Cart 
It’s an age-old renovation question: to extend or not to extend?
Nestled just two blocks from Elwood Beach in Melbourne’s southeast, Grid House by Mekr Studio proves expanding is not always the best way to maximise space for a growing family — especially when it comes to balancing the budget.
‘The brief was to refresh the home and make it work better for a family of five, without increasing the footprint,’ Mekr Studio co-founder Michelle Evans says.
‘We explored extension options early on but ultimately decided the existing house could be re-planned to meet their needs.’
At the time, the California bungalow’s interiors were ‘disjointed’; the living areas were oddly separated from the kitchen and the backyard, while an untouched 1980s kitchen extension with cork floors left much to be desired.
With a clear goal to work within the building envelope, Mekr Studio effectively flipped the existing floor plan around, shifting the bedrooms to the front of the house to create a unified and open-plan living zone towards the rear.
One of the smaller, original bedrooms was repurposed as a study, which made room for a walk-in pantry and a small laundry, in addition to a new separate powder room.
‘This made the existing layout work much harder for a busy family without the need for a costly extension,’ Michelle adds.
‘The rear open-plan space is definitely a highlight. The long, narrow hallway provides a vista of greenery at the end, drawing you down to the heart of the home. It creates a nice sense of arrival into the main living space.’
Importantly, this strategy also freed up the budget to invest in perfecting the interiors: ‘The clients were drawn to a mid-century feel, with an emphasis on colour and a more playful approach.’
The home’s new personality starts in the kitchen, where deep burgundy joinery serves as a focal point alongside the calming palette of timber floors, warm beige walls, and views of the leafy garden.
This strong injection of colour is offset by subtle retro-inspired details, including the small, square Signorino tiles that feature on the island bench and in the eye-catching pastel blue bathroom — reminiscent of mid-century mosaics.
The 13-month project not only successfully ushered the house into the contemporary era, but it also proved how thoughtful planning can avoid the need for a larger renovation.
