A welcome mat is a nice feature in a home and it’s important to have it because it gives you a place to wipe your shoes before you come in. The entrance to a house can be the filthiest due to the amount of mud and dirt being picked up on a daily basis, and that’s why you’ll need to replace your welcome mat every few months. Welcome mats should be looked at as disposable because that’s what they are. With regular use during the winter, you may need to look at getting a new welcome mat in the spring or summer. It’s not necessarily that the mat will be worn out in this time, it’s mainly because of the bacteria nesting deep inside the fibres, and even a deep clean won’t completely remove this type of dirt. Be sure to get your welcome mat replaced every few months, after all, it’s nice to have a fresh entrance for your home.

Having heated flooring in your bathroom is a major advantage. This is not just because of the comfort it brings to your feet after a bath or shower, but also because it makes your bathroom a safer place. Floors dry quicker so your bathroom is less slippy, whilst you dry quicker too. Heated flooring can be installed below tiles or vinyl flooring and it’s not as expensive as people make out. Many new properties include heated flooring as standard and if you’re planning on redecorating your bathroom in the near future, you may want to consider heated flooring to complement your radiators. There’s something quite luxurious about having heated flooring, and only when you’ve experienced it will you fully understand how great it is. Consider it for your next bathroom design project, we certainly will!

There are a number of wood flooring choices in the market today, but oak seems to be the most versatile out of all the timbers available in the market. Oak floorboards can brighten a house, by adding to it warmth, charm and colours. It has also been used for many centuries in the British flooring industry and today many companies specialise by offering limitless options of oak flooring. The following are some of the top advantages for people considering investing in oak floorboards for their home.

Attractive appearance

Oak flooring provides a warm and beautiful appearance, that can improve the overall value of a home. Moreover, it blends easily with a number of different decorations and it is also resistant to wear and tear. There are a number of varnishes, stains and finishes that are available in order to match every taste, and the colour of oak naturally deepens with age. Unlike carpeting, these special kinds of floors do not collect and conceal any dust or dirt and homeowners can clear very easily their surface. In addition, it doesn’t need to be replaced every 5-6 years, as other kinds of floors. (more…)

Whether you have a brand new carpet, one that’s several years old or an expensive rug, it’s important to make sure it’s well looked after. One of the best ways in which you can keep your carpet looking clean and feeling soft is to combine the power of natural and synthetic cleaning agents. Baking powder and salt are almost scentless and they are natural cleaning products. Spreading any salt on a stained area for a minimum of 30 minutes allows the natural cleaning agents to kick in and loosen the stain. You can then go in with your carpet cleaning solution to finish the job. Tough stains can ruin a carpet if they’re not dealt with fast, and you don’t need to waste money on expensive items, you probably have all the tools you need in your kitchen cupboard right now. Make sure you maintain your carpet in the future, you’ll be amazed at how clean you can make it.

If you’ve picked up an interior design magazine in the past year, you may recall the brand name Annie Sloan. Named after the owner and inventor, one of the world’s most respected paint and colour experts, Annie Sloan brings decades of knowledge – and plenty of style – to her hugely popular line of decorative paint, also known as Chalk Paint. It can be used on all types of furniture including solid oak floorboards. You’re able to give your floorboards a classic shabby chic finish with her selection of chalk paints, and the great thing is no other aftercare is required. Simple apply the paint, leave it to dry and the job is done. There are plenty of colours to choose between and it’s a nice way to spruce up your old oak floorboards. Many shabby chic shops sell old furniture coated in chalk paint, and it really does give classic furniture a completely different look.