All of those projects you see on HGTV or on Instagram or Pinterest all started from nothing. They require a lot of planning to pull off. It can look easy when it's all crammed into a one hour show or a few images in an Instagram reel. But before you get too excited about doing a renovation in your own home, answer these questions first. Then you'll be better prepared when you hire your designer and general contractor to get the job done the way you envision it.

How Does The Space Need to Function?
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The first thing to consider is how the space functions now and how you want it to function in the future. Make a list of your must-haves and a list of your nice-to-haves. Who is using the space? Are there growing kids? Are there pets? Does the space need to function for aging in place? What about accessibility? Think long term, not just how you would like to live right now. A renovation is a big investment, and you want the finished space to work for you and your family for a long time.

What is My Budget?

Consider how much you have to spend. It might be a good idea to start putting money aside into a savings account now so you don’t max out your credit cards or lines of credit to take on a renovation. It may not just be the cost of the renovation itself that you need to pay for, either. You may need to find other accommodations during part or all of the project, so put that into your budget too.

Do your research. Find out from professionals what you can expect to spend on a project of your size. And add a contingency of at least 10 percent to account for unforeseen changes. Electrical, plumbing, or structural changes that are only discovered after opening a wall, product replacement, and even the fluctuating tariff situation are just some of the most common things that can quickly add to the cost of a project. Keep that in mind when building out your budget.

What is My Timeline?

Time and money are the biggest factors in renovations so think about how much time are you realistically able to give to the project. Projects typically take longer than people expect.  People are generally shocked to find out just how long a renovation can take. It isn’t going to take a couple of weeks; it’s likely to take months. Good design takes time to make sure nothing gets missed and that you get exactly what you want. Plus good contractors are often booked out months in advance. So, whether you’re doing the project by yourself or you hire a designer and general contractor, plan ahead and be realistic about the schedule.

What is My Tolerance Level for Change?

One thing that is certain: changes will happen. Delays will happen. Unexpected things will come up. You need to be prepared for the unexpected. The same goes for the mess, the upheaval, and the disruption to your daily life. Speaking from personal experience, when we renovated our kitchen, our kids were 4, 6, and 12. We spent weeks cooking dinner in the slow cooker in the living room, on the BBQ, or in the microwave. Thankfully my mom lived around the corner and she graciously hosted dinner often at her house but trying to feed a family of five during a full kitchen reno was nuts! The dust drove me crazy too because it got into every nook and cranny of the house.

Be prepared for the upheaval, and know your own tolerance level so you don’t lose it on your designer, your contractor, your partner, or your kids. Renovations can be stressful, so take some time to evaluate how well you’re able to handle it.

How do I want to feel? 

Taking on a renovation is not just about having a beautiful space that functions well at the end. It’s also about having a space that you feel fabulous in; but feeling fabulous means something different for everyone and for every space. So, really imagine how you want to feel when you’re living and/or working in the space. Do you want to feel joy? Calm? Restored? Productive? This applies to all of  the people living and/or working in the space and applies to both residential and commercial projects. Think about how you want to feel but also consider how everyone else wants to feel in the space as well. This is the overall outcome you want to achieve because if you don’t feel good in the space, you won’t spend any time in it.

​Living in Northern Ontario creates a incredible and unique opportunity to connect deeply with nature. We're blessed to be surrounded by rugged landscapes, forests, lakes and rivers of all sizes. The energy of the environment here is powerful. For homeowners in Timmins and northern Ontario, incorporating Feng Shui principles into your home’s design can help balance the energy in your home with the natural energy outside, creating a living space that supports the well-being, prosperity and success of your entire family.

The geography, the location, climate changes, and the abundance of lakes and forests in northern Ontario have big impacts on the energy flow around our homes. You may not realize it on a day to day basis but it’s there and you can create an environment that can both energize and ground you with a few simple adjustments inside and outside your home.

In Feng Shui, the natural world around us influences the energy—called "chi"—that enters our homes. Living in northern Ontario, means that we already have access to all of the natural elements as opposed to being a large city where it might be harder to connect with nature. Let’s take a quick look at the elements as they apply to northern Ontario. 

Forests: The wood element is really strong in Northern Ontario. The element symbolizes growth, vitality, and flexibility, and homes that are built in or near forests often feel peaceful and connected to nature. However, too much wood energy can create stagnation if not balanced properly. If you have a home that is surrounded by trees, and you’re feeling a bit disconnected from the rest of the world or have low energy, balance out that energy by including some metal elements outside of your home. A great item to have is a metal wind chime hanging outside your front door. The sound of the wind chime attracts the “chi” to your home and cuts through the denseness of the trees. 

Lakes and Waterways: Water is a powerful symbol of abundance, wealth, and movement in Feng Shui. We certainly have plenty of water in the area so take advantage of that flow. The lakes and rivers in the area represent flow and abundance, but they need to also be properly integrated into a home’s design to avoid overwhelming emotions or feelings of instability. This is where the wood element comes in handy. If your home sits on a property that overlooks a lake or a river, try and plant trees between your home and the water - not so many that you block the view of the water, but enough to let the trees soak up the energy from the water. 

​To make the most of Northern Ontario’s natural energy, here are a few Feng Shui tips that are especially relevant to homes in this part of Canada. These Feng Shui principles can help you create a home that feels aligned with the powerful energy of Northern Ontario’s natural resources.

1. Balance the Wood Element
With so many home in Timmins surrounded by trees, the wood element is abundant throughout the area. While this promotes growth and vitality, too much wood can lead to feelings of stagnation.

Tip: Incorporate a small amount of the metal element or  some of the fire element to balance out the strong wood energy. Adding metallic finishes, metal artwork, or even furniture with metal accents can help energetically cut the wood energy around your home. A candle, a decorative item in the colour red or something with a pointy shape can be used to bring in the fire energy, which will energetically burn away some of the wood element (just don't use too much of it!).

Example: Place a metal sculpture or artwork in your living room to provide balance if your home has large wooden features or is surrounded by trees. Or place a metal wind chime outside your front door to invite the “chi” in.

2. Embrace the Power of Water
Water, especially in the form of nearby lakes or rivers, symbolizes flow and abundance. However, too much water can create an imbalance, causing emotional instability or difficulty making decisions.

Tip: Balance the water energy in your home by adding earth elements. Earth grounds and stabilizes, countering the sometimes overwhelming nature of water. Use stone, ceramics, or earth tones in your home’s design to bring in this grounding force.

Example: If your home overlooks a lake, consider using stone tiles or earthy colors in your décor to stabilize the energy. Adding planters with natural stones or ceramics can create harmony between water and earth.

3. Invite in Natural Light and Fresh Air
Light is crucial for uplifting the energy of a home and Northern Ontario is blessed with plenty of natural light during summer months. But the long winters can lead to darker, more enclosed spaces. 

Tip: Maximize natural light in your home wherever possible. Keep windows clean all year long, open the curtains every day, and strategically use mirrors to reflect natural light and enhance the brightness in your space. Fresh air is also vital to keeping the energy flowing, so even in the winter, go ahead and open the windows for a few minutes (provided they’re not frozen shut!).

Example: Position mirrors opposite windows to reflect the natural light that streams in during the day. If you have a beautiful view out the window, the mirror will enhance that energy. In winter, open the windows for a few minutes daily to invite fresh air in and keep the energy flowing throughout the house.

4. Incorporate Natural Elements from Your Surroundings
The landscapes of Northern Ontario provide a wealth of natural elements that can enhance your home’s energy. Incorporating wood, stone, and water features inspired by the environment brings balance to your space.

Tip: Use natural materials that reflect the beauty of Northern Ontario in your home’s décor. Wood from local sources, stones from nearby rivers, and even indoor water features can ground your home in the energy of the region.

Example: Place a small stone fountain in your entryway or in your front yard to represent the flow of water energy, or incorporate a wood mantle or wood flooring made from local timber to enhance the wood element.

​Feng Shui offers an incredible opportunity to harmonize your home with the natural world around you.  Living in northern Ontario, these principles give you the opportunity to work with the unique energy of the region by integrating the natural elements that define this area into your home to create a balanced, peaceful, prosperous living space.