Best of the web

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Finance

• Finance your renovation

Tools

These have to be downloaded, but are a lot more fun than scrawling your reno plans on the back of an envelope. Don't ask me for technical support though!

• IKEA kitchen planner This has to downloaded but is more fun than writing on the back of envelope
• Google sketch up Cool tool – don’t ask me for technical support though!
• Virtual room creators Preview paint colours and play with room layouts.
• Design-a-room Phew, this is kind of like playing dress-ups – it allows you to unleash the interior designer within.
• Housetohome decorating and renovating tools
• The Marquardt Kitchen Planner
• Bathroom planner
  
• Tile quantities
  
• Paint quantity calculator
  
• Smart wiring calculator – for people who want to futureproof their electronics, plan this into your next renovation
  
• Paint colour planner
  
• Energy and water efficient home calculator
  
• Household water use calculator
  

Inspire

• Domino Magazine American and stylish. Who knew?
• Australian House and Garden My favourite Aussie homes mag. I love getting this in my hands every month, but checking out the website galleries is a pleasing substitute.
• Living Etc Magazine One of the best homes mags you can buy – and now you can see their piccies online
• Shelterrific Sleek, stylish, simple
  
• apartmenttherapy Addictively cool and stylish clutter-free homes

Inform

• Life is a Garden All you want to know about gardening and being dirty
• archicentre Love the building cost guides to estimate the wallet impact of your renovation plans.
• Ian Evans's World of Old Houses This man is a national treasure who knows everything about old houses
• Infolink For all things architecture and construction

Sustain

• ecospecifier Brilliant for renovators - join and make the most of this fantastic planning tool to find sustainable materials
• Environmental Impact Tool Measure your impact on the environment
• Recycling Best guide ever to finding out how easy it is to recycle stuff – even if your local council won’t pick it up
• G magazine. All the info you need to green your lifestyle and home.