Aranda Refresh 

A thoughtful internal renovation creating open plan living without increasing the home's footprint

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Located in Aranda, Canberra, this carefully considered renovation transforms a typical four-bedroom, one-bathroom home into a modern family residence while retaining its compact footprint and much-loved established gardens. Rather than extending the home, the design focuses on making better use of the existing floor plan to improve functionality, natural light and everyday living.

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The original kitchen, dining and lounge rooms were opened up to create a generous open plan living space that forms the heart of the home. This new layout establishes a strong visual connection from the elevated views at the front of the house through to the covered rear deck and established garden, creating a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor living.

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A careful reconfiguration of the original bathroom, toilet and laundry allowed the home to accommodate two bathrooms within the existing footprint. The larger bathroom incorporates a European-style laundry, delivering greater functionality without sacrificing valuable living space.

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To increase the flexibility of the home, the north-facing fourth bedroom was fitted with stacking sliding doors, allowing it to function as either a separate bedroom or an extension of the living area. Used primarily as a music room and secondary lounge, this adaptable space allows winter sunlight to penetrate deep into the home when opened, while providing privacy for music practice, guests or quiet retreat when closed.

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A warm palette of natural timbers, soft neutral finishes and carefully selected colours creates a calm and welcoming interior that complements the surrounding landscape and reflects the relaxed character of the original home.

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This Aranda renovation demonstrates how thoughtful planning and clever internal reconfiguration can dramatically improve the functionality of an existing Canberra home. By enhancing natural light, creating flexible living spaces and improving the home's layout without extending its footprint, the project delivers a comfortable, contemporary family home designed to evolve with its owners for many years to come.