10 Essential Steps To Successfully Planning A New Kitchen

Some homeowners think that kitchen renovations are merely a case of picking up the phone, calling local cabinet makers and kitchen designers, and writing them a cheque. If only new kitchens were that easy. Whilst we are not saying they are especially difficult and that you should not proceed, however, the process to go from thinking about it to having a new kitchen has more to it than that.

As with any sizeable project, be it at home or in business, the key to success is following a logical and proven process. Thankfully, many have thought about this, and whilst there might some minor variations, for the most part, there is a series of steps that should be followed for kitchen renovations. There are ten in all, and we are sure you are keen to learn them, so here they are.

Step #1 – Make The Decision: This might seem a strange step to include but unless you make the initial decision to proceed then nothing else follows. Bear in mind you are making a big commitment in terms of time and, we dare say, finances too, so it requires considerable thought.

Step #2 – Determine What You Want: This is something you may wish to discuss with those who live with you, as they will also spend a large amount of time in the new kitchen. Consider the space you have, the storage you want, and the essential elements that must be in your new kitchen’s design.

Step #3 – Seek Ideas: This is the fun part and where you put on your detective’s hat. Quite simply, do as much research as you can to find inspiration, possible layouts, colour schemes, in fact, anything that could apply to your new kitchen to get ideas for its design.

Step #4 – Establish Your Budget: You need to establish the budget you have available for your kitchen renovation. If you do not have sufficient savings remember that your new kitchen may add substantially to the value of your property so speaking to your mortgage provider about financing options is worth considering.

Step #5 – Select The Materials: One of the biggest influences on the cost of your kitchen renovation is the materials used. They will also determine the longevity of the kitchen, how your kitchen looks, and matters such as ease of cleaning. Finding the right materials is heavily influenced by your building supplier, searching for “building supplies near me” can help open up your options.

(more…)

Read More

7 Awesome Ideas For Using Mirrored Glass In Your Home

Other than glass being used for windows, bottles and shower screens, another of glass’s most common uses is for mirrors. It is not too much of a stretch to say that every home in the modern world has at least one mirror, whether that be a large, mirrored door on a wardrobe, a shaving mirror in the bathroom,  or a small compact mirror in a makeup bag.

It is more than likely that many of us take mirrors almost for granted and do not give them a second thought given that we encounter so many of them each day of our lives. Having said that,  there will also be some who cannot pass a mirror without checking that they look their best.

As well as the common use of glass mirrors in enabling us to see our reflection, when it comes to domestic properties, mirrored glass is also used when they are being designed or redesigned as part of a home renovation, whether that be for the entire house or a single room. There are numerous ways that mirrored glass can be used to augment a home, and here are seven of them.

#1 – Mirrored Walls

If you are seeking the best way to make a small room feel much bigger than they are, then having a mirrored wall is the answer. As well as making the room seem bigger, a mirrored wall can also make the room seem much brighter as it reflects most of the light back into the room.

(more…)

Read More

7 Amazing Benefits Of Glass Balustrading

Any homeowner who is thinking of enhancing their property in terms of its appearance, practical uses, and, hopefully, its value must indeed consider glass balustrading as an option. Glass balustrading has become increasingly popular indoors and outdoors, with some of its applications being pool fencing, siding for stairs. A balcony surrounds, to name but three.

There are several reasons why glass balustrading is seen as the ideal option, and if you were wondering why that is the case, here are seven excellent benefits it can provide you in and around your home.

Benefit #1 – Glass Allows In More Light: One of the primary reasons glass balustrading is so popular is that it allows more light to enter the home. Homes bathed in sunlight feel open and airy, plus natural light is far more beneficial for you and your family than a dark home where the light is excluded.

Benefit #2 – Glass Makes It Feel As Though There Is More Space: Another key benefit of glass balustrading is that it creates the illusion of there being more space than there is. With clear glass being see-through, any area in which it is used as a form of barrier or fencing will feel more open and thus more significant as the space beyond the glass often looks as though it is also part of the enclosed area.

(more…)

Read More

7 Benefits Of Epoxy Flake Floors

It is a near certainty that at some point in the last few weeks most people reading this will have walked on an epoxy flake floor coatings. Now, you most probably did not realise you were at the time, but the fact is there are literally thousands of businesses and domestic settings that have epoxy flake floors.

If you were to ask anyone why they have flake floors, they might offer you some generic reply about them ‘looking good’ or being ‘tough’. (That is the floors we are referring to, not the people being asked the question). However, there are actually several benefits that epoxy floors can offer, and if you are considering a new floor, you should consider them all carefully during your new construction, renovation or shop fit out.

It Is an Economical Choice

Having an epoxy flake floor installed is likely to be a lot more affordable than you might expect. Obviously, if you are having a huge business complex done, it is going to cost a fair bit,  but in relative terms, whether you are doing it a large scale, or just one room, compared to many other flooring options, it is very cost-effective.

(more…)

Read More

Why You Should Avoid DIY Bathroom Renovations

Because average bathroom renovations can cost thousands of dollars, it’s only natural to want to save money. You might think that you save money by using your DIY skills to carry out much of the renovation yourself.

While some skilled people may be able to pull this off, not everyone will. What’s more, there are far more reasons why this isn’t a good idea than reasons for it being a good idea. Read on to learn why bathroom renovations are best left in the capable hands of experts.

You May Not Get the Planning Right
A lot of planning can go into the average bathroom renovation. This is because several tradespeople, such as electricians, plumbers, tilers, and builders, are required to tackle the job. Planning also involves ensuring you order suitable materials and that the showers, toilets, vanities, and baths you pick out are the right size for the space.

If you don’t plan, so many things can go wrong. You may spend more on a DIY bathroom than you would if you hired someone to complete the project.

(more…)

Read More

The Basics of Landscaping

If you’re into relationships then be aware that one exists between your landscaping and your home. The house exists in reference to its surroundings. It can be a good relationship, or it can be a not so good one, or maybe somewhere in between.

According to Landscaping Sydney, the idea is for the two to co-exist, growing together over time as your landscape meshes to the house.

Garden Planning

Early Planning

When do you get the best landscapes? When the house and landscaping are both in the design stage. If it’s at all possible, especially when building a custom home, make plans for your house and garden together. That way you can get both the landscape design and the home design to work well with each other. Some homes are built with a landscaping package. That’s a good starting point.

Whether it’s custom designed, or part of a deal, you will be able to add, modify and create after you move in, and over the years. Here are some basic landscaping tips from Landscapers Network to consider:

(more…)

Read More

What To Look For When Buying Property

Purchasing a home of your own can be an exciting time, but before you call in the furniture removalist like Brilliance Removalists Brisbane you need to make sure that it doesn’t turn into a nightmare simply by not carrying out the necessary research to ensure all is in order. The seller is not going to tell you if there is structural damage, termite damage or if they know that a big factory is going to be built on that vacant space that looks so green and lovely right now. It is up to you to find out such things.

In addition, it is easy to fall in love with the look of the place, or something else about it to the extent that you don’t really see its faults. The paint may be peeling inside due to hidden water damage, but you didn’t notice it because you were excited about those gorgeous timber floors.

(more…)

Read More

How to Stay in Your Home as You Age

It is difficult for elderly people to get up and down stairs, whether these are inside stairs or outside. Quite a few things make it hard to get around the home and remain safe as you age.  But it is sad for older people to leave a home that holds so many happy memories for them and the trend these days is to alter the home to suit them, rather than them having to call a removal company such as Removalists Melbourne.

So if you are getting older, what renovations can you do to improve your home and ensure you won’t have to move? There are several ways to make the home not only safer, but easier to use. Here is a list of fourteen (14) renovations you should consider when looking to improve your home:

  • If you have an upstairs, install an internal lift. This may not be as expensive as it sounds because there are several different options.
  • Have a ramp put in so that external stairs are no longer a problem; you can access the home even from a wheelchair.
  • If your carpet is old and torn, replace it. Even covering the tear with a mat is not safe as you can easily trip on that. Remove loose mats that can trip you up.

(more…)

Read More

7 Hidden Costs of Purchasing Property

When you are working out the finances of buying a home and ready to apply for a loan, don’t forget to include those other costs you will need to pay. These may be considered hidden costs because you may not realise they exist if you’ve never had anything to do with buying real estate. It can come as a shock to know that you have to account for many thousands of dollars more than the price of the house. What are these hidden costs?

  • Stamp duty is one of the most significant costs; even when discounts apply, it still accounts for thousands of dollars. There are two types; responsibility for the transfer of the property and duty for the registration of your mortgage. The amount of the former depends on the property’s price and what state or territory it is in.
  • Moving costs and costs of renovations if you want to paint or replace the carpet before you move in. You might also want to purchase new white goods.

(more…)

Read More

What to Know about Property Settlement

If you have bought a home or any other property, settlement or conveyancing is that time when the contracts have been exchanged and a date set for when you can move in. This is usually 42 days after the contracts have been signed, but it can vary, depending on the circumstances. For instance, if the property is vacant, the seller may agree that you can move in sooner.

Or in some cases the settlement date may not be convenient to you for some reason. In this case, you need to discuss the matter with your solicitor/conveyancer on the day you sign the contract. Once the contracts are exchanged, it is too late to change the date of settlement. However, most contracts have a clause stating that if there is a delay in settlement that is not the seller’s fault, you will have to pay interest as compensation for them not getting their money.

(more…)

Read More