Sustainable design is more than just buzzwords; it’s a move towards creating environments and products that minimize environmental impact while enhancing our quality of life.

There are lots of way you can incorporate sustainability into your renovation and design, with longevity being one of the keys.

When you choose products, look for products designed to last longer. Durable materials reduce the need for replacements and minimize waste.

Also, invest in timeless, classic pieces that don’t go out of fashion quickly, reducing the need for frequent replacements.

By thinking about the durability and timelessness of your choices, your resulting design will have a lower environmental impact over time.

It’s a long held rule in decorating that white is a great choice when you’re trying to create the illusion of space.

But that raises a rather important question – which white? There have been plenty of jokes told where one person says white, and the other immediately starts listing out all sorts of names for white – pearl, alabaster, snow, cotton, lace… you get the idea.

Here’s the catch though – not all whites are the same. Crazy, right? In fact shades of white fall roughly into two groups – those with warm undertones, and those with cool undertones. And that’s when it becomes clear that not all whites are the same.

Whites with a warm (yellow) undertone actually do what all warm colours do – they make a space feel warmer and cosier. So they don’t achieve the object of expanding the space.

Cool whites, usually with a crisp grey or blue undertone, are the ones you need if you’re trying to create the feeling of space.

Daisy, powder, bone, ivory, linen… 122 shades? Wow.

Updating or changing taps might seem like a small renovation detail, but it can significantly enhance the value of a property. First impressions matter, and taps are often one of the first things noticed in a kitchen. By installing new taps, you instantly improve the aesthetics of the space, giving it a fresh and modern look. This aesthetic upgrade can greatly appeal to potential buyers or tenants, making the property more attractive overall.

Beyond aesthetics, changing taps can also contribute to increased functionality and efficiency. Old taps may suffer from leaks, drips, or low water pressure, which not only inconvenience occupants but also waste water and increase utility bills. By installing new taps with improved features like better water flow control and energy-efficient designs, you enhance the functionality of the kitchen.

The quality and style of taps can reflect the overall quality of the property. Upgrading taps to higher-quality materials such as stainless steel or brass not only improves durability but also gives the impression of luxury and sophistication. This attention to detail suggests the property has been well-maintained and cared for.

Furthermore, changing taps can align the property more closely with current design trends and the preferences of the target market. Whether it’s choosing a sleek and minimalist design for a modern aesthetic or opting for vintage-inspired taps to complement a historical property, selecting the right taps can help create a cohesive and appealing interior design scheme.

Upgrading taps can also have practical benefits in terms of maintenance and upkeep. Newer taps often come with warranties and require less maintenance compared to older models, reducing the likelihood of future repair costs. Additionally, by installing taps with features such as anti-limescale technology or easy-clean surfaces, you make it easier for occupants to keep the kitchen clean and hygienic.

Finally, from a resale perspective, changing taps can provide a relatively inexpensive way to add value to the property and increase its marketability. Compared to major renovations or upgrades, replacing taps is a relatively quick and affordable project that can yield significant returns in terms of improving the overall appeal and perceived value of the property. Whether it’s for selling or renting purposes, investing in new taps is a smart strategy to enhance the attractiveness and desirability of the property in the eyes of potential occupants.

Check out hacks one and two for more great kitchen ideas!

“Al fresco lighting” refers to outdoor lighting used to illuminate and enhance outdoor spaces, such as patios, gardens, decks, and other outdoor areas. The term “al fresco” is Italian and means “in the fresh air,” so al fresco lighting is all about creating a pleasant and inviting atmosphere for outdoor gatherings, dining, relaxation, and other activities.

Al fresco lighting serves both functional and aesthetic purposes. Functionally, it provides necessary illumination for safety and visibility, allowing people to move around and enjoy outdoor spaces even after the sun goes down. Aesthetically, it can transform the ambiance of outdoor areas, creating a cozy, enchanting, or festive mood.

Here’s a few lighting options to get you started:

String Lights: String lights, also known as fairy lights or café lights, are popular for creating a magical and whimsical atmosphere. They can be hung overhead, wrapped around trees or posts, or draped along fences and structures.

Path Lights: These are low-level lights placed along walkways, paths, and driveways to guide people and prevent accidents. They come in various styles and can be solar-powered or connected to an electrical source.

More ideas to come in Part 2.

In the first two instalments of this series, I talked about remembering to allow for the cost of furniture when planning your new space. This included furnishing your home on a shoestring budget, and how to get the best bang for your buck.

This time, we’re going to assume that the quality pieces are going to have to wait a little, and in the meantime you’re making do with whatever you either had already or have managed to source as cheaply as possible.

Always remember the value of accessories when it comes to dressing up a space! These fall into two broad categories – permanent and temporary.

“Permanent”

Although nothing is completely permanent, I’m talking about bigger, more expensive items that you don’t want to replace any time soon.

Window treatments are one of the biggest areas of space in most rooms after the walls, floor and furniture. So it’s worth taking time to make sure they’re appealing to the eye. That doesn’t mean you have to spend huge amounts on expensive coverings.

Instead, think more about colour and context, using the window treatments as a base palette to other bits and pieces in the room, and so helping to tie it all together.

Smaller furniture can also do a lot to help pull a room’s look together, so choose it wisely.

“Temporary”

This is where you can add the style factor to a room, knowing that if it doesn’t work or you get tired of it, it’s relatively simple and cheap to change.

Accessories are everything in this category! Lamps, art, vignette knick knacks, bedding… Use any or all of these items to create a colour palette that exudes the feel you’re aiming for.

If you plan your space carefully, focus on spending dollars on the items that matter and dress up the space to make it appealing, then you might be surprised just how great a result you can get without killing your budget.

In previous instalments, I’ve focused on the practical things you can do to add value to your renovation through lighting, such as changing light fittings or switches.

This time around I want to focus on the feelings you create with lighting. This is an incredibly important element to consider, as the lighting you choose can completely change how a room feels, particularly at night.

Ambient Lighting

This is considered the base level of lighting. Something as simple as changing light bulbs can significantly alter the ambience of a room.

Warm globes help a room to feel cosy, inviting, even intimate. Whereas cool globes give a bright and energetic feel to a space. Think about how you intend to use the room, and choose ambient lighting appropriate to achieve that outcome.

The number of light fixtures and their locations also affects ambience.

Task Lighting

As anyone who’s tried to cut something on a kitchen bench when the main light is behind them can testify, task lighting is very important!

Think about the space and where tasks requiring light are going to be performed. To solve the kitchen problem, for example, do you need to include downlights above bench spaces, or perhaps under-cabinet lighting strips if you have overhead cupboards.

The kitchen is the most obvious location to focus on task lighting, but there’s likely to be more when you consider other rooms and their uses. Sometimes lights that can be pointed in different directions are great in multi-purpose rooms where uses might change over time.

Accent Lighting

Wanting to draw the eye to a particular item in a room? That’s where accent lighting comes into play. Potentially you need to have the room already styled so you know where the focal points are, but if you’re featuring an architectural or landscaping element, that may not be necessary.

Remember, too, that this type of lighting can be achieved using lamps rather than fixed lighting, or as mentioned in task lighting, light fittings that can be adjusted to point in a different direction can instantly change the feel of a room when moved.

So there you have it. Take the time to think about your spaces and what type of vibe you want to create, and your lighting can help to achieve that outcome.

If you’re going to the trouble of incorporating an al fresco area into your home, then it makes sense to ensure you can use it for as much of the year as possible. Which means thinking about weather!

Remember, too, that the solution you choose for shelter will potentially be quite different if you need to protect from sun, rather than rain, so you may require two different solutions. For this reason, you may need to make a choice between permanent and temporary solutions.

For example, you might have wide eaves to protect from both sun and rain, but also have some shutters or clear blinds you can deploy when it’s raining for extra shelter.

Other features such as pergolas can provide shade in the warmer months from a vine or creeper, while allowing the sun through in colder months when the vines lose their leaves.

By thinking through the purpose of your al fresco area and considering your local weather, you can put together the elements for a space that’s enjoyable all year round.

Aussies have always had a thing about barbecues in the backyard, which has now translated into a desire for cooking facilities in their al fresco areas.

Those cooking facilities may well include a barbecue, but many are essentially a smaller version of the indoor kitchen, allowing the chef to mingle with the guests relaxing outside.

So if you’re thinking about adding an outdoor kitchen to your al fresco area, what sort of questions should you consider before heading to the nearest outdoor appliances store?

First up is to think about how much space you have available and adjust your ideas accordingly. You will need to maintain some distance between the cooking area and the seating space, otherwise you’ll be elbowing guests in the head as you turn the snags.

Assuming there is space for some cooking facilities, next up is to think about how you want to use the space. Will you prep everything in the main kitchen inside and just do the cooking outside? Or do you want to be able to do everything from prep to serve outside?

The answer to that question will dictate a number of things, such as which cooking appliances you need, whether you need bench space or a sink, and whether you need a fridge. It may also dictate location, as you may want easy access to the kitchen indoors.

Depending on your final choices, you’ll also need to supply power or fuel to the equipment you choose. That could involve power points, and perhaps an easy to reach storage space for BBQ fuel.

And finally, remember that your facilities are exposed to the elements. Maybe they’re shaded most of the time, or can be covered, but inevitably nature will still take its toll. So choose surfaces that are durable as well as easy to clean and maintain.

Now, it’s time to chuck some snags on the barbie!

It doesn’t matter where you live in Australia, there are going to be times of the year when being outside in the sun gets uncomfortable fast. Providing shade to your al fresco area is a great way to make the space usable for a larger portion of the year.

If you live in a recently built home, then chances are the al fresco area is incorporated with the main house, under the roofline and may even have a plaster ceiling. So you already have shade!

For everyone else, though, you’ll need to create shade. You could duplicate recent home designs and provide some sort of covered area for use as your al fresco space. Check with your local council, as a permit may be required.

If you want something a little less pricey, then a pergola may be the answer. A pergola is basically a timber frame for the space without any walls or ceiling. They can look a bit stark and the shade is only partial, but they’re a great support structure for growing a deciduous creeper or vine. Shade in the warmer months, open in the winter!

Longer term, trees are another option. Think about when and where the space needs shade, and choose trees to suit. Just make sure you plant them appropriately for their eventual size. I’ve seen too many people plant big shrubs or trees right next to a space, only to end up with trunks and foliage making the space smaller every year.

Another option is shade sails. You can leave them in place year round, or put them out for the hotter months and take them down in winter, if you buy the right type.

If you think through your plans for using the al fresco space, you will be able to choose a shade solution that strikes a great balance for enjoying the great outdoors without being hot and uncomfortable.

Last time I looked at ways to renovate the lighting in your property yourself. This time around I’m stepping it up and covering some simple tasks you will need an electrician to help you with. The focus is still on cheap changes though!

When I talked about changing light fittings in the last post, I said it was only possible if the light’s base could be reused with a different shade. The obvious follow on from this is changing the whole light, including the base. That’s why you need an electrician!

Although you have to splash some cash for assistance, the good thing about this option is that as long as you already have a wire in the roof or wall that powers a light, an electrician can switch it over to basically any type of light fitting you want. So go crazy – within budget of course!

The other thing an electrician can do is change light switches. Sometimes cheering up a light switch is simply a case of changing the face plate, which you can do yourself.

The main thing to note here is that time is money. So before you call in the electrician, have everything you need to complete the job. One of the biggest costs is often the call out fee, so you only want the electrician to work on your job once if possible. Being prepared will save you money!