We teamed up with Ruth Largaespada (olivegreyavenue) to share her top tips on managing 'The Not-So-Pretty Side of Home Renovation’
Home renovations are exciting until you’re in the middle where everything is chaos and you can't yet see the light at the end of the tunnel. But it’s important to remember that there’s nothing like seeing your space transform into something you’ve dreamed of! When you're tackling a big project, the last thing you want to do is deal with piles of debris, old materials, and clutter. That’s where 1-800-GOT-JUNK? came to the rescue for us.
I’ve learned that one of the best renovation tips isn’t just about the design—it’s about dealing with the not-so-glamorous parts like the clean-up. If you’re planning a renovation, here’s how to keep things stress-free so you can focus on creating a home you love.
1. Plan for the Cleanup from the Start
It’s easy to get caught up in picking paint colors and tile samples, but trust me, planning for cleanup is just as important. Before demo day, figure out where all that old flooring, drywall, and random junk is going to go. Instead of letting it pile up and overwhelm you, have a junk removal service on standby to take care of it for you.
However, if you didn't plan ahead, it's ok, one of my favorite things about 1-800-GOT-JUNK? is that they can show up the same day to take care of your junk! Within hours, they can be at your door ready to work their magic.
2. Don’t Waste Time Moving Heavy Debris
When I was getting ready for the truck's arrival, I had the urge to clean up and organize before they arrived but I resisted because they told me not to worry about it. They do all the heavy lifting—I didn’t have to move a single thing. They told me to leave everything exactly where it was, and they took care of the rest. If you’re in the middle of a renovation, this is a game-changer because:
- You can keep working on your project while they haul everything away.
- No risk of injuring yourself from lifting heavy things.
- No ugly piles of junk sitting in your yard or driveway.
What truly blew my mind was how thorough they were with sweeping up after they were done. They truly went above and beyond.
3. Separate What Can Be Donated or Recycled
If you’re like me, you want to get rid of junk without feeling guilty about adding to the landfill. That’s another reason I loved working with 1-800-GOT-JUNK?—they recycle and donate whenever possible, making sure items get a second life instead of just being tossed.
If you’re renovating, consider setting aside items like old furniture, cabinets, or fixtures that could be donated. They’ll even handle that for you, so you don't have to think about a thing, which is a win-win.
4. Set a Realistic Timeline
One of the biggest renovation mistakes? Underestimating how long anything will take. It’s easy to think you’ll just “deal with it later,” but the mess adds up fast—especially when you’re deep in a project.
I found that having 1-800-GOT-JUNK? come halfway through and again at the end kept everything manageable and made the final cleanup a breeze.
If you’re planning a renovation, take a few minutes to map out when you’ll need junk removal, so you’re not left overwhelmed at the end.
5. Enjoy Your Finished Space—Without the Mess!
After all the hard work that goes into a home renovation, the last thing you want is to be left with a messy, cluttered space. Having a cleanup plan in place means you get to enjoy your newly updated home faster.
I can honestly say that bringing in 1-800-GOT-JUNK? was one of the best decisions I made during my renovation. Instead of spending days figuring out where to take everything, I got to focus on the fun part—styling, decorating, and actually enjoying the space I worked so hard to create.
So, if you’re tackling a renovation (or just need to get rid of a bunch of stuff!), do yourself a favor and call in the pros. It's one less thing to worry about, and trust me—you’ll be so glad you did.
A smooth renovation isn’t just about choosing the perfect countertops or paint colors—it’s also about managing the mess along the way. Having a plan for junk removal makes all the difference, and 1-800-GOT-JUNK? makes it so easy.
