The space underneath a staircase is often overlooked, but this can often be a great place to add some storage or even create a mini room. APT have looked at the ways that you can maximise this space:

 

Install A Study

Putting in a little study underneath the staircase is a great way to make the most out of this redundant space and also won’t set you back much in terms of money. All you need to do is add a desk, a chair, some low-key lighting and perhaps fit some storage units into the wall.

 

Miniature Art Gallery

Instead of wasting the wall space, why not add your own mini gallery with all of your favourite pieces of art? You could also use the space to put up pictures of your travels, or even photographs of you and your family.

 

Bicycle/Pram Storage

If you or any of your family members are cyclists, then you could use the free space underneath the stairs to store bicycles, rather than have them take up space or run the risk of getting them stolen outside. Additionally, pushchairs or mobility scooters could also be stored in this space.

 

Play Den

It’s no secret that children love playing in enclosed spaces such as tents and dense, so if you do have kids, think about creating a play den underneath the staircase. You could make it very cosy for them by putting in some cushions and bean bags, while you could also add some vibrancy to the space with toys and bright colours on the walls.

 

3D wall surfaces are being used more often in home renovations than ever before, as there is so much scope for design and creativity. APT Renovation has looked at some brilliant 3D wall surface ideas that can transform your home:

Wave Patterns

To create a sense of calm and tranquillity in your home, why not got for some waved textures in a light colour? This can bring a very relaxing ambience to your home, and also gives the illusion of a longer wall. It’s probably best not to overdo it with the textures though, and use it for only one wall, as it can create a nice contrast with painted brickwork or stonework.

Stone Surfaces

While many 3D wall surfaces are used to create a contemporary effect, using a stone is an effective way to make your property look more traditional and rustic. Using stonework on the walls near your garden area also gives the impression that the outside is connected to the inside, and also gives off a warm feeling, particularly during the winter.

Wooden Panels

For a more country look, wood panelling is a lovely theme to use on the walls, particularly in the kitchen and dining area. Picking lighter, natural woods for your walls can also be used to create a modern Scandinavian interior style, which is so different from the darker hues of wood.

Enhance Your Bathroom

Using 3D ceramic surfaces in your bathroom can do wonders in terms of enhancing its style. Think about going for circular or cracked patterns on the walls, as they can make your bathroom feel chic like a luxurious hotel.

 

While windows are usually found in walls, they can also feature in ceilings to give you stunning sky views and to brighten up your space. APT has looked at how skylights can benefit your household:

 

Add Height

Having skylight windows can not only give you more natural light, but it can also give you a lot more extra height, which has a huge impact on how spacious your property feels. This extra height and light also negates any feeling of claustrophobia.

 

Improve Functionality

While skylights are often used generically to boost the brightness, you can also take advantage of them in terms of functionality and place an area of study directly underneath them. Another common area in the house to have skylight windows is in the kitchen, as this helps with all kitchen activities and saves you money on electrical lighting.

 

Shaped Windows

You don’t need to go for conventional skylight windows in your property, instead you could try a different shape like a circle or a triangle. Not only will this look unique and dynamic, but it will serve as a major talking point when you have guests over.

 

Illuminate Your Bathroom

Skylight windows can make excellent additions in bathrooms, as they allow natural light to pour in while you in there, and they maintain your privacy at the same time. You can also peer up to the stars at night whilst you relax in the bath tub.

Before renovating your property, it’s worth putting some thought into how you want your interior doors to look as they can make a huge impact on the overall style and function of your home. At APT, we have our own bespoke joinery to create the perfect doors for you, here are a few you might want to consider:

 

Glazed

Glazed doors are a great way to circulate natural light throughout your home. Although these kinds of doors can impede privacy, they are very useful if you want to keep an eye out for your children in the next room.

 

Metal Frames

Metal framed doors give off a very sleek look, and despite looking rather industrial, they actually bring a sense of luxury to your home. This look works very well with glazed windows, and combines perfectly to make your home look very contemporary.

 

Mirrored

If your property has a beautiful interior, then you should consider using mirrors on your doors to reflect it and make the space look even larger than it is. Mirrored doors give your home a far more refined look, but it’s worth remembering that you will need to polish the surface often.

 

Rustic

Sometimes when a property has a very modern look, it’s great to add a few rustic elements into the mix to give it some much needed charm. Our bespoke joinery can select some fine vintage wood for your doors that will really make a huge difference to the overall décor.

 

Edwardian architecture dates back to the relatively brief period of 1901-1918, when King Edward VII was king. This style was a move away from the Victorian periodic style, as it embraced larger spaces and incorporated some Georgian characteristics as well. Here are some defining features of Edwardian design:

 

Differing Exteriors

Although red brick properties were commonplace in Edwardian architecture, this period heralded in a multitude of other types of materials used for exteriors. For example, gravel, pebbles, cement and lime were also used and often combined together, while reinforced concrete frames were a habitual feature.

 

Art Nouveau

Art Nouveau rose to prominence a decade before King Edward VII was king, so it’s no surprise that it featured heavily in so many Edwardian interior designs. Stained glass on front doors decorated in Art Nouveau style was commonplace, while ornaments and furniture pieces were inspired by natural forms, a typical Art Nouveau feature.

 

Airy Spaces

 

Because of the ever-growing industrialisation and pollution of cities, there was a newfound desire for many people to move to the suburbs. This allowed architectural designers to play with more space compared to the cramped Victorian era. This is why Edwardian interiors are more airy and spacious, with large windows, floral wallpaper and light walls a common theme.

 

Vintage Furniture

An Edwardian home wouldn’t be complete without furniture that has historical influences, especially from the Italian Baroque and French Rococo styles. Wicker furniture also became an ever-present in Edwardian homes, which was a reflection of how society was becoming more multicultural.

 

 

A lot of artwork throughout history has remained unfinished, but this hasn’t diminished their beauty. The same can be said for properties that adopt this unfinished look. Here are some techniques that you can use to achieve this exposed finish in your home:

 

Structural Wood

Exposing your timber and oak beams is a common feature in many homes, and is equally suitable in a traditional home as it is in a contemporary space. This type of look works so well because it incorporates natural elements into the confines of your home, changing the dynamic entirely.

 

Brickwork

Having a partition of the wall that is exposed brickwork can really add some character to a living area, particularly if you align this with some clever lighting. Generally speaking, brickwork gives off a cold effect, but the asymmetrical textures and colours are great design elements to play around with.

 

Concrete

Concrete is a fantastic material to use for an exposed finish, especially if you are going for a minimalistic effect. The imperfection of the surface gives a raw visual effect and can combine well with artwork or unique ornaments.

 

Steel

To get the more industrial look, steel is an excellent material to use. Having exposed steel structures can really create a stunning yet unfinished aesthetic, and combines well with an exposed ducting system or pipework.

 

Plywood

Plywood is a very cost-effective material to use, and it definitely gives off the impression of an unfinished design. Not only that, but it adds warmth to a space, and can be painted at any time if the look begins to bore you at a later date.

 

Georgian architecture originates from the time King Georges I, II, III and IV were ruling the country, from 1714 to 1830. This design incorporates symmetry, clean lines and ornate ornaments and furniture. Here are some typical features of Georgian architecture:

 

Palladian Influence

Palladian design elements are prevalent within Georgian architecture, which include understated decoration, high ceilings and classical proportions. These design elements draw huge inspiration from classical Roman and Ancient Greek architecture that Venetian architect, Andrea Palladio, was famous for resurrecting.

 

Town Houses

Perhaps the most emblematic image of Georgian architecture are the brick town houses that can be sighted all over the country. As well as red brick being their defining feature, they are also renown for having parapets on each floor and sloped roofs made out of slate.

 

Subtlety

The colours used in the vast majority of Georgian homes were usually soft or pale colours such as whites and pastel tones, while wallpapers and rugs would have certain patterned designs, sometimes with an Oriental or Far East influence. On the whole though, Georgian interiors were much more subtle when compared to other period designs.

 

Sash Windows

Sash windows typify Georgian architecture, and were primarily used to insulate homes with fireplaces and maintain a sense of privacy. The windows would often be large, although the top floors were typically smaller, because of the window tax at the time.

 

High Ceilings & Flat Fronted Roofs

As Georgian homes were primarily for the wealthy and a sign of high social status, it’s no surprise that the ceilings in these properties are very high. Another good indication that a property is Georgian, is to see if the roof is shallow pitched, as many of these properties did not seem to have a roof at first sight.

 

Victorian and Georgian homes are filled with features that are derived from classical architecture, while other features are a direct result of the restrictions that builders and architectural designers faced at the time. Here are some distinct features that you will find in most period homes:

 

Cornice

A cornice marks the separation between the wall and the ceiling and can sometimes be elaborately designed in the more affluent properties, or it can just be plain. These are usually painted in white, but they can also be in a range of other bold colours to make a room stand out.

Corbel

Corbels can be found over fireplaces, hallways and stairways and are usually made of plaster. In some luxurious homes, the corbels can be made from marble or slate. Typical designs usually incorporate floral imagery or scroll parchment.

 

Architrave

The architrave is the thin outline of wood that can be seen around doors, windows and built-in cupboards, and is used to cover the areas that plaster can’t with regards to potential cracking. This type of framing remains virtually unchanged to this day, and is seen in the vast majority of properties in the UK.

 

Dado Rail

A dado rail originates from the Georgian era and can be found in many hallways and staircases, and is an architrave that is usually 90 cm higher than the floor, and extends along the wall. Despite the dado rail vanishing from properties during the Victorian era, they are now quite sought after and create a lovely decorative effect.

 

 

Traditionally speaking, house renovations are usually designed separately by architectural designers, and then carried out by contractors. What sets us out from the others, is that we are a fully comprehensive team, meaning that we cover all aspects of your dream home, from the design & build, right to the fit-out. We have looked at the reasons why you should go for a design & build team such as APT, rather than using multiple contractors:

Erase The Middlemen

Choosing APT Renovation for your home project means that you will have the same team working on it from the initial design procedure, right to the end. This will result in a much more cohesive process from start to finish, which you will not get if you opt to use separate contractors. When you have a design & build team like ours, you can be safe in the knowledge that everyone is on board with the project and there will be total accountability in the rare event that something goes wrong along the way.

 Expertise In All Areas

Unfortunately, there are people in the construction industry who claim to know more than they do. For example, it’s not unheard of to come across contractors or builders who claim they are also architectural designers, and the same can also be said in reverse. This is why choosing a design & build team like APT Renovation will have you safe in the knowledge that we are experts in every aspect. Not only are our builders and engineers the finest and most skilled in the business, our in-house architectural designers are fully licensed and have a wealth of experience in designing state-of-the-art interiors and house extensions throughout London.

 Cheaper

Opting for a design & build team not only makes your life easier in terms of convenience, but it is also a far more cost-effective option. If you decide to choose architectural designers, consultants and contractors separately, then you could end up paying more than 10% extra than if you choose a design & build team like APT. From the outset, our architectural designers will be able to let you know what you can expect in terms of pricing, and will be able to help you adhere to your budget. Our architectural designers and consultants have in-depth knowledge when it comes to the costs of materials and labour, so you can rest assured that their advice will be accurate. We also only start taking payments from you once the works have commenced, and take no upfront fees like some companies.

 Better Communication

Another huge benefit in choosing a design & build team instead of going down the traditional route is that you can be sure that communication between all parties will never be a problem. Right from the very first site visit at your home, our whole team will be fully briefed on what the objectives are and what challenges lie ahead. Here at APT, we like to be fully transparent with our clients, and show them what we are doing, how we are doing it and why it needs to be done. Not only that, but we are readily available to give you all the expert advice you need when it comes to any home improvements, planning permissions or building regulations.

 Get It Done Quicker

Using a selection of third-parties to work on your house renovation runs a big risk of it being delayed. This is because the contractors won’t be in sync with each other, and will most likely have different schedules as opposed to choosing a comprehensive design & build team like APT. A house renovation can be a very complex and protracted process, so it’s far more convenient to have an all-inclusive team working on it, who have worked together on many huge projects. Our team are amazing at completing projects in a timely manner, and are incredibly adaptive to any mishaps that may occur.

 

At APT Renovation, we pride ourselves on being able to give your home improvement projects more continuity, convenience and expertise than other contractors and designers. More and more people are beginning to see the benefits of choosing a design & build team rather than the outdated and tried and tested way. APT Renovation are one of the leading experts in London when it comes to the whole design & build process, so why not give us a call?

 

 

 

If you’re lucky enough to have a balcony in your home and are stuck on some ideas on how to decorate it, APT Renovation have come up with a few suggestions:

 

Blend In With Interior

If you feel that your home doesn’t have enough indoor space, then you could merge your balcony space to create the feeling of a much larger interior. Fitting in floor-to-ceiling glass doors are a great way to achieve this effect, particularly when you can pull them all the way back during the height of summer. Continuing the same theme as your interior will also add to creating this seamless effect.

 

Make It Modern

Having a modern looking balcony can create a beautiful design aesthetic in your home, especially if the rest of your property has a more traditional interior. Using modern elements such as glass for the balustrade and concrete or tiles for the flooring are great ways to achieve this modern look.

 

Create A Rustic Look

As balconies allow you to peer outside, why not use natural themes that can be found outside in your balcony? Going for a rustic look can add significant charm to your home, and there is so much scope for creativity. Using materials such as weathered wood, stone and iron together, as well as a selection of plants, can give you a beautiful, traditional looking balcony.

 

Make It Season-Proof

Because British weather is so unpredictable, you will want to create a balcony space somewhere that you can relax, regardless of what time of year it is. Creating a protruded roof will help guard you from the hostile weather, while you could also think about adding an electric infrared heater to use during the winter.