If your condominium is getting a bit dated, it might be time for a renovation. Making a few changes will update the space and make it more livable. The challenges of renovating a condo are different from making similar changes to a stand-alone home. Understanding these challenges will make your condominium renovations easier to manage.

Board Requirements

Know the board’s requirements. For interior changes, the condominium board will have no input. But, when it comes to the days and hours when the renovations are done, they do. Plus, they may have certain materials that are not permitted in the building.

Live In or Resale

Are you renovating for yourself or someone else? This comes down to whether you are doing the renovations for resale or planning on living with them yourself. For resale, you can concentrate on updating fixtures, cleaning up walls, and updating flooring for most impact. For yourself, make improvements that will make you the most comfortable in your home.

Structure

Be aware of structural elements that you can’t move. Many condominiums have structural columns that cannot be moved. There may also be common pipes or electrical lines as well. You will need to design your renovations to take those elements into account.

 

Color

Use color to distract from problem areas. You may have things you cannot move, hide or eliminate. For those kinds of problems, use color to your advantage. Make the problem fade into the background by choosing a similar colored wall color. Then, highlight another area with a pop of color.

Lighting

Use a drop ceiling to give you lighting options in the kitchen. Condominiums have concrete ceilings that you cannot drill into. To give yourself plenty of lighting in the kitchen, install a drop ceiling. The space also offers places to vent range hoods and similar appliances.

Smaller Details

Add depth where you can’t tear down. Some elements like door jambs and window trim may be permanent fixtures in your condominium. If you want to cover them up, use deep molding. It will give your space a richer look and cover up the elements you don’t want to see.

Be Flexible

Be open to project changes. It is good to have ideas on what finishes and layout you want on a project. But, you may find some of the ideas won’t work once you get into the project. Instead of hanging on to your older ideas, be open to finding new ones that work.

Paint

Use paint any way you want. Unless you are renovating to sell, don’t be afraid of color. Paint is a minor budget item in most major renovations. Paint the colors you want. Then, you can repaint right before you sell later on.

Working With a Professional

Bring in experts where needed. Having a top designer or contractor like Alair Homes Calgary will make the entire renovation run smoother with the best results.

Living Away from the Remodel Site

Live somewhere else during the renovation. Renovations are chaotic and dirty. Give yourself a treat, at least during the worst of the renovations, by staying elsewhere. It will make the entire journey more enjoyable and the results even more special.

Photo by Alair Homes CalgaryLook for kitchen design inspiration