You might notice that spring is a popular time for home improvement. Why? The weather is slightly more reliable, meaning you have sunnier days resulting in less building delays, and the days are longer thanks to daylight savings, meaning you have more time to work on the job to get it done faster. It’s also the perfect time to get the home ready ahead of the summer holidays and entertaining season, so you can reap the rewards of all your hard work.
As housing prices continue to climb in Australia, professional renovators Rachel and Ryan Carr say they’ve seen more homeowners take on DIY renovations to update their living spaces.
“Small home improvements go a long way in creating functional, sophisticated and luxurious spaces for less,” say the duo who appeared on The Block in 2022 and are ambassadors for Australian furniture and homewares store Temple and Webster.
“A fresh coat of paint can brighten and modernise your space while a new splashback can add colour or texture that transforms the room’s look. Many home updates can easily be done DIY so there’s an added level of satisfaction to it.”
Here the Carrs share some of the top mistakes they see in DIY renovating.
Don’t Skip Planning
Planning for all aspects of your renovation is key to keeping you on track with your schedule and budget and to ensure you get the result you’re hoping for, say the Carrs.
“Planning includes understanding your current floor plans and structural details, any council requirements and their processes for the week you want to undertake, and lead times on your main renovation features versus building times,” they say.
You also want to understand how long you may be without key areas in your home and plan for what you’ll do during those times. A detailed plan could be the difference between weeks of work and thousands of dollars during your renovation.
Don’t Skip Measuring
The thought of grabbing measuring tape, crouching around a room and noting down measurements sounds tedious. But doing so will pay off in the long run. The Carrs say measuring before renovating sounds obvious but they see the step often skipped. Before installing anything, check the space’s measurements, they advise.
“We love incorporating a hanging rail in a laundry room but it’s crucial to ensure your shirts don’t end up over bench space below,” they say. “To avoid this, measure the distance between your rail and the bench or the floor so that it accommodates the largest shirt you’d hang. Don’t forget to account for the height of the hangers too.”
In this case, if you didn’t take the time to measure the space, you might be frustrated every time you iron clothes only to have them awkwardly bunched up on your bench. “Proper planning ensures a more efficient and hassle-free laundry experience,” they say.
Don’t Play It Safe With Tiles
The Carrs say that tiles can greatly influence a bathroom’s appearance and functionality, so it’s important to spend time choosing the right ones for your space.
“For small bathrooms, opt for larger tiles with fewer grout lines as they will make the room seem bigger,” they say. “If you’ve found a tile you adore but fear it might overwhelm the space, consider using it as a feature tile on a vanity wall where the mirror and vanity can help balance the look.”
For tiles you want to showcase, use them in the shower as they can create a striking visual statement. Generally, with tiles, the Carrs say to have fun experimenting with colours and patterns. As long as you stay true to your overall style, the possibilities with tiles are endless.
Don’t Forget to Think About Kitchen Lighting
Creating the right lighting for a kitchen is essential for its functionality and aesthetics. The Carrs note that the kitchen is one of the most used spaces in a home so the right lighting can significantly impact your mood and overall experience. Play with a combination of ambient, task and accent lighting.
“Ambient lighting offers general illumination for the entire kitchen,” they say. “It’s typically provided by ceiling fixtures, recessed lights or a central chandelier, establishing a warm and welcoming atmosphere.”
Task lighting illuminates specific kitchen areas like countertops, sinks and stoves. Under-cabinet, pendant and track lights ensure clear visibility while prepping food and cooking. Finally accent lighting highlights architectural features, artwork or a backsplash. It’s often done with LED strip lights or spotlights.
“Together these layers of lighting create a kitchen that’s functional and visually captivating,” the Carrs say.
Don’t Overlook Updating Your Kitchen Sink
Though kitchen sinks are often overlooked, they’re essential for style and functionality, the Carrs say. When choosing a sink, first consider how you use it. For instance if you use it to wash large pots and pans, you’d want to get a deep sink.
“If you have a young family and need to wash bottles and utensils, a double sink offers practicality by keeping one side for sterilising and the other for general use,” they say.
Next you want to think about what style of sink you want. A farmhouse sink with its deep, exposed front complement rustic home designs while an undermount sink provides a modern look and is easy to clean.
“For a more traditional look, a drop-in sink with its lip resting on the countertop is ideal,” they say. “Choose a sink that meets your practical needs and complements your kitchen’s aesthetic.”
Don’t Go Off Current Style Obsessions
Not all renovations can completed in one go — it can take years for us to get our homes to a point where we feel our renovation journey has finished. The Carrs say they often see renovations done at different times that don’t match each other. This is more likely to happen if you renovate based on a current style obsession rather than your home’s overall aesthetic.
“This is where the word ‘flow’ is needed,” they say. “Knowing and understanding the overarching style of your home and sticking to this during any kind of home improvement or renovation will help you achieve the kind of home that creates calmness and cohesiveness.”
A mood board or tool like Pinterest can help you narrow down the style you want for your home and ensure every renovation complements the next.
Related: What’s Behind the Boom in Brass Home Décor?
Related: 4 Things Visitors Almost Always Notice in Your Home
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