Making Home Improvements

Making Home Improvements

We moved six weeks ago and so naturally I am already dedicated to making home improvements. I’ve spent many hours (many) on Pinterest and similar interior design sites and have come up with some great ideas for our home. Here are a few ideas which might suit you if you are looking for a way to make better use of a space or ramp up the design aspect. Not all of these are suitable to our situation (we have a bungalow) but might be of use to you!

Create a Drawing Room and Re-Design Your Staircase

Move over Downton Abbey, the drawing room is making a modern comeback. A drawing room is a place of entertainment and relaxation. When you have guests around this is usually the room everyone will spend their time in. Because of this, homeowners take much more pride and care when it comes to the interior design of their drawing room.

Of course, there are lots of things that come together in order to determine the look of a room. When it comes to a room like this one, people tend to have one aspect that is the main attraction. This gives the room a striking and dazzling effect – the show-stopping edge most people are looking for.

There are many different ways you can achieve this. Some people like to invest in an extremely large canvas and therefore they let art take centre stage. Other people like to have pillars or other architectural structures put up. Some like to go for a really large television and thus have an almost cinema-like effect. And then there are others who opt for a beautiful staircase and this is their central point.

If your chosen drawing room has a staircase then it is recommended you think about how to make a feature of it carefully. You can use this opportunity to add a wealth of character, style and glamour to the room in question. After all, you need your staircase, so you may as well make it a beautiful one. You will be able to get a staircase specially designed for you. This means it will suit your drawing room perfectly, it will match your own personal taste and personality, and you can make sure that you stay within your budget as well. When deciding on the type of staircase you wish to go for you will, of course, need to consult with a professional who will use their expertise to give you advice.

Add a Roof Lantern or Rooflight

Is your home feeling a bit dark and dreary? This is an issue many homeowners face. No matter why your home has this issue, there are two good options for dealing with it when making home improvements. We had a house like this and the darkness drove me batty!

Roof Lanterns

A roof lantern, a glass roof elevated with side frames, is a spectacular home addition. Aluminium roof lanterns, in particular, are a wise choice. They add a touch of extravagance and grandeur to any property, whilst also bringing that much-needed dose of natural light. Additionally, roof lanterns often include vents, for improved airflow and temperature control.

Rooflight

Alternatively, why not go for a rooflight? This is a stylish window feature that will sit flat against the roof surface. A rooflight is the ideal option for those who require more sunlight but do not want such a drastic change.

Buy a New Shower Enclosure

When buying any product, it goes without saying that there are a lot of things which need to be considered. This is even more so the case when it comes to buying things such as shower enclosures, because once the enclosure has been fitted, it is very difficult and costly for it to be replaced again. This article aims to provide tips and guidance for those who are looking to buy a walk in shower enclosure for their bathroom.

A lot of people do not realise it, but one of the most important components of a shower enclosure is the actual tray. Some showers do not come with a tray; however this is inadvisable because one may experience trouble trying to find a tray which actually fits their enclosure. Therefore, take the time and effort to seek out an enclosure with a high quality and durable shower tray, otherwise individuals will find themselves having to buy a replacement product every so often. 

Aside from the shower tray, it is also important to consider the size of the shower enclosure. This is something which is obviously determined by the size of the bathroom in question. It is important to measure the space set out for the enclosure before one begins their shopping spree. Bear in mind that shower enclosures are available in a number of different shapes, and thus try and think creatively and efficiently when deciding where to place the enclosure. Speak to professionals and trusted friends you know who have had a new shower/bathroom fitted when making home improvements. Their advice and recommendations might be just what you need.

One last thing which is important is the style of the shower enclosure. Make sure that it is in keeping with the rest of the bathroom’s look. And remember that this is something people will not want to be replacing often, thus looking for something with a timeless trend is advisable.

Making Home Improvements: Ramp Up The Light

I touched on this before but it isn’t just your roof areas that need to let in the light. Choose your curtains or window coverings carefully as while you need privacy, you also need light. Use mirrors and lighter paints to maximise the light in small spaces.

 

What about you? When it comes to making home improvements what top tips do you have? Do you have a project or maybe just an upcycle task planned

 

Travelling With a Disability

Travelling With a Disability

The weather is glorious this week and we are fast approaching the traditional summer holiday season. Travel can be stressful for anybody but it’s particularly difficult if you have a disability. When you’re at home, you’ve learned to deal with all of the challenges that come with your disability but if you’re travelling to another country, you don’t know if things are going to be accessible and whether people will be as accommodating as they are at home.

People don’t often realize that simple things they take for granted are difficult for people with a disability and that means that travelling with a disability can be tough, especially if you’re travelling solo. However, you shouldn’t let that stop you from seeing all of the places that you want to see because, with proper planning, you can still have an amazing trip. These are some of the best tips for travelling with a disability.

Research The Law Re Travelling With a Disability

In this country, it’s a legal requirement that anywhere that has toilet facilities must offer an accessible toilet for people with disabilities as well. Unfortunately, that isn’t going to be the case in every country that you visit. Most places in Europe will have the same laws but if you venture outside of Europe, there is always the chance that there won’t be any disabled toilet facilities and that can be a problem. That’s why it’s important that you do your research beforehand and see what the laws surrounding accessible toilets are so you know what the situation is likely to be.

The same goes for ramp access because in some countries, there may not be any rules or regulations in place. If that is the case, you might find that there isn’t good access to a lot of the tourist attractions that you want to visit and you’ll have to look into making other arrangements.

Get Good Insurance

Insurance is so important if you have a disability that can cause regular health issues. If you are in need of medical attention while you’re away, you don’t want to be stuck with a big bill at the end of it. Travel insurance with medical cover costs less than £10 for a week so it’s definitely worth getting. You should also look into mobility scooter insurance if you use one because you could find yourself in a difficult situation if you have a problem with your scooter. Insurance is relatively cheap but it can save you a lot of money if something goes wrong, so make sure that you always have cover when you travel.

Look For Support Groups

There are always disability groups that offer support to people and you should try to find some before you go. If you contact them, they will be able to give you a lot of advice on things like accessibility and give you tips on where to go and how to get around easily etc. These are great resources that you should take advantage of because they will make your travel experience so much easier.

Of course, travelling with a disability doesn’t always mean a physical disability or a physical disability that is “obvious”. There are many hidden disabilities to consider and thankfully many airports and venue are able to offer additional support. Check on this in advance.

Travelling with a disability can be tough but you shouldn’t let that stop you from doing the things that you want to do.