The RIGHT NOWRENO!
Looking for a quick fix? You’ve spent all your money on your ‘doer upper’ but have nothing left for the ‘doing’. Here’s how to make some quick-smart changes to help you live comfortably in your new home
Congratulations! You’ve bought the house and you’re ready to move in. The problem is the kitchen is dated, the bathroom sports ’70s-era pink tiles and let’s not start on the storage… You may want to change it right away, but the worst thing you can do is rush into a renovation. You need to live in a place and get to know it, right? To make it bearable, here are our top hacks on what to update before you renovate. Panel builder Wayd Munro. “You might be surprised with nice timber flooring underneath.” Painting the floor is a smart way to buy a few years before you commit to a new finish. “If you’re happy to do a little DIY, you can paint the pine floors and terracotta tiles – it’s a great way to start experiencing the colour palette you have in mind for the big renovation,” says Panel interior decorator Lisa Koehler. “There are some really beautiful products from Feast Watson: anything from Black Japan to white, or even a beautiful mid-tone grey.” Carpet is a great all-rounder, and while you might still be considering your options in the kitchen, bathroom or living spaces, a carpeted bedroom is never a wrong move. “Moving house can be a monumental effort so it’s a great idea to replace your carpet before your furniture goes in,” says John Harrison at Godfrey Hirst Carpets. You want professional tradespeople to install your carpet and never forgo a quality underlay to provide comfort and resilience while extending the life of your carpet.
A rug is a renovator’s friend for a reason. Hardy sisal, plush wool or textured weave – your choices are endless. Go oversized for floors you want to hide. into account where the sunlight comes into your home. Cool whites make a bright, sunlit room feel fresh, while warm whites create a cosy atmosphere in less sunny spaces. “A great way to freshen up a place in the interim before a major renovation is to rejuvenate with a new coat of paint in a similar shade to the existing colour, which means you would only need to use one coat,” says Wendy Rennie at Haymes Paint. “But if you decide to change the colour completely, then you will most likely need to use two coats.” Keep chemical exposure to a minimum with water-based, low-VOC paints – they may take longer to dry but they make for a healthier home.
It varies, but four litres of paint will cover a standard bedroom at around $69.95, while something a bit larger, like a living room, may need up to 10 litres of paint at around $157.95.