Author Archive

A guide to soundproofing your home

Monday, July 23rd, 2012

The world today has an increasing amount of noise which seems to be all around us and this can be one of the main factors that cause increased stress levels. At work or going about our business in public, it is difficult to have any control over the hustle and bustle of sounds that surrounds us.

Putting in some earphones and playing music from your own personal soundtrack can help but sometimes all we yearn for a little bit of peace and quiet – especially when we finally reach our homes after a long day at work.

So whether it is noisy neighbours, living near a busy road or perhaps even just the racket being made by other members of you household, here are some tips to help you create a little haven of tranquillity for your own relaxation.

Carpets

One way to minimise the impact of sounds coming from other areas of your own living space is to have a floor covering that helps to absorb noise. If your room is above the main television room for instance, a great deal of sound can travel up through the ceiling and through the floor, especially in older properties where the space between a thin ceiling layer and the floorboard above can act as something of an amplification chamber.

A good carpet of relative thickness can work wonders in cutting down on this particular kind of sound leakage.

Windows

For other noise problems generated ‘outside the home’, such as the irritating hum (or roar) or nearby traffic or low flying aircraft, good quality well fitted double glazed windows from reputable vendors such as Safestyle UK are the only answer that will have any real effect.

Today there are many ranges of styles and designs to choose from. The fitting of new window units is a quick and mess-free procedure that causes minimal disruption.

Doors

It might sound obvious, but shutting the door to a room can reduce the level of sound coming in (or going out) by a great margin. Many people have ill fitting or badly hung doors and this can lead to greater noise penetration.

To make sure your doors are giving you the best advantage doesn’t necessarily mean you have to replace them. A badly hung door can refit its frame with just a little adjustment and carpeting or draught excluders around the base of the door will help buffer sound too.

If noisy neighbours are a problem, the first thing to do is to bring the matter up with them in a polite and delicate way. Often it will be the case that they didn’t realise they were causing a nuisance and will either moderate their behaviour or take simple steps such as closing windows or doors to solve the problem.

Walls

However, sometimes a neighbour might be unhelpful or the sound leakage may be through a partitioning wall. If this case you can always arrange for the fitting or a ‘false wall’ or simply some thicker sound absorbent plasterboard, which will often solve the problem. If you don’t have the budget for this, wall hangings such as old rugs can also be put to new use.

How to get a luxury fitted bedroom

Thursday, June 7th, 2012

The bedroom is an important part of any home. We spend around a third of our lives asleep and having an attractive, well organised and de-cluttered space can help us relax and get a good night’s sleep. It’s just as important that we’re happy with our bedroom when we’re awake.

Whether we’re dressing, enjoying a good lie-in or even planning a spot of romance, beautifully designed luxury fitted bedrooms can help us feel comfortable and confident in our surroundings.

Beds

The bed itself is the centrepiece of any bedroom and it’s important to choose the right one. Too big and it can make the room seem small and cluttered; too small and it might be cramped and uncomfortable, especially if it’s shared. Don’t skimp on the mattress as the quality and correct firmness can have a major impact on your quality of sleep.

The colours and decoration should complement your tastes and personality. This is especially important when choosing fitted furniture. Wallpaper, paint and soft furnishings can be easily changed or replaced. A good quality luxury fitted bedroom is a purchase that should last for years.

Fitted wardrobes

Apart from the bed, fitted wardrobes are perhaps the most important part of the bedroom. They should be designed to give you all the storage you need and fitted wardrobes have the edge over free-standing furniture when it comes to storage solutions. Floor to floor and wall to wall wardrobes make good use of every last bit of space. They can be designed to cover or incorporate features such as slanted ceilings, irregularities in the shape of the room and awkward fixtures like coving where free-standing pieces must be fitted around a pre-existing space.

A skilled bedroom planner from a quality supplier such as Betta Living can help design the best fitted wardrobes for you. Designers will visit your home to take all relevant measurements and will help create the perfect bedroom based on your own personal requirements, ideas and vision. If you’re stuck for ideas they also have the experience and know-how to make suggestions; but ultimately every final decision is yours.

Other storage solutions

Have you ever found yourself rummaging through your hangers or desperately searching for a particular outfit when you’re in a hurry? If you have the space (or an unused smaller bedroom or box room) you could also consider having a walk in wardrobe fitted. Every walk in adds a touch of glamour and luxury but they can also be extremely practical, allowing you easy access to clothes and other items. Add mirrors and lighting and you have the full luxury walk in experience.

Over-the-bed storage can help create that extra bit of storage space and is perhaps best used for items you don’t need to access every day such as bedding or holiday gear. Additional drawers and other items that complement or share the same design as the fitted wardrobes can also be incorporated into the overall design.

Five Reasons to Choose a Designer Bedroom

Friday, March 30th, 2012

The trouble with us girls is that we often refuse to allow ourselves luxuries. In many cases that’s because we’d rather do nice things for other people or because we want to be perceived in a certain way.

But there really is no reason why you shouldn’t have a designer bedroom – you’ve worked hard to get your home so you deserve it.

If you’re wondering whether or not it’s time for a boudoir overhaul then read on to find out why you should choose a designer bedroom.

Reason One

When you choose a design for your bedroom, it will be so fantastic that you will want to spend more time in it. A better bedroom is beneficial because it will encourage you to take time out and relax, one of life’s essentials.

Reason Two

Adding luxury touches to your room like designer bedding, cushions or furniture will look great but will also make your space more comfortable and easier to use.

Reason Three

Choosing designers could even add value to your home. If you’re thinking of the future then a designer bedroom is a great way to boost your home’s sales potential. Things like en suite bathrooms can add considerable value and a designer bedroom will certainly make your home a more desirable prospect for potential purchasers.

Reason Four

Fitted furniture enhances the designer style but it makes your life easier too. When there’s not enough space in our rooms things end up strewn everywhere which means we don’t want to spend time upstairs. Fitted wardrobes and other fitted furniture will add acres of storage space meaning you can get organised and achieve a modern designer look by getting rid of the clutter.

Reason Five

You work hard, you always phone your mum when you say you will, you spend all your time doing things for others and you probably never eat chocolate – even though you want to. Don’t you deserve to give yourself a treat that you’ll appreciate for years to come? So why not give yourself the gift of a designer bedroom.

How to get the Designer Bedroom look

With a few simple steps you can achieve a stylish bedroom design on a modest budget.

Most of us associate designer style with a clean, modern finish and fitted wardrobes will go a long way to achieving this.

Make sure your bed makes a statement and make an investment in really good quality duvets, pillows and bedding. They will look great and offer you optimum comfort.

If you’re worried about dirt then choose polished wood or laminate flooring which always looks neat, but if you really want to create a sense of warmth and luxury why not go for a deep shag pile.

If you do choose wood or laminate add a statement rug which will make the room feel warmer and could be a key designer piece in your space.

A large mirror is great for adding depth but if don’t want to look at yourself every time you walk into your room you could choose a highly polished, lacquered finish for your wardrobe doors which will add a sense of space.

Betta Living is a leading specialist in custom designed Bedrooms & Fitted Wardrobes to suit every home & budget. Come and discover a fantastic range of fitted bedrooms to complement your home today. Satisfied customers are what we really care about.