So you’ve bought a home but it’s not quite your dream home yet as it needs some work. Where do you start?

There are two schools of thought here:

  1. The worst room that is either unliveable or unbearable. Or
  2. The room that you’ll be spending the most time in.

Where ever you decide to start, make sure you have the whole house in mind when you’re planning your renos.

Things to consider are:

  • Light – in all seasons. This also has the ability to impact on your heating and cooling if you’re going to be adding or removing windows, walls or doors. Make sure you’re maximising natural light without turning that westerly facing room into a summer sweat box or winter freezer.
  • If you’re planning on staying in this home for the long term, make sure you consider potential lifestyle changes for the next 5-10 years. Are you planning on adding children or will they be moving out? Will you need a home office? Second living area? Fabulous outdoor entertaining area? Think about what you will need as well as what you do need now.
  • Research and gather inspiration from everywhere! Follow DIYers and interior designers on social media, set up boards on Pinterest for each room and start pinning looks you like, subscribe to decorating magazines like Home Beautiful, buy books on design – like the Three Birds books, talk to friends who have recently renovated or whose style you admire.
  • Set a budget and stick to it. Often you can’t do everything now, so plan it out into stages. Add a contingency for any unexpected things that pop up – because they always do.
  • Set a realistic timeframe. There’s no need to put unnecessary pressure on yourself or your tradies.
  • Take plenty of photos – before, during and after so you can see the progress you’ve made.
  • Enjoy the process! This is supposed to be fun – so remember that when you’re surrounded by chaos.

What’s your number 1 tip for renovating?