If we have been living in the same space for a long time, it can get pretty dull and leave us wanting a change. More than that, our needs change over time, and our space should adapt with us to accommodate those needs. But how do we know what changes will make our lives better, and how do we make our place new and shiny without emptying our savings accounts? There is no one-size-fits-all answer, and the situation differs from one person to the next, but there are some guidelines that everyone can follow to make sure they’re on the right path.

Differentiate between needs and wants

A lot of us want to live in a different home, whether it be bigger, brighter or cozier. But unfortunately, we can’t always get exactly what we want to have, which is why it is important to realize what you need first. You might want an extra guest room, because you don’t want your in-laws to be sleeping on the couch when they come for a visit, but in reality what you need for a better functioning everyday life is an extra bathroom. Making this separation between the wants and the needs is crucial to handling your budget – and your space – the right way. For example, quality granny flats in Australia are gaining more and more popularity, and the extra space might simply need to take precedence over an in-ground pool. Your needs should be the priorities, and your wishes should be given whatever is left over once the needs are taken care of.

Learn some new skills

For many things, you might need expert help, but not all things have to be done professionally and many of the basic renovation jobs can be learned pretty fast. The first thing you can always do alone is paint your own walls. Watch several tutorials online or ask a friend who has done it before and just go for it. It’s not nearly as hard as it looks, and with just a few tricks up your sleeves, you will be done in no time. You can do other things too like installing shelves, doors and appliances, and with today’s tools, resources and just a little bit of knowledge; you can lay down your own floors as well. Doing things on your own might take some precious time off your hands, but it will be greatly cheaper and you will be able to do it exactly how you’d like.

Know when to call the professionals

Doing some – or even most – of the work yourself can be very cost efficient as well as fulfilling, but sometimes there are just things that you can’t handle on your own. When the moment comes when the result is not only a matter of aesthetics and comfort, but actual functionality and safety, you should leave it up to someone who is an expert in the field. Basically, for anything that has to do with electricity, plumbing or the structure of the house, you will want to hire someone to do it. Messing with it on your own can have consequences, either instant or further down the line, and that is the risk you are not willing to take. It might burn your wallet to pay someone to do some “basic” roof repairs, but if you went up there and did it yourself, the damage that would come from the leaks if you got it wrong would be a lot greater than the cost right now. Very often, if you offer one team to do your entire home, they will offer you some discounts, so it might be worth searching for someone who has a team with a wide range of capabilities.

In the end, our homes are some of the most important things we have, and we should do everything in our power to make them safe and comfortable. Remember to always check which repairs and renovations you could do on your own, but be ready to take a step back and let the professionals take over if anything goes wrong. If you are hiring someone to do the job for you, make sure you are constantly checking on what is being done so that you are sure your home will be exactly how you dreamed.