Tip 1: Watch GST

Top 2: Establish labour rates in advance

Tip 3: Manage the quote process

Tip 4: PC Allowances

Tip 5: Variations

Tip 6: Exclusions

Tip 7: Inclusions

Tip 8: Quote validity

Tip 9: Go with your gut

Tip 10: The easiest way to save money – eBay

Selling this kitchen on eBay meant the owner had an additional $750 to spend on added extras for the new kitchen

1. Mix it up with your walls

And if it hasn’t been said to you a thousand times already, the most cost efficient way to do up a room is with paint. But don’t forget the woodwork. It will lift the room and make it feel brand, spanking new. Plus, and this rarely gets said, but if you paint inside your wardrobe, that will feel new as well. Too often we leave the wardrobes as if they are ‘behind closed doors’. But think about it, how often do you open them?

Here is an example of bedrooms that have used different colours and styles, but still work as part of the overall home

2. Curtains and blinds

No reason you can't pair timber venetians with white sheers

3. Colour in carpets

4. Freedom of fittings

Forget the 'rules' - pair this chandelier with your existing home decor

5. Linen gives coverage

The linen absolutely transforms this room into the serene retreat it is

So, you are looking at renovating your kitchen?  You’ve picked the splashback tiles, the caesar stone bench tops and the finish for your cupboards.  What about the stainless steel appliances to complement your new kitchen?  All done?  Ready to renovate your kitchen?

I don’t think so. 

There are so many ways to enhance the usability of your kitchen that you may not have considered.  And it’s not surprising given the constant development of new technology and techniques in kitchen renovations.  They may not add much to the entire cost of the kitchen but  will certainly add vital storage space, create smooth gliding drawers, and improve the functionality of your kitchen.

Always, and I mean always, ask your kitchen provider to supply separate costs for these whizz-bang additions so you can decide what it’s really worth to you.   If you don’t ask….you don’t get!

Here are just a few things to add to your wish list when renovating your kitchen. 

Flap Fittings For Hidden Space

The visual illusion of flap fittings

In support of the uncluttered and contemporary kitchens that we love so much, kitchen’s have become smarter on the inside.  That is, there are many parts you don’t see that support what you do see.  Confused?  Well, a picture tells a thousand words.

Using a flap fitting you can create a hidden compartment underneath overhead cupboards that fold down for easy access when cupboards are closed.  A great way to make the most out of overhead cupboards that are often too high for convenient access.

Soft-Closing Drawers Are Smooth As

Sof closing drawers mean less noise

When selecting your drawers, always ask what mechanisms are going to be used.  Make sure they are long lasting and smooth gliding.  Ask about the highly acclaimed self-closing and dampening function for your new kitchen drawers.  Even the most temperamental chef would have trouble making these slam!

Electric Drawers For Ease

Having the internet on your fridge or a drop down DVD player from under your overhead cupboard has been an option for a while.  But how about electric drawers?  A reasonably new kitchen drawer fitting in the market allows  kitchen drawers to open automatically by just a light touch anywhere on the drawer front. Great for making the lives of anyone with limited mobility that little bit easier.

You can also use this type of drawer to create clean and crisp lines as you can accommodate very narrow gaps, unlike traditional cupboards.  Kitchen cupboards get used A LOT….so make the most out of what’s available for best use.

No more unsightly bins on display

Hide the Mess With Sneaky Bins

Recycling is important, but is often difficult to discretely accommodate in your kitchen.  With hideaway bins you can sort your waste and run a greener kitchen without unsightly bins scattered around your kitchen.  Certainly, this idea is not new.  But having your hideaway bin on a soft-close mechanism is.  With hideaway bins, make sure that the friction-fitted lid is powdercoated with an antibacterial agent like Clinikill to help fight bacteria and minimise odour.

Get Drawers Organised

No more do you have to use a plastic cutlery organiser that doesn’t seem to accommodate anyone’s real needs.  Now you can add a cutlery management system to your drawers for convenient, neat and organised storage. 

This drawer insert makes sure no one puts the cutlery in the wrong spot!

No more looking around for the can opener… there’s now a place for it.  And it actually fits!  These can be made with wood and stainless steel, or moulded for your drawer’s exact size.  Ask your kitchen renovator for some pictures or visit a showroom that features fixtures, fittings, and hinges.

Remember – for just a slightly bigger investment in kitchen add ons, your kitchen will go from functional to ground breaking.  If you are going to renovate your kitchen for you and not for resale – go for it!

Regardless if you have a European laundry that is tucked discreetly behind bi-fold doors, included as part of the bathroom, or a dedicated room in its own right – laundries are a renewed focus of renovations.  And in a good way.

Whether it’s a new laundry, renovated laundry, updated laundry with refreshed look – the trends seem to be the same.  Crisp.  Clean.  Fresh.  BUT FUNCTIONAL.  No more stereotypical white rooms with white tiles.  On the contrary, laundry renovations are now introducing a similar look and feel that a bathroom or kitchen posses.  And for good reason.  It’s estimated that people can spend up to six hours a week in the laundry.  From clothes sorting, washing, folding, ironing…you name it….it all happens in a laundry. 

Plus, with the trend continuing to lean towards open plan living, the laundry is no longer the room that is hidden behind a closed door.  Functional rooms are no longer off limits. 

Let’s take a look at some key laundry renovation trends for 2011…

A splash of bright green adds interest to this otherwise neutral laundry

Laundry Trend 1: Colour

 Colour is being introduced in laundries in several ways.  From colourful glass splash backs or tiles through to wood grained vinyl wrapped doors or bright colours such as orange, green and red…themed colours from bathrooms and kitchens are being carried through to the laundry.

You don't need a large laundry to have plenty of storage

Laundry Trend 2: Storage

 
Cupboards. Cupboards. Cupboards.  Bring them on!  Nothing can add to an organised and tidy laundry like cupboards and draws.  Use them for laundry sorting – a draw for whites, for colours, and a draw for towels or delicates – no longer are you burdened with overflowing baskets and floor space being scatted in clothes piles.  And, as laundries are typically small rooms, it’s all about going vertical.  Cupboards that go along the top wall are great for storing items that you don’t need to access every day.

Laundry Trend 3: Surface Space

Even though cupboards are a popular trend in laundries, they are being installed in such a way that you still have plenty of bench space.  Splitting the cupboard between low and high access will leave surface space in the middle.  Highly functional and often highly aesthetically pleasing as laundry benches are moving towards the caesarstone look, just as in kitchens.  It’s easy to clean, tolerates temperatures, chemicals and the wet.  A perfect, long lasting alternative in a room that is just as deserving as the kitchen or bathroom.

Laundry Trend 4: Laundry Sinks & Taps

With the evolution of functional yet appealing laundry renovations, laundry sinks are no longer just laundry sinks.  The standard laundry tub is being replaced by customised cupboards with deep, bathroom-like tubs.  Still functional, easy to clean and highly appealing.  More effort is being committed to the selection of the taps as well to complete the overall look and coordinate with the rest of the house.  Keeping an eye on the smaller details will mean this is a room you won’t want to keep closed up and hidden anymore.

Laundry Trend 4: Appliances

People are now selecting washing machines and dryers for features other than the size.  Where once people looked at how big the tub was in the washing machine – such as 5kg versus 9kg….the consideration is going much further.  What functions do you need?  Once that is satisfied, the consideration goes to the look, external size….and energy rating. 

There are many options beyond the stark white laundry appliances. We now have the option of stainless steel look trimmings, all black casings and LED displays that will add to the appeal of your laundry.  But do think about whether you want to sacrifice look for cost efficiency.  A good energy rating can provide great annual savings that will endure long after the flashy exterior has become superseded.

Make space for inside air drying of clothes

Laundry Trend 5: The Drying Room

With concerns regarding energy usage, smarter homeowners are moving away from dryers.  Sure, there is the traditional clothes line, but that puts pressure on families in poor weather.  So if you are
renovating your laundry, consider if you can add a clothes drying area.  It doesn’t need to be wide, and clothes can be hung straight from the washing machine to the hanger for easy drying.  But remember to include a ducted fan to make sure the humidity can escape, just as you would in a bathroom.

A powered drying cabinet

Some companies like Asko even make powered ‘drying cabinets’ as an alternative to the traditional dryer. These low-temp gadgets are vented externally and mean you don’t need heat and humidity through the entire room. Well worth a look so that you can safely and easily dry those delicate ‘do not tumble dry’ clothes and minimise creases at the same time.

Next Gen Laundry Rooms

Whatever size or type of laundry room you had in mind, go beyond the traditional and include some of the modern ideas and concepts you thought were once only acceptable in rooms like the kitchen or bathroom. You deserve a laundry room that functions as a utility area and is also a room that you can be proud to leave the door open of!

Why is there a rise in bathroom trends and an elevation of bathroom style?

Firstly, just like a kitchen, a bathroom is a key room of consideration for a prospective buyer and it adds to the home sale price.  Secondly, and possibly most prominently, a bathroom isn’t just a bathroom.  It’s now a retreat for pampering.  Calming.  Relaxing.  The concept of day spas is creeping its way into our homes.  And for good reason.  It enhances our day to day lifestyle.

So what are the top 4 bathroom trends?  Let’s break it down.

Top Bathroom Trend No 1: Colour 

The Dulux 2011 colour forecast spotlights the warm, bright shades of the Lost Memoirs palette (source: Dulux)

Based on the feedback from tradeshows, architects and interior designers, 2011 reveals a move towards oranges and yellows.  You may think them as too bright and buoyant, but used in combination with textures and fittings, these colours bring a fresh but incredibly warm and tranquil feel.  When selecting colours from this palette, just remember that sometimes a hint of contrast is better for smaller rooms, and take advantage of colours within the spectrum.  Less can be more.

Top Bathroom Trend No 2: Fresh Fittings

The industry is loving the freestanding bath right now.  It offers great flexibility in terms of design, not needing to be fixed against a wall.  It can leverage big spaces as well as create a boutique and prestigious feel. 

The Caroma Metro close coupled toilet suite in our Jovian package

Another trend in fittings is the elimination of exposed plumbing.  Back-to-wall toilet suites where the cisterns are hidden and the pan and push buttons are flush to the wall offer a crisp and seamless feel.  They are stylish and give off a hygienic impression. Best of all they are, in fact, easier to clean!

But the biggest change is in the vanity.  Not only is there a rise in freestanding baths, but a rise in freestanding vanities that are custom designed.  Less and less prefabricated vanity units are being installed.  Rather, a custom designed vanity with access to unlimited colours, textures and materials seems to be the trend. With push-to-open draws and greater storage capacity, custom designed bathroom vanities with an inserted sink is now a top bathroom trend.

In keeping with crisp and clean lines, tap fittings are continually moving towards chrome mixers for a neat finish with ease of use over the 3-piece tap fitting units. 

Top Bathroom Trend No 3: Shape

There is a distinct shift from square shapes in baths and basins and a larger adoption of curved shapes.  Just remember, trends come and go – so be aware that when you carry out your bathroom renovation, unless you are looking to refresh the room every 5 to 10 years, make sure you consider how much of a trend you want reflected in your bathroom.�
The introduction of curves seems to be a reflection of the desire for a more natural feel in support of a tranquil retreat rather than a single purpose wet room.  Without question the curve adds a warmth and calmative feel over the square shapes, without compromising clean, crisp lines.

And merging an old world heritage selection of amenities with modern accents in the overall bathroom design is also emerging.
Check out our new Venecia bathroom package to see how classic taps can merge with modern fittings for a comforting effect.

Top Bathroom Trend No 4: Nature

Bring back nature with stone look tiles (Source: deziner02)

Bathrooms have now embraced nature to create the feel of a sanctuary in the home.  Whether it’s the use of organic or natural products from stone and wood over the typical bright white tiles or the creative use of natural light and colours, bathrooms are less sterile looking and much more inviting. 

Windows from floor to ceiling with privacy shutters or garden oasis screens are a great way to bring nature in to your bathroom.  And an interesting new addition is led lighting incorporated in baths and showers so that the flow reflects the colours of your choice.  A fabulous way to create an atmosphere that you will feel is just for you. 

But remember, you don’t need to use every trend on the market at once.  Pick what you like and make them yours.  It’s your bathroom, your retreat.  Enjoy!

Application type – Can the tile be applied to walls or floors?  Check the tile thickness to determine the application.  You must also give special consideration to wet area requirements. 

1. Size – Do you want big and bold or small and intricate?
2. Type – What is the tile made of?  What environment can it handle?  Always check with the manufacturer to ensure that your tile of choice is suitable for your needs.
3. Durability – Is it easy to clean, streak free and long lasting? Can it handle high traffic areas?  Chip resistant? Non-porous?
4. Contrasts – Do you want to go for one colour or accent with contrasting colours or textures?
5. Colour – What colour range do you want to select from?  Some tile types offer greater selection than others.
6. Texture – Do you want a rough or smooth surface?  Rough surfaces are usually more appropriate for walls rather than floors.  What glaze do you need?  Flooring tiles require more glaze than wall tiles as they are under greater lifestyle pressure.

Here are some examples of tiles that you can consider when renovating your kitchen, bathroom or laundry.

Rubber Tiles

Rubber tiles have typically been made from recycled rubber and come in a broad selection of colours.  Considered durable, rubber tiles can be applied in wet areas as well as high traffic and multi-purpose rooms including garages.

Just one example of a style of rubber tile, this one has plenty of grip for safety when wet

Vinyl Tiles

The beauty of vinyl tiles is that they can look like wood or stone without the price tag attached.  Available in many colours and textures as well as thickness, vinyl tiles come with adhesive backs or can be installed with high-grade adhesive.

Mosaic Tiles

Mosaic tiles have netting on the back so that they are easy to handle and pre-aligned for installation.  Alternatively, you can break up the sheets to create your own pattern.  They come at a price and as such are typically used for small areas or to accent large rooms.

This complicated-looking tiling is actually a cluster of larger mosaic style tiles, which is much easier to install than hundreds of small tiles

Terracotta Tiles

Terracotta tiles are great to renovate your kitchen, bathroom or laundry, particularly if you are going for a Tuscan theme.  Given they are a natural material, they come in different shapes, each with an individual look.  Very hardwearing and chip resistant.  Make sure they are sealed for best and long-lasting results!

Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic tiles give you plenty of choice in terms of colour and texture and can be made to look like marble or granite.  This is a good option if you want a marble or granite look, but you don’t want to pay the higher prices.

Glass Tiles

Glass tiles are made from recycled glass and are fantastic for splashbacks in kitchens as the colour possibilities are endless.  They are durable, easy to clean and come in many shapes and sizes to free your creative mind.  Also used for floors, glass tiles can look like mosaic or even brick…. but why would you do that when they look great as they are?  You may want to take a seat when you are getting a quote as you could be surprised….they don’t come cheap.

You can even combine two tile trends in one with this mosaic glass tile

Advice in time to save you a dime!

Again, to stress a point, always check manufacturer recommendations in terms of how the tile can be applied in your home.  If you are opting to update your home yourself, you might want to get professional advice or tilers for installation.  There is nothing worse than ripping up tiles that have been laid incorrectly.  It’s a lot of mess.  A lot of time.  And a lot of avoidable expense.

Mirrored tiles are another option that will reflect more light through the room and is used very effectively in small, dark spaces, as seen here in a renovation by The Inside Project

Depending on the overall look you are trying to achieve with your kitchen renovation, as well as your budget, you can consider many options for your cupboards.  To help determine the best cupboard for you, think about the following:

• Style
• Finish
• Colour
• Durability
• Cost

Laminated Cabinet doors

Laminated vacuum-formed doors are economical and durable due to the tough PVC foil heat-laminated to the surface.  You can have matching laminate edges or use PVC, ABS, aluminium, or timber.   Rolled edges can be popular as they offer safety for kids.  Cleaning is easy and you have plenty of choice when it comes to colour and finish with a choice from textured, matte, high-gloss and printed designs that look remarkably like timber.  Laminate is stain and water resistant – but keep hot pots and pans well clear of your kitchen cabinets to avoid discolouration.

Painted two-pak cabinet doors

Lacquered and polyurethane doors offer unlimited colour choices.  If the colour exists in Dulux or another colour palette – then you can have it applied to your cupboard door with varying finishes such as satin, matt and high gloss.  It isn’t cheap – but it is long lasting and easy to clean.  There are two things to think about here:

1. You can’t have textures or timber-grain looks and….

2.  They do tend to chip around the edges– so you have to get them redone over time.

Hand painted kitchen Cabinets

If your kitchen is French provincial or country style, then you may want to consider hand painted doors. Most colours are achievable and offer different degrees of aging and patina. On the downside, they tend to chip on door and drawer edges over time.

Solid timber Cabinets doors

Solid timber doors may suit a modern or country kitchen design and can often weather time, given the very nature of natural wood.  They hide dents and scratches better than plain painted or laminated doors and can be sanded back and re-stained.  You can also have creative routered designs to give a very unique edge to your kitchen renovation.

Timber veneer cabinets doors

Timber veneer is a thin layer of real wood fixed to a particleboard or medium density board to create a smooth, flat timber surface.  It can be an affordable option to solid timber, but you are restricted by style in that you can have flat panels only.  To combat this you can create patterns in timber veneer by laying the timber grains in different directions.  It’s easy to clean and adequately durable.

Aluminium framed cabinets doors

Aluminium framed doors are often used as feature doors that can have glass (frosted or clear safety glass), laminate or painted inserts – giving an added style to your look.  The flexibility of inserts lets you decide if you want to add warmth or clinical stylisation.

Stainless Steel Cabinet Doors

Take a gulp as stainless steel doors offer a bold statement.  Giving a modern, if not industrial look, it’s hygienic, durable and holds up to heat, water and chemicals.  Not a cheap option – and not for the shy.  It does show up marks easily especially sticky fingers, but you can buy products in an attempt to minimise this.  Still – stainless steel doors are going to be more time consuming to maintain and will show scratches. But to some this is the appeal of stainless steel as they feel it can actually add to the look over time.

Like kitchens, bathrooms can be one of the most costly rooms to renovate.  In fact the industry is showing more and more that bathroom investments are exceeding kitchen prices.  So be mindful with your bathroom update and make wise choices.  Depending on the purpose of your bathroom rejuvenation – 2 very different approaches need to be considered.

Are you keeping your home and want to enjoy new bathroom amenities? Or…

Are you updating your bathroom to sell your home?

Based on your answer, think about the following tips and apply those that make the most sense to your current bathroom renovation challenge.

1. Establish a budget

Even if you are updating your bathroom for your own enjoyment, just remember that you may sell your house down the track.  You can achieve the best bathroom for your needs without having to over capitalise.  As a guide, new bathrooms should cost between 2% and 3% of the total value of your property.  Go out in the market and price items such as basins, tiles, fittings, and make sure you allocate your budget proportionately to what will bring the best outcome for your bathroom.  Try to take some of the emotions out of it.  You may want to spend most of your budget on the latest basin, but this should not be at the expense of other items that need to go the distance.

2. Select a renovation partner

You can certainly attempt to renovate your bathroom yourself and hire trades people such as tilers and plumbers as you need them.  Get at least 3 quotes per job as the differences can be huge.  Do not underestimate the time involved in running the project, particularly when you are dealing with many service providers.  The benefits of selecting a single bathroom supplier may be a better option for you and often ends up cheaper in the long run.  They can get items for your bathroom at cost as well as use trade professionals that are reliable and leave you with a quality outcome.  Guarantees are also important – and offer more security than ad-hoc tradespeople.  Make sure your bathroom supplier offers references as well as an extensive photo gallery of work they have achieved.

3. Make the most out of the space you have

Changing the layout including the shower or toilet location may cost an extra $1K for plumbing, but can make a huge difference to space, storage, privacy and usability.  Take advantage of your bathroom supplier and get as many ideas from them as possible.  You don’t need to pay a designer; it’s what they do best.

4. Use light colours to create space

Older home designs often leave little room for the bathroom.  Not only can you optimise the space with the layout, but use colour to give the illusion of more room.  Just look at how spacious this outdated bathroom becomes with the use of neutral colours.  Other key aspects of this successful renovation include having clear glass so that the shower isn’t closed off – so that the eye can continue through the bathroom.

Before The Inside Project Renovation

5. Select quality fittings

Make sure you spend more on items that need to go the distance like tap fittings.  By fitting new matching taps that are aesthetically pleasing, you’re bringing a sense of cohesion to the house. Fittings need to be in the context of the house and not just your own personal taste or desire.  Good taps also give the impression of solid, reliable plumbing.

If you are going to cut costs on tiles, be careful that they clean up well.  Nothing will detract more from your renovation than floor tiles that permanently streak.  And your toilet matters.  There are plenty of shapes on the market with different plumbing needs.  Select the right model that matches the overall feel of your bathroom and one that can be easily installed based on your existing plumbing infrastructure.

This bathroom upgrade is a great example of selecting fittings that are right for the aesthetic, space, and usability.  Avoiding pedestal basins and selecting a vanity offering storage, as well as the selection of a single tap fitting for more room at the sink – this renovation will provide a great bathroom for the existing owners as well as adding to the resale value for the future.

Before The Inside Project Renovation

After The Inside Project Renovation

6. Go for good energy ratings

Over 40% of the water usage of your home comes from your bathroom and toilet.  Often old taps and toilets offer poor water ratings.  Make sure you select taps and showerheads with AAA rating or higher.  A dual flush toilet is much more efficient than a standard toilet as some are capable of using as little as 4.5 litres of water for full flush and 3 litres for a half flush.   Ensure your bathroom has good ventilation such as an open window and take advantage of solar heating for your water or continuous flow heaters so that the water is only heated as and when it is needed.

1. 1. Modernise and refresh with paint

A fresh coat of interior paint is the cheapest way to makeover a house and change the mood.  It is also one that you can actually do yourself without having to engage professionals – but be prepared to work hard as it is labour-intensive.

-          Focus on the walls and leave the ceiling for professional painters

-          Lighter colours give the illusion of bigger rooms

-          Neutral colours are best for resale value

-          Feature walls using wallpaper or contrast paint colour can bring an outdated style back into fashion

-          Don’t use dark colours when there is limited natural light.  The brighter, the better.

-          Move furniture into the middle of the room and cover it

-          Start early in the day to get 2 coats completed

-          Do one room at a time

-          Put the effort into wall preparation.  The results are worth it.

2. Update the flooring

When you think that flooring reveals a significant amount of surface space in the home – it needs to be at its absolute best.  Depending on your long term plans, and based on your investment / return ration, consider your flooring options.  It can make a huge difference to the value or liveability of your home.  It can make your house look brighter, larger and more attractive.

-          Get carpets steam cleaned, preferably in warm weather for best drying and to reduce lingering damp odours

-          Replace or remove floor surfaces that are beyond repair such as worn carpets

-          Explore underneath old carpet for timber floorboards that can be revitalised

-          When recarpeting, check with suppliers that have discontinued product lines for cheap deals

-          Have floorboards re-sanded, washed, stained, painted or resealed

-          Repair broken tiles

-          Patch damaged floors

3. Spruce up the entrance

When you consider first impressions, then the entrance is the first impression that counts most – especially if you are putting your house on the market.  It gives the signal that the property is well maintained before anyone even enters and may be used to detract from limitations you may have in garaging.

-          Paint the front door in a strong colour

-          Make sure the paint on your door is fresh and has no chips

-          Repair flyscreen doors

-          Add doorway furniture and an entrance mat

-          Remove any items on the porch that shouldn’t be there such as dog beds

-          Add an outdoor light, new mailbox or modern house number

-          Add a pot plant to frame the door.  Planting herbs can add a great aroma, grow quickly, and are easy to maintain.

4. Replace window fittings

Cleaning your windows can be one of the last aspects you consider – but take our word for it; the amount of additional light that will shine through clean windows is staggering.  Another consideration is your window fittings.

-          Carefully select the window fittings as it can dramatically improve the overall style of your home

-          For a sleek look, select Holland or Roman blinds

-          To warm up a room look to timber venetians or shutters

-          Curtains can tie in your colour scheme and can be applied to other window treatments such as blinds

Consider how often they will be used.  If they are going to be open and shut daily, make sure you go for quality so they will last the distance.