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.

Beyond the Hammer: The True Value of a Renovation Specialist You might think a builder is all you need for a home renovation, but a true renovation specialist offers so much more than just swinging a hammer. While a builder excels at physical construction, a specialist provides comprehensive project leadership, guiding your vision from concept to stunning completion. They navigate design complexities, budgeting, material selection, and council regulations, keeping you fully informed and actively involved at every stage. It's about seamlessly integrating aesthetics, functionality, and compliance, ensuring your transformed space perfectly reflects your desires with transparency and collaborative expertise. Navigating the Kiwi Renovation Landscape: Local Expertise Matters Undertaking a renovation in New Zealand comes with distinct rules and nuances, making local expertise invaluable. A specialist deeply understands the intricacies of NZ building codes, resource consents, and specific regulations that vary even between local councils. With years of experience, they are adept at navigating unique challenges, from seismic considerations to character home protections, having successfully solved a variety of issues in the past. This ensures your project is compliant and future-proof. Crucially, they also possess established relationships with trusted local suppliers and qualified New Zealand tradespeople, guaranteeing access to quality materials and craftsmanship that meet high Aotearoa standards.

Back in 2015 we wrote an article 'The Future of Kitchens: What will they be like in 2025?' and it seems only appropriate that now we've made it to 2025 we take a look back and see how accurate our predictions were compared to the kitchens we are designing building today.

What is a Granny Flat? And are they just for Grannies?

Keep in Character with the Neighborhood

Dreaming of a kitchen that's both a joy to cook in and a beautiful space to gather? A kitchen renovation can turn that dream into reality. However, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices. To help you focus on what truly matters, we've identified the 7 must-have features that will maximise your kitchen's functionality, efficiency, and overall enjoyment.

Too many people plonk a table and six chairs in between the kitchen and living room and call it their dining area. But given that mealtime is the only time many families get together in one place at the same time, are we under-valuing the dining experience? Check out our top 5 tips to create a dining space that is inviting and functional for both everyday dining and the concessional dinner party or larger gatherings.

Extending the footprint of your home brings great physical, emotional and financial rewards. More space for you and your family and increased equity in your home are only two of those benefits.

We spend more than half our time in homes but we almost always go somewhere else for our health and wellbeing – the gym, a spa, a massage clinic. Why? Have you ever stopped to think about how your home could better support your family’s health? Here are our tips on revitalising your own space so you can revitalise yourself.

We’ve all done it – seen a piece of furniture or kitchen we like in a showroom, only to find when we get it home or install it that it just looks wrong. Or have you made a massive decorating mistake without even realizing it? There are lots of common mistakes to avoid. Here are 10 of them.