In terms of home improvements, the loft conversion has been an ever-present in houses all over London for the best part of 40 years. To this day, they offer homeowners the easiest solution in adding real value to a property and can fetch up to 20% more on the housing market if well executed. However, a poor loft conversion can actually negatively impact the value of a property, and can also compromise safety.

Luckily, the loft conversion is so synonymous with London, that most reputable renovation companies have vast experience in undertaking these projects. APT Renovation is one such company that carries out many loft conversions, particularly in Central and South West London, where converted lofts can be sighted more so than anywhere else in the capital. “As the housing crisis worsens and property prices continue to soar, we are now doing more loft conversions than ever before”, explains director, Andi Pepaj.

Homeowners Need More Liveable Space

The issue is that many homeowners are actually content where they are in London, but need more liveable space. This is where a loft conversion can significantly change the dynamics of a household, and pave the way for new bedrooms and en-suites. With a loft conversion, a standard two-bedroom property can be transformed into a four-bedroom, which is especially ideal for growing families. They are not limited to just bedrooms though, as many people have renovated their loft into areas of relaxation, entertainment, cinema rooms and even mini office spaces.

In boroughs like Hammersmith & Fulham,  Lambeth, Merton and Wandsworth, nearly half of the properties have benefitted from a loft conversion of some sort. Not only are they becoming more prevalent, but they are also becoming far more ambitious in design and functionality. Gone are the days of generic colour schemes and uninspiring layouts, loft conversions are now often highly refined and finished in immaculate style.

Natural Light

Natural light is a key feature in any loft, making it the brightest area of the house, particularly when skylight windows allow the sunshine to pour in at the first opportunity, weather permitting. Not only do Velux windows ensure privacy and look the part, they also provide a seamless transition between the interior and exterior. This abundance of brightness is a godsend for architectural designers who are continuing to incorporate natural light into their contemporary designs.

Avoid The Extra Costs

With most other home improvements, you will not be able to stay in your home while works are ongoing. With a loft conversion, however, you can avert any extra costs and inconvenience by staying put. For many loft conversions, you won’t need to get planning permission and there’s a 50m³ threshold (40m³ for terraced houses) for extending the roof space. In fact, planning permission will only be required if the loft extends outwards and creates considerable structural change to the building.

Types Of Loft Conversions

The type of loft conversion that you can get varies on a few factors like how old and what kind of property it is, the layout of the roof, building regulations and of course, your budget and personal preference. A standard interior loft conversion is easily the most straightforward as the original structure is not modified at all. Instead, the space is insulated, Velux windows are fitted in, and the redundant space is renovated into a completely habitable area. This type of conversion is perfect for lofts that already have high ceilings.

If your property has low ceilings and the floorspace is lacking, a Dormer loft conversion is a great way to boost the loft’s floor capacity as well as the head-height, as the extension is fitted in from the outside and extends vertically from the plane of a sloped roof. Dormer windows are usually fitted in to add even more roominess, as they are positioned vertically directly in the slope, adding more height. Some may consider the Dormer conversion not as pleasing to the eye as the other types, but for those craving flat walls, flat ceilings and more space, it represents the best value for money.

In the rare occasion that planning permission or a conservation area prohibits the construction of a rear Dormer, then a Mansard conversion is a viable alternative. A Mansard is generally fitted onto the rear of a property and converts the sloped roof to 72 degrees, which is close enough to being a flat. This is because councils regard this angle as technically still being a roof, rather than a wall.

For detached and semi-detached properties, a Hip-to-Gable conversion can boost space in a loft by replacing the sloped roof with a straight wall, reaching the same height as the ridge. The conversion can result in enough options to create room for a new lounge area, a place of study or a play area. If your property’s roof is sloped on both sides, then it is also possible to get a double Hip-to-Gable, resulting in double the amount of potential space.

The  Price For A Loft Conversion

The average price of a loft conversion is roughly £15,000 and can range from around £7,000 to £30,000, depending on the scale of the project. APT Renovation recently designed and fitted in a spectacular new loft in Racton Road, Fulham, complete with gorgeous skylight windows and a beautiful en-suite bathroom with glass elements. Courtesy of their bespoke joinery, APT were also able to craft a number of made-to-measure fixtures, including wardrobes and shelving on the walls. The client, Janice, paid less than £38,000 on the works, and the property has now seen its value increase by £94,000.

It’s worth remembering that regardless of how much more value a loft conversion adds onto a property, it will still make more financial sense rather than jumping ship and buying a new house.  Because of the high-quality nature of these renovations, homeowners are becoming more and more infatuated with their lofts. The loft conversion remains the most valuable and efficient way to improve the average London home, and as Andi Pepaj notes; “many people are now designating their loft as the master bedroom in the house, rather than just a room for the kids or guests”.

The interior design world has often embraced white as a go-to colour. White is perfect for interiors due to it’s versatility and ability to brighten even the smallest areas of your home. However, white has a lot more to it than just being at the lightest end of the colour spectrum.  Here are our 4 ways to make white work for you.

Accentuate Period Characteristics

If you are living in a period home, then the chances are that you will have skirting boards, mouldings and cornices. Keeping these as white as possible accentuates the periodical history of your home and keeps it looking very fresh and airy.

Make Your Kitchen Seem Bigger

If your kitchen is wanting in size, white units and appliances will give the illusion of more space. White units also give a clean, crisp look to your kitchen that will create a timeless kitchen environment.

Light Your Basement

Basements are usually the darkest parts of the house, so if you are going for a basement conversion or renovation, then you might want to go for white or light colours to create a more inviting space. Whitewashing the staircase is a great technique that will help reflect much needed natural light into your basement.

Even Out Irregularities

In many properties, there are imperfections and uneven walls that can be irksome to look at.  These irregularities often occur with age, neglect, budget or even design. However, as a temporary measure, to combat their unpleasant sight a lick of white paint can be incredibly effective in obscuring these from view.

When it comes to home improvements and renovations, the traditional way to go is to use an architectural designer and then use general contractors separately. Here at APT, we pride ourselves on being an all-inclusive design & build team, covering all aspects of your home desires. We have broken down the top five reasons why you should opt for a design & build team like ours rather than the conventional way:

No Middlemen

Going with a design & build team like APT means that everyone is on board with the same project, and has the same people trying to complete them, which means no wires will get crossed. Having the architectural designers on the same team as the builders means that everyone will work in tandem to make your dream home come true, without the need to bring in anyone else. In the rare event that anything does go wrong, there will be full accountability rather than fingers being pointed at separate contractors. Every challenge is overcome easier when you have a team that are fully in sync with each other.

Experience & Expertise

A design & build team doesn’t prioritise one aspect over the other – we are experts in both fields, which is why we can offer you a complete and comprehensive experience. It’s important to remember that a design & build team like APT is a serious business with years of experience, and there are many contractors and builders out there who pose as architectural designers (or vice versa) when they have little to no experience in this field. Not only do our licensed architects possess unrivalled amounts of experience when it comes to design, but our build team have been working with them side by side, having completed a wide range of stunning home renovations and improvements throughout London.

Cost-Effective

Typically, using separate consultants, architectural designers and contractors will incur greater fees, which is why a fully integrated design & build team is more cost-effective. In fact, you could save over 10% if you opt for a design & build team. Our architectural designers have a full understanding of pricing and use this knowledge in accordance with your budget while the designing process takes place. Here at APT, we do not take any upfront fees or deposits, rather, we start taking payments once works are underway and you are entirely happy with proceedings.

Communication

One of the benefits of using one team is that communication is never an issue, as each member will be fully briefed on the objectives. All dialogues and plans will be totally transparent from start to finish with a design & build team. At APT, we try to engage with our clients as much as possible, to make them understand the nature of the works and what needs to be done and why. We are also at hand to offer professional advice when needed and are wholly committed to giving you our honest truth, regardless of the situation.

Timely

The more third-parties you invite to work on your project, the more time it will take to complete it. This is because you have to work around different availabilities, and the whole process will not go as smoothly as it will if you choose to go with a design & build team. Because the whole build process can be really complicated and drawn out, having one company perform everything is far more efficient in terms of practicality and in terms of timing. Our design & build team is highly adaptive to any circumstances that may arise, and will always strive to achieve the best results in the most timely and cost-effective manner.

Choosing a design & build team will be sure to give your home project far more continuity and consistency than going with the outdated separate route. With more home improvements taking place than ever before, more people are starting to reap the rewards of using a design & build company. With APT Renovation, you have one of the leading experts in the industry at your disposal, especially when it comes to London.

Your bedroom is the one room in the house where comfort and relaxation matter the most. After a long day of work, the bedroom is the sanctuary for rest, which is why it should be the best that it can be. There are many factors to consider when designing your ideal bedroom, and having renovated and designed many in our time, we have looked at the best ways to achieve this.

Get A Fantastic Bed

The most important part of your bedroom, your bed must be able to give you the best night’s sleep possible. When it comes to bed comfort, it can be quite subjective, as some people prefer softer mattresses, while others prefer a firmer surface. There are different options when it comes to the material of the mattress, which can include foam, innerspring, latex or gel amongst others. The type of bedding you choose can also make the world of difference, as there are many high-end bed linens out there that can soften your senses and put you to sleep in no time. Putting in a luxurious headboard has the ability to transform your whole room, and can give you that additional comfort when reading in bed or watching TV.

Free Up Space

It’s a well-known fact that the more clutter you have lying around in your room, the more cramped it will feel, and the less likely it will be for you to relax. Getting rid of unwanted clutter will not only make your room look far more presentable, but it will free up much-needed space and give you peace of mind. If you have furniture in your room that you think can be moved to another room, then you should consider it, as having a spacious room can really do wonders for relaxation and downtime. The dressers and wardrobes you choose to fit in your room will also have a big impact on the space you have, so make sure you scale it appropriately.

Select The Right Colours

Choosing the right colours is so important for your bedroom, and it often has a direct correlation to how big it is. If your room is limited in size, then it’s best to avoid using dark colours as you will create the illusion of an even smaller space. If you use lighter colours on the walls and the ceiling, you can create the sense of a more airy room. Additionally, if you let in natural light from the windows, then you will have the feeling of even more space as well as a more upbeat ambience.

Have A Seating Area

If your lucky enough to have lots of space in your room, then a seating area is a great way to take advantage of it. If you want to unwind with your partner or your close friends in front of the TV, or even if you just want to sit down and read a book, a seating area creates a whole new dynamic for your room, and lets you use it in a completely different way, rather than just for sleeping. It also offers you an alternative to the living areas for when you want some privacy from other members of the household.

Add Accessories

Decorative items are the final touch to creating a homely bedroom. There are many different types of accessories and ornamentation that can be used, such as glass, artwork, plants and lamps. Sometimes it’s good not to overdecorate though, as your room may start to become congested, so a minimalistic approach is often a good idea. Blinds and curtains both have the ability to alter the way your room feels, while the use of different textures and patterns can really bring out your creative flair and set your room apart from others.

Although a bathroom is usually meant for one person to use at a time, a lack of space can sometimes be an issue for many. If your bathroom is on the smaller side, then we have identified some of the most effective ways that you can free up space and make your bathroom look larger.

Glass Cubicles

If it is your wish to have a bathtub and a separate shower in your bathroom, then this will definitely impede the amount of available space. Traditional shower cubicles can appear to take up quite a significant chunk of space in bathrooms, so one excellent way around this is to install a frameless glass shower cubicle, as light will shine through it and give off the illusion of more overall space.

Create New Storage

Many small bathrooms may feel like they aren’t spacious enough for built-in cupboards, but a clever design can definitely pave the way for some small storage cabinets. Creating small storage units will help to free up clutter and various other items that contribute to making a cramped looking bathroom.

Make Floorspace

Keeping the floor space clear in your bathroom will go a long way to making it look bigger than it actually is. Going for a wall-hung basin will also contribute to you having more floor space, and will also bring a very attractive design to your bathroom that is far easier to clean than a traditional basin. You will also be able to store more items underneath the basin, which will free up even more space.

Wet Room Or New Shower Tray

In some instances, you will be able to turn your bathroom into a wet room, which means that there is no restriction of where you can use water and shower. This also gives the effect of more space as there will be no need for a shower tray. If a wet room isn’t feasible for your bathroom, then you can do the next best thing, which is install a slimline shower tray that will be very unnoticeable and will give the impression of more room.

Skylight Windows

The more natural light that comes into the bathroom, the more spacious it will feel. Installing a skylight window in your bathroom will bring in a large amount of light, and is the perfect solution for a cramped bathroom. Not only that, but the window will also let in ventilation and freshen up the whole space.

In many Nordic European countries, underfloor heating can be found in at least 8 out of 10 properties, and it seems Britain is also following in the same vein. It is no secret that underfloor heating significantly increases how homely and cosy a property is, particularly during the long winters.

Existing Floors

If your property is being built from scratch or needs a total renovation, then a wet underfloor heating system makes perfect sense as all that would need to be installed is piping to pump the warm water through your subfloor. When fitted in from scratch, slab concrete is laid down as the foundation, which is then followed by insulated concrete substrate. Thin pipes are then laid down and covered in screed which is used to conduct the heat that passes through them. Unfortunately, for those with existing floors, this type of underfloor system would require ripping up the floors entirely to pour the screed material underneath, which is why an electric system would be easier.

Save Up To 30% On Your Bills

A wet underfloor heating system works in a very similar way to a typical central heating system, and is actually more energy efficient than using radiators. While the cost to install wet systems may be slightly higher than electric systems, this shouldn’t really deter you because in the long run, you will be saving far more money. In fact, you could save up to 30% on your bills as they function at a far lower water temperature than radiators.

Integrated Heating System

Another positive function of this system is that it can be fully integrated with your existing heating system, meaning that you can alternate the heating between the floors and the radiators in different rooms. Add to that, the fact that the heat emanating from the floors last far longer after activation and have a further reach than radiators. This type of heating is perfect for cold flooring materials like tiles, marble or flagstones. It’s worth noting that you can have underfloor heating underneath the wooden flooring, but since it conducts less heat than other materials, the temperature should never exceed 27 degrees, as this can cause it to crack.

Height Reduction

Because of the amount of layers of concrete, insulation and screed needed to create wet underfloor heating, the height of a room can be significantly reduced, depending on what type of floor finish is used. However, there have been advancements in producing thinner insulation layers than what the usual wet systems contain, and these do not exceed 100mm, causing minimal height reduction. This progression will surely pave the way for even more homeowners to opt for the wet underfloor heating system, whether it is for a house extension, a bathroom or an entire property.