Give your kitchen an instant upgrade with a few simple DIY updates. Small cosmetic updates can give your kitchen the improvement it needs without it costing a fortune. Declutter, paint, and embellish your cupboards and drawers with new cupboard handles to take your kitchen space from its dated appearance to a sleek and stylish modern interior.

Declutter

Work your way through each drawer in the kitchen by clearing out the clutter and crumbs. Every home has that one drawer full of random receipts, leaflets from the postman and other bits and bobs that accumulate over time. It’s finally time to get rid of it! Check your cupboards for chipped mugs or damaged serving ware whilst in the clear-out process.

Paint

A fresh lick of paint can really spruce up your kitchen cabinets. A colour change can give the impression of a brand new fit out (without the hefty price tag!). From egg shell neutrals to dark daring shades of green, grey, and blue, there is a paint colour to suit every home! Dark grey tones are a popular choice for kitchen cabinets as it offers a luxury and stylish aesthetic which can be paired with bright counter tops and embellished with contrasting statement cupboard handles.

Before you start painting your cupboard doors, you will need to remove all the knobs and handles then apply protective masking tape to your cupboard hinges. Wash your cupboard doors down with soapy water and ensure that they are completely dry before applying your primer and first layer of paint. For a long-lasting finish, apply two coats of paint to the surface.

Embellish

Updating your kitchen cupboard handles and knobs can instantly modernise your kitchen. Our range of cupboard handles features an array of attractive styles, finishes and sizes to suit every cupboard and drawer. Our selection of styles includes D-Shaped, T-Bar, Curved and Designer kitchen cupboard door handles. Dark cabinets are the perfect base tone for adding a touch of industrial flair with warm brass and copper hues. Our knurled cabinet handles in polished brass, with 128mm centres, glow on dark painted cabinets!

Alternatively, matte black cupboard handles, and knobs can exaggerate the feel of a moody interior.

Discover our wide range of cupboard handles for your kitchen cupboards and drawers.

We hope to inspire your home improvement projects and offer a variety of high-quality products that excel in both aesthetic and performance. If you love all things interior and want more home inspiration, check out our previous blogs.

Fitting a strike plate component is an essential yet simple step when installing door latches to your internal doors. So, what is a strike plate? It’s the metal plate that fits into the doorjamb where the area has been morticed and fitted with a dust socket and keep. It features an inner part where the latch bolt sits inside the door keep and an outer part which protects the door as the latch bolt extends and retracts into the inner section.

Every door latch that we offer is supplied complete with the strike plate, dust socket and keep, with fixings for ease of installation.

A door latch installation is completed with the fitting of a strike plate, dust socket and keep. Start by lining the door up to the doorjamb and mark the where the latch bolt meets the doorjamb. Drawer two straight lines, one at the top and the other at the bottom.

Align the metal strike plate up against the pencil marking to check that the dimensions are accurate prior to chiselling.

With the metal strike plate against the doorjamb, draw around the inner parts and then drill a wide enough hole to fit the keep. The depth should be around 25mm.

Drawer around the outer part of the strike plate. This is the section that will need to be chiselled out so that it fits flush on the doorjamb.

Take a 1-inch chisel and hammer and tap the chisel to a depth of approximately 3mm. Ensure to use gentle pressure.

Remove the layer and any loose shavings that are a present. Sit the strike plate in position and check it for accuracy.

Secure the strike plate into place with the fixing screws and a screwdriver.

Our affordable door latches are available in either a 45mm backset or 57mm backset in range of finishes including satin and polished stainless steel, chrome and polished brass.

We offer an extensive range of matching door furniture to complete your home improvements project so you can complement your door hardware with the accessories to match! From door handles, hinges and locks to bathroom thumb turns and escutcheons, we have everything you need to complete the fit of every internal door at home.

We hope to inspire your home improvement projects and offer a variety of high-quality products that excel in both aesthetic and performance. If you love all things interior and want more home inspiration, check out our previous blogs.

Skirting boards are an architectural necessity as they protect walls from accidental knocks, scuffs, scrapes and damage. They cover the joint between the interior wall surface and the floor, offering a neat finish. To help you with your skirting board installation, follow our DIY guide to fitting a skirting board.

For this task, you will need: a pipe and cable detector, accurately trimmed skirting boards, an electric drill, a 6mm drill bit, PVA glue, flexible decorators caulk and a cartridge gun.

Make sure that your skirting boards are trimmed accurately, ready for fitting.

Before drilling any holes, it is important to check that the wall is clear of electric cables and hidden pipes. This can be done with the assistance of a pipe and cable detector.

Take your board and apply a generous amount of grab adhesive to the side that requires sticking.

Push the skirting board up against the wall so that it sticks firmly.

A masonry wall fix will require a 6mm drill bit. Measure 50mm from the end of the wall and 25mm from the top and bottom of the skirting for drilling countersunk holes.

Secure the fix with a 6mm wall plug and an 8 gauge screw. Ensure that the head of the screw is embedded within the skirting board.

Apply PVA glue to the surface of the skirting board width on the external joint and fix into place.

Using a cartridge gun for application, line the gap between the wall and the skirting board with flexible decorators caulk.

To conceal the appearance of fixings screws, apply flexible decorators caulk to the countersunk screws.

Prep the skirting board for painting by sanding down the surface.

Protect the newly fitted skirting boards with a high-quality door stop. Whether it’s a skirting board, door wedge, floor or wall mounted door stop that you’re after, we’ve got the finest quality and best prices online. Our range of stainless steel door stops accommodate all interior styles and spaces.

Our door stops are available in a variety of styles, sizes, and finishes. Discover our selection online.

We hope to inspire your home improvement projects and offer a variety of high-quality products that excel in both aesthetic and performance. If you love all things interior and want more home inspiration, check out our previous blogs.

Whether you’re fitting new doors or updating your existing door furniture, our complete door handle packs make any home improvement project an easy one! Take the stress out of shopping for individual hardware pieces and discover our wide range of door handle packs. From latch backplate to bathroom and key lock, our door handle packs feature all the components and fixings needed for an internal door installation. Our bestsellers are bestselling for a reason! Here’s a few style tips on our top five door handle packs.

Chrome Door Handle Pack with Elliptical Ended Backplate Levers

Whether your interior décor is more minimalist or maximalist, this pack of modern chrome door handles on backplate handles are perfect for any home. This door handle pack includes a pair of matching 3-inch hinges and a 57mm backset latch for operating the door handles.

Chrome Door Handles Pack with Lock and Elliptical Lever

Perfect for fitting to bedrooms, studies and closet doors at home, this chrome door handle pack includes a stylish set of chrome levers on backplate with an integrated standard key lock hole. Supplied with matching chrome finish hinges and the fixings for ease of installation, this backplate door handle pack also includes a mortice lock mechanism consisting of a latch and deadbolt in one unit for a streamline finish, with a backset of 57mm.

Bathroom Door Handle Sets with Right Hand Handles and Thumb Turn Lock

Door handles on backplate are a popular choice for homes in Ireland. Ideal for both modern and traditional style living spaces, our bathroom door handle sets include a pair of right-handed bathroom door handles which feature a striking wing-shaped lever design. An integrated thumb turn & release is also supplied with a hinge pair and bathroom mortice lock ready to fit to a new door. Alternatively, doors that open to your left will require our left-handed bathroom door handle set.

Internal Door Handles Packs with Chrome Winged Handles

This striking door handle pack is a popular choice from our extensive range of contemporary internal door handle packs. Included within this set is a pair of chrome door handles on rose, a latch with a 57mm backset and a pair of 3-inch stainless steel hinges in a neutral chrome finish. Featuring a sleek wing shaped lever on rose and finished in a desirable dual chrome finish, this is the perfect model for any modern or traditional space.

Bathroom Door Handle Pack with Chrome Door Handles

For an affordable yet chic solution for fitting your bathroom door furniture, this popular bathroom door handle pack includes a pair of contemporary dual chrome door handles on rose with a distinctive twisted lever and matching thumb turn & release. Also included with this door handle set is a pair of 3-inch hinges and a bathroom lock mechanism which sits inside the door and is operated by the thumb turn and release. Complement any modern or contemporary bathroom with this simple yet stylish door handle pack.

And there we have it, our top five most popular door handle packs. Discover more door handle packs and find great discounts in our special offers section.

We hope to inspire your home improvement projects and offer a variety of high-quality products that excel in both aesthetic and performance. If you love all things interior and want more home inspiration, check out our previous blogs.

Your hardware finishes play an important role in tying all your interior metallics and elements together. Choosing the right metallic finish can instantly upgrade the look of your interior whilst giving it an instant upgrade. To help you decided which finish to choose from your home, here’s our top five door handle finishes!

Chrome Door Handles

Designed for durability with an ultra-modern finish, chrome door handles present a cool tone, silver exterior which is perfect for all styles of modern and contemporary living spaces. Available in a duo polished and satin chrome finish, the minimalist aesthetic of our most popular door handle is a winner for every homeowner!

Matte Black Door Handles

Matte black finishes offer a luxury touch to interiors with their contemporary aesthetic. Perfect for dark tone interiors and homes with prominent black elements in the décor. From fixtures and fittings to furnishings and decorative accessories, our matte black door handles offer a high-end appearance in fashion-forward homes. Discover one of our most popular and affordable Matte Black Door Handle on Rose. This contemporary door handle features a wing shaped lever and offers comfort in hand.

Copper Door Handles

If you’re eager to adopt elements of industrial style into your interior, then copper door handles and door furniture are a must-have feature in your home. Often referred to as rose gold, copper finishes offer warmth to light and neutral interiors, perfect for white painted internal doors. Embellished copper door handles draw the attention of the eye, giving spaces a designer-inspired look. Here’s one of our most popular industrial-style copper door handles: Knurled Door Knobs on Backplate with Copper Finish.

Satin Stainless Steel Door Handles

Stainless steel door handles excel in performance, quality, and durability which is why so many homeowners opt for this long-lasting solution. Satin stainless steel features a smooth finish which is fingerprint resistant and requires very low maintenance to preserve the finish. Ideal for minimalist homes with modern qualities, this popular door handle features straight lines and subtle curved contours: Designer Door Handles with 3 Ring Brushed Steel Lever.

Polished Stainless Steel Door Handles

Polished stainless steel offers a reflective mirrored finish, perfect for brightening spaces. Polished stainless steel door handles on rose are a modern choice for interiors that need updating. Suitable for many interior styles, polished stainless steel door handles are a long-lasting solution for all internal doors throughout your home.

And there we have it, our top five most popular finishes. Discover more styles of door handles on rose and find great discounts in our special offers section.

We hope to inspire your home improvement projects and offer a variety of high-quality products that excel in both aesthetic and performance. If you love all things interior and want more home inspiration, check out our previous blogs.

Are your doors looking a bit dated? Interior doors play a big role at home although they are often forgotten when home improvements are considered. Small updates to your door furniture can improve the look and functionality of your living space! To help you with this DIY task, here are our three easy steps to replace a door knob and upgrade your internal doors.

For this task you will need: a screwdriver, measuring tape, and brand new door knobs. You may also need a replacement door latch to suit the style of your door knobs.

Before ordering your new replacement door knobs, you will need to take the diameter measurement of your existing door knobs to ensure that the new door knob rose covers the hole on the door. Our selection of door knobs features a variety of styles, sizes, and finishes to suit the décor of both modern and traditional style properties. Discover our wide range of door knobs here!

Remove the screws on the rose of your existing door knob. Once unfastened, simply pull the door knob away from the door. The 8mm spindle which connects the door knobs on either side of the door will also be removed at this stage as it remains attached to one door knob.

Open your Handle King package and locate the 8mm spindle and wood screws.

Insert the new spindle through the latch mechanism in the door then attach the door knobs and secure with the fixing screws.

If you are also replacing a door latch, you will need the measurements to ensure that the correct size backset is ordered. To determine the latch size needed, simply measure from the edge of the door to the centre of the spindle hole (centre of the door knob/hole in the door). This backset measurement should be either 45mm or 57mm. Check out our selection of internal door latches.

Changing a door knob is a simple DIY task that anyone can do to make small home improvements. If you would prefer to speak to our expert advisors, feel free to call us on 01 506 0403 between Mon- Fri from 9am – 5pm.

We hope to inspire your home improvement projects and offer a variety of high-quality products that excel in both aesthetic and performance. If you love all things interior and want more home inspiration, check out our previous blogs.

Make the most of the remaining summer days and repair your broken fence in time for the cooler seasons! Not only does a broken wooden board in your fence ruin the manicured aesthetic of your garden, it also reduces your privacy from neighbours and public footpaths. Check with your surrounding neighbours before starting a fence project as you may need to replace it with one that is higher or more substantial.

Close board fencing is made by nailing vertical feathered-edge boards to horizontal timber rails that are mortised into vertical fence posts. A capping strip along the top edge of the fencing completes the look of a common wooden board fence. Softwood is a favoured material for wooden board fencing as it can be purchased in large quantities at an affordable price.

To start your DIY repairs, you will need: feather-edge boards (required quantity to replace), a tenon saw, pencil, wood preservative, paintbrush, galvanised nails, and a claw hammer.

Start by removing the boards that need replacing. The claw component on your hammer can be used to remove any old nails. Dispose of any rotten wooden boards as this cannot be salvaged and repurposed. Take these boards to your local tip.

Keep reusable boards to one side to be used again in your fence repair.

Measure the dimensions of the existing board and use this as your guide for cutting new boards. Pencil mark the sections that you intend to saw.

Use a tenon saw to cut each new wooden board to size.

Apply wood preservative as a treatment for the ends of freshly cut boards. Staining can be done once you have completed your new fence repairs.

Feather-edge boards have one thick edge and one thin edge. This is a tapered aesthetic. You will need to work from left to right, keeping the thick edge on the left. The following board should overlap the previous one by approximately 12mm.

Match the existing appearance by spacing each board in a cohesive manner. Sturdy galvanised nails will keep the boards secure in place on the cross rails. Ensure that the nails do not pierce the board underneath.

Finally, apply a new stain or paint to your fence to give your garden an instant upgrade.

Now that your broken fence is repaired, complete the appearance of your garden fencing with garden gate hardware. We offer a variety of gate furniture including gate bolt locks, cabin locks, Suffolk locks, gate T hinges and more. Available in numerous finishes to suit both modern and transitional properties.

We hope to inspire your home improvement projects and offer a variety of high-quality products that excel in both aesthetic and performance. If you love all things interior and want more home inspiration, check out our previous blogs.

Updating your cabinets can instantly upgrade the look of your kitchen. With sturdy materials and new modern finishes, a revamp in your kitchen can make a dramatic difference to your interior décor. If you are looking to fit new kitchen cabinet doors, you need to read these DIY tips!

Check the measurements of your new kitchen cupboards to ensure that they will fit your existing kitchen unit. A measuring tape will guide your task, ensuring that the size of the cupboard door is accurate, and your hinge aligns with the backplate fixing.

Locate the hinge on your existing cupboard door and detach it from the backplate. This can be done using a screwdriver to loosen the screw at the rear of the backplate. Some hinges have a clip on fix, in this case you won’t need a screwdriver, simply press the release button that is usually found on the back of the backplate.

Unscrew the fixings on the hinge to remove it from the cupboard door. Make sure that you place the fixings and hinges somewhere safe if you intend to reuse your cupboard hinges. (You’ll be surprised how easy it is to lose a screw!)

To create new fixing holes in your cupboard door, you will need a drill bit that’s suitable for use on wood. Using a piece of scrap wood, create a barrier between the new cupboard door and your work surface – this will protect your surface from damage.

Once you’ve fitted the new hinge on the door you will need to confirm that the hinge has been fitted level. The arm of the hinge should sit at a right-angle to the edge of the door.

If the fixing holes do not line up with your new hinges, measure and pencil mark the new position for each hinge backplate and drill new holes.

Depending on your hinge type, you may need to screw the backplate and hinge together or simply slide or clip the two components together. Turn the hinge adjustment screws to reduce the gap between the unit and the cupboard door.

We hope these few tips have aided your kitchen cupboard door installation! Create a cohesive modern vibe throughout your interior décor by updating your kitchen cabinets with new cupboard handles. Find your perfect piece in our wide variety of attractive designs, metallic finishes, and selection of sizes to suit any interior style and cupboard installation.

Our cupboard handle range features high-quality finishes including copper, chrome, matte black and brass. Popular styles like T Bar, Cup, Knob and D Shaped are all available in our Cupboard Handle category.

We hope to inspire your home improvement projects and offer a variety of high-quality products that excel in both aesthetic and performance. If you love all things interior and want more home inspiration, check out our previous blogs.

It’s important to fix any sign of damage to garden gates as it can affect the wellbeing of your property from unwanted intruders. Update your garden security and follow our simple DIY guide on replacing garden gate hinges with ease!.

How to Select your Gate Hinges

Our heavy duty T hinges are an ideal choice for garden gates as they are robust, sturdy, and weather resistant. Our garden gate hinges feature a rectangular-shaped knuckle which fits to the gate post and has a tapered strap which fits to the gate.

To suit the measurement and weight of your garden gate or shed, we offer various sizes of T hinges including 300mm (12”), 400mm (16”) and 450mm (18”). The width of your gate will determine the hinge length required as the hinge should be at least one third of the width of the gate. For ease of installation, our heavy duty gate hinges are sold in pairs and feature pre-drilled fixing holes.

300mm (12”) T hinges are suitable for small gates whereas larger gates will require gate hinges measuring 400mm (16”). To stabilise the weight of extra-large gates measuring over 900mm wide, we recommend our longer length 450mm (18") T hinges. Our selection of gate hinges in the various sizes are available in weather resistant zinc finish and epoxy black finish.

Steps for Rehanging A Gate

TOP TIP: When fitting a large gate, you will require an extra pair of hands to help you complete the task.

Before you start, you will need: a screwdriver or drill, new heavy duty T hinges and screws, exterior-quality wood filler, new gate latch, bradawl, thin wooden wedges (to hold the gate level when rehinging).

Remove the existing broken or rusty hinges with a screwdriver, along with the gate latch and any additional fittings. To loosen difficult, rusty screws, try tapping the head of the screw first and continue to unscrew.

Locate the screws holding the gate post to the wall. You may need to remove the gate post and insert new wall plugs into the old holes if the screws are not holding the post securely to the wall.

It is unlikely that the old screw holes will be compatible with the new T hinge holes. Simply fill the old holes with an exterior-quality wood filler and allow it to set then sand and smooth.

Take your drill or screwdriver and fit the new hinge to the gate. Hold the gate beside the old post and use wooden wedges to keep it in position as you check that it’s raised to the correct height. Drill pilot holes then screw the hinge securely to the post. Insert the top and bottom screws to keep the gate in position while the remaining screws are inserted. Fit both hinges, one at the top and one at the bottom.

To finish your installation, close the gate and fit your new gate latch. Place the latch part on the post and mark the screw holes with a bradawl. Do the same with the bar part on the gate then screw both parts in place.

Your garden gate should now be fully operational! Our high-quality selection of gate furniture features everything you need to fit and secure a side gate or shed door.

We hope to inspire your home improvement projects and offer a variety of high-quality products that excel in both aesthetic and performance. If you love all things interior and want more home inspiration, check out our previous blogs.

The paint on cast iron railings can begin to chip over time and lose their decorative appeal. To keep your railings in tiptop condition, scroll down for our tips on repainting cast iron railings.

Choose a warm, dry day to renovate your railings as windy weather can cause dust particles to stick to fresh paintwork. You may want to lay old newspaper on the ground to protect the surrounding area from paint drips.

For this task, you will need: rubber gloves, dust mask, paintbrushes, bucket, exterior metal primer, exterior metal paint, white spirit for cleaning, abrasive paper, wire brush, cloth, metal cleaner/de-greaser and rust stabiliser.

Whist wearing a dust mask and rubber gloves, take the wire brush and buff away the loose flakes of paint and rust. Pay attention to intricate and convoluted areas to ensure thorough removal.

Remove the shine from previous paintwork by sanding the entire railing with abrasive paper. This step will help create a good, smooth base for the primer and paint.

Clean the dust particles off the cast iron railing with metal cleaner/de-greaser.

Remove the residue from the metal cleaner/de-greaser with a cloth and warm soapy water. Allow to dry and apply a rust stabiliser to any rust patches.

For railings in need of a colour change, prep the railing with exterior metal primer. Use a paintbrush to apply a liberal coat of primer to the entire area..

Use a paintbrush to apply one to two thick, protective layers of fresh paint. Allow time to dry between applications.

And there you have it, our simple tips on repainting cast iron railings. As you make your garden improvements, you may want to upgrade your garden gate furniture. Our high-quality selection of gate furniture features everything you need to operate a gate and secure you garden and shed.

We hope to inspire your home improvement projects and offer a variety of high-quality products that excel in both aesthetic and performance. If you love all things interior and want more home inspiration, check out our previous blogs.

Freshen up the appearance of your property with a lick of paint! Front doors can take quite a beating from the elements, so it’s a good idea to revive the look of your exterior doors from time to time. To help you with your DIY home improvements, here are our top tips on repainting a front door.

For this task you will need: Sander, dust mask, screwdriver, cloth, bucket, gloves, exterior wood filler, filling knife, masking tape, paintbrush, primer, exterior paint, exterior varnish.

Remove your door handles and any other type of front door furniture. Keep the spindle in place on your or you may find yourself locked out!

Remove dirt, debris, and grease by washing down the woodwork and threshold with warm soapy water. You can use washing up liquid for this step.

Cracks in the woodwork of the front door will need to be filled in with exterior wood filler. A filling knife will enable you to spread the wood filler to achieve an even surface. Wait for the filler to set and if large holes or deep cracks exist on your door, you may need to apply further layers of exterior wood filler.

Use an electric sander to smooth out the surface of the door. Don’t forget to wear a dust mask.

To protect the glass on your front door from paint, we recommend using strips of masking tape to mask off the edges of the glass panes.

The door threshold may need special attention as it gets the worst of the rain. Apply one or two coats of an exterior-quality, clear varnish to seal and waterproof the wood.

Allow time for each layer of paint to dry before the next layer. Once everything is dry, remove the masking tape and admire your freshly painted door!

Highlight your excellent paintwork with new, stylish front door furniture. Featuring all the essentials, our wide range of stylish and practical front door furniture is suitable for domestic properties.

We hope to inspire your home improvement projects and offer a variety of high-quality products that excel in both aesthetic and performance. If you love all things interior and want more home inspiration, check out our previous blogs.

If you are looking for simple tips to fix a jammed door or window, you are in the right place! We’ve put together a list of six handy hints to help relieve your sticking doors and windows at home.

Avoid using forceful pressure to open a jammed door or window as this may cause damage to the frame or window glass.

Check that your hinge screws are secure and tighten them with a screwdriver if needed.

Change your existing hinges for rising butt hinges. This type of door hinge features a spiral on the knuckle of the hinge which raises the door as it opens, ideal for those doors that open onto an uneven surface or hang in between two different flooring types. Our 4 inch rising butt hinges aid clearance over uneven floors and are available in both left and right handed orientation. For ease of installation, our rising butt hinges are supplied in pairs with the wood screws and are also reversible to enable your door to fall open or closed as required.

Wet weather can have an affect on doors and windows. If a door or window is suddenly jamming in the frame during a wet season, then weather conditions are most likely the culprit. Moisture can penetrate the paintwork and cause the swell. Do not attempt to plane the wood as this will cause a draughty gap. Simply wait for some dry weather and repaint.

Speed up the drying process with a hot air gun by running it along the edges of the swollen door or window frame. The heat from the gun will draw moisture out of the wood. Avoid scorching the surface of the wood and cracking the glass by using the hot air gun in short bursts.

You may need to plane the outer edge of your jammed door to relieve the binding. For this task, you can leave the door in place and keep it secure using a door wedge. Remove the lock or latch if there is a chance of the plane striking it. Aim for a 2mm gap between the door edge and the frame by planing it.

We hope to inspire your home improvement projects and offer a variety of high-quality products that excel in both aesthetic and performance. If you love all things interior and want more home inspiration, check out our previous blogs.

An internal mortice lock is a key operated lock which can be fitted to internal doors, such as your bedroom, study, or closet door, for additional security. To ensure that your DIY installation runs smoothly, we are sharing our top tips for fitting a mortice lock to an internal door.

Before ordering a mortice lock, measure the width of the door stile and the thickness of the door. These measurements will enable you to identify the size of the lock body that is required. The two standard sizes include a 63mm width with a 45mm backset, and a 76mm width with a 57mm backset.

Once you have cut the mortice and the faceplate recess, hold the lock body against the face of the door and mark the position of the keyhole.

It’s easy to weaken the door if you drill too deeply into the door stile. To avoid any damages, wrap some tape round your drill bit so you can see when you have drilled holes to the required depth. Some drills feature a depth stop attachment which is handy for this task.

Do not blow into the mortice to clear out the shavings. Doing so may leave you with an eye full of splinters and dust, instead remove the wood shavings with the drill bit, a narrow chisel or vacuum.

Creating a wider mortice than required will weaken the door so much that is could split around the lock if forced. Avoid this type of damage by choosing a drill bit that is only slightly wider than the thickness of the lock body.

Before testing the fit of the mortice lock, make sure to turn the key to extend the bolt of the lock. If it gets stuck, you can then grip the bolt with pliers and pull the lock body out again.

With the lock fitted, measure the distance between the bolt and the closing face of the door. Use this measurement to position the keep plate on the door frame so that the bolt just engages in the recess when the door is locked.

We hope to inspire your home improvement projects and offer a variety of high-quality products that excel in both aesthetic and performance. If you love all things interior and want more home inspiration, check out our previous blogs.

Your garden shed is usually the place where you store tools and other valuable items so therefore, proper security measures are essential. A simple hasp and staple, along with a sturdy padlock, should be enough to keep the shed secure and act as a deterrent to thieves.

You will need a hasp and staple, padlock, screwdriver and bradawl.

Mark the position of the hasp on the door, then mark the staple in line on the door frame.

Make pilot holes for the screws in the wood with a bradawl.

The parts must line up exactly for it to operate efficiently.

Screw both the hasp and staple securely into position.

Close the hasp on the staple then pass the padlock through it.

Our heavy duty hasp and staple for garden gates and sheds measures features a black epoxy finish to suit all colours of sheds. This type of lock offers security as the screw heads are completely covered when closed, making them more difficult to remove by intruders.

Our 70mm weatherproof combination padlock for outdoor use is perfect for pairing with the hasp and staples as it features a four-digit combination lock and a hardened 25mm shackle.

We hope to inspire your home improvement projects and offer a variety of high-quality products that excel in both aesthetic and performance. If you love all things interior and want more home inspiration, check out our previous blogs.

When it comes to hanging internal doors, you need hinges that stand the test of time. If exceptional quality, durability and performance is what you’re after, you’ve come to the right place! With plenty of hinges available to order from our online store, we thought we’d offer a little guidance on how to fit hinges to your brand new interior doors.

The “butt hinge" is the most common type of internal door hinge used for handing doors at home. We offer a variety of hinges in various sizes to suit every internal door and with an array of finishes also available, there’s something to complement any interior décor.

Wondering which hinges to order? Our 3 inch hinges are perfect for hanging standard interior doors up to 25kg in weight. Keep a cohesive aesthetic throughout your property by choosing matching door furniture in the metallic or matte finish of your choice.

Once your new hinges have arrived, it’s time to fit them! Use marking gauges and a marking knife to make precise layout lines.

Open hinge to 90 degrees. Hold your knuckle against the edge of the door at hinge position and mark around leaf of hinge with a sharp trimming knife.

Set marking gauge to half total thickness of hinge and mark face of door with gauge.

Use a sharp chisel and mallet to chop out the marked area to the gauged depth.

Screw hinges to door then wedge the door into the open position and mark and cut recesses for hinges on frame.

To ease with installation, our internal door hinges are supplied in pairs with the necessary fixing screws.

We hope to inspire your home improvement projects and offer a variety of high-quality products that excel in both aesthetic and performance. If you love all things interior and want more home inspiration, check out our previous blogs.

As this month is National Bed Month, we’ve decided to get back to basics when it comes to winding down for bedtime. Getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night, recommended by the National Sleep Foundation, isn’t always possible. With busy schedules, demanding lifestyles and endless distractions at your fingertips, it’s easy to get caught up in a bad routine.

So, to help you get the good night’s sleep you need, we’ve done some digging on what you can do to turn your bedroom into a restful retreat.

To ensure that you’re making the right decisions to wind down for bedtime, use all your five senses including sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste.

Sight

Mess causes stress. The visual chaos and stimuli overload caused by clutter can impact your ability to relax so try to maintain a clutter-free space by getting a routine in place. Avoid overloading your bedside table with things and make sure the floor is kept free from obstacles. Create good habits by putting worn clothes in the wash basket and hang fresh clothes straight into the wardrobe.

Electronic devices also play a part in keeping us awake at night. The Sleep Foundation recommends turning off all electronic devices, like your phone, tablet or TV, at least 30 minutes before bedtime to allow your mind and body to rest. The blue light emitted from these electronic devices keep your brain and body alert which is why it’s important for everyone to disconnect and switch off.

If you’re stuck in the habit of scrolling through social media or watching Netflix before bed, try to replace this device with a book. Silence your phone or tablet and place it in a drawer to deter you from using it in bed. The digital detox will help improve your ability to wind down. If you want to ease yourself into this routine, simply switch your device to night-mode and avoid reading news, emails and social media and this may cause anxiety.

Hearing

For those who live in rural locations, noise pollution isn’t too much of an issue and therefore opening windows at night is a great idea to keep the room ventilated. Those that live in cities, towns or near busy roads or railways may choose to open their windows for the duration of the evening to ventilate the property and close them at night to block out any excessive noise.

Touch

We all know the benefits of having a good mattress, but sometimes we forget about all the other materials that work together to make beds that extra bit comfier. Think warm, cosy textiles like textured cushions, a fluffy bedside rug and a thick plush throw for the colder months and more lightweight textiles and fabrics for the warmer seasons.

Everyone’s preference for closing their bedroom door is different. Not only is it more energy efficient to keep doors closed, it also impacts your sense of safety and security as you sleep. If your interior door doesn’t stay closed, it may be that your door latch is failing. Simply replace the latch, if it still doesn’t close properly, you may need to tighten the fixings on the door hinges.

Smell

Create a spa-like experience before bed with the subtle scent of calming lavender. Whether it be an essential oil in your skincare, scented candle or diffuser, the aroma of lavender offers calming and soothing properties that can help reduce stress.

Taste

Avoid eating heavy meals before bed as the digestion process can interrupt sleep and cause discomfort as you lay in the rest position. Drink water in small amounts to prevent repeat trips to the bathroom at night and don’t forget to brush and floss your teeth!

And there you have it, our golden rules for improving the quantity and quality of your sleep!

We hope to inspire your home improvement projects and offer a variety of high-quality products that excel in both aesthetic and performance. If you love all things interior and want more home inspiration, check out our previous blogs.

Mid-century modern interior design offers a timeless, stylish aesthetic in many different homes. From celebrity mansions to quaint, homely spaces this design approach is all about minimal adornment, clean lines and a strong connection to nature.

Aligning sleek and simple accents with iconic elements, mid-century modern design transpired in the 1940’s after World War II. With new technologies, materials and the widespread migration to urban areas, this style became popular in many homes. With the newfound prosperity that followed the war, homeowners focused on embracing the future.

Fast forward to present day, this captivating interior design is considered timeless with its clean, streamlined silhouettes characterised by elegance and comfort. Mid-century modern interiors possess a certain charm that blends contemporary elements with retro statement pieces.

Staple mid-century furniture pieces feature a variety of wood finishes on thin-framed furniture. A lightweight coffee table with slender wooden legs presents a real focal point in any interior. By accessorising the coffee table with contemporary style candle holders and designer coffee table books, mid-century modern design can be easily achieved. Add additional slender, wood finish furniture pieces to create a cohesive theme throughout your interior.

Traditionally, mid-century colour palettes featured a range of shades from saturated colours and bright pops to earthy neutrals. Today, this design works with various shades so it’s easy to style in existing interiors. To bring this style up to date, simply add contemporary features such as matte black accents and crisp white walls. Muted hues and pastel shades fit seamlessly in light and dark tone interiors.

Style moody interiors with cohesive dark painted internal doors and embellish with matte black door handles for a sleek, mid-century modern aesthetic. Coordinate your door handle with matching door furniture. This may include hinges, a bathroom thumb turn lock or black escutcheons on a key locking bedroom or office door. Our matte black sliding door lock is the perfect component for sliding bathroom doors.

We hope to inspire your home improvement projects and offer a variety of high-quality products that excel in both aesthetic and performance. If you love all things interior and want more home inspiration, check out our previous blogs.

Moving into a new home is such an exciting time. Planning interior themes, colour schemes and furnishing styles enables you to personalise your space and showcase your taste in interior design. Yet whilst on the refurb journey, it’s essential to establish proper security measures to keep burglars out!

According to Phone Watch, “a reported burglary takes place every 31 minutes in Ireland.” To lower the chances of a break in at home, you must take the proper precautions. Here’s our top 3 tips to secure your home from burglars!

Recently moved? Change the locks!

Previous occupants may still have keys to your new home and you can never be too sure how many extra keys are floating about out there. To retain key authority, you must replace the cylinder lock on your front door. The new replacement euro cylinder will need to have the same dimensions as the existing one that’s in your door lock. Ensure you measure your existing cylinder before buying new one.

Keep valuables in a safe.

Our homes contain many of our most valuable possessions so it’s paramount to keep jewellery, passports and other important documents stored safely out of sight. Consider installing a small electronic digital safe.

Look before your open!

Burglars are opportunists who may lie about their identity to enter the homes of vulnerable people. When the doorbell rings, check to see who’s there before you open the front door with a helpful door viewer. Designed with one-way visibility, our door viewer features a 160° field of vision to give everyone inside the home peace of mind before opening the door to callers. Presented in a modern satin nickel finish to coordinate with other chrome and stainless steel door furniture. Our door viewer is adjustable for doors from 35mm up to 65mm thick.

We hope to inspire your home improvement projects and offer a variety of high-quality products that excel in both aesthetic and performance. If you love all things interior and want more home inspiration, check out our previous blogs.

For a kitchen that’s guaranteed to stand out, you need to know these 2020 kitchen trends! The kitchen is the heart of the home, the place we go when we’re hungry and the room we spend lots of our time in preparing meals for ourselves and our family. Whether you’re planning a full remodel, a few home improvements, need inspiration or just love reading about interior design, we’ve got the ultimate list of 2020 kitchen trends!

Sophisticated Simplicity

Looking for a timeless style to last a lifetime? Simplicity is key. This year it’s all about showcasing industrial metallic elements with effortless style and practical colour palettes.

According to Pickart. Flat-panelled millwork with minimal detailing and fuss is the best way to let unique cabinetry materials really shine.

Available in a variety of finishes, our mushroom shaped drawer knobs make perfect feature pieces in quaint, minimalist spaces. Featuring plenty of understated charm with its natural, high-shine finish, the polished chrome mushroom knobs should be fully embraced when choosing to follow the sophisticated simplicity trend.

All Black Everything

Black is back and it’s bigger than ever! From cabinets to lighting fixtures, paint, and countertops, this year it’s all about black interiors for a high-end aesthetic. The bold, daring and desirable depth of black contours larger spaces for an intimate effect whilst a high-contrast monochrome kitchen creates a cosy retreat for sharing a pot of tea.

Style black painted cabinetry with matte black embellishments. Aligning style with function, the industrial matte black cupboard knobs feature a minimalist, radius button top that blends seamlessly upon dark tone décor.

Calacatta Marble

Marble prints were everywhere in 2019. From authentic stone countertops to cheaper DIY décor, this trend is expected to still be prominent in 2020. According to Marble experts, Calacatta marble is the most sought-after material when it comes to natural stone and it’s the distinctive design of the unique pronounced dark veining effect that makes it so alluring. This deluxe Italian pattern features a noticeable bright white background which can be effortlessly integrated into kitchen interiors for a timeless style. Perfect for rooms with warm and cool tone themes, calcatta marble can be featured throughout the room in small and large quantities. Consider larger elements like the kitchen island, countertops, splashback wall behind the cooker and the finer details like glasses and dining ware.

Featuring industrial qualities with a unique diamond-cut texture, the knurled cabinet handles adds the perfect finishing touch to calacatta marble with its warm, satin brass finish. Exclusively designed for contemporary spaces, the high-end aesthetic of the knurled T bar cupboard handle is a must-have in fashion-forward homes. For the ultimate luxury aesthetic, feature plenty of copper and rose gold finishes.

Green Cabinetry & Accessories

From forest shades to green olives and emerald hues, there’s a solid desire for green coloured kitchens this year. According to Ideal Home, ‘Deep forest greens can be balanced out with latte shades, smoky glass and soft metallics to bring opulence to the kitchen. The addition of white marble and brass through design aspects like lighting and worktops, or even accessories, help to bounce the light around the space and offset the heavier hues.’

To create an expertly curated space, mix metallics in your décor. Choose hardware in polished chrome, matte black, copper and satin brass and tie in the metallic hues with cohesive appliances, tableware and utensil sets.

Brickwork

Command the attention of every eye with a brick feature wall. As seen in industrial-style interiors, the raw and rustic aesthetic adds plenty of visual interest and can also be easily incorporated into any sized kitchen. If traditional red brick doesn’t suit the colour palette of your interior, white brick can brighten up smaller kitchen spaces whist simultaneously adding texture.

Make brickwork pop and upgrade the appearance of your kitchen interior with a few matte black elements. Curate a cohesive interior by styling matte black kitchen cupboard handles with door handles, hinges, locks and accessories in the matching matte black finish.

We hope to inspire your home improvement projects and offer a variety of high-quality products that excel in both aesthetic and performance. If you love all things interior and want more home inspiration, check out our previous blogs.

Staying on top of trends can seem as though you’re on a never ending rollercoaster. One minute it’s all about neutrals and the next minute; maximalist prints and patterns are on trend. Rather than blindly following trends, it’s always best to decorate with colours that you admire. This is especially important when you choose a new colour palette as everyone’s interior style is so subjective.

Pantone have recently revealed the colour of the year, Classic Blue. Described as a timeless and enduring blue hue, this restful shade is bound to prevail in interior décor. From home accessories and soft furnishings to furniture, paints and flooring, there’s plenty of ways to incorporate this year’s most popular colour (as anticipated by experts). Read on to find out how to integrate this elegant shade into your interior.

Large, layered styling

If you’re making big home improvements or in the process of property developing, you may consider featuring the classic blue shade in the architectural build. Think walls, flooring installations and kitchen cabinetry. Whether it’s carpet or tile, there’s plenty of options out there to style rooms to generate a fashion-forward feel. Invite timeless charm into your home with plenty of layered textures in the classic blue hue.

Consider layering cool materials such as glass, ceramic, porcelain and mosaics with cosy, plush textiles. If a classic blue carpet isn’t so desirable, then stick to an earthy dominant colour palette and feature this majestic shade in a luxury velvet sofa. This pop of colour will make a striking addition to any contemporary living space.

Maintain a cohesive fit throughout your home with a patterned classic blue tile embossed in your bathroom feature wall and kitchen backsplash. Decorate kitchen cabinets in a block classic blue paint and embellish with luxury style cupboard handles or knobs. The knurled T bar cupboard handles and drawer knobs offer exceptional quality, durability and performance in an unrivalled range of finishes including satin nickel, satin brass, copper and matte black. Showcasing industrial qualities, the knurled textured cupboard handles and drawer knobs will instantly add value and appeal to your dark blue colour scheme. For a contrasting aesthetic, we suggest warming up your blue features with satin brass or copper finish metallics.

Small, simple styling

Featuring classic blue in smaller quantities is the perfect solution for those with smaller budgets and evolving tastes. Display the luxury shade throughout your decorative furnishings and home accessories. A colourful burst of classic blue will add contrast and texture to relaxed spaces. Think patterned cushion covers, bedside and living room rugs, sofa throws or bathroom matts and towels. A block of colour or small flecks of the elegant shade will add life and vitality to otherwise bland spaces.

Enhance the vibrancy of the classic blue shade by featuring a cohesive collection of door furniture within your home. Match your brass or copper door handles with copper door hinges, cupboard handles, knobs and bathroom accessories in the matching finish.

We hope to inspire your home improvement projects and offer a variety of high-quality products that excel in both aesthetic and performance. If you love all things interior and want more home inspiration, check out our previous blogs.

It’s a new year and a new decade! After the hustle and bustle of Christmas, January is the perfect time to reset your relationship with work, home-life, health and fitness so that you can make the most out of life. It’s a time where New Year resolutions are made, and goals are set to be accomplished. If you’re eager to get more productive and be less distracted this year then start your journey with a bit of simple organisation.

Clutter can play a significant role in how we feel about our homes, our workplaces, and ourselves. Messy homes and work spaces leave us feeling anxious, helpless, and overwhelmed…

Disorganised spaces can have a great impact on our physical and mental wellbeing but thankfully, clutter can be easily managed.

If organisation has fallen to the bottom of your to-do list, then here’s seven simple steps on how to prioritise it!

Simple Steps

Start small

Start small - make your bed every morning. This simple task will become a habit which will enable you to adopt better everyday habits. Making your bed gives you a sense of accomplishment and increases productivity for the day ahead. It also makes your room look cleaner, more inviting and increases space in smaller bedrooms.

Kitchen Sink

Keep your kitchen sink empty by washing up and drying tableware after every meal. Work as a team with your family, housemates or partner to get these tedious jobs out the way - quickly and easily.

Rubbish

Take out the rubbish often to avoid an unsightly overflow (and undesirable scent). This is a good habit to get into and it’s little tasks like this that keep home-life manageable.

Wash Basket

Encourage your family to put worn clothes in the wash basket, but don’t wait until the wash basket is full. Instead, plan a wash cycle halfway through the week (or more frequently) to stay on top of the pile. You will feel the benefit when the weekend arrives and you’re free to enjoy more time on hobbies and relaxation.

Cluttered Hallways!

Say goodbye to cluttered hallways! Keep outerwear off tables, chairs and stair bannisters with trendy, practical coats hooks. Self-adhesive coats hooks are a super easy option as tools are not required to fix these hooks to a wall or door. All you need to do is remove the self-adhesive backing and position it firmly to the surface. Available as a single, double or quadruple peg, these simple coat hooks are presented in either a matte black, smooth satin or shiny polished stainless steel.

Storage Solutions

Invest in some storage solutions around the house and encourage family members to use them. Desk storage and drawer organisers are helpful for keeping documents and stationery organised in home studies and at homework stations. If everything has a place, you won’t waste time and energy searching for something because you will know exactly where it lives.

Cupboards and Drawers

When you’ve got more time, work room by room to determine what items are a keeper and what needs throwing out! If you’re forcefully closing drawers and cupboards that are full to the brim, they’re likely to get broken. If this has already happened, then it’s time to replace the broken knobs on your drawers. Our mushroom shaped drawer knobs in satin brass finish offer a luxe aesthetic which instantly upgrades the look of furniture pieces. Adding character and charm with its warm hue and curved contours, our mushroom shaped drawer knobs are also available in matte black and chrome finish to suit all interiors. Eliminate the stress of other broken household necessities by making time for some DIY repairs. Tighten the loose curtain pole, clear the hair blockage from the shower drain and remove the carpet stain that you never got around to cleaning.

We hope to inspire your home improvement projects and offer a variety of high-quality products that excel in both aesthetic and performance. If you love all things interior and want more home inspiration, check out our previous blogs.

Boxing Day… a day filled with leftover food, playing with new toys and lounging around in your new pyjamas. It’s also one of the biggest sale days of the year. The Boxing Day Sale is a fantastic opportunity to start spending the cash given from family members and friends! It’s also the perfect time to look at 2020 interior trends and begin sourcing some unique interior finds in preparation for starting Spring home improvements.

We all love a sale and with our sitewide offering, you’re one step closer to achieving your dream interior for less! Think storage solutions, bathroom accessories and more importantly, door furniture. We are offering fabulous Boxing Day discounts so that you can grab everything you need at a fraction of the price!

With all that choice we thought we’d be extra helpful and provide a list of our top five items to spruce up any household.

Knurled Copper Door Handles

Our knurled copper door handles are the ideal upgrade to achieve a beautiful industrial feel in the home. With its textured knurled detailing these door handles are high on our list of great grabs this Boxing Day Sale.

Knurled Drawer Knobs

Keep your metallics and textures cohesive with matching knurled drawer knobs. Featuring a unique designer quality; reminiscent of luxury couture. Our copper knurled knobs are perfect for styling in properties with dark and moody interiors. For a truly designer-inspired look, pair these knurled drawer knobs with other copper finish home accessories.

Designer Door Handles

Perfect for contemporary style homes, these modern door handles feature luxury, solid designer straight edge levers. Offering a minimalist aesthetic due to the simple duo chrome finish, these modern door handles are the ideal choice for those seeking unique door handles to enliven their interior theme.

Black Door Hinges

An item all households require. Jazz up your interior doors with trendy black door hinges. Pair these hinges with our black door handles for a coordinated style that catches the eye! Our hinges are also available in a range of finishes including satin or polished stainless steel and copper.

Self-Adhesive Coat Hooks

And last but by no means least, hang your brand-new Christmas coat up on our self-adhesive coat hooks. Eliminate installation fuss by simply sticking the self-adhesive pad to any wall or door. This sturdy piece is available in either matte black, satin or polished stainless steel, chrome and copper. Transform any space and keep all your outerwear off the furniture (…and off the floor).

And there we have it! Five fabulous hardware items that are all on offer in our Boxing Day Sale.

We hope to inspire your home improvement projects and offer a variety of high-quality products that excel in both aesthetic and performance. If you love all things interior and want more home inspiration, check out our previous blogs.

This year it’s your turn to host the annual festive family get-together. A time when everyone travels to one’s house for a feast and heart-warming memories are made. With so much to prepare for the Christmas party, we’ve put together our top three Christmas table decoration ideas to make sure your unique interior style prevails!

It’s All in The Details

Before you start buying, determine your budget. Once that’s sorted you can then consider how many places you need to set the table for and all the aesthetic details that follow when decorating for the festivities. Our top tip is to compliment your Christmas table décor with your existing interior details. Look at the key metallic architectural elements in your home and maintain design by featuring the metallics in your Christmas table décor and dining ware. Whether it’s silver, gold, copper or matte black, there’s plenty of ways to cohesively style your Christmas décor to your usual décor.

If like us, you’re mad about architectural elements and already have our knurled cabinet handles fitted, then you’re more than prepared this year for continuous opening and closing of the cupboards. If not, then this style of cupboard handle is perfect for busy kitchens all year round due to its durable, long-wearing properties.

Match your cupboard handles in either polished brass, satin nickel or matte black finish with other features on your table such as knives and forks. Choose Christmas crackers that feature these hues and compliment the appearance with matching dining plates, placemats, napkins and a table runner. If dark is more your thing then simply match your matte black fittings with matte black dining sets and weave in some festive shades of red, green or berry with gold or silver.

The Centrepiece of Dreams

A unique focal point is one of the easiest ways to create an enviable festive Christmas table. Achieving a truly memorable centrepiece all starts with one thing – a design. There are so many chic and festive options to choose from, be it a floral, fruit or candle theme. Whether you’re a minimalist or maximalist, there’s plenty of ways to style up the centre of your dining table.

If feeding a large family, we suggest opting for a simple, budget-friendly centrepiece. Place a large white candle inside a glass candle holder and position it in the centre of a Christmas wreath. Attach some artificial red berries and pinecones to the structure to spark visual interest. For an extra hint of festive cheer, choose a Christmas fragrance candle.

Table Runners

If you’re strapped for time this Christmas, then keep the table decorating simple with a stylish table runner. You don’t need to spend a fortune on brand new table décor (especially when there’s plenty of other things to put your December budget towards). Table runners can be found in an array or styles, colours and material finish which can be matched to your metallic elements at home.

We hope to inspire your home improvement projects and offer a variety of high-quality products that excel in both aesthetic and performance. If you love all things interior and want more home inspiration, check out our previous blogs.

Are your drawers feeling sticky or stiff? If so, you may need to replace your existing drawer runners with new ones. Fitting new drawer runners can make a kitchen unit, desk or chest of drawers in the bedroom feel good as new! Keep reading for our simple guide on how to replace faulty drawer runners.

Suitable for any drawer at home, our range of drawer runners are available in three different closed length measurements including 350mm, 400mm and 450mm. Designed to fully extend and facilitate smooth operation, our drawer slides feature telescopic design and a ball bearing mechanism with a soft close feature. This built-in feature prevents drawers from slamming shut.

Replacing drawer runners is a straightforward task, all you need is a tape measure, pozidrive screw driver, pencil and note pad, and of course, the new, appropriate size drawer runners and fixings.

Fitting Drawer Slides

Start by removing all the content from the drawer(s) that requires replacement runners. Once everything is removed, pull the drawer out as far as it will go. Take the pozidrive screw driver and begin unfastening the fixings that attach the runners to the sides of the drawers.

By removing the fixings, this will enable you to lift the drawer off the runners which will give you access to unscrew further fixings that keep the seconded half of the drawer runners secured to the unit. Once you’ve unscrewed the fixings, you will be able to lift the runners completely out and away from the unit.

When ordering a new set of drawer runners, you will need to know the closed length measurement. To determine the size required, simply measure the length of the closed drawer runner and take note of the measurement.

TOP TIP: Make sure to measure each drawer that requires a replacement drawer runner as measurements may vary (even in the same unit!).

To fix your new drawer runners, you will need to align the guides for installation, completing the fit by fastening the new fixings with the screw driver. Repeat this process for every drawer on your ‘to-do list’.

We hope to inspire your home improvement projects and offer a variety of high-quality products that excel in both aesthetic and performance. If you love all things interior and want more home inspiration, check out our previous blogs.

Squeaky doors can be downright irritating. Not only does the creaking sound interrupt your sleep, it can also make your modern home feel old and tired. Thankfully, this issue can be easily resolved with our guide on how to fix a squeaky door.

When opening and closing a door, the high-pitched noise that you hear is a result of friction within the hinge. The friction builds up over time due to continuous operation of the door which frequently occurs in residential and office spaces. This type of issue is often referred to as general wear and tear. If you’re wondering how to stop a door from squeaking, the answer is lubricant.

Newly fitted doors shouldn’t be making any squeaking noises so this may indicate that the hinges have been fitted out of alignment.

Graphite Lubrication

The first step is easy for any homeowner to do as the hinge can be lubricated without removing it from the door. Try applying some graphite lubricant directly to the hinge pin to reduce the friction. Manoeuvre the graphite around the hinge by moving the door into the open and closed position. Listen out for the squeak… if the door is still making noise then you may need to try another approach.

For this method, if the door is fitted with loose pin hinges, open the door to 90° and lift the door up and out of the frame. Now wipe away any grime then directly lubricate the pin with the graphite lubricant. Rehang the door then test again.

Lubricant not Working?

If these tricks aren’t working for your squeaky door then you may need to replace your door hinges. Old hinges can rust which impacts on the operation of your door (and causes the door to squeak!). The damage caused is irreparable so new replacement door hinges will be required.

Whether your home features a modern, contemporary or traditional aesthetic, we offer a wide range of high-quality door hinges, suitable for every internal door at home. Available in a variety of sizes, styles and finishes, our door hinges will revitalise the performance and appearance of your doors. Coordinate the metallic elements in your home by choosing door hinges to complement your polished, satin, chrome, copper or matte black features.

We hope to inspire your home improvement projects and offer a variety of high-quality products that excel in both aesthetic and performance. If you love all things interior and want more home inspiration, check out our previous blogs.

If you’ve been putting off your deep clean this season, it’s about time that you finally get it sorted! You’ve probably heard the saying ‘clean space, clear mind’ but what does this really mean? Essentially, it means that the more clutter you can see, the more easily you’ll find yourself distracted. Clutter is chaos and when your presented with too much visual stimuli, you can begin to feel overwhelmed and stressed.

Blogger Laura Vrcek explains that “Your brain is literally being presented with more than one sandwich to bite into and it becomes unsure of which to taste first.”

To make your life at little simpler, we suggest that you follow this philosophy and get your home into shape! Decluttering and organising can be a big task, especially if you’ve let things slip and/or are a little bit of a hoarder. By focusing your space on what brings you joy and throwing out the unwanted, you’ll have a clearer head to relax and appreciate your home.

Simple Steps

Keep the task simple and tackle each room one at a time. Create a checklist of activities for that room and work through the list at a comfortable pace. Identify what possessions need to be thrown out, saved and donated, creating a pile for each of the options. Shred any documents that include private or personal information on them and make sure to recycle where you can.

Avoid the clutter of ‘things’ by investing in storage solutions such as drawers, racks and coat hooks. Keep jackets off the back of the chair with 4 peg, stick on hooks. This simple necessity offers hassle-free fitting due to the convenient self-adhesive backing which can be positioned on doors and walls. Available in a variety of metallic hues to suit every interior theme, coat hooks are an essential part of home storage! When you move to a new house, the adhesive can be lifted while protecting the surface below using an adhesive remover spray.

Wardrobes & Drawers

The general rule for clothing is to ask yourself whether you intend to wear it in the upcoming 12 months. If you can’t picture yourself grabbing that bright, tassel scarf or concert t-shirt from 2001 then it’s time to donate it to a good home. Remember, one’s trash is someone else’s treasure.

Built-in wardrobes can often get neglected when it comes to hoovering and dusting. Once you’ve sorted all your clothes into keep, toss and donate piles, you need to give the wardrobe interior a blast with the hoover. In addition to dust bunnies and spiderwebs, condensation is a common issue in both fitted and standalone wardrobes. Signs of mould can be easily cleaned with a mould remover and simply prevented with regular ventilation. Dehumidifier sachets can be placed inside your wardrobes to absorb any future dampness.

Replace broken or sagging wardrobe rails with a new clothes rail. Available in a 2ft and 3ft length measurement, select the one that suits your requirements and complete the installation with coordinated rail end brackets.

Heavy coats can often be the cause of drooping rails. To prevent that from happening, fit the matching wardrobe rail centre bracket to provide additional support in the centre of the rail. For large, walk-in wardrobes, this handy component piece can also be used to create a joint between two separate rails.

Deep Clean

Once everything is tidied away, you can start to give your home a thorough clean. This includes hoovering or mopping the floors, dusting decorative pieces and skirting boards, wiping surfaces and sanitising the kitchen and bathrooms.

Prepare all your cleaning essentials and work your way through the rooms to ensure a thorough cleanse throughout your home! Avoid stuffiness by opening windows to boost ventilation.

Add the finishing touch to your home interior by placing scented diffusers on table sides to create ambience and aromatic bliss. Enjoy your haven at home and remember this saying ‘clean space, clear mind’.

We hope to inspire your home improvement projects and offer a variety of high-quality products that excel in both aesthetic and performance. If you love all things interior and want more home inspiration, check out our previous blogs.

Are you wondering which size door latch you need for your installation? You’ve come to the right place! Buying and fitting door furniture can be a bit tricky, especially if you have little to no experience. Whether you’re looking to refresh your memory or learn the tricks of the trade, we’ve got the guide to help you determine which size door latches are required.

On most internal doors at home, you will find a tubular mortice latch. This enables you to operate the door handles freely, with the latch simply holding the door shut when engaged.

Firstly, you need to know the measurements. This includes the backset size and the overall case size. The backset is the distance from the edge of the door to the centre of the door handle or door knob spindle hole. There are two common backset sizes that fitters use for residential properties, these are 57mm and 45mm.

When browsing at door latches on our website, you will notice that the mortice latch includes an additional measurement to note, this is the overall case length. These are 76mm (3 Inch) and 63mm (2 ½ Inch).

• A mortice door latch with a 57mm backset will have a 76mm (3 Inch) overall case length.
• A mortice door latch with a 45mm backset will have a 63mm (2 ½ Inch) overall case length.

We sell these two sizes of mortice door latch in several finishes. The dimensions are detailed within the descriptions along with a diagram including the measurements.

Which Size Door Latch for New Doors?

If you’re fitting a new door, measure the distance from the edge of the door to where you wish the spindle to pass through the door, usually you’ll want this to be as close to the centre of the stile (edge panel of the door) as one of the two backset sizes will allow. The spindle is the piece of hardware that passes through the door latch to attach the handles at either side of the door.

3 Inch cases (57mm backset) are usually the preferred choice for new doors. The reason being is that this will position the handle closer to the centre of the stile and slightly further away from the door frame than the 2 ½ Inch door latch.

If fitting mortice door knobs to a new door, the recommended door latch size is also 3 Inch (57mm backset). These dimensions are preferred because it positions the knob further away from the frame, thus preventing hands from getting caught or scraping between the frame and door knob.

Which Size Door Latch for Existing Doors?

Interior doors with existing fittings will require the same door latch dimensions to the one that is currently in place to prevent filling or plunge routing.

To determine the backset and overall case length, simply remove the existing door latch and take the measurements of it. If you prefer not to remove it then you can take a ruler and measure from the edge of the door to the centre of the spindle hole (centre of the door handle or door knob).

If you’re unsure or need a little assistance, then contact us, we’d love to chat. Our award-winning Customer Service team have great expertise and will be more than happy to help.

We hope to inspire your home improvement projects and offer a variety of high-quality products that excel in both aesthetic and performance. If you love all things interior and want more home inspiration, check out our previous blogs.

“Brown is a serious, down-to-earth colour signifying stability, protection, comfort and support. As brown is solid with strength and maturity, it is often favoured by males to use in interior design.” The Smart Space.

Chocolate, cocoa, chestnut and walnut. These are just a few variations of the colour brown and we’re not surprised why so many are favouring this elegant shade in their homes. Some of the most common terms that you may see in interior mags, blogs and product names are mocha, latte, cappuccino (we promise we’re not listing a drinks menu), tree bark, tan and sandalwood… to name a few. From the warm, rich tones of Autumn to cool winter hues, there’s no limit with styling this shade.

Colour Combo’s - Interiors with a primary brown palette offer a beautiful, alternative aesthetic to classic moody interiors where black is the dominant hue. Due to its earthy tone, the colour brown is a simple colour to weave into rooms and style with any existing colour scheme. From metallics to pink, blue, orange and neutrals, colour combinations are endless and there’s a shade to suit every style of property. Feeling confident? Experiment with your colour combos by balancing cool and warm tones in your stylish living space.

Tips on Weaving in Brown Shades - Interior colour schemes are a big commitment. Buying a 3-piece suite in a bold coloured fabric can be downright terrifying so its important to feel 100% happy with your choices before cartwheeling into the deep end. If you’re curious about styling brown tones, then we suggest starting off with small pieces like cushions, a rug and/or curtain. Look for accent features that will complement your primary interior palette and then once you feel ready, you can move onto bigger, more expensive commitments!

The versatile nature of the colour brown is the number one reason why so many are incorporating the shade. From rustic styling with wooden beams and wooden flooring to more modern designs with accent wallpaper and sophisticated furnishings, brown tones offer a homely and comforting feel to any style property. If you’re stuck for inspiration, Pinterest is a great place to fuel your thirst for interior ideas and give you some home ideas.

The versatile nature of the colour brown is the number one reason why so many are incorporating the shade. From rustic styling with wooden beams and wooden flooring to more modern designs with accent wallpaper and sophisticated furnishings, brown tones offer a homely and comforting feel to any style property. If you’re stuck for inspiration, Pinterest is a great place to fuel your thirst for interior ideas and give you some home ideas.

TOP TIP: A true eye for interior design is about homing in on the intricate details, as these elements are what tie everything in together. Look-out for easy brown coloured decorative bits for your home, such as wall clocks, candle holders, vases and other table-side accessories. Door hardware and architectural elements are key accent features that ultimately offer cohesiveness when fitted throughout a property, in addition to upgrading the overall appearance of an interior. Door hardware in a copper, brass, chrome or matte black finish will complement any brown interior.

TOP TIP: Brown palette homes can either be modern or traditionally styled. You don’t often see classic, Victorian door handles on backplate in ultra-modern interiors because their better suited in traditional style properties. Due their dynamic design, door handles on either round or square rose are an ideal choice for modern and contemporary style homes. With a huge selection to choose from, we’ve got everything you need to suit-and-boot any space.

TOP TIP: The luxury qualities of a matte black finish has certainly had an impact on the popularity of this dark and divine aesthetic in homes. If you want to instantly upgrade your brown palette interior, feature black door handles, black door hinges, bathroom locks and cabinet handles. Keep your metallic palette consistent throughout your property and interlace elements of copper, chrome and steel in home accessories and furnishings for an extraordinary mixed metal aesthetic.

We hope to inspire your home improvement projects and offer a variety of high-quality products that excel in both aesthetic and performance. If you love all things interior and want more home inspiration, check out our previous blogs.

Is your home looking a bit outdated? In need of a spruce up? Don’t worry, we’ve got an idea to help you upgrade the look of your living space… without breaking the bank!

You don’t need to be DIY savvy to change the hardware on your drawers which is great for the average homeowner! By upgrading the hardware on your drawers, dressers and cabinets, it can have a dramatic effect on the overall appearance of your room.

Even with mismatched furniture, you can start to unify the aesthetic of your interior by keeping coherent with your architectural hardware and metallic finishes. New drawer knobs can give inexpensive pieces a high-end look, which means you can save up for something you may need (like a new bed… or even a holiday). Drawer knobs are the easiest solution to upgrade the look of your home and the task so simple, anyone can do it!

Action Plan

• Determine how many drawers knobs you need to buy to replace the existing ones.

• Look at your interior – what metallic finishes are present? Copper, black, brass, chrome?

• For inspiration, check out our fantastic selection of cupboard and drawer knobs in a variety of styles and finishes.

• Add the required quantity to cart, checkout and the package will be at your front door in no time!

Who doesn’t love the feeling of getting a delivery!? Once your new cupboard knobs have arrived (and you’ve opened them in excitement), start unscrewing the existing knobs on your drawers with a screwdriver. Your delivery will include all the fixings needed to complete the installation of each knob. Now replace the old knobs with your fresh new drawer knobs by tightening the new fixings with the screwdriver. Voila! How simple is that?

TOP TIP: Knurled drawer knobs with matte black finish will suit all interior colour palette! Not only are they seriously trendy, they’re also perfect for adding contemporary elements to an interior space. These versatile knurled drawer knobs in matte black finish will suit an array of interior styles, so you might even consider pairing them with matching matte black internal door handles for an effortless cohesive home design.

TOP TIP: This popular metallic isn’t going anywhere soon and with so many matte black finish accessories in the interiors market, you’re bound to find plenty of simple decorative accents to feature at home.

We hope to inspire your home improvement projects and offer a variety of high-quality products that excel in both aesthetic and performance. If you love all things interior and want more home inspiration, check out our previous blog 50 Shades of Beige!

Vanilla, off-white and sandy shades are in the spotlight! Interior Designers and bloggers alike are decking out their homes with warm, buttery neutrals and we can’t get enough of the layers upon layers of 50 shades of beige.

Despite what some may think, beige isn’t boring. Beige is incredibly versatile and can be weaved into any interior style, regardless of room size or function of space. Beige interiors are classic, timeless and oh so elegant when layered with textured textiles and subtle prints.

The dependable, conservative, and flexible aesthetic of beige appeals to our psychological state as we feel calm and relaxed in the presence of diverse neutrals. Beige interiors offer a sophisticated softness with tints of pink, creamy and sandy based tones with names like stone, camel, oatmeal and biscuit. Sounds deliciously strange, right?

The key to choosing the right beige wall paint is to plan what you want your redecorated room to look like and how you want to feel when in the space. Ordering wall paint samples to your home will provide you with a clearer idea of how the shade genuinely appears, as computer screens and printed shades can vary in colour. Paint a few swatches onto the wall and step back to evaluate which shades are working and which ones are out of the running.

Decorating your home with secondary shades is simple as any neutral tones will blend seamlessly! Beige is such a great interior colour to work with as you can mix and match various neutral shades such as of khaki, sand, cream, camel and stone (to name a few).

Beige's that boast a touch of cool toned grey look fabulous when decorated with secondary shades of light brown, white, khaki tan and dove grey. Beiges with a warmer, reddish tint blend impeccably with soft mint and sherbet shades as well as brighter salmon pink and mango colours. These bright yet relaxing shades offer a calming effect and spice up a minimalist interior.

Speaking of spice, Duluxe released their 2019 Colour of the Year and it looks sublime! It’s all about Spiced Honey, showcasing a rich caramel like appearance with subtle hints of earthy browns and amber tones. If we could taste it, we would… but we’ll stick to caramel lattes instead.

To avoid clinical dullness, accessorise your home with layers of secondary neutral shades, embellishing with patterns, prints and textures to add interest and warmth. Get creative with your fusion to add visual depth to your interior. Smaller furnishings such as textured bedding, throw cushions, blanket throws and rugs are an ideal addition to add warmth to rooms that favour more cool tones.

For a striking, contemporary look, showcase modern metallics in your accessories and furniture. We’re seeing matte black everywhere, from décor to accessories and fashion, it certainly isn’t going away anytime soon.

Create effortless luxury with matte black door handles, mirror frames and contemporary styled ornaments. The daring pops of matte black will enhance the overall aesthetic of beige colour schemes and adorning rooms with copper and rose gold metallics give neutral interiors comforting warmth and glow.

Shelve trendy accessories with chrome handrail brackets to add a stylish touch of bright metallic to the room and embellish your white and wooden finish timber internal doors with high quality door furniture to showcase your talent for curating style with intricate details.

We hope to inspire your home improvement projects and offer a variety of high-quality products that excel in both aesthetic and performance. If you love all things interior and want more home inspiration, check out our previous blog Eco-friendly Home Tips.

There’s more to eco-friendly living than recycling and bags for life. In fact, there’s plenty we can be doing it at home to live a greener existence! With sustainability trending in all aspects of living, we thought we’d share our eco-friendly home tips to help you make more environmentally-conscious choices about the way you live.

You’ll be pleased to know that you don’t need to trade in your luxuries to live more sustainably, it’s more about awareness on resource consumption and determination towards reducing unnecessary waste.

Upcycle

This one is great for saving your pennies! Upcycling is a fresh take on ‘out with the old and in with the new’. It’s the DIY act of taking old things around the house and turning them into something original and useful rather than throwing them away. Upcycling projects keep your creativity levels up as products and materials are repurposed around the home.

This one is also great for keeping children busy on weekends! An easy project to start with is transforming glass bottles and jars into vases, candle holders and plant pots. Get creative by peeling off the label and painting the bottles to complement the colour palette of your interior.

For an authentic, vintage aesthetic in the garden, keep the label on the bottle and fill with bird seeds to create a quirky bird feeder. Wrap copper wire around glass bottle and create an S shape hook for hanging onto a tree branch or birdhouse ledge. Take either a dish or glass drinks coaster with a rim and add a feeder base to the mouth of the bottle. As the birds feast on the seeds, the bottle will distribute more seeds onto the dish. Once all the seeds have been eaten, simply lift the bottle out of the wire holder and refill with more seeds.

Organic Materials and Stainless Steel

Biophilic design is seriously trending in interior design! Everyone is talking about connecting with the natural environment with organic materials and plenty of plant life. The key to this eco-friendly trend is to limit the amount of plastic at home, replacing furniture and decorative accessories with sustainable alternatives. Seek out natural wood, bamboo and other organic materials when furnishing your living space with textures and patterns. Be on the lookout for antiques and good quality, used furniture for sale in your local area and clean your home with natural cleaning remedies from household ingredients.

A great amount of stainless steel has been repurposed in architectural developments as the material plays an important role in sustainable design due to its repurposing capabilities. Solid stainless steel door handles with winged levers on rose are not only designed with ultra-modern qualities but are also non-corrosive, making them a durable and sustainable option for embellishing doors at home. Join industry experts in their use of quality materials by featuring stainless steel door handles and accessories to decorate your home.

Donate and Resell Items

Extend the life of your Items that you no longer need by donating and reselling them either online or at the car-boot sale. By extending the life of any product, you help reduce dependence on disposable or cheaply made single-use products. As a vast amount of waste in landfills decomposes and creates methane, a very powerful greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.

Take a bag full of your clean, unwanted clothes to a charity shop or try reselling them on one of the various online marketplaces. Remember the saying ‘someone’s trash is someone else’s treasure!’. If you’re clothes and shoes are no longer fit for wear, take them to a local recycling facility to be made into new items, such as cleaning cloths, industrial blankets and padding for chairs and car seats

Turn Off the Lights

There are several simple ways to reduce your household energy use. The easiest way to start is by switching off the lights and appliances that you’re not using. During the day, keep curtains and blinds open to let in as much natural lighting as possible.

Showcase white walls at home to reflect the natural sunlight from your windows then maximise the light with large interior wall mirrors. Energy conservation keeps bills low at home so you may even consider fitting large windows and skylights to your property to ensure maximum natural light intake!

Keep your Home Warm

Keeping the house warm on cold winter nights is essential for your family’s comfort, but turning up the thermostat can cause your bills to sky rocket! Make use of thick curtains in bedrooms and the living room to provide insulation. Double glazing also helps reduce air leakage, meaning that heat from your central heating can be retained in your home for longer. Layer textiles throughout the home to keep warm! Incorporate textured rugs, throws and cushions to stay cosy on chilly winter nights and wear long sleeves and layers where you can. During the winter months, the average home thermostat should be set between 18-21°C for a comfortable indoor temperature.

We hope to inspire your home improvement projects by offering a variety of high-quality products that excel in both aesthetic and performance. If you love all things interior and want more home inspiration, check out our previous blog Transform Your Kitchen to Cook More!

Motivating yourself to cook more at home can be such as chore. According to Joe, “… just under three in four (71%) of Irish people under the age of 34 admitted to having a takeaway at home at least once a week, with 50% of the same age group admitting to eating in a fast food restaurant at least once a week.”

Whether it’s down to pure laziness or feelings of being inspired and unmotivated, we’ve got an idea to help you fall in love with your kitchen!

Planning your meals is key to reduce spending on take away food and restaurant dining. Get yourself a small white board for the kitchen and plan your weeks’ worth of dinners. If you’ve got a super busy lifestyle, keep meals simple and buy ingredients that you know you can whip up quickly. Make sure you’ve got all the pots, pans, utensils and crockery sets ready in the cupboards for you to use.

Buying in bulk is a great way to meal prep for the following week and it’s a failproof way to discourage that naughty takeaway phone call. Cook a big batch of dinner on a Sunday, then portion it out into Tupperware and place in the freezer to reheat quickly the next time you’re hungry!

To inspire your creativity, it’s important that you enjoy spending time in your kitchen space. If it’s starting to look outdated and dull, spruce up your kitchen with a fresh lick of paint on the walls, cupboards and drawers. By updating decorative features and furniture embellishments, such as cupboard handles, it will help to transform the aesthetic of your kitchen interior! Say bye to flat, lifeless spaces and hello to a stimulating room!

Removing and installing new handles is actually pretty simple to do. Start by sourcing the tools; you’ll need a measuring tape, screwdriver and the new cupboard handles.

There are no set rules for positioning the handles providing that you and other users can operate them with comfort and ease. Select the handles most suitable for your kitchen cupboards and drawers by checking out our range of centre measurements to suit all our customer’s requirements.

Before ordering your new handles, open the doors and measure the distance between the existing fixings on your handles. This is called the centre measurement. Our selection of cupboard handles have centre measurements ranging from 64mm to 640mm with many options in between!

You may have a style, material or finish in mind, or you may perhaps need a bit of inspiration! We offer a variety of models to suit all interior styles, from modern to traditional. Check out our popular range of kitchen cupboard handles to help steer your kitchen ideas!

HINT: For exceptional high quality at a budget-friendly price, choose the D shaped kitchen cupboard handles in polished stainless steel. The 40mm projection offers ease of accessibility and is the ideal modern finishing touch to suit any colour scheme and design theme.

Once you have received your new handles, take your screwdriver and begin removing each handle. Need a bit of guidance? Remember the DIY trick - righty-tighty and lefty-loosey! Next, take your new cupboard handles and work your way through the installation process for each cupboard and drawer. Once all handles are fitted, slide back with style and congratulate yourself for a job well done!

And finally, throw away the take away menus and get cooking in your very own modernised kitchen interior!

We hope to inspire your home improvement projects by offering a variety of high-quality products that excel in both aesthetic and performance. If you love all things interior and want more home inspiration, check out our previous blog 5 Ways to Maximise Sleep!

Are you sleeping soundly? A sleep study by The Natural Sleep Company found that 56% of 1,800 Irish adults admitted to having a racing mind at bedtime while 27% mentioned discomfort as an influential factor to their sleeplessness.

Sleep can be disrupted due to feelings of stress, busy lifestyles or unsettling surroundings and unresolved sleep issues can have great effect on our health and performance during the day. To combat the issue of sleeplessness, we’ve put together a list of suggestions and interior design tips and tricks to get you feeling rested and revived!

Firsts things first, take a look at your bed? Is it cosy and inviting? If it isn’t a place of tranquillity, then you need to make some changes. Associate your bed with sleep to get the most out of your slumber zone!

Racing Mind?

A racing mind at bedtime can be due to several reasons. One thing that we need to do is decrease our activity on phones, tablets and stop watching TV late at night … (despite how tempting it is to stay up for that extra episode on Netflix!) Research shows that the blue light from tablets and phones at night interrupts our internal clock, causing it to slip off beat and setting off a cascade of restlessness and morning exhaustion.

We suggest turning off your favourite series at least an hour before bedtime and getting cosy in the sheets with a chamomile tea, a good book and a side lamp. Practice this relaxation induced method every night for an entire week to start a routine and stick to it during the working week! Spritz your pillow with a calming lavender scented pillow spray to encourage peacefulness… (and create fragrance heaven!)

Comfort is Key!

As The Natural Sleep Company study suggests, comfort is key to a better night’s sleep and a healthier, happier lifestyle. Your bed should be associated with sleep, so it’s a good idea to keep the room for just that, spending free time outdoors or in the living room to relax.

Many people in Ireland are likely to be sleeping on a mattress or bed that doesn’t suit their needs. As a rule of thumb, it is recommended to replace your mattress every 7-10 years as general wear and tear breaks down the firmness. If you share a sleeping space, it’s also important to own a mattress that comfortably fits both you and your partner. Squeezing onto a queen size bed isn’t ideal and can cause restlessness as you feel your partners every fidget and stretch! … (or hear their snoring serenade right in your ear!). Pillow comfort is also key to sleeping soundly, so invest in quality that supports your head and neck.

Comfort connotes feelings of contentment, which you feel when you know you’re safe and secure in your home. To capitalise on these feelings, embellish your doors with knurled copper door handles. Projecting warm, industrial tones, this style of door handles offer an element of luxe with visual depth while also feeling robust and secure in hand. The satin stainless steel and matte black version are modern alternatives to the copper finish, providing a stylish option for all interior colour palettes.

Declutter and Deep Clean

Bedroom clutter causes stress as the visual stimuli overwhelms the brain. Get organised by starting a ‘tidy-up’ routine to maintain the organisation of your living space! Use the laundry basket to store your worn clothes before machine washing and hang items back into the wardrobe once dried. Avoid the build up of drinks on your bedside table and keep bits and bobs in drawers and storage systems to preserve a clean, clear surface.

Regular cleaning is also important for a healthy night’s sleep. Moving the bed to hoover behind and underneath is an essential task which should be done once a month to maintain freshness in every corner! Dusty, damp and mouldy rooms can seriously affect your health, wellbeing and breathing. Beyond the immediate allergy symptoms, mould exposure often causes sleep related issues which can be the reason why you’re struggling to doze off. Mould in the bedroom can slowly destroy your home and belongings, causing unwanted symptoms such as itchy or red eyes, wheezing, sneezing or coughing, runny nose and/or a skin rash. Once the bedroom is clean from allergens and dirt, make sure to keep windows ajar at night to circulate fresh air and room ventilation.

Routine, routine, routine

This one’s important. In addition to your clutter-free plan, you should think about getting your lifestyle more organised during the work week. By going to sleep and waking up at the same time every day, you’ll naturally reset your body clock, making morning rising a much easier task! To get the best out of your snoozing, try earplugs, an eye mask or an alarm clock lamp that slowly gets brighter as it nears to your set wake-up time.

The Darker the Better!

Darkness in the bedroom invites more deep sleep in which your breathing, heartbeat, body temperature, and brain waves reach their lowest levels. Your muscles are extremely relaxed during this time which leads onto the healing stage of sleep, when tissue growth and repair takes place. This part of sleep is essential for our health as important hormones are released to do their jobs, and cellular energy is restored.

To maximise your hours of sleep, invest in some thick, black-out curtains to prevent premature waking from bright street lights at night time and early sun rises during summer months.

We hope to inspire your home improvement projects by offering a variety of high-quality products that excel in both aesthetic and performance. If you love all things interior and want more home inspiration, check out our previous blog Modern Country Home Interiors.

Emphasising comfort with casual living, modern country homes are trending as the simple and organic cues of traditional farmhouse style blends effortlessly with contemporary qualities.

It’s no surprise that modern country homes are rising in popularity as rustic décor laces the homes of home and lifestyle bloggers. Characterised by rugged, natural beauty, modern country homes embrace nature-inspired textures, like wood, stone and plant life. There’s also plenty of organic warmth in these stunning interiors with a focus on earthy colour palettes throughout the home.

Fancy designing your own modern country style home? Well, we’re here to share all the secrets on the few key design elements to nailing this trend!

Timber Cladding and Features

Whether you live out in the countryside or just admire the rustic aesthetic, it’s important to know that timber is a fundamental material used in this style of interior design. Maximise the organic textures used in your property by showcasing the appearance of wood using floor boards, walls panels and ceiling beams.

Complement your decor with wooden furniture, in your table legs and chairs, to style up the room and maintain a cohesive fit. Mix up the tones of your wood by opting for a variety of oak, pine and cedar. For a long-lasting, budget friendly option, opt for timber luxury vinyl tiles or laminate as this imitates the appearance of real wood flooring without the expense!

Accessorise your interiors with a rustic wooden or raw steel wine rack in the kitchen and place a variety of plant life in tapered rattan basket planters. If you’re DIY savvy, you can even build a wooden ladder shelf to display photo frames, candles and flowers up against the wall in your living area. Fill your fireplace with stones or wooden logs or if you do not have this feature, create a centrepiece of natural materials on the top of your sideboard or cabinets

Cosy Fabrics and Modest Textiles

Modern country interiors embrace a balance of old and new. To implement a fresh take on the traditional style, the design approach needs to be clean, stylish and warm-hearted with significant focus on family living. Think wall hangings inscribed with loving family quotes or perhaps a selection of bamboo fridge magnets to display notes to the household or pin the kids’ artwork.

Create visual depth in your living space by fusing together a mix of fabrics, adding softness and warmth in rugs, cushions and curtains. Showcase sandy beige, stone and cream shades in these soft furnishings to establish the modern edge. These neutral shades offer psychological tranquillity while thick, fluffy shagpile rugs provide comfort to your tootsies! Geometric prints offer a contemporary twist to country style homes and look particularly striking embellished in rugs, curtains and bedding.

Relax your senses with a variety of natural based materials such as cotton, flannel, lace, linen and wool. While warmth and comfort are needed in winter months, many light fabrics can be incorporated to establish a light and airy aura during warmer seasons.

Industrial Accents and Embellishments

The modern aesthetic can be achieved with hints of metallic embellishments, which is often referred to as industrial accents. Metallic light fixtures and stainless steel door handles are highly recommended as their visual and functional attributes contribute to the modern take on traditional farmhouses.

Door handles on rose are exceptionally modern as their sleek appearance offers an additional element of visual depth to textured spaces, whereas square rose door handles offer a more methodical, geometric component to an interior.

We hope to inspire your home improvement projects by offering a variety of high-quality products that excel in both aesthetic and performance. If you love all things interior and want more home inspiration, check out our previous blog A Guide to Interior Design Buzzwords.

Hygge. There’s that buzzword again! Unless you’re an interior designer, student of a design degree or an avid blog reader of all things home and lifestyle, articles and inspiration posts can sometimes seem a bit confusing.

With mention of hygge in every other blog and 22,200 average monthly Google searches, these interior design related buzzwords have clearly sparked an interest! But what do they mean exactly? Well we’re here to help you understand the world of interior design with our buzzword guide!

Authenticity

Authenticity is an ambiguous term. You may use this word when talking about experiences, people and designer brands to describe how real, true, original or unique something is. Authenticity in interior design is all about visual storytelling and creating authentic interiors that reflect the lifestyle of the client or self. It’s about representing function in its most optimal form by decorating and furnishing in a way that suits all aspects of your lifestyle.

To elaborate, it’s about how you and your household live, how you entertain, what you’re passionate about, be it sports, art or travel. It’s about your personal style and preferences, how you spend your free time, and whether you have pets or children at home.

Your home should be an authentic representation of your being from colour schemes to furniture choices and placement.

Bespoke

When you see this word, the writer is usually referring to something custom that’s been made especially upon request. Bespoke interiors can be achieved by hiring design specialists to fundamentally create a space that is precise to a client's brief or specification. Bespoke items on the other hand, are made to order and this may include luxury joinery pieces (made-to-measure hand built furniture), monogrammed cushions, throws and decorative accessories.

There’s a growing demand for bespoke interiors as people desire personalised spaces that represents their lifestyle and self. Bespoke and authenticity buzzwords go hand in hand!

Hygge

'Hygge is not a thing or something you buy...hygge is a state of mind' - Morten Georgsen.

Hygge refers to the cosy Danish lifestyle which revolves around warmth, comfort and simplicity. A place that is homely, peaceful, lived in and a pleasure to relax with family and friends. Essentially, hygge is obtained with layers, textures and lighting to create a cosy atmosphere. Why do people love talking about Hygge and following the trend? Simple – they want their home to scream “I am a sanctuary for relaxation!”.

Feng Shui

This is an ancient Chinese philosophy based on the concept of crafting a welcoming, functional space with good energy. The intention to use feng shui in interior design is to create the best atmosphere for the people who utilise the space and to do so there needs to be balance and harmony between the elements. This means positioning furniture in a way that aids conversation and togetherness, that aids freedom to move around freely and comfortably. These psychological design techniques are used to promote mental health and wellbeing.

According to Feng Shui Simple Cures, “Door Knobs and Door Handles, can be used effectively as feng shui cures to attract wealth into your home.”

Doors play an important role in welcoming positive energy into your home, so what better way to do that than with a contemporary set of chrome door handles featuring unique elliptical shape levers on rose. Perfect for modern interiors, these handles offer physical comfort in hand and an attractive duo chrome finish to get achieve feng shui.

Layering

The key to successful interior design is to build interest through various levels of elements; this is known as layering. Picture getting ready in the morning and layering with clothing. The few pieces of jewellery and the colour co-ordinating scarf that you add before you leave the house is what personalises your look.

In interior design, layers refer to the right mix of colour, shape and texture to create depth and richness in a room. While layers adhere to an overall rooms aesthetic pleasure, it also plays a part in creating atmospheres and it has influence over your phycological state of mind. Textured layers can add to your comfort which as result, lowers stress levels. Layering is a hot topic in Scandinavian design, as it focusses on minimalism and is greatly linked to the concept of Hygge.

We hope to inspire your interior projects by offering a variety of high-quality products that excel in both aesthetic and performance. If you love all things interior and want more home inspiration, check out our previous blog Make Your Rented Space Feel Like Home.

In today’s economic climate, many choose to rent property before buying their first home. Renting offers an array of flexibility as tenancies start from as little as 6 months, making it easier to move if careers and relationships change. Despite the benefits of renting, there’s an element of hesitancy as you wonder whether it can truly feel like home.

Having spent many years living in rented accommodations, there’s quite a few tips I’ve discovered along the way to make a house or flat feel more homely. Homes are made when a personal touch is added, and this can be done with accessories, small furnishings and textiles.

Refurbishing the carpets, walls and furniture is usually out of the question but there’s plenty of small improvements to be made to your living space without breaking your tenancy agreement. Check with your landlord before making any structural changes to the property. The general rule is if it can be restored to the original design, there shouldn’t be an issue.

Small Furnishings and Textiles

If you’re in the initial stages of searching for a rental, keep an eye out for places that have a basic decorative style. This includes simple, neutral palettes with little colour and pattern. These ‘blank canvas’ style properties are enhanced with you’re own personal touch without causing a decorative clash.

If the property you currently reside in is busy with bold shades and eccentric designs, you should avoid adding anything that’s too eclectic. Consider packing unfavourable small furnishings into storage to reduce the visual chaos. Our perception of space can be altered by making simple adjustments to a room’s layout. Try moving furniture around to see if it works better for the ergonomic design of the room and take away anything that doesn’t offer practical benefits. For example, removing a few cushions from the sofa if they’re stacked in abundance. The simpler the better!

An elegant kitchen cabinet door embellishment can do wonders for updating a tired looking kitchen while keeping in line with the simplicity approach. T bar kitchen cabinet door handles offer a contemporary edge in polished chrome finish and can be featured in any interior style.

Furnished homes are a brilliant, budget friendly option. When selecting additional small furnishings, choose a colour scheme which complements the existing interior and adorn with throws, cushions and a rug to give the room some more comfort. In the lounge area, add a sofa footstool, ottoman or pouffe to exaggerate the comfort of the space.

Accessories

Accessorising a property with photo frames of loved ones automatically makes a space feel more homely. Seeing loved ones framed on the window sill will encourage feelings of joy and familiarity. The same thing goes for wall art. If the rental comes furnished with wall art, you can take it down and replace it with something that’s more your style. Wall art can help tie in colour schemes throughout the property for a cohesive fit.

Having your own possessions on display can help make a space feel more personal. Opt for the simple storage solution of over door hooks to hold towels and robes on the bathroom door. This style of coat hook enables temporary placement, avoiding the need to drill and stick to surfaces. Super versatile in design, these coats hooks can also be placed on the back of a bedroom door and inside wardrobe doors to hold coats, handbags and scarfs that tend to clutter smaller rented spaces.

We hope to inspire your interior projects by offering a variety of high-quality products that excel in both aesthetic and performance. For more home inspiration, check out our previous blog Interior Tips for Small-space Living.

Small-space living can be a real challenge, especially when you own a lot of clothes, technology, sports or musical equipment. Whether you live by yourself in a one bedroom flat or share a 4 bedroom house with your family, there’s just never enough space to store all your belongings!

With busy lives and demanding schedules, it’s easy to fall behind on tasks; neglecting the organisation of your living space. Perhaps there’s a pyramid of clothes on the chair after a long working week and now there’s a shedload of washing. Or maybe it’s the shoes scattered in the hallway in your attempt to wind down from Wednesday’s exhausting gym session. Whatever it is, we’ve all done it and we know how stressful mess can make us feel!

Did you know that the appearance of clutter in small bedrooms can harm our mental well-being; affecting our mood and behaviour? Clutter has been scientifically proven to reduce productivity as it causes us to feel anxious, helpless, and overwhelmed.

Now that seems exaggerated but it’s true! That’s why we’re sharing our interior tips for making the most of your small living space so that you can live a stress-free, clutter-free life!

Guilty!

When faced with limited space, many resort to rolling up clothes, squishing them to full capacity in the drawer. We often store seasonal wear in suitcases in the loft or under the bed; switching garments when required... that’s if we remember to do so. These items at the bottom of the stack tend to be forgotten and as a result we inadvertently spend more money to replace things we’ve buried.

Simple things can be forgotten, like swimming trunks or an Xbox game, to more valuable items such as watches and electronics! Essentially, we’re spending more than we need to and it’s about time we start saving our cash by keeping more organised!

Storage Solutions

Initially, you will need to have clear out; disposing of as much stuff as you can live without. Assess your belongings at the beginning of Summer and then again at Winter – if it didn’t offer value last year, will it this year or the next?

Sealed vacuum storage bags are a great solution for stowing clothes when there’s limited available space. Not only do these bags keep items fresh without risk of mould and carpet moths, they assist to maximise space in your home!

Simply place your garments in the bag, extract the air with the hoover, and slide into the wardrobe, under your bed, or into a suitcase! The process is quick and easy with minimum fuss. We suggest organising your clothes by season, storing winter bits away during the summer months and vice versa.

Stick on hooks can be positioned to the internal side of bedroom, wardrobe and bathroom doors as a storage solution for holding towels, dressing gowns, coats, bags and belts! It can also be used as a solution for organising work ties on the inside of the wardrobe door. (Clever thinking for a swift morning routine!) The self-adhesive backing enables fuss-free installation without penetrating surfaces. Depending on your personal preference, choose between the brushed satin finish and the highly reflective polished finish.

Space – How to Create the Illusion

There are plenty of tricks you can tackle to create the illusion of space in confined areas. Space perception is triggered by sensory information; sight, touch, hearing and smell.

Keep colour palettes light and neutral, adding small pops of colour with fresh flowers and cool toned, pastel bedding. To break up the colour, feature black door handles on rose. The elegant wing shape of the lever will appear delicate whilst adding a striking finishing touch to an interior. Embrace the monochrome aesthetic!

For your curtains choose a light and airy material, such as sheer polyester in white or pale grey. The idea is to maximise light intake and reflect the beams with light coloured fabrics. To accentuate both natural and artificial light, place large unframed mirrors across one entire wall; creating a unique and phenomenal feature.

Limit furniture to the necessities: bed and bedside table, wardrobe and drawers. Create large expanses of floor space by placing furniture up against the walls, keeping the central area free to move around freely.

Limit the amount of texture in the room, opting for smooth fabrics like silk, satin and cotton for the bedding. Keep windows open at night to generate healthy air flow and exhibit living plants to boost mental and physical well-being. Keep decorative pieces to a minimum, ensuring that bedside tables and drawers are free from clutter.

TIP - Practice putting items back into their designated place to break from the routine of putting things down on the closest surface.

To keep the room smelling fresh and lightly fragranced, place lavender bags in drawers and hang up fresh cotton or peony scented sachets in wardrobes, closets and cupboards. This trick can help reduce emotional stress and calm your nerves. Typically, citrus scents can help you feel more energized whereas Jasmine is notable for easing depression.

Considered an economical alternative, get the fresh scent by keeping windows open on sunny days when neighbours are out mowing the grass… unless you have chronic hay fever, then you may want to keep windows shut!

We hope to inspire your refurb projects and showcase a variety of high-quality products that excel in both aesthetic and performance. For more interior inspiration on styling a smaller bedroom, check out our previous blog Upgrade Your Dated Kitchen for Less!

Over the years, your kitchen can start to look rather tired. The cupboards are dusty, there’s one drawer that never fully opens and the décor is looking outdated… face it, it’s in some serious need of TLC.

Refurbishing your kitchen doesn’t need to stretch your pocket as there’s plenty you can do with a smaller budget! Performing little tasks here and there can make the world of difference and we’re here to guide you through it.

Before acting, analyse what needs to be done and write down all the changes you wish to make. Dirty and untidy rooms can make us think that we need a complete renovation, but it’s often found that simple clear outs, cleaning and improvements can alter our perception of interiors.

Clear-out & Clean

Clutter tends to build up over time in drawers and on countertops. Perhaps you’ve loaded up on the takeaway hand wipes and sauce packets or your letters sit stacked up on the sides. Perhaps you’ve got a selection of chipped mugs that you never use or tea stained spoons that you always avoid.

Whatever the clutter may be, the first thing you need to do is go through every cupboard and drawer and organise items into one of three segments: keep, dispose, donate.

Keep drawers organised with storage systems for holding cutlery and other items. Use transparent canisters to store items such a tea bags, sugar and cereal. Not only will this system keep your items fresher for longer, the transparency of the canister will permit easy checking for when things need replenishing.

Frequently used receptacles and cutlery require an occasional freshen up. For tea stained spoons and mugs, soak them in a mixture of one-part warm water to one-part white distilled vinegar for 10 minutes. After this time, remove the items from the mixture, and pour it away. Coat any remaining stains with baking soda, then take a small sponge and scrub with circular motions until stain disappears.

Fingers prints, dust and grease from cooking can make its way onto all surfaces so it’s important to clean countertops once a day with an antibacterial solution. Not only will it keep your tops crumb free, it will also help to reduce contamination when preparing food. Whilst you’re on a bit of a cleaning spree, deep cleanse cupboards and drawers, internally and externally, with a sponge and a solution of washing up liquid and warm water.

Paint & Style

Now that everything is clear, clean and sparkling, you can determine whether your cupboard and drawer fronts need a new lick of paint. White paint tends to yellow over a prolonged period which is usually a result of direct sunlight or cooking splatter. To avoid reoccurrence, choose a paint shade that is less likely to tinge.

Darker paint shades are trending throughout kitchen interior design, offering low maintenance and an effortlessly chic appearance. For the ultimate luxe aesthetic, paint your cabinets in navy blue then style with polished chrome kitchen cupboard handles.

Décor and Accessories

Now it’s time to assess your decorative decisions. This includes any hanging wall features or items placed to accessorise your interior. If your kitchen surfaces are crowded, you may want to eliminate decorative accessories altogether and only feature your appliances.

Do you have a build-up of drawings or magnets pinned to the fridge? Have you neglected the plants and they’ve wilted beyond resurrection? Follow the steps to declutter and limit how much artwork is displayed. If you struggle to keep plants alive, replace the deceased with some artificial flourishing verdure.

We hope to inspire your home DIY projects and offer a variety of high-quality products that excel in both aesthetic and performance. For more home improvement ideas, check out our previous blog on DIY Tips for Your Summer Garden.

With BBQ’s, sun lounging and cool refreshments on the horizon, it’s about time we all start preparing the garden for summer. Warmth and sunshine tend to creep up on us and when the hotter weather arrives, we often find ourselves in a frenzy to get the garden ready.

Preparing your outdoor space for summer seems daunting, and realistically it will require your time and effort. However, with our tried and tested DIY tips, you can get it sorted quickly and simply!

Clean & Sharpen Gardening Tools

Hedges, bushes and authentic grassy terrain receives a lot of water during the winter months and can therefore quickly appear overgrown. You should start by tending to these areas, using appropriate tools to trim down the growth.

Prior to this activity, you should check the efficiency of your tools. Maintaining gardening equipment helps to preserve it's value, making it last longer and saving you money in the long run.

Wearing thick, waterproof gloves to protect your hands, simply fill a container with hot water and strong detergent. Dip a wire scourer into the solution and clean spades and forks with circular motions. If caked mud is hard to budge, you can leave these items to soak for five minutes before attempting to scrub. Allow to drip dry by placing large equipment up against a wall.

Bladed tools, such as secateurs and loppers, also need a thorough clean. Carefully wipe with the warm detergent solution and dry with a cloth. To make life easier this year and next, you should sharpen the blades of your instruments. Sharpening improves performance, enabling precision when used. This can either be done by yourself or you may send them off for a sharpening service. If attempting this yourself, then after sharpening apply a dab of oil or grease to protect the metal.

Trim the shrubbery and mow the grass then dispose of the clippings into an organic waste bin for transporting to a local recycling centre. Alternatively, place clippings underneath bushes and hedges to act as a natural fertiliser. This recycling method also prevents the weeds from growing!

Maintain Sheds, Fences & Gates

It’s a good idea to get the tedious little maintenance jobs out the way before summer swings by. Check fences, gates and sheds for any sign of weather damage, grime or decay and replace any broken segments and structures.

Go through the contents of your shed and organise items into three distinct piles; keep, dispose, donate. Identify what is clutter and the items that cease to provide any future value. Give the inside of the shed a thorough clean; removing cobwebs, sweeping away debris and wiping dusty surfaces.

Categorise the relevant segments into storage units, boxes or drawers, labelling accordingly. Searching for items will be easier and it will deter users from returning items to the wrong place.

Give dull looking sheds a fresh lick of paint or preserver. Shades of blue and egg shell beige are aesthetically pleasing once the sun starts shining. Over time, these shades are also less likely to appear discoloured and dirty compared to white painted sheds.

Winter weather can cause structures to become weak, so to repair a sagging garden gate you will need replacement gate hinges. Robust gate furniture, such as heavy duty gate hinges, provide a long lasting solution to seasonal change.

Tighten hinges to ensure a strong hold and pair with a matching heavy duty hasp and staple for a cohesive aesthetic. Secure your property with a weatherproof combination padlock. This type of locking system can also be used on sheds.

Plant Flowers to Flourish

Tidy up flower beds and boarders with your freshly serviced tools, then follow by sowing daffodil, iris and hyacinth seeds that will blossom in abundance. Nurture your garden throughout the summer months to keep plants and flowers hydrated. Keeping on top of outdoor jobs will ensure that your space is ready to enjoy!

We hope to inspire your home DIY projects and offer a variety of high-quality products that excel in both aesthetic and performance. For more home and garden improvement, check out our previous blog on Laying Stepping Stones in Your Garden.

So, you’ve just bought your first place together and finally have the freedom to decorate. You both have your own personal style and just like any other relationship hurdle, it’s time to start compromising. Whether it’s about wardrobe space or wall paint shades, there’s plenty for you to discuss.

Traditionally, feminine and masculine interior design express distinctive differences. When you think of feminine rooms you may picture a vase of fresh flowers, blush tones and delicate features. The typical quintessential feminine touches. When you envision conventional masculine interiors, it’s usually some sort of bachelor pad with industrial elements, leather sofas and plenty of dark tones.

Our personal tastes don’t always conform to these ideas but there are some interior design qualities that are more likely to appeal to men, while there are others that likely appeal more to women. Whatever your style preference, we’re here to offer some advice on blending certain elements for a neutral, non-binary home. A place where you can all feel settled!

First Things First

Are you keeping the current wall paint and carpet? Decide what your plans are with this from the off-set and then you can start thinking about additional décor. The great thing about moving into a property with neutral tones means that you can start fresh with a blank canvas.

Is there furniture and other accessories that your relocating from your previous home? Decide which items are keepers then sell or donate the rest. Make sure to throw out anything that has seen its last day; I’m talking stained, ripped or broken pieces that are beyond repair. These items will only clutter your new living space.

Choosing Your Colours

It can be a bit of a challenge knowing which colours and tones to incorporate. If you prefer the more minimalist look, think clean lines and simplicity, then try and keep the colour scheme to a minimum. Include one or two shades in your design, perhaps a mix of a dark and light tone such as navy blue and pastel pink.

To avoid overly feminising a room, steer clear of pink florals unless it’s weaved into simple and discreet patterns. If this style is something you truly admire, consider incorporating a tropical leaf wallpaper onto one statement wall.

Alternatively, you can feature leaf prints in frames. The green from this print complements tan shades, reminiscent of the classic masculine tan leather sofa. Update this style by choosing a tan sofa in a chic distressed leather and pair with white fluffy textured cushions. Place a large potted leafy plant next to the sofa to emphasise the green tones. Add a geometric throw and a sand beige rug into the mix and you’ve got yourself a cosy room for all in the household.

A classic industrial ceiling light fixture will appear effortlessly stylish within this lounge area. Add soft touches of femininity by incorporating an array of plain white candles on a white coffee table.

If you’re into the maximalist aesthetic, then style colours, textures and patterns as you wish! Nailing this style can sometimes be tricky so it’s a good idea to look up some visual inspiration to avoid overdoing it. Generally, this design trend includes colours, tones and patterns that have some way of complementing each other when combined.

Statement Features

Having previously touched on this, potted plants are a great feature to display in shared households. Greenery creates the same flourishing effect as flowers without emphasising the feminine touch.

Another feature you can incorporate, despite whether you choose the minimalist or maximalist trend, are stylish modern door handles. Door handles on rose are synonymous in contemporary properties, especially when styled in a timeless duo chrome finish with a curved lever. Offering real comfort in hand, these internal door handles will withstand any home improvements and refurbishment projects over the many years of residence.

For homeowners seeking an alternative, the stainless steel door handles in polished and satin finish is the one to choose. To create a cohesive appearance, pair these handles with stainless steel keyhole escutcheons on internal key locking doors such as bedrooms and studies.

We hope to inspire your property refurb projects and offer a variety of high-quality products that excel in both aesthetic and performance. For more interior inspiration, check out our previous blog Key Traits in Industrial Decor for guidance on attaining this look.

Modern industrial interior design is one of the fastest growing trends and it isn’t only in warehouse and loft apartments that we’re seeing the style.

The approach is all about proudly displaying the building materials that many try to conceal, honing focus on the raw, unfinished look with wood, metal finishes and utilitarian objects.

For homeowners who love industrial décor, we’ve assembled together the key aesthetic traits. Here’s our take on styling rustic elements with modern touches for an industrial interior.

Neutral Hues & Factory Features

Earthy tones and the factory feel are key elements in industrial design and its important to feature a plethora of wood and metal surfaces.

Exposed brick lends itself to the trend and can either be left raw or painted dark grey or chalk white for a distinctive effect. Decide from the outset what colour and tone you want for walls and floors then build a colour palette around that.

For a rustic effect, install a concrete floor or concrete effect tiles as opposed to carpet. A kitchen with stainless steel counters and hanging metallic light fixtures will showcase style, creating the ambience of a commercial space. For dining areas, opt for either a wooden table with metal legs or a wooden table with metal chairs to generate authenticity in design.

Limit pattern in favour of block colours and add warmth with warm toned metals and textured soft furnishings.

Functional Details Displayed

Exposed pipes and ducts are a signature feature in the industrial approach. Many modern homes are designed from an architectural perspective to hide these details. You can, however, interpret this characteristic by incorporating a steel metal staircase with bars. This will appear particularly striking against hard wood flooring.

For rooms that need some warmth and comfort, such as lounge areas and bedrooms, choose a soft woven or fluffy rug to produce this. Rugs that feature an interlace of metallic hues make a prominent statement.

Maximise the appearance of high ceilings with tall living plants. Not only do plants brighten up cool toned interiors, they also add functional benefits for physical and mental wellbeing.

Stainless steel is undeniably featured in many industrial homes. Incorporate this metal in the hardware used on doors, cabinets and drawers. Follow a coherent style throughout the home by adorning doors with authentic stainless steel door handles. A duo finish offers layers of visual depth whilst providing a solid feel in the hand.

Metallic Finishes

Another key trait in industrial décor includes metallic finishes and features. Out of all the key traits listed, this design element is easy to embrace. Decorate rooms with plenty of metal weaved into furniture, ornaments and wall pieces.

For a kitchen with dark blue or grey counters, select copper kitchen appliances to complement copper cup handles to open kitchen cupboards and drawers. With the popularity of copper soaring, you’re certain to find many pieces on the market.

Incorporate these few key traits for the industrial trend with our range of high-quality products that excel in both aesthetic and performance. For more interior inspiration, check out our previous blog The Madness of Mixed Metal Interiors!

The Scandinavian design is growing ever more increasingly popular but let’s face it, the minimalist aesthetic isn’t for everyone. Free spirited personalities thrive in spaces that represent their character, so clean simple lines are not always desirable.

There are many alternative styles to choose from and with all the inspiration available at your fingertips, we’re sure to excite your flair for interior styling!

For the homeowners who prefer a more traditional aesthetic yet still want to maintain a contemporary property, we’ve got the guide for you! It’s time to step back from minimalist design and refurbish your space in favour of an updated aristocratic interior style; a look most reminiscent of a stately home but with a twist.

Eccentric and Proud!

Large spaces appear remarkable with interior elements of eccentricity. Traditionally, statements were made with bold and rich colours, weaved into all four corners of the room. For a fresh and modern take on traditional stately home design, steer clear from distinguishable shades of red and opt for colours in blue, pink, yellow or green.

Keep in mind that the tone of the colours chosen will determine the coolness and warmth of the room. Pale and pastel shades are frequently incorporated in rooms to convey a soft and subtle sweep of colour whereas a bright, vibrant palette will appear more dramatic in effect.

Pattern, Pattern, Pattern!

Influenced by the trends of Eighteenth and Nineteenth century, modern floral patterned wallpaper is an ideal choice for decorating your walls. Floral designs imitate the neoclassical pattern frequently showcased on the walls of Georgian and Victorian homes and with an abundance of prints available, you can choose the option most suitable. Floral patterns can range from simple and traditional to oversize and can be categorised by being abstract, exotic or dark romantic.

From Floors to Doors!

Consider the colours and tone of the walls and floors from the outset, identifying whether you wish to install carpet or wood flooring as this will alter the aesthetic of the room. For vinyl or laminate wood floors, incorporate a patterned rug, measured to fit the area that you choose to keep snug. For visual delight, compliment cool tones with other cool tones and vice versa with warm hues.

Don’t be afraid to incorporate an array of patterns and fabrics throughout the room as this will elicit visual depth whilst increasing comfort and atmospheric cosiness. Cushions, curtains and rugs embellished with a range of materials will offer warmth and cosiness regardless of overall interior tone.

For an authentic traditional look, embroider doors, drawers and cabinets with traditional style handles that offer high-quality performance such as the scroll lever handles on backplate in a durable brass finish. For those intending to feature more silver and chrome plated items within the decor, select the same model of door handles on backplate in the highly-reflective chrome polished finish for a cohesive ambience. An alternative option to the classic handle design is the polished brass door knob set which offers a charismatic appeal to updated stately style interiors.

We strive to inspire your refurb projects and showcase a variety of high-quality products that excel in both aesthetic and performance. For more interior inspiration, check out our previous blog Attain Tranquillity with Bold Choices.

Putting your house up for sale can sometimes feel like a daunting task, tidying away the jumble, throwing out the clutter and power cleaning to get the property sold as quickly as possible. Viewers will be walking through your home, judging whether this space will suit their long-term plans. Impress your visitors and get your house off the market with these fail proof tips!

DIY

Ensure all your home facilities are functioning correctly! Any issues with high usage utilitarian items will spark doubt in the mind of your visitor and dampen the value of your offering. Whether it be a faulty toilet roll holder or a stiff door handle, it’s a great idea to make these repairs and replacements prior to the first visit.

For a cost effective solution, spruce up your bathroom with a new stick on toilet roll holder by choosing a finish that complements your existing metals and colour scheme. Choose a design that's easy to install, holders with self-adhesive back plates offer quick and easy to fit solutions.

There may be an issue with lubrication if your door handle is stiff to operate. Verify the cause of the problem by removing the door handles from the door and checking how they operate in hand. Look out for any sign of malfunction during this activity. A broken spring indicates that your handle needs replacing and if it’s stiff to operate, you can usually resolve this quite easily using graphite lubricant. Spruce up your internal door handles or replace them choosing the perfect door handles from the variety of styles we offer.

Refreshing your existing hardware will give your home a modern amenity, especially if the design and metal finish of your hardware is dated. For a trendy aesthetic, incorporate duo chrome door handles into your interior. The smooth satin chrome finish completed with a reflective polished chrome will add a touch of luxury to your home.

Declutter and Tidy

It’s ever so easy to misplace items around the house. Walk around your home and tidy away any items that add to the clutter. Shred documents that are no longer required and throw away odds and sods that offer no value. Keep your possessions organised by making use of key dishes, baskets and storage boxes. Place stylish coat hooks by the front door to hang coats, jackets and handbags and secure robe hooks onto the back of the bathroom door to hold robes and towels to dry.

Deep Clean

Now make your home shine! Clean room by room, dusting, wiping and vacuuming the particles away. Using your duster to give everything a light sweep before cleaning surfaces with a damp cloth. Use an old toothbrush and soapy water to remove build-ups of dust in hard to reach places along with a sponge to clean your door hardware and metal furnishings, complete by vacuuming and mopping the floors.

Add More Light

Increase the amount of light in the room to create a productive, happier, healthier and calmer atmosphere. For day visits, open blinds and curtains to increase the natural brightness. For evening visits switch on lamps in addition to ceiling lights around the home to increase brightness. This activity will convey a more welcoming and positive environment, highlighting the cleanliness of your home.

Ventilate!

Finally, ventilate your space! On warm sunny days, leave windows open during visits to improve the flow of fresh air. On those colder days, open windows for 5-10 minutes an hour or two before the visit then set the thermostat to a comfortable temperature and secure a ‘homely feel’ in your property.

We understand how stressful it can be when it comes to property selling. We hope our 5 tips for a quick property sale helps you with your endeavours! We offer a variety of high-quality products that excel in both aesthetic and performance to help make your styling decisions simple. Follow these manageable steps for a swift and speedy house sale.

Self-care and wellbeing resume as a hot topic, emerging as an all-inclusive trend with expectation to rise in popularity. Whether it's mental or physical wellness, people are choosing soothing interior styles to help release the tension and stresses of busy and demanding lifestyles.

Get the black spa-inspired look!

Whilst your immediate thoughts may turn to white walls and minimalist décor, there is the consequence of creating an emptiness effect with this conservative style. Choosing a bold colour for your bathroom can vastly improve your mood, and whilst it may seem daunting, selecting a black colour scheme can render feelings of peace and tranquillity! To create a luxurious and sensual ambience for your spa-inspired bathroom, choose black mosaic floor and walls tiles and blend either warm or cool metal hues to the space. Hardware in chrome or polished stainless steel can add a glistening and reflective effect whilst copper, brass and rose gold finishes add a warming glow. Select mirror frames and accessories to match the tone of your chosen metals as this will complement the overall aesthetic. Consider the dramatic change of bathroom colour as a healthy holistic approach to your wellness, for the mind, body and the eyes!

Add Charm with Embellishments

Integrating polished stainless steel hardware into your black bathroom, such as modern internal door handles with polished stainless steel levers, will offer a unique and deluxe aesthetic whilst providing elements of sophistication to the space. Made from high quality grade 304 stainless steel, these door handles will ensure longevity and durability. The polished finish of the stainless steel hardware provides the ideal solution for adorning modern style homes and properties.

Keep it Sultry with Matte Black Features

As an alternative to warm and cool metal tones, choose the neutral hue of matte black for your hardware and accessories for a daring all-black bathroom design. This concept is exceptionally daring yet so simple to incorporate into your styling and with a variety of matte black features will most certainly distinguish the character of your bathroom from the bathrooms of others.

We strive to make your interior design planning easier by offering inspiration and a variety of high-quality products that excel in both aesthetic and performance. Try this interior style to help ease some of your tension and stresses.

Silver, gold, brass and iron are great metals to choose for your hardware, furnishings, mirrors and décor but wait… its now trending to blend them in one room? You heard that right! Incorporating a mix of metals within your homely space is a great strategy for adding visual interest and depth and differs from the clean lines of Scandi style.

The 1980’s idea of it being taboo to mix your metals is a thing of the past! We’re at a place in time where gold and silver CAN be friends, maybe even best friends! And this works for your interior features as well as adorning your jewellery. Interior styling is subjective, but we’ve got a method to the madness of mixing your metals to ensure that your room conveys thought provoked design.

Mixing metals favours the more eclectic style, using an array of hues, textures and finishes to create a desirable interior space that can even provide aesthetic thermal comfort! It may seem intimidating, as if you’re breaking the rules of interior styling, but consider this an opportunity to get creative and enjoy the character of a mixed metal room.

The use of one dominant metal and a few accent metals is our recommended formula to obtaining style, sophistication and depth. The ideal measurements of texture and finish will grant you with the visual interest and depth that you desire. So here it is, the method you’ve been waiting for.... but before you start purchasing your items, it’s important to recognise that metals vary in hue and texture and the first thing you need to consider are the different tones available.

• Neutral metals – cast iron and other black metals
• Cool metals – aluminium, stainless steel and other silver metals
• Warm metals – brass, copper and gold

Certain colours pair seamlessly with each other. For example, warm rooms decorated in brown, red or yellow are complemented by metals like brass, copper and gold and cooler rooms decorated in blues, greens and violet pair with cool metals, such as chrome and silver. Neutral metals can be mixed with both warm and cool hues. An interior with a neutral palette, such as white walls with simple neutral colour shades, offers somewhat of a blank canvas to get creative!

Choose One Main Metal

This choice might be your favourite primary metal and will appear most prominent within your interior. Black kitchen cabinets radiate sophistication and by choosing a matte black, we’re sure it will add to the sleek effect. Incorporate a matte black metal mirror to add to the prominence of the matte black hue then add accent metals to allow the eye to swiftly pan to the other metals.

Choose 1 or 2 Accent metals

Matte black finishes offer a neutral tone and can be mixed with either warm or cool toned metals. A matte black kitchen will look fantastic with copper cup handles and accents of either copper, brass or gold incorporated in light fixtures, taps and in copper table and chair legs. The glow of the copper, brass or gold will add an immediate warmth to the kitchen, emphasising an aesthetic thermal comfort. The warm hues of the metal accompanied by the dominant matte black finishes will add sophistication and luxury.

Blend Finishes and Textures

Define your space by varying the finishes of your metal. Cabinet handles and door handles are an easy place to start and offer a contemporary touch for a stunning design. Adding even more texture to a room will elevate the experience of visual weight within your home. Additional touches may include larger furnishings like textured rugs with the metal hue in the fabric, textured wall tiles for the kitchen or bathroom or patterned and textured cushions for comfort. The distance and placement of metal and fabric textures determines the subtlety and assertiveness of the visual weight. Placing smooth and rough textures together will strengthen the rough texture and draw the eye towards it.

Let’s leave the rules of the 1980s in the past. Keita Turner of Keita Turner Design emphasises that moderation and context is the key focus in the mixing metal trend. By following this method of madness, you’re sure to achieve a balanced contemporary room.

We strive to eliminate the time-consuming uncertainty that goes into interior design. In addition to our renovation tips, we offer a variety of high-quality products that excel in both aesthetic and performance to help ease your decisions. Is mixing metals truly madness? We think not!

In celebration of World Architecture Day, we have looked at inspirational buildings which could help you to design an interior with the wow factor!

The American Radiator Building

The American Radiator Building is a dramatic and grandiose structure on a large scale, which takes inspiration from gothic and art deco architecture. This imposing structure is accentuated by a fabulous collaboration of black and gold. Black and metallics are popular choices for the modern interior, but this building demonstrates how you can pair popular palettes with more intricate and traditional designs for a truly magnificent finish.

Wales Millennium Centre

The Wales Millennium Centre is a dynamic, modern building showcasing a Welsh slate exterior with glass entrance for a light and bright interior and a domineering copper-coloured feature piece above the entrance. Its genius lies in the subtle combination of textures and colours used. From the tactile nature of the multi-coloured slate to the stark, industrial nature of the central metal piece. Texture is a great way to bring together an interior when it comes to 'dressing' a room. Think soft, plump cushions to soften your bang on trend copper door handles and accessories.

For more interior design inspiration why not check out our previous blogs on Beautiful Brass and Industrial Inspiration.

Wallpaper is commonly used as either a decorative feature, or lining paper applied to the wall in preparation for painting. Plain wallpapers are in some ways easier to work with, as you don’t need to be concerned with pattern matching. However they don’t pack the same punch in terms of decorating your interior.

Calculate Surface

First, you will need to calculate the meterage of the wall space that you plan to cover. For example, if you are creating a feature wall then you will need to use less paper than if you are wallpapering the whole room. Take the width of each wall you intend to cover and divide the total width of all walls by the width of the wallpaper to give you the number of drops required. Next take the height of the walls and multiply by the number of drops to give you the meterage required. Remember to account for pattern repeats if you choose a decorative wallpaper, otherwise you may run out of paper.

Preparations

You can wallpaper over existing wallpaper or paint, but it is important that your base is smooth and clean. Stick down any sections of the original paper that have lifted, or smooth out rough sections of paint before you start re-papering. Once you are satisfied, wipe the surface with a damp cloth and leave to dry.

Next, prepare your paper. Measure out the length for your first piece and apply paste to the reverse. If you are wallpapering the whole room, it is advisable to hold the first piece up against a free corner with no obstacles and check the alignment, be sure to slightly overlap the paper over the corner before adhering it to the wall. This way when you stick down the final adjoining corner piece, you can cut it directly in line with the corner to avoid gaps appearing.

If papering a feature wall then it is best to start in the centre and work outwards, in order to centralise the pattern, so the outer edges are identical. Be sure to stick the paper in line with the corner for a tidy edge.

Hang Wallpaper

Once the first piece of wallpaper has been fixed, you can measure out the subsequent drops one by one and adhere them in alignment with the previous edge. When cutting your wallpaper, remember to account for any pattern repeats.

Avoid Obstacles

You can avoid obstacles such as light switches and sockets simply by measuring the area out and cutting the excess paper to accommodate your fitting. Then continue wallpapering as above.

For more handy hints and tips on renovating your home check out our earlier blogs on How to Choose Your Paintbrush and Painting Internal Doors.

Repainting your skirting boards can have a big impact on the aesthetics of a room, so if your skirting boards are looking a little tired, then check out our top tips on how to achieve a professional finish when repainting your skirting boards.

Preparation

Before you get started put down dust sheets to protect your furnishings from dust, as you will need to sand your skirting before painting, adding a texture to the surface to help the paint adhere.

Choose a satin or semigloss finish wood paint that is suited to your home's décor and that will refresh the colour and finish. If choosing the same or a darker colour paint you can lightly sand the skirting boards. However, if lightening the colour, you may need to remove the existing paint from the surface or apply a primer. Once you have prepared your skirting boards, you will be ready to repaint them.

Painting

Unless you’re a decorator with years of experience cutting in, then it’s advisable to stick masking tape along the edges before commencing, as this will prevent the paint going on the walls or running onto the floor. When applying the paint, check that you have enough paint on your brush, however take care not to overpaint an area, as this will cause runs of paint or brush marks to appear once the paint is dry.

For more DIY tips and inspiration, why not check out our previous blogs on How to Choose Your Paintbrush and 5 Ways to Refresh Your Room.

If you are looking to purchase a property you may wish to instruct a survey, to determine the condition of the property you are planning to buy. There are several types of surveys available to home buyers. If you are in any doubt over which to choose, it is best to speak with a reputable and qualified surveyor to find out exactly what is inspected or tested in each report and discuss any specific areas that you wish to be checked. However, please read our short guide outlining the type of checks a property survey can include.

Structure

A property survey can be used to identify any areas of structural concern including serious defects such as damp, rot and subsidence. It is important to identity any major flaws in the property prior to exchanging contracts, so you can determine the cost and implications of any necessary repairs. Should any potential issues arise, you can then make an informed decision on the property.

Valuation

Surveys can also include a professional market valuation. This can help you to establish if the property you are buying is worth the amount of money you are paying for it. If the property has been valued at less than the asking price for example, you may wish to revise your offer.

Maintenance

A surveyor can advise of any additional areas requiring maintenance. This can range from advising that the guttering needs clearing to recommending that additional insulation is added into your loft. This can offer a useful insight into the level of maintenance you would need to undertake should you choose to proceed.

We hope this has provided a useful insight into what you can expect from a property survey. Why not check out our previous blogs on How to Prepare your Home for Viewing and A Guide to First Time Home Buying.

There are many cleaning products available on the market for every imaginable situation, but it is difficult to determine the impact these products may have on our health. Of course, there are instances in which you should use a specialised cleaning solution. However for general cleaning, you can use natural products from your home in place of these harsh products.

Baking Powder

Baking powder is the perfect choice for cleaning your carpet or rugs. It not only neutralises odours but can be mixed with water to form a cleaning paste, perfect for drawing any beverage spills from your carpet! You can also apply baking powder directly to your carpet or rug in powder form, leaving it for a short time to absorb any odours before vacuuming away!

White Vinegar

White vinegar diluted with water is also an ideal cleaning solution, particularly for your windows, mirrors or glass doors as it leaves a clear, streak free and sparkling finish to the surface of the glass. Don’t like the smell? No problem! You can always add a little lemon juice to the mix to leave a fresh scent and the vinegar smell will disappear once dry anyway! Interestingly you can also use the remaining flesh of your lemon to help dislodge any residue material in your cheese grater or sieve before washing it up too!

Water

Items which are not ‘dirty’, but still need to be regularly maintained can be cleaned with water! If you have a steam cleaner, this can be used with various nozzles to clean the whole home. Similarly, items like door handles can be cleaned by simply using a damp cloth, before buffing the handles with a soft, dry towel to remove any moisture.

For more tips on becoming more environmentally friendly, why not check out our earlier blogs on How to Save Water in Your Bathroom and Saving Money on Your Energy Bills.

A garden path is not only useful when manoeuvring around your garden, but can also make a striking decorative feature. There are many materials you can use to create a garden path, but perhaps one of the most attractive and easiest to install are stepping stones.

Material

Stepping stones are perfect for adding a little charm into both the traditional and modern garden. There are a diverse range of stepping stones on the market, ranging in shape, size, texture and colour, so be sure to choose the ones that will best fit the overall finish you wish to achieve. Stepping stones are very simple to install, as the levelling process is much less specific than that of a formal pathway made from brick or paving slabs.

Layout

First you should establish where you plan to lay your path and the distance you wish the stones to sit apart from one another. It may be helpful for you to begin by laying your stepping stones onto the ground, so you can be certain the path is positioned exactly where you want it to be. You can then mark the circumference of each stepping stone onto the ground.

Prepare

It is important to lay your stepping stones onto a level base, so be sure to keep a spirit level at hand throughout this process! This way you can continue to make any adjustments required before laying each stepping stone. Start by digging out the areas that you have assigned for your stepping stones, ensuring that there is enough room beneath each of the stones for your mortar. Remember that the thickness of the stones will also impact the depth of the hole you need to dig, so be sure to check the manufacturer's recommendations regarding the perfect depth for installing your stepping stones.

Install

Now that you have dug the required holes for your stepping stones, you can start to install the stones one at a time. Start by pouring a suitable mortar mix into each hole, ensuring that the mortar reaches the necessary depth recommended by the manufacturer. You can then lay your stepping stones directly onto the mortar, lightly tapping them into place using a rubber mallet. Finally, check that the stone is lying flush before leaving them to set into place. Once dry, you can then fill any gaps surrounding your stepping stones with soil.

We hope this guide has been useful. For more summer DIY tips, why not check out our previous blogs on Creating Your Perfect Summer Garden and How to Put Up a Garden Shed.

With the brighter and longer days of summer, many will be taking time to repaint their homes. A good paintbrush helps to achieve a professional finish, but there is no point investing in a high-quality brush if you can’t reuse it in the future! Check out our top three tips on how to clean your paintbrushes in order to best preserve them for years to come.

Your Paint Type

Perhaps most commonly available are water and oil-based paints. It is important to determine which paint type you have used, in order to ensure the paint is effectively removed and the life span of the brush preserved.

Water Based Paint

Removing water-based paint is a very simple process indeed. First it is important to remove any excess paint from your paintbrush using warm water. Once you have done this, it is important to soak your brush in water to help dislodge any remnants of paint from the bristles. After an hour or so, rinse your brush thoroughly again until the water runs clear. At this stage the paint brush can be left out to dry naturally before being put away for its next use.

Oil Based Paint

Oil based paints are a little trickier to clean as you will need to soak the brush in a chemical cleaner such as white spirit or turpentine, to remove any residue material from the brush. Remember that chemical cleaners should not be disposed of down the sink, but can instead be poured back into a container for reuse when you next need to clean your paintbrushes!

For more information on home decoration, why not check out our earlier blogs, Painting Internal Doors  and How to Paint Interior Walls.

There is a wide selection of paintbrushes available to choose from and which you should choose depends on a number of factors. Check out our top tips on how to go about making the best choice for decorating your home.

Determine the Paint Type

The makeup of your paint helps to determine what type of paint brush should be used for the most aesthetically pleasing and efficient finish. As a general rule of thumb it is best to select synthetic bristles when applying a water based paint and natural bristles with oil based paints.

Determine the Size

It may seem obvious, but as a general guide you should choose a larger paint brush for painting larger surface areas and smaller brushes for applying paint to a smaller space. If you are repainting a door for example, you may wish to use a slimmer brush to paint any indented sections surrounding the panels, before switching to a wider brush to fill in the larger remaining sections of the door. Of course, if you are painting a wall, you may prefer to use a smaller paintbrush for cutting in around the edges before using a roller to cover the bulk of the wall.

Determine the Shape

When painting straight sections such as a wall, then a square edged paint brush in most instances should do the trick. If however you are looking to tackle edges or corners then an angled edge brush may help you to achieve a neater finish.

For more painting tips why not check out our blogs, How to Paint Interior Walls and Painting Your Garden Fence & Gate.

With the summer months upon us and rainfall reducing, now is a great time to look at saving water in our homes and where better to start than in your bathroom? Check out our simple tips on how to conserve water in your home.

Shower over Bath

Where possible it is best to take a shower over running a bath, as this will significantly reduce your water consumption. If you are looking at replacing your shower head then why not look for a water saving model, to further reduce the amount of wasted water.

Turn off the Tap

Don’t leave the tap running when brushing your teeth. If everyone was to make this small tweak to their daily regime then a substantial amount of fresh water would be conserved each day.

Toilet Type

Most modern toilets offer a low or dual flushing facility, which reduces water wastage in your home. If you are looking to install a new toilet then it is worth considering this when choosing the new model.

Reuse Towels

Hang your bathroom towels over the radiator to dry so they can be reused before they are washed. By reducing the number of wash loads you do, you are also helping to conserve valuable fresh water resources.

Recycling

Greywater such as bathwater can be recycled. Although it cannot be consumed, the water can be reused for watering your garden or washing your car, rather than using fresh water supplies for such activities. There are systems available on the market for recycling greywater, although they can be expensive to install.

We hope this has inspired you to help conserve water. For more inspiration on how to save money on your bills and become more environmentally friendly, why not check out our previous blog, Saving Money on Your Energy Bills.

For many, the spare room is a glorified storage space and is used as an overflow once the loft and garage have reached their maximum capacities. Simple decluttering could really improve the square footage of your home and help transform your spare bedroom into a much more useful space for you and your family to enjoy. Why not check out our top three ideas on how to best make use of your spare room.

Playroom

For those who have a young family, a playroom could provide an invaluable space for your children to play and also free up your living room for the adult members of the family to relax in!

Hobbies Space

Like sewing or doing jigsaws, but dislike the inconvenience of having to move your creation each time another family member wants to use the room? A hobbies room could provide the perfect solution for you to unwind each day. It is a great way for the family to become involved in crafts too!

Home Office

It is important to work in a separate area to that you relax in, in order to create separation between work and home. If you choose or are required to work from home then a home office could be the ideal solution for you, providing a separate space away from family life for you to complete your work.

For more inspiration on how to adapt your home to your lifestyle, why not check out our previous blogs, 5 Easy DIY Storage Solutions and Creating Your Perfect Summer Garden.

Many of the population have a garden shed for storing lawn mowers and garden tools and with new build properties getting smaller and less storage solutions available, the garden shed is just the solution to keep such items. If you are looking to erect a shed in your garden then check out our top tips on how to put up a garden shed.

Level Base

Patio slabs are an ideal foundation for a garden shed, but it is imperative to ensure that the slabs are fitted evenly. It is advisable to use a spirit level to check that the paved area is level otherwise the shed may be constructed out of alignment which in turn will cause issues with the door functioning. Typically, a layer of sand is used to level the slabs before cement is used to fix them into place, be sure to follow the instructions allowing time for the cement to dry.

Construct

Most sheds are supplied in a flat pack format. Usually the base is laid first, followed by the sides. Once this frame work and side panels are in place the roof is then added, followed by a protective membrane to ensure the shed is water tight and increase its resistance to the elements. If your shed has windows, then these will likely be installed last of all. It is important to read and follow the manufacturers assembly instructions as they will detail the most relevant information for installation.

Secure

Once you have built your shed, don’t forget to secure it. Typically a hasp and staple along with a key operated or weatherproof combination padlock would be used to prevent access being gained by any unwanted persons.

For more home and garden improvements, why not check out our previous blogs, Creating Your Perfect Summer Garden and Improving Your Home Security.

In honour of World Environment Day, we have put together a few tips on how you can help to save the environment and save money all at the same time.

Heating

Consider the temperature you leave your home when out. Remember that your home needs to be warm enough to keep the system from freezing in cold weather, but doesn’t need to be heated to the same extent as when you are at home. When you are at home, consider putting on a jumper rather than turning the heating up. Heating not only affects your energy consumption but also affects the temperature of the environment which in turn impacts upon our natural resources.

Lighting

Be mindful to switch lights off if you are the last person leaving a room or set timers to ensure that your lights are switched off. When replacing light bulbs, it is worth considering installing energy saving bulbs. This will help both to reduce your energy bills and greenhouse gasses, which helps the planet reserve its non-renewable energy sources.

Water

Try to conserve water supplies by taking a shower rather than a bath and installing a water butt in your garden to water the plants. The rainwater is not only better for your plants, but you are also recycling excess water which will help you to save on your energy bills too!

Electronics

Wash your laundry in full loads, so your devices are on less often. If you have a tumble dryer, try to avoid using it on a dry day! With the increase in electronic devices within our homes standby function is often used, but this is not as effective as turning your electronics off when out of use.

Insulation

Check your home is adequately insulated. Loft and cavity wall insulation are both reliable ways of conserving heat in your home and reducing wasted energy. If your budget won’t stretch to full loft insulation then fear not, there are still steps you can take to improve the heat retention in your home without breaking the bank. Checking seals around doors and windows for example to ensure the heat stays in.

We hope you have found this useful. For more handy hints and tips on Creating Your Perfect Summer Garden and How to Check Your Boiler.

With summer only weeks away, now is an ideal time to revisit your garden and create the perfect space for the whole family to enjoy the sunshine together! It can be a challenge to find the right balance to suit everyone, but it’s certainly not an impossible task to undertake! Perhaps the best way to satisfy your entire household is to think about creating different zones within your garden. Sound good? Why not check out our top tips on how to mould your garden into the perfect family friendly space!

Fit a Patio

Many of us keep a lawned garden to ensure the children have space to play in the summer, but if you want to optimise the potential usage of your garden there is no reason why you can’t incorporate a relaxation area for the adults too! A patio offers the perfect space for lounging and entertaining during the summer months while the children are busy playing. Concrete slabs and decking are perhaps most commonly used to provide a low-maintenance solution to this effect. Tall grasses or plants such as bamboo can also be used to create borders and make an ideal place to play hide and seek too!

Grow Your Own

A simple and low-cost way to engage the whole family with your garden is to try growing your own fruit and veg. Herbs are an ideal place to start as you don’t need a lot of space or an overwhelming budget to do this and little ones can be involved with planting and picking some of the ingredients you will use for dinner!

For the more adventurous gardener, why not expand your range and try your hand at growing some vegetables too? If you have a large garden, you could even create your own vegetable patch complete with a country-style gate finished with a quaint Suffolk latch or ring gate latch to protect your crop from being trampled on!

Encourage Wildlife

Wildlife is an important part of our eco system and we have unfortunately seen a dramatic decline in the recorded number of bees and butterflies in recent years, so it is vital that we consider ways in which we can encourage the fauna to flourish in our gardens. Plants such as Buddleia are well known for attracting butterflies and sweet-scented and brightly coloured wild flowers for attracting bees. You never know, you could even end up with your own miniature nature reserve in your own back garden!

For more idea’s on how to maintain your garden, why not check out our previous blog for tips on How To Paint Your Garden Fence.

Spring is a common time for sellers to put their house on the market, with the hope to be able to move home in the lighter and brighter summer months before the start of the next school year, but with how can you make your house stand out from the crowd? Check out our top tips on how best to present your property to a potential buyer.

Declutter

Storage is an important factor for a potential buyer. If your home is overcrowded with personal possessions, then you could be giving the buyer the impression that your home does not offer enough space. Try to sort through your belongings before the estate agent takes any photographs to advertise your home, as this will greatly increase the sense of space in your property and also help you to consolidate before moving.

Neutralise

Remember that a potential buyer needs to feel like your house could be their home and not every viewer will be able to visualise how your space could become theirs. Try where possible to neutralise your décor and store any personal items such as family photographs out of sight, as this could help your viewers to visualise their own family and belongings in the space.

Spring Clean

A clean and well-maintained space helps a buyer to feel at ease when viewing your house. It is worth giving your house a thorough clean before your viewings and don’t forget to wipe over tactile surfaces such as kitchen worktops, door handles and taps to give a sparkling finish. Check the guttering is clear and de-weed the drive, as it is these little touches that enable the buyer to check that these key areas are in a good state of general repair.

For more inspiration why not read our previous blogs on 5 Easy DIY Storage Solutions and How to Create a Clutter Free Bathroom.

Updating your door handles is both a simple and effective way to update your home. But what do you need to consider to ensure that they are going to fit correctly to your doors?

Diameter of Hole

It is advisable to first remove your existing handles to establish the diameter of the hole, as the rose or backplate on your new handles will need to be large enough to conceal the hole and any existing fixing holes.

You may also wish to consider the centre measurements, or the measurement between the fixing holes. This will enable you to use the existing screw holes to fit your handles, but is not an essential requirement for fitting your new handles.

Consider the Latch

It is possible to fit new door handles to an existing latch, but you first need to check that the measurement of the spindle in your current handles matches that of the one included with your new handles.

Should this measurement differ, then a new latch can be fitted. If you are planning to fit a new latch you need to take what is known as a 'backset' measurement. This is the measurement from the centre of the spindle hole to the edge of your door. It is important to ensure that your new door latch has the same backset measurement as the existing one, as this will determine the position of your handles on the door and therefore will ensure that the handles will cover the existing fixing holes. When ordering a new latch, you should also consider the dimensions of the face plate and strike plate included to ensure the new latch will cover any existing holes visible here too.

For more information on updating your door hardware, why not check out our earlier blogs on Choosing Door Handles and Buying Door Latches.

New door handles are a fantastic way to add a finishing touch to your interior, but how can one keep a lasting finish? Read our top tips on how to keep your internal door handles looking pristine.

Polish Your Handles

Use a soft polishing cloth to buff your handles and avoid using abrasives as they will cause damage to the finish. Your handles will respond well to being polished as part of a regular maintenance regime.

Don’t Use Chemical Cleaners

The number one rule when cleaning your door handles is not to use any chemical products, as they can damage the surface of the handles leaving an unsightly finish on your internal door handles. A damp cloth with warm water is perfect for cleaning your handles, but be sure to wipe them dry following cleaning to ensure no moisture settles onto the surface.

Keep the Surface Dry

It is important to ensure that the surface of your handles are kept dry at all times. Air your rooms to avoid condensation occurring. In bathrooms and kitchens where condensation prevails use a dry cloth to wipe away any moisture that may otherwise settle onto the handle and cause damage to the finish.

Remove Surface Rust

If rust appears on your stainless steel door handles a non-chemical cream cleaner may be used to remove the surface rust, but this must be cleaned off immediately using warm water and then dried thoroughly. Please note that this step applies to stainless steel door handles only and is not suitable for cleaning chrome handles.

For further tips on maintaining your home, check out our previous blogs on How To Prevent Damp Forming and How to Check Your Boiler.

Christmas is only days away and with our advent calendar doors almost all open, it’s time to count down the remaining days before the big day! But how can you create the ultimate cosy Christmas atmosphere in time for friends and family visiting? Here are our top tips on how best to prepare your home for the busy period ahead.

Christmas Stockings

Stockings are iconic part of Christmas. They are not only a traditional way of presenting your presents, but also a great way to decorate your home in time for the festive season! Christmas stockings also double up as a super practical way of storing your gifts off the floor and are a great way to decorate your door handles or newel post!

Get Crafting

Craft is a wonderful way of bringing the family together at Christmas time. From paper snowflakes at the window to making your own Christmas stocking, craft is an exciting way for the family to prepare for Christmas together and create bespoke decorations for your home.

Bake Together

Preparing edible decorations is a fantastic spend quality time with the family while still preparing for festivities. Think Christmas shortbread to adorn the tree and delicious marzipan sweets to display on the table. Another benefit of making your own edible decorations is that there is very little to store for the next year too!

Hat & Coat Hooks

If you don’t already have coat hooks in your porch or entrance hall, then fit them in time! The last thing you want at Christmas is your quests wet jackets draped over the back of the chair!

For more tips on how to prepare your home this winter, check out our blogs How to Check Your Boiler and Preparing Your Home for Winter.

Feel like you have outgrown your home, but don’t want to move? Every home has a maximum capacity and the bigger your house the more you can fill it, so it is possible that moving might not the best way to solve this issue. In most homes space can be easily created with a little consideration given to storage solutions. Check out our top tips on finding the right storage solutions for your home.

Under Bed Storage

Think of all the wasted space that lies beneath your bed! Space that is rendered entirely useless for any other purpose than storage. This is the perfect place to store anything your wish! Beds can of course be bought with in built storage solutions, but if yours doesn’t then why not utilise this space for housing your storage boxes? This way you can free up a more useable space elsewhere in your home.

Shelves

Whether for a good book, or simply to tidy your paperwork, don’t be afraid to introduce shelves into your home. This is a simple and effective way to organise your space and declutter your home all at the same time. You could even make the shelves a feature in your room by adding some bold accent colours into your room.

Coat Hooks

It’s almost time to bring the Winter coats out which can leave our hallways feeling cluttered. Why not consider using old door knobs as a design statement for a streamline coat hook?

Shoe Tidies

For the shoe lovers out there, the good news is that there are plenty of options for housing your beloved shoes. From nifty hallway units to handy wardrobe inserts to ensure your shoes are kept in a good condition and don’t just sit gathering dust and cluttering your home!

Kitchen Storage

There are loads of nifty kitchen storage solutions to choose from on the market. From kitchen carousels to spice racks, all offering integrated solutions to maximise the available storage space within your cupboards. If you don’t have any installed fear not, as there are plenty of DIY options available to help you achieve similar results.

For more inspiration on home improvements, why not check out our previous blogs on how to Create a Clutter Free Bathroom  and 5 Ways to Refresh Your Home.

Bathrooms are notoriously susceptible to moisture, which if unmaintained makes them the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and germs to manifest. Check out our top tips on how to ensure your bathroom stays clean and clutter free.

Install Storage

It is difficult to de-clutter your bathroom as you are likely to be using the majority of the products contained within on a regular basis, but it is worth assessing the quantity of products you do have with a view to finding a suitable storage solution. The beauty of this is that with so many free standing storage units available on the market, you don’t need to fit a complete new bathroom. If your products are neatly stored away, this will give the illusion of a clutter free space and make it much easier to clean.

Air Your Bathroom

It is important to air your bathroom by opening a window or switching on your extractor fan when there is moisture present. Also remember to wipe dry any stainless steel or chrome bathroom accessories such as taps and door handles to preserve their longevity.

Deep Clean

It may seem obvious, but it is important to establish the areas that are out of your immediate view and get missed on those days that your bathroom gets ‘a quick wipe over’. Areas like the shower hose, grouting and hard to reach places such as the ledge above your door frame are all places that are commonly neglected during cleaning.

For more top tips, why not check out our previous blogs on ‘How to Prevent Damp Forming in Your Bathroom’ and ‘Choosing Door Handles’.

Of all the rooms within our homes, the bathroom is perhaps most susceptible to damp due to the amount of moisture that naturally occurs and causes condensation. So what measures can be taken to reduce the risk of damp in our bathrooms? Check out our top three tips on reducing the risk of damp in your home.

Air the Room

This is especially important during bath or shower time, as at this time there will be excess moisture in the air. If left unattended then you may experience issues with damp and eventually even mould forming within your room. This can in turn cause negative health implications, so it’s important to maintain your home to ensure a safe environment for your family. Where possible it is best to open the window following a bath or shower, to allow the room to expel any moisture. Alternatively, this can be managed by using an extractor fan during and after such periods of usage.

Hang your Towels

It is best to hang damp towels up to ensure they dry thoroughly. If left wet your towels could also cause damp, so ensure that they are neatly hung for drying. Heated towel rails are best as they help to assist the drying process and ensure that there is no excess moisture left in the room, but if you don’t have one installed you could use an airer, or even hang them onto the washing line on a dry day.

Wipe away Moisture

It is best to dry areas where excessive amounts of water and condensation may appear, to reduce the risk of moisture forming within your bathroom. Door handles, windows and mirrors are prime examples of areas that can on occasion be missed, but it is important to ensure such surfaces are dried when condensation appears to help keep your room dry and prevent water damage occurring.

Why not check out our previous blogs, How to Paint Interior Walls and Painting Internal Doors for more helpful hints and tips on maintaining your home?

With Winter fast approaching, it can be reassuring to have a few extra security measures in place before the dark nights descend upon us. Check out our top tips on the best way to improve your home security and deter any unwanted visitors from your property!

Certified Door Lock

It is important to ensure that you fit a secure door lock onto all external doors on your property. This includes any concealed doors such as a front door that sits behind a porch, or the door leading from your house into your garage. Typically, the minimum requirement for an external door is a certified 5-lever mortice lock. Where possible it is best to also install locks on windows too to improve security.

Security Lights

External security lights are a great feature during the Winter months, as the light is activated upon movement being sensed, therefore enabling you to see clearly who is approaching your property when it’s dark outside. This can not only help put your mind to rest when the neighbours cat is leisurely strolling across your lawn, but also prove to be a powerful deterrent to any unwanted visitors.

Home Alarm

Home alarm systems are a fantastic deterrent for burglars, as on a basic level they quickly sound the alarm to alert the whole street of a potential issue. It should also prompt any potential intruders to vacate your home quickly. Some alarm systems can also be monitored by a response centre who decide if an activation is passed to the police. If you do choose to have your alarm monitored in this way however, it is worth noting that you may be required to make regular maintenance payments to ensure this service is upheld.

Home CCTV

Home CCTV surveillance systems are widely available on the market and can be installed both inside and outside your property. This is an ingenious way to self-monitor your property if you are away from home, or even if you simply want to check who is at your door without getting up from your chair! Carefully consider your requirements as some systems enable you to vocally interact with visitors even if you are away from home and you can often choose to upgrade your plan to enable historical surveillance data to be stored.

For more ideas on how to prepare your home for Winter, why not check out our previous blogs on Preparing Your Home for Winter and 5 Ways to Refresh Your Room?

With the Autumn now setting in, its time to prepare our homes for the cold months ahead. Check our top three tips on how to ensure your home stays warm this Winter.

Maintain Radiators

This is our top tip for keeping your home warm this winter! ‘Bleeding’ your radiators is a quick fix and an easy task, even for the DIY novice! If not regularly maintained then you will find that air may accumulate and restrict the hot water from circulating throughout the radiator. The reason for doing this is to allow the air to escape from within your radiator so the water can circulate freely.

Combat Draughts

The first thing you need to establish is if there are any draughts in your home and if so, where is the root of the cause! Draughts are perhaps most commonly found in the areas around your windows and doors. The good news is however that you can easily top up the silicone sealant or add draught excluders around your windows and doors to reduce draughts.

Cosy Décor

Heard of the Scandinavian concept ‘Hygge’? It’s all about creating a warm and inviting atmosphere in which to relax with friends and family. With Summer having now passed, it’s time to accessorise your home ready for winter. Get the cosy blankets and warm rugs back out from storage and light some candles to create a cosy atmosphere. Install warm tones throughout your space. Consider brass or copper door handles to replicate warm and sunny tones through your space.

Feeling inspired? Why not check out our previous blogs on Beautiful Brass and 5 Ways to Refresh Your Home?

Your boiler provides a vital source of heat in your home, so it is important to perform regular checks to ensure it stays safe and functional at all times. While it is important to conduct your own checks to alert you of any issues which may have arose in between services, it is also important to remember that these should never be done in place of your service. Here are our top tips on how to check your boiler.

Regular Service Plan

It is imperative to have your boiler checked by a qualified and reputable engineer, not only to ensure that it is working to its full capacity but also to ensure it is operating safely. If there should be any issues a qualified tradesperson should be able to identify these and carry out any necessary maintenance to ensure your home stays warm and safe. Speak to your provider to determine an appropriate service plan for your home and make sure you stick to your schedule!

Check the Pressure

It is important to check that the pressure on your boiler conforms to that recommended by the manufacturer. This is usually measured in ‘bar’ a metric unit of pressure. On most boilers there is a pressure gauge visible which denotes the level of pressure that your boiler is operating at. If this should differ from that recommended by the manufacturer, it is important to gain advice from a qualified specialist who will be able to correct this and ensure that your boiler is operating safely.

Check External Pipes

It is vital to check external pipes for any damage or cracks and ensure that the insulation is intact, particularly in preparation for the Winter months when extreme weather conditions could cause damage to the pipes. It is also worth installing a carbon monoxide alarm in your home if you do not already have one, which will alert you should the boiler have a dangerous leak.

For more top tips on maintaining you home, why not check out our previous blogs on How to Paint Interior Walls and Painting Internal Doors?

Finding your First Home is a big decision and you want to get it right! Check out our handy guide on how to approach finding your first home.

Be Realistic

It is important to be realistic and strike a balance between what you ultimately want and what you can realistically afford to buy. Don’t for example base your requirements on what you can afford to rent, or aim to replicate the type of home your parents own as it is likely to have taken them years to get the home they have now! Do also keep up to date with market prices as house prices never stay at a constant, so if it takes you six months’ to find that dream first home be prepared that the value won’t necessarily be the same as when you first started your search!

List Requirements

Work out what you need your home to deliver for you. Establish what the minimum number of bedrooms you could work with would be and if you need a driveway or good transport links to get to work. Consider also how far from work you would like to be situated and look for homes that fit your criteria. Remember that house buying is full of compromises and it is unlikely that you will get everything you want! Make a clear definition between your essential and non-essential criteria so you can make an informed decision on whether or not to proceed with a property.

Be Savvy

Most first-time buyers approach home buying with a modest budget and as such it can be a challenge to find everything you desire from your first home. While it can be tempting to consider a renovation project that could offer you the full potential to create your dream home instead of looking to make a compromise on your requirements, do be careful not to take on too much as large projects can be both costly and time consuming. If you should find yourself deliberating this, perhaps consider a property that just needs a little cosmetic updating, so you can move straight in and update it bit by bit once you have enough money saved to modernise it. Remember you need not necessarily add a new kitchen for an updated appearance, instead cupboard doors can be painted and cupboard handles changed for a makeover at a fraction of the cost!

We hope you have found this guide helpful. For more handy hints and tips on personalising your space check out our previous blogs on Updating Your New Home and How to Paint Interior Walls.

With the Autumn months, now is the perfect time to convert your home into a cosy space in which to relax during the cold months ahead. Why not check out our top 5 tips on how to refresh your room in time for the cold and dark Winter months ahead?

Have a Good Clean

If you are struggling for space it’s worth having a clear out so you can make the most of the square footage available to you. Once you have decluttered you will be ready to carry out a deep clean, for a truly fresh finish.

Reinvent your Space

Where possible experiment with moving your furniture, as this will help you to optimise on space and fulfil your rooms maximum potential for your family.

Repaint the Walls

Painting is a great way to refresh your room as it not only enables you to quickly reinvent your space, but also gives a crisp and clean finish to the overall appearance of your room. Now we are on the cusp of Autumn it is best to make the most of the extended daylight hours when looking to re-paint, as this will help you to achieve an even coverage on the surface of your walls.

Accessorise

It is important to make your home personal to you. Fill it with photographs of happy memories that will inspire you throughout the winter months and create a bespoke space that you are proud to call home. Make a feature by displaying your photographs in stylish chunky frames and update door handles and light switches in a matching finish.

Fresh Flowers

Scented flowers are a great way to freshen your interior and instil a sense of calmness and serenity into your space. Hyacinths are a lovely choice at this time of year as they offer an injection of colour into your room and omit a beautiful scent throughout your home.

For more tips on how to update your space, why not check out our previous guides on How to Paint Interior Walls and ideas for featuring Beautiful Brass within your home.

It is important to create comfortable office surroundings to achieve a productive work environment. With many of us spending a large proportion of our time at work, it is important to enjoy work and feel at home in your surroundings. Sound good? Why not check out our handy hints and tips on how to add a touch of ‘home’ to your office.

Personalise Your Desk

Bring in some of your favourite items from home. Personal photographs, a favourite mug and small pot plants can all be added to your desk to inject a sense of home comfort and keep little treats like sweets and biscuits in your drawer for those moments you need a little boost!

Add a Splash of Colour

Colour is not only a great way to inspire but also a fun approach to organising your workload. Colour can also affect our mood and impact the way in which we approach tasks. Desk tidies, colourful pens and files are all a great way to inject a little inspiration into your work space. Blue for example is a calming colour which stimulates the mind, whereas yellow is ideal for those requiring a creative space in which to work. Choose your colours carefully to optimise your results.

Make an Effort

It goes without saying that it is imperative to build good working relationships with your team, as you are bound to spend a significant amount of time with them during the working week. This not only promotes happiness and general wellbeing within your team, but is also invaluable in terms of increasing productivity across the business too.

Enjoyed our blog? Why not check out our previous posts for inspiration on Choosing Door Handles and How to Paint Interior Walls?

With summer in full bloom, it is the perfect time to carry out maintenance works on your garden in preparation for the colder months ahead, to ensure that the wood panels are not directly exposed damage from the elements. Here are our 5 top tips on how to paint your garden fence to achieve a professional finish and ensure your boundaries stand the test of time!

Check the Weather Forecast

It may be obvious, but you will need a couple of dry days in order to complete painting your fences, so remember to check the weather forecast prior to commencing work!

Prepare the Surface

It is important to first remove any loose debris from the surface of the fence using a firm bristle brush followed by sandpaper to create a smooth and even surface on which to paint.

Clean Your Fence

Once you have completed your initial preparations, it is time to wash the surface of the fence with soapy water to remove any stubborn areas of dirt which may have become ingrained into the fence, before rinsing clean with fresh water and leaving the fence panels to dry thoroughly. If possible it is best to use a jet wash when rinsing the panels, to ensure any dirt or soapy residue is fully removed and does not dry back onto your fence!

Mask Your Gate Furniture

Were possible it is best to remove or mask your gate furniture and cover the ground with a dust sheet prior to painting, to achieve a neat overall finish and ensure that your ironmongery and flora aren’t painted in the process!

Now Your Ready to Paint

Once you have removed your hardware and checked that your fence panels are completely dry, you are ready to paint! Remember to allow enough time for the paint to dry fully in between coats and before refitting your ironmongery.

For more DIY tips, check out our previous blogs on Painting Internal Doors and How to Paint Interior Walls.

Think beautiful golden tones streaming through your room, giving the impression of a bright and sunny day every day. Sounds appealing? Why not consider bringing brass back! The wonderful thing about brass is that it offers a sense of light and warmth into any space. At the turn of the century brass decreased in popularity and the subtle silver tones found in chrome and stainless steel ascended to the height of fashion, but the good news is that brass is now back with a modern makeover!

Stainless Steel

The introduction of brass is particularly effective in modern properties. If your home is lacking ‘character features’ fear not, as you are at an advantage in this instance with having a black canvas on which to style your home, giving you the opportunity to think creatively and design your own bespoke space!

Alloy and Zinc

Think a warm cream interior decorated with luxurious gold soft-furnishings, opulent brass door handles, dramatic dome-shaped light shades and statement photo frames featuring thick gold rims. Remember brass is best used to make a bold impact in your space, so don’t be afraid to really embrace it and create a feature within your home! However you choose to apply brass in your home, the result will ultimately be a luxurious and innovative living space, with a calm and cosy atmosphere.

Looking for more inspiration for your interior? Why not check out our previous blog on how to create your own Shabby Chic Home.

We are often asked for advice on which door handles are the best and why. While we will always be happy to guide you through choosing those handles and matching door hardware, there is no simple answer as it depends on taste and requirements, so we have put together a few hints and tips to help you find your perfect handles!

Our handles are manufactured in three different materials: Stainless Steel, Alloy and Zinc. Each of these materials have different properties and so offer different benefits.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel handles are fantastic for those requiring a mid-weight handle and offer a truly luxurious addition to any space. For those seeking a simple and timeless model of handle, stainless steel is a fantastic option. Remember though that although stainless steel offers a hardy resistance to the elements, it still requires occasional cleaning maintenance in order to avoid damage occurring to the surface of your handles in the long term.

Alloy and Zinc

For those seeking more contemporary and intricate designs, our Alloy and Zinc based handles are most likely to attract your attention, as they are extremely pliable materials and therefore enable more complex designs to be produced.

Alternative Finishes

Products manufactured from Alloy and Zinc are presented in a range of finishes, although are perhaps most frequently finished in chrome for a contemporary appearance. Alternatives include black nickel door handles or even copper door handles, for those looking to create a more bespoke interior.

It is also worth noting also that Zinc based handles tend to be the heaviest of these three metals, although this does not bear any impact of the overall quality of the products.

Once you have chosen your handles, you will then need to search for coordinating accessories. Why not read our handy guide on Buying Door Latches for top tips on choosing the right size latch for your doors.

The industrial style has recently made a revival in the world of contemporary home interiors. With a growing popularity for old industrial warehouses being renovated into loft-style apartments while still retaining the buildings industrial heritage. But how do you turn an old warehouse into your perfect home?

Sense of Space

The great thing about industrial buildings is the sense of space and natural light they tend to offer. Large square footage paired with open plan living adds to the charm and quirky nature of these buildings and allows you a blank canvas on which to put your own stamp on your home!

Prominent Colours

The first thing to identify is the most prominent colours existing within your space. Typically buildings of this nature feature either steel framed windows and brick faced internal walls, or exposed copper pipes and rafters. Based on the palate you have inherited, you will be able to determine how you would like to ‘dress’ your room.

Natural Warmth

For a steel based palate you may wish to inject warm tones into your décor. Soft oak furniture and plush cushions in neutral colours can be paired with brushed stainless steel door handles and light shades to inject a natural warmth to your space, while being sympathetic to the original character of your building. For an ultra-modern finish however, stark monochrome shades are best used. Think black steel window frames with juxtaposing white painted walls for a bold statement and striking impact. Wood finishes are also compatible with copper features, echoing the warm and cosy nature of the rich copper tones. You may however also wish to add a statement colour, for example lime green to juxtapose the warm autumnal palate.

Adding Texture

Perhaps most important to consider though is texture. Texture really is key when dressing an industrial space to break up the clean linear structures and create a homely feel to your space. Think wood floors paired with warm and tactile rugs to soften the overall appearance of your room.

Why not check out our blog on Parquet Flooring for more ideas on how to renovate your home.

Looking to freshen up your décor? With the light and bright summer days fast approaching, now really is the perfect time to get painting! A new lick of paint is often all that is needed to freshen up your home. Follow our simple guide below to achieve a professional finish to your interior walls.

Furniture

The first thing to do is remove all small items of furniture from the room you will be painting and cover any larger items with a dust sheet that it is not possible to remove from the room. It is also advisable to cover your floor and use masking tape around the edge of the floor to avoid any paint drips or run-off from the wall.

Prime

Prime your surface. Apply filler to any cracks that may have appeared within your paintwork and wait patiently for this to dry before carefully sanding away any excess to ensure a smooth surface on which to paint.

Masking

Apply masking tape around the edges of the area you are planning to paint to ensure no paint seeps over the area you wish to cover. When painting a door it is advisable to remove your door handles, latch or lock and door hinges where possible, to ensure they do not end up painted too. If this is not possible, then ensure these items are covered with masking tape to protect these surfaces too.

Brush Work

Using a good quality and clean brush, start by painting in the corners and around the edges of your walls using a thin layer of paint on your brush. Once completed use a roller in a vertical motion to fill in the central part of your wall and take care to merge with the surrounding painted sections.

Further Coat

Once you have applied your base coat it is important to allow the surface to dry fully before applying a further coat of paint. Do be patient at this stage as this will help you to achieve a much tidier finish. Remember, it is advisable to always paint in natural daylight to ensure your surface has consistent coverage & a bright sunny day will be invaluable not only for providing natural light, but also to assist with the drying process. Where possible, open your windows to help air the room and speed up the drying process!

Inspect

Finally repeat phases 4 & 5 once more and inspect your room during daylight hours, as this will show up any flaws which you may not have spotted otherwise!

For more tips on redecorating your space, check out our previous blogs on Painting Internal Doors and Updating Your New Home.

Tired of plain interiors, but looking for a low maintenance solution to suit a busy modern lifestyle? Parquet flooring is a great solution for those seeking a stylish and practical flooring solution for any modern home. Wood flooring is not only bang on trend, but makes it easy to clean spills and muddy footprints, while Parquet-style flooring adds a luxurious and decorative edge to your interior.

Patterns

What is Parquet flooring? Parquet flooring typically comprises of wood panels which are arranged into geometric patterns. Perhaps most recognised is the traditional Herringbone pattern, which comprises of panels of wood abutted into a series of v-shapes to produce a ‘plaited’ design. This style is highly versatile for use in a period or modern home. For those seeking a truly contemporary edge however, the Chevron design is worth considering as it is a modern innovation of this traditional style, which negates the overlapping sections to achieve a more reformed, zigzag pattern.

History

Parquet flooring was established in France in the 1600’s and at this time a skilled tradesman would have been required to arrange and fit the wood panels, that would have originally been applied directly onto a concrete base. Nowadays Parquet flooring is still available in this traditional solid wood medium, but modern alternatives such as engineered wood are also available and may be better suited for those requiring a hardy and resilient surface within their home. Modern Parquet flooring is also much easier to assemble, often pre-prepared with tongue in grove or click-fit joints ready for installation.

Finishes

As with plain wood flooring, Parquet is available in a variety of traditional wood finishes to suit any interior. Think trendy white and silver-toned engineered wood finishes for a modern outfit, or solid oak for a traditional property or country retreat. Whatever finish you ultimately choose, Parquet flooring works fantastically as a decorative statement within any space. Due to the grandiose nature of this flooring, Parquet can be paired simply with plain painted walls, opulent accessories such as plush cushions, tactile throws and high specification fixtures such as solid stainless steel door handles and ornamental light fittings.

Read Shabby Chic Home for more helpful tips to guide you through your home improvements.

Fancy a bespoke home without the price tag? Due to living in a disposable society we often overlook the items we already own and seeking replacements for, rather than considering how we could recycle our unwanted belongings to create something unique. With shabby-chic interiors increasing in popularity, now is a prime opportunity to consider the ways in which you can revamp your old belongings to create a bespoke and inspirational space. Rest assured, you do not need to be a DIY expert to achieve an impressive result! Follow our simple steps below for idea’s on how to design your perfect tailor-made home with minimum impact on your bank balance.

Vintage Items

Vintage items can easily be displayed as accessories within your home, or adapted for new purposes. Vintage door handles for example could be used as coat hooks, suitcases could be stacked to make a card table and vintage fabric used to make curtains and recover your cushions. The great thing about shabby chic is that you don’t need to worry about displaying identical patterns alongside one another, so you can make the best use of any material you already have at home and can mix and match different colour combinations and patterns as necessary.

Unwanted Furniture

Unwanted furniture can be painted and distressed to be in keeping with the new design of your room, but if you want to create a feature piece don’t be afraid to think outside the box and consider incorporating a decorative print to truly make your item bespoke! Shabby Chic interiors make use of well used and even slightly worn vintage furniture and amalgamates them with the colours and designs we typically associate with an old-fashioned country home. If your favourite dresser is partly worn and the finish slightly damaged you do not necessarily need to part with your beloved item, but instead could end up redesigning your living space around the very item you were planning to take to the charity shop!

Colour Combinations

Be bold with your colour combinations. For the ultimate shabby chic interior don’t be afraid to experiment with different colour combinations and remember that ‘variety is the spice of life’! The more combinations you decide to embrace, the more unique the result! Shabby Chic is not only the ultimate way to be creative and express your personality throughout your home, but also a highly resourceful and thrifty way to redesign your interior.

Read Painting Internal Doors for more helpful tips to guide you through your home improvements.

The most common question we are asked by those new to DIY is what size door latch do I need? If you require new latches for your doors but don’t know which size to buy, fear not! Our handy guide below will help you to determine which size of latch to install on your doors!

Latch Size

The two most common sizes of door latch are as follows: 1). 76mm latch with 57mm backset (3 Inch latch with 2 ¼ Inch backset) or 2). 63mm latch with 45mm backset (2 ½ Inch latch with 1 ¾ Inch backset) and the most important measurement to consider is the backset measurement!

If you are replacing the latch on an existing door, you will first need to know what size ‘backset’ you require. The ‘backset’ is the measurement from the centre of the spindle hole to the edge of the door and it is important that the ‘backset’ measurement on your latch matches with that on your door, so you can pass the spindle through the hole, in order to fit your door handles.

Replace Old Latches

The second thing to consider when replacing the latch on an existing door is the size of both the faceplate and strikeplate on your new latch, as you may wish to ensure that it will cover the grooves which were originally cut into the door to accommodate the latch you are replacing.

If you are fitting latches on a new door which has not yet had the spindle hole drilled, we would recommend that you select the 76mm sized latch (with 57mm backset), as this will position your handle pair further into the door and in most instances will also line-up most centrally on the lock stile (edge panel) on your door. You could of course choose either size however, so if you are in any doubt about which size to order you could measure both 57mm and 45mm from the edge of the door to see where you would prefer your handles to be placed!

Read How to Fix Old Door Handles for more helpful tips to guide you through your home improvements.

Over the years your Internal doors take a lot of use and abuse, so inevitably the time will come when their looking worn and tired! If this is the case, then repainting your internal doors maybe what comes to mind, but if the wrong paint is used or the job is undertaken without thought then it can end in an awful mess, leaving you with no other option but to replace your doors and buy new door handles.

Best Results

For best results use a gloss or semi-gloss paint, whilst to make it easier and quicker keep the doors hanging in place when painting, this allows for you to paint both sides of the door in one sitting. If planning to paint your doors before hanging, then you will need to complete the painting process in stages, a side at a time, resting one side of the door against another surface for it to dry before painting the reverse. Attempting to paint both side of an unhung door simultaneously will usually end in the overall finish being compromised.

Remove Door Handles

There is nothing worse than seeing a beautifully painted door, paired with paint splashed door handles. To achieve a pristine finish, remember to remove your internal door handles, latches and locks before the paint comes out, and if painting the door whilst hung then masking the door hinges is advised so that you don’t end up with partly painted or even sticking door hinges.

Sand and Smooth

Before repainting, lightly brush your doors down with sand paper to create a texture. This will help the new layers of paint take to the door and will enable you to smooth out any imperfections or drips of dried paint from the last time you painted your doors. Take care not to sand too hard though as you do not wish to create an uneven surface or cause damage to the door. Once sanded wipe the door with a damp cloth to remove any dust and allow to dry.

Prepare with Primer

Use a primer to prepare the surface of your door before you start painting. This will contribute towards smoothing the surface of your door ready for painting, which will help you achieve a professional look and finish.

Paint and Wait

Next, apply the first layer of gloss or semi-gloss internal door paint then wait for it to dry before applying the second layer to produce a smooth and durable finish. You may also wish to mix your paint with paint conditioner to reduce the drying time, which can also help achieve a smoother finish.

Real Wood Doors

If you are planning to paint real wood doors, then you need to take care to ensure that no area has been left unpainted and an even seal has been formed over your doors. Don’t forget to paint around the edges of the door too, as if you have any part of your new real wood doors unpainted you may find in time that the door could warp.

Panelled Doors

When painting panelled doors, start with painting the panel sections, and then the borders so to achieve a smooth finish. If you were to paint over the whole door at once, or if too heavy a coat of paint is applied to the border sections you may lose definition in the borders and find that the paint forms drip marks.

Frames

Painting your doors and leaving the frame is a mistake not to be made. Paint the frames using the same techniques before hanging the freshly painted doors in a separate sitting. This ensures a professional finish without drips on your doors.

Door Handles

Once the hard work is finished and paintwork has dried, with the door hung in place, refit your door handles and door latch then time to stand back and admire your handy work!

Read Updating your New Home and How to Fix Old Door Handles for more helpful tips to guide you through your home improvements.

As internal door handles and door hardware in general is in almost continuous use throughout the day, it is hardly surprising that in time you may need to tweak the fittings to sustain a smooth opening and closing of the door. Keep reading for our four favourite tips on what to do if your door handles need a little TLC!

Wobbly Knobs

Do you have a wobbly knob or door handle? As simple as it may sound, just by checking that all the fittings are in place and tightened up regularly can increase the life span of your door handles. Internal door handles are usually supplied with bolt-through fixings and surface screws so ensure to use them all when fitting your door handles. Don’t forget the grub screws, keeping these tightened up against the spindle will reduce the chance of the spindle slipping or not turning with the handle to retract the latch bolt.

Stiff and Squeaky

If your door handles have been fitted for many years you may find they have become quite stiff or even let out a squeak now and again. In this instance, we would recommend lubricating the coil spring on the underside of the rose or backplate using graphite powder or another appropriate lubricant. Avoid spray on lubricants as these can be sticky which causes dirt to build up or even create run stains on your internal doors.

Loose Door Hinges

If you’ve got small children, then you’ve probably witnessed them swinging on the doors at some point in time. This or just the frequent opening and closing of heavy doors can cause the hinge screws to loosen. Tightening the fixings screw each few months can stop them from working their way out and the door dropping overtime. If it’s too late and the screw holes are now too large for the screws to bite, then remove the door hinges and fill the holes before refitting the door.

Latch Alignment

Is your door latch out of alignment with the strike plate? Whether vertically or horizontally out of align this is usually caused by a drop in the door or warped door frame. If it is only a millimetre or two out of align then you may get away with filing the strike plate keep hole to accommodate the latch bolt. Otherwise to fix properly you will first need to check that the door hinges haven’t come loose, tightening if necessary (as above) and make sure your frame is square. Once checked, measure the amount in which the strike plate is out of align, remove the plate and refit it in alignment with the latch bolt.

Please read Updating your New Home or Painting Internal Doors for more great tips.

Have you recently moved home and wanting to put your own stamp on it? Making your new home your own by updating fixtures and decorations is super easy to do and here are just a few ideas on where to start.

Repaint the Walls and Doors

This is a quick and easy fix to freshen up your new home and put your own stamp on it! Neutral shades are most popular now, as you can use them as a fantastic backdrop in which to feature a statement piece like a decorative mirror or canvas to colour coordinate with your soft furnishings. After repainting your doors then fitting modern internal door handles will give them the personal touch any new home should have.

Revamp the Floor

Consider how you can revamp your flooring. It may be that you already have a plush fitted carpet, but if you have inherited a 1970’s patterned carpet and want to modernise your home, it may be worth investing in some new flooring to compliment the overall finish you are hoping to achieve. If you have purchased a period property, you may even find that you have some original wooden flooring or tiles hiding beneath the carpets, these can be cleaned and polished with relative ease.

Replace Cupboard Handles

They say the kitchen is the ‘heart of the home’ and it is certainly the room in which most us spend our time. If your cabinets are a little outdated, but you do not want the cost and hassle of having your kitchen fully renovated, why not freshen the cupboard doors up with a lick of paint and add some modern kitchen cupboard handles to complete the look? You could even purchase new cupboard doors in a more modern style to complement the theme throughout the rest of the house.

Brighten your Bathroom

The bathroom is another room which when moving into a new home you will want to give your personal touch. But there is an easier way to renovate your bathroom without causing complete disruption to your home. A simple way to update the appearance of your bathroom is to re-paint and tile around your bathroom adding new units and storage, stainless steel towel rail and toilet roll holder to freshen up the look!

Storage Solutions

Installing storage and shelving units will help to keep your new home tidy, whilst give the illusion that your home is more spacious than it is. Fitting modular storage cubes either one on top of the other or side by side will produce stylish and versatile storage that will transform your living room, hallway or bedroom in no time at all.

For more DIY tips, please check out Painting Internal Doors and How to Fix Old Door Handles.