Latest Designer Bathroom Ideas and How To Guides for your Home

Laying a new laminate floor and giving your home a totally new look is within the realms of most DIY enthusiasts. You need:

•    Laminate flooring underlay.
•    A saw.
•    Laminate flooring – check the measurements with the surface you wish to cover.
•    Skirting board.
•    Flooring adhesive.
•    A workbench for cutting wood.
•    Trim cutters for cutting the laminate.
•    Fitting edges.

Modern laminate flooring can be laid on top of an existing surface as long as the surface is smooth. Once the surface has been checked, you are ready to lay the underlay. The type of material you will need to use depends on the quality of the floor underneath and also its material. If you are covering a concrete floor then use a polyfoam underlay over a damp-proof membrane. Some people use wood fibreboards; others choose a combined underlay and damp-proof membrane.

Now unwrap the locking laminate flooring and leave it to rest for 48 hours. You are ready to start laying your floor. The grooves of one board will fit into the tongues of the next board. Start off in the left hand side of the room and remember to leave wooden edges where the floor will meet the skirting board. Once you have followed the manufacturer’s laying instructions you will be in a position to finish the job by lining the sides of the floor with a laminate trim. Ensure that the adhesive is secured to the side of the trim that will be fixed to the skirting board to complete the work.

What are vertical blinds?

Vertical blinds are vertical strips of material, with two controls which allow you to tilt the strips to let in more or less light, and pull the blinds back completely.  Some vertical blinds bunch to one side when they are pulled back, but it is also possible to purchase vertical blinds which split in the middle like curtains.

Why should I choose vertical blinds?

Vertical blinds are a great choice for controlling the light coming in to your room, and are also a good choice for privacy, as they can be tilted so that people cannot see in to your room from outside but you are still able to see them from inside. They have a clean, tidy appearance, which makes them ideal for minimalistic styles of room and also for office use.

Where can I use vertical blinds?

Although it is possible to buy vertical blinds for any of your windows, they are the best choice when you have a very large window or patio doors, or a window that is wider than it is tall.  They also work well in conservatories and bay windows.

Vertical blinds are probably not the best choice for small windows, or windows which are very narrow.  They are also not an ideal choice for small rooms such as bathrooms where they may become damaged if they get in the way.

What are the choices?

You can choose from a wide range of different fabrics, patterns, textures and colours.  Many companies offer custom made blinds which will perfectly fit your window, and will allow you to choose which side you would like the controls.  Additionally, you will be able to choose whether you would like the blinds to bunch on one side of the window or both.

Stylish, easy to use, and beautiful, roman blinds are a timeless classic when it comes to window coverings.  Roman blinds are chic and sophisticated without being over-stated.  With their elegant lines and the incredible variety of materials, colours and patterns available, there are roman blinds perfect for every room in your home.

In the bedroom, choose roman blinds with a classic, simple pattern that reflects your taste.  Opt for cool, peaceful colours, or deep, rich shades that create a romantic, restful ambiance.  For children’s rooms, look for roman blinds in jewel tones.  The bright colours will appeal to young eyes, but are not so distracting as to keep them awake during naptime.  In living spaces, opt for neutral colours like cream for an unobtrusive sense of elegance.

The addition of liners can turn roman blinds into blackout blinds.  The additional material increases the roman blinds’ insulating qualities, helping to keep your rooms cooler in summer and warmer in winter.  The liners also create greater privacy and control over how much light you allow into the room.  Roman blinds are also perfect for blocking glare and creating a theatre-like ambiance in a media room.

No specialist horticultural skills are needed to construct an attractive hanging basket, and it usually takes about an hour to finish.

The three main types to choose from are plastic, wire mesh, and rattan.

The wire mesh variety allows plants to be hung at the sides and the top of the basket. Rattan baskets contain a plastic liner for water retention and look very attractive. Both rattan and plastic hanging baskets will insulate the plants contained in them against sun and wind and so they have better properties for water retention. Their only drawback is that their sides cannot be planted. They do make the perfect home for hanging petunias.

The number of plants put into a hanging basket will depend on their type and size, but a standard 35cm wire hanging basket will take from one to three centre plants, five plants for added colour and seven to nine trailing plants.

A rattan or plastic hanging basket with solid sides will be able to accommodate fewer plants. A suggestion is one to three centre plants, three plants for the colour, and six trailing plants at the edges.

You will have to get about 12 litres of peat-free multi-purpose compost or hanging basket compost. Also, buy moss or a wood-fibre basket liner, and controlled-release fertiliser granules if you are using multi-purpose compost. Water-retaining gel is also a good idea when using this type of compost only.

The actual plants used will depend on the type of basket you go for and your personal taste. Always choose healthy plants with more than just one stem as these will give prolific growth of the type that is needed, and choose an attractive colour scheme. You could even use plants such as strawberries and tumbling tomatoes, which are ideally suited to this type of environment.

It is no longer fashionable to have coloured bathroom suites. Though it was once considered the height of chic in UK bathrooms to have a coordinated toilet, sink and bath in avocado or peach, nowadays it is best to save your colour scheme for walls, blinds and accessories.

White ceramic sinks, baths and shower bases are the contemporary choice in attractive, stylish bathrooms. This does not mean that you should always design your bathroom décor around a laid-back, subtle palette. Toilet seats can be made in traditional wood or plastic with relaxed colours, or you can source bright, novelty designs like fish or pretty shapes set in perspex to add an eye-catching, fun feel to your bathroom.

Like all interior design choices, when deciding the colour scheme of your bathroom the main consideration is the required ambience. Do you want a laid-back atmosphere or a refreshing and exhilarating mood? Perhaps you would prefer to create a more upbeat feel in a small shower room, where you can add a dramatic splash of colour with fun shower-curtains or window-blinds.

If you love to relax in a long hot bath, you may want more peaceful surroundings. Ultimately your colour choices are very personal. Some people want their bathroom to be bright, well-lit and uplifting, an ideal place to get ready for the day and to become fully awake. Others like a calm, subtle environment, where they can rest and recuperate. Unless you have more than one bathroom, you need to decide which look you prefer.

A mirror is much more than an object used to check one’s reflection.  They can be used to create the illusion of more light and depth in narrow hallways, or small living spaces.  They can also be used as purely decorative pieces.

Small mirrors can be fixed onto walls or surfaces by means of special adhesive pads.  This makes fitting them extremely easy and something anyone can manage.  A framed mirror can be hung onto a wall in the same manner as a picture, however, if the mirror is heavy, use a mirror chain rather than picture cord or wire.

If the mirror has fixing holes then all you need to do is simply screw them into place.  Before you can do this you will need to mark out the screw holes onto the wall, drill a hole and place wall plugs into the holes.  Mirrors that are fitted in this manner will have special domed covers to go over the screws so they are not seen.

For mirrors without fixing holes, and that are too large to be fixed by adhesive pads, the option is to use sliding mirror clips.  These come in plastic or metal and will generally have a cover that snaps over the top of them to hide them from view.  They will be fixed to the wall and the mirror will simply slide into place.  The top clips tend not to be fixed as this allows the mirror to be slid in and out as required.

Choosing bathroom blinds might seem like a minor consideration, but the material, style and colour are all important aspects.  After all, your family spends a good deal of time every single day in the bathroom.  Shouldn’t it be as attractive and welcoming as the rest of your home?

In high-humidity environments like the bathroom and kitchen, choosing the right material is very important.  Bamboo bathroom blinds are prized for their mildew-resistant material, practicality and beauty.  To care for your bamboo bathroom blinds, just wipe them once a week with a soft, damp cloth and allow them to thoroughly air-dry.  Faux wood, PVC and aluminium are all good choices for bathroom blinds, available in a wide range of styles and colours.  Since window blinds, unlike fabric curtains, don’t attract dust and pollen, they’re far more hypo-allergenic, making them a practical, easy to maintain choice.

Bathroom blinds come in a variety of styles as well.  From roller blinds to elegant roman blinds, to vertical blinds, the possibilities are endless.  For added privacy, blackout liners can be added to nearly any bathroom blinds, making window blinds a practical, attractive choice for your home.

After deciding on the tiling project you wish to start, it is useful to determine the type of tile that you will use before planning the design. The shape of the tiles can make a difference and while square are the easiest to work with for larger projects a range of other shapes can be used. Frequently, non-square tiles are used as decorative accents and in small spaces. While there are various styles that fall into the non-square category, the primary types are Mosaic, Hexagonal and Provencal.

One aspect of non-square tiles is that due to their shape they are not normally cut, but used as a whole tile. This reduces preparation time considerably, but also requires a more exacting approach to the design and tile size.

Mosaic tile are small random pieces of tile placed together to create a design or simply a pleasing pattern. When sold as a specific design they are normally supplied attached to a mesh backing, making them easy to apply. These pieces are normally around 30cm across and application to the desired surface is quick and simple. Generally, they are applied to a surface by abutting one against the other. After they are applied to the wall they only require grouting and the project is complete.

Hexagonal and Provencal tiles fit together without the need for spacers. Their design gives a universally even grout line, making installation simple. They need to be used in conjunction with border tiles, which are designed to fit the shape to create a straight edge at the border. While there are generally no rounded edges, there are half-tiles that are used for the edges. As an alternative to the manufactured half-tiles you could also cut a whole tile in half. These tiles are rarely available with a decorative frieze, due to their shape. Because of the universal grout line grouting can be carried out quickly and the project completed in relatively short time.

Painting is still one of the most popular ways to redecorate a room, not to mention the cheapest. There is no reason why you cannot experiment with different tools to create new and unusual effects on a painted wall.

Colour washing is one option.  This is done by painting the wall and allowing it to dry completely. Once dry, you apply a glaze with a brush, sweeping the brush in random directions.  The more you brush, the softer the look becomes.  You can even add an additional coat of glaze in a different colour to create a deep and richer effect.

Rag rolling is another technique and again, you need to allow the base coat to dry before beginning.  You can use a rolled up cloth, chamois leather, or a special rag roller.  The idea is to all but cover the base coat so that only a little shows through, so it is better to have the darker colour as the base coat. Bagging is basically the same technique, but using a crumpled up carrier bag instead.

Combing can be used to create either random or structured effects.  Once the base coat has dried, apply the glaze with a brush, then use a special rubber paint comb over the surface to create the desired effect.  You can combine this technique with rubber grain stamps to create a wood effect.

Sponges can also be used to create a mottled effect and this can look very striking if two glazes of different colours are used.  Stencilling is another option and can be used as a border, or as a focal point on one wall.

One of the simplest ways to revamp your kitchen is to replace the doors.  By doing this you can create the illusion of a whole new kitchen without the associated cost.  In most cases the shell of the kitchen is not the problem; it is the outdated look of the doors.  This can be easily remedied by purchasing and fitting new doors.

Before you begin, it is a good idea to draw a plan and mark out the doors on the plan.  Then double check by counting the actual doors to ensure you have not missed any.  Check the existing hinges and if they are a little wobbly it is worth investing in some new ones as this will make the new doors hang better and last longer.

To fit new doors you will need to measure your existing doors to ensure that the replacement you buy will fit.  Take the measurements from the inside of the door and measure from top to bottom, then width ways.  Write down the measurements on the plan and note if it is a right or left hand opening door.

Once you have the measurements you can purchase your new doors.  It may be easier to get someone else to cut the hole for the hinge and most DIY stores should be able to accommodate this request.  Make sure you measure from the top of the door to the centre of the hinge and the bottom of the door to the centre of the hinge, unless you are replacing the hinges.

Check you have everything you need before you begin.  Remove the old doors and begin replacing them one by one.  If you opted for doors with the hinges fitted for you, the job is that much easier as you simply screw them into place.