Tag: decorating

Home décor style trends not to be missed in 2021

Home décor style trends not to be missed in 2021

With 2020 soon coming to an end, many will be breathing a sigh of relief as we look forward to getting this surreal one behind us and hope that 2021 has better things in store.

It’s likely that you’ve already started making plans for the year ahead. If one of those plans is renovating/redecorating your house, then in this post we’re going to share some of the upcoming home décor style trends to look out for in the new year.

Hopefully, you’ll be able to find a style and design to suit your taste and budget.

Dark walls in an interior

Going bold

Bold colours on walls made a comeback in 2020 and are looking to be even more trendy in 2021. Colours such as deep navy blues, dark greys and even nearly black are something you’ll see a lot of next year. Although these can seem a bit too bold and even scary to work with – especially in smaller rooms, when they’re combined with the right elements, they can add a lot of depth, elegance and warmth to a room.

For example, pairing a dark blue or green feature wall with some softer shades or even some gold or brass accessories can turn a drab and boring room into something that is warm, inviting and even luxurious.

Scandi-feel sitting room

Warming up

If you have too many bold colours, it can have the opposite of the desired effect and feel quite cold. It can also make a room look much smaller, so combining this with warm wood tones is something you’ll be seeing in 2021 and it’s easy to see why this is going to be a popular look.

Whether it’s wood panelling (yes, that’s making a comeback) as a feature wall to give your room a statement look and added elegance, or simply a warm wood hardwood floor, it gives the perfect contrast to dark paint colours.

House plants and plant wall art

Getting back to nature

This year more than ever, it seems we’ve developed more of an appreciation for nature and the simple things in life. This is because most of us have had to get creative with how we spend our time during lock-down, and this new love of nature is going to be influencing a lot of the home décor design trends next year.

Internally adding different elements from nature, whether it’s handcrafted natural wood accessories or landscape pictures on the walls, is becoming very popular.

Outdoors is where a lot of the magic is happening though. If you’re lucky enough to have a good sized garden, there are many improvements you can make to the landscape. This ranges from turfing to allow plants and grass to bloom; to patios in order to give you and your family a safe space to socialise. When undergoing larger projects like this, you’ll be better off coordinating with landscape gardeners such as Valingo Landscapes who have the experience needed to truly design something beautiful. If you’re stuck for ideas on what to change, they can help you create your own personal sanctuary.

Shelves of various dried food in jars

Sustainability

We all have a part to play when it comes to taking care of the environment, and this is reflected more and more in the designs that are constantly coming to the market.

We’ve all heard about sustainable fashion, but now sustainable living is what we need to be focusing on.

From up-cycled furniture, to naturally and ethically sourced materials and more focus on massively reducing the amount of plastic we use collectively, home décor designs are going to be leaning much more towards how they can be sustainable as well as beautiful and affordable.

We hope that these styles will help you get inspired and have given you some ideas to go on with when it comes to getting your house ready for next year and giving it a brand new look that you can show off and be proud of. Whether it’s a one-off renovation or you’re doing the entire house, these décor style trends will help you create something you love.

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Unique touches for your home

Unique touches for your home

Comfort is achieved through a well-furnished, well thought out home. Sometimes, it can be those finishing touches that generate the perfect home ambiance. There are lots of ways in which you can come up with clever touches for your home. Here is a range of décor ideas to think about to create a unique look and feel.

Selection of house plants

Add a range of house plants

House plants are a great way to create a healthy environment indoors. Plants such as peace lilies, ivy and spider-plants remove airborne impurities and counteract emissions from electrical equipment. They’re also very attractive, especially when grouped and arranged on shelves, window sills and hanging baskets.

You can find species that will thrive in different conditions; sunny, shady, damp or dry. No room in your home needs to be without one.

large barn door and other, glass-paned door

Use different types of doors

Different types of doors can create interest to an interior. Certain kinds of doors add to the functionality and practicality of a room. For example, where space is limited, a sliding door is the perfect solution. Perhaps you want to maximise the amount of light; in this case, a glazed panel door is ideal. Maybe sound reduction is your priority; in that scenario, you might want to choose a very solid or well insulated option.

Trio of lit candles with gourds

Light some candles

Electric lighting is essential in every home – for practical and safety reasons, for a start. However, there’s something about natural light from a naked, flickering flame that feels more snug and intimate. As well as real fires and wood-burning stoves, candles are the easiest and cheapest for creating that ambiance. They add a sense of warmth, making any room feel instantly cosy and relaxing. Using scented varieties will bring that extra dimension.

White spined books in a row

Curate your books

Simply tidying up your book collection can give a room an unexpected makeover. Consider arranging your books in a particular pattern or by colour of their spines. Similarly, you could recover your books in home-made dust jackets that match your décor. Building stacks of books can elevate the humble tomes into works of art.

Line of paint tins on a shelf in a hardware store

Paint

Painting your home is a great way to personalise your interior. It can be a quick and economical solution to solve a specific problem or simply for a change of look. Whether it’s dark and moody or pale naturals, a paint job is often the starting point to a new scheme. With a bit of practice, most people can make a decent job of it – preparation is the key to a professional finish.

Vignette of decorative objects

Create vignettes

A quick and simple way to make your home immediately more stylish by grouping items into attractive arrangements. Select objects such as plants, candles, vases and wall art to create a one-of-a-kind display. Choose an array of different items to put together or a number of articles on a theme. Some creative collections add glamour, some humour others a sense of calm.

Storage compartments

Construct a storage area

In modern life, we all amass stuff; clothes & shoes, paperwork, mementos. They all need somewhere to live. Well designed storage solutions are both practical and attractive. Depending on how often you need access to stored items, should dictate where things are put. You might opt for shelving systems, boxes & baskets… or perhaps a stack of vintage luggage is your preferred style. Whichever you choose, a clutter-free house is easier to navigate and definitely easier on the eye!

White Venetian blinds with sunlight shining through

Use window treatments

Don’t forget to think about window treatments when redecorating an interior space. There is a myriad of options available to you depending on your room and its requirements. You might prefer the cosy warmth of curtains in a lounge or sitting room area, for example. Letting in light whilst, at the same time, retaining privacy are important factors in a bathroom; so, in this case, you could choose a light roller blind. Something that is easily cleaned might be a consideration in a kitchen, so a wipe-able material might be the best option. If you’re a light sleeper, blackout blinds might be a useful choice to make. Window treatments are also a good way to add a pop of colour or pattern to enhance a space.

All these décor ideas can transform the look and feel of your home. All you need to do is decide on how much time, energy and resources you can put into adding these unique touches for your home.

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Is it a job for you or a professional?

Is it a job for you or a professional?

There are many tasks around our home that we think we can jump on and fix ourselves. However, our homes are also filled with things that can harm us if we don’t have the qualifications and learning needed to approach it sensibly. Here are some of the little jobs we can do, and others that are best left to the professionals.

Painting a blue wall red

Painting walls – you

While professional decorators will probably be able to achieve a much nicer finish, there is no reason why we can’t roll up our sleeves and grab a paintbrush to do some decorating ourselves. So long as we protect our floors and ensure that the walls have enough coats going on them to hide the old colour, painting is something that we can tackle ourselves. It can also give us a tremendous amount of satisfaction when we settle down in the completed room for the first time, as we’ll know that we helped to make it look so good!

Laying a carpet

Laying carpets – professionals

It’s actually quite rare to get a room that’s perfectly square or rectangular. There’s usually some oddity that needs to be accounted for when trying to put down a carpet. Not only does it need to fit the room, but it needs to be affixed properly to the underfloor and any underlay needs to be laid out properly too. Obviously, this is one job that is always best left to the professionals.

Changing a light bulb

Changing a light bulb – you

This job is the classic, but it is something that we can do ourselves. Even if the light is a little bit trickier to access, requiring the use of a screwdriver to actually get at the bulb, you should be able to change it yourself without any issue. Just make sure you make a note of the voltage and wattage required so you can buy the right replacement.

Fuse box

Light installation – professionals

As soon as you go anywhere near something that requires you to mess with the wiring, you need to make sure you have a professional waiting to help you out. Though rewiring a socket or putting in a whole new light fitting might seem trivial, it is always going to be much safer to let someone who is qualified handle this work to keep you as safe as possible.

Sink plug hole

Unblocking a sink – you

A blocked drain is nasty to deal with, but it is definitely something you can handle instead of a professional. This is the same for both kitchen and bathroom drains – though toilets can be a little trickier. Half the time, you should be able to unblock a drain by flushing it with hot water and potentially adding something that could dissolve the fat or grease that might be blocking it. You could also invest in a drain unblocker tool. This is always going to be a grim task, but it is one that you can mostly do on your own.

Soldering copper pipe

Burst pipe – professionals

If you have a suspicion that you have a burst pipe, this is something that has to be dealt with by professionals. Firstly, you will need to turn your water supply off at the mains – so make sure you know where your stopcock is within your home. It is usually under the kitchen sink, but it might be somewhere else. As this can be a problem that needs urgently solving, make sure you contact an emergency service. This is offered by many local plumbers throughout the country. One example can be seen through GK Plumbing in Milton Keynes who run a same day service option for people in this exact situation. They run this 24/7 so you can rely on them at any time of the day. A service like this will try to quickly send someone out before too much further damage is done to your home.

Mower on a lawn

Cutting the grass – you

It might be a task that no-one particularly enjoys doing, but there is no reason why you can’t fire up your lawnmower each weekend and cut your grass in summer. It is a quicker job than many realise, and it allows you to spend some time outside in the fresh air. If you have the free time needed to get the grass cut, you should go ahead and do it.

Felled tree

Tree surgery – professionals

Tree surgery has a lot more to it than just chopping off a few limbs of the tree. Using a licensed and qualified tree surgeon means that you can be certain that the tree is going to be coming down properly in a way that won’t harm you or cause damage to any buildings or other features around the tree. It’s always better to turn to experts such as Riverside tree care professionals for a task like this.

Obviously, all the tasks for you on the above list can also be handled by professionals. It all comes down to your personal circumstances. If you are able to complete the tasks above, you certainly can. Otherwise, you could choose to support a local business and get someone in to help you out. Either way, you can be certain that you are going to get your hands on the results you need.

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How to maximise space in a small house

How to maximise space in a small house

Many people dream of living in a large and spacious home. However, not everyone has the money to spend on big houses. If you have a small home, it doesn’t mean you’re missing out a lot. The truth is, there are quite a few advantages of a compact home; it’s cosier, more energy-efficient and easier and quicker to clean & maintain.

With that said, a small home has minimal space. Fortunately, there are many ways to maximise space in a small house. Here are some helpful tips that you can do to make your home appear bigger.

Small living room

Clean up and declutter

Smaller homes can veer towards being crammed and cramped. To maximise the space, you’ll need to clean up and declutter. Not only will it give you more space, but it can also improve how your home looks.

How do you declutter? The first thing to do is to plan. First, decide which rooms or areas need clearing. After knowing which rooms to work on, consider when and how long you’ll work on then. It may seem best to deal it with all at once, but it usually takes time to clear a space. Instead of rushing, do one room or area at a time.

When starting to declutter, consider grouping the items into categories. You’ll need to decide which items to keep and which to let go of. If you’re unsure whether you should keep something or not, consider a few factors. Is it really important to you? Can you still use it? If so, when was the last time you used it? Aside from these questions, you can also sleep on it. You may come up with a decision after a good night’s sleep. For the items that you’re letting go of, consider selling, recycling or donating them to a charity shop.

Shelving units in a small study

Do some organising

After deciding which items to save, you’ll need to do some reorganisation. How can you reorganise your items? First, identify which items you’ll use more often and which items can be stored for the time being. When storing your items, it’s best to group similar items together.

You can use baskets, boxes and bins to store items neatly for future use. To make it easier to find, you can label them. When storing rarely used items in boxes, you can create a list and place it on the top of the box to help you identify what items are inside. When it comes to the things that you want to display or use often, consider building a shelf or a cabinet.

Child sitting on wooden decking

Expand your living space

In many small houses, the living areas are all combined in one single, open-plan room rather than separate ones. Because of this, it limits use of the space. To solve this, why not consider extending your living space into the outside?

One way of doing this is by installing a deck in your garden. Not only will it make your outdoor space beautiful, it can also give you a new space to enjoy. For decks, you have a few choices; stone, concrete, wood, plastic and wood-plastic composites. However, if you plan to use the space or patio extensively, consider composite plastic boards instead of traditional softwoods. They’re more durable and easier to clean. You may also want to make sure to choose the right colour for the boards, to make a cohesive and seamless transition from the inside of your home.

Light colour painted wall and door

Make your home appear bigger

Despite the many tricks that you can do to maximise space in a small house, there’s a limit to how much that can be done. If you’re running out of options, and still feel your home is crammed, why not try to make it look bigger. There are quite a few ways you can do this.

One way is by painting your walls and ceilings. If a room is too cramped, bright and neutral colours can make it appear bigger. Avoid using dark and warm colours, as it can make the rooms feel confined. You can also use stripes to make the room seem taller or wider. Aside from paint, you can hang large wall mirrors. Mirrors reflect and bounce light around and provide more visual space. You can also use mirrors outdoors to make your garden feel more spacious.

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