5 minute read

You’ve been thinking about freshening up your home, so naturally, you’ve turned to social media for inspiration. To be fair, we all do it. But if you scroll enough, you’ll see something kind of concerning. 

There are 2 or 3 styles everyone uses, so you’ll see the same things being repeated over and over. If you like that – go for it. But that could get you in trouble later on because insisting on something that looks good in a photo can backfire. 

Who can guarantee that it will work for your needs or your space? 

If you chase after trends, you might get stuck with something you absolutely hate. And, at the same time, you’re probably not paying any attention to the boring stuff, like whether your sink is deep enough or whether the light switch is placed exactly where you’ll want to use it. 

None of this stuff is fun, but they have such a tremendous impact on how functional and comfortable your home is.

The Remodel Decisions Nobody Brags About

Man, aren’t those before-and-after photos so satisfying to look at? It’s crazy how much difference you can make to a space. 

The only problem is that those photos show off the looks and nothing else. You don’t really see if the counter’s deep enough to finally fit the big mixer or if the fan in the bathroom is quiet enough. 

Nobody brags about those things, but it’s stuff like that that has an actual impact on your daily life. A pretty backsplash is fun to look at, but you won’t care about it if your kitchen is unusable. A remodel that looks great in photos is okay if all you want is to post it online. But if you want to use it and be comfortable, you have to think about a remodel that works.

The exterior is one part that gets overlooked so often that it’s honestly sad at this point. And it’s sort of understandable because people get so caught up in tiles and furniture, but still. 

If you look for quality windows, for example, you’ll finally get rid of drafts and the noise from the street. A door that’s fitted properly means you won’t have to listen to the annoying whistling sound every time the wind picks up. 

If you’re using reputable door/window/cabinet suppliers that are known for having high-quality items, such as Graber Supply, you’ll be able to find some quality stuff if you’re on the market for exterior products (which you should definitely be if you’re remodeling).

What You’ll Still Appreciate 5 Years From Now

Let’s talk about some stuff that’s worth your time and effort.

Bright Rooms

Natural light is SO important, and it’s actually one of the rare truly important features you’ll see in those social media pictures. A bright room feels better to be in, and it seems bigger than it is. 

Even if the space is small, it feels a lot more open and airy if it’s bright.

This is why you need to include the exterior of the house in your remodel. 

Look for some bigger windows or a skylight. Heck, go all out and install both. The light will change with the seasons and the time of day, of course, but your space will be permanently improved no matter the conditions outside. 

Sunlight has a big effect on mood and energy, and artificial light can never come even close to it.

Places for Things to Actually Go

Clutter usually means you don’t have enough storage, so if you’re remodeling, think about that. 

Built-in shelves, deeper closets, a pantry with fitted shelves, and benches with hidden storage – it all makes a big difference in how neat your home is. When everything has its place, there’s no reason to be frustrated because you can’t find something or because you bought something that you have no room for. 

You’ll NEVER regret installing good storage.

Usable Outdoor Areas

Think about adding a deck or a patio. It’s almost like adding another room to your house, except this one will be outside, in the fresh air. Weekend barbecues, morning coffee, meditation, yoga, sunbathing – it’ll all get an upgrade with a deck or a patio.

Your house will feel bigger, and your backyard will be more usable. As far as trends go, you shouldn’t bother yourself with them in this case. 

Focus on building a structure that’s durable and functional, and think about trends when you start picking out cushions and rugs.

Conclusion

A home remodel is usually one big headache, and there’s no way around it. 

Something will always go wrong, and you’ll always find something to annoy you. But once that remodel is finally done, you should be left with a home you love and feel comfortable in. If you blindly follow trends, though, there’s almost no chance of that happening.

Sit down and think this through a little. Think about what’s missing from how your home is now, and what you can do to make it more pleasant. 

It’s okay to pick something trendy here and there, but don’t make that your focus.