Home decorating – even Radiators are warming to a spot of personalisation
If your thinking of home improvements, perhaps a new kitchen or bathroom, re-fitting a bedroom or even converting your garage into a useful room, one of the items you'll probably pay least attention to is the radiator that you fit.
You might think about ways of concealing what have traditionally been lumps of unattractive white coated steel hanging on your wall – you know the vented cabinets and covers, but of late, the TV design brigade have been inspiring home owners to reconsider when planning the heating of a room and working that into part of the overall decorating scheme.
In an earlier newsletter to customers, we showed a picture of an elephant and asked whether it was a radiator? Yes or no? Many answered NO when in fact it was a radiator – part of a range of radiators especially for childrens rooms.
In fact when you start looking around, there is a very large selection of radiator styles and finishes to choose from. From intricate sculpture like creations to bold blocky outlines, retro cast iron looking to sleek flat finishes in chrome.
The same rules still apply when choosing a modern design.... The heating capability versus the size of the room. Many online radiator sellers have conversion tools and technical specifications to help you make a decision.
In fact the biggest problem could be finding a plumber to fit it, however if you're getting a company in to do the makeover / building work for you, then they'll usually be able to fit the radiator for you, but discuss it with them first.
Secondly, some of these items can be on quite long delivery times so its worth shopping around as early as possible so your work is not held up, waiting for the radiator to arrive.
Personalising a room with radiators, what ever next? Well you can get personalised placemats and coasters here...
Tuesday, 18 September 2007
Tuesday, 11 September 2007
2002 what were you improving then
2002 – what were you doing then? Were you celebrating as the Euro hit the streets or just because the UK had been declared free of foot and mouth?
Were you outraged over Camp X-Ray pictures or the fact that Diana Ross was arrested for drink-driving?
In the year when the Queen Mother died, according to an old report by the Abbey National, many of us were investing in home improvements as rising equity levels put us in the mood to reinvest in our homes and people sought to either increase the value of their property or just make it a nicer place to live.
In 2002, those projects considered most likely to increase the value of your property were Extensions, Loft Conversions and Conservatories, whilst new Kitchens, Central Heating and Double Glazing whilst making your home more attractive to buyers weren't considered to add much value.
Swimming pools and landscape gardening were the two improvement areas most likely to leave your property value unaltered.
In 2002, the most popular home improvement was new kitchens with 23% of home improvement loans taken through the Abbey National going towards the room where all the best parties are held.
This was followed by 21% borrowing for a conservatory, 18% for double glazing whilst 17% opted for landscape gardening and 8% had central heating installed.
5% planned a new bathroom, 5% planned a swimming pool and 3% wanted to build a garage.
The research was based on 1000 Abbey National Home Improvement loans from the first quarter of the year.
You can get instant online quotes for your next home improvement project from www.homeimprovementquotes.co.uk.
Were you outraged over Camp X-Ray pictures or the fact that Diana Ross was arrested for drink-driving?
In the year when the Queen Mother died, according to an old report by the Abbey National, many of us were investing in home improvements as rising equity levels put us in the mood to reinvest in our homes and people sought to either increase the value of their property or just make it a nicer place to live.
In 2002, those projects considered most likely to increase the value of your property were Extensions, Loft Conversions and Conservatories, whilst new Kitchens, Central Heating and Double Glazing whilst making your home more attractive to buyers weren't considered to add much value.
Swimming pools and landscape gardening were the two improvement areas most likely to leave your property value unaltered.
In 2002, the most popular home improvement was new kitchens with 23% of home improvement loans taken through the Abbey National going towards the room where all the best parties are held.
This was followed by 21% borrowing for a conservatory, 18% for double glazing whilst 17% opted for landscape gardening and 8% had central heating installed.
5% planned a new bathroom, 5% planned a swimming pool and 3% wanted to build a garage.
The research was based on 1000 Abbey National Home Improvement loans from the first quarter of the year.
You can get instant online quotes for your next home improvement project from www.homeimprovementquotes.co.uk.
Patio Awnings and conservatory blinds – not just for summer
Patio Awnings and conservatory blinds – not just for summer.
If you thought Patio Awnings were just for summer, then think again.
The latest designs come with optional extras like lighting and heaters so you can still enjoy your patio or garden long after the sun has gone down and the night chills.
And you won't have to rely on fine weather for your next garden party as an awning makes running for cover from rain and showers a thing of the past.
Todays patio awnings are available in a range of designs and most now come with remote operation as standard so you can retract or extend your awning from the comfort of your own chair. When you choose a powered awning, you can also specify wind and sun sensors so that should you accidently leave your awning extended and it becomes windy, the awning is automatically retracted to avoid damage.
The same is true for the sun sensors. Forget to extend you awning and a sun sensor will automatically extend your awning to protect interior furnishings from fading as well as offering shade to outside planters – very useful if you're on holiday.
You can now get instant online quotes for your patio awnings. They're completely free of charge too. You just type in the dimensions of the awning you'd like, add other options like heating and lighting etc and you'll get an expectation of the cost there and then. Quotes include fitting and installation.
To get your instant online quote for a patio awning, go to www.awningquoter.co.uk.
Earlier I mentioned conservatory blinds. Again, these are often thought of as a summer accessory however, well fitted blinds can prove a bonus in the winter too.
As the evenings draw in, the sunlight comes into homes at a much lower angle. You'll have noticed that driving home in the evenings can be quite a trial with the sun low and in your face.
Blinds can cut down on the glare of evening sunlight, making your conservatory a much more pleasant place to be.
Also, depending on the type of finish used, certain blinds have thermal properties that can reduce heat loss and reflect it back into the conservatory. Reducing your heating bills and again, making your expensive conservatory a much more used part of the house.
This is especially true if you intend to use your conservatory a lot in the evenings. Perhaps you use it as a home office? Whatever you use it for, the right blinds will make a difference.
As with Patio Awnings (above), you can actually get an instant online quote for your conservatory blinds. Just type in the dimensions of your conservatory, the style of blind you'd prefer, and you'll get an instant online price there and then.
Just go to www.blindsquoterexpress.co.uk and try it now.
If you enjoyed the ability to get an instant online quote without a pushy salesman having to call, then you may be interested to know that we can also offer instant online quotes on: double glazing, conservatories, fitted kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms, driveways, roofs, garage doors, even car turntables for your driveway.
Use the links at the side or visit www.homeimprovementquotes.co.uk for a complete round up of the online quote services we offer.
If you thought Patio Awnings were just for summer, then think again.
The latest designs come with optional extras like lighting and heaters so you can still enjoy your patio or garden long after the sun has gone down and the night chills.
And you won't have to rely on fine weather for your next garden party as an awning makes running for cover from rain and showers a thing of the past.
Todays patio awnings are available in a range of designs and most now come with remote operation as standard so you can retract or extend your awning from the comfort of your own chair. When you choose a powered awning, you can also specify wind and sun sensors so that should you accidently leave your awning extended and it becomes windy, the awning is automatically retracted to avoid damage.
The same is true for the sun sensors. Forget to extend you awning and a sun sensor will automatically extend your awning to protect interior furnishings from fading as well as offering shade to outside planters – very useful if you're on holiday.
You can now get instant online quotes for your patio awnings. They're completely free of charge too. You just type in the dimensions of the awning you'd like, add other options like heating and lighting etc and you'll get an expectation of the cost there and then. Quotes include fitting and installation.
To get your instant online quote for a patio awning, go to www.awningquoter.co.uk.
Earlier I mentioned conservatory blinds. Again, these are often thought of as a summer accessory however, well fitted blinds can prove a bonus in the winter too.
As the evenings draw in, the sunlight comes into homes at a much lower angle. You'll have noticed that driving home in the evenings can be quite a trial with the sun low and in your face.
Blinds can cut down on the glare of evening sunlight, making your conservatory a much more pleasant place to be.
Also, depending on the type of finish used, certain blinds have thermal properties that can reduce heat loss and reflect it back into the conservatory. Reducing your heating bills and again, making your expensive conservatory a much more used part of the house.
This is especially true if you intend to use your conservatory a lot in the evenings. Perhaps you use it as a home office? Whatever you use it for, the right blinds will make a difference.
As with Patio Awnings (above), you can actually get an instant online quote for your conservatory blinds. Just type in the dimensions of your conservatory, the style of blind you'd prefer, and you'll get an instant online price there and then.
Just go to www.blindsquoterexpress.co.uk and try it now.
If you enjoyed the ability to get an instant online quote without a pushy salesman having to call, then you may be interested to know that we can also offer instant online quotes on: double glazing, conservatories, fitted kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms, driveways, roofs, garage doors, even car turntables for your driveway.
Use the links at the side or visit www.homeimprovementquotes.co.uk for a complete round up of the online quote services we offer.
Thursday, 6 September 2007
Homeowner Poll - Which room do you spend most time in?
Last month in our regular monthly newsletter, we asked over 220,000 homeowners 'which room do you spend the most time in?'.
The results suggest a nation of 'lounge lizards' as we relax after a hard days work, although catching up with the family over dinner gave kitchens as the second most popular room in the house.
Perhaps the lack of sunshine resulted in the un-popularity of conservatories in July / August as the room you were most likely to spend time in.
Here are the results:
Lounge - relaxing after a hard days work - 44%
Kitchen - catching up with the family over dinner - 24%
Bedroom - catching up on my beauty sleep - 17%
Conservatory - especially when the sun is shining - 9%
I spend no more time in one room than another - 6%
For new ideas and online home improvement quotes, visit homeimprovementquotes.co.uk
The results suggest a nation of 'lounge lizards' as we relax after a hard days work, although catching up with the family over dinner gave kitchens as the second most popular room in the house.
Perhaps the lack of sunshine resulted in the un-popularity of conservatories in July / August as the room you were most likely to spend time in.
Here are the results:
Lounge - relaxing after a hard days work - 44%
Kitchen - catching up with the family over dinner - 24%
Bedroom - catching up on my beauty sleep - 17%
Conservatory - especially when the sun is shining - 9%
I spend no more time in one room than another - 6%
For new ideas and online home improvement quotes, visit homeimprovementquotes.co.uk
Is your driveway a viable space to park your car?
Is your driveway a viable space to park your car?
If not, a car turntable may be the solution you’ve been waiting for
For some motorists, manoeuvring a car in and out of tight spaces is the most difficult aspect of driving. Trying to reverse your car out of your driveway when you have to get the kids to school or yourself to work can also be extremely stressful. Here, Mark Cooper, Managing Director of Homeimprovementquotes.co.uk, looks at car turntables, as an effective solution to simply getting your car on the road!
The Highway Code Item 177 suggests “When using a driveway, always reverse in and drive out” – but not everyone has that luxury. If your road is extremely busy it could be highly dangerous to consider swinging out into the flow of traffic to reverse your car into your drive. However if you drive into your driveway, it’s equally dangerous to reverse out the next morning, especially into the flood of busy school and work traffic.
More and more motorists are now parking their cars on the road outside their property, which is a hazard for other drivers using the road. Parking your car on the road also significantly raises your insurance premiums – your car is far more likely to be hit while stationary and is less secure from thieves than when on a driveway. As on-road parking becomes more restricted, you may not even be able to see your car from your house, making it more susceptible to car thieves.
Help is at hand – www.carturntablequoter.co.uk , the newest addition to Homeimprovementquotes.co.uk, gives lots of helpful advice about installing a car turntable into your driveway. Turntables do just that - let you drive in and turn your car around, so you’re ready to drive straight out again! Turntables come in a variety of sizes and designs which means they can be fitted to any driveway and are suitable for any vehicle. You can also choose several options such as manual or motorised operation, safety lights and parking guides, and positioning your vehicle in exactly the right spot to ensure the turntable can spin with ease and you don’t prang your car!
Fully installed, a car turntable will only require the same amount of space to spin as the size of the average car – you don’t need to worry about making extra room for it. This also saves digging up your front garden for extra parking or turning space – a solution some homeowners have resorted to, tarnishing the whole outlook of the property. A car turntable will add value to your house because it increases the usable off-road parking, without affecting the existing plot.
The range of designs on offer means the turntable can fit into the aesthetics of your home and driveway – whether you live in a Georgian terrace or a new-build house. It comes with its own self-draining system so it won’t be affected by adverse weather – which is good to know in British summertime! The mechanism itself is extremely quiet, so won’t disturb the neighbours, and is simple to use in both manual and automatic formats. With the manual system you don’t even need to worry about having to be very strong – the weight of the car is spread so that the turntable is easy to spin. With the automatic system, the turntable is controlled by remote control which you can keep with you inside the car.
The system can be rotated at various speeds and can be stopped at any point. This means you can park your car at an angle across your driveway and then take the remote inside – an extra deterrent to thieves who won’t be able to get the car out of such a tight space!
The smallest turntable currently on offer would hold a hatchback car and can be fully installed for just under £7,000. The largest turntable for domestic use will carry two 4x4’s and can cost around £16,000. You can save money by installing the turntable yourself – most companies will deliver the kit and provide an installation pack and telephone support. Alternatively you can have the system professionally installed. Average installation costs are £2,500, more if the electricity supply for an automatic system has to be redirected a large distance from the house.
So a solution to inconvenient off-road parking and tiny driveways has arrived! No more will you have to worry about scratching your car on hedgerows or fences, or folding the wing mirrors in to get past the side of your house! Your car will stay looking brand new, your parking problems will be solved and you’ll get out to work in the morning safe, on time, and stress-free. Not only that, but you will add value to your home and save on your car insurance – which is always a good thing!
For more information please visit www.Homeimprovementquotes.co.uk
If not, a car turntable may be the solution you’ve been waiting for
For some motorists, manoeuvring a car in and out of tight spaces is the most difficult aspect of driving. Trying to reverse your car out of your driveway when you have to get the kids to school or yourself to work can also be extremely stressful. Here, Mark Cooper, Managing Director of Homeimprovementquotes.co.uk, looks at car turntables, as an effective solution to simply getting your car on the road!
The Highway Code Item 177 suggests “When using a driveway, always reverse in and drive out” – but not everyone has that luxury. If your road is extremely busy it could be highly dangerous to consider swinging out into the flow of traffic to reverse your car into your drive. However if you drive into your driveway, it’s equally dangerous to reverse out the next morning, especially into the flood of busy school and work traffic.
More and more motorists are now parking their cars on the road outside their property, which is a hazard for other drivers using the road. Parking your car on the road also significantly raises your insurance premiums – your car is far more likely to be hit while stationary and is less secure from thieves than when on a driveway. As on-road parking becomes more restricted, you may not even be able to see your car from your house, making it more susceptible to car thieves.
Help is at hand – www.carturntablequoter.co.uk , the newest addition to Homeimprovementquotes.co.uk, gives lots of helpful advice about installing a car turntable into your driveway. Turntables do just that - let you drive in and turn your car around, so you’re ready to drive straight out again! Turntables come in a variety of sizes and designs which means they can be fitted to any driveway and are suitable for any vehicle. You can also choose several options such as manual or motorised operation, safety lights and parking guides, and positioning your vehicle in exactly the right spot to ensure the turntable can spin with ease and you don’t prang your car!
Fully installed, a car turntable will only require the same amount of space to spin as the size of the average car – you don’t need to worry about making extra room for it. This also saves digging up your front garden for extra parking or turning space – a solution some homeowners have resorted to, tarnishing the whole outlook of the property. A car turntable will add value to your house because it increases the usable off-road parking, without affecting the existing plot.
The range of designs on offer means the turntable can fit into the aesthetics of your home and driveway – whether you live in a Georgian terrace or a new-build house. It comes with its own self-draining system so it won’t be affected by adverse weather – which is good to know in British summertime! The mechanism itself is extremely quiet, so won’t disturb the neighbours, and is simple to use in both manual and automatic formats. With the manual system you don’t even need to worry about having to be very strong – the weight of the car is spread so that the turntable is easy to spin. With the automatic system, the turntable is controlled by remote control which you can keep with you inside the car.
The system can be rotated at various speeds and can be stopped at any point. This means you can park your car at an angle across your driveway and then take the remote inside – an extra deterrent to thieves who won’t be able to get the car out of such a tight space!
The smallest turntable currently on offer would hold a hatchback car and can be fully installed for just under £7,000. The largest turntable for domestic use will carry two 4x4’s and can cost around £16,000. You can save money by installing the turntable yourself – most companies will deliver the kit and provide an installation pack and telephone support. Alternatively you can have the system professionally installed. Average installation costs are £2,500, more if the electricity supply for an automatic system has to be redirected a large distance from the house.
So a solution to inconvenient off-road parking and tiny driveways has arrived! No more will you have to worry about scratching your car on hedgerows or fences, or folding the wing mirrors in to get past the side of your house! Your car will stay looking brand new, your parking problems will be solved and you’ll get out to work in the morning safe, on time, and stress-free. Not only that, but you will add value to your home and save on your car insurance – which is always a good thing!
For more information please visit www.Homeimprovementquotes.co.uk
Did You Know?
Did you know:
Selecting a poor colour scheme in your home could devalue it by over £1000. According to research from Privilege Insurance, one third of estate agents think “unfavourable” colour schemes knock a minimum of £1000 – an average of £1392 – off the sale price of a house. 70 per cent of agents think magnolia is the best colour to decorate a house that’s on the market, while orange and red are the worst.
For new ideas and quotes, visit homeimprovementquotes.co.uk
Selecting a poor colour scheme in your home could devalue it by over £1000. According to research from Privilege Insurance, one third of estate agents think “unfavourable” colour schemes knock a minimum of £1000 – an average of £1392 – off the sale price of a house. 70 per cent of agents think magnolia is the best colour to decorate a house that’s on the market, while orange and red are the worst.
For new ideas and quotes, visit homeimprovementquotes.co.uk
How to maximise your living space
How to……………Maximise your living space
According to recent research by the Yorkshire Bank, upgrading your property with just an additional bedroom could set you back an extra £80,000. Add to that the extreme stress of doing this, or of moving home and it’s not a friendly prospect. So why bother? Here are five top tips to maximise the space you already have, without the need to extend your property or move house:
1 – Create an illusion
However small your house may be, it’s possible to make it appear much larger simply by thinking about the decoration. Unifying colour schemes and floor coverings throughout the entire house will help each room flow into the next, giving the illusion of space. Pale colours such as white or cream will reflect light, making small homes appear bigger and brighter. However if you prefer dark colours, beware of contrast. Painting the entire room a darker shade and leaving the ceiling white will make it appear stunted, so be sure to blend the ceiling into the walls using a slightly paler shade of the same colour. Identical flooring throughout a home creates continuity and means the eye is not jumping from one room to the next, stopping at each new flooring – instead it flows through each room easily and sees one continual, larger space.
2 – Let there be light!
Natural light is arguably the most important aspect of a small property, especially if there are dark colours on the walls. However don’t worry if the windows in your property are quite small or don’t let in a lot of light – there are tricks to maximising whatever you have to work with. Placing mirrors opposite windows will give the impression of more light and will add depth to a room – making the room seem to continue beyond the wall. Window drapes and fittings can also make the most of both the window and the overall room. Hanging drapes as high as possible on the wall will move the eye upwards and make the ceilings appear higher. However if you feel that heavy drapes will drown out the wall space, hanging blinds uses no wall space at all – just be careful that the overall effect is not too clinical. When choosing your light fittings in a small room, remember that uplighters often make a room feel taller and brighter. Free standing lamps are good for soft lighting and eliminate the need for side-tables.
3 – Thinking out of the box can maximise storage space
Storage is a huge issue in a small house, so go for built-in cupboards or multi-functional furniture which can double up as storage. There are loads of tables, chairs and ottomans available which have storage space inside. Some tables are better at multi-tasking than others – some dining tables flip over to reveal pool tables, others have storage space under the lids or fold away to make side-tables. If your home has recesses in the walls, this is the perfect place for built-in storage as it makes use of otherwise unusable space. Another great place for storage is under the stairs, but make sure you build a unit into the alcove. Simply stacking things in there can make hallways look untidy and you will inevitably try and cram more in than can physically fit! And be imaginative – there are some great ideas for storage solutions, including turning the individual steps of your staircase into drawers – an idea taken from use in yachts!
4 – Use your wall space
A good way to free up floor space is to use the walls. Choose wall-hanging shelves or units to store and display your things – without clogging the room with bulky free-standing units. There are lots of companies that have a good choice of wall-mounted units designed specifically for living rooms, kitchens or bathrooms. It’s also extremely trendy at the moment to own a wall-mounted plasma-screen TV, which will also save floor space. Music and other entertainment systems can also hang on the wall. If you are happy with your existing free-standing units and prefer to use the walls for purely decorative purposes, try to arrange your artwork cleverly, so it makes the room look more spacious. Try stacking paintings vertically and off to one side of the wall rather than in the centre – this will draw the eye upwards and make the wall appear larger.
5 – Less is more
You don’t want to undo all of your hard work creating space by filling the room with unnecessary clutter! Less really is more and now is the time to be ruthless with your possessions. Take everything out of the room and only put back what you really want to keep – you will be surprised at the amount of stuff you’ve accumulated in the room which you don’t really need. Ask yourself whether each item in your home really adds beauty or just adds clutter – it’s better to have a few choice pieces on display than to make the space too busy. The same applies to patterns and details – too many different patterns in a small space is an unnecessary strain on the eye. It’s better to use simple, streamlined furniture and plain, serene upholstery and paintwork.
Following this advice your room should turn into a calm and clutter-free haven in which you can de-stress and relax. Enjoy your new spacious sanctuary!
Visit www.homeimprovementquotes.co.uk for more information.
According to recent research by the Yorkshire Bank, upgrading your property with just an additional bedroom could set you back an extra £80,000. Add to that the extreme stress of doing this, or of moving home and it’s not a friendly prospect. So why bother? Here are five top tips to maximise the space you already have, without the need to extend your property or move house:
1 – Create an illusion
However small your house may be, it’s possible to make it appear much larger simply by thinking about the decoration. Unifying colour schemes and floor coverings throughout the entire house will help each room flow into the next, giving the illusion of space. Pale colours such as white or cream will reflect light, making small homes appear bigger and brighter. However if you prefer dark colours, beware of contrast. Painting the entire room a darker shade and leaving the ceiling white will make it appear stunted, so be sure to blend the ceiling into the walls using a slightly paler shade of the same colour. Identical flooring throughout a home creates continuity and means the eye is not jumping from one room to the next, stopping at each new flooring – instead it flows through each room easily and sees one continual, larger space.
2 – Let there be light!
Natural light is arguably the most important aspect of a small property, especially if there are dark colours on the walls. However don’t worry if the windows in your property are quite small or don’t let in a lot of light – there are tricks to maximising whatever you have to work with. Placing mirrors opposite windows will give the impression of more light and will add depth to a room – making the room seem to continue beyond the wall. Window drapes and fittings can also make the most of both the window and the overall room. Hanging drapes as high as possible on the wall will move the eye upwards and make the ceilings appear higher. However if you feel that heavy drapes will drown out the wall space, hanging blinds uses no wall space at all – just be careful that the overall effect is not too clinical. When choosing your light fittings in a small room, remember that uplighters often make a room feel taller and brighter. Free standing lamps are good for soft lighting and eliminate the need for side-tables.
3 – Thinking out of the box can maximise storage space
Storage is a huge issue in a small house, so go for built-in cupboards or multi-functional furniture which can double up as storage. There are loads of tables, chairs and ottomans available which have storage space inside. Some tables are better at multi-tasking than others – some dining tables flip over to reveal pool tables, others have storage space under the lids or fold away to make side-tables. If your home has recesses in the walls, this is the perfect place for built-in storage as it makes use of otherwise unusable space. Another great place for storage is under the stairs, but make sure you build a unit into the alcove. Simply stacking things in there can make hallways look untidy and you will inevitably try and cram more in than can physically fit! And be imaginative – there are some great ideas for storage solutions, including turning the individual steps of your staircase into drawers – an idea taken from use in yachts!
4 – Use your wall space
A good way to free up floor space is to use the walls. Choose wall-hanging shelves or units to store and display your things – without clogging the room with bulky free-standing units. There are lots of companies that have a good choice of wall-mounted units designed specifically for living rooms, kitchens or bathrooms. It’s also extremely trendy at the moment to own a wall-mounted plasma-screen TV, which will also save floor space. Music and other entertainment systems can also hang on the wall. If you are happy with your existing free-standing units and prefer to use the walls for purely decorative purposes, try to arrange your artwork cleverly, so it makes the room look more spacious. Try stacking paintings vertically and off to one side of the wall rather than in the centre – this will draw the eye upwards and make the wall appear larger.
5 – Less is more
You don’t want to undo all of your hard work creating space by filling the room with unnecessary clutter! Less really is more and now is the time to be ruthless with your possessions. Take everything out of the room and only put back what you really want to keep – you will be surprised at the amount of stuff you’ve accumulated in the room which you don’t really need. Ask yourself whether each item in your home really adds beauty or just adds clutter – it’s better to have a few choice pieces on display than to make the space too busy. The same applies to patterns and details – too many different patterns in a small space is an unnecessary strain on the eye. It’s better to use simple, streamlined furniture and plain, serene upholstery and paintwork.
Following this advice your room should turn into a calm and clutter-free haven in which you can de-stress and relax. Enjoy your new spacious sanctuary!
Visit www.homeimprovementquotes.co.uk for more information.
Remodelling your bathroom
Remodelling your bathroom
As well as creating a luxurious place for you to unwind after a hard day, a new bathroom is also an investment. According to estate agents, new bathrooms and kitchens add the most long-term value to your home. So think carefully – it often doesn’t cost much more to give your bathroom that real touch of luxury. Remember, you probably won’t be looking to do it again in a couple of year’s time. Here are the essential stages to making your investment work:
Stage 1 – Make the best use of your space
Planning is critical to ensure your new bathroom is money well spent. The first thing to think about is what you want from your new space. Are you going to install anything new such as a separate shower unit or whirlpool bath? And what shape of bath would you ideally like? Are you going to need to move any fixtures or fittings? If so, how easy will this be with regard to plumbing and electrics? Do you need to install extra storage, or practicalities such as extractor fans and radiators for the towels? Once you have made your decisions, set a budget - and then add on a 20 per cent margin to cover the inevitable hidden costs! And remember, you can save money by starting some of the preparation work yourself – for example, stripping the wallpaper and removing the old tiles.
Stage 2 – Have a look around
It’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with the types of fixtures on offer before you approach a contractor – this way you have an idea of exactly what you want and how much it costs, and you can’t be railroaded into something you don’t need. There are many different bathroom designs for you to choose from and it should be easy to find one that matches the style of your home. Each fixture design – from ultra modern to simple and classical – can be fully or partially fitted. This means you can either have your fixtures fitted into built-in units or free standing with detachable panels to hide pipes. These panels are useful when it comes to carrying out future plumbing work, as they allow easier access to the pipes. With fitted units it’s more difficult to access the workings of the fixture and the entire unit may have to be taken out. There are even different types of toilet fittings to consider – high-level, where the cistern is mounted high on the wall, low-level, where the cistern is directly behind the toilet, or close-coupled, where the toilet and cistern are attached directly together as one unit. A close-coupled unit is easier to install and takes up far less space.
Stage 3 – Select the fittings
Once you have decided on the basic style of your suite, there are still loads of individual types of fittings for you to choose from. Consider what you would like and what would best suit your needs – a standard bathtub, a corner bath or perhaps a roll-top? Separate shower or over-bath? Does the shower need to be height adjustable to accommodate different family members? Do you need special adaptations such as non-slip surfaces or handrails on the bath or shower? It may be cheaper to buy the fixtures yourself and just pay for professional installation. If so, hold off getting a quote until you have purchased the fixtures so you can tell the contractor exactly what you need installing. If you would prefer the bathroom company to both supply and fit the suite, look into quotes at this point.
Stage 4 – Measuring up
Luckily most fixtures come in standard sizes, but it’s still important to measure the space you have so you know what will fit where. Some bathroom companies offer online services whereby you enter your room measurements and can experiment slotting in different kinds of fixtures. Remember to not only consider whether the units fit into the room, but also to leave space in front and next to them. As a rough guide it is advisable to leave at least 700mm in front of a toilet and basin, and 1000mm in front of a bath. If you are installing a separate shower cubicle, make sure you leave enough space for the door to open easily, and for you to get dry! If you have decided to purchase your bathroom suite directly from the installer or allowed them to purchase it for you, they will probably come and measure up for you as part of the service.
Stage 5 – Installation
This stage will vary depending on how you have decided to purchase your new bathroom. If you didn’t select a bathroom company when you bought your suite, now is the time to search for installers and get a quote. Whenever you’re searching for quotes, the advice is always to get at least three to compare and check when they’re available to do the work. Delivery times on bathroom suites are usually quite long, so it should be easy to give the installer plenty of notice and co-ordinate the times. Remember that having a new bathroom installed will inevitably cause disruption to your household when the water is switched off. Most companies will try and keep your time without water to a minimum, but it may still be useful to contact neighbours or relatives to see if you can borrow the kettle or use the shower!
All that’s left now is for you to put the finishing touches to your bathroom and decorate it as you like. Consider suitable tiling, flooring and colour schemes which will complement your beautiful new suite. Enjoy!
www.bathroomquoter.co.uk can help you choose your supplier.
As well as creating a luxurious place for you to unwind after a hard day, a new bathroom is also an investment. According to estate agents, new bathrooms and kitchens add the most long-term value to your home. So think carefully – it often doesn’t cost much more to give your bathroom that real touch of luxury. Remember, you probably won’t be looking to do it again in a couple of year’s time. Here are the essential stages to making your investment work:
Stage 1 – Make the best use of your space
Planning is critical to ensure your new bathroom is money well spent. The first thing to think about is what you want from your new space. Are you going to install anything new such as a separate shower unit or whirlpool bath? And what shape of bath would you ideally like? Are you going to need to move any fixtures or fittings? If so, how easy will this be with regard to plumbing and electrics? Do you need to install extra storage, or practicalities such as extractor fans and radiators for the towels? Once you have made your decisions, set a budget - and then add on a 20 per cent margin to cover the inevitable hidden costs! And remember, you can save money by starting some of the preparation work yourself – for example, stripping the wallpaper and removing the old tiles.
Stage 2 – Have a look around
It’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with the types of fixtures on offer before you approach a contractor – this way you have an idea of exactly what you want and how much it costs, and you can’t be railroaded into something you don’t need. There are many different bathroom designs for you to choose from and it should be easy to find one that matches the style of your home. Each fixture design – from ultra modern to simple and classical – can be fully or partially fitted. This means you can either have your fixtures fitted into built-in units or free standing with detachable panels to hide pipes. These panels are useful when it comes to carrying out future plumbing work, as they allow easier access to the pipes. With fitted units it’s more difficult to access the workings of the fixture and the entire unit may have to be taken out. There are even different types of toilet fittings to consider – high-level, where the cistern is mounted high on the wall, low-level, where the cistern is directly behind the toilet, or close-coupled, where the toilet and cistern are attached directly together as one unit. A close-coupled unit is easier to install and takes up far less space.
Stage 3 – Select the fittings
Once you have decided on the basic style of your suite, there are still loads of individual types of fittings for you to choose from. Consider what you would like and what would best suit your needs – a standard bathtub, a corner bath or perhaps a roll-top? Separate shower or over-bath? Does the shower need to be height adjustable to accommodate different family members? Do you need special adaptations such as non-slip surfaces or handrails on the bath or shower? It may be cheaper to buy the fixtures yourself and just pay for professional installation. If so, hold off getting a quote until you have purchased the fixtures so you can tell the contractor exactly what you need installing. If you would prefer the bathroom company to both supply and fit the suite, look into quotes at this point.
Stage 4 – Measuring up
Luckily most fixtures come in standard sizes, but it’s still important to measure the space you have so you know what will fit where. Some bathroom companies offer online services whereby you enter your room measurements and can experiment slotting in different kinds of fixtures. Remember to not only consider whether the units fit into the room, but also to leave space in front and next to them. As a rough guide it is advisable to leave at least 700mm in front of a toilet and basin, and 1000mm in front of a bath. If you are installing a separate shower cubicle, make sure you leave enough space for the door to open easily, and for you to get dry! If you have decided to purchase your bathroom suite directly from the installer or allowed them to purchase it for you, they will probably come and measure up for you as part of the service.
Stage 5 – Installation
This stage will vary depending on how you have decided to purchase your new bathroom. If you didn’t select a bathroom company when you bought your suite, now is the time to search for installers and get a quote. Whenever you’re searching for quotes, the advice is always to get at least three to compare and check when they’re available to do the work. Delivery times on bathroom suites are usually quite long, so it should be easy to give the installer plenty of notice and co-ordinate the times. Remember that having a new bathroom installed will inevitably cause disruption to your household when the water is switched off. Most companies will try and keep your time without water to a minimum, but it may still be useful to contact neighbours or relatives to see if you can borrow the kettle or use the shower!
All that’s left now is for you to put the finishing touches to your bathroom and decorate it as you like. Consider suitable tiling, flooring and colour schemes which will complement your beautiful new suite. Enjoy!
www.bathroomquoter.co.uk can help you choose your supplier.
Tuesday, 4 September 2007
Car turntables - the parking solution
Car turntable quoter – the parking solution
If your planning application for a driveway has been refused and you can't get permission to drop the kerb, then a car turntable might provide the answer.
Local planning decisions vary from one area to another, but recent personal experience is that if you can find a way around the objections, then a further decision may be made in your favour.
With regards driveways or exits onto roads from private property, there are a number of rules and guidelines planning departments use. In most cases, they will refer to the highways department, particularly if there is any commercial aspect to the property.
They will look at certain factors – is the exit going to be on a blind bend? Is there good visibility of the road (in both directions) when pulling off the intended driveway and is there equal good visibility for road users of the exit point?
Factors like bends in the road, dips and inclines, surrounding properties, the 'class' of road etc all affect decisions, and are usually based on such factors as reversing off of an intended driveway – how safe is it to other road users (and pedestrians) as well as ease of entering the driveway. If you have to make a broad swing to get into a tight entrance etc.
A car turntable, manual or remote controlled, can help overcome many objections. It's the ideal parking solution as you can remove the objection of having to reverse out onto the main road.
Councils are keen to get vehicles off the streets – themselves a hazard and particularly so for emergency services on narrow lanes as well as public transport and community transport iniatives.
Car turntables come in all sizes to fit all cars. From super minis to SUV's and people carriers, and the costs of installing or installing it yourself are not as expensive as you might think with installed prices starting from around £7000. Average installation costs are around £2,500, more if the electricity supply for an automatic system has to be re-directed over a large distance from the house.
If your planning application for a driveway has been refused and you can't get permission to drop the kerb, then a car turntable might provide the answer.
Local planning decisions vary from one area to another, but recent personal experience is that if you can find a way around the objections, then a further decision may be made in your favour.
With regards driveways or exits onto roads from private property, there are a number of rules and guidelines planning departments use. In most cases, they will refer to the highways department, particularly if there is any commercial aspect to the property.
They will look at certain factors – is the exit going to be on a blind bend? Is there good visibility of the road (in both directions) when pulling off the intended driveway and is there equal good visibility for road users of the exit point?
Factors like bends in the road, dips and inclines, surrounding properties, the 'class' of road etc all affect decisions, and are usually based on such factors as reversing off of an intended driveway – how safe is it to other road users (and pedestrians) as well as ease of entering the driveway. If you have to make a broad swing to get into a tight entrance etc.
A car turntable, manual or remote controlled, can help overcome many objections. It's the ideal parking solution as you can remove the objection of having to reverse out onto the main road.
Councils are keen to get vehicles off the streets – themselves a hazard and particularly so for emergency services on narrow lanes as well as public transport and community transport iniatives.
Car turntables come in all sizes to fit all cars. From super minis to SUV's and people carriers, and the costs of installing or installing it yourself are not as expensive as you might think with installed prices starting from around £7000. Average installation costs are around £2,500, more if the electricity supply for an automatic system has to be re-directed over a large distance from the house.
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