10 Expert Renovation Tips with The Block's Rachel & Ryan

Ready to elevate your home? We’ve teamed up with The Block 2022 stars Rachel and Ryan to share 10 easy renovation tips that make a big impact. Whether it's updating a single room or revamping your entire space, these expert tips will inspire you to create the home of your dreams.
 

Rachel & Ryan were contestants on the 2022 season of The Block. Image: Instagram     
 

1. Plan! Plan! Plan! 

Going with the flow is such a beautiful and calming life concept—for everyone except those about to renovate! Planning for all aspects of your renovation is key to keeping you on track with your schedule and budget and ensuring you get the end result you’re hoping for. 

Planning includes understanding your current floor plans and structural details, any council requirements and processes, plus lead times on your main renovation features versus building times. It also includes determining how long you may be without key areas in your home and what you plan to do during these times (for example, do you need to move out of your home while work happens, or do you need a Portaloo for a couple of weeks). 

      
 

2. Know your overall style (and stick to it!)

Not all renovations can be completed in one go. In many cases, it takes years to feel complete with a renovation journey. When renovations reflect current style obsessions and don’t match previous work on the home, this is when the word 'flow' is needed. 

Knowing and understanding the overarching style of your home and sticking to this during any home improvement or renovation will help you achieve the kind of home that creates calmness and cohesiveness. Using tools like Pinterest makes it easy to narrow down the style you want for your home and ensure each space complements the next.
 

Bathroom Renovation Tips

 

3. Tailor your storage

The storage needs for your bathroom can vary greatly depending on its function. For example, powder rooms typically don’t need extensive storage, so a small wall-hung vanity or pedestal basin can be sufficient and help create a sense of space in smaller rooms.

Pro tip: In smaller spaces, it’s important to arrange bathroom fixtures evenly to avoid making the room feel cramped. This thoughtful placement helps maintain an open and airy atmosphere, making the bathroom more comfortable and visually appealing.
       

 

4. Optimise your shower

As a family with three young children, we’ve found that bath and shower time is often a family event. Installing a double shower in our main bathroom has proven to be an excellent choice. It provides ample space for our children and can be more water-efficient than filling a bath, which helps save on utility costs. 

We also love to include handheld showers along with a showerhead wherever possible. We’re yet to find a client who doesn’t love the additional functionality. 


   

5. Have fun with your tiles

We’re passionate about tiles—so much so that if Rach could have chosen any trade, she’d be a tiler! We love helping clients embrace bold tile choices to achieve their design goals. If you’ve found a tile you adore but fear it might overwhelm the space, consider using it as a feature tile on a vanity wall, where the mirror and vanity can help balance the look.

For tiles you really want to showcase, using them as shower tiles can create a striking visual statement. We also enjoy experimenting with different colours and patterns. As long as you stay true to your overall style, the possibilities are endless. 
 

Kitchen renovation tips
 

6. Sync your kitchen sink 

Kitchen sinks are essential for both style and functionality. When selecting a kitchen sink, first consider your personal usage: if you mainly rely on a dishwasher and only need a sink for pots and pans, a single deep sink might be best. If you have a young family and need to wash bottles and utensils, a double sink offers practicality for sterilising and general use. 

In terms of style, a farmhouse sink, with its deep, exposed front, complements rustic designs. An undermount sink provides a sleek, modern look and is easy to clean, fitting with contemporary styles. 


 

7. Light it up 

Since the kitchen is one of the most frequently used spaces at home, the right lighting can significantly impact your mood and overall experience. A well-balanced lighting scheme combines ambient, task, and accent lighting to enhance the space. 

Ambient lighting offers general illumination for the entire kitchen, typically provided by ceiling fixtures, recessed lights, or a central chandelier, establishing a warm and welcoming atmosphere. 
Task lighting is designed to illuminate specific areas such as countertops, sinks, and stoves. Use under-cabinet lights, pendants, or track lighting to ensure clear visibility for cooking and food preparation. 
Accent lighting adds a touch of style by highlighting architectural features, artwork, or a chic backsplash, usually with LED strip lights or spotlights. 

Pro tip: We don't believe it should be one or the other when it comes to lighting. Combining all of these options will elevate your design, space and mood, no matter the size of your space.
 

   

8. Small changes, big impact

Sometimes, you don’t need a full-scale renovation to breathe new life into your kitchen.  A fresh coat of paint can brighten and modernise your space, while a new splashback can add colour or texture that transforms the room’s look. Swapping out old cabinet handles for new ones is a quick and inexpensive way to update the style of your kitchen. These small changes can work wonders, giving your kitchen a fresh, revitalised appearance without a major overhaul.
 

Laundry Renovation Tips
 

9. Get your laundry off the ground

We love to elevate appliances in the laundry. Regardless of the size of your laundry room, optimising the layout to position your appliances at an ergonomic height can significantly enhance convenience and comfort. Raising your washer and dryer to a more accessible level not only eliminates the need for bending and crouching but also provides added storage space beneath.
 

 

10. Check your shirt size

This may seem like a small detail, but we see it done incorrectly all too often. We love incorporating a hanging rail in a laundry, but it’s crucial to ensure that your shirts don’t end up draped over your bench space. To avoid this issue, accurately measure the distance between your rail and the bench to accommodate the largest shirt you might hang. And don’t forget to account for the height of the hangers!

Ready to renovate? Our Temple & Webster home improvement range is here to help you create your dream space.