazing all-in-one units out there on Wayfair and the like. You need to find the appropriate size for your space, but if you can make a pre-made work versus a custom, you’ll save mega time and money. Look at flooring options. New shower? Look at door sizes and options. Figure out what you want, what you can afford and if the sizes available are compatible with the space you have to work with because, again, anything "custom" becomes expensive and time consuming!

5. Tape out your space if at all possible. Grab your blue painters tape and use your 3D app to match the changes you have made. This is a great way to double check your work and really visualize further the amount of space you have to work with. How big is the new wall actually going to be? What will go on it? Where will the dresser go? Want to add an electric fireplace or tv? Tape it all out for a true visual of the space. It's not perfect, but it's a heck of a lot better than ordering something that is either way too big or too small.

6. Think about where you will need power that may not exist, or new plumbing needs. Power and plumbing get real expensive real quick, so keep this in mind depending on your budget. Think about the "little things" such as where you would plug Christmas ligthts into. Want a TV on the wall? Do you want to put LED lights under your vanity that come on when you flip a switch? Do you want a heated toilet seat? Do you want sconces on a walll? Or a really cool chandelier? Think about all the details. Add blue painters tape everywhere the changes will apply so when the electrician comes, you are already organized and not under pressure when they arrive and make a mistake. Plus, contractors will always charge you less for fewer trips, so the more efficient you can be with their time, but more money you are likely to save.

7. Think about the timing of your project and when best to accept the mess that comes with progress! I prefer to have everything on order or even in the house before I start tearing stuff out to minimize the duration of the disaster, which gets real old, real fast! Think about what you can sell or give away during the tear out process and consider what can be saved/reused. Your trim might be fine with a fresh coat of paint on it. If you plan on keeping it, number the back in the order you take it off so it is easier to go back on. Do you need to tear out the tile or can you put LVT or wood right over the top of it? Would someone on Facebook like to come and reuse a large piece of carpet for their basement?

   Bottom line, plan, don't do more work than needs to be done, salvage what you can, and shop for deals on the rest! Your time and effort will have a major impact on how happy you are with the end result in aesthetics, functionality and expense!