Now the rush of Christmas and the New Year is over, it’s a great time to be thinking about your 2016 renovation. Whether you need a new kitchen, bathroom or a full home renovation, January is the perfect opportunity to invest some time in considering your needs and finding the perfect company to bring your dream to life.

The first step is to make a list of what isn’t working, or what you don’t like about the current space. Maybe the design is outdated, maybe it’s too small, maybe you’ve outgrown the space, or maybe you need to extend? Next, ask around among friends and family who have renovated – a personal recommendation is a great way to find a reputable builder and designer.

Look online or start a paper scrapbook to begin to gather together ideas – these could be ‘big picture’ ideas such as the colour scheme of a room or ‘detail’ ideas such as the finish on a benchtop or a tile you really like. At this stage, don’t limit yourself to a single style or design – there will be time to refine the look and feel of your renovation later.

If you’re thinking of a new kitchen, try to look for images that show the style of room you most prefer – modern, contemporary, classic, traditional etc… – as well as ideas for inclusions such as benchtops, appliances, splashbacks etc…

If a bathroom is on the cards, you’ll want to find images that capture the feeling you most want to emulate in your own renovation. Maybe it’s a kids room with lots of bright colours and fittings or fixtures that help little people use the space or maybe it’s a luxurious ensuite that helps you relax and unwind at the end of the day?

If you’re considering a larger renovation – maybe an extension or addition – start thinking about what the new space will be used for and how it can be most suited to your family and lifestyle. Do you need an extra bathroom or maybe the laundry could be larger? Or maybe there will be room for that butler’s pantry you’ve always wanted?

When you’ve compiled your scrapbook it’s time to sit down with a qualified and experienced designer to talk about how to bring your vision to life. Speaking with an expert at this stage can save you time, money and heartache and they have the in-depth knowledge of new products and design ideas you may not have considered.

Nouvelle has a fantastic online gallery both on our website and on sites like Houzz and Pinterest. Why not start your scrapbook by taking a virtual wander through some of our award-winning and most popular designs. Our experts are on hand to speak with you and answer your queries so give us a call today.