Manovella's EOFY sale runs from June 12 to June 30, with 20% off everything sitewide and free shipping for the duration.

There's a particular type of renovation paralysis that sets in around May every year. You've got a half-finished kitchen, a front door that doesn't quite match the rest of the house, or a bathroom reno you've been planning since last summer, and suddenly EOFY is three weeks away and you're wondering whether to act or wait.

Here's the short answer: if hardware is on your list, now is the time.

Whether you're a homeowner finishing a long-running project, an investor looking to maximise deductions before June 30, or a builder or designer stocking up for the next job - EOFY is one of the few moments where urgency, savings, and smart planning all point in the same direction.

This guide covers the upgrades worth making, the finishes worth choosing, and what you should know about EOFY from a tax perspective before the financial year closes.

Why Hardware Is One of the Best EOFY Renovation Investments

Hardware sits in a unique position in the renovation hierarchy. It's not the most expensive line item, but it punches well above its weight in terms of perceived quality and visual impact.

A kitchen that cost $30,000 to fit out will look significantly different with $80 cabinet handles versus $20 ones. The joinery is the same. The benchtop is the same. But the hardware is what your hands touch every day, and it's what buyers and renters notice first.

Estate agents and property stylists consistently cite door and cabinet hardware as one of the highest-return cosmetic upgrades you can make, particularly in competitive rental markets or before a sale campaign. It's one of the few upgrades where the perceived uplift reliably exceeds the cost.

The practical case for EOFY specifically: hardware is a stocked product. Unlike tiles, cabinetry, or flooring - which can involve lead times, installation scheduling, and trades coordination - quality hardware can be ordered, delivered, and fitted within days. With Manovella's same-day dispatch and free shipping on orders over $200, there's no logistical reason to delay.

The Hardware Upgrades Worth Making Before June 30

Not all renovation spending is equal. Here are the upgrades that deliver the most visible return, and that are genuinely achievable before the end of June.

Cabinet handles - kitchen and bathroom

Cabinet handles are the single highest-impact hardware upgrade in most homes. They're visible, tactile, and relatively inexpensive per unit — but the cumulative effect across a full kitchen or bathroom is transformative.

If you're working with existing cabinetry and want to lift the entire feel of the space without a full reno, new handles are often the answer. A kitchen with dated chrome bar handles can be genuinely transformed with a shift tobrushed brass ormatt black - and the total cost is a fraction of new cabinetry.

For investment properties in particular, this is a high-leverage move: low cost, high visual impact, immediately noticeable to prospective tenants.

Internal door handles

Door handles are touched dozens of times a day. They're also one of the first things people notice when moving through a home, particularly in open-plan layouts where internal doors are in constant visual sightlines.

Replacing builder-grade lever handles with a considered finish,aged brass,brushed nickel,gunmetal - is one of those upgrades that reads as a deliberate design choice rather than a cosmetic band-aid.

Manovella's internal door handles are available with locking mortice kits included, which is particularly useful if you're upgrading multiple doors across a property and want a consistent specification throughout.

Entry door hardware

The front door is the first thing visitors and prospective buyers or tenants see. Entry hardware - the handle set, lock cylinder, and any associated accessories - has an outsized role in the first impression a property makes.

Upgrading entry hardware before EOFY makes sense both aesthetically and practically: it's a contained job, the product range is wide, and the difference between an original builder-spec entry set and a quality replacement is immediately obvious.

Hinges and door stops

Less glamorous than handles, but consequential. Worn or mismatched hinges and cheap door stops date a property in ways that are hard to articulate but easy to feel. Upgrading to matching stainless steel hinges or magnetic door stops as part of a broader hardware refresh ensures consistency throughout, and avoids the awkward situation where beautiful new handles sit alongside scratched chrome hinges.

Choosing a Finish That Won't Date: A Practical Guide

One of the most common questions in hardware selection is also one of the most consequential: which finish should I choose?

The wrong answer is to follow the trend of the moment without considering the broader context of the space. The right answer is to choose a finish that has genuine longevity, one that works with the bones of the home and won't look tired in five years.

Here's an honest breakdown of the current landscape:

Matt black has been the dominant finish in Australian renovations for several years. It's versatile, works in both contemporary and transitional interiors, and photographs well - an important consideration if you're selling or listing a rental. It's also forgiving in terms of wear and visibility of everyday marks. Matt black remains a strong choice, but it's now common enough that it no longer reads as a differentiator on its own.

Brushed brass and aged brass are the finishes that have seen the most sustained growth in Australian interiors over the past three to four years, and unlike some trends, they have genuine design history behind them. Brass has been used in quality hardware for over a century, it's not a passing moment. The brushed and aged variations in particular wear well over time, developing a subtle patina that improves rather than detracts from appearance. These finishes suit both heritage homes and contemporary builds, which gives them broader applicability than most.

Brushed nickel is the perennial safe choice, cool-toned, clean, and compatible with almost any interior palette. It tends to age gracefully and is particularly well suited to bathrooms and spaces where chrome has traditionally dominated but feels too bright or clinical.

Gunmetal sits in a similar space to matt black but with more warmth and depth. It's become increasingly popular in kitchen renovations where designers want something distinctly different from both chrome and black.

The practical rule: match your finish choice to the fixed elements of the space - the tapware, appliances, and lighting - rather than the soft furnishings. Hardware is harder to change than cushions.

EOFY & Tax: What Investment Property Owners Should Know

This section is relevant specifically if you own an investment property or are purchasing hardware for a business purpose. If you're renovating your own home, EOFY is still a great time to buy, but the tax considerations below don't apply.

For investment property owners, renovation and maintenance expenditure can often be claimed as a tax deduction, subject to how the ATO classifies the work. The distinction that matters is between a repair or maintenance (generally immediately deductible) and a capital improvement (generally depreciated over time under the capital works or depreciation schedules).

Hardware upgrades typically sit in one of two categories:

Replacing like-for-like (e.g. replacing worn handles with equivalent new ones): generally treated as a repair and potentially immediately deductible in the year of expenditure.
Upgrading to a higher standard (e.g. replacing basic builder-spec handles with quality designer hardware): more likely to be treated as a capital improvement, depreciable over time.

The key point for EOFY: if you're planning hardware expenditure that falls into the immediately deductible category, getting the purchase and installation done before June 30 means you can claim it in the current financial year rather than waiting another 12 months.

This is general guidance only. Tax treatment depends on your specific circumstances, the nature of the work, and how it's classified. Always speak with your accountant or tax adviser before making decisions based on deductibility.

For Builders, Trades, & Designers: Stocking Up on Hardware Before EOFY

If you're in the trade, EOFY has an additional layer of relevance: purchasing hardware stock before June 30 allows you to expense it in the current financial year.

For builders and joiners who are mid-project or about to start a new one, ordering hardware now means you have stock on hand, you've captured any EOFY pricing, and you're not chasing supply in July when everyone else is ordering at once after the new financial year.

Manovella offers a trade discount programme - if you're a builder, designer, or joiner buying regularly, it's worthapplying for trade pricing before you place your next order. The application is straightforward and the savings compound quickly across a full project specification.

Manovella is also an HIA member, which means HIA members can access preferred pricing across the range.See HIA member details here.

How to Shop Manovella for EOFY: A Practical Checklist

Before you order, a few things worth knowing:

20% off sitewide. Manovella's EOFY sale runs from June 12 to June 30, with 20% off everything across the range. Whether you're specifying handles for a single room or hardware across a full property, now is the time to lock it in.

Free shipping. Free shipping applies across all orders for the duration of the sale, no minimum threshold required.

Same-day dispatch. Orders placed before the daily cutoff are dispatched same day, so if you're cutting it close to June 30, there's still time to get product in hand within the financial year. Note that during peak periods (typically the final days of the sale), dispatch may be delayed by one business day due to high order volumes.

10-year warranty. Manovella's hardware carries a 10-year warranty, which matters if you're specifying for investment properties or client projects where longevity and accountability are part of the brief. Mortice locks go further, backed by a limited lifetime warranty.

Shop by finish, not just by product. The most efficient way to build a coherent hardware specification across a property is to choose your finish first, then select the relevant product types. Manovella's range is organised by finish as well as product category, which makes this straightforward.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is door hardware tax deductible for investment properties?

It can be, depending on the nature of the work and your circumstances. Repairs and maintenance are generally more likely to be immediately deductible; upgrades and improvements are typically depreciated. Your accountant is the right person to advise on your specific situation.

What's the best finish for a rental property?

Matt black and brushed nickel tend to be the most practical choices for rental properties, both are durable, easy to maintain, and broadly appealing to tenants. Brushed brass is increasingly popular in higher-end rentals where the aesthetic positioning is part of the proposition.

Can I return items if they don't work with my space?

Yes, Manovella offers a 90-day return window, which is well above industry standard. For enquiries about returns and exchanges, contact the team directly at sales@manovelladesign.com or 03 9560 9960.

Do you offer samples?

Yes. For cabinet handles, Manovella offers finish sample coins (individual finishes or a full set of six) and a cabinet handle sample pack, both available to order directly on the website. For all other hardware, contact the team to discuss sample availability, particularly useful if you're specifying across a large project and want to confirm finish compatibility before ordering at volume. Reach out at sales@manovelladesign.com or 03 9560 9960.

What if I need help specifying hardware for a full project?

The Manovella team has 25+ years in the door hardware industry and can assist with specification queries. Reach out via email or phone, or visit the Melbourne showroom.