home improvements Archives

Flat pack hacks: 10 ways to transform your furniture

Spruce up your IKEA stash.

Now, we’re not denying our love for flat pack. From bedside tables to cupboards and cabinets, this cheap and space-conscious invention has pretty much transformed our furniture buying habits. And it isn’t too difficult if you’re good with instructions and an Allen key.

But have you ever wondered how to make your flat pack furniture look, well, a little less flat?

Read on for 10 ways to up-cycle, paint and rearrange your way to new (and hopefully more exciting) furniture pieces.

1. Add some colour

The first (and probably most obvious) way to transform furniture is by adding colour. Most flat pack pieces come in their bare wooden state, so painting or staining can give them an instantly refreshed look.

You could also cover them with your favourite fabric print – just find a friend confident with a staple gun.

Source: Pinterest – hearthomemag.co.uk

2. Personalise by decorating surfaces

To add a little personal touch, get artsy. Stencils can actually work really nicely on top of a painted surface.

Don’t dive into a complicated design though – start with simple shapes for a chic and modern look.

3. Mirrors

Mirrors are pretty much the easiest way to add some ‘space’ to a room with actually adding any space. Put a mirror up on your flat pack closet doors to open up a room.

Need a hand with furniture assembly in Brighton? Find help on Airtasker.

Source: Pinterest – bedroom.about.com

4. Wallpaper

Peel on wallpaper is a fun and easy way to add colour and inject some life into a tired looking piece of furniture. And hey, you’re not committing to any permanent changes with it.

5. Quirky door knobs

Anything with a door knob can be quickly and easily transformed into something a little cuter.

If you’re struggling with the actual putting together of furniture part, try not to despair. There are plenty of people who are skilled at furniture assembly in Brighton.

6. Turn it upside down

Yep, it could just be as simple as turning it over. For instance, if you have a skinny bookcase you can turn it on its side to transform into a bench or a display shelf.

Try a few different positions to see what else you can use your pieces for – the possibilities are pretty much endless.

7. Combine with other pieces

Do you have a desk that needs additional storage space? A bed that needs a frame? Combine a couple of flat pack pieces together to create something multi-functional.

8. Use for something unexpected

You don’t necessarily have to use the furniture piece for what it was designed for. Reinvent it completely by using it for a completely different purpose.

9. Disassemble and reconstruct

Take something apart and then think of ways that you could put it back together into something new. Think of your flat pack pieces as construction materials and rebuild them into something you need.

For example, a shelving unit could be disassembled and turned into a coffee table. Or a bookcase could turn into a tabletop.

Get creative and don’t be afraid to experiment.

10. Add more high-quality elements

Finally, who’s to say that your flat pack furniture needs to be assembled only using the pieces it came with?

Add in legs/handles/panels that are a little more flash and unusual to hack your way to a more interesting furniture piece.

Be warned though – this can get pretty addictive.

If you’d like to know how much does furniture restoration cost, visit our updated furniture restoration cost guide.

Find local and trusted flat pack assemblers in Brighton with Airtasker.

10 Best Fridge Freezers to Buy 2018

These 10 fridge freezers would be honoured to store your leftovers.

Whether your old fridge freezer has broken down, or you just fancy a newer, shinier one, these are 10 of the best from 2018 ratings.

Choose wisely now and you’ll be less likely to need appliance help or appliance technicians in the future.

1. Hoover Wizard HF18XK

This Hoover fridge can be controlled with your phone – sending alerts if there’s a sudden increase in temperature. The fridge section is super spacious, with adjustable shelves, and the Super Freezing function cools the freezer down quickly.

RRP: £599
Where to buy it: John Lewis, AO.com, Very, Littlewoods.
Best feature: The Hoover Sky Fan distributes cold air more evenly.

2. Samsung RB31FDRNSA

A 70/30 fridge freezer with a water dispenser, door alarm for the forgetful, and multi-flow cooling. The Samsung Digital Inverter Compressor constantly adapts the temperature, keeps humidity down, and runs quietly. Its parts have a 10 year warranty too, so freezer repair services will cost a lot less.

RRP: £559.99
Where to buy it: Argos, Currys.
Best feature: Easy slide shelves mean no more awkwardly reaching behind the salad dressing.

3. Siemens KG36NHI32

This Siemens is a frost-free model with an impressive A++ rating for efficiency. It has a total capacity of 320 litres (17 bags of shopping), an anti-bacterial coating on the walls, and plenty of varied storage.

RRP: £1,259.99
Where to buy it: AO.com, John Lewis, Appliance World.
Best feature: The hyperFresh drawer maintains a lower temperature than the rest of the fridge, keeping meat and fish even colder.

4. Beko CFP1691W 50/50 fridge freezer

Chilled and frozen food have equal status in this freestanding fridge freezer. It’s a more affordable model with Freezer Guard technology, an A+ efficiency rating, and a 129 litre capacity.

RRP: £349.99
Where to buy it: Argos, John Lewis, Currys.
Best feature: The freezer drawers are transparent, so you can actually see what you put in there.

Source: Miele

5. Miele KFN 29233

This is an expensive one, but scores well according to Good Housekeeping. There’s a digital display thermostat, 361 litre capacity, and a CompactCase drawer for opened packets and cut fruit. The limited blackboard edition has a special coating on it, so you can remind someone to buy semi-skimmed with pink chalk.

RRP: £1,699.99
Where to buy it: Currys, Miele.
Best feature: The blackboard coating is cute and everything, but the A+++ efficiency score is the highest a fridge can possibly get.

6. Smeg FAB50L 70/30 fridge freezer

Famously retro, the Smeg fridge freezer is iconic. Reassuringly, it’s got substance as well as style. The interior cabinets make the most of available space, it doesn’t build up any frost, and there’s a colder compartment for meat and fish.

RRP: £1,999
Where to buy it: John Lewis.
Best feature: It’s bigger than it looks. This Smeg holds an impressive 484 litres of shopping.

7. Hisense RB335N4WW1 50/50

If you’re not that into brand names, this Hisense model is under £350. There’s no frost build-up, a constant flow of cold air, and a non-plumbed water dispenser. It’s not the most energy efficient – £40ish a year in running costs – but it’s economical everywhere else.

RRP: £329
Where to buy it: AO.com, Very.
Best feature: The super freeze function chills everything thoroughly, even when the door’s been open for a while.

Source: Currys

8. Samsung RS50N3513S8/EU American-Style Fridge Freezer

With double doors and a water and ice dispenser, this Samsung model is a classic American-style fridge freezer. With a massive 500 litre capacity, a freshness feature, and a door alarm, your big shop will last even longer. It’s huge, so you’ll need a spacious kitchen.

RRP: £949.99
Where to buy it: Currys.
Best feature: Upgrade to the Samsung fridge cam and you can check if you’ve got spring onions when you’re in the middle of Tesco.

9. Whirlpool Supreme Fridge Freezer

This is Whirlpool’s no-frost, fast-cooling fridge freezer. The space management keeps all your bottles, eggs, meat, and containers stored neatly. There’s even a dedicated bottle separator so you can store more on the same shelf.

RRP: £529.99
Where to buy it: Amazon, Very.
Best feature: Sixth Sense Fresh Control. The temperature and humidity will automatically adjust depending on what you put in it.

10. Fisher & Paykel RF540ADUSX4

This is on the pricier side, featuring French-style American doors and a full extension drawer for the freezer. There’s a water dispenser, automatic ice dispenser, and a dedicated deli storage area.

RRP: £2099
Where to buy it: Appliance City.
Best feature: If the door’s been open for a while, it returns to the right temperature really quickly.

Problem with your appliance? Find freezer repair services in London on Airtasker.

5 hacks for DIY creative carpentry

Transform a bit of wood into something cute and quirky. Go on.

Just hearing the word ‘carpentry’ can be enough to intimidate even the most enthusiastic DIY-er.

But carpentry doesn’t always have to involve a hugely complicated undertaking. There are plenty of easier pieces you can start with to test your DIY skills. With a little bit of creativity, you can hack your way to some fairly impressive carpentry projects.

Give the below ideas a go and prepare to feel seriously proud, whether you do it by yourself or with a helping hand from carpentry services in Brighton.

Garden bench

A few beams of timber and some concrete blocks are all you need to put together a cute garden bench. This is the perfect DIY project for carpentry newbies to start with.

Simply slot the timber beams into the concrete block cavities. Once slotted in, cut them to the right length.

You can even widen your structure and make yourself an outdoor daybed by using more beams.

Style with cushions and throws to create a cosy outdoor space.

Source: Pinterest – homeli.com

Quirky shelves

When it comes to shelving, you can get pretty artistic with a few slabs of wood and a bit of browsing time on Pinterest.

Shelving doesn’t have to be purely for storage. If it’s creatively put together, it can even serve as the primary decor piece in a room.

For instance, check out these shelves made of a pair of old crutches. In the world of DIY shelving, anything is possible.

Source: Pinterest – recyclart.org

Pallet wine rack

Ah, pallets. They’re so easy to upcycle into something fun and functional. And you can paint them/stencil them/draw on them to make them truly unique to your home.

Build yourself (or a friend) a wine rack using some old unused wooden pallets which you probably already have lying around somewhere. It really only requires basic carpentry knowledge and a few tools.

Need a little help? Connect with carpentry services in Brighton on Airtasker.

Source: Pinterest – woodpalletsfurniture.com

Whiskey barrel coffee table

Got an old whiskey barrel? If so, you can transform it into a cool and quirky coffee table that will definitely make a good conversation starter.

And the best part? It also doubles up as a storage unit. You can store some stuff or stash some drinks into the barrel of your table or neatly tuck any clutter away out of sight.

Don’t despair if you don’t have a spare whiskey barrel lying around at home – you should be able to find an old one to buy online on Ebay or from your nearest whiskey store for a small price.

Source: Pinterest – bestpickr.com

Pallet art

Yep, pallets again. You can also use old pallets to create pieces of wood wall art for your home.

The great thing about using pallets for art is you get many attempts to perfect your work. If you mess up, you can just replace the pallet in question without having to start the whole piece all over again.

Wooden pallet art can make a great gift idea as each piece is completely unique.

Source: Pinterest – blog.oakfurnitureland.co.uk

Need carpentry services? Find local and trusted carpenters in Brighton.

10 Best Fridges to Buy 2018

Stay chilled with the best fridges of 2018

There are loads of fridges out there for different buyers and different kitchens.

Whether you only have half a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc and some cheese slices, or you regularly stock up with a rainbow of fresh meat and veg, here are 10 of 2018’s best fridges.

1. Miele K 28202 D ws

Miele is often considered to be the most reliable fridge brand. This freestanding model has dynamic cooling, which keeps every shelf at the same temperature, a sturdy handle, and an A++ energy efficiency rating.

RRP: £949
Where to buy it: John Lewis, Miele, Appliance City.
Best feature: The Dynamic Cooling is really helpful in a fridge this size, but a close second is the fact it holds 13 bottles.

2. Beko BL77

An integrated tall fridge with Quick Cool functionality for meat and fish, as well as 5 spacious shelves and door compartments. This is a fairly basic model but it still has a few fancy features, including a very essential wine rack and a salad crisper.

RRP: £429
Where to buy it: AO.com, Currys, Very.
Best feature: The door’s reversible, so you can put it pretty much anywhere in your kitchen.

3. KitchenAid Iconic KCFME60150L

Designed to coordinate with the classic KitchenAid mixer, this fridge has a luxurious chrome finish. The Iconic holds 11 bags of shopping, comes equipped with Auto Defrost, and monitors temperature and humidity at all times.

RRP: £1,299
Where to buy it: AO.com, Very.
Best feature: If you fill it with brand new food, it’ll automatically drop the temperature.

4. Indesit TLAA10S

This is an undercounter fridge ideal for smaller kitchens. There are 2 adjustable shelves, a reversible door, and it scores an energy efficiency rating of A+. For some, this would be too tiny, but it’s ideal for small families and compact kitchens.

RRP: £160
Where to buy it: Indesit, Appliances Direct, Currys.
Best feature: If you have to call fridge repair in London out, the parts have a 10 year warranty.

Source: John Lewis

5. BEKO UL483AP

Another cosy undercounter fridge – this Beko model is a similar price to the Indesit and has clever storage for its size. Reviewers are happy with what they get for the price, including adjustable shelves, a reversible door, and auto defrost.

RRP: £160
Where to buy it: Currys.
Best feature: The anti-bacterial door seal keeps your fresh food safe from any passing germs.

Want to keep your current fridge running smoothly for as long as possible? Find an appliance technician on Airtasker.

6. AEG RKE64021DX

This AEG larder fringe is winner of the Which? Best Buy. AEG’s Dynamic Air technology keeps every shelf the same temperature, which can be adjusted with its LCD display. There are 7 adjustable shelves, 2 drawers, a wine rack, and a special dairy compartment for all those wine and cheese nights you’ll be having.

RRP: £699
Where to buy it: John Lewis, Appliances Direct, Appliance City.
Best feature: If you’ll be away for a week or two, Holiday Mode minimises energy consumption.

7. Samsung RR39M73407F/EU

This Samsung is a very quiet, spacious model. It’s more expensive than some, but comes with a long list of clever features – frost-free technology, 7 door pockets, a cold water dispenser, and a premium stainless steel finish.

RRP: £789
Where to buy it: Currys, Appliances Direct, John Lewis.
Best feature: The frost-free setting does everything, from thawing out frost to evaporating the melted water.

Source: John Lewis

8. Gorenje ORB153

If a standard white or stainless steel appliance just isn’t your style, this Gorenje is a retro alternative, which comes in a dizzying range of colours. It’s not without substance though, it scores an A+++ for efficiency, has adjustable shelves, and a fast cooling drawer designed to keep meat and fish separate.

RRP: £799
Where to buy it: John Lewis, AO.com.
Best feature: The CrispZone drawer, for keeping fruit and veg fresh, is apparently one of the biggest available.

9. John Lewis JLLFW1818 Tall

Reasonably priced and almost unanimously loved by reviewers, one of John Lewis’ own brand appliances is one of the best freestanding fridges available. Its annual running costs are only £11.50, and the shelves and compartments are super spacious.

RRP: £549
Where to buy it: John Lewis.
Best feature: The cooling fan keeps everything the same temperature, which is impressive, considering it’s nearly 2 metres tall.

10. Siemens IQ500 KS36VBW30G

This Siemens model can hold 19 bags of shopping – essential for big families or anyone who likes to shop like it’s Christmas. The safety glass shelves are shatterproof and completely adjustable, there’s precision temperature control, and retractable drawers too.

RRP: £909
Where to buy it: AO.com.
Best feature: The door alarm will remind any forgetful members of your house to keep it shut.

Problem with your appliance? Find fridge repair services in London on Airtasker.

Top 10 interior design accounts to follow 2018

Got a thing for pretty interiors? Here's who to look out for.

Interior design bloggers and renovating services have a very noble goal. They inspire, hold our hand through big changes, and even keep us within budget.

They’re life’s good guys.

With that in mind – here are the sites, accounts and blogs you have to follow if you’re after some perfectly Instagrammable home decor inspiration.

1. Fabric of my life

Manchester-based Kate takes a holistic approach to interiors. She writes about choosing a kitchen island, as well as how to factor your wellbeing into a home redesign.

She’s had a guided tour of every Instagrammable spot in Manchester. Her aversion to capital letters might be off-putting for some and liberating for others.

Click immediately if you have Scandi taste on a millennial budget.

2. 2 lovely gays

Browse the catalogue of professional interior designers Jordan Cluroe and Russell Whitehead, and you’ll see well-balanced colours, playful wall art, and the most Pinterest-able metallics.

Cluroe and Whitehead’s blog is very visual, but each project gets a detailed write-up too if you want to know more about the execution.

Click immediately if you’re bored of reaching for the Magnolia one-coat gloss.

3. Love Chic Living

Jen Stanbrook has won rafts of awards for her unintimidating design blog. Broken down room by room, and accessory by accessory, Jen’s posts are all about detail.

As a bonus, she also offers Pinterest coaching and consultancy. And quite rightly – her blog has attracted over 1 million hits to date.

Click immediately if you’re overwhelmed by big design projects.

4. The Modern House

Not quite an interior design blog, more like the most upmarket estate agency you’ve ever seen. The Modern House lists some of the most beautifully designed houses in the South of England.

The team proudly “only sell houses that (they) love.” On the website are digital galleries of country retreats, London townhouses, and open-plan loft apartments.

Click immediately if you’re staring hopelessly at paint charts and need help getting started.

5. Pentreath & Hall

Attached to a ‘goods and furnishings’ retailer, the Pentreath & Hall blog is “a destination for those seeking beautiful, unusual, and decorative things for their home”.

Ben Pentreath fills it with travelogues, architectural details, and thoroughly English gardens.

Click immediately if you’re still working on your mood board before you contact painting services in London.

6. Melanie Lissack Interiors

Professional designer Melanie breaks her blog up into small details, major ‘before and afters’, exteriors, and seasonal features. She’s incredibly inventive when it comes to taking on small, impactful DIY projects too.

One of her most recent revelations is turning a pretty standard IKEA Billy bookcase into something unrecognisable for under £300.

Click immediately if you’re looking for an excuse to go to B&Q.

If you dread the thought of putting together flat-pack furniture, ask an Airtasker to do it for you. Find assembly services in London now.

Source: Melanie Lissack Interiors

7. Mad about the house

Journalist Kate Watson-Smyth takes us on a tour of some of the most enviable living spaces in the UK. Her own house was featured on Houzz in 2015.

One of the most striking rooms is her wall-to-wall library and reading room. The magenta fireplace deserves a shoutout too.

Click immediately if you’re ready for a bold redesign and need interior design inspiration.

8. Dear Designer

Featuring mood boards, storage ideas, and lighting details – Dear Designer is the creation of Carole King.

Like many interior bloggers, Carole’s own home is well worth coveting. She takes the reader through each section, revealing the gradual changes, and the motivation behind every choice.

Click immediately if you want to give your newly built home more character.

9. Bright.Bazaar

Will Taylor believes “beige is boring”, so he created Bright Bazaar to encourage readers to introduce colour into their home. A Londoner now based in the US, he travels all over the world, documenting how other countries use colour.

Ten years after starting his blog, Will has now launched a line of nautical, brightly coloured furniture and interior accessories.

Click immediately if you need some guidance before you splash Aquamarine all over the place.

10. Little Big Bell

If bold and bright colours mixed with post-modern design is your thing, there’s only one place for you – and that’s Geraldine Tan’s Little Big Bell. Fusing modern stylings with practicable furniture and cool artwork, this unique blog promises plenty of creative home decor inspiration.

If you don’t believe us, just ask one of the blog’s more than 219k (at the time of writing) Instagram followers.

Click immediately if you’re bored with bland and want to inject some personality into your home.

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Grab those fabric swatches and start cutting out photos from World of Interiors. These bloggers can offer a world of inspiration for everyone – whether you’ve just moved into a bare, new flat, or you’re renovating for the third or fourth time.

Need help with your next interior project? Find professional painter decorators and home design services with Airtasker.

Home improvement inspiration for renters

Want to make your rental home a little homelier? Check out our 5 easy home improvement tips.

Being part of ‘Generation Rent’ doesn’t have to prevent you from having a Pinterest-worthy home. Home improvements aren’t just for homeowners, and with a bit of creativity, tenants can spruce up their space without incurring a scratch. There are plenty of easy hacks to personalise your rental home, with or without the help of handyman services.

Here’s some home improvement inspiration to help you get started:

Stick on some removable wallpaper

Sure, you can’t paint your bedroom wall into that deep forest green you love. But there’s no need to stare at drab beige walls all day. You can add some of your personality onto the walls with temporary wallpaper.

These easy ‘peel and stick’ wallpapers leave no mess behind, and can often be re-used multiple times. They’re now widely available online in stores like Etsy and Wayfair. It doesn’t take a DIY expert to put these up, but have a friend over to help and you’ll have smoother results.

Temporary wallpaper isn’t just for walls. Add your favourite print inside your wardrobes and bookshelves for a splash of colour and drama.

Add some green into your life

House plants are an easy way to add some (literal) life into your rental home. Not only do they look lovely in every space of your home, they purify the air and add bright splashes of colour throughout. And there’s no need to say goodbye when your tenancy is over. It’s easy to take long lasting houseplants with you to your next rental abode.

No time for gardening maintenance? There are plenty of tough indoor plants that look pretty and don’t require too much love, such as aloe and spider plants.

A budget home improvement hack is to grow your own herbs – saving you money on grocery costs and adding instant green to your kitchen space.

Display your favourite art and photography pieces

This is an obvious but easy way to add your personal stamp to your rental home. You can display your favourite selection of photos and art on any countertops, side tables, and shelving units for an instant personal touch to your home.

Worried about damaging the walls with any hangings? There are plenty of ways around this. You can get picture hooks with adhesives that can be removed easily, and special tape or Blu Tac that doesn’t leave a trace.

Remember, art pieces don’t have to break the bank. You can easily find affordable prints of your favourite pieces at local markets and online. Frame and display with pride.

Style your storage solutions

This one may require a little bit of creativity to put together, but can add both space and style to your home at once. By adding a shelving unit such as a bookcase or a standing shelf that doesn’t attach to the wall, you can display your favourite photos, books and plants to the world. It’s also a good way to add extra storage space if your rental home doesn’t come with much.

DIY skills not totally up to scratch? Find London handyman services to help you bring your shelving vision to life.

Light it up

Your lighting choices can pretty much transform the atmosphere of any room in your home. No matter how well you style your room, it’s the lighting that really brings it to life. Most rental homes are equipped with overhead ceiling lights only, and they don’t really make a home feel warm and inviting.

It may just be a case of switching up the light shades or bulbs, or you could invest in a couple of great tables and floor lamps to change the ambience of your home. Remember, these are investments you can take to your next home.

Draw attention to specific spaces or art pieces with accent lightings such as table lamps and in-shelf lighting.

Looking for a handyman in London for your home improvement aspirations? Find trusted and reviewed professionals on Airtasker.

Top house painting ideas

Want to paint like a pro? Now you can with these simple house painting ideas.

Found the motivation for a spot of painting but not exactly sure where to start? With a few ideas from our painting services crew, get ready to smock up and get started.

Painting colour ideas

So many colours, so little space..

Other than deciding whether to get handyman help, colour choice is one of the toughest decisions you will make when painting.

Here’s how to nail the perfect colour….

From the outside in

The exterior of your home will make or break your entire colour scheme. A well-executed exterior will add curb appeal to your home and offer long-term return on investment.

Highlight any architectural features like roof lines, gutters and doors. You can use various shades of the one colour, or mix it up using darker shades against lighter colours of paint
Use your existing landscape and driveway as colour choice inspiration
Fences help to frame the view of your home and cannot be ignored when selecting your colour scheme. Use a similar colour to the exterior of your home for painting your fence

Interior colours

Ensure your interior colours blend with those you have chosen for the exterior. It’s important to have a seamless colour transition from outside to inside, and from one room to the next.

General colour ideas

Dark walls have the potential to make a room appear smaller, whilst light colours have the opposite effect.

Some ideas that can counteract these perceptions are:

Dark walls with lighter trims make a room appear bigger
Light walls with darker trims make a room more intimate or homely
Cool colours in a large space can make a room look clinical. Just add some natural elements to the area like timber or textured linens.

Feng shui

Traditional feng shui principles have been used for centuries with colour selections. These ideas might provide some inspiration for you too.

Bedroom colours

Blue for calmness
Green for healing and renewal
Pink for warmth and energy

Living room colours

Both yin and yang colours should be used to balance a living area. For example:

Blue, grey, and black for soothing and peacefulness
Red or yellow represent an energetic vibe

Bathroom colours

Popular bathroom colours include blue, grey, white and lavender for a sense of relaxation to ease the mind

Painting preparation

Get the most out of your time and effort. Prepare your area for painting before you even pick up a brush.

Remove light fittings and bag any that cannot be removed (e.g. large chandeliers, etc.).
Tape over power outlets and light switches.
Clean and dry the painting surface thoroughly – remove any cracked paint, repair dents, cracks, etc.
Always prime before painting a topcoat.

Ideas while you are painting

These ideas will create a seamless painting process for you.

Never wash your brushes out between coats. Simply seal them in a zip lock bag. If they are too large, put the brush head in a plastic bag then seal it tight with a rubber band
Keep a damp rag with you to dab up any accidental paint dribbles or splashes immediately. Dampen the rag with whichever solvent is appropriate for the paint you are using
Don’t cut in too far in advance. Applying paint to a dried area produces overlap stripes and you will undo all of your good work
A sash brush has bristles cut on an angle and will save you having to tape before cutting in.

These painting ideas make the planning process easier. But if you don’t have the time – find painting help on Airtasker instead.

Kitchen cabinet ideas and designs

Looking to spruce up your kitchen? Check out our list of cabinet design ideas to instantly refresh the entire room.

The kitchen is the heart and hub of the home. It’s the space where everyone in the house congregates to chat, eat, work, and (sometimes) cook.

You want your kitchen to be a space that you love retreating to, decorated in your favourite design aesthetic.

Whether you have a tiny kitchen or a larger open plan space, you can add your personal touch in a number of ways. One thing that all kitchens have is cupboards. Yes, they exist for all your food storage needs, but they can also be used for design purposes. In fact, kitchen cabinets are one of the easiest and most cost-effective items to update to add a new lease of life to your whole kitchen.

Read on for some inspirational ideas for your kitchen cabinets and expert handyman tips:

Door knobs and handles

You may love your kitchen cabinets as they are, but what about the door handles or knobs? Changing these is an instant (and thrifty) way to transform your kitchen without the expense and hassle of replacing all of the cabinetry.

Handles and knobs can solidify your design aesthetic or inject some quirk factor into your kitchen. They’re also an easy way to keep your kitchen up-to-date with the latest design trends.

There are various different types of kitchen door handles and knobs to choose from. Metal, wood, painted and ceramic are all popular. Not sure what to pick? It’s so simple to update these, you can replace them often.

Adding light

Kitchen cabinetry can be brought to life with modern LED strip lighting. If your kitchen is on the more minimalist side, this i something to consider for adding both ambience and style.

Multi textured cabinetry

Dark cabinetry can look chic and sophisticated. However, it can also make a small kitchen seem even smaller. Two-coloured cabinetry is a good way around this. You can opt for a row of wood (real or laminate) cabinets with white or black next to them. If you’re looking for a smaller update, consider changing just one row of cabinets, but make sure you’re happy with how they suit the existing ones.

DIY Revamps

Renew scratched or scuffed kitchen cabinet doors with a sand back and a fresh coat of paint. This could take your kitchen in a completely new design direction such as a nautical or country-farmhouse style, which is easily done as they both use a similar style of door.

Think outside the box

If you want your kitchen to stand out, consider a quirky kitchen cabinet. You can mix it up with using items such as crates as drawers to add a rustic touch. You could even use different styles of recycled cupboards throughout – just make sure it’s a similar tone for consistency.

Display kitchen cabinets

Showing off your ‘fancy’ plates, cups and other ornaments is an age-old idea. But you could add a modern slant to it. It could be as simple as open shelving or multi-panned glass kitchen cabinets. It’s also a great way to display crockery you’re proud of!

Also read: How much to install kitchen cabinets?

Want some help with painting or installing your new kitchen cabinets? Get instant handyman help on Airtasker.

5 ways to use Airtasker to maintain and improve your property

Looking to make some home improvements? Read on for five ways Airtasker can help.

If you’re looking to spruce up your property, a little outside assistance never hurts.

Enter Airtasker.

Not only can you enlist the help of a local Tasker for your gardening or cleaning needs, but you can also find plenty of home repair and handyman help in London.

Here are just five of the ways Airtasker can help you with your home improvements (in just a few clicks).

Gardening help

Let’s face it, gardening isn’t for everyone! So, how do you keep your garden in top condition if you aren’t born with a green thumb? Luckily at Airtasker, we can connect you to a number of gardening experts in London who absolutely love it. Whether it’s a small weeding task or an entire garden revamp, you can find a local gardener willing to help.

Handyman services

DIY work is something many of us tend to put off. And all those little DIY tasks add up over time. If you’ve got paintings you’ve been meaning to hang up, light fixtures that need repair, or rooms that need a fresh lick of paint, a little handyman’s help may be just what’s needed.

Post your home repair task on Airtasker and you’ll be instantly connected to a group of local experts offering handyman services in London.

Moving furniture and decluttering

Do you have some furniture you need to move, but can’t lift by yourself? For a little bit of extra muscle, simply post a task with the details of what you need moved and where to.

Looking for someone to help you transport rubbish to the tip or finally deal with all that clutter in your garage? Decluttering your home can often be an arduous (and emotional) task. You may need an objective opinion on what to ditch and what to keep. Again, you can find someone to lend a helping hand on Airtasker.

All your cleaning needs

Need a hand with dusting, mopping, end-of-tenancy cleans, or oven cleans? There are cleaning services in London available to help with all that and more at Airtasker. Just list out how many rooms you need done and when, and you’ll have an army of friendly cleaning experts submitting their offers. It’s that simple.

Don’t be afraid to get creative

The beauty of a platform like Airtasker is that you aren’t limited on the types of jobs you can get help for. You may have an ‘out of the box’ task or a more unusual home improvement task that you’re looking for help with. By using Airtasker, you’ll be able to find someone with the skill set you need to assist you.

So don’t be afraid to put it out there, even if it doesn’t fall under any of the above categories!

Whatever your home improvement needs, hire a local expert through Airtasker and let them help you spruce up your home.

Wall shelving ideas

Struggling for storage? A creative wall shelving solution could be the answer.

Don’t have a lot of closet space in your home? Wall shelving is a simple and space efficient solution. Putting in some shelves can help resolve your storage struggles in a stylish way. And shelves aren’t just functional, you can get truly creative with them too.

There’s a huge number of shelving styles to suit any type of home decor. So, where do you even get started?

We’ve compiled a list of creative and quirky wall shelving ideas to inspire you.

Know what style you want? Find expert handyman help on Airtasker to help you construct and install your dream shelving unit.

Source: BLOGLOVIN’

Mounted wall shelving

If you’re limited on floor space, mountable wall shelving is a great idea. You can get really creative with the design, display and styling. Think ‘open’ spaces and the ‘floating’ look. Mounted wall shelving can have a quirky aesthetic and can still be very functional.

Added bonus: getting rid of standalone shelving against walls also means no more marks on floors and carpets, and more seating space.

Source: Apartment Therapy

Industrial wall shelving

The use of pipes, cast iron, copper and other metal materials for shelving can help you create that highly desirable industrial chic look. Opt for the edgier and grittier style that industrial design is known for, or take a different angle by using colour, a copper finish, or light to create a unique, fresh style.

Source: Steel Roots Design

Cube shelves

Cube or cuboid shelves are a great way to add a contemporary edge to your home. The infinite range of colours, sizes and styles available will allow you to experiment with different looks. Try positioning cube shelves in a variety of ways before mounting. This is a style of shelving you can get truly creative with.

Source: Urban Outfitters

Design your own wall shelving systems

Push your artistic side to the limit by constructing your own DIY wall shelving system. Think steel frames and wooden boards connected with joints in any arrangement you’d like. You can jigsaw puzzle pieces together to create a modern shelving feature that’s completely unique to your home.

If you have an idea of what you’d like but need some help with construction, connect with a local professional handyman.

Source: Design Milk

Wire shelving

Wire shelving doesn’t have to be limited to the kitchen or the shower. Gain additional storage space by mounting wire baskets on walls as book nooks, to display plants, or to hang prints.

Source: Pinterest

Leaning shelves

Leaning shelves are freestanding shelves that are angled against the wall to give a ‘leaning’ or ‘ladder’ appearance. The depth and width of each shelf can be uniform for a patterned effect, or varied for a more asymmetrical look. Individual shelves can even serve a specific purpose, such as storing a home computer. If you want to use your shelf as a storage rack for items such as towels, go full ladder style (i.e. use a real ladder) and drape towels over each rung.

Source: Oleander + Palm

Geometric shelving

Take your shelf styling to the next level by decorating your walls with artfully-shaped shelves in an assortment of sizes. Think triangles, rectangular prisms, circles and hexagons. Stack them against each other, spread them out, or consider random placement.

Using geometric shelving made out of natural materials against a white wall will give your home a contemporary and fresh look. Keep this look minimalist by displaying just a few items on these shelves.

Source: I Spy DIY

Repurposed personal items

If you’ve held on to personal items that you can’t bear to part with, consider re-purposing these items into something more functional. For instance, could you turn your beloved old acoustic guitar wall into a shelf to represent your love of music?

Have a browse of what’s been laying around your garage or shed for ages, and consider how you could turn it into a creative shelving unit.

Source: ReFab Diaries

Feeling inspired? Find handyman services in London to help you bring your shelving idea to life.

Flower Show inspired ideas to DIY at home

Take inspiration from stunning large scale florist installations with these DIY floral ideas that will actually fit in your home.

Floral installations are a popular way to make a statement at events and parties, with good reason. Who doesn’t love the visual impact of thousands of beautiful flowers? We don’t all have royal budgets or teams of set builders and assistants to make our botanical dreams come true, but it’s surprisingly easy to DIY stylish floral arrangements on a smaller scale.

From Harry and Meghan’s wedding to the London Chelsea Flower Show, we’ve taken inspiration from stunning large-scale floral installations and scaled them down versions you can actually try at home.

The inspiration: Royal Wedding Floral Archway by Philippa Craddock

Image credit: @phillippacraddock

The DIY version: Foliage tablerunner

Image credit: @rawpixel

Floral arbours have been on trend for weddings for a few years, with good reason. Who doesn’t want to be surrounded by luscious blooms and fresh foliage on their wedding day? An arbour or archway of flowers and greenery will frame the focal point of the occasion (hello, happy couple!) and provide a perfect photo opportunity for those memorable wedding photos. Renowned florist Philippa Craddock created an epic floral archway from white roses, peonies, foxgloves and three types of green foliage for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding in Windsor, but not every event needs that scale of installation.

The DIY version? Scatter greenery on your dining table, weaving in candles and flowers to draw focus to the main dish, creating a chic centrepiece fit for a princess.

The inspiration: Multi coloured floral archway at Rag&Bone in Chelsea by Harper&Toms

Image credit: Passports & Footprints

The DIY version: Textural mash up bouquet

Image credit: Annie Spratt

Receiving a bunch of flowers is always appreciated, and while some occasions call for subtle bouquets others are all about going bold. When sending flowers for a special occasion, be it a birthday present or a thank you, don’t be afraid to break the old rules and create a thoughtful bouquet with character.

Take inspiration from the bright and joyful archway created by Harper & Tom during the Chelsea Flower Show 2018, and mix different textures and colours. Using different sizes and types of leaves and flowers will form a dynamic, unexpected display that will bring a bolt of personality to any home or office.

The inspiration: Windows framed with flowers at Annabel’s, Mayfair

Image credit: Melissa Thompson

The DIY version: Flowers framed with windows

Image credit: Marcus Cramer

Annabel’s, one of the hottest members clubs in London, got in to the spirit of the Chelsea Flower Show by covering the whole of their venue with pink and red flowers, making the classic, clean windows a focal point. This stunning installation turned in to an Instagram dream, with dashing doormen in floral suits posing for photos in front of the colourful display that brightened up the historical facade in Mayfair.

While framing your windows with fresh flowers is dramatic, it isn’t entirely practical for home. Flip the idea and display a striking bunch of flowers on an empty windowsill, cleanly framing the bouquet instead. And bonus – you’ll have beautiful natural light for those Instagram-worthy snaps!