Price Points: VW Passat estate roof racks

VW Passat roof racks

Now, this week’s Price Points post may seem a little bit niche, but bear with me! We’ve recently bought a new (to us) estate car; our old one was just that… almost 20 year old.

Our old car was a VW Passat estate and we loved it so much, we simply upgraded to a newer version. They’re attractive, really reliable, can take a bit of roughing up and have a lot of boot space.

Even with all that room in the back, there are often occasions that we need even more. Being in the vintage & antiques business, we regularly need to transport bulky bits of furniture that we buy at auctions, markets and boot sales. Items that are too large to fit inside the car; that’s where the roof rack comes into play.

It’s only when I looked into getting some kind of universal roof rack that I learned that there isn’t really such a thing. Well, there is, but I wouldn’t be that trusting of their safety when we’re steaming along at 50 miles per hour along a motorway in high winds!

VW Passat estate roof racks are made specifically to fit on the ‘flush rails’ that come as standard on this model of car. Our old, pre-2014 Passat estate had a different type of roof rails so a swap wasn’t possible.

After scouring the internet and reading up about load limits, bar measurements and security measures, I’ve arrived at this VW Passat estate roof racks shortlist…

  1. Maypole locking aluminium solid rails cross roof bars for VW Passat Estate 2014+: £69.95, eBay
    TUV/GS tested to 90kg
    Lockable: comes with 2 keys
    135cm
  2. Green Valley roof rack rail bars, lockable, compatible with VW Passat Estate 2015-onwards, flush rails: £99.95, AmazonMax load capacity: 100kg
    Lockable – locks bars to vehicle
    Dimensions 107cm x 3cm x 2cm 3 Years Warranty
  3. Thule SlideBars package: £362.95 The Roof Box Company
    Maximum load limit: 75kg
    Thule’s SlideBars won a Red Dot product design award in 2011.
    Package comprises foot pack, aluminium slidebars, adapter kit and locks

    Foot Pack: The Thule Evo 7106 Foot Pack may only be used on vehicles with flush rails. It has a maximum load limit of 75kg, so this is the load limit for the whole system. It’s always important to think about the weight of the roof bars – 12.5kg to 14kg for this whole 2 bar system, depending on bar length – the weight of what you fix to them and the weight of what you are carrying.
    SlideBars: SlideBars include a standard T-track slot in the top of each bar, which must be used otherwise of course the bar cannot slide and the benefit of the whole system is lost!
    Adapter Kit: The Adapter Kit contains the essential components required to fix the roof bars to the vehicle.
    Locks: One Key System locks are included. We have a free lock matching scheme for all your Thule gear which, as a customer, you may continue to use any time you want. This means that you can use the same key for most of your Thule products. In practice, only having one key for all roof mounted bike carriers is the most useful part of a ‘one key system’, a system which is offered by all the major brands we sell.

shop VW Passat roof racks

Some of the links on our blog are affiliate links. We may receive a small commission - at no cost to you - if you click through and make a purchase.
Prices & links correct at time of publication.

Thule SlideBars package
Thule SlideBars package
£362.95
Green Valley roof rack rail bars
Green Valley roof rack rail bars
£99.95
Maypole solid rails cross roof bars
Maypole solid rails cross roof bars
£69.95
Thule SlideBars package
Thule SlideBars package
£362.95
Green Valley roof rack rail bars
Green Valley roof rack rail bars
£99.95
Maypole solid rails cross roof bars
Maypole solid rails cross roof bars
£69.95
Thule SlideBars package
Thule SlideBars package
£362.95
Green Valley roof rack rail bars
Green Valley roof rack rail bars
£99.95
Maypole solid rails cross roof bars
Maypole solid rails cross roof bars
£69.95
Thule SlideBars package
Thule SlideBars package
£362.95
Green Valley roof rack rail bars
Green Valley roof rack rail bars
£99.95
Maypole solid rails cross roof bars
Maypole solid rails cross roof bars
£69.95
Thule SlideBars package
Thule SlideBars package
£362.95
Green Valley roof rack rail bars
Green Valley roof rack rail bars
£99.95
Maypole solid rails cross roof bars
Maypole solid rails cross roof bars
£69.95

Price Points: Hidden TV solutions

Hidden TV solutions | H is for Home

We’ve been having a conversation on Instagram about ways to hide all manner of ugly audio-visual and internet gubbins. We hide our router in a vintage wicker basket. However, what do you do with something as large as a television?

Here are three hidden TV solutions that you can consider if, like us, you don’t think that 21st century tech sits terribly well with your décor.

If you’re fairly comfortable doing a bit of DIY, how about attaching your television to a motorised system – such as option – that lifts (or lowers) your set. It can glide up out of a floor-standing console or down from a wall-mounted cupboard.

Option #2 can be installed above your wall-mounted TV – the maker can custom-make the roller to fit the size of your television and with any photograph or graphic you request. Have a look at some quality furniture anchors here.

Option is a state-of-the-art television that, when not being watched, is a… work of art! You can choose your preferred artwork… or have a carousel of changing images. In addition, there are a number of different bezel frame designs available to fit in with your interior decoration scheme.

If you need further assistance from a professional to install your TV mount on your wall, contact a local engineer like Aerialforce to help you!

  1. Motorised remote-controlled adjustable TV mount & lift for 32″-70″ high TVs: £230.09, ManoMano
  2. Motorised electric roll-up home theatre wall solution: £605.91, Etsy
  3. The Frame QE65LS03 65″ Smart 4K Ultra HD HDR QLED TV with Bixby: £1499.99, Currys

shop hidden TV solutions

Some of the links on our blog are affiliate links. We may receive a small commission - at no cost to you - if you click through and make a purchase.
Prices & links correct at time of publication.

The Frame QE65LS03 65″ Smart 4K Ultra HD HDR QLED TV with Bixby
The Frame QE65LS03 65″ Smart 4K Ultra HD HDR QLED TV with Bixby
£1499.99
Motorised electric roll-up home theatre wall solution
Motorised electric roll-up home theatre wall solution
£605.91
Motorised remote-controlled adjustable TV mount & lift for 32”-70″ high TVs
Motorised remote-controlled adjustable TV mount & lift for 32”-70″ high TVs
£230.09
The Frame QE65LS03 65″ Smart 4K Ultra HD HDR QLED TV with Bixby
The Frame QE65LS03 65″ Smart 4K Ultra HD HDR QLED TV with Bixby
£1499.99
Motorised electric roll-up home theatre wall solution
Motorised electric roll-up home theatre wall solution
£605.91
Motorised remote-controlled adjustable TV mount & lift for 32”-70″ high TVs
Motorised remote-controlled adjustable TV mount & lift for 32”-70″ high TVs
£230.09
The Frame QE65LS03 65″ Smart 4K Ultra HD HDR QLED TV with Bixby
The Frame QE65LS03 65″ Smart 4K Ultra HD HDR QLED TV with Bixby
£1499.99
Motorised electric roll-up home theatre wall solution
Motorised electric roll-up home theatre wall solution
£605.91
Motorised remote-controlled adjustable TV mount & lift for 32”-70″ high TVs
Motorised remote-controlled adjustable TV mount & lift for 32”-70″ high TVs
£230.09
The Frame QE65LS03 65″ Smart 4K Ultra HD HDR QLED TV with Bixby
The Frame QE65LS03 65″ Smart 4K Ultra HD HDR QLED TV with Bixby
£1499.99
Motorised electric roll-up home theatre wall solution
Motorised electric roll-up home theatre wall solution
£605.91
Motorised remote-controlled adjustable TV mount & lift for 32”-70″ high TVs
Motorised remote-controlled adjustable TV mount & lift for 32”-70″ high TVs
£230.09
The Frame QE65LS03 65″ Smart 4K Ultra HD HDR QLED TV with Bixby
The Frame QE65LS03 65″ Smart 4K Ultra HD HDR QLED TV with Bixby
£1499.99
Motorised electric roll-up home theatre wall solution
Motorised electric roll-up home theatre wall solution
£605.91
Motorised remote-controlled adjustable TV mount & lift for 32”-70″ high TVs
Motorised remote-controlled adjustable TV mount & lift for 32”-70″ high TVs
£230.09

Smart ways to improve and organise your garage

Smart ways to improve and organise your garage | H is for Home

Garages are often messy, neglected spaces and they’re usually one of the last things on our lists of areas we want to improve. However, with a few handy projects and a little bit of organisation, we might be able to get a lot more use out of them and at the same time make them more modern. Below are some of our top upgrade ideas that will help improve and organise your garage space.

Install a ceiling storage system

If space is an issue in your property, then this can be a brilliant way for you to store the items that you don’t need to hand on a day-to-day basis. It’s also relatively cheap and easy to complete independently. Ceiling storage systems are a great place to store those Christmas decorations that you’ll only get out once a year or tools that you only use when something in the house breaks. These storage solutions can enable you to become more organised.

Two-bay traditional oak-framed garage

Store tools away

Storing your garden or woodworking tools on your garage wall will not only save you some space, but it will also allow you to know where each of your tools is when you need access to it. You’ll no longer need to look through old boxes or behind cabinets to see if you can find the garden spade or saw. If you have other types of tools, then you could consider purchasing a hinged pegboard system or a rolling pegboard caddy to keep these items tidy too.

Build a collapsible workbench

Workbenches can take up a lot of space, which isn’t great if your garage is small. Maybe you like using your garage as a place where you can work, but it’s too small or maybe you want the room to be multi-purpose? If so, why not consider installing a collapsible workbench that you can unfold when you want to work, and put away again when you’re not using it? If you’re really good at DIY, you could even build a workbench that you could store your tools inside.

Red Porsche parked in a timbered garage

Upgrade your garage space

It doesn’t have to cost a lot of money to make improvements in your garage. Drawer organisers, a sheet metal workbench cover and customised storage pieces can go a huge way towards achieving this. You could also consider installing storage shelves or have a go at converting an old cabinet into a storage unit. If your garage contains a lot of bulky items that you don’t need every day but don’t want to part with, consider transferring them elsewhere such as a unit from Gap Containers.

Create a storage wall system

If you’re worried that you have too many tools or items that need to be stored in a compact room, then perhaps you should consider turning an entire wall space into a storage area? The best thing about installing one of these is that you can customise it to fit your needs and the area available. You could have space for your tools to be hung, a place for your bikes to be suspended and even a place for your garden hose to be stored. Think about what you need to store and then design something to suit your requirements.

Check out this selection guide from the unclutterer to find the right garden hose that will become an indispensable assistant in your garden.

Classic timber-framed garage

Build a garage that fits your needs

Lots of people dream of a property where they’re not struggling for storage options, they look for ideas of how to gain extra space in their property. One way of doing this is by getting some help from professionals who’ll be able to advise on how they can alter your garage or build you a garage that fits your specifications. You could hire a professional to fit storage options for you or you could even have another room added above your garage that will give you the extra space you need.

Having extra rooms added above your garage will not only give you the added space you require but will also add value to your property. You might dream of a games room, a snug, a spare guest bedroom or even an office away from the house where you can concentrate on your work. Whatever you dream of, it can be achieved with a little bit of help.

Why not take a look at this range of oak garages with room above accommodation. The garages from the Classic Barn Company are built with longevity in mind and offer superior quality, ventilation and insulation. It doesn’t matter what type of property you own, or what type of storage you’re after, they provide a design that suits your needs. You could even choose to store your classic car range in one of their garages.

Of course, before undertaking any major changes to your property, you first need to check to see if you need building regulations approval. Once you’ve found this out, then your project can begin. Adding an extra room is the best way to get the extra space you need whilst also adding value to your home.

Oak-framed garage

Make parking in the garage easier

It’s a good idea to install motion sensor lights near your garage door. This will help you see better when you’re parking your car at night. You should also consider the type of garage door you want to fit. You could invest in some electric doors with garage door opener to make your life easier.

Introduce new technology

Lots of people use their garage as a storage space for valuable items, so it’s important to remember to keep it secure. Place cameras at the entrances so that if anyone tries to access your garage you’ll have recorded their image. These cameras will also help to deter potential thieves.

Technology is continually evolving, so keeping up to date can be difficult. Nowadays, technology is so advanced that we can open and close our garage doors at the touch of a button using our mobile phones. you can also get remotes for your garage doors from places like National Garage Remotes & Openers if you do not want to use your phone in case it has died, for example. This technology will stop you from having to get out of your car to manually open the garage door when you get home late at night. Your phone will also be able to tell you if your garage door is open or closed. You may think that technology can only look good if installed in modern buildings, but this isn’t always the case. Technology can be installed in character properties when done in a sympathetic manner. The Classic Barn Company knows how to do this in the right way.

There are numerous ways you can improve and organise your garage space. Whether you build a new garage completely or simply install some nifty storage solutions is up to you. It’s a good idea to do some research before you get started.

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On our radar: Reusable mason jar zip-lock pouches

Reusable mason jar zip-lock pouches

Regular readers of our blog will know that I’m a big fan of kitchen shelves packed full of well-organised Kilner style storage jars – full of ingredients such as pasta, pulses, flour and the like. This set of mason jar zip-lock pouches is a fabulous twist on that look & style.

These resealable and reusable pouches are perfect to sit on those aforementioned shelves and cupboards, but also great for storage in the fridge. And they’re ideal to take out and about too – for packed lunches at the office or picnic snacks.

BUY THEM HERE