Small Projects Big Updates!
There is so much excitement that can come from the idea of renovating your home, especially when you envision the end result. As exciting as this can be it is not always affordable or practical for those renting. This being said, your home can still be updated when we focus on smaller projects. Smaller updates can make a bigger impact on your home than one large renovation. Time is another reason to try and focus on smaller projects. large renovations can be time consuming and there is no exact time frame for one. A small project can be completed in one weekend but organization is key to accomplishing this task. Some examples of a small project is a bathroom refresh (painting a cabinet, updating decor items or adding a new shower curtain) or adding a space, like a reading nook to a vacant area in your home. Keep in mind that a small project consists of an area that is being refreshed and can be completed by one or two people.
There are a couple of steps listed below that I believe can help you through this process.
Step 1. Pick a specific room or space
Try and focus on the room or space that only needs some adjusting. We would all love to start at the kitchen that truly requires a full gut job but it’s not realistic. In the past I also tried to tackle multiple smaller projects at a time and only accomplished the bare minimum. In the end each room still felt incomplete. Let’s tackle that smaller project that will make your home feel like a representation of you!
Step 2. Budget
Create a budget for this project and try to stay in this range. I know this is not always easy but at the end of your project you don’t want to regret that purchase you made to elevate your space because it was over budget. Move with a plan in place and goal in mind.
Step 3. Room / Space goal
What are you trying to accomplish in this specific area? This can be as simple as a paint color change or replacing some hardware. Seek inspiration from Pinterest, your favorite Instagram home décor page or from Pure Haven’s vision boards Make a list of the things you would like to change and what you believe needs to be improved to make the room more functional or enjoyable. Once this list is made, arrange it according to level of priority (high priority, medium and low). It’s best to focus on High and Medium priority, just in case you are unable to accomplish everything. Let’s focus on realistic goals to help move your project along.
Step 3. Declutter
Declutter and let go of anything that is no longer useful or valuable for that specific space. The last thing you want to do is begin a project and place items back that no longer serve a purpose. You really want your room to feel like it has been updated, even if you are only making small changes.
Step 4. Shopping list
Once you understand what needs to be accomplished, write down the items that need to be purchased ex/ paint, paint brush, tape, hardware, baskets, mirror etc. and try to purchase the items listed from two stores at most. One example can be Home Depot for (repairs and paint) and At home store for home décor accents. Home goods and TJ Maxx are great but sometimes you don’t always know what will be available or if they have what you are looking for. The reason for focusing on two stores is because traveling to multiple locations can take up a lot of your time. I only speak from experience and the last thing you want to do is lose time and energy from shopping. You also want to stick to your budget and keep your focus on the overall goal for your space.
Step 5. Begin your project
Prep your space and tackle the project according to your priority list. Now that your room or space is decluttered you can begin to work with a blank canvas.
I hope this gives you the courage to go and start a small project in a room or space that you have been wanting to tackle for sometime now, You don’t need a large budget to make small changes and you don’t have to be an expert to know what does and does not work in your space. Give yourself some grace and enjoy each step of the process!
