Organise + design your reno with these resources
◾ #1 template for organising and managing your home renovation or building project
◾ Your Finishes Schedule is the QUICK + EASY way to store + keep track of all building products, fixtures + fittings, finishes + colours
◾Store the following home product details in your Schedule of Finishes to reference at any time during the planning stage and throughout your project —
✔️ Product names
✔️ Building product + product codes
✔️ Brand names
✔️ Colours, including material and paint colours
✔️ Product sizes, length and width dimensions
✔️ Supplier and manufacturer details, including websites and contact details
✔️ Any comments, installation notes or details for trades
✔️ Upload images of the product to visualise for trades and your building team
◾ Share your Digital Finishes Schedule with your builder, trades, architect… and other half or print it for handy reference onsite
◾ Store + edit your Finishes Schedule on your computer, phone or tablet to keep project details at hand, and quickly and easily reference or check product specifications during site visits and hardware shop runs
◾ Share your Finishing Schedule with your building team instantly at any time, and refer back to your schedule template for paint touch-ups or home improvements years from now
◾ Everyone always has access to the crucial details of your project, so nothing is missed.
◾ Use your finish schedule template for renovating one room or building your new home. Enter finishes + selections while you design and plan your project.
◾ It’s the tool that professionals like interior designers, builders + architects use, and now it’s yours!
◾ Includes a Prompt Sheet so you know exactly what products to include
◾ Template is used in the free version of Canva and can be used for this project and the next
MUST-HAVE project management tool for any home or DIY project — kitchen renovation, bathroom renovation, laundry renovation and everything in between — to save time, money and costly mistakes!
The Renovation Budget Tracker is a renovation budget template pre-loaded with over 200 items, from design fees and trades to tiles, tapware and furniture. It lets you plan your budget before you start, then track your real costs as quotes come in and you start paying. It totals everything for your whole renovation and for each room, so you always know where your budget stands.
What’s inside the tracker
You're never starting from a blank page. The items are grouped into 10 sections, each one a part of your renovation:
Planning and Site: design, approvals, demolition, skip bins and equipment hire
Builder, Trades and Materials
Cabinetry and Benchtops
Tiles and Flooring
Tapware, Sinks and Fittings
Electrical and Appliances
Windows, Doors and Blinds
Outdoor
Furniture
Other Costs
Every item has a place for your estimate while you plan, and your actual cost once you have a quote in writing or have paid. If the actual cost is higher than your estimate, it shows in red, so you see it the day the quote lands, not when the money's gone.
If a builder is quoting the whole job, their total goes in as one line, and you only add what isn't in their quote, like your appliances or furniture. Items you don't need stay empty.
Short notes beside some items point out the costs that are easy to forget.
A summary page adds it all up for you, by section, by room and in total, with your estimate and your actual cost side by side. Each item can be given a room, like the kitchen or ensuite, so you see what each room is costing you. Your contingency, the money you set aside for surprises, is added to your total at the percentage you choose. All amounts are entered including GST.
Who it's for
The tracker works for homeowners renovating or building, whether you're working with a builder or managing the trades yourself.
It's built for you if:
You don't know what your project will actually cost.
You've started planning, and costs feel like they're getting out of control.
You're juggling quotes and need one place to track everything.
I built this tracker for my own renovations and developments and I've used to keep every one of them on budget for around 20 years.
For typical figures, here’s what a renovation costs in Australia, and what to set aside in your renovation budget.
It works best in Excel on a computer. It also opens in Google Sheets and Apple Numbers, but some features may not work the same way.
As one week runs into the next, that renovation you’ve planned forever can often feel unachievable. Before you know it, there’ll be a turkey in the oven and Christmas is fast approaching again! But, don’t panic — although a full renovation may be unrealistic for a while yet, a smaller home refresh may be just the ticket!
A few small but powerful updates to your home can make a world of difference. Quick and easy, these tweaks will leave your home feeling loved and renewed, no matter your budget.
Zephyr and Stone • Scandi Dining Room
Zephyr and Stone • Contemporary Coastal Kitchen
A Fresh Coat of Paint
We all know there’s nothing like a fresh coat of paint to brighten up tired spaces, however, repainting a whole room or home might be a stretch, and your home may not necessarily need this full top-to-toe treatment. Instead, why not quickly freshen up doors, window frames and trims? Or re-paint high-traffic areas like hallways, your kitchen or living spaces? These are the areas that see the most wear and tear and make your home look and feel tired.
Z+S Tip • Use quality, washable paint to ensure easy clean-ups and the longevity of your new paint job!
2. Revamp Cabinetry and Door Handles
Handles are the finishing detail in a room and are used repeatedly every day - so updating them works wonders in transforming and refreshing your home. Whether it’s your kitchen cabinetry knobs or door handles that are dated and worn, replacing them with a new and modern version will have a big impact on the look and feel of your space. Use brass or black handles to add contrast, or a brushed stainless finish to achieve that timeless look.
Zephyr and Stone • Classic Coastal Laundry
Zephyr and Stone • Contemporary Coastal Bedroom
3. Light Her Up
If your pendant lights or wall lights are dated and covered in dust, swapping out light fixtures is another quick and easy upgrade that can breathe new life and light into your home. Whatever your budget, there’s a huge range of lighting options to choose from, allowing you to modernise and completely change the feel of your room. While you’re at it, replace any yellowing switch plates and power outlet covers too.
4. Declutter benchtops, shelves and drawers
If you haven’t already, now’s the perfect time to #sparkjoy in your home by evicting unnecessary items, Marie Kondo style. It’s super satisfying, to claim victory over the places where clutter creeps into your home! It doesn’t have to be a big task — a 10-15 minute clean up each day for a few weeks can literally transform your whole home, and you’ll instantly feel lighter. Tackle one drawer or cupboard at a time, and before you know it this seemingly impossible task will have a big fat line crossed through it on your to-do list.
Zephyr and Stone • Scandi Kitchen
5. The Little Details
Now that you’ve refreshed your home, it’s time to replace several of those items most in need of eviction to make simple daily rituals a pleasure. Perhaps you’re overdue for new bed sheets or kitchen tea towels? Or some new hand soap and towels for your bathroom? Could you replace your front door mat and add a new potted plant in the living room? Replacing several small items doesn’t need to be costly, and can give your home a new lease on life.
Zephyr and Stone • Retreat House Bathroom
No matter your budget, some small improvements and simple decluttering can drastically improve the enjoyment of your home every day. Now’s the perfect time to complete those jobs and show your home a little love, so come the next holidays you’ll be able to put your feet up and really relax in your refreshed new space. Remember to always use a licensed contractor when completing any electrical or building work in your home.
