Living through the mess and noise of a home renovation can be stressful. Here are five tips to help keep stress at a minimum.

If you’re planning to renovate your home, you probably find yourself getting excited just thinking about moving into your newly finished space. The newly updated aesthetics, the improved functionality, and the increased value all sound so inviting! What about the time between starting and finishing the project? Not so much. 

FIRST: Make a plan. With a renovation, there are a lot of decisions to be made. Where to park, working hours, scheduling deliveries, and storage are all details to think through before beginning the project. Day one of your renovation can be exciting, or it can leave you wanting to pull your hair out. Having a plan in place beforehand will set you up for a smooth start to your project.

SECOND: Strategically pack your belongings. If you won’t be using an item regularly, it’s better to put it in storage so it doesn’t get in the way. You’ll also want to move anything fragile, such as picture frames and houseplants, not only out of the renovation area but the surrounding rooms as well. With your delicate belongings safely tucked away, you’ll have one less thing to worry about.

THIRD: Get creative! Renovations tend to get in the way of everyday things such as preparing a meal or making your morning coffee. It takes a little innovation to keep a semi-normal routine. Give your creative side free reign during this time. Perhaps you could convert your laundry room into a temporary kitchen or use a cooler filled with water as a makeshift sink.

FOURTH: Make one room of your home entirely yours. Keep tools, storage boxes, and old appliances out of this space. Designate this room as your escape from the commotion of the renovation.

FIFTH: Finally, and most importantly, expect the unexpected. Things don’t always go according to plan during a renovation, no matter how much you prepare, and that’s okay. You can’t control or anticipate every aspect of your project. So, even if you discover half the electricity in your house is run off of one breaker, don’t stress about it. Remodeling companies know they’ll face hiccups during the project, and they’re prepared to handle them and find solutions. They’re not worried, so you don’t have to worry either. Trust your contractor and the process!

Renovations are exciting, but they can also be stressful. Following these five steps will help make the process more enjoyable. Remember, the end result will be worth the journey!