How to Use your Bedroom Storage Wisely

The bedroom is notoriously one of the messiest bedrooms in the house and a hard one to keep organised. When you stop to consider that it’s probably one of the smaller rooms in your house, compared to your living room, dining room or kitchen, it makes it even trickier to organise. So how do you go about doing this?

Your bedroom tends to have more stuff in than the other rooms in your home, so more storage is generally required. To keep your bedroom organised and well-maintained, you’ll need a good range of storage solutions to keep things organised and ensure your bedroom is the tidy space you want it to be.

"Did you know? You will actually get a better night’s sleep in a tidy bedroom!"

You should also take the time to learn how you can use your bedroom storage wisely to save space and organise your bedroom more efficiently.

Storing what’s needed

Clear anything out that you no longer need and remove things from your bedroom that have no right to be stored in there, such as dining table cloths. Things like coats and jackets that are worn seasonally should be given a dedicated place under the stairs or in a different cupboard, while chunky items like suitcases should be moved to the loft for when they are needed. Items like this will often take up lots of valuable storage space, in your wardrobes or under your bed, that could be utilised in other ways.

Clear out your bedroom and remove any items that shouldn’t be there to free up extra space for organising. There will be other areas of your home that don’t suffer in the same way as your bedroom, so be sure to consider all your free space before you set about cluttering another room.

Using vertical storage

Vertical storage, such as shelving, cubbies and drawers should all be considered to sit in awkward spaces. Tall or slim storage solutions are ideal for keeping smaller items safe and organised in a neat fashion, while shelving can be used creatively around your bedroom to de-clutter other surfaces like bedside tables, dressing tables, drawers and desks.

A great idea for bedroom storage that you might not necessarily think of is a headboard with shelves or cubbies inside. If you already have a headboard, this could form part of your next DIY project to save some money along the way.

Simply Sliding wardrobes

One of the most effective ways to make use of the storage space in your bedroom is to install sliding wardrobe doors.

A sliding wardrobe provides a great place for you to hang clothing and store other bedroom essentials, with rails, shelving and drawers available to use as internal storage. Sliding doors make a simple addition to any bedroom, making use of awkward spaces to help make storage a lot easier. Shoes can be stored from floor to ceiling on shelving and you can even dedicate drawers to your bedding.

The best thing is - all of this can be concealed behind your sliding doors!

Under the bed storage

It’s easy to stuff things under your bed and forget about them forever, thinking that they are stored neatly - when in fact they have no right to ever be there.

For most people, ’under the bed’ means a place to store a wide range of possessions, but how can you do this more efficiently?

Rather than just chucking things under there and hoping for the best, take the time to remove all items from under your bed and start again. Purchase some plastic containers that you can slide in and out easily and this will help you to be more organised. Vacuum storage bags should also be considered for bulky bags of clothing you want to keep.

If your bed isn’t high enough to store things underneath, you might want to consider buying a set of bed raisers to lift your bed up further. Divan beds with built in storage are another good option for storing items out of sight, with an easy open-close system that lifts the mattress up and down.

How to make your bedroom more comfortable

Whether you are moving into a new house or looking to redecorate, you might be thinking of ways you can make each room more comfortable.

When thinking strictly about the bedroom, there are lots of things you can do to make the room where you sleep super comfy.

Here we look at a few different ways you can make your bedroom more comfortable.

Think About the Windows

You might not think of windows as an important part of the room, especially when it comes to making it more comfortable to be in, but comfort runs much deeper than a few cushions. You should consider each element of the room if you want to make your comfier.

Your windows are included in the things you should consider; especially the décor you choose for your windows.

Replacing old blinds can be a positive step, turning to something more modern to give your windows a new lease of life. Black-out blinds are a great idea if you rely on having total darkness to get to sleep, while thick, fabric curtains should be considered to add an extra cosy feel.

Floor-length curtains can help to add extra-comfort - especially if the space below your bedroom window is blank. Even if you have a radiator below your bedroom window, thick curtains will help to add warmth and comfort.

Consider the Lighting

Lighting can have a huge impact on a room and how it feels. Quite often, the lighting in a room can be under-appreciated or not even thought about regarding how comfortable a room is to be in. The lighting can, in fact, play a remarkable role in setting the mood to make a room more comfortable and relaxing.

By switching to new bulbs with a warm tinge, you can go a long way towards making your room feel cosier. You could even consider a dimming switch that allows you to reduce the brightness of your bulbs at certain times.

Using standing lamps instead of the ‘big light’ on your ceiling can provide an alternative light source to help you wind down. Creatively placed fairy lights will also help you to change the setting, wrapped around the bed or other key pieces of furniture.

Finally, candles offer another (economical) way of adding a calming effect to the room, which can help to make it seem more comfortable. Position a few of your favourite scented candles around your bedroom to take comfort to the next level.

Experiment with Textiles

Think about the different textures you can use to enhance comfort. If you have a hard floor, why not add a fluffy rug to the floor alongside your bed? Waking up to feel a new comfort on your feet is a great way to start the day.

Cushions, throws and blankets are obvious ways to add comfort to your bed, but if you want to take things to the next level, you could always opt for a different fabricated headboard. If your headboard is hard, look for online DIY tutorials that will show you how to upgrade it yourself, without spending money on a new one.

Textiles obviously play a huge role in how a comfortable a room is, so if you think your bedroom isn’t comfortable enough, think about how you can introduce different textures that will enhance the physical comfort you feel when you are in your bedroom.

It’s all in the Scent

As well as thinking about the way your room looks and feel, you should also consider the way it smells on entry. Sometimes all your room needs to feel more welcoming is a new scent, whether that be calming lavender or something more seasonal.

New smells can really enhance the atmosphere in a room. Kill too birds with one stone by using scented candles to change the lighting and add new smells to your favourite room.

Wax melts or diffusers are other alternatives you might want to consider making your bedroom smell nice.


The level of comfort in your bedroom might also come down to how neat and tidy it is. Thinking about how things are stored and laid out around the room can have an impact on comfort levels too. A sliding wardrobe is one of the best ways of storing your possessions neatly to keep your bedroom tidy. Different compartments for clothes, accessories, shoes and other possessions makes sliding wardrobes the perfect addition to any bedroom where storage is an issue. A neat and tidy bedroom is generally a more comfortable one, so take the time to think about what you can do to keep your bedroom tidy.

The Essentials of a Dream Wardrobe

HOW TO DESIGN THE PERFECT WARDROBE

Usually you would consider the essentials for having the perfect wardrobe in terms of clothing trends or outfits, so we’re here to make sure from the outside that your wardrobe itself looks flawless. At Sliding Robes Direct we have researched the essentials of dream wardrobes and how to design the perfect wardrobe, to help you to achieve your goal in making sure that your wardrobe looks great, both in how you wear it and how your store it. From fabulous walk-in wardrobes complete with sliding doors to a sliding wardrobe designed with every storage component required to organise everything accordingly, we have also covered all aspects of the perfect wardrobe in order to make sure that there’s a beautiful closet design for everyone, that also caters to their every requirement.

STARTING WITH THE INTERIOR

In order to make sure that all of your lovely clothes, shoes and accessories are stored and put away correctly, we’ll start off with the interior. The interior of your wardrobes is what matters the most, this will be where you’re able to design your dream interior wardrobe, we’ve came up with a few essentials to ensure that you’ve got a wardrobe with the WOW factor. This is in no way the rules of interiors but there’s inspiration to help you make sure that you get the deal wardrobe which suits all your requirements. At Sliding Robes our team of specialists can design the most important aspects of your wardrobe, from shoe racks to rails for different types of clothing items. In order to ensure that you have a wardrobe with the WOW factor. This is in no way of the rules of interiors, but inspiration to help you get the ideal wardrobe to suit your specific requirements and taste.

You can never have too many pairs of shoes
Whether you’re male or female, I’m sure you’ll agree with us saying that you can never have too many pairs of shoes. Whether it’s trainers or heels, shoes are a girl’s (and guy’s) best friend. Show off your collection with pride and have a designated shoe rack in your wardrobe.

Full length mirror

So your outfit is ‘on fleek’ but you’re not sure what to do next, take a selfie, of course. Make sure that you have a full length mirror or mirrored sliding door to ensure that you get that perfect image. This way you’ll be able to see what your outfit looks like from all angles without running out of the mirror length and having to kneel down.

Drawers for all your accessories

Our interior panels have been critically designed to fit anything in, from vest tops to jewellery, no matter if you’re looking to have drawers for all of your favourite tops or to create compartments for watches. At Sliding Robes we have your every need covered, simply shop online with us today, dream big and just have a go. It’s fun and free to design. Whether you’re looking to have just the interior of your wardrobe designed, or you need an entire new wardrobe, with Sliding Robes you’ve come to the right place. We offer a selection of made to measure and standard sized doors, which can suit any taste and room. Simply shop online with us today and you can choose the best design for your and your requirements.

9 Tips for Downsizing Your Home

Tops Tips for Making Downsizing Easier

Downsizing isn’t just for retirement or the older generation. Lots of people will choose to downsize or will need to for a number of reasons. If you have had a significant pay-cut or are going through a divorce, you might be forced into downsizing. On the flip side, your kids might have flown the nest and you might simply want a smaller place to live.

Whatever your reasons are for downsizing, you will to think about the best way to proceed. Following our top 10 tips will stand you in good stead if you are looking to downsize in the near future.

1. Plan Properly

Buy yourself a folder, make checklists of what needs to be done and keep everything in one place for easy reference. If you need to sell furniture or buy anything for your new place, you can keep store everything in one place and refer to it as and when you need to. It might seem a bit extreme, but taking it seriously will help to make sure the whole process runs smoothly.

2. Don’t Rush

Don’t become too overwhelmed by the task at hand to the point where you start rushing. If you plan far enough in advance, you won’t need to rush and things won’t be missed or go wrong. As soon as things become rushed they can become overwhelming and you will start to question your reasons for doing what you are doing.

3. Compare Size

Think about how much you will need to get rid of, considering the size of your new downsized place in comparison to your current home. Large pieces of furniture will need to be measured and you’ll need to think about whether they will fit or if they are needed in your new pad. You might be able to pick up a few quid for them if they won’t fit, giving you some extra spending money for new furniture to enhance your new home-to-be.

Don’t try and squeeze large furniture into smaller spaces just because you don’t want to part with it. You’re better off letting go and trying to make your new home look more spacious, especially as it will be smaller.

4. De-cluttering

De-cluttering is key with any type of move. Work out what you want to keep and what you want to take with you.

The charity shops can come in really handy for goods that you don’t use anymore but mightn’t be worth much. For anything else that might be old, damaged or not needed, the tip is a good place to start. De-clutter as much as possible so that your new home doesn’t become full of things you don’t need.

5. Don’t neglect the loft / shed

It might seem safe to leave the shed, loft or any outbuilding areas until last, but there are often the hardest and most cluttered. By tackling the hardest jobs first, you will make the whole process much easier, rather than neglecting the things you don’t want to do.
You might even strike gold with any electrical appliances you may no longer need, such as a lawn mower.

6. Get Rid

Be ruthless with stuff you don’t need or have never used. Things like spare bed sheets, old curtains and towels that have been locked away and never used can go the distance.

Moving to a new house is a good time to change as well - out with the old and in with the new. Your old sheets and curtains might not match the décor in your new place, so bear thought to this before you take stuff with you. If you don’t think you’ll need it, don’t take it ‘just in case’, get rid of it and enjoy having more space in your new home.

7. Multi-use Rooms

Think about how a room can be used for a number of things in your new home. Can your kitchen incorporate a dining area or can a second bedroom be used as an office as well? The key to multi-use rooms is to keep them tidy, which is where storage can come in handy.

8. Consider Built-in Storage

Built-in storage can come in extremely handy, no matter how big or small your home is. Storing items effectively is the key to having a tidy home, so consider having built-in storage wherever you can.

Bathroom storage can be useful for things like toiletries, bathroom cleaning products, spare toilet rolls and even towels. The right storage will be truly effective when it comes to making your new home look neat and tidy.

In the bedroom, consider sliding wardrobes to save space and keep the room looking neat and tidy. The wardrobe interior can be segmented to keep your clothes and personal belongings separate. For all the items you couldn’t part way with, a sliding wardrobe will be an ideal storage solution to keep things organised effectively and tucked out of sight.

9. Leave Books & Paper Until Last

Leave things like books and paper until last and sort through them one box at a time. Often, photos are hard to get rid of, so you’ll want to take your time and make sure you are making the right decision. You and your partner might disagree on what to keep and what to get rid of, so it’s best to do this together and not make any rash decisions.

How to prepare for your new wardrobe

MEASURING YOUR WARDROBE DOOR SIZE

Before selecting your interior doors, it’s vital to get your measurements right, you should ensure that you remember to measure the frame itself rather than the existing doors.

Frame width

In total you should take three different measurements of the doors width, one from the top, one from the bottom and one from the middle of the door frame. The widest of these three measurements determines the width of the new doors.

Adjustments

Allow space for any floor coverings you may have and remember that doors can be planed but not made any bigger. After you’ve taken your measurements you can compare them with the types you may need in your chosen style. At Sliding Robes we provide a bespoke service so we ensure that you’ll find something great that suits your preferences.

Choosing a style

Whether it’s a modern or classic look you’re looking for, at Sliding Robes we have an extensive selection of styles available including…

Budget - Are you working to a budget? The Budget style doors are a great option, they may sound basic, but they are in fact far from it. Our range of budget wardrobes provide a classic feel to any room and they’re also excellent value for money.

Glam - The Glam range is designed to provide a contemporary yet bold finish, they’re a popular design for modern homes and also include different colours and finishes.

Shaker - Our made to measure Shaker products are another popular choice and can provide both a contemporary or traditional feel depending on how you’d like your room to look.

Reflex - Reflex is an exciting and modern wardrobe, they’re made to measure and can also be framed with minimal aluminium which can also incorporate handles.

Classic - The classic wardrobe speaks for itself, whilst being a classic style it also provides a contemporary feel, these wardrobe doors also come in a standard size in either silver or white track sets. The team at Sliding Robes will work with your preferences and your budget, we aim to ensure that you receive a durable, stylish and spacious wardrobe that’s also value for money.

For more information contact our team today.

Making a Statement with a Colourful Bedroom

How to Have a Colourful Bedroom that Makes a Statement

There’s lots to think about when you decorate at home, whether you’re tackling the full house or just one room. Quite often, the size of the room will influence how the room is decorated, without thinking about how the room will feel when you are inside.

Let’s use the bedroom as an example. How can you make it feel unique to you, whilst making it the one room in the house you can relax and unwind in? Size shouldn’t always be the biggest factor when looking to create a homely environment in the bedroom. Colours should certainly be considered when attempting to do this.

A lot of people think of colourful bedrooms as overpowering and tend to avoid big bold colours at all costs. Bright colours can make the room seem smaller or give the impression that there is less light, which is probably why so many people look to avoid them.

With clever colour matching and alternative styling, however, your bedroom can become your own personal haven – the one place where you can feel relaxed and truly at home.

Using Colour in the Bedroom

When people think of colour in the bedroom, their minds will almost always think of paint, with bold, powerful colours that hurt the eyes if looked at for too long. There are other ways that you can use bold colours in the bedroom without painting the walls, though.

It’s Not All About Paint

Just because you think your bedroom needs more colour, doesn’t mean you need to paint the walls. Brighter bedding, colourful curtains or attractive carpet can also do the trick.

Another alternative is to introduce sliding wardrobe doors to the room, an option which will allow you to introduce colour in a practical way. The doors can be used to engulf one wall in colour, providing you with a way to store clothes and other items effectively in one hassle-free location.

Sliding wardrobes are becoming more and more popular among people looking to decorate their bedrooms, with a wide range of colourful options available to help you make a statement.

Utilise The Lower Half

A lot of people will choose to paint a full wall when adding colour to a room. An effective way to avoid doing this is to only paint the lower half of the walls, leaving the upper half free for your light shades that will make your bedroom seem larger.

A single colour that spans the height and width of a room is probably the ‘done thing’, but injecting a little bit more creativity into your room with contrasting colours can help to create the impression of a light, spacious room. With the clever matching of colours, you can make your bedroom a striking place to be, with a boldly coloured featured wall on the bottom half and matching décor. Pick a slightly lighter version of your chosen wall paint colour and use this colour to shop for bedding and curtains that will help to finish the look off.

You Don’t Need to Decorate

Changing the way your bedroom looks and feels doesn’t mean you need to paint every wall, nor does it have to cost a small fortune. Think about the small changes you can make that will deliver the same or similar outcome and you will be able to achieve wonderful things.

A new rug, bed sheets, curtains or light shades will often be enough to change the dynamic of your bedroom and they don’t need to be expensive.

If you have primarily white or light coloured walls, it’s the bold colours that will define the room. The things that we listed above are great starting points, along with lamps, pictures and other subtle pieces of furniture that will help you to go bold without taking over the room with colour.

Striking and Stylish Sliding Wardrobes Ideas

Who said wardrobes can’t be as stylish as the clothes that they contain?

You don’t need a dressing room in order to create fabulous bedroom storage, tackle bedroom clutter through beautiful, bespoke and tailor-made fitted wardrobes. Floor to ceiling built in wardrobes can maximise space as they put dead space the better use. Fitted wardrobes make the most of tight corners and awkward spaces to keep floors and surfaces clear, they can further save space by installing sliding doors instead of doors that open outwards. Built in wardrobes can also create clean, streamlined and uncluttered looks, which is common with regular wardrobes.

Whether they take up an entire wall or just an alcove space, the result will be just amazing.

You can blend the wardrobes in with the rest of the room by painting them in the same shade and covering them in the same wallpaper, upholstering them or you could make something entirely different out of them. You could conceal the wardrobes door in ornate plaster work or wood panelling, or use them to make a statement with brass edges or statement handles.

Whatever your style, today’s fitted sliding wardrobes and bedroom storage come with modern and sophisticated options that can create additional space whilst also contributing to room’s décor.
We take inspiration from some of the best built in wardrobe ideas there is…

Pretty plasterwork

Panelled walls open to reveal hidden storage and screen doors glide seamlessly into wall recesses to separate this sanctuary. You can also incorporate the design style into the skirting boards and curtains.
 

Hidden Handles

Bespoke wardrobes can also include concealed handles or handles which operate by being pushed. This can provide the effect that it’s a wall and not a wardrobe.

Built in dressing table

This is a clever design that includes a dressing table incorporated into your wardrobe, not only does this save space but it can hide a cluttered area away.

Wallpapered wardrobes

Transform a plain wardrobe door by using a patterned wallpaper, this will help to blend in with the rest of the room.

Fresh lilac

New fitted wardrobes are complemented by fresh lilac colours, this can be incorporated into the theme of your room décor.

Wood panels

Use wood panels to add a different dimension to your room, you can use panelling to disguise the wardrobe.

Moody tones

Use calming colours to improve the rooms harmony and synergy, a palette of dark, sleepy colours can be applied to your wardrobe doors.

Brass touches

Add brass, gold or silver elements to the wardrobe doors, this can include handles, this will give a plain wardrobe a stylish edge.

Natural style

Make nature feel like it’s in your room with a natural style, you can incorporate your sliding wardrobe doors and add to the rustic scheme.

Teal appeal

A bright and vibrant colour on your fitted wardrobe can create a feature piece in your room.

Sophistication

Give your bedroom a hotel feel complement a plush rug, upholstered bed with fitted wardrobes to add luxury to your room.

Go Retro

Transform a bedroom with a retro style, retro can combine both traditional and modern touches, use a retro style wood wardrobe to mix it up.

Hands free

Seamless and handle free storage can help keep the space uncluttered, and provides a simple and modern look.

Dramatic finishes

Impressive amounts of storage space can help keep the bedroom clear of clutter, meaning you can concentrate on daring and dramatic edges.

Why Choose a Fitted Wardrobe?

Fitted Wardrobes

A fitted wardrobe is a popular option when talking about storage solutions. As its name suggests, this kind of wardrobe is fitted into the room from floor to ceiling so you avoid awkward spaces in your bedroom. Fitted wardrobes come in all widths and heights. You can choose exactly the one you need. We will show you why and how to choose a fitted wardrobe.

Why Choose a Fitted Wardrobe

Fitted wardrobes are a great addition to any space, allowing you to organise your clothes, accessories and shoes.
The perfect solution for optimising every square inch of your home, floor to ceiling fitted wardrobes will not only free up much needed space, but they can also be tailored to meet your individual requirements. And, if you’re struggling with space in your home or you’re desperately seeking more storage, you’ve certainly landed in the right place! Here’s everything you need to know about fitted wardrobes…

The Pro’s of a Fitted Wardrobe

• As a fitted wardrobe is built exactly into the shape of your room, it creates a more opened look than freestanding wardrobes.
• The best thing about this kind of wardrobe is that it provides you with more space for storage than a normal freestanding wardrobe.
• What is more, a fitted wardrobe offers more adjustable storage options. You can have a wardrobe that is customised specifically to the kind of stuff you want to store.

Factors to Take into Account

When you’re choosing a fitted wardrobe for your bedroom, there are many design aspects to consider.
Doors
One of the most important decisions you will make when choosing a fitted wardrobe is what kind of door you prefer. Mostly, fitted wardrobes either come with hinged doors or sliding doors. Sliding doors are the most popular since they have many benefits over hinged doors. Firstly, sliding doors take up less room since it does not need a space when it is open. They also create a more complex look of a room.
The Inside of a Fitted Wardrobe
You should consider the type of storage space you want it to be used for. Do you need a shoe rack or do you need more rail space than shelves?
Mirrors
Another factor to take into account is whether you’d like the wardrobe to incorporate a mirror. Some built in wardrobes feature mirrored external panels or mirrors on the inside of doors if you want a full-length mirror. Fitted wardrobes that incorporate a dressing table have small mirrors at eye-level which are perfect for applying makeup.
Fitting
Many companies that sell fitted wardrobes offer professional installation services as well, but this is not a condition. It’s possible to fit a wardrobe yourself. However, there are many companies specialised in DIY kits. If you find fitting a wardrobe difficult, it is best to call a specialist.

Types of Fitted Wardrobes

We have made a brief review of fitted wardrobes and their prices. Here are the most common types:

• Pax Fitted Wardrobe - PAX wardrobes can be found as a special kind of fitted wardrobes.
• Regal Fitted Wardrobe - This is a regal fitted wardrobe from Worldstores. It has twin hanging spaces, top shelves, three storage drawers, but you can fit is as you wish. It’s made from a particleboard.

Nordic Wardrobe Fitment and Stool - It has beautiful skirting and detailing. This elegant wardrobe will keep your bedroom organised.

How to Improve your Wardrobe Space

Your Wardrobe Space

From toys and shoes through to handbags and dresses, we accumulate many treasured items that we need to find a home for. That’s why well-designed storage spaces are a necessary feature of any bedroom.

When renovating your bedrooms, one of the most important issues is how to improve your wardrobe space. Depending on the amount of floor area you have available, you can choose to install a walk0in or a reach-in wardrobe.

If you are extending your house to accommodate a larger master bedroom, you may want to choose the walk-in wardrobe option. Make sure you consider the floor layout and the placement of walls and doors carefully at the planning stage, perhaps by consulting and experts in wardrobe design before the house plans are finalised. This will help avoid poor door placement or bad floor planning, so that you don’t end up with an expensive space that can store too few clothes.

Walk-In Wardrobes and Space?

Walk-in wardrobes should be a minimum of 1800mm wide, and the door to the wardrobe should be placed in the middle of the wall. This will give 600mm of space for hanging clothes on each side of the wardrobe, plus a 600mm ‘passage’ space for you to walk through. If the walk-in wardrobe is less than 1800mm wide then you will only be able to hang clothes on one side of it. If you have more space, and can make your wardrobe wider, then you have the option of utilising the back wall for additional hanging, drawers, or shelving for shoes or handbags.

Walk-in wardrobes should not have windows as they take up valuable wall space that could be used for storage. Windows can also allow sunlight which in time can fade your clothes. Ventilation is important and can be provided by ceiling ventilation systems. Lighting should be placed in the centre of the ceiling. It’s best to place the light switch outside the door, so that you don’t have to fumble through your clothes trying to find the switch.

Why Choose A Reach-In Wardrobe?

A reach-in wardrobe has the advantage of taking up less bedroom floor area than a walk-in wardrobe, while still giving an excellent storage capacity. So even if you have the space for a walk in wardrobe you made need to ask; ‘Would I prefer more floor space in my wardrobe or in my bedroom?
Most reach-in wardrobes can easily be improved to give excellent storage. There are many houses which are built with reach-in wardrobes, these wardrobes typically have a single shelf with a hanging rail underneath. They used to be sufficient to hold the small amount of clothing that most people possessed at the time the house was built.

The key challenge for the home renovator is how to increase the storage space in the wardrobe, without having to completely rebuild the house. Reusing the existing floor area, the original builder allowed for the wardrobe is usually the most cost-effective option. In most cases, the storage space of the old-style wardrobes can almost be doubled with a few clever alterations.

How Do You Fit a Fitted Wardrobe?

It is important to look at the access to the wardrobe. Most wardrobes have standard height, hinged doors fitted to them. These doors are usually 1980mm high and between 610mm and 710mm wide. A double wardrobe comes with two doors.

Given that the standard ceiling height in a home is 2410mm and that most wardrobes are a lot wider than their doors, there is plenty of scope to improve access, and that is vital for increasing storage space. So, the first task is to remove the doors and take out the wall areas above and on either side of the wardrobe door, effectively removing the entire front wall of the wardrobe alcove. You'll be amazed at how large your wardrobe looks after you have done this.

You will of course need new doors to cover your wardrobe. Modern sliding door systems are made-to-measure – so it is only a matter of fitting jambs to the sides and ceiling, and the doors can be made to fit. Unlike hinged doors, sliding doors do not swing into the room so do not take up valuable floor space. Make sure the sliding doors are fitted with a proper anti-jump system to prevent the doors jumping out of their tracks.

Depending on the size of the wardrobe, you may need two, three or four sliding doors. Doors can be made to measure up to 1500mm wide and up to 2700mm high. If you have a high ceiling, you can get excellent access to your wardrobe. Having the doors made so you can access the full height and width of the wardrobe space gives you an incredible amount of additional storage, with options for all types of accessories including drawers. This will remove the need for additional furniture in the bedroom, saving space and money.

Tips on How to Organise Your Wardrobe

When it comes to learning how to organise your wardrobe properly, it can save you so much time and energy on a daily basis. We all have to get dressed every day, in some cases more than once depending on the different things you’re going to be up to throughout the day. Without having a system in place, this can become very messy. Take a look at our step by step guide on how to reorganise and declutter your wardrobe…

THE MAIN REASON YOUR ORGANISING YOUR WARDROBE

There’s a few common things that have been said, possibly a few times, but it’s important to be motivated to make sure that you get it organised and sorted properly.

CLEAR OUT AND ASSESS THE LEFT OVER SPACE

Its important to make sure that your wardrobe is completely empty when you start reorganising the space, this will permit you to see exactly what you have in terms of your clothes and the storage space you have to use.

Sort through the items

Pick up each piece of clothing and make a decision about it, do you want to keep it or throw it away, make different piles for different decisions and then you can decide based on the amount of items in each pile, what you’re going to do.

Finding a place for everything

As with any organisation project, you’ll want to make sure that you have all of your items in places that make the most sense for you and the way you live. Assess the amount of clothing you have and the space you have to store them in.

• Clothes that your less likely to wear everyday can be stored out of the way, maybe under the bed or in the loft, so they’re still accessible when you need them.
• When it comes to sentimental items like wedding gowns can be placed into deeper storage.
• Out of season clothes, for example summer clothes and winter clothes that aren’t needed until the season can be kept out of the way too, you can rotate your clothes inline with the weather and the seasons.

Organise each space

You’re now ready to sort out your wardrobe, you have everything you need and want to store in it and you’ve ensured that it’s those items that you’ll use frequently.

Test it out

Now you’ve sorted everything out and your wardrobes and closed are organised, trial run the system and see how it works for you. If there’s any issues or changed that you think will help, then make them and change your wardrobe to suit your requirements.

Make any tweaks

When it comes to evaluating your organisation system, you’ll want to be able to tweak anything that doesn’t work well for you.

Ask yourself these questions…

• Is it still hard to find items quickly?
• Do you still feel like you have too many clothes?
• Are there many ways in which you’ve needed to re-evaluate?

How to Make your Small Bedroom Look Bigger

Maximise your Small Space

If you have a small bedroom, you are not alone it is one of the most common bedroom decorating issues. You have to remodel to add actual square footage, but luckily there are decorating tricks to fool the eye into seeing your bedroom as larger than it actually is. Here are our top tips on tricking your eye into thinking your bedroom is bigger than it actually is.

Use Vertical Space

When you are dealing with a small space or room, think vertical. You might not have much floor space, but by using the walls right up to the ceiling, you use the space you have more efficiently while drawing the eye upwards, making the room seem larger.

Built in shelves that extend from floor to ceiling are a great way to add storage, interest and visual space to a bedroom, but unfortunately, aren’t an option for everyone. You can create the illusion of built ins with bookcases or shelving units that are tall enough to reach the ceiling or hang enough separate wall shelves to fill the space. Whichever you choose, you’ll make the room look larger by painting the shelves the same colour as walls.

Hang Mirrors

Every bedroom needs at least one full length mirror so you can check out your outfit from head to toe, but the small bedroom can use more. Mirrors are one of the easiest ways to fool the eye into thinking a room is bigger than it is, and there are so many ways to work them into the bedroom:

• Mirrored closet doors
• Ornate mirror over the dresser
• Starburst mirror over the bed
• Small, fancy-framed mirrors grouped on the wall
• Mirrored or chrome finished lamps, furniture, and décor

Choose Furniture with Legs

Give your furniture a lift with legs to create an airy, open feel in the bedroom. Not every piece needs to be legged, but try to have at least one piece with some height, whether it’s your nightstands, dresser or bed. The mid-century modern decorating style is especially good for small rooms, as most of the furniture is elevated on thin legs. The more floor and wall that is shown, the larger your room will appear.

Match your Windows to your Walls

Whilst larger bedrooms can make great use of drapes and blinds that contrast with the walls, in a small bedroom, it is better to match your walls and window treatments. This keeps the eye moving across the space, fooling it into seeing the bedroom as a little bit bigger than it really is. You can even wallpaper one wall which adds a slight element of zest without really contrasting with the painted wall or drapes. That is how you add interest without making the space look smaller.

Use Sconces by the Bedside

Instead of taking up space on your nightstand with bedside lamps, why not try installing sconces above and slightly to the side of your headboard. This works to draw the eye upward, helping give the room an open, airy look and reduces visual clutter around your bed. If you like to night time read invest in adjustable sconces allowing you to move the light where you need it, and push it back when you’re done.

Mix Prints and Solids

You don’t have to avoid all prints in a small room, but you’ll make the space look larger if you stick with small prints and plenty of solids. This is especially true on your bed, which is generally the largest item in the bedroom. Choose a solid or mostly-solid bedspread or comforter, then add some colour and interest to printed sheets and throw pillows. Stick with light-to-mid tone colours to help visually enlarge the space.

Cut out Clutter

Nothing makes a bedroom look as small and cramped as clutter. One of the easiest ways to open up your space is with a good purge – get rid of excessive knickknacks, items that belong in other rooms of your home, and anything that is unneeded or unattractive. You don’t want a bare, sterile room, but you don’t want overload either – instead, find the happy medium with just a few pieces of artwork, photos, collectibles, or other accessories.

Scale your Furniture

A small room doesn’t have to mean downsizing your furniture, but it does mean that you will need to find pieces that match in scale and are sized appropriately for your space. For example choose a bed size that allows you to fit at least one nightstand large enough to hold its own beside the mattress.

How to Organise your Wardrobe

Did you know that learning how to organise your wardrobe properly can save you so much time and energy on a daily basis? We all have to get dressed every day, sometimes more than once for different activities and without a system in place things can get messy very quickly.

Fear not we are providing a step by step guide on how to de-clutter and reorganise your wardrobe!

Step One: Identify the Reason for Organising your Wardrobe

When it comes to your wardrove, there are a few common things that have been said many a time and you are bound to associate with at least one of them and this will usually be the reason as to why you are motivated to get it all done.

You might find yourself saying such things as:

Step Two: Clear it Out and Assess the Space you Have Left

It helps to get your wardrobe completely empty when you start to re-organise your wardrobe, this allows you to see exactly what you have in terms of clothes and the storage space which you are currently working with.


If you have plenty of space, then you may be able to restore all of your clothes back into the space but in an organised way, when you know what space you have that is when you can make decisions about how best to organise your wardrobe, and what would work for you.


You can always think about space elsewhere as well, but simply don’t move the clutter from one room to another, it is important to think of all the space in your home as a vital space, and only mark out spaces which would be easy to store items.

Step Four: Sort Through Each Item

Pick up each item of clothing and make a decision about it there and then, the best way to sort through your clothes is to create a pile for each of the following:

• KEEP – FREQUENT USE – Items that fit, that go with other items, that you wear often – or have worn in the last 3 months
• KEEP – INFREQUENT USE – Special occasion items such as evening wear, wedding dress, maternity wear
• KEEP – OUT OF SEASON – whatever is not worn in the season you are currently in
• KEEP – TO ACTION – items that require cleaning, mending etc…
• CHARITY – Items in good condition that you don’t wear anymore
• GIVEAWAY – either to friends, Freecycle, supermarket recycling bins etc..
• SELL – on Ebay for example
• RUBBISH – ONLY GENUINE RUBBISH THAT NO-ONE WILL BE ABLE TO USE GOES HERE

Step Six: Find a Place for Everything

As with any organising project, you want to have all of your items in places that make the most sense for you and the way you live. Take a look at the amount of clothes you have and the spaces you have to store these in.

• Think about storing the clothes you really need to keep but don’t need everyday in different locations i.e. under the bed, in the loft, etc. Making sure they are still accessible when necessary.
• For purely sentimental items such as wedding gowns, etc. store in deeper storage areas so that you can get them if you need too but this will be rare.
• Out of season clothes can be kept out of the way but accessible – as weather can be variable in the UK! – simply rotate when seasons change.

Step Seven: Organise Each Space

You are now ready to sort your wardrobe – you have everything that you want to store in it, and it will be items that you use frequently, and possibly items from the other categories as well, dependent on space available.

Step Eight: Live with it for a While

Now you have sorted your clothes out, created space for them, and found the best way to store them so that they will be easy to find as and when required. Next step is to live with the system, and to work with it as you go day to day.

Clothes are constantly needed, and so need to be constantly looked after to stay organised otherwise they will very quickly get messed up and cluttered again.

Step Nine: Make Any Tweaks

When it comes back to evaluating your organisation system, you want to be able to tweak anything that doesn’t work very well for you.

Ask yourself the following questions:

• Are you finding it hard to find items quickly still?
• Do you feel like you have too many clothes?
• Are there many ways in which you need to re-evaluate?

Difference Between Softwood and Hardwood

Many people are often confused when it comes to softwood and hardwood, thinking that softwood means that it is soft, and hardwood means that it is hard. Though the names don’t relate to the hardness or density of the wood but rather how the grows and he plant reproduction. For example, balsa wood is one of the lightest, least dense woods and is easy to manufacture, although it is actually considered a hardwood.

All trees reproduce by producing seeds although the seed structures vary between the types of tree. Hardwood trees are angiosperms, which produce seeds with some sort of covering. This could be a fruit, such as an apple or a hard shell, like an acorn. Softwoods on the other hand are gymnosperms which means that the trees let the seeds fall to the ground as they are, with no form of covering. Most of their seeds are released into the wind once they mature which means that the seed is spread over a wider area.

What Does This mean for Bedroom Furniture?

Hardwoods are more likely to be found in high-quality furniture, decks, flooring and construction that needs to last for a long time and withstand wear and tear. Most hardwoods have a higher density than softwoods, and so are harder to work with. Hardwood has a slower growth rate, which therefore means that it is typically more expensive than softwoods. There are more rings in hardwood which means that it is typically more work that needs to be done to manufacture your products.

Due to the nature of softwood and the fact that they are readily available, it means that there is more softwood production than hardwood. Around 80% of timber comes from softwood and there are a wide range of applications for them. Some of these being building components like windows and doors, furniture, MDF, paper, Christmas trees and many more. Although softwoods are easier to work with, they actually have very poor fire resistance and will need the specific finishes to ensure the durability of the product that it is being made from.

Depending on what you want from the wood, it is important to not only look at the aesthetical properties of the wood but also the functionality and durability. When it comes to wardrobes, some people may be looking to spend as little money as possible or paint over the wood to match the décor of the room and so it is best to use softwoods. Hardwoods are typically chosen for their longevity with products and for those who would like their wardrobe to still maintain the look of the natural wood, it would be best to use hardwoods.

Types of hardwood include; balsa, beech, mahogany, oak and teak. Types of softwood include; pine, cedar, spruce and yew. It is essential for you to do your research to see what type of wood may be beneficial for your circumstances. If you are the type to change your mind on the interior designs of your rooms or move frequently, it may be beneficial for you to stick to lighter and cheaper wood. If you feel like you want high quality furniture that will last for years and years then you should stick to hardwoods.

8 Ways to Reinvent your Sliding Wardrobe Doors

It’s not always a wise idea to go tampering with expensive furniture, but if you can’t afford to replace it completely, renovating is the next best thing!

You might want to give your bedroom a fresh look, though you might not have the budget available to do what you want. When this is the case, you might want to consider adding your own personal touch to your furnishings at home.

Below, we look at the top 8 ways to reinvent your sliding wardrobe, without replacing it completely!

1. Try adding mirrors

One of the best ways to reinvent your sliding doors, without replacing them completely, is to replace certain components. New frames and panels can be purchased to give your doors a brand-new look.

When considering new panels for your sliding doors, one of the first things that should be considered is mirrors.

Not only can mirrors add the illusion of space to a room, they can help you to bring your old doors back to life!

2. Add a lick of paint

Painting your old wardrobe doors is an excellent way to bring them back to life. If you have old doors with scratches on or you are simply bored of the colours, think about how painting the panels will look.

For glossy panels, it might be more difficult, but for panels with a matt finish, it’s entirely possible to give them a new, colourful look using paint.

3. Hang a curtain or two

Two possibilities are available with curtains. Firstly, you could set about removing your sliding wardrobe doors, keeping the internal storage and hanging curtains in front of the open space to change the way you open and close the empty space.

The second option involves keeping your sliding doors but hanging curtains or drapes in front of them. The door and curtain combo can add an extra sense of privacy, all the while decorating your bedroom walls in a new and unusual way.

4. Cover in wallpaper

Covering your door panels in wallpaper is a similar approach to take as painting them, offering a quirky, new-look to your wardrobe doors.

Choose a wallpaper that will tie in with the theme of your room and your home.

5. Play with textures

Certain textures or materials, mainly felt or cork, are viable options to replace or cover your wardrobe doors. Not only can they provide you with a sharp new look for your room, they offer a great deal of practicality. Both felt and cork can be used as notice board, allowing you to pin reminders or your favourite photos to your wardrobe doors.

6. Change or add handles

Changing the door components, like the handles, is a wonderful way to give them a fresh look. Consider replacing the current handles with different ones to bring them back to life.

7. Apply vinyl stickers

Applying vinyl decals or stickers is an idea to help you get creative. Vinyl stickers can be printed with your favourite words or images, then carefully stuck to your sliding doors. A clever way to add some colour to your room.

8. Remove the doors altogether

Another way to reinvent your wardrobe is to remove the doors completely, leaving only the interior storage solutions. An open shelving look can work, providing you take the time to keep your belongings tidy.


If you can’t afford to buy new sliding wardrobe doors, it might be worth looking how you can reinvent your doors on a budget. Try to reinvent your doors using one or several of the techniques above.

Why to Buy Oak Furniture

Sensationally diverse, furniture is something that everyone can love and enjoy. Different materials, colours and sizes mean that there are millions of furniture varieties to choose from; helping those of us with unique tastes to find furniture that we want.

But with so many options to choose from, how do you know what furniture to choose?
Here we look at the top reasons to buy oak furniture and the different areas that it can be utilised throughout your home.

Why Choose Oak?

Although oak furniture tends to be more expensive than that of other wood types, you definitely get what you pay for. Furniture made from oak is built with longevity in mind, gradually looking better and better as it matures in time.

Natural warmth and character will be felt in areas of your home where oak furniture is present, with its timeless appearance that lends itself to both contemporary and classic styles.

Solid and strong, oak furniture is highly suited to homes subject to lots of daily use. Chairs, beds and dining tables are all robust when made of oak, with a sturdy structure that will serve you well for years to come.

Traditional joinery techniques are generally used for the creation of real oak furniture, ensuring total strength, quality and durability.

Whether you are looking to create a stylish, modern look or a traditional, country-style or rustic theme, oak furniture designs can be tailored to suit.

Where to Use Oak Furniture Around the Home?

Furniture made from oak is extremely versatile. Not only is oak furniture suitable for use in both traditional and contemporary homes, it can be used in various rooms of the home.

Below we look at the different rooms that can be improved with the incorporation of oak.

Kitchen and Dining Areas

Oak is a common choice for kitchens and dining areas subject to a lot of use. Our kitchens have to deal with a lot on a daily basis, making oak worktops the perfect choice for kitchens.

When also protected with varnish or lacquer, oak can easily cope with family celebrations or parties where the kitchen and dining areas will be used frequently. Oak won’t damage easy, although the odd knock or scratch will only add to its character rather than ruin it.

https://www.onlyoakfurniture.co.uk/dining-room/

Living Room

When used in the living areas of your home, oak furniture will help to add natural warmth and beauty, as well as long-lasting practicality. Coffee tables, sideboards, bookcases and cabinets are all ideal options when it comes enhancing traditionally rustic and contemporary designs.

https://www.onlyoakfurniture.co.uk/living-room/

Bedroom

We spend around a third of our lives asleep in our bedrooms, along with any extra time we spend getting ready for work, winding down before sleep and general living. When it comes to bedroom furniture, it pays to have furniture you can rely on. Oak beds, wardrobes, dressing tables and bedside cabinets can help you to create a relaxing, stylish haven that you can enjoy for years to come.

https://www.onlyoakfurniture.co.uk/bedroom-furniture/

Caring for Oak Furniture

Oak furniture needs looking after. If you regularly maintain your furniture, it will last a long, long time. Here’s how you can care for the oak in your home:

• Purchase a quality beeswax polish that you can apply every few months. This will help to nourish the timber and ensure the grain always looks its best.
• To prevent fading, try not to place your furniture near radiators or in direct sunlight. The heat from a radiator can damage the oak by splitting the joints or weakening them over time.
• When spills occur, make sure they are wiped up swiftly with a damp cloth, followed by another dry cloth.

Where to Buy Oak Furniture

When you are looking for oak furniture for the home, there are lots of places to shop. Your initial thought might be to visit a big brand, like an IKEA or an Argos, however you won’t get the same quality as you would get if you were to visit an oak furniture specialist.

Only Oak Furniture is one of the leading choices for oak furniture UK, providing a wide range of oak furniture options to use around the home. If you are looking to enhance your home with quality oak, we are confident you will be happy with the result!

https://www.onlyoakfurniture.co.uk/

Tips for Improving your Home

Have you been thinking about giving your home a revamp? Are some of your rooms too cold? Are you tired of the same old furniture or you’re not happy with the mattress your sleeping on? If these thoughts have crossed your mind, you might be considering how you can enhance your home in unusual and inventive ways.

Try Reclaimed Furniture as an Alternative

If you aren’t sure what reclaimed furniture is, then let us explain… Reclaimed furniture is strictly made from recycled woods and other materials which have been rescued, reclaimed wood can come from several unusual places where timber is no longer required. Roof beams, floor boards, joists, roof trusses, railway tracks and old boats are just a few of the places where reclaimed wood can come from.

You might be wondering how reclaimed furniture will improve your bedroom, not only is the recycling of wood great for the environment, but it can often be stronger and more stable. Now a days people prefer furniture made from wood that has been reclaimed because they feel it adds more character to their homes.

Consider the Way you Store Clothing and Personal Belongings

Clunky wardrobes and chests of drawers can consume a lot of space. Sliding wardrobes, on the other hand, provide a convenient way of storing all clothes and personal belongings in one place. Your clothes can neatly hang on railings, while other storage boxes, shoes and accessories can have their own place to live behind the sliding doors.

Understandably, sliding wardrobes aren’t suitable for every home. You may need to check first to see if you have the space to see if the doors fit before introducing them into your bedroom. There are several quick steps you can take to find if sliding doors can be installed in your bedroom.

Opt for an Alternative Heating System

Radiators are usually just there in every room, and quite often taking up your beloved space that could be used in other ways. When you move into your new home you will generally have to position your furniture around the radiators of the house. Radiators basically become part of the furniture and it doesn’t cross your mind to take them out because we all need heat, right? But what if there was an alternative heating system that you could use to spread warmth through your home without taking up too much space?

Have you considered underfloor heating? Fitting neatly beneath your flooring and providing heat for your home without the need for ugly radiators. We recommend contacting a plumbing or heating engineer as heated flooring will need to be installed seamlessly under your carpets. Underfloor heating allows temperature to be spread out more evenly, in turn giving you the freedom to move your furniture around freely.

Add A Rug

Quite often living rooms or bedrooms can have a large floor space which can make a room feel empty and cold. It goes without saying your furniture will be placed against a wall or in a neat and convenient place but what do you place in the middle of the floor to fill the void and make it homelier? Have you ever thought about investing in a rug? Whether you reside in a modern or traditional home, there are plenty of options out there to suit your tastes.

Inject a Touch of Glamour into the Bedroom

There are many ways to bring glamour into your bedroom from switching up your lightshades, introducing new curtains or even changing up the bedding, these are all just conventional ways you can add glamour to your room, without spending a fortune.

How about introducing a new fancy mirror? It is an increasingly popular and glamorous way to improve the look of your bedroom. A lot of beauty enthusiasts have turned to the dazzling Hollywood mirrors with lights to brighten up their lives and add glamour to their bedrooms.

The Exterior of your Property

When it comes to your home, the exterior can be just as important as the interior. A way to improve and add value to your home includes upgrading your patio or driveway at the front of your home will give a great first impression, especially when considering people’s first look at your property. Should you undergo the correct maintenance for your driveway, this will also help as it will keep it renewed.


So here are our top tips for improving your home and giving it a new lease of life. Whether you are looking for extra heat in the winter, space saving solutions or alternative décor, we hope we have helped point you in the right direction.

10 Top Tips for a Tidy Home

When you have children and/or pets, keeping your home tidy can be difficult. Within minutes of the living room being tidied, there are toys out again, the rug has been kicked aside by the dog and the cushions that you nicely placed along the couch are all messed up – it’s a nightmare.
There are, however, a few things you can do to help you keep your home neat and tidy for what will seem like a longer period of time. Let’s begin!

1. Make your bed

This may seem straight forward, but making your bed almost as soon as you get up can set up your entire day. Your bed takes up a lot of space in your bedroom, meaning it can look extremely unattractive if it is not made properly. Leaving your bed messy on a morning will mean that you come home to an untidy bedroom in the evening and get into a messy bed when it’s time to go to sleep. With that in mind, wouldn’t it make good sense to take an extra 60 seconds each morning to straighten out your duvet, fluff your pillows and tuck the edges in.

Following this tip will help to ensure your bedroom is a much calmer environment to be in from the start of the day, right through until it’s time to go to bed.

2. Bathroom cleaning products

Rather than storing all bathroom cleaning products under the sink with all your other household cleaning items, try storing them in the bathroom itself. This takes away the chore of having to traipse to the kitchen when you realise the bathroom needs cleaning. If the products are there for you to use, you’ll feel more willing to give your bathroom a scrub when you notice the toilet or basin could use a clean.

Toothpaste marks in the bathroom sink can be really unattractive if left for a long time, but can be easily removed if your bathroom cleaning products are nearby!

3. Get rid of junk mail straight away

Allowing your junk mail to build up can be a real problem, so don’t let your junk mail build up your telephone table or hallway cabinet. Simply sort through it when you find a little pile on your floor, keeping what’s needed and binning/recycling what isn’t.

This quick tip will help to ensure you end up with little clusters of junk mail scattered about the entrance to your home. You could even consider some form of letter holder to organise your letters when you get them.

4. Do the dishes daily

There’s nothing worse than waking up to a huge pile of dishes in the morning from last night’s tea. A dishwasher can come in handy, but not all of us have space or funds available for a new dishwasher, so it’s important to keep on top of the dishes. If you don’t do them the night before, you’ll find yourself feeling depressed when you come home from work to them the following night. Next thing you know, you’ll need to cook again, and the mountain becomes even bigger. Washing up little and often will help to maintain your kitchen, providing you do each night when you have finished eating.

5. Clean the worktops

It takes seconds to wipe the worktops down after you have finished cooking and eating, yet this is one of the household duties that will often get neglected. Crumbs and food remnants left on the worktops is not only unsightly, but also very unhygienic as invisible bacteria can build up. Take the time to wipe the worktops down with an antibacterial spray each night and you will help to ensure your kitchen is clean and tidy all the time.

6. Tidy before bed

Before you go to bed each evening, take the time to do a quick tidy. No more than 2-5 minutes should be enough to straighten everything up, put any leftover cups in the sink and make sure everything is on order ready for a new day. Waking up the next day to a tidy home is a great feeling, helping you the start the day on a positive note.

7. Be strategic

Rather than going up and down the stairs a dozen times or back and forth between different rooms, get yourself a dedicated basket to carry stuff about. This can come in handy with kid’s toys, as they will usually find their way to weird and wonderful places throughout your home. Your new basket will help you to pick all things up in one go to take them back to their rightful home without zig zagging around the house over and over again.

8. Buy a portable vacuum

Portable vacuums can make one of the most tedious jobs around the home seem bearable. If you are someone that has kids and/or pets, you might find it difficult to keep your floors or carpets clean. Crumbs and pet hairs will mean you quite often have to hoover every day, but who would want to clart a big vacuum cleaner around the house every day. Instead, purchase a handheld vacuum, like a Dyson, and the chore of keeping the floors clean will become MUCH easier. Simply grab your handheld vaccum, take care of the messy bits, job done. What was once a time-consuming job, will now become much quicker and easier.

9. Teach the kids to tidy

Keeping the house clean and tidy when you live on your own is quite simple. When there are two of you to split the chores, it might be even easier still. But when you throw children into the mix, things become a lot tougher, as you probably already know. Once your children are at a suitable age (probably 6-7), teaching them to tidy up after themselves is entirely plausible. Trial it. They’re not allowed to play with another toy until they have put the first toy away. It might seem like a ball ache, but you’ll appreciate it in the long run when you have a squad of children tidying up after themselves.

10. Think about your storage options

One of the best ways to keep your home tidy is with practical storage solutions. Having one or several places where you can store a lot of things out of sight can do wonders for the appearance of your home. It can be difficult to tidy up when everything has its own dedicated place, but a large storage solution, like a sliding wardrobe, can help you to keep everything neat and tidy in one place.

So there you have, our 10 top tips for tidier home in 2018. We hope you enjoyed reading and have fun putting some of these tips into practice.

How can a Hollywood Mirror Improve your Bedroom?

If you are in the process of re-decorating your home, eventually the time will come for you to redecorate your bedroom. You might opt for a new lick of paint, or you might prefer to replace your bedding / curtains. It might also be that you are looking for new furniture to replace what you currently have.

A lot of people will opt for IKEA, B&Q or Argos when looking for new furniture, though for more distinct furnishings, you might want to find a different company from the norm.

Reflections of Me, for example, is a company that specialises in Hollywood Mirrors, offering a range of fantastic mirrors and other beauty products to help you look your best.

Hollywood Mirrors

Hollywood mirrors are essentially mirrors with lights, expertly designed for professional or home-use to provide users with an opportunity to enhance their hair, make-up and overall beauty experience.
The lights work using 2700 kelvin lamp colour rendition and are operated using a dimmer switch. This enables the light levels to be adjusted, depending on your personal requirements and/or the setting you are in.

A wide range of colour options and sizes are available to suit various tastes. Black Satin, Faux Leather, Gold Sparkle, Rose Gold and White Satin are among the different colours, with both portrait and landscape options available to purchase.

Light up your life with a Hollywood Mirror

A Hollywood Mirror can add new glamour to your bedroom, helping you to replace that dressing table you’ve had for too long with something new and unique.

If you’re a hair and beauty fanatic looking for the best products on the market, a Hollywood Mirror with Lights is one of the best things you can add to your collection. Poor lighting and normal mirrors will often mean that justice can’t be given to expensive make-up products, but with a Hollywood Mirror you don’t have this problem. The professional lighting means that you can apply your favourite products more effectively, like a pro!

Your new mirror will look sleek on your wall or can be placed elegantly on any horizontal surface for when you need to look your best.

If you are looking to improve your bedroom with new furniture in 2018, a Hollywood Mirror with Lights should be up there on your list of priorities. Visit: www.reflectionsofme.co.uk to view there delightful range of Broadway / Hollywood style mirrors.

5 Practical Home Improvements

Ultra Convenient Home Improvement Tips to Improve the Functionality of your Home

Quite often, a homeowner’s emphasis will be on creating a home that looks nice – but what about the functionality?

How can you improve the ‘convenience’ of your home?

There are several ways you can improve the functionality of your home to make it more convenient. Whether you have a large family, a worn-out garden or a lack of space, we look at 5 home improvement tips that can help to make your home a more practical and convenient place to live.

1. Introducing a Sliding Wardrobe

Lack of storage space is a widespread problem for people with lots of ‘stuff’. A new sliding wardrobe can help to create more space in your bedroom, creating a dedicated area for more than just hanging clothes. Shoes, bedding, personal items, accessories, board games and a whole host of other things can live in your sliding wardrobe, in a neat and tidy fashion. Different internal storage can be considered too, with drawers, shelves and baskets all available to help you personalize your wardrobe’s interior.

If you are looking to create more space in your home by giving your possessions a place to live, a practical sliding wardrobe should definitely be considered.

(Image Credit: https://slidingrobes.com )

2. Installing Underfloor Heating

If radiators are causing you problems with your furniture positioning, underfloor heating can always be considered. Your local plumbing and heating company will be able to remove your current radiators and replace the main heat source of your home with an underfloor alternative.

Underfloor heating is a practical home improvement. Not only does it create extra wall space for cabinets, shelves and other pieces of furniture, it provides a more effective way to distribute heat throughout your home. With radiators, you will sometimes get little pockets of hot air around where the radiators are installed. With underfloor heating, heat can be dispersed evenly throughout each room of your home. This means less energy will need to be used to heat a room and you can potentially save money in the long-term.

3. Consider an Additional Bathroom

If you have a family of 4, 5 or even 6, the bathroom situation can be a real nuisance sometimes – especially if you only have one household bathroom for all to use. Waiting to use the loo when someone is in the shower or vice versa can cause sibling disputes and arguments between one another. Hold ups when you need to have a quick shower and go out can cause irritation whilst Dad occupies the toilet and reads the paper.

En-suites and additional bathrooms are a practical addition to your home, creating a secondary area to wash, get ready and you know, do your business. If the bathroom situation causes daily ruckus in your home, it might be worth having an additional bathroom installed in your home. After purchasing a new bathroom suite, you'll need to call your local plumber to install it for you.

4. A New Garden Patio

If your backyard is made up primarily of grass, then you may not be utilising your outdoor living space as best as you can be. The addition of a garden patio can mean you have space for BBQ’s, outdoor furniture, such as swings and seating, and in general more space to live outside.

A garden patio is an excellent way of adding practicality to your home. Your local paving and patio company will be able to provide you with any details regarding patio design and installation.

(Image Credit: http://www.centralpaving.co.uk/ )

5. Additional Plug Sockets

In older homes, you may only get one or two sockets per room, meaning extensions will often be required to let you plug all your electrical appliances in. Not only is this a fire hazard, it is highly inconvenient. Having to unplug one appliance to plug in another is time consuming, tedious and unnecessary.

Having additional sockets installed and evenly dispersed throughout each room means you don’t have to load up extensions or spend time swapping plugs about when you need to do the hoovering or charge your phone. Modern day sockets even come with USB ports, so you can plug your phones and tablets directly into the wall with a USB cable.

Your local electrician will usually be able to provide you with any additional plug sockets you require. They may even be able to discuss rewiring with you if your home is particularly old. Old and worn out wires are another fire hazard that can be avoided by replacing them with new wires – and what’s more inconvenient than a fire in your home?

7 Space-Saving Ideas for Small Bedrooms

If you have a small bedroom to play with, it can be difficult to fit everything you need inside. There are, however, a range of things you can do to save space.

Check out our top 10 tips to help you save space when you don’t have much room!

1. Get a Bed with Built-in Drawers

Getting a bed with built-in drawers can be a real space saver. Any loose items that you don’t have room for can be stored safely underneath your bed in a neat and tidy fashion.

2. Introduce Space-Saving Furniture

Space saving furniture, such as corner desks, nesting tables and sliding wardrobe doors, are a wise idea - all of which have been designed to help save space where there is a distinct lack of.

3. Utilise Wall Space

Rather than using desk or table lamps, consider using lamps that fix to the wall. This will leave more space on your surface-tops for other things. Your TV can also be fixed to wall-bracket.

4. Add Mirrors

Mirrors on the wall can help to expand the sense of space. Sliding mirror wardrobes are also a smart idea, helping you to kill two birds in one stone.

5. Paint the Walls with Bright / Light Colours

Painting the walls with dark colours can make the room seem dull and dingy. Like mirrors, light colours will help to expand the sense of space.

6. Consider Wallpaper

Decorative wallpapers, such as bookshelf wallpaper, will create the illusion that there is more space in the room than there actually is.

7. Think about your Furniture

As well as space-saving furniture, you might want to consider using other smaller furnishings, such as micro lamps, mini book shelves, even a small-double bed instead of a double bed.


Made to Measure Sliding Wardrobes can be introduced to give you a practical storage solution for your small bedroom. If you are interested in a sliding wardrobe to help you save space and keep your possessions tidy, contact Sliding Robes Direct today for more information or use our online wardrobe builder to design your dream wardrobe.