Tag: home improvements

How your home improvements will be fun for all the family

How your home improvements will be fun for all the family

You were delighted with taking possession of your new family home a couple of months ago, with your wife and two young kids appreciating the large garden and pool, which gives them freedom and so much more space than the old place.

It wasn’t in a bad state either, with the previous owner looking after it reasonably well until old age decreed that they needed a move to an easier to manage bungalow. As a keen DIY man, you were keen to get stuck in and make one or two home improvements that have modernised it even further and put you firmly in the good books for when you head away to the football for a weekend with your mates.

The outside decking is now in tip top condition once again, being the perfect spot as the sun rises to enjoy al fresco breakfast when the weather is right. And there’s nothing better after a long day at work to relax with your good lady with a cold drink once the kids are in bed as special romantic moments are never too far away.

It’s those romantic moments that sometimes fire up the passion in the pair of you, with soft music and not so soft drinks allowing you to open your hearts and wishing to enjoy the beautiful bedroom that you’ve created between you. However, last night reminded you that there was another job on your list of things to do.

Having a good, strong lock on the other side of the door will certainly deter invasions, just when your passions are reaching new heights. It will also save you adults from a very embarrassing situation where you’re trying to think of a plausible explanation to the kids about what mummy and daddy were doing playing with sex toys.

Of course, apart from that moment that will take a while to feel comfortable about for a few weeks, the other advantages of having a good secure lock on the bedroom door are multiple. It will be handy in the lead up to Christmas if you’re wrapping the presents, or to stop any rummaging through the drawers by the now extremely curious offspring. It may have been funny to you and your son that your little girl decided to wear make up like her mum, but not so much for her when she had to head to the shops for new stuff after giving the little one a good clean and telling off.

So what was going to be the next job, the kids playhouse in the garden will have to wait a little while. But once that’s in place it will be another welcome addition, adding further value to your home and hopefully a place where the siblings can have lots of fun and tire themselves out so that they sleep right through the night.

Yes, you’ve created what is turning into a dream home, and one that you’ll all enjoy that much more once the further improvements have been made.

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Small scale home improvements that can make a big difference

Small scale home improvements that can make a big difference

Home improvements are one of the most engaging and exciting home based tasks in which you can get involved. They definitely trump cleaning and chores, and they can make all the difference to the overall look and feel of your living spaces.

But many people shy away from home improvements, thinking they take too much financial investment, time and effort. Of course, there are many home improvement projects that can be included in this category. Major renovations such as extensions, loft conversions and more are capable of being greatly disruptive and can cost a huge sum.

However, not all home improvements need to be taken to this level. Instead, there’s a host of small scale improvements that you can choose from that will still have a hugely positive impact on your home’s value and appearance. Here are a few that you might like to take into consideration!

Painting and decorating

Feel like one of your rooms needs a bit of a refresh? This is where painting and decorating can make all the difference. Painting your room can help to make it feel fresh and new. You can choose a new colour scheme or you can stick to the old one. Either way, walls will appear fresh, even and bright. If you’re choosing a new colour, make sure to patch test it on your walls to see how it dries. If you don’t have much time on your hands or don’t want to risk messing up, you can use a professional painter decorator who will have the job completed quickly and to a high standard.

Window shutters

Few homes have window shutters but Plantation Shutters can make all the difference to your home’s functionality and design. Not only do they have aesthetic value, but they can also help with managing the light and temperature levels in your home, allowing sunlight and heat in or blocking them out. Consider styles and colours that go well with your home’s interior as well as exterior.

Kitchen counter-tops

We tend to accept the counter-tops we have in our kitchens when we move into our home. For many of us, they don’t even stand out as something that can be changed. But you can always replace your worktops with something of a different material, colour or design. Popular options include granite, marble and quartz. Make sure to look into the qualities of any counter-tops you’re choosing to make sure that they suit your individual needs well. Some are less absorbent and resistant to spills and stains, some less so. Some are more durable than others too.

Exteriors

When did you last consider the kerb appeal of your home? Sure, the majority of us focus on our interiors when it comes to home improvements, but working on the outside of your home can add value and make you feel happier in your living space too. Try painting the front door, fixing squeaky gates, making sure fence panels are even and more. These small steps will make a huge difference overall.

Each of these changes can have a huge impact on your home without entailing the money, time and effort involved in full scale home renovations. Hopefully, one or two will appeal to you!

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5 home improvement projects to start in the new year

5 home improvement projects to start in the new yearcredit

If you’ve been researching ways to add value to your home, or you simply need to alter your house to align with your current needs, you may have settled on an idea that you would love to implement.

Home improvement projects can be carried out for a myriad of different motivations and they are an exciting way to spend money for all of the right reasons. There are DIY jobs that you can do yourself or call in the professionals such as Handyman Wichita KS. Below are five home improvement projects for you to start in 2022:

Skylight in a loft room

1. Install a skylight

Skylights are an effective way to bring daylight into your home. By increasing the number of natural light sources in your home, you can change how your home functions and feels.

Skylights are not just an aesthetic feature; the addition of one in the right place can provide added benefits too. By installing a new natural light source, you can save money and energy by reducing your reliance on artificial lighting. On average in the U.S. skylight replacement cost is between $300 and $1,200 for professional installation without taking materials into account.  

 

Home office

2. Redesign your home office

The COVID-19 pandemic created a shift to home office working and remote learning which motivated many to find a suitable place to use at home to do that. As people struggled to make sense of what was happening in the world around them, they made temporary solutions at short notice to help them survive and thrive.

This year you have the power to change all that by creating a sustainable home office solution that meets your professional needs and reflects your personal style.

Al fresco kitchen

3. Add an outdoor kitchen

Adding an outdoor kitchen will give you an entirely new place to hang out in the fresh air. This isn’t only pandemic safe, it will also add value to your home.

If you’re in the market for a new house and you’re looking for homes for sale in Toronto, make sure that you find one with the right bones to handle this type of gorgeous renovation. Outdoor kitchens are places in your garden or yard where you can cook, eat and entertain al fresco.

She shed with woman standing outside

4. Build a she shed

Traditionally, a she shed is a converted outdoor shed created for the ‘lady of the house’ to create, entertain or just rest & relax. A she shed can be any structure that is dedicated for her to do her own thing.

She sheds can be bought in kit form and typically cost around fifteen thousand dollars to build and install. That budget will buy you a ten-foot space to use as you see fit. You can also buy a blank shell, like a pre-built shed, for less than half of that price.

Garden entertainment area

5. Expand your entertainment area

The entertainment area is often everyone’s favourite place to gather. Outdoor entertainment areas function like indoor spaces, and the better they function – the more value they’ll add to your overall property value.

By expanding your outdoor entertainment area, you can be part of the growing global trend of spending more time outdoors with your neighbours, friends and family members.

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The top 3 DIY projects in the UK and the best cities to find supplies to do them

The top 3 DIY projects in the UK

With the recent changes to employment habits, many people have begun to work from home. This has led to a surge in home improvements and with these updates there’s been an increase in DIY projects.

Home bar

The garden bar boom

With the restrictions in the UK in place over the last year and more, many people found a new passion for their gardens, with some even getting around to installing their own personal garden bars! With pubs closed and families stuck at home, the bar boom sky-rocketed with over 3,600 monthly searches for ‘Garden Bars’ in London alone!

From converting your old shed into your own personal gin club, to fully installing your own keg machine with taps, there are countless ways to add your own garden bar both in miniature and larger forms! So if you’re looking to get yourself your own bar set up, we recommend you jump on this DIY trend and give it a go yourself!

seating & low tables made from wood pallets

Popular pallet furniture

With the recent COP26, green issues have become more important than ever. One of the latest trends is pallet furniture. Whether you’re sprucing up your garden with a bench set and table, or making yourself an outdoor bar and stools, pallet furniture allows you to make rustic looking furniture at a fraction of the cost. You can pick up pallets from as little as £1.99 each online, and some shipping companies or warehouses give them away for free!

After getting your hands on the main construction supplies, all you really need is the tools; some paint or gloss and some nails! If you want to take it a step further, American artist, Kat Scott, has incorporated the use of pallets into her art, with her pallet mosaic pieces!

Wall rustic wood panelling

Wonderful wall panelling

According to the latest figures, the most popular and Googled DIY trend is wall panelling! Wall panelling is the act of putting up panels on one or more of a room’s interior walls to add a physical structure or effect. This is first noted to originate in the late 15th century and became a popular trend in the 16th & 17th centuries. Recently, it has seen an increase in popularity as it can add a classic and expensive look to any room or house.

This simple and uncomplicated method allows you to change a room’s entire look. So whether you’re looking to add a classy look to your room, or hoping to modernise it and give it a more structured look, wall panelling is the way to go.

Hardware store graph

Best DIY cities

If one of these trends catches your fancy, or if you’re interested in doing a completely different project then you’ll need to know the best places to shop for supplies!

According to the latest figures the best place to get into DIY is in the capital itself. In London you are spoiled for choice when it comes to finding a large DIY store, with 19 to choose from. Comparatively in the North, the best city to find a big DIY store is Manchester with 8, whilst in Scotland both Glasgow and Edinburgh have 4 each, and in Northern Ireland, Belfast has 5.*

In stark contrast, over the West Midlands, Birmingham has 8 large hardware stores, ranking it joint 2nd with Manchester in terms of number of stores. However, Birmingham also holds the highest number of registered tradespeople with nearly 4,500 according to the latest figures.

Hire Station undertook a recent study that looked at the most DIY cities in the UK and even developed their own scoring system to calculate which city really is the most DIY city.

Hire Station studied the top 14 most populated metropolitan areas and looked at the cities with the greatest number of tradesmen, which cities have the most big DIY stores and which cities searched the most for DIY Trends.

If these trends have inspired you to start your own DIY project like wall panelling or furniture making, make sure you feel confident in your ability, and if you find yourself uncomfortable with or unsure of the work, we recommend you hire a professional to help you – especially when undertaking tasks that may compromise your health & safety if done improperly.

**These figures are according to Hire Station’s latest study.

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