Are you running out of room for your family and need some advice? Renovating or extending your home to accommodate a growing family is an exciting journey that blends creativity with practicality.
If you’re looking for some inspiration, our friends at Jenkins Residential share their tips about family-friendly home renovations as well as showcasing some of their recent projects in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie.
Jenkins Residential stands out for their expertise in crafting family-friendly spaces that harmonise style and functionality. With a focus on client satisfaction and quality craftsmanship, they have transformed numerous homes to better suit the needs of young families.
About Jenkins Residential
Founded in 2015 by Tom and Prue Jenkins, Jenkins Residential operates on five core values: being client-focused, prioritising communication, adhering to schedules, maintaining honesty and trustworthiness, and delivering quality projects consistently. Their hands-on approach, combining Tom’s building expertise and Prue’s interior design skills, ensures each project meets the unique needs of their clients.
Tips for Family-Friendly Home Renovations
When planning a renovation or extension for a young family, consider the following pointers to help create a safe, functional and enjoyable living environment:
Durable Flooring
Opt for hard-wearing materials that can withstand the wear and tear of active children. In their Belmont North project, Jenkins Residential replaced slate flooring with Havwoods European Oak hardwood flooring, offering both durability and aesthetic appeal.
Open Living Spaces
Creating open-plan areas improves line-of-sight visibility and opens up space, allowing parents to supervise children easily from various parts of the home and creating more space for play. In their Hamilton project, Jenkins Residential opened up the living room and kitchen, installing large stacking doors to connect the open indoor living space with the backyard and pool area, perfect for family gatherings and playtime.
Ample Storage
As anyone with kids knows, lots of storage is a must-have. Integrate built-in storage to keep toys, games, books, and essentials organised and out of sight, reducing clutter and promoting a tidy environment.
Energy Efficiency
Look for opportunities to use energy-efficient materials to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature and reduce utility bills. In the Belmont North renovation, Aura signature windows were used to improve energy efficiency, with some featuring Heka Hood to frame the surrounding bushland views.
Safety Features
Stair lighting adds a warm ambience to the home, while also improving safety and making it easier to navigate stairs during the night. Many modern stair lights, particularly LED lights, are highly energy efficient.
Jenkins Residential Projects: Hamilton & Belmont North
These family-friendly renovation principles are exemplified in these recent Jenkins Residential projects:
Hamilton Project: This renovation of a heritage home included two new bathrooms, an above-garage kids’ retreat, a laundry, and a WC. The living room and kitchen were opened up, and large stacking doors were installed to connect the indoor space with the backyard and pool area, creating an expansive entertaining zone ideal for family activities.
Belmont North Project: The internal renovation involved replacing slate flooring with durable hardwood, leading to a stone-clad double-sided feature fireplace. A full reclad in Innova Montage and Duragroove cladding was undertaken, which is suitable for up to a BAL 40 fire rating and perfect for a home in the Australian bush. All windows and doors were updated to energy-efficient models.
By focusing on these aspects, Jenkins Residential creates homes that are not only beautiful but also tailored to the practical needs of young families. Their commitment to quality and client satisfaction makes them a trusted choice for family-friendly home renovations in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie.
For more information on Jenkins Residential and their projects, visit their website: Jenkins Residential