Budget better
Budget, budget, budget. We cannot stress how important it is to have a clear budget in place before starting any kind of reno'. Budget blowouts are one of the most common reasons why renovations fail to finish or miss the mark. Our advice? Give yourself a buffer of at least 10 per cent for those hidden extra costs that even seasoned renovators don’t see coming. And track every single one of your expenses from the outset.
Plan of attack
Having a clear and strategic plan will not only help you cut down on time but it will also increase your likelihood of sticking to your original timelines. Before you begin, set yourself some rough milestones and deadlines, this will ensure that you don’t dwindle on decisions for days. If “decision fatigue” is a regular occurrence in your household, aim to make a couple at a time rather than them all at once, or alternatively call in the experts for a stress-free experience.
Luxury finishes
Fixtures will generally chew up to half of your renovation budget alone. That said, they have to stand the test of time and daily use, so opt for quality and they’ll save you money in the long run. In this case, the Home Beautiful team used Caroma’s Contura collection in both bathrooms, opting for the matt black finish in the family bathroom and chrome in the master ensuite.
Interior’s expert Wendy Moore agrees: “You can choose all of your tapware from the same collection, without sacrificing personality, just by changing out the finishes. That’s a time and stress saver.”
Front and centre
Bathrooms are often small spaces so it is important not to overcrowd them with lots of contradicting and loud features. Pick one, whether it is a feature wall, loud and high-impact tiles (like the Morrocan tiles used in the kid’s bathroom) or a free-standing bath (like Caroma’s Contura Solid Surface Freestanding Bath in the ensuite.) Have a centrepiece gives the room a focus and helps create a sense of space.
