Browse Forums Renovation + Home Improvement 1 Jun 07, 2015 11:18 pm Hi we have just purchased a late 1940s single storey weatherboard house that is in need of some TLC before we move in. Our issue is that we have a limited budget right now, so realistically we'll be doing some initial renovating, and then save up to do something more substantial in around 5 years. I am hoping to get some ideas about what might be possible with the floor plan and get some design ideas for the initial renovation but also have the long term plan in mind so we don't do anything short term that we'd have to completely get rid of in 5 years time. Our budget is around $40k, and so far we have the must do jobs as: minor reblocking (quotes for $1500), heating (and cooling if budget allows), floors (rip up carpet and replace with floorboards - timber or vinyl planks), fix internal areas of cracked render, painting and built in robes in the bedrooms. I have attached the floor plan and a few pictures of the inside of the house. I would be grateful for any advice or ideas, especially around re doing the kitchen, removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room, and between the dining room and living room. Thank you for any advice you can offer. Re: What can I do to make better use of space? 2Jun 07, 2015 11:50 pm For a house with such a modest facade it has some beautifully large rooms that seem to be let down with a pokey little kitchen. The dining is massive, maybe even a little too large but i guess that is to allow for passage way through the room. I would start by getting rid of the door in the hallway. I understand it's purpose, to close off the bedroom wing from the living areas but it defeats the purpose when you have to walk through the bedroom wing from the entry. It also restricts airflow through the house. What sort of HWS does it have? Does it need to be inside taking up valuable space? Cheers, Paul (& Lisa) Parkhill 36 by ClarendonHomes in Coomera Retreat H1 Build Thread And Blog Building Blogs List - Go Ahead And Add Yours!! Re: What can I do to make better use of space? 3Jun 07, 2015 11:51 pm OH.. what happened to the images? lol Cheers, Paul (& Lisa) Parkhill 36 by ClarendonHomes in Coomera Retreat H1 Build Thread And Blog Building Blogs List - Go Ahead And Add Yours!! Re: What can I do to make better use of space? 5Jun 08, 2015 12:08 am Hi Roomeat, thanks for the quick reply! I totally agree about the hallway door! The water heater is a Rheem 300 series, it says 135L. The sticker on the side says it was installed in late 2013 which was a pleasant surprise, one less thing we have to buy . Re: What can I do to make better use of space? 6Jun 08, 2015 12:23 am That's great. I would be looking into the option of moving it outside so you can use that internal space to better use. Might be too costly to move associated plumbing but worth investigating. Cheers, Paul (& Lisa) Parkhill 36 by ClarendonHomes in Coomera Retreat H1 Build Thread And Blog Building Blogs List - Go Ahead And Add Yours!! Re: What can I do to make better use of space? 7Jun 08, 2015 12:23 am I think your first attempt at images worked better. These ones are too small now lol Cheers, Paul (& Lisa) Parkhill 36 by ClarendonHomes in Coomera Retreat H1 Build Thread And Blog Building Blogs List - Go Ahead And Add Yours!! Re: What can I do to make better use of space? 9Jun 08, 2015 8:13 am Thats better lol My partner and I spent quite a few years in a older (rental) home that we done up for the owner. We loved it.. it was far more a home than a house. Make sure you dont lose that "charm" when you do the big reno. Another thing I may do is add built in robes between the bedrooms but as stated above.. you might be able to find some amazing free standing robes that fit better with the home. Also.. make sure you check each wall before tampering with it. in a house that old you will find a lot of the internal walls are supporting roof loads. Cheers, Paul (& Lisa) Parkhill 36 by ClarendonHomes in Coomera Retreat H1 Build Thread And Blog Building Blogs List - Go Ahead And Add Yours!! Re: What can I do to make better use of space? 10Jun 08, 2015 8:29 am Very homely looking facade. I think your 40K will be eaten up in the floor and general updates (paints, lights, heating & cooling etc). I would lose the hallway door and door into the kitchen. Long term, make the main bathroom bigger and look at adding an ensuite to the master bedroom. Then completely reno the back half (kitchen, dining and living)...outdoor deck, garden etc. Re: What can I do to make better use of space? 11Jun 08, 2015 9:13 am That is a very nice looking place you have bought. I know everyone else is saying lose the hallway door and in the interests of making it more open plan that would be the way to go, but in winter it is always a good idea to be able to close off certain areas of the house in this case the front half from the back. It will certainly reduce your power bills. Just something to think about. The other suggestion I'd make is to open up the kitchen by removing the wall between the dining and kitchen altogether and making the opening between the dining and living as wide as possible. Long term I'd move the bathroom wall to the left as d@n says ; it looks like you have another metre or so at least which would make a huge difference to a small bathroom. A couple of skylights down that long hallway would brighten the place considerably as well. Keep all the renos in keeping with the existing style too. Stewie Re: What can I do to make better use of space? 12Jun 08, 2015 10:00 am Roomeat, Stewie and d@n, thank you so much for your wonderful suggestions. These are GOLDEN thank you. These ideas are helping me, more than you can know! Re: What can I do to make better use of space? 13Jun 08, 2015 10:19 am Glad to help. Just remember.. At the end of the day it's your home.. and your the one that needs to be happy in it I agree with the others regarding the wall between the Kitchen / Dining. I would also remove it all together (after checking it's not supporting the roof). May I ask the location of the home? Your requirements will vary substantially depending on what part of this great land you reside in Cheers, Paul (& Lisa) Parkhill 36 by ClarendonHomes in Coomera Retreat H1 Build Thread And Blog Building Blogs List - Go Ahead And Add Yours!! I posted the floorplan on Houzz.com forum and got some really good ideas and advice from people there. 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