What contractors don’t tell you about home renovation, remodeling mistakes, hidden structural issues, and staying on budget.❤️ If you’re planning a house remodel in 2026, these renovation truths could save you thousands.
Let’s see if two sisters can actually renovate this house in six months… and stay on budget. 😅
In this real-life designer renovation, I’m taking you behind the scenes of my sister’s home remodel — the not-so-pretty demo phase, the unexpected discoveries, the structural framing issues, and the renovation “surprises” that most contractors don’t fully prepare you for.
We’re talking about: • How to plan a renovation budget (and where it usually goes wrong) • Why furniture layouts must be considered BEFORE framing and electrical • Hidden structural issues that can derail your remodel • Electrical planning mistakes homeowners regret • Why adding extra blocking inside the walls can save your design later • How to design focal points like a fireplace wall and jewel-box powder room • Hidden jib doors (and why I love them) • Architectural details that elevate a remodel from basic to custom • Sub-contractor signs you need to understand • Door opening sizes, sight lines, and layout flow • And the one thing almost nobody thinks about before renovating… but it can absolutely make or break your entire project
If you’re renovating, remodeling, building, or even just dreaming about updating your home, this video will help you avoid expensive mistakes and think like a designer before the drywall goes up.
And yes… I’ll share whether we’re staying on budget. Or not. 😉
Follow along as we renovate this house room by room — from the parlor and bar “snug” to the kids’ bedrooms and bathrooms — and I’ll show you how I approach a real client renovation as an interior designer.
💕 If you’re planning a home renovation in 2026 (or anytime soon), comment below: What stage are you in? Dreaming? Demo? Regretting? 😂 I want to know.
And don’t forget to subscribe so you can follow the entire renovation journey from demo day to final reveal.
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00:00 Can We Renovate in 6 Months & Stay on Budget? 00:40 Designing “Moments That Matter” in a Remodel 02:36 Creating Beautiful Sight Lines in Open Floor Plans 02:55 Designing a Jewel-Box Powder Room 03:49 Choosing Renovation Must-Haves (And Sticking to Them) 05:13 Designing a Focal Fireplace Wall 05:29 Adding Architectural Details That Elevate a Remodel 05:51 Designing a Parlor & Bar Snug 07:28 Hidden Jib Doors Explained 07:39 Dealing with Existing Structural Framing Issues 08:19 How to Choose Materials for a Renovation 10:18 Why You Need Extra Wall Blocking (Trust Me) 11:27 Electrical Planning Mistakes to Avoid 13:50 Common Renovation Surprises 15:53 Should You Move Out During a Renovation? 16:14 Sub-Contractor Signs You Need to Understand 16:29 Unexpected Structural Discoveries 17:13 Designing a Girl’s Bedroom & Bathroom 18:20 Designing a Boy’s Bedroom & Bathroom 18:40 Why Furniture Layouts Must Be Planned Early 19:02 Door Opening Sizes That Affect Furniture 19:55 Another Unexpected Renovation Surprise 20:12 Follow the Entire Renovation Journey 20:42 Watch This Next: Renovation Planning Guide
