Smaller living spaces can become sleek, comfortable environments with the right planning and a touch of interior design flair. Well thought out decisions on furnishings and appliances can ensure that a smaller space can be transformed, seamlessly into a dream home.

The first rule to adhere to when planning your design is to get rid of superfluous objects. Large, bulky furniture which is more ornamental than functional should be the first to go. Designing for a small space is all about clean lines, geometric shapes and simple, functional, but nonetheless, chic pieces of furniture. Cabin beds with a space underneath for storage or a work desk can be an excellent way to maximise floor space. A dining table or breakfast bar can function as an excellent place to eat and work.

Lighting can play an important role. Ceiling or wall mounted lighting maximises space, although carefully placed floor lamps with multiple adjustable lights can be great for throwing pools of light and breaking up the space, making it appear larger. Rugs and mats on the floor are also great for this purpose.

Artwork and mirrors on the wall are another great way to both breakup and extend the appearance of the room. Reflective surfaces also add more light sources, brightening the space without sacrificing any essential floor space. Possibly the most important and often overlooked aspects on design for small spaces is getting the colors right for the walls. In general, lighter more vibrant colours will create a more airy, larger feeling space. Alternating of the colours from wall to wall can also create energy, although ensure that the colours are complimentary rather than clashing. Subtle use of a gradient on the walls can further add to the airy feeling and mirror the look of the sky outside, as if the ceiling is a part of the sky.

Another element of the design that should be considered is the appliances to be installed in the space. Bulky nad inefficient appliances can cause just as many problems as large pieces of furniture. Slimline electric radiators provide a consistent source of heat while maximising the amount of available floor space.

Are solar panels the best investment to make in your home this year? Government guarantee schemes and increasing electricity bills make solar panels a compelling solution for the smart homeowner.
What is solar power?
Solar power uses photovoltaic (PV) cells on the roof of your house to convert light from the sun into electrical energy which can be used in your house, or fed back into the national grid. Chemical reactions in the silicon sheet create a flow of electrons (as direct current or D/C), which feeds into an inverter, converting this into alternating current (A/C) to power your house.
Does solar work in less sunny climates?
Solar panels use daylight, not sunshine to generate electricity. Even on a completely overcast day solar panels can generate 40% of their potential electricity yield. And you are still linked into the mains grid, so outside of daylight hours you draw from the grid as normal. Plus, any extra electricity from your panels which you don’t need will be fed back to the grid and you’ll get paid for it.
Modern solar panels are much more attractive
There are now many more options for your solar installation than the “traditional” aluminium framed panels that used to be the norm. In fact there are now options including slate coloured tiles which integrate into your existing roof – as well as generating electricity they also improve the insulation of your house – saving you even more energy and money!
The options in brief:
There are two options for home solar. If you have the cash up front to buy the panels then you can see large great through both the savings on your electricity bills (on average between £70 and £130 per year) plus fantastic returns through government back Feed-in-tariff schemes. This can see a profit over the 25 year lifespan of the solar panels of over £15,000. The other option is for the solar panel installation company to pay for the system’s installation and maintenance. They take the feed-in-tariff and you get the bill savings and satisfaction of an environmentally friendly home for free.

These days there can be a great deal of burden on the average home owner, with both work and family commitments making it difficult to allocate enough time to spend with daily chores such as cooking and cleaning. It is no wonder with then that cleaning becomes more of a burden than normal, as you may only have just a few hours to spend on this task a week and this can leave your home feeling dusty and dirty, and can be a source of worry and anxiety for home owners.

The ideal solution is to bring in a commercial home cleaning service, who will be able to help you keep your home looking clean and tidy, and who will be able to tackle those difficult jobs such as stained and dirty carpets in no time at all with their professional cleaning equipment.

Merry Maids is a professional and friendly home cleaning company that can offer a number of tailor-made cleaning services to suit your individual household. Many busy home owners with heavy work commitments find the weekly and monthly Merry Maid cleaning plans very helpful as they are an affordable and no hassle way to keep your home looking clean and clutter free, and you can also get special one off ‘Spring Cleans’ that can help you if you suddenly find the cleaning chores have piled up and are simply too big for you to handle alone.

Home warranties cover the most common system component and appliance break downs in your home, and it will depend on the type of home warranty you have as to what items are covered.  A typical basic plan will cover you for things like:

• Heating Systems and General Plumbing
• Electrical Systems
• Kitchen Equipment – ovens, cooker tops, washing machine, dishwasher and microwaves.
• Garage Disposal Units
• Ceiling Fans

Additional items such as air conditioning units, spas, pools, refrigerators and freezers are usually only available on the more comprehensive packages, so it is important that you read the small print carefully for any home warranty plan, and make sure you get the best coverage you can.

American Home Shield (AHS) offer home warranties and have over 35 years of experience in this industry and a solid reputation for customer support and satisfaction. It is easy to set up a home warranty with American Home Shield, and you can get a free quote online and there is no need for a home warranty inspection in most cases.  Once you have purchased your home warranty with AHS you will be sent your contract package which contains detailed information about your warrantee and coverage.