On Good Authority

Need-to-know renovating advice from the pros.

The path to a successful renovation is smoother when you’re armed with helpful information. Whether you’re making home improvements for yourself or looking to flip a property and make a quick profit, it’s vital to consult the experts.

We asked architect Scott Weston of Scott Weston Architecture Design, professional renovator Lana Taylor of Three Birds Renovations, and John McManus, the principal of LJ Hooker in Willoughby/ Artarmon, NSW, to spill their top tips for transforming all areas of the home.

FLOW, FUNCTION & LIGHT

“Light forms the foundation for how a space feels. If you miss the mark here, no amount of rugs or cushions will right it,” says Taylor. That’s why north-facing homes with views are so sought after, offers McManus. “People want something nice to look at from their window, such as water or a pretty garden.”

If the orientation of your home is less than ideal, or the view is of a freeway, a lightfilled, visually appealing aspect can still be achieved with design and landscaping, says Weston. It might come down to rearranging rooms, or moving or adding windows to improve the functional planning and flow, but it will be worth it to get that link to an external landscape. “In addition, get to know the seasons and the sunlight coming into the existing home, and work out how to capture natural cross-breezes.”

For Taylor, there’s no such thing as too many windows or doors: “Chat with a structural engineer to find out what’s possible, before you submit any plans.”

PLAN FOR THE FUTURE

If you’re renovating a home that you intend to live in for a long time, creating a floor plan that will still work 15 years from now is a must, says Taylor. “Families grow up. In the early years you’ll probably want a playroom under your nose – near the kitchen, perhaps. But once your children are teenagers, you – and they – will prefer somewhere to escape to.” Plan for multifunctional spaces that can adapt.

CHEAP & CHEERFUL TRICKS

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In spaces with low ceilings, swap the downlights for good lamps and uplighting fixtures (lighting from below, as with an upward-pointing light), advises Weston. “Uplighting gives an illusion of greater space.” ✚

If the flooring is poor quality and the budget is tight, paint the perimeter dark walnut or black and overlay with rugs until you can refinish or replace it, says Weston. ✚

Paving paint can transform outdoor areas: concrete pathways, pool surrounds, even garage floors. “We also love using paving paint in alfresco spaces where tiling is too expensive,” says Taylor. That goes for patios and verandahs, too. “Just add an outdoor rug and some fresh furniture.”

TOP 5 FOR VERSATILITY

1 Hume 10-lite french doors “These beauties from Bunnings are the most affordable doors to use in alfresco spaces. They make them feel special, even in the most low-budget renos,” says Taylor. Use singularly, in pairs, inside or out, or as a fixed window. You can even hinge them together to create affordable bifolds.

2 Porcelain panels A new alternative to tiles, these large slabs (up to 1500x3000mm) are “an ideal solution to avoid grout joins and mould in a bathroom”, says Weston. Use them for splashbacks, on floors or walls, in showers, or as benchtops.

3 Scyon cladding “We love Scyon walls and use the cladding inside, outside, horizontally and vertically,” says Taylor. “Choose Scyon Linea weatherboard for a coastal feel on the outside, and vertical Axon panels for grooved texture inside.”

4 Anaglypta wallpaper Ideal for concealing imperfect plaster, this classic embossed covering adds a textural layer to walls and can be painted, says Weston.

5 Gas-strut windows Cheaper than bifolds, these windows open out and up, creating an awning when open, without taking up precious walkway space. They also obstruct less of the view than bifolds. “They’re really easy to open. You literally nudge the window and it opens up as if it’s motorised,” says Taylor. “Just don’t make the window too high, otherwise you might need a stool to help you close it!”

A WELCOMING ENTRANCE

Mark the way to your front door with some well-placed stepping stones or another form of path. And don’t assume you need to spend a fortune on rendering ugly old brick to transform a property’s exterior, says Taylor. “Spraying the brick with a premium exterior paint is much cheaper than render and can be completed in a couple of days. Plus, it looks great.”

Inside, create a handy place for daily essentials or borrow an idea from country homes and include a mud room near your entry or internal garage access, suggests Taylor, with space for schoolbags, shoes, hats and sports equipment. According to McManus, buyers love an entryway that isn’t too narrow and, ideally, has an alarm system. “If you’re selling, remove any grilles from windows so it doesn’t look like there could be a security issue,” he advises.

REMEMBER, LIVING SPACES ARE FOR EXACTLY THAT

For this reason, make sure your living space will suit you and your family and their interests. Love a good movie or Netflix binge session? Weston suggests installing Bowers & Wilkins built-in ceiling speakers for great surround sound minus the eyesore clutter.

Open-plan living spaces are still the ideal set-up, and a living room that spills out onto an entertaining deck is always going to be worth the money it cost to build. “One trick to making the outside feel like a continuation of inside is to use the same ceiling lining,” says Taylor. This could be a panelled ceiling with exposed rafters, or a flat plaster ceiling with downlights.

MAKE KITCHENS FUNCTIONAL, NOT JUST PINNABLE

If you decide to sell your renovated home in the future, an updated, spacious and functional kitchen will ensure the best return, says McManus. Ensure that you have plenty of cabinet storage and benchtop space. “Prospective buyers will remember if your home has enough kitchen bench space or not,” he says.

Weston suggests skipping hinged doors and corner cabinets, and opting instead for pull-out extension drawers, which are easier to access and clean. Internal joinery in Laminex Lamiwood will last longer than melamine finishes, he points out.

While integrating appliances is popular, replacing them can be costly, and it may be hard to replace them with new ones of the same size down the track. Instead, consider installing a small undercounter fridge and a full-size one in a nearby scullery. If that’s not an option, ensure the cabinetry is deep enough (700-850mm) for the fridge to sit flush with the cabinetry on either side, suggests Taylor. Choose a model before you renovate so you can factor in the exact dimensions. Above all, make realistic choices that will work for you and your family, she adds. “Don’t sacrifice what you would prefer to live with every day for the sake of what looks nice when visitors stop by once a month.”

SMARTEN UP YOUR DINING ROOM

Like the kitchen, the dining room is often a multifunctional space, so make it cater to all its jobs with a few bonus inclusions: dimmer lights for mood lighting while eating, a bench seat by the window for entertaining, and storage in the bench seat or nearby sideboard for art and office supplies. For those in small homes that don’t have the luxury of a separate dining room, the kitchen island often becomes the dedicated gathering place, so “allow for powerpoints and USB ports in the island bench to cater for these flexible requirements”, says Weston.

MAKE BEDROOMS LUXE AND COMFORTABLE

Four bedrooms with an ensuite off the main bedroom is the magic formula for realestate sales, says McManus. “The ensuite vanity should be able to accommodate toiletries and have a big enough mirror to fit two people getting ready at the same time,” he says. For comfort, luxe fittings and temperature control are paramount. Weston recommends a soft- to mid-grey 85oz carpet for any style home, while Taylor says combining wall sconces by the bed with a practical and attractive ceiling fan can make a space feel more relaxed, as well as control the temperature.