Many of us already live in a condo or are at least planning on buying one sometime soon. In preparation for your purchase, you might’ve spent time browsing photos of prospective properties. Maybe you've even fantasized about some of the upgrades you'd like to give your potential new home. But, keep in mind, renovating a condo isn't the same thing as renovating a single-family home. First off, if you thought so, you’re not alone. Though it may seem like a no-brainer, there are many things to consider when renovating a condo compared to a home.
Though possible, renovating a condo means that most of the changes you can expect to make will likely be aesthetic, not structural. Most condos won't allow you to make significant changes to the property. That’s because modifications to load-bearing walls, ventilation, or plumbing can all impact the units directly above, below, or beside your unit, which is why you'll need authorization before making major updates.
If you're planning on renovating, your building's condo association will probably have to pre-approve the work. This is because some standards apply to all units, such as the type of soundproof membrane you're planning on using. You'll also have to think about reserving the elevator for transporting materials ahead of time, having extra storage for unused materials, as well as parking spots for deliveries and anyone working on the property. Finally, consider that you'll need to have a proper place to dispose of any waste.
All of these factors will undoubtedly add to the overall costs of the renovations. I strongly advise you to plan to have any contractors come to visit the space ahead of schedule before any bids are submitted in order for them to better evaluate costs associated with the renovations.
Considering a condo's size and layout, you'll have to put some extra thought into rethinking the space. If you're going from a house to a condo, then keep in mind that this is a significant change so before settling on all the furniture you want to bring to your new condo, it's best to decide what you want to bring (or leave behind). For the most part, being in a condo means that you'll have fewer walls for furniture like a bookcase or dressers and less space to hang artwork on the walls than in a home.
Generally, the most beneficial upgrades you can make to a condo are:
- The addition of extra storage.
- Updating light fixtures.
- Coming up with ways to reduce noise.
- Elevating the look of the patio or outdoor space, if possible.
Add the kitchen or bathroom to the makeover list if they're looking a little worn out and in need of some refreshing. In these instances, you should avoid making major renovations to mechanical elements such as plumbing or ventilation and leave these as-is.
A condo is a perfect spot for you to add built-in furniture to help optimize the space. Don't hesitate to ask a woodworker to come up with an innovative way to hang a picture frame or even a TV on your storage doors. It's a smart means of adding storage without losing out on precious wall space. After checking with your condo association, find out if you can recuperate any remaining space to build in-unit storage.
An empty condo can sometimes feel empty. Adding curtains, carpets, or throw pillows will reduce that cold feeling that can happen with condos. Soundproof panels may be installed on the ceiling or arranged to look visually pleasing while preventing sound from escaping.
No matter its size, a well-thought-out outdoor patio space will add to your condo experience. Just make sure to choose furniture that fits with the dimensions to preserve as much space as possible and plan for other decorative elements like a plant, privacy screen or canopy to provide some privacy.
Often, condos are split up so that one large area serves many different purposes—this one room will become the kitchen, dining room, and living room. It's a wise idea to separate each area within this one space to prevent you from feeling like your whole life is unfolding in one room. Break up the space with a screen or partition made from wood or metal to delineate the different rooms. Create a lounge area with a side table and accent chairs to make a zone for unwinding. Remember, extra lighting can help set the mood in a given room.
Last but not least, don't forget to check measurements and see what fits in your elevator. You don't want to wind up with a quartz countertop that can't make it up to your condo—if you can avoid that scenario, then do what it takes to do so!
