Home Renovation · ThinkerQAQ

This is a historical learning note and may contain outdated or incomplete understanding.

1. What Is Renovation?

2. Why Renovate?

3. How to Renovate

3.1. Space Layout

3.1.1. Entrance

The first area after opening the front door is the entrance/foyer.

3.1.1.1. How to Arrange the Entrance

Whether an entrance works well largely depends on storage capacity.

3.1.1.1.1. Furniture

Shoe cabinet
Coat hooks
Storage cabinet
Mirror

3.1.2. Kitchen

The place for cooking.

3.1.2.1. How to Arrange the Kitchen

3.1.2.1.1. Open vs. Closed

Open
- Advantages
  - Air conditioning while cooking in summer
  - Easy access to items
  - More open space
- Disadvantages
  - Cooking fumes
  - Tidiness

3.1.2.2. Furniture

3.1.2.2.1. Three Major Items

Sink for washing dishes
- Put the sink near a window for good light when washing food and dishes.
- Leave about 30 cm beside the sink for a drying rack.
Stove
- Leave a 70-140 cm preparation/cutting counter between stove and sink.
- Leave at least 20 cm between stove and wall/refrigerator for plating food.
- A large kitchen can consider a center island; a common design puts the sink in the island.
Refrigerator
- Remember the space needed to open the refrigerator door.

3.1.2.2.2. Three Types of Cabinets

Base cabinets: including the counter, height is commonly around 85 cm in the note.
- Shelf cabinet
- Drawer cabinet
- Narrow pull-out basket
- Appliance cabinet
Wall cabinets: commonly about 37 or 40 cm deep in the note.
- Swing door
- Lift-up door
Tall cabinet: strong storage capacity; can hold refrigerator, oven, microwave, washing machine, water softener, and other large appliances.

3.1.2.2.3. Three Small Items

Hanging rail: can hold spatulas, ladles, tableware, knives, chopping boards, condiment bottles, pot lids, etc.
Gas water heater
Microwave

3.1.2.2.4. Other

Close-capture range hood
Pull-out sink faucet
Kitchen air conditioner
Kitchen knives: Chinese cleaver + Japanese santoku + Western chef’s knife + peeler, scissors, fruit knife.

3.1.3. Bathroom

3.1.3.1. How to Arrange the Bathroom

Where to put clothes while showering.
Where to put a phone while using the toilet.
Odor prevention.

3.1.3.2. Furniture

3.1.3.2.1. Four Major Items

Wash basin
- Small basin
- Integrated basin
- Countertop basin
- Double basin
Toilet
- Wall-hung toilet: recommended
- Floor-drain toilet
Shower
- Overhead shower
- Handheld shower
Bathtub

3.1.3.2.2. Small Items

Smart toilet seat
Pull-out faucet
Multi-function bathroom heater
Mirror cabinet with outlet and lighting
Bidet spray

3.1.4. Dining Room

3.1.4.1. How to Arrange the Dining Room

A dining room is not only for eating; it also needs storage for dining-related items.

3.1.4.2. Furniture

Sideboard
Dining table

3.1.5. Living Room

3.1.5.1. How to Arrange the Living Room

Human-centered living room
- Several small sofas arranged for conversation as the center.
- Do not let the television dominate.
The living room should display the owner’s tastes.
- Outdoor enthusiast
- Calligraphy enthusiast

3.1.5.2. Furniture

Television
Sofa
Speakers

3.1.6. Balcony

3.1.6.1. How to Arrange the Balcony

Housework area
- Requires an appropriate drain.
- Can contain washing machine, wall cabinet, shelves, hanging rail, faucet; with enough space, add a sink and stack a dryer above the washing machine.
Tea/chat area
- Two small folding chairs and a small tea table; fold them away when drying clothes.
Plants area

3.1.7. Bedroom

3.1.7.1. How to Arrange the Bedroom

Keep the number of bedrooms streamlined.

3.1.7.2. Furniture

Bed
- Bed frame + mattress
Wardrobe

3.2. House Systems

3.2.1. Lighting

Lighting system = brightness design + precise placement.

3.2.1.1. Brightness Design

Reference illuminance × room area ≈ lumens required for the room.
- Luminous flux
- Illuminance
Lighting color temperature
- Warm-white lights around 3000K-4000K are commonly used.

3.2.1.2. Precise Placement

Local attachment image is not available in the public repository.

3.2.2. Electricity

High voltage/power + low-voltage/signal wiring.

3.2.2.1. Power Wiring

Wire gauge
- Determine appliance power, then current, then the required wire specification.
- Circuit breakers
Distribution design
- Local attachment image is not available in the public repository.
Outlet locations
- Entrance: separate automatic/sensor lighting and manual control; reserve an outlet.
- Kitchen: provide sufficient outlets at multiple heights, including suitable circuits/outlets for high-power appliances.
- Bathroom: many small appliances require careful electrical layout.
- Dining room: more than one outlet may be needed for induction cooker, microwave, kettle, toaster, etc.
- Living room: simplify light switches but provide plenty of outlets, especially near the media cabinet for audiovisual and networking equipment.
- Bedroom: provide bedside switches/outlets and power for wardrobe lighting.

3.2.2.2. Low-Voltage / Signal Wiring

Weak-current systems generally refer to low-voltage systems used for information, communication, control, and other signal transmission; they should not be defined simply as DC circuits below 36V.

3.2.3. Water

Water quality + water pressure.

3.2.3.1. Water Quality

Water quality here refers to hardness and purity. Ways recorded in the note: pre-filter + water softener + point-of-use purifier.

3.2.3.2. Water Pressure

Water pressure is the pressure in household pipes, measured in MPa. The original sentence about flow was incomplete.

3.2.4. HVAC System

Systems for conditioning air.

3.2.4.1. Temperature

Cooling
- Central air conditioning
- Split air conditioning
Heating
- Floor heating
- Air conditioning
- Radiators

3.2.4.2. Air Cleanliness

Air purifier

3.2.4.3. Fresh Air

Fresh-air ventilation system

3.3. Renovation Style

3.3.1. Main Materials

Flooring (wood, tile, or stone), wall materials (paint), ceiling materials, doors and windows.

3.3.1.1. Floor

Do not divide the floor into too many visual zones.
Avoid overly decorative skirting boards.

3.3.1.2. Walls

Do not divide wall surfaces excessively.
Avoid excessive wall panels or padded walls.
Avoid an overly decorative TV feature wall.
Avoid random color use.

3.3.1.3. Ceiling

Hide structure. Hide water/electrical systems. Hide air conditioning. Hide lighting. Hide wireless APs. Hide fresh-air ducts.