You’ve finally saved up for a remodel, but picking the first room to remodel matters more than you think…
Remodeling your home is both a big accomplishment and an exciting way to reimagine your home. It represents your hard work and your design expertise. But if you’re like most homeowners, a total home makeover is out of the budget–and that’s okay. So now you’re left with the big question: Which room do you remodel first? If you’re considering just a basement remodel in Mokena, you might need to rethink your options before you call anyone…
The kitchen? Bathroom? Basement? Whether you plan to move out of Illinois one day, or see this as your “forever home” , picking the first room to remodel actually matters more than you think. And after helping dozens of homeowners across Mokena and Illinois, we discovered that it’s definitely not a decision you want to flip a coin on… Today we’ll break down our process we recommend when picking out your first home remodel, and how to decide what project to tackle first.
Looking For Something In Particular?
- Why The First Room You Remodel Matters More Than You Think
- How To Decide What To Remodel Based On Your Needs
- Remodeling Based On Comfort: The Truth
- Room By Room Breakdown
- Should You Start With A Kitchen Remodeling In Mokena?
- Should You Start With A Basement Remodeling In Mokena?
- Should You Start With A Bathroom Remodeling In Mokena?
- How To Get Your Remodel Started
- Remodel Your Home With Mokena’s Best Builder
Why The First Room You Remodel Matters More Than You Think
You might have plans to remodel your entire home one day, but for now, you can only realistically get one room or upgrade done at a time. It’s kind of like slowly solving a 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle on your table over a long period of time. But before you call your contractor with your vision, you’ll want to know the two mistakes homeowners make that leaves them regretting their remodel.
Mistake #1: Remodeling An Underused Room.
While some homeowners are eager to transform their kitchen – we’ve seen some completely regret their decision. Not because they didn’t like the remodel, but because they often find themselves getting takeout instead of actually whipping up home cooked meals. On the flip side, we’ve seen homeowners opt for a bathroom remodel and get complete use out of it knowing the whole family uses it daily.
So to avoid this, ask yourself: How often is this room actually used? Am I remodeling this for the sake of it or will it actually benefit the family?
Mistake #2: Settling For “Just Okay”
Another mistake we see that leaves homeowners regretting their decision to remodel, is settling on a “decent” remodel with the budget they have, instead of waiting to build their dream vision. If that happens to you, you’ll either have to live with it (literally), or wait to remodel it again. Don’t rush to blow your budget on low-end cabinets or outdated appliances just because it fits the budget.
So determine a range you feel comfortable investing in your remodels, and consult a contractor to get quotes for each room. And if your dream remodel is outside your budget, that’s fine. Don’t settle for something you won’t want a year later.
While we’d love to share our rates here, specific quotes are based on what upgrades you want, how big the room is, and other factors–give us a call and we’ll see what we can do with your budget.
What Happens If You Make These Mistakes?
While getting a regrettable remodel isn’t the end of the world, it could be a waste of time and money–especially if you want to re-do it. And if this mistake is your first remodel, you might be hit with remodel fatigue, killing that spark to upgrade the rest of your home.
So now that you know how to avoid a bad-choice remodel, here’s what you should consider when picking out the right room.
How To Decide What To Remodel Based On Your Needs
Deciding what to remodel is all about priorities. But what priorities do you, well, prioritize? We’ll make this simple for you so you don’t have to pull your hair out over pinterest boards and Ikea trips.
To start, whip out a piece of paper and list out all the remodeling ideas you have, organized by each room of the home–even the ones you’re thinking about just a little bit. This will give you a complete picture of the remodels you’re considering so you don’t forget about them. Trust us, you do not want to forget key details about your remodel midway through the remodeling process…
Next, assess any damages. Not just literal damage, but what also damages your eyes… It sounds silly, but sometimes the ugliest rooms take higher priority. And if it’s a room that’s damaged, ugly, and used often, you might have your answer.
But let’s say there aren’t any pressing issues with your home like structural damage or mold or pests–what next? Well, out of the remodel ideas you have listed, think about which ones will give you the most peace of mind inside your doors. What remodels would reduce stress around the home? Hint: We’ll provide examples of high-function luxury remodels later on…
Remodeling Based On Comfort: The Truth
Comfortable doesn’t always mean cozy couch cushions or softer mattresses. In the remodeling world, that looks like bigger hallways to fit more people, double vanity sinks to accommodate more of your children, or multi-level lighting in your family room to turn it into a movie theater. And the truth is, sometimes these ideas won’t turn up in your home until you’ve lived in it for awhile. And you shouldn’t rush this process.
It might take you a year to realize the lack of lighting is affecting your cooking day in and day out. Or maybe the bathroom layout is causing your kids to topple over each other each morning when they get ready for school. You can only know this once you’ve lived in your home for awhile and consistently notice these things that are nagging you. But once you spot them? You know exactly what to upgrade, instead of going with what just “looks good.” Now you’re thinking like an innovator instead of a pure designer.
Room By Room Breakdown
Every home is different and has different needs based on the family. So instead of telling you what to do, which we obviously can’t, we’ll do a deep dive on the pros and cons of each room (and we’ll even toss in some awesome remodeling ideas).
Should You Start With A Kitchen Remodeling In Mokena?
The kitchen is the heart of the home, but should it be your first ever remodel? Let’s find out.
You should start with a kitchen remodel if:
- You have the budget for your ideal kitchen upgrades
- You’ve done remodels before and know what to expect
- Your family spends most of their time in the kitchen or living room
- You often have guests over and want to impress them
- You don’t need a full kitchen gut, just new flooring or cabinets
You should not start with a kitchen remodel if:
- You’re not prepared to begin a complex, time-consuming project
- You don’t have an ideal vision for your kitchen
- Your current budget isn’t enough for what you want
- Home-cooked meals are a rare occurrence
High-function kitchen remodel ideas:
- Open up walls or create a pass-through window
- Adding an island to use as a prep station or baking zone with its own sink and storage
- Corner drawers for more storage space even with small kitchens
- Quartz countertops over granite or marble for easy-to-clean messes
Should You Start With A Basement Remodeling In Mokena?
Want to make trips downstairs fun? Let’s see if you should start with a basement remodel in Mokena.
You should start with a basement remodel if:
- It’s concrete, hollowed-out and ugly
- It only serves as storage space and you want to turn it into something useful
- You have plans to turn this unused space into a living room, office, guest bedroom, or even a mini kitchen/bar
- There’s pressing issues like mold, structural damage, or leaks
You should not start with a basement remodel if:
- Your basement is already decent and no major upgrades need to be made
- There’s no pressing damages that need repairing
- You’re already using it how you want to
- Other rooms are in need of more urgent upgrades
High-function basement remodel ideas:
- Waterproofing and insulating the walls and floors
- Egress window (key if you’re turning this into a guest bedroom)
- An All-In-One room: Games, workout space, reading area, bar area
- Built in entertainment wall with a TV, speakers, and games
Should You Start With A Bathroom Remodeling In Mokena?
If you’re eager to turn your bathroom into a spa, let’s see if it’s right for you to start with.
- Bathrooms
- Don’t Start: If you have enough for a kitchen remodel and you’re eager to start it, you don’t need a bathroom remodel as much as other rooms
- Start: it’s smaller, less demanding, gives you a sense of the planning process, quicker–gives you a sense of accomplishment, spends a lot of time in the bathroom mirror, guests staying over to use the bathroom
You should start with a bathroom remodel if:
- You want to start with a smaller remodel to get comfortable with the process
- You want to start with a less demanding and expensive project
- You want an upgrade done fast (bathrooms are one of the quickest)
- You and your family spend a lot of time in front of the bathroom mirror
- You have guests staying over to use the bathroom
- Your bathroom is in dire need of repairs
You should not start with a bathroom remodel if:
- If you have enough for a kitchen remodel and you’re eager to start it
- You don’t need a bathroom remodel as much as other rooms
High-function basement remodel ideas:
- Double vanities (sinks, mirrors, extra counter space)
- Walk-in shower with built-in walls (to store your shampoo and other toiletries)
- Separate toilet area (extra privacy for those sharing the bathroom)
- Floating shelves to hold your towels while giving your bathroom the luxury treatment
Judging by our points from all 3 rooms, it seems like bathroom remodels are the right first choice if you want to dip your toes in the tub with something small. Bathrooms give you a great feel for the remodeling process and you likely won’t be dealing with a ton of moving parts compared to your kitchen.
How To Get Your Remodel Started
If you’re ready to get started with your first remodel, congratulations! It’s an accomplishment, but can also feel like hiking without a trail if you’re in the wrong hands. To get started, you’ll want to find local contractors who can design and build what you’re looking for. It’s important to communicate your vision as detailed as possible so they can create what you want.
Typical Contractor Workflow:
- Will turn your goals into a plan with a budget and timeline
- Inspect your space to take measurements and assess the structure
- Work with you to select materials/finishes and create the design
- Give you a detailed quote based on all the info provided
- Get their hands dirty to upgrade your home (includes demo & prep, installing new features)
Remodel Your Home With Mokena’s Best Builder
Now that you know which room you want to remodel first, and you know what upgrades you want, you’re practically ready to start! All you need now is to find a reliable contractor who can get the job done. And we’ll help you shortcut this part…
At Integra Builders, we’ve transformed dozens of homes across Mokena, Homer Glen, and the Chicagoland area. From luxury kitchens to man cave basements and lush bathrooms, we do it all. With over 25 years in the game, we make the most complex projects a stress-free experience.
When you’re ready to get your remodel done in Mokena, New Lenox, Frankfort, Homer Glen, Orland Park, or Lockport, let’s chat.