Tag: decorating

Home décor trends that won’t go out of style

Home décor trends that won't go out of style

Everyone likes to feel that they’re being on trend with their interior décor choices. However, it’s often the most ‘in vogue’ looks that are the ones to go out of fashion the quickest. You don’t want to spend tons of money on a gimmicky ‘improvement’ that makes your home look outdated in a couple of years. Below we’ll outline some of the home décor trends that, if followed, are guaranteed to stand the test of time and save you money on house sale costs should you ever want to do so.

Gallery wall of artworks

Wall finishes

The majority of home-owners and decorators can recount woeful tales of attempting to scrape 1960s wood-chip wallpaper off of walls & ceilings. The stuff sticks to surfaces like limpets stick to rocks! We’re not knocking all wallpaper – there are some beautiful and elegant ones from which to choose… but do so carefully. Some motifs are elegant and truly enhance an interior for the long term. Arts & Crafts pioneer William Morris, for example, designed many patterns back in the 19th century that don’t look out of place in the 21st.

People often knock magnolia emulsion paint, but it’s been popular for decades for a reason. It’s the enduring background colour. Paint a room in a neutral colour such as off white and it becomes the perfect foundation on which to build and layer your decoration. A gallery wall of paintings or mirrors or other flat-lay collection of items works best on a plain, vanilla backdrop.

White California louvred shutters on a window

Window dressing

Windows and their decorative treatment have a huge effect on an area. Revamping your tired windows and window dressings will transform and rejuvenate a space – internally and also looking back into the room from the outside. Replace fussy swag & tail curtains with something stylish such as window shutters.

California Shutters provides shutters to suit any type of home and interior décor style. Shutters can be made-to-measure, so will fit awkward shaped and sized windows. They’re available in a variety of top-quality materials such as hardwood or PVC, the latter being perfect for use in bathrooms and other damp environments.

You can choose from a full-service shutter installation or, if you’re a DIY natural, they provide guides and videos to walk home-owners through each step; including measuring windows, the ordering process and tips on installation.

Buttoned leather sofa

Furniture

If you’re in the market to renew your living room suite, stick to classic shapes in neutral tones. For instance, a brown leather chesterfield is timeless and practical. As a bonus, it’s very pet friendly in that it’s easy to clean and a bit of scuffing and marking only adds to its character. If you prefer fabric seats, opt for ones that are removable and machine washable. You won’t go far wrong with a plain, heavy-weight cotton; if you want an injection of bright colour or pattern, accessorise it with a throw and tonal cushions.

Real wood floor

Flooring

Carpet on the bathroom floor – who ever thought that was a good idea? If you want to inject some colour into a scheme, then there are some great options in vinyl and rubber. Real hardwood floorboards is always going to be a winner; hard-wearing, practical and attractive. They can be used in any room in the house, from kitchen to lounge, cloakroom to hallway. If you need it to be warmer of softer underfoot – for instance in a bedroom – simply put down plush mats or area rugs. If you do want to use carpet (but please, not in the bathroom) go for plain rather than patterned. The latter may be much better at concealing dirt and stains, but eventually it will really date a room.

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3 great tips on interior style for new home-owners

3 great tips on interior style for new home-owners

Decorating your first home? Here are a few useful suggestions for getting your interior style just right.

Illustration of a checklist, pen and coffee

Make lists

Now that you have an understanding of what your home décor style is, the next thing you need to do is make a list of everything that you’re going to require for your home. Write down all of the items you currently own and then write down all of the items that you are going to need to purchase. This will not only help you to get more organised, but it’s important in terms of interior design because everything needs to have a place. Therefore, by determining what you need to purchase, you’ll then be able to plan where everything is going to go and you can organise what storage items you’re going to need to purchase for your home. This is something that a lot of people overlook, and then they end up with lots of clutter.

Illustration of a neutral colour palette

Start with a neutral colour palette

While it can be very tempting to include a variety of colours, it’s always better to start with a neutral colour palette. This doesn’t mean that you need to opt for boring colours. However, a neutral colour palette gives you the perfect base on which to build. You can then add accessories and furnishings without being restricted to the bold or striking colours you’ve chosen for the walls.

If you don’t want to go for white or cream, for example, you don’t have to. There are plenty of other neutral shades that look beautiful while still giving you something of a blank canvas. For example, muted shades of grey are very popular at the moment. You can also choose stunning pastel colours, be it a dusty pink or soft green. Payweeklycarpets.co.uk is a good resource for carpets in these shades.

Illustration of a person lying in bed

Invest in a quality bed and bedding

When buying new furniture for your first home, you need to prioritise where to spend money and where to be frugal. Items that you certainly shouldn’t cut back on are your bed, mattress and bedding. After all, if you can’t get a good night’s sleep, then you’re not going to enjoy being in your new home. Everyone needs a restful night’s sleep so that they can be refreshed and ready for the following day ahead. If you’re considering economising and buying a cheap bed or mattress because you want to get lots of accessories and decorations for your home, don’t. You can simply buy added accessories and adornments at a later date.

The best thing to do is buy the basics now and investing good quality, and then you can add on to this after you have lived in your house for a number of months. You’ll find that there are always new things you want to add to your home. You’ll never be able to decorate your property and have a complete version of what you envision within a matter of months, so don’t put any pressure on yourself.

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11 ways to add value to your home: budget-friendly edition

11 ways to add value to your home: budget-friendly edition

As a home-owner, you want your home to look its best. While many renovations can be costly, some can be done even if you’re pinching the pennies. Fortunately, many thrifty improvements can work to add value to your home. Here are some budget-friendly changes you can make:

Curb appeal

1. Improve curb appeal

First impressions last, and there’s no other area in your home providing this than your curb. Having professional exterior cleaning and designing services like Nova Exteriors and others is worth it. If there’s only one project you can work on, focus primarily on your exterior. When it looks attractive and presentable, your home’s value increases as it can attract more potential buyers to view.

If you’re planning on selling your home, many prospective purchasers won’t even make it beyond your curb or front lawn if it appears like it’s a neglected home on the inside.

Couple painting

2. Apply a fresh coat of paint

One of the most inexpensive projects you can carry out on your property to add value is to give it a fresh coat of paint – especially if your home has a dated colour scheme. Revamping tired walls with neutral shades is best. Should you decide to sell your home, you’ll attract more buyers if the paintwork is fresh and when the interior style resonates with a wider range of people.

Old garage door

3. Change your garage door

Replacing your garage door isn’t an exciting change to your home. However, it’s one of the most effective at increasing your home’s value. You can replace your current garage door with a more robust and better-looking one. Also, consider installing added features for it such as an alarm or sensor.

Kitchen drawer handles

4. Replace knobs on cabinets, drawers and doors

You may not be able to afford to change all your cabinets, drawers and doors right now however, there’s one way to make it look more up-to-date and modern: renew the hardware. Even the most basic units can look better when you fit new hardware. For its relatively cheap price tag, replacing all your outdated knobs & handles can add a wow factor.

Table & chairs on circular decking

5. Add a wooden deck or patio

As for your garden, a wooden deck or patio is something you can easily DIY. With an emphasis on outdoor living, your wooden deck increases your home’s value as it now makes your outside space more attractive. Plus, the ambiance of your garden will look and feel a lot better.

Cleaner with a vacuum cleaner

6. Deep clean your home

Deep cleaning your home is one of the cheapest but most effective ways to increase your home’s value. This means going above and beyond the regular day-to-day cleaning.

Generally, to ensure a job well done, you’ll need to call in the help of the experts. They can deep clean all the nooks and crannies to make your home look and feel new again. Those mattresses, carpets and sofas grubby with stains that you can’t get clean yourself? Professional cleaners can make those look brand new.

Tiling tools

7. Remodel a bathroom

If you have multiple bathrooms at home but you can only afford to update one, choose the one in dire need of a makeover with the help of expert plumbers.

Remodelling your bathroom can increase your home’s value simply because it improves its functionality and aesthetics. No one likes to do their business in a bathroom that looks mouldy and full of grime.

Hand and lit lightblub

8. Update the lighting

Perhaps, your home is equipped with ancient light fittings that look like they’re coming to the end of their life. Perhaps they’re hard to clean or no longer in style and are detracting from the overall ambiance in your home.

Replace this old lighting. Many homeware stores have a wide variety of options from which to choose, depending on your style and budget.

Smart thermostat

9. Invest in energy-efficient fixtures

One of the most important features of homes today is for them to be energy-efficient. If you can’t afford to install solar panels for now, then at least make other smaller changes in your home to make it more efficient.

Insulating your home properly is an important step in making it more energy-efficient. Good insulation keeps your property warm in the winter and cool in the summer, thus cutting down on the need for central heating in the cold months and air conditioning in the warm months.

Also, consider switching electrical fixtures & fittings to more energy-efficient examples. For example, use low-energy, LED bulbs and install a smart thermostat. A smart meter allows you to monitor which of your appliances are energy guzzlers.

Garden spade in the ground

10. Plant a tree

If you aren’t planning to sell your home soon or in the next few years, why not plant a tree? If your garden is flat, an inexpensive way to transform its outlook is to add a tree. It can provide year-round, seasonal interest; blossom in the summer, colourful autumn foliage and bare branches offer a stark winter silhouette. Also, hanging a string of festoon lights in your tree will make your outdoor area feel a lot cosier at night.

Wardrobe storage

11. Add more storage space

One of the common problems with smaller homes is the lack of storage space. Providing sufficient room to stow away rarely needed items is one of the best ways to add value to your home as it improves its functionality.

Go through each room of your house and look for areas where added storage space is needed. Be imaginative. You can start with any wasted vertical space you may have, so you can add shelves or cupboards.

Couple looking at colour charts

Conclusion

Every home-owner aspires to make their house look its best and add value to it, but not everyone has spare cash to spend on major improvements. Many of the tips above are suitable for those on a shoestring budget!

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Falling in love with basement finishing trends and ideas

Falling in love with basement finishing trends and ideas

Often, a basement is one of the most neglected places in a home, although it houses a variety of items and even serves as a temporary sleeping quarter. It’s just as useful as other rooms in the building. A home-owner should have no trouble finishing a basement because it’s the most cost-effective of all the other areas of a property. When it’s done, it doesn’t necessarily need any further fixtures or accents. As straightforward as this initially appears to be, finding the perfect design style can be challenging. This guide covers ideas and trends for designing a basement, as well as tips for making it happen. There’s no limit to what this part of a home can become.

Whitewashed basment

One basement serving different purposes

A basement can have different functionalities in a home, whether it be a home theatre, kids’ living area, a gaming area, an in-home gym, office or a dream bar. Basement finishing depends on its planned application. Before moving on to the ideas and trends, the section below discusses how to plan the finished basement.

Remodelling a basement – the plan

Consider the design layout, size, functionality and accessibility when determining what works best for this space. Who’ll make use of this area? Is it going to be a tool room or a social space? Once these factors are in place, it becomes easy to create new basement ideas and trends or work with existing ones. If the basement is to serve two purposes, for example a gym and tool storage area, divide it into two sections. Partitioning boards will get the job done easily (if needed), otherwise, a simple addition such as a sectional sofa is enough to divide the space and create a dual-functionality area. A basement can serve more than two purposes, depending on its size and the home-owner’s goals. There are other, less expensive, ways to augment the look and feel of this spot. Lighting fixtures, new furniture collections and a fresh paint job will all help to transform the area.

Tools required for basement transformation

Remodelling a basement is no walk in the park. A range of resources go into creating the dream basement that will leave visitors in awe. Here’s a list of tools and other kit needed for basement finishing:

  • Caulk gun
  • Hammer
  • Saw
  • Drill bit
  • Drill
  • Level
  • Tape measure
  • Dust mask
  • Stepladder
  • Knife
  • Ear defenders
  • Speed square
  • Lumber
  • Insulation
  • Screws
  • Nails
  • Lumber
  • Safety goggles (protection against flying splinters during sawing)

Some of these tools may not be readily available within the home. Nonetheless, many DIY and hardware stores have them for sale. With that in mind, what are some noteworthy patterns to keep an eye on?

Spotlit basement

Basement trends and ideas worth noting

Here’s a list of trending concepts that will transform a basement from what it is to what a home-owner wants it to be.

Open concepts

Still, wondering if an open concept is still in vogue? Of course it is! Traditional home designs have enclosed layouts, but open designs are becoming more popular because they provide more space and easy mobility within the building. The home-owner can segment the basement into different partitions without boldly demarcating them; this is done to create an ultra-modern design theme. Keep in mind, though, that this concept eliminates privacy.

Media design concept

There are two options to turning a basement into a media space – designing an open TV area or an enclosed theatre room. The former provides a more casual entertainment environment that needs less remodelling cost. On the other hand, the latter brings entertainment to a whole new level by including fixtures that enhance the viewer’s experience. Components that make up this section includes a wide projector screen, state-of-the-art surround system, plush reclining entertainment seats, LED floor to wall lighting and even a popcorn machine. However, designing this entertainment area can be expensive, but well worth it.

Extension design concept

If a basement doesn’t serve a specific purpose, the home-owner can transform it into an extension of the home. It can be an offshoot of the living room space, recreating the same experience enjoyed in the other room. Another option is to create an additional bedroom from the space and make it feel similar to other bedrooms. Furnish the place with a bed, bedside table, carpet and storage.

Gym design concept

Health and fitness enthusiasts would love to bring the gym experience to their homes. If that’s the case, a basement is an ideal place to set up a gym. Workout equipment to furnish it with include a dumbbells, kettle bell set, treadmill, rowing machine, stationary bicycle and a training bench. Take it to the next level with an in-home spa that features a sauna and/or steam shower. 

Sports room design concept

Looking for a dedicated area to display a favourite team’s shirt and boots or watch exciting sports like Premiership football, Formula One races or the Olympic Games? A basement provides the ideal spot. It creates the right atmosphere to get wild and free without depriving other occupants in the building of their peace. This section is where family and friends can get together and talk excitedly about their favourite individual teams after a long day. Deck the room with a wall of smart TVs and ultra-HD sound system to get the best audio-visual experience.

Studio design concept

Home-owners who are passionate about music and even play musical instruments can transform their basement into a recording studio or live music venue. Simply soundproof this section of the property to reduce noise and install extra power outlets, lighting and a viewing area. Score new tracks and record new songs all from the basement – many musicians started out this way. Don’t forget to add monitors, mixing desk, microphones, speakers and other studio gear to the mix. Invite family and friends to concerts and jam sessions.

Bar design concept

Adding a bar area to a home can completely transform it. Friends & family can gather to enjoy their favourite tipple while watching a game, socialising or simply winding down after a long day at work. A basement-turned-bar can be simple or elaborate, depending on the home-owner’s preference and budget. Get the right lighting, a television and bar counter and stools to help create the experience.

Lit stairs down to a basement

In summary

A basement shouldn’t be limited to storing disposable items, including broken appliances, unused and worn-out clothing and pieces of damaged equipment. There’s so much more potential to this space depending on the home-owner’s interests and budget. With the ideas and trends discussed above, it’s not difficult to transform a basement into a dream entertainment area.

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