My House, My Castle… Changing spaces – maximal appeal, minimal stress
A call to redecorate, remove, banish or bust can present itself at any time – day or night – no homeowner is exempt. However, satisfying this yearn for change can seem like mission impossible – minus Tom Cruise. With an active Taupo property market and greater numbers nestling in the region, competition is fierce and demand for tradesmen higher than ever. Fear not! Sprucing up your space on a budget, within a timeframe, without the need for multiple tradesmen is possible, here we share some expert tips and tricks!
Begin outdoors in
Are you sporting a partly broken or warped fence? An off kilter letterbox? Or a less-than-appealing front door? Despite their very public positions, these issues can be resolved with minimal fuss. A front door repaint may be the winning ticket – according to Feng Shui, red promotes positivity and a welcoming atmosphere. Replacing the door mat – under $20.00 – and adding a pot plant or planter, can lift an entranceway.
A home with a well-presented fence instantly improves street appeal, says Dylan Batenburg, director of Waikato/Bay of Plenty-based architecture firm, Coalesce Architecture.
“Timber slats with a narrower gap look smart, then consider your letter box – you’d be surprised at what a difference a new letterbox can do for aesthetics,” he says. “A focus on improvements outdoors is a win-win as Kiwis do generally like to spend a lot of time outside and costs are generally lower than indoors.”
Emma Kunac of landscaping company, Girls on Grass, agrees. “Nowadays you don’t need an electrician to install a lighting system outside and in the garden. There is a huge range of solar lights available on the market – you can pick up a six pack of garden light stakes for around $12.00,” she says. “Forget water features of old too with plugs and cords, solar systems keep things tidy and fuss-free.”
Aim high but know your limits
“Creating an indoor/outdoor flow from dining to deck on a budget is also achievable, it’s just a matter of knowing your limits – and sticking to them”, says Dylan.
“Adding a simple pergola or shade sail doesn’t require a building consent. It’s only when you add a fixed roof that you need one as stormwater, bracing and weather tightness issues all come into play,” he explains. “Instead of a roof, timber slats across a pergola are an option or a native climber such as our native Three Kings – Tecomanthe speciose – which has attractive dark glossy leaves and cream flowers through autumn and winter. The tuis love it too.”
“Taking two steps back before beginning any property works – indoors and outdoors – is a must”, says Dylan.
“Look at the house as whole section – get a feel for what you want to achieve – and then make a plan. If you’re thinking about an exterior paint, consider whether rending over any block work will add extra value and bolster the look, or is it simply a case of painting over bricks to modernise and freshen things up?”
When it comes to building decks, remembering height restrictions is a must – but don’t be put off.
“Decking under a metre high doesn’t require handrails and up to 1.5 metres high you don’t need a building permit,” he says. “However, construction still needs to meet the building code even without consent.”
Up, up and away
“Working with what you’ve got, not only saves money but can make full use of space too”, says Emma.
“If you’ve got a bare fence, consider esplanading fruit trees – pear, apple, plum – these not only supply fruit but look amazing,” she says. “Go up! You can make a tree do what you want it to do. Esplanading, training up a stake, tepee or fence, these will all make the space feel bigger.”
Face of space
“Moving indoors, the kitchen is often deemed a costly area to facelift, however small changes can go a long way”, reports Jessica Probus, writer for Buzzfeed, in her article ‘Cheap upgrades that will actually increase the value of your home.’
“Affordable kitchen drawer pulls cost $2 to $8; cupboard handles cost around $20 each and the paint (primer plus enamel) for a small kitchen’s cabinet fronts will cost around $130. All up, you’re looking at about $450.”
“Even adding a new splash back or re-grouting tiles, can brighten a tired cooking space”, says Dylan.
“Consider a change in tapware and even replacing downlights with LED, or completely new fixtures to modernise,” he suggests. “Adding a mirror into a space will make it feel bigger and lighter too.”