HGTV's Chip Gaines Shares Helpful Advice For DIYers Looking To Start A Home Renovation

Starting a home renovation, no matter how big or small, can be daunting, especially if it's not something you are used to doing. There is a correct order to structuring your home reno, but even with that outline in mind, the little details can quickly become overwhelming. HGTV's Chip Gaines knows a thing or two about home renovations, and he is quick to share his advice with others starting on their renovation journeys.

Gaines has given insight on everything from design elements to contracting recommendations, but his biggest suggestion is simply to prepare. When speaking with House Beautiful, Gaines said "For me, preparation is everything. People hate that. So a lot of people skip steps. When you skip steps, just like with any industry, bad things typically tend to happen." If you need help preparing for your home renovation, it's best to acknowledge that mistakes and disruptions can happen, but planning ahead can help solve a lot of those issues before they even occur.

One of the most common home renovations is painting. Many people go into a paint job thinking that it will be simple, but it is actually quite difficult. Still, Chip Gaines tells House Beautiful that painting is a great segway into the world of DIY home renovations, as long as you do it right.

Beyond preparing for it, like taping off the trim and windows, you also want to ensure you are relaxed, taking things slow, and following the right method. "Really it's just a matter of technique. It's sort of funny. It's like an athlete asking a guy how to throw the perfect pass. It has a lot more to do with the technique than the muscle structure or the athleticism of the person throwing it," Gaines told the publication. "Take your time, relax, and I'll be honest: there's lots of trial and error. Jo and I have been at this for over 15 years now, and we had fun with it. We've made a lot of mistakes, and a lot of those mistakes have led to a place now where we're extremely confident."

Confidence is key when it comes to renovating, and often, that confidence comes from trying, and failing, before you eventually create something beautiful. Chip and Joanna Gaines themselves have admitted to mistakes they made during their first renovations, but those mistakes only led them to be the experts they are today. In addition to painting, Chip Gaines has offered advice on other aspects of DIY home renovations — mainly telling homeowners to keep their homes feeling like them. "We all aspire to be like someone else, or to replicate something we've seen," Gaines told Brit + Co. "I encourage people to let [other visions] be an inspiration, but don't let it box you in."

He also advises those with small spaces to let their square footage be a positive aspect of their renovation, saying that money can go a long way in a tighter space. But overall, Gaines advises DIY home renovators to just be flexible. "Planning and preparing are the most important part of the process, [but] at some point, you have to take that first step. Adjust for mistakes you make along the way."