3 Top Tips For a More Inviting Conservatory

In summertime, a conservatory is always inviting, making the perfect place to sit and enjoy a long cool drink. But at other times of the year it can feel cold and unwelcoming, so why not use these three simple ideas to turn your conservatory into a year-round haven.

1: You can never have too many cushions

Conservatory furniture is often made of rattan or wicker- great for the summertime, but hardly inviting in winter. The easiest way to get the best of both worlds is by bringing in lots of attractively covered scatter cushions, and creating a soft, welcoming space.

2: Get the lighting just right

In winter, you can't rely on evening light from outside, leaving the conservatory feeling too dark. Why not invest in some blinds and a new lighting scheme- think warm, amber light from low lamps placed on lamp tables.

3: Pick the right furniture

A new focal point can really make a difference, so why not invest in a coffee table to really bring the room together, turning it into a second sitting room? If your conservatory is large enough, you could also pick a matching TV stand and create a den feel, perfect for when you need a bit of space from the kids.

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Set Up A Flat Screen TV In Style

New, modern flat screen TVs can really dominate a room, taking away from the style that you want. This is especially true when they are mounted on a TV stand that is meant for an old-style TV, which makes them stand out.

There are two options if you want to soften the appearance of your flat screen TV – you can either mount it on the wall so that it does not impose on the room’s space, or invest in a modern-style TV stand that has been specially designed to display a contemporary HDTV.

Most flat screen TVs come with wall mounting brackets, but considering how expensive they are, it is worth enlisting some expert help rather than mounting it yourself. You can even have a custom-made cabinet installed so that you can hide your TV away when you have guests.

A modern TV stand, in a traditional material such as solid oak, is a great way to present a huge modern TV in style, and makes for a great way to enjoy some lovely family evenings in front of favourite films or programmes.

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3 Simple Ideas For an Inviting Hall

Your hall is the first room that visitors see, so it’s worth spending a little time getting it just right. Use these handy tips to make your hall the inviting, comforting space it can be.

1: Pick a warm and appealing colour scheme

Go for a modern tone such as a refreshing olive green to really make sure that your hall feels cosy and welcoming. Pair it with either a new carpet or some rugs to give it a carefully designed look.

2: Get the furniture right

It doesn’t take much to make a hall look crowded, so it’s well worth taking the time to pick the right pieces. A console table is ideal as a place to present a family photo, or if you have space, to create a little telephone nook.

3: Think about lighting

It may seem obvious, but there’s a lot you can do with lighting. Try switching from a ceiling lamp to wall mounted, designer light fittings for an extra dash of welcoming elegance. You could also place mirrors in strategic places to maximise the light from the door.

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Pick The Right Furniture Finish For Your Room

If you’re thinking of rejuvenating one of your rooms with some new solid wooden furniture, then it’s worth taking the time to consider what effect the furniture’s finish will have on the room.

If you are furnishing a bedroom, then you’ll want to find a soft finish that does not reflect too much light – consider a waxed finish, or even a stain, to bring out the relaxing and beautiful qualities of the wood, helping you to create a truly relaxed atmosphere in which to sleep.

For a living room, you have a far wider choice of finish – if you want a bright modern look, go for lacquered wood, with its distinctive modern sheen, or a timeless oiled finish for smooth and effortlessly stylish comfort. If you want to go to for a traditional look, then consider a dark woodstain for a time-honoured, refined feel, or even an antique wax, which will bring out the shadows and highlights of the wood.

So make sure you put a little time into considering what finish to go for, and you’re sure to reap the rewards and create a room that has a totally harmonious style.

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Make Your Coffee Table Count

The coffee table is the focal point of the lounge, and while there are many elegant, funky or sleek styles that are available, it is not just the table itself that dictates the room’s look, but how you choose to accessorise it.

If you have chosen a table with built in storage, then make sure that you use it to its full. Any shelves can be filled with favourite books or films, which not only makes for a convenient storage space but also contributes to your room’s look.

For the top of the table, consider a modern table protecting textile sheet – leather if you have antique dark wood, or even an edged hessian for a Moroccan feel.You can also use large wooden bowls as great accessories – fill them with fruit, sweets or even just remote controls, and you’ll help to create a relaxed and stylish look.

It’s also worth investing in some new coffee cups that match the tone of the wood, so that coffee time becomes a truly stylish experience that you will relish.

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Make Sure You Have Enough Wardrobe Space

If you have a spare room, then why not consider turning it into a dedicated dressing room, with a stunning dressing table and stool, a full length mirror and walls lined with wardrobes so that you always have the space that you need for your clothing.

A dressing room is a great way to make absolutely certain that you have enough space for all your family’s clothes, as it provides room for a full hanging wardrobe for long dresses and coats, a gents’ wardrobe for suits and smart trousers, and even a triple or corner wardrobe to make sure that you never have to stuff clothes in.

The best way to finish off a dressing room is with a stylish and comfy chaise longue, where you can lay out outfits, or just lounge while waiting for your nail varnish to dry.So remember, if your family love clothes, make sure that you consider a dressing room that you can all share, and keep the rest of your home free of wardrobes.

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Have a look at this Cutting Edge Modern Bedroom

If you live in a modern space, and you’re looking for an up to the minute look that incorporates the effortless warmth of wooden furniture, then take a good look at this stunning room, with its large full wall window and solid wooden floor.

The owners of this home are fortunate in having such a spacious room, but they also capitalise on this by carefully choosing their furniture. The king size wooden bed is made to a sleek modern design, but the solid timber craftsmanship allows it to radiate a subtle rustic glow that complements the view from the window. Though this room gets a lot of its style from its minimalist approach, you could easily include a solid wooden wardrobe or console table for extra storage without compromising on the look.

The circular ottoman softens the straight lines of the room, helping to make it a relaxing space that is not overcome by the clinical quality of some contemporary spaces. By keeping the walls a cool, clean white, and matching this in the bedclothes, the room becomes an inspiring and exciting space, filled with possibilities.

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Using Pine To Create A Scandinavian Bedroom

Solid pine is both affordable and stylish, and is the cornerstone on which the school of Scandinavian furniture design is built, so if you want a relaxing, minimalist bedroom that is relaxed and inviting, why not make use of this stylishly simple material?

For a Scandinavian look, the first thing you need to do is to simplify the walls - get rid of any fussy picture rails and skirting boards, and either treat your floorboards with sandpaper or paint or go for a laminate floor to really bring the simplicity of the Scandinavian style home.

Next, you'll need to get some great pine furniture. Go for low chests of drawers, and always try to keep all the furniture as low to the ground as you can - pick a bed that does not have a high header and footer, and go for a plain pine wardrobe so that it does not impose into the space of the room.

Finally, dress the bed with crisp white linen, never a pattern, and you're sure to achieve a great Scandinavian look.

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Turning A Utility Room Into A Stylish Space

The utility room is almost always a dull, grey, uninspiring place whose only purpose is to store a freezer, tumble dryer or linen closet, but it does not have to be this way. With a little thought, your utility room could be a great space that you will enjoy visiting, and you'll be able to put a bit of style into laundry day.

The first thing to do is to look at what furniture you can fit in. Try taking your fitted cupboards out and replacing them with some traditional painted timber chests, perfect for storing linen and also easy to clean. Set them off with a new paint scheme for the walls, and to maximise the sense of space, you can pick one wall to paint a darker or louder colour to break up the monotony.

If you really want to make an impact, you can even install cupboard housings with solid wooden doors for your washing machine and other white goods. This will provide you with a matchless feeling of order, and really render your utility room stylish and elegant.

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Modern Fireplaces For Winter

As the temperature starts to plummet into freefall, the fire once again becomes the focal point of the living room. In a modern home, a fireplace can look out of place, but with the vast array of modern fireplaces available, then you are sure to be able to find something that really sets your room's look on fire.

Modern fireplaces are often built around recessed shelves instead of a traditional fire surround, and are incredibly efficient due to their modern designs. One thing to remember is that if you have wooden furniture, you need to make sure that it has been sealed to prevent excess drying if it is positioned near to the fire.
With so many unusual designs available today, you'll want to take your time to make sure you find the ideal option for your home. Use Google to find local stockists, and then visit them in person to see your new fireplace in action.
Once you’ve got it installed, you’ll need to make sure that your sitting room is cosy and inviting to sit in, with enough coffee tables and console tables for warming winter drinks, and enough soft furnishings for everyone to have a comfy seat.

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3 Easy Ways To Organise Your Study

A study can be an inspiring place, where you can read, work on creative projects, household finances, or even run a small business, but far too often, a study can become a cluttered and oppressive room that nobody wants to use. That’s where these three tips come in.

1: Get some stylish filing cabinets

Throw out those horrible old metal office filing cabinets and invest in some solid wooden ones to keep your files in order while helping to keep the room stylish.

2: Tidy up your wires

All those snaking cables from your computer and printer can really ruin the feel of a room, so try installing cable tidies against the legs of your desk, and hiding them all away, so that the room can breathe.

3: Get the lighting right

If your study is either far too bright to concentrate or too dim to read, try rejuvenating the lighting scheme with a standard lamp, a desk lamp and a dimmable main light so that you have total control. Also think about ambient lighting for the corners of the room for a great relaxing atmosphere.

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