Home & Garden

March marks the end of Winter and the beginning of Spring which brings us hope, new life, warmer, longer days and lots of beautiful flowers. As of 29th March, we will be able to socialise in our private gardens so what better time of the year to start improving your humble abode? Whether you’re looking to sell or if you just want to add a fresh new lease of life to your home, we have some great tips and tricks to help you. Without further ado let’s spring into action! If you’ll pardon the pun…

Getting your garden ready for summer

The garden is where spring really comes to life. Tulips and Daffodils are popping up here, there and everywhere, and the lawn is beginning to see the sun again.

Sowing, planting and mowing

It’s all systems go in the garden in March. Whether you’re a novice gardener or have your own veg patch complete with a greenhouse, anyone can have a go, no matter the size of your garden or balcony. Knowing what seeds you have to sow indoors, outdoors or plant straight into the soil is the first thing to keep in mind.

Seeds of carrots, parsnips, lettuces, radishes, turnips, broad beans, beetroot, peas, salad leaves, leeks and spinach can now be sown outdoors. Make sure they are sheltered with some protection or kept in a mini portable greenhouse. They will each have instructions on the back of the packet in terms of sunlight and feeding.

For a splash of colour, sweet peas can now be sown outdoors after being sown indoors from autumn. And hardy annuals can be sown outdoors for a gorgeous display of colour when summer arrives.

Sweet pepper, tomato, cucumber, aubergine, celery, salad and globe artichoke seeds can all be sown indoors in March. The majority will need to be kept in direct sunlight, with some form of cover to keep in the moisture.

Onions, shallots and garlic sets can all be planted straight into the ground as well as herbaceous perennials. You can also begin planting summer bulbs such as gladioli, crocosmia, lilies and agapanthus.

Bear in mind, March is the latest you can plant bare-root roses. These are the types of roses you typically receive in the mail that have no roots.
It’s time to dust off your lawnmower and tend to your grass. It’s important not to over mow as it may upset new growth so try not to cut more than a third of the blade of grass off in one go. 1-2 times a month is advised from March to June and then more frequently in the summer months.

Creating space

A lick of paint on your garden fence can freshen up your whole garden, but what’s the best colour to choose?

For smaller garden spaces, a dark paint colour creates the illusion of a bigger garden because the foliage stands out against the dark fence which in turn takes the focus away from the actual boundaries of your garden.

Choosing the colour of your fence should complement your house but not necessarily match it. Colourfence in Plymouth offers low maintenance fences with no painting required. You can choose from a wide variety of popular colours as well as four height options. They come in two varieties, a plain, sleek and smart design or with a decorative trellis design on top that you can customise with contrasting paint colours.

Although a dark colour fence can enhance the size of your garden, having light coloured accents like plant pots, paving slabs and stones reflect the sunlight which brings more light into your garden thus making it feel bigger.

DIY & Renovations

Increasing the value of your home ready to sell can be done in a few different ways depending on the property. It is always a good idea to speak to an estate agent before making any costly changes to your house. A brand-new kitchen might seem like the right thing to invest in, but a conservatory or loft conversion might bring you more money when it comes to valuing the property.

Conservatories & Extensions

A conservatory can bring the outside in and feel like a tranquil oasis, especially in the summer months. An armchair and a good book, a dining table full of happy hungry faces, or a children’s play area, the options to turn the space into what suits your lifestyle are endless which is why they are so popular. Adding a conservatory to your house is thought to increase your property’s value by 5%. For that reason, it is proven to be one of the best assets for your home. Realistic Home Improvements offer thoughtfully designed and super-efficient conservatories with a 10-year warranty.

Do you feel like you’re outgrowing your home but can’t afford anywhere bigger? On average, extensions work out cheaper compared to upsizing and you can design it exactly how you want. AJM Building Design are specialists in residential building design and are committed to providing a personal and tailored service. They can cover everything from planning applications, building regulations to extensions and conversions and will happily guide you through the process.

Garages can feel very cluttered very quickly, even the garage door itself can take up that much-needed space. Garolla Garage Doors have a unique solution with their electric roller garage doors. Fully fitted, insulated and with 24 colours available to choose from, these garage doors are the space-saving items of the future.

Cosmetic

Cleaning up the guttering and wiping down the windows instantly gives the exterior of your home a facelift. It appears more welcoming, cleaner and brighter. This is a really simple job to do or to hire a local service to carry out for you and won’t cost you the earth to make a big difference.

The kitchen is the hub of the home for most families; it’s not only where you cook and eat, but it’s also a very sociable space therefore it is important not to neglect it. Open plan kitchen/ diners are never going to get outdated, so it seems. More and more homeowners are knocking down those walls to create a light space and a communal feel and buyers are also looking for this way of living.

Re-designing your whole kitchen is a decision not to be made lightly. They can be very expensive and also very personal to the homeowner. If you are thinking about revamping your kitchen for it to sell for a higher price, stop and think about ways you can update it without spending a fortune because the next homeowner might have a completely different taste to you and just end up ripping it out anyway.

Painting the cupboard doors or changing the doors and door handles is a much cheaper option and will create the feel of a brand-new kitchen.

For the renters

You may be reading this thinking, well I can’t do that, my landlord will hate me. Fear not for there are many ways you can re-vamp your home without making a hole in the wall.

Peel n’ stick wallpaper is impossible to go wrong, you can choose from hundreds of patterns or plain colours and all you have to do is peel and stick it down for effortless results. Having a pop of wallpaper can make a huge difference to the overall look of your room especially when painting the walls is off the cards.

Peel n’ stick does not stop there. You can get flooring tiles, backsplash and bathroom tiles too! All of these come off so easy without the landlord ever finding out.

Command strips will become your new best friends when hanging up gorgeous prints, tapestries and photographs.

Changing the door handles can revamp any piece of furniture or kitchen and can be done in rented accommodation. The drill holes should always be the same size as the old ones in order to replace them with ease. Just make sure to keep all the old handles and put them back on before you leave.

Interior Design Trends 2021

Giving your space a well-deserved makeover can change how you view the room completely. It can bring new life into an old home and make you fall back in love with it again.

This pandemic has made us all change our lifestyle; we search for outdoor space; we care more for our planet; we now require a home office and our urge to go on holiday is ever increasing by the minute. All of these lifestyle changes are subconsciously feeding themselves into the interior design trends of 2021.

Global Inspiration

The lack of travel within the past year forces us to adopt global styles and prints and incorporate them into our homes. Because if you can’t go to Japan, then bring Japan to you.

Japandi is a style that combines Japanese minimalism with Scandi cool. Light, airy, muted tones and lots of texture is the basis of the Japandi style. The use of natural materials is key to finding those earthy, muted tones. Keep the room decluttered and use simple, clean lines. Bamboo is often used for furniture as it is a sustainable material because Bamboo trees are fast-growing and don’t require any pesticides to grow.

Blue and Terracotta

Picture a bright blue Mediterranean sky contrasting with the burnt orange terracotta rooftops of Spanish civilisation. Now that makes me very happy which is why it is the colour combination of 2021. Pair these two colours with white accents and fresh green plants to complete the look.

Arch doorways are coming back into fashion. Yes, this is true. When I think of arched doorways, I think of wandering around the streets of Spain, Morocco or Greece and being enveloped by the culture and architecture. Top this off with some terracotta pathways and blue mosaics on the walls and you can understand why this has become a trend of 2021.

Adding lots of texture to your room creates depth and interest. Woven baskets, woven cane furniture, detailed rugs and blankets, and even textured walls are all trendy additions to the room.

Eco-friendly

The world is positively becoming more environmentally conscious and so is our interior design. More than ever, we are reclaiming and upcycling old furniture at home and creating pieces to fit with the 21st century. Dated furniture now has a place in our homes as we are seen to be mixing old with contemporary to create unique looks. Painting, tiling, wood varnishing or upholstering are all ways you can easily upcycle your old furniture.

If the piece completely contrasts the look you are after, try making something new out of it. The pandemic is allowing us this time to do things we never normally have time for which means more people are taking up DIY and learning how to make things ourselves.

If you are searching for a specific second-hand piece of furniture to make a bold statement in your space, there are lots of antique furniture shops and car-boot sales for when the shops open. Online exchange websites such as Facebook Marketplace, Ebay or Vinted are constantly selling even during lockdown. You can find unique pieces on these sites at a reasonable price. When buying large items, you will need to be able to transport them home yourself or a delivery charge may be offered instead.

The Home Office

Working from home has become the ‘new normal’ for a lot of us during the pandemic so it is no wonder it has made it to the tick list when purchasing a new house. Creating a space that is efficient for working 6/8 hours each day has to work for your lifestyle as you will be spending a considerable amount of your day in that room.

Make it all about you. You want to be able to wake up, get out of bed and feel excited to sit in your office space. Whether that means adding some photos from your favourite memories, hanging up some nice prints or collecting some plants to allow the air to flow. The chair is the most important piece because you want to support your back, neck and spine as best you can to avoid injury.

If you are struggling with space, there are a variety of different desks you can choose from which help save space. Pull down desks or desks that act as shelves when you’re not using them are all great space-saving alternatives. Purchasing a desk may not be an option for some and the kitchen table will have to do! But do make sure you still have a comfortable chair that supports your back and neck as this can lead to very painful injuries.

Lighting is very important to get right as eye strain and fatigue becomes a real concern with more people working from home. Natural light and lots of it is the best working environment but when you are staring at a screen, you don’t want the sun’s reflection glaring back at you, especially if your job consists of image editing and colour control. Therefore, resorting to a few good quality lamps will do the trick. LED white lighting of at least 5-10 watts is the best option.

Creating a home which you love to spend time in is the most important trend that has come out of this pandemic due to us spending more time than ever before at home. There should be no guilt in spending that little bit extra to make your space feel special and a garden or balcony that makes you feel like you’re on holiday.