Ask the experts: interiors
Our professionals answer your decorating and home improvement questions…
Industry professionals help you make the most of your home this summer
Q
How can I keep my house cool during the summer months and what is the best window treatment for this, blinds or curtains? Also, how can I reduce sun glare in my home office so that it doesn’t reflect off my laptop screen? Emma Griffin, Kent
A
Harry Cole, Founder at Loom & Last, on keeping the house cool…
If you want to ensure your window treatments are keeping your home cool throughout the summer months, consider the fabrics you choose rather than the type of window dressing itself. Opt for styles with a blackout lining, as this lightweight fabric helps curtains or blinds hang effortlessly while blocking out 100% of direct sunlight. Great for all seasons, but especially the warmer months as the lining keeps the room cooler by reducing the heat transfer from window to the room.
For your home office, a well-suited blind is the perfect solution to find balance between basking in the summer sunlight at your desk, while also not straining your eyes from the glare. A blind allows full control over the amount of sunlight you let in, without having to shut away the outside completely. Roman blinds are a good option as the header rail will naturally block out a portion of sunlight during the morning, and as the sun sets you have the option to lower the blind accordingly.
Q
Every summer I always think about taking out the bath and replacing it with a double walk-in shower instead. Is this a good idea? Any suggestions for shower trays and current trends for the shower fittings would also be welcome. Clare Stickland, Dorking
A George Holland, bathroom design expert at Victorian Plumbing, is all for it…
If you’ve got your heart set on a glorious double walk-in shower, go for it! They’re incredibly practical and can make bathrooms look high-end and feel bigger than they seem. While the loss of value to your home as a result of swapping out a bath was a considerable worry in the past, buyers are much more open to the idea of going shower-only nowadays. This is likely due to the higher pace of modern life, with many of us becoming accustomed to taking quick morning showers before work and soothing evening showers for relaxation.
So, while it could still be a deal-breaker for certain buyers, replacing your tired old tub with a sparkling new shower room could actually end up increasing your property’s value. This will certainly be the case if your current bathroom is old-fashioned, impractical or has broken fixtures and fittings.
As for your query on shower trays and shower fittings, this all comes down to taste. Slate-effect trays are currently the go-to option for trendy contemporary rooms but if you’re a traditionalist you’ll want to stick with bright white acrylic.
Matt black and anthracite finishes are all the rage for shower fittings, and they’re more versatile than the slate trays I mentioned earlier. They can be used to create co-ordinated looks in contemporary spaces or as eye-catching modern twists in otherwise classical-looking bathrooms.
Q
My conservatory gets way too hot in summer and I’ve heard that you can have the roof replaced with glazing that keeps it cool. How expensive and time consuming is it? Catherine Nash, Eastbourne
A
James Lee, Communications Director at MyGlazing.com, explains the options…
The build-up of heat in conservatories can be an issue in traditional styles. For instance, when polycarbonate or insulating glass units (IGUs) are used in the roof they generally do not have any solar control properties. Although the IGUs may contain low-emissivity glass for thermal performance, they will not substantially reduce heat entering the home through the glass, which is a major factor in causing heat build-up. Changing your roof panels to specialised solar control IGUs will certainly reduce that problem. Dependent on your location and exposure to sunlight it may be necessary to supplement this with internal blinds or air-conditioning.
When discussing roof options with your local installer, consider the following – elevation of the conservatory (is it north or south facing), ultraviolet (UV) rays reduction, solar heat rejection, visible glare reduction, insulation and ventilation. All of these factors contribute to your overall comfort levels so that your conservatory can be used in all seasons.
The price of the project will depend on the size and the products chosen. Like all renovations there will be some mess in the removal of old products but nothing unusual and timing is very much contingent on the project size and type, as well as potential accessibility and planning issues. For wellbeing, lifestyle, health, energy savings and to increase the value of your home, upgrading an old conservatory can certainly be well worth the investment.
Q
My bedroom is south facing so it gets quite hot in the summer months. I’d like to redecorate with a nice colour on the walls that makes the most of the light but also keeps it feeling fresh and cool if possible. Any ideas? Linda Bartlett, Twickenham
A
Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director at Dulux, suggests trying out different effects…
Cool colours work so well in south-facing rooms and if you want something fresh, breezy and totally different, try creating a horizon effect that mimics the point where a summer sky meets the ocean. Paint the top two thirds of the wall in a clear sky blue like Blue Babe or Mineral Mist then the bottom third in a deeper blue like Sapphire Salute. Where the colours meet, run a paintbrush loaded with a bit of White Mist over the connecting line to create that lovely brushed shimmer between water and sky, then use a smaller brush with a little Daffodil White just above the white. Wow.
Q
I’d like my kitchen to be more sociable in the summer months but am not sure how to go about it. It’s a good-sized space so what do you suggest? Lorraine Brown, Portsmouth
A
Mark Mills, MD at Trend Interiors, Mereway Group, shares his tips for sociable spaces…
This Shaker kitchen from our Trend Interiors collection is a great example of using a goodsized space for maximum sociability. If you are lucky enough to have a large window, it will help to keep your guests safely sociable – allowing ventilation while keeping everyone together.
A separate table is very practical, as it can be moved outside onto the patio while keeping the kitchen part of proceedings. An island can be used as a bar or somewhere to offer snacks – pop the bar stools away when you have guests to free up space. As you have the space and socialising is very much your thing, we suggest lots of storage and built-in appliances so that you have everything to hand. A laminate wooden floor is also a good idea as it’s so easy to keep clean. Of course, your kitchen has to meet your everyday needs as well, so think about what you will require on a day-to-day basis. A dining table and seating area in the kitchen enables the chef to be sociable even when it’s just a meal with the family.