Home renovation Leicestershire - Page 4 of 4

Creating a Study Bedroom for your Child

As we pass the midpoint of the school holidays and the shops fill with uniforms and stationery, maybe it’s time to give your child’s bedroom a new look for the new school year? It could really inspire them, making studying easier and more pleasant. Home refurbishment is a popular way of improving your home without the expense of moving, so a home refurbishment Leicestershire project could have dual benefits: for you and your child.

Even primary school children want room for sleepovers and a young teen will want to use their room for entertaining friends as well as study. Could they move to a larger room or could you extend into the loft or convert the garage to create a private den?

While young children like a bedroom themed round a favorite character, older children and teens need a smart look that will remain age appropriate.If you have room, create three separate areas: for sleeping, relaxing and studying, but if space is tight, a ‘day’ bed piled with coloured cushions will serve both as sleeping and relaxing space.

The study area should be near the best light and close to electrical sockets for powering up those all important gadgets. You’ll need to plan in a desk and shelves. Cabin style beds offer interesting options for smaller spaces, with the bed being raised above the desk area. Some even have desk units which roll away under the bed when not needed: useful for creating sleepover floor space. Another option would be to build or put a desk between two cupboards, with shelves above it.

Choose a good, supportive chair for the desk and add a comfy armchair for downtime. An old favorite from another room, recovered in a vintage fabric, would be ideal.

Provide as big a pin board area as possible. Whether it’s for the latest pinups, or study timetables, it will always be full! Use chalkboard paint on one wall, or a wardrobe door, and watch your child’s creativity develop.

For younger children, bunk beds are an exciting option. Some now come with a mini staircase, a safer option than the traditional ladder. Look for one with a shelf unit at one end; add a chair and you’ve got a study area.

While carpet is a soft, warm, flooring option, a hard floor may prove more practical, as it won’t show spillages. Carpet does, however, provide better noise insulation: something to think about if you’ve got a sleepover taking place above your sitting room!

When you’re redesigning the room, get your child involved choosing wall coverings, furniture or bedding. Not only will they enjoy making choices,but they’ll be developing their eye for interior design and, hopefully, their budgeting skills too.

Whatever your child’s age, help them start the new academic year with a fresh new look for their room and see how keen they are to start studying again!

Blue Leads the Way in Autumn Colour Trends

Blue is one of the key colours trending for autumn/winter 2014 and designers are creating stunning interiors using its many different shades. From bright cobalt and electric blue, through sky blue to the more subtle aqua, blue is an ideal base colour for any interior scheme.

Blue is very versatile and whether used as a main or an accent colour, it can be paired with reds, purples, greens, yellows, greys or white. As a ‘cool’ colour, blue, particularly its darker shades, works best in a room which gets plenty of natural light, as it can dominate a north facing space, for example.

Use blue together with grey for a cool, contemporary look in a modern loft or apartment, or a stylish wet room. Blue has long been a popular choice for bathrooms and an azure or aquamarine, teamed with yellow or white will create a fresh, welcoming environment – especially ideal to step into first thing in the morning.

In a living room, particularly one opening onto a garden terrace or deck, opting for sky blue walls, white paintwork and either a light wood or wood effect laminate floor, or a geometric patterned carpet in shades of blue and white, will give you a light, summery feel.

If you have an older style property, designers, such as those working on home renovation Leicestershire, may suggest pairing peacock blue with deep crimsons or purples for a rich, traditional feel which will suit your period home perfectly.Cobalt is a key fashion shade for autumn/winter 2014 and this strong blue can be partnered with anything from the palest ice blue to vibrant fuschia or lime green to create a stand out look for a living area, or even a kitchen. You could use either the blue or the toning colour for upholstery, curtains, flooring or cabinet doors.

At one time, children’s rooms were decorated in ‘blue for a boy’, ‘pink for a girl’, but now such traditions no longer apply and both boys and girls can enjoy blue and green, blue and yellow or blue and red or pink colour schemes.

If you’re thinking of basing a redecoration or renovation scheme around blue, take time to consider which blue would work best in your room. Ask for paint, wall covering, upholstery and flooring samples to try in your home at different times of day and in different lighting levels. Don’t be afraid to mix different blues together, but in a small room, be aware that too many shades and patterns will make the space seem much smaller.

Blue is such a versatile colour, that whatever shade or shades of blue you choose, and whatever complementary colours you use, you can be use that your choice is right on trend.