Renovation inspiration

Renovation inspiration

Do you have your eye on a renovator’s dream; or perhaps you’ve already invested in one and are mulling ways to transform your bricks-and-mortar ugly duckling into a stunning swan?

Australians are a nation of doer-uppers, and our national appetite for the activity has been whetted by television programs such as Backyard Blitz and The Block, which have turned restoring and remodelling into a competitor sport.

Almost two thirds of the country’s 13.6 million home owners did some kind of renovations in 2016 and some 2.25 million of us spent more than $5000 in the process, according to research by Roy Morgan.

Home owners planning major work are likely to spend multiples of this sum – anywhere between $10,000 and $45,000 for a kitchen renovation, and between $10,000 and $35,000 for a new bathroom – according to Hipages, the online marketplace for tradespeople.

If you’re looking for inspiration before calling in the contractors or getting on the tools, you’ll find no shortage of it online, courtesy of a slew of professional renovators who are happy to share hacks via social media. Here are a few who’ve amassed a decent following.

Reno Addict

Want news and advice on all matters construction and renovation related, from the smallest of DIY jobs to building a home from scratch? Keen decorator-turned-publisher Jen Bishop and her team of resident experts, including master builder and The Living Room co-host Barry Du Bois and Integriti Bathrooms founder Andrew Stenos, have it covered. Check out their pics and posts on everything from making over an original orange-and-brown 1970s bathroom, to the payback you’ll receive by adding a few luxury touches to your reno project.

Three Birds Renovations

Good friends Bonnie Hindmarsh, Lana Taylor and Erin Cayless quit work two years ago to establish what’s become a booming business, turning dull and dilapidated brick-and-tile dwellings in Sydney’s western suburbs into stylish show homes. Their signature features include the use of gas strut windows to create servery hatches that link kitchens with al fresco dining spaces, and generously proportioned decks for outdoor entertaining. Watch them work their makeover magic at warp speed via their Three Birds TV YouTube clips, or drool over the results of their toil on Instagram.

Style Curator

Self-taught home renovator and interior designer Gina Ciancio has been sharing her love of home design and renovation with a growing band of followers since 2014. Check out her pages for advice on everything from bathroom design boo-boos, to the latest in DIY fencing options, how-to videos and a stack of before-and-after shots to give you the impetus you need to get started.

Family Home Experts

Rebekah Hurworth is no enthusiastic amateur – she’s an award-winning architectural designer who specialises in domestic extensions and renovations. Her weekly How To videos on Facebook cover a gamut of topics, from designing your own renovation and picking the perfect paint colours, to creating a streamlined kitchen where everyday mess can be hidden from sight.