Don’t Move! Improve your Home for Better Results!
27 February 2024
Did you catch last week’s Love It or List It Australia episode? Homeowners Brett & Anita tasked show hosts with presenting two options – find a new ‘bigger’ home that would better fit their family, or undergo renovations to re imagine their existing home in a way that works for them. From a betting perspective, it felt like the new home option was a sure thing – their home seemed far too small and cramped with a bigger home sounding like the obvious solution.
Their problems with their space were some of the most common issues we hear – lack of flow, wasted space, lack of natural light, and the dreaded toilet / bathroom directly off the living room. Designer Neale Whitaker of team ‘Love It’ uses his expertise and experience to make key changes to the floor plan that remedy the above issues and completely transforms the feeling of the house – and even more impressive, he does so without extending the footprint!
Adding skylights, reworking entry points, and optimizing storage spaces are just some of the tools used to transform their existing home into the space they always dreamed it could be! And although team ‘List It’ put up some strong contenders’, team ‘Love It’ took the win and won us over for good.
Should you move or renovate?
If this sounds like a familiar story and you have some or all of the same struggles in your home consider playing your own game of ‘love it or list it’. Renovating first and deciding whether to love it or list afterward creates great television but is not so practical in real life. Instead why not utilize Pzazz Design’s
3D design services to explore and finesse your design?
We use our experience and expertise to work with you and your floor plan to create a design that meets your brief. We then develop this into a 3D digital model that gives you photorealistic imagery of how your transformed space will look and feel. This combined with a budget estimate or quote from your local Pzazz Builder will give you all the info you need to decide – am I better off to improve the home I have, or find a new one?
3 Reasons to Renovate Rather than Move
More often than not we see customers deciding to stay where they are and there is good reasoning behind this:
1- Renovations are customized to your wants and needs, the chances of finding a new home that has exactly what you want and doesn’t need any work are slim.
2- Moving homes is expensive and disruptive; consider how a different location will impact your daily life and your connections to family and community.
3 - If you have been in your home a while the value has likely appreciated making financing your renovation that much easier, and by renovating you add even more value to your home effectively meaning the renovations pay for themselves.
Curious to understand the potential of a home makeover? Get in touch now to book a free consultation with your local Pzazz renovation specialist just click the button below.
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The sun is finally out, the days are getting longer, and the last of winter's chill is a distant memory. For many of us, this time of year brings a renewed sense of energy and a desire to get outside and enjoy the beautiful New Zealand spring and summer. But after months of being cooped up indoors, you've probably noticed a few things about your home. Maybe the kitchen feels a bit cramped, the living room struggles to accommodate your family, or you simply crave more breathing room. This feeling of confinement is a common one, and it's the perfect catalyst for change. Rather than waiting until next year's cold snap hits to realise you need more space, now is the ideal time to start planning a home renovation . A lot of people don’t realise that it often takes 3-4 months from the initial conversation with a designer to when any actual building work can begin. That means starting now is the key to enjoying a more spacious, functional home well before next winter. The Problem: Not Enough Space It’s easy to feel like you don’t have enough space. Maybe you've got a growing family, you're now working from home, or you simply have more things than your house can comfortably hold. The issue isn't always about the total square meterage; it's often about how the existing space is used. Poor layouts, wasted nooks, and inefficient storage can make even a decent-sized home feel cluttered and restrictive. During winter, when our homes become our primary sanctuaries, these issues become more obvious. The kitchen counter that's always piled high with stuff, the hallway that’s a constant bottleneck, or the lack of a quiet spot to read - all of these can add up to a feeling of frustration. The goal of a good renovation isn't just to add a new room; it's to create a home that flows, functions, and serves your lifestyle better.
Why September is the Ideal Time to Plan September is a turning point. While winter is still lingering, spring is just around the corner. This makes it a smart time to start planning renovation projects before the busy summer months arrive. Contractors and suppliers often book out early in the season, so getting ahead ensures your space is ready to enjoy when the sun really shines. It’s also easier to assess what your home needs now, after months of being indoors, you’ve probably noticed areas that could use improvement, like a lack of natural light or poor flow to outdoor spaces. Creating Indoor - Outdoor Flow A home that connects easily with the outdoors feels larger, brighter, and more inviting. Good indoor-outdoor flow isn’t just about adding a sliding door; it’s about creating a natural extension of your living space. Creating Indoor - Outdoor Flow A home that connects easily with the outdoors feels larger, brighter, and more inviting. Good indoor-outdoor flow isn’t just about adding a sliding door; it’s about creating a natural extension of your living space. Key Considerations: Doorways and Access: Bi-fold or stacker doors can open wide to connect your living area with a deck or patio. Floor Levels: Minimising steps between inside and outside creates a smooth transition. Layout: Think about how furniture is placed inside and how it relates to outdoor spaces. A thoughtful design can make everyday living more enjoyable and enhance the way you entertain guests.
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