My House and Home Blog

Cutting bathroom tiles can be a tricky business and many times the tiles only end up being broken and unusable or cut to the wrong size. Tile cutting is often seen as one of the most difficult DIY jobs to do simply because it is so easy to accidentally break the tiles.

Here is a great tip for tile cutting:

• Lay the tile down flat on the floor and draw a pencil line where you want it cut.
• Then score down that line using a guide but not going all the way through the tile.
• Place the tile evenly on two separate wood blocks either side of the score you made.
• Apply a short blast of blunt pressure on the tile where it is scored and it should separate exactly along the score line.

Okay, so cream isn’t the most exciting colour you can use but for many people, the dining room gets the least light. Lounges ttypicaly have large windows overlooking the frint garden but dining room’s often get the short end of the straw. Cream paint will make your dining room feel more refreshing, spacious and light, making the most out of the light it receives.

To get some color into your dining room just co-ordinate some colorful accessories and cream furniture. A calming and relaxing dining room could have cream walls and sofas but with cheerful bright blue cushions, blue light shades and a blue sofa throw over perhaps. Experiment with accessories!

You may be lacking that minimalistic modern look of the 21st century simply because you own a family home and electrical goods can really take up space in any family living room. If you have lots of things to plug in such as television, digital box, consoles, personal computers, DVD player and others make sure you pick up some cable tidy’s and sort out all those wires. Simply clipping and tucking these wires away will make your room feel much tidier and spacious as well as less of a maze when it comes to plugging things in or out when you need to!

Before you get the sledge hammer out to knock down walls in your family home, whether you want to open up some space, merge rooms or get rid of rooms entirely make sure you get a qualified surveyor round first to check the wall and make sure it’s safe to remove it. It may be that the wall supports your home or that it has essential plumbing or electrical cables running through it.

Make sure it’s safe and practical to remove the wall first or it could end up becoming a very expensive home DIY job gone terribly wrong. If you need to check electricals in any area as your local DIY goods supplier for an electrical detector, commonly found as a small handheld pen shaped device.

If you are considering changing the lighting of your kitchen you may be tempted to install halogen down lighting commonly used in commercial buildings. These are very bright small lights that can have a very positive effect on the way your kitchen and even the food looks however, you should think carefully before getting this type of lighting. This lighting is harsh and very bright, it can make you feel hot and give you headaches if you spend too long underneath them. If you are using them, place them in out of the way areas to light up features instead of using them as general overall lighting for your kitchen.

Taking a closer look at conservatory design could really benefit your home and garden. A conservatory is not a decision to be made lightly not least because of the strain it can place on your finances. When choosing a conservatory you should make a note of the type of home and garden you have. The uPVC windowed conservatory may not look a part of your home if your home is traditional and hardwood based in design. Likewise the hardwood design of conservatory will stick out like a sore thumb when placed next to a modern uPVC home. Consider the materials of your conservatory as much as the overall design to find one that suits both home and garden perfectly.

Conservatories as an addition to the back of your home are a very popular DIY project that many are now undertaking to either enhance their home experience or to enhance the sale price. However, it is worth noting that financing for such a particular DIY project is necessary in most cases. Conservatory prices can vary in range however, as with all things you do often find you get what you pay for. Cheaper and more economical alternatives will often require regular maintenance and have a short term life span when compared to long term durable options with a slightly bigger price tag.

Outbuildings of any kind are subject to various local government building regulations and many outbuilding structures require planning permission before you can proceed. As such, it is always recommended that before you build an outbuilding of any kind you consult with your local governing authority beforehand to make sure you know which rules and regulations apply to your area before you begin work.

Factors such as the percentage of land used up, floor dimensions, height restrictions and proximity to public pathways in relation to  your home are all areas to consider when applying for planning permission. It is therefore highly likely that you will require planning permission for any outbuilding in your garden you wish to construct.

There are a variety of swimming pools to choose from that work in different situations depending on your own personal requirements and your home and garden needs. Swimming pools don’t just come in a variety of sizes, they also come in a variety of uses, shapes and builds. Consider aspects such as the flooring of your swimming pool, whether it will be an inset swimming pool or a standalone type (above ground).

Always talk to your chosen provider about your plans in detail, and just because it’s the biggest and most luxurious swimming pool doesn’t mean it will be right for you or your garden. Similarly, the most economic solution may not be truly so in the long term and may not suit your garden at all.

If you are planning to have a tennis court in your garden to become the envy of your neighbours, the cornerstone of your fitness and the luxurious relaxation in your day there are many things to be considered.

As with all things where you are planning something big for your garden you need to plan out exactly where in your garden the tennis court will be. Think about a north-south facing tennis court to avoid glaring sun in player’s eyes.

You also need to consider building regulations for your new tennis court so don’t forget to get in touch with your local governing authority to find out more.