Tag: renovate

Popular ways to gain access to your loft conversion

Popular ways to gain access to your loft conversion | H is for Home

Decisions about types of access to your new loft, will be based upon the space you have available for access. The type of access you can install will, in turn, dictate the practical use to which you can put the loft. So, this is really the place to start with your planning.

Remember, you must comply with all the appropriate building regulations if you are converting your loft and there are specific regulations relating to stairs if you plan to convert your loft into a liveable space. Although a loft conversion does not normally require planning permission, there are some limits and conditions which apply, so have your plans checked thoroughly before you start.

Compact staircasecredit

New staircase

Depending on the layout of your home, the space available and the options for entry points into the loft you could install a new staircase in the stairwell and continue your existing stair design. If you cannot extend from the stairwell you could have a separate staircase installed which could be in a traditional, open riser or alternator style, straight, dog-leg or L-shaped, according to your requirements. Staircase options allow for a full loft conversion because of the easy access they provide.

Black painted metal loft laddercredit

Loft ladder or retractable stairs

If the space for access is limited, you may only be able to install a loft ladder or retractable stairs. This would make your loft suitable for storage use or limited access – perhaps to house a model railway or snooker table. Loft ladders and retractable stairs are available in metal or wood in a range of practical designs; folding or sliding, manual or electric. To comply with building regulations, you could not normally convert the loft in to a liveable space if you only have room for a loft ladder or retractable stairs as these would not provide a safe escape from fire.

Spiral stairs

Spiral staircase

If you’re looking to save space and have an access point not obstructing frequently used walkways, then a spiral staircase is a great option. These come in a whole range of styles and sizes and consist of a central column out from which the treads fan. Treads can be made from a variety of materials including wood, metal, glass, acrylic and stone so you’re sure to find a style in keeping with your décor. Check whether your space-saving stairs comply with loft conversion building regulations prior to installation.

Floating stairscredit

Floating stairs

Floating stairs make a beautiful design feature in any home. If you like the look of floating stairs but are nervous about the openness, especially if you have small children, don’t worry, clear balustrades and hand rails can be incorporated without detracting from the design impact. While these can be made in a wide range of materials there are some building regulations relating to their design so, again, ensure you check first.

Bespoke curved stairscredit

Bespoke

Whatever style of access you select for your loft conversion, you can have a bespoke design to meet your exact requirements. Whether you want straight, spiral or floating you can choose from a wide variety of materials and design features to get the exact look, either blending in the access point or making a bold statement.

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DIY project: How to paint furniture

DIY project: How to paint furniture | H is fir Home

If your new year’s resolutions involve getting crafty or sprucing up your living space, you’ll be glad to know that giving new life to a piece of furniture is a weekend project with a low cost investment and high style returns. With a little patience and a few pro tips, you can turn a tired boot sale find or a hand-me-down you’re sick of looking at into a show piece.

Here’s what you need to do:

Painted 3-legged bedside table

  1. Remove any hardware and apply elbow grease

Before you paint, you must prep! Cleaning the piece thoroughly will ensure that any grease or dirt that could ruin your finished paint job is removed. If your piece is heavily soiled, most hardware stores will have products on hand designed especially for preparing wood furniture for painting.

Green painted chest of drawers

  1. Sand and sand again

Choose a medium grit sandpaper to remove the finish or any old paint or stain. A power sander works well for this job, but make sure to buy sanding sheets or blocks for any detail work. If your piece is older, be sure to wear a dust mask designed for painting and sanding; many old paints were lead-based and can cause lung damage if inhaled. That’s why we prefer Benjamin Moore paint.

Blue painted outdoor chairs

  1. Prime time

After removing any sanding dust with a tack cloth, it’s time to paint your piece with primer. There are plenty of great brush-application primers on the market, but if you have the space and equipment, a spray primer also works well and ensures an even application.

White painted dressing table

  1. We said sand again!

After your first coat of primer is dry, a light sanding with a fine grit paper will reveal any imperfections or areas which might need another coat of primer. This ensures an even application of paint and will give your finished furniture a professional result.

Light grey painted metal cabinet with drawers

  1. Paint time

When your piece is fully dry, apply 2-3 coats of paint, allowing drying time in between. You may also choose to sand lightly in between coats. Select a paint that gives a gloss or semi-gloss finish, as it will be more durable and easier to clean. Depending on the primer you chose, you can opt for either a latex or oil finish paint. Many older guides may insist on oil paint for furniture, but with the right primer and the right prep, latex paint will be very hard-wearing.

Pink painted chest drawer with button knob

  1. Finisher

Give your piece 24 hours to dry, then protect your finished work with a sealant or furniture wax. As with primer, you can choose a manual application or spray-on product. Allow another 24 hours to dry, and then proudly display your rejuvenated furniture in your home.

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7 Surefire improvements to add value to your property

7 Surefire improvements to add value to your property | H is for Home

Not only can home improvements make your time spent at a property much more enjoyable, they can also benefit future saleability and actually increase the value of the property. Here are 7 renovation ideas to suit all budgets and time-scales.

Tins of paint and rollers for painting walls

Whip out the paintbrush & roller

Give the entire house a couple of coats of emulsion. Areas such as around doorknobs and light switches can look grubby & uncared for – and flaking paint can raise unnecessary alarm bells for potential buyers. If you’re trying to sell your house opt for magnolia, cream or white walls. It might seem a bit boring and unadventurous, but research shows that they’re most agreeable to viewers.

Narrow cloakroom with diamond tiled floor and walls wallpapered with fish designcredit

Install a downstairs cloakroom

It will save you and guests having to go all the way upstairs – and it’s amazing how often the sight of a downstairs loo is greeted by positive exclamations of relief by house viewers. This facility can be sited in all kinds of under utilised spaces such as former larders, pantries or under-stairs cupboards. You could even steal a corner of a large room to accommodate it. Costs could be relatively low too, especially if the connection of pipes to existing drainage is straightforward.

Compact kitchen

Change the cupboard doors, handles and worktops

This improvement is much cheaper than ripping out entire kitchen cupboard carcasses – and the transformation can be just as dramatic. You could give a drab old kitchen real wow factor relatively easily. Different, distinct looks can be achieved from the same starting point, whether it be modernist & sleek, vintage industrial or rustic country. Be creative and have fun, but choose a style that suits the character of your house.

Studio loft conversion

Convert the loft

This can be done to varying degrees, from simple boarding out and installation of power, heat and light – right up to the creation of luxury bedrooms with en suite facilities. The more simple options can provide useful storage, craft or office spaces. A total renovation with associated roof & wall alterations, installation of windows, bathroom, electrics, heating and so on might run into the thirty or forty thousand pound region. However, the creation of extra bedrooms is almost guaranteed to add value – and it will be a godsend to a growing family whilst you’re still in residence there. The conversion of former loft spaces can produce some very interesting, characterful and memorable rooms which is always a plus point when it comes to selling.

Wall-mounted boiler

Upgrade the boiler

It puts a potential buyer’s mind at ease knowing that the central heating system isn’t going to breakdown at the first hint of sub-zero temperatures. A new boiler will cost about two thousand pounds. It provides more reliable service and a certain peace of mind. An old tatty boiler will usually require expensive ongoing repairs and cost much more to run in general. It’s hardly likely to fill buyers with any confidence about the general condition of your property either. Boiler installation from My Plumber is a recommended route to take to tackle this particular job. Also, the energy efficiency rating in your Home Information Pack (HIP) will surely benefit from an efficient, well-maintained boiler.

French doors leading out on to a patio area

 

Build a summer house

Whether it’s an office at the bottom of the garden, hobby space or man cave – some form of summer house will prove attractive to many home owners… and buyers too. A place to escape! You could install Aluminium French doors leading out into the garden. Light can then flood in – and there’s no better way to connect indoor & outdoor living spaces. These doors can be a very successful addition to kitchen, conservatory and bedroom areas too.

Green lawn mower on grass

Tackle the weeds

Whether you have an acre of land or just a small patio make sure that, at the very least, it’s clean and tidy. A major outdoors project will be very off-putting to most buyers. Going a bit further than tidying up is highly recommended, of course. Essentially, an attractive garden area provides an extra living and socialising space. In addition to growing plants or vegetables, you can create cooking and dining areas with seating, a barbecue and even a pizza oven. Heaters and fire pits allow you to stay outside long after the sun has gone down. And, if you have the space, there’s also the option of installing a hot tub or saunas.

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Should you invest in a wetroom?

Should you invest in a wetroom?

When it comes to redesigning your bathroom, there are many options. These can include traditional designs, but you could also opt to splash out on a wetroom instead. We’re here to take you through the advantages and disadvantages of these areas of the home.

Walk-in shower

The look

Wetrooms can be a real statement for your home, as they create a modern, futuristic feel. These can be designed in using colours and textures – just like any traditional bathroom. Where they differ is that they look cleaner, as there are few steps or segments.

The average bathroom will have a shower tray and glass, which can take away from the appeal of the room. With a wetroom, there are fewer barriers and areas, which creates a more complete look. You can also have single colours or styles of tiles, as they cover all areas of the room.

There’s a lot of flexibility involved when you’re creating a wetroom. You can choose to use different colours to emphasise the areas of the room, or just stick with one. Accessories and other elements can still be used to show your personal style too – like fittings and controls. It’s up to you whether you want it to be filled with bling or more muted.

It’s a good idea to view any tiles that you plan to buy in person to get a real feel for what they look like. While there are many online retailers out there, it can be difficult to get an accurate depiction of these online. Smaller tiles will generally require more work to fit, as they take longer to line up and grout into place.

Lighting can also be used to great effect in these rooms, as they attract attention. Backlights and spotlights are very popular in bathroom design at the moment as they add an extra touch of class. They’re also able to withstand the steam and water that will be created in the room.

Grey-tiled shower

Functionality

Wetrooms aren’t just form over function, as you can enjoy both with the right design in place. These can serve many more functions than the average bathroom, as there are fewer barriers. This could mean you go for a rainfall or spa shower, because you don’t have to worry about housing them.

For individuals that perhaps have a disability or accessibility needs, these can also be more appropriate. With the right bathing and showering areas, they can use these much more easily. For example, access level bathing can present fewer risks as there are fewer ledges on which they could potentially trip or fall.

Getting into and out of a bath can be challenging for some people, so you may also want to invest in walk-in bathing facilities too. You can read more about the more straightforward access that these can offer in this handy blog post: https://www.bathingsolutions.co.uk/blog/elderly-showers/ease-difficulty-wet-rooms/

Shower enclosure with wooden duck boardcredit

Value

Creating a wetroom that really looks great will also add value to your home. This can potentially create more demand on the market, which also adds to the sale price. This can be a stand out area of your home that makes it much more lucrative for buyers. For more ideas on how to make your home more appealing to buyers, take a look at this article: https://www.idealhome.co.uk/news/best-ways-to-add-value-to-your-home-177509

With buyers checking out so many houses before they opt to purchase, this can help your home stick in their mind. This can have them coming back for further viewings and potentially putting in an offer on your home.

Wetrooms do have a lot of advantages, although they can initially be more costly. This can be worth the investment to have a great room in which you can relax.

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