• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Interiors Addict

Heart Your Home

@interiorsaddict on Instagram   @interiorsaddict on Facebook   @interiorsaddict on Pinterest  
Subscribe
  • Job Board
  • About
  • Before & Afters
  • RENO ADDICT
  • Kitchens
  • Bathrooms
  • Kids Rooms
  • Bedrooms
  • Living Room
  • Shopping
  • Expert Tips
  • Recipes
  • Parenting
  • Travel
Interiors Addict
  • Job Board
  • About
    • Our Story

      Australiaโ€™s largest interior design, styling and renovation blog for the everyday Aussie. By former journalist and magazine editor Jen Bishop, the original interiors addict!
      READ MORE

      Weโ€™re big on Instagram!
      @interiorsaddict

      • About
      • Contact Interiors Addict
      • Work with Interiors Addict
      • Advertise / Find a job in Interiors
      • Press
      • Get Your Free Ebook

        This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
    • bookcover-jens-reno
  • By Room
    • Browse by Room

      Where you can search for all our posts about a specific room. Only interested in kitchens and bathrooms? We got you!

      • Kitchens
      • Bathrooms
      • Kids Rooms
      • Bedrooms
      • Living Room
      • Home Office
      • Dining
      • Laundry
      • Outdoor & Exteriors
      • Renting
    • bookcover-jens-reno
  • Before & Afters
    • Before & Afters

      Who doesnโ€™t LOVE a good before & after? If you want to be inspired by the whole reno process, and not just the shiny photos at the end, this is the place for you!

      View Articles

      • Before & Afters
      • Jen’s reno
      • Real Renos
      • RENO ADDICT
    • 1-AFTER-SHA15-ROSELANDS-0P9A4910Before & after: this week’s Selling Houses recap: Roselands, NSW
    • Will's favourite room in the homeBefore & after: rundown boarding house to beautiful heritage home
  • Reno Addict
    • RENO ADDICT

      Looking for reno inspo? Find it all here, from other peopleโ€™s projects to the latest trends, tools and products, whether youโ€™re DIY-ing or employing trades.

      View articles

      • Reno Products
      • The Block
      • DIY
      • Reno Trends
      • Before & Afters
      • Real Renos
    • IMG_3188Art Deco apartment makeover to create New York Paris vibe
    • 0420491_tropical-multiNew peel and stick product makes creative wallpapering easy
  • Shopping
    • Shopping

      Want to know where to buy the latest furniture, homewares, rugs, art and more? Weโ€™re always sharing our latest finds and telling you where you can buy them.

      View Articles

      • Furniture
      • Homewares
      • Art
      • Smart Home
      • Appliances
      • Reno Products
    • Affordable-Art-2022-426The Affordable Art Fair returns to Sydney next month
    • Screen Shot 2023-05-25 at 11.27.03 amStylist Fiona Gould adds new furniture ranges to Chelon
  • Inspiration
    • Inspiration

      While Jenโ€™s a legitimate interiors addict, sheโ€™s no design professional, so she calls on an army of the countryโ€™s best to share their expertise with you. Be inspired by their stories too!

      View Articles

      • Decorating 101
      • Interviews
      • Expert Tips
      • Before & Afters
      • House Tours
      • Designers
      • Styling
      • Renovating
      • Real Renos
      • Covet my coffee table
    • Will's favourite room in the homeBefore & after: rundown boarding house to beautiful heritage home
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle

      Weโ€™re mostly about the home but Jen also likes to share other things she thinks youโ€™ll love, like food and travel.

      • Recipes
      • Travel
      • Parenting
    • Screen Shot 2023-05-03 at 5.28.36 pmFoodie Friday: Organic fig & nut chocolate crack
    • Airbnb-Rooms-Bangkok-Bedroom-2023-Summer-ReleaseAirbnb launches Airbnb Rooms, going back to its affordable roots
  • Jobs
    • Advertise on our job board
    • Job Board FAQs for advertisers

Reno ideas on 3 budgets: $1000, $3000 and $10,000

By Jen Bishop โ€ข 1 Comment

FacebookPinEmailTweet

Sponsored by Latitude Financial Services

Youย hear the words reno or renovation and you immediately think: expensive! Am I right?! As regular readers will know, a few months ago we bought a family home, the “nanna house,” and boy, does she need some making over! I have a wish list as long as my arm and while some things (like the next on our list: new kitchen!) undoubtedly require serious cashย and a lot of tradespeople, you’d be amazed at how some smaller, easier and cheaper upgrades can make a huge difference. Today, I’m giving you some ideas of what you can do with $1,000, $3,000 or $10,000 in your home to get maximum bang for your buck, no matter how flush you are.

Feeling less than rich?! Enter our competition to win $10,000 towards YOUR reno by 30 July.

$1,000

You can’t do anything for $1000 these days, right? Well, no. Of course, you can’t do any major work and it’s unlikely you can pay a trade to do any of it for you, so we’re definitely talking DIY. But there are plenty of little makeovers that can be achieved at this budget.

For around $500 you can carpet your average bedroom (including installation). And you don’t need me to tell you what a difference new flooring can make. Game changer! You’d have money left over for a few litres of paint to paint the room yourself and perhaps even an affordable change of window dressing; say a roller blind. Just think what a nice blank canvas that would give you for a guest bedroom, or perhaps giving your older childย a fresh tween space.

Don’t neglect your exterior! For a $1,000 you could could buy a new letterbox, house number, welcome mat, a couple of great pots and plants for either side of your entry and paint your front door in a show-stopping colour.

$3,000

Kitchens cost a lot of money (I know because I’m about to do mine!) but if you don’t have it, there are plenty of DIY products out there and they get better all the time. You’d be amazed what you can do with things like tile and laminate (for your cupboard fronts and bench tops) paint, vinyl floor and a new light fitting (you’ll need an electrician for this). Check out some budget kitchen makeovers here.

AFTER: This kitchen makeover cost just over $2,000 for new splashback tiles, cupboard and benchtop paint, blinds, oven and lights.
BEFORE

Personally, I recently changed all the old nanna light fittings (think a mix of 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s glass pendants!) in our home for around the $3,000 mark including an electrician. I went for high impact chandeliers in the living room and more simple, rattan drum shades in the bedrooms. This instantly modernised our home. I couldn’t believe the difference.

This is something I plan to do in our home soon: replace all the internal doors. Dated doors with dated hardware really let your home down. We painted our horrible brown ones white and they’re still pretty meh. Internal doors can cost from as little as $28! Did you know that? And for a bit more, there are some really gorgeous, designer-look feature doors available. Many of these are pre-hung so with a bit of effort and patience, you can install them yourself.

Don’t forget to add some money to the budget for paint and handles (which can cost more than the doors). But depending on your taste and budget, you can replace all the internal doors and handles in a 4-bedroom home for between $1000 and $3,000 and you’re likely to have some spare change. External doors cost more (expect between about $200 and $500).

Even in a bathroom, you can achieve a fresh new look for around the $3,000 mark. While it won’t be anywhere near as slick as a full bathroom reno, which is likely to cost at least $25,000, it might last you until you can save up! And it will save you looking at awful dated tiles and fixtures every day, which we all know is bad for our mental health! We plan on doing this sort of thing with our en suite and spending the big money on our family bathroom later this year. The en suite can get a proper reno in a few years’ time (hopefully!). For around $3000 you could replace your shower screen with frameless glass, get a new budget vanity and taps, paint or tile over your existing tiles and get a new blind.

AFTER: This bathroom was spruced up for under $3000 by Cherie Barber
BEFORE

Get all the details on the above bathroom project.

$10,000

Now for the big bucks! While it isn’t enough for a full bathroom or kitchen rip out and re-do, there is so much you could do with $10,000 to make a difference in your home. This is when we can often start talking about whole homes rather than just rooms. Depending on the size of your home, it is quite possible to be able to install hard flooring throughout or have your whole interior professionally painted. These are the two things we did before moving into our previous apartment and oh my goodness, that was money well spent and transformed the place, which was previously carpeted and painted a nice warm white (I have an aversion to warm neutrals!).

Something people often don’t prioritise but can make so much difference to how you live, the look and indeed tidiness of your home, is storage! Custom, built-in storage is a real luxury. I recently had a huge floating bookcase installed and it really made the living room. A carpenter could also create you something amazing to house your TV and all your books and trinkets, for less than $10,000. The permanence of built-in or wall-hung furniture will really add to your home.

While it won’t improve the look of your home per se, air conditioning could really improve your comfort and your power bill! You could get a ducted system installed in your average home for less than $10,000.

It may be that your home’s floorplan isn’t working for you. Maybe you want to create a more open plan home. $10,000 could enable you to do this with professional help, as well as any painting or flooring that doing this work will probably necessitate replacing.

One of the biggest changes we have made in our home so far has been installing plantation shutters throughout. They give a really modern, light, luxurious look. For $10,000 you’d probably struggle to get a whole house done but you could make a big difference by doing key rooms and perhaps giving the bedrooms a miss.

If these ideas have inspired you, make sure you enter our biggest competition EVER to win $10,000 towards your reno with Latitude Financial Services by 30 July 2017. All we need is a photo of the space that needs a makeover and for you to tell us how you’d spend the money and why you deserve to win. All the details and entry form here.

FacebookPinEmailTweet

July 24, 2017

Primary Sidebar

Popular This Week

  • Australian kitchen dimensions: standard sizes for every last detail
  • Family home gets new look and feel, working with what they had
  • Before & after: this week’s Selling Houses recap: Roselands, NSW
  • Palette Cam 15 apps to help you build your dream home
  • Hisense dryer Australian bathroom & laundry trends: May 2023 edition

Follow us on Instagram

๐Ÿ˜ Not sure what's better: the custom mirror abo ๐Ÿ˜ Not sure what's better: the custom mirror above the fireplace in this Art Deco one-bedder or the wallpaper in the kitchen (swipe)?!

It's been a while since we featured an apartment makeover on IA. Would you like to see more apartment interiors? Head to the blog now to see more of this one. Via link in bio.

#artdecoapartment #artdecointerior
#artdecomirror #artdecofireplace #artdecomelbourne #artdecofurniture #artdecobuilding #artdecointeriors #apartmentrenovation #apartmentinterior #smallspaceliving #melbourneapartments #melbourneairbnb #kitchenwallpaper #wallpaperaustralia
Low tox and planet friendly laundry liquid (and sh Low tox and planet friendly laundry liquid (and sheets and soap and powder!). We have a great roundup of the best options on the blog today. 

A whole host of brands are offering eco-friendly, low tox alternatives to the more chemical-laden ones. Not only that, they often smell amazing, look good on your shelf and come in recycled or recyclable (or even better, both) packaging. 

Good for your skin, your clothes and the planet: whatโ€™s not to like?

Do you use any of these?

COMPARE THEM ALL VIA LINK IN BIO NOW.

#lowtoxliving #lowtoxlife #lowtoxlifestyle #lowtoxhome #lowtoxlaundry #lowtoxswaps #naturallaundry #naturallaundrydetergent #naturallaundrysoap #ecolaundry #lowtoxcleaning #ecofriendlyhome #ecofriendlyhouse #laundryliquid #laundrypowder #laundrysoap #naturalcleaning #chemicalfreecleaning #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
Play room goals!๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿป This is just one room fr Play room goals!๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿป

This is just one room from today's real house tour which I really love because in employing interior designer @issyandhcreative the owners weren't looking for a complete rip out and re-do but rather to work with what they had in their new suburban home (including a dated kitchen) and give it a largely cosmetic glow up with styling and new furniture (some of which was upcycled). 

The brief was to create a family friendly home. "They weren't looking for perfection but rather a warm and relaxing retreat for their busy young family." This playroom though? Pretty close to perfect! And the mum did the colour coded books herself. Love that๐Ÿ˜

Head over to the blog now via link in bio to see the rest of this home.

#playroomideas #playroomgoals #playroomdecor #familyhomes #kidfriendlyhome #kidfriendlyinteriors #familyhomedecor #sustainabledecor #affordablerenovations #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #beanbagchair #beanbags #colourcodedbooks #colourcoded #toyroom #kidsroomdesign 

Pix by @tealily
All the heart eyes for this little setup ๐Ÿ˜ Hea All the heart eyes for this little setup ๐Ÿ˜

Head to the blog to shop this and two other gorgeous styled images from @greenhouseinteriors 

The stunning @mrsniceart artwork has already sold but the good news is, you can still get prints of it!

Styling by Aisha Chaudhry for Greenhouse Interiors, assisted by Nikki McGar, Kylie Harris, Rachael Blake and Max Green. Photography by Stephanie Rooney. 

#poolart #sideboardstyling #buffetstyling #consolestyling #vignettes #greenhouseinteriors #barcartstyling #shopthelook #bluehomedecor #poolumbrella #beachumbrella
Bookworms need a cosy book nook! ๐Ÿ“– ๐Ÿ› Seb an Bookworms need a cosy book nook! ๐Ÿ“– ๐Ÿ›

Seb and Charlie had one of those kid size couches in their playroom but frankly, they'd outgrown it! I picked this Aussie made compact 2-seater Ruby sofa from @fantasticfurniture 

I'd usually go for grey to keep it neutral but as it's in a kid's room I went for this heather blue fabric to make it a little more fun while still classic. There's more than 50 fabric choices for Fantastic's Aussie made range so good luck choosing ๐Ÿ˜‚ 

I left the legs off to keep it below the windowsill. I'm super happy with the quality. It looks a lot more expensive than its $699 pricetag ๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿป

Books, natural light and a cosy couch = happy boys! And let's not pretend they won't be watching the odd movie on there too ๐Ÿฟ because #keepingitreal

#FantasticFurniture #FantasticFamily #booknook #booknookstagram #booknook #bookwormsofinstagram #littlereader #littlebookworm #cosycorner #cosycorner #playroomideas #toyroom #interiorsaddictfamilyhomereno #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #aussiemade #aussiemadefurniture #twoseater #kidssofa #kidscouch #bluesofa #loveofreading
Last week we interviewed chalk paint pioneer Annie Last week we interviewed chalk paint pioneer Annie Sloan from her UK base about colour and Aussies' relationship with it. (And how's this for a before & after kitchen?! ๐Ÿ˜)

Annieโ€™s latest green hue, Coolabah Green, is inspired by the Eucalyptus trees of her childhood (did you know she was born in Sydney?). โ€œI made it in tribute to Australia and Iโ€™m thrilled to say thatโ€™s been really popular both here in the UK and in Australia. Itโ€™s a kind of smoky, silvery sage green thatโ€™s very easy to work with and would complement accents of Amsterdam Green deliciously.โ€

Sales stats show Aussies are all about greens while elsewhere in the world greys and blues are more popular from her range. So tell me, are you a green lover?

Head to the blog to read Annie's thoughts on upcycling furniture and more. Via link in bio.

#chalkpaint #chalkpainted #chalkpainting #chalkpaintfurniture #chalkpaintlove #chalkpaintmakeover #anniesloanchalkpaint #anniesloanhome #anniesloanpaint #paintedkitchencabinets #paintedkitchen #paintedkitchens #upcycler #upcyclers #upcyclersofinstagram #upcycledfurniture #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #anniesloan #greenkitchencabinets #greenkitchens #greenpaint #coolabahgreen #coolabah
I've been a fan of @tkmaxxau since WAY before they I've been a fan of @tkmaxxau since WAY before they were in Australia. Browsing the ever changing shelves in the home section of my local store, searching for bargains or something gorgeous nobody else will have, has become a bit of a hobby!

Top tip: it's also a brilliant spot to grab a gift, from the home or toy section. 

And as for those red clearance stickers? What a rush!๐ŸŽ‰

Are you a TK Maxx shopper?

#tkmaxx #tkmaxxaustralia #tkmaxxfanfinds #comeshoppingwithme #comeshopwithme #homeshopping  #theinteriorsaddict #interiorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
As many original external features as possible wer As many original external features as possible were retained in this Queenslander's exterior but the interiors were almost entirely rebuilt. Highlights include a timber and pink upholstered 1970โ€™s inspired sunken lounge with crazy paver floor, nestled below 5-metre ceilings. It opens out onto a north facing lawn and enviable bespoke pool.

Did we mention it has Brisbane city views?! 

Take the tour now via link in bio.

@typearchitecture @andymcpherson_ 

#sunkenlounge #crazypave #crazypaving #seventiesinspired #seventiesinterior #bespokepool #curvedpool #custompool #custompools #custompoolbuilder #queenslanderrenovation #queenslanderhome #cityviews
Mouthwash and toothpaste pretty enough to leave ou Mouthwash and toothpaste pretty enough to leave out, gold sinks to match your taps, textured tiles you'll want to keep touching and a pink clothes airer (not often we get even vaguely excited about those, so listen up!๐Ÿ˜‚).

All this and more in this month's bathroom and laundry roundup, on the blog now via link in bio.

#toothpastes #naturaltoothpaste #lowtox #mouthwash #naturalmouthwash #bathroomstyling #designerbathroom #clothesairer #laundryroomdecor #laundryhacks #goldbasin #goldsink #texturedtiles #pinktiles #pinkbathroom #interiorsblog #interiorsaccount #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #laundryroutine #laundrytips #bathroomhappiness
Follow on Instagram
Visit Jen's profile on Pinterest.

Get Your Free Ebook

Ebook cover

Never miss the latest renovating and interiors products, news and inspo again! Sign up for our newsletter and we'll send you the best bits from the blog, direct to your inbox. Plus you'll get our latest eBook: What Made The Biggest Impact in Jen's Own Reno.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Avatar

About Jen Bishop

Jen Bishop is our owner and publisher and an experienced journalist and editor. Interiors Addict has been her full-time job for more than 10 years. She is mum to two young boys and lives in Sydney.

More Recent Posts

The Affordable Art Fair returns to Sydney next month

Stylist Fiona Gould adds new furniture ranges to Chelon

Before & after: this week’s Selling Houses recap: Roselands, NSW

Art Deco apartment makeover to create New York Paris vibe

The best low or no tox laundry products: a roundup

New peel and stick product makes creative wallpapering easy

Family home gets new look and feel, working with what they had

Shop the look of these gorgeous styled shots

Aussies love colour, especially green, says Annie Sloan

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Avatarchris crassweller says

    July 28, 2017 at 3:23 pm

    I would love to do up the house as sadly needs to be sold because one halve sister wants her share now so have a shoe string budget to do it. The ten thousand would really come in hand to make the difference.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Footer

Interiors Addict

Interiors Addict

  • About
  • Contact
  • Work with Jen
  • Press
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure Policy

Browse

  • RENO ADDICT
  • Jen’s Reno
  • House Tours
  • Real Renos
  • Interviews
  • Styling
  • Designers
  • Bedrooms
  • Covet My Coffee Table
  • Expert Tips
  • The Block
  • Art
  • Furniture
  • Recipes

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RENO ADDICT

Copyright © 2011–2023 Addicted Media Pty Ltd
Website care by ClickWP ยท Log in

Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

Email sent!