5 ways of improving the exterior of your home - Home Design Interior

Home Design Interior -

Within the UK are privy to a home improvement market worth a cool £14 billion (Financial Times 2014); and with more than one in three homeowners (35%) spending in excess of £2000 a year on their home improvements (Saga 2015) it’s then little wonder that we are a nation that has earned the saying of an English Man’s home being his castle. So here we take a look at five savvy tips for improving the exterior or your home in order to well and truly keep way ahead of the Jones next door.

1. Make your entrance the star of the home exterior show

Your front door likely serves as the central focus of your exterior, so why not treat it to a suitable makeover? As a starting point you should maintain the door properly (particularly if it’s wood, in which case you can make a real difference with a sand down and repaint every ten years. Beyond this however you should think about framing the entrance with suitable planting, such as climbing plants for the door that is porch free or hanging baskets for the home with a porch.

You may also want to replace your house number and invest in bright lighting to really showcase your work throughout those dark winter nights.

2. Invest in a solid set of Garage Doors

For the property that features a garage there may be few as influential a feature upon the look of their home than their Garage Doors. Neglect this feature and leave your door to rust, peel or fall apart and an otherwise well-kept home can look a decided mess. What’s more with garages often serving as a through way into the home garage doors should also be considered as a vital link within your home’s chain of security.

3. Tend to your garden or add a little colour

If your exterior features a lawn then keeping it cut and tidy is essential. You can also frame your lawn all year round with winter loving bedding plants such as pansies, Violas, Primrose, Polyanthus or Sweet Williams.

And for the frontage that is decidedly lawn free the addition of a few colourful pots and shrubs can work wonders whilst still achieving the ultimate low maintenance exterior.

Finally you may want to add a little interest to your home through climbing plants, just be sure to use a wooden trellis that is placed away from your brickwork, as plants such as ivy can cause havoc for rendering and pointing).

4. Don’t neglect your fascias

The fascias upon your home (the parts that form the protective shield under your roof) can very often make for seemingly inconspicuous items, yet with a quick clean up your entire exterior can look that little bit extra shiny. And if you don’t yet have fascias (and instead have wooden planks) replacing old for new can really lift the appearance of your home (in addition to making it all the more water proof and easily maintainable).

5. Keep your windows sparkling clean (as well as the nets, curtains or blinds that lay beyond them)

Windows can sometimes go for years without seeing so much as a squeegee, and yet window cleaning services are often so reasonably priced (and can make for a real difference for the exterior appearance of your home). So add some sparkle and don’t forget to take down your nets, curtains or blinds for a thorough clean at least every 6 months. You may also want to consider replacing any window dressing with something that is colourful both back and front and add centre ornaments to create a little interest from an outside view of your home.

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Making Your Bedroom Cosy This Winter - Home Design Interior

Home Design Interior -

Your bedroom is your sanctuary and so you want it to be cosy and comfortable. I think this is especially important in winter. Here are a few tips to make your bedroom extra cosy this season.

Choose New Bedding

When you want a good night’s sleep, you need to be as comfortable as possible. In winter, you especially need to stay warm. In winter, you can save yourself a lot of money if you don’t need to have the heating on overnight, so getting new bedding is important. New bed sheets can make bedtime much more comfortable and cosy. Cotton is usually best to go for as it is soft and gentle on skin. It is less likely to be itchy, compared to a synthetic material.

Choose a Warmer Comforter

During this time of year, a thicker comforter can help to keep the heat in and keep you cosy. If you decide to go for a new comforter, you must decide what kind of filling you want. It comes down to down filled, or a down-alternative. Down has many advantages or being particularly lightweight, yet still insulating. The natural insulation from the feathers is an attractive option to many. Down can be the best option because it gives most warmth, without being heavy and making you feel a little smothered.

Down-alternative may be better for some as it is a little cheaper. It is also the better option for those of you with allergies. The drawbacks with a down-alternative comforter are that it needs more filling to get the same insulation. This can make it heavier and may make you feel a little more constrained or smothered.

If you have decided to go for the down option, there are a further two options within that. Do you go for a duck filled comforter or a goose filled comforter? Goose down is the better option as the feathers are longer. They are plucked from geese that are older. Duck down is often shorter and can come from younger ducks. It just means that the insulation is likely to be better with goose down.

Add Pillows & Cushions

If you don’t already have pillows and cushions, these are a must for a cosy room. From a practical point of view, if you use your bed to watch movies, there is nothing better than cosying up with lots of cushions. From a visual point of view, it will make the room, and bed, look so much cosier too.

Candles & Lighting

Candles are brilliant in winter. We get such dark evenings that they can not only be used as a source of light, but can add a cosy feel to the room. Scented candles are a good option as you can get a seasonal one. The scent of cinnamon or pine with get you feeling festive, as well as cosy.

If you don’t have much lighting, I would recommend investing in a lamp or two. A floor lamp can look stunning, as can some smaller, bedside lamps. You don’t want to always feel like you have the big, bright, main light on, particularly in winter.

What are your top tips for making a bedroom cosy this winter?

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How To Create The Ultimate Healthy Home - Home Design Interior

Home Design Interior - Good health is essential to our wellbeing. We all know that we should be eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. And we all know that staying active is key for a healthy body and mind. But there are plenty of things you can do around the home to maintain good health too. It is possible to design your home to ensure you can not only maintain your health but improve it.

Clever design in the home makes healthy living a pleasure. It doesn’t matter what size home you have. You may even be about to build yourself a new home. We have put together a guide to help you design a home with your health interests in mind. From furniture choices to decor decisions, you can find helpful tips to get well and stay feeling great for the rest of your life. Here is our healthy living guide for your home:

Windows

Your choice of windows for your home is very important. You need to be able to allow plenty of fresh air into your home every day. Fresh air replaces stale and damp air to help you breathe better. It can also help to refresh your fabrics and carpets. Windows should be lockable for security. They should ideally be locked into open positions that allow you to enjoy fresh air without risk of anyone getting in.

Windows should also have safety features upstairs to prevent children falling out. Double glazed panels should keep unwanted acoustics out of your home. They should also keep the heat in so you don’t feel cold in the house. Cold homes can harm your health. Aim to keep your ambient temperature above 18 degrees celsius. The glass should also keep UV rays to a minimum, and offer a degree of privacy.

Natural light is essential to our health. It helps regulate our body clock. Natural light also helps us maintain a good mood and emotional well-being. A good view to the outside is also essential for our mental health. The better the view, the happier we should be. Plenty of natural light is desirable, but use Venetian blinds to deflect unwanted rays.

Doors

All doors in your home should prevent drafts or unwanted movement of air. They should keep you warm and prevent fire penetration. Doors to the outside should have extra locking mechanisms to ensure your safety and security. Many doors include feature windows to help natural light filter in. They also provide you with a view of the outside so you can see who is calling.

If you have any physical difficulties opening doors, choose door handles that are easier to manage. You may even benefit from installing electrical doors with an auto opening. This can be particularly handy if you use a wheelchair. Paned doors should have special, toughened, safety glass to prevent accidents if they break.

In The Garden

The exterior of your home is very important to your health. It provides a great space for being active. You might have a family trampoline or swimming pool to provide opportunities for sport led activities. Some people install a gazebo or decking area for T’ai Chi or Yoga. Zen gardens can be very helpful if you like to meditate. They are peaceful and relaxing. This can help reduce stress levels too, improving your physical and emotional health.

Gardens with colorful planting are also very good for your health. Color therapy has long been used to promote mental balance. Flowers help us feel more cheerful generally. Natural greens from grass lawns are also thought to promote good health. Gardening is a very healthy hobby to choose as well. It is quite active, and provides plenty to do all year round. A water feature can be very calming, as can windchimes.

You can use your garden for dining if you have a decking or patio area. Exposure to daylight and sunlight can be good for you if you take the right precautions. Best of all, your garden can provide you with plenty of fresh, healthy foods like fruit and vegetables. Straight from your garden to your table is about as healthy as you can get!

Bedroom

The bedroom is one of the most important rooms in the house. Sleep is crucial to your health. Without a good night of sleep, your health can quickly degenerate. Your mind suffers most at first. Focus and concentration are hard if your sleep is lacking even for one night. Over time, your memory can also be affected. Sleeping files away the day’s memories. Without this essential process, you can soon feel very forgetful and confused.

Sleep also heals the body when we are injured or ill. It’s important to choose blinds and curtains that block out all the light. You need your bedroom to be very quiet, so your sleep is not disturbed. Try not to use any screens like TVs or smartphones in your bedroom. Keep colors peaceful in pastel blues and pinks. Try to avoid lots of busy patterns, and keep dresser surfaces clear of clutter.

Your bed is a very important piece of furniture. Problems like arthritis or bed sores can be relieved with hardside waterbed mattresses. The waterbed was developed to help relieve such conditions. It can also help aid restful sleep as a stress reliever. You should keep the bedroom temperature cool at about 18 or 19 degrees celsius to ensure you aren’t too warm as you sleep.

Bathroom

A jacuzzi bath is ideal for soothing aching muscles and joints. It is also a great way to unwind after a busy day. Some cultures use Sauna to relieve stress and maintain good health. These can be built into a large bathroom area, or even situated outside. Showers that have built-in music systems can be used to enhance your mood. Some lively music first things in the morning can help energize you for the day.

Bathrooms should have natural light and opening windows. This helps steam and moisture dry out quickly to avoid harmful mold spores. Bathrooms should be cleaned daily to reduce the risk of bacteria building up. Grouting and seals also need special attention on a regular basis. Sunlight can cause muck to build up quickly. Once you have finished in the bathroom, it may be best to use a blind to avoid direct rays.

Kitchen

Your kitchen should include a good sized refrigerator to store plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Kitchens are very dangerous places, but the risks can be reduced with clever design. Use soft close drawers to avoid fingers becoming trapped. Pots and pans should be kept in a mid-level drawer. This means that the heaviest items are not being pulled out from above your head or low near the ground.

Thorough cleaning every day will prevent food residue. Food crumbs cause bacteria and attract insects and rodents. If you struggle to vacuum regularly, invest in a robot vacuum. Some will mop the floor and use UV light to kill bacteria as they go. Make sure windows can be reached easily. They are often situated behind sinks which makes them difficult to reach if you are shorter.

Living Room

The living room is the desired space for relaxing and entertaining. If you sit here a lot each day, you can soon develop poor posture. Aches and pains also creep in if you are not sitting comfortably. Have a clock in a prominent position and aim to stand every thirty minutes or so. You might use the excuse of getting a drink or popping to the bathroom. Your seating should be supportive and at the right height for you to use.

Recliners are very helpful for those who suffer from leg problems. Raising the legs can help relax you, easing high blood pressure. However, stiffness in the knees and feet can occur if legs are raised for too long. Use coffee tables situated in close proximity of your seating. This prevents the risk of spills. Natural fires can be comforting but they may cause breathing problems for asthmatics. An outside fire can be a pleasant alternative. TVs should be on a stand ideally. This means they are at the right height for your eye line. When they are wall mounted, they can be too high, causing extra neck strain as you look up.

Stairs

If you have stairs in your home, it is essential they are well lit at all times. It can be very easy to slip, especially if they are carpeted. It may be possible to install small LED lights on each step to light the way, much like deck lights. There should ideally be railings on each side of the stairs for extra security. Banisters and balustrades should be at a good height with limited gaps between. Small animals and children are at particular risk of falling through. Use light paint here to maximize the brightness of the area.

A healthy home can be created as a concept for the whole building. Or it may be developed over time, room by room. Everything from the structure to the decor can help improve your health at home. Have a happy, healthy house.

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How To Help Make Your Air More Pleasant - Home Design Interior

Home Design Interior -

Household odors are embarrassing. Few remarks can cause your cheeks to flush as quickly as a guest’s offhanded comment, “What is that smell?” Even worse, a bad scent in your house often is the harbinger of dangerous problems, such as mold infestations, food spoilage, and households pests, such as mice and insects. If your house isn't smell its freshest, don’t panic. Below are several actions you can take to keep your home smelling fresh.

Don’t Rely Only on Air Fresheners

Air fresheners are the bandages of home cleaning. Although they may smell pleasant in the short-term period, indoor air quality specialists report that they fail to fix to root causes of unpleasant household odors. Even worse, air fresheners are often the source of chemical contamination, reducing your home's indoor air quality (IAQ) considerably.

Moreover, the scent in your standard air freshener is wholly artificial. Do yourself a favor and create a better odor-reduction plan than simply buying air fresheners at the supermarket.

Wash Your Dishes

Your kitchen can harbor all types of food aromas. Decaying food can leave a lingering aroma behind. This problem is especially pronounced in the sink. Dishes with food particles on them may cause recurring odor problems that gradually spread throughout your house. Be sure to clean any food particles off your dishes immediately after using them and wash them regularly.

Run the food disposal unit when food waste accumulates, and be sure to periodically run deodorizing soap or thinly sliced lemon peel down the disposal as well to prevent problems from emerging.

Clean the Carpet

Keeping your carpets in perfect shape doesn’t begin and end with vacuuming. As people walk on carpets, debris can get pushed into the carpeting by foot traffic. Even after the items of garbage are vacuumed up, odors and stains can stay and become baked into the floor. Children and family pets can also exacerbate the problem.

To counteract carpet odors, use a deodorizing carpet powder. Sprinkle the powder onto the carpet, allow the powder to sit on the carpet for a few minutes, and then vacuum the carpet to remove the powder.

Decorate With Indoor Houseplants

Growing some indoors plants is a great way to both remove unpleasant smells and brighten up your place. Tending plants can seem like work, but in fact, the amount of care required by a plant varies widely by the type. Succulent plants, for instance, need relatively little water and are a good choice for people who are often away from home and can't be present to water plants. As far as scents, plants such as jasmine and orchids can help make your air more pleasant. Certainly the first step to addressing your house’s odor problem is simply admitting that a problem exists. While realizing that carelessness with debris and an inadequate cleaning regimen are embarrassing sources of the problems, you can take some steps to solve home odor issues before they worsen and compromise your home's indoor air quality.

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When Old Meets New: Combining Vintage & Modern Without Fear - Home Design Interior

Home Design Interior -

There is certainly an argument to be made that modern is vintage and vice versa. Interior design is a unique beast that draws inspiration from the past and combines it with a more contemporary appeal. And, it must be said, it works. What's more, it makes the ever changing landscape of interior design much easier to bear. While trends come and go more quickly than you can keep up with, they're often subtle differences. Little nuances that can be easily switched around to create an entirely new aura in any room.

It's refreshing. You should never allow your home to become too complacent. Taking pride in your interiors is what every homeowner should strive for. There are other considerations, of course, like sustainability and ethical design. But the most important factor to always keep in mind is to look constantly for ways to refresh your decor. A common misconception is that keeping up appearances is an expensive affair, but it doesn't need to be. Dramatic overhauls, by and large, aren't really necessary. Instead, focusing on subtle changes can be relatively painless but can result in a profound transformation.

You can never go far wrong by embracing vintage furnishings. The way interior design works is very much in peaks and troughs. Trends will come and go and come again. Trying to latch onto every shift in momentum will only result in an ongoing uphill battle, and you'll never quite reach the top. There always has - and always will - be a place for vintage in design, though. And there is an abundance of ways you can utilize it. Here are our top tips for using vintage sporadically throughout your home.

The First Rule of Vintage Club

It's not what you think it is. Okay, so vintage vibes aren't all that easy to pull off. If you go overboard, you risk making your home look a little outdated, antiquated and out of touch. So, what's the best way to incorporate hints of vintage throughout your home? By combining them with more modern stylings. The idea of mixing up traditional and contemporary elements together isn't a new revelation. Nor is it unique to the interior design world.

The best way to achieve a perfect balance is by creating a modern environment that contains more traditional elements. Sort of a juxtaposition of stylings from then and now. That, in essence, is exactly what interior design is all about. Taking older elements and giving them a new lease of life. Nothing is new. Every idea, concept and design is borrowed; harking back to a time gone by. Every single piece of design can be traced back to an older origin. The trick is finding a way to work in harmony, and giving it a modern spin.

Furniture designers like Ian Snow understand this concept well. They take organic elements - even bound by imperfection - and give them a spin to make them work in a modern setting. It is, however, easier said than done. Designers all around the world are striving for a perfect balance, and may go some way to explaining why trends evolve so frequently.

Opposites Attract

One of the biggest fears for designers is clashing. It has been a significant problem at the forefront of design thinking for as long as I can remember. Some designers have come to fear taking chances while their more successful counterparts embrace it. That's the secret to a successful design plan - taking risks. You may well come across a couple of duds, but you can make it work with some smart thinking.

Of course, it helps immeasurably if you have an understanding of what will work together already. Which colours will offset other tones and shades? What furniture will highlight a room? How natural light can enhance certain feelings? The likelihood is that, by frequenting this blog, you already have an interest in interior design. Think about things that you already know. Look at your previous patterns to see what worked, and what didn't work so well.

There is no doubt in my mind that one of the most successful design styles is to combine old and new. This kind of hybrid is where you'll find the most success; provided you know when and how to use it. Remember - the second rule of vintage club is not to create chaos, but to look considered and measured.

Draw Inspiration From Foreign Design

Taking cues from more exotic locations is one of the more tried and tested methods of design. And what is one constant fixture in, for example, Eastern European design? They embrace their old stylings in combination with more modern trends. Think about big and bold patterns. Rustic furnishings. You don't need to go down the route of an exotic theme to make it work, but looking how they contrast is a good jumping off point.

There's a certain braveness in foreign design that is far too lacking amongst western designers. How do they achieve that? Well, to put it simply, they just aren't afraid to try new combinations. Who would have thought that gold ornaments could complement patterned red wallpaper so well? In theory, it sounds like a design disaster. In practice, it works. You won't find out until you try - that's a key point to remember.

Don't Fear Eccentricity

When did 'eccentric' become such a bad word, anyway? The bohemians of yesteryear were once heralded as visionaries. Now, any kind of fashion faux pas is quickly shot down before it even gets out of the starting blocks. There is far too much of a fixation on the tried and tested today. Every design style that ever came to existence was once considered a calculated gamble.

One of the most successful combinations, as far as I can tell, is to combine vintage furniture with a modern setting. What is your current bathroom style? If you've been keeping up with trends, you'll likely have embraced a more contemporary appeal. What would happen if you threw a vintage bath tub in there? Would it all fall apart? Or would you create a distinct character that enhances your entire room?

Try it out, mix it up, and - above all - don't be afraid to experiment.

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Plan a Kitchen That Fits Your Lifestyle and Budget - Home Design Interior

Home Design Interior -

A kitchen remodel is a major project that requires careful design planning. It's a project that can cost you a bundle, so you must choose a layout that fits your lifestyle and materials that fit your budget. Here are some helpful kitchen remodeling tips.

Which Layout is Best For You?

Today's kitchens often serve as the hub of the house where families gather for cooking and dining, as well as family activities and conversations. Depending on your lifestyle, you may prefer an open or closed kitchen layout.

Open kitchens are great for large families and homeowners who have a busy lifestyle where multitasking is an essential part of daily life. They provide an open area that often adjoins a family room or living room. They allow you to prepare dinner, mingle with guests, or supervise your children from the kitchen. Since an open kitchen has little privacy, it requires regular attention to organization and cleaning.

Closed kitchens offer more privacy with walls to hide clutter and mess while cooking, but they don't offer open areas for entertaining. It's harder to visit with friends and family or interact with the kids while you're preparing meals. Since a closed kitchen is a confined space, you'll want a direct entrance into your dining room for meals and entertaining.

Plan Your Budget

Whether your kitchen remodel budget is $10,000 or $50,000, here's a breakdown of expected costs:

* Cabinets and Hardware – 29 percent
* Design and Planning – 22 percent
* Floors and Countertops – 15 percent
* Appliances – 15 percent
* Electrical and Plumbing – 10 percent

If you want to save money, keep your current layout. Knocking down walls and moving gas lines, electrical wiring and plumbing connections will increase your remodeling costs. To save on cabinet costs, choose a cabinet manufacturer that offers the door style and finish you want as a standard option. Choose aftermarket organizers like utensil dividers, roll-out racks and trays, and storage racks, rather than custom built-in options. Choose flooring and countertop materials that are practical, easy to clean, and fit within your budget requirements.

To get the kitchen of your dreams, hiring a contractor that can provide factory-built, custom cabinets may provide important advantages:

* 25 year warranties on cabinets, internal hardware and workmanship
* Controlled production environment for stable wood without future warping
* Computerized cutting tools for precise cuts and joinery
* Baked-on finishes that are more durable than on-site finishes

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How To Create An Incredible Ambiance In Your Home - Home Design Interior

Home Design Interior -

Your home ought to feel special. It ought to be cozy. And it definitely needs an atmosphere to make it inviting to guests and homely to its owner. Here are some great ways to create an incredible ambience within your home.

Clear the Clutter

Mess is not attractive, and minimalism is definitely ‘in’ right now. So, get some boxes and package up everything you don’t need anymore because you don’t want anything to ruin the ambience you are going to create. Simplicity is elegant and well sought after in the home. Guests will judge your house by its cleanliness and tidiness. So be sure not to miss out this step if you really want to create the most welcoming of atmospheres within your home.

Air Con

Nobody wants to be sweltering hot, particularly if you live somewhere close to the equator. Your home is a sanctuary where you want to feel calm and chilled out. Investing in keeping yourself cool will only make your home seem more inviting. Check out Wattle Grove for air conditioning solutions. Staying cool with a slight breeze evokes notions of relaxing by the sea - what an incredible atmosphere to create within your home.

Scents

As guests enter your home, fill their nostrils with vibrant and exotic smells. Consider an incense candle either side of your porch door to create a welcoming vibe for visitors. First impressions are important and smelling something gorgeous will really wow your next guests. This moment will stick with them as they travel through the rooms of your house, making everything that slight bit more appealing. This is a simple trick to creating an incredible ambience.

Bright Light

It is important to get the lightning right in the rooms of your home. This is in order to create the optimum ambience. There are two paths you can go down - each suiting different rooms best. Bright and airy rooms need ambient lighting to create a relaxing vibe within a space. This will compliment flush white walls, fresh flowers and plain furniture and provide an impressive charm to any room. Basic, fresh white linen in a bedroom also works well with this sort of lighting, creates an ambience similar to a fancy hotel suite.

Accent Lighting

Dimly lit rooms like a sitting room in the evening require accent lighting. This provides a focus on specific features within a space, such as a fur rug or television set. This creates an incredibly cozy ambience. I’ve discussed how important furnishings are to creating an ambience. So purchase lights with a dimming feature so you can create the perfect atmosphere to match any evening. Fairy lights are perfect for draping over fencing or a bush if your sitting room opens out onto a patio or garden from French windows. A glowing fireplace compliments this type of room perfectly and will complete the cozy ambience you are after.

Hopefully, these tips will help gift your home with an incredible charm and sense of character. The perfect ambience for your home awaits you - so why not start tomorrow?

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