Furniture is old, but you still love it and don't want to replace it; the house has been lived in for too many years and needs a makeover; you're tired of one style of home and want to change it... Renovation is probably the best choice. It saves money and time, and gives your home a fresh new look—why not?

　　A.

　　Budget Guide:

　　When renovating, remember to focus on the big

　　picture. With changing lifestyles and consumer psychology, many people choose to renovate their old homes to relieve visual fatigue and pursue a sense of novelty. So, what exactly constitutes renovation, and how should it be done?

　　The principle of renovation is to make partial modifications while keeping the original decoration unchanged, affecting a small area, keeping the budget limited, and minimizing disruption to the family's daily life.

　　Renovation Advice: Focus on the big picture, not the details.

　　Many people choose DIY renovation, but halfway through, they find that they've exceeded their budget, the workload has expanded, and their friends and family have mixed opinions. Therefore, it's recommended that you have three reassurances before enjoying this experience.

　　The first reassurance:

　　Clearly define the purpose of the renovation and make a plan.

　　Is the renovation due to defects in the room or an aesthetic need for improvement? Once you understand the purpose, you need to make a plan, which includes both budget and project details.

　　The second reassurance:

　　Maintain a holistic perspective and control time and energy.

　　Consider the family's schedule when deciding on the renovation steps; sometimes, even partial renovations can affect the overall process. Therefore, pay attention to the coordination of various projects in terms of time and steps.

　　The third reassurance:

　　Think, observe, listen, and compare

　　. Once the plan is decided, don't change it. Decoration and renovation are inherently highly personalized; don't be influenced by hindsight opinions.

　　With these three reassurances, you can proceed with the renovation. The key to renovation is to focus on the overall picture and make major changes to the overall background, rather than focusing on small details. Otherwise, it will lead to unlimited investment of funds and an imbalance of energy, resulting in an unsuccessful renovation. Focusing on changing the background will change the overall feel of the room. For example, changing the paint color or replacing the paint with wallpaper.

　　In addition, designers have their own specialties, so it's recommended that you consult with a designer carefully before renovating to ensure a good overall style and coordination between the whole and the details.

　　Renovation Design: Compensating for Room Defects and Enhancing Home Advantages

　　The designer also offered some simple and easy-to-implement renovation suggestions, such as replacing the old curtain rods with curtain boxes; replacing the old straight baseboards with those with lace trim to match the overall effect of the room; changing the color of the window frames from clear paint to mixed paint, or applying wood veneer and then clear paint; if you want to replace the stone window sills, simply cut grooves on both sides of the wooden window frame and insert the stone.

　　Furniture can be renovated simply by replacing the doors. If the bedroom previously lacked a main light, it's best to install wall lamps; the wiring can be run through insulated conduit under hollow wooden strips for both safety and aesthetics. The texture and color of the curtains should be changed according to the overall environment and personal preferences.

　　If the room feels dark, small, or cramped due to poor lighting or narrowness, mirrors can be used to increase brightness and create a sense of depth. Additionally, color gradation can be used to separate different areas with different colors, making the space more layered.

　　Renovation Construction: Several Details That Cannot Be Ignored in Renovation Projects

　　So, which renovation services should be provided by a home improvement company specializing in renovation? When renovating walls, first check for obvious cracks, unevenness, peeling, and sandiness. If these exist, repairs are necessary, including removing oil stains and powdery paint, repairing the base layer, cracks, and holes with cement mortar, and then applying a primer to cover them. This will strengthen the base layer and prevent future changes due to efflorescence and moisture. If it's a sandy wall, it's best to cover the wall with cloth or kraft paper to prevent cracking. When choosing paint, try to choose non-polluting paints that allow for immediate occupancy after painting, minimizing the impact on the family's daily life. If old

　　furniture needs repainting, be aware that different types of paint may react chemically; for example, nitrocellulose lacquer should never be mixed with polyester lacquer. Water-based wood coatings have excellent compatibility and are suitable for any type of primer. However, their coverage is not very strong, and they are matte. Therefore, if you want to cover a darker primer or require a glossy effect, you will need to sand the primer before painting or make other choices.

　　Older houses often have poorly designed plumbing systems. If you need to renovate or replace the existing plumbing, it is recommended to use copper pipes, aluminum-plastic composite pipes, or PP-R pipes. For exposed plumbing in older houses, it is best to simply cover it up for aesthetic purposes rather than burying it in the walls or floor.

　　If the solid wood flooring in an older house has minor damage, it can be sanded and polished. Simply sand off the damaged layer and apply a coat of water-based wood coating specifically for flooring to restore the floor to its original condition. Floor refinishing can be done with sandpaper or a professional machine, depending on your needs. If some floorboards are warped or cracked, only those sections need to be replaced; it is not necessary to replace the entire floor. B. Furniture and Home Decor Section

　　When moving to a new home, many old pieces of furniture are still usable, and throwing them away seems wasteful, but they also look a bit worn in the new space. Refurbishing these old pieces can save a significant portion of renovation costs. Selling old furniture to a recycler won't get you much, but with a little creativity, their value can increase dramatically. Furniture refurbishment is a great way to cope with rising prices. With the new year just around the corner, we've compiled some refurbishment tips for common home furnishings. Why not try it yourself and give your furniture a fresh new look for the new year with minimal expense?

　　New Target: Genuine Leather Sofas

　　Genuine leather sofas inevitably develop fading, scratches, cracks, and signs of aging over time. Refurbishment can repair these issues to the greatest extent possible. Furthermore, repaired, refurbished, or partially repaired leather retains a soft feel, a natural, gentle luster, and maintains its elasticity and breathability. Refurbishment Tip 1:

　　Repairing Sofa Scratches

　　with a Hair Dryer Use a blade to apply leather repair paste to the scratch and smooth it out. Then use a hair dryer to speed up the drying process (repeat several times for best results) to prevent shrinkage! Refurbishment Tip 2: Removing Stains with Egg White

　　Refurbishment Method: For soiled genuine leather sofas, use a clean cloth dipped in egg white to wipe the stain. This will remove the stain and restore the leather's shine.

　　Refurbishment Target: Plush Fabric Sofas

　　Refurbishment Tip 1: Cleaning Plush

　　Fabric Sofas with Alcohol For plush fabric sofas, use a brush dipped in a small amount of diluted alcohol to brush the fabric, then use a hair dryer to dry it. For juice stains, mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with water, then use a cloth to apply the mixture; the stain will fade.

　　Refurbishment Tip 2:

　　Custom-Made Sofa Covers

　　A custom-made sofa cover can instantly transform a sofa. Choose the right fabric, then two people work together to cover different parts of the sofa with the fabric. Based on the curves of each part of the sofa, leave extra for sewing (leave extra to prevent uneven cutting; too much extra can be sewn in, too little will cause the cover to tear). Cut out various shapes of fabric piece by piece, and finally sew them together. I don't know what style your sofa is, but generally you'll need to cut out the back panel, backrest panel, seat panels, front panel (you can add a ruffle at the bottom of the front panel), and two side panels (if there are armrests, you'll need to cut a few more). Cutting the two side panels is the most important; they must follow the curvature of the sofa. Note that the top edges of the backrest should be pleated; the exact pleat length depends on the curvature of the sofa. When sewing, sew vertically first, then sew the two side panels. This will result in a neater sofa cover. If using floral or plaid fabric, make sure the pattern is aligned correctly. Alternatively, you can take your measurements and have a professional tailor make it.

　　Refrigeration Target: Refrigerator

　　Refrigeration Tip 1:

　　Removing Dirt from the Refrigerator Exterior

　　For general dirt on the refrigerator exterior, use a soft cloth with a small amount of toothpaste to gently wipe it. If the stains are stubborn, apply more toothpaste and wipe repeatedly with the cloth until the refrigerator is clean again. This is because toothpaste contains abrasives, making it very effective at removing dirt.

　　Refrigeration Tip 2:

　　Using Refrigerator Magnets to Hide Refrigerator Scars

　　Refrigerator magnets are generally used for decoration, but some are also used as memo pads, such as noting what vegetables or other foods need to be bought. If the refrigerator has scars from accidental bumps, try placing a nice, personalized refrigerator magnet in the corresponding location. This will not only hide the scars but may also make the refrigerator a nice decorative element in your home.

　　Refrigeration Target: Carpet

　　Refrigeration Tip 1:

　　Using Salt to Remove Soup Spices from Carpets

　　In families with children, carpets often get spilled with soup. Never wipe them with a wet cloth. First, use a clean, dry cloth or towel to absorb the moisture. Then, sprinkle some salt on the stain. After the salt has absorbed the stain, use a vacuum cleaner to remove it. Finally, use a brush to smooth the surface. The carpet will then look brand new.

　　Refurbishment Tip Two:

　　High-Pressure Warm Water Washing

　　Carpets often look very dirty after a period of use. Using a high-pressure water hose to wash the carpet can quickly clean it. It's best to use water below 40℃. You can use some neutral detergent appropriately. Do not use acidic or alkaline detergents, as they will accelerate the aging of the carpet.

　　Refurbishment Target: Wooden Furniture

　　Refurbishment Tip One:

　　Wiping Solid Wood Furniture with Milk

　　Soak a clean cloth in expired milk (it's no longer drinkable). Then, use this cloth to wipe solid wood furniture such as tables and cabinets. Finally, wipe it again with clean water. For painted furniture that has accumulated dust, you can wipe it with tea leaves wrapped in a damp gauze, or wash it with cold tea water for a brighter and cleaner finish.

　　Renovation Tip 2:

　　Water-based wax for a glossy finish on solid wood furniture.

　　Water-based wax can be sprayed directly onto the surface of solid wood furniture, then wiped dry with a soft cloth. The furniture will then be shiny and clean. If scratches are found, apply cod liver oil first, wait a day, and then wipe with a damp cloth. Additionally, wiping with concentrated salt water can prevent wood rot and extend the furniture's lifespan.

　　Target for renovation: Wardrobes.

　　Wardrobes are an indispensable piece of furniture in our homes. Especially for women, wardrobes are used very efficiently. But what if a wardrobe becomes damaged over the years? Many people choose to renovate it. Renovation Tip:

　　Sanding and repainting with the same type of paint

　　. If the original decorative panels are old, in this case, you can generally only sand and repaint with the same type of paint as before, but the effect is not very noticeable. C. Old House Renovation.

　　Initially, everyone hopes to "get it right the first time." But after living in a new home for a few years, you'll find that you have nowhere to put things, the accessories are outdated, and the home needs some necessary changes. Therefore, more and more people are starting to renovate their old houses. However, compared to the first renovation, a second renovation seems more complex and expensive.

　　How can you renovate an old house in the shortest time and at the lowest cost? Several senior designers from decoration companies have compiled a detailed renovation checklist.

　　1. Water and Electricity

　　: Upgrading the Old House

　　Water and electricity renovation is both the most basic and crucial part of old house renovation. In terms of materials, houses renovated in earlier years mostly used galvanized pipes and aluminum-plastic pipes for water pipes, which often resulted in leaks. Now, with the upgrading of materials, these pipes are gradually being abandoned.

　　Currently, most decoration companies use plastic-coated steel pipes. A second renovation is a good opportunity to upgrade aging water pipes.

　　Aging electrical wires and illegal wiring in the old house can also be replaced or renovated during the second renovation. Before renovation, carefully understand the laying direction, location, and diameter of the residential water and electricity pipes, and communicate the renovation plan with the home decoration company. Some homeowners often drastically alter the wiring in bathrooms or kitchens, and even modify walls, during renovations. This can easily damage the building's original waterproofing design, so caution is essential during construction. If leaks occur, waterproofing must be redone.

　　2. Wall Renovation: A Key Aspect of Old House Renovation

　　For homeowners hoping to change the layout of their house through renovations, wall modification is one of the most effective methods. It's generally advisable to minimize structural changes to walls.

　　If the wall structure is truly unsatisfactory and some walls need to be demolished to reorganize the space, it's crucial to avoid demolishing load-bearing walls, altering the building's structural integrity, or arbitrarily drilling holes or creating doorways in load-bearing walls, as this will lead to extremely serious safety hazards.

　　If the existing walls are already functional, then during renovations, wall paint, wallpaper, or wall coverings can give the walls a completely new look, saving considerable expense.

　　3. Furniture:

　　Adding Vibrant Elements to the Home Furnishings

　　Furniture is a crucial element in old house renovations. Changing the colors of your furniture to create a vibrant look is an effective way to quickly "upgrade" your home. For larger pieces of furniture like wardrobes, due to the design concept of the room, it's best to avoid significant color changes. It's recommended to choose a color from the existing color scheme that suits the home's design.

　　If you're replacing only a portion of the furniture, such as a lounge chair or armchair, you can choose bright colors to add vibrancy to the home.

　　Furniture colors usually match the style of the space. For example, New Chinese style interior design is paired with dark furniture, such as dark red or brown. Modern style offers a wider range of color choices, with bright, solid colors remaining popular. True red, true yellow, and pure blue are all the rage, and even brightly colored striped fabrics are hot sellers.

　　In contrast, elegant fabrics with classic floral patterns are more suitable for the rooms of the elderly.

　　4. Costs

　　The amount invested in renovating an

　　old house varies from person to person. Renovating an old house involves more issues than renovating a new house, and the cost is not necessarily less. Especially since a second renovation of an old house also incurs demolition costs, the investment varies from person to person and depends on individual needs.

　　If the person undertaking the renovation is a young or middle-aged individual who may be buying a new home soon, it's advisable to make the most of the existing decor, focusing on the living room and master bedroom, and generally considering the use of movable furniture.

　　If it's an elderly person planning to live there permanently, then a more detailed renovation of the existing decor is necessary. For example, solid wood flooring is recommended, and the shower room, bathroom, and kitchen should be renovated, which will require a larger investment.

　　In general, renovating an old house involves more issues and requires more extensive modifications than renovating a new house. However, as long as the design is comprehensive and reasonable, a successful transformation can be achieved.

　　Experiences in Renovating Old Houses

　　In recent years, the transaction volume of second-hand houses has been increasing. Compared with new house renovations, old house renovations have many limitations. Ignoring these factors can cause inconvenience. We have compiled some successful experiences from owners who have recently renovated old houses, hoping to be helpful to everyone.

　　1. Small gas capacity, not suitable for large water heaters

　　Most old houses now have 10-liter gas meters. If you choose a 6-liter water heater, it cannot be installed and used, and the gas type must also be compatible. 1. The capacity of the equipment used should be determined based on the basic conditions of the house; this must be clearly understood before purchasing.

　　2. Small kitchen drain: Washing machine not suitable.

　　Older houses generally have lower water usage in the kitchen, so the drain pipe diameter is very small, often made of cast iron. It's not advisable to blindly follow trends and embed the washing machine in the cabinet, as water may back up during heavy drainage.

　　3. Main water supply in the home: Main water pipe should not be removed

　　. Older apartment buildings from the 1980s and 90s didn't have water meter rooms in the stairwells, so each household's main water pipe and inlet valve were located in their own home, in varying locations. Since the water cannot be turned off, the main water pipe cannot be removed, even if it looks unsightly. This must be considered in the design.

　　4. Thin, loose floor slabs: Heavy chandeliers unsuitable.

　　In older houses with wooden structures, wooden floor slabs cannot support heavy chandeliers, and footsteps from upstairs neighbors can affect the stability of the lights. Even in cement structures, thin floor slabs are easily punctured by expansion bolts, making chandeliers weighing over 15 kg prone to loosening.

　　5. Small electricity meter capacity, avoid excessive use of air conditioners and other appliances

　　: Older houses often have limited electricity meter capacity. Prolonged use of high-power appliances like air conditioners, underfloor heating, and electric ovens may burn out the meter. It's advisable to carefully consider your purchases to avoid waste. Use appliances at off-peak times.

　　6. Low water pressure, avoid large showerheads:

　　Older houses often have poor water pipes and low water pressure. Larger showerheads may not flush effectively, significantly reducing the shower's cooling effect. Smaller ones are preferable. If you must buy a large one, you'll need to install a booster pump.

　　7. Poor sewage discharge, avoid toilet relocation:

　　Older houses often have cast iron sewage pipes, which rust over time, gradually clogging the pipes and causing poor toilet drainage. Relocating the toilet during renovation will directly affect the drainage speed, and insufficient flushing power will make it more prone to clogging.

　　8. The master bathroom has limited load-bearing capacity, so a jacuzzi is not suitable

　　. New houses are mostly reinforced concrete structures, which can barely support the weight of a jacuzzi. Older houses often have concrete slab or brick-and-wood structures. A jacuzzi filled with water weighs at least a ton, so how can an older house's bathroom possibly support it?