During spring, many homeowners decide to transform their home with new wallpaper or a lick of paint, and no matter how much experience you have, you can complete he job yourself without the help of professionals.

There aren’t many instructions when it comes to decorative painting, but it’s always good to learn more about stencils, rag rolling and marbling should you want to experience new techniques and methods. What’s more, you can also engage your children and have them give you a helping hand. It’s quite a fun experience for the whole family and there’s a real sense of achievement at the end. Do it yourself home improvement projects like decorating and painting will enhance your artistic skills but you will also save money by doing such work yourself and can take real pride in completing the job on your own.

The idea of embarking on a home improvement project can be daunting for some homeowners who fear that the end result may not be worth the time and effort. We feel your pain, but it is important to know that creating additional space in the house by converting the loft is a very good improvement in the long term, and if the work is carried out correctly, you will without a doubt add value to your home.

A loft conversion is one of the easier methods to add space to your home, as it is much less intrusive than regular extensions. Most of the work can be done from the outside and you don’t have to move out of the house while the work is completed. This means that in comparison to other home improvement projects, it is a relatively painless process.

A loft conversion is appealing to potential buyers for many reasons; extra space and in particular additional rooms are high on the list for everyone when it comes to house hunting. Loft conversions, when done well can also be an attractive feature, creating unusually shaped or designed rooms that add character to an otherwise ‘vanilla’ house. Often, loft conversions are light and spacious as well, particularly those that have sky light windows. This means that for some buyers, a loft room could be the perfect place for an office or study, especially as it is slightly removed from the rest of the house.

That said, there are things to consider, such as the type of conversion, the location of your house and the person or team that will actually carry out the project. For example, loft conversions in big cities, e.g. London, are the most likely to increase a property’s value substantially as houses with a good amount of space are highly sought after and competition for them is strong. It is also useful to have a good idea of the most practical type of room your loft could make. Offices, extra bedrooms and playrooms are much cheaper options than bathrooms and are usually more appealing to buyers.

With most of one’s quality family time spent inside none other than in the family home, creating the perfect interior is essential. Alongside an ideal interior comes the key to both relaxation and a homely atmosphere. A classical interior theme, creating a country home setting, has therefore never been so current.

The secret to an authentic environment is not only the lifestyle that is lead within it. It is imperative that this lifestyle can function within a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. This can easily be created with a few key pieces of furniture. Choose pieces that simply ooze character and charm. Your money will go a lot further if you choose classic pieces with an emphasis on quality, which will serve you and your family for years to come.

Another way of creating the country vibe consists of antiqued, distressed finishes and the finest of veneers. It is about conjuring up a vision that is not necessarily sleek and streamlined, but cosy and robust: standing the test of time.

When you’re leaving your house, it’s important to leave it in the best condition possible for the next tenant or homeowner and you may want to consider hiring a cleaner to do this job for you. If you’re a tenant, you’ll need to make sure the property is in tiptop condition, especially if you want your deposit back. That said, you don’t have to hire a cleaner to do it all for you, you can do some or all the work yourself. With some elbow grease, the right cleaning products and attention to detail, it’s possible to get professional results. The one aspect where you may need some professional equipment is carpet cleaning, because with everyday products it’s not always possible to eradicate those tough stubborn stains. Be sure to get your home looking good and you may just make some money from it (either from raising the value of your home to getting your deposit back).

Living in an apartment can be difficult if you’re not used to living in confined spaces, but there are plenty of advantages too, and here are just a few:

Easer to clean – It really is much easier to clean an apartment rather than a house for obvious reasons, but just by having every area closer together you can clean an apartment from top to bottom in no time.

Cosier during the winter – With there being less rooms, there are less spaces that require warmth so the entire space heats up a lot quicker as long as you have a good number of radiators or heaters in the apartment.

Trickier to lose items – Losing items is really difficult in such a small space and if you clean the apartment on a regular basis it will be very tricky to misplace something. Not impossible mind you, but a lot trickier!

If you’ve come around to the idea of having a dog, you may need to get your home in order before you bring your new family member home. Having a puppy is a big decision and one that shouldn’t be made lightly. If you are 100% decided on owning a dog, you should make sure he or she has a designated room. The kitchen is a good place as flooring is usually waterproof and objects on surfaces tend to be quite high and out of reach. During the first 6 months, the dog will go though the teething stage where they bite almost everything they see. You need to be extra cautious during this stage and make sure your furniture is not disappearing into thin air. Keep a check on them but always let them sleep in a locked room like the kitchen so they can not damage your furniture in the middle of the night.

When your property is under construction and you have a say over whether you would like built in wardrobes or none at all, the answer should be an easy one. Always say yes to built in wardrobes because even if you don’t pack them with clothes as soon as you move in, you’ll save plenty of space in the future when you’re collection grows.

Nobody likes the idea of losing space before you’ve even had chance to put the kettle on in your new home, but you’ll only regret the decision later when you see how much space you’ll lose with a standard freestanding wardrobe. Built in wardrobes are excellent space savers over time, and if you have a spacious bedroom that can accommodate wardrobes to one wall, definitely opt for built in wardrobes.