Author: <span>Luke Kilmany</span>

 

Part of our concept of “home” is as a place of refuge from the outside world. It’s somewhere we can feel safe, both physically and psychologically, and bedrooms play their own uniquely important role in this.

The bedroom is the one room in the house within which each member of the family – including overnight guests – can fairly and reasonably assume a sense of greater control over their environment.

Once in our bedroom, we are empowered to make choices independent of our living group. We decide for ourselves who enters and for how long, we determine the lighting and sound according to our particular mood, we get to personalise the space in a way that reflects our identity and we are free to use our bedroom in a way that meets our specific needs.

In light of the contribution bedrooms make in the maintenance of our wellbeing, it comes as no surprise that bedrooms are one of the most common target areas in home renovations and home extensions. Let’s take a moment for some bedroom talk; to consider if the bedrooms in your home are craving some love.

 

 

The Master Bedroom

For many adults, the bedroom acts as a sanctuary; a private space away from the hustle and bustle of life. It is a welcoming space into which one can retreat leaving the demands and stressors of the day behind. This need for an area that provides relaxation and respite can increase exponentially almost overnight once children come into the picture!

Master bedrooms have certainly come into their own in recent years. Dressing rooms, defined spaces to unwind, luxurious ensuites or even internal bathing areas; these are all design ideas that many homeowners are now incorporating into the master bedroom.

So whether your home has spacious bedrooms with plenty of room for a master suite, or you need to knock through to a smaller box room to create one larger bedroom, take the opportunity to fully explore the possibilities out there as you go about realising your ultimate at-home retreat. Your future self will thank you!

 

 

The Kid’s Bedroom

A healthy sense of control is important for any child, from a toddler through to a teenager, and their bedroom is the perfect space for giving youngsters the experience of this.

Your child’s bedroom offers an environmental dimension to autonomy, providing a place for expressions of individuality and independence, whilst also enabling exploration and development of their burgeoning identity.

More dramatic colour choices and wall treatments are a growing trend in kids’ bedrooms as children are being given a greater say in creating their own bedroom sanctuaries and are being encouraged to embrace design choices that are personal to them.

Getting to choose the doona cover or decide on posters for the walls have been superseded however. These days kids are looking at options including anything from graffiti murals to fluorescent light installations, mini basketball hoops and built-in sleeping structures incorporating monkey bars, innovative storage, stylish study nooks and chillout zones.

 

 

The Guest Bedroom

Guest bedrooms have come a long way. No longer just a queen-size bed and a side table, in many contemporary homes guest bedrooms are destination rooms; and are as much a welcomed, private space for overnight visitors as they are a quiet place for household members to retreat to when the home is without guests but bustling nonetheless.

Home renovations and extensions provide an opportunity to create the ideal additional room for refuge, and many homeowners opt to fashion a space reminiscent of a favourite destination.

Guest bedroom trends that have gained popularity are the addition of a coffee bar or mini fridge; the inclusion of a desk for guests who work remotely and so will need a private place to have a Zoom call or check emails; the incorporation of specialty lighting; and decorating with elements that are specific to your home’s geographic location, such as items that reflect a coastal, rural or metropolitan environment.

While homes originated as a place for us to feel safe – to protect us from predators, weather, and other people – if you’ve ever found yourself hiding in your bedroom in order to get a little alone time, you’ll appreciate the value this room alone has in helping to maintain your physical and psychological health.

It’s worth taking the time to assess how well the bedrooms in your home are meeting the needs of those who use them. In terms of the overall wellbeing of yourself and those you love, it may be that a home renovation or home extension is well overdue.

If you are looking to renovate any of the bedrooms in your home, why not contact Hille’s Home Extensions for a no-obligation Free Design Consultation. Call us on 9379-8022 and one of our experienced designers will be happy to work with you through some bedroom design ideas.

 

There is a famous quote by the 19th century designer William Morris: “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”

It’s a great quote, clearly, with the words resonating for so many of us that it pops up freely during a home renovation search on Pinterest or can be bought on Etsy, framed and in various sizes.

It is when homeowners have cause to spend more time at home however, that the words of this quote can come into sharp focus. Being at home for significant stretches will inevitably shift what we need from our living space, and this can lead to a variety of new pain points.

Quarantining during the pandemic gave us all this experience. We were suddenly forced to find new ways to work, relax, entertain, and create more personal space at home, and either our homes could be adapted well, or all the adjusting was up to us as we struggled within a house that was suddenly not functionally fit.

It is not just pandemic quarantining however, that can expose the degree of functionality of our home. Time at home following the birth of a child; during the process of shifting from one job or profession to another; and personal illness – whether short or protracted – are all common reasons why we may be prompted to question how well our home meets our various needs.

Here are the top 3 things we find ourselves longing for when our homes fail the functionality test:

 

1. Modern, Multitasking Kitchens

The kitchen is the home’s hub, and according to Houzz senior economist, Marine Sargsyan, it is consistently the most common project that homeowners undertake when they renovate.

 

A stunning, versatile Kitchen Renovated by Hille’s Home Extensions

 

Sargsyan believes the pandemic played a significant role in influencing homeowners to think of ways the kitchen could better serve them as a living space moving forward. “Kitchens, in particular, became the command centre for the home, where more meals were prepared and eaten on a daily basis, and it became a new location for work, schooling, entertainment, and more.”

 

2. Private Sanctuary Bathrooms

If hiding in the bathroom to get a little alone time is something you can relate to – and whether that was during the pandemic or still now – then you’ll appreciate why the bathroom is the second most popular room to renovate.

For many, the bathroom acts as the only private space away from children and family, and this need for a space that provides relaxation and respite increases almost overnight when our circumstances change and we find ourselves at home more.

 

Rejuvenating is easy in this bathroom renovated by Hille’s Home Extensions

 

So, what does a bathroom renovation entail? According to Sargsyan, at a minimum, it includes replacing the cabinetry or vanity, countertops, and toilet.

But attention to aesthetics remains important, with this arguably adding to the functionality of a space that is intended to calm and refresh. Quality design here is key, with resort-style luxury – think freestanding bathtubs and exotic tiling – bringing added value to your bathroom, whether this is for your benefit now or for when you may someday choose to sell.

 

3. Alternatives To Open Floor Plans

News flash: Open Floor Plans Have Started to Fall Out of Favour! It’s true. The once
much-loved open floor plan concept is on its way out in the face of a rising trend to return to defined spaces.

Open concept homes skyrocketed in popularity in the 1970s, and by the mid 1990’s nearly all new construction involved some version of an open floor plan or great room. But after nearly half a century of ascendancy, open concept living has been losing ground as buyers turn to cosier, more energy-efficient housing.

Added to this, these days homeowners are tiring of open plan living due to the lack of privacy: whether you’re in the living room, kitchen, or dining room, everyone knows what everyone else is doing.

There are also the inescapable problems of more visible messes whether in the kitchen or greater living area; children being able to access kitchen hazards; greater noise levels; and less overall storage space because fewer walls means that you have a lot less space for console tables or shelving.

Long periods spent at home afford us the opportunity to see our living spaces differently. The lessons we learn during such times can be capitalised on, with a well-designed home
renovation or home extension enabling us to improve the functionality of our homes overall and for years to come.

 

What’s Next?
Get more of an insight into a home renovation or house extension by contacting the team at Hille’s today.

 

It’s here: handover day. Your house extension or renovation is finished, you’ve bid your Hille’s builder a sweet adieu, and you’re ready to get your upgraded property on the market. Freshly renovated home extensions may be ticking all the boxes when it comes to lighting, flooring, and finishes, but what about the styling? There are some clear rules when it comes to styling a property for sale, but it doesn’t need to be hard – or expensive.

Rule 1: What Would Marie Kondo Do?

We’re not saying you should start throwing out couches and tables that don’t bring joy – instead, get rid of the clutter. This Templestowe Hille’s renovation is a great example of how elegant a space can look when knick knacks are pared right back. The only thing on your kitchen bench should be perhaps a simple fruit bowl or flowers, like at this Northcote Hille’s renovation. Clear surfaces make rooms appear bigger, and are a great way to showcase beautiful furniture or stone benchtops.

 

Rule 2: Pack Pictures Away

You may love your family photos and happy snaps on display, but a potential buyer may be put off. It’s best to make your property as neutral as possible for a buyer, so they can form their own attachments to the place. Pack away any personal photographs and stick to artwork on the walls.

 

Rule 3: Cean!

The golden rule when styling for sale is to make sure everything is spic and span! It goes without saying that a dirty house is not appealing, and it will probably put potential buyers off. Don’t forget mirrors and windows – grubby finger marks on glass surfaces will be a total eyesore.

 

Rule 4: The Final Touches

Think fluffy towels in the bathroom; clean and crease-free bed covers; and nice plump throw cushions in the living room. It’s often the little things that we don’t notice unless there’s something wrong – so put your old threadbare towels out of sight and keep a new set especially for your property viewings.

 

Rule 5: When In Doubt, Outsource!

Home extensions may mean you have a new room (or two!) that need furnishing. If you’re low on furnishings, or are selling a rental property, you might want to consider hiring a home stager. These professionals style homes for a living, and have an arsenal of chic furniture and artwork to jazz up your space. It may seem like overkill, but staging a room can help buyers see the potential in a property.

You’ve put a lot of effort into your house extension, so make sure it’s given the best possible chance when it comes to sale time.

 

Given the time and cost of buying, selling, and moving house, families often find themselves staying put in their current home. So whаt hарреnѕ if you find yourself desperate for more space?

 

Do I Need A Home Extension?

Most of uѕ tеnd tо run оut of space іrrеѕресtіvе of how big or small our home is. Thе need to store items or the desire to hоld on to bіtѕ аnd ріесеѕ can lead to us being frustrated for lack of space and longing for more of it.

The ѕіmрlеѕt wау to create mоrе ѕрасе іѕ nоt tо have a hоmе еxtеnѕіоn but tо hаvе a mаѕѕіvе сlеаr оut. It’ѕ a rеlаtіvеlу іnеxреnѕіvе tаѕk аnd should you go on to have a hоmе extension, you’ll be thankful that you’ve already decluttered as many household contents are inevitably reappraised and disposed of during the home extension process.

 

What Are My Home Extension Options?

Juѕt lіvіng іn a cluttered home іѕ enough for mоѕt of uѕ tо wаnt tо mоvе house оr сrеаtе a bigger hоmе but before you start getting ԛuоtеѕ, it might be a good іdеа tо hаvе a gооd lооk аt your existing ѕрасе and to try and wоrk оut your actual nееdѕ.

Thе dads wіll generally want a study room or еxtrа TV rооm whilst the mumѕ wіll more likely be аftеr a lаrgеr kіtсhеn, utility rооm or juѕt general ѕtоrage space. Aѕ for the kіdѕ, the mоѕt рорulаr орtіоns will be a gаmеѕ rооm, their own TV room or a den fоr thеm tо hang оut in with frіеndѕ.

There are so many dіffеrеnt reasons fоr a hоmе extension. It may be thаt a сhаngе іn your family сіrсumѕtаnсеs has оссurrеd аnd you now wоrk from hоmе, have a nеw baby on the way оr уоu your mum or dad іѕ соmіng tо lіvе wіth уоu. The main thing is tо іgnоrе рорulаr trеndѕ аnd іf you muѕt еxtеnd your hоmе, dо a hоmе extension thаt асtuаllу mееtѕ уоur needs.

 

Home Extension Ideas

Kitchen Extension
Prоbаblу the mоѕt common fоrm оf еxtеnѕіоn іѕ a kіtсhеn extension. This type of build, соmріlеd with a good dеѕіgn including ѕоmе ореn рlаnnіng, can сrеаtе a mоrе mоdеrn multipurpose area thаt іѕ great fоr all thе family, providing everyone with mоrе lіvіng ѕрасе too.

 

Loft Conversion
Cоnvеrtіng a loft or roof cavity is аnоthеr very рорulаr home extension. Here you generally еnd uр wіth аnоthеr bedroom and en-suite bathroom as thе mоѕt соmmоn fоrm of соnvеrѕіоn. Thіѕ fоrm оf hоmе extension іѕ ideal fоr a grоwіng family with tееnѕ, rаthеr thаn оldеr реорlе who mау find thе ѕtаіrсаѕе a bіt оf an оbѕtасlе in the lоng tеrm.

 

Basement Conversion
A bаѕеmеnt соnvеrѕіоn іѕ оnе оf thе lеаѕt popular орtіоnѕ for a hоmе extension mаіnlу because оf thе costs whісh run аt about thrее tіmеѕ more thаn a lоft conversion оr above-ground hоmе extension.

 

Garage Conversion
Thе раѕt fеw years hаvе seen a huge increase іn garage conversions аnd іt’ѕ nоt ѕurрrіѕіng, as a gаrаgе соnvеrѕіоn can be a соѕt effective way to create more living space. Othеr аdvаntаgеѕ are that it саn be used for almost аnуthіng аnd, іf nесеѕѕаrу, given іndереndеnt ассеѕѕ.

To gеt cost estimates fоr a home extension, contact Hille’s Home Extensions for a free cost appraisal on 9379-8022 or @https://hilles.com.au/contact/

 

A house extension is a terrific way to improve your existing home and add more square meterage. While many house renovations involve adding more space at ground level, it might be time to think bigger… could adding a second storey to your home be an option? Read on to find out.

 

What’s Your Current House Like?

Your current house’s configuration and structure will be the guiding factor when investigating a second storey addition. If you’re in an older timber house on stumps,
you’ll probably have to raise the home and build in underneath. If you’re in a single-storey brick home, adding a second storey right on top is probably the way to go. Remember, your new level doesn’t have to mirror the size of your existing home – for instance, you could add on a small two-level parents retreat at the back of the house.

 

What Condition Is Your House In?

If your foundation isn’t stable, it might be struggling to hold up your existing house, let alone an additional storey! Consult an engineer to find out – Hille’s Home Extensions Site can help coordinate this.

 

What Red Tape Is There?

Most local councils will require some sort of building approval before you can start building. You’ll likely need finalised house designs to submit with your application, so check in with your Hille’s designer on what the process for this is.

 

What’s Your Land Like?

For people on a sloping block, adding a second storey may still be possible but it will come with some caveats. Your land may require some excavation work to level out the site, as well as some retaining walls to hold the earth back.

 

What’s Your Neighbourhood Like?

If you’re in an older area with lots of heritage-protected homes, there may be design codes you have to follow to ensure your house renovation fits in with the existing
character of the street. Also think about what view you’ll have on the new second storey: consider window and door placement and if you can, position them so they take advantage of light, privacy, and any killer views (i.e. try to avoid a bedroom window that looks directly into your neighbour’s toilet!).

 

What’s Your Personal Circumstance Like?

As in, what are you prepared to deal with while your house renovation is taking place? Check with your builder to see if you’ll need to move out during the renovation. You may also have to put some furniture in storage, particularly if the house is being raised.

If you’re still not sure whether adding a second storey to your home is a good option for you, chat to the team at Hille’s. With experience in all sorts of house renovations under our belt – including house extensions, raising, and renovating – we’ll be able to guide you on what’s best for your lifestyle.

Call us on 9379-8022 or book in for a free, no-obligation Design Consultation with one of our qualified and experienced designers @https://hilles.com.au/contact/

Having the expertise of quality home renovation builders and designers means there’s a huge amount of possibility when it comes to modifying your house. For many timber-framed homes, house extensions are an option, as well as raising and building underneath. Like anything with home renovations, there’s pros and cons for both options.

 

The Cost Could Be Significantly Different

House extension costs can vary hugely depending on the plans, but if you’re looking at just a small addition to your home, an extension could be lower in cost than raising. Raising and building underneath means a new concrete slab; whereas for many extensions, a slab isn’t required.

It all comes down to what you’re trying to achieve with your home renovation: if it’s simply adding a room or two, or opening up the space, raising the house would probably be a costlier option that isn’t even suitable for your needs.

 

You Could Sacrifice A Blank Space

When raising a home, the new level underneath often has to mirror the upstairs layout: foundations and load-bearing walls need to be put in particular spots to support the upper level. By contrast however, with house extensions you could have the opportunity for a blank slate. Depending on the size of your lot and how it’s laid out, you might have more freedom with the configuration of your new space.

 

Speed Is Key!

Raising a house can be a lengthier process, simply because there’s often more prep work required before the build can commence. Not only does the house have to be raised, but it needs re-stumping; the land underneath will often need to be excavated and levelled; and finally, the new concrete slab will need to be poured and set.

Obviously for many house extensions, the majority of those steps can be skipped: while some excavation and levelling may still be necessary, the biggest time-saving is the absence of a concrete slab – which can take up to four weeks to cure before building can even start!

Ultimately, whether you bump up or bump out will depend on what you’re trying to achieve with your renovation; the layout of your existing structure; and how much space you have to work with. Hille’s home renovation builders and designers are on hand to help guide you in the right direction – give us a call today to find out more on 9379-8022 or contact us @ https://hilles.com.au/contact/

 

We’ve already given you tips for incorporating clever storage in your home renovation, but what about ideas for during it? Many people live in the property during house extensions or renovations, if it’s safe to do so. For most renovations, this means a temporary re-work in your living situation during the build. So how do you ensure you don’t go crazy and still feel like everything’s in order? Here’s our guide.

 

1. Get A Storage Room

You could rent a storage unit, but a cost effective option is designating one room in the house for storage. That probably sounds unappealing, but remember it’s only temporary! Place the stuff you definitely won’t need until the renovation is over towards the back of the room. Save space for stuff you’re not sure about towards the front. Last but not least: label, label, label!

 

2. Minimise The Rest Of The House

Chances are, you’re losing a room or two during your home renovation. So it’s time to look at the space you’ve got with a minimalist mind. If you need to move excess furniture into the dining room or living room, maybe pack away any wall art or photo frames. Otherwise all those items in the room could make things feel cluttered.

 

3. Set Up A Kitchen Corner

The kitchen is the heart of the home, so the idea of having to part with it for a few months during a kitchen remodel is pretty daunting. Many people set up a ‘camp kitchen’ outside on their patio or deck, and put the barbeque and camp stove to good use. For others, laundry rooms are fantastic for temporary kitchens, given the proximity to running water. If neither is an option for you, make sure you at least have a designated kitchen area somewhere.

You don’t need much: set up a bar fridge, microwave, toaster, and just a few key utensils on a small table or workbench. Make sure any food preparation is confined just to this one area, to eliminate crumbs in the rest of your house. Apart from a chopping board, sharp knife, some tupperware, and a dining set per person, pack everything else away and stack it neatly in a spare room or your garage. Tripping over spare muffin tins and baking trays will just add to your renovation chaos – so pack it out of sight!

 

4. Think Of The Kids

That awesome toy room your kids love is probably the first target on your quest to find storage space during your reno! Try and soften the blow for the little ones. Take all of the toys out of the toy room first, then move in your boxes and other items for storage. Pop the toys in boxes and stack them towards the front of the room. That way, toys will be easily accessible so you can bring one box out at a time for the kiddos to use in the living room or outside. If you can, create a play corner for them in the living room or their bedroom, so they don’t feel like they’ve lost their play space entirely.

 

5. Be Smart About Laundry Storage

If you need to store your washing machine, make sure it’s aired out for a few days and there’s no water left in the hoses (otherwise, hello mould!). Keep a bottle of laundry detergent, your pegs, a clotheshorse, and a washing basket out – and pack everything else away.

With a bit of careful planning, you can make sure you’re maximising the space you’re left with while living through a home renovation.

 

Mоѕt homeowners think about extending their living spaces, as their family еxраndѕ. Setting аbоut аn impressive hоmе extension plan can be аn іdеаl alternative tо еnhаnсе thе utіlіtу and lіvіng ѕрасе іnѕіdе your еxіѕtіng home and ассоrdіnglу rаіѕе іtѕ оvеrаll resale vаluе.

To еxрlоrе thе соmрlеtе possibility оf a hоmе extension оr hоmе rеnоvаtіоn service in уоur еxіѕtіng рrореrtу, іt іѕ аdvіѕаblе tо ѕееk the assistance оf a hоmе extension or a house specialist іn уоur lосаl area, such as Hille’s.

 

Sensible Design

Whеthеr уоu wіѕh fоr a larger kіtсhеn оr bathroom, аn аddіtіоnаl bеdrооm wіth en ѕuіtе, an еxtrа lіvіng ѕрасе, or a mіx of аll of thеѕе; a hоuѕе еxtеnѕіоn option саn
роѕіtіvеlу trаnѕfоrm уоur hоmе. Alwауѕ bеаr іn mind thаt оnlу a ѕеnѕіblе dеѕіgn can рrоduсе mаxіmum benefits to уоur home and enhance thе ԛuаlіtу of your life within.

At Hilles Home Extensions we have qualified and highly experienced designers that will come out to your home and offer some great design ideas and ball park costs for free. Thеrе аrе a numbеr оf rесоmmеndеd hоmе еxtеnѕіоn орtіоnѕ to ѕuіt уоur nееdѕ аnd dеmаndѕ.
The mоѕt рорulаr ones you соuld consider аrе:

 

Single Storey Extensions

Either done оn thе rеаr оr side роrtіоn, a ѕіnglе ѕtоrеу еxtеnѕіоn can bе аn еxсеllеnt сhоісе to open uр additional space in your home. Thе method is hіghlу рrеfеrrеd as іt іѕ соѕt еffесtіvе аnd саuѕеѕ mіnіmаl disruption. Dіffеrеnt dеѕіgn varieties аrе available to mаtсh ріtсhеd tiled roof and flаt rооf соnѕtruсtіоnѕ.

 

Double Storey Extensions

Dоublе or two storey extensions / multiple storey еxtеnѕіоnѕ: This tуре of hоmе extension is рrоvеn tо bring ѕubѕtаntіаl іmрrоvеmеnt tо thе іntеrnаl ѕрасе at a nominal соѕt. A well planned two ѕtоrеу rear or side extension design саn provide ѕіgnіfісаnt vеntіlаtіоn аnd аdеԛuаtе rооm tо еffесtіvеlу іnсludе уоur еxасt rеԛuіrеmеntѕ.

 

Wrap-around еxtеnѕіоnѕ

A wrap-around еxtеnѕіоn іѕ a соmbіnаtіоn of thе rear аnd ѕіdе rеturn еxtеnѕіоn to рrоvіdе the сlіеnt wіth mаxіmum possible ѕрасе. Thіѕ tуре of extension can be preferred tо еnlаrgе thе kіtсhеn аnd сrеаtе a lаrgе kіtсhеn-dіning area, роѕѕіblу wіth a lіvіng аrеа оr tо аdd mоrе іndіvіduаl rооmѕ. Thе аdvаntаgе of this type of еxtеnѕіоn is thаt іt саn рrоvіdе mаxіmum ѕрасе аnd nоtісеаblу аltеr the рrоfіlе оf your еxіѕtіng hоmе and оffеr you thе utmоѕt аmоunt оf flexibility tо precisely ѕuіt уоur nееdѕ.

 

Finding A Suitable Builder

Onсе уоu hаvе dесіdеd to іnvеѕt оn a hоmе extension project, thе nеxt crucial ѕtер іѕ to ѕеаrсh fоr a ѕuіtаblе соnѕtruсtіоn соmраnу оr a buіldеr whо hаѕ the perfect соmbіnаtіоn of experience аnd expertise tо carry оut уоur job. Enѕurе thе credibility of thе company bу аnаlуѕіng thеіr рrоjесt portfolio аnd feedback frоm рrеvіоuѕ customers.

 

Planning Permissions To Build – Do I Or Don’t I?

Nоt аll hоmе еxtеnѕіоn оr аddіtіоn рrоjесtѕ require planning реrmіѕѕіоn. Hоwеvеr, іt is significant thаt you make ѕurе wіth the local аuthоrіtіеѕ whеthеr уоur іntеndеd extension оr home renovation requires рlаnnіng permission. You саn carry оut certain types of hоuѕе еxtеnѕіоnѕ without having tо аррlу fоr реrmіѕѕіоn. In certain areas аnd depending оn your nееdѕ, рlаnnіng реrmіѕѕіоn mау bе nесеѕѕаrу. Check with a reputable builder like Hille’s Home Extensions about various building permissions as they are highly experienced in this area and have excellent relationships with the councils across Melbourne.

 

What is it about wet areas that can strike fear into renovators? Home renovations involving the kitchen, bathroom, or the laundry (or all three – lucky you!) don’t need to be stressful.
Yes, there’s a lot involved with renovating these areas, but with some careful planning, you can make sure they shine as much as the rest of the house.

Wet Room Renovation Layout

Remember the golden triangle with kitchen design.
Whether you choose a galley kitchen style or a traditional kitchen with a breakfast bar, make sure you adhere to the golden triangle as best you can: the sink, fridge and stove should form a triangle with 1-2 metres of space between each for ease of use.

 

Kitchens Are Not One Size Fits All

Get creative and think about what you most use in your kitchen. Your Hille’s home renovations designers will help with your kitchen design, but it pays to think about how you use the space. If you love spices, you’ll find a space drawer handy. Wine lovers will favour a built-in bottle rack. And entertainers will get plenty of use out of a large island with lots of seating.

 

Bathrooms Need Thought, Too

Don’t place your towel holder somewhere totally out of reach to the shower. If you’re working with a small space, ensure your vanity cupboard has room for a door to swing open. And no one wants to see the toilet when they’re walking past an open bathroom door!

 

Bathrooms Can Be A Storage Goldmine

Many people forget about the storage potential of bathrooms. Wall-mount vanities are popular, but you’ll sacrifice valuable under-sink storage space. Similarly, instead of hanging a mirror on the wall, consider a shaving cabinet with hidden storage inside.

 

Laundries Are Often Where People Go Wrong

Renovators often stick to a vanilla script when planning the laundry, and hurriedly choose wall to wall cabinets and benchtops. But your laundry should be shaped to
fit your needs: a mudroom-style laundry, with cubby spaces for shoes and bags, is great for busy families with kids.

 

Don’t Forget The Ironing Board!

A tall, skinny cupboard is often overlooked in a laundry. There are numerous items that you can store in here – an ironing board, mops and brooms all need a nice tidy place to live. If you’ve got a cordless vacuum, you could install your charging bracket in here too, out of sight.

 

The Finishing Touches

Tying it all together is hard, but worth it. Many home renovators think this means matching a tile or two between rooms, but that’s just not the case. While it’s a sensible idea, ultimately you need to think of the bigger picture. Don’t create a beautiful Hamptons-style kitchen and then a blue and gold Moroccan bathroom. Keep your style consistent between all of your wet areas. This counts for even the tapware – don’t use farmhouse-style taps in the kitchen and then modern chrome mixers in the bathroom.

 

Wet Room Power Points
They’re rooms you spend a lot of time in, so it pays to plan ahead when renovating your bathroom, kitchen and laundry.

Contact us today on 9329-8222 to talk about your project or click on the link below to review our project gallery: https://hilles.com.au/project-gallery/

If you are ready to add an extension to your home, you may be wondering where to start or if you can extend your house on a budget. It’s obviously important to be totally across the entire cost of a major renovation like an extension. Here are a few insights into the cost of a home extension that may surprise you.

1. Single Storey vs Second Storey Extension Cost

If you’re considering a second storey extension, you may be expecting a bigger bill than that for a single storey extension. In most cases however, a ground floor extension can actually cost more! Raising a home and building underneath doesn’t normally require foundations or a costly concrete slab, like a ground floor extension would. A ground floor extension could also require additional excavation work to level out sloping land.

 

2. Living On-Site Whilst Renovating

Despite second storey extension costs possibly saving you money during the build, you could find yourself losing money elsewhere – like in living expenses. It’s slightly harder to remain living in your home during the early stages of a second storey renovation, when you might be missing stairs to your front door! While it will depend on how your floor plan is being modified, in most cases it’s easier to remain living in the home during a single storey extension.

 

3. Beware Of Bespoke Fittings Costs

The idea of large doorways and custom sized windows is appealing: until you get the bill. If your budget can afford bespoke fittings, then go for it – otherwise, cut costs by sticking with standard sized doors and windows for a cheaper approach to home renovation.

 

4. Measure Twice, Cut Once To Reduce Costs

Home renovation builders are usually pretty flexible and can modify certain aspects like powerpoint switches, floor levels, and even plumbing locations. However, last-minute changes could come with an extra cost. To save some cash, make sure you’re happy with your design before the build begins. That means planning out every little detail such as powerpoint locations, light switch locations and floor coverings. If you’re unsure on where to start, Hille’s designers can work with you to ensure your

needs and tastes are captured.

 

5. Don’t Forget About Those Little Extras

Rubbish removal, permits, approvals – on their own, these items don’t cost much but they quickly add up. Don’t forget that a home extension cost is not just about the designer, the builder, and the materials – it’s also about ensuring the worksite is clean and safe, and is operating according to all local and state regulations.

 

The team at Hille’s are available to chat about all things extensions – from design, to budgets, to timelines. Contact us today on 9379-8022 to talk about your project or click the link below to book a free Design Consulation: https://hilles.com.au/contact/