You want to repaint your house or room and give it a new look, but there are a lot of questions running through your mind. Should you hire a pro or just do it yourself? How much time can you save if you hire a painter? How much money will you be able to save if you paint it yourself?

Well, it all depends on you because the most important factor to consider is your painting experience. Have you painted a house before? Painting your own home can potentially save you money, but it’s out of the question if you haven’t done it before since you are bound to make costly mistakes if you’re a complete novice.

In fact, here is some more question you should ask yourself before making a decision:

• When do you need the project done?

If you want to complete your project in the least possible time, then hiring a pro is your best option. Since skilled painters have the experience and equipment to finish a painting job much faster than an average weekend warrior. In fact, you’ll spend twice as long since there are lots of preparations that need to be done first before the actual paint job.

• What’s your level of expertise?

Painting a room or the exterior of your home is no easy task, especially if you haven’t done it before. In fact, you might even find yourself overwhelmed by the task. Although painting may look easy but getting that quality finish can be difficult for a novice. That is why professional painters can promise good-looking results because they know all of the tricks of the trade, and they’ve been doing this job for years.
Not to mention the prep work you need to do before painting like cutting the lines between ceilings and walls, which requires finesse and expertise. If you are unsure of what you’re doing, you might end up with a big mess and redo the whole process again, which is time-consuming.

• What is the condition of your walls?

The condition of your walls is also a factor when conducting a paint job because perfectly smooth drywall isn’t hard to work on, but if your walls have holes, cracks, and water damage, then it is essential to do some prep work first. This requires some skills and experience, so hiring a pro to do the prep work is a must because this is not something you can do adequately as a novice.
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• Do you have all the tools you need?

You need to understand that paint requires more than just rollers and a bucket of paint. There are a lot of things you need to buy to get the job done right. In fact, you’ll need scrapers, drop cloths, sandpaper, primer, hole filler, paint brushes, extension poles, roller frames, ladders, caulk, and paint trays. Another thing to consider is renting a paint sprayer, especially if you’re painting the exterior of your home. These tools could cost you an extra couple hundred dollars, so be sure that you include these tools and their costs when you’re planning and estimating a DIY paint job.

Flooring is an essential component in your home, it’s part decorative and part functional. Therefore, choosing the right flooring for your home renovation project will depend on various preferences, budget and placement.

That is why it is necessary to think about the different rooms in your house and the needs they require. You must find a flooring type that is both beautiful and durable, so it must have all these qualities in one package.

When choosing the flooring for individual rooms in your home, you need to ensure that it has the following qualities:

• Safe – since each room will have a fair amount of traffic that passes through it, you’ll want it to be obstruction-free and level to prevent any slipping and unintentional accidents.
• Low maintenance – a good flooring must be low maintenance, which means you’ll need to choose floors that have darker grain to hide dirt and dust. You’ll also want floors that can handle moisture well, so solid hardwood is not suitable for kitchen renovations because when it is exposed to moisture and spills it could warp and get damaged.
• Durable and attractive – your flooring must also complement all your other fixtures like countertops, cabinetry, and wall colour. Choosing a darker flooring is a good idea if you want to create a cozy feeling, while other lighter colour can brighten your room and reflect the light to create an open space atmosphere. Also, choose quality tiling or vinyl since these materials provide a heavy finish that can last years.

Types of flooring to consider
There is no single flooring that is ideal for every room in your house since each one has its own pros and cons as well as the costs that comes with it, so it will also depend on your budget. Here are some options to consider when choosing the flooring for your home renovation:

• Solid hardwood – highly attractive and durable, this flooring comes in various range of style and appearance. However, it is also expensive and sometimes hard to maintain since spills and moisture could warp and damage it.
• Engineered wood flooring – this is a good option if you want to mimic the appearance of a solid hardwood but would rather settle for more affordable flooring. The good thing about this flooring is that it’s manufactured to withstand temperature changes, so it is more durable than solid hard hardwood.
• Ceramic tile – this type of tile is manufactured using clay and shale and it is fired in a kiln like pottery, which means it’s a certified hard material and comes in a huge variety of shapes, patterns, and colours. Tile are ideal when you renovate your bathroom in Eltham.
• Vinyl – this is considered to be the most resilient and flexible flooring and feels a bit softer than hardwood or tile. It is made from PVC plastic over a layer of felt. If you’re going to use this material for your flooring, we recommend that you choose a textured surface to make it look like stone or wood.

Overall, it will all depend on your budget and the space you have in your home, so before you start your flooring project, you need to have an extensive plan, including the type of flooring you’ll be using based on the requirements of the room.

Adding a home extension in your property is one of the most effective ways of creating more living space. This will provide you with more room or to accommodate your growing family. However, there are several steps you need to take to ensure that you’re getting the most out of your budget and to overcome some of the challenges you might face along the way.

Here is a list of steps you need to consider when carrying out home extensions. These will include the following:

·         Planning
If you’re planning on building your extension, you need to consider several factors like the foundation of your home extension, site access for deliveries of building materials, plumbing and lighting since these are all needed in your project.
You might also want to consider a building plan for your extension, but not all extensions require planning permission. For this purpose, you need to get in touch with a renovation contractor, since they can advise you if you need to apply for planning permission or you can just go ahead with your project without getting one.You may not realise at first how in depth the planning process is, from finalizing dimensions to choosing tiles for your bathroom and carpet for your bedrooms. Here are some amazing shower ideas.
·         Quotes
The cost of your extension will depend on the quality and complexity of your design. We recommend that you contact a renovation specialist because they can provide you with a reasonable quote based on the requirements of your project.
 
·         Choosing the right builder
 
Getting a reliable renovation contractor is vital to the success of your project, so you really need to know the track record of a renovation company before you hire them. You also need to check if they have an in-house architect, designer or engineer since you might need one for your project.
 
·         Assessing financial position/getting a loan
 
Before building your home extension, you need first to determine if you have the budget for it. Although there are other ways to get the capital you need like if you’re going to undertake a small extension, then an interest-free credit card is the best option for you.
 
However, for a larger extension, you should consider getting a personal loan. Another great option is getting a secured loan, but this will require you to set collateral, which is usually your house or other relevant properties.
 
·         Further planning/modifications
 
We often change our minds when we’re conducting a home extension – for instance, making a bigger room, moving a window or expanding the stairs. However, amending your current design will require you to apply for changes in your planning permissions. This means you need to pay for an additional fee before your local building authority approves the minor changes in your plan.
 
·         Permits
 
When it comes to permits, there are not many things you can extend or renovate on your home without needed to apply for a renovation permit. 
 
If you’re doing an extensive remodelling of your home, you will definitely need to apply for a permit. So, it would be wise to seek the help of a professional renovation company like T.E.D Bathrooms, since they can offer you some good advice on how you’re going to conduct your home extension project.
 
·         Arranging alternate living arrangements
 
If you’re doing an extensive remodelling your house, then moving out for a while is necessary. You should make arrangements to live someplace else for at least several weeks until the home extension project is complete.
 
Staying in your family home or with friends is an inexpensive option, but if you want to take a room in a nearby hotel or motel, then be prepared to spend more.
 
·         Troubleshooting
 
No matter how in-depth your home extension plan is, there will always be secondary problems that may arise along the way. That is why you should always keep some spare money so you have a budget you can use to address these issues quickly. Always talk to your contractor and know if there are issues with your project and how they can help in solving these problems.
 
·         Finishing touches
 
Lastly, you should implement some finishing touches to your home extension like a roof window, sun tunnels or a sliding bi-folding patio to transform your space into something cosy and premium.

If you’ve decided to raise your children in an old home, then you need to ready yourself because there’s a lot of work ahead of you. In fact, living in an aged home can sometimes be overwhelming especially if you consider all the necessary repairs which may be required.

You might even think of tearing the place down instead of renovating it but building a house from scratch is more difficult and more expensive than you think. That is why we put together some renovating tips that can breathe new life into an old home and bring it back to its former glory.

Here re some tips to think about when you’re planning to renovate your family home:

Introduce a fresh coat of paint to your old home
It all starts with a new colour scheme, and it’s one of the easiest and most affordable things to do for your old home. If you paint across the interior and exterior of the property with a vibrant new and modern colour, then it’s like restoring the homey feel of your house that your children and guests will definitely appreciate.
But first, you need to decide what colour scheme to use. Every room in your house must have a unique colour based on the preferences of each family member. Also, think about the amount of natural light in the room and the ambiance you want to highlight. So, depending on the room you’re painting, you must set the mood you want to evoke through the colour you use.

Install passive insulation
Installing passive insulation in an old home is absolutely essential because it will add passive conservation features and it can block the heat that can penetrate your house as well as allow you to discover any structural damage to your roofing that needs to be addressed properly. Hidden problems like cracks in the walls of your attic or termite infestation can be determined once you launch an insulation project.

However, you’ll need to hire a professional renovation contractor to inspect the property first before undergoing an insulation project.

Redo the wiring and the lighting system
Another important thing to consider is the electrical system in your old home. It is essential to redo all of the electrical installations as well as the lighting because this will enable you to create a safe living environment for your family.

 In Australia, these types of upgrades are commonly done by most households but hiring a reliable local electrician that is capable of running a thorough electrical safety inspection before doing any changes to the electrical wirings. In fact, it is essential that you are hiring the right person for the job in any renovation endeavor.

 A butler’s pantry be very convenient and can make a kitchen very user friendly . However, they also take up a lot of space, and the costs of building one is a concern we can’t ignore. That is why many households in Australia turn to other alternatives that can provide similar convenience at a fraction of the cost.

But first, we need to understand why a lot of people would love to have a butler’s pantry in their home and the useful features it can provide. These benefits will include the following:

• Having a butler’s pantry will enable you to have a better design for a kitchen that has fewer corner cabinets, which can be tricky to access.
• You can store a lot of stuff in a butler’s pantry.
• It keeps the mess out of sight.
• It can also store small appliances that are ready for use.

Now, let’s take a closer look at how we can get all these benefits using cost-effective alternatives.

Keeping mess out of sight
If you don’t want to see any mess in your kitchen, then incorporate bi-fold doors that retract out of the way. This is a great solution to hide the cooktop, rangehood, sink as well as the storage. In fact, there is no limit what you can hide behind a bifold door, and it maintains a minimalist look for your kitchen as well as leave behind an integrated sink and high-end tap to highlight the beautiful grain of your veneered wall.

Access to corner cabinets
Butler’s pantry is not the only solution that can provide you with greater access to corner cabinets. Another good alternative is to install a corner access unit, which can also improve the ergonomics of your kitchen. Having a corner access unit can also give you tailored access to a rather difficult cabinet.

Increasing storage without increasing the footprint of the kitchen
Increasing storage doesn’t always mean increasing space in your kitchen. The most recommended way of increasing storage is to find an unused area and install a number of drawers or pull out pantry there. This is also a cost-effective solution since installing a few drawers won’t cost you that much.

Keeping appliances out of sightFor high-use appliances like kettle, toaster and microwave, you can install an appliance cabinet in your kitchen. In fact, this cabinet can provide you with easy access to any of your favourite appliances.

Also, a well-designed appliance cabinet provides no impediment to working in the kitchen. Not to mention that they are not that expensive, and they blend well with the style of your kitchen because they can be tailored based on your current kitchen design.

Overall, whatever you desire for your kitchen, you always need a reliable kitchen renovation specialist who can help you realise your dream. You must also complete thorough research to avoid mistakes, such as those discussed here.

For this purpose, we at T.E.D Bathrooms offer our renovation services to you.Our team of friendly designers and renovation experts are highly trained and qualified to carry out your kitchen renovation project. We can assure you that they can create a kitchen that suits your life and style.

The kitchen is an important part of your home since it is where you cook good food for your family and guests. It’s just right to improve the efficiency and look of your small kitchen by renovating it, but it’s a major undertaking, and there are several reasons why you would want to remodel your kitchen.

Here are some valid reasons why you might want to remodel your small kitchen:

• Deterioration – Your kitchen is falling apart, and it already has peeling countertops, missing cabinet doors, cracked tiles, and outdated appliances that don’t inspire gourmet cooking or family gatherings.
• Energy savings – You may want to reduce your monthly electric bill by adding skylights, which brings in more sunshine and reduce the need for artificial light. It’s also wise to use energy-efficient appliances that can cut the utility bill and more environment-friendly.
• Value – Most homeowners would like to increase the value or marketability of their property, so remodeling their small kitchen is always a wise thing to do. In fact, a remodeled and attractive kitchen would definitely appeal to potential home buyers, and this would significantly raise the price of your property.
• Modernity – You may want to modernise your kitchen and make it more like a room for the 21st century, then renovating it is the only way to go.
• Lifestyle – If you have just bought a house, then the kitchen layout may have worked great for the previous owner, but not for you. Therefore, remodeling the kitchen and rearranging the room to best suit your wants as well as your family’s needs.

How to maximise space in your small kitchen
When it comes to maximising your small kitchen space, you’ll need to be creative and resourceful because there are innovative ways to squeeze even more storage out of your kitchen. You can add a shell to maximise the space above your cabinets and use it to store more items that you don’t usually use on a daily basis.

You can also take advantage of the open wall space by installing additional shelves or even a fold-down table to ease up the clutter in your kitchen. Another great space-saving tip is to install magnetic knife strips that are good for storing most of your kitchen knives. These magnetic strips can also be used for storing pot lids and other metal kitchen tools.

Assessing your options to extend your kitchen
No matter how big or small your kitchen renovation project is, it always requires a custom design solution. So, the first thing to do is to assess the current space you have in your kitchen and determine the type of appliance and fixtures that can be squeezed in. If your needs cannot fit within the existing space, you may need to investigate options to extend your home or kitchen space. This would need thorough investigation as it would be more costly.

So, if you’re planning to upgrade your kitchen, we recommend that you contact or hire a reliable small kitchen renovation specialist like T.E.D Bathrooms. It is vital that you get professional help at the design stage of your project and ensure that you get the most out of your current budget.

A renovation expert will provide you several options based on your envisioned design and budget. Also, if you don’t have any design in mind, they can offer you a design template that will fit your taste and style. 

When you’re planning to renovate your bathroom, there are so many things to consider and think about, like the type of flooring, tile, and the vanity you’re going to use since these can impact the look and feel of your bathroom.  

However, most homeowners are not thinking of the type of shower they want in the space, so they tend to use a mediocre shower design, which can impact the convenience and efficiency of their bathroom. In fact, shower renovations are a huge part of the process and a significant factor in making your bathroom elegant and efficient.

Here are some tips that can help you choose the best shower for your bathroom:

• Do a thorough research

You should always do your own research before starting your renovation project because there are so many options in the market that it can feel overwhelming. So, you’ll need to know the best and most appropriate shower design for your bathroom before speaking to a bathroom renovation specialist.

For this purpose, we recommend that you look at the different styles and layouts available on your local home depot or visit websites that feature various types of shower designs. Three of the most common shower options include a walk in shower, shower over bath or standard cubicle. You will surely get some good inspiration from these sources.

• Set an appropriate budget

Your budget is a significant factor that will decide the kind of accessories you can put into your shower. Therefore, if you can set the right budget for your project, you can determine if you can install a built-in bench, the type of hardware for your space like if you’re looking for a rain shower experience or a double shower head setup – it all depends on your current budget.

• Bath space

The space in your bathroom is also one of the major factors to consider when deciding the right kind of shower that will work for you. Always keep in mind the available floor space in your bathroom before finalising your shower design and starting your renovation project.

• Plumbing system

Lastly, you also need to consider the plumbing and water heating system in your home, since water pressure plays a major role in your shower design. For example, if you want to have both a hot and cold shower, then you need to have a high-pressure system. So, you’ll need to install that particular plumbing system before starting your shower renovation.
Overall, you’ll need a professional bathroom renovator that can help you realise your own shower design. Although a reliable bathroom contractor like T.E.D Bathroom can provide you with innovative solutions and designs, so you can achieve the results that you’re looking for.

In fact, they offer a variety of services that will ensure you get the bathroom of your dreams. They also have a team of highly skilled and qualified renovation specialists that can quickly get the job done well and within your budget. 

The hard work is done, and your newly renovated bathroom is looking great as expected, but don’t forget the finishing touches that can really add to the wow factor of your new space. Usually, homeowners who have completed their labour-intensive project are tempted to walk away since they think they deserve a break.

While this is relatively true and you did a great job renovating your bathroom, adding the final accessories can be fun, and it is rewarding to see the finished product. It would be a mistake to finish without finalizing all of your hard work. There are several things you need to consider like some finishing touches that will bring your bathroom’s completion to 100% and make it even more amazing than it already is.

Here are some of our top recommendations:

• Use relevant fabrics – There are so many opportunities to add dimension and soften your bathroom space by adding suitable fabrics. That is why we encourage you to take your time to select the right bath mats, window covering and towels that much compliment the design of your bathroom.  Use bold patterns and colours to highlight the design and spice things up. Also, fabrics can easily be changed depending on the season, special occasion or your mood.
• Add your personal touch – You can use the wall space to your advantage and add your most treasured works of art. In fact, you can hang a framed photograph, paintings, metallic wall art and wall coverings where you can place your personal stamp collection.
• Mood lighting – Using different types of lights on your bathroom doesn’t only add function, but it also emits style and ambience. If you have the budget, you can use lavish wall sconces with a crystal chandelier or add some cool lighting sequence over the bathtub for the perfect balance of ambience and function although it is essential to plan before you install the lighting. You’ll need to determine the placement of your fixtures and it’s advisable to get in touch with your trusty electrician before installing those lightings.
• Functional furniture – We also recommend adding small furniture accent pieces to your bathroom. This can be a side table, upholstered bench, decorative towel rack that can bring comfort and function to complete your bathroom renovation.
• Natures fragrances – You can bring the outdoors inside your bathroom by using scented candles or a fresh floral arrangement. You’ll feel more relaxed when you see a bouquet of fresh flower or smell the fragrance of nature when you step in your bathroom. Candles are your best option to bring lasting fragrance and ambience to your space especially if you have classic accessories like a stylish candle holder since it never goes out of style.

Overall, if you’re looking to add stylish and affordable finishing to your newly renovated bathroom, we urge you to get in touch with a reliable bathroom renovation contractor like T.E.D Bathrooms, since they have a team of highly skilled designers and renovation experts that can help you finalise your bathroom design.

They can even give you some good advice on what finishing is best for you based on your current bathroom design. So, it’s always advisable to consult with a renovation expert before installing any fixture on your bathroom.

Many familes in Australia have experienced this at least once in their lives especially if the number of children is growing. If you have the same reason to extend your home, maybe your wondering whether you should embark upon a single storey extension, or add a second storey. There are a few considerations that you need to be mindful of when deciding. And here we listed the things that can help you figure out what to do.

When a Single Level Home Extension is the Best Choice For You
When it comes to preferences, some homeowners prefer a single storey house. When choosing between extending up or out, you need to determine first what the spaces are for. If you are only looking to extending your kitchen or adding a bedroom or utility room, then there is no need for a second floor. This is a great choice for people who want to improve the lighting of their homes as single-storey extensions are simpler to construct, no need for additional walls that can hinder the sunlight from entering into interiors. If you have a lesser budget, this is a good alternative for small additional spaces. Also, if you have a lot of flat land, a single level extension should be considered.

When a Second Storage Addition is the Best Choice For You
Again, it's your decision if you want an extended home with second level. This is best suited for people who require larger spaces for bedrooms, living areas or more. If the total square footage of your land can't support a single level home extension, then this is a better option. Just make sure you have enough budget to pay for the construction as a second storey addition is more difficult and costly to construct. Remember that this is going to be a huge investment. But if you think this is the best for your extending family, you can then prepare and consider other factors listed below.

Cost differences and other considerations
You won't be able to distinguish immediately the cost variances between single storey and second storage unless you have the size and design of the space you want to add. Keep in mind that the larger the extension, the bigger your cost will be. Other considerations include choosing the right designer and construction team to work on your house. Finding them and asking for quotation will help you estimate the cost. You may need a professional to come and see if your foundations and existing house are strong enough to support a second storey. If not, the cost will increase significantly.

If a home extension is necessary, avoid mistakes by planning and asking for advice. Finding the right amount of information will also benefit you so that you can come up with a better decision for your family and home.

It is an everyday situation that you find the space in your home falling short of your expectations, and at times it looks cluttered with all the household goods that you have. Have you ever thought of trying to change this and make your home look spacious and elegant? Yes, it is possible. It takes some simple steps to remodel the laundry or the bathroom and it can free up a lot of space. With the minor renovation of the bedroom, kitchen , bathroom , storage , and laundry , you can give not only a new look to your house but also create space for something new.

Here are a few space-saving tips that you can use to make your house look more spacious and beautiful:

European laundry
Doing the laundry is an essential aspect of daily living and it has got a whole lot of paraphernalia. Obviously, all of it will take up a lot of space and make the house look full. Take the help of a professional to create necessary space for a European laundry to fit in. The special feature of this kind of laundry is that it is tucked away inside a cupboard with a regular door. When you are not using it, it is out of sight. Keeping all the laundry items together inside a cupboard saves a great deal of space in your home and makes it look less crammed and elegant.

Wall sconces
Are you using the table or floor lamps in your bedroom? If yes, you can consider giving them retirement and bringing home a pair of wall sconces. This will not only rid your bedroom of old-fashioned lighting but also give a chance to more elegant looking modern lighting to light your private space. More importantly, it will free up some space in your bedroom.

Hide your cabinetry
Are you fully utilizing the space below your countertop? Give it a fresh look, and see how installing sliding drawers can make room for many of the kitchen items including appliances and trash bin to go inside and make your kitchen look cleaner and more spacious. If you are already utilizing that space, a second look can help you remodel it to make it accommodate more of the bulky items from the countertop. Give it a try, you surely will be able to create more space in this frequently used space in your home.

Use the upper space in your high-ceiling home
If you are blessed with the high-ceiling in your home, you can use the upper space by creating a loft bedroom or living room. A small and beautiful stair leading to a specially designed upper floor can create much-needed space in your house. This additional space can serve whatever purpose you may want to use it for – a bedroom, a living room, or a study for your kids. This king of renovation needs a lot of forward planning. Make sure you check out article on renovation mistakes before undertaking this task.

Space constraint in a house is a common problem that we all face. However, with a dash of creativity and some professional help, you can bring about a sea change in the way it looks loaded and full, and create some valuable space for a sophisticated and elegant look. The space-saving tips provided here would guide you in the right direction.