Quality Home Improvement

Home improvements come in many forms including a simple decoration of a room or two, or something more extravagant such as full scale home improvements like adding conservatories or having a new kitchen, bathroom or bedroom installed. It all depends on your budget so if you have spent up over Christmas and the New Year a small scale improvement will be your best idea.

The good thing is that you do not have to spend thousands of pounds to make a big difference. You will be surprised at how much a little bit of paint can change the look and feel of a room. Accessories can also make a big difference and these can be brought at little expense. Deciding which improvements to make depends on the reason for you doing them in the first place.

If you want to add value to your home then you one way of improving the look at the same time is by having double glazing installed. Double glazing is one of the most cost effective improvements that you can make to a home as they are very stylish, add a level of security to your home and keep your house warmer for longer without having the heating on all the time.

Double glazing is also energy efficient and very environmentally friendly due to it requiring the heating system to be on for less time which reduces the amount of carbon dioxide that we release into the environment. Using less heating also means you save on your monthly energy bills and research shows that you can save around 130 pounds a year by having double glazing windows.

Redesigning kitchens and bathroom are a good idea as are bedrooms. Having a nice and comfortable bedroom is a brilliant idea and is a great selling point as bedrooms are always something all potential buyers look at in detail when deciding whether to make an offer on the property. When redesigning anything it is important to ensure that the design matches the style of your home.

By: Bob Brightside

Converting a garage into a home gym is a great idea.

As dedicated Garage Conversion specialists we are adept at personalizing the service we offer, and proving more and more popular is the conversion of a garage into a home gym. These are come of the tips we have picked up on the way that you should use on your project.

Flooring

its quite usual for us to build up the garage base to level with the existing house. On many projects this can be done with a suspended timber floor, but if converting the garage into a home gym its a must to use a solid screed. This will then be more than adequate to absorb the equipment and any free weights that you use.

Climate Control

This can depend a little on which way the room is going to face, obviously you get much more heat build up in South facing rooms subject to a lot of direct sunlight, but you should certainly consider air conditioning. A simple through the wall unit, such as the Fujitsu, costs approximately

Do you enjoy a simple, light-filled, vintage type home? Then you may love Cottage Style Decor! Your home doesn’t have to be a literal cottage to incorporate this style of decorating into your lifestyle. Just about any type of home interior can be transformed into cottage style utilitzing some simple design strategies that can be quite economical to implement.

The color scheme you select should be light overall for most types of cottage style decorating. A healthy dose of white along with soft shades of green, pink, blue, yellow, aqua and rose will set the cottage tone. If your taste lends more toward a rustic cottage look, you may incorporate more golds and medium shades of green into your decor. Use these colors on your walls, and don’t hesitate to vary the colors from room to room. Keep the shades soft and light, and you can transition beautifully from room to room, keeping the cottage theme prevalent. Try using a deeper tone of one of your selected colors as an accent in the room. For example, if your color scheme includes soft blue, use a bit of navy blue in an area rug, an accent piece, in artwork, etc. Remember to use a light touch and it can make your room even more memorable while maintaining the soft, simple overall look.

The ideal floor treatment for this style of decorating is wood, and if you are into the time-worn look, use wood planking or distressing techniques to make newer wood look old. The floor can be painted, stenciled around the perimeter, stenciled with an ‘area rug’ or use several area rugs to continue the cottage style decor. If wood flooring is not an option, use light colored carpet or tile if possible, and anchor the main pieces with an area rug.

Furnishings can be handled in a couple of different ways. If you are looking for a little more elegance in your cottage style decor, you may decide to use new furniture and accessories, keeping the colors and wood tones light. You can use a mix and match of small fabric patterns on upholstery, pillows, table skirts and the like, and still maintain a clean and fresh overall look. The upholstered pieces should be comfortable and informal, with a ‘come sit in me’ look about them.

For those who really enjoy true vintage, and who may also have a leaner budget, flea markets, antique shops, garage sales, etc. can be great sources for cottage style decor. You may find an awesome antique door and decide to cut it down to use as a coffee table by adding legs to it. An old cabinet or nightstand can be converted into a unique bathroom storage unit. Feel free to paint any piece, using one of the selected shades from your color scheme. Look for vintage prints, fabrics, accessories, and anything that tickles your fancy, no matter what it is.

Cottage style allows for a mix and match of accessories, whether you are showcasing a theme of accessories or all pieces are unique. One caution as you create your cottage style look is to avoid overcrowding and creating a messy, flea market look to your room. Instead, opt for fewer pieces that are truly unique and have a presence of their own. You will be able to appreciate the beautiful wall color, unique floor treatment, furnishings and accessories without being overwhelmed by all of the ’stuff’.

Slipcovers are a great way to change the look of a piece with minimal investment, so if your current furniture needs to be used but doesn’t fit the style, try this option. Another budget saving option is to look for well-priced accent pieces and accessories at discount stores such as Homegoods or Target.

Cottage style window treatments are simple and informal. Wood shutters, plantation shutters, and wood blinds are always a good choice for areas that need privacy. If you decide to use fabric for valances or side panels, use an organic fabric such as cotton or a simple weave. Lace works well in this style if you are decorating on the more feminine side.

As you can see, there is not one right or wrong way to decorate Cottage Style. If you keep your selections to light, natural, vintage (real or reproduction), organic materials and colors, you can create your own unique Cottage Style home.

By: Candi Randolph