The time has come again for all Chicagoans to retreat into their homes, apartments and condos, wrap blankets around themselves and sit idly, waiting for the cold weather to pass us by. There is one advantage, however, to being stuffed up inside your Chicago condo for an extended period of time—namely, it gives you the chance to complete all those home improvement tasks you have been meaning to get around to. Perhaps this summer, on the way to one of Chicago’s many beaches, you cast a brief glance at your wallpaper and noticed it was peeling, or maybe the outdated paint color in your kitchen has been bothering you for a while. Now is the time to take care of these little projects, so that by the time spring rolls around, your Chicago condo will be in ideal condition.
The first step to improving your Chicago condo is to make a list of all desired home improvement projects. Include every imperfection, every flaw that needs maintenance and compile a comprehensive collection of all the projects that need to be completed.
After you have made a list, decide on a deadline—a definitive time when all home improvements projects should be done. This will focus your efforts and motivate you to be more productive and efficient. Knowing there is an end point in sight will help you get through the frustrating times that may come along with home improvement projects.
The next step is to call a household meeting to discuss priorities—which projects can everyone agree on, which are more controversial? Make sure there is a family/household consensus on which home improvement projects are the most necessary. You should also discuss the budget during this meeting. How much money do you want to allocate to each project? Make sure you keep an overall budget in mind as well that factors in your regular monthly expenses so you are certain you can afford it.
Weigh the pros and cons of each item on your list. If there are any projects that are too time-consuming or too expensive, consider holding them off until you have more time/money. Any outdoor projects may need to be shelved for now, at least until the weather gets a little warmer. If you are planning on selling your condo in the near future, consider talking to a real estate agent about which improvements will be most worthwhile for attracting potential buyers.
