Making Your House A Home

Renovation tips and ideas for your home sponsored by brilliant local businesses.

Given the current state of the housing market, more people are opting to improve their own house rather than buy a new house. 2023 is forecasted to drop house prices by 5% which is good news for the buying market however, the current competition for houses is still very intense. For many people, the best option for now is ‘improve, not move.’

Whether you’re wanting to make your house a home or increase the market value for when it comes to selling, we have gathered together some of the best local businesses in and around Plymouth to help you get the job done.

With the cost of living eating into our pockets, it’s important to get the right balance between affordable and premium quality. A cheaper option may sound appealing at the moment but may not last as long in the long-run costing you more to replace overtime. Investing a little bit more money into high-quality products will also have more of a high finish overall. This doesn’t mean you can’t cheap-out on other things to make the job more cost-efficient.

Exterior

Increasing the curb appeal of your house is just as important as renovating the interior. It’s the first thing people see when approaching your home and the first thing you notice when searching to buy.

Let’s begin with the front door. If your door is looking a little tired or needs fixing, The Door Doctor based in Plymouth can help transform your door without having to buy a new one. The Door Doctor UK Ltd stock all the parts needed for professional door, window and double glazing repairs in Plymouth.

Cleaning and fixing your windows will make your house look bright and fresh whilst helping to keep the heat in during the winter months. Along with cleaning the windows, dirty gutters can also make your house look tired so it’s best to get them cleaned annually and to prevent any moss and debris buildup.

Garage doors are easy to neglect as they are more practical than aesthetic, however, a garage door covers a very large portion of your house so it deserves some attention. Garolla offers roller garage doors in 21 different colours. They are also acoustic and thermal insulated which will save you a lot of money in heating bills in the long run. These garage doors not only look smart but also save valuable space in your garage as they roll upwards, out of the way.

A common reason to move house is lack of space. Opting for an extension to your house could save you a lot of money and increase the market value of your home. Adding an extra bedroom upstairs and extending the size of the kitchen will transform your home and give you the space you require. You also have the flexibility to design it however you want rather than purchasing a new home that perhaps fit somebody else better.
Bi-folding doors from your kitchen to your garden are very popular additions to houses as they bring the outdoors in and flood the kitchen with natural light.

AJM Building Design, based in Plympton, have worked extensively on a range of projects both in type, complexity and demand since 1992. Whether it’s a domestic extension and remodelling of an existing house to maximise its potential or new housing developments, they are committed to providing a personal, tailored service, something which can be lost in large corporate structures.

Interior

Kitchens are typically the heart of the home. You cook, host, eat and socialise in your kitchen so they are really important to invest that little bit more money to get them exactly how you want. KF Kitchens in Plymouth specialise in fitted kitchen and bedrooms in a fantastic range including traditional, timeless, elegant and contemporary cutting-edge design. Take a look at Nolte, at KF Kitchens, and be inspired by its quality, design and fully integrated appearance. Or if you’re after a more traditional finish, Burbidge & Son and Kitchen Makers Collection have a range of elegant timber painted doors in understated colours such as, Baltic Green, Putty, Soft Grey, and Seal Grey.

Replace or re-paint interior doors will bring a new lease of life to your home. Complete with a change of door handles will really help to make a big impact on a budget.

An old rug which has seen better days can make the whole room look tired. The same can be said for stained or dirty upholstery and carpets. Captain RugWash, based in Plymouth, specialise in rug, carpet, upholstery and stone cleaning. They have been cleaning rugs since 1988 and have undergone vigorous training to ensure the correct products are used in conjunction with the material being cleaned.

If you are planning on doing some DIY yourself, we recommend you use Borrow Don’t Buy. Borrow Don’t Buy is Plymouth’s very own Library of Things (LoT) with nearly 500 items in our ever-growing Inventory there’s a good chance we have something you could do with! Why buy a drill when you’ll only ever use it once? Sign up to become a Borrower, and for just a few pounds, borrow what you need, when you need!

There are a lot of mistakes to be had when renovating a home which could cost you valuable time and money. Depending on the size of the project, it’s important to put a fair amount of planning behind the project. Aim for a budget but have realistic expectations of how much it will all cost. There may be hold ups or additional complications which may require more money.

If you have just moved into the house and are wanting to renovate as soon as possible, our advice is to hold off for a while to learn how the house works for you. You’ll be able to find out where the sun shines through, where the social spots are and where the washing ends up. This way you can build the house around your lifestyle.

If you are planning an extension or a complete renovation to your house, always ask plenty of questions to ensure you achieve exactly what you strived for. Besides, it’s your money you’re spending, you’ll want it to be right.

With this in mind, we hope you are able to transform your house into the home you have always dreamed of.