Could 2012 see upturn in home improvements?
The coming year may see an increase in the number of people looking to take advantage of self storage facilities to ensure belongings are kept out of the way while they undergo major renovations to their home.
With several experts predicting the housing market will remain flat throughout the coming year as buyers continue to struggle to find finance, a growing number of people may want to improve their current home rather than move to a new location.
Interior designer and founder of Jaimie K Designs Jaimie Kendry observed her company has been "busier than ever" in recent months as people become impatient waiting for the economic situation to improve.
She noted many individuals are realising their savings are "not achieving anything worthwhile" and are therefore looking to invest in their property.
"Whether it is extensions or an overhaul of the interior people realise investing in your home will pay dividends, as it will increase the value of their property and make it more saleable at the end of the day," Ms Kendry said.
One improvement that could be popular in the coming year is kitchen renovations, it was stated by hillhouseinteriors.com.
The company's directors Helen Bygraves and Jenny Weiss observed open-plan designs are currently a key trend as a growing number of people look to use their home as a space for entertaining.
Therefore, the experts suggested a centre island is a must for these people, as it enables greater social interaction, while hideaway kitchens could also be a nice feature for individuals who are planning to create a large, informal living space.
Meanwhile, it was recommended by interior designer Carolyn Parker that it is important homeowners seek out professional help when they are planning a major refurbishment project such as a kitchen.
"Even if they are buying an off-the-shelf kitchen, they should still take the benefit of [a store's] in-house designers because they will do a precise measurement," she said.
Ms Parker added individuals should be focused on the materials they choose for these spaces, suggesting solid wood such as walnut is currently very popular.
This was echoed by Ms Bygraves and Ms Weiss, who added even individuals who are looking for a contemporary design tend to like this material.
It was also stated by Ms Parker that limed oak is becoming more fashionable as people become bored with darker wood schemes.
She said this choice is "very light and calming and tends to go with a lot of the natural fabric colours that are in vogue".
Ms Parker also noted that while many housrholders desire stone floors in rooms such as kitchens or bathrooms, this material can be prone to cracking, while the finished result may not be the same as the sample due to natural variation in the product.
Therefore, the expert highlighted ceramic tiles as a good alternative, observing modern designs are highly realistic and much less prone to damage than genuine stone.
Elsewhere, Barbara Payne, head of design and marketing at Bisque.co.uk, suggested textured finishes will be popular in 2012, while energy-efficient products such as radiators have become much more stylish recently.
As a result, they can offer cutting-edge technology that can reduce emissions and save money without compromising on the look of a room, she said.
Ms Kendry added that whatever scheme individuals opt for, quality is the key, as she explained this will ensure a design lasts for many years to come.
"Budgets for design are keen as clients are wanting value for money more than ever," she noted, adding people need to "always pay for the very best that you can afford at the time".
Posted on Monday, 30 January 2012 under ContentPlus
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Could 2012 see upturn in home improvements?
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