Author name: Admin

The worldwide pandemic of 2019-2021 watched people all around the world spend more time in their home’s than ever before. COVID 19 Spending so much time within one place is bound to initiate several home renovation ideas that may not have been considered before.  Many were forced to spend extended periods of time between the same four walls – whether they were in isolation after a positive test or simply following the rules of lockdown imposed by the UK government.  During the pandemic, homeowners would sub-consciously look around, finally noticing the flaws within their home. Home Renovation People were forced to become increasingly creative with their home renovation ideas – using the space they had within their home to its full potential.  This caused homeowners to notice faults within the functionality of their homes. For example, families may have felt too confided within their homes, leading them to consider an open plan living design.  In other cases, homeowners may have noticed a colder home, due to their old windows lacking in thermal efficiency.  During this time, potential home renovation ideas were identified to improve the thermal efficiency, secure, weather resistance, aesthetic, and functionality of living spaces. Work from home According to the Metro, the demand for home renovation services have increased by 50% in just two years! The most popular renovation ideas consisted of home gyms and open plan living spaces.  Not to mention the “work from home” movement. Many office (and other industry) workers were asked to work from the comfort of their living rooms until further notice.  Not long after the start of the pandemic, zoom meetings, uniform pyjamas and late starts soon became the ‘new normal.’  A key priority was the ‘home office,’ ensuring that it was comfortable, functional, and quiet enough to concentrate. Many had to adapt their homes and add the necessary features, seamlessly transitioning a particular room into a suitable working environment. Home renovation ideas New home renovation ideas mean that home improvement companies and tradespeople were in demand more than ever before.  According to Rated People, there has been a huge 32% increase in business for construction and home renovation costs UK.  However, new reports have suggested that home renovations costs have increased by 40% more than they did two years ago. Rising home renovation cost The increase in costs is due to a number of factors. This includes material shortages and the fact that tradespeople are putting their prices due to the high demand.  Research suggests that nearly four out of five tradespeople have increased their home renovation costs (UK) by a huge 20% or less.  This means that a new bathroom cost or kitchen extension cost have risen more than ever! Did you know that a new bathroom cost totals at approximately £1,500 more than it did 2 years ago?  This is a huge 25% increase. The Property Reporter suggests that homeowners can now expect to spend a huge £7,000 more than they would have pre-pandemic. Despite the rising home renovation costs (UK), homeowners are still willing to commit to a home renovation as it is still much more affordable than the alternative of moving house.  Furthermore, if they ever did decide to sell up in the future, the renovations they may choose to implement now would effectively increase the value of their home. Grants Looking for ways to improve your home but cannot spare the cash right now? There really is no need to worry.  Apply For Grants provide you with the funding that you need to make your home renovation dreams a reality.  Are you in need of a new conservatory? Or perhaps some new double glazing for windows and doors? Whatever your home improvement preference, simply check your eligibility and we will confirm the amount of funding that you are entitled to.  Although home renovations costs (UK) are rising, the concern for energy efficiency and global warming is also growing. Carbon emission The UK government is determined to reduce all carbon emissions by 2030. However, this can only be achieved if all homeowners are granted access to funding for energy efficient home improvements or at least, new double glazing for windows and doors.  Contact ‘Apply For Grants’ today to see how we can help you to achieve an energy efficient home on a budget.  With so many funding options available, there really is no excuse not to help mitigate the effects of global climate change through the installation of energy efficient, new double glazing windows and doors.

Home interior design inspiration is more accessible than ever before. Traditionally, we would browse through renovation magazines and brochures, or perhaps attend an occasional exhibition. These methods are still popular among some homeowners, but the rise of digital inspiration cannot be ignored.  Many choose to endlessly scroll the pages of Instagram, Pinterest and Home Interior Blog Websites to satisfy our home interior inspiration needs. Luckily, the home renovators of Yorkshire do not need to enter the midfield of home interior design blindly.  New home designs, inspiration and home interior research can be collected through popular hash tags, trending pictures and social media influencers.  Research illustrates that as consumers we tend to make quick decisions based on the preference of the masses. This is of course, unless we have extensive time to research the different options available and make our own informed choice. For example, if someone wanted to quickly find a company to renovate their home, they would look at the ratings and reviews of previous customers.  They may also quickly check the company’s social media, to see how their profile is presented and sub-consciously determine the reliability of a company through the amount of likes, comments and engagement they receive on their posts. As this is a popular habit among consumers, it shows that we are willing to make quick decisions based on the opinions of other people.  However, if the homeowner had any extra time, they may choose to do their own research and make through their own decisions from unbiased information sources. Buying statistics show that we are likely to follow the opinions of others before making crucial home interior buying decisions. This is where influencer marketing comes into play.  Influencer marketing is a relatively new industry, but it has exploded within recent years.  It could be considered that this sudden growth was due to the worldwide pandemic, as many homeowners were subjected to doing the entirety of their shopping online.  They were making their quick decisions based on the opinions of their favourite social media influencers. The influence of social media isn’t slowing down any time soon. Be sure to follow accounts which compliment your personal style. The best way to explore Instagram is through the use of hashtags.  Not only can you locate new influencers and accounts through Instagram, but you can also search for individual hash tags too.  There are many different hash tags that are worth following, such as: #interior #interiordesign #design #homedecor #home #architecture #decor #furniture #interiors #art #homedesign #decoration #interiordesigner #homeinspiration #homesweethome #livingroom #interiordecor #interiorstyling #furnituredesign #house Simply type one of these hash tags into the search bar to unlock many beautiful pictures.  In one of the sections, you will find the ‘top’ hash tag posts. These are the posts which have received the most engagement.  The other section is the ‘recent’ post which is self-explanatory, as this is a display of the most recent posts which have been posted by users all around the world. Another way to explore Instagram is by connecting with local communities. The use of location hash tags can help communities, locations, cities or even hospitality venues to find each other on social media platforms.  This can help to encourage interaction between different pages and generate conversation between like-minded groups.  This is considered by many as an effective way to gather home interior design knowledge from people with similar interests. Create An Instagram Worthy Home As you begin to browse the pictures and posts of Instagram, you may notice a certain pattern or theme among the different posts.  There will be certain trends such as neutral tones, open spaces and minimalistic living areas that continue to show up on your feed.  This is because Instagram has helped to define the image of a ‘perfect’ home, showcasing neat displays and creating a portrayal of how your home ‘should’ be. To avoid this, be sure to narrow down your hash tag search. For example, instead of search ‘home décor’ ideas, search ‘brightly coloured home décor’ to help refine your search and cut through the Instagram “ideals”. Rather than rummaging through the depths of Instagram, users may wish to follow a certain individual who provides the inspiration they require.  This is an incredibly popular strategy as this provides the user with one place (or person) to gather their information and inspiration from. A consumer may choose to follow a particular figure on social media because they can relate to them or their lifestyle.  After following the influencer for a while, the consumer could start to feel like they had formed a relationship with that person, even without speaking to them or engaging through comments and likes.  The consumer will trust the influencer and therefore feel persuaded by their social media content. This could then lead to purchase, which is what makes influencer marketing so effective. Home Interior Influencers From Yorkshire 1. Lisa Dawson Lisa is a home interior and lifestyle blogger from West Yorkshire. Her home interior style follows a mixture of vintage and retro styles showcased within her York home.  Her followers love her for her ability to find beautiful vintage home décor pieces at extremely affordable prices!  Browse her blog and social media platforms for home improvement inspirations including rustic double glazing windows and traditional uPVC doors. 2. The Inspiration Highway An interior inspiration account run by Yorkshire based ‘Samantha’; the inspiration highway is bursting with home renovation pictures and beautiful scenic sights. Samantha uses engaging questions and personal family photos to build relationships with her followers. She tends to promote small home décor businesses that she purchases her own home furniture from. 3. Marie Claire Jackson The owner of a Leeds based home, Marie showcases her beautiful home to thousands of followers.  She has successful cultivated an incredible following online and it’s clear through her online brand partnerships that her loyal following trust her every word.  It is evident that they make purchases following her guidance. Before you start to collate your inspiration pictures, define

There are many factors to consider when starting your home improvements. You may wish to improve your home’s aesthetic, add more security and thermal efficiency, or even aim to increase the value of your property before putting it up for sale. Surprisingly, some of the small home improvements can make a huge difference to your home and provide an impressive return on investment.  On the other hand, it’s important to remember that particular home improvements could actually decrease the value of your home, potentially meaning that it is less appealing to buyers.  In this article we will be discussing some of the home repair and improvement projects that should be avoided. Transforming Your Bedroom In To A Closet Although a walk in wardrobe is an extremely modern and sought after home improvement, it can actually reduce the value of your home. A buyer would be much more likely to place value on a clear, newly renovated bedroom over a larger closet.  This way the homeowner can adjust the space to their own personal preferences. A walk in wardrobe is a great addition to a home, but not if it comes at the expense of losing a bedroom.  It’s important to remember that each bedroom would add a huge £10,000 in value to the property!  If you decide to replace your bedroom with a walk-in closet, you could be decreasing the home’s value by a huge £7,000! This doesn’t include the cost of materials and the labour that will be needed for a project.  Sources state that converting a bedroom into a closet may be a sophisticated and modern home improvement project, but reiterate that the loss of a bedroom will reduce the value by a huge amount.  The functions within a property is incredibly important to the potential buyer, but not as important as the amount of bedroom that it has. Combining Bedrooms The amount of bedrooms within a property will determine its value. For example, older houses may have more architectural detail and a traditional, visual appeal but they will mostly always have much smaller bedrooms.  Some home renovators may think that they are upgrading or modernizing the home by collating two bedrooms into one larger space.  There is no doubt that this will add a contemporary-looking, spacious appeal to the home, but if the open plan structure is created at the expense of another bedroom, this will reduce the value of the house.  However, if the property has a lot of bedrooms originally, then combining two rooms probably won’t make much difference.  On the other hand, if most of the houses in your area have 3 to 4 bedrooms, reducing the amount of bedrooms even further won’t be beneficial when it comes to selling your property. Permanent Customization As you are the homeowner, you will be keen to ensure that the home matches your home style and preferences.  Customization is absolutely fine, but it is vital that these designs can be easily neutralised if you decide to sell your home.  For example, bright colours are of a selective taste. Classic colours such as beige, taupe and cream are universal and are consider much more attractive to a larger audience.  When selling your property, steer away from designs that you may love, but suspect that other people won’t. Neutral décor themes will always be on trend and will most definitely be one of the renovations that increase home value. Bold Paint Colours Painting your home is a quick and easy way to improve your home and increase the value. However, it is very important to stay away from vivid paint colours. Painting the interior or exterior of your home in non-neutral colours could de-value it and take away the option of appealing to multiple buyers, as everyone has different tastes.  Buyers tend to expect neutral colours when they first buy a house. It’s important to remember that your home is only worth as much as someone is willing to pay for it, so be sure to match as many tastes and preferences as possible. Not Maintaining The Original Design Style Some homes are created with a unique architectural style that can help to boost the property value. This unique architecture is a statement feature of the house and will stand out against the competition.  If you’re going to commit to a home improvement project, ensure that it does not consist of cheap, incongruous materials as this will only de-value your home.  You may be thinking that replacing the old windows with new double glazed windows would increase the property value; this is not always the case.  If the old windows were of a traditional Tudor style, replacing them with modern uPVC windows may only reduce the value. Lowering The Style New buyers love high ceilings, as they can help to make spaces appear larger than they actually are. It is definitely one of the home renovations that increase home value.  Lower ceilings are beneficial when it comes to saving money on your utility bills, as the rooms in your home will be smaller and it will be easier to insulate heat. On the other hand, higher ceilings can help to create a ‘grand’, defined space, whilst reducing the feeling of claustrophobia and extenuating the original architecture of the building.  Whilst lowering ceilings may be a popular solution when it comes to lighting or wiring solutions, it could ultimately de-value your home as it would take away its unique selling point. Adding A Pool A pool is considered a luxury home improvement by many, but it is still a personal preference. Experts suggest that a pool could affect your home’s value as it is not necessarily to everyone’s taste! A home with a pool would have once been swamped with offers.  In the era of COVID, people were spending more time at home and a facility like a pool would have been considered a must-have feature for a home improvement project.  This also depends on the weather and the

As you grow older, it is important that your home matches your needs and changing lifestyle habits. Home improvements which adapt to your changing mind and body will help you to feel much more positive and comfortable about ageing. Each room should be prepared with the right equipment and facilities to maximise functionality. Tip 1 – Entering & Leaving Your House The steps leading up to your front door may be one of the home improvements that you haven’t thought of before. As you’re aging, these stairs could become more difficult to climb.  Hire a home improvement contractor to help make your home remodel as easy as possible to access through the use of a handrail or banister. This will help you to navigate your way up with the stairs without struggle. Heighten your senses even further with a home improvement installation of an outdoor light.  This will help you to see properly as you take each step, preventing you from missing out a step and potentially falling over. Be sure to position the light so that it doesn’t disturb your neighbours. Tip 2 – Answering The Door Over time, it may become more difficult to move in and out of your home.  Hire a home improvement contractor to help install a system which allows you to speak to visitors before the door unlocks, this will allow you to manage who receives access to your home remodel and who doesn’t.  There are a few features that you can install. A door entry intercom A wireless doorbell Video entry phone – this allows you to actually see who is at the door. Crystal clear double glazed windows Tip 3 – Moving Around In order to ensure that moving around your home is the easiest it can be, consider adding additional lighting as part of your home improvements. Adding motion sensor lighting to that the environment is bright where ever you are.  If you’re thinking further home renovations, a home improvement contractor can help to widening your door frames, add double glazed windows or even switching the direction which your doors open can really help to make life easier. Tip 4 – Tackling The Stairs Many elderly people choose to move out into bungalows, and it is easy to guess why. The stairs can become a real task as your body goes through the stages of aging.  Adding an extra bannister or stair lift can help to assist you as you make your way up the dreaded stairs. If you have quite a large home, it may be possible to install a wheelchair lift. Tip 5 – Morning Routine Your daily routine may become difficult. Even the simple tasks such as getting up and getting dressed can be daunting. You can introduced power assisted chairs and beds into your home, to help with the struggle of daily activities.  The installation of new double glazed windows can help to introduce natural lighting to help with vision during your morning routine. You can also buy some easy reach grabbers to help with picking up things at a distance. Tip 6 – Improve The Bathroom & Kitchen Adding new double glazed windows and doors to your bathroom and kitchen can really help to improve the functionality of your home.  Even just replacing old glass with crystal clear glazing can help to invite natural light into these key rooms, reducing electricity bills and increase the warmth within your home.  Aside from new double glazed windows and doors, there are many other home improvements to improve the functionality of your bathroom or kitchen. A home improvement contractor can help you with installations such as a hands free toilet; a safety plug for your bathroom or sink; a perching stool for your kitchen or bathroom are all worthwhile home remodel improvements. Tip 7 – Accommodating For Sight And Memory Problems If you’re having issues with your vision, then adding coloured tape to the edge of the stairs can help you to navigate your way around your home more effectively. Removing clutter and other obstacles around your home remodel can really help you to eliminate hazards and prevent injuries which you can become more susceptible to as you age. Memory problems can become a real issue when you’re trying to lead a normal lifestyle, but there are many home improvements that you can introduce to help with these issues. An item locator can help you to find your belongings easily, simply attach tags to your essential items and track them using an electronic device. By installing new double glazed windows and incorporating new facilities into your home, you will feel much happier, safe and comfortable as you age in your new adapted home. Experience the fantastic service from ‘Apply For Grants’ for yourself! Check your eligibility