5 Things to Think About Before You Start Renovating

A home renovation is an exciting opportunity to reimagine how you live — but before you dive in, it’s worth taking a step back to plan. The most successful projects begin with clarity and direction. Here’s a quick checklist of what to consider before the first wall comes down.

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1. Budget — Be Clear and Build in a Cushion

Define your budget early and make it as detailed as possible. Beyond materials and labour, include professional fees, approvals, and a 10–15% contingency for the unexpected. A well-planned budget keeps your design goals realistic — and your renovation stress-free.

2. Goals — Know Your Why

Every great design starts with purpose. Are you renovating to create more space, improve flow, or bring your interiors up to date? Your “why” guides every design choice — from layout decisions to the materials and finishes that shape the final look and feel.

3. Layout — Design for How You Live

A beautiful home should work as well as it looks. Think about how you use each space day-to-day: where the light comes in, how you move through rooms, and where connection (or privacy) matters most. Smart layouts maximise function and elevate your lifestyle.

4. Timeline — Be Realistic, Stay Flexible

Good design takes time. Set a clear schedule, but allow room for revisions, approvals, and material lead times. The goal isn’t just to finish fast — it’s to get it right. A thoughtful timeline ensures the process runs smoothly from concept to completion.

5. Approvals — Don’t Skip the Essentials

Before any construction begins, confirm what your project needs in terms of council approvals or building permits. Skipping this step can cause major setbacks later. Your design team can help manage this process so everything runs seamlessly and compliantly.

Bringing It All Together

A renovation isn’t just about updating a space — it’s about creating a home that reflects who you are and how you want to live. With the right planning, design direction, and expert guidance, your renovation can transform everyday living into something truly special.

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Ready to Begin Your Renovation Journey?

Every great renovation starts with the right foundation — clear goals, smart planning, and a team that brings your vision to life.

Start your design journey with DMR Designs.

Book a discovery call via the link in our bio or visit our website to begin planning your dream renovation.

Family-Friendly Design: Creating Flexible Homes That Grow with You

A home isn’t just four walls — it’s the place where your family grows, routines shift, and needs change over time. That’s why more homeowners are looking for family-friendly designs that can adapt with them, rather than needing constant renovations or adjustments.

The key lies in future-proofing your space so that it feels just as comfortable and practical in ten years as it does today.

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Future-Proofing Your Home

Think about how your family might grow or change. Will you need extra bedrooms in the future? A home office that could later double as a guest room? By planning ahead, you save yourself the stress and cost of major alterations later on. Simple design choices, like leaving room for extensions or opting for open-plan layouts, can give you that flexibility.

Adaptable Spaces

The modern family home works hardest when rooms aren’t tied to just one purpose. A study nook near the kitchen might be a homework hub now, but could easily become a casual office or reading corner down the track. Large living areas can be subtly divided with furniture or screens to create separate zones for kids’ play and adult relaxation — all without losing that open, airy feel.

Multi-Use Rooms

Why settle for a single-use room when you can design spaces that do more? A spare room can transform into a nursery, then a playroom, and later a teen retreat. Even garages and outdoor areas can be designed with versatility in mind, making them useful year-round. The idea is to keep spaces fluid, so they work no matter what stage of life you’re in.

Child-Safe Design Elements

If you’ve got young ones at home, safety naturally becomes a top priority. Consider features like rounded bench corners, non-slip flooring, and secure storage for cleaning products. Outdoors, gated pool areas and soft landscaping around play zones give you peace of mind. These details may seem small, but they make a world of difference in day-to-day family life.

Designed for Our Lifestyle

In Australia, we’re lucky to enjoy a climate that encourages indoor–outdoor living. Designing with wide sliding doors, shaded alfresco areas, and connected backyard spaces makes it easier for families to entertain, relax, and keep an eye on the kids. Homes that take advantage of natural light and cross-breezes also feel brighter, cooler, and more energy-efficient — a win for comfort and long-term value.

The Big Picture

A truly family-friendly home is one that grows with you. It balances comfort with practicality, style with safety, and structure with flexibility. By future-proofing and thinking ahead, you’re not just building a house — you’re creating a space that will support your family’s journey for years to come.

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Thinking of building or renovating?

Our team specialises in creating flexible, future-ready homes designed around the way Australian families really live. From adaptable layouts to child-safe design solutions — and plenty of focus on indoor–outdoor flow — we’ll help you bring your vision to life with style, comfort, and peace of mind.

Book your design consultation today and start planning a home that grows with you.

Floor Plan Mistakes to Avoid When Building or Renovating

Designing or renovating your home is exciting, but one of the trickiest parts is making sure the floor plan works in everyday life. A clever layout can make your home brighter, more practical, and more comfortable, while a poor one can leave you frustrated and spending more than you planned.

Whether you’re building from scratch or giving your current home a makeover, it’s worth slowing down and thinking through the details. Floor plan mistakes can be costly and difficult to fix later, but with the right approach, they’re completely avoidable.

Here are 8 common floor plan mistakes that homeowners often run into—and how you can avoid them.

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1. Ignoring Natural Light and Orientation

Nothing makes a home feel more inviting than good natural light. When rooms are placed without considering where the sun rises and sets, living spaces can end up dark and cold.

Tip: Think carefully about where the light will fall during the day. Position living, dining, and kitchen spaces where they’ll receive the most sunshine, and use windows or glass doors to maximise brightness.

2. Wasting Space with Long Hallways

Long, narrow hallways might look neat on paper, but in reality, they chew up valuable floor area without adding much function. You’re essentially paying for space you can’t use.

 Tip: Try to reduce hallways by connecting rooms directly or using open-plan layouts. If a hallway is needed, make it practical by adding storage, shelving, or design features to give it a purpose.

3. Poor Kitchen Placement

The kitchen is one of the busiest rooms in any home, so its location is key. A kitchen that’s too far from the garage or entryway makes grocery trips more of a workout. And if it’s tucked away, it can feel cut off from family life.

Tip: Keep the kitchen near the main entry and close to the dining and living areas. This makes daily routines smoother and keeps the cook connected to what’s happening in the home.

4. Bedrooms in Noisy Zones

Bedrooms should feel like a retreat, but poor placement can make them anything but restful. Putting them next to a noisy living room, kitchen, or street-facing wall often leads to disturbed sleep.

 Tip: Locate bedrooms in quieter areas of the house and consider sound insulation between walls. If you have kids, separate their bedrooms from the main entertaining spaces for more privacy and peace.

5. Bathrooms Without Privacy

A bathroom that opens straight into a living or dining room can feel awkward and uncomfortable for both guests and family members. Privacy matters more than many people realise until it’s too late.

 Tip: Position bathrooms in less visible corners of the house. Adding a short hallway or small partition wall can make the layout feel much more private without wasting space.

6. Forgetting Storage Space

It’s easy to get caught up in designing beautiful open spaces and forget about the practical side of living. Without enough storage, clutter quickly builds up and makes even a large home feel cramped.

 Tip: Plan for storage from the start—include built-in wardrobes, a linen cupboard, a pantry, and maybe even a mudroom if space allows. Smart storage design will make your home feel organised and spacious.

7. Oversized or Undersized Rooms

Rooms that are too big can feel empty and increase building costs, while small rooms make everyday tasks frustrating. It’s all about balance.

 Tip: Think about how each room will be used and what furniture it needs to hold. A living room should comfortably fit your lounge and entertainment setup, while bedrooms should allow for a bed, side tables, and storage without feeling cramped.

8. Ignoring Future Needs

Designing a floor plan only for your current lifestyle can lead to regrets later. Families grow, work situations change, and lifestyle needs evolve.

Tip: Build in flexibility wherever possible. A study could later serve as a nursery or guest room, and an extra living space might become a teenagers’ retreat. Planning ahead saves costly renovations down the track.

The Bottom Line

The best homes aren’t just stylish—they’re practical, comfortable, and built to last. By avoiding these common mistakes and thinking about how you’ll really use each space, you can create a home that works beautifully for today and for years to come.

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Ready to Design Smarter?

At DMR Designs, we specialise in creating homes that are not only beautiful but also functional, efficient, and tailored to your lifestyle. Whether you’re building new or renovating, our team can help you avoid these pitfalls and bring your vision to life with thoughtful, practical design solutions.

Get in touch with us today to start planning a home that truly works for you.