Renovating is as exciting as it is daunting given there are so many elements to contend with before you get to the final result.
Sometimes, it can be so overwhelming that you lose sight of why you started in the first place – and that is to make a home where you can relax, entertain and be with friends and family.
Before you lock in your room designs it's important to understand not just the layout of the room, but also how to create a focal point. Looking at your focal point as a "wow factor" means you are creating a space to not just impress but to entice you into the room time and time again.
Here's my room-by-room guide to achieving this.
In the lounge room
The TV has become our gathering focal point as it's our source of family entertainment. But when not in use, it's not the most attractive feature, so you want to make sure it doesn't take over the room's decor.
Creating a centrepiece in the loungeroom can add value to your renovation – for example, built-in cabinetry or a natural gas fireplace can create ambience as well as providing a warm and inviting feel.
Look at painting or cladding the wall in dark colours so that the TV merges into the background and allows the fireplace or cabinetry to become the wow factor of the room.
Opting for dark timber colours, such as walnut, turns cabinetry into a statement piece of furniture and creates a starting point for the colour palette for the rest of the room.
In the bedroom
Our bedrooms are spaces we spend so much time in and should be treated as a getaway, an oasis or our own private space to help rejuvenate.
There are so many distractions in a bedroom with doors, windows, wardrobes and sometimes openings to an ensuite bathroom that it's important to make sure you look at the interior as a whole.
If you have too many windows and doors, look at painting the frames and panels the same colour or tones as the walls so it becomes a backdrop to the rest of the interior.
To really elevate a feeling of space and harmony, use warm neutral tones with lots of layered textures which keeps the palette simple but with a sense of luxury.
Textures are a big player in interiors. Accessorise with a large bedhead, either in a feature timber or a contrasting colour, to create a point of focus when you walk into your bedroom.
A simple palette and a focus on textures gives you flexibility to play around with patterns and colours with your bedlinen and cushions in an easy and cost-effective way.
In the backyard
An outdoor living area is the perfect way to extend the footprint of your home, while also adding value to your property.
We tend to think of outdoor spaces as being reserved for summer BBQs but to me, it's the perfect place to create a winter room or somewhere for all-year-round living and dining.
Instead of making your BBQ the one and only focus, look at creating a gathering space with a natural gas firepit or fireplace as the central point.
An outdoor natural gas fireplace means you can use it quickly and conveniently with no mess to worry about – it's also a solid investment, as putting in a high-end fireplace at around $5,000 would add 3-4 more times that in renovation value.
Consider a chimney with exposed bricks or stone clad for an earthy or country vibe. Or to give it a more contemporary vibe, use wall tiles with a textured bluestone or sandstone look. Pair this with comfy outdoor lounge chairs and it might become your everyday lounge room.
For a more relaxed feel, look at putting in a gas firepit and build a semi-circle with fixed curved seating and fold-up chairs that can add more seating when needed.
Having a covered pergola allows for protection and also ventilation, allowing you to use the space all year round.