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. 

When you decide to redo a room, you are confronted with many choices that will drive the feeling of your space. Adding floor and wall tiling is a creative, trendy way to make your space feel vibrant and new. If used correctly, your tiling design will tie the whole room together. Let's take a look at some modern ways you can add tiling to your home to help you start planning your renovation today.

Subway Tile
Subway tile is a trendy statement piece that can be added to a variety of rooms. Most commonly used on bathroom walls and as a splashback in kitchens. This tile will make your space feel urban and trendy. You can find subway tile to match nearly all decor schemes. Regardless of how you do it, this option is practical, being easy to install, and timeless. You will enjoy the benefits of this renovation choice without fear of it going out of style.

Reclaimed Tile
These days you can find great deals on nearly any kind of reclaimed materials, and tiles are no different. Adding something like a reclaimed slate to your bathroom will give it an earthy, natural feeling. Not only is this option good for the planet, but it's also good for your wallet, as reclaimed materials are less expensive than buying them new. So if you are concern about the cost of your kitchen renovation, definately look into this. The one drawback to this tiling idea is that you could fall in love with a type of tile that they only have a small quantity of.

Odd-Shaped Tiles
While rectangular and square tiles are a classic look, consider adding a modern twist to your space by using an odd-shaped tile. In traditional tiles, you can find shapes like hexagons and triangles, and in mosaic tiles, you can find circular patterns that look almost like river rock. These fun options make great accent walls or floor patterns. The drawback to this tile idea is that the installation is fairly complicated. A lot of planning and time goes into making sure it is executed correctly, but in the end, your hard work will be worth it! Final Thoughts These are only a handful of ideas for you to consider when renovating your home. Compared to other tasks, tiling is straight forward and can completely transform a space. So go to the store and start browsing tile options, don't be afraid to go with a more creative selection, you'll be able to enjoy this renovation for years to come!

Cleaning a bathroom is not everyone's favorite household chore. No one wants to spend a good afternoon scrubbing the toilet bowl and removing all the dirt on the tiled floor. But having the best bathroom cleaning products will make your life easier once you've found them. For those who are scheduled for the bathroom cleaning today, here are the gems you should be looking for.

Bleach Free Hydrogen Peroxide Bathroom Cleaner Spray
You need to remove all the mildew and mould in your bathroom when cleaning. This utilizes hydrogen peroxide that kills the root of the mould and leaves your bathroom cleaner and fresher. About 99.9% of bacteria can be killed by this cleaner spray.

To use it, just spray it on the area you want to clean and have a cleaning cloth with you to wipe the bubbles it produces. Remember not to spray this on your eyes and as much as you can, clean with mask and gloves.

Pumice stone
This product is the best for removing the hard water marks on your bowl. Some generations may have already been outlived by these stains but not you! To use it, cover your hands with protective gloves and start scrubbing the stains. After that, you can apply additional cleaning products to polish your bowl.

Bathroom Cleaner with Oxiclean
If your bathroom needs heavy-duty cleaning, you would need this bathroom cleaner with OxiClean. Whether it is soap scum, stubborn, grime, or thick dirt you want to remove, this is proven effective to lift up those bacteria and get rid of what's making your bathroom messy and dirty. To get started, spot the soap scum and stubborn dirt then spray this cleaning product. Avoid spraying near your eyes and mouth. Live bacteria-free with this cleaning product!

Cleaning paste
Cleaning pastes are miracles for bathroom cleaners as it works on different kinds of glasses, stones, and porcelains. You can use this to clean the top of your sink, walk in or regular shower, faucet, and many more. To use it, get a cleaning cloth or a sponge then wipe it on the area you want to clean. You can top it up with other cleaning products for a more sparkling effect. Just don't let it get into your eyes and mouth to avoid any complications.

Choosing the right plumbing fixtures makes your bathroom and kitchen more appealing. If you are looking forward to renovating your old, rusty fittings or renovating your entire bathroom, taps, showers, sinks, and toilets are features that cannot be overlooked as they are functional and cosmetic.

There are several factors you need to consider when choosing the appropriate fixtures for your bathroom remodel. They include style, cost, functionality, compatibility, material, among other things. Learning to choose the correct plumbing fixtures and finding their match can be overwhelming. What you have to do is to take your time to study all the plumbing fixtures you need and find out which suits your bathroom the best.

Things to consider when choosing plumbing fixtures

Aesthetics
Choose the style, materials, and colors that perfectly match your home and stick to them. You can either choose traditional or modern.

Modern homes are well-fitted to smooth curves or certain angles comprising of attractive, metallic finishes. If you are looking to make your home luxurious and elegant, make use of sleek stainless steel taps as they are well-fitted for every apartment. On the other hand, copper or ornate bronze fixtures are perfectly fitted for traditional homesteads may be more appealing when compared to stylish taps.

Practicality
You need first to define the kind of lifestyle you have as it will help you to choose the fixtures that perfectly matches your lifestyle. If you have young kids, go for faucets that can be turned easily and reached with ease. A single tap is much far better when compared to tradition separate hot and cold taps.

In the case of showers, there are family members who are lovers of power massaging jet, whereas others may opt for gentle rain. In this situation, dual fixtures can provide a solution that makes everyone happy.

Keep in mind that the efficiency of the fixtures keeps on changing, including that of faucets and shower-heads. It’s essential to monitor the temperature and pressure rating because every fixture or material works best at a particular temperature and pressure.

Cost
Price is one of the key factors when it comes to choosing the right plumbing fixtures. There are all sorts of fixtures, and their prices are determined by style, warranty, material, brand, among others. First, draft your budget to determine the amount you are willing to spend and then shop around to find the price that is close to your budget.

If you have a limited budget, you don’t have to worry because you can still find quality fixtures and materials within your budget. Materials are available at different prices, but there is a need to avoid the cheapest ones because they tend to have a short lifespan, and it is not easy to find replacements. Spending your money on high quality materials can be of much benefit in the long run.

Compatibility
To rearrange the structure of plumbing fixtures can be very costly and tedious when compared to interchanging taps of the same size as well as material. Choosing fixtures that are well-suited with your existing plumbing system will make your life much more comfortable.

If you are looking forward to a quick refresher, pipe fittings are the plumbing elements that are used in the connection of various pipes, components, and any other related fixture. Pipe fittings also allow the flow of water among tubes of varying sizes and shapes and can also split the flow so that you can realize the bathroom renovation you have been aiming for.

Once you have chosen the fixtures you are to buy, it’s essential to hire a reputable, highly qualified plumber to do the installation part. Otherwise, you can have your bathroom renovation specialist organise all required tradespeople to complete the renovation.