Is your home ready for the cold this winter? handy winter home tips from team RedBox

Is Your Home Ready for the Cold This Winter?

Here’s our handy winter home tips.It’s been a chilly December so far,  with rising heating prices this winter – here’s a few handy hints to get the most heat out of your home!


Adjust your furniture.
Make sure your furniture isn’t blocking your radiators, this will prevent the heat circulating optimally around the room.
Also make sure your sofa or bed aren’t too close to external walls, as you’ll feel the chill more.

 

Check your insulation.
Although insulating your home can be a pricey method, making sure your home is properly insulated is one of the most cost-effective ways to save you money in the long run.

 

Check for draughts –
Cold air leaks through cracks in doors or from windows, seal up any draughts and cover any windows at night to keep the cold night air on the outside!
[vc_single_image image=”9276″ img_size=”medium”][vc_single_image image=”9280″ img_size=”medium”][vc_single_image image=”9281″ img_size=”medium”]

Get a free quoation today!

If you’re planning  repairs or renovate this winter get in touch with Red Box via phone or email to discuss your project.

Phone: 020 7381 1539

Email: info@redboxlondon.com

Contact us

 

Follow us on Instagram for week tips…

Instagram: www.instagram.com/redbox_london

Choosing the Right Skirting for Your Home

Balcony in conversion

Choosing the Right Skirting for Your Home

Are you ignoring your skirting boards? If you’re planning a home redecorating project this Autumn don’t forget your skirting!

Here’s a few tips and ideas on skirting styles to help you choose your home design

 

Classic or Bold?

 

Traditionally, skirting was used in homes to hide uneven finishes with walls and flooring. From a modern advantage, they also work as a good “buffer” for avoiding to scuff the bottom of the walls with a vacuum cleaner, broom or mop etc.

In the past they could be quite dull, painted same colour as the walls, but now interior designers are using them as a statement / design highlight.

 

Choose your profile!

As well as colours options, you also have a lot of styles or “profiles” for skirting to consider when updating your home décor.

You can see from the diagram (on the right) the shapes of skirting you can choose from when designing your new home decorating project.[vc_single_image image=”8950″ img_size=”full”][vc_single_image image=”8960″ img_size=”full”]

Light up your skirting

Have you considered adding lights to your skirting boards?  LED Strip lighting for a low lighting glow is a great modern twist to the classic skirting board options of the past.

There’s no hard rule on what you should or shouldn’t have in your home design, remember this is your home, put your mark on it!

What material?

Did you know skirting board options come in a range of materials, not just wooden planks.
How about tiled skirting board designs? These can finish a bathroom, kitchen or hallway off to perfection!

Colour Block Match your skirting and door frames

You can make a room or your hallway more interesting by adding matching coloured skirting boardings and door frame.   This is a great way to add a bit of personality to a subtle wall colour, leaving you with an aesthetically pleasing finish.

Whatever your choice for your home decor, Red Box can help  – get in touch with us today to start planning your home renovation.If you are planning to do work in your home, then take some time to consider the above and what you’re looking for. Preparation is the real key to a successful result that you will be happy with.

Contact us by clicking here to arrange your free consultation and quotation >>

For inspiration follow us on Instagram .

If you would like more ideas or advice, then, by all means, drop in or send us a list of what you’d like to achieve, and we’ll advise you as to how to make your budget stretch as far as possible.  Or view our Case Studies for past project highlights here >>

Water Saving Home Renovation Tips

Bathroom with teal tiled shower, twin basins and heated towel rail after a home transformation

Water Saving Home Renovation Tips

This week is World Water Week so we thought a great opportunity to talk about water saving home renovation tips…

If you’re renovating your home, it’s a great opportunity to take a look at the plumbing and your water usage, could you use less?

Here’s our handy hints whilst you shop for your home…

 

1. Choose water saving shower heads.

We all know that taking short showers is better than a full bath, however not all shower heads are as good at saving water as you might think.

When buying a new shower head to match your brand spanking new bathroom, look for the volume in litres it uses per minute of the shower. The lower the number, the better for water consumption the shower head is.  Many modern shower heads have clever technology now, to ensure you still get the power shower effect but with a low flow head.

There are a few options available when choosing a water saving shower head:

  • Aerating shower heads which mix air with water to reduce the volume required, while still creating above average pressure from the head itself.
  • Pulsating shower heads which use a rotating wheel inside the head to create a massaging effect
  • Reduced flow shower heads or flow regulator shower heads reduce the flow into the shower head, which by itself may cause lower water pressure.

 

Can’t live without a bath?

If you really can’t live without a bath, choose a compact bath, a reduced-capacity bath is an effective way to ensure you use less water.  This way you’ll get the height of the water, but you’ll use less to fill the tub.

2.Opt for Low Flow Taps and a Dual Flush Toilet

Low Flow Taps mostly operate the same way as water saving shower heads, mixing water with air to create a strong jet stream, therefore using less water than a regular tap fixture.

We recommend trying before you buy in a show room, to see if you’re happy with the water pressure these provide – as it’s not for everyone.  Alternatively choose a low flow tap that has a multi setting function – regular and eco mode, then you can switch back and forth when necessary.

When it comes to your WC/Toilet  – most modern designs are dual flush (which save almost half the amount of water than an older standard toilet)

 

3. Water Saving Smart Appliances

If you’re upgrading your plumbing and appliances – why not choose a smart appliance.  Washing machines and dishwashers also come with water saving technology they  adjust the water level to suit the load and minimise the amount of detergent needed while maintaining a superior clean.  The best way to reduce wasting water on each cycle is to ensure each load Is full.If you are planning to do work in your home including bathroom replacements, then these points are, some to consider and preparation is the real key to a successful result that you will be happy with.

Contact us by clicking here to arrange your free consultation and quotation >>

For inspiration follow us on Instagram .

If you would like more ideas or advice, then, by all means, drop in or send us a list of what you’d like to achieve, and we’ll advise you as to how to make your budget stretch as far as possible.  Or view our Case Studies for past project highlights here >>

Updating your home to wood flooring? Why not consider Parquet flooring?

White kitchen island with pendant lights in an industrial style loft apartment, professionally measured and fitted

What Is Parquet Flooring and Why Is It One of Home Designs’ Increasingly Popular Trends?

First up what is Parquet flooring? Simply put parquet flooring (also known as Herringbone style flooring)  is strips or blocks of wood arranged in a geometric design.Created in France in the 1600’s this style of flooring had lost popularity due to being old fashioned but with most styles, it’s making a come back in interior design trends!

 

Geometric designs have become popular and for home design as of late with images filling Pinterest and Instagram – which has helped it gain its growing interest.

 

 

Here’s our 3 reasons we think this trend is one to consider:
  1. A great way for a symmetrical, unique and good-looking floor to match any décor
  2. Multiple options to choose from – highly customisable to suit your design
  3. Easy to clean and durable
  4. Perfect for use with underfloor heating

[vc_single_image image=”8522″ img_size=”full”]If you are planning to do work in your home including wood flooring replacements, installations or repair, our team can help your with planning and a free quotation.

 

For inspiration see some of our website and Instagram photos as these can really help with inspirational ideas.   If you would like more ideas or advice, then, by all means, drop in or send us a list of what you’d like to achieve, and we’ll advise you as to how to make your budget stretch as far as possible.

Click below to contact us

Contact us for a free quotation today!

Here’s some of the Parquet Wood Flooring installations and repairs we have completed for clients across South West London recently.

Expert Ideas for Improving The Look Of Your Home

Floating white sideboard with open shelving and a large houseplant in a decorated interior

Expert Interior Decoration Tips To Improve Your Home

 

At Red Box, we specialise in delivering successful interior decoration projects that our clients dream of. If you’re investing in improving your living room space, upgrading your kitchen, sprucing up your bathroom, refreshing a bedroom or creating a home office, we have plenty of home decoration tips and interior design tips for beginners and old hands alike.

We have set out our top home decor tips and ideas here before going on to discuss rooms in turn.

Define your home improvement style

You shouldn’t have to compromise when it comes to improving the look of your home.

To make missing out on your goals less likely, it is important to clearly understand your likes and dislikes, tastes, and vision for the future.

This may sound grand, but it is an important first step. Take your time to consider your home’s overall style goals – even scribbling down a few lines in a notebook, perhaps.

If you’re struggling, look in your wardrobe, check out the art on your walls or even the movies you like. What do your favourites have in common?

That is all down to your sense of style. With a family, of course, agreeing on a style between might be a challenge, but it is worth giving it a go to save indecision and argument down the line.[vc_single_image image=”7746″ img_size=”full”][vc_single_image image=”7751″ img_size=”full”]

Create your home interior decorating ‘Do and Do Not’ lists

Once you have established your style, it should help you filter your thinking around things that will fit, and perhaps more importantly, things that won’t fit in your future home.

Large bold colour statements might not be your bag. It’s fine.

Traditional floral prints might remind you of stuffy old grandma and be off your list too. There might not be a place for dad’s military memorabilia collection either.

There are no right or wrong decisions, just personal rules to follow.

Agreeing your Do and Do Not lists with your partner or family will, again, cut down on headaches, arguments and hesitation overall.

Set a Home Improvement Budget

Here’s where talking to professionals like Red Box Painters and Decorators might be useful. We can discuss quotes and budgets with you before you fall in love with any particular ideas.Clarity around what you wish to spend, and what you might get for your cash, is going to make decision-making a whole lot easier.

Clearly, you would want everything to be of the highest quality, but there may be a case for balancing high-ticket items with more cost-effective solutions elsewhere.

Trading off high-quality paints that will last years with cheaper kids furniture they’ll grow out of, for example, might be a sensible move.

Having put some thought into how much money you have, and where and how you want to spend it, conversations with interior designers, painters and decorators and other professionals will be a lot easier to manage.

Remember Red Box can help you with no-obligation quotes whenever you need them. Just get in touch.

Having set some ground rules, let us look at some interior design tips and tricks you can apply to each room in your home.[vc_single_image image=”7753″ img_size=”full”]

Ideas for Living Room Design

If you’re wondering how to layout your living room or how to plan a living room design, we have some top tips that might be up your street. The living room is, of course, one of the most important spaces in your home to get right whether you are bingeing a box set on your own, letting the kids run riot or socialising in the evening with friends.[vc_single_image image=”3846″ img_size=”full”]How do you design a living room? Ideas should probably start with key bits of furniture. Of all the furniture decisions to make, the biggest is probably your sofa or suite.

It will dominate the space, draw the eye and inevitably be a focal point. Increasingly, televisions and their stands come a close second. You may instinctively move the big furniture to the walls to create space, but this might not always be the best answer. Think creatively!

Interior design tips for living rooms inevitably turn to colour and texture. Paint and fabric choices should feel sympathetic to your focal point whether it’s your sofa, TV, large artwork or bay window. It is common sense to say that you should aim for the highest quality products possible.

This is when engaging with a specialist decorator firm for independent advice comes into its own.

Red Box can advise on all your painting and decorating needs based on decades of practical experience.

Interior Design Tips For The Kitchen

What are the must-have kitchen design features? How to design kitchen spaces? What practical considerations should I be making? If you’re updating your kitchen, you’re no doubt asking yourself such questions – wondering how to design a kitchen the whole family will love, how you’ll meet all your practical needs and how you’ll create a stylish addition to your home.

To a large degree kitchens are defined by their function. Easy access to your sink, fridge and cooktop ought to be a priority. It is best to think of the three in a triangle with no more than 6 feet between each of them. Then it becomes a question of how to design kitchen islands, storage space and work surfaces around that triangle. Clever, efficient design will cut down hassle and make cooking a breeze.

Once you’ve established the design of your kitchen layout, the mind should turn to kitchen storage. As a general rule of thumb, you can’t have enough cupboard space so investigate every nook and cranny for places to tidy things away.Whatever style you aspire to, it’s unlikely to involve darkness so look for opportunities for light too. Under-cupboard lights brighten countertops and are often a hit with busy cooks. Lighting, of course, needs power as do washing machines, fridges and cookers.

Our final tip is not to forget electricity, gas or plumbing. Committing to a new kitchen layout without planning to connect everything up could prove costly.

Once you’re happy with your layout, the world’s your oyster. Traditional cottage kitchen or ultra-modern minimalist food preparation area? Wood, metals, colour, patterns, boldness or pastel shades.

Whatever you have planned, Red Box professional kitchen fitters can help ensure it all runs smoothly.[vc_single_image image=”1607″ img_size=”full”]

Interior Design Secrets for Upgrading The Bedroom

Wondering how to design a bedroom? We have interior design tips for small bedrooms, master bedrooms, kids rooms or guest rooms. Asking ‘what is my bedroom design style’ is probably a good place to start. How do you want to feel? More than any other room in your home, Bedrooms should feel safe, happy, comfortable places.[vc_single_image image=”1786″ img_size=”full”]When considering how to design a bedroom layout, the bed ought to be your primary concern. It is the central feature of your space after all. Where does it sit in the room? What does it sit on? Rugs, carpets and flooring are key decisions. Colours, artwork and fabrics finish off your look. If you’re wondering how to design a bedroom wall, think about one single key feature that will draw your eye.

Remember some colours are inherently relaxing and calming. Others, such as organic browns and greens, imply cosiness and comfort too. These might be more suited to a bedroom than big, bold primary colours. The choice, however, depends entirely on what you want to achieve.

If you’re wondering how to design a simple bedroom or something more grand and elegant, the team at Red Box can help with all your painting and decorating needs.

Interior Design Tips For The Bathroom

A visually appealing bathroom is a key asset for any home. If you’re wondering how to design a new bathroom, how to design a bathroom remodelling project or even just considering refreshing your existing space, there’s a lot to think about.

How you design your bathroom layout is likely to be defined by practical needs – shower, bath or wetroom? It’s worth investing in the highest quality suite you can. Why not luxuriate in the rolltop bath or powerful zinging shower? You deserve it.

You may have to design a bathroom in a small space but fear not, there are plenty of tips to make the most of every nook and cranny.Build a shampoo niche into the wall, rather than rely on additional shelving for example. Bench seating, perhaps, in marble is another space saver.

You can’t have too many ledges for your knick-knacks and other bits and pieces. Use them as an excuse to add a touch of colour too.

If you are not designing for a small bathroom, consider a barn door to access your walk-in shower.

What could be more than luxurious? Remember safety though and add grab bars or handles to avoid slips.

How do you design a bathroom that’s right for you and your family? There are so many choices, it can feel a bit overwhelming. The good news is Red Box can help you at every stage of your project.

Contact us to get quotes on every aspect of bathroom fitting and decoration.[vc_single_image image=”3425″ img_size=”full”]

Interior Design Tips For The Home Office

Many of us have had to work from home in recent times and, as a result, have been on the lookout for home office decorating tips. Comfort, practicality and efficiency are probably the most important features when it comes to how to layout a home office. Health and safety decrees where and how you sit, work and use technology but such things do need careful consideration. The world is full of poor home office layout examples that have led to bad backs, poor posture and weakened eyesight.

Choosing the right room in the first place is the first task when it comes to how to design a home office. Ideally, there’d be a bit of separation between home and family life. Choose a room with a door you can close and feel comfortable, away from hustle and bustle.[vc_single_image image=”7761″ img_size=”full”]Let it inspire you too. You will be alone, perhaps, for a lot of your working day so don’t forget artwork, ornaments and personal items. They could be postcards from favourite places or portraits of favourite people.

Keep things fresh but swap items rather than add to the clutter. Your home office should be a pleasant place to be.

Don’t, in all this, forget the practicalities when arranging your home office layout. Your work will need a desk, a suitable office chair, more storage than you think you need and technology.

A beautiful office without a strong internet connection is unlikely to be a success in 2021.

As always, if you are wondering how to design a home office, it is worth talking to the professionals. Red Box can talk you through all your design, painting and decorating needs.

Is It Worth Hiring An Interior Decorator?

Having read our easy decorating tips, you might be asking yourself ‘Should I hire an interior decorator?’ The answer is specialist help will always add a level of professionalism and quality to your home it is difficult and expensive to replicate through doing it yourself.

Professionals can ask you questions and guide your decision making thanks to their experience and know-how. They will know about the latest trends and technologies. They will have relationships with suppliers – from kitchen appliances to paint – so you can be confident in always getting the best.

The next question is ‘how much does it cost to hire an interior decorator?’ The answer is probably less than you think. Add in the time and hassle you’ll save and it might represent a bargain. The way to find out is to ask for a quote. The team at Red Box will provide one on a no-obligation basis. Just pick up the phone.

Plan your eco-friendly home for Earth Day!

Bright period living room with cream armchairs and oak flooring after an eco-friendly home update

Plan an Eco-Friendly Home for Earth Day!

 

Celebrate Mother Earth Day on April 22nd by using these tips for your home renovation plans!
To celebrate Earth Day today, we wanted to share a few tips to help you make your home more eco-friendly – ideal if you are planning a renovation – add these to your plans.

1. Loft insulation is vital

Loft installation tends to be fitted as standard in most homes but some older properties may be inadequately insulated and letting out the heat in the winter.

You can insulate the loft yourself with the right materials from your DIY store or call a professional to insulate and renovate your loft.  Why not consider a loft conversion and make better use of the space too?

2. Ensure you have double glazed windows

Modern homes tend to have these already, but a surprising number of older houses in the UK letting out the hot air through the windows. By installation double glazing you can help reduce your energy usage and costs plus help retain the heat into the home – ideal for the winter months!

 

3. Looking for new furniture? Consider second hand furniture

Don’t panic! Second hand does not always mean dirty old tat nobody wants. Sometimes there are some fantastic items to be found almost brand-new from online and local reselling websites. Scuffed or slightly marked items can be made good as new with a refurbishment project too – lots of ideas of YouTube and Pinterest.

By purchasing a pre-owned item, you’re recycling – helping your budget and the environment. It may also help you add something different to your home no longer on sale on the high street.[vc_single_image image=”7695″ img_size=”full”][vc_single_image image=”7696″ img_size=”full”]

4. Manage your electrical item usage better, purchase some smart plugs and switch off.

Leaving items plugged in all day and night, even if not in use, can still use energy. Whilst companies are making devices more energy efficient, making sure they are switched off is always a more effective solution.
If you are forgetful and never remember to unplug or turn off electrical items when rushing out the door to work or before going to bed – smart technology has the answer.
Smart plugs are inexpensive solutions (can range from around £15-30 each) will save you money in the long run – lowering your electricity bills and using less energy. You can also time them to turn off or on at certain times and even control them from your mobile device.

5. Install a smart thermostat.

Smart thermostat technology is becoming increasingly more popular. Companies such as Nest & Hive are two of the UK’s most popular as the trend grows. Nest boast having saved over 8 million kWh of energy worldwide to date.
How does it work? The smart thermostats will learn how you use your energy in your home, and manage your routine, adjusting the temperature to your typical needs. When you leave the house, it turns it off to save your heating bills – and of course you can turn it on, off, up and down from your smart phone when you are not home.

Our teams can help install smart technology into your home, to make it more efficient and eco-friendly – call or email us to discuss your home renovation plan this week – visit our profile for links.