Australia’s fascination with TV Renovation Shows might be waning compared to their heyday, but they still influence what homeowners think are the ‘must-have’ features to include when taking on a major renovation.
Here’s our review of some of the items you’ll typically see being featured and why you might reconsider whether some of them are really worth the added expense.
1. Butler's Pantries
A crowd favourite on The Block, but not every Sydney home has the space.
Sure, they’re fantastic for hiding mess, providing space for extra appliances and they can create a ‘luxury kitchen’ vibe.
However, they don’t always add resale value if they:
- Reduce overall kitchen size
- Compromise storage elsewhere
- Eat into valuable floor space
In our experience, most people – and prospective buyers – prefer a bigger, more functional kitchen over a smaller kitchen and pantry combo.
So if you don’t have a big area set aside for your kitchen, the Butler’s Pantry might be an expensive mistake.
2. Statement Bathtubs in the Master Ensuite
Freestanding stone or feature bathtubs look incredible on TV, but in real life, they can take up a lot of space, are rarely used (people still prefer showers in Sydney!) and can make a bathroom feel cramped.
In some older homes they might even exceed weight limits and require extra structural support.
Again, this is a nice-to-have feature only if you have plenty of room in that ensuite… and a generous budget.
3. Over-the-Top Smart Home Systems
Renovation shows love integrated smart lighting, blinds, sensors, and whole-home automation.
However, before you get overexcited by all the things you can automate and control remotely, consider what you’ll actually use.
Basic lighting automation and smart thermostats that you can control from your phone might be all you need to add enough convenience. Anything more might significantly increase your budget for rarely used gimmicks.
Also consider how quickly technology is advancing and what might become outdated in a few years time.
A few years ago, rewiring your home to include centrally controlled hi-fi speakers was a great (and expensive) idea… and then they invented bluetooth speakers!
4. Giant Island Benchtops
Huge stone islands look dramatic on the TV screen and add a wow-factor to your kitchen, but they are extremely expensive, can dominate the space and reduce the practicality of your kitchen, for example reducing space for your dining table.
A well-proportioned island adds value, but a massive one can actually hurt layout appeal.
5. Chandeliers and Statement Lighting
Chandeliers and bespoke lighting make for a great ‘reveal’ on TV, but they are often too taste-specific, overpower a room, and their cost can be considerable without actually adding any value to your home.
Our tip is that quality lighting design trumps flashy fittings almost every time.
6. Tiered or Sunken Lounge Spaces
We’ve seen more sunken lounges ripped out of a home than added. The truth is that while they can look great, they are limiting, impractical and often the source of regret.
Add to that a potential safety hazard that isn’t child-friendly, and it can put off a swathe of your potential buyers if selling in the future.
Most buyers prefer flexible, flat, open-plan living spaces.
7. Decorative Walls (VJ panels, curves, fluted finishes)
These trends photograph beautifully but can date quickly. Fluted cabinetry or curved plasterwork often costs more than it adds in resale.
Unless you’re in a premium suburb (for example Paddington, Mosman, Bellevue Hill), these features tend to be more ‘wow factor’ than value factor.
8. Outdoor Kitchens With All the Extras
Before you add the outdoor drinks fridge, pizza oven, built-in grill plates and sinks, make sure that you are really going to use them.
If not, they add maintenance, cost and can weather quickly.
A simple BBQ, good deck space and shade structure adds more value than a full chef’s outdoor kitchen.
9. Enormous Walk-In Robes
There’s no doubt that a walk-in robe adds a sense of luxury to your master bedroom, but make sure that you have enough space to warrant one, or you might end up making the bedroom itself cramped and impractical.
Sometimes it’s better to have a generous bedroom with a well-designed robe than a cramped room and an oversized wardrobe.
10. Showpiece Fireplaces
Double-sided gas fireplaces or oversized marble surrounds are perfect for the TV screen, but the reality of Sydney is that you won’t be using it that often, and they don’t have the practicality and efficiency of other climate control options that both heat and cool.
Looking to Renovate?
We hope the above advice helps put some perspective around some of the decisions you’ll be making when planning to improve your home.
As a builder of major renovations, Addbuild has been helping Sydney homeowners renovate their house for more than 45 years and we love sharing that experience.
We specialise in remodelling, home additions and home extensions, and have unbeatable experience and know-how having completed over 2,000 projects, all in the Sydney area.
Call our office on (02) 8765 1555 or send us a message using our contact form if outside of office hours.
If you are still researching, have a look at our blog, consumer guide to home improvement and masterclass to get further ideas about every aspect of renovating your home.
Searching for inspiration? Have a look at our feature projects and ‘before and after’ photos.