In What Order Should You Renovate the Rooms in Your Home?

Renovating your home is kind of like assembling IKEA furniture—you think it’ll be straightforward, but three hours in, you’re surrounded by misplaced pieces, questioning your life choices. How you tackle renovations can make or break your sanity (and budget). Do it right, and everything flows smoothly. Do it wrong, and you’ll install new floors twice because you forgot the plumbing needed an overhaul first.

One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make? Jumping into renovations without a plan—because knocking down a wall feels productive, right? Others focus on the fun stuff (hello, dreamy kitchen island!) before handling the essentials, like electrical work. Then there’s the classic case of underestimating time and cost, leading to a half-finished bathroom and a fridge parked in the living room for six months.

The right renovation order depends on a mix of factors: budget (are we going full HGTV or just making things livable?), lifestyle (can you survive without a functioning kitchen for a month?), and home layout (open-concept dreams can turn into structural nightmares). The trick is knowing what needs to happen first, what can wait, and when to call in the pros. Because while DIY can be rewarding, some things—like plumbing, electrical, and structural work—are best left to experts (or risk turning your reno into an insurance claim).

So before you swing that sledgehammer, let’s talk about the smartest way to approach your renovation—because your future self will thank you.

Establish a Renovation Plan

Renovating your home without a solid plan is like grocery shopping while hungry—you’ll overspend, make impulsive choices, and somehow end up with a fancy backsplash when what you really needed was a functioning bathroom. Before you start swinging a sledgehammer, it’s crucial to establish a clear renovation plan, or you might find yourself living in a construction zone indefinitely, wondering why you prioritized a wine fridge over working plumbing.

First things first: What’s the goal here? Are you trying to make your home more functional, boost its resale value, or finally create the Pinterest-worthy kitchen of your dreams? Maybe it’s all three. Whatever the case, defining your priorities early will help you make smarter decisions when the inevitable budget reality check hits.

Speaking of budgets, let’s talk numbers—because renovations have a way of magically costing more than expected. (Who knew floors alone could eat up half your savings?) The key is prioritizing based on both cost and necessity. A leaky roof? That’s an urgent fix. A marble waterfall island? Maybe save that for phase two. It’s all about balancing what you want with what you need—and making peace with the fact that plumbing and electrical upgrades will always be more important than fancy light fixtures (no matter how pretty they are).

Then there’s the fun part: figuring out how all of this will impact your daily life. Will you be washing dishes in the bathtub for a month? Is your bedroom doubling as a storage unit? Renovations can disrupt your routine in ways you never imagined, so planning ahead can save you from unnecessary stress—or at least prepare you for the chaos.

At the end of the day, a well-thought-out renovation plan keeps things (mostly) on track, prevents costly mistakes, and ensures you don’t regret your choices while standing in a half-finished kitchen eating takeout for the fifth night in a row. So, let’s set some goals, crunch some numbers, and get your dream home off to a smarter start.

Learn More: How to Start Planning a Home Renovation

Structural and utility upgrades first

Before you start dreaming about fancy kitchen backsplashes and spa-like bathrooms, let’s talk about the not-so-glamorous side of renovations: the stuff that keeps your house from literally falling apart. Foundation, electrical, plumbing, HVAC—these aren’t the showstoppers of home improvement, but ignore them, and your renovation might turn into a very expensive game of Jenga.

Foundation repairs and structural reinforcements

Think of your home’s foundation like a good skincare routine—it’s not the most exciting part, but if you don’t take care of it, everything else starts to crack, sag, and generally fall apart. If your house has settling issues, cracks in the walls, or floors that feel like a funhouse, these are red flags that must be addressed before any cosmetic work begins. Sure, jumping straight into picking paint colors is tempting, but those new cabinets won’t look great if your floor is sinking underneath them.

Electrical and plumbing system upgrades

Your home’s electrical and plumbing systems are like its nervous and circulatory systems—if they’re outdated, unreliable, or just plain unsafe, no amount of high-end finishes will save you from future headaches. Need more outlets? Planning to install energy-efficient appliances? Hate resetting your breaker every time you use the hairdryer? This is the time to get everything up to code.

And plumbing? Well, if you’ve ever had a pipe burst in the middle of the night, you already know that cutting corners here is a terrible idea. Whether you’re upgrading old pipes, moving fixtures, or just making sure you won’t be dealing with surprise leaks after installing your dream bathroom, plumbing fixes come first. Unless you enjoy the thrill of a mid-renovation flood, in which case—carry on.

HVAC improvements

Nothing kills renovation excitement like realizing you’ve spent all your money on aesthetic upgrades and forgot about air conditioning. If your heating and cooling systems are outdated, inefficient, or nonexistent, now’s the time to upgrade. Adding central air? Switching from a dinosaur of a furnace to something energy-efficient? These are not afterthoughts.

And let’s talk about ductwork—because if you’re opening up walls anyway, it’s the perfect time to improve airflow and ensure your future self isn’t sweating through summer and freezing through winter. Trust us, you do not want to rip into freshly painted walls to fix this later.

Roofing and insulation needs

If your roof has leaks, missing shingles, or is just old, don’t put off fixing it. A leaky roof doesn’t just threaten your attic—it can ruin walls, floors, and all the expensive upgrades you just made. Water damage is the ultimate party crasher; it doesn’t leave without a fight once it shows up.

And while we’re up there, let’s talk insulation. Upgrading insulation might not be as fun as, say, choosing new light fixtures, but it will save you money on energy bills and keep your home comfortable year-round. Because what’s the point of a stunning renovation if you’re shivering in your brand-new kitchen?

Bottom line: Handle these upgrades first. Your home (and your wallet) will thank you.

Kitchen and bathroom renovations

If your home were a reality show, the kitchen and bathrooms would be the stars—always in use, always the center of attention, and often the source of the most drama. These high-traffic areas deserve priority in your renovation timeline, not just because they add the most value to your home but also because no one wants to live in a construction zone with no functioning sink.

The kitchen and bathrooms get more daily traffic than any other part of the house (except maybe the couch, but that’s another story). If you’re living through a renovation, the faster these spaces are done, the better. Plus, upgrading them can significantly boost your home’s resale value. A sleek new kitchen? Buyers love that. A modern, spa-like bathroom? That’s gold. Meanwhile, outdated tile and a fridge from the ‘90s? Not so much.

Let’s be honest—renovating these spaces will disrupt your life. There will be dust. There will be delays. There may even be tears (hopefully not yours). But a little planning can make things easier. Setting up a temporary kitchen in another part of the house (hello, microwave meals) and mapping out alternative bathroom options (hello, gym membership) can keep you sane. And remember: The faster you make decisions, the faster your contractor moves. Indecisiveness = eating takeout for months.

Now, for the fun part: bringing in the new stuff! When installing cabinets, make sure everything is level—because no one wants drawers that slide open on their own. Plan appliance placement wisely (yes, the fridge door does need enough space to open fully). And in the bathroom, waterproofing is your best friend—because a leaky shower is just a lawsuit waiting to happen.

Tackle these renovations early, get through the chaos, and soon enough, you’ll be sipping coffee in your dream kitchen instead of eating cold cereal in the garage.

Living spaces and bedrooms

Once the heavy lifting is done—foundation solid, pipes in place, kitchen functional—it’s time to tackle the spaces where you actually live. Living rooms, dining areas, bedrooms, and that home office you swear you’ll use more often all need some love, but timing is key.

These spaces are usually less urgent than the kitchen or bathrooms, but don’t leave them for last unless you enjoy relaxing in a half-finished construction zone. The best time to renovate them? Right after the messiest work is done but before you start moving furniture back in. If you’re refinishing floors or painting, it’s way easier when you’re not dodging a sofa and stacks of books you meant to donate.

Your bedroom should be a peaceful retreat, not the last room standing in a dust-covered war zone. If possible, tackle bedroom renovations in stages, so you’re not sleeping on the couch for weeks. A good strategy? Do one bedroom at a time, starting with the one that will be least disruptive (i.e., not the only room with a bed). If you’re dealing with kids’ rooms, prepare for chaos—because moving a six-year-old’s stuffed animal collection is practically a hostage negotiation.

Flooring and paint are the finishing touches that can transform a space, but the order matters. Always do flooring before painting unless you want to spend extra time touching up scuffed baseboards. For high-traffic areas like the living room, consider durable options—because no one wants to cry over a spilled glass of red wine on a brand-new carpet.

With the right approach, these final spaces will come together smoothly, and soon enough, you’ll actually get to enjoy your home instead of just renovating it.

Basement, attic, and additional spaces

Once the main parts of your home are looking good, it’s time to turn your attention to the bonus spaces—the basement, attic, or that weird extra room you haven’t quite figured out what to do with yet. Whether adding a guest suite, a home gym, or just making space for everything you swear you’ll organize someday, these areas have serious potential.

An unfinished basement or attic is basically wasted square footage. Why let all that space go to spiders when it could be a cozy den, a playroom, or a dedicated spot for all those hobbies you swore you’d start? The trick is making sure the space works for your needs. Do you need an extra bedroom? A media room? A home office with a door you can actually close? Plan it out before you start drywalling, or you might end up with a nice room with no real purpose.

Before you get too excited about turning your basement into a sleek lounge, make sure it’s livable. Basements and attics are notorious for being damp, drafty, or just plain unpleasant. Proper waterproofing is necessary unless you want your new home gym to double as a mold experiment. And don’t forget insulation—because a finished attic that feels like a sauna in the summer and a freezer in the winter is just an expensive storage closet.

Even if you don’t need a fancy extra living space, these areas are prime real estate for storage. Built-in shelving, hidden compartments, and well-planned closets can keep the rest of your house from turning into a cluttered mess. And if you’re really thinking ahead, consider a multipurpose room—a guest room that doubles as an office, a playroom that can transition into a teen hangout. Because let’s be real, your needs today might not be the same in five years.

Tackle these spaces wisely, and you’ll have a home that works smarter, not harder.

Exterior and outdoor spaces

Once the inside of your home is coming together, it’s time to focus on the exterior—because curb appeal matters and no one wants to be that house on the block. A beautifully renovated interior loses its magic if your siding is peeling, your yard looks abandoned, and your driveway has more potholes than a backroad after winter.

If your home’s exterior looks a little worse for wear, don’t wait until the end of your renovation to deal with it. Siding, windows, and doors are more than just cosmetic—they impact insulation, energy efficiency, and security. Plus, upgrading these elements before you finish the inside means you won’t be tracking dust and debris into your freshly painted living room. Pro tip: New windows can make a huge difference in reducing drafts, which means you might actually enjoy sitting by them in winter instead of avoiding that “permanent chill zone” in your house.

Landscaping should be the grand finale of your renovation. There’s no point in planting new flower beds only to have them trampled by contractors carrying lumber across your lawn. Once the heavy lifting is done, you can focus on sprucing up the yard, adding a patio, or finally installing that fire pit you’ve been dreaming about. If outdoor entertaining is your thing, think about a setup that works for your lifestyle—whether that’s a full outdoor kitchen or just a solid deck with space for a grill and some comfy chairs.

The garage is often the last space to get attention, so it tends to become a black hole of forgotten items. If you’re renovating, now’s the time to reclaim it. Need extra storage? Built-in shelves can save you from the chaos of holiday decorations and sports equipment. And let’s not forget the driveway—because a beautifully remodeled home deserves an entrance that doesn’t feel like an obstacle course.

Tackle these projects in the right order, and your home will look just as good on the outside as it does inside!

Final touches and interior design

You’ve survived the dust, the delays, and at least one “Why did we do this?” moment. Now, it’s time for the fun part—turning your half-finished construction zone back into a home. The final touches might not involve power tools, but they’re just as important for making everything feel polished and livable.

First up: paint and wallpaper. Timing is key here. Paint too soon, and contractors will scuff up your walls. Wait too long, and you’ll be awkwardly painting around furniture. The best time? After all major construction is done, but before everything moves in. And if you’re considering wallpaper, just remember—it’s easy to put up, but taking it down is future-you’s problem.

Next, it’s fixtures, lighting, and décor. Now’s the time to swap out that old overhead light for something stylish and finally install those dream cabinet handles you insisted were worth the splurge.

And finally—deep cleaning. Because no matter how careful everyone was, drywall dust was everywhere. Once that’s done, you can officially move in, put your feet up, and pretend the chaos never happened.

Finding and hiring the right contractors

Finding the right contractor for your renovation is a little like dating—go in without doing your research, and you might end up heartbroken, broke, and wondering how things went so wrong. A good contractor can make your dream home a reality, while a bad one can turn your reno into a never-ending nightmare. Here’s how to find “the one.”

Researching contractors

Start by looking in the right places. Online reviews, referrals from friends, and contractor directories are your best bet—because if your neighbor found a great contractor who finished on time and didn’t ghost halfway through, that’s worth gold. Once you have a shortlist, check licenses, insurance, and certifications. If a contractor can’t provide proof of these, that’s a giant red flag. And don’t just take their word for their experience—ask for a portfolio of past work to ensure they can deliver what they promise.

Requesting quotes and estimates

Never settle for the first bid you get. Collect multiple estimates and compare them carefully. The cheapest option isn’t always the best, and the most expensive one isn’t necessarily the highest quality. Pay attention to pricing breakdowns and ask about hidden costs—because “Oh, we didn’t factor that in” is the last thing you want to hear midway through your renovation. Also, watch for red flags like vague pricing, extremely low bids, or contractors who refuse to put anything in writing.

Checking references and reviews

Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, it’s time to dig deeper. Ask past clients key questions: Did the contractor stick to the timeline? How was communication? Would they hire them again? Online reviews and testimonials can be helpful, but if possible, visit completed projects in person. Seeing the actual work is the best way to judge quality.

Reviewing contracts and agreements

A contract is your safety net—don’t start any work without one. It should outline the scope of work, timeline, and payment schedule. Make sure it also covers unexpected costs and change orders (because surprise expenses happen), and ask about warranties and guarantees. If anything seems unclear, get clarification before you sign—because disputes can get messy once work begins.

Managing the renovation process

Even with the best contractor, renovations can be stressful. Set clear expectations upfront and establish a communication plan—regular updates will save you from unnecessary panic. Be prepared for delays (because they will happen), and handle disputes calmly. And before signing off on the project, do a final inspection to make sure everything meets your standards. After all, this is your home—we want it done right.