How To Turn A Spare Room Into A Full Home Office

Home offices are now more of a necessity and less of a frivolous add-on. So whether you work from home occasionally or full time, you will need a space to work. This seems to be the new normal and chances are we’ll be doing a lot more of it in the foreseeable future.

The flexibility and extra time that working from home offers can be quite beneficial, but there are pitfalls. If the space and environment you are working in is not conducive, a lot of your time could be wasted. You can avoid that by ensuring that the space you are in allows you to be productive.

And how do you that you may ask?

Well, we are going to show you how you can transform a spare bedroom into a home office.

Lets’ look at how it’s done;

Make a fresh start

The first important thing to do when you transform your spare bedroom into a home office is to make a fresh start. If you’ve used the spare bedroom for any other purpose previously, then you’ll want to start afresh. This applies to the decor, the painted walls and the furniture. Clearing the room will allow you to have a fresh canvas to work from.

Choose the right colour

Research shows that the colour of the walls you work within can have a profound impact on your productivity. Natural toned colours such as green and blue hues can improve efficiency and focus, while warm yellows can trigger optimism, creativity and fresh energy. So choose your colours carefully.

Light & Airy

Ensure that there is enough natural light and fresh air coming into the room. You don’t want to feel as though you are sitting in some sort of dungeon. This will make your work space a much more enjoyable atmosphere. Bring in some green plants and flowers to give it more life.

Maximize your desk space

If your home doesn’t have a built-in desk option, then you’ll need to invest in a stand-alone sturdy desk for your computer and other office necessities. Focus on desks that maximize the space in your office. Whether it’s an L-shaped desk that fits in a corner, a writing desk that you can push up against the wall or maybe a floating desk that opens up floor space, but be sure to get one that works best for your environment and needs.

Avoid bulky office chairs

When setting up a home office in a limited space, such as a bedroom it’s important to maximize your workspace as much as possible. You can do this by opting for an office chair that slides easily under the desk. If possible, avoid wide, bulky office chairs with armrests. Choosing a desk chair that doubles as a dining chair or sitting chair may be another great way to save space.

Minimize wires

The myriad of gadgetry we use today also comes with the unsightly tangle of wires. To minimize the appearance of all these chargers and cords, consider getting items like power strips, flexi cable organizers, cable ties or even cable trunking. Another ingenious idea would be to add wire slots to your office desk, it will hide the clutter of wires while you keep your gadgets on the table.

Keep it simple

Keep your workspace simple and avoid cluttering with too many decorative pieces. Limit items on your desk to just your computer, keyboard, mouse, and maybe a picture frame and a lamp. Adding too many personal items to your office will only distract you from working and limit the amount of desk space you have to work on. Drawer organisers also help to keep work efficient by having a specific space for all your office items – no time lost searching for odd items like a pen or scissors. It also keeps the clutter contained and looks good too!

Focus on storage

Don’t count on a lot of floor space for storage when setting up a home office. Instead, focus on vertical storage. Instead of file cabinets, consider installing shelves or built-in cupboards above your desk to hold files, books and other office necessities. If you’d like to avoid nailing anything into the wall, consider using a free-standing ladder desk that includes vertical shelves.

Home Decor Interiors can help!

If you are feeling overwhelmed by the process of turning your spare bedroom into a home office or maybe you simply don’t have the time, then let us help! Here at Home Decor Interiors, we streamline the process to make it hassle-free and convenient for you.

Get in touch with us for a free quotation or for more information

How To Choose the Right Lighting for Your Home

Lighting is not something we often think about when it comes to home design or a home renovation, but it is pretty important. It sets the tone for the room as well as energy consumption for the home. Believe it or not, choosing the right lighting for your home can be trickier than some people think.

Did you know that light fixtures are one of the key elements in any room design?

Lighting can set the mood of a room and change the look and feel dramatically, not only by the light it gives off but also by the size and style of the fittings.

To get the balance right, when choosing which lighting options to go with, think about the design, its purpose as well as its function.

First up, let’s look at the three types of lighting:

Ambient lighting

Ambient lighting design is different throughout the house, but it is the most common form of lighting in the home. How will your bathroom lighting ideas differ from your bedroom lighting ideas? Ambient lighting creates the general impression a room makes when you walk in, so you may want softer lighting in your bedroom compared to your bathroom, while entrance halls may be more sculptural in their effect.

Utility/specified lighting

This form of lighting design is only for specific purposes. For example, desk or reading lamps, kitchen-sink lighting, bathroom specific lighting and any other form of light that has less use. Choosing the correct lighting for utilities needs to be carefully considered, as you could find yourself highlighting an unflattering area.

Accent lighting

This form of lighting is used to highlight textures and design features in your home, as well as your interior design, such as paintings and display pieces.

Although some types of light fixtures are more commonly associated with a particular layer of lighting, most fixtures are versatile enough to be used in a number of ways.

Have a look at the various light fixtures on the market.

Chandeliers

Chandeliers look beautiful and make a statement. They can make a space look elegant and timeless and come in many different styles. Usually, your eye will be drawn to the light fitting when a chandelier is hanging, so rooms such as entryways, kitchens or dining rooms are good choices.

Downlights

Downlights can create subtle mood lighting, especially when paired with other options, but they can also be over-powering when too many are used. Try combining downlights in living areas with floor and table lamps, or use them in a kitchen with pendant lights.

Pendants

Pendant lights are smaller than chandeliers but are also visually appealing and will draw your attention. They are particularly good for areas where direct lighting is required. You can choose to have one decorative pendant hanging alone, especially in smaller areas or over a dining table.

Lamps and floor lamps

Living areas and bedrooms are the most common rooms for using lamps. They change the ambience in a room instantly. Use floor lamps in your living area for your main ambient lighting, complemented by table lamps for filler light.

LED strip lights

Strip lights are incredibly versatile; they can be installed on the underside of cupboards and benches to create a touch of ambience and even along the tops of ceilings. They can also be used on desks, beds, pathways.
Decorative Bulbs

Decorative bulbs are the go-to choice if you are looking for something more than a simple globe. These bulbs mimic old fashioned filament lights and can even be purchase in LED! Use them in your lamps clear and pendant lights to bring a rustic feel to your home.

Ready for your lighting makeover?

We can help you to get the best out of your lighting upgrades and every other aspect of your home renovation project.

Find out more about home renovations.

Home Decor Interiors has over 20 years of experience, and during that time, we’ve renovated hundreds of homes; we pride ourselves on being a premium home renovator in the Western Cape. Let us help you customise or upgrade your dream home.

Contact us today for an obligation free quote.

How To Furnish A Modern Sunken Living Room?

When you’re putting up a house, the type of room you want turns out to be an important feature of your soon-to-be home. The colour, choice of style, concept, and theme are something to consider because this is project will be long-term, and you can’t afford just to let it be without following the style and preference you want.

The modern sunken living room, for instance, may perhaps look unfamiliar. However, these days are otherwise; modern sunken living rooms remain very popular and are now considered a modern design for homes since open-concept houses are trendy. So, if you consider the sunken living room for your new house, then you probably want to know how it’s done and perhaps how to furnish it. That’s why in this article, you will know more about the modern sunken living room and why many consider this type of concept.

Why Consider Modern Sunken Living Room?

One good thing about a sunken living room is that it gives you a place to separate, even just within your home. Since the sunken living room is a few steps below your home, it somehow gives you the privacy you need within an open room.

Even if this concept can relate to the 1920s, it still never goes out of style and always hits the mainstream until the 1960s. This design introduces a feeling of intimacy to houses and encourages families and visitors to gather into one cosy and small space.

Tips in Creating a Modern Sinking Living Room

So, you’ve come across the concept of a modern sinking living room into your home. Here are the tips you might want to consider helping in furnishing or creating a modern sinking living room.

Choose the Right Colour and Light

Sunken rooms in the past were usually dark and not that welcoming. Since you want something modern, utilizing colour and light will make the space more inviting. Combine the same shade of colours in this room, like what you did in the rest of your home.

Don’t forget to put on plenty of lights, as this interesting furniture overhead will not make your modern sunken room feel or appear dark and boring. Furniture and upholstery should perhaps match so that the room will be a solid part of your home’s concept or design.

Take Precautions

Always note that visitors are not that used to sunken spaces as the ones who live in your home. It would help if you took extra precautions or install materials like handrails to ensure the steps were marked clearly. You may also use other design or flooring for your stairs so that they will be recognized easily.

You may also paint the stairs that don’t blend other parts of the floor so they could easily differentiate and easily know where to step. Or better yet, put lights on the floor, for this will not only serve as a precaution, but it could also be a great design for your modern sunken living room.

Choose the Appropriate Furniture

Always keep in mind to make sunken places look more useful and less intimidating. Through putting beautiful furniture, it will give your sunken living room a clear purpose, and that is lounging or for movies and entertainment.

You may also put a toy storing area and activity centres if you want it to be also used by your kids because no matter how you will use that sunken space at home, filling it with furniture will get rid of that awkward angle.

Conclusion

Whether you love or hate modern sunken living rooms, it’s always a part of home design for years and now a century. This concept is exciting as long as you have it in a modern and stylish way. This is a perfect design that will make your home feel more intimate and relaxing. It is where you can throw a party and a beautiful spot for taking family photos.

If you give your best in deciding to design this, the sunken living room will surely become a beautiful, buried treasure for years. It has advantages that any normal living room doesn’t have. One day you will realize that you’ve made the right decision for having this spot.

Find out more about home renovations.

Home Decor Interiors has over 20 years of experience, and during that time, we’ve renovated hundreds of homes; we pride ourselves on being a premium home renovator in the Western Cape. Let us help you customise or upgrade your dream home.

Contact us today for an obligation free quote.

Benefits Of Repairing Or Replacing an Aircon During A Home Renovation

The idea of spending scorching summer temperatures without the comfort of air conditioners is almost unthinkable for homeowners. These appliances have become indispensable in every household, particularly in regions with extreme heatwaves.

Therefore, the worst nightmare of every homeowner is dealing with a faulty air conditioning unit on a boiling summer day. Some people decide to employ their DIY skills in the repair process, while others hire professional assistance.

Renovating for comfort

During home renovations, it can also be the ideal time to add these sorts of comforts or even upgrade your current systems or have to adjust placements as you change the way the flow of a certain room.

In some cases, it can be done by your renovator, and in other cases, you may need to secure the services of AC technicians that are trained and experienced in handling a wide range of defects in a safe and effective manner when moving or adjusting your air conditioning system. 

Greater convenience

Perhaps the greatest benefit of having a home renovator handle aircon replacement or repair is the greater convenience in comparison with performing the job on your own. Most of the homeowners that employ DIY methods in the hope of repairing the defect of their air conditioner usually end up wasting plenty of time on creating even worse defects. 

Professional AC technicians or renovators, on the other hand, are armed with the required knowledge and an extensive record of experience, which enables them to perform the repairs amazingly quickly and effectively. These professionals waste no time on detecting the unit’s problem, as they have already come across a myriad of faulty air conditioners. 

Consequently, your air conditioning unit will be as good as new much sooner than you’ve expected, which is extremely beneficial in the course of scorching summer days. 

Greater safety

Another incredible benefit of hiring professional AC repair services is minimizing the risk of injuries and property damage that might take place during the repair process. Unlike homeowners, reputable AC companies and home renovators, abide by all safety codes and regulations that need to be followed while doing repairs. These technicians have the right training and equipment to perform the job safely, without causing any further damage. 

Conversely, due to the lack of experience and expertise, homeowners are more likely to endanger their safety while repairing their units. There is a great likelihood for some of them to get injured or cause property damage when pretending to be repairmen. Therefore, instead of risking potential injuries, trust your unit in the hands of experts that follow safety protocols. 

Enhanced longevity

Apart from providing clients with repair services, AC companies offer regular maintenance to homeowners who wish to stay on top of the work of their air conditioning units. Although most homeowners consider maintenance check-ups as just another way of splurging money, these services are capable of prolonging the lifespan of AC units. 

Moreover, by regularly replacing the filters, fins, and coils of air conditioners, professional technicians improve the performance of these units and significantly reduce the risk of defects. Bear in mind that the decline in performance results in an increase in energy use, thus considerably increasing the cost of your energy bills. 

Nevertheless, regular AC maintenance prevents severe defects from occurring, which in turn saves you money on costly repairs. Also, your air conditioners will be less likely to break down in the middle of summer, when the need for cool indoor air is of indispensable importance.

 Better cost-effectiveness

Despite the scepticism of homeowners, hiring professional AC repair services is more cost-effective than performing the job by yourself. These technicians are equipped with a variety of tools, which are necessary for handling different types of defects. 

Conversely, since homeowners lack most of these tools, they’d have to spend a large portion of their budget on purchasing or renting the required equipment. 

Furthermore, regular maintenance can reduce the high cost of energy bills by optimizing the unit’s performance and minimizing the risk of future defects. Most homeowners fail to realize that the increased cost of their utility bills results from the improper work of their air conditioners. Click here for some useful tips about using your AC unit more effectively. 

Keep cool indoors

Home renovations are not only a time for design changes but also a great excuse to do so much needed repairs to your home. Repairing items one at a time can turn out to be time-consuming and costly, so instead of wasting your precious time, make sure you hire real professionals to take care of the problem and get the job done in one big revamp! 

 

Home Decor Ideas: Simple Spanish Flare for Transformational Mediterranean Home Decor

February is the month of love, so what better time to spruce up your home with some romantic Spanish flare? Recently, we’ve seen some great European influences and ideas in home decor, especially when renovating cottages and outdated Victorian-styled architecture. And, after all, who wouldn’t want to escape to a little Mediterranean oasis they can call their own? We’re talking loads of light, spacious architecture, rustic furniture and a warm colour palette to sooth the soul.

Elevated, Rounded Archways

One of the most effective ways to bring light, charm, romance and space into your home, is by adding open archways. These tend to work well when renovating homes in South Africa, thanks to the beautiful Victorian influence of high ceilings many older homes still embody today. Wooden-style, curved archways not only add some European flair, but work great with open-plan designs.

If you are considering an open-plan layout, this is a great option for you. They look great with open-plan kitchens and as entrances to the living-room. Need a little privacy? One can easily fit a set of rustic wooden doors to these archways, opening from the middle outwards. These saloon-like doors also work great as window shutters. Alternatively, add some lightweight, white curtains in areas which receive some breeze. When the air flows, so will your zen!

Colour Palette

The Spanish design influence embodies a warm, rich colour palette. They are most often kept neutral, sticking with autumn colours. However, on the contrary, an important part of Spanish home decor are pops of colour. It’s not unusual to find colour blocking in many different design styles today, however, what sets this style apart are the ways in which they are used.

In most Spanish homes, you’ll find detailed patterns on small mosaic tiles, modestly lining the bottom or top of a room. In more punchy designs, it’s expected to find the entire floor or wall comprised of these! These are often floral, and are almost always flamboyant in colour. One can also play with contrasting tones of mustards and blues, a common visual theme throughout Spain.

Play With Clay

Adding clay decor to your home is also a great way to add to the rustic charm of your space. This could be in the form of clay-pots, flower-vases, fruit-bowls, plates and even the material used to build the structure of your indoor fireplace. In addition to clay, wooden coffee tables, counters, boxes for firewood or general storage will further embody your new Mediterranean masterpiece.

Chunky Exposed Roof Beams and Stone Walls

Another way to get bring rich tones and a rich Spanish country-style feel to your home, is to add exposed wooden roof beams. Automatically, they will levitate your gaze upwards, making the roof feel more spacious. They also add a wow factor, without actually taking up any space. Furthermore, a bonus when renovating with this home decor style, is that those stone walls you might want to be covering could actually work in your favour! Exposed stone or brick walls work effortlessly to bring the natural world, indoors.

Looking to further expand Mediterranean home decor throughout you home? Keep an eye on our blog for more home decor ideas for the bathroom, bedroom, living-room and kitchen!

Find out more about home renovations

Home Decor Interiors has over 20 years of experience and during that time we’ve renovated hundreds of homes We pride ourselves on being a premium home renovator in the Western Cape. Let us help you customise or upgrade your dream home.

Contact us today for an obligation free quote

Contact us

Simple Ideas For Renovating On A Budget

Is your home starting to look a little dusty and dated? Sure, that’s okay when Halloween is just around the corner, but those cobwebs don’t have to be! Modernising doesn’t have to be an expensive affair. Creating a fresh look, without bringing out the sledgehammers or breaking the bank, is a lot easier than you think.

Here are a few basic renovation ideas to elevate your property’s value, and make your run-down room look brand new.

Clean, de-clutter & depersonalise

Firstly, get rid of all personal items, as well as any random “stuff” laying around in your rooms. These things are just taking up space and become an eyesore for potential homebuyers. Once you’ve de-cluttered and depersonalised, wind-up some serious elbow grease!

Nobody wants Mr. Mould Patch watching them shower. Only once you have a clean, blank canvas, will you be able to truly start your new creative adventure with all its potential.

Let your ‘walls’ down

Ever noticed on home renovation shows that the first thing to be changed, are walls being broken down? By doing this, living spaces instantly appear significantly bigger.

Furthermore, the entire face of the home changes. If it’s in your budget to make radical changes, you can never go wrong by opening up your floor plan.

However, if you need a cost-effective renovation, you don’t always need to start with demolishing. Moving furniture around can change your perception of a room, by opening spaces on a more visual level.

New skin

When last did the walls get a fresh coat of paint? A fresh ‘splash of magic’ can change the tone of a room, make it appear lighter and even look bigger – if you pick the right colours. Fresh fittings can instantly modernise a home.

Moreover, revitalising changes like lifting old carpets and sanding wooden floors, are also an option. However, don’t be fooled, these are where your biggest expenses will be in your home’s facelift.

Taking your time and spending the money will be worth it, though, because this is what will completely restore your aged property and make it feel brand new.

Trim the hedges

Before anybody puts a foot into your house, they go through your garden. An unkempt garden is a realtor’s worst nightmare. You should make sure your garden, whatever size it is, has been weeded, lawn-mowed and given a good all-round polish.

No need to bring in landscapers, but your home will look a whole lot more attractive to potential buyers if your garden looks pristine.

Restoring an aged home is never easy and requires a lot of imagination. Furthermore, it’s even harder to do so on a small budget. Having said this, follow our simple, cost-effective renovation ideas and you’ll be well on your way to creating a fresh-looking, modern, revitalised house that you can be proud of.

Find out more about home renovations

Home Decor Interiors has over 20 years of experience and during that time we’ve renovated hundreds of homes We pride ourselves on being a premium home renovator in the Western Cape. Let us help you customise or upgrade your dream home.

Contact us today for an obligation free quote

Contact us