With the current financial climate still stagnating and with everyone’s focus on interest rates I often get asked when working on a design – where should we invest and where should we pull back? This question is important not only to ensure you come in on budget through your renovations, but also when you are considering your return on investment.
There are definitely areas that will sell your home and if treated right in the design phase will feel high end and then I believe there are some areas where you can pull back and it still feel like a quality build. I explain below where to focus your energy and where to pull back.
Invest in…
FLOOR PLAN
If you are planning to extend, move walls, or add in a new first floor getting the floor plan just right for now and also for sale is going to be top priority. So many rush this process and don’t work through the possibilities with a good architect or draftsperson. Once you have worked through a design process for this and settle on a design almost everything else falls into place nicely. But getting your plan right, maximising your spaces and making sure they flow will give you the biggest return on your investment.
BUILT IN STORAGE
Anoushka Allum Design Artatmon project – Study nook and storage
This should be pretty high on homeowners and a buyers list. Invest in good quality joinery for every room in your home. From mud rooms, workable laundries to great robes in each bedroom and lounge room joinery, I very much feel there isn’t a room where joinery doesn’t have purpose. Make sure what you build in is timeless and the materials are quality invest as much as you can, so they last for years. This is especially important if you aren’t selling right away.
FLOORING, HARDWARE & FIXTURES
Anoushka Allum Design Riverview 2 project – Laundry fixture
Some of the major finishes through the home like your flooring (this might be timber and carpet), and hardware and fixtures that you touch every day such as tapware, appliances in the kitchen, door hardware should all be the best you can possibly afford. These are the things that see deterioration over time and the better quality products will still look like new when you come to sell. Also these are the pieces that people really notice and as a homeowner you will too and you will enjoy the quality fixtures that you invest in every day.
Pull back on…
LIGHTING
These wall lights that I installed in my own home were not expensive but add that function and interest to my main bedroom
I’ve found that you can source some really wonderful lighting at a fraction of the price of the expensive suppliers and still create a quality feel. I don’t believe you have to spend a fortune in this space. In fact I’m not a fan of too many feature lights throughout a home, pick 2 or 3 areas you would really like to highlight with a feature such as your entry, over your kitchen island or dining table and perhaps in a main bedroom. That will be enough to shine!
TILES
AAD Beecroft Project – These wall and floor tiles were budget friendly and still add that touch of luxe to this home
You can really blow your budget in this space. I just costed up a feature tile that my client fell in love with for their ensuite, the supply alone for a small area was $10k. So I’m shopping around for something similar at a fraction of the price and I will find it. Here you can choose really cost effective base tiles and splash out a little on your features. That way the eye is drawn to where you invested and the cheaper tiles are supporting the design, but in the background. Be mindful here, you will save thousands of dollars.
WINDOW COVERINGS
Roller blinds in my own guest bedroom saved on costs, so many windows in this room
This is a feature that’s pretty up there cost wise. Especially if you are choosing plantation shutters for the whole home or lots of fabric curtains. If shutters are the look you are going for maybe just include them at the front of the house for street appeal. Or in just your major rooms. And if you’re a fan of curtains go for really cost effective fabrics that way you can still get the curtains where you want them and save on the material. Roller blinds are always the most cost effective option and are great if you want to show off a view and have a discrete window covering.
If you’re preparing for a renovation and need help with the interiors to both bring them in on budget and to achieve a beautiful outcome reach out, let’s talk about how I can assist in your planning process. Send an enquiry to [email protected]