Cockington’s bespoke interior makers

HOW TO:

BE HAPPY AT HOME

Let’s face it – we are all spending lots more time indoors and home improvements have never been so popular. We’ve got some great ideas to make your home a better place to be - to work, to study, to share family meals and to relax. Local businesses and tradespeople can help make your dream of the perfect home come true.

>> Love Your Lounge

There is a wide range of quick fi xes you can employ to make your lounge a much more appealing and relaxing place to be. A statement wall can add lots of glamour and will contrast well with neutral tones. Consider designer wallpaper and beautiful paints and if you can’t DIY then there are many local tradespeople who will give you the perfect fi nish. Once that’s done try some other easy ideas to transform your look: colourful rugs and bright cushions give a huge lift and strategically placed mirrors make any room seem larger. Getting your sofas re-covered in beautiful fabric and professionally plumped can make a world of difference - creative lighting will enhance your mood after the most fractious day.

>> The Joy of Lighting

Soft lighting in the lounge and throughout the house can transform any room, illuminating dark corners, highlighting a special painting or creating a soft mellow atmosphere. A modern chandelier can be a really eyecatching piece and standard lamps, small table lamps and wall-mounted lights are fun to choose and an easy way to add style and character to the home without a huge outlay.

If you have small children try and fi nd them a little space where they can have fun and let off steam. Room dividers and fenced play areas are worth their weight in gold and a dedicated study area for the older ones where bright posters and foldaway work-tables can be placed will make life much easier. If you have a whole room you can sacrifi ce, dividing it between a younger zone with lots of soft cushions and fun toys and an older area with tables for Lego and other more complex games and home schooling will avoid many quarrels.

>> Working From Home

The enforced trend of working from home has been an eye-opener to some business-owners, who have realised the fl exibility this can offer. Love it or hate it, many of us are spending a lot of working time at home. If you are lucky enough to have a room of your own, the world is your oyster with bookshelves, beautiful and effi cient work stations and perfectly balanced seating arrangements to choose from. If, like many, you have to squeeze into a corner, a ‘work nook’ with some designated shelving, proper desk and chair and maybe even a folding screen can help create a more seemingly dedicated working environment.

>> There are endless ways to improve the way we live at home. Don’t forget though, that there are lots of local makers, designers and tradespeople who will provide a creative and professional service at a sensible price so do try them fi rst. 

>> Keep Warm and Cosy

There are many local businesses, which offer the ultimate in fi replace heaven and can deliver and safely install your choice. Choose from wood burning and multi-fuel stoves, built-in gas and electric fi res with realistic fl ames and some stunningly designed fi replace surrounds – traditional or contemporary. For the summer you can try outdoor patio and garden heaters for the ultimate good life.