HMP2019 - final

INTRODUCTION 

a 

Where do you start? 

Moving house is notoriously 

stressful, but it doesn’t 

have to be that way! With 

good preparation and planning 

you can make it easier. It’s hard 

to know where to start as there 

are so many things to think about – 

packing is just a small part of 

the process. 

The key to a successful move is 

to ensure that you are as organised 

as you possibly can be. Something 

as huge as moving an entire family, 

as well as the contents of a big 

house, in one day is no easy feat 

for anybody! 

One of the most important things 

to remember when moving house 

is to plan ahead. 

This guide will tell you everything 

you need to know about what to 

expect on the day, once you’re in, 

and other important aspects such 

as decor and furnishing ideas. 

Sit down and take the stress out 

of your move with these top tips on 

making it go smoothly. 

Above all, try to enjoy the 

experience. It may seem, daunting 

at the outset, but remember to 

keep the reasons behind the 

move in focus. 

Once you’re all packed up 

and have survived moving day, 

everything else should start falling 

into place with a little guidance. 

Good luck! 

04

PLANNING AHEAD 

It’s all in the planning 

Whether you’re moving into a newly rented apartment or a home that 

you’ve saved up for yourself, you’ll have to deal with one stressful 

certainty: moving day. It creeps up on you with unnerving stealth, and 

it makes a forgetful so-and-so of everyone involved. Checklists are 

invaluable on occasions like this, especially when they list up all of those 

last-minute bits and pieces that you’re otherwise bound to forget – bits 

and pieces such as these... 

1 

Chase the postman 

Not in any dog-like fashion, of course, but you do 

need to ensure he knows that you’re off. Make 

sure you leave a forwarding address with the new 

owners or tenants, and be sure to inform the post 

office of your new location – all easily done online. 

2Dispense with the lurkers 

You’ve hired your man with a van, he’s collected 

your stuff and you’ve waved it a happy bon 

voyage. You head back into the flat, only to find that 

cupboard under the stairs littered with Christmas 

decorations and your other half’s dusty old CD 

collection. You could throw them out, or you could 

put them into on-demand storage until you’re ready 

to get them back. At least with the latter you can 

prevaricate a little longer. Who knows? CDs may 

make a comeback… 

3 

Treat yourself well 

Whether you’re moving across London or across 

the country, the experience is bound to take it 

out of you, so do yourself a favour: make up a comfy 

bed and stake out your nearest takeaway as soon 

as you get there. By the time the day ends, you’ll be 

thankful for a little forethought. 

06

www.homemoverspack.co.uk 

4 

Fix up your utilities 

There are so many authorities 

to notify, it’s probably best we 

cross them off one by one. Have 

you told your gas and electricity 

people, and taken final readings on 

gas, electricity and water? Have you 

let your bank, building society and 

credit card company know about 

your new address? How about the 

Inland Revenue, DVLA, kids’ schools 

and local council? Are your magazine 

subscriptions up to date? Tick, tick, 

tick? Then you’re all good. 

5Pack your kit bag 

You’re only hours away from 

starting a new life in a new 

home. How are you going to do that 

without coffee or tea? Make sure 

you’ve packed up a few essentials for 

your empty new apartment, including 

a change of clothes, bedding and 

towels, a kettle (did we mention coffee 

or tea?), snacks, toilet paper, your 

phone and your new keys (don’t say 

you’ve lost them already!). 

07

HOME INSURANCE 

Protecting your new home 

What would you do if your worldly goods were destroyed, or your house fell down? In 

the hope that neither will ever happen, here’s our guide to finding suitable insurance 

Insurance cover 

When a renewal notice pops through the 

door to celebrate the anniversary of your 

moving house, it may proclaim on the cover 

that it’s for your ‘home insurance’. But as 

we have all realised, that could refer to two 

types of cover – contents or buildings. For 

those who are about to enter the property 

market, however, these terms are not 

always as distinct as they should be. Let’s 

look at them in more detail. 

Buildings insurance refers to the actual 

bricks and mortar of the property – the 

structure and things permanently attached 

to it, such as the roof, windows and 

doors. The value may seem at odds with 

what you paid for the property, but that’s 

because it refers to the actual rebuild cost, 

rather than the value of the finished item. 

Ideally, this will be index-linked, so it will 

rise automatically in line with inflation. If 

not, it’s up to you to make sure the value 

is accurate. Underinsuring could lead to a 

claim being declared void. 

Buildings insurance 

This is necessary when you take out a 

mortgage and the company will often offer 

its own policy. You don’t have to take it 

unless it’s a condition of the mortgage, 

in which case you should study what’s 

covered very carefully. Otherwise, make a 

few phone calls to major insurers and see 

if you can’t do better. Insurance firms often 

provide discounted cover if you have more 

than one policy, so it’s worth seeing what 

your car insurance firm can offer. 

Contents insurance 

As opposed to buildings cover, ‘contents’ 

refers to the movable bits in the home, such 

as the furniture, clothing, rugs and so on – 

in general, the possessions you’d take with 

you, should you leave. Should you have 

a collection or equipment of exceptional 

value, draw this to the insurer’s attention to 

make sure that it’s specified in the cover, as 

they don’t like nasty shocks any more than 

you do, and they should be aware of such 

08


items. Home computers are an obvious 

example, along with digital cameras, CD 

collections, jewellery or paintings. Be 

careful with electronic or other equipment, 

however, which may sometimes be for 

business use. Your potential insurer may 

ask and if the answer’s yes, you may have 

to look into business cover, rather than 

the usual household contents, for that 

equipment. 

Home & dry? 

In general, between them, buildings and 

contents insurance cover your house 

and possessions against damage or loss 

from fire, water, earth and air – including 

explosions, smoke damage, flood damage, 

subsidence, storm damage, theft, or 

vandalism. Bear in mind, however, that 

these conditions and the price you pay 

for cover vary dramatically, depending on 

area. Should one part of a town have been 

flooded in the past couple of years, many 

insurers may not provide flood cover. Yet 

your house is perched on a hillside and 

unlikely to suffer such a fate. That ’s when 

insurers with strong local knowledge can 

work to your advantage. But don’t decide 

on anything until you’ve spoken to a 

number of potential insurers. 

Safe as houses 

The reason why they’re referred to as 

‘home insurance’ is that the insurer wants 

your money for both types of insurance, 

and hopes that you’ll prefer the simplicity 

of dealing with them simultaneously, 

through one company. However, that may 

not be the most financially advantageous 

route for you to take. 

Of course, it stands to reason that you 

get what you pay for and if a particular 

quote for cover seems remarkably cheap, 

it’s vital to investigate why. For example, 

some policies offer new for old. Should 

you have bought a top-of-the-range stereo 

in 1985, it could have cost, say £500, but 

a similar model today may be £1,500. With 

a new-for-old policy, you’d get a £1,500 

replacement. This kind of cover is generally 

at a premium. Insurers often assume 

various amounts of excess, which can 

make the final quotes vary considerably. 

The excess is the amount you’d pay out 

before a claim could be considered – it 

works the same way with car insurance. 

The larger your excess, the lower the 

quote. Should our stereo owner have an 

excess of £200, he’d receive £1,400 for 

his new equipment. You have to calculate 

which risk you prefer to take: the likelihood 

of making a claim against the premium – 

the actual insurance cost – which you’re 

happy to pay. 

What’s the damage? 

You may be told that accidental damage 

cover is included for a few quid extra. If 

you’re no stranger to dropping crockery or 

breaking things, weigh up whether this is 

worth having. But if you’re sure you don’t 

need it, why pay for it? You’re likely to be 

asked if you have locks on the windows, 

smoke alarms or intruder alert systems. 

Taking such easy precautions may not only 

save your life, but reduce your premium, 

too! Joining a Neighbourhood Watch 

scheme also boosts your rating with 

insurers, and may even add resale value to 

your house. 

When you take contents out of the home 

– for example, a wallet or handbag, bicycle 

or mobile phone, establish with the insurer 

exactly what is covered and how much it 

costs. This may mean an extra premium, 

but it’s better to establish this at the 

beginning rather than find out after your 

wallet’s been stolen. In any case, get the 

cards cancelled and call the police before 

going any further. 

Many people use freezers, and they’re 

often kept in a garage or rarely visited 

room. Should there be a power cut, or 

the freezer breaks down, you could easily 

have to destroy the defrosted contents, 

the value of which may run to several 

hundred pounds. A number of insurers 

include freezer contents up to a specified 

value at no extra cost to you. That’s of little 

concern to the person living alone, but 

when you have a large family and depend 

on a fully stocked freezer, that can make a 

big difference to your outgoings. 

So now you know exactly what you’re 

getting from your insurer and how much 

it’s going to cost you. 

But imagine you come home to find 

out that you’ve been burgled. There are 

hundreds of books on the floor, all the 

cupboards have been tipped out, there are 

CDs everywhere … what’s missing? 

09

HOME INSURANCE 


10 

Record collections 

There are a few steps you can take right 

now to minimise stress during the aftermath 

of such an event. Making an inventory of 

all your worldly goods may take hours, 

and hopefully you’ll never need it. But if 

you do, you’ll certainly appreciate having 

made the effort. List room by room what 

you own, and make sure any collections 

are fully described. Take photos of jewellery 

or valuable ornaments so they can be 

identified easily, should they be recovered. 

And tempting as it is to store all this 

information on computer, that’s not much 

good if it’s been taken, too. For peace of 

mind, print and date your inventory and 

clearly labelled photos. Store them in a 

small, fireproof safe – they don’t cost more 

than a few pounds – which you should 

hide and secure. Use an invisible security 

pen to write your house number and post 

code on valuable items, and make sure you 

keep your inventory updated by checking 

it once a year or so. As a failsafe, it’s worth 

hanging on to receipts, instruction booklets 

and warranties so you can see at once how 

much something cost, or at least estimate 

its value accurately. 

A river runs through it 

And what if there’s a fire, or the water’s 

rising fast outside the door? Your insurance 

company doesn’t expect you to be on 

the phone asking for a claim form when 

you should be getting rescued. Call the 

emergency services if they’re required, and 

deal with keeping everybody safe. 

If a mysterious crack has appeared in the 

wall overnight, you should go ahead with 

a temporary repair if it will minimise further 

damage. You don’t need to discuss it with 

the insurer first – just go ahead and do it. 

Your insurance documents will specify what 

claim you can make for such fixes, and will 

contain an emergency number if you don’t 

know what to do. Another one for the safe, 

perhaps. 

A dogged disaster 

Let’s say, however, that you’re running 

a bath in your new house when the dog 

somehow manages to get out of the front 

door and run outside. You charge after 

it, knocking into the hall table and your 

camera falls to the floor. While you’re 

flapping round after the dog and trying to 

protect your modesty, the bath runs over 

and ruins the carpet. Canine scolded and 

definitely indoors, floor mopped and sanity 

resumed, you lift the bathroom carpet only 

to find that the floorboards are rotten. Not 

quite the relaxing evening you’d planned. 

But what’s covered by insurance? Which is 

buildings, and which is contents? 

As you can take the camera out of the 

building, it falls under contents. The same 

goes for the hall table. The carpet, however, 

forms part of the fixtures of the house, so 

a claim should be made to the buildings 

insurer. Those floorboards are a different 

matter. As they were already rotten when 

you moved into the house, they were in that 

state before your insurance started, so may 

not be covered at all. 

Having worked out what’s covered by 

whom, call the insurance companies and 

explain in detail what happened. It’s a 

good idea to have written down events as 

soon as possible after they took place so 

you don’t have to rely on your memory. 

A claim form will be posted to you, and 

you’ll be expected to provide estimates for 

replacement or repair costs. In the event 

of several households being affected at 

once – for example, a hurricane ripping 

into the roofs of an entire street – you may 

have to hang on and wait your turn to get 

estimates, as roofers in this case will be 

rather busy. Simply let your insurer know 

that there may be a wait. 

As well as being able to lay your hands 

on an inventory or proofs of purchase, 

keep a hold of any damaged possessions 

so there can be no doubt that your claim 

is genuine. If all goes well, your insurance 

company should send you a cheque after 

having processed your claim. On the other 

hand, the insurer won’t want to pay out 

more than they have to, and might send 

in a loss adjuster. This person works for 

the insurance company to prevent overreimbursement. 

If you’re told that one’s 

coming your way, call on the services of 

a loss assessor. Being wise to the ways 

of insurance companies, they’ll work on 

your behalf to make sure you get what you 

should. Hopefully it’ll never come to that, 

though, and all you’ll have to do is pay 

the premium – and sleep sound, knowing 

you’re fully covered.

PACKING & REMOVALS 

Pack it up! 

Packing everything up is probably one of the most 

stressful aspects of moving. Whether you’ve decided 

to rope in friends and go it alone, or you’ve opted for a 

specialist removals company, there is lots to consider 

Wise packing 

Spend some time taking into 

consideration how you are going 

to pack your property. Books are 

straightforward but weighty, valuables 

need particular care when wrapping 

and will take time, and certain furniture 

may need to be dismantled. 

Pack a room at a time, labelling each 

box with details of its contents and 

where it should be placed in your new 

home e.g. kitchen, bathroom, garage 

visibly mark FRAGILE on boxes which 

actually have fragile items inside. Be 

as detailed as you can it will make 

unpacking a good deal easier. 

Keep the load of your boxes sensible 

if possible to avoid any back injuries, 

put heavy objects in small boxes 

to make them easier to carry. Place 

lighter items in bigger boxes. 

Do not use packing tape directly on 

polished or painted wood surfaces. 

stripping off the packing tape could 

spoil the surface. 

It is an idea to tape a sign on 

rooms in new house with names so 

corresponding boxes can be placed 

directly in these rooms. 

Pack most important papers 

together, for instance birth and 

marriage certificates passports, and 

keep them in a safe place. 

Necessities box 

Put together a box of essentials and 

mark it “Open Me First.” Put this box 

to the side to be loaded last so its first 

of the van or transport it yourself. 

The Essential box should contain: 

Basic tools such as torch, pocket 

knife, hammer, screwdrivers, tape 

measure and light bulbs. 

Bathroom essentials such as hand 

towel, soap, toilet paper, shampoo, 

tooth brush. Kitchen needs such as 

paper towels, kettle and teapot, plates 

and cups, cutlery, pet foods, bin liners. 

System furniture 

When disassembling any furnishings, 

beds, wardrobes, etc. put the screws 

nuts or bolts into a plastic bag along 

with any assembly instructions and 

tape it to the item itself. 

List boxes 

Make a main list of all household 

possessions and your personal effects. 

Number boxes when they are packed 

and sealed. Note on the main list the 

contents of the numbered boxes. 

Packing boxes 

Prior to packing cartons, you’ll need 

to wrap most items to guard them 

from scratching and shatter. There 

are a selection of supplies to be had, 

including bubble pack, foam peanuts 

and tissue paper. Support the bottom 

of boxes with adhesive packing 

tape the last thing we want is to 

pick a box up and the bottom open 

up and everything crashes to the 

floor. Fill boxes securely and pack 

well to prevent the contents from 

moving during your move. Close 

up boxes securely with packing tape. 

Boxes should be no more than 30kg 

in weight. 

Group records and CDs vertically in 

boxes do not stack them flat. Place 

12


weighty items in 

the bottom of the 

box and lighter items at 

the top. Detach tops and 

lids from jars and china and 

wrap them separately. Fasten 

any opened boxes and bottles 

before packing them to prevent spills 

and seepage. 

Don’t pack more than 30 kg of books 

in a box, unless you’re taking part in 

worlds strongest man competition. 

Plug in small spaces in each box with 

smaller paperbacks. rotate bindings 

every few books to keep piles level 

in each box tape shut and mark box 

books. 

Where appropriate mark boxes that 

need to be a certain way up we always 

move boxes in a upright position but 

there are items that need to be “THIS 

WAY UP” 

How to pack clothes 

Wardrobe boxes are ideal and make 

life easier unpacking, clothes can 

be taken straight from wardrobe 

on hangers and hung straight into 

wardrobe box with no added ironing to 

do afterwards although they can be 

expensive If the boxes still have some 

space think 

about filling them 

with lightweight 

items like lamp shades 

covered in bubble wrap. 

Suitcases can be used for 

packing clothes. Write on boxes 

clothing or with the person’s name 

on so they can placed in their room. 

Computers and electronic items 

Where possible pack electrical items 

TVs stereos amplifiers, cassette 

players, CD players, video players, and 

turntables in their original cardboard 

box. If you did not keep original 

packaging they can be packed in 

13

PACKING & REMOVALS 


boxes with proper packing materials 

used like bubble wrap, blankets and 

pillows along with clothing, electronics 

need to be packed in sturdy boxes. 

Label the wires, cords, and jacks of 

your piece of equipment to make 

reconnecting your system quick and 

easy. Label the boxes Fragile and with 

the room of the house and what the 

box contains. remove cds or disks and 

back up important files. 

Packing mirrors and framed pictures 

Pack individual pieces or groups into 

adjustable mirror boxes surrounded 

by adequate packing materials to 

ensure a safe journey. Label the boxes 

with FRAGILE and with the room 

destination. Wrap the picture or mirror 

in a ample amount of padding bubble 

wrap or paper. Place in a flattened 

packing box carton. Carefully tape and 

seal the carton. Always stand glass, 

pictures and mirrors on their edge do 

not lay flat. If you have no purpose 

made picture boxes normal removal 

boxes can be used by cutting them 

up and wrapping around mirrors or 

pictures always remember to protect 

corners and tape star shape 

14

Power For All. 

Change only the tool – not the battery. 

NEW! The powerful 18 volt family with lithium-ion technology. 

• One battery for all – for Bosch tools in the house and garden 

• 18 volt lithium-ion – performance and flexibility of the highest order 

• Price advantage – flexibly add tools without a battery and save money 

More information at www.bosch-do-it.com. You’ll be amazed.

MOVING DAY 


Let’s get moving! 

16 

Moving day is exciting - but it’s also stressful. What can you do to 

make moving day a breeze? 

Moving day is exciting. You’re 

starting a new adventure, putting 

down roots in a new place. You’ve 

been dreaming about the new home 

you’ve acquired, and it’s fun to see how 

fresh and different your furniture and 

pictures look when they’re placed in a 

brand new environment. 

But moving day can also be stressful. 

There’s a lot to do, and you want it to run 

smoothly. Whether you’ve hired movers or 

gathered a group of friends and relatives 

to help you move, what can you do to 

make moving day a breeze? Find out on 

the next five pages. 

You know what will save you time and 

eliminate confusion on moving day? Try 

drawing a floor plan of your new home 

before you move. Sketch in and number 

your furnishings the way you want them 

to be arranged in each room. Then tag 

the furniture pieces to correspond with 

the numbers on the floor plan. That way, 

the movers know where to put each piece 

of furniture. You don’t want to be making 

decisions about where each piece of 

furniture goes on the day of the move. It’s 

better to make those decisions ahead of 

time, so the movers can carry the heavy 

pieces directly to the rooms in which 

they’ll live. 

If you’ve hired movers to pack, pick up 

and deliver your furniture and boxes, then 

you need to be on hand when they’re 

doing the packing and picking up. If 

you can’t be there, then you should ask 

someone to stand in for you -- a relative 

or friend. The movers will issue you an 

inventory of all items. Look over the list 

carefully and make sure the inventory list 

is correct and legible before you sign it. 

If an item is lost or damaged, you don’t 

want to find out later that it’s not on their 

list of inventory. 

If you didn’t hire movers and you’re 

having friends and family members help 

with your move instead, then make it as 

easy and organised as possible for them. 

Don’t expect them to pack boxes for 

you. Have all the boxes packed before 

they arrive, so all they have to do is pick 

up a box and carry it to the moving van. 

You can even decide beforehand which 

friend will be assigned to which furniture 

and boxes. Be sure to have plenty of 

beverages and snacks on hand. And send 

out for food if the moving encroaches on 

lunch or dinner. They deserve it. 

No matter who is moving your things 

professional movers or friends they don’t 

want a barking dog or a rambunctious 

kid running around while they’re carrying 

heavy boxes and furniture. It’s distracting 

for the movers and it’s unsafe for the 

children and the pets. So, it might be a 

good idea to have a friend babysit the 

children the day of the move. And the 

same goes for your pet. If you take them 

out of the equation for the day, you’ll be 

able to focus on getting the move done.

ONCE IN 


Home sweet home! 

Now that most of the hard work is over, 

you deserve to sit down, (if you have 

furniture that is) and relax. At least 

until tomorrow. 

Once you’ve moved in, sort out any 

issues with utility providers as quickly as 

possible. It’ll help you feel more at home if 

you have your usual facilities available. 

Check that all of the fixtures within the 

property are working, including heating, 

hot water system, kitchen appliances, 

lighting and showers. If there is anything 

wrong, contact your solicitor immediately 

as you will have 5 working days to raise the 

issue with the sellers. Also make sure that 

anything you negotiated as part of the sale 

is actually there, like curtains and blinds. 

Unfortunately, there is no law to make 

sellers leave a property clean and tidy. 

However, they do have to remove all their 

own possessions. If they don’t do so, and 

you incur costs in doing this yourself, you 

can speak to your solicitor about claiming 

the costs back. 

If you’ve bought a new build property, 

there may be minor defects in the 

construction, called “snags”. Create a 

list of these and submit it in writing to the 

developers. You can do this as often as you 

like for the first two years. 

Depending on what type of property 

you have bought, another imperative job 

might be to change the locks. If you have 

purchased off an owner-occupier then this 

is probably an unnecessary precaution, but 

if the property had been tenanted or vacant 

then it’s could be a wise move. 

It’s a good idea to introduce yourself 

to your neighbours as soon as possible. 

Leaving it late might be a bit of an 

awkward task! 

Next you have to think about changing 

your address. This can be rather frustrating, 

but we’ve taken care of that for you by 

creating a helpful list of companies to call. 

18

CHANGE OF ADDRESS 


As you’ve come to realise, 

there are a million and one 

things to think about when 

you’re moving home. Now 

that the furniture is in place 

and the boxes are unpacked 

(or not as the case may be!) 

there is still the incredibly 

time-consuming but vital 

part of the moving process; 

letting people know your 

new address. 

20 

We’ve made it a bit easier 

for you with our helpful 

checklist of people and 

companies to notify about 

your move.

RENOVATIONS 

Building your 

dream home 

22


Avoid making expensive beginner’s errors when putting 

your ideal home together, and follow these five important 

steps to ensure that everything goes according to the plans 

1 

Plan your budget 

Start by thinking about how 

much you can afford to spend 

and how much building your new 

home is likely to cost. Chances 

are, you will need a construction 

loan and a mortgage. It’s not too 

early to find out what size loan 

you will qualify for. Also, knowing 

the approximate costs all help you 

modify your building plans to meet 

your budget. 

2Pick a style 

Many new homes are built 

using stock plans from the 

catalogue. The builder or home 

designer might make minor 

modifications in room size, window 

style or other details. In most 

cases, custom-designed homes 

require the services of a licensed 

architect. Whether you opt for a 

stock or a custom design, you will 

meet your needs got many years 

to come. 

3Consider the key features 

A fabulous home should not 

only look good, it’s job is to 

also serve the needs of those who 

live there. 

Although many products and 

interior feature ideas you may 

come across at home exhibitions 

are not more than gimmicks, others 

will really make your house stand 

head and shoulders above your 

neighbours! 

4Hire the right trades people 

Select three contractors and 

ask them to give you a written, 

fixed-price quote. Also ask them for 

three references and follow them 

up, asking previous employers 

whether they were happy with the 

job they did. Do all this even if they 

come recommended. Finally, check 

their insurance cover by asking to 

see their builder’s liability insurance 

certificate. 

5Negotiate a contract 

Be sure to get a written contract, which has been signed and dated 

by both the builder or contractor and the architect. or designer. A 

contract for new home construction will describe the project in detail and 

include a listing of all the parts to be included in the house. Remember to 

amend the contract if you or your team make any changes to the project 

later on. 

23

RENOVATIONS 


What are you paying for? 

When you employ a tradesman, keep in mind exactly what you are paying 

for. It may not cost you very much to change a washer, but if you call in a 

plumber to do the job, it will cost much more. 

Why? The list below details what he is charging for (and you 

will be expected to pay!) 

• His skills. 

• The full range of specialist equipment 

• Obtaining the materials for the job 

• The transport and parking 

• Time spent on the job 

• Clearing up and packing away 

• Business overheads 

Be a sharp operator 

Before he arrives, make sure you both know exactly what work you want 

him to do and what he is being paid for. The main problem may be your 

leaking loo, so before you call a plumber, check that there aren’t any other 

jobs that you would like to use him for while he is there. And when you 

contact him, be sure to itemise all the work you agreed upon - however 

trivial some of it may seem. If you start adding extra tasks after he arrives, 

do not be surprised if you’re changed for them and your final bill is higher 

than the original estimate. 

24

DECORATING 

Perfect 

your 

property 

Choosing between wallpaper 

and paint when decorating 

your home can be tricky - 

follow our advice for the 

perfect finish 

Roll up, roll up 

• Choose wallpaper to create impact. Decorate 

a single wall with a fabulous design to give a 

room a stylish focal point without spending a 

fortune. Reserve bold motifs for large rooms 

that can show them off properly, and use 

more discreet ones to add warmth and detail 

elsewhere. Busy designs shrink a room, while 

vertical stripes on walls flatter a low ceiling. 

For selling or renting, a simple, inoffensive 

pattern is safest. 

26


• Get the right stuff - wallpapers come 

in a range of prices and qualities for 

different locations, such as wipeable 

PVC-coated paper for use in damp 

environments like bathrooms, hardwearing 

papers for halls and stairs 

and and more delicate products for 

low-traffic areas such as bedrooms 

or living rooms. Check your chosen 

paper is suitable, and ensure you use 

the correct kind of paste. 

• Retailers have charts showing the 

number of rolls of wallpaper required 

- all you need to know is the ceiling 

height and wall-length of your room, 

excluding French windows. Always 

buy some extra on a sale-or-return 

basis and open each roll only when 

you need it. Check all your rolls have 

the same batch number to avoid 

shade variations. 

• Newly plastered walls need to be 

sealed before papering to stop the 

wall from absorbing the paste, as this 

will prevent the paper from sticking 

properly. This can be done by 

applying a product called size. Buy 

powdered size to add to water, or 

use a dilute mixture of your chosen 

paste - always check the pack for 

the manufacturer’s instructions. 

• Use the right equipment hire, borrow 

or buy, but don’t be without a few 

basic essentials. You’ll need a 

folding pasting table, damp cloth, 

paste bucket and brush, steel rule, 

wallpaper scissors and wallpaper 

brush. For safety, always use proper 

stepladders diy question time at 

home solves all of your papering and 

painting problems 

27

DECORATING 


PERFECT PAINTING 

• Choose paint to revive a room 

quickly and with minimum expense. 

It’s the ideal medium if you want to 

freshen up your home in preparation 

for selling or renting. It’s easy to 

change or touch up if marked. Stick 

to white for ceilings and go for wall 

colours that compliment the space 

and won’t turn people off. 

• Get the right stuff - there are 

specially-formulated paints for a 

wide range of different situations, 

including floors, humid environments 

such as bathrooms and kitchens, 

woodwork and traditional lime 

plaster walls. Always read the 

manufacturer’s instructions to make 

sure that you select the right product 

for the job. 

• Prime new plaster before painting, 

to prevent the paint soaking into 

the wall. Choose a specific plaster 

primer or use an all-purpose product 

if you are working on other materials 

like woodwork at the same time. 

• Clean tools promptly once you 

finish work. Emulsion paint is easy 

to clean off with warm water. Rinse 

until all trace of colour has gone. For 

oil-based paints, soak the bristles 

or roller sleeve in white spirit, then 

wipe on newspaper. Repeat several 

times, then wash in warm water and 

washing-up liquid, rinse thoroughly 

and allow to dry 

• Pick the right tools - Rollers make 

quick work of large expanses like 

a wall and a tiny one is ideal for 

achieving a sharp finish in awkward 

spots such as behind a radiator. 

Synthetic bristles or rollers work best 

with water-based paints. For oilbased 

products, go for a lambswool 

roller or natural, bristle brushes. 

28

KITCHENS 

Kitchen: Hub of the home? 

You probably spend loads of time in 

your kitchen, so it’s worth creating a 

functional and gorgeous room. 

For many people, the kitchen is the heart 

of their home –a space for more than just 

cooking. So it makes sense to invest time 

and money to ensure it meets the family’s 

needs. 

If you’re thinking about starting from 

scratch, it may be best to work closely with 

a designer or architect to develop sketches 

and floor plans that will help you meet your 

goals for your dream kitchen. That way, 

you’ll keep on track and on budget. But 

there’s a lot you can do yourself... 

Before you start 

Draw up a plan Planning a modern kitchen 

design involves numerous elements that 

work together to make a livable, enjoyable 

and inviting space in your home. Some of 

the most important decisions you will have 

to make are about the worktop, flooring, 

cabinetry and appliances you will select. But 

there are a few essential steps you’ll need to 

take to ensure that your finished kitchen lives 

up to your expectations. 

Work out how much space you have to 

work with: before drawing up your wish-list 

of all the things you want to include in the 

design, first measure the exact dimensions 

of everything in your kitchen. In this way 

you’re less likely to make fundamental 

planning errors. Overcrowding your kitchen 

with too much in the way of furniture and 

appliances is a common mistake, as is not 

planning enough storage. So, start off by 

drawing up a list of the basic essentials your 

Here’s our quick 

guide to fitting a 

new kitchen… 

1 

Out with the old 

Remove the previous 

kitchen but leave the 

sink unit in place for the 

time being – don’t mess 

around with the plumbing 

until you really have to. 

2 

Get filling 

Fill any gaps with quick 

setting filler, leave to 

dry and sand down. Next, 

sand the walls and ceiling 

using fine sandpaper. 

Vacuum up the dust then 

wash the walls and ceiling 

with sugar soap. Now paint 

the walls and ceiling with 

quality kitchen paint. 

3 

Wonderful wall units 

Flat-pack wall units are 

economical and easy 

to put up. They should be 

erected one at a time, using 

their nifty little mounting 

systems to get them in the 

correct places on the wall. 

Finally, fix the base units to 

the wall using heavy-duty 

screws. 

30


kitchen must have, the snazzy extras can be 

added later if needs be. 

Decide on a style Ideally, the look and 

feel of your kitchen needs to reflect both 

your personal taste but also your home. If 

you’ve got a modern property with strong 

architectural elements, a rustic, country-style 

kitchen may look out of place, as will an 

ultra-modern style in a cosy country cottage. 

Make use of technology, which can help to 

create a well-crafted design. For example, 

you can download special kitchen design 

software. Many people also refer to interior 

design websites for inspiration. 

Figure out the flow As 

you pull together your 

kitchen design, bear in 

mind the flow – that 

is the transition from 

one room to the next. Ideally, what you’re 

trying to do is create seamless flow, so 

the adjacent rooms don’t look completely 

different in terms of style. 

Keep it practical Don’t forget your kitchen 

needs to be practical. Try not to let yourself 

become so immersed in its look that you 

lose sight of the fact that the room needs 

to be used to carry out all your day-to-day 

tasks. 

A well-designed kitchen will not only look 

great, it will function just as well. 

Renovating your kitchen step-by-step 

If you’re DIY-savvy, you can save money 

by installing some of the plumbing and 

fixtures yourself. 

4 

Cut the water supply 

Turn off the mains 

then turn off the hot 

and cold water valves that 

feed the water tanks. In the 

kitchen, undo all of the old 

plumbing you can by hand 

and cut the old tap pipes 

off. Pull out the sink and old 

worktop, and put the final 

base unit in place. 

5 

Work in the worktop 

This is not a job to 

tackle on your own. 

Measure and cut the 

worktop to size using a 

jigsaw with a down cutting 

wood blade to avoid 

chipping. If you’re going 

to tile the kitchen, you can 

leave 3mm-5mm either end 

as the tiles will cover this 

gap. Then measure out the 

hole for the sink, you may 

have a template for this. 

6 

Door duty 

Now you need to fix 

the hinges and doors, 

their handles and the plinth. 

The doors should slot nicely 

into place, although some 

adjustments will need to 

be made to get them level. 

Then put the plinth on, 

this just needs to be cut to 

length, a few mounting clips 

placed in the right places, 

and pushed on. 

And that’s that! 

31

KITCHENS 


BRIGHTEN UP 

The right lighting is essential for a bright, happy room 

When possible, your kitchen design should incorporate natural lighting. A kitchen 

needs to be practical, sociable and comfortable. Here are a few options for you 

to consider: 

Spotlights 

Recessed into the ceiling 

or on a track, these are 

great for ambient and task 

lighting. 

Cupboard lighting 

Glass fronted cupboards 

lit from within by LEDs or a 

fluorescent tube to create an 

atmospheric look. 

Over-the-counter lights 

Task lighting which 

illuminates what you’re 

doing, but worktops can fall 

into a shadow if you stand in 

the wrong place. 

00 00

BATHROOMS 

Build bathroom 

indulgence 

When planning and designing 

your bathroom, whether 

large or small – the key starting 

point is knowing what you have to 

work with. It’s all very well having 

your heart set on an enormous 

freestanding bath – but if you don’t 

have the room for it, no amount 

of money will make it fit! It’s also 

important to consider the waterpressure 

into your property – you 

will need a decent level of pressure 

– 2 bar or above to operate high 

flow rate shower options such as 

body jets or large shower heads. 

Once you’ve established how 

much room you have and what 

shower options are realistic – the 

fun part can begin. There are 

plenty of different options for every 

aspect of your bathroom, so it can 

be good to consult your plumber, 

although don’t let them push you 

into having fittings just because 

they find them easy to install – a 

bar shower is not for everyone! 

Storage is often overlooked – 

but you’ll miss it when your shiny 

new bathroom is installed and 

there’s nowhere to put the loo rolls 

and spare towels. Storage can 

be achieved in a number of ways 

– from drawers in a vanity unit, 

to tallboys and cupboards – not 

forgetting the old faithful mirror 

cabinet. Again, there are lots of 

options available – it all depends 

on what suits your room. 

There are some fantastic focal 

point pieces around – from brightly 

coloured vanity units, funky radiator 

designs and mirrors with lighting 

effects , so enjoy yourself and 

create a space that’s really yours. 

34


35

BATHROOMS 


Create a bathing sanctuary using 

luxury materials and fab fittings... 

1 

Mirror, mirror on the wall 

Your bathroom mirror doesn’t 

just have to be practical, it can 

be a style statement, too. Whatever 

size your bathroom, go for drama 

– steal an eye-catching mirror 

from another room in your house 

or invest in a vintage find and add 

instant glamour by spraying with 

gold or silver paint. 

2 

Give it some flannel 

Head to the ladies room of 

a smart hotel and you 

won’t find damp towels to dry 

hands – instead there’ll be piles of 

luxurious hand flannels, each one 

neatly rolled, often in baskets, on 

the side of the basins. Follow suit – 

it’s an easy touch and won’t break 

the bank. 

3 

Sink and swim 

The common bathroom sink 

has come a long way from 

being just a boring round bowl 

to catch water. Deep, slick and 

elegant designs come in a variety 

of shapes and can transform your 

room. Choose from free-standing, 

wall mounted or counter-top. 

4 

Be choosy with your display 

Storage is often at a 

premium in bathrooms so it’s 

understandable that some items 

have to be on display. Make sure 

anything on show looks good – 

glass bottles, gathered in groups 

of three, look classy – and you 

can decanter most cleansing 

products into them. Go for vintage 

or modern, clear or coloured, 

depending on taste. 

36

FLOORING 

Choosing the 

right flooring 

Whatever your lifestyle, whether you live alone or there are dozens of 

people trooping in and out of your house, there is a flooring type to suit 

all. The first thing to decide on in any conversion or renovation of your 

home is the floor – or floors. The area to be covered is invariably large 

and immediately noticeable, so a well-chosen floor will literally ‘root’ 

the rest of the scheme. The thing to remember is to choose something 

that looks good but that also fits with the primary purpose of your room 

and what you are going to use it for. 

38 

Stone/marble 

Best for a farmhouse feel 

Stone floors are natural, beautiful, and 

always stylish. The naturally cool, hard 

surface is ideal for warm climates and 

does not harbour dust or allergens. Before 

choosing a specific type of stone, arm 

yourself with knowledge to find the best fit. 

Mostly used in kitchens, bathrooms and 

hallways, it is now becoming increasingly 

common for stone to be used in a bedroom 

or even a sitting room. There is also a 

growing trend to have the same stone 

laid throughout the ground floor which 

goes through to a terrace area to create a 

wonderful flow and sense of space both 

indoors and out. 

Stone floors can be made from marble, 

limestone, travertine, sandstone, granite and 

flagstone. Marble, which is the most fragile 

and expensive, does come in a range of 

interesting and stunning colours from pure 

white and grey to rust and rosy reds, greens, 

a tawny or rosy yellow and various shades 

of black. It scratches and stains easily but 

because it looks so beautiful, for some, 

this does outweigh those negatives. Other 

stones are more hard-wearing and though 

expensive initially, should last a lifetime. 

Vinyl 

Best for spills and splashes 

Vinyl tiles add interest to a large space and 

liven up plain cabinetry — ideal for stamping 

personality on your home. 

In rooms where water and food are likely to 

end up on the floor, such as bathrooms and 

kitchens, vinyl flooring is a popular choice. 

Naturally water-repellent, there are a huge 

range of styles and patterns that can be 

cut to fit even the most awkwardly shaped 

room. Vinyl is one of the most affordable 

choices when it comes to hard flooring. It 

can be both decorative and softer underfoot 

than any of the stone or fired-clay floor 

choices. Vinyl is a particularly good choice 

for kitchens, halls, children’s rooms and even 

some living rooms. 

Made from polyvinyl chloride, vinyl is 

available in two main varieties: a more 

expensive, longer-lasting, one, and the 

cheaper style, which is a mixture of fillers 

and pigments with a thermoplastic binder 

that can either be cushioned or flat. Both 

varieties come in increasingly realistic copies 

of natural materials. Since it is available in 

sheet or tile form, the block colours can be 

made into various checkerboard and inlaid 

designs. It’s often mixed with cork for tough 

but soft kitchen and children’s room floors.


Wooden floors 

Best for a sophisticated look 

When it comes to home improvements, 

there are many investments that can add 

significant value to your home, and one of 

them is wooden flooring 

Wooden floors can look amazing and 

depending on which type of wood you 

choose, can be very long-lasting and 

hard-wearing. There are so many different 

types of wood you can choose from that it 

can seem a little overwhelming but, in short, 

the main decision is whether to opt 

for hardwood or softwood. 

Hardwood is the timber obtained from 

broad-leafed and deciduous trees, such as 

oak; extra-hard maple; beech; sycamore; 

teak; mahogany; ebony; and handsome 

walnut; cherry; bamboo and dark Australian 

ironwood which, as its name implies, is the 

hardest of the lot. 

Softwood comes from conifers, such as 

pine, spruce, fir and hemlock. It’s cheaper 

than hardwood, but it can be dented 

far more easily, therefore it needs to be 

particularly well sealed and fitted in areas 

with lighter use – and not, for example, in 

hallways, corridors, kitchens or the 

children’s playroom, where there is a lot 

of daily activity. 

Carpet 

Best for a cosy feel 

This looks and feels great in bedrooms 

and on staircases – and it has a practical 

purpose, too, as it muffles sound and 

creates a sense of warmth and comfort. 

With a multitude of design and textural 

possibilities, carpets are a really versatile 

option for flooring in most homes. 

Clever use of colour can transform the 

feel of a room. A light-coloured carpet will 

make a room appear bigger than it is while 

a dark carpet can hide stains and dirt more 

easily. Plain carpets are timeless and can be 

used alongside any decorating style, giving 

you more flexibility with wallpapers and soft 

furnishings. 

Using the same colour throughout the 

house gives a spacious feeling and can 

link different styles from room to room 

with ease. 

Neutral shades look modern; keep it clean 

and simple or pair with bright wallpaper 

if you want to avoid being dull. Patterned 

carpet has been enjoying a renaissance 

recently. Using fashionable patterns, whether 

a contemporary design or classic floral, 

ensures the flooring is the focal point in the 

room. Textures can add another dimension 

to any room – using a deep-pile carpet can 

create a really soft, cosy atmosphere. 

And there’s more... 

The days of having just carpet or wood in your home are over, as the choice of durable 

materials is vast. 

Laminate: Never truly out of fashion thanks 

to the wide choice of styles, designs 

and quality available, laminate flooring is 

basically a compressed fibreboard plank 

covered by an image of wood, stone or tile, 

with a protective overlay. 

Engineered wood: A popular choice 

because it is cheap and the fact that its 

structure makes it even more stable than 

a solid piece of wood. 

Floor tiles: A good option because they are 

easy to lay and come in so many different 

materials. Natural tiles are bang on trend 

and include limestone and polished 

granite which can work in a period or 

contemporary interior, too. Expensive, they 

will, however, last for years and grow more 

beautiful with age. 

Ceramic and porcelain tiles are a good 

alternative to natural materials – they’re hard 

wearing, light and easy to lay. 

39

CARPETS 


Keep it clean! 

Odours are one thing - spots and spills are quite 

another. Spots and spills happen to just about 

every carpet and can be difficult to remove. In the 

next section, we’ll offer some pointers for getting 

rid of those blemishes. 

Carpets are like giant filters that trap food 

debris, dust mite droppings, pet fur oil, 

urine crystals, flakes of shed human skin, 

pollutants from cigarette smoke, soil and 

allergy-inducing pollens. As not everyone 

can afford to fit new carpets throughout 

their new home, a wet extraction deep 

clean - before you set your furniture out - 

will help remove the ‘residues’ left behind 

by the previous owners. A Rug Doctor 

can be rented from over 3,500 outlets 

nationwide from around £23 for 24 hours 

and, by cleaning from the bottom up, it 

will give carpets back their bounce and 

leave them smelling fresh, rejuvenated, 

deodorised and protected against 

future spills. 

Carpet cleaning 

1 eliminates trapped 

pollutants. 

A dirty carpet can retain 

several sources of indoor 

air pollutants, including pet 

dander, cockroach allergens, 

lead, particle pollution, and 

everyday dirt and dust. Toxic 

airborne gases can adhere to 

these particles and also get 

trapped within the carpet. 

These toxic gases can be 

released through everyday 

activities such as vacuuming 

and walking across the 

carpet, which can cause 

them to contaminate the air 

in your home. Professional 

carpet cleaning services 

kills these bacteria through 

special shampooing 

formulas and can remove 

deeply trapped pollutants 

with high-powered vacuums. 

Carpet cleaning can 

2 clear out dust mite 

infestations. 

Many homes have dust 

mite infestations, yet most 

homeowners aren’t aware of 

the infestation, because the 

creatures are microscopic. 

Dust mites themselves aren’t 

allergens, but they often 

leave behind faeces and 

body fragments which are. 

Because of the 

microscopic size of these 

particles, they can easily 

be inhaled when the area 

is disturbed, which can 

exacerbate allergies. 

Many professional carpet 

cleaning companies utilise a 

technique known as steam 

cleaning when performing 

carpet maintenance work, 

which exposes your carpet 

to high temperatures that 

dust mites can’t survive. 

• Pay special attention to the areas where 

people sit and move their feet. Vacuum 

these areas of heavy traffic with a 

crisscross pattern of overlapping strokes. 

• Soil retardants can be applied to new 

carpets or to newly cleaned carpets. 

Follow manufacturers’ advice. Apply 

soil retardants only with professional 

equipment using the recommended 

application techniques. 

• Add baking soda to the bag in your 

vacuum to fight odours. 

Carpet cleaning can help 

3 prevent mould growth. 

Especially in areas with 

high humidity levels, dirty 

carpets are at a high risk of 

developing mould growth 

when exposed to moisture. 

In precipitous weather, 

moisture frequently gets 

tracked into the home 

and can sink deep in the 

carpet fibres if not dried and 

vacuumed immediately. 

Having your carpet 

cleaned regularly can prevent 

mould and mildew growth, 

because professional carpet 

cleaners have high-powered 

drying tools that annihilate 

moisture. By eliminating 

moisture, you can prevent 

mould growth that can be 

harmful to your health if 

ignored for too long. 

42

UNDER FLOOR HEATING 

Use this handy guide to learn all about the 

benefits of underfloor systems and to find 

the heating option that’s perfect for you and 

your home. 

Why has underfloor heating become 

so popular? 

Alongside the luxury feel, there are many 

benefits offered by underfloor heating, 

which have helped seal its approval from 

homeowners, including: 

Hidden trend: 

Underfloor Heating 

Underfloor heating continues to rise in 

popularity with UK homeowners so 

here is some advice on selecting the 

perfect system for your home. 

Although underfloor heating is becoming 

more sought-after in UK properties and 

increasingly on the radar of house hunters, 

it seems many people don’t know a lot 

about it, or what it can do for their homes. 

Underfloor heating was listed as the 

most commonly found high-end feature in 

UK homes according to 2013 research by 

insurance provider Avivai. More research, 

this time a survey by Polypipe Home 

Solutions (www.homesolutions.polypipe. 

com), found that house hunters were 

increasingly looking for ‘celebrity’ fixtures 

and fittings such as underfloor heating – 

and were prepared to pay more for a 

home which matched these celebrity 

inspired features. 

• Radiant heat – The warmth from 

underfloor heating rises up and fills 

the entire room, leaving no cold spots 

and keeping a comfortable and even 

temperature throughout the home 

• Freedom – You can design your home 

the way you want to, because there is no 

need to consider the location of unsightly 

or cumbersome radiators 

• A family-friendly environment – An 

underfloor heating system removes the 

need for low-level, hot surfaces and metal 

edges which often come with radiators, 

eliminating the risk of accidents, 

particularly in houses with small children 

or pets 

• Indulgence – Padding around on a warm 

floor, especially on a cold winter morning, 

is always a treat 

• The ability to connect to renewable heat 

sources – This is possible because the 

systems operate at low temperatures, 

meaning that in the long run, they can 

be more economical than a radiator 

based system 

How do you find a system that’s right 

for you? 

Many homeowners think that underfloor 

heating is only available for ground floors 

and will require extensive renovations and 

upheaval to their daily routines. In fact, 

there is a system available to suit most floor 

types and floor coverings, meaning fitting 

them doesn’t have to be a hassle. 

44


The most commonly available systems are: 

• Solid floor – The perfect solution for 

placing underfloor heating in concrete 

floors. Although suitable for all floor 

coverings, solid floor underfloor heating 

can be installed on the ground floor only, 

and is therefore best suited for new build 

or renovation projects 

• Overlays – These super-slim systems 

can be fitted on top of existing floors, 

removing the need for expensive 

and extensive excavation work. The 

lightweight nature of these products 

make them perfect for use underneath 

laminate flooring and carpets 

• Modular Heating Panels – These consist 

of ready-made panels, which can be 

quickly installed in suspended floors, 

making them perfect for fitting underfloor 

heating in upstairs rooms, particularly 

bathrooms 

• Floating floor – This can be used where a 

floor isn’t able to withstand a heavy solid 

floor system. Made up of panels which 

can be fitted from above or below, these 

systems are ideal for use at any level of 

the house, but especially upstairs 

• Suspended floor –These systems are 

fitted in and around the home’s ceiling 

joists or beams, and are ideal for homes 

which use timber. A suspended floor 

is most effectively used in new builds 

because the system is fitted alongside 

the ceiling or floor joists 

Once you’ve chosen an installer, you can 

start to collaborate on the layout of your 

underfloor heating. As well as discussing 

initial ideas and project requirements, they 

will also be able to give you a project plan 

and detailed cost breakdown. 

Have a chat with them about how and 

where you’d like your home to be heated. 

They can then calculate how much product 

you’ll need and all the other technicalities 

associated with fitting the system. This 

frees up your time to do all the fun things 

that come with home improvement, such 

as shopping for furnishings or choosing a 

colour scheme. 

How do you fit underfloor heating in a 

single room? 

To quickly transform an area of your 

house, consider a single room application, 

where only one area of the house is fitted 

with underfloor heating. Single room 

applications are especially useful when 

building an extension or refitting a kitchen 

or bathroom. 

Although it may feel like a daunting 

project, fitting underfloor heating is a 

surprisingly simple and highly effective 

way of heating a home. Thanks to the wide 

range of systems available, there’s a choice 

for every property, flooring and situation. 

Don’t worry if you’re unsure of what 

system is best for you, an installer will 

be able to advise. 

Where can you find an installer? 

A good place to start when searching for 

a tradesman is a heating manufacturer’s 

network of recommended installers. These 

professionals will have passed strict entry 

standards in order to be associated with 

the scheme, giving you peace of mind 

that the project will be completed to a 

high standard. 

45

FURNITURE 

Furnishing your new home 

Is your new home interior in 

need of an update? Before 

you head out to the nearest 

furniture megastore to load up on 

piles of flat-pack wardrobes and 

bookshelves, have you considered 

the greener option? 

Yes we’re all getting quite good 

at recycling our rubbish, but what 

about going secondhand and 

giving old or antique furniture a new 

home? Or even jazzing up what you 

already have with new upholstery. 

And then there’s the very latest 

green furniture, made from recycled 

materials. How smug will you feel 

hosting your next dinner party, safe 

in the knowledge that your guests’ 

bottoms are perched 

on something 

eco-friendly? 

Go secondhand 

With the advent of eBay and 

gazillions of car boot sales, it’s 

easier than ever to get your hands 

on secondhand furniture. But the 

trick is finding something decent for 

your budget that’s going to last. Be 

patient - this is going to take you 

longer than simply nipping down to 

the nearest flat-pack furniture store. 

Charity shops with their own 

furniture outlets are a good place to 

start - try Oxfam or the Red Cross. 

House clearances are another way 

to unearth hidden gems - check for 

those happening near you at www. 

loot.com and www.gumtree.com. 

Or if your budget is zero look for 

your local Freecycle group on www. 

freecycle.org. These groups aim to 

match people who have things they 

48


want to get rid of with those who 

need them. 

But do be realistic about the 

extent of your DIY skills. Stripping 

off old paint or changing handles 

are jobs anyone can manage, but 

could you replace old doors? No, 

then don’t buy the piece. And if 

you’re buying stuffed or upholstered 

furniture, check that it complies 

with Furniture and Fire Safety 

Regulations at www.firesafe.org.uk 

Buy eco 

The difficulty of buying secondhand 

is finding a piece that fits your 

taste. But there are companies now 

turning old wood into pieces of your 

design. ‘Our goal is to continually 

create beautiful quality affordable 

reclaimed furniture while helping 

the environment and doing our bit 

to turn the tide on the flat-pack 

culture of today,’ says Mark Godsell 

Fletcher of Eat, Sleep, Live 

(www.eatsleeplive.co.uk).And how 

do you know the wood is good? 

Paul Walsh of Trunk Ltd 

(www.trunkreclaimed.co.uk) 

explains how his customers can 

learn exactly where the timber 

going into their new table came 

from. And it’s not an expensive 

option. Elsewhere, Friends of the 

Earth (www.foe.co.uk) have lots 

of useful advice on buying ecofriendly 

wood. But as a guide look 

for the Forest Stewardship Council 

(FSC) mark on wood products to 

ensure that they are made from 

responsibly grown 

timber. 

49

FURNITURE 


Re-upholster 

You wanted that sofa enough to splash out the 

cash for it a few years ago, so surely you could 

learn to love it again? With a little facelift of course! 

Getting tired, old furniture re-upholstered is 

apparently becoming trendy again. 

Young people are realising they can’t just 

buy and then chuck away a few years later. 

And although upholstery is not always 

the cheapest option in the short term, 

you’ll be saving money in the long 

term as the work will last. 

Try antiques 

Like upholstery, plumping for antiques to furnish your house 

might not be the cheapest way to go but, let’s face it, if that 

table has been around for more than 100 years, you’re not 

going to need to replace it for some time. It’s a genuinely 

good time to buy brown furniture. 

By which we mean mahogany or walnut pieces that are out 

of fashion at the moment. But make sure you buy from a 

reputable dealer. 

Seven per cent of the world’s forests are fsc certified. 

50

GARDENING 

How does your garden grow? 

Your garden can be what you want it to be. Understand what 

you have, get inspired then let your imagination take over 

When faced with a blank piece of paper and told to draw 

something, quite a few people feel lost as to what to do. 

The same can happen when trying to plan your garden. So 

much space, so much nothingness - what do you do with it? 

To turn a parcel of land into a garden to be proud of 

needs practical application and an understanding of what 

lies beneath the surface. At this stage it’s important to 

remember that most problems can be overcome, but 

some basic research is necessary. 

Read on and enjoy the great outdoors. 

PLANNING TIPS 

THE GARDEN’S ASPECT 

Is your garden north/ 

south/east/west facing? 

This will affect the type of 

plants you can grow and 

which areas of the garden 

receive sun and at what 

times of day. 

SOIL TYPE 

Is it heavy, light, dry, wet, 

acidic, neutral, or alkaline? 

Again, this affects the type 

of plants you can grow and 

what soil modifications you 

may need for your chosen 

plans. 

SOIL DRAINAGE 

Do you have areas of standing 

water, or is it dry? Unless you 

want a bog garden, you may 

need to condition the soil to 

help excess water drain away. 

PLANT EXPOSURE 

Is it exposed to wind, frost, 

or sheltered? This can affect 

the type of plants you can 

grow and how well your plants 

flourish. 

TOPOGRAPHY 

Is your garden level or 

sloping, and to what extent? If 

it slopes, are you happy with 

it? Think about whether you 

want to level it off. 

Back to basics 

Having offered you carte blanche with your garden, there are 

elements that are common to all styles - they are the skeleton 

on which you build you dream design.


The key components are: 

PATHWAYS 

To link up areas of the garden, and 

provide safe and dry access. 

STORAGE 

A shed to store garden tools, 

lawnmowers and other equipment. 

COMPOST HEAP 

To discard your organic waste 

and provide a free source of 

nutrient-rich compost. 

OUTDOOR ELECTRICITY SUPPLY 

Properly installed so electrical 

equipment can be used safely. 

WATER SUPPLY 

For easy access to water for hoses 

and watering. 

Body & Soil 

Do you want fruit, vegetables, 

flowers, or all three? Start small 

and expand later. Do a soil test to 

determine the pH level of the soil 

and what nutrients you may need 

to add, depending on the plants 

you want to grow. Draw a plan of 

what you’d like your garden to look 

like once its finished. If you want 

plants that will come back year 

after year, plant perennials. This 

type of plant lives three or more 

years. Examples and calla lilies; 

some perennial vegetables are 

asparagus, rhubarb and berries. 

If you want to see different plants 

every year, plant annuals, which 

grow for only one season. Annual 

vegetables include peas, beans 

and spinach; annual flowers are 

marigolds and sunflowers. > 

What’s your style? 

English cottage garden: 

Think old-world thatched 

cottage. When in bloom, 

it’s stunning but in winter it 

can look drab. You’ll need a 

detailed knowledge of plants 

and gardening techniques 

and plenty of time as it’s 

high maintenance. 

Contemporary: 

Henry Moore comes to mind. 

Minimalist with few plants 

and materials such as gravel, 

galvanised metal containers, 

glass blocks and steel. 

Suited to roof gardens and 

modern apartments. 

Low maintenance. 

Formal: 

Think of a stately home - 

straight lines, symmetry 

and geometry, with a 

few different plants. Low 

maintenance, but not 

child-friendly. 

Mediterranean: 

Like gardens in Greece and 

southern Spain. Informal 

with bright colours from 

plants and containers. Suited 

to a sunny garden. Gravel 

tends to be the surface, 

not grass. Drought-tolerant 

plants such as lavender 

and rosemary thrive. Low 

maintenance and suited to 

small spaces. 

Exotic: 

Think big, green leaves. 

Good for small and sheltered 

spaces and plants such as 

banana, chusan palm and 

bamboo. High maintenance 

and requiring a good 

knowledge of plants. 

People-friendly: 

All the above gardens can 

fit this criteria. Whether 

you need to accommodate 

children and their play needs 

or for any other purpose, 

you needn’t stick to one 

style - personalise. 

53

GARDENING 


> 

Define your boundaries 

The type of fence, screen or hedge you 

choose for your garden provides more than a 

division of space. 

Boundaries create the framework that 

defines a garden, both externally and as 

dividers within the plot. A fence, hedge or 

screen is the backdrop against which the 

whole garden is viewed. 

Privacy and security is the main role of the 

garden’s boundary, which needs to keep out 

unwanted eyes and visitors while keeping 

children or pets in. First of all, choose 

between a fence, a hedge, or a combination 

of the two. Walls tend to be out of the 

reckoning unless your budget is vast or you 

have bricklaying skills. 

Fences are unbeatable for immediate 

effect. Many designs of wooden fence panel 

are available as well as metal panels and 

mesh screens. Browse catalogues for styles 

and prices, then check out different brands. 

Keep in mind the style of the garden in 

relation to your house and tailor the look to 

blend in, or go for a contrast by using rustic 

materials in urban surroundings or vice versa. 

Location, location, location 

Pick a spot that receives plenty of light all 

day long and avoid planting by trees and 

shrubs that may shade and compete with 

your garden for water and nutrients. 

If you don’t have much space, or your 

soil’s not conducive to growing what you 

would like, create a garden on your patio by 

clustering different pots together. It is best 

to plant annuals if you need to take the pots 

inside in the winter. You can empty out the 

soil and start again next spring. 

A good idea is to put the taller plants at the 

back of your garden and plant them on the 

north side, so they won’t shade the smaller 

ones. If you’re tackling a larger vegetable 

garden, don’t forget to plan for space to walk 

between the rows. 

The big cover-up 

Unless your chosen material is decorative 

enough to make a feature in its own right, 

chances are you’ll want to cover fences 

with plants. Go for the big cover-up by 

using trellis all over, or with a framework of 

galvanised wires run through vine eyes. If 

there’s a long run of fence, add an occasional 

panel of trellis at right angles to break up the 

monotony and add colour. 

Screens of bamboo, willow, reed and 

heather are versatile but less durable, lasting 

four to seven years. These screens also 

make great garden wallpaper’ to transform 

an unsightly fence or wall - perfect if the 

boundary belongs to your neighbour and is 

outside your control. 

Hedges make superb living screens and 

also help to absorb noise and pollution. The 

drawbacks are that a hedge takes up more 

space than a fence and requires trimming 

from one to three times a year. You can 

create instant privacy with a short-lived 

screen using one of the materials described 

above and plant a hedge at the same time. 

The shelter helps the hedge establish 

more quickly. 

Screens and hedges can be used in a huge 

variety of ways to enhance your garden’s 

overall design. Shelter and seclusion are 

desirable around the patio and other seating 

areas, and it’s a good idea to conceal 

features such as sheds, compost bins and 

washing lines. 

Timing is everything 

The best time to plant your garden is in the 

spring and autumn. Wait until late spring 

when the soil is no longer too wet from snow 

or spring rains and is kept warm by higher 

temperatures. Good soil will be loose, level, 

fertile, and well-drained - avoid clay and 

very sandy soil. You can begin by planting 

seeds that can take cooler soil and as the 

temperature hots up, introduce more seeds 

and plants. 

54

HMP2019 - final

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?