Even the smallest of flats or studio apartments can look impressively large when photographed by estate agents. But unless you plan to issue all your guests with a wide-angle lens when they pop round for coffee, then you will need to consider how to best use your limited space.

Image source: Pinterest

Many of us have to compromise when buying our first home or moving to a different, more expensive area. But a lack of space need not mean a lack of style or storage, as many property owners in crowded cities around the world show. From Tokyo to New York, the savvy apartment dweller makes the most of what they have got, planning what they need, what they don’t and, most importantly, where everything can go. Think about what it is that you love and concentrate on that. Do you want a place to cook or a place to lounge? Sometimes you have to make tough decisions, but if done right they can transform your home life for the better.

Image source: Pinterest

Built-in storage is nearly always the best way to go if you have limited space. Many companies specialise in custom-built solutions for your needs, but these can be very pricey. A local cabinet maker, joiner or carpenter may be able to come up with something that works for you in the materials you want. You can even use floor-to-ceiling storage to divide rooms or make new rooms. It only works well if you can make yourself be tidy, but it will make a world of difference in a small space.

Image source: The Modern House

If you are looking round small apartments, or even if you live in one already, then try laying on the floor and looking up to see how much space you actually have in your room. It can really change your ideas about what can or can’t be done and what can go where. While you are looking up you should also think about how high your ceiling is. Many New York and even London apartment dwellers build up, creating a mezzanine for their bed or even manage to get a whole floor in. You will need to get sound advice from your builder and consult leasehold documents, but chances are you can at least create a bed mezzanine for a very reasonable cost.

Image source: Unclutterer

Apartments in some US cities can offer less than 25 sqm of floor space, which even a pet cat may find a little claustrophobic. Have a look here.

But the very best architects can do wonders in limited spaces, with some making their name in competitions to innovate with tiny apartments. Although they still have to go some to beat the Japanese man, who lives in a Tokyo house that used to be a car parking space. Take a look at this astonishing video.

Amazingly, Fuyuhito Moriya shares the architect-designed three-storey home with his mother. We can only assume they get on very well and don’t argue over who is in charge of the remote control.

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The term, ‘bohemian’ dates back to the 19^th century when a group of artists and poets believed in living in an unconventional manner. Nowadays, we’ve embraced the term on a larger scale within home design as we dedicate ourselves to making our homes unique. Boho was born out of a desire to rebel against boundaries and it’s a concept that fits perfectly with the best approach to home design. Ultimately, aside from planning permission constraints, every one of us should have the freedom to create a home that we feel comfortable in – especially as we spend a lot of time in them.

Most people have a preconception of boho as dated and mystical, conjuring up an image akin to a fortune teller’s hut. It’s not entirely inaccurate because the multi-cultural influences can have a certain degree of spirituality about them but you can still add a boho flair to a lighter and more modern property. This loft is a shining example of how clever selection of lighting and home accessories can be all that’s needed to create the right impression.

Image Source: decor8

The main thing is to incorporate items with around the world links. It’s easy enough to pick up a momento on your annual holiday or look for hidden treasures closer to home in charity shops or quirky marketplaces. An unusual lamp or distressed table can work wonders.

If you’re having trouble knowing where to start, the easiest way to approach the boho look is to find a golden framed mirror – the darker the better to give a more authentic vintage appearance, no matter how recent its production. The more decorative of frames will have the greatest effect and you can give yours an artistic twist by using string lights to act as a highlighter, drawing your eye towards the frame. My tip is to embrace fluffy fairy lights as anything floaty is an instant triumph thanks to its close association with the hippy movement and free spirit.

Image Source: Lonny

After you’ve got the mirror sorted, you can move on to the furnishing. Your best friend is the throw, draped over your sofa or bedframe. Layer as much as possible and don’t worry about clashing colours and patterns. Loose coverings in vibrant shades will add a richness to your interior space and this can extend to your curtains if you’re feeling brave!

Image Source: Pinterest

Meanwhile, the rustic charm of pallets will allow you to proudly display those global gifts that you’ve accumulated. A fresh alternative to the cupboard or shelf, there’s no doubt that simple can be stylish.

 Image Source: Pinterest

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After learning that Roald Dahl’s childhood home is now on the market, I started imagining all sorts of weird and wonderful designs. I grew up reading the many books by the well-loved children’s author and had Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The BFG, Matilda and The Witches all in the front of my mind.

Surely, someone with such a vivid imagination must have grown up in a garden littered with gargoyles? Cue The Witches, disguised as women with grotesque bald heads?

Or even had a greenhouse full of dad’s old jars, waiting to be filled with plants? Enter The BFG and the giant’s love of bottling dreams.

Alas, it appears not.

Image Source: Hollywood elsewhere

In reality, Roald Dahl spent his youth in a typical detached family home – albeit one that’s now worth £1.45 million. It favours traditional design, with double oak front doors opening to reveal an oak panelled hallway and a striking oak beam stretching across the width of the bay window in the dining room.

Image Source:  Michael Graham Young via Wales Online

Image Source: Michael Graham Young via Wales Online

Still, maybe Roald found inspiration from a certain master bedroom. It’s a pink explosion with floral bedding accompanied by a candy pink carpet and salmon chaise. You can only imagine that a lightbulb went off in the 1980’s and the gaudy Zinnia Wormwood was born. It’s not hard to envisage that his Cardiff home had a hand in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory either with a fair bit of input from Roald’s experiences with taste testing chocolate as a schoolchild.

Image Source: Michael Graham Young via Wales Online

Image Source: Hooked on Houses

But lucky for me, it seems that the house I’d imagined does partially exist – it’s just not for sale and it’s… not a house! Gipsy House has been turned into a museum celebrating Roald’s life and it’s opened itself up to paying visits from the adoring public. The interior – well that’s nothing special in itself as it’s in the garden that Roald’s spirit can be found.

Image Source: NGS 

Giant green bottles (imagine those dream bottles…) reside in a bird house, pennies are embedded in concrete paths and giant onions decorate the back of a bench nestled amongst the vegetable garden. The only difference?

Why that this wasn’t Roald’s inspiration but ours, lovingly created by Dahl’s widow, Felicity.

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Despite not getting much use out of our gardens, as a nation we love them. The moment the sun’s out we have the BBQ lit, however small our outdoor-space! If like me you live in a city, space is at a premium. It’s therefore important to make the most of your garden whatever its size.

When buyers are looking for a property, particularly at this time of year, outside space is nearly always at the top of the list of requirements. But it’s not all about size. A well designed and inviting garden is a must.

Not everyone wants an extensive garden that needs a lot of maintenance; low maintenance gardens are becoming increasingly popular. Unless you’re a keen, hands on gardener or are prepared to hire a gardener on a regular basis, I would recommend a low maintenance garden. Personally, I’ve opted for astro-turf (the ultimate time saver), but there are more natural options such as slow growing and drought resistant turf that helps keep maintenance to a minimum.

When designing a garden you should begin by deciding how you want to use the space: do you want a grassy area for kids to play in or an entertaining space that catches the sun in the evenings? At the same time you shouldn’t just think about what you want from the space – what would a potential buyer want? An attractive garden can easily add as much value to a property as an extra room inside would do, so its well worth investing in getting it right.

Designing a garden can be overwhelming and it can be easy to make mistakes, such as putting a shed in the spot that catches the sun all day and a patio in the shade. It may sound obvious but without a clear idea of what you want to use the space for – taking into account the amount of light the garden receives and when, soil type etc. – it can be difficult to get it just right. This is where hiring a garden designer can prove invaluable. An initial consultation costs between £100 and £200.

Images: Pinterest

If your garden is an awkward shape or doesn’t catch much sun this will be money well spent. A garden designer will be able to advise you on how to make the most of the space available. Clever solutions like running the same/ similar floor from inside to out can create the illusion of space, as well as choosing plants that will thrive in low quality soil or shady spots. Planting knowledge and an expert’s advice could easily save you money in the long run.

Of course all gardens do require basic maintenance. Managing trees and borders should be done annually and a gardener will be able to recommend the best time to do this based on the type of hedges and trees that you have in your garden. Other basic maintenance such as weeding and cutting back needs to be done regularly. You can employ a labour only gardener for about £20 per hour a couple of times through the summer to mow the lawn and hoe the borders to keep everything in check.

Spring is the best time to get your garden in order, ensuring you can make the most of the sunny days throughout the summer months!

Best,

PHIL

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As you may know, last week was National Self Build Week and I got the chance to speak with Rachel, Manager at Facit Homes. The architectural company offers bespoke home design packages, ranging from a “turn-key”  complete design and implementation service to a “self built” option – providing the design service and materials but passing the management responsibility and hiring of tradespeople on to the client.

Image Source:Vimeo

My visit wasn’t just to pore over photos of the finished builds (no matter how impressive they were!) but also to find the answer to a pressing question – “what are we asking for right now in our new home designs?” According to Rachel, every home is different because we’ve all got different styles, but there was one thing that she’s seen requested time and time again of late – timber flooring.

There used to be a time when carpeting was the thing to have. Soft under your feet, warm in the winter and available in a range of colours – its popularity is understandable and it’s still a popular choice to date. So what’s so great about timber flooring to propel it to must-have status?

Image Source: Pinterest

Well first of all, although timber can be hardwood or softwood, it’s hardwood that we’re all opting for. Softwoods like teak and mahogany are expensive and difficult to get hold of and pine is prone to splintering. Hardwoods like oak and beech are much easier to source and are longer lasting. Products with at least a 4mm layer of oak can last indefinitely with the right care but the thinner you go, the quicker your flooring will need replacing.

Maybe it’s a result of our growing eco mentality that’s causing us to lean towards timber? After all, it’s completely renewable. Or more than likely, it’s the fact that it’s a natural insulator and it’s easy to keep fresh. As practical as we may be, we’ve got to admit that we all prioritise visual appearance when it comes to fitting out our homes! While your nan’s old floral carpet will look dated today, wooden flooring can be decorated with ever-changing rugs and mats to give it a new lease of life.

It’s also a very good choice thanks to its no-fuss cleaning requirements. A regular go-over with the hoover or dry mopping will be enough to maintain the look, as long as it’s been protected from moisture before installation in a dry area with a protective finish. It gets harder as it ages too so the cleaning will only get easier over time – helped by the fact that it won’t collect dust anyway as it can’t get trapped in any fibres.

Image Source: DIY life

With all the advantages, you might be tempted to opt for mass solid hardwood flooring at around £28 per square metre but it’s actually not advisable. Anything wider than 150mm is likely to distort as it tries to move and soak up moisture. So it’s a much better idea to select engineered hardwood at around £16 per square metre. It looks exactly the same and according to oak floor specialist, Oak Floors Online, a 21mm engineered oak board will last just as long as a 18mm solid oak. The engineered option has a top hardwood layer, sealing off multiple layers of softwood. You can also install underfloor heating unlike with the solid variety, if you’re after maximum heat underneath your feet, engineered is the way forward.

Image Source: Flooring2Floors

Now, it’s just a question of which type?

To find a flooring specialist to help you fit your flooring, post your job. Up to three local tradesmen will get in touch. Simply choose the right one for you.

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The Rated People Sponsorship Programme was set up to support local communities and fund projects that need an extra bit of help. The Edible Bus Stop in Stockwell, South London, is one such project and Southwark Children’s Brass Band, another. This Saturday we’re bringing both our sponsorships together, as The Edible Bus stop is celebrating the launch of their re-landscaped garden!

The Edible Bus Stop is a fantastic initiative, which begun by neighbours getting together and transforming an abandoned plot into a community garden in their local area. Guerilla gardening has never been so well received. The council, which originally intended to turn the plot into a site for new-build houses, backed the project when they realised how beneficial it was for the area. People got involved, plants and veg started to grow and soon The Edible Bus Stop was mentioned everywhere in the press. As final evidence to the project’s popularity, they’ve been selected as the first Pocket Park, an outdoor programme scheme initiated by the Mayor of London. Pocket Parks are meant to enhance London’s urban spaces and The Edible Bus Stop is doing just that.

On Saturday the 18th of May, the Edible Bus Stop are throwing a big party to celebrate their grand opening, just in time for the Chelsea Fringe Festival (the alternative festival to Chelsea Flower Show). There will be dignitaries, tree planting, seed giveaways and cake eating at the site on Landor Road, as well as in nearby West Norwood and Brixton.

Now, we didn’t want to miss out on this occasion and therefore asked Southwark Children’s Brass Band if they wanted to play at the event. They did, in fact they wanted to do more than that! On Saturday the 18th, you can find the Rated People open top double-decker bus driving up parts of the 322 bus route from West Norwood to the Edible Bus Stop plot, stopping for performances with the young band along the way. We will be in West Norwood (Lancaster Avenue) with Edible Bus Stop volunteers around 11.30am-11.50am and in Brixton (Windrush Square) at 12.10-12.30pm. The bus will pull up at The Edible Bus Stop’s Landor road site just in time for the ribbon cutting at 13.00pm.

We can promise classic tunes such as the Star Wars anthem and Boulder’s Brass, as well as the Rated People jingle. Southwark Children’s Bass Band are used to playing gigs, they’re regulars at the Dulwich Festival, and the 30 strong band sure can put on a performance. Its band members are between 6 and 14 years old.

If you’re around town that time, we hope that you swing by and get diggy with us. #JustDigIt

We are very proud to support and promote Southwark Children’s Brass Band and The Edible Bus Stop, but we’re always looking to expand the Rated People Sponsorship Programme to include other fantastic ventures. Do you know a local project close to you that needs funding? Do get in touch with us and tell us how we can help. You can read more about our sponsorships here. 

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If you have ever found yourself bumping an elbow while cleaning your teeth or getting in your partner’s way when making a cup of tea then you may be living in a home that most of our European neighbours would think of as too small. As land values have soared alongside increased demand for new housing we have seen ever-shrinking property sizes in the UK.

A recent survey by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) discovered that the average size of a new one-bedroom home is just 46 sqm, which is about the same size as a London Underground train carriage. This figure is 4 sqm below the minimum recommended size under recently agreed London standards for a comfortable one-bedroom flat, with some homes from the big developers coming in at just 41 sqm. The shortfall in size may sound small in real terms, but, as RIBA point out, 4sqm would be enough space for a single bed with dressing table, or a sofa, a desk and a chair.

New family homes don’t fare much better, with the average three-bedroom property coming in at 88 sqm. This is 8 sqm short of the recommended space needed, which would be enough space for another single bedroom. The figures look negligible when buying off-plan or when looking through estate agents’ brochures, but they can make a real difference to your home life, influencing anything from how many mates you can get round for an evening in to how large a family you can have in that home. Storage is another factor to consider, with many new homes shoehorning bedrooms into what may have been storage space in a previous era, or leaving you with awkwardly-shaped rooms. It is hard to think about interior design when you barely have enough room for your possessions.

Of course, something has to give in the race to find affordable homes for a growing population, but RIBA argue that space should not be it and are backing a campaign for national legal guidelines on minimum sizes for homes across the UK. We now have the smallest new homes in Western Europe, with flats heading for the sizes more commonly seen in Tokyo and Manhattan.

To drive the message home, RIBA have created an online test so that homeowners and potential homeowners can find out how their accommodation fares. It certainly makes for a handy guide when browsing property online and how a new home may work. This is certainly a tool that should be at the fingertips of those who wish to take advantage of the Government’s new Help To Buy mortgage schemes for new homes. After all, you may be waiting for something a tad smaller (and possibly older) in an area you can afford rather than going for something that could be seen as restrictively small in years to come.

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Normally, you’d expect a tradesman’s emergency jobs to be pretty similar. Sure, every house will be different but if you’re a trained electrician, you’ll be greeted with an electrical problem, right? Well not always!

Our research, conducted with over 1,100 of our tradesmen, has revealed that at least once a month, 37% of tradesmen are called out to those emergencies-that-just-aren’t-emergencies. For some, a faulty appliance causes a headache until it becomes clear that a quick flick of the switch to the ON position is all that’s needed… So no electrical problem in sight eeek! For others, changing a light bulb is a major crisis that needs a quick solution. Maybe all 8% of homeowners had dates lined up for that evening and didn’t have a chair to hand to reach the ceiling?

Perhaps unsurprisingly, meetings with relatives triggered some of the most humorous jobs for our tradesmen. A last minute visit from a relative caused panic over an unwanted picture that had never been hung, while two children needed their house urgently redecorated after a party while their parents were away. Smart thinking but where the money was going to come from, I’m not sure! I just hope they weren’t intending to use mum and dad’s credit card too!

And I’d love to know how it all panned out for that matter…

After looking over the results, I can’t help but wonder if we really know what counts as an emergency. A washing machine flooding all over a kitchen floor, yellow stains around a gas appliance pointing towards a carbon monoxide issue, burst pipes… they definitely all require emergency call outs. But a trapped animal underneath a floorboard – not so much, no matter how much you love old Fluffy.

Image Source: DIY life

I wonder how many of us have requested an emergency callout for something that turned out to be a minor issue? Only 3% of homeowners admitted it in our research but maybe we’re all just too embarrassed…

If you require a tradesman to resolve a problem in your home, post your job and remember to give as much detail as possible in the description, so that our tradesmen can give you a fair quote for their services. Or alternatively, if you’re a tradesman or homeowner with an emergency-that-wasn’t-an-emergency tale to tell, get in touch via Facebook or Twitter! We love a good chat!

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Upgrading your floor can feel like a minefield – but fear not, if you’re in the market for a new one, consider these factors first.

Budget

Figure out your budget and if it’s restricted don’t let that hinder you. I’ve gotten some seriously cool old floorboards from salvage yards, rugs from auction houses and tiles from eBay. The more constrained the budget, often times the more creative I actually am!

Location

By this I mean where is the flooring going: in a wet location, semi wet location, or a high traffic area, like a hallway. Considering these factors will help narrow down your selection

Maintenance

Any type of flooring (almost no matter what) will last years so this decision is more personality driven really than anything else. Hard floors are easy to clean but cold underfoot unless you install underfloor heating, of course. Carpets are soft underfoot but take longer to hover and less easy to clean up.

Aesthetics

As the floor is the largest surface in a room what you put down on it will tend to dictate the overall aesthetic.

When I first moved into my house we were faced with dingy scratched floors, a bit of beaten up lino and horrible carpet, so I know only too well from experience that cracking the code for flooring is a daunting task. Not only that, but these are big scary decisions.

Once you’ve sorted out the practicalities; high traffic v low traffic areas, durable v luxurious, it’s then all about committing and taking a leap.The below is a low down on materials to help make that choice just that little bit easier.

Floorboards

 Check out how reflective these floorboards are, dancing the light around and super cool when painted out in the same colour as the walls.

Floorboards are perhaps the simplest of treatments, if you are lucky, like we were, under layers of carpet or lino you will find some pretty cool boards. Once sanded they look as good as new. Whether you varnish or paint them the light that reflects off of them lends a beautiful glow to the room. Timeless and classic, any knocks and scuffs add to the character.

If you’re in the market for new boards go to one of the DIY stores. I get mine for many projects from B&Q or Wickes. My top tip would be to source the widest planks possible as it makes floors look way more expensive.

Another tip is to paint out the boards exactly the same shade as your walls, because what you put on them will look instantly more expensive.

Laminate flooring

Laminate has been given a bit of a bad rep in the past (too many orange tinged panels out there) so the key is opting for boards that look as realistic as possible. The whole point of laminate is that it’s supposed to mimic the look of hardwood so it should look and feel exactly like the real thing. This flooring is fab in high traffic areas and is literally resistant to scuffing, scratching and burns.

Carpets and rugs

 I love the idea of finding old scraps of rugs from flea markets and auction houses and then stapling to the risers. If you restrict the colour palate so you are working with the same few hues it means you can mix far more easily.

This is personal (as decorating always is) but I prefer rugs to carpets. There is something quite magical about how they transform a room. I guess it’s because they don’t go from wall to wall and in so doing, provide the room with a unique dialogue. Opt for wool wherever possible, as it outlasts all the synthetic counterparts. I have gotten many of my rugs from flea markets and auction houses. I’ve picked up a Moroccan 60s huge rug for £140, numerous rugs for the hallway for a little over £50 and bargain of all bargains, a massive one for the bedroom at £120.

My go to contemporary sources fabulous for rugs include www.anthropologie.eu and www.urbanoutfitters.co.uk

The Americans do this often – layer rugs over rugs. I didn’t get hooked until I lived out there and saw it first hand. When you layer it vamps up the coziness in a room – especially great if you layer pattern over solid like here.

Stone Floors

 The stone in this bathroom (my bathroom actually) is limestone. We brought it 12 years ago and it doesn’t look a day older. Easy to maintain, warm underfoot (underfloor heating) I am the hugest fan.

Stone floors are durable, practical and beautiful all at the same time. They will push your budget big time but on the plus side they last a lifetime. I should also point out that stone is cold to the touch so it’s worth figuring out if you can add underfloor heating. It’s amazing in the winter – I have to say.

The best thing about interiors right now is that anything goes, so any one of these choices will work. Not just that, but the hottest trend in interiors right now is eclecticism so whether you want a uniform flooring scheme throughout or a medley of styles it’s entirely up to you. Liberating stuff, hey!

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