Showing all posts tagged renovation

In Interior Design

Make the Most Out of Your Living Space

Author Nicki CawoodPosted on

living space

If you’re a regular reader of Curly and Candid you’ll have seen that it seems to be interior’s month or two at the moment. We’ve lived here for 14 months now and need to really put our stamp on the house. For us, it’s all about making use of unused living spaces or making the best of used living spaces. Throughout our research we’ve come up with a  few tips on how to get started with your home renovations to make the most out of your space.

Unused Rooms

Chances are that you will have unused rooms that you can turn into functional spaces. If that spare room is simply there to store your junk, it might be time to clear it and give it a purpose. Turn your spare small room into a study, or a walk in wardrobe. You can use your garage for a workshop or your summer room as a playroom. We don’t have an unused room as such but do have a decent space under the attic stairs we could use better….

Narrow Corridors

One of the things that old and new homes have in common is narrow corridors. If you are living in an apartment, this problem is even greater, as the corridor will not only be narrow and useless, but also dark. There are several ways you can make these spaces more functional, by adding a narrow shelving unit, images, floating shelves, or even a shoe storage. Installing a few glass bricks will make the space brighter and more of an attractive living space too.

Built-In Wardrobes

You might also consider getting more space from your bedrooms if you get made-to-measure wardrobes and save floor space. We had built in wardrobes and bif cupboards at the top (great for hiding Xmas gifts!) and this makes a big difference to our room. You can also invest in a storage bed or sofa to store away things you don’t use every day. You can add small shelves above the doors and build up your airing cupboard to make the most out of your space.

Getting Rid of Walls

Opening up the space in your home will improve the comfort level of your house, and make it more inclusive for all family members. An open plan design will need a detailed structural plan and you might want to talk to Contemporary Architects who can draw up your design and check the stability and integrity of the building before applying for a building permissions.  I’m not a fan of open plan living space to be honest, unless you have an awesome space, but have seen great results from those who have done it.

Extensions to Create New Living Space

If you have tried everything above, and you still don’t seem to have enough space, chances are that you will need to start thinking about getting an extension. Work with a professional to find a way to optimize the existing home spaces before you add more rooms downstairs and upstairs. Solid wall constructions and two-story buildings are likely to cost significantly more than lean-on conservatories and so on.

If you seem to be lacking space in your home, chances are that you will need to start thinking beyond tidying up and clearing out your storage. Use the above ideas to make the most out of your home and add functionality and style to your living space.

 

In Interior Design

Renovation Planning

Author Nicki CawoodPosted on

renovation planning

I can’t believe that the boys are back to school already! The year seems to have flown by; however, there’s still plenty of time left before we have to start thinking about (dare we say it) Christmas. The last few months of every year can stretch the budget of any family to its limits. Therefore, now is probably not the time that you’ll be thinking about spending money on decorating, home-improvements, and renovation projects.  Or so you’d think. I was viewing a new property yesterday but more about that another time.

Those brave enough to renovate or change things up in their home need to start planning what needs to be done now so that can work out a strict budget for next year and the lead-up to getting things done. It’s always worth thinking about what you’ll likely to be moaning about in your home when you get to spring and summer, yet have no spare cash to do anything about. Hands up who else does this? 

The sooner you have your priorities down on a list, the quicker you can begin to put money aside and start to plan to get your home into great shape. With home improvements in the back of your mind throughout the festive season (sorry to bring that up again) and into next year; you’ll be able to save cash where you wouldn’t have thought to previously, and you’ll have an eye out for bargains and great deals. The following are some ideas, tips, and inspiration for those who want to organise their renovation projects now for a boost to their family home in the future.

List Those Who Can Help

Don’t be fooled into thinking that just because a company is the cheapest, that it will be right for you and your family. Shoddy work can lead to further expenses and is unlikely to stand the test of time, so make sure you do your research and go with a reputable business who are experts in what they do. Here in Thirsk, for example, we have some fabulous tradespeople and all of them come with a long list of personal recommendations.

Great builders, decorators, and home-renovation experts can sometimes have long waiting lists though, so it’s always worth contacting them as soon as possible to discuss when they can complete something and work out a payment plan for yourself. Whether you need to find a conservatory that’s right for your family, need a company like www.subterraneanspaces.co.uk to design and renovate your basement, or just want the house painted to freshen it up; work out your timings, money, and who you’ll invest with for a seamless and stress-free upgrade.

Preparation Is Key

If you can, get the small jobs out of the way before the experts arrive. That way they don’t need to invoice you for something you could have done yourself.

You can make plans now to give the house a major clear out pre, and post-Christmas is a great opportunity to get rid of items that you no longer utilise or need. If you’re decorating; plan to buy paint and other DIY items in the January sales as you’ll appreciate your initiative when spring and summer arrive, along with the builders or decorators. Remember that no job or task is too small, especially when you’re taking a weight off your mind by ticking it off the list, and saving yourself from a huge lump sum when it’s time to get started on your project.

Roy and I are in limbo land at the moment. Not quite happy where we are but not quite sure whether we want to move, or rather can’t find a property we can see the potential in, we may well be sitting down and planning out some changes for this house.

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