BOOSTING PROPERTY VALUE
If you’re thinking about selling your home, you may have been thinking about ways to increase your property’s value. At the end of the day, location is the uncontrollable variable that ranks supreme to anything else. But in the controlled variables, there is your home. Real estate is a very competitive market, so making a few changes could help you stand out from the rest and get a better financial return.
From the time people see the listing to when they walk into your home, looks are essentially everything. It’s best to go for a polished and neutral scheme so you can appeal to a diverse range of people. Signalling to prospective buyers that you are proud of your dwelling and keep it well maintained ensures that it has longevity. So read on for eight ways to revitalise your home to help increase your property’s value.
Take A Look Around Your Neighbourhood
Take a stroll around your neighbourhood. What kind of community lives there? Is it a young and hip area busting with dynamic energy? Or a quiet, leafy suburb with a collective mindset to enjoy the slower things in life? Understand the general characteristics of prospective buyers and how you can make your home attractive to them.
Consider First Impressions
Make your property the king of the curb! When people visit for the first time, you want them to feel like they have come home. Revitalise the exterior with a fresh coat of paint, clean the windows, tidy up the gutters, and make sure your letterbox is nice and clear. View your home from the perspective of fresh eyes. These minor changes will feel more inviting and display that you care for your dwelling, which is a great first impression.
Prioritise Communal Areas
Focus on the communal areas of your home, namely the kitchen and bathroom. One of the top priorities for buyers is how functional these areas are as the majority of time is spent here. Make the kitchen and bathroom one of the top focus areas when trying to add value to your home. Whether you add storage, kitchen accessories, new tapware, a heated towel rail, updated tiles or better lighting, targeting these areas will help increase property value.
Refresh The Yard
Has your yard been a bit of an afterthought? A little bit of landscaping can make it the forefront of your property. Showing that your outdoor areas are prime real estate too, is great for prospective buyers. Mow through long grass, do some weeding, and discard any junk that has accumulated so that you can show a clean, manicured backyard. It not only looks great but is an excellent selling point. A yard with potential for a pool, veggie garden, playground or outdoor kitchen exemplifies that your property is more than just a house.
Make Simple Swaps
Minimise your spending by making some small and easy changes. If your cabinetry handles are looking a little dated, updating them with some newer, modern styles is an effective and simple change. Although minor, cabinetry pulls are prevalent throughout a home and get used quite frequently. When choosing new ones, ensure that the colour and design will still look cohesive with your existing interior scheme.
Another simple swap is replacing your tapware. Over time, your faucets can get dirty and look antiquated. Updating them with newer designs looks aesthetically attractive to buyers and makes the home more functional.
Fresh Paint
A fresh coat of paint revitalises any home and can look fantastic in listing photos to attract buyers. Even if the colour of your walls is okay, they may have gotten dirty over time. Once you paint a wall, it makes a space feel new, increasing property value.
Revamp Lighting
Lighting is essential in a home, influencing mood and functionality. Good lighting can even make a space feel bigger, as it illuminates corners of darkness. Updating light fixtures can make a home feel more modern. Go for something that isn’t avant-garde and that most people would like.
Remember Storage Is Supreme
Young or old, families or singles, minimalists or maximalists — everyone loves storage. If a home has ample storage, it will be mentioned in the property description, increasing attractiveness to potential buyers. Cabinetry, shelving, robe hooks and rails, there are many ways you can add extra storage, even if it’s minor.
Are you looking to revamp your home for re-sale? Or just looking to maximise its appeal? Watch our FREE MASTERCLASS now to help develop a mood board that will guide your home style and renovations. Because a beautiful home leads to a beautiful life, and we all deserve that.
MODERNIST BEAUTY
Modernist interior design is a style characterised by clean lines, minimalism, natural materials, and natural light. Though it is often confused—or used interchangeably—with the term "contemporary design," modern design is its own distinct style with an emphasis on abstract thinking, functionality, and simple form.
Looking to create a modernist interior look in your home? Watch our free ‘Beautiful Home, Beautiful Life’ Masterclass now to help hone your homes style and aesthetic today
BEAUTIFUL BEDROOMS
A simple way to ensure your bedroom design promotes a positive mood and feels like a place you can unwind in? Make sure it reflects your style; incorporates your favourite materials, colours, and patterns; shines the right light; and maximises space.
One of the best ways to create the bedroom of your dreams is to create a mood board! This will help capture the materials, style and beautiful elements that appeal to YOU and your unique aesthetic. Our “Beautiful Home, Beautiful Life’ Masterclass guides you through the process with ease. Watch it now for free HERE.
TOP TIPS TO HELP BUILD THE BEST BUTLER’S PANTRY
A keen kitchen comrade, the butler’s pantry handles the practical tasks so there’s more space to entertain. They act as a mini kitchen inside your regular one, allowing you to hide dirty dishes from guests, provide more storage and give your home a deluxe flair. The modern butler’s pantry comes in various formations and dimensions, a proud domain of servitude for preserving kitchen cleanliness.
Here are some of our top tips to help build the best butlers pantry for your home.
Consider Size
A kitchen with a butler’s pantry does require some space, but it doesn’t have to upheave the entire blueprint. It is possible to create a small butler’s pantry that won’t compromise the powerhouse work ethic you want. Think about the size of your future butler’s pantry, and see how it can fit into your home’s design. Once you have landed on a size that suits your lifestyle and budget, you can begin planning the interior features.
Working Triangle
The key to any functional kitchen is the working triangle, and ideally, a butler’s pantry should aid that instead of interrupt it. A triangular workflow usually consists of the stove, fridge and sink placed in a triangle shape to maximise efficiency. If you’re going to put one or more of these items in your butler’s pantry, ensure they are placed strategically to not interrupt kitchen flow.
Cabinetry and Bench Space
Cabinetry and bench space are essential features in any butler’s pantry. You want to have enough room for storage and preparation but also enough space to move around easily. If your butler’s pantry is on the smaller side, consider adopting more open-air shelving or sliding doors for cabinetry. This is because pull-out drawers in an already cramped area can further shrink available space.
Lighting
A butler’s pantry is, first and foremost, a place of work. Installing adequate task lighting helps ensure that this part of the home can run efficiently. If you do not have a window in your butler’s pantry, it can be dim and easier for food and appliances to get lost. If you include pull-out drawers and cupboards, perhaps add strip lighting underneath benchtops to illuminate the contents of your cabinetry. While warm lighting is ambient and soothing, it is often better to have cooler-toned lighting in a workspace like a butler’s pantry to clarify vision.
Accessorise
Now for the fun part — choosing the accessories to help complete the space. Consider fixtures, fittings and general hardware that fulfil pillars of style and efficiency. For example, cabinetry handles are a simple way to elevate your space while ensuring that your drawers function properly. Another common feature of the butler’s pantry is a kitchen mixer and kitchen sink. They allow you to hide dirty dishes and keep more space available in your kitchen. Consider a traditional rectangular-shaped sink, as it’s easier to fit bulkier items such as chopping boards.
Want our advice on how you can build a butlers pantry the best suits your style and space? We are offering a FREE 15-minute design call with one of our team today. Get our top tips for your unique space today completely cost and obligation free.
WET ROOM REVIVAL 2022
The wet room bathroom isn’t necessarily a new concept but is having an invigorated resurgence in homes. Last year we saw many renovators adopt the open-plan formation, which typically sees the shower, bath and sometimes vanity in a boundary-free space. Now, in terms of modern bathroom ideas, wet rooms are certainly up there with the most popular.
While the process of installing a wet room might be more disruptive and expensive than a standard bathroom re-fit, by tanking the envelope of your bathroom, you can streamline finishes and create rooms which are more practical. So let’s dive into this exciting design revival and all you need to know about wet rooms.
In this design from Melissa Lunardon, a walk-through wet room set-up allows for a freestanding bath in the centre of the room and a shower that can be used from either side behind the bath. Without disturbing the flow of the room, a walk-through shower like this gives a luxurious feel which is well-suited to high-end bathrooms.
Wet Rooms; Make a Splash
Wet rooms aren’t far removed from standard bathrooms at all. The difference is that their open-plan design features little to no dividers between each bathroom component. This means that the bath, shower, vanity, and toilet are kept close by in one central minimalistic space. Usually, the shower and bath are contained together, with a partial glass shower screen separating the vanity and toilet.
Wet room bathrooms also require adequate waterproofing, as the space is designed to get entirely saturated. This is done by a process called tanking, whereby a membrane makes the wet room invulnerable to leaks. Wet rooms also need to be tiled from floor to ceiling.
Wet Room Pros
All Sizes And Spaces: Wet rooms are a fantastic bathroom design choice for small and larger spaces. It has an advantage in smaller bathroom sizes since the open-plan formation can make the area feel more spacious. In bigger bathrooms, a wet room can look opulent and add a point of distinction.
Mobility: The minimalistic concept of a wet room is also helpful for the elderly or those with mobility issues, as moving around between each fitting faces fewer obstructions. Just ensure that there are handrails to promote added safety.
Cleaning Ease: As a wet room is meant to get the whole area wet, cleaning is an easier task. Also, suppose you section off the bath and shower with a partial glass screen. In that case, water is protected from the vanity or toilet, offering less opportunity for watermarks to stain those areas.
The Wet Room Vanity
Having a minimalistic vanity to accompany your wet room is essential. Consider opting for a floating one so there is no opportunity for water to pool near the bottom and cause damage. It also suits the stripped-back aesthetic of a wet room to lift and lighten the space.
Wet Room Practicalities
Airflow: A wet room can quickly become a humid environment, where everything can remain damp for a while. It’s imperative to have good airflow to prevent mould and grime from building up. Proper fans and windows dry out moisture and can make it a safer place to move around. This should be a strong consideration in the design process.
Storage: In smaller wet rooms, it’s easier for items you would like to stay dry to get wet. Ensure that these belongings, such as toilet paper and towels, are stored in a location that ensures they don’t get affected by moisture. Storage of such items should not be ignored in the design for the sake of aesthetics.
Budget: Waterproofing and tiling expenses can add up quickly and should be carefully budgeted for. It may be more costly, but ensuring that this area is properly fitted out to withstand moisture means that you won’t run into any complications down the track. Work with experienced and knowledgeable professionals to form a realistic budget.
LAUNDRY- THE HARDEST WORKING ROOM
The laundry is one of the most hardworking rooms in the house. But with a little effort, the laundry room can be just as stylish and organised as the rest of your house. From coloured cabinetry and detailed tilework to unique hardware and storage baskets, it is possible to transform your laundry room into a standout and stylish space you'll want to show off to guests.
RENO SUCCESS - COMMON HOME RENOVATION MISTAKES AND HOW TO AVOID THEM
If you are seeking home renovation success, be sure to avoid these common mistakes we see all the time. It will mean your project is enjoyable and achieves what you both want and need, while also being delivered on time and on budget. In a world full of reno nightmare stories, who doesn’t want that?!
Classic Mis-Steps
Home renovations usually spring from a positive place, where updating a property in order to add value and influence the ambience is the primary objective. Therefore, it should be an inspiring journey full of optimism. However, without careful planning and preparation, sometimes these once noble intentions can lead to missteps that cause more hindrance than hope.
Budget Failures
When refreshing your home aesthetic, sometimes it can be tempting to ignore the numbers and literally go for broke. However, by knowing your budget and keeping to those set limitations you are more likely to maintain a positive mindset on your home renovation project and avoid any potential financial upsets or unexpected pitfalls along the way. So stubbornly stick to your budget!
Under Estimation
As well as sticking to your budget, it’s important that you don’t miscalculate those renovation costs either. Apart from location, the level of renovation required, project complexity and the size of your property, the biggest factors that influence price are labour and material costs. Also keep in mind that renewing your home’s flooring will increase your budget as this is one of the most expensive aspects to replace.
Doing It Yourself
While it can be tempting to try and save a few dollars by doing a home renovation project yourself, there is a multitude of reasons why selecting specialised professionals is the more sensible solution. Designers, for example, come with invaluable home renovation experience. As a result, they can anticipate any unforeseen problems and manage all the ‘heavy lifting’ so you don’t have to.
Going Cheap
You know the old saying, ‘you get what you pay for’. Doing things cheap now will have a greater cost down the track. Therefore, it’s important to invest in quality fittings and fixtures for your home renovation. The best products come with competitive peace-of-mind warranties too, guaranteeing the level of quality. In addition, sophisticated products that have their functionality and durability guaranteed are more aesthetically pleasing too. The bottom line: it pays to invest in quality products.
Not Consulting
While it can be tempting to let your inspiration lead you, obtaining an expert opinion for your home renovation is often the best way to ensure your overall interior design aesthetic is pleasingly consistent.
Therefore it’s always a good idea to consult a team of experts. Melissa Lunardon Interior Design offers a free design consultation to accommodate your dream home renovation. Our friendly team will help feed your inspiration by listening to your intended reno plans and offering the best advice to turn those interior design dreams into a reality.
TEXTURED TIMBER
Wood is a key feature in many standout kitchen designs and it’s easy to see why! As one of the hero natural materials in kitchen design, timber is versatile, ageless and comes in endless variations. And a timber kitchen will complement any interior design style.
This earthy, tactile material instantly adds warmth, richness and texture to a kitchen. Timber is also favoured for its functionality and durability, making it a smart investment.
Click here to watch our Masterclass on creating a Mood Board that incorporates your favourite materials like textured timber.
MATTE BLACK MOMENT
Your bathroom is meant to be a retreat, regardless of its size. The key is to weave in stylish accents like low-maintenance plants, vibrant window treatments and plush towels for a picture-perfect space that offers the serenity you need to start and end your day.
Two bathroom trends worth keeping on your radar in 2022 is matte black fixtures and organic elements. We will see people bring the outdoors in, incorporate natural and organic elements like stone, and create luxury spa-like vibes.
Antique brass has had its fair share of the spotlight in bathrooms, but now there’s a new kid in town. Matte black fixtures have been having a moment, and we will see even more of this trend in 2022.
RENOVATION IS THE NEW VACATION
COVID-19 has brought an interlude to our holiday plans abroad, but we’ve seen that it has kick-started a plethora of plans at home. Renovating your home has become a fun way to escape, so on your next project why not add a dash of poolside luxury into the mix.
This year, why not use your funds to holiday at home. Because for now at least, it would seem that renovation is the new vacation.
Planning a renovation? Book a FREE design consultation with us to help you get on track with the style, selections and options for your home.
FAVOURING LOCAL - THE GREAT MOVEMENT OF 2022
Supporting local business is at the forefront of minds, particularly as international and interstate import routes have slowed significantly. Consequently, there has been a great movement towards buying locally and we’re seeing this trend extend throughout the entire home building process. In 2022, many people are favouring locally sourced and manufactured materials, as this has become a more convenient and transparent option that also supports local businesses.
This has presented an opportune time for home builders and renovators to incorporate local products into their homes design. This can be seen in the materials chosen to build homes, right through to the décor used in the completed home. From the perspective of Melissa Lunardon Interior Design, this is a movement we are very much behind and will continue to embrace throughout 2022 and beyond.
In the Covid era, the impetus to buy local has been supercharged, even outweighing considerations of intrinsic quality in the product itself. In a survey conducted across 20 markets in July 2020, 6 in 10 consumers said they were actively seeking out locally-sourced products, and 80% of them said they thought they would continue this behaviour once lockdowns had finished.