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There are lots of ways to give the hardest-working rooms of your home a stylish design update without breaking the bank – a good spring clean might even be enough to have your kitchen and bathroom looking reborn! But if you need to up the ante with a bigger revamp, here are some top D.I.Y. makeover ideas to consider, from lighting ideas and updated cabinets to modern tiles and storage solutions.
Bring the hub of your home into the now with these interior design tips and tricks.
A coloured kitchen equals high-impact change. Try a feature wall or adding a trending shade to a whole new room using a specialist paint like Dulux Wash & Wear +Plus Kitchen & Bathroom. Update sunny spaces with cool tones like mid-blue or pistachio, or warm a south-facing room with golden or clay-brown shades.
Replacing polished chrome handles on kitchen cabinetry with a matt black or brushed brass finish can instantly elevate a space, suggests Giorgia Manenti of Kaboodle Kitchen. “Explore unique shapes and materials for hardware options,” she says. Check the screw holes of your new kitchen cupboard knobs and handles align with the old to make it a seamless D.I.Y. job.
Improving food storage in your kitchen is a smart move, says Giorgia: “Retrofitting wireware systems such as pull-out pantries and rotating corner baskets will help improve the functionality of cabinetry.” Internal organisers make drawers less of a rummage-fest, while labelling pretty containers turns dry-goods storage into a thing of beauty. Hello, organised pantry of your dreams.
Revamping sizeable surfaces has a big impact. Oiled timber benchtops can be sanded and re-oiled for a like-new look. Laminate ones can be transformed to a contemporary, granite-like finish with a specialist product like Rust-Oleum’s benchtop coating system.
A great way to refresh your kitchen is to update door or drawer fronts, suggests Giorgia. “If you want to liven up your space, opt for a cheerful colour.” Two-tone kitchens are having an on-trend design moment, so only refreshing the wall cabinets is even simpler as an easy reno project.
“Simply removing one or two wall cabinets and replacing with open-shelf cabinets or floating shelves will help create a designer look,” says Giorgia. A quick alternative can be to remove the doors and fixings on a wall cupboard.
For a simple kitchen renovation idea that will make a big impact, revitalise worn timber boards by sanding and recoating. Try Feast Watson Timber Floor Wax for an on-trend matt finish, or use their ‘Black Japan’ Timber Floor Stain & Varnish for a gorgeous deep base to contrast with light cabinetry. If you’re renting your property, budget-friendly vinyl squares bring an engaging, retro look.
A splashback can be re-tiled for a cost-effective style lift that will update your decor. “With a fresh splashback, you have the opportunity to infuse new colours, patterns and textures,” says Giorgia. For an even more economical change, turn to tile paint – but first check suitability if the splashback is behind a cooktop.
Think about replacing ancient kitchen appliances, such as ovens, cooktops, rangehoods and fridges, for a streamlined, modern look. New models also tend to be more energy efficient. Check the energy star rating when buying white goods – the more stars, the better. Electric models are often simpler to replace, saving on tradie installation costs down the track.
Call a sparkie to change halogen downlights for energy-efficient LEDs, and take the opportunity to update kitchen lighting for a more modern aesthetic. “It’s important to have efficient task lighting in areas where you’ll be preparing and cooking meals,” says Giorgia.
Breathe new life into your bathing zone and add va-va-voom to your decor with these D.I.Y. weekend projects.
Some simple bathroom accessories, fixtures and textiles can make an old bathroom feel young again. “Invest in a few beautiful bathroom items, such as a soap dispenser, toilet paper holder and bath mat,” says stylist Tilly Roberts (@tillroberts). Consider a heated towel ladder; have a hardwired model installed by a sparkie or go for a plug-in freestanding rail – great for renters.
An easy fix to bring new energy to your morning wake-up experience is to replace the showerhead – often all that’s needed is to unscrew the existing one and pop on a shiny new rose. Check out the Flexispray range to find one to suit you.
Dingy tile grout can make a whole bathroom look tired, and sometimes refreshing it is beyond a good scrub. Try touching up the lines with a grout pen or grout paint, or use a specialist grout removal tool to dig out the old and reapply new (and replace grotty sealant at the same time). Also consider changing the colour for a whole new look.
Plastic toilet seats tend to yellow over time – a new one will make the space feel instantly fresher. Consider these buying tips from Luke Di Michiel at Caroma: “Determine the shape of your toilet seat and check the type of seat fixing. Measure the key set-out dimensions, including the distance between the fixing holes.
“Add some greenery through trailing plants,” suggests Tilly Roberts. Try setting a pretty pot in a plant stand or suspending a trio of small pots from the ceiling – ensure you choose the correct anchors for your ceiling type. Popular trailing plants for bathrooms include devil’s ivy and maidenhair ferns.
Replace dated wall tiles with textured, stone-look, geometric or Moroccan-style tiles for a contemporary finish. Or clad the bathroom walls with wet area ‘VJ’ lining boards for a Hamptons feel – anywhere except the shower zone. Skilled D.I.Y.-ers can tackle most tiling and cladding, but if the job entails waterproofing, plumbing or electrics, call in tradies.
Timber, laminate or melamine cabinets can be painted using a specialist coating like the Dulux Renovation Range. If the vanity unit is past it, replace it, but adjusting plumbing needs professional help. The latest trending looks, says Luke, are strong geometric shapes: “These continue to be popular across basins, with round and rectangular forms dominating.”
Say goodbye to old taps if they drip and waste water. You’ll need a plumber, but maintaining pipes in the same place keeps costs down. For longevity, pick classic chrome or brushed metal in pin and paddle mixer tapware, with the simple forms allowing other finishes and existing decor to shine.
Keep surfaces clear and clutter-free with extra storage. Add a freestanding unit in an unused corner, tuck baskets under a wall-hung vanity for towels or spare loo rolls, or hang a wall cabinet. If space is a challenge, choose a shallow one or ask a tradie whether it’s possible to recess a deeper cupboard into the wall.
If the room is windowless, check with a builder if you can bring in natural light via a skylight. New light fittings, suitable for bathrooms, can improve light delivery and add a decorative note – wall sconces either side of the mirror are practical and pretty. Swapping soft white globes for bright white can lift the room for a small outlay.
Let Bunnings In-Home Consultants help design it!
Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.
Photo Credit: Alex Reinders, Jonno Rodd, Kaboodle Kitchen
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.
