What interior renovation work to carry out for the start of the school year in Belgium?

What interior renovation work to carry out for the start of the school year in Belgium?
The end of summer often signifies a return: back to work, school, extracurricular activities, and a more intense daily rhythm. Before the days fill up again, this period can be used to improve one’s home and gain comfort for the months ahead. 

Reorganizing certain rooms, modernizing equipment, or improving the performance of the home allows for a smoother return to a more practical interior that better meets the needs of the whole family. In Belgium, summer also offers favorable conditions for many projects, thanks to better ventilation and longer days. 

Here are the renovations to consider for this period. 

Optimize the entrance to ease daily life 

The entrance is one of the first spaces to rethink when looking to improve the organization of the home. At the start of the school year, shoes, jackets, bags, and backpacks can quickly accumulate there. 

Well-integrated storage solutions allow for smooth circulation while giving a precise place to each item. A closed cabinet, a bench with storage, wall shelves, or hooks can be enough to transform this space. 

In homes where every square meter counts, it is also interesting to exploit unused areas: recesses, under-stair spaces, or full-height storage can offer new possibilities without encroaching on the room. 

Create a true office space 

With the rise of remote work and the school needs of children, having a dedicated space for concentration has become particularly useful. 

It is not necessary to transform an entire room into an office. A part of the living room, a space in a bedroom, or even a sufficiently wide hallway can accommodate a functional workspace. 

The key is to provide a comfortable surface, appropriate lighting, and enough outlets to plug in a computer, monitor, or lamp. Nearby storage solutions also help keep the space clear. 

To better isolate the office from the rest of the room, a slatted bookshelf, a lightweight partition, or a glass wall can create a separation without reducing brightness. 

If the layout involves significant changes to the electrical installation, the work must comply with the RGIE regulations applicable in Belgium. 

Revitalize the bedrooms 

As classes and professional activities resume, the bedroom can also benefit from a few improvements. 

A change of paint, a new floor covering, or better-planned lighting can quickly refresh the atmosphere without necessarily engaging in a heavy renovation. 

In a child's bedroom, needs evolve quickly. The arrival of a larger desk, new storage spaces, or a reading nook can adapt the room to their age and new habits. 

The start of the school year is also a good opportunity to reassess the furniture layout to free up space and improve circulation. 

Make the kitchen more practical 

As the school year begins, the kitchen regains its importance. Between meals to prepare quickly, breakfasts, and organizing the days, a poorly arranged room can quickly become cumbersome. 

However, it is not always necessary to replace all the furniture. A partial renovation can already significantly improve the use of the kitchen. 

Changing the facades, installing new drawers, adding storage, modernizing the backsplash, or improving the lighting of the countertop are all possible solutions. 

Creating additional outlets can also be practical for appliances used daily. 

When the project involves a complete renovation, it is advisable to carefully anticipate the sequence of plumbing, electrical, flooring, and furniture installation work to reduce the period during which the kitchen will be unusable. 

Simplifying the organization of the bathroom

When the whole family gets ready at the same times, the bathroom can quickly become a bottleneck. 

Rethinking its layout can sometimes significantly simplify mornings. Depending on the available space, this may involve installing a double sink, creating additional storage, or replacing a bathtub with a shower. 

Controlling humidity is also essential in this room. An appropriate ventilation system helps to expel humid air and limit the risks of condensation and mold. 

During a more significant renovation, it is important to consider the applicable ventilation and energy performance requirements depending on the region where the property is located. 

Preparing your home for the colder months 

The end of summer is also the right time to anticipate the arrival of autumn and the drop in temperatures. 

Drafts around windows, old frames, or particularly cold walls can affect the comfort of the entire house. Having these elements checked before the heating season allows for identifying priority work. 

Depending on the situation, several solutions can be considered: improving insulation, replacing certain frames, reviewing heating regulation, or installing a more efficient thermostat. 

In Belgium, energy requirements are not the same everywhere. They fall under regional regulations: PEB in Wallonia and Brussels, EPB in Flanders. The nature and extent of the work determine any obligations to be met. 

Anticipating renovation-related procedures 

An interior project can sometimes go well beyond simple decoration work. 

Modifying a load-bearing structure, intervening on the facade, transforming certain frames, or changing the use of part of the building may require specific procedures. 

Urban planning rules vary from one region to another and sometimes from one municipality to another, so it is best to check the formalities before starting the work. 

This anticipation also applies to materials. Certain equipment, such as custom-made furniture, frames, or sanitary elements, may have significant manufacturing or delivery times. Preparing your project early allows for better adherence to your schedule. 

Entrusting your project to Avenir Renovations 

Renovating several rooms in your home often requires coordinating different professionals: electrician, plumber, painter, carpenter, heating engineer, or flooring installer. 

Avenir Renovations supports you in organizing your project by centralizing the different stages of the worksite. You have a single point of contact responsible for assessing your needs, preparing your quote, and organizing the necessary interventions. 

Your Project Manager ensures the coordination of the various trades and oversees the project until the completion of the worksite. 

To carry out your work in the fall, it is recommended to prepare your project several weeks in advance, especially when it includes custom-made elements or several successive interventions. 

Are you considering renovating your interior in Belgium? Contact Avenir Renovations to discuss your project and design a more comfortable, functional, and suitable home for your daily life.