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7 Home Updates You Shouldn’t Overlook
Get the finer details of your renovation project just right and you’ll make life that little bit easier
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When it comes to renovation projects, the big design decisions can often distract you from considering the finer details, but it’s these smaller aspects that can make a huge difference to the end result. For example, if you’re renovating your kitchen or bathroom, have you considered whether the switches and sockets will match with the rest of the brassware? Or have you thought about adding extra USB sockets and mobile phone charging shelves to cope with the onslaught of devices?
Your renovation plans should take into consideration the smaller, yet crucial details, so you can not only upgrade your home’s style, but also its comfort factor, making your daily routine smoother and stress-free.
Not sure where to start? Follow these genius home updates and make your home a hub of efficiency, style and comfort.
Your renovation plans should take into consideration the smaller, yet crucial details, so you can not only upgrade your home’s style, but also its comfort factor, making your daily routine smoother and stress-free.
Not sure where to start? Follow these genius home updates and make your home a hub of efficiency, style and comfort.
1. Create Charging Stations
Fed up of charging devices causing trip hazards around your home? Then factor some dedicated charging stations into your renovation plans, with sockets that include USB connections and phone ledges.
Take some time to work out the best position for the stations and where your family are most likely to need them, such as on a shelf above or below the kitchen worktop, near a desk area and beside the bed, so devices can charge at night. Then, if the opportunity arises, cleverly conceal these sockets behind furniture or below a surface and feed charging cables through purpose-made holes for a clutter-free feel.
Fed up of charging devices causing trip hazards around your home? Then factor some dedicated charging stations into your renovation plans, with sockets that include USB connections and phone ledges.
Take some time to work out the best position for the stations and where your family are most likely to need them, such as on a shelf above or below the kitchen worktop, near a desk area and beside the bed, so devices can charge at night. Then, if the opportunity arises, cleverly conceal these sockets behind furniture or below a surface and feed charging cables through purpose-made holes for a clutter-free feel.
2. Opt for Easy-to-Maintain Surfaces
From robust, durable flooring that won’t dent or scratch, to hard-wearing paint finishes that can be wiped without fading, carefully consider your choice of surfaces for every space and how they will fare against the daily activity, so you can ensure you don’t spend your life cleaning up or repairing things.
If your renovation plans include a new kitchen-diner, go for matt-finish cupboards that won’t show up finger marks, surfaces that don’t stain, and dining furniture that’s simple to keep clean. Keep these tips in mind when designing your space and you’ll have a triumphantly efficient home.
From robust, durable flooring that won’t dent or scratch, to hard-wearing paint finishes that can be wiped without fading, carefully consider your choice of surfaces for every space and how they will fare against the daily activity, so you can ensure you don’t spend your life cleaning up or repairing things.
If your renovation plans include a new kitchen-diner, go for matt-finish cupboards that won’t show up finger marks, surfaces that don’t stain, and dining furniture that’s simple to keep clean. Keep these tips in mind when designing your space and you’ll have a triumphantly efficient home.
3. Get Connected
Updating your home’s look and feel is always fun and rewarding, but have you considered improving its overall efficiency at the same time? Personalise your heating and light systems with smart technology that can be easily operated by a simple app or by voice controls, making it super convenient to control either at home or remotely, and also ensure you’re only using energy when you need it.
It takes just a few simple steps to find the smart heating kit that’s right for you and your home, and also where you can buy and find approved installers in your area.
Updating your home’s look and feel is always fun and rewarding, but have you considered improving its overall efficiency at the same time? Personalise your heating and light systems with smart technology that can be easily operated by a simple app or by voice controls, making it super convenient to control either at home or remotely, and also ensure you’re only using energy when you need it.
It takes just a few simple steps to find the smart heating kit that’s right for you and your home, and also where you can buy and find approved installers in your area.
4. Create a Safe Haven
If you’re renovating your home or adding smart technology, then it’s also the ideal time to install devices that protect you and your family from electric shocks and other injuries.
RCDs, or Residual Current Devices, are a small addition to your home that can have a big impact. They detect unintended changes in current paths and cut power immediately before leakage reaches a dangerous level. Appliances can be protected with Surge Protection Devices, which divert excess current flow to the earth.
If you’re renovating your home or adding smart technology, then it’s also the ideal time to install devices that protect you and your family from electric shocks and other injuries.
RCDs, or Residual Current Devices, are a small addition to your home that can have a big impact. They detect unintended changes in current paths and cut power immediately before leakage reaches a dangerous level. Appliances can be protected with Surge Protection Devices, which divert excess current flow to the earth.
5. Plan a place for everything
Starting a room renovation from scratch is the ideal time to really think about who uses the space, how they use it and what storage is needed. For example, if there’s a particular spot in the kitchen that gets used as a dumping ground for keys, post or devices, include savvy solutions that will combat the clutter, such as a wall-hung organiser or a light switch with an accompanying key hook.
Storage is also key to a well-organised home, and factoring into your plans enough drawers, cupboards or cubby holes in busy spaces such as hallways, will all help towards maintaining some calm.
Starting a room renovation from scratch is the ideal time to really think about who uses the space, how they use it and what storage is needed. For example, if there’s a particular spot in the kitchen that gets used as a dumping ground for keys, post or devices, include savvy solutions that will combat the clutter, such as a wall-hung organiser or a light switch with an accompanying key hook.
Storage is also key to a well-organised home, and factoring into your plans enough drawers, cupboards or cubby holes in busy spaces such as hallways, will all help towards maintaining some calm.
6. Add simple decorative touches
Even the smallest of changes can make a big difference. By simply updating your tatty plastic light switches to sleek, contemporary designs, you will make a smart statement in any space.
Why not breathe new life into cupboards or wardrobes too, with stylish new handles or door knobs that will bring attention to otherwise forgotten pieces? A simple, cost-effective update that packs a punch of personality.
Even the smallest of changes can make a big difference. By simply updating your tatty plastic light switches to sleek, contemporary designs, you will make a smart statement in any space.
Why not breathe new life into cupboards or wardrobes too, with stylish new handles or door knobs that will bring attention to otherwise forgotten pieces? A simple, cost-effective update that packs a punch of personality.
7. Encourage a natural connection
Our homes are incredibly important as a place of security, sanctuary, and somewhere to relax. Whenever there’s a connection with nature, whether it’s through colour, textures, views or surrounding yourself with houseplants, you’re guaranteed to feel calm and secure.
If you have a particularly lush green view, allow it to be the main focus by sticking to a neutral interior palette yet adding a few zingy complementary accents, such as yellow, that will emphasise the verdant scene beyond.
More: To find out more about Schneider Electric’s residential solutions including their smart heating system Wiser Heat and the sleek Lisse Screwless Deco and Ultimate collections, visit their website.
Tell us: What small yet significant additions will you be including in your renovation plans? Share with your fellow Houzzers in the Comments.
Our homes are incredibly important as a place of security, sanctuary, and somewhere to relax. Whenever there’s a connection with nature, whether it’s through colour, textures, views or surrounding yourself with houseplants, you’re guaranteed to feel calm and secure.
If you have a particularly lush green view, allow it to be the main focus by sticking to a neutral interior palette yet adding a few zingy complementary accents, such as yellow, that will emphasise the verdant scene beyond.
More: To find out more about Schneider Electric’s residential solutions including their smart heating system Wiser Heat and the sleek Lisse Screwless Deco and Ultimate collections, visit their website.
Tell us: What small yet significant additions will you be including in your renovation plans? Share with your fellow Houzzers in the Comments.
- This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Schneider Electric helps to bring your home to life with a comprehensive range of solutions to meet your... Read More
Schneider Electric helps to bring your home to life with a comprehensive range of solutions to meet your... Read More
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We will be including some Cat5 cabling with our re-wire. Having connected devices with a rubbish wi-fi signal is a waste of time. Also I have just discovered that fibre to the premises will be available shortly so I need to work out where that would come in v. the broadband via telephone wire.
Very good article, despite the sponsored content this highlights often forgotten details. I also think a similar article about safety would not go amiss: like non slip flooring, placing ovens for easy transfer of hot dishes, good but elegant safety features like handles in bathrooms and even elegant solutions for disabled home owners or their guests.