VELUX blackout blinds should be suitable for being wiped clean which means that any dust or dirt can simply be wiped away with a cloth without worrying about damaging the blinds.  Any stubborn dirt can be removed using a warm, damp cloth.

Any of the other types of VELUX blinds should be cleaned with a dry cloth or feather duster.  A damp cloth is not recommended as this might cause damage to your blinds.

The first tip is to take advice from wherever you can. You can never learn enough about giving your home a face-lift. Think about your garden, getting out in the fresh air and being closer to nature. You can always get advice from your local garden centre or the internet.

No matter how big or small your project may be it is a good idea to first plan what needs to be done. Walk around and make sketches and notes, so that you are sure of what materials and tools will be required to complete the task. There are some great websites that can help you with material specifications and instructions on how to complete tasks. 

Sometimes consulting a professional cannot be avoided; for example, plumbing or electrical work should not be attempted if you have no experience.

Most importantly, have fun improving your home and garden.

Ever since humans started building settled communities and gave up the hunter gatherer lifestyle, they have taken pride in their homes. Windows were primarily a way to let out smoke, and often had wood or fabric coverings to keep out the wind and rain. Solid wooden window shutters were the normal window covering for most European homes until glass became more affordable.

It wasn’t until the 16th century that glazed windows became widely used, and this is when the fashion for elaborate fabric curtains and poles as an important element of interior decoration really came into its own. In poorer homes, a curtain was a single, fixed piece of fabric. Fashions for more elaborate designs and rich fabrics such as velvet, hanging in pairs, started in Italy and France before being adopted in England.

Internal wooden shutters became more sophisticated, and fabric curtains were influenced by the opulent style of the French King Louis XIV. During the 17th and 18th century the fashions for decorative curtains, ruched fabric blinds and pelmets to hide curtain rods, curtain rings and pulley and cord mechanisms were born. Decorative styles then came thick and fast, from Rococo to Neo-Classicism to Empire and Regency, and almost every type of curtains and blinds we use today has its origins in history, no matter how modern we think it looks.

Other possible materials used in the construction of garden office buildings include brick and glass. Whilst a few manufacturers offer the permanence of a brick structure, these are usually clad with the aforementioned Western Red Cedar for the sake of appearances, as many people consider brick outbuildings to be unattractive.

All-glass buildings can offer a stylish contemporary alternative for garden offices. At the time of writing this, only a couple of manufacturers offer them, but it is likely that more will join them in the near future. Glass is very much in keeping with contemporary design trends, but the buildings can be expensive to heat, and there is also the problem of privacy. If the aim of a garden office is to provide a workspace where a person can concentrate on their work, not only can people see everything you do, but also it is very easy to become distracted by things happening outside.

Draught-proofing Doors

Obviously, it is essential to draught-proof external doors, but if you live in an older house it is often a good idea to draught-proof internal doors too, as cold air can often find its way in from the outside no matter what precautions you take. The simplest way to draught-proof a door is to buy a draught-proofing strip from a DIY store. These are adhesive and stick to the side of the door, protecting gaps at the hinges and handles.

Draught-proofing Windows

These same adhesive draught-proof strips are the best way to seal casement windows, while brush strips, which are affixed to the frame with screws, are more efficient for sash windows. Double glazing comes with its own draught-proofing, a rubber sealant around the edges of the frame, but this may need replacing after several years.

The Importance of Protection

DIY enthusiasts should use gloves, goggles and facemasks to protect themselves against glass and ceramics, metal and wood splinters, and dust and splashes. While they may not be stylish, the use of overalls is essential to keep loose clothing away from drills and other power tools.

The Importance of Ventilation

Homeowners should not use paint, varnish, paint stripper or any other chemical without first reading the label and ensuring sufficient ventilation in the room in which the product is to be used.

The Use of the Correct Tools

Use of the correct tool will render DIY jobs safer and more efficient. All tools should be kept in good condition. They should be sharpened, oiled and cleaned when necessary. Tools should be stored as directed, usually in a safe and dry location, away from pets and children.

The Use of the Correct Cutting Techniques

DIY enthusiasts should cut materials, not flesh. It is essential for materials to be cut away from the body. Homeowners should keep their hands away from jumping saw blades, should secure materials in a vice and use metal rules to cut against.

The Importance of Planning

DIY enthusiasts should take time to perform tasks in the home. They should not rush and should always provide themselves with enough time to finish the job safely.

The Careful Use of Ladders

Ladders are dangerous and should always be erected according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Ladders should be placed on a solid, clean surface. Homeowners should enlist the help of a friend or relative to hold the ladder to prevent it from slipping. DIY enthusiasts should never lean sideways while up a ladder. Instead, they should take steps to move the ladder into the correct position.

Part of the skill of bathroom design is in fitting an appropriately sized and appointed bathroom suite into anything from a tiny cloakroom space to a large and spacious area.  You may wish to make a huge statement with your luxurious bathroom fittings, but if they overpower a smaller space, you need to reconsider what will best fit in to create the best look for your bathroom.

With all of the luxurious as well as durable materials available nowadays to create your perfect bathroom, you can fit the bathroom furniture of your dreams.  You can also select from many exciting bathroom accessories, which can turn a mediocre room into a luxury retreat, a place to revive in the evening or to freshen up each morning all ready to face a new day.

Hairline Cracks

Minor cracks in concrete can be rectified in the same manner as cracks in other materials with the use of a filler.  Use a pallet knife to work a silicone-based filler into the gap as deep as possible and use a scraper to remove the excess and level out the compound on the surface. 

Deep Cracks

Scrub the affected area with a wire brush to clean the surface in preparation for accepting the fresh concrete.  Mix a ready-made concrete in accordance with the instructions and pour it into the crack, ensuring it is properly filled.

Jagged Cracks

Deep, jagged cracks will often contain small fragments of concrete that have come loose, which can be lifted free by hand.  Use a chisel and hammer to dislodge loose particles and widen the gap to make the repair process easier.

There are many variations of these two styles of blinds, but the difference is in the method by which they are drawn up. Both roller blinds and Roman blinds hang above the window and are drawn down to block out the light. Roller blinds are always made of a flat piece of strengthened fabric which is rolled around a pole, usually made of metal. When pulled down, they unravel, and then roll back up again on a spring system, as required.

Roman blinds on the other hand are drawn up using a pulley system of cord or string which gathers them up in folds. Roman blinds are made of fabric and have a fairly simple construction. They have one vertical line of cord attached on each side which draws them upwards. The fabric is strengthened with a series of horizontal dowel rods so that it folds neatly into flat horizontal folds as it goes up.

There are several variations on Roman blinds, using looser fabric and without having horizontal rods. These are called Austrian and Festoon blinds and they have a more gathered or ‘ruched’ and fussy effect, rather than lying flat against the window. They often have several vertical lines of cord attached to the fabric to gather it up into ‘scoops’ as it rises.

Whilst roller blinds are best bought ready-made, you can make Roman blinds yourself, with the help of instructions. Roman blinds can be made of almost any fabric and are usually lined. The horizontal dowel rods can be either hidden in pockets or tucks within the fabric, or glued onto the back. Simple metal grommets are punched into the fabric to make holes for the cord.

Obstruction Type

Check the clogged drain to determine what type of obstruction is causing the problem; this will dictate the method to be used to remove it.  In many cases, the blockage will be caused by a build-up of grease and foodstuffs, but can also be as a result of an errant foreign object.  Initially attempt to clear the blockage by unscrewing the U-bend pipe after placing a bucket beneath the pipe work.

Chemical Cleaners

It is best to act when water no longer flows freely down the plughole, as this is a sign of a pending blockage.  In superficial cases, a mixture of carbonate of soda and vinegar can dissolve grease and fat, but a caustic soda solution is effective for more stubborn cases as prepared products available from DIY stores.  Where the instructions allow, leave the solution to work overnight and make sure it is flushed away thoroughly.

Drain Clearing Tools

Tools may be necessary for some blockages and depend on where the problem lies.  Plungers can be useful to force air down sink plugholes and toilets with the sudden pressure often being sufficient to remove the clog.  Alternatively, a drain snake – or an auger – can be worked into both internal and external pipes to scrape any waste build-up from the walls of the drain, which can be lifted free or flushed down.