We’ve been in our home for seven years. When we first moved in we did a quick reno, new kitchen, new bathroom, added an ensuite and redecorated. It took about six months and we spent around £20K. There was a ton more I wanted to change but it didn’t seem worth it as this wasn’t our forever home.

Or so I thought. Fast forward five years, I was pregnant and had changed career and felt it was the time to find the home we would raise our new family in and live forever. We looked and looked and looked. For around two years. And we couldn’t find anything better than we already had. So it turns out we were in our forever home.

Urgh. Now we had to go back and do all the things we decided not to do when we first moved in. It was a big job, took forever and consumed much more money than we thought. It was painful, slow and because it’s an old house we had to spend so much money on the stuff you don’t see, like underpinning and new joists.

So we have finally made it to the end. Although it’s never really finished, is it? Homes are always evolving. Next week I’ll be writing about the regrets and things I got wrong, but for now, let’s focus on the positive. Here are 10 things I actually got right.

 

MY 10 BEST RENOVATION DECISIONS

1. REPLACING THE ORIGINAL SASH WINDOWS

I adored our original sash windows. It was one of the main reasons I bought the house. But the big downside was not actually being able to open them, the condensation, noise, drafts and heat loss. Sure we could have refurbished them but that wouldn’t eradicate all the issues. They were 120 years old and just not fit for purpose. But there was no way we were going for UPVC or some fake wood. So we found a company that built new windows that were exact replicas of the originals (only with double glazing) and we reused as much of the old hardware as possible so we still have raisers that every owner will have touched since the house was built in 1097. It’s the only before and after where you want the ‘after’ photo to look exactly the same (and it totally does).

 

2. UNDERFLOOR HEATING

Do it. Do it. Do it. It’s just the best. Efficient, cosy and leaves more wall space for furniture and artwork. Result!

 

3. SPLURGING ON STATEMENT DOORS

We didn’t do the typical big extension, we just knocked two rooms together at the back of the house to create enough space for an open-plan kitchen diner. Because it was quite modest in size we wanted to go big with the doors. I’ve always loved Crittal so we went with some Crittal-style sliding doors from Maxlight. I love how the spacer bars create little framed views of the garden.

(haven’t actually removed the protective tape yet but still looking good!)

 

4. INVESTING IN THE GARDEN

It can feel a bit weird spending so much money on earth and paving and plants when you don’t actually live in your garden.  But it was one of the best things we did. Although you may not spend time in your garden every day you probably look at it if you have large windows or doors. For me it was investing in a beautiful view and you can’t really put a price on that. We’ve still got the planting to do but it’s such a huge transformation already. I’m totally in love with it.

Before

Afer

5. AN INDUCTION HOB!

Dull but true. The induction hob is hands down the most exciting and impressive appliance in my kitchen. I nearly reused my old gas hob to save money. Thank goodness I didn’t. I can now boil water in about 8 seconds! If we’d had the space under the sink we’d have gone for a boiling tap but our bins go under there so we couldn’t. But the induction hob does the job and I love it.

 

6. BEING PATIENT

Also dull but true. I waited four months for those breakfast bar stools in the top picture. There were loads of other options I could have bought, but although some were similar they were never quite as pretty. I’m so glad I waited as I will have them forever. I can never understand people who just can’t wait for the perfect option and compromise just to ‘have it right now’.

 

7. GOING BESPOKE

Our kitchen was hand built by a friend and that meant every drawer, shelf and cabinet could be made to the exact size I wanted. This was really important as the kitchen is pretty small and there was a lot of pressure the get the storage right. I still appreciate this every morning when I slide the cereal box back onto the shelf that is millimetre perfect.

8. PAINTING THE FLOORS

If you know me or follow me on social media you will know I bang on about this all the time. I love my white floors. I won’t bore you about it now but you can read all about it here if you’re considering it yourself and want to find the one blog that supports your dream  :).

 

9. HEATING THE SHOWER FLOOR

We got underfloor heating just under our shower floor tiles when it was first done seven years ago and it was one of the best decisions ever. The purpose wasn’t to walk on warm tiles but to dry out the grout after a shower. No mould or mildew, result!

10. REMOVING A BEDROOM!!

I know, I know. You should never devalue your home and remove a bedroom. Well fuck that. I want a nice big bathroom thank you very much. So the only way to do it was to remove a bedroom. I appreciate a huge bathroom much more than a spare bedroom. Our homes are for living in so don’t fixate on future value, think about what will make you happy right now!

 

So those are my 10 best renovation decisions. In no particular order.

Now I know what you all love more than a success story is hearing about what has gone wrong. Well, watch out for that next week. My 10 renovation mistakes are coming soon!

What have been your renovation wins? Let me know in the comments below.

And thanks for reading, if you want any interior design help then give me a shout.

Sarah x