14 Things to Remember During Renovation

Ignoring seemingly insignificant details can lead to long-term discomfort and inconvenience in your own home. Ivanova Degtarenko shared tips that will help make your living space not only stylish but also functional.

Ivanova Degtarenko — Interior Design Expert, Construction Project Manager

Furniture Placement

Almost the final stage of renovation, but it should be planned in advance. Only after placing furniture on paper can you proceed with electrical layout.

Before starting the renovation, check the quality of electrical wiring in your apartment and match its condition with the expected load from electrical appliances. Mark the location of wiring on the plan just in case.

Outlet Placement

Wall-mounted outlets are trendy for open-space offices, co-working spaces, and conference rooms but not the most convenient option for residential use: they make cleaning harder.

Lighting Scenarios

Each room should have several lighting options: from very bright to dimmed. Dimmer switches are useful in children's rooms and bedrooms, allowing you to smoothly adjust the light level. Double switches are also handy — near the bedroom entrance and by the bed, so you can turn off the lights without getting out of bed.

Outlets in Bathroom and Balcony

Provide outlets in the bathroom, toilet, and balcony. Bathrooms should have special outlets with humidity protection.

Additional Ventilation

An additional exhaust fan in the bathroom is useful, especially when it activates automatically at high humidity levels or alongside lighting. Otherwise, if there are more than one person in the family, the bathroom will often be humid.

Water Heater and Radiant Floor

Warm floors and water heaters might never be needed, but if you find yourself without heat or hot water during cold weather, you’ll be grateful to have prepared individual heating and comfort solutions.

Cleanliness

Dark floors, overly textured tiles, and laminate, light-colored decorative plaster and furniture with dark surfaces — all enemies of those who value perfect cleanliness.

Storage System

A closed, spacious, well-thought-out storage system (closet or walk-in wardrobe) is useful for any family, even if they have few belongings.

Windows and Air Conditioning

Replace windows before starting finishing work. It’s better to install air conditioning at this stage rather than after the renovation is complete.

Mosquito Nets and Safety Locks

Order windows with mosquito nets and opening locks right away, even if there are no small children in the house yet — they may come in the near future.

Paint Color

White color for finishing materials usually doesn't last long. It's better to avoid it from the start.

Access to Utilities

Always keep access to all engineering utilities. You can cover them with decorative boxes or hatches, but don’t block them with furniture.

Organization

A large number of open shelves, racks, and showcases inevitably leads to a feeling of disorder.