The Big Reveal Tips for renovators, including where to save money and where to spend for best value.

Dazzling design will always steal the show but it’s often the hidden heroes that renovators love the most, writes Belinda Graham.

There may be more to renovating than meets the eye, but after the hammers and hard hats have been put away, it’s the eye of the beholder that will judge whether or not the project is a success. Not surprisingly, one of the keys to a great renovation is knowing what to draw attention to and what to conceal. Here’s what the experts say…

Put it on show

KITCHEN “Aim for a well-designed kitchen and spend the money where it works best for you,” advises interior designer Stewart Horton of Horton & Co Design (hortonandco.com.au). “If you are a keen chef, you’re better off buying the best and most up-to-the-minute appliances. If you’re not a big cook, you could devote a larger chunk of the budget to beautiful finishes, such as stone benchtops or splashbacks.”

$ SAVERS Don’t scrimp on your kitchen layout to squeeze in luxe fittings, says architect Amelia Lee of Undercover Architect. “Plan the size and layout you want, knowing that you can upgrade the benchtops and doors down the track.” (undercoverarchitect.com).

LIGHTING Access to natural light should never be compromised, says Lee. Ideally, your home’s design should take into account how the sun moves across the property, with window locations and glazing to suit the location and climate. “Make the most of the light naturally available so that your home looks and feels great,” she says.

$ SAVERS Splurge on one top-quality decorative light in an area with maximum exposure, such as a dining room. The other lights can be affordable, standard designs.

FLOORS Flooring has a huge influence on the look of a home, and it’s not easily changed. Whether you’re looking at tiles, timber or carpet, choose the best option you can afford. “A durable, good-quality floor will not only wear well, it will also stand the test of time and, hopefully, remain beautiful forever,” says Horton.

$ SAVERS When selecting flooring, choose readily available sizes and colourways. Anything outside of the box will almost always cost more, and could also prove harder to match if you need more later.

ARCHITECTURAL DETAILS The right combination of architraves, cornices and skirting boards can potentially elevate even the simplest of spaces into something special. “If you’re doing a traditional renovation, invest in quality timber mouldings or cornices outside of the standard ranges,” says Horton. “For modern homes, invest in elegant shadowline details. Minimalism is more detailed than you think.”

$ SAVERS To keep costs down, choose narrow but decorative architraves and wider but plain skirting boards. Using timber or painted panelling on a wall is also an effective way to create more interest in a room.

Hide it away

STORAGE It’s true that you can never have too much storage capacity, so take care at the planning stage to build in seamless solutions for every member of your family. Consider, for example, a butler’s pantry to hide the less pretty kitchen paraphernalia, perhaps a space for schoolbags and sports gear in the laundry, and drawers for each child’s homework. “It’s about building in ease to make daily tasks happen conveniently because everyone knows where things are kept when they need them,” says Lee.

$ SAVERS Rather than paying for bespoke interior fittings, the insides of custom built-in wardrobes, cupboards and pantries can be easily kitted out with affordable pieces from hardware stores.

APPLIANCES Domestic kitchens used to be dominated by boxy refrigerators and dishwashers. Today, however, integration is firmly in fashion so you should consider spending a little more to tuck those hardworking appliances behind joinery. You could even go the extra mile and supplement disguised appliances with a pop-up rangehood that’s built into the benchtop.

$ SAVERS Integration isn’t cheap, but you can go some way to achieving the look with an inexpensive feature such as pop-up power points, which are cleverly concealed when not in use.

ELECTRONICS Considering the tech needs of your family, now and into the future, is important. So before you start renovating, look into the latest wireless technologies and integrated sound and security systems as well as ways to hide cables, antennas and the like. And ensure the modem is in a spot where your whole house has wi-fi coverage.

$ SAVERS All-in-one systems means fewer cables. For example, you could watch TV and movies, or stream music services, through a games console (when the kids aren’t playing Minecraft). A Google Home or Chromecast device can also reduce the amount of cords required to access musicvideo content, slideshows and games.

INSULATION Planning your home’s layout to suit its climate, location and orientation will save you money in the long run, says interior designer Kristy McGregor (kristymcgregor.com.au). Figure out the insulation requirements of your home, take advantage of any cross-ventilation, and keep your power consumption and bills in check.

$ SAVERS Plant shady trees on the northern and western boundaries of your property. If you’re in a warmer climate, opt for a lighter roof colour, to reflect more of the sun and save energy on cooling.