Kohimarama Renovation by Alder Homes

A beautifully reworked 1960s home, transformed through smart layout design, improved flow, and modern finishes to create a warm, functional space for contemporary family living.

Title:: Kohimarama Renovation
Builder:: Alder Homes
Category:: Residential/; Renovations and Extensions
Region:: Kohimarama, Auckland, NZ
Completed:: 2025
Price range:: $0 - $0.25m
Building style:: Contemporary
Photographers:: Alder Homes Ltd

Originally, the home featured small single-door wardrobes, impractical bedroom proportions, and dated interiors that no longer suited the needs of a growing family.

By reconfiguring the internal layout, we were able to significantly improve usability throughout the home. Bedrooms were redesigned to create better balance and comfort, with new generous three-door wardrobes added to maximise storage.

The existing timber floors were sanded and refinished in a modern stain, instantly lifting the overall feel of the home while retaining its original character. The kitchen was extended to incorporate a new scullery, creating a more efficient and organised hub for daily family life. Subtle strip lighting was introduced to enhance light, warmth, and ambience across the main living areas.

The bathroom was fully renovated into a clean, contemporary space that blends everyday practicality with refined finishes.

This renovation demonstrates how a well-built 1960s home can be thoughtfully updated to meet modern expectations — improving flow, storage, and comfort while preserving the charm that makes these homes so enduring.

Project Gallery

Relocating the laundry allowed us to create a full scullery directly off the kitchen, significantly improving storage, functionality, and workflow. This new space provides a practical area for appliances, a wine fridge and everyday prep, helping to keep the main kitchen clean and uncluttered. Modern fixtures and finishes were selected to complement the updated kitchen design, enhancing both usability and visual appeal.

A complete reconfiguration of the bedroom wing allowed the layout to be carefully rebalanced, improving spatial proportions and circulation throughout this private zone of the home. This redesign enabled the integration of generous three-door wardrobes to each bedroom, delivering seamless, built-in storage that enhances both functionality and visual clarity.

The reworked layout also created the opportunity to fully redesign the bathroom. The new configuration was conceived with a strong focus on proportion, light, and flow, transforming the space into a calm, considered retreat.

Clean detailing, contemporary materials, and a restrained palette contribute to a refined aesthetic, while thoughtful planning ensures the space performs effortlessly for daily use.

Together, these changes bring cohesion and purpose to the home’s private areas, elevating both form and function through a carefully resolved architectural response.

This project was truly special — taking a well-loved older home and carefully transforming it into something genuinely beautiful.

Views and Engagement

Professionals used

Alder Homes

Builders

Auckland

alderhomes.co.nz

Alder Homes. Alder Homes is a family-owned Auckland building company specialising in renovations, extensions, reclads, remedial works, and custom new homes. Since 2016, we’ve worked directly with homeowners to improve and extend the homes they already love — creating spaces that are practical, comfortable, and built to last. Our work ranges from carefully planned extensions and full renovations through to architecturally designed new builds, with each project approached thoughtfully and tailored to the people who live there. Tim leads every build on site. As a Licensed Building Practitioner with over 25 years of hands-on experience, he is closely involved throughout construction, setting the standard for workmanship and making sure details are done properly. Tracey manages planning, coordination, and communication, keeping clients informed and the process running smoothly from start to finish. We place a strong emphasis on early planning and clear communication. By working closely with clients, architects, and consultants from the outset, we help ensure decisions are made early, expectations are clear, and the build progresses with fewer surprises. This approach allows us to seamlessly blend new work with existing homes and reflect each client’s unique style and way of living. Our clients value the way we work — steady, organised, and considerate. We use trusted trades, maintain tidy and well-run sites, and take pride in delivering a straightforward, well-managed building experience. At Alder Homes, we believe good building is about more than the finished result. It’s about care, clarity, and creating homes that feel right long after the work is complete.