Taunton and South Somerset Living Dec 2021 - Jan 2022

THE HOME
hit list
JOBS TO TACKLE THIS AUTUMN
SEASONAL
REFRESH
PROPERTY MOT
Home maintenance is a year-round
endeavour, but these are the top jobs
to get sorted before the worst of the
winter weather sets in:
CHECK ALL DOOR/WINDOW
SEALS FOR DRAUGHTS
Check that existing seals are still
intact and repair any cracks or holes
that have formed. For a quick and
easy solution, fit doors with draught
excluders to keep rooms warm and to
prevent energy wastage.
CHECK YOUR BOILER
Have a boiler service and check the
system is running efficiently. Many
people put off replacing older boilers,
but you will save money in energy with
more efficient models. If you have one,
make sure your external condenser
pipe is well insulated.
CLEAR GUTTERS
Clear gutters and drainpipes of leaf
debris to reduce the chance of leaks.
Also be sure to check drains for
blockages - prevention is better than
fixing it on a cold night!
CHECK THE OUTSIDE
Look over all external masonry,
checking for cracks, gaps around
windows or issues with roof. Make
sure your front door closes snugly (and
make sure your property is secure
whilst you’re at it).
INSULATION
Insulate your pipes (burst pipes cause
huge damage). Make sure your loft
insulation is adequate and look into
cavity wall insulation, which can
save hundreds ££ on energy bills.
If you can, look into upgrading the
efficiency of your windows with triple
or secondary glazing.
Why is it that we save all the
property redecoration for when we
are getting ready to move? How
about giving your rooms some
TLC with a fresh lick of paint and
swapping in some new accessories
to update the palette.
Try switching out cooler grey tones
for warmer neutrals and introducing
more natural materials like linen,
leather and wood - this means you
can use your base furniture pieces,
and just give them a lift with new
decorative items.
DIY panelling is another huge
trend which is helping people give
rooms a completely new look for
less - why not try adding a wall to a
bedroom in a strong contrast colour
for maximum impact?
PRACTICAL
HOME-WORKING
It looks as though working from home,
or at least a hybrid, flexible model is
here to stay. With that in mind, many
of us are choosing to carve out proper
working spaces instead of balancing on
the end of the kitchen table.
Investing in a proper desk and chair
are fundamental - it’s well known that
sitting for long periods on chairs not
specifically designed for desk work can
cause long-lasting pain.
For desks, there are lots of options for
built-in models into wall space or even
stand up desks. If you don’t have the
space for a full office room, you can
still find inventive ways to incorporate a
desk into wardrobe areas or even into
cupboards, meaning the workspace
can be neatly tucked away at the end
of the day and the space can resume
its original purpose. Storage is another
essential element to stop work admin
spilling out into home life.
Finally, take some time to make your
work space look homely - it stops it
from feeling transitory. Hang some
prints, invest in some greenery or buy
some soft furnishings like cushions
or blankets to make it feel like an
extension of your home.
Boston Fern from £9.99, hortology.co.uk;
Hathai Cushion, £34, hauslife.co.uk
26 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk