Now that you've learnt how to mix concrete and work out the different mixes to use for different jobs, you'll need to know how to keep the runny stuff where you want it, right? Simple plank shuttering If you're doing a simple path or hardstanding, perhaps a slab for a [...]
With pressure on space in the UK, using basements for extra usable space is getting more and more popular. Using a basement for a kitchen presents a few technical problems, but if it ends up giving your house more room and making it more saleable then it might well be [...]
In all sorts of garden-based DIY one of the key jobs that needs to be done again and again is to secure posts into the ground. Whether it’s for fencing, individual items like birdhouses or larger wooden structures like decking or pergolas, having a solid base for the supporting posts [...]
Installing an extractor fan in a bathroom is an excellent way of reducing condensation, which leads to damp problems. Damp can leave marks on the wall which painting over won’t hide, it can encourage mould growth or at worst lead to plaster becoming permanently damaged. In a modern home, or [...]
It might be surprising to know that there are many more types of screws and screwdrivers than the classic slot head screw or the Phillips cross head screw. In fact, you would be amazed at how many different types of screws and screwdrivers are out there, although if you’ve ever [...]
In our first article on laying laminate flooring we gave a quick rundown on how to lay this quick, cheap and good-looking flooring. But the thing that makes a real difference between a DIY job and a professional one is the amount of attention paid to trimming and finishing. This [...]
In our article on Laying Carpet we talked about the basics of lifting and relaying carpet if you had a need to do some sort of DIY repair job. We steered clear of trying to teach readers of DIY Basics the whole A-Z of laying carpet as it's really a [...]
Laminate flooring is relatively easy to lay and a great way to breathe new life into a room. It lends a clean, contemporary look and is easy to clean. But how easy is it to fit? Well, comparatively, although it can be tricky in places. Getting the Tools Together There [...]
Quite often we'll recommend that novice DIY fans stay away from certain jobs and carpet laying is definitely one of them. If you want a carpet laid well, and to look good for a long time, there's nothing to beat a professional carpet fitter. But what we can do is [...]
Internal doors should be trouble-free but can occasionally offer problems, particularly in older properties. Doors can stick, drag on their hinges or warp so they no longer close properly. But if you know what you are doing resolving these problems becomes pretty easy DIY stuff. Know Your Door First you [...]
Many people only think of loft insulation when we talk about insulating homes. And there's a lot of that talk about, with rising fuel prices and a growing awareness of ecological issues. But insulating your home shouldn't stop with loft insulation, lagging pipes should be the next port of call [...]
In our Simple Concrete Mixing article we gave the minimum details you need to start working with cement around the house and garden. In this article we'll be giving more information about different mixes and what they can be used for. In our beginners' article we kept the mix simple, [...]
The idea of mixing concrete might be one that novice DIY fans might baulk at but it's worth putting some time into it as it's a valuable skill. Being able to mix small amounts of concrete is very handy for repairs to walls and paths in the garden, driveway patches [...]
Fitting a cat flap may seem like a daunting task, particularly if you are a DIY novice. But it's really only a case of cutting an accurate hole, the actual fitting is very easy. Pick Your Spot First choose the door or window where you are going to put the [...]
There are an increasing number of products and kitchen fitting companies who cater for the disabled market. It's a growing market. Healthcare improves daily, we are living longer all the time and we want to live independent lives. But you can't generalise about disability – almost every single case is [...]
Putting a bathroom in a basement might sound like an odd idea but with the pressure on space in the UK and the growing fad for a bathroom for every bedroom, it's an options that more and more people are exploring. Basement Conversions Increasing in Popularity Probably the most cost-effective [...]
Fitting an extractor hood over your cooker will keep your kitchen cleaner, dryer and prevent smells from escaping to the rest of the house. If you don't have one, the steam and airborne grease particles from cooking will stick to the walls, cupboards and ceiling, particularly in the immediate vicinity [...]
Here in the Fun Ideas section of this site we're always looking out for fun and creative ideas at all sorts of gimmicks and gadgets that can help with kitchen storage. The odd thing is that often these gadgets look like really good ideas until you get them home and [...]
The idea of spending thousands of pounds on a new kitchen for someone else's house seems mad but that's what Terry and Christine Dixon* were on the verge of doing before luck dealt them a good hand. "We moved into this house two-and-a-half years ago," said Christine, "it's a very [...]
With open plan layouts all the rage in interiors, is there a place for a separate toilet and bathroom in your house? Or should a separate toilet and bathroom always be combined for a lighter, airier bathroom? What are the issues and how you can decide what to do in [...]
Patios and other hard landscaping areas around the house are a popular addition to a garden. They provide a surface for tables and chairs and help to make the garden more usable, an extension of the house. As this site is aimed at basic DIY skills we'll be looking at [...]
In a modern house it's very common to have lighting and power sockets in a garage but an older house might not be so well equipped, particularly if the garage is detached. This article will explain the issues you will face if you want to get electrics to a garage [...]
Sheds are popular additions to gardens and putting them up shouldn't be too difficult, providing manufacturers' instructions are followed. Most DIY stores and garden centres will have a good selection of sheds and summer houses to look at. The most important part of the process is to make sure the [...]
Although many families with small children understandably don't want a pond in their garden, they are regaining popularity. A lot of this comes from ecological awareness, driving people toward bog gardens and ponds as havens for smaller reptiles and aquatic insects. Basic DIY Ponds As this site is about basic [...]
Garden fencing is generally quite simple to put up. There's a lot of hard digging but mostly the skill is in knowing what fixings to use where. Fence Post Lore The key to a good strong fence is getting the posts in securely. Then if parts of the fence deteriorate, [...]
Putting up a trellis is a relatively easy job for the DIY novice to tackle, as long as there is a wall or a fence to attach it to. It's possible to have free-standing trellis units but they need strong supports and really the job becomes more of a fencing [...]
Installing an outside tap might sound a bit too much like proper plumbing. But as long as you have access to a cold water pipe inside the house, at the right place to bring a tap through to the outside, it's really a simple step-by-step operation. There are three main [...]
It seems only yesterday that the flat screen TV was the new gadget to have, but now old-style TVs are no longer produced and we're looking at 3D televisions as the next big thing. One of the best things about flat screen TVs is that they are so much thinner [...]
If you've decided to get into DIY to see if you can fix a few problems around the house yourself then sooner or later you'll need to get into plumbing. This article tells you what tools you can buy for your toolkit that will help you do basic plumbing jobs. [...]
The time will come when every DIY person will have to reach for the wrecking tools. There's nothing more therapeutic than taking a bolster and lump hammer to a wall that needs to come down! When and Where to Use Wrecking Tools But this article isn’t going to tell you [...]
A fairly common modification in the home these days is to replace a single pendant light fitting with a row of spotlights. This gives a better spread of light and, as most of the spotlights are movable one or two planes, the light can be configured to go where it [...]
Many DIY enthusiasts will be familiar with the sinking feeling as a screwdriver slips out. Or maybe you strip the head, it goes round and round without the screw moving and know you're never going to get that screw out without a drill, a saw and a large hammer. Get [...]
Any DIY enthusiast ought to be able to lay loft insulation but there are some safety considerations that you must be aware of first. For the purposes of this article we're going to assume that the insulation being laid is a mineral wool, glass wool or natural wool roll (sometimes [...]
Thirty years ago there was a simple choice between just gas and electricity when it came to choosing a hob. In fact even the idea of a separate hob was somewhat of a novelty as most people had standalone cookers with rings on top. And for some people it was [...]
Two storey extensions are gaining in popularity as the state of the housing market in the UK continues to persuade people to extend rather than move house. And putting another bathroom in a family house, whether it’s an en suite or a family bathroom, makes excellent sense. Upstairs Extensions Gaining [...]
If you're trying to make a large, modern open plan combined kitchen and living room, perhaps while you're extending, it doesn't quite make sense to lose any of that space to a utility room. Or does it? What is a Utility Room? Let's decide what a utility room is and [...]
The "Jack and Jill" bathroom is just beginning to grow in popularity in the new UK's housing market so it won’t be a surprise if the term is one that you haven't heard before. The idea isn't new though, although until recently it's far more likely that you would have [...]
Surveys show that the number of people in the UK who said they prefer a shower over a bath has increased. Many people claim they have taken a bath out and replaced it with a shower. This is almost certainly because of the busier lives we are driven to in [...]
There’s a massive difference between basic DIY and being adept at carpentry and joinery but that shouldn’t stop beginners getting a decent toolkit together and tackling simple woodwork jobs at home. It could be as simple as cutting wood to length for a shelf or as complex as boxing in [...]
Sash windows were very popular from Georgian to Edwardian times and are still made today, although more often to replace existing ones than to go into new houses. Although no other window style looks right in these houses, all to often they are replaced with UPVc imitations which are better [...]
When you're starting out in DIY you are likely to think that the only thing you need to get right about a screw is the length, apart from that anything will do. But although you can get away with a lot, knowing how to choose the right screw for the [...]
It is becoming more popular to leave wood in its natural state as opposed to painting it. Furniture looks very attractive when you take the time to finish it properly, allowing the character of the wood to shine through. You have to consider two factors to help you in your [...]
Decorative mouldings such as ceiling roses, architrave, picture and dado rails are a good way of adding interest to a room and are relatively easy to put up yourself. Many of these features were stripped out of period houses in the 1950s and 1960s as the fashion for streamlined design [...]
Although cork tiles, like many other tiled flooring, are relatively easy to lay, there are a few steps to take that are unique to cork flooring. Cork tiles are a natural product, taken from the inner bark of special oak trees which have layers carefully stripped away on a seven [...]
A cheap and efficient way to save money on bills is to draught proof your windows. Even the tiniest of gaps will let cold air in and warm air out and by blocking these gaps, you will stop the draughts. Casement Window Draught Proofing Draught proofing is one of the [...]
If you’re lucky enough to have a big budget for your home interior decorating, or you’re wondering what you could buy if you did, take a look at some of these no expense spared ways to bring your home into the Noughties. On Fire A contemporary hole in the wall [...]
If you’re thinking of celebrating springtime with a new look for your home you might be wondering what sort of look to create. From colour and texture to pattern and material, bring your home bang up to date with our guide to what’s hot in interior design for the year [...]
At this time of year, along with the millions of chocolate eggs, the shops are full of Easter decorations to jazz up your home ready for the onslaught of friends and relatives. We show you some ways to bring the springtime indoors this Easter. Ways with Wreaths Decorative wreaths aren’t [...]
Home shows or exhibitions are not only a great day out, they also provide plenty of ideas that you can take away and implement in your own home, albeit on a smaller scale. From new innovations in the kitchen to new ways to decorate, visiting one of the many UK [...]
You might think your bathroom is clean, but you might also be surprised to learn what’s lurking around the bottom of the shower curtain, sink or underneath your feet. We take a look at what we’re all up against and show you some ways that we can win the war [...]
The fun thing about bathroom colour schemes is that there’s no right and wrong way to go. Whereas certain rooms in your home suit some colours more than others, the bathroom is a space where you can entirely suit yourself. Whether you’re decorating for function, form or a mixture of [...]
Even though you may think you keep your kitchen scrupulously clean, the battle against bacteria is extremely hard won. We take a look at the germ hotspots in your kitchen so that you can best keep your family healthy at home. Work Surfaces Cleaning your kitchen work surfaces with a [...]
There are lots of great ways you can create a new kitchen colour scheme, from decorating the walls, to replacing cupboards fronts and accessories. Your colour scheme should fit the way you live with your space. We take a look at some popular kitchen colours to help you cook up [...]
When you’ve exhausted yourself and your bank balance redecorating your home, you’ll want to keep your new look pristine for as long as possible. The key to keeping your home decor fresh is to clean regularly, addressing problem areas as they arise. Read through our tips for maintaining and extending [...]
If you are thinking of refreshing the living room in your home why not include a seating upgrade in your plans? A great place to begin creating a new look, modern living room seating is flexible and multipurpose. If your sofa’s so over, take a look at these alternative ideas [...]
There comes a time when we all feel fed up with our home decor and want a new look. This can be difficult if you have only a small budget, or if you rent your home and don’t want to decorate your landlord’s pocket! We take a look at some [...]
In home interior decorating, Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese art of choosing and arranging furniture in your home to promote the flow of ‘chi’, or positive energy. Feng Shui practitioners believe it’s possible to create balance within the home that will in turn bring wisdom, peace and resulting good [...]
If you’re about to put your home up for sale you’ll already know that this is a tough time for the UK property market. Of course, houses are still selling, but these days, if you want to bag a buyer you’ll need to give your home that show home ‘wow’ [...]
Throughout history humans have turned to food and family for support and comfort in times of trouble. Through war and recession eating together with loved ones provides the security that society lacks. Though it has occasionally battled the dining room for supremacy over the years, the eat-in kitchen has continued [...]
Leaving home for the first time bound for university is filled with unknowns and it may also be the first time you’ve had to cook and cater for yourself. Knowing how to cook is a great skill to have, particularly when you’re trying to make new friends. With a bit [...]
Taking inspiration from stylish hotels, creating a luxury bathroom makes for a fantastic project. Whatever a luxury bathroom means to you, be it large and light or dark and sensual, this is a time to let your imagination run free. We’ll give you a few ideas to help make your [...]
If you’ve recently given your kitchen or bathroom a facelift you’ll be keen to keep it looking in tip-top condition. Daily use will inevitably take its toll on these high traffic areas but with our useful guide you can get ahead and retain that sensational new look. Counter Attack Kitchen [...]
Even if you are a DIY novice it's likely that you will already have some power tools in your tool kit. We'll cover some of the most basic power tools, giving buying tips and usage hints. Cheaper Power Tools Prices of power tools have come down in real terms in [...]
Draughtproofing doors is a simple and effective job that anyone can do with a few products from the DIY store. External doors are the most important as they prevent cold air getting in from the outside, but internal doors can also benefit from draughtproofing, particularly in older houses. Doors can [...]
There are two ways that you can deal with rotten wood, either cut the rot out and replace it with new wood or use a chemical wood hardener kit. Doors, windows and frames are the most common places to find rotten wood, where rain has got in through damaged paintwork. [...]
Boarding a loft is a quick way of getting extra storage space and you don't need many tools, just a drill, a saw, ruler and a pencil. If you are a DIY novice there are a few things that you'll need to watch to make sure the job is done [...]
Knowing how to balance the radiator circuit of a gas central heating system is a handy trick that can make the difference between a miserable winter and a harmonious one. By balancing the radiators you can distribute heat evenly around the house and no-one will be complaining that their radiator [...]
Painting walls with emulsion or textured paint is straightforward if a little messy. With a roller, tray, brush and paint you can easily paint an ordinary sized room in half a day, perhaps longer if you need to apply more than one coat. Preparation for Painting Make sure you follow [...]
Drilling holes in tiles or glass is not for the fainthearted but with patience, care and knowledge it is possible. We have a few tips here for making holes in glass and tiles without having to do the drilling for those who are unwilling to risk it. Preventing Drill Bit [...]
If you are lucky enough to expose old floorboards in a house you are renovating and decide to reveal them in all their glory, you may find yourself with a bit more than a sanding job on your hands. In our article on renovating wooden floorboards in this section we [...]
The answer to this is yes and no -- but it's all good news – yes you don't have to drain the whole central heating system but no you don’t even have to connect the two pipes together. By closing the valves at both ends you can drain the water [...]
There are two problems here, the first being how to remove the old paint and the second what to replace it with. Before going down those routes however we would strongly advise checking with the planning office, if you haven't already done so, as to whether having a painted finish [...]
When the time comes for children to care for parents there can be many tough choices to make. Chris and May Potter believe that families should stick together, and the creation of a granny annexe began a new life for Chris’s mother. Future Proof Following the death of his father, [...]
If your home has suffered at the paws of your pets, or you’re redecorating and wondering just what to buy, Janet Lyle’s tips and tricks will have you and your furry friends on your way to a beautiful home. “Last Christmas was so exciting - we collected our two beautiful [...]
The global recession is touching everything and everyone in some way, and home interior decorating is no exception. Depleted disposable income and the need to improve rather than move means that where interior decor is concerned we’re all thinking more carefully before we make any significant decisions. Here’s our quick [...]
Having just stepped on to the property ladder Simon and Louise are a typical professional couple living in a chic two bedroom executive apartment. Though the space is beautiful and fulfils their everyday needs, the pair found that their second bedroom quickly became a dumping ground for everything that didn’t [...]
With the UK economy in something of a meltdown even the highest paid homeowners will be cutting back on those little finishing touches that make a house a home. Any benefit gained from falling mortgage payments is likely to be swallowed up elsewhere, so now is a good time to [...]
The kitchen of the future promises to revolutionise the way we live - from shopping, cooking, eating and even cleaning up afterwards. The boffins have been busy in their development labs - we take a look at some of the most innovative futuristic designs that could be coming to a [...]
We’re all aware of the eco-friendly cleaning products now available at supermarkets, but one way to ensure you’re going green with meaning is to look closer to home. Before harsh chemical cleaning came natural neatness. Take your inspiration from our glance at kitchen and bathroom cleaning the old fashioned way. [...]
Taking its name from the layout of a traditional ship’s kitchen, a galley kitchen is narrow with units along one side or sometimes both. This is a design found commonly in smaller homes where practical space is at a premium, but as we will show you, size does not always [...]
Welcome to our guide to drilling holes in wood, metal and other materials that you will commonly encounter during DIY jobs. We will assume that you are using a power drill and that you have a range of drill bits for use with wood and metal. The Right Drill Bit [...]
Drilling holes in walls is a common task for many DIY jobs. But as many DIY experts will tell you, there are different types of wall and many things that go wrong. This article takes you through the basics so that you can learn without making those mistakes, some of [...]
Cutting straight lines in wood is one of those things that gets easier with practice but there are some hints and tips that can help you start off on the right foot. Cutting with Power Tools This article covers hand saws. You might think that it's easier to cut straight [...]
In all aspects of DIY the quality of the final finish will always depend on the amount of preparation that you do. This is no less true with surface preparation before painting or wallpapering. As this site tends toward basic DIY we'll cover just the preparation needed before painting and [...]
There's an old adage used by craftsmen: "measure twice, cut once" and it's good advice for beginners too. To cut, drill and generally make things fit together there are a number of marking and measuring techniques that will help you to make fewer mistakes, saving time and money. The Basic [...]
Decorating tools, as opposed to more general DIY tools, are beginning to become more disposable, but good quality tools can be made to last a lifetime if they are looked after. By decorating tools we're thinking of paint brushes, rollers and trays, kettle, wallpapering brushes, that sort of thing. The [...]
So you've moved into your first home and things aren't quite right. No problem, just a bit of paint here, some wallpaper there, maybe a few shelves. But if you haven't done any of that before then you're unlikely to have the tools, so your first job will be putting [...]
Keeping tools in good condition, or replacing them before they go beyond the point of use, is definitely good practice. If you're anywhere like the age of the DIYBasics team you will have had this drummed into you at woodwork classes at school, but it probably didn’t really sink in [...]
Fitting kitchen worktops is a job that most people can do as long as they have had a bit of experience with sawing straight and vertical lines through wood. The tricks are knowing how to measure up to cut difficult edges, where walls might not be at right angles, and [...]
Renovating wooden floorboards is a relatively simple but messy job and at the end of it you should have a pristine surface you can be proud of. Briefly you prepare and check the surface then sand it back using a special purpose sander that can be hired for the day. [...]
Exterior lighting has often been more about security lights and porch lights but these days it's more likely to be part of a garden design. The bad news for DIY aficionados is that recent changes to the building regulations concerning electrical work now mean that a lot of it is [...]
This article will tackle the cutting and fitting of solid floor materials such as lino and vinyl which come on a roll. The general principles are the same regardless of the material and the width of the roll as it is mostly about cutting accurate profiles so that the flooring [...]
If your child is at that curious and increasingly independent age, you’ll want to do everything you can to make sure your home is a safe, healthy environment. Along with the kitchen, bathrooms pose perhaps the greatest risks to a child’s health, particularly if your house has family medications, lotions [...]
If you plan to hire a kitchen or bathroom designer you might be wondering where to start. Of course there’s no substitute for word of mouth recommendations, but if that’s not possible you might be grateful of a few pointers. Avoid a horror story with our quick guide! Time Trial [...]
A newly decorated kitchen looks and feels fabulous, but you might feel yours is lacking those finishing touches. Accessories will complete and enhance your kitchen’s look, whatever style you’ve chosen. From country to contemporary, or minimalist to modernist, take your inspiration from our great ideas. Contain The Clutter A great [...]
Sash windows first began to be used in the United Kingdom towards the end of the 1600s and are still being used today, although modern ones will be double-glazed and will be harder to repair. Although sash windows look mysterious they are in fact quite simple in construction and once [...]
If you are planning to update the bathroom in your home but need a little inspiration to get you started, take a look at these popular bathroom styles. Whether you choose to mix, match or create a look all of your own, our guide to what’s hot will get your [...]
While the bathroom is undoubtedly a great place to let your creative flair run wild, these weird and wonderful examples really do win prizes for plain bizarre. From tropical delight to functional thinking, the world’s bathrooms range from beautiful to beastly. Wonderful Wossy Recent events mean that Jonathan Ross might [...]
It's impossible to cover all the different sorts of door locks, latches and fittings in one article here so we'll concentrate on the more modern internal door latches that you're likely to find in the home. Many of the principles can be applied to older locks too. The handle is [...]
For a long time, mostly in the later post-war period, the only thing that people in the United Kingdom wanted to do with cornices and coving was to rip them out, as the new design vogue was for modern, streamlined looks. Nowadays we all want to preserve the originality of [...]
If you’ve rented your home your landlord might have placed restrictions on how you can decorate (if at all), or maybe you’re just not keen to spend time, money and effort on jazzing up someone else’s property! Either way, there are things you can do to bring your own style [...]
If the severity of the economic crisis has taken you by surprise, like millions of others, you might be rethinking any plans to move home. Although it’s going to be a while before confidence returns to the housing market, happily there are steps you can take in the meantime to [...]
Take a look around your (not so) state of the art kitchen. Fed up of the dodgy fridge door and those stains you just can’t get off the hob? It’s hard to imagine life before the modern kitchen, so just for fun, we take a look back through the ages. [...]
With some thorough planning and lots of enthusiasm it’s easy to create a beautiful look in your home. Knowing where most home interior decorators go wrong can help you to make sure you don’t repeat their mistakes! Measure Up Before you dash along to your local DIY store to gather [...]
The kitchen gadget market continues to boom as more and more of us are inspired to become amateur cooks in our own homes. From gadgets for the kitchen that has everything, to the simply plain unnecessary, we investigate eight of the ‘best’! The Sophisticated Breakfast For all you die hard [...]
Tumble Dryers are relatively simple pieces of equipment, at least compared to their compatriots, washing machines. Despite that inherent simplicity, replacing the belt on a tumble dryer can be a real pain in the neck. This is because the drum takes up so much room in the casing that it's [...]
Completing a successful DIY project is a great feeling, but we all know at least one friend or relative who seems to court disaster with every job. Laugh and learn from these unfortunate real life accounts! Jacob’s Ladder Finding myself inspired to paint the bland living room of our newbuild [...]
Transforming your cluttered kitchen into a modern miracle is not as difficult as you might think. With a little hard work, imagination and a budget as big or small as you make it, you might decide you don’t mind being stuck in the kitchen, after all. Colour Crazy The contemporary [...]
A treat for the eyes and the senses, Moroccan decor is beautiful, if not for the faint-hearted. Whether you decide take a little inspiration from a Moroccan style, or adopt it fully and go for sensory overload, you’ll certainly create a look that says you’ve travelled! Colour Rich With a [...]
Wallcoverings have seen something of a decorating revival in recent years, making room for some incredible designs and innovative materials. If you can conceive it, it’s probably out there somewhere waiting to be discovered, so if you haven’t taken a look at wallpaper lately, it’s definitely time to get on [...]
In interior decorating, sometimes when a room looks great, it’s not easy to work out why. Patterns and colours may not match, and there might be a mixture of textures thrown in. Although a mix and match design might seem tricky to achieve, with some basic principles and creative flair, [...]
Whether the student in your life will work at home or away, a comfortable, ordered environment will be the most conducive to great grades. Most study bedrooms are small, but space-saving storage and clever decorating will help to open up the space and give a student’s mind room to grow. [...]
Decorating a natural look for your living room is simple, and will bring a fresh contemporary style to your home. Whether your preference is for fresh neutrals or rich earth tones, there’s a natural design with your name on it. Floor Real The floor covering in your living room will [...]
Something of an interior design sin, internal bathrooms certainly receive some bad press. Being increasingly common in new-build properties, bathrooms without natural light can present a real style challenge, with the worst feeling dark, airless and claustrophobic. If that sounds familiar, it’s time to decorate. With a bit of love [...]
Creating a feature wall in your home is a great way to brighten up an otherwise neutral colour scheme, or draw attention to a particular feature. Making a bold statement on just one wall means you can really let your imagination run wild, so get inspired with a few easy [...]
At one time or another, most of us call a very small space ‘home’. Decorating a studio apartment is certainly a challenge, since all your living space is likely to be situated within one room. By following some interior design tips, it’s easy to make yourself a comfortable home, and [...]
A conservatory can be a beautiful addition to a home, but as a bland, blank canvas, decorating one can be daunting. A great way to think of a conservatory is as a space where home and garden converge, and with some imagination from both, your conservatory will soon become an [...]
With so many different flooring options available, it can be hard to decide which is the right one for your home. If you’ve always coveted carpet, or been wowed by wood, why not explore a new take on your favourite, or try something completely different altogether? Mix and Match Before [...]
Bringing your baby home for the very first time is a unique experience, and you will want to give your little one an equally special space to spend those first formative years. When it’s time to start decorating, spend a small fortune, or create your nursery’s look for less – [...]
The country-style kitchen look remains very desirable, creating a warm, nurturing space where good old-fashioned food unites friends and family alike. The country kitchen theme is open to individual interpretation, giving you the opportunity to add comfort with personal touches. Whether you splash out on a handmade bespoke design, or [...]
The fact that colour can dramatically influence our moods is generally confirmed by decorators and doctors alike. With the nights drawing in and days becoming darker, you may find dark clouds gathering inside your home, as well as out. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a widely linked to the lack [...]
Most of us have at least one area in our home that, no matter what time of day, seems dark and gloomy. Even those rooms with a natural light source can look a little dismal on a grey day. Luckily there are a number of simple decorating tricks at hand [...]
Not only are many of us now working from home on a daily basis, but our families too, increasingly need space for homework, everyday administration, or study. Whether you are lucky enough to have a dedicated home office, or some snatched space elsewhere in your home, it’s vital that your [...]
As the place where we meet and greet guests, family and friends, your hallway is the one space in your home seen by everyone. Whether you fancy a new look, or you’re considering putting your house on the market, create a hall you can have pride in and set expectations [...]
However large your living space, a cluttered interior will not look or feel homely. In order to show your interior decoration at its best, it’s essential that rooms are well ordered with practical yet stylish storage solutions. Elegant storage choices are widely available for every room of your house, so [...]
You've taken the right step by bleeding the radiators first; it's almost always air in the system when radiators aren't heating up properly. There are two other possible reasons for your radiators not to heat up, balancing or a pump failure, and the second is the most likely. Balancing Radiators [...]
At the end of a long day, your bedroom should be a restful haven, soothing away worries and stress and settling you for a peaceful night’s sleep. So why is it that so often our bedrooms are often bursting at the seams with clutter, becoming little more than an amalgamation [...]
If space allows, designating one room of your home for your children is a great idea. As much as we love them, there’s no denying that children at play create mess. Giving them a room of their own will not only keep the peace, but it will give your kids [...]
Christmas decorating is a very personal matter, often incorporating items that have been wheeled out year after year during the month of December. This festive season, whether you plan to go for the haphazard, anything goes look, or a meticulously planned stylish theme, there are ways that we can all [...]
Your bathroom is likely to be the first and last room you see every day before getting up or retiring to bed. There’s nothing more depressing than living with a bathroom that looks and feels like it’s seen better days, but for many, the cost of refitting is prohibitive. Fortunately, [...]
With the credit crunch biting it's no surprise that for many people, moving house has been scrubbed off the agenda. Instead the trend is swinging from moving to improving, and staying put is inspiring interiors to become bolder and more personal, making the home a true place of solace in [...]
Hanging wallpaper is still one of the easiest ways in interior decorating to make an impact in your home, yet many of us are daunted by the task. If your home is in need of a re-design, and you fancy a change from painting, why not give wallpaper a try? [...]
There’s no doubt about it, for the plain Jane, deciding to decorate with pattern can be an intimidating prospect. As such a great way to decorate interest and depth into your home, or to create a focal point, pattern deserves to be explored next time you put together a new [...]
To answer your last question first, there are no fuses in a normal plug socket. Fused Sockets There are some special fused sockets that DO have fuses but they look different to an ordinary 13amp socket. They will have a rectangular cover in the socket faceplate which holds the fuse [...]
With the world going credit crunch crazy many of us have had to slash costs within our homes just to make ends meet. Happily for the budget interior decorator, there are many ways to create a stylish, expensive look for very little outlay. We are all familiar with retailers selling [...]
Even if you’ve never opened a tin of house paint before in your life, a professional finish to your painting is easily achievable. Just follow a few simple rules, and make sure you’ve got the right tools for the job. With a little colour confidence you can transform your house [...]
With a few easy decorating tips, living in a small space need not feel claustrophobic. Stop the walls closing in on your small room by boxing clever with colour, size and shape. Wall Around When decorating the walls of a small room it makes sense to use lighter, softer colours [...]
In interior decorating, working with texture can give a room a personality that is not achieved with colour alone. Rather like a child’s pop-up book, a tactile interior adds depth and contrast, drawing you into a room and inviting you to touch each element of the design. Adding texture to [...]
Whether or not you are new to interior design, working with colour can feel daunting. Many amateur decorators stick to ‘safe’ neutral shades through fear or lack of confidence, when following a just few simple rules can be the key to creating a stunning new look. Once you learn how [...]
No matter how small your interior decorating project, there’s no escaping the fact that to produce a great result, you will need the right tools for the job. The advanced enthusiast will require a larger toolbox, but it’s likely that your initial decorating ideas will involve painting or wallpapering, for [...]
Most of us now think ‘green’ around our homes, conscientiously doing our bit for the environment and the future generations that will share our planet. Recycling is in, food miles are out; but how many of us have extended our eco-friendly efforts to home decorating? The interior design world is [...]
Like it or loathe it, we all tend to spend quite a bit of time in the kitchen, and there’s nothing worse than watching yours date before your very eyes. Kitchens can really show their age, but thankfully in these tough economic times, ripping it all out and starting again [...]
Tiling a floor, whether it's with stone tiles or ceramic tiles, essentially follows the same process, although the methods used for cutting the tiles to shape may vary. The steps for tiling a floor are: Clearing the room and preparing the surface Test laying to plan the layout Marking the [...]
Removing a radiator is a job that many people might shy away from but it's not that difficult if you know your heating system, take it step by step and have the right tools available. Whether you are removing a traditional wide radiator or a more modern panel style, the [...]
Once the bathroom suite has been installed and the decor finished, it's time to have fun with all the gadgets and accessories that can fit out a bathroom for modern life. Mirror Mirror on the Bathroom Wall Mirror and light combinations are on the market with a number of really [...]
If you have the money to spare on top notch bathroom fittings the effect you can create is nothing short of dramatic. Moving just one step up the bathroom accessories ladder from the normal fittings available in DIY shops will bring you into a world of luxury bathrooms where just [...]
The days of bathroom suites being restricted to 'any colour you like as long as it's white' are now long gone, and to most people's relief so are the avocado and peach colours that were popular in the Seventies and Eighties. Colours other than white are still available but bathroom [...]
Lighting in bathrooms can be either a way of being able to see or a way of creating a mood, although many people want a bit of both. The key to good bathroom lighting is to be able to control it, as mood lighting suitable for a relaxing bath is [...]
With the current focus on global warming and the need to be careful about the planet's resources it's not surprising that water conservation is back on the agenda. Water Conservation First Hits the News It was back in the severe droughts of the 1970s that the idea of water conservation [...]
Decorating options for bathroom walls differ from those for the rest of the house as they have to deal with excess moisture. This comes from steam, and the resulting condensation, as well as splashing from basins, baths and showers, which is why tiles are so popular. But tiles don't have [...]
