As the living room is the primary centrepiece in your home, you want to ensure that any new designs you are planning for it are going to work. Here’s what you should consider before you go ahead with the changes:

 

Plan Around Plug Sockets

If you plan to move any furniture around, you will want to take into consideration the location of all plug sockets and switches. Ideally, you want to avoid adding new sockets as it will cost more, so try to arrange all the furniture to the most convenient parts of the room.

 

Only Make Changes If You Have To

There’s no point in making changes to your living room just for the sake of it. Make sure you’ve thought about the changes you want to do and if they will really make a difference positively. A good way to test the waters is to use some template objects to fit into the spaces where you want to make the changes.

 

Consider Your Budget

Before going ahead with any of your changes, make sure that your plans are not too ambitious for your budget. Make sure you know the value of each decision you carry out, and if it is worth it from a financial perspective.

 

Will It Work?

You may have identified a certain look that you really want to use in your living room, but you need to make sure that it will be able to work in your home. Consider if the changes you want to make will actually work from an architectural standpoint. Either way, consulting with our in-house architectural designer will give you much more clarity going forwards.

 

If you are fortunate to benefit from high ceilings or a double-height room, then you should really look to make the most of it. Here are a few design ideas to help you do this:

 

Use Mirrors

While having high ceilings can be a great thing, it can sometimes make space seem like it is more on the narrow side. Placing mirrors on the walls can help to create the illusion of a wider room, and the larger the mirror you choose to hang up, the wider it will seem.

 

Use Storage

If you are an avid book reader, then why not make the most of your ceiling height with a tall library? Alternatively, you could also create high-reaching cupboards, and create a rolling ladder for easy access.

 

Skylight Windows

If you plan to include storage in your walls, then you may want to consider going for a skylight window, which will pour in large amounts of natural light during the day. The only issue with this is you must think of how you will be able to clean it when required!

 

Change Design

If you want to be really creative, then you could change the whole colour scheme, texture, or even both, starting from halfway up. Going for a darker design scheme towards the top will create a much more cosy effect, and reduce how vast the high ceilings make it feel.

 

Exposed Beams

If you want to create a really interesting and unique atmosphere in your home, then you could leave the beams exposed towards the roof. This has a lot of potential for creativity, as you could leave them in their natural timber state, or paint them in a striking colour.

 

Although a house renovation is a very exciting project, it is also incredibly challenging, particularly for those with no experience. Here are some indications that suggest you may need to hire an interior designer:

 

It’s Your Home For Life

If you are planning your project for a property that you don’t intend to sell, and where you see yourself for life, then you need to make sure it is as good as it gets. Our designer will make recommendations to you that will serve you for the long term, instead of focussing on the marketability of the property. Your home should represent you, and our interior designer will be able to do this through their expert perspective.

 

You Are Indecisive

Perhaps you have too many ideas swirling around in your head and can’t commit to one design for your home? If you do feel overwhelmed with all of these ideas then an interior designer/architectural designer can help you weed out the ideas that won’t work so well, and incorporate the ones that will. Essentially they can get you back to basics, and give you visual aids so you can see what your final outcome will look like. At APT, our in-house architectural designers will be sure to get the balance right.

 

You Don’t Have Enough Time

Having a job, a family and a social life are hard enough to juggle as it is, so the thought of having to take on a whole renovation project by yourself can be a daunting one. Sometimes, there simply isn’t enough time in the day, so to save yourself the time, an interior designer can help guide you through this process.

 

You Can’t Agree With Your Partner

If you can’t agree with your partner on what you want to happen with your home, then the most logical way to solve this is to consult with our designer, who will act as the mediator between you both. Our designer will listen to the both of you, and try to incorporate and combine your preferences into a design that will please you both.

 

 

 

 

As well as being a fully comprehensive design & build team, APT Renovation also boasts its own bespoke joinery. Here’s some of the benefits a joinery such as ours can bring you:

 

Made-To-Measure

Our bespoke joinery specialises in making you maximise the space and usage of your home, with made-to-measure, custom fitted furniture that is unique only to your household. Rather than buying the furniture from the store and run the risk of it not fitting or looking good, you have the luxury of choosing exactly how you want your furniture to look and measure.

 

Extra Help With Your Property

As well as crafting furniture from scratch, our bespoke joinery can also customise existing fittings and items in your property and tailor these to your needs. This can include adding extra shelving in storage units, remodelling the layout of your wardrobe or even obscuring any unattractive wiring.

 

Add Value

By having our bespoke joinery create furniture and fittings for you, you are adding real value to your home. Any property that includes bespoke and unique features is always sure to be very appealing to prospective buyers, and is a surefire way to propel the worth of your home.

 

Get That Natural Wooden Finish

Wood is a hugely versatile material that is favoured by homeowners and builders alike, particularly because it provides excellent insulation, and is incredibly efficient. There are so many different finishes that can be achieved with wood, and nothing beats the organic sense of nature it can bring to your living space.

 

Whether you are considering getting a house extension or a full home renovation done, you want to make sure that you choose a trusted team of builders who are experts in construction. APT Renovation is at hand to transform your property into your dream home. Here’s what sets us out from the rest:

 

Best Builders & Building Tools

APT Renovation boasts some of the most experienced and skilled builders in London, with access to all of the best construction tools and equipment. Building is a very challenging and physically draining process, but our builders have the know-how and tenacity to meet and exceed all your requirements. We are also certified to use every special tool necessary when working on your property.

 

Affordable

APT Renovation is a fully comprehensive design & build team, which means you don’t need to waste time and money on dealing with third parties. You can be safe in the knowledge that we will offer you the most affordable rates when working on your project, with your budget in mind.

 

Reliable

Our team consists of the most honest and reliable workers, who believe in an ethical approach to every aspect of the construction process. Many construction companies often resell materials, which doesn’t hold the property owner’s best interests at heart. With APT, there will be no need to worry about any misconduct or unethical actions.

 

Adaptable

During the construction process, there are many hiccups and hitches that can occur along the way. Some construction companies are ill-prepared for any unforeseen circumstances, and can often end up delaying the works and cause you great inconvenience. APT Renovation has a dedicated team of talented individuals who are experts in adapting to and resolving new problems that may arise, and completing your project in a timely manner.

 

With more and more people working from home these days, the need for an office space or a private study is increasing. APT Renovation has looked at how you can make the ideal office space in your home:

 

Separate From The Rest Of The House

The best way to get work done at home is when you have peace and quiet, which is why it’s important for your study to be away from the other areas in your home. House extensions and loft conversions are often used for office spaces, as they allow you more privacy from children or other family members.

 

Light Colours

The key to productivity is a relaxed, yet focused state of mind. Using light natural tones in your office space is a good way to calm the mind, and allow you to flourish in your endeavours. Natural light is also vital in preventing any feeling of claustrophobia, which is detrimental to the brain.

 

Window View

If your property has any nice views, then you should definitely incorporate them into your office space. Peering onto a scenic view is a great way to boost morale, particularly if you are feeling stressed with your workload.

 

Create A Modern Look

For a great modern finish, you could use transparent furniture such as a glass desk and chair. This kind of look is particularly useful if space is limited, as it maximises light and reduces the level of clutter. This finish also goes very well with modern technology, especially with MacBooks.

 

The paint job is the finishing touch to any interior design or renovation. APT Renovation has broken down the most common paints and what their purpose is:

 

Undercoat

Undercoat paint is mainly used to fill cracks, cover stains and seal surfaces. They are specifically used for wood or metal.

 

Emulsion

Matt emulsion is the first choice when it comes to painting walls and ceilings, as it distributes easily on the surface and is simple to use with a brush or a roller.

 

Gloss

Gloss paint is used to create a shiny effect, particularly on wooden and metal surfaces. Sometimes it can be considered slightly too glossy, but a satin finish can strike the right balance.

 

Eggshell

Eggshell is an alternative to gloss paint as it is very durable, but has a less shiny finish. It is mostly used on woodwork.

 

Ceiling Paint

Painting a ceiling can prove to be very challenging, which is why there are a number of ceiling paints that have a more gelled texture, which prevents drips and covers crevices.

 

Floor Paint

Floor paint is designed to be resistant to wear and footfall, and usually comes with a semi-gloss finish.

 

Limewash

Limewash is a water-based and eco-friendly type of paint, that is used to create a soft matt finish, that is easily wipeable.

 

Textured Paint

There are a number of textured paints on the market that can really add a unique dynamic to an interior. Silk, velvet and suede are all achievable looks with textured paint.