Home Decor | UK Lifestyle Blog

How to Add a Bit of Sparkle to Your Tired Home Before Xmas ✨

There are many different motivations for completing home improvements and these will range from complete makeovers and projects to simple, cheap things that will make a difference. Generally when changes are made, this has a positive impact – not only for those living in the house but sometimes for the actual value.

You will find that people will complete some simple interior design work when they are on the path to selling it. The photographs for selling the home are crucial to get people in the door and the good quality interior can help make a sale go through a lot easier. We have come up with a few things you should consider if looking to improve the interior of your home.

A splash of colour

Once of the most effective way to improve the interior of your home is to give it a lick of paint. Here you will be able to give the walls a refresh with as much plain or vibrant colours as you choose. It is becoming more and more common nowadays for people to have painted walls in their home rather than wallpaper.

This then makes it all the easier to have a change. In addition to painted walls, you will find that some people actually follow through with some stencilling on the wall. This could be a picture or a word. If you do decide to go for the painted walls route then be sure to consider allowing a painter and decorator to do this for you (unless you deem yourself an expert). Not only can this be messy but it’s generally not an enjoyable task.

Switch up your doors

When shopping around, you want to make sure you get the best priced doors for your home. You can do this online or at local retailers where checking out the prices from different stores will be an exercise worth pursuing to save a few quid. There are many things you can do with interior door to painting the ones you have to changing them to more modern ones. If you think of places such as bathrooms and kitchens, there are more unique options you could go for which include sliding doors.

Adding some warmth

In the UK it is specifically important to ensure you have a credible heating system. One of the most common ways to heat the home is via central heating. Over the years the efficiency of these techniques have improved drastically and with better efficient radiators and boilers there is money to be saved in the long term if you choose the correct package.

In addition to this, the actual radiators in some homes (especially if the home is old) are pretty ugly and do not look appealing. You could consider keeping the current central heating system that you have but renewing the actual radiators. In the bathroom, a simple change you could make is to change the radiator in there to a towel rack radiator to give a little bit of modern spin to it.

Upgrade your windows

Most modern homes will be fitted with double glazed windows that are as secure and heat efficient as you can imagine however not all homes have this. By upgrading the windows you have to double glazed ones, not only are you improving the look but you are most likely improving the security of your home and the heat efficiency.

This option is not cheap and depending on the size of your home could set you back a good few thousand pounds. Make sure that if following through with this option you shop around and don’t jump with the first company you make contact with as the range in prices will vary quite significantly.

Refresh your floors

If you have a carpet in certain areas of the home, you may wish to consider changing the carpet so it is something a little more vibrant. Carpets can sometimes look pretty worn quite quickly depending on how much it is used.

If you have children or pets then you can expect it to only have a specific lifespan. Carpet laying isn’t too difficult however if you mess this up then you could find yourself to be short of carpet. Where you purchase the carpet, they are more than likely to offer a laying service which is generally not expensive depending on the area.

Another consideration is to actually do away with carpets completely and opt for flooring. You will find that this is a much more common option nowadays and a lot of homes will have this in many or all rooms. A big advantage of going for the flooring options is the maintenance. These generally have a long lifespan (if they are of good quality) and require very little upkeep.

Sam Charles 2018-12-03T13:29:54+00:00 December 3, 2018|Home Decor|

How to Prepare for a Home Remodel

Remodelling a home can be an exciting prospect for homeowners who want to bolster the value of their home or are searching for ways to improve the quality of the place they live in. These projects can provide your home with a wide range of benefits if the projects are done properly. While the actual work that goes into the renovation is the most important element of the project, there are a number of other things that you can do before the work gets started that will increase the chances of the project being a successful one.

Create a Realistic Budget

The first step towards any successful remodelling project is to create a budget for the project. This budget can be large or small depending on what you can realistically spend on it. If you don’t create a strict budget that takes all of the costs into account, it’s likely that you will be surprised by the final cost, which can be problematic if you find that you’re unable to afford it.

Once you’ve determined what type of renovation you want to pursue, you’ll have a better idea of how to craft a proper budget. If the renovation is proving to be a major one, it’s possible that you could obtain a line of credit that draws from your home equity. This type of loan uses the equity within your property as collateral.

The most important costs of any home improvement project include the costs of hiring contractors and the costs of the materials that need to be used during the renovation. Once you’ve calculated these costs and have determined how much you’re willing to spend, you should have a good idea of whether or not the project will fit into your budget.

When hiring a contractor, make sure that they provide you with a free quote before the project begins. A quote is an estimate of what you should expect to pay for the project at hand. Although these quotes are only estimates of the final project costs, they are usually never too far off from the final costs.

When you’re creating a budget, it’s essential that you put aside some money for any hidden costs. With large remodelling projects, there may be some additional expenses that only display themselves midway through the project. Set aside 10 percent extra of the total that you expect to pay for the renovation.

If the estimate that you’re provided with is slightly over your preferred budget, there are ways for you to cut costs. For one, you should tackle some of the smaller projects yourself to keep costs down, which can include everything from removing the tile in your kitchen to pulling up old carpet. If you want to save money, consider hiring contractors in the fall or winter seasons. Contractors are at their busiest throughout the spring and summer seasons.

Identify the Scope of the Project

The only way for your project to be completed on schedule is if you have identified the scope of the renovation. If you’re hazy on what the scope should be once work has begun, you’ll likely find yourself making numerous change orders to the original contract, which can cause the project to spiral out of control in terms of both time and money. A contractor needs to know the size of the project beforehand so that they can bring along the proper equipment.

Conduct Extensive Research

The biggest factor in what a remodelling project will cost is what types of materials will be chosen for the project. There are a variety of different materials that can be selected for nearly every type of remodel, which can scale to your budget.

If you’re remodelling the countertops in your kitchen or bathroom, the more luxurious and pricey choices available to you include granite and marble, both of which offer a stylish appearance to countertops. However, a material like engineered quartz is much more affordable while also being aesthetically appealing.

When you’re looking at flooring materials, the most inexpensive options are typically those of laminate and tile. Carpet can vary substantially in cost and quality. The most expensive flooring materials include hardwood and engineered hardwood. If you’re finding that the costs associated with the materials you’ve selected have put you over budget, consider replacing an expensive material with a more affordable one.

Interview Prospective Contractors

No matter how well you budget and plan for your next home improvement project, the project won’t be a successful one unless you hire the right contractors for the job. There are dozens if not hundreds of local contractors for you to consider, which is why interviewing prospective contractors is so important.

Make sure that you speak with the project manager before signing a contract to ascertain whether or not they understand your vision. When interviewing prospective contractors for the job, you’ll want to obtain references from them as well as information about their licensing.

Follow up on the references you receive to determine if past customers are satisfied. Before interviewing contractors, look up online reviews on Google and the Better Business Bureau to get a good idea of their reputation. During this process, it’s possible that you will be provided with a surprisingly low cost estimate for the project.

While low prices are likely enticing, companies that provide low-ball estimates are typically not legitimate. It’s better to pay more for a reputable company that will do the job effectively and correctly.

Consider Other Options

Whether you’re planning your budget or speaking with contractors, you should never be hesitant to consider other options. If the scope for your project is higher than your budget, there are always going to be ways to scale down the project without sacrificing quality.

According to www.housetipster.com, if you’re having difficulties with any aspect of the project, the contractors you interview will likely be able to provide you with some tips that could bring down your costs.

Consider the return of investment for the project. If you plan on making a remodelling project of around £50,000 for a home that’s only valued at £125,000, you’ll likely be putting too much money into the house, which you may not be able to recover if you sell the home in the future.

Talk to Family Members and Consider Leaving Home

If you have young children who will be surprised by how disrupting a remodelling project can be, speak with them beforehand to make sure that they understand the benefits that come with making those changes. You could also consider leaving home while the remodelling project is occurring.

If the project is a small one that will only take a couple of days to complete, you may be able to stay in your home without issue. If the remodels are going to take a few weeks, consider planning a vacation around the project so that you can enjoy yourself while the work is being completed.

Prepare Your Home for Remodelling

There are several things you should do in your home before the start of the project. Move any artwork, electronics, or photos to more secure areas where they won’t become dusty or get broken. You should also cover any large furniture items with plastic or similar coverings to keep dirt and dust particles away. Smaller items of high monetary value should be placed in a safety deposit box. These items include jewellery and cash.

By following these suggestions your remodelling project should be stress-free and you should end up with wonderful results. It’s hard to predict any type of issues that may occur along the away however, these tips will decrease the chances of you having to deal with any problems during the remodelling process.

Sam Charles 2018-11-25T22:33:35+00:00 November 25, 2018|Home Decor|

The Ultra-Modern Approach To Improving House Value

There are a lot of different ways to take on the task of improving the value of a property. Whether you’re simply making it more desirable or increasing the amount of money the place is worth, this sort of work is always worth it when you’re selling a home.

Nowadays, you have more options than ever before when it comes to this area, but some are newer than others. To help you out, this post will be exploring some of the newest of them all, giving you an insight into the world of ultra-modern renovations, along with providing you with the knowledge you need to get started on this approach.

Electric Car Charging

When I bought my new-build house and found it had connectivity to charge an electric car on the driveway, I thought it was a little overkill, who has an electric car!? Far forward a couple of years, and it’s not that crazy, and I’ve actually been looking at one myself. While they still aren’t as commonplace as they should be, electric cars have quickly started to become more prevalent in cities around the world.

When you have a vehicle like this, though, dealing with slow chargers which plug into your wall sockets isn’t exactly ideal, and it can take more than a night to charge it up to full using a system like this. To combat this issue, there are loads of companies out there which offer machines which can pump out a lot more power than a weedier option. You will need an engineer to come and fit it for you, but this will be worth it if you live somewhere with a lot of vehicles like this, as it will make the house a lot more desirable.

Home Automation

Home automation has been around for a very long time, with early products on DOS operating systems using power-line technology to send signals around your home to control lights and other small jobs. Nowadays, one of the most notable areas for this sort of technology is entertainment, with companies like Kino AV doing loads of work in this field. Music and video can follow you around your home, moving from room to room with you. You can use your phone as a remote control with a lot of modern TVs as standard, but this gets even better once a proper home automation system is thrown into the mix, giving you access to tools which could have come out of a sci-fi novel.

Of course, though, home automation goes much further than simply controlling the music and movies you want to consume. Along with this, to give you the chance to make your home as secure as possible, this field extends into automatic CCTV, smart locks, and a lot of other tools which are designed to keep your home on lock down. It doesn’t stop here, either. Along with security, home automation can make life a lot more convenient, with lighting, blinds, and even artwork being changed at the press of a button. This is an excellent way to make your home stand out from the crowd.

Infrastructure

As time goes on, fast internet speeds are becoming an increasingly important resource. You can pay for all of the speed you want when it comes to a product like this, though, only to have your home bottleneck the network before you are able to access it. A modern internet connection requires modern hardware, and being able to get the fastest speeds requires more than just cables. Along with this, a dedicated switch is a good idea, as this can give you the power to route cables and power wifi throughout the building.

While this won’t matter to some people, it will be a very big selling point for others, making it well worth looking at it as an option for your place. We’ve struggled with internet speeds where we live, and everybody in our neighbourhood feels the same. We’ve got a Facebook group and a recently had a meeting with an MP, trust me, people care. Especially with an increasing amount of people running businesses from their home.

Environmental Efforts

Environmental awareness is becoming an increasingly important thing for people all over the world. With resources dwindling, and popular media pushing for change in the way that resources are taken and used, it’s easy to see why people want to keep their home as green as possible.

There are loads of ways to achieve a goal like this. Solar panels, greenhouses, and water collection drums are all excellent ways to create a sustainable home, increasing the value of your property, while also making it a hit amongst those who want to do their part. Of course, though, you have to work hard to make sure that you’re choosing options which will actually work.

With all of this in mind, you should be feeling ready to start working towards the home of the future. When you’re selling a property, it’s worth putting time into making it as valuable as possible. This is a chance to make a profit, and far too few people take this opportunity seriously, simply letting it go to waste.

Sam Charles 2018-11-19T13:01:29+00:00 November 19, 2018|Home Decor|

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