Tag: kerb appeal

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Design Expert Tips Outdoor & Exteriors RENO ADDICT Reno Trends

House facade ideas 2021: making the best first impression

Sponsored by Metricon

Making the best first impression Is so important when building or renovating your home. A fine balance should be struck between what appeals to you personally, what’s on trend and your streetscape and surroundings, according to the experts at home builder Metricon.

The Waterford

They spend a serious amount of time developing the options available to their customers, weighing up not just aesthetics but a myriad of factors like ease of maintenance, cost-effectiveness, energy efficiency and what’s proven popular over the years. What your house will look like on the outside is a big decision and one you don’t want to make quickly or without giving it proper thought.

There are three overall trending styles they’ve pinpointed however: the ever-popular Hamptons, French provincial and contemporary.

Lisa Goodsall, Metricon’s national display home and Studio M retail manager, says when it comes to Hamptons, Metricon have been able to pull together all the best elements of this style over the years and that it works just as well in coastal Sydney, for example, as it does in regional areas like the Hunter.

The Hamptons facade is relaxed and muted, features extensive weatherboard cladding, often mixed with natural stone. The palette is muted, featuring greys and taupes, there’s always gables, and it works well as both single and double storey.

Metricon’s Bayview

“It feels like lots of airy space, with large windows with colonial bars. Inside, the home is equally light and airy, and the facade tends to suggest that.”

A single story Hamptons style Metricon home

French Provincial, inspired by the 16th Century chateau look, is very grand and less relaxed than Hamptons. Metricon’s Bordeaux design is the perfect example. “It’s very impressive and says ‘we’ve arrived, we’ve made it!’,” Lisa adds.

La Pyrenee is all about show!

Then there’s modern contemporary, a look which is popular right across Australia and can actually work just as well in a street of older homes as it does on a new estate. Think drama, bold rectangular lines, simple colours and sustainable materials. Metricon’s Metro31 and Chelsea have them all.

The aptly named Metro Cube

Andrea Barnett is Metricon’s retail product manager, which means she’s in charge of sourcing the products and design elements customers can use in their dream homes. Her best advice if you’re feeling overwhelmed by choosing your facade elements, is to drive around and take a look at a variety of homes, and start building an ideal colour scheme in your mind. Makes notes of what appeals and what doesn’t in terms of materials and overall look. This is a great tip if you’re looking to build with brick as there are so many options these days and what you can see in a sample doesn’t compare to seeing a whole house made of it!

The Riviera

CSR’s Hebel render is a very popular choice too, sometimes used for just part of a facade to contrast with the brick. It comes in lightweight blocks and panels, is reinforced with steel and is quick to build with.

When it comes to choosing a roof, where you live in Australia and the weather can affect this greatly, as well as the aesthetic you’re going for. Consider things such as light colours may keep your home cooler, whether you like the sound of rain on your roof or not, maintenance, and whether you’re going for a traditional or more contemporary look.

Your front door and garage door can make a massive impact on the look of your facade, so choose these carefully too! Don’t forget the driveway and landscaping either; these things are much cheaper and easier to get done at the build stage, rather than later on.

Metricon’s design director Adrian Popple, has been designing homes for 34 years and is one of the country’s best. Above all, he says the process of deciding on your facade shouldn’t be rushed. “It’s one of the most challenging elements of design,” he adds. “It’s really about creating a sense of entry. But try to look at what appeals to you more than what’s on trend. Look at the surrounding landscape and the neighbouring homes. Ultimately a well considered home will stand out on the street; it doesn’t need to be over the top.”

Metricon recently held a webinar all about facades. If you missed it, don’t worry, you can watch it below now!

For more information on Metricon.

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Outdoor & Exteriors RENO ADDICT

Why your garage door is essential to kerb appeal

Why your garage door is essential to kerb appeal

When was the last time you gave your garage door a second thought? We’d say there’s a strong chance that you’ve never really considered it!

The thing is though, when it comes to street appeal, the garage door plays a huge role. As one of the largest doors in the home, it not only helps set the tone for your home’s style, but can affect your home’s value. To celebrate 60 years as Australia’s leading garage door brand, B&D has launched two stylish colour collections for its iconic Roll-A-Door®, guaranteed to add the ‘wow-factor’ to both traditional and contemporary exteriors.

“People often underestimate the impact of a beautifully designed garage door,”says B&D Marketing Manager, Danny Collins.
“It generally takes up a significant proportion of your street frontage, and can make or break the look of your home’s
façade.” Up until now, your colour options design-wise have been fairly limited, which often made it difficult to find a style that would complement the unique look of Australian homes and renovations. “With the introduction of these two fashion-forward collections, customers can get the smooth operation and convenience they love in the iconic Roll-A-Doors®, in a variety of finishes that are suited to even the most contemporary of homes,” says Danny. Best of all, is the design flexibility these new colour collections give you. “Think beyond standard cream – consider a warm timber effect that picks up on your home’s landscaping, a low-key metallic finish that blends in seamlessly with other elements of your home’s façade, such as the front door, window sills and eaves, or a go for a striking contrast such as a charcoal-effect metallic set against pale grey paintwork.”

The two new collections include the Timber CoatTM Collection and the Luxe DesignTM Metallic collection.

The Timber CoatTM Collection features timber-effect finishes, and is ideal for those who can’t go past the warm,
natural appeal of wood. The range is the first of its kind to give you the authentic look of real timber for
Roll-A-Door® garage doors, and is the perfect complement to both classic and modern architecture.
Choose from four on-trend finishes; Japan Cherry, Macadamia Nutwood, Hickory Nutwood and Golden Oak,
all of which have subtle woodgrain effects and tones.

Why your garage door is essential to kerb appeal

The Luxe DesignTM Metallic Collection consists of six chic, intergalactic-inspired metallic finishes –
think pale grey (Galactic), burnt earth (Aries) and Charcoal (Celestian). Constructed of durable Colorbond metallic
steel, these specially designed finishes boast a subtle, reflective lustre that adds depth and dimension under varying light
conditions. Stylish and appealing, they make an ideal finishing touch to contemporary Australian homes.

Why your garage door is essential to kerb appeal

The Timber CoatTM and Luxe DesignTM Metallic Collections are both available on selected B&D Roll-A-Door® products.
B&D Roll-A-Doors® are all custom-measured and manufactured in Australia. To find out more, call 136 263 or visit www.bnd.com.au

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Outdoor & Exteriors RENO ADDICT Styling

3 easy ways to make your front door pop

3 easy ways to make your front door pop

Does your home have ‘front door appeal’? You’ve heard of ‘kerb appeal‘, now welcome to the plate the even more niche-specific concept that looks at how your front door impacts on the overall first impression given by your home. Fans of the 90’s film ‘Notting Hill’ will remember the iconic ‘blue front door’ for the same reason that front door aficionados wax lyrical about its importance; it helps create visual impact and allows a property to stand out from the rest of the pack.

Overall kerb appeal is one of the most important factors to consider when renovating, especially if  you’re renovating to increase your return on investment. First impressions count and placing focus and funds on something that can be easily updated is a savvy move for renovators. Updating your front facade is also a cost-effective way to modernise and freshen the exterior of your home.

Here are 3 key points to remember when choosing or updating your front door.

3 easy ways to make your front door pop

1. Choose colour where you can – A brightly coloured front door can add a splash of colour and vibrancy to an otherwise understated colour scheme.

3 easy ways to make your front door popImage source: DIY Network

2. Intricate details make all the difference – Interesting or ornate knobs and handles can make all the difference between a bog standard front door and something much more eye catching.

3 easy ways to make your front door popImage source: Katrina Lee Chambers

3. Frame things properly – Think about what surrounds your front door and how it can be made to suit or match your front door.

3 easy ways to make your front door popImage source: Architecture Art Designs

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Outdoor & Exteriors RENO ADDICT

Why a new front door is critical to your kerb appeal

Why a new front door is critical to your curb appeal

When considering the overall ‘kerb appeal’ of your home, it’s likely that the poor old front door barely gets a look in. A door, is a door, is a door after all, isn’t it? Not exactly, it seems with experts finding that a new front door can quickly and easily change the entire exterior of the home.

Innovative door experts, Corinthian Doors, have pulled together their top tips for improving the kerb appeal of your home simply by selecting the best possible front door.

Why a new front door is critical to your kerb appeal

5 top tips for choosing a stylish, value adding front door

As one of the first parts of a house to capture the eye, it’s important to choose a front door that complements the style of your house while giving an indication of your own specific tastes. Make sure to consider:

  • Size – While the standard front door is usually single sized, measuring in at 820mm wide and 2040mm, more and more ‘feature style’ front doors are appearing in homes, especially new builds and those that have been recently renovated. Corinthian Doors National Marketing Manager Athina Solomou has noticed the popularity of the taller, larger front door which perfectly suits the pivot door design. “A pivot door tends to be wider and taller,” says Athina, “making it best suited to handle the extra weight of a larger door while providing a smooth and secure opening.” A pivot system means the weight of the door is carried at the top and bottom rather than on traditional hinged jambs. Athina also thinks that the right pivot door can aadd valuable curb appeal. “It’s easy to take your home’s entrance from bland to grand with one simple upgrade and installing a pivot door,” says Athina.
  • Frame – There is plenty of variety when it comes to door frames these days. Single, double, French, single with sidelight, double with double sidelights, the list is extensive and can be confusing. Athina recommends taking the architecture and size of your entrance way into consideration before making a choice. Her pick if you’ve got the space? A front door with sidelights. ” Glass panels will allow for sunlight to come through, providing a lighter and fresher atmosphere on the internal side,” says Athina. For privacy and aesthetic reasons, there are a number of glazing options available depending on the door design. This includes decorative and coloured stain glass options for complementary sidelights.
  • Material – When choosing a material, it’s important to consider both aesthetics and practicality. Those who live in suburbs where bushfire is a risk should always check what BAL (or bushfire attack level) rating their property requires before purchasing a door. BAL ratings range from BAL-low up to BAL-40 with the correct choice of materials required for each zone. For those who live in hot and humid areas, you may want to consider choosing a material with a low shrinkage/expansion rate like Merbau.
  • Design and colour – Once the more practical aspects have been sorted, you can consider exactly how you’d like your door to look. A colourful or interesting entry door design will provide an inviting preview of what is to come. It’s also a great chance for homeowners to release their inner stylist and experiment with design and colour. Look for something that suits the rest of the house and surrounding area while offering your property a point of difference and standout feature.

Corinthian doors offer a wide range of products that pair innovative manufacturing and design techniques with the beauty of natural timbers.

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Bathrooms Kitchens RENO ADDICT Styling

Champagne style on a beer budget: how to add value to your home without breaking the bank

Photo credit: Houzz

By Bessie Hassan

Whether you’re gearing up to sell your home, or thinking about long-term improvements for your own enjoyment, these simple upgrades can boost the overall look of your home – and property value. The best bit? They’re inexpensive and easy.

Photo credit: Houzz
Photo credit: Houzz

1. Let there be light

Let’s be honest. Nobody likes a dark, dingy home and there’s no faster way to drain value from a property than a gloomy room. Make your home immediately appear brighter and larger by painting the walls white and welcoming in light with the help of additional windows, skylights or bi-folds. The right skylight in the right place can instantly brighten a home and turn even the dingiest room into a bright space. Skylights are also relatively inexpensive, so are a good place to start.

2. Refresh the kitchen and bathroom

You don’t have to go all out with a full-scale renovation to make a huge difference in the kitchen and bathroom. Opt for a more affordable option and simply replace the cabinet doors or just add new cabinet handles, modernise the kitchen splashback, install new tapware or add a statement mirror in the bathroom. Extra storage in the bathroom is always a winner, but keep it simple to save money – some floating shelves or woven baskets look great filled with rolled-up bath towels.

Photo credit: Houzz
Photo credit: Houzz

3. Upgrade the window treatments

They let in sunlight and welcomed breezes in the warmer months, but windows are often ignored as a cosmetic feature of the home. Keeping the glass panes sparkling clean can instantly make them more attractive, but adding new blinds or curtains can transform the look of a room. For a modern but cozy style, use plantation shutters or timber venetian blinds, and add an extra touch of luxury with curtains.

Photo credit: Houzz
Photo credit: Houzz

4. Take a look outside

Don’t limit your efforts to the home’s interior. Real estate agents talk about kerb appeal for a reason – the external appearance of your home is the first thing people see and even those of us with the best intentions often end up judging a book by its cover. You’d be surprised what a difference a freshly painted front door (perhaps in bold red or yellow) and a scattering of pot plants can make. And while you’re there, why not paint the fence and replace any wonky guttering?

Photo credit: Houzz
Photo credit: Houzz

5. Add a deck

Aussies love the great outdoors and a home with a deck that can be used as an extra entertaining area, or a spot to unwind after a hard day’s work, is a surefire way to add value to any property. Done right, it’s like adding another room to the house and with the right additions, it can be used all year round. Consider installing an outdoor heater and a retractable awning, and your indoor-outdoor experience will be complete.

— Bessie writes for finder.com.au, one of Australia’s largest comparison websites. She is passionate about real estate, renovating, and helping Australians find better.  

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Design Outdoor & Exteriors RENO ADDICT Styling

5 tips to help you get going on your outdoor design

Regardless of how big or small your outdoor space is, maximising what you have is essential in adding value to your property and creating your own private retreat.

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Whilst the front yard of your home is perfect for showcasing your landscape innovations, the backyard space is where you can really let those creative juices flow. With entertaining, relaxation, play and safety in mind, you can turn your outdoor space into a stunning oasis that meets the needs of you, your family and your budget. Here’s a few tips to get started on your outdoor design.

1. Make your outdoor space an extension of your home

With outdoor living becoming more of a priority, making your space an extension of your home is absolutely essential. To do this seamlessly, you’ll want to carefully match the colour scheme of the outdoor space with your home’s current facade. If the existing colour scheme is neutral, you can use pops of bright colours in accessories and feature points to brighten up the space. Never underestimate the value of a fresh coat of paint on the outside of your home too.

Pay as much attention to the outdoor styling as you have indoors, so the same style flows throughout. By implementing certain colours from your interior design plan to the landscape architecture, the two spaces will join together flawlessly. So the outdoor area is a true extension of your home you’ll want to create a space for entertaining and living in too. Outdoor kitchens or a designated bar and seating area by the deck can provide an ideal spot for outdoor summer dinning. Make sure you incorporate a covered area so you can use the space all year round.

2. Create kerb appeal

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Kerb appeal is vital in boosting the value of your home so use this space to let your home shine. If it’s got architectural character, utilise it by enhancing certain features to spark visual attention. Keep the colour scheme as neutral as possible, as this will make it easier to sell come resale time. Add colour to the landscape design, or consider painting your front door or letterbox with something bright and bold to draw attention.

3. Invest in driveway gates and fencing

An important part of kerb appeal is to invest in driveway gates and stylish fencing. This will enhance the overall look and feel of your home’s design, whilst maintaining a high level of security and privacy. Driveways gates and fencing can create another level of charm to your home’s exterior or a modern appeal to dress up a tired looking house.

To determine what fencing and gate solution will work with your home; consider the current style of your home’s architecture, how you and your guests enter the property and whether you want to complement or contrast. You’ll also want to consider the level of security and privacy your home will need and what plants to use along the fence.

4. Stunning landscape architecture

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Photo credit: Houzz

Great landscape design combines creativity with nature to give you results that not only push the limits of aesthetics but dazzle your mind. From flexible low-maintenance gardens, to a well-set up irrigation system and custom lighting, the right landscape architecture can turn your outdoor space from a backyard to your personal tropical retreat.

Use lush greens and brightly coloured shrubs and plants at various heights with different perfumes for an exquisite design and incorporate a water feature for relaxing sounds; this will boost the look and feel of your outdoor space significantly. If space is lacking, opt for vertical gardens which can help with privacy issues or make use of hanging baskets filled with lush greenery. A timber deck with warm tones and a pool or spa will encourage entertaining and relaxation all day everyday.

5. The finishing touches

Deck your new space out with the right outdoor furniture that reflects your taste, a fire pit table to keep you warm in the cooler months and smartly placed LED lighting to accent the area. If you have a pool, you can incorporate LED lighting in and around the pool for safety considerations and add to the landscape architecture with semi-frameless glass pool fencing,

— Jayde Ferguson writes for Fencemakers, Western Australia’s leading provider of quality fencing and gates installed by skilled fencing contractors.