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Getting your coastal kitchen floor plan right
Watch 2:03

Getting your coastal kitchen floor plan right

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A Hamptons-inspired family home on Sydney's lower North Shore

A Hamptons-inspired family home on Sydney's lower North Shore

Are you planning a renovation?

Are you planning a renovation?

10 quotes from happy homeowners to take on board for your next reno

10 quotes from happy homeowners to take on board for your next reno

EP 9: How to grow a chemical-free kitchen garden

EP 9: How to grow a chemical-free kitchen garden

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Kate and Harry's SA House Rules home sells in only two weeks

Kate and Harry's SA House Rules home sells in only two weeks

Peek inside this calm, crisp, contemporary home

Peek inside this calm, crisp, contemporary home

Home tour: a stylish and soulful family abode by the seaside

Home tour: a stylish and soulful family abode by the seaside

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How to renovate your garden and house exterior for less

How to renovate your garden and house exterior for less

7 things experienced renovators avoid

7 things experienced renovators avoid

Renovation: Full house

Renovation: Full house

The new Etsy homewares shops you need to know about

The new Etsy homewares shops you need to know about

House Rules is coming soon!

House Rules is coming soon!

Before and after: a stunning bathroom renovation

Before and after: a stunning bathroom renovation

Before & after: a Melbourne home is transformed

Before & after: a Melbourne home is transformed

  1. Home
  2. Renovate

7 expert tips for creating your dream home

Whether you’re renovating or building from scratch, our trusted experts share their top things to consider when creating a home you’ll love forever - by Christina Beischl
  • 08 Apr 2019
7 expert tips for creating your dream home
Armelle Habib

Ready to embark on your dream home journey? Here are seven things our experts say you should think about before getting started: 

1. Don’t think about lighting as a stand-alone

“Think about what you are lighting: the objects, the materials, the space, and how you want to feel and the mood you want to create. This is not only practical, but allows you to bring out the decorative elements of your home” – Joe Snell, architect, Snell Architects.

 2. Make your wall panels a feature

“Panels can be used as stunning stand-out features in some of the less obvious areas in the home: hallways, bedheads, study nooks, kitchen benches and even to update old furniture. They add texture to areas of the home that are often taken for granted and enhance the design” – Andrew Penny, general manager, Easycraft.

7 expert tips for creating your dream home
John Downs

3. Give it time

“Live in your forever home before making any decisions on big-ticket finishes, paint colours or furnishings. It’s important to know exactly where the sunlight falls and the best nooks to cosy up”–  Katrina O’Brien, acting editor, Home Beautiful.

4. Invest in longevity

“Invest in quality hardware, as drawer runners and hinges are often the first signs of a tired kitchen. Brands such as Blum and Hafele have soft-closing hardware that will not only make the kitchen a quieter place but also help keep it fresh and young” - Chris Ruffé of Bondi Kitchens.

dream home home beautiful

5. Don’t forget about your ceilings

“Using panelling on ceilings is a creative way to help formulate a particular style you are after and when matched with a traditional plasterboard wall finish, creates a focal point” – Andrew Penny, general manager, Easycraft

6. Ask for help

“Don’t be afraid to call in the experts. This is your dream home and an interior designer or decorator will help get the look you love. Do your research – check out as many previous projects as possible and call those referees” –  Katrina O’Brien, acting editor, Home Beautiful

7. Install flexible lighting options

“Consider dimming. A light that has only one lighting level can only be used as either off or on, but by adding dimming you can adjust the light level to more adhere to the task at hand. This can also reduce the number of lights required and may even save your budget!” -  Joe Snell, architect, Snell Architects

7 expert tips for creating your dream home
Shania Shegedyn
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  • Renovate
  • Magazine
Christina Beischl
Christina Beischl
Originally from Germany, Christina travelled the world before settling in sunny Sydney where, as HB features editor, she writes about some of the most talented artists and makers in Australia, explores latest interior trends and creates content she is passionate about.

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Getting your coastal kitchen floor plan right
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A Hamptons-inspired family home on Sydney's lower North Shore

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