A true DIY, Completed by yours truly…
About 2 years ago, I made a decision to move back home with the good old ‘rents after spending a lovely time living in The Heights with one of my best friends as my roommate. My decision was driven by finances and securing the ability to start my own business. This move spiraled a DIY project that was soon going to consume my life. The plan was for me to live in my Parent’s Garage Apartment, the catch was, it needed to be renovated. Those renovations were directed towards making the space a self-sufficient, live-in apartment. Of course this was an exciting process for me because I would be able to create my very own living space while overseeing the entire project. This project also afforded me the opportunity to gain essential hands-on experience and knowledge. I just didn’t know my lavish social life would soon be depleted by all the hours spent executing the renovation.
As many of you know the major benefit of doing-it-yourself is the cost savings on labor. This was especially important to my parents since they were footing the bill. Another reason is the pride and joy one can carry with them after the completion of the project. These factors weighed heavy on our decision to start the renovation process ourselves. Without further a due, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of my Garage Apartment renovation… or as I like to call it- The Penthouse in the Suburbs!
When undertaking a DIY renovation it is important to prioritize your design goals and functionality of the space. This prioritization is key when the budget of the project comes into play. In my project, here were a few key goals we needed to accomplish.
1. Enlarge Closet depth to allow for adequate clothes storage
When the space was originally built, the closet was not deep enough to accommodate an actual hanger. This posed a major problem from someone whom you may call a clotheshorse. The adjustment had little impact to the footprint of the apartment so not a major issue but necessary.
2. Incorporate a working Kitchenette
The space only had a small bar sink with cabinetry not ideal for full time living circumstances. This would be one of the larger costs of the project, as it would require new cabinets, countertops, backsplash, plumbing fixtures, and appliances.
3. Consistent flooring throughout the apartment
The current conditions had a tile floor in the small Kitchen and Bathroom that transitioned to a change in floor height to a laminate wood. This made the space feel smaller and was not atheistically pleasing.
After deciding what we hoped to achieve in the renovation, it was time to get serious with the budget. My parents and I set a very detailed and itemized budget for the renovation. This gave me a clear path when making selections. Budgets in a DIY are trickier than you may think… In the beginning, you may be willing to tackle and complete every task. As the project progresses, you realize you are not superman or superwoman and you really need to enlist the help of professionals. We opted to hire plumbers, flooring and countertop installers to ensure these tasks were completed properly. When doing a DIY renovation, do not hesitate to reach out for help or advice from a professional in areas you are not as quite skilled in. It may hinder your budget but you will rest easy in the end.
The next step is to begin confirming selections within your budget and start ordering the necessary materials. Take into consideration lead times during this stage. This was the most fun phase for me because it allowed me to start visualizing my humble abode.
DEMO! The demolition phase can be a huge stress reliever but also look very scary and overwhelming. When you walk into a space that has been deconstructed, all comfort disappears. It looks nothing like you remember and you start to worry if you made the right decisions. Soon after, it starts to look like an actual space again and those worries are put to rest.
Let’s Renovate! The order of operations varies depending on whom you ask. We started with the reframing of the closet so we could move onto sheetrock repair next. We also added a window in the Kitchen area so that was completed early on to avoid sheetrock damage. At this time, we also addressed the lighting and electrical.
Once this work was completed, we re-textured the ceiling then painted the walls and ceiling. Next, we found a flooring company who provided the material and installation at a very low cost so, we were on board! It only took a few days for them to complete this task. My dad and I were busy working on cutting the trim for all the doors and windows. I designed a very craftsman looking style for the trim, which was easy to achieve while adding architectural detail to the space. We also worked on the closet storage system I designed because this work could be concurrent with the flooring installers.
After the flooring was complete, we covered it up with brown craft paper to avoid damaging it. We then started fitting the baseboards that we primed ahead of installation. I selected a simple 1x6 material for the baseboard, which made installation a breeze. My dad worked on installing the interior doors while I put together the Kitchen cabinets. We then installed and leveled the cabinets to prep for countertop installation. Next, the hex-tile floor was installed as well as the toilet in the bathroom. We opted to stay with the existing shower stall.
My dad and I began our biggest feat yet… installing crown molding! Hardly any corners in my apartment were a true 90-degree angle. This made the installation challenging. We learned a coping-joint technique that helped us solve this issue. But I will say in the future… I NEVER want to install crown molding again. It seems silly to be the hardest aspect of this project for me but it was!
The bathroom was completed with a cabinet I designed and the countertop was installed at the same time as the Kitchen countertop. After, we had the plumbers back to install the Bathroom and Kitchen plumbing fixtures.
After what felt like a million trips to Lowe’s, countless hours of labor, friends wondering if you still liked them or not, impatience setting in… we were almost finished! Just a few finishing touches like painting the mill working, installing ac trims, door and cabinet hardware, etc.
Lastly, I moved in and was able to style and decorate the place. This phase is always a work in progress especially when you add a significant other to the mix. My boyfriend and I now inhabit the space together so I had to use some design trickery to allow the space to be functional for two people. It has been a wonderful ride and I enjoyed every step of this project. The entire renovation process took us about 6 months since we did most of the work ourselves. We were hoping for a 3-4 month timeline but life happens. So have faith DIY-ers and hang in there!!