4 Essential Tips for Renovating with Your Partner (and staying Together!)
Today is our wedding anniversary! It’s been 14 years since Garrett and I said ‘I do” and in that time we’ve renovated 7(ish) houses together. It’s hard to believe that we’re still happily married, right?! Ha! But we really are! During all those renovations, we’ve learned a few tricks for keeping the peace. Today, we’re sharing our favorite tips for renovating with your partner (and staying together!)…
Recognize each other’s strengths
Know what each of you brings to the table. Garrett and I both help with all facets of a renovation, but we each have a areas of expertise that the other respects. For me, it’s the design and management, and for Garrett it’s the hands on work and financing.
Sometimes Garrett thinks he has “really great design ideas that he’s sure will be super awesome” (his words) but in the end I’m calling the shots on paint color, material selection, layout and finished look. And on the flip side, I get excited about design elements that might not be a good return on our time. So I trust Garrett when he tells me herringbone hardwood floors will take 4 times longer to lay and are just not worth the effort for a rental.
Work together!
When you can swing it (like maybe when you have a babysitter 😉), get your hands dirty together. Our fondest memories of renovating are when we’re working side by side, music cranked up, beers cracked, and we’re making progress on the remodel. It’s basically a super-productive date night 😉 Plus working together gives you shared pride in the outcome.
The Ravenna House master bedroom
Get on the same page, BEFORE you start
Develop a shared vision for the project. The more time you spend up front talking about the design, the final use of the house, and the budget, the better your relationship will be at the end! Garrett and I like to start every project by running through the numbers and then dreaming about what the house could be. Our vision starts big and then we narrow it down, taking into account effort, budget, and value. This time spent at the beginning of a project helps to get us on the same page and minimize arguments.
The Tacoma Converted Garage dining nook
support each other
Everyone needs someone to support them, and Garrett and I see it as our job to be that for each other. I’m Garrett’s #1 cheerleader and he’s mine. Both when things are going great…and when they’re not.
I can always tell when Garrett gets overworked and needs to take an early night to head out for a bike ride or beer. And if I get cold feet about how much money we’re spending on a renovation or get overwhelmed by the amount of work we have left, he’s right there, reminding me of our goals for the property. Supporting each other is the only way to get through a renovation…and life.
The Tacoma Converted Garage kitchen
Those are 4 things that have helped our relationship through our renovations. Anything you’d add to the list?
