Latest Designer Bathroom Ideas and How To Guides for your Home

Gone are the days when fashionable homeowners ensured the privacy of their homes with net curtains. Blinds have become increasingly fashionable as a very practical alternative to curtains.

There are many types of blinds and even more types of material from which they can be made. The nature of blinds means that they are versatile and can be adapted to accommodate multiple requirements.

Blinds are more adaptable to different needs than curtains as they can be adjusted to let in as little or as much light as is required. Fabric blinds can, depending on the room, can be made from almost transparent material to let in a lot of light or lined with blackout material to let minimal light in.

As well as providing privacy, blinds can control the amount of light and sunshine that enters a room. Blinds can prevent sunlight entering a room, thereby protecting furniture and furnishings from harmful and destructive UV light.

Blinds can help insulate a room from either the heat or the cold. This has made blinds popular in a time when homeowners are highly conscious of insulation, and is also why blinds are installed in many conservatories and rooms that have multiple, large windows or large glass sliding doors.

For the environmentally conscious, many wooden blinds are made from wood that is sustainably harvested.

Blinds are easy to maintain, inexpensive to install and easily repaired. They are simpler to clean than curtains, and do not take up as much 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.

Mirrors in the contemporary modern home are important.  Contemporary mirrors are far more than mere objects of vanity, they are what we use to prepare ourselves to meet the world and in the modern home they must be equally stylish and functional. 

There is a wide selection available including wall mounted and free-standing mirrors.  Designs range from multi-faceted to ornately framed or cut into abstract shapes.  Mirrors are a vital way to compliment the existing lighting scheme in a house and can either maximise the effect of existing lighting appliances or, if used correctly, extend the reach of natural light further into your house.  

If choosing a mirror, an important decision will be whether you require a mirror with a contoured edge or with a straight edge.  Contoured mirrors may be more likely to fit with the existing curves of your home although many people also prefer a more traditional square or rectangular cut for mirrors.  The purpose of a mirror will often be the simple practical need to see how well you are dressed, but often mirrors can be used for decoration or to extend the light in a home.  There are many mirrors by designers such as Tonelli which are best suited for this and can include clever segmented designs.  More traditional pieces are available from designers such as Antonella Italia, pieces such as the Eliot Wall Mirror with a rectangular frame which are well suited for use as a practical hall mirror.

When a window covering is required and practicality and budget are both considerations, then roller blinds are a sound choice compared to other types of blinds. Roller blinds require less material than both venetian and roman blinds, and with some designs of roller blinds the fabric can be taken off and changed if it gets worn and replaced with another fabric without needing to purchase another winding mechanism. Roller blinds are easier to clean and attract less dust than venetian blinds or roman blinds, which makes roller blinds a good choice for people with allergies.

The rolling mechanism in roller blinds is much less complicated than that of venetian blinds, meaning that they are easier to raise and lower without the risk of the cords becoming tangled. Roller blinds roll right up to the top of the window, making them a suitable option when maximum light is needed in a room.

Unlike venetian blinds and roman blinds, some roller blinds are designed to be raised and lowered by remote control, and some have a timing device which can be set so that the blinds open and close at specific times.

Dropped something onto your tiled floor and caused one to crack? Do not worry, this can be fixed.

Assuming you have a replacement tile available, the task of removing and fitting a new one is simple.

First, pierce approximately four holes across the tile from corner to corner using a masonry drill. Wear protective goggles and gloves, tap along the line of holes with a lump hammer to crack the tile.

A dull wood chisel can be used to crack up and scrape away old tile. Ensure all grout is removed from around the edges. Work from both directions to remove tile.

Remove any glue left using the chisel; any ridges in the surface will be adhesive residue. Clean the area sweeping away old tile, dust and dirt, leaving a smooth surface for the new tile.

Apply tile adhesive using a ridged scraper. Slip the tile in place, ensuring it does not sit proud of other tiles. Using the smooth side of your scraper, add adhesive around the new tile where it meets existing tiles. Wipe any excess away with a cloth.

If you want to keep your outdoor decking looking good, you should give it a spruce up twice a year. This ensures it will continue to be an attractive focal point in your garden for years to come.

In preparation for the summer months, it is wise to clean up the decking in spring. Then once again in autumn, clean it up before winter sets in.

In DIY outlets you will find specialist decking cleaning products available that are uniquely formulated for this purpose.

These specialist decking detergents rid the surface of grease, algae, moss and general dirt that has accumulated over the months. Not only will your decking look much nicer afterwards, the surface will be less hazardous and slippery.

Follow the instructions on the packet for the decking cleaner and apply accordingly. The surface should be scrubbed immediately after application using a stiff brush. Leave to stand for the allotted time (consult product instructions for this), then rinse thoroughly with a hose until all residue has gone. Wait two days before applying a protective coat to the surface.