The 70s is considered a virtual golden age for home design and construction. Many houses built in the 70s are still occupied in their original design. However, as architectural styles continue to develop more and more 70s houses are becoming outdated.

A 70s house took influence from many different architectural styles, but particularly Colonial and Mediterranean. In Australia, a typical house built in the 70s was a small, three-bedroom one bathroom home in either a rectangular or L-shape.

The image of a 70s house interior often brings to mind loud colours, quirky wallpapers and shag-carpets. However, many houses designed like this in the 70s have since been updated to keep in with modern styles. Renovating 70s houses Australia is a common practice and a way to keep your home feeling fresh and stylish.

A 1970s house renovation can be an easy DIY job for the inside décor (usually involving removing wallpaper and replacing carpet or installing a floating floor), but a 70s house exterior makeover Australia is more difficult to achieve without the relevant expertise. Common practice would be to hire professionals for your 1970s house exterior makeover and renovate the inside yourself.

Before undertaking a 70s house exterior renovation, there are a few things you will need to consider. Firstly; is the building sound? Some 70s homes may have structural issues (though the majority are sound due to weatherproofing) so you will want to double check the soundness of your load-bearing walls and floors in case the house needs strengthening before the renovation. Another safety precaution that may have lapsed in the decades since the house’s construction is the weathertightness – inspect the cladding for any damage or excessive wear.

Another thing to consider is the way that modern design advancements can improve your day to day life. Many 70s houses have insulation that does not match modern standards, if they have insulation at all. Updating this area of the house could drastically improve temperature regulation and make the change in seasons easier to bear.

Houses built in the 70s also often have limited power and light outlets. Upgrading systems like this have the potential to make your home a lot more livable and suited to daily life. You can install exactly the amount of lights that you want as well as improving the hot water pressure systems, updating pipes and fixtures (plastic pipes are prone to leaking over time) and even improve the home’s fire safety.

The average cost of recladding a house’s exterior in Australia is between $30,000-$35,000. This includes new weatherboards, insulation, and paint. Renovating a house like this will drastically improve its resale price and is an excellent idea if you are looking to sell. You can achieve the renovation on a budget by researching the best prices for each aspect of the renovation beforehand, and undertaking tasks yourself where possible (such as the interior – installing a floating floor is a simple process with huge benefits which you can read more about here).

However, a 70s exterior renovation makeover is likely to become expensive and you should be cautious of undertaking such a process with insufficient funds. Make sure to get quotes from suppliers and contractors and make an informed decision about how to approach your home renovation. To help you find some inspiration, here are some façade ideas and an outline of their renovation process.

Brick Veneer House: Three Beautiful 70s Home Renovations Australia

3. Cherie’s Campbelltown Renovation

Before

After

This Campbelltown renovation was remarkable because of its speed. The entire project was completed in just 8 weeks, and the transformation of the front façade took only 8 hours. This was an exceptional time frame motivated by the presence of the TV filming crew, but a standard renovation time for a project like this would still be less than 5 days.

This project had an affordable budget of 6,000 for the total transformation. The front façade, roof, carport and fencing were all repainted. The old-fashioned and asymmetrical steps were demolished and replaced with more contemporary stairs that aligned with the door. The front porch was paved and a garden bed was installed.

Overall this project achieved a remarkable transformation on a modest budget and recreating something like this is an excellent idea for those who do not want to drastically change the structural appearance of their home.

2. Inbetween Architecture: Melbourne Home

Before

After

Inbetween Architecture undertook the process of renovating this Melbourne 1970s brick house. They updated both the interior and the exterior. During the demolition, bricks were salvaged to create a private entryway wall.

The windows were lengthened to allow for more natural light and the archway was made square. The second story was redone in grey weatherboard cladding for a more modern look, though the first retained the original dark brick façade.

1. Cherie’s 70s Home on Main Road

Before

After

Another stunning, budget-conscious renovation undertaken by Renovating for Profit’s Cherie Barber, this home was situated on a busy main road and as such presented unique challenges. The limited budget meant that structural renovations were impossible, though a wall in the rear was opened for the installation of additional doors.

The front façade was revamped with horizontal timber and the overgrown foliage removed. A new front door was installed as well as a garden bed and each of the exterior walls were updated with cement rendering and painting. There was also work done in the interior, with replaced flooring and fresh painting.

Overall, the profit cost approximately $30,000 and is another great example of Cherie Barber’s skill with budget conscious renovation. Properties like these are a sure sign that you can renovate your 70s home without completely breaking the bank. When planning your renovation, try to establish which parts of the home you want changed the most – such as the exterior façade – and prioritize them accordingly.

Juliet Taylor

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