5 tips to consider before renovating as soon as you move in

If you've recently managed to buy a place one of your main objectives — aside from actually getting the keys — is how you can make it your own.

Of course the first thing that comes to mind is renovating, which is a huge commitment. But before you pull out the sledge hammer and start smashing into walls, it's worth considering a few things.

Reddit is full of useful and smart renovation tips and tricks that everyday people have shared, so we've rounded up five things to consider before getting started.

Paint before you move

"My mother-in-law suggested painting our closets on the inside before we moved in, I highly recommend as well. Now that we have all of our clothing hung up, I couldn't imagine painting the closets now. Plus, it gives you an opportunity to really clean in there and not find cobwebs and the previous owner's smells on your clothing," wrote one user.

A small but very effective tip that will save you a lot of hassles in the long run.

Don't just rush right in

Instead of jumping head first into renovating, one Reddit commenter has a really useful tip that puts it all into perspective. Before starting on anything, write out a list of everything you need to do, then rip the list up. Next, take a step back and actually just live in your home for a while. It may sound a bit odd but focusing on living will bring the real priorities to the surface. "You own the home — don't let the home own you," they explained.

You don't have to replace everything

"My advice — don't assume you have to replace things, especially with a starter home. There are a tonne of hacks for making things look nice without spending a tonne of dough. For example, you can repair cabinets and doors to look new with some wood filler/plastic wood, maybe, trim, paint, hardware," commented another Reddit user.

Instead of ripping out your entire kitchen because you don't like the cabinetry, a lick of paint over them could bring them back to life. It'll not only save time compared to a full kitchen renovation, but it's a lot more budget-friendly too.

Do one thing at a time

It can be overwhelming if you've got a list as long as your arm and every room in the house to renovate — so why do it all at once? One commenter said they wished they had finished one job completely before starting another during renovations. A great way to do this is going room by room. Sure, one area of the house might look like a construction site, but the rest of the house will be calm and liveable.

Think about the house first

"I like to ask people: Is this your forever home, or a starter home that will eventually lead to the next house? If it's not your forever home keep in mind more neutral renovations that will raise value and not be so unique. It could be a turn off to future buyers or something you would have to redo in the future. Not that everything has to be bland and not to your liking, just something to keep in mind that could pay off on the long run based on how you view your home, as a home or as a future investment," commented another Reddit user.

This is a good point because if you are looking at this property being a home that you aren't planning on being in for a long time, why do you need to completely change everything? A new coat of paint or new carpet will definitely make it easier to live in for the time being, but is more cost effective than a complete renovation.