Stone Life February/March 2014 | Page 38

HOMES AND GARDENS So as we battle through the last few months of darker nights and cooler days why not consider getting stuck in to all those little home improvement tasks that you have been putting off, by getting them done now you will be able to relax and unwind in the home of your dreams throughout the warmer seasons ahead. In fact, as the weather gets warmer, you could find yourself coming across extra tasks that you may need to complete, especially outdoors. For example, over the cold winter period you may have found that your windows may need a bit of extra care and attention. Cold weather can strip paintwork and destroy woodwork, so perhaps sanding these down and applying a fresh lick of paint or varnish will spruce up both the inside and outside of your home. In fact you may find that a fresh lick of paint is needed in more than one place if certain areas have become dull and boring. A nice fresh, bright colour may in fact brighten up your house reflecting the changing weather outside. And it is better to get painting now before summer. Prepare your walls by sanding them down to achieve an overall smooth appearance. This will also mean that your paint will go on easier and have a more professional finish. You may feel like it is your bathroom that is looking rather tired and in need of a facelift. Think about whether or not your bathroom needs replacing fully, or if it would benefit from attention to specific areas such as a new suite, retiling, adding a shower or even under floor heating. Sometimes, a few changes can make a big difference to the look or functionality of your bathroom. For example, if the bathroom suite is neutral in appearance and still serviceable, you could change the feel of the room by replacing tiles, flooring and accessories such as shower curtains, and towel rails. When deciding which improvements to incorporate, you may need to balance the benefits against the available budget. It is a good idea to set the budget beforehand; otherwise it is easy to be tempted by the range of expensive, stylish bathrooms on offer. If you decide to give your bathroom a complete overhaul and opt for a plan and design service, then you need to think about the positioning of items in relation to their purpose and practicality; plumbing considerations will dictate the positioning of showers, toilets and basins, for example. Have you allowed yourself enough space ® ® at the STOVE BARN A local family-run business Mini , Midi & Large Skips Mini Digger Hire 24-7 SERVICE Tel: 01889 566262 Mob: 07971 566383 www.boultonsskiphire.co.uk 38 February/March 2014 Latest ranges on display Church Lane, Off Sandon Lane, Milwich, Stafford, ST18 0EG Tel: 01889 505100 Mon-Fri 9.00am-5.30pm Sat 10am-4pm (Closed Sundays & Bank Holidays) www.thefullrange.co.uk [email protected]