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Should you renovate or redecorate?

<p>We all get a little tired of our decor occasionally, but have you ever found yourself procrastinating about whether you should redecorate, or go the whole hog and renovate? Obviously renovating can involve serious costs and commitment, but redecorating can make a dramatic improvement without anywhere near the cost. Ultimately, you should think firstly about how the market will respond to your property when you come to sell. What will the next owner want?</p> <p><strong>Don’t overcapitalise</strong> <br />You’ve heard that before but very few people can differentiate between what they like and what the market values. The key here is to ask opinions, but not just of your friends and family. A real estate agent or building information centre can help give you a realistic view of how best to improve your home, without overcapitalising.</p> <p>If you live in a suburban property with an aging kitchen, bathroom and décor, and you’re not confident you could manage the process of renovating to achieve a modern style, you might be best placed to redecorate - with a view to preparing your home for sale to a renovator or developer, rather than attempt a renovation yourself.</p> <p>If you’ve noticed that local builders are demolishing homes like yours and replacing them with brand new ones, that’s probably a sign that there’s little value in renovating your kitchens and bathrooms. Your property may lack the street appeal that the market is now looking for, so you’d be risking overcapitalising by only addressing the interior.</p> <p>In circumstances like these, setting a budget for minor redecorating would be the better course of action. By re-painting some rooms, or even just a single wall in a room, you can brighten your home’s interior, improve its value, and give it a fresh lease on life - until the time comes to sell.</p> <p><strong>Consider your home’s long-term suitability</strong> <br />If you still love your home’s location and believe it will suit you for the long-term, then definitely consider renovating. Many kitchen companies provide a complete service, from design through to installation, and you might be surprised how creative they can be when it comes to planning better, more space efficient designs.</p> <p>Oftentimes, a modern kitchen can be installed without the need for structural alterations to your home, which improves functionality while adding value and appeal. Just remember, neutral colours and quality brand name appliances add the most value and desirability when selling.</p> <p>If you’re really lucky and your kitchen is already well designed, just replacing the doors, bench tops and appliances might be the most cost-effective solution. Likewise, with a well-designed bathroom, you may be able to refresh its appearance with new taps and fixtures, some strategic colour changes with towels and mats, and perhaps a new bench top.</p> <p><strong>Floorcoverings</strong> <br />Wooden floors are really popular these days so if your carpets are stained, smelly, getting threadbare, or you still have shag-pile, why not rip them up and polish the floors? Find an inconspicuous spot, like the corner of a room or inside a cupboard, and then pull up some carpet to see what lies beneath. Even ordinary pine flooring can achieve the extraordinary with some stain and a polish.</p> <p><strong>Ambient light</strong> <br />If a dark room or corridor is getting you down, investigate the broad range of clever skylight solutions now available. You’d be amazed how much natural light can be ducted to a room now, without the significant expense and building work that was once required.</p> <p>Modern LED lighting even makes it possible to cost-effectively light a challenging area without running up large power bills. A visit to a lighting centre will leave you buzzing with options you might not have thought even existed.</p> <p><strong>Don’t forget the big picture</strong> <br />In the end, the decision to redecorate or renovate should be made in the context of the longer-term suitability of your home and your financial circumstances. There’s no need to rush is so talk it over with friends and family, develop some ideas, and get some quotes. Then, ask a real estate agent for an appraisal and discuss your renovation or redecoration plans with them. Again, seek several opinions and you’ll receive a range of different thoughts and opinions. This will help you arrive at a fully informed decision.</p> <p><em>Written by Stewart Bunn. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/property/should-you-renovate-or-redecorate.aspx">Wyza.com.au.</a></em></p>

Caring

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5 budget-friendly ways to update the bedroom

<p>Give your bedroom an update with these five budget-friendly tips that can really make an impact to your home.</p> <p><strong>1. Bedclothes</strong></p> <p>The bed is obviously the focal point, so the easiest way to freshen up the entire room is to change bedclothes. Comfortable, on-trend designs are no longer the sole domain of expensive boutiques. Thanks to mid-level department stores and online shopping, sheet sets and doona covers have never been more reasonably priced, or as individual. But even if you’re not into a bed overall, a few scatter cushions can still make an impact.</p> <p>“It doesn’t take much to revamp your soft furnishings,” says Kerena Berry, interior designer and co-founder of <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__designbx.com_&amp;d=DgMFaQ&amp;c=N9aEhCy8U0rJkO1xCZf7rgM9fohfR5qe_N93viZd7O8&amp;r=ZK6ZksWETqpEAJ3oyKfcBIG1azKpqPGRD8VjikZ2gak&amp;m=WUTD_vioXWUa76wuz3qt6FaiMET3xKb2VePMQwnTP2o&amp;s=xDtu_4e964HU25o-oWLkt3ZKOueaKaWdzKlEhs4RxyM&amp;e=" target="_blank">Designbx</a>.</strong></span> “Pillows and cushions can often be the most vibrant and patterned items in a room.”</p> <p><strong>2. A fresh coat of paint</strong></p> <p>Looking to make a big change without the big cost? “A little spending on paint can go a long way” says Berry, who recommends painting a key feature, or one part of your furniture, such as the inside of a bookshelf. “Don’t feel limited to the classic idea of repainting a room.” But if the urge should strike you, Berry suggests going in an opposite direction to what you currently have in order to really amplify the change. If you’re committed to light and airy whites and neutrals, for example, you might want to delve into something more dramatic and moody, like a deep blue. If that feels like a big commitment, you can always paint just one wall. A cool, dark colour is more conducive to sleep. “Of course,” adds Berry, “why focus on the walls? A new colour and finish for the floor could reinvent the space.”</p> <p><strong>3. Furniture swap</strong></p> <p>Every householder who has ever felt bored by their surrounds can relate to rearranging their furniture. But Berry has a fresh take on an old routine; instead of swapping furniture from one corner of the room to another, try switching entire rooms. “Make your hall table a dresser, bring the spare chairs from the dining room into the bedroom for bedside tables, or move the bookcases into the dining room from the study to give an opulent and cosy feel.”</p> <p><strong>4. Reframe</strong></p> <p>Now is the time to print out all those great photos. You can cluster a group of varying frames together, and devote one photo to each family member. “It may simply be a matter of framing and arrangement to create a striking effect,” says Berry. “Don’t be afraid to combine an eclectic collection and range of sizes. In many cases, even the most diverse images work together.”</p> <p>Alternatively, you can enlarge one great photo of you and a loved one to hang above your bed. Be sure to have it printed in glossy black and white, as you don’t want the photo to overwhelm the room. Added bonus: everyone looks great in black and white and it goes with any wall colouring. Is there a window above the bed? Lucky you, you already have plenty of natural light. If this is the case, you can mount the large frame above your dresser.</p> <p><strong>5. Change of scent</strong></p> <p>Forget buying candles for acquaintances and instead, stock up on a bunch of really beautiful scents for yourself. Put one on each bedside table, so it can double as a lamp. The low light is perfect for readying you to sleep. Lavender fragrance is recommended if you struggle with insomnia. But if you’re just looking to enhance the mood of your bedroom, fig is subtle and ever-so-slightly glamorous. It’s delicate enough for anyone who opposes the sweeter candles, too.</p> <p>Alternatively, get yourself a fresh bouquet of flowers. They’re an unexpected, romantic touch to a bedroom. Don’t bother with over-priced florists, try the flower markets instead. If you can’t get there, your local green grocer or supermarket is usually stocked. Don’t worry about the presentation because you’ll be seeing to that at home. If it’s a beautiful scent you’re after, you can’t go past tiger lilies, but if you’re more concerned with aesthetics, choose peonies and hydrangeas for a look that is pretty as a picture arranged in a small, glass bowl.</p> <p><em>Written by Natalie Reilly. First appeared on <strong><a href="https://www.domain.com.au/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Domain.com.au</span><span style="text-decoration: underline;">.</span></a> </strong></em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/10/beginners-guide-to-using-colour-in-the-home/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Beginner’s guide to decorating your home with colour</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/10/15-time-saving-cleaning-tricks/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>15 genius cleaning tricks that will save you time</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/11/great-ways-to-repurpose-your-vintage-handkerchiefs/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>10 great ways to repurpose your vintage handkerchiefs</strong></em></span></a></p>

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