The bedroom is arguably one of the most important spaces in a home. This is where the landlord or tenant will spend most of their personal time – not just sleeping but getting ready for the day in the morning and decompressing in the evening.
So this room should be a space that is the epitome of comfort – somewhere where you know you can relax.
For this reason, buyers and tenants generally look very closely at the master bedroom of a property. How big is the space? Is it well lit? Do the windows leave enough light during the day? Are there enough sources of food, especially near the bed?
The efficiency with which a room meets the needs of a person can often be a deciding factor that determines the attractiveness of a property for a potential buyer or tenant.
The crucial first step in a bedroom renovation is to see it first in the eyes of your mind.
"Measure and plan the space to see what will work. Then jump on Pinterest, Instagram or any inspirational platform to float your boat and collect ideas, "said professional renovators Luke Whittington and Shaun Hanley.
"This will help you determine what your style is and will give you indications as to the choice of your furniture and your colors."
From there, it's quite easy to create a functional, warm and welcoming bedroom space without spending a small fortune along the way.
FIRST STEP: FACTOR IN ELECTRICS
One important thing you should plan before working on a room is the number of outlets and switches you will need.
"Electric labor costs can get out of hand if they are not carefully considered from the start. The walls must be opened to install new cables, which must then be repaired or repaired afterwards. This is often where most of the cost of labor comes from, "said Luke and Shaun.
"Think about the layout of the room and how many power outlets you will need. Positioning the outlets as close to the existing wiring as possible will help cut costs."
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“The plasterboard walls are relatively easy to repair; however, coated or masonry walls are much more difficult to repair and often end up looking different from the rest of the finished wall, ”said Luke and Shaun.
SECOND STEP: CHOOSE THE FLOOR WELL
The bedroom is an ideal space to be creative with the floor covering. However, it is important to also take into account the level of maintenance that will be required.
"Laminate floors are a great, stylish choice, but they tend to show more dust and therefore require regular sweeping or vacuuming," said the pair.
“The carpet is nice underfoot but can be stained more easily. It becomes flat and bumpy over time under the feet of heavy furniture. Depending on whether you choose a plush or a loop, some brands may be more or less visible than others. »
Your best option in a rental property is usually the most sustainable option for your area, given the weather and lifestyle.
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"Natural products like real wood or wool are wonderful products to use but require more maintenance than synthetic materials like laminate, nylon or triexta – an important consideration if you're renovating a room rental property, "say Luke and Shaun.
STEP THREE: GIVE THE TONE TO THE PAINTING
The color of your room will depend on the type of environment you want to create.
“In most cases, the bedroom is generally a place of relaxation and tranquility; as such, the majority prefer soothing neutral tones like whites, light grays and moles, or soft, muted colors like pastels to set the mood, "explain Luke and Shaun.
"Painting your ceiling lighter than the walls can make the ceiling higher and your bedroom larger." Darker and darker colors can create comfortable, warm spaces, but they also make a room appear smaller. »
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"If you want a little contrast, you can choose to choose a lighter or darker shade for the woodwork and doors. You can also accentuate the rosettes, cornices and plinths detailed this way", have declared Luke and Shaun.
STEP FOUR: CREATE AN ATMOSPHERE
Lighting is an essential feature of a bedroom, because bad lights can make the space look cold and threatening rather than warm and inviting.
"General rule: warmer light is better in a bedroom. The most popular modern upgrade option is to incorporate a false ceiling with LED ceiling lights, but a false ceiling can add considerable costs to your budget, "said Luke and Shaun.
"Dimmers are a great way to control the mood, but they come at a higher cost; floor and / or bedside lamps are a cost-effective way to incorporate additional mood lighting into a bedroom. »
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"Talk to an expert lighting consultant about the right type of bulb with the appropriate lumens and beam range for your single room." Many lighting companies have qualified consultants who offer free consultations, "explain Luke and Shaun.
FIFTH STEP: OPTIMIZING NATURAL LIGHT
It is crucial to have the right lighting at night, but during the day it is always best to use as much natural light as possible. The windows you install can improve or limit your potential in this regard.
The large casement windows let in a lot of light and are essential in many modern houses. They also offer excellent views – perfect if you've worked hard to cultivate your garden – and make the room itself bigger than it is.
Being able to maximize the sources of natural light also means that you can save on electricity costs because you don't have to use as much artificial lighting.
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You don't necessarily need new windows; Sometimes a good cleaning can be all you need to maximize the configuration of your existing window. Wall mirrors can also be used to reflect light from small windows.
STEP SIX: KEEP IT PRIVATE
The bedroom is the most personal space in the house, so you should naturally keep the interior away from prying eyes, especially if you have clear glass windows.
"Depending on the type of look you're looking for and the amount of natural light you want to let in the bedroom, there are different options for window coverings. Sheer curtains are currently in fashion; however, in the bedroom, you may want to block the morning light for a better night's sleep, "said Luke and Shaun.
"A light filtering blind will block most of the light and provide privacy while allowing you to see outside."
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"Be practical in your choice of window coverings. If you only choose what looks good, you may be sacrificing a good night's sleep in the name of fashion – and sleep is much more important! "
STEP SEVEN: STAY COOL
It is essential to have a way to keep COST cool in the room during the summer, but air conditioning can be expensive, especially if you are looking to rent the property. So Luke and Shaun recommend ceiling fans, which are a "cheaper alternative to air conditioning which can also be very pretty."
"Fans with built-in lighting are practical, look great and even allow you to save on product and labor costs, as this is all about an all-in-one installation. They are relatively easy to install using existing wiring, which reduces the costs normally associated with fixing walls or ceilings where new electrical wiring has been performed. »
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Luke and Shaun note that “wood-padded fans are generally quieter, which can be more attractive in a bedroom; however, due to the shape of the plastic and metal fan blades, these tend to move more air. "
STEP EIGHT: BUILD AROUND A CABINET
One of the main features that Luke and COST Shaun consider vital for a bedroom is a good quality wardrobe.
"This is an essential element that can make or break a room – it is a big selling point for tenants and buyers! If you have room, there are many options, from high-end to low-cost. If you are not in a luxury market or if your budget is tight, integrated modules are a good alternative. Choosing standard internal confi gurations with the supplier will also help reduce costs. costs. "
It is important to know your demographics when you make this decision so that you can decide to splurge or become basic.
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"Sliding door cabinets are a good option in small rooms," said Luke and Shaun. "They are much easier to navigate for the end user, compared to hinged joinery doors, which take up a lot of space."
CASE STUDY
When Luke and Shaun saw the worn and dimly lit master bedroom on the Neutral Bay property they were renovating for sale, they knew they had won the jackpot.
“The room had very large proportions, including a large dressing room and a bathroom. As the project developed, we realized that this piece could become a real selling point for the entire renovation, ”they explain.
"Due to the dilapidated initial state of the room and the low natural light, it was a big negative overall. However, once we decided to increase the layout with this room, we decided to embark on custom fitted dresses. »
Since the property was located in an affluent area, Luke and Shaun chose to choose luxury-like furnishings, such as strip lighting under the cabinet and ceiling lights to compensate for the limited natural light from the room. They also added carpet to make the space warmer and installed a new, larger mirror in the bathroom.
Their favorite part of the renovation ended up being the construction of a wardrobe with sensor lighting and integrated powder desk.
"Upon entering the open wardrobe in the bathroom, the wardrobe lights come on automatically, which gave a feeling of luxury to the audience we were calling on."
Luke and Shaun thought they had already set a high budget at $ 10,000 for the only master bedroom, but that was not enough – the electrical costs associated with building the wardrobe were part of the reason they went over budget.
Before
After
"We were over budget by an additional $ 4,366 – this eruption was due to custom walk-in carpentry and the electrical costs spent to achieve the luxury finish," they say.
However, since their overall renovation could add more than $ 600,000 to the value of the property in just 15 months, Luke and Shaun do not regret how they spent the money.
"Our work resulted in a luxurious and bright master bedroom with house proportions, and this room was the most talked about element of the property during the sales campaign!"
Shaun Hanley and Luke Whittington
are Sydney-based apartment renovation experts and owners of Reno Pack Pty Ltd
