Leek Life November/December 2013 | Page 43

HOMES AND GARDENS ® sound advice on home improvements, whether it be in the form of building, converting, or simply decorating. Before the winter cold really sets in, Autumn is an excellent time to consider home improvements and completing indoor projects ready to spend evenings cosied up inside. Home improvements can range from upgrading existing fixtures and finishes to knocking down walls and adding on square footage. Whichever improvements you have in mind, here are a few tips to guide you throughout the process. Firstly, assess your home to determine the current state of things and look at what ideas you want to implement. Walk through your rooms and decide what jobs feature on the wish list and which need doing out of necessity. Also ask yourself how long you plan to be in your home. If you are planning on selling your house, budget for improvements may be different than if you plan to stay put for a while. If you want to get your return on investment, ensure you upgrade the parts of your home that home buyers are interested in. Seek out inspiration by flicking through home and garden magazines, picking up colour swatches from the local DIY shops and seek out some innovative ideas. It is important to know your budget. With Christmas only just around the corner money can often be tight for many home owners at this time of year. Instead of getting discouraged, use this time to plan your project and budget without stress. If major improvements are on the cards, make sure you seek out the proper permits from the local planning authority. And remember to be flexible. Even though you would like your new kitchen remodel done in eight weeks, the reality is it may take 12. The same is true for budget, and resources. Try and become more flexible with your planning and factor in extra buffer time and money for your own sanity. Even though there is a serious side to home improvement, it should also be fun and rewarding. If you aren’t going to enjoy your hard work and effort, hire a professional and leave the hard work to them. Home improvement projects can be a great way to get your home in order for the upcoming festive months. Follow these tips to help you plan your project and gain inspiration. Believe it or not, home improvement can be easier than you think with patience and the right fact finding before you get into your project. Scoop Purchase Warwick Double Size Bedstead £149.95 Choice of brass or nickel finish Mattress extra Only whilst stocks last Unit 1 Westmill Street, Hanley, Stoke on Trent ST1 3EL Telephone Sales Hotline 01782 287813 Find us on Facebook Leek Life November/December 2013 43