How long you can expect it to take to get the built-in wardrobes you have chosen installed will vary depending on a number of factors. If you have chosen a popular, standard design with no unusual sizes or cutomisations then it is possible you could have your built-in wardrobes installed the next day after you order them, but this will depend on whether the team that install the wardrobes has time available as well as whether or not there is a wait on delivery of the components.

If your wardrobes are going to be completely bespoke and there is going to be a design phase, naturally you will be expecting a longer period between commissioning the built-in wardrobes and getting them installed, because all of the work has to be done to order – they won’t be using any ready made parts like doors so everything will have to be designed, approved and made before they can arrange to come and fit the units.

Ordinarily, the lead time on getting built-in wardrobes installed, while it varies, can be measured in days rather than weeks or months – you shouldn’t have to wait too long, and the company you are ordering from should work with you to pick a mutually convenient time to come around and do the installation for you.

If you have any particular needs relating to the installation time, for example if you will need it to be done on a weekend so you don’t have to take time off work to let them in, or if you definitely need the built-in wardrobes before a certain date, then you should discuss this with the company you are using, or any companies that you are talking to prior to placing your order.

Tips for Cleaning That Nasty Shower Screen

If you are the one who purchased the shower screen then you may want to consult the care instructions or warranty information that you were given when you first bought it. Otherwise, use these tips to help you clean your shower screen.

1. Always stay on top of your shower screen cleaning as it can become a much more difficult problem to get rid of once the nasty bacteria have been left to rule. Not only does it just grow thicker and harder to clean, but mould and mildew can actually be harmful to your health. That’s right—you have a grimy mess AND the risk of illness to contend with when you put off this chore too long.
2. It is not just important to ensure that the shower screen is clean; the whole of the bathroom needs to be cleaned to ensure that no mould or mildew spores are able to spread around the bathroom. To ensure that your shower screen says cleaner for longer, it is worthwhile making sure that your bathroom is well aired.
3. Choose a cleaner which contains bacteria fighting agents. If natural options are your preference, then give vinegar a try as it can kills bacteria just as good as many of the cleaners available on the market. If there is an excess of mildew and bacteria on your shower screen it may be necessary to pay special attention to these areas and to leave the cleaning agent on the shower screen for longer, to save on some elbow grease.
4. The type of cloth you should use will depend on the type of material the shower screen is made of. Remember that glass is much tougher and less porous than the most scratch resistant of plastics and acrylics. Also keep in mind though that you don’t want to use anything that will scratch the shower screen regardless of what it’s made of. Tempting as it may be to get out the Brillo pad to cut away at the grime and mould; scratching the surface will only make it even more susceptible to mould build-up not to mention make it look terrible!

Hinged or Sliding? That Is the Question.

Choosing between hinged or sliding doors for your built-in wardrobe really depends on the space more than personal preference. Measure out the space around the wardrobe to determine whether it’s even enough to accommodate hinged doors. The last thing you need is to realize once the doors have been installed that they open out too far and block or even hit something else in the room. As for sliding doors, there needs to be ample space between the clothes hanging inside the wardrobe and the doors so that you don’t pull down or damage clothes as you slide the doors. Having too little space will lead to doors coming off their track which could cause them to fall or break.

Style Matters

Once you have determined whether you want hinged or sliding doors for your built-in wardrobe, then you can start considering the style that will work best with your décor. You can choose from standard doors or something more ornate; bi-fold doors; even mirrored doors. What about the handles or knobs? Are you looking for something contemporary or something that blends in with an older character home? Even the style of the hinges is worth considering if they’re going to be visible against the door. They may seem like small details but in the end they go a long way in helping you create the look you want.

The material your doors are made of is another factor to keep in mind. Whether hinged or sliding; doors for built-in wardrobes come in all kinds of materials and colours so that you can customize the look and budget to your liking. Do you want something that can be painted to match your décor or do you prefer mirrored doors because they have a double duty? Think it through and you’ll be sure to make the right choice.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

The media is awash with tales of poor workmanship and there are even television shows dedicated entirely to the horror stories of those who hired the wrong tradesmen. It’s only natural that you would come looking for advice on how to pick a good tradesman! Well, the following information will help you do just that so that you can get your money’s worth.

There are a lot of unscrupulous characters who are out to make a quick dollar. This means that it’s always important to be on your guard regarding tradesmen and not give the benefit of the doubt unless you have a good reason to. This means never, ever letting a tradesman start any work without your written consent or paying them any money without having a contract in place. It may seem like common sense but you would be surprised to know just how many people get sucked into paying for jobs upfront for work that never gets done.

Do Your Homework

Make sure to ask for their State license card and check if this is a real one by going on the Dept of Fair Trading’s website. If they don’t have one, run away. Talking to friends who have had work done is by far one of the best ways to help you choose a good tradesman. Another option is to check references and ask for pictures from previous projects they’ve worked on. Again, this is common sense but a step that is often overlooked which can lead to disaster!

The internet makes it easier for you to find a good tradesman thanks to company websites and review sites. Remember that anyone can have a website and a good one too. Don’t rely on a beautifully designed site to make your judgement, and instead browse their previous jobs and then still ask for references. If there is any hesitation on their end, then you need to move onto the next guy. And, even once you think you have found the person or company you want to work with; Google them. By entering their name into Google or any other search engine, you’re bound to come across negative reviews if they have any. It’s sad, but people are a lot more likely to go through the effort of getting online and typing out a lengthy complaint than a compliment for a job well done. A simple search is usually enough to turn up any dirt that may be out there.

Ask Lots of Questions

You should never be in the dark about the work that is getting done. Don’t feel bad asking questions about the whats, whys, and whens regarding the work being done. It’s your money, they’re working for you, and you have every right to ask whatever you need to in order to stay ontop of your investment. A good tradesman won’t leave you guessing.

And for any built-in wardrobes and shower screens needs, please get in touch for a free onsite quote.

The space available to you in the bathroom may be a key starting point for many in the choice of shower screen. It may be that you have the luxury of having enough space to have a hinged door; however it may be that a bi-fold or pivotal bathroom shower screen may be more appropriate, to ensure that you don’t bump the shower screen in to the toilet or the sink. When planning your new bathroom it is essential that you consider how the shower screen will open onto the bathroom and don’t forget to consider how that works with the bathroom door as well.

When considering a good shower screen it is important to note that it must create a completely sealed showering area and needs to be robust enough to fulfil this requirement. Another essential thing is to choose a good shower screen to ensure the shower is fully waterproof.

It is important to consider the material you would like your shower screen to be made from; this can be a plastic or acrylic material or can be reinforced safety glass. When choosing a good shower screen it is important to consider how you will access the shower, will this be at the side or on a corner. This needs to be part of your design and choice considerations.

Whilst you might be able to find a shower screen in a range of pre-made sizes, it may be necessary to provide custom measurements to your shower screen provider in order to maximise your available space. It is worth noting that most shower screens come with some degree of flexibility in their design meaning that non custom shower screens can fit a broader range of sizes.

Deciding What and Why

One of the first things that you need to do is consider how much space you’re working with and what you want most in order to utilise it best. Is it strictly clothing and shoes that you plan to store in your walk-in wardrobe or will you want a little extra something to hold the odd knick-knack or books? You should also consider accessibility for anyone who will be using the wardrobe so that features such as pull-down bars and lower hanging rods can be incorporated if needed. The more you can tell the person designing and installing the walk-in wardrobe the better.

Since these extra features I just mentioned cost money, deciding on your budget is also a must before you place an order for a walk-in wardrobe. Basic shelves and rods are likely to cost less than fitting your walk-in wardrobe with all the bells and whistles. Again, think hard about what you want and need and speak to a specialist about the best options for you so that you get what you need without busting your budget.

Bells and Whistles

Creating the perfect walk-in wardrobe isn’t only about function though—some of us care about aesthetics as well! Depending on the size of your walk-in wardrobe and how much space gets taken up for storage, adding personal touches can also go a long way. For instance, incorporating a beautiful mirror into the design offers function and a little bling. As well, having a larger low-hanging shelf that you can pull a chair up to and use as a makeup/dressing table is also another way to get the most from your space. Decorative hooks and containers and bins can provide you with pretty places to store anything from belts to jewellery while also adding interest to the design.

With a little thought and planning, you can create the perfect walk-in wardrobe that looks just as good as it functions.

The Meaning Behind the Shape

The rectangle is a strong shape, it is masculine, it is defined and it is forceful yet on a wall in a living room it can be conventional and does not stand out from its surroundings such as the chimney breast or doorframes. The person with a rectangle on the mantel piece is perhaps a silent but strong person. The square mirror therefore also represents this strength, but stands out more from the crowd and is a stronger feature on the wall and in life.

A triangle is another strong mirror shape and likes to draw full attention to it; this may be perhaps like the householder to whom it belongs. It is more of a statement than a statement mirror, which come in forms of waves and stars and hearts which is more playful than attention grabbing.

An oval mirror is a much more feminine shape, its angles are obviously softened and due to this is it still able to blend in to the surroundings and becomes part of the decor of the room, along with the soft plump cushions and the fruit bowls. A living room containing an oval mirror becomes immediately inviting, soft and non-intrusive. It is conventional and traditional. Circular mirrors add feminine but fun elements to the room and may reflect the playful nature of their owner.

How we see the mirror in our life is perhaps an important part of our lives and how we portray that to the world might show how we want to interact on that world In this way can the mirror be the window to our soul; or is it just like any art form a way in which to express ourselves to the outside world and in this case to those who enter our homes?

DIY built-in wardrobes are an excellent storage solution to all your household storage needs whilst ensuring that they are built to your exact specific needs. And one of the biggest pros when it comes to DIY built-in wardrobes is the cost savings. Being able to shop around for materials can come in a heck of a lot cheaper than when you have a professional custom make it for you. The con about being responsible for the design and building of the wardrobe is that you lack some of the know-how of a professional who has been trained to not only fit the wardrobe but also know what design factors to consider—something you may not be able to do as well as you think.

If you’re looking for a bonding experience with your spouse or a friend, then taking on such a DIY project together could just be what you’re looking for as building a it on your own could prove quite difficult. Along with endless amounts of cutting and measuring you will also need pieces held up and in place during the assembly phase making this almost impossible for one person alone.

Whether you’re using a prefabricated kit to make your DIY built-in wardrobe or are attempting to do it from scratch; know your limits. Be clear on just how labour intensive your project will be and remember to check what tools you will need to get it done right. Taking on more than you can handle will only result in wasted time and money so choose your project options wisely and objectively.

To make the most of built-in wardrobes, utilising the space to the best of your ability is key. The way to do this is to really take stock of your particular needs and not just create a cookie-cutter setup. Really take the time to consider the things that you’ll be storing in the wardrobe. What’s the point in having the traditional bar across the top and a couple of shelves when drawer space is really what you need? Unless you have an abundance of suits, dresses or formal items, chances are that a smaller hanging rod and more drawers will make more sense for you. Built-in wardrobes internals should be designed specifically for you and not just for the masses.

Another factor that’s often overlooked when choosing a built-in wardrobe’s internals is your height. Yes, your height! What’s the point in hanging clothing 2 metres the ground if the person reaching for the clothes is barely 1,50 metres tall? Rods that are hung lower or even adjustable rods with pull down bars are worth considering so you don’t waste the space you have. The same goes for the placement of drawers and shelves. This is not to say that the space up high should go to waste, rather just that choosing the right internals and setting them up based on your specific needs will go much further and give you more bang for your buck.

Before you get carried away with all of the great goodies you can have as far as your wardrobe’s internals, remember anyone else who may be sharing the wardrobe with you. This is especially important if a child may be using the space as well so that you can be sure to incorporate things such as safety locks, if needed.

Built-in wardrobe internals should be as unique as the person using them. We’re not all the same and we don’t have the same needs so why settle for one-size-fits-all package that runs you the risk of wasting precious space and money? Do your best to choose the best options for your specific needs.