After a hectic six months, our home in Spain is finally renovated! So exciting
! Seeing this old house transform into our dream home makes all the hard work feel worthwhile. I figured some folks on the forum might be planning a renovation too, so I wanted to start a thread to share our results and some of the lessons we learned along the way.
We bought a second-hand villa, and the previous owner’s decor style was… let’s just say it was hard to describe. From the very beginning, we were set on a Mediterranean style, aiming for that classic blue-and-white, sun-drenched feel. The biggest challenge was redesigning the space. We knocked down a few non-load-bearing walls to combine the living and dining rooms, which instantly opened up the entire area.
The arched doorways and wall niches are our favorite features from this renovation, giving it a unique character inspired by the look of a classic Spanish cream villa
. We chose vintage terracotta tiles for the floor. They’re a bit high-maintenance, but the atmosphere they create is absolutely perfect. Most of the furniture is solid wood we found at local markets—the quality is amazing. We replaced the old dark flooring completely, and now, walking barefoot on the new tiles every day is pure bliss. But enough talk, here’s a photo of the living room after the makeover so you can see the results! I’m totally in love with how the sunlight streams through the blinds.
A Few Tips to Avoid Common Pitfalls
Material Selection and Budgeting
In Spain, labor costs are extremely high, so we tried to do as much as we could ourselves when it came to materials. We compared many suppliers and found that small local shops sometimes offer better prices than large chain stores. Plus, the owners often give very practical advice. It’s crucial to create a detailed budget beforehand and set aside at least a 15% contingency fund for unexpected expenses that will inevitably pop up.
Here’s a breakdown of our main expenses and choices, just to give you an idea:
| Item | Brand/Type | Approx. Cost (€) |
|---|
| Floor Tiles | Local handmade terracotta | 4,000 |
| Wall Paint | Valentine | 1,500 |
| Custom Kitchen | Leroy Merlin | 8,000 |
| Labor | Local construction team | 12,000 |
This renovation was exhausting, but we’re incredibly happy with the outcome. If you have any questions, like where to buy materials or how to find a good construction team, feel free to leave a comment below. I’ll do my best to reply! Hope this helps.
