Our Top 5 Renovation Priorities and Why

When we first set eyes on our 1950s bungalow in Co. Wicklow, we saw past the dated interiors and awkward layout to the incredible potential beneath. With sea views, an elevated site, and a location that lets us walk to school and the town, we knew this was our forever home waiting to be transformed.

But with a comprehensive renovation required and a finite budget, being crystal clear about our priorities isn't just helpful—it's essential. As a project manager by trade, I know that success comes down to knowing what truly matters and making decisions accordingly.

So what are the non-negotiables that are guiding every decision in our renovation journey? Here are our top five priorities and the reasoning behind each one.

1. Energy Efficiency & Future-Proofing

Renovating a 1950s house gives us an incredible opportunity to transform an energy-inefficient structure into a modern, sustainable home. With energy costs continuing to rise and climate considerations becoming increasingly important, achieving an A-rating isn't just environmentally responsible—it's financially savvy too.

We're investing in:

• High-performance insulation throughout

• Energy-efficient windows and doors

• Heat pump technology

• Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery

• Smart home technology to optimize energy use

• Electric car charging infrastructure

While some of these elements add significant cost upfront, we're viewing them as long-term investments. A more efficient home means lower running costs for decades to come, plus the comfort of even temperatures and better air quality.

Beyond energy considerations, we're also future-proofing by designing our renovation with Phase 2 in mind. We don't have the budget to do everything at once, but we're carefully planning the infrastructure and layout to accommodate future additions without having to undo our current work. This includes solar power, potential for a 1-bed self-contained unit down the line, space that can adapt as the kids grow into teenagers, and considerations for how the home might accommodate aging parents in the future.

2. Utility/Boot Room + Storage Solutions

We sacrificed a corner of our playroom in our previous house to give us a storage room for all the equipment that colmes with family life

If you've ever lived with young children, you know that "stuff" multiplies exponentially. Add in muddy boots, sports equipment, school bags, coats, helmets etc. and you've got a recipe for chaos without proper organization.

A dedicated utility/boot room is non-negotiable for us—a transition space that captures the outdoor stuff before it infiltrates the rest of the house.

This will include:

• Durable flooring that can handle wet boots and sports gear

• Individual storage cubbies for each family member

• A utility sink for quick clean-ups

• Washing machine and dryer setup

• Space for hanging clothes and coats to dry

Beyond this command center for outdoor gear, sophisticated storage throughout the house ranks high on our priority list:

• A dedicated pantry/larder adjacent to the kitchen

• Built-in wardrobes in all bedrooms designed to maximize every centimeter

• Specialized storage for hobbies life crafting, photography and music

• Hidden but easily accessible toy storage that makes cleanup manageable for the kids

• Seasonal storage for items not in constant use

Our current home has taught us that no matter how minimalist your intentions, adequate storage is the difference between a calming space and one that creates constant low-level stress.

3. Family Friendly Spaces

This worked for us when our kids were little, but we want more than space to store toys in our new house. We have our sights set on an indoor playground.

One of the main reasons we chose this property was its generous garden and internal space for a large playroom. Creating safe, engaging spaces where the kids can play freely is a top priority for several reasons:

• Physical development: We want our kids running, climbing, and playing as much as possible (both indoors and outdoors)

• Independent play: A safe garden allows the children more freedom while still being within sight

• Family time: Open plan living allows us to hang out together and creates more opportunities for quality time

• Entertainment: Space for the kids (and us!) to have friends over

4. Dedicated Work-From-Home Spaces

We converted a bathroom in our previous house to create a dedicated home office space

We both work from home 80% of the time, so creating proper, dedicated workspaces isn't a luxury—it's essential for our mental health and productivity.

Our home office requirements have evolved beyond a desk shoved in the corner of a bedroom.

We need:

• Two separate office spaces to accommodate different work styles and video calls

• Natural light and garden views to boost creativity and wellbeing

• Sound insulation from family life (and each other's calls)

• Professional backgrounds for video meetings

• Adequate storage for work materials (and personal hobbies)

• Ergonomic setups that support long hours at desks

Getting these spaces right will directly impact our careers, income, and daily satisfaction, making it a clear top priority for our renovation.

5. Abundant Natural Light

The living room is already flooded with light, but we need to upgrade those windows.

Natural light is a transformative element in any home. Our 1956 bungalow was originally architect-designed with huge windows that provide abundant natural light.

While the house already enjoys excellent natural light, we plan to enhance this feature even further. We're working with our architects to:

• Upgrade the existing windows for better energy efficiency

• Create a stronger indoor-outdoor connection with glass doors to the garden

• Design an open-plan layout that allows light to flow throughout the main living spaces

• Strategically place additional skylights to enhance natural illumination in specific areas

Bringing It All Together

These five priorities—energy efficiency with future-proofing, utility/boot room with comprehensive storage, family-friendly spaces, dedicated work spaces, and enhanced natural light—form the foundation of every decision we make. When budget constraints force tough choices (as they inevitably do), we refer back to these priorities to guide our trade-offs.

What's fascinating is how these elements interconnect: energy efficiency creates a more comfortable home for work and family life; thoughtful storage enables the clean, uncluttered spaces that make the most of natural light; large windows connect us to the garden while bringing in that essential daylight.

As our renovation progresses, I'll be sharing how these priorities translate into specific design and material choices.

For now, I'd love to hear: what were (or would be) your non-negotiable priorities for a major renovation? Are they similar to ours or completely different?