10 Smart Tips to Plan Before Starting Your Apartment Renovation

We are in a flat located in the southwest of Moscow. It is a three-room apartment with 59 square meters. The renovation took four months and is still not fully completed. The builders have almost finished the finishing works, and today we will be accepting the works together with the designer to learn various tricks.

1. Joint of Floor Coverings. For example, between tiles and wooden floor

Here we have laid ceramic granite and solid oak. It is important to make them at the same level so there is no transition ("steps").

If the boards are laid using adhesive, you can use a cork compensator and sealant. Look how neat the joint became.

It is not always possible to make joints that perfect, so use tiles only in "wet" zones to minimize transitions.

2. Openings Without Doors

In the opening between the kitchen and the living room, no door or door frames are planned. Therefore, a special technical gap was left on the floor between the board and the wall. It will later be covered with a skirting board.

3. Tiles Plus Door Frame

Often builders lay tiles to the end of the opening. After that, you only have to place the door frame on top of the tiles — this looks unattractive.

Lay tiles not to the end of the opening. Install the door frames and then tile the remaining space in a tight fit.

4. Separate Water Supply for Sinks

If you plan to install two sinks, make sure to provide separate water supplies from the manifold. Otherwise, when you turn on one mixer, the pressure in the second will drop.

5. Socket Height Near Bedside Tables

Many think all bedside tables are 40 cm high. In reality, they come in various heights like 60 cm or even 80 cm. Therefore, when planning socket and switch heights, ideally choose a specific model of table. If that is not possible, just plan for the maximum height, for example, 90 cm.

6. Passageway Switches – A Smart Solution

Use them! It’s convenient when you have walked through a long corridor into the bedroom and can turn off the lights in the hallway while lying in bed.

7. Wallpaper: Buy the Exact Amount You Need

Wallpaper is made in batches, and shades from different batches often differ. It’s crucial to plan and buy the right amount at once. If you have to buy more later, it might be a roll from another batch that differs in color.

8. Provide TV Outlet in the Child’s Room, Even If the Child Is Very Young

Many parents think that a TV outlet in the child’s room is not needed, because the child is still very small. Children grow quickly, and their needs change. To avoid having to drill into the wall in a few years, provide a socket right now. While it is not needed, you can cover it with a picture.

9. Provide Sockets on Window Sills

Trust us, it’s very convenient. In winter you can plug in a string of lights, and in normal times you can charge your phone or set up a lamp.

10. Entrance Door Should Be at the Same Level as Finishing Floor

Plan this in advance so there is no awkward threshold.

Watch the video of this renovation

On the cover: Interior Design by Lyudmila Danilovich