From home cinemas to dressing rooms, find out how you can transform your spare room to maximise your home’s value or add that extra bit of character

A spare room can be ripe for repurposing – so why waste it on excess storage space?

Ongoing lockdown restrictions have demonstrated that home really is where the heart is, therefore experts at regulated property buyers, GoodMove, have shared seven ideas on how to maximise your spare room.

1. Home Office

Whether it’s the hub of your business or an area for doing general paperwork, a home office can be a great way to efficiently box off those all-important tasks.

With the working from home hybrid looking to become a normalised part of working life, transforming your spare room into an office space can be a worthwhile investment for maximum productivity and efficiency. No more awkward zoom interruptions.

From layout to lighting, this is your chance to customise a workspace that is unique to you and how you work. For example, you could position a wide desk facing out to the window so you can enjoy the natural light, giving comfortable capacity for your laptop or computer, files, and note-taking.

2. Home Cinema

Bring the magic of the cinema to your own home by creating the ultimate entertainment experience! Enjoy family favourites and cinematic classics without having to purchase a cinema ticket.

Creating a home cinema doesn’t have to be as taxing on the wallet as it sounds. All you need is a comfy sofa, a wall-mounted TV or projector, and surround sound. Plus, when not in use it can also double as a second living room which means extra space to entertain guests

3.Guest bedroom

Converting a spare room into a guest bedroom is a common option, as not only is it practical, but your friends and family have somewhere to rest their heads when they visit.

For maximum functionality, invest in a folding sofa bed so that it can be stored away when not in use. This allows for much-demanded storage space when not occupied.

4. Rent out the room

With lockdown putting strain on finances for many why not top up your income by renting out your spare room? Many young professionals choose to rent whilst saving for a mortgage and can therefore it might be a savvy option for homeowners.

It’s worth noting that this option isn’t suited to everyone, and you should be aware of the costs of renting out your property, even if it’s just one room. You will need to consider factors such as council tax, increased utilities, and insurance.

5.Creative Studio

In such a busy world sometimes it can be hard to take time out for yourself and get into your creative zone.

A solution to this is to makeover your spare room and transform it into a personal, creative space to dive deep into your passions, whether it’s art, writing, music, or another hobby. This creates a space for you to express yourself without the interruptions of everyday life.

6.Home Gym

Exercise is an essential way to maintain positive wellbeing, however, gym memberships can be expensive. Plus travelling there can take unnecessary time out of an already busy schedule. So why not invest in some space to work out within the comfort of your own home?

The extent of how far you can go with this will depend on the space you have available. Some ideas can include cardio machines, such as treadmills or bikes, as well as weight benches for building muscle.

7.Dressing Room

If you’re still wondering what to do with a spare room, and fancy transforming it into something a little more luxurious than a home office or guest bedroom, consider turning your space into a dressing room and walk-in wardrobe.

All you’ll need is closet space, a little table with a mirror, and you’ll have yourself a fabulous dressing room.

How to make use of a small space

If the size of your spare room leaves a little more to be desired, there are methods you can take to create the illusion of space. Where possible, try to flood your small spare room with natural light, to increase the feeling of openness and warmth. You can also install shelving to reduce the need for floor-based storage.

“Over the past year, we seem to have a newfound appreciation for how central the home is to family life. With summer on the horizon, now really is the time to maximise excess space, whether you use it to get your creative juices flowing, or boost your income to enjoy a day out with your family.” Nima Ghasri, Director at GoodMove explains. “Therefore, we hope that our top tips can help to inspire and motivate any homeowners looking to add a little more heart to their home.”

For those interested in more information on making the most of their spare room please visit: https://goodmove.co.uk/blog/how-to-make-the-most-of-a-spare-room-in-your-house/

ENDS

About Good Move:

Regulated by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, Good Move are property buyers who offer a unique, quick sale method. Good Move buy properties for cash in a timescale that suits the seller with no house chains, viewings, or sales boards.

Good Move buy any property regardless of its condition – as long as the property is located in the United Kingdom. Good Move also pays all seller fees (inclusive of legal fees).

For more information, please go to: https://goodmove.co.uk/

The post Seven creative ways to repurpose your spare room! appeared first on Home Improvement Price Quotes Across The UK.

In the modern world, living rooms can be small or big, but still, generate a comfortable feel for you to be able to indulge in its relaxing atmosphere. When you incorporate the right kind of style for your living rooms, it is a guarantee that you will feel enthusiasm by the time you spend your time there. With this, what is probably the best design that you can go with to make your living room aesthetically pleasing and thus a better area to have your time in?

A Luxurious Touch

Maybe you are the kind of homeowner who agrees that plush textures provide a feeling of warmth and comfort to your home. Thus, one thing that you can do is to associate your living room with home essentials that are soft to exploit plushness into your homes.

One thing that you must consider is your couch. Your couch might probably be the biggest piece of furniture in your living room. Ergo, you can go with sofas with chenille upholstery fabrics or velvet, and both must have relaxing colours. These fabrics are also very great to feel, providing you with roughness, smoothness, or a matte texture that can make your homes feel more comfortable. You may place your sofas horizontally and the other end facing your windows. This may also make your rooms feel more elongated, thus creating a seemingly larger area for your living rooms.

To add up to the plush vibe, fuzzy carpets are also deemed necessary so your interiors can look softer, making it appear as if you are in the clouds when you visit your living room. Wood is also good for your walls, so you may add wooden frames to balance the formal and natural look in them. Nevertheless, do not forget to place roman blinds for your windows so you can still have a great window treatment which is also very convenient to use. Roman blinds are common for modern homes, as they are efficient and do not take too much space for your homes.

The All-season interior

Most homeowners are now also considering having a cabin-like interior for their living rooms. This kind of interior provides coziness and coolness to their homes, making it appear as if their living rooms are that of vacation houses.

One thing that you may want to consider for this kind of interior is to put wooden furniture for most of your living room essentials. Wood gives simplicity while still making a creative statement for your living rooms. Also, add natural colours to them, and do not forget to place a big plant on one side of the area to instill more freshness and tenacity to a natural-looking interior. Furthermore, there is no need to get a lot of things for it; going minimal on furniture is the best possible solution to make your living rooms have an easy atmosphere that you can enjoy every day.

The Bare Look

If you want to go a little extra in making your living rooms appear great, you may start with furnishing your walls with a smooth cement finish. Creating a bare look for your interiors makes it great so it can appear authentic and fresh as well.

You may also go with dark-coloured furniture, as it makes the living room more formal and neat so you would not have to worry about making it appear tidy at all. You may also place hanging bulbs of three or more, eliminating too much artistry so you will have a nude-like interior. Just be sure to pick lights that can suffice on lighting your entire living room, so you can still appreciate the simple creativity during nighttime.

This may not sound so good for traditional homes, but it definitely does look good for a modern one and it is a must-try for those who are still starting to build their homes.

Every living room has its own unique design. Depending on the homeowner, you can go minimal or go with a lot of ornaments and designs so you can achieve the best look for your home. Consequently, the living room is a paradigm of artistic taste, thus it is great to make it a better place to hop in. When there are just endless choices you can go with your living room, it is practically best to keep it plain and simple, but also a space that does not go out of style.

The post Modern design ideas for your living room appeared first on Home Improvement Price Quotes Across The UK.

Have you renovated your home during lockdown? New research¹ reveals that Brits have spent an average of £1,640 on home improvements over lockdown, with 48% only undertaking this work due to the increased time spent at home.

The research, conducted by regulated property buyers, GoodMove, reveals exactly what work Brits did on their homes in the past year, the reasons why, and the money they spent doing the work.

As for exactly what homeowners got up to during lockdown, here are the top five home improvement projects undertaken:

• Decorating; including wallpaper, fresh paint, new carpets etc (46%)
• Bought new furnishings (44%)
• Transformed a space into a home office (39%)
• Renovating the garden/outdoor space (37%)
• Transformed a space into a home gym (22%)

A further 13% transformed a space into a home bar, 12% created a home play area for kids, 10% had a home extension, and one in twelve (8%) added in a home cinema.

So, what are the reasons for undertaking this work? Nearly half of Brits (48%) said it was due to spending more time at home during lockdown and a quarter (23%) said they simply did so out of boredom.

Looking at the money Brits have spent on these renovations, on average, the nation has spent £1,640.21 renovating.! Delving further into the research, 6% of homeowners splashed out over £10,000 while 5% said they’d spent less than £50 in total.  

Working from home has had a significant impact on how we use our space and resulted in almost two in five of us (39%) creating a home office. Interestingly, a home office can increase your property value by 8-10%,² making it a pretty worthwhile investment.

Our research found that 22% transformed their space into a home gym while gyms were closed. Although home gyms are super convenient, transforming this space typically costs around £5,000³ and with the average gym membership costing around £40,⁴ you would need to use your home gym for 125 months – that’s nearly 10 and a half years – in order to make break even!

Commenting on the research, Nima Ghasri, Director at GoodMove, says: “Our homes have been our safe haven this last year, and have become even more important to us in our daily lives than ever before. This is displayed in our research, as we have found Brits have spent a significant amount of time and money-making renovations and adjustments to their home. 

“Luckily, there are various ways we can transform ours homes in order to suit our personal needs, add value or just to create a more comfortable and cosy space. Whether it’s a home gym, office, bar or even some simple decorating and landscaping, it’s clear that lockdown has caused homeowners to re-evaluate the purposes of their spaces and gain a greater appreciation for these spaces ultimately resulting in many home makeovers.”

For more information on selling your home fast in 2021, be sure to check out our in-depth guide here: https://goodmove.co.uk/blog/top-tips-to-help-you-sell-your-house-fast/

ENDS

Notes to editors:

• Survey of 1,000 homeowners/renovators undertaken in April 2021
• https://www.yopa.co.uk/homeowners-hub/how-much-does-a-home-office-add-to-the-value-of-your-property/
• https://www.checkatrade.com/blog/cost-guides/home-gym-cost/
• https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/blog/cheap-gym-membership
  

About GoodMove:
Regulated by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, GoodMove are property buyers who offer a unique, quick sale method. GoodMove buy properties for cash in a timescale that suits the seller with no house chains, viewings, or sales boards.

GoodMove buy any property regardless of its condition – as long as the property is located in the United Kingdom. GoodMove also pays all seller fees (inclusive of legal fees).

For more information, please go to: https://goodmove.co.uk/

The post Lockdown home improvements: 48% of Brits made home improvements – spending nearly £2k on average! appeared first on Home Improvement Price Quotes Across The UK.

Are you trying to find the best type of floor tile to use in your home? When choosing floor tiles there are quite a few things you will need to take into consideration. Including the kind of foot traffic the area is likely to get. You need to think about the way in which the floor area will be used and if that area is likely to get wet. Will children or pets be using that area regularly? What about your decor? So many questions! Which Type of Floor Tiles is Best For Your Home

Both porcelain and ceramic tiles come in a large range of colours and sizes that are easy to keep clean when used as floor tiles.

2. TYPE OF FINISH

When trying to choose the right finish for your tiles, you may want to carefully consider the use of the area. Textured and matt finished tiles are less slippery when wet. Polished tiles sometimes need to be cleaned more often as footprints and scratches can be a little more obvious on this type of surface.

3. TILE SIZE

Choosing the size of your tiles it is really just a matter of your personal taste. Large tiles are usually used for large spaces, the same rule applies for small tiles. This doesn’t mean you cannot put large tiles in a small space, there are no rules restricting you in this area.

4.TILE COLOUR

When deciding on your tile colour you may want to consider decor, natural light and how much cleaning will be required. Matching lighter tile tones with your walls can create the illusion of a more spacious room. Darker coloured tiles are easier to clean. Again, taking into consideration how space will be used, you need to come up with the best option for your personal preferences.

When you go into a tile store and begin the process of choosing the perfect floor tile design for your home, you will likely be overwhelmed at first. Detailed information about tiles and their uses are taught in wall and flooring tiling courses and a lot of people opt to attend these when they are renovating or building their own property. The more informed you are the more money you can save and the fewer mistakes you will make in the process. 

If you are looking for local tradesmen in your area, contact us here. We can help you with getting you up to 4 quotes from local contractors.

The post Which Type of Floor Tiles is Best For Your Home appeared first on Home Improvement Price Quotes Across The UK.

Your boiler is one of the most relied upon appliances you have in your home, expected to not only provide warmth but often hot water all year round.

It is also one of the most expensive, costing far more to replace than a typical fridge, oven or washing machine. It must be installed by qualified engineers and there are different types of boilers to consider. There are even rules and regulations you must adhere to from the UK Government when it comes to new installations and energy ratings.

With so much to consider when installing a new boiler, we have selected five key points to address if you are closing in on a new boiler installation.

Do I Need a New Boiler?

There are a number of factors which could lead to you needing a new boiler. The first is obviously a fault on your existing installation, something that may necessitate a change. Your current boiler may be coming to the end of its useful life, usually around 15 years, according to the Daily Express. There are other mitigating circumstances too, which we explain further in our article Five Reasons You Will Need a New Boiler.

What Type of Boiler Should I Get?

Much will depend on whether your needs have changed or not. If you are simply looking to take out one boiler and put a newer, more efficient one in, then the answer here is just ‘the same as before’. However, if your circumstances have changed, you may need a different type of boiler. For instance, a combi boiler will deliver warm water on-demand, but may not stretch to the needs of a larger family or house of multiple occupancy. A system boiler heats more warm water, but it takes up much more space by needing a large hot water cylinder. The type of boiler you need relies heavily on your water and heating requirements.

How Much Will It Cost?

This depends entirely on your circumstances. If you are simply swapping one boiler for another in the same location, costs will be minimal. However, there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach here. If you are taking out one type of boiler and replacing it with another, costs increase. If you are relocating the boiler, you will need additional pipework and again, costs go up. Typically, it costs between £1,600 to £3,500 to purchase and install a combi boiler, and £1,500 to £2,800 for a system boiler. These are rough guides though and are subject to rise if more work needs carrying out in terms of relocation etc.

How Long Will an Installation Take?

Whilst again dependent on the type of boiler you have chosen, the installation time does not vary quite as much as cost. Typically, a boiler change should take between a day and three days. If you are replacing like for like in the same location, a qualified engineer should be able to do it in a day. Alterations to the system could extend that to three days, no more. If you are fitting a more unique boiler, something like a biomass boiler, then it may run for a week.

What Happens Afterwards?

With any expensive installation, it is wise to consider the time after the work has been carried out. Assuming you have just spent £2,000 on a new boiler, could you risk it breaking down? Many may come with a warranty of a year, maybe even a little longer, but that would not cover pipework and other changes made to the system. As you can see by looking at the gas and boiler cover on HomeServe, specific cover for the boiler and plumbing system is relatively low cost but can offer peace of mind following any major works carried out at your home. This is also a good idea if you choose not to fit a new boiler, but have some ongoing reservations about your current installation.

Conclusion

A new boiler can cost as much, or as little, as you like. If you go for a basic change, then do not expect to outlay more than £1,500. However, if you do need a change of type, location or indeed fuel source, then expect costs to go up and fitting time to increase.

The post Five Points to Consider When Installing a New Boiler appeared first on Home Improvement Price Quotes Across The UK.

Growing plants, whether vegetables or flora, is a wonderful thing. After all, nature offers so many benefits to one’s mental and physical health. The flowers you grow can relax you and spending time in your garden can have a calming and rejuvenating effect. If you’re growing vegetables, then your harvest will surely grace your dining table and nourish your body.

Gardening is not without its challenges, however. While it is worth doing, you must also be prepared for the difficulties. Only then can you grow your garden successfully and obtain maximum benefits from it. 

Here are some of the top challenges every gardener must face and how to overcome them.

Poor Quality Soil

Plants need good soil to flourish, but not all garden plots are created equal. You might end up with soil that doesn’t contain enough nutrients. Some areas can be more sandy or rocky, which limits what you can grow. Soil that easily dries or is prone to getting waterlogged is not good either. So, before you make final decisions on your garden design and layout, you must really have a better understanding of the soil you’re dealing with.

To solve the problem of poor quality soil, you have to build it out. Do a soil test to determine which nutrients are lacking and what the pH rating is. The growth of certain plants will be hampered or aided depending on how acidic the area is. Look into composting and vermiculture as well. Alternatively, you can create raised garden beds and fill them up with store-bought fertile soil.

By having thorough knowledge of the kind of soil you are dealing with, the more you’ll be able to build a successful garden.

Tenacious Weeds

Every gardener will come across the problem of weeds. They leech the nutrients from the soil away from your plants, causing them to not grow well or even die out. 

To curb this headache, be prepared to pull weeds from your garden every day. Be vigilant and do not let them grow long and wild. Pulling them out while still young is the best approach as this will minimize the damage to your plants. If the weeds have grown too long, then they can damage your plants’ root system when pulled out. Also, they can harbor damaging insects. So get rid of weeds as soon as you see them!

Harmful Critters

Another big problem when gardening is the appearance of harmful critters, which includes insects and bigger animals that nibble the plants or burrow around the garden. Snails, rabbits, deer, squirrels, and some birds can be a huge problem for your garden.

Fortunately, there are now many products to help gardeners combat these creatures without harming them. Putting up fences can keep away big animals such as deer and rabbits. Other experienced gardeners and farmers recommend planting plants and herbs that can keep away harmful creatures.

For example, planting blackberries around the perimeter of your garden can serve as natural and effective fencing. Garlic and onion can repel rodents. Mint and chives can help with that, too. Other people even spread rotten eggs around some hot spots in their plots to drive those plant nibblers away.

Also Read: How to create an outdoor entertaining space in your garden

Make sure to take these three big challenges into consideration before you start with your bespoke garden. With the right planning and by setting the right expectations, you will soon have a lush and flourishing bed of flowers or vegetables!

Article Provided By Floral & Hardy Gardens

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