Real Home ImprovementThe Home Improvement Blog with real advice

Home Improvement Projects can be expensive, and dependant on your budget you can easily go over what you originally planned to spend. And so whether you are renovating to sell your home or have just moved in to your home, or even if you just want to make your home a nicer place to be, here are some of the best ways to save up for a home improvement project.

1. Cut down on luxuries

This can be difficult but if done intelligently very easy. All you need to do is eat out once a week less, buy supermarket brand rice instead of branded or even buy a smaller bottle of whiskey each week or month. There are so many things to cut down on that most of which you wouldn’t even consider a luxury – now I am not recommending not buying shampoo as to be honest thats a necessity, especially if you live in a hard water area, and I am also not suggesting that you never buy chocolate as there is nothing more annoying than needing chocolate and having none. Try to aim to save £100 over the space of a month.

2. Seek out second hand items

This is a double whammy. Not only can you save money during the project by doing this, but even when you have not fully committed to it, or not started it, purchasing a second hand desk to replace the year old one you just broke could save you a small fortune. There are loads of second hand stores to choose from, namely charity stores, and each of them would rip your arm off for a good price – especially during the recession. Try out some second hand stores and see what you think, i’ll bet you find some really good stuff.

3. Sell unused items

Saving money in places where you don’t need stuff is not the only thing you can do to save for a home improvement project – selling household items which you do not need or have been in the cellar for a decade is a good idea to raise needed cash. Car boot sales are a fantastic way to do this, and if you have ever seen a television show called Car Booty then you will recall some substantial turnover from these types of saving projects. Whats more, if you have any antique objects there are thousands of specialists across the UK to offer you a good price for your objects.

4. Plan the project ahead

When you have saved enough money to go through with your project then the last step is to save money on the contractor you hire. This is like dealing with mechanics—no two contractors are the same. Look for referrals from people you know. There is never any guarantee that a job will be done properly though, and referalls from people you know could play a key role. You should also try and shop around for materials you will need for the project, so whether those are taps or paint or door handles then rest assured there are a range of sites giving their best prices for you. If using the internet, type in the product name and serial number in to Google.

Patchett Joinery

When planning landscape design it is easy to think solely in two dimensions. However, you could be limiting the options available to you for your landscaping project. Whilst paving patterns, colour and texture are two dimensional considerations there are a range of three dimensional options to consider. These include garden walling, steps, seats, ponds, planters and more. Many provide a practical use within a landscape while others provide interesting focal points within a design.

In recent years, gardens have become considered more as an outdoor room in which relaxing, eating and playing have become commonplace. As a result, it is no surprise that a landscaped garden and, or driveway can add significant value to your home and to achieve a successful, sought after landscape design the planning process should not be rushed.

The majority of garden landscape designs generally require a patio and possibly a pathway but that doesn’t mean that the rest of the garden should be left as it is. It can be wise to split a landscape into different areas in order to meet the needs of different family members. This can provide practical functions for different areas and allow you and your family to get the most out of your garden.

You may find it desirable to plan the children’s play area at one end of the garden with the area for your relaxation at the other to keep noise and disruption to a minimum. Also, planning a play area away from shrubbery, in a place where trampling is not an issue, could be a worthwhile consideration.

To make the sectioning of your garden landscaping design a reality, use garden walling or balustrades. This can turn any gradient within your garden into regulated levels. With a wide range of walling styles and patterns available either matching or contrasting with your garden paving stone will not be an issue. Also, there are a large variety of shaped copings and pillar caps to provide the perfect finish to your design.

Steps will almost certainly be used in a multi level garden environment. Think about how the laying pattern you have used for the paving area will translate onto the steps and upper level. It is even worth considering drawing attention to the step by including a ‘split’ feature such as a circle or square paving kit across the different levels – this also acts as a safety feature drawing attention to the fact that the ground level changes.

Alternatively, low planter beds can provide a pleasant ‘blurring of the edges’ when it comes to dividing space with the plants and foliage creating a natural screen. They can provide an extremely low maintenance form of gardening by containing the planting in manageable areas. As a solution for the less active, or disabled, raised flower beds can offer distinct benefits.

But any raised bed needs to be effectively contained yet attractive. Clearance Paving provides various walling solutions from richly textured walling blocks and copings to imitation log sleepers that will allow consumers to quickly build beautiful walls and simple raised planters with ease. Many drystone walling effect products have false joints that make construction quick and easy yet provide an authentic, attractive rustic stone effect.

Entertaining in the garden of evening means lighting will often be required.  It can be used to separate areas of the garden or guide people to them. When integrated into hard landscaping it provides an effective way of achieving this without creating obstacles. Glo-lights cast a soft and atmospheric glow that is effective yet easy on the eye.  Easy to install, they are safe and practical flush fitting lights that give a subdued radiance to driveways, paths, patios and steps.

The use of aggregates and cobbles can also provide means of adding colour and form to the garden. Whether used to co-ordinate or contrast a scene with rockeries or paths, or for simple decoration they provide practical, long lasting and low maintenance products in a variety of colours, sizes and textures.

As the public becomes more architecturally and design focussed in the pursuit of aesthetically pleasing and functional gardens with low maintenance thinking in 3D will become much more common place.

Design tips for creating stylish ponds and water features

We humans are draw to drawn to the waterside be it a lake, a river, a waterfall or the ocean. The sight, sound and feel of water soothes and relaxes us to the extent that we often seek it out in moments of stress and emotional turmoil. What better way of clearing your head than walking along a windswept cliff watching and listening to the sea below? Or sitting on the side of a Scottish lock watching the red deer graze and listening to the trickling of water in the burns?

Whilst most of us will probably never get the chance to live by the waterside, we can create ponds or water features in our gardens that enable us to enjoy many of the benefits of ‘being by the waterside.’

So how do you go about this?

- Set a budget, will this be a DIY project or a bespoke design?

- Decide what you like and get some ideas, browse the internet and home and garden magazines, visit gardens and home and garden shows.

- Initial design is crucial, it is important that the pond or water feature ‘fits’ your garden. Is the garden formal? Wild? Does it have curved or straight edges? Big or small?

- Choose the best location, where will it ‘look’ best , do you want a more private area for relaxation? or do you want to be able to enjoy the view from the house? Is it accessible for maintenance? Consider the proximity noise, sunlight, trees and bushes etc

- If your garden is well established carefully consider your plan for the work so as not to damage existing features.

- To really create the right effect you need the sound of running water. How will you do this? Streams can be used with waterfalls to link ponds at different levels, and fountains are another good way of achieving the effect.

- Innovative lighting can really make a feature of your pond at night, consider both underwater and external options.

- Fish bring your pond to life but do your homework, there are many types of fish and they may have different requirements in terms of ideal conditions.

§ Both water and land-based plants can be used to enhance both the look of a water feature and the way it fits into the landscape. Plants fulfil provide colour, shape and interest and they also provide a habitat for fish and other pond creatures. Getting the right balance of plants has a huge impact in the management of your pond and can help to reduce algae.
Keeping your pond clean is important. The water pump and filtration system you choose will have a dramatic effect on the quality of the water in your pond and the health of its fish and plants.

To avoid ‘green water’ and the blanket weed that causes it, consider installing an electronic blanket weed controller. These works by reducing the calcium ions within a pond, which subsequently interferes with the algae’s metabolism.

This article was written by James Brack at ElectrostoreOnline.com, an online electrical retailer who provides a range of blanket weed controllers Business Management Articles and electronic water descalers and other niche electrical products.

Patchett Joinery

If you are looking to purchase hardwood floors for your home or office you really have two choices. You can either go to your local flooring high street shop or let your fingers do the walking and purchase the floor online. Buying hardwood flooring online will save you money as the online store does not have expensive shop floor to rent and can pass on the savings to you, however you need to know what to look for to avoid disappointment. Here are couple of tips to help you:

1. Know your wood – Hardwood floors are divided into two main groups, solid wood and engineered wood. Solid wood also known as ‘real wood’ is made from 100% wood and due to its construction tends to expend as well as retract due to certain temperature changes. Engineered wood also known as ‘semi solid wood’ is made from a combination of hardwood together with plywood or MDF and a top layer of hardwood veneer. If you’re looking for more information on the differences between the two, read this guide.

2. Order a sample if possible – Some sellers will openly offer to send you a sample, normally for a small nominal charge to cover its postage costs. On the other hand, if you have seen a type of floor you really want but the seller does not appear to offer a sample, contact them. Chances are they will respond to your request by sending you a sample. The sample is designed to allow you to feel the wood and ensure the colours match your expectations.

3. Ensure product availability – Straight after ordering the floor chances are you’ll either book a floor fitter or take some time to fit the floor yourself. There’s nothing more disappointing than receiving part of your order or not receiving it at all. Some sellers will only display products which are in stock, while some will display coming back into sock soon type of message. If you see this message contact the seller prior to ensure your entire order will be sent on time. Better safe than sorry.

4. Allow waste – Most online sellers will have a type of online room calculator which is designed to help you ensure that the right quantity of floor is ordered. In most cases it will ask you to input the dimensions of the area to be covered and will give you a suggested quantity. On top of this you should also take into account some waste of about 5% to 10% for areas which you might have forgotten to measure such as a hall cupboard and for general waste due to the fitting circumstances.

5. Pay attention to heating – Underfloor heating is a popular choice for many home owners. If your property has underfloor heating you can still fit hardwood flooring provided the floor construction has a heat distribution layer that provides a very even temperature over the entire floor area, in order to avoid localized excessively high temperatures. Once fitted, the surface temperature of the finished floor must never exceed 27 degree C at any point so you must have the means to control and limit the surface temperature with great accuracy.

There are many online sellers offering high quality wooden floors. Before committing to buying from any seller make sure to price compare, try to order a sample and of course take into account floor availability as well. Enjoy your new floor.

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Article by Michelle Strassburg of www.woodandbeyond.com

We all pretty much have one. The box room, that third bedroom which is small or cramped. You have probably just got a bed in there, a mirror and a wardrobe. You most probably, given the opportunity, would extend that room and make it bigger. But, on a tight budget, this can be hard. Especially given the average time scale for a refurbishment nowadays. So what can you do? Well, below are four tips you can use to your hearts content – some may not be applicableto you, and some may be applicable – but, bare in mind that even utilizing some of these tips can vastly change the appearence and perception of space. I hope these 4 tips help .

1. Use plenty of light colors throughout

Light and brightly colored walls are more reflective, which will help to maximize the effect created by natural light. This does not mean you have to live with white walls. There are a wide range of light colors paints available, such as sky blue, cream beige and light greens.

Once you’ve chosen your wall color, choose your trim and moldings colors. Paint your trims and moldings in either the same hue as the walls, or a lighter color. Lighter objects appear closer while darker or shadowed objects appear further away. When you paint your moldings a lighter color, the wall appears further back – thus making your room appear bigger.

Now, don’t be worried that your room is going to be bland and uninviting, you can slap on some artwork, photoframes or a TV to the wall which will utilize wall space effectively. And do not apply bold coloured furniture to the room either.

If your colors are already dark, try to move the darker colors to a ‘background’ role while maximizing your neutral white or ivory. Be careful when using wallpaper. Solid colors are the safest, with tiny patterns taking a close second. Whatever the wall color or finish, we recommend the ceiling in a small room be painted stark white to maximize brightness.

2. Use Mirrors

Mirrors can have a favorable impact on a room’s appearance. A large mirror in the room will reflect light around the room. The mirrors also reflect both natural and artificial light to make a room brighter during the day and night. They bounce light deep into the room, making it appear larger. This is especially effective with near a window so the outdoors can be reflected.

Use glass-front or mirrored cabinet doors to make spaces feel large and uncluttered. Large, expansive mirrors over vanities, mirrored wardrobe doors or a floor-to-ceiling wall of mirrors can make even the smallest of spaces seem larger. I personally use lots of mirrors throughout my house. In fact, straying off category, I think the most important place to have a mirror if the greeting area. I percieves space, and relaxes visitors.

3. Arrange your furniture at an angle, and corner them when you can

Arrange some of your larger pieces of furniture at a angle. You don’t have to place the furniture at an exact 45 degree angle, often a lesser angle looks best if you can balance the look with another furniture piece.

Setting your furniture at an angle works because the longest straight line in any given room is it’s diagonal. When you place your furniture at an angle, it leads the eye along the longer distance, rather than the shorter wall. As an added bonus, you often get some additional storage space behind the piece in the corner, too!

4. Scale your furniture

Keep furnishings in scale with the rooms. In small rooms, use slim rockers, open-back chairs or a simple sofa or love seat rather than overstuffed furnishings to avoid overpowering the space.

There are stores that deal exclusively in furniture for apartments and mobile homes. Despite its slightly smaller size, scaled-down furniture can be beautiful. An open headboard is best for a small room. When furnishing, keep the view at eye level unobstructed. Taller furnishings should be placed at the end of the room opposite its main entry.