DIY Supermarket

Graceful, sweeping lines and simple operation make roman blinds a beautiful, eternally stylish choice for any room in your home.  The diversity of materials available make roman blinds a versatile and attractive window covering that will complement your home’s décor.  Consider neutral colours for rooms like the conservatory or living room.  Cool, peaceful colours go well in bedrooms.  For rooms that require the most light control and privacy like the nursery or television room, blackout liners can be added to roman blinds to reduce glare and darken the room.  Thicker materials also offer good insulating qualities, keeping heat in during those long winter months, and helping keep rooms cooler by blocking the summer sun, improving the comfort in the room.

Stylish, sophisticated roman blinds add a touch of class and elegance to every room in your home.  What better way to add a chic touch of romance to the bedroom than with a stylish, attractive set of roman blinds?  The wide range of colours and styles and refined look of roman blinds bring a sense of elegance into any room, transforming a dull, drab décor into something a bit more exciting.

Ordering your roman blinds is a breeze.  Simply measure your windows, or have a professional do it for you, to determine whether you will need standard-sized readymade blinds, or you will need to order a custom set to match your unique windows.  Then choose a colour and style, and soon your beautiful roman blinds will be ready to install.

Sinks in both the kitchen and bathroom can easily become blocked either by a build up of material over time or by a specific item becoming lodged in the pipe. There are a couple of simple things you can do to try and unblock your sink before you need to break out the DIY tools; most supermarkets sell chemical products which aim to unblock sinks by dissolving whatever is causing the obstruction or you can always use a plunger, which uses suction to try and dislodge the item.

Bottle Trap Sinks

Some sinks have what is known as a bottle trap, a device that allows you to gain easy access to the pipes under the kitchen or bathroom plumbing. If your sink has one of these, cleaning a major blockage is a straightforward process. Make sure you have manually removed as much of the standing water from the sink as possible and then unscrew the bottle trap and remove whatever is causing the blockage. Have a bucket and lots of cloths handy as the water trapped in the pipe will also come out behind the obstruction.

Sinks With a U-Bend

DIY enthusiasts living in older houses are more likely to have a conventional U-bend pipe under their bathroom or kitchen sinks. If one of these pipes becomes blocked then you will need a simple tool known as an auger to try and dislodge whatever is causing the sink to back up. An auger is a flexible rod made of steel that can be purchased in any DIY store. Push the auger into the pipe to remove the blockage, twisting and turning when you reach the offending item to move it through the pipe. The auger’s flexibility allows it to follow all the curves in the U-bend, making sure that no parts of the system remain obstructed.

Spring is the perfect time of year to work on the garden, especially if you are planning a major renovation or want to transform it into a relaxing space in time for summer.  Here is a checklist of things to do before you begin work:

•    Make sure your equipment is in good working order.  There is nothing more frustrating than a lawnmower or hedge trimmer which won’t start.

•    Clear any weeds.  Take care when using weed-killer since you don’t want to kill any predators which can help keep pests at bay.

•    Understand what type of soil you have.  Is it acidic?  Clay?  Get advice from a garden centre if you are unsure.

•    Think about what you want to grow.  Do you want flowers to add colour, or vegetables for the pot?  Look at the available shade and sunny areas to determine what can be grown and where.

•    Plan and plan again.  If you are looking to create an outdoor space, make sure it reflects your personality and interests.  Plan accordingly and change it until you are happy with the results.

It wasn’t long ago that all newly-fitted bathrooms were a celebration of neo-Victoriana. Cast-iron claw-footed baths adorned with brass taps sat alongside toilet suites and sinks in traditional styles with plenty of detailing. When it came to performing our ablutions, UK bathrooms were quite literally in another age.

Of course, Victorian-style bathrooms still have a place in homes with older architectural styles, but in recent years there has been a shift towards simpler, more contemporary styles in many modern homes.

So, if we took a snapshot of how bathrooms are being remodelled today in Britain, what would we learn?

It seems that after a brief dalliance with extreme minimalism in the bathroom, things have settled down a little. Bathroom interiors are now occupied by suites that are predominantly white in colour, lines are simple and clean with increasingly curved, softer profiles. The days of stark hard edges and cubist bathroom suites have been replaced with styles celebrating a more comfortable and indulgent approach.

Many homeowners seek to replicate the luxury appeal of the bathrooms they enjoy on their spa-hotel holidays. Wet rooms, double sinks, separate bath and shower cubicles, designer lighting and underfloor heating are all regular features of new bathrooms. Smart bathroom accessories such as heated towel rails, fancy taps and shower heads are becoming the norm. State-of-the-art jacuzzi baths with massage jets and showers with multi-use heads enable you to bathe in far more luxury than ever before.

Bespoke fitted bathroom storage has also gained in popularity, with cabinets and furniture that are specifically designed for use in humid environments offering efficient storage solutions. The modern bathroom is an uncluttered, well-organised sanctuary devoted to relaxation, calm and comfort, with a healthy splash of indulgence added for good measure.

If you have draughts coming into your home through either external or internal doors, there are some simple steps you can take to stop them.  External doors are often the worst culprits, as they allow cold air to enter the house, but draughts under and round internal doors can be very annoying too.

Firstly, figure out exactly where the draught is coming from.  Look closely at the door.  Is it obviously not fitting well at any point?  If there are large gaps, it may be worth trying to rehang the door before trying to fix the draughts.

The simplest solution to drafts through narrow gaps is by applying a thin strip of sticky-backed foam along the gaps to plug them.  These strips will squash down over time, but do result in a quick fix.  Nailing draught excluder strips to the door itself is a more effective long term solution, though do be careful not to seal doors completely; air does need to be able to move around the home.

If there is a draught at the bottom of a door, the traditional solution of a long stuffed cushion can rarely be bettered.

Practical, durable and attractive, roller blinds are a good choice for any room in your home.  Unlike the dull window coverings of the past, today’s roller blinds are made to last, and come in many fabrics, colours and styles.  For homeowners looking for an affordable, stylish solution to their window-treatment needs, roller blinds are a practical, smart option.

Colour is just one thing to consider.  Patterns, styles and features like scallops, café rods and linings are available with many roller blinds.  Many manufacturers now offer child-safe blinds as well, with retractable cords to ensure kids can’t get entangled or injure themselves.  Adding liners to your roller blinds can make them blackout blinds, perfect for keeping rooms like nurseries and media rooms free of light and glare.  The thicker material works well to control temperature, keeping your rooms cooler in summer and warmer in winter.  Blackout roller blinds also insulate your windows, helping to control the temperature in the room.

Roller blinds are a practical, affordable solution for children’s rooms.  They come in a wide variety of colours to appeal to children, and are affordable enough to change as the children grow.
 
Moisture-resistant materials make roller blinds perfect for use in humid environments like the kitchen and bathroom.  Roller blinds are low-maintenance, versatile and practical, making them a great choice for every room.  UK customers have a wide variety of options for fabrics, colours and styles.  There’s a set of roller blinds perfect for any room in your home.

The bathroom is one of the most important and often used rooms in any house, and renovating an existing bathroom can be a very satisfying DIY project.  Whether you are planning on simply upgrading the fixtures, or you intend to completely redesign the bathroom, here are a few tips that may come in handy as you are updating this very important space.

•    Sketch your design on a piece of graph paper and think about where you want all the fittings to go.  Keep a scrapbook of images you have seen in magazines or online for inspiration and ideas.

•    Always consult a professional if you will need help with wiring and plumbing.  The bathroom can be a hazardous area to work in since you may be in contact with both water and electricity, so take care.

•    Wear safety equipment when examining or replacing existing fittings, and do not rush; take your time and ensure everything is done correctly.

•    Think about who will be using the bathroom and if they have any special requirements.  If you live with elderly relatives, for instance, will they need a bath that is easy to get in and out of?  Also ensure that the needs of any smaller children who will be using the bathroom are taken into consideration.

•    Make certain that your new bathroom will fit in with the existing design of the rest of your house.  If you intend on moving in the near future, you might want to consider a conservatively decorated bathroom.

•    Check to make sure there is adequate space available for your intended furniture and fittings, and make certain the electrical/plumbing connections for any new equipment is properly installed.

•    Make sure there is adequate heating and ventilation.  Add a heater if necessary and vents if they are not already in the bathroom.

•    Think about how easy it is to access the plumbing in the bathroom.  If it is hard at the moment, consider adding access panels near the bath or shower.

Once the valves on a radiator have been turned to isolate it from the main water supply, you need to confirm that they are indeed doing this before attempting to remove the radiator from the rest of the system.  Open the air-release valve at the top of the radiator with the radiator key that was supplied with it.  To begin, water will spurt out because of the internal pressure, but this will subside after a few seconds.  If this does not happen, you will be alerted that one of the valves has not fully closed off and will have to check them both again.

When you are able to open the air-release valve without water flowing out, you will know that both valves have been closed properly, but then you must make sure to close the air-release valve again.  If you do not do this, air will be able to get into the radiator and force water out onto the floor when the union nuts at the base of the radiator are undone.

Once you have established that no water is flowing into the radiator, you can undo the big union nuts at each end, the ones that connect the radiator to isolation valves.  At this point the radiator will still be full of water, but it cannot come out as long as air does not enter.  Once both the union valves are undone and the radiator has been disconnected from the valve, it can be simply lifted away from its brackets.

Every conservatory is unique, and therefore the blinds you buy for your conservatory need to be well suited to it.  There are a number of different types to choose from, which vary in style, budget and suitability for different shapes of conservatory.  The types include:

Pleated blinds

Pleated blinds are tidy and simple yet also extremely attractive.  It is possible to buy pleated blinds to fit any conservatory, and they can be fitted to the windows or the roof of your conservatory.  They are one of the most popular types of conservatory blinds, and there are many reasons for this.  They are easily washable, easy to remove and refit, and they can be purchased in a range of different fabrics and colours.

Pinoleum blinds

Pinoleum blinds are made from wood and acrylic, to create a hard wearing wood effect blind.  There is plenty of choice, as you can choose different woods, edge braiding, weaves and textures.  They are especially popular for  timber conservatories, as they match well and look as though they are part of the conservatory.

Roman blinds

Roman Blinds give a contemporary finish to conservatories.  As with other types of blinds, there is plenty of choice of colours and fabrics.  However they are only really suited to rectangular roofs and windows, and conservatories with simple shapes.  Additionally, they are not the best choice for homes with children.

Roller blinds

Roller blinds also give a contemporary, bohemian look to conservatories.  They are most suitable for large timber conservatories, and can be roof or window mounted.  Roller blinds come in a variety of different colours and textiles, and can usually be cut to shape.  However, they are not suitable for UPVC conservatories or complex shaped conservatories, and there is usually a gap between the blind and the window.

DIY, whether in the house or garden, can be fun and rewarding. There are always those projects that you can get stuck on, though, so here are a few basic elements you should have in place before you begin.

•    Plan your DIY project: become familiar with every aspect of your project so you know what you are getting yourself into.

•    Budget: prevents unaffordable, yet unavoidable costs arising.

•    Make notes: always helpful when moments of clarity are needed.

•    Plan your time: if daily activities are planned, it will be easier to stay on schedule and track your progress.

•    Get organised: be prepared, it could be beneficial to acquire a DIY Guide, providing a good reference point in times of trouble.

When shopping for tools and supplies it is easy to get sidetracked and confused. You either end up with more or less of what you actually require. Here are three important tips that could come in handy.

•    Make a list and budget: ensure that this is a well thought out and comprehensive list and budget. Never deviate from the list, as that will avoid confusion and unnecessary costs.  Do not forget to include delivery costs and always enquire about any discounts.

•    Choose your supplier: there are many ways of purchasing tools and supplies. For those that are not fond of queues and the hustle and bustle of retail outlets, the internet is a worthwhile alternative. Tools that will not be used very often or which are especially expensive can normally be hired.

•    Go prepared: when purchasing your supplies, ensure that you are well prepared. Be sure to have all essential measurements, colour examples, material examples etc.

Finally, keep in mind that DIY can be dangerous. Always ensure you take proper safety precautions and purchase the correct safety gear to help avoid injuries.