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Brick and StoneA brick patio has a charming, old-world look. Pro or DIY? A small, simple brick patio using the dry-laid method can be installed in a few weekends of dedicated work by someone who’s DIY savvy. A large patio or one with a complex design is probably best left to the pros.Process: A mason laying a brick patio will start by digging and levelling to prepare the ground. He or she will then lay concrete on top of crushed stone or gravel to form a base before laying the bricks with mortar.
Get creative with concrete slabs For this modern patio, large square slabs of concrete define the seating area surrounding an outdoor fireplace. When you are designing with concrete, you can also leave sections open for plantings, trees or other garden features, creating a custom look that suits your space perfectly.Browse perfectly planned patios for inspiration
7. … Or swap walls for room dividersDon’t fancy taking a sledge hammer to an internal wall and embracing open-plan living? Consider using room dividers instead of solid walls to separate zones, while letting your eye roam beyond. What could have become a long, dark hallway in this Sydney home escaped that fate by virtue of the metal room divider, which separates the stairs from the corridor. We’re not suggesting you ditch the solid walls of your bathroom – let’s remain dignified, folks – but some living spaces and thoroughfares do not necessarily need to be enclosed, and will feel much more roomy when they’re not walled in.
The master ensuite is clean and contemporary with subway tiles on the walls, herringbone marble tiling on the floor, a timber vanity and black detailing. “The black-and-white theme of the living area has been carried throughout the house, including the black doors and bathroom fittings to contrast the white tiles,” says Morris.
The kitchen is warm and modern with a Carrara marble island and benchtops, and black and timber joinery. The black cabinetry complements the architectural details throughout, while the timber cabinetry harmonises with the brick wall outside.
Structural steel beams are exposed throughout the open-plan living space, and the glossy black finish continues the theme of the aluminium framing on the rear glazed wall. The space has polished concrete flooring, with white cement to lighten the colour, and black-and-white quartz aggregate for visual interest. “The in-slab heating, coupled with the double glazing and R4.0 roof insulation, makes the house very efficient to [heat and] cool,” says Morris.
Inside, the rear extension is filled with light and has a great sense of openness and space. Black aluminium framing creates a timeless aesthetic, in combination with the crisp white walls and black architectural details. Double glazing and aluminium framing: Aztec Windows; Aether Suspended Fireplace: Aurora
Your kitchen cupboards are prime real estate in your home, so make more space today by decluttering items you just don’t need any longer.Tell usHow have you conjured up extra space in your kitchen? Spill your secrets in the Comments below, and if you found this helpful, like, bookmark or share this story.MoreBrowse more decluttering and storage stories on Houzz
28. Location: Cantabria, SpainWhy we love it: Those rafters. The natural textures. The sense of ease all combine to create a beautiful and relaxed coastal vibe in this room.
15. Location: Miami, USAWhy we love it: Comfort is key in this look, as are some glass-fronted cabinets and a glass-paned carriage light.
12. Location: Minneapolis, USAWhy we love it: So fresh, with lovely classic elements, such as the blue-and-white blinds and white furniture. This is a study that works on every level.
9. Location: Sussex, UKWhy we love it: Who doesn’t love a timber-lined ceiling – it’s the ultimate finishing touch in this look. Plus, hurricane lamps are perhaps one of this style’s most underrated accessories.
4. Location: Perth, WAWhy we love it: Cross-backed chairs are a staple of Hamptons style, as are carriage pendant lights and Shaker-style joinery. We love the airiness of this welcoming kitchen…
3. Location: Los Angeles, USAWhy we love it: It may have less direct references, but the relaxed nature-loving reverence of this room is Hamptons-esque at heart.
2. Location: London, UKWhy we love it: Because it looks so effortless and yet so alluring. Stripes are, of course, a Hamptons classic, and we love the whale plate’s role in adding a nautical touch to the scene.
7. Marble makes a statement in this streamlined kitchen, too. Nothing else is needed – it has already achieved perfection.
2. The mirrored splashback bounces light around this modern kitchen and dining area, giving it an airy, vibrant feel. The white walls, floor and ceiling further amplify the light. Meanwhile, the black chairs and stools serve to ground the space.
10. Simplify your floorsA house that is uniform, design-wise, is more likely to age well and be gentle on the eyes. This is particularly true for flooring. Try to limit your floor finishes to a maximum of three. You might choose tiles for the wet rooms and floorboards throughout, or you might have carpets for the bedrooms. In any case, use the same carpet in every bedroom and the same tiles in every wet room to keep the look consistent. You might even want to consider using one material only, such as polished concrete for a seamless look. And a bonus tip? If you really love something – say, an emerald green kitchen or a dark, moody bedroom, forget my tips and follow your gut. It is your home, after all!TELL US YOUR THOUGHTSHave you ever built a house? What are your tips for a long-lasting loving relationship with your new home? Tell us in the comments section below. MORE IDEABOOKSRenovation Rescue: 9 Terrace Design Challenges and How to Solve Them8 Surprising Ways to Use Concrete That Won’t Leave You Feeling ColdHow to Present Your Design Ideas to an Interior DesignerUnderrated, Alternative and Affordable Hard Flooring Options
9. Opt for a white kitchenIf you’re thinking long-term, nothing beats a white kitchen. It may not seem very original at first, but it’s one colour that defies trends, ages well, looks clean and is easy to accessorise. Styles and finishes vary greatly, so there is a white kitchen for pretty much anyone. If you feel a white kitchen is too ‘generic’ for you, consider picking unusual hardware, adding a colourful splashback, leaving a few ornaments on the benchtop, putting artwork on the walls or using stylish tea towels.Be inspired by some of our favourite white kitchens
8. Add additional power pointsPower points are another item that are often overlooked. Obviously, thinking about them is not as fun and glamorous as browsing for wallpaper or paint colours, but don’t underestimate the power (pun intended) these little flat plates can have! Our modern life is run by electrical items of all sorts and, as a result, more power points are needed than ever. In the bedroom, as an example, you might want at least two power points on each side of the bed to cater for a table lamp and a phone charger.
7. Add storageStorage is one element we can never have enough of! When building, think about adding storage to every room. Start from the entrance: is there somewhere to store your shoes, handbags and coats as soon as you step through the door?
6. Pump up insulationInsulation standards have increased in Australia over the last few years but there is still a long way to go before we attain the same requirements as European countries. While, in most parts of Australia, we don’t get to experience extremely cold temperatures, we are exposed to very high temperatures for lengthy periods of time. Most houses rely entirely on air-conditioning, but good insulation could drastically reduce the need for cooling, further increasing comfort and reducing electricity bills. When building, ask about the insulation included in the contract, investigate more efficient glazing and ask about additional roof insulation. The extra expenses will really pay over time.
5. Install dimmable lightsDimmable lights let you adjust the intensity of light to suit your needs. In a bedroom, they can create a soft, relaxing, romantic atmosphere, as well as provide more intense light for tasks that require it (selecting clothes, applying make-up).
4. Increase your ceiling heightHow do you make a room look more spacious than it is without changing its actual floor size? By going up! High ceilings open up a room, bringing neutral, empty space that automatically tricks the eye into seeing a larger room.
Not all entries are rooms on their own. Often, they are limited spaces that are open to other areas. Maximise storage with narrow cabinets that can accommodate shoes, keys and other knick-knacks. Chose materials that are in line with the finishes of the adjacent rooms, and dress your space with relevant decorative items such as vases, artwork, a table lamp, mirror, etc.
Storage in entries or hallwaysEntries are getting bigger and are more and more designed to make a strong visual statement. While it is important to feel good about your home as soon as you walk in, it is also crucial to think of your entrance as a functional space. When you enter your home, you might want to drop your handbag or coat, take your shoes off, leave your keys and sunglasses. Good entries are ones that address your needs in terms of both practicality and look.
Glass switches are increasingly popular, especially in contemporary homes. They come in different colours and finishes to match your interior.
Grout colourThoughtful consideration is often given to the choice of tiles, but grout colour is commonly a decision left to the builder or tiler. Here, the grout was selected to match the colour of the tiles, so it doesn’t stand out and visually break the continuity of tiling.
Before you get in over your head, think about the end result you want to achieve. Does that require a high-quality trade finish or are you happy to accept a less-than-perfect finish to save a few dollars? Poor-quality finishes will be on display for a long time for everybody to see, including when the property is sold, so to avoid disappointment, be realistic about your skills and expectations.TELL USWhat renovating lessons have you learnt the hard way?MORE ON RENOVATING 8 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You RenovateHow to Level the Playing Field With Your Builder6 Smart Ways to Save on Your Kitchen Renovation
5. Flooring can be expensiveFlooring is one of those items where the costs can easily blow out, as it is easy to underestimate how much you will need and therefore how much it will cost you. Timber flooring, in particular, is the biggest culprit as it is both desirable and one of the dearer flooring options. When adding a new room or space with timber flooring, it’s important that you consider existing or adjoining floor. People often set out with the intent to match the existing timber floor; however, this generally proves difficult in most instances due to the age and species of the existing flooring. The knock-on effect of replacing all of the timber floors can be an expensive result, especially if the existing timber floor extends past a particular space, and down a corridor or into another room, for example.
3. Replacing windows can have a knock-on effectReplacing and upgrading windows is a common process in renovating, and one that makes sense given the improvements in modern glazing. We now have relatively easy access to a range of better looking, higher insulating and safer windows. However, the thing to be aware of when replacing windows is the cost of labour. Firstly, the old windows need to be removed, which can be a tedious task, as you need to avoid damage to the window surrounds so that any repairs required are minimal. There will probably be architraves or brick sills that need to be carefully removed. This can be especially tricky (and time-consuming) for larger windows. With the new windows installed, there will still be a lot of work to do. Architraves need to be replaced, sills reinstalled and then the affected interior surfaces will need to be painted; which may start at the wall where the window is located, but actually involves repainting the entire room to ensure a seamless look. If you plan to replace all of the windows, you could find yourself repainting most of the inside of the house.
10. DeckingDespite their popularity in Australia, there is often critical information missing from drawings in relation to decks. There are many different types of decking boards available, including Australian and imported hardwood species, composite material decking boards and treated pine options; and each of these options are also available in different sizes. The cost of each of these options can vary dramatically, so if you have something specific in mind, you must ensure that your drawings nominate your preference. You may also like to consider the fixing method used, with a nailed fixing being the fastest and cheapest option and a stainless steel screw fixing being the most secure, long-lasting and expensive option. Decks can be relatively expensive structures, so it is important that you set out your requirements in as much detail as possible so that when you compare a number of quotes, you are confident that you are comparing ‘apples with apples’.TELL USWhat costly item did you miss in the design process?MOREHow to Level the Playing Field With Your BuilderPint-Sized Additions That Unleash Their Home’s Potential7 Renovating Lessons You Don’t Want to Learn the Hard Way
9. Retaining wallsRetaining walls don’t get much love either. They’re certainly not as interesting as kitchens and custom joinery units; however, they still need consideration during the design stage so that they can be quoted on, because no matter how much we ignore them, they aren’t going to build themselves. For any block with even a modest slope, you (and ideally your designer) will probably need to put some thought into the location, height and type of retaining walls. It is not uncommon for builders to exclude retaining walls from their quote as they are often considered to be landscaping items; however, I believe them to be an integral element of the building site as a whole.
8. Hot waterAgain, this is another assumption we make, and yes it’s fair to assume that any reasonable builder will include some kind of hot water unit. However, if you prefer to install an environmentally-friendly solar hot water unit, you need to make that very clear, as the cost of solar hot water units can be up to three times more expensive than other systems.
7. Garden tapsGarden taps can be neglected when it comes to featuring on plans and I am guilty of rarely indicating their location. While they are easily overlooked during the design stage, they are sorely missed if not included. Rather than showing them on a floor plan, nominate how many taps you require in your quote.
6. FlooringA floor plan should indicate the intended floor finish; be that timber flooring, tiles, polished concrete, carpet, etc. In the case of carpet, which is most often left out of the building quote and contract, the detail isn’t as important, as you will most likely be handling it directly through a supplier. However, when it comes to other flooring types, timber in particular, you will need to make selections or allowances for the supply and installation of your preferred type of timber flooring in order to avoid nasty surprises and cost overruns. For example, ‘timber flooring’ can be a rather generic term when we consider that it may include imitation vinyl or laminate timber, floating timber floorboards, bamboo and traditional strip flooring, with the low-end cost starting at $25 per square metre and stretching all the way up to $200 per square metre. With such a wide range in products and costs, it is important that you understand what the builder has allowed for, as an inconsistent allowance can easily distort a building quote.
5. LightingLighting is one of the most common items that cause budget blow-outs and there are a few factors that contribute to this. Firstly, it is rare that an electrical plan is completed at the quoting stage. Then, because most people aren’t aware of the lighting options available (and associated costs) at the time when quotes are being prepared, they don’t put enough time into considering lighting solutions. This leads to the situation where quotes are often vastly underestimated in terms of the number and type of lights. Make sure you visit a showroom in the early stages of your project to be better informed about what the builder is quoting.
4. Robe fit-outBuilt-in robes are a must-have item for any bedroom in any modern home. However, while always indicated on a floor plan, there are many options for actually fitting out a robe, from DIY wire racks and shelves to high-end bespoke joinery. We tend to focus on how big the robe is, but we often neglect the detail of how the space will be used. Ensure more accurate quotes by including details in the drawings.
3. JoineryJoinery is no longer confined to just kitchen cabinets. Homeowners increasingly want integrated joinery for storage and display solutions in all manner of spaces including bathrooms, laundries, bedrooms and living spaces. Joinery should be easy enough to identify on a floor plan, however, given there are so many options to choose from in terms of colours, materials, fittings, design detail and hardware, it is very difficult for builders to arrive at an accurate allowance for the item. In reality, unless there are detailed joinery drawings available for cabinet makers to quote from, the builders can only guess what the cost might be; and leaving builders to guess is never a good strategy. Either enlist the help of an interior designer to develop detailed joinery drawings for quoting, or nominate an allowance (known as a Provisional Sum) in your Inclusions Schedule.
2. Internal doorsDoors are pretty easy to identify on a floor plan, so there should be no confusion about how many are required. However, there are many considerations when selecting doors, which can influence the cost significantly. How wide and high are the doors? Are the doors solid core or hollow core? Are they plain or panelled, and are they a painted finish or do you want a timber veneer finish? Getting your head around as many of these considerations will ensure that you avoid extra costs during the build.
1. Wall tilesWall tiles are a great example of an item that, although rarely shown on a drawing, is assumed to be included in the builder’s quote. It is important that both the cost of the tiles and the extent to which they will be used is clarified. For example, you will need to know the cost per square metre that has been allowed for the tiles (for both floor and wall tiles), as well as if the wall tiles have been quoted as full height, half height or even skirting tiles only. This may well vary from one bathroom to the next, so take the time to set out your expectations room by room.
11. Pick a bed with storage … or add your ownUnderbed storage has received a bad rap in the past – but as long as you don’t overstuff the area, using it is really smart. Some beds, like the one shown here, come with storage compartments built in. If yours doesn’t, you can still use bins designed for this purpose, or give a few old wooden drawers new life by fitting them with casters and sliding them under the bed. Whichever storage option you choose, make sure it has a cover to keep dust out.
3. Go for an extra-wide dresserDoes your dresser leave wasted space on both ends? Fill the entire wall instead with one long dresser (or a set of little matching dressers) to use every last centimetre. Filling the space from wall to wall can actually make your room look bigger, too.
If your island benchtop is all the same level at the typical 900 millimetres high, aim for 300-400 millimetres of leg room where seating is placed. If you have an 1100-millimetre-high servery benchtop, you can also aim for 300 millimetres of leg room, but if your bar stools have heel rests then 200 millimetres of leg room should suffice. These measurements allow for your legs to fit comfortably beneath the benchtop while seated and also mean your stools can be stored under the benchtop when not in use.
Leg roomAn island can be a great place to gather for breakfast or even dinner. The depth of leg room under the benchtop overhang required for diners to sit comfortably at your island will depend on the height of the benchtop itself. If your bench is 750 millimetres high (regular table height), aim for 450 millimetres of leg room underneath.You will need to consult your kitchen designer or benchtop supplier to determine how big of an unsupported overhang you can have based on your chosen benchtop material – concrete, for example, will require extra support underneath if there is a significant overhang.
30. Location: Melbourne, VictoriaWhy we love it: A twinkling chandelier, gingham and toile upholstery, and a rustic, weathered table – this arrangement is just about as romantic as it comes. Tell usWhich of these outdoor dining settings is your favourite? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to like, share or bookmark this story. Join the conversation. MoreSee more ‘Best of the Week’ stories
40. Squared away. London, UKTell usIf you enjoyed this story, like it, bookmark it, save the photos and share your thoughts below. Join the conversation.MoreCheck out more popular Houzz series for inspiration
33. Soft and subtle. Essex, UK
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