12 Important Things to Consider When Renovating in Australia
A great home renovation isn’t just about picking nice tiles or the perfect tapware – it all comes down to planning. In Australia, renovation projects that blow out in cost or time usually suffer from unclear scope, rushed decisions, or not understanding what’s realistically involved.
Whether you’re renovating a kitchen, updating a bathroom, or planning a full home renovation, these twelve tips will help you stay on budget, avoid stress, and end up with a home that actually works for how you live.
Table of Contents
- Have a clear plan & stick to it
- Check for asbestos
- Set a Realistic Budget (and Stick to It)
- Dispose of rubbish legally
- Do Your Research Before Buying Anything
- Don’t Overlook Your Entryway
- Prioritise Storage (Especially in the Kitchen)
- Make Small Rooms Feel Bigger Without Structural Changes
- Understand How Paint Affects Light
- Maximise Natural Light Where You Can
- Be Smart With Flooring Choices
- Renovate Bathrooms With Function First
- Final Thoughts
1. Have a clear plan & stick to it
One of the biggest renovation mistakes homeowners make is treating the project as one giant task. Successful renovations are planned in stages – room by room or zone by zone.
Start by thinking about the overall goal for your home, then drill down into each space:
- What problem is this room solving?
- How will it be used day to day?
- What needs to change, and what can realistically stay?
This approach helps avoid piecemeal upgrades that don’t quite work together and keeps your renovation aligned with the bigger picture.
2. Check for asbestos
If your home was built before the late 1980s, there’s a real chance it contains asbestos. It was commonly used in Australian homes in things like wall sheeting, eaves, roofing, and old flooring.
Before you start and construction or demolition work on a property, you need to first do the following:
- Have suspected materials tested
- Understand what can legally be removed yourself and what can’t
- Engage licensed asbestos professionals when required
Asbestos removal isn’t something that you want to cut corners on. Working with qualified and licensed asbestos removal company like Alpha Asbestos in Melbourne helps protect your health, ensures legal compliance, and prevents costly delays once work is underway.
3. Set a Realistic Budget (and Stick to It)
Most renovation budget blowouts don’t come from one big mistake – they’re caused by lots of small, unplanned upgrades that add up quickly.
A few important things to consider when setting your budget, include:
- Include a 10–20% contingency, especially for older homes
- Separate must-haves from nice-to-haves
- Allow for council approvals, trades, and temporary accommodation if needed
A solid budget doesn’t limit your choices – it actually makes decision-making easier and less stressful.
4. Dispose of rubbish legally
Renovation projects generate a lot of waste, and in Australia there are strict rules around how building materials are disposed of.
Some of the things that you need to consider when disposing of unwanted rubbish or junk on a renovation, include:
- Separate general waste, recyclables, and hazardous materials
- Use approved waste facilities or licensed skip providers
- Never dump materials illegally
Improper disposal can attract serious penalties, including EPA fines, and can also slow down your project if waste isn’t managed properly. Planning rubbish removal early and working with a company like Rubbish Removal Melbourne keeps your site safe, compliant, and running smoothly.
5. Do Your Research Before Buying Anything
Renovation materials can vary wildly in price, even when they look almost identical. Tiles, lighting, fixtures, and cabinetry are classic examples.
Before starting a renovation, some of the most important things that you need to do, include:
- Comparing suppliers online and locally
- Visiting showrooms to check quality
- Looking at reclaimed or surplus building materials
A bit of research upfront can save thousands without compromising on the final result.
6. Don’t Overlook Your Entryway
Your front door and entryway set the tone for your entire home – and it’s often one of the easiest areas to improve.
If replacing the door isn’t an option, simple upgrades can still make a big impact:
- Repainting the door or frame
- Updating handles or locks
- Improving outdoor lighting
In many Australian homes, especially older builds, lighter colours can also help brighten dark or narrow entry spaces.
7. Prioritise Storage (Especially in the Kitchen)
Storage is one of the most valuable parts of any home renovation, particularly in kitchens where clutter builds up fast.
Instead of a full kitchen replacement, consider:
- Reconfiguring existing cabinetry
- Adding internal drawers or pull-out storage
- Repainting or refacing cabinet doors
Tailoring storage to how you actually use your kitchen often delivers better results than a standard off-the-shelf design.
8. Make Small Rooms Feel Bigger Without Structural Changes
You don’t always need to knock down walls to make a room feel more spacious. Smart design choices can do a lot of the heavy lifting.
Some of the things that you can do to make things feel a bit more spacious, includes:
- Using mirrors to reflect natural light
- Choosing lighter wall colours
- Keeping furniture minimal and multi-purpose
- Running the same flooring throughout connected spaces
These techniques are especially effective in smaller Australian homes and apartments.
9. Understand How Paint Affects Light
Paint colour plays a huge role in how light behaves in a room. Lighter shades reflect light, while darker colours absorb it.
If you’re keen on sticking to a strict budget, some of the things that you’ll want to keep an eye on, include:
- Stick to a simple, cohesive colour palette
- Use whites and neutral tones for flexibility
- Add colour through furniture or décor instead of permanent finishes
This makes future updates easier and more affordable.
10. Maximise Natural Light Where You Can
Natural light improves comfort, reduces energy costs, and makes spaces feel more open – all big priorities in Australian homes.
If new windows or skylights aren’t on the cards, some other things that you can do to increase the amount of light that comes into your place, includes:
- Choosing lighter window furnishings
- Keeping window areas clutter-free
- Painting window frames in lighter tones
Even small changes can make a noticeable difference.
11. Be Smart With Flooring Choices
Flooring is often one of the most expensive parts of a home renovation. If your existing floors are in decent condition, it’s worth seeing if you can work around them.
Some of the best ways that you can do this on a budget, include:
- Sanding and refinishing timber floors
- Using rugs to define spaces
- Matching new finishes to existing tones
Saving on flooring can free up budget for higher-impact upgrades elsewhere.
12. Renovate Bathrooms With Function First
Bathrooms don’t always need a full demolition to feel new. In many cases, targeted upgrades are enough.
Consider focussing on the following items for a good starting point:
- New tapware and fixtures
- Updated cabinetry finishes
- Better ventilation or improved water pressure
A well-planned bathroom renovation prioritises durability, comfort, and efficiency – not just looks.
Final Thoughts
A successful home renovation is built on good planning, realistic budgeting, and informed decisions. By defining your goals early, doing your research, and understanding how each choice affects the bigger picture, you can renovate with confidence.
Good planning doesn’t just save money – it creates a home that’s more functional, comfortable, and suited to Australian living for years to come.
