Buying a home in Italy and renovating it to suit your family's needs is a decision that should never be taken lightly. It’s all too easy to go from feeling overwhelmed to achieving complete satisfaction. This is because navigating the right approach to managing the renovation process without losing your sanity can be challenging. In this guide, we’ll offer simple ideas for renovating your home, breaking down each step you can take to turn your house into the home of your dreams.
- Initial ideas for understanding how to renovate your home in Italy
- Replacing systems and the boiler
- Installing high-quality windows
- Installing effective (and easy-on-the-eye) shutters
- Changing (or concealing) the flooring
- Changing walls to define spaces
- Giving the walls some TLC
- Using lighting effectively
- Home automation: yes or no?
Initial ideas for understanding how to renovate your home in Italy
The first question to ask yourself is whether you want to renovate a modern home or not. While the interventions might be similar, ideas for renovating an older house can differ significantly, as more extensive work might be needed. For instance, priority may be given to completely new work on flooring or systems such as electrical and heating. However, it's important to note that in an older house, some elements should be preserved to maintain its "spirit," such as bringing old floors back to life.
Renovation ideas for a modern home, on the other hand, tend to be more practical and can certainly help increase the property's market value, should you need to sell it. These are primarily focused on energy efficiency (but not only). Naturally, it’s essential to work with specialists to determine what interventions are needed, for example, in the bathroom (even adding an extra one) and kitchen.
Working on the home of your dreams should also be a pleasurable experience. You can turn to the best renovation magazines, both Italian and international, to find the right idea or the most effective solution. There's nothing more satisfying than seeing before-and-after renovation transformations.
Replacing systems and the boiler
Let’s start this journey with energy efficiency. When renovating an apartment, improving thermal insulation and the heating system is essential. These upgrades not only enhance comfort but can also significantly increase the property’s value by improving its energy efficiency, with a true (rather than superficial) commitment to sustainability.
So, what are these key interventions? For instance, installing thermal insulation and soundproofing floors and ceilings are crucial to protect the home from humidity and mould. Equally important is fitting thermal break aluminium windows. If you're renovating a modern home, you might also consider adding a photovoltaic panel to power a heat pump, further boosting energy efficiency.
Installing high-quality windows
When it comes to ensuring maximum protection for your home, high-quality windows are essential. They help retain heat during the winter and keep your apartment cool in hot weather. Soundproofing is another key benefit, particularly if your new home is located on a busy urban street.
Today, aluminium is the material of choice, offering exceptional durability and protection. A thermal break window, as previously mentioned, shields against both cold and heat. Effective thermal insulation is crucial to minimise heat loss, which means you can reduce your reliance on heating, saving on energy bills while lowering emissions. Moreover, aluminium is fully recyclable. In short, upgrading your windows should be one of the first steps in your renovation.
Installing effective (and easy-on-the-eye) shutters
Having windows that protect against the elements is essential. However, our windows should also be protected from the outside. Shutters serve not only an aesthetic purpose but also contribute to the overall insulation of the window. Shutters, blinds, Venetian blinds, and sunshades—each solution needs to be carefully considered to meet your needs. Equally important is ensuring that they harmonise aesthetically with the property.
Changing (or concealing) the flooring
As mentioned earlier, in the case of an older home, the most important task may be uncovering an old floor that was previously hidden. Otherwise, installing parquet, which is warm and comfortable, is an excellent choice to give the entire home a cohesive feel. It’s also worth considering alternative, more modern materials like porcelain stoneware or marble. Don’t forget about resin (which works great in bathrooms) and laminate as well.
Changing walls to define spaces
Unlike modern properties, older homes often feature distinct, separate rooms. If you're seeking more natural light or a reconfigured layout, removing partition walls—provided they’re not load-bearing—may be the answer. If the idea of an open-plan space immediately appeals to you, this is a practical and achievable solution.
However, if your goal is to create private workspaces, constructing a new wall could be a better option, potentially adding an extra room. For example, glass partition walls (even frosted or textured) are perfect for separating spaces like a kitchen and dining room, allowing light to flow freely between them while keeping the two areas distinct. Each decision should align with a clear purpose. Naturally, when renovating a two-storey home, different considerations and approaches will apply.
Giving the walls some TLC
If the walls are structurally sound but need a little attention, a practical solution during renovation is to paint them following a harmonious colour scheme or use contrasting wallpaper on just one wall. This particular operation is one of the most budget-friendly ideas for home renovation because there are many low-cost solutions available. For instance, removable wallpaper is inexpensive, often providing a perfect result with minimal effort.
Using lighting effectively
The placement of lights is an art form. In this case, it’s a good idea to consult lighting design experts, but even simply hiding light sources in specific corners of the home can be an intelligent way to renovate. Consider what type of intervention to make, such as installing recessed lighting in suspended ceilings or repositioning chandeliers, always ensuring there are large windows that flood every area of the house with light. And if necessary, work on the windows to allow natural light to pass through without any obstruction.
Home automation: yes or no?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, but why not take advantage of something that could make life easier? During renovation, anything is possible. You could even plan interventions that delegate the control of lighting, appliances, and window coverings to a home automation system. With the press of a button or by using a specific app on your smartphone, you can turn on the lights, unlock the front door, lower the blinds, start the heating, and more.
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