Interior designer Robyn Hawke just won the Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Award in the Home Build/Renovation category for the third year in a row! Here, she shares her best advice for homeowners before embarking on a renovation.
Tip 1- The good, the bad and the ugly
We all have a room in the house that everyone navigates to, and a room that becomes a junk room. What is it about these spaces? Is it because it has a beautiful view to the garden, or is close to the kitchen or the sun pours in in winter and makes you feel cosy? To this end I get my clients to analyse their rooms – the good, the bad and the ugly. Look at it through the eyes of a visitor. Things to consider include:
- Is it too hot or cold?
- is it a thoroughfare and difficult to furnish?
- is the room too large or too big?
- is the house too noisy?
- is there too much sun in summer that the room becomes unbearable?
- is the kitchen lacking functionality?
- is there a connection between inside and out?
- is your home just a series of boxes with no connection?
- do you have to rely on artificial heating and cooling to control the temperature of your home?
- which is your favourite room and why?
Tip 2 – Function of each space
Determine what each space must do, For example, is the bedroom for the teenager also a place to study? Do I need unimpeded access to the shower as a member of the family is in a wheelchair? What stage of the life cycle are you in? Empty nesters have different needs to a family with children, if you have toddlers and/or pets then a white lounge may not be a good choice.
For each room you are renovating/designing, note what it will be used for and list the requirements. For eg. the wardrobe needs to accommodate long hanging, the study needs a lounge chair to read documents and must be able to be closed off from the rest of the home. Or the dining room doubles as a homework station for the kids. Maybe in this scenario you need a credenza so all the paraphernalia associated with this can be put out of sight when the function changes to mealtime.
Tip 3- Style preference
I always advise my clients to start collecting images or creating a pin board of things that appeal before starting a renovation. Don’t think about why you like it, just save it. You will find there will be a distinctive style that resonates with you even though you may not be able to articulate it. This process helps you when you are having to make decisions. Have an overall plan from the start, even if the renovation is being completed in stages.
Tip 4 – Negotiable elements
Another task I get my clients to do is to conduct a brain dump of everything they would love in their renovation. Nothing is too small or large. This list is then divided into negotiable and non-negotiable. The non-negotiable is then ranked in order of importance. This is a step that cannot be missed as when you need to reduce the budget, the emotional decision-making has already be done.
Tip 5- Floor plan
Ensure your floor plan has been optimised to ensure functionality as well as aesthetics. This is where an interior designer is important.
Tip 6 – Use professionals
Don’t be scared to use a qualified interior designer – they can save you money in the end by safeguarding you against making the wrong decision, and ensuring the floor plan works. Most designers will share their trade discounts with you. I have had a client who said the biggest mistake was not using our builder management service where we check joinery details etc. The mistakes he made were more expensive than our fees to rectify them.
Be aware that the industry is currently unregulated so ensure you use a fully qualified designer – here is our free checklist to help you navigate the process.
Tip 7 – Due diligence
Before rushing off and getting quotes etc, check that you can actually do what you want to. Use your local planning portal to establish what zoning you are in, what the set backs are for your property, whether you are in a flame zone or a conservation area etc. Will you meet the floor ratio requirements if you extend, and the list goes on.
Tip 8- Budget contingency
Every renovation, no matter how small, requires a contingency as part of the budget. I recommend a minimum 10% for a bathroom or kitchen but for a full house renovation you will require 30%. After 20 years’ experience, trust me, you will need it as no renovation is straightforward.
Tip 9 – Investment items
Invest in items that are difficult to change like windows, flooring or bricks.
Tip 10 – Budget saving hints
Bathrooms
- have a feature wall and use white tiles or more cost-effective options on the rest of walls
- use off the shelf vanities where possible
- retain plumbing in the original position if possible.
Kitchens
- splurge on the island benchtop and use standard range stone on other areas
- have drawers and cupboards without handles
- use bargain shop cutlery holders etc.
Furniture
- invest in good seating, decorate with more cost-effective decorative items such as throws, rugs and cushions
- repurpose what can be retained and updated, such as curtains, picture frames, lamps and chairs.
Window treatments
- roller blinds combined with sheer curtains are a game-changer.
-Robyn Hawke is the owner of Inspired Spaces and an award-winning interior designer in Sydney’s Hills district. All images are of her own projects.
