I finished renovating my apartment about a month ago, but the whole process still feels fresh in my mind.
At first, I planned to hire one contractor to handle everything from A to Z. But when I looked at the final quote, the cost had climbed way too high. So I decided to let them handle only the core construction. The rest, from choosing materials to finding furniture, I did on my own 💪.
Surprisingly, doing it that way helped me cut almost forty percent of the cost. It was tiring, of course, but with my budget, I didn’t have many other options. Still, I made it work. 🌻
Going through this whole process made me realize how every person in construction has their own role. The designer, the guy handling cement work, the electrician and plumber, the painter, the interior team. Each one takes care of their own part, but everything is connected. One mistake can cause a chain reaction.
After going through everything, I ended up learning so many things I had never touched before. Waterproofing materials, types of aluminum and plastic, different kinds of wood. And thankfully, everything is online now, so you can check prices easily and avoid running from store to store.
Looking back, I should give myself some credit. I handled way more than I expected. I solved problems I never imagined I could handle. Not bad at all. 😌
And the whole experience reminded me so much of UX UI. Everything is connected. When you want something to look beautiful, you often sacrifice functionality. When you focus too much on functionality, everything becomes stiff and loses harmony.
Balancing both is the hardest part. Nothing ever reaches a perfect one hundred percent. But finding the right mix is what makes everything feel natural and comfortable.
Renovating my home was exhausting, but it helped me grow. I learned new things, handled surprises, and discovered that I’m more capable than I thought.🌻