Victorian architecture dates back to 1837 until 1901 when Queen Victoria sat on the throne. To this day, Victorian houses are prevalent all over the country. Here, we take a look at the typical features in a Victorian property, and what their defining characteristics were:

No Garages

As cars were first invented towards the end of the Victorian era, architectural designers did not foresee the need for garages. Most people would have travelled by foot, horse and cart or steam train during this period, which is why many Victorian homes to this day have to rely on on-street parking rather than garages.

Tiles

Geometric tiles were heavily used in Victorian properties, particularly black, white and blue mosaic patterns. Terracotta was also a common colour used in kitchen and dining areas, with a range of different shapes and designs.

Small Rooms

As fire was the only means of heating during this period, most rooms would have a fireplace in them. Because of the lack of heating as well, it was unpractical for rooms to be large, so for insulation purposes, rooms would generally be on the smaller side.

Joinery Quality

The more elaborate the joinery was in the fixtures of a property, the higher status this property had. This included ceiling roses and intricate and decorative coving, which were common features in the more luxurious Victorian properties.

Porches & Terraces

Another common feature in Victorian design were the front porches that included steps and gables. Just like the quality of the joinery, the size of the porch had a direct correlation to how grand the property was. Terraces were also designed very compactly and right next to each other, despite the fact that many families had over 8 children in 1 household.

Getting the layout right for any room in your house can be a very challenging task, and the living room is where you definitely want to get it spot on. Here are a few tips on how to create the ideal layout in your living room:

Position Sofa

As the sofa is usually the main seating area in the living room, you will want to select the right size, which means striking the right balance in terms of how many people it can fit, and how it is in proportion to the room. You will want to place the sofa in the best possible position to maximise your comfort, as well as the aesthetics. It may be tempting to have your sofa right up against a wall, but this can create a rather uninviting feeling, so try to leave a little gap instead.

Coffee Table

A coffee table is an essential piece of furniture for any living room, as it lets you place your drinks, food or devices down while you are relaxing. To supplement this level of relaxation, try to get a coffee table that is the same height as the cushions of your sofa. You will also want to select a coffee table the complements the theme of your living room, rather than one that is not in keeping with the décor.

Work Around The TV

Most people arrange their seating to face their television. If you have a large wide-screen TV, then you will want to make sure all your seats are placed accordingly. If you want your living room to be more of a social hub, then you could consider a sliding door to conceal the TV when guests are over.

Artwork / Plants

Putting up some beautiful artwork on your walls can make the world of difference to your living room, and give it its own personality. For best results, you should think about hanging up the art pieces at average eye level. Additionally, adding some plants into the mix is an effective way to freshen up the place and make your living room more inviting.

APT Renovation specialise in creating made to measure wardrobes for your home, thanks to our bespoke joinery. We have looked at some creative ways you can incorporate wardrobes into your rooms:

Raised Wardrobes

A great technique for organising your wardrobes is to raise them above the ground and onto the wall. This will allow you to have even more storage for clothing, and to also free up some much-needed floor space.

Low Wardrobes

If your room is in a loft, or you are lacking in headspace, then the chances are you won’t be able to fit a full-size wardrobe in there. What you can do though, is put a low-hanging wardrobe in there, complete with an easy to access hanging tail and maybe some LED lights for the style.

Integrate With Bed

Some rooms come in awkward shapes, making it hard to fit in a wardrobe that is able to store all of your clothing. If you are finding it hard to fit a wardrobe in because of the obstructive angles, then you could build one directly over your bed. Not only is this efficient in terms of freeing up space, but it also creates a lovely aesthetic.

Shelf Rails

Another great way to free up more space in your room is to create a shelf rail, where you can hang your shirts and jackets up with pegs. This particular style of wardrobe not only allows you ample storage space but it also works very well with minimalist interior designs.

Solid wood is often used for a vast array of surfaces in properties, especially for flooring, kitchen units and furniture. However, there are a few alternatives to use that can sometimes be better suited to your home. APT have looked at some excellent materials that you could use in your home instead of solid wood:

Bamboo

Although bamboo looks like wood, it actually comes from the grass family, and is a highly regenerative plant that grows very fast and is also eco-friendly. Bamboo can be used as a substitute for solid wooden flooring, as it is very durable and can come in a variety of different finishes, much like wood.

Cork

Cork is another durable material that is becoming increasingly popular, as it has many benefits. Not only does it look attractive, it is also eco-friendly as it is extracted from the bark of a tree, meaning no trees are cut down. For flooring, cork has a more warm and softer feeling than any other surface material, and it also has a very distinct, easy on the eye look.

Vinyl

Vinyl is a great substitute to use instead of real wood, and even though it is a synthetic man-made material, it can often look just as real as wood. This material is especially useful to have in your bathroom or kitchen where you want to achieve a wooden look, but don’t want the wood to get damaged by water.

Porcelain / Ceramic

Porcelain and ceramic are other materials you can use to mimic the wooden look for your bathroom and kitchen, as they are perfectly suited to areas of high moisture unlike wood. They also work for extensions such as conservatories where lots of sunlight comes in, as the colour of both these materials never fades.

The kitchen is one of the most energy dependent rooms in a household, and this can be very taxing financially and environmentally. APT Renovation has looked at some of the ways that you can reduce the amount of energy you use in your kitchen:

Energy Efficient Appliances

Kitchen appliances can take up to 30% of your entire energy use in your home, which is why replacing your existing appliances with those that have graded A ratings is so important. Grade A appliances are the most energy efficient, and will be sure to lower your bills each month.

Temperature Regulation

If you want to significantly reduce energy use, then make sure you pay attention to the temperatures in your fridges, dishwashers and washing machines. The ideal temperature of your fridge should be between 3-5°C and your freezer should be around -18°C.

Regularly Defrost Freezer

Because the freezer is constantly switched on, it is naturally the biggest energy user in the kitchen. The best way to reduce this excessive use of energy is to regularly defrost the freezer, as the more ice that builds up, the more electricity is used to keep it cold. Keeping your freezer defrosted can save you up to £200 a year in bills.

Use Energy Saving Lights

Kitchens are where you prepare meals, so they need to be lit up well, more so than any other part of the house. Using inefficient bulbs will quickly consume untold amounts of energy in your kitchen, so you should consider going for LED lights. These come in a variety of sizes and styles, so you can be sure to find some that will suit your kitchen’s décor.

Being faced with the constant challenge of redecorating your child’s bedroom is quite a daunting prospect. As they outgrow toys, furniture and regularly gain new interests, hobbies and tastes as they grow, redecorating their bedroom may seem like a regular occurence.

In order to make your life a little bit easier, think about creating a bedroom that is timeless. A room that can grow with your child and adapt to their ever changing interests.

Here are 4 simple ways to make your child’s bedroom timeless.

Neutral Themes

Selecting neutral tones and colours in your child’s room is a smart move.  Considering children’s favourite things will often change at the drop of a hat – and this includes their favourite colours! Instead of changing the colours of the walls regularly, perhaps, you could include their new found favourite colour in small doses, in accessories or bedding for example.

Use Posters & Stickers

Putting up posters and stickers in your child’s room is a great way to cater to their ever-changing interests. Your child might be into astrology one moment, and then into cars just a few months later, so having temporary posters or stickers is a great way to keep up with them!

Ergonomic Furniture

When your kids are young, you will most likely find them at a lower level, playing on the floor with their toys, but as they get older and grow bigger, they will naturally function at higher levels. This is why it’s a great idea to go for ergonomic and adjustable furniture so you can move things up a notch when needed.

Bespoke Furniture

Going for bespoke furniture will suit the needs of your specific child, and can make for an excellent long-term investment. At APT Renovation, we have our own bespoke joinery that is able to craft beautiful furniture that will adapt to your child as they grow throughout the years.

We are about to commence on site with our project in Grandison Road, located “between the commons” in the London Borough of Wandsworth. We are going to completely remodel the ground and rear of this Victorian terraced house.

Our clients needs as a family had recently changed in that their two boys aged 14 & 11 have very different needs for the space from when they first bought the property, several years ago. They requested different zones so that when the boys have friends around, they have a room to themselves, and the rest of the family have a place too.

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If you are looking to boost the value of your property and increase livable space, then a house extension can do you wonders. An extension represents a momentous investment, so not only is it important to get it right but also to be mindful of the ongoing expenditures. This is why extending your home  as eco-friendly as possible is so important, as it will reduce costs and also have a less harmful impact on the environment. APT Renovation reveals how you can end up paying less and doing more for the environment:

Lighting

The type of lighting you choose has a significant correlation to the windows you choose. For example, if you go with Velux windows or skylights, you will have a great deal of natural light during the day, and will not need to use as much electricity. More and more, people are opting to go for a house extension with lots of glass, which incorporates the outside with the inside. This makes it a more natural and eco-friendly living space, as well as aesthetically contemporary. During the evenings, artificial lighting will, of course, be needed, so energy efficient light bulbs can do the trick, and are far cheaper than normal light bulbs.

Insulation

The best way to insulate your housing extension is by installing a layer of insulation material to an external wall, which is then embedded in seamlessly and then covered. This method is a brilliant way to ensure that your heating bills will be minimal and also reduces the negative impact on the environment. Not only that, but this type of insulation prevents moisture and damp by warming the dew out of the wall. It is also effective in blocking out external noise.

Heating Panels

Infrared heating panels are relatively new to domestic properties, but they are not only incredibly cost-effective, they are equally effective in heating a property. The way it works is by transmitting electromagnetic radiation from visible light. Although the term ‘radiation’ is often considered harmful, this method is completely safe, and naturally, occurs within the human body. These panels are versatile in design and can make for an aesthetic enhancement to your house extension.

Paint

It is no wonder a long session of painting can result in a headache, as the large majority of paint brands contain toxic petrochemicals. Not only are these harmful for the environment, but they can also result in neurological disorders and other health risks if exposed to them for great lengths of time. Luckily, there are a number of eco-friendly paints on the market that are of excellent quality.

Underfloor Heating

Underfloor heating is becoming increasingly popular in properties, particularly in house extensions, as they provide a wonderfully warm and homely feeling, especially in the winter. This method of heating is often regarded as more expensive than other types but is an excellent way to make your home more energy efficient. It also distributes warmth far more evenly as opposed to the sparse heating standard radiators bring.