Key Renovation Tips

by Max Birkin for House of Henley

As house prices have risen and risen, for many people it has become more economical (or, often, the only viable solution) to stay put and go up, out or down with your existing property. The jump from a two-bedroom flat to a three-bedroom house with garden is, for many young families, impossible. For others, it makes more sense to improve an existing space once they have become ingrained within a community. Whatever the reason, home renovations are now increasingly commonplace. Whole streets in London are swamped with builders digging out two-storey basements, with one particular street in the capital recently filing a planning application en masse to add a loft conversion to each house. Whatever level of works you are carrying out, there are always some important considerations to take into account.

Live in the space

This is essential. Even by the time you collect the keys, you may have only seen your house in viewings and a walk-round with your builder. Scheduling viewings for different times of the day is no substitute for living in the property. Take time to see how the light falls, how rooms communicate with one another, or how your family uses the space. Get the feel of a property before you begin adding and removing walls. Some things are obvious; a busy family with growing mouths to feed is likely to need a large kitchen, whilst a dining room is most appreciated by those who like to entertain. Other aspects of the property are less clear-cut. Do you really need a separate study, or do you just answer emails at the kitchen table? Is a guest bedroom what you would most appreciate, or could you transform it into a walk-in-wardrobe or en-suite for your master bedroom? Where are you constantly missing a handy plug socket? If you live in a studio flat you will realise more quickly what you need from a renovation than if you have bought Blenheim Palace (although in that instance, if you feel you still need more space, perhaps you are the problem). However, any property renovation will benefit from the knowledge accrued by dwelling in it for at least a few months. You may even realise that what you need isn’t a loft conversion, but a downstairs cloakroom and the resolve to book your visiting mother-in-law into a local B&B instead. If, after living in the property, a full scale renovation doesn’t feel right, we’ve previously covered how to improve your home on a budget.

Plan and plan again

As any builder will tell you, an over-thinking client is a nightmare. However, no renovation was ever hindered by over-planning. Be prepared to invest time and effort into every possible aspect of your project. Plans do not start and stop at your architect's desk; you should consider not only the dimensions of an extension, but also whether you need six or eight chairs around a table, how large your dream sofa is, and where you can position Granny's roll-top bureau. Initially, this can be done on paper (photocopy the architectural plans so you can go wild with your pencil), devising a scale to allow you to draw existing furniture or planned purchases into the space. This will give you a rudimentary idea of what you can fit in your room, or even demonstrate that you actually need to bring out your extension by half a metre to give you the perfect space. Free computer programs such as SketchUp allow for a more detailed plan (digitised rubbing-out is much easier than the old-fashioned way), but once the building work is done and you have the shell of a room, consider taping out pieces of furniture on the floor and walking around the space. If you're in the happy position of starting from scratch, or extensively renovating, plan your plug sockets around your furniture placement. Two or more on each side of the bed, some inside tall kitchen cupboards to house the toaster and mixer, by the sofa for lamps, wherever your furniture plan shows a need for electricity.

Be creative

That most popular of extension breeds, the side-return, often creates a beautiful, light-filled kitchen diner with direct access onto a garden designed for entertaining. Equally as often, it leaves a dark, former dining room behind it known as 'the middle room', utilised as a glorified thoroughfare. In one such project (see picture), the architect devised a storage 'wedge' that sits in the centre of the middle room. On one side, closest to the stairs, is a utility corridor with washing machine and dryer, and on the other is a playroom with storage for all the Lego and Paw Patrol merchandise that a child could wish for. This creative solution has turned an otherwise pointless room into two functional spaces, allowing the clients to boast of not just an impressive kitchen diner, but a new playroom and utility space too. It is so important when renovating to be mindful of losing space even when you gain square footage - by all means, dig out a basement and fill every inch of garden that Permitted Development rules allow, but knocking through into the dining room and whacking some bi-fold doors onto the back of your house will not automatically solve your living space problems. By taking a more creative approach to your renovation you may well save yourself a fortune (and end up with a better home).

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Chris HenleyJune 25, 2020