20 fast fixes for the home
Published Date:
22 March 2008
THE Advertiser & Review looks at 20 simple, inexpensive ways to improve your home.
Mark Knight, former estate agent and showroom consultant at the Focus DIY store in Ring Road Buckingham said magazines can be an easy source of inspiration.
He said: "First you need to decide how much you have to spend. Lighting is quite popular at the moment. Updating old fittings can give a room a completely new lease of life."
"Also you don't need to replace the whole bathroom suite when new towel rails, toilet roll holders and taps could transform the room."
Here is our list of the top 20 simple home improvements. . .
(Remember to seek professional advice if in any doubt)
Replace old cupboard handles with new ones.
Remove a few wall cupboards at eye level to make the room appear larger and lighter.
Move furniture around to change the look of the room. Rearrange it to retain a feeling of space.
Cover up key pieces of furniture which are looking worn. A large throw makes an instant cover up for a tired sofa or armchair.
Add character to a plain room by using mouldings. Self-adhesive dado rails or mouldings are a great way to divide space.
You can create a dramatic effect by introducing some new accessories into a plain scheme, using a mixture of colour and textures.
Add decorative mirrors around the room. They will reflect light and make the room appear larger and brighter.
Place lamps in gloomy corners to add a soft glow.
Paint over your old bathroom and kitchen tiles using a proprietary tile paint for a new lease of life. Gouge out the old grout and reapply using a grout pen.
Strip and varnish your floorboards back to their former glory.
Add a decorative touch to cupboards by fixing panels with strips of wallpaper.
Update light switches and plugs. This can be a very inexpensive way to update you home, but if in doubt consult an electrician.
Install ceiling fans to remind you of that Caribbean holiday, but consult an electrician or other appropriate professional.
Visit a DIY or furniture store to find attractive storage solutions to de-clutter your home. A pine window box could provide storage and a nice place to sit while watching the world go by.
A distinctive wall paper design or painting one wall to match other fittings can give a real feeling of style.
Soft or coloured light bulbs can help change the mood of a room and can be swapped for different occasions.
Flowers or a bowl of fruit gives a simple healthy and aromatic flourish to your home. Try to find an interesting container, it may be something that is not intended as a vase but could be as effective.
Browse charity shops for ornaments or paintings, you never know when you'll find something perfect for your home.
To make fittings such as radiators less obtrusive, paint them in the same colour as the wall. And fabric paints can give old furniture a new look.
Change your attitude towards your garden. In the summer, seating and lighting can be arranged to make your patio feel like an extra room.
The full article contains 539 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
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Last Updated:
22 March 2008 9:15 AM
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Source:
n/a
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Location:
Buckingham
