9th October 2018 Creating more valuable spaces in your home ~ Bar or Bedroom? Deciding how to best utilise the rooms you have, or creating spaces that are more valuable is key to maximising the value of your home and also providing you with more useful spaces for living. ADD ANOTHER ROOM If you have a larger living area, consider adding a wall to create a study, guest bedroom, or like the 3 Birds have done in this home, a bar area! You may also consider converting your garage into an additional living space, changing your laundry into another bathroom or powder room or converting a large linen closet into a home office. Butlers and walk in pantries, ensuites, walk in robes and second fridges (sometimes in your ourdoor entertaining area) are all very appealing to buyers. ALLOW SPACES TO BE TRANSFORMABLE Bonnie did struggle with what to do for this home and how to best utilise this space, and there was much to-ing and fro-ing between a 4th bedroom and a bar. As this home was being renovated to increase the liveable space and had a focus on entertaining, it was decided to utilise this room as a bar which could flow from the main living and out into the stunning outdoor alfresco area. This room could still easily be converted back to a bedroom or office should a new owner require that sort of space, and by having this option to add another bedroom to home, could increase its value by $100,000. This is something to be mindful of if you are renovating with the intention (or possibility) of selling… what you might think is important or tasteful, is not that important to or admired by someone else. CREATE MULTI FUNCTIONAL SPACES Although this is a bar area, it is quite multi-functional, so a very easy space to be utilised the way the owners wish. The biggest feature the 3 Birds used to create that multi purpose function was by adding an internal shutter to open it up to become part of the other rooms, or close it off if you need privacy or convert it into another type of space… GENIUS! BLUR THE LINES BETWEEN INSIDE & OUT Those beautiful multiple french doors opening onto the alfresco space helps connect the inside entertaining areas to the ultimate alfresco oasis outside. By having free movement between spaces gives the feeling of a larger, more usable space. Connecting spaces in important in any home and blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces with the use of indoor type furnishings (such as outdoor rugs and pillows) helps achieve the perception of a larger home, and more space. PAY ATTENTION TO SMALL DETAILS You don’t need to spend a fortune to make your home look expensive. If you do plan to sell, think like your prospective buyer and invest in small details that make a big impact. 3 Birds used Intrim’s SK59 skirting boards and architraves in this renovation, and the tall height gives the home a super luxurious look, but they chose them in a thinner profile which reduced cost. The detailing is minimal, but is still decorative, and adds to the overall value and perception of the value of the home. You may also like to update your lighting, replace tap wear, or change up your interior door, kitchen or bathroom handles.