Hampton’s Renovation on a Budget
The Hamptons is often referred to as the playground for the rich and famous, but beyond the high society that frequents this seaside community, it is an architectural wonderland that has inspired designers for generations. Right now, the Hamptons style is a predominant force in exterior and interior design in Australia. It’s on the hit list of every major retailer and builder with consumers referencing this look above any other.
We are often asked, “Is it as expensive as it looks?” Well, we have worked within many different budgets and deciding on a realistic budget is an essential part of planning any renovation, if not the most important part! When to comes to how and where to spend, we have put together suggestions so you can get the look you want, without completely emptying your bank accounts.
On a $10K budget
Firstly, freshen up internal and external walls with a new colour – look to a coastal-inspired palette of creams, whites, greys and blues. Use trim on the windows and doors for a crisp, modern look and add paneling to the walls throughout for a pristine finish. You can pick and choose particular areas to add paneling if the budget doesn’t allow your full home. Focus on the layout of your home; you can reposition furniture to create an inviting space for free. Lastly, invest in key furniture pieces, bringing in soft furnishings such as cushions or a lampshade to pull the Hamptons look together. Choose neutral tones in natural materials such as cotton and linen.
On a $20K budget
Splurge a bit on your exterior and get the classic weatherboard look and add crisp, white trims. Then, you can freshen up the colour both inside and out, keeping to white-on-white or a soft, coastal-inspired palette of white, blue, grey and cream. This budget allows you to revamp your kitchen with shaker-style cabinetry and a white subway tile splashback. In your most common living areas, soften up the space with furnishings – floor rugs, throws and cushions in neutral tones and natural materials such as jute and linen will complement your home’s seaside colour palette. Lastly, bring greenery inside to for a seamless indoor/outdoor feel – a few oversized pot plants and palms will create the perfect holiday-at-home look and add vibrant colour to a neutral palette
On a $30K budget
Create a classic weatherboard exterior and add trims for a crisp, elegant finish. You now can add columns and a balcony at the entrance of your home for a real ‘wow’ factor and an unmistakably Hamptons-inspired façade. Within this budget you can now focus on the kitchen and wet areas, using cladding on the walls and incorporating shaker-style cabinetry and a white subway tile splashback. Add statement pedant lights and bar stools for decorative touches. The best part of this budget is you can update the flooring and internal paint colours with similar hues to create a seamless flow from indoor to outdoor living. Lastly, revamp your furnishings with a few larger pieces, such as wicker armchairs and a jute rug. These can be complemented with soft textiles such as throws and cushions in neutral shades, as well as lush indoor greenery such as large, potted palms.
Renovating my own home
When we renovated our own home, we had to be aware of our budget and have realistic expectations. We had brought a 20-year-old run down home, the worst house but on the best street, in a fabulous location. There was a lot of planning and budgeting discussed and this is why we completed two renovations, a few years apart.
The first renovation, we did before we moved in. We guttered and moved walls, re-did flooring and cabinetry, painted internal and external, and added bi-fold doors to take advantage of the marina view. This was all completed in 8 weeks! Our second renovation, which was televised on Channel 9, saw the next transformation of external works. We added a pool, an alfresco, beautiful detailed balustrade works and re-decked the leveled area.
