Basement Construction London

APT Renovation: Experts In Building & Construction

 

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.

Create An Office Space That Suits You

Create An Office Space That Suits You

 

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.

Types Of Paint And Which One To Use

Types Of Paint And Which One To Use

 

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.

How To Divide Your Open-Plan Layout

How To Divide Your Open-Plan Layout

 

Open-plan layouts are a very popular choice amongst homeowners, particularly for those who love the modern look. It is important though, to partition your open-plan so it doesn’t just end up being one large room. Here’s how you can do that:

 

Choose Different Flooring

Having different textured flooring in different parts of your open-plan space is a great way to seamlessly divide the sections, particularly between the kitchen area and the lounge area. Because water is more likely to be spilt in the kitchen area, it’s preferable to have tiles, whereas a timber flooring is more suited to the dining and lounge areas.

 

Divide Zones With Furniture

Dividing the spaces with furniture such as cabinets and shelving is another great way to create subtle barriers between the relaxation and the more functional zones. This also helps to make it more intimate in the areas you are more likely to lounge in.

 

Colour Co-Ordinate

Just like with furniture and flooring, another way to divide the different areas is with the colour scheme. Think about giving your dining area an inviting look by having some brightly coloured chairs, or try to contrast the colours with the scheme that is in the kitchen. Choosing different colours for each area makes your home look more hospitable and less like one giant room.

 

Place A Rug Under Dining Table

As simple as it may seem, adding a rug under your dining table can do wonders for the general aesthetics of your open-plan layout, and it also creates the distinction between the other spaces. Not only that, but it will feel lovely under your feet when you are seated and enjoying your meals!

make your home eco-friendly

Make Your Home More Energy Efficient And Eco-Friendly

 

Here at APT Renovation, we always strive to make your home as energy efficient and eco-friendly as possible. We have taken a look at the best solutions you can take for sustainable living:

 

Insulate Your Walls

Ideally, you want your home to be warm during the winter, and nice and cool during the summer. The type of insulation you use has a big impact on the overall temperature, and eco-friendly options such as wool and recycled denim allow your walls to breathe, making it far more energy efficient. The government has been encouraging homeowners to go down this route, and introduced a grant (Energy Company Obligation) that can help with the costs.

 

Insulate Your Windows

If you want to get the best level of insulation from your windows, then you should triple-glaze them. However, this may not be possible in a listed building or a conservation area, so you may want to consider caulking and weatherstripping around the windows to stop air from coming in.

 

Use Solar Panels

Using solar panels is an incredibly effective way to lower the carbon footprint, and can be used all year round to heat up your water. Once you have paid for the installation of the solar panels, your hot water costs will drop dramatically and the carbon dioxide levels will reduce, thanks to this green, renewable heating system.

 

Only Choose Sustainable Wood

For your home to be considered truly eco-friendly, the wood that you use must be sourced responsibly and legally. There are many plantations that do all they can to respect and conserve trees and the surrounding wildlife, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to find sustainable timber.

 

 

What Our Architects Can Do For You

What Our Architectural Designers Can Do For You

architects

APT Renovation is a design & build team, meaning that we have our own in-house architectural designers that have designed some of the most stunning projects you will see in London. We have laid out some of the top things that our architectural designers can do for you:

Come Up With Amazing Ideas

You will already have your own idea on what you want done to your home, and our architectural designers will take this on board, but they will also have brilliant ideas of their own that you will not have even considered. Our architectural designers have amassed so much experience in terms of interior designs as well as extensions, so they know exactly what to do with spaces and how to make the most out of them.

Work Around Your Budget

One of the benefits to being an all-in-one team is that our architectural designers will work around your budget with you, and this information will be shared throughout the design & build team. This means total clarity for you along the way, rather than dealing with third-parties and the risk of getting your wires crossed. We will even advise you on how to avoid making any unnecessary costs.

Re-create A Style You Like

If you happen to have a picture of some interior design that you may want to emulate, then you can take that straight to our architectural designers and we can replicate this as much as possible, parameters permitting. Our architectural designers know where to source every type of material and have access to all the specialist suppliers around.

Incredible Attention To Detail

At APT, our architectural designers do not miss a thing, every little detail is of paramount importance. We take pride in designing and building your dream home, and we leave no stone unturned. Our architectural designers go the extra mile when designing your home project, with every millimetre accurately covered.

Amazing Staircase Ideas

Amazing Staircase Ideas

 

A staircase not only serves as an important functionality in the household, but it has the potential to create a stunning effect to complement the rest of a property. APT have looked at some incredibly inventive ways in which you could transform your staircase:

 

Use Wires Instead Of Walls

Getting rid of the walls beside the staircase is a fantastic way to create a more seamless and open-plan effect between 2 storeys. Using wires instead of walls is a stunning aesthetic alternative, and gives off the illusion that your steps are floating.

 

Exposed Undersides

Exposing the undersides of your staircase will create some beautiful geometric angles that can add a whole new dynamic to your décor. Also, if your staircase is white, there is more chance of bouncing off natural light and creating subtle shadows.

 

Insert Storage

If you are running out of places to store things in your home, then one ingenious method to solve this is to insert drawers into the stairs. These are ideal for storing things such as shoes, particularly when you have a lot of people living in the house.

 

LED Lights

Using LED lights on your staircase can create a very mystical ambience in your home. If you have wooden steps then you can really achieve a dramatic effect if you fit the lights on both sides. This will illuminate the wood and give it a far more pronounced look.

Create An Attractive Utility Room

Create An Attractive Utility Room

 

Utility or laundry rooms are often considered as the most unattractive parts of the house, and are mostly neglected in terms of décor. We have taken a look at some ways to add some character and charm to these rooms:

 

Vibrant Colours

Doing the laundry is definitely not the most glamorous of tasks, but why not jazz up the whole process with some lively colours? Seeing as you won’t be spending much time in the utility room, you could go for some bold colours that you wouldn’t usually go for in the rest of your home, just to make it that little bit more interesting.

 

Add Some Nature

Utility rooms can sometimes feel rather claustrophobic, so adding some natural elements into the mix will do wonders to combat this feeling. Adding some plants and flowers in are a great way to escape the brooding feeling you get when doing the laundry.

 

Attractive Flooring

Most utility and laundry rooms will have very unremarkable flooring, so it’s a good idea to break that mould and go for something more attractive. You could go for a patterned vinyl flooring, or even a marble surface if you want that feeling of luxury.

 

Create Space

Once you have all your appliances laid out in your utility room, it will most likely seem rather cramped. A great technique to avert this and to create more space is to embed the washing machine and other utilities into the wall!

How To Make The Unsightly Attractive

How To Make The Unsightly Attractive

 

It’s safe to say that in any household, there are aspects and items that are not attractive to look at. This includes the inevitable clutter that seems to manifest from nowhere as each year passes by. Here’s how you can make these unsightly items seem more attractive:

 

Obscure Your Wheelie Bins

Let’s face it, wheelie bins are not the most sightly things to see, as they appear cumbersome and are generally an unfavourable swamp-like colour. This is especially noticeable if the exterior of your home looks radiant. A good idea is to conceal them with a storage hut of some sort, and only bring them out once you need to use them.

 

Combine Your Clutter

Sometimes we can be very reluctant to let go of clutter, so to make the most out of this hoard mentality, why not experiment by combining random items together to see if they complement each other? If you move the items onto some neat shelving, and combine and contrast the colours, then you may be impressed with your results!

 

Manage Your Paperwork

Piled up paperwork is an unavoidable fact of life. Most of the paperwork we receive through the mail probably ends up being worthless to us, but when it comes down to the essential files that we need, we should really keep them some place safe, rather than sprawled out in different locations. Creating an attractive, colour-coded storage system for your important paperwork will do wonders in decluttering your room, as well as your mind.

 

Spruce Up Your Staircase

If your staircase is unattractive, then there are ways to make it look more pleasing on the eye. Firstly, you should consider brightening it up with some paint, adding a runner or putting colour on the risers. You could also revamp the bannisters and add some creativity to them by adding framework, metalwork, slats or opting for glass.

How To Make Your Child's Dream Room

How To Make Your Child’s Dream Room

A child’s bedroom is so important to their upbringing and development, so you want to ensure that you get it right for them. Here’s how you can make your child’s dream bedroom:

 

Give Them Input

You will want to make sure that your child’s bedroom corresponds with their interests and favourite hobbies, so it’s definitely a good idea to get them involved in the design process. Think about what activities they are most likely to do and work around this. So for instance, if they like to draw, put in a table, some bright lights and give the room an artistic vibe.

 

Compartmentalise

When it comes to children, it’s safe to say that their concentration levels can be rather erratic, so you will want to segment their room into areas that they can distinguish. For example, if they have certain toys that they use a lot, then you should place them in a certain part of the room so that they know where they are and where they need to be put back.

 

Encourage Creativity

A great way to keep your child occupied, and to encourage creativity, is to give them a surface for them to draw or write on. This could be an assigned wall or even a chalk or whiteboard. This will make your child feel like they really belong in their room, as they get free reign with creating designs.

 

Low & Comfy

Children love to play on the floor with their toys or colouring pens, sometimes it’s like they have no need for chairs! Placing down some comfortable and padded cushions or bean bags will make their bedroom much more accommodating and encourage them to spend time in their room. Make sure to select a fabric that has soft fibres and is not irritable to your child!