Latest Designer Bathroom Ideas and How To Guides for your Home

One of the easiest ways to increase the value of your property is to carry out a face-lift to the heart of the home, the kitchen and a DIY upgrade does not have to be expensive. When planning the project, take into account that the current trend is to have a more open plan living area, which is more welcoming and friendly. 

The centre of any home is the kitchen and having it in a room, separate from the rest of the house, is closing off what should be a warm and friendly space. Should you wish to create the open plan look and feel, you may have to knock down a wall or two. If that is the case, you should consult a structural engineer before begin demolishing walls. After all, you do not want to compromise the structural integrity of your home.

There are many elements to be incorporated into a kitchen; you need space for a cooker, fridge, counter space, cupboards and much more. Plan your kitchen on graph paper first, ensuring that you leave sufficient room for appliances with doors that open and close without blocking other pieces of equipment. 

Remember that the style you choose should make you feel happy in your kitchen.  As much as it needs to be what you want, remember that your kitchen upgrade needs to be practical. It would not be a good idea, for example, to put an island counter in a kitchen that is small, because it will take up too much space.

Firstly, and most importantly, any electrical work should be carried out by a qualified, certified person in accordance with Part P of the Building Regulations and the 17th volume of 7671 Stipulation, for Electrical Installations (Wiring Regulations).

Bathrooms, with little or no ventilation, often make use of an extractor fan connected to the lighting circuit, so that it comes on automatically when the light is switched on. Important elements to consider when selecting your lighting are water vapour and steam. Bathroom lights are usually operated from a switch outside the room or sometimes by a pull cord attached to a button at ceiling height inside the bathroom.

Lighting designed for bathrooms is IP certified, which stands for Ingress Protection and means the unit is designed and insulated to provide protection from splashed water and vapour.

For ceiling mounted light fixtures, 2D ultra violet tube light, globe light fitting and bathroom four-bar spotlights are among the most popular. Numerous kinds of wall lights are also available, including shaver sockets, though there are many more options to choose from. 

Shelves are perhaps one of the most popular DIY projects. Not only do they instantly change the look of a room, they also provide more storage space. The only problem in choosing shelves is identifying what type you need. There are so many different options available, you might be unsure as to which type to select.  As with all wall-mounted shelves, the amount of weight they can bear is largely dependent on the construction of the wall to which they are attached.

Floating Shelves

Floating shelves are so named because they appear to float on the wall. The mounting bracket is attached to the wall, then the shelf to the bracket, hiding it from view. These shelves are primarily used for light to medium weight objects. 

Fixed Bracket Shelves

Fixed bracket shelves are comprised of two vertical bars and the shelving is laid across the top. This tends to be the most common type of shelving. These shelves can be used for medium to heavier weight objects, depending on the material used for the shelf itself.

Adjustable Shelving Systems

Adjustable shelving systems comprise of two vertical bars, with notches in them, which are attached to the wall. There are brackets that fit into the notches and a shelf is then placed across the brackets. These shelves are able to hold a great deal of weight when properly installed.

Built in Shelving

These shelves are generally among the strongest of all. The shelving supports are typically affixed to all three available spaces on the wall of an alcove or other small, enclosed space.  The shelf is then placed on the supports.

Have you ever wondered how Roman blinds got their name? It’s not easy to see how a particular style of window blind, involving ruched material, is in any way Roman, but the story goes that it really does date back to ancient Rome. The Romans were very civilized and invented many modern conveniences which are still around today, including Roman window blinds.

In the dry and dusty climate of Rome, most people had no glass in their windows but they needed to keep the dust out of their homes and keep them ventilated. In those days there was no tarmac on the roads and pavements, and the air was thick with dust from passing carts, pedestrians and from building work too.

People found that the best method was to hang woven fabric across their windows, so that dust and dirt would be trapped, but cool air could still come in. Nowadays, Roman blinds are still raised and lowered the same way, using cord to gather up the fabric, but they are now made of modern materials and add a pretty, romantic effect to a room.

If you are decorating and the appearance of your wall or ceiling is marred by holes and cracks, you will need to fix these imperfections. Small indents or gouges identified in the surface of plaster can be filled easily. Larger cracks or defects will require a greater preparation.

Break away any loose material using a chisel to create a sound surface. Run the chisel along the crack, scraping the plaster and widening the crack.  The object is to make the crack into a V shape. Brush away any dust from the crack or hole.

Place the required amount of ready-mixed filler on a board. Use a hawk to scoop up some filler and push it into the crack using a sweeping motion to obtain a smooth finish.

Allow the filler adequate time to dry. You will find that the filler shrinks slightly below the level of the surface. Repeat the process to build the surface up so that it is level with the surrounding plaster.

Sand the surface using a sanding block or if a large area an electric sander. Wear a dust mask while performing this task.

If you wish to add a new look to your bathroom, then you may wish to consider opting for a unique design.  There are many types of bathroom suites, furniture and accessories that will enable you to create a completely different look for your bathroom.  From unique baths and showers to different types of cabinets and accessories, you are sure to find something to help you add something new and interesting to your bathroom.

If you are planning to create a completely new bathroom, then there are many types of unique bathroom suites available.  Freestanding baths are a great choice for those wishing to add something unique to your bathroom.  These types of baths create a great focal point and are available in a wide range of styles.  Whirlpool baths with lighting installed are also ideal for those wishing to add something unique and luxurious to their bathroom.

If you are on a budget, then you can still create a unique look for your bathroom without spending too much.  Simple touches such as your own tile designs, pictures or unusual bathroom accessories will help to create a brand new look for your bathroom.  You can even consider replacing your taps, toilet roll holders or soap holders with more unique designs such as gold or polished brass.  Not only will these create a unique look, they will also add extra elegance to your bathroom.

Whatever you are aiming for, you are sure to find something unique and stylish amongst the many types of bathroom furniture and accessories available.

Mosaic tiles come in large sheets with a mesh backing holding the small tile pieces together in ready-made patterns.  Mosaic tiles are used widely on walls and splashbacks, and are quite easy to fit around obstacles such as switches and electrical outlets.

To lay mosaic tiles, you will first need to apply adhesive to the wall.  Never apply more adhesive than is necessary for two to four sheets of tile at any time.  It is important to use a good quality adhesive and a notched adhesive spreader to achieve the best results.  After the adhesive is applied to the wall, hold the spreader at a 45 degree angle and drag it through the adhesive to get even ridges.  Make sure the design of the first sheet of mosaic tiles is the right way up and press it into the adhesive with your hands, and then use a short, flat piece of wood to tamp the tile flat, paying particular attention to the edges. 

If there is an obstacle such as a socket that needs to be tiled around, prior to applying the adhesive measure from the edge of the last full sheet of tile to the edge of the obstacle.  Then measure the length and width of the obstacle itself.  Use those measurements on the tile sheet and cut away tiles inside the measurements with a trimming knife.  Place the sheet against the wall to see if it fits and then coat around the obstacle with adhesive and apply the tile.  If there are gaps around the obstruction, cut a few tiles from a spare sheet to fill them in.

After 24 hours you can apply grout.  Kitchens and bathrooms will need waterproof grout.  Use a rubber-edged grout spreader, and clean away excess grout from the sheets as you work.  When the grout is set, neaten the lines with a grout shaper or a thin piece of dowel.

If you are having difficulty opening and closing your kitchen cabinet drawers, the first thing you will want to do is inspect the runners.  In a large number of cases, you will need look no further to find the problem.

Runners are designed to make drawers open and close smoothly, and in most cases will do so unless they are in poor condition.  For example, even a little rust or a slight dent could cause a drawer not to operate properly.  If the runners are very old and sticking then it may be time to replace them.

The most common drawer system has a drawer with two metal sides that fit into two runners which are located on the inside walls of the cabinet.  The back and base is chipboard and the drawer has an eighty percent extension when pulled out.

Most hardware shops and DIY centres carry runner kits with self-closing devices that are suitable for use on this type of drawer system.  These kits are available in different colours to blend in with your kitchen cabinet’s colour.

Removing an old or damaged runner is easily done by simply unscrewing it.  A new runner is just as easily installed by screwing it in.  Even if only one runner appears to be damaged, it is recommended that both runners be changed at the same time.  

Whether or not you require planning permission before erecting a garden room will depend on a range of factors.  The main ones will be whether you already have an extension to your property, whether your property is adjacent to a public right of way such as a road or a footpath, whether the total area of your garden will be reduced by over 50 per cent, and several other considerations.  Should planning permission be required, the builders usually take the necessary fees and drawings into account when they present you with their estimate.

You should make sure of your legal position before approaching a garden room provider.  Do this, by getting in touch with your local planning office and looking over your deeds to check whether you have the necessary development rights.

Garden rooms have been classed as a permitted development since 2008, when new regulations came into force.  Since then, planning permission for garden studios has not been needed, subject to several conditions.

If the proposed building covers less than 15sq metres, it will not need planning permission.  Neither will it need permission if it is between 15 and 30sq metres and at least one metre from a boundary, or built from mainly non-combustible materials.  However, even if these conditions are met, planning permission will still be required if the building is to contain sleeping accommodation.

If the garden room is over 2.5 metres in height or takes up over half of the original house’s surrounding land area, planning permission will be needed.  Permission will also be needed if it is to be built at the side of the house, or on a World Heritage Site or other such designated area, or if the construction is associated with a listed building.

Fitting laminate floorboards is quite simple. However, as laminate flooring expands and contracts, you will need to leave a ten-millimetre space between the edge of the boards and the skirting boards. Use fitting wedges to help you to do this.

Lay your boards lengthways working towards the source of the light in your room. Start to lay your flooring boards from the left hand side.

Lay your first board so that the short tongue is against the wall. Fit the fitting wedges in between the wall and the board, ensuring that it is exactly parallel to the wall.

Lay your next board end-on to the first one. Ensure that the tongues lock together. To lock the boards together, slide your second board in at a 30-degree angle so that it is able to slot-in when it is lowered. Continue in the same way until you have completed a row.

To strengthen your laminate floor, you will need to offset the boards. Begin to lay your second row with the aid of half a board. Angle the long side of the board at 30 degrees. Press forward and down to lock the flooring in place.

Lay the short end of the successive flooring board at an angle against the board you placed down earlier and fold down, ensuring that the floorboard is against the locking strip of the previous row.

Angle the flooring boards at 30 degrees and push them against the front row. When the boards seem to be tight together, push them down.

When fitting the last row, place one board at a time over the top of the previous row. Place a third board atop, so that its tongue touches the skirting, and use the edge of the board to distinguish the cutting line on the flooring board beneath. Cut the board to size and ease it into its position.

Finally, remove the fitting wedges.