It’s the holidays, a time of presents, good cheer, and … renovations? Yes, you heard that right. While good old St. Nick is busy preparing presents for all the little children, homeowners throughout the country are also occupied with a home remodel for the holidays.
Driving around your block on the weeks or days coming up to the holidays, you might see your neighbors getting new lights or putting up a brand-new Christmas decor. It’s in with the new, out with the old. And, while you have got those covered, looking at your home, something still needs doing.
As there are a multitude of ways to wrap a special gift, you can see many possibilities to remodel your home for the winter Holidays. If you’re overwhelmed by the many ways you can remodel your home for the holidays, you can get inspiration from what other homeowners are doing.
For example, some people choose to explore different ideas on how to work around home renovations during the holidays, such as:
- Remove all the items in their intended remodel space
- Remove some items from intended Holiday space to accommodate for decorations and extra seating
- Consider a storage solution such as crate storage with a moving company. Look for one known for its ease of transport and convenience. If they are a reputable company, they should have experienced crews to bring their crates directly to your location, they’ll load your belongings on-site and secured within the crates. Once loaded, the crates should be carefully sealed and transported to a climate-controlled storage warehouse for optimal security.
- Temporary living arrangements: Consider staying with family, friends, or renting a short-term accommodation during the most disruptive phases of the renovation. Consider it an adventure and a time to deepen those familial connections.
- Plan ahead: Anticipate the disruptions and plan your holiday activities and gatherings accordingly. Coordinate with contractors to determine the best times for work that will cause the least inconvenience.
- Separate work zones: If possible, designate specific areas for renovation and keep the rest of the house isolated from the construction
- Stock up on supplies: Make sure to stock up on necessary supplies and essentials before the renovation starts
- Temporary storage: Rent a storage unit or utilize unused spaces in your home to store items that may need to be temporarily relocated during the renovations
- Decorate around the renovations: If certain areas of your home are under renovation, focus on decorating the areas that are unaffected.
- Task delegation: Assign specific tasks to family members or enlist the help of friends to assist with holiday preparations and cleanup
Top Home Spaces to Remodel During the Holidays
Renovating for the holidays can mean different things to different people. The ideal home remodel for the holidays for you might be upgrading your kitchen for more space and new appliances. Or, it could be a new entertainment area that your family can use not only during the holidays but all throughout the year. Or, your renovation could focus on the outside, such as an outdoor deck with room to barbecue and entertain guests during summer, view the changing leaves in the fall, or sip a hot cocoa during winter.
According to a Houzz & Home study, these are the most common renovations that homeowners undertook during a four-year period. The study was published in 2022, but you can use these as ideas as inspiration for your own home remodeling for the holiday season.
The Kitchen
Perhaps this doesn’t come as a surprise, but homeowners spend tens of thousands just to remodel their kitchen. There are tons of things you can do in your kitchen, from the backsplash to the ceiling to the walls.
If you have an outdated kitchen, you can go for a renovation to bring it to the modern era. If you have an awkward setup, say an island that’s just in the way or storage that’s out of the way, then you can focus your remodeling on relocating or changing problematic areas to suit your needs better. The best way to do this is to go with the flow and think about how you and your family are currently using the space. If you have a home cook, then it makes sense to have an island for prepping meals, for instance.
Admittedly, a kitchen overhaul will eat into your cash stash, but you don’t have to spend much to update any space in your house. Painting the walls with a new coat, changing your backsplash, or giving your cabinets a refresh or updated hardware can make the kitchen look dramatically different – for the better. Lighting can also set the mood that you want in this space.
The Bathroom
Next to the kitchen, most homeowners look to their bathrooms for a renovation. It could be their primary bathroom or it could be the guest or other bathroom in the house.
According to Better Homes and Gardens, a bathroom makeover can start from $1,000, and it can go as high as $80,000, according to Architectural Digest. Of this figure, about 60% to 70% is allotted to labor, including demolition, retiling and other time-consuming tasks. You’ll save more if you do the remodeling yourself but you’ll have to deal with not being able to use the bathroom for longer. Still, this is a project worth considering if you see water damage or mold, you’re using inefficient fixtures, or it doesn’t meet the needs of your family any more.
To save on costs, don’t change the plumbing if you don’t have to, or remove load-bearing walls, or revise the original layout. You can achieve a stylish modern look with refinished cabinets, updated countertops, new floors, mirrors, and more storage. But if you have the cash, splurge on a bidet, floor heating, or a good-quality tub because, hey, you deserve it.
Living Room
While you can always update your living room by changing up the aesthetics, such as new decor here and there, a remodel goes way beyond that. To truly take full advantage of your living room during the holidays and every day, first consider how you’re going to make use of this space. The ideas below can help you think about the changes you might want to make.
If you’ve been watching some HGTV or other lifestyle channel, you most probably have seen the open floor plans many modern houses have. If this isn’t the case in your house, then you can start there. One way you can expand the living room is by incorporating another less frequently used room into it that you don’t mind losing. If that’s not possible, go for the illusion of having extra space instead. This faux extra space can be achieved by painting the ceilings white, mounting shelves higher, placing storage units against the wall, and removing anything that distracts the eye, i.e., clutter. Installing new windows for some natural light will also help brighten up the place.
On the other hand, if living room space is not a problem but you’d like some privacy, here’s an idea. Why not create some private nooks or sub-spaces instead? You can do this through half-walls, pillars and columns, or bookcases.
Another thing you can spruce up is your front entry door. Not only will this improve your house’s curb appeal but it will also increase your ROI. Plus, it won’t break the bank. According to Remodeling magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report, adding a brand-new entry door has an ROI of more than 91%!
Planning for a Holiday Renovation
The no. 1 consideration when planning a home remodel for the holidays is this: your lifestyle. How are you and your family currently using the space? Are you making the most use of it? What would you like to use the space for? These are some questions you can start asking yourself before doing any demo.
This is critical to a successful home remodeling, so don’t skip this step. And, don’t just focus on the short-term, think long-term too. How do you see yourself and your family using the space in the next phase of your life? For instance, if you’re newlyweds, will your planned remodel still work when you have kids? As Benjamin Franklin’s popular adage goes: “Failing to plan is planning to fail.” So, plan carefully and watch your well-laid out plans bear fruit.
Home remodel for the holidays
In conclusion, a home remodel for the holidays can bring a fresh and festive atmosphere to your living space. Whether it’s upgrading your kitchen, renovating your bathroom, or revamping your living room, there are many ways to transform your home for the holiday season. By considering your lifestyle and long-term needs, planning ahead, and utilizing creative solutions, you can create a beautiful and functional space that you and your family can enjoy for many holidays to come. So, embrace the holiday spirit and start envisioning the possibilities for your home remodel today. Happy holidays and happy remodeling!