The Best Tips for Saving Time and Money on Your Next Reno, According to Reddit
Renovating a home is a major commitment, so any tips to make the job easier are usually welcome. And that’s where Reddit comes in handy. The site is chock-full of renovation advice to consider. Below, some of the most useful tips we’ve found.
Don’t forget to price-check local stores when buying materials
You may assume that the big box stores in your area will have all the best deals, but that’s not necessarily true. A commenter on this Reddit post suggests looking for tiles at a local store that just sells tiles, for example. Sometimes these places actually have the best deals, particularly if they’re discontinuing a particular style or have to offload returned product.
Skip removing the popcorn ceiling—cover it up instead
A lot of people with popcorn ceilings jump into removal, but you can also cover up your unsightly popcorn ceiling with an elegant coffered look, as this Redditor did. It can save you some cash and your space will look good as new.
Save time on taping pre-paint job by removing outlet covers
A commenter on this Reddit post shares a small but effective renovation tip that anyone can successfully accomplish: remove the backplate of light switches when painting your walls instead of using painter’s tape to paint around them. This results in a cleaner look with no mess-ups.
If you’re moving into a new place, paint the closets before you unpack
A commenter on this Reddit post has found that thoroughly cleaning all closets and painting them a fresh hue before moving in is the best move. That’s because odds are you’ll never want to remove all of your clothing from them again to do this task later.
Save money by shopping stores’ mis-tint paint sections
Mistints are paints that are unused or have been returned to big box stores because they’re not the color match or finish that the customer was going for. A commenter on this post says Lowe’s and Home Depot sell these mistints at a discounted price. So if you’re looking to paint a small space such as a laundry room or bathroom—or a piece of furniture—and want to save some cash, this is a great option to look into.
Wait a beat before taking on any renovations
Nobody would deny that renovating a home can be extremely stressful. But one Reddit commenter has a tip to put things into perspective. They suggest writing out a list of all the renovations you still need to complete and then ripping it up. How’s that for symbolism? Next, take a break and simply live in your home. The commenter says that all of the top renovation priorities will immediately become apparent if you’re just focusing on living your life. “You own the home—don’t let the home own you,” they say.
Do one thing at a time
What does one commenter wish they knew before embarking on a home remodel? To finish one job completely before starting on the next. A great way to do this is by renovating one room at a time. That way the rest of your home still feels like a chaos-free oasis and you’re not living in one big construction site.