Indoor Improvements

Photos courtesy of Suntecca, Handrail & Balustrade Fabrication and Apollo Window Blinds Indoor improvements encompass all of the modifications and enhancements that can be made to the interior of the home so that it is more comfortable, easier to use, and much more aesthetically appealing. Read on for more information about the various indoor improvements you can make to your abode:

Benefits of Indoor Home Improvement

It will make your home a much more comfortable place to live. Things such as insulation and air-conditioning can make the temperatures much more bearable.
You will end up with spaces that suit you and your family. Accessibility will be improved and you can use tools such as interior decorating and wardrobes from stores such as Ikea to create a space that is appealing to your sense of design as well as creating extra storage so that your home does not become cluttered and uncomfortable over time. A home theatre also makes your home a much more enjoyable place to relax, especially if it is coupled with home automation. Home automation means that you can carry out tasks at the push of a button, which is extremely convenient.
Many interior improvements can also improve the value of the home, such as bathroom resurfacing the bathroom or adding a feature staircase. In fact, the sky really is the limit!

Insulation, Air-conditioning, Ventilation & Heating

Insulation ensures your home is cooler in summer and warmer in winter. Because of its inherent energy efficient properties, insulation can save on both your heating and cooling bills. The two types of insulation are bulk and reflective foil, however the most important thing to consider is the r-value. The r-value is the thermal resistance of the insulation and the higher the number, the more effective the insulation is. The range for r-values is between one and four.
Air conditioning can also make your home more pleasant in the warmer months. The three common types of air-conditioning include split systems, fixed units and ducted air-conditioning. All of them will cool your home but the differences in installation and running costs will greatly influence what you will select. Therefore you need to consider things such as where the air-conditioner will be placed and what you want to use it for exactly.
Ventilation helps eliminate mould, mildew and musty smells, keep termites away, protect timber in the home, remove mould spores and save money that may be caused by dampness.
Heating systems can help provide warmth in the cooler months to any area of the home. There are two types of heaters – radiant heaters and convective heaters. Radiant heaters heat objects rather than the air surrounding them. Convective heaters fill the room with warm air. Heat is transferred from one object to another through the use of moving air or water.

Home Automation and Home Theatre

Home automation is a system that allows you to control all of the elements in your home, such as the lighting, air-conditioning or home entertainment, from one central unit. Automation is extremely popular for security and is often seen in modern alarm systems. The automated components of the home are connected to operating systems such as wall-mounted touch pads or keypads, TV screens or remotes. These operating systems connect to the “brain” of the system.
The home theatre system is a system that allows you to watch cinema quality movies in the comfort of your own home. The system is generally comprised of a screen, a surround sound system and a playback device such as a DVD player. Home theatres should ideally be in a dedicated room that has as little natural light as possible but also be of a reasonable size. The room should be carpeted and not have any nooks or crannies for the noise to bounce around in. If you choose to automate the home theatre system, you can control all of the aspects of it from single device such as a remote control or wall-mounted panel.

Interior Improvements

An interior decorator is concerned with decorating the inside of the house using means such as paint, wallpaper, flooring, lighting and furniture. They are fully trained and qualified professionals. Many interior decorators can specialize in a particular style such as Oriental or beach house but any interior decorator will sit down with you to help you work out what you really want from the interior of your home and how to best create that.
Blinds cover the window and control the amount of light and heat that enters the home. There are many blinds on the market including Venetian, vertical, panel drapes, honeycomb, roller, pleated and Roman blinds.
Curtains are another great option, due to of the sheer amount of fabrics and styles they are available in, so that any look can be catered for. Curtains can be used to block light or to provide insulation. Nearly always hung on the inside of a window, curtains are available in many different fabrics, colours and textures and can be ready or custom-made.
Awnings are mounted outside the home above a door, window or even a patio. They reduce the amount of sunlight and heat that hits the window and reduce the risk of furniture and curtains fading. They can be horizontal or vertical, retractable or fixed and see through or opaque – depending on what is best for your situation.
Wallpapering is an option that can be used in almost any decorating situation and it is a great alternative to the more traditional paint. There are so many different types of wallpaper – in colours, textures and patterns – it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of choice. Some common types of wallpaper include vinyl coated paper, coated fabric, and fabric backed vinyl. Modern wallpaper has some fantastic new properties including stain resistance and the ability to be washed.
Stained glass can provide a wonderful feature in any home. It can be used in any application from traditional to contemporary and you are only limited by your imagination. It can be used for feature windows, door entries, shower screens, mirrors, splash backs, furniture inserts and even in glass coffee tables. You can even use stained glass for lampshades and mosaics (including in water features).

Staircases and Handrails

Staircases are becoming a major design feature in the home and can be as simple as a small set of outdoor stairs to an ornate feature staircase in the interior of the home.
Handrails and balustrades are also becoming a design feature to match. Staircases can be made from virtually any material including timber, stainless steel, aluminium, concrete or even glass. The balustrade or safety railing is a great way to really set off the staircases itself and it can be made from wrought iron, glass, stainless steel or timber.

Wardrobes

Wardrobes can be built in or freestanding and can greatly increase the storage capacity of the home. Commonly used in bedrooms, they can also be found in bathrooms, laundries, kitchens or anywhere else you may need more storage space. You can opt to have the interior of the wardrobe custom designed to your specific needs or you can opt for a pre-fabricated interior.
Wardrobes commonly have shelves, hanging racks, drawers, and shoe racks as part of their interiors. You also have a wide range of doors for the wardrobe, with doors being hinged or sliding and available in a wide range of finishes including wood grain, mirror, aluminium or even painted glass.

Bathroom & Kitchen Improvements

Bath resurfacing can be used to rejuvenate bath surfaces, tiles and fixtures that are looking worn, cracked, chipped or faded. It involves applying a heavy glossy surface to the top of porcelain, ceramic or fibreglass. While it is a great option in many cases, resurfacing is not appropriate if the surface is badly deteriorated. The area being resurfaced must be kept completely dry but standard jobs can be done within two days.
Shower screens are often thought of as being a functional part of the bathroom but there is a distinct design element to them as well, as they can greatly affect how the bathroom looks. There is a wide range of shower screens, meaning that there is something that will suit your needs as well as look good. You can opt to have the shower screen blend in, or you can make it a feature.
Splashbacks are a feature that is designed to both look good and serve a purpose. They are used in areas where water is found – such as the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry, and they protect the wall underneath from damage. They are also found near the stove. Splashbacks also make the surface easier to clean, an invaluable function in the kitchen where food splatters are an everyday fact of life.

Homewares

Homewares are what make up the décor of your home and do perhaps more than any other element to highlight spaces and create themes and moods. Home furnishings include both soft and hard furnishings. When choosing hard or soft furnishings, there is a massive range of materials to choose from including, but certainly not limited to, leather, suede, microfibre, tapestry, silk, cotton, lace, and satin.