Inside The Hughesdale Home Renovation: Modern Upgrade for a California Bungalow
Type: Full Home Renovation
Location: Hughesdale, Melbourne
The Brief
This home renovation in Hughesdale started with a California Bungalow that had plenty of charm but not enough room to grow into. The owners’ family needed more space and a layout that worked for everyday life, but they didn’t want to lose what made the home special in the first place.
Jake and the team focused on reworking the back of the house. The goal was a functional new layout that still felt like part of the original home, not an addition bolted onto its side.
The Project
Reworking the layout
We opened up the back of the home to create room for a new ensuite and walk-in robe. This gave the main bedroom its own private space, something the original layout couldn’t offer a growing family.
Upgrading the bathroom
The main bathroom was rebuilt from the studs up. Patterned tiles, a freestanding bath and a frameless glass shower bring a fresh, considered feel while staying practical for daily use.
Building the deck
A full-width deck now runs along the back of the house, opening the home onto the backyard. It gives the family a proper outdoor living space, something the original bungalow never had.
Restoring heritage details
Original trim and cornices were carefully matched rather than replaced, so the new work reads as part of the home’s history rather than sitting apart from it. This is the detail that separates a considered renovation from a generic one.
Refreshing the finishes
Inside, cabinetry, benchtops and lighting were updated throughout to suit modern family life, while keeping the warmth and character of the original home intact.
The Transformation
What started as a California Bungalow with good bones is now a home that works for the family living in it. The new ensuite and walk-in robe give the owners privacy they didn’t have before. The deck turns the backyard into usable space rather than an afterthought. Inside, the heritage details still tell the story of the original home, sitting comfortably alongside the new work around them.
It’s a project that shows what JBK Homes does well: respecting what’s already there while building something that genuinely fits the way a family lives today.
Why JBK Homes For Home Renovation
Jake has been building and renovating Melbourne homes for 15 years, with a particular focus on getting heritage details right rather than treating them as an afterthought. The Hughesdale project reflects the same approach we bring to every job: understand the home first, then build around it.
If you’re weighing up a renovation for a period home in Melbourne, we’d be glad to talk through what’s possible for yours.
Ready to start your home renovation?
Every home has a story worth building on. If you’re picturing a renovation that adds space without losing what makes your home yours, get in touch with JBK Homes for a consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The key is identifying which original features matter most, such as trims, cornices and window proportions, and building new work around them rather than over them. Every heritage home is different, so we assess this on site before recommending an approach.
Most extensions and internal reconfigurations require a building permit, and some heritage overlay properties have additional planning requirements. We can talk you through what applies to your specific property during a consultation.
It depends on the scope of works and which parts of the home are affected at each stage. We discuss this with every client during planning so there are no surprises once construction starts.
Book a consultation with our team. We'll walk through your home, talk about what you need from the space, and put together a plan that respects your budget and your home's character.
