Renovating on a Budget: Where to Spend and Save
DESIGN TIPS
RENOVATING ON A BUDGET : WHERE TO SPEND AND SAVE
Case Study: Tor House Laundry Renovation | Photography by Benjamin Ngooi
May 14, 2020
The owners of this project weren’t intending on renovating their laundry until they saw the rest of the renovation unfold and realised it would look out of place. As they hadn’t budgeted for the extra works, I had to make considered choices to keep costs down whilst ensuring the design tied in with the rest of the project.
Whilst these aren’t hard and fast rules, below is where I chose to spend and save money on this project and tips on how to achieve a higher end look on a budget.
WHAT TO SAVE ON
TILES
Subway style tiles are a great cost-effective option and suit a variety of different styles. They come in different sizes, finishes and colours and when you consider the different layout and grout options there really are myriad ways of using them. Although, if tiling a small area (ie. a small splashback), I often like to use the opportunity to source a special, more expensive tile which the budget may not permit on a larger scale – definitely worth it for the impact it makes.
CABINETRY
Basic laminate cabinet doors can look really good and fresh if paired with the right hardware. Most of the major brands have a good range of options in their bottom tier price category that you can select from to suit a variety of looks. TIPS: A couple of things we did to make the cabinets look more custom built was to have bulk heads installed to the ceiling and retain the existing concrete hob from the previous cabinets which we then tiled in the same tile as the floor to tie in with the rest of the tiled skirting in the room (ie. a row of tiles along the bottom edge of the wall). We did this in lieu of traditional skirting board, which is not only practical in a wet area, but also looks quite contemporary and traditional at the same time.
BENCHTOP
A stone or solid wood benchtop is lovely but I’m not diametrically opposed to a laminate benchtop, depending on the application. We considered going with a modern look square edge but as it was going to cost significantly more to achieve a seamless look with edging strips to conceal the black edges, I went for the Squareform profile instead. Consider how the benchtop will be used as some finishes will scratch or show dirt more easily and also select a colour that will complement your design.
LIGHTING
Although lights aren’t frequently handled, I still like them to feel good and be of a decent quality. Personally, I’m not a fan of most derivatives of designer styles, especially if the fixture is intended to be used as a focal point – they tend to be badly made and use poorly executed faux finishes, but this isn’t always the case. Well designed and good quality lighting comes at a price though so I will generally choose a well-made fixture in a style that is within budget rather than a poorly made version of a statement or designer light. Depending on the overall design, I think a simple ceiling rose socket and bare bulb can work really well in a space and is a really affordable option. In this instance, we retained the porcelain ceiling rose socket from the existing fixture and paired it with a bare bulb.
KEEP SERVICES IN THE SAME LOCATION
Keeping electrical and plumbing services in the same location will save you money so depending on the extent of works required, it may be worthwhile keeping your existing floor plan if it’s working for you. This includes things like electrical power outlets, light fixtures, tap outlets etc. Some items are easier to relocate than others but others may require chasing walls (which may require subsequent patching if not concealed behind tiling) or pulling up the floor. For this project, we converted the wall taps and spout to a bench mounted mixer, but kept everything else in the same location.
WHAT TO SPEND ON
TAPWARE & PLUMBING FIXTURES
We like our designs to feel as good as they look and perhaps because my husband is a plumber by trade, we really appreciate a nice, solid-feeling tap in a simple or classic style. It doesn’t need to be expensive, but try not to let an extra $50-$100 put you off when deciding between fixtures if it’s a matter of quality and design. Plumbing fixtures get so much use and will last a long time if you buy well, so it’s definitely worth spending that little extra to choose fixtures that will hold up to regular use and won’t date in a flash. In this instance, we were able to repurpose this mixer from the owner’s kitchen as it was a decent quality and style.
CABINETRY HARDWARE
Using non-standard cabinetry hardware is one of the biggest things you can do to elevate a stock standard kitchen. The cost does add up when you realise just how many you will need, but the extra cost is worth it when you consider how often you see and use them and the impact it has on the overall look. They don’t necessarily need to be expensive, but try not to buy them from the same place you bought your cabinetry from and if working to a tight budget, find a style that you can afford that is still of sound construction.
SINKS/BASINS
If using a laminate benchtop you’ll have to use an inset sink which aren’t the prettiest things if you go with one of those raised curved edge stainless steel options. If budget permits, try sourcing an alternative in a different material like composite granite or china as we’ve done here, or if using stainless steel, try and find a slicker style with a thin edge and sharp curves. When buying stainless steel sinks, the expensive, well-known brands aren’t necessarily better – we’ve sourced and used affordable options in the past without issue.
GOOD TRADES
The most expensive trade isn’t necessarily the best but the cheapest is rarely the best either. Good trades will not only make the renovation process easier and smoother, but they’ll also ensure the works are executed to the highest standard and avoid you having to pay to have the job fixed. Try and get trades who come recommended where possible as some trades present well initially but can disappoint later. We learned this from experience when polishing the concrete floors in our house many years ago and used someone who we thought would do a good job. But every time he came out he would gift us with skid marks in our toilet and empty energy drink cans all over the place and even talked about how he had friends around our place one weekend while he was working. He would come and go as he pleased and when he did eventually complete the job, it was appalling - rough and patchy and not even something I’d tolerate in my garage. We ended up hunting down the company we had used on a previous renovation (who had since changed names) to come out and re-polish the floors properly – a very costly but worthwhile lesson.
As a result, we now work exclusively with a team of trusted trades.
PAINTING
Just because you can paint a wall, doesn’t mean you can do it well. A poor paint job (think rough cutting in or poor preparation of the walls) can really bring down the standard of a room. Same goes with tiling and all other jobs really. DIY is fine if you have the skills to execute it well but just remember – just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.
