Hi Chris The cheapest option is Grind & Seal, but we usually recommend Mechanically Polished Concrete for inside of a home. This is by far a better option, if you were to go for a Matte or Satin finish it is less expensive than a higher gloss finish. Mechanically Polished Concrete does not have a top coat sealer requiring drying and curing time and does not need re-applying in the future which will save time and money in the long run. Because Polished Concrete does not require drying or curing time it can be used as soon as the process is completed unlike the Grind & Seal option. All floors are slippery when wet, a non slip agent can be added to a top coat sealer which would be the Grind & Seal method which we do apply in a shower area if there is not a shower base. Polished Concrete in Matte and Satin finish does have a very good slip rating, has no grout lines as with tiled floors where dust can get trapped therefore it is a wonderful easy to clean flooring solution. Hope this helps, I have provided some details regarding the 2 main processes below There are 2 different finishing processes / methods that are commonly called Polished Concrete, they are very different so it is important that you know the difference & which process/method you want and which is being used on your concrete Polished Concrete - 12 to 17+ step process During this process the concrete is ground to the desired level of stone exposure. After grinding the concrete surface, the Polished Concrete process begins. This process has a densifier applied in multiple stages that is absorbed into the concrete which hardens and strengthens the concrete. A Polished Concrete Floor is Polished in Multiple stages in a Refining Process using diamond tooling & resin pads. A penetrating sealer is applied in the final buffing stage to complete the process The "Polished Concrete" process has "NO TOP COAT SEALER" applied therefore there is no drying or curing time required so your space can be used as soon as the process is completed Grind & Seal (a 3 to 4 step process) This is NOT Polished Concrete. Grind & Seal is often referred to as Polished Concrete, this is the cheaper substitute that gives a "Polished Concrete Look" With the Grind & Seal method the concrete is ground to the desired level of stone exposure and a TOP Coat Sealer is applied such as water based, solvent based, urethane, acrylic or epoxy requiring 5-7 days to dry & cure

the space next to the guest toilet is for storage (vacuum, broom etc and to make MILs bedroom more private) but whatever you decide the stairs must be central to give the best use of the space upstairs and down otherwise the living areas both become crowded walkways and to make for the better location for the central stairs probably means gutting the front porch and entry to allow enough space for the new front door and moving the stairs towards the front allows for more space for the kitchen island with stools... but, in order to fit with the upstairs hallway the highest part of the stairs needs to be on the garage side ( so no option to use as a study) but the narrow storage under the stairs (subject to necessary structural restrictions) could be potentially expanded into the garage for a pantry and you could use the original downstairs kitchen as a small study and entry foyer

A downstairs bedroom must be served by a bathroom not just a toilet. Toilets by themselves must have a basin. Toilets need some where to stand when you close the door. There is plenty of wasted space to address these issues. Choice of general layout is your preference, giving consideration to slope of block, view, neighbours, your lifestyle

Choosing the right flooring finish sets the tone for your entire home, and this includes the colour of your floors. Often forgotten in favour of wall colour, floors bring your home together and are a crucial design element. Not only does the type of flooring you choose to install impact the look and feel of your home, but so too does its colour. Whether you seek a cosy, warm look; an open and flowing feel; or to delineate areas, the colour of your floors goes a long way to achieving the overall result you seek. How To Choose The Right Colour Flooring For Your Home? Tips on choosing the right flooring colour Room size – Do you want to make it appear larger? Lighter floor finishes (light oak hybrid vinyl, blonde engineered wood, or cream-coloured carpet, for example) will make your room feel more spacious. Conversely, to make a large room feel cosier, dark engineered wood will help achieve this. Understand how colour impacts aesthetics – To create a streamlined sense of flow throughout your home, colour matches your existing floors (unless you’re re-flooring your entire space). Alternatively, mixed flooring types and colours (as long as the colours are complementary) will help create zones, especially if your home is open-plan. The desired mood of your room will also influence how you choose your flooring colour. A coastal-themed home will look great with light ash tones on the floor. A classic Federation-style home will work best with warm, deep timber-look floors. Black floorboards can provide a dramatic, contemporary feel. Consider your furnishings – What is the context of your room? What is the style of your furniture? Do you have art or another type of decor to consider? What do your soft furnishings look like? Will you have rugs over your finished floor? All of these need to work together to create a clean, complementary look rather than a competing one. The last thing you want is for the overall result to clash. Work with your available light – Consider both natural and artificial light, as light throughout the day (and even the seasons) changes dramatically and enormously impacts how your floor looks. Without an abundance of natural light, lighter-coloured floors will make your home seem brighter, while a very sunny or bright home can look fantastic with a darker floor – it simply depends on the overall look you seek. You should always bring flooring samples home to see them in place to determine if it’s right before making your final choice. Flooring 2 You is your ideal service provider as we walk you through the process of selecting the right flooring for your home. Flooring 2 You – Your Ideal Flooring Solutions Flooring 2 You is a top local provider of beautiful, affordable flooring solutions in Canberra. Locally-owned and operated, we provide the professional yet friendly service you deserve, with flooring solutions to suit every need and aesthetic. We have the perfect flooring product for your needs, as well as the insight and experience to provide advice and guidance when it comes to making your choice. There is no better supplier of flooring in Canberra for your home or investment property. Browse our website to explore our wide range of solutions to see and feel our flooring solutions for yourself. One of the most common issues our customers have is choosing the right colour. This is why we insist they take samples home to see the colours in their home environment. Often people don’t realise the different colours can appear from our flooring showroom to their home. https://flooring2you.com.au/how-to-choose-the-right-colour-flooring-for-your-home/