5 Home Renovation Mistakes You Might Be Making

Sure, you already know you want stainless steel. But buying the actual fridge, stove and dishwasher before you do anything else will ensure that everything falls into place more smoothly. Think about it: It’s a whole lot easier to place cabinetry and countertops around pieces you know will fit the space and your budget than it is to try to make something work because you underestimated the doorjamb.

In keeping with your favorite home decor blogs, you’ve decided to upgrade your eggshell-colored kitchen to a more daring shade of Spanish blue. (That’ll look fantastic with your new rattan bar stools.) You assume that since you’re going from light to dark, you don’t really need primer. But you know what they say about assuming. Primer is not just for covering a previous dark color. In fact, without a good one like KILZ Premium Primer that seals your surfaces and promotes adhesion, your walls could be a ticking time bomb for mildew, odor and peeling.

It’s more than likely you’ll run into a few snags, so ordering 5 to 10 percent extra will save you the unwanted grief. You’ll be glad you thought ahead when some of the pieces come damaged, your partner (who insisted on DIYing) cuts one piece too short or a couple just don’t look quite right. Bonus: Many major retailers will let you return an unopened box, so if you don’t use it, no sweat.

Sustainability is becoming more accessible (we’re talking more than just using a recycling bin), so it’s likely to be less of a cool feature and more of a must-have for buyers down the road. Think about beefing up your insulation to cut down on energy consumption, using reclaimed wood for your new floors, installing terrazzo countertops instead of granite or swapping out your regular windowpanes for low-E tempered glass.

If this feels obvious, ask yourself: Did you actually measure the space between the toilet and the shower door in the guest bath? It’s those small details that will come back to bite you if you’re not on top of your game. Bottom line: Keep a measuring tape with you at all times, and use it for everything.