Tuesday, 2 April 2013

The Best Material for Your Staircase

Choosing the material for your staircase is an important stage when choosing one perfect for your home. The material can add a whole new look to your stairs, giving you a statement look in your hallway. It is important to ensure the material of the staircase is both practical and aesthetic to serve you in the best possible way. Bespoke staircases are a popular option for those with a larger budget, who prefer unique style and design. However, manufactured staircases can look good, especially if you add your own finishing touches to them.

The popular option when choosing a staircase material is carpet. It offers another form of insulation and also added friction, to avoid any slips and falls. This makes it a popular option for those with small children. The carpet is usually chosen in a light colour so it doesn’t look too dull or dark, however, in certain environments, a dark carpet can work well. 


image by bisca.com

Wood is also a popular decision for the material on a staircase, as it is easy to maintain and can give your staircase an elegant and glamorous feel. Carpet runners are also a good option as it allows for the benefit of both materials. Laminates can be dangerous when it comes to slipping on the stairs, so hardwood is recommended, however it should still be taken into account. 

Tiled or stone stairs are also an alternative to using carpet or wood. Stone staircases can be extremely expensive and a stone veneer can be used as a cheaper alternative. Although they are expensive, stone staircases give off a sophisticated and timelessly elegant look. Tile stairs are popular for those who prefer a pattern on their staircase and mosaic style is one of the best options. If the pattern is too much on the stairs, try adding a carpet runner to break it up slightly.

Wednesday, 20 February 2013

Make Your Staircase A Feature


Something that no two-tier home can be without is a staircase, so why not make it the feature of your home. Bespoke staircases are a great way to create a unique and jaw-dropping look in your home. If bespoke staircases aren’t an option you can buy manufactured staircases that are still incredibly impressive. Designing or buying your staircase can be quite a difficult process. There is a lot of choice out there with the abundance of staircase manufacturers and designing your own can be a very daunting process, with all the different designs, materials and styles to choose from.

The most common material people choose for their staircase is usually wood as it goes with everything. However, there are a lot of other options. Glass is a great option for small spaces as it creates the illusion of a bigger room. They are also contemporary designs for a modern look in the home. You also need to consider the practicality of the staircase, if you have children a glass staircase with no bannister wouldn’t be very practical. Wooden staircases with a line of carpet running up the middle is very effective.

There are different styles of staircases with the most common being simple, spiral and curved. You can work the staircase to suit the shape of your home or the design of your home. Floating stairs have become very effective, creating an innovative and modern look to the home, however they may not be practical due to the lack of storage.

If your budget isn’t big you don’t have to find a new staircase and can just update your current one. Replace wooden bannisters with glass ones or remove them completely to open up the home. It’s surprising how much a small change to your staircase can make to the look of your home.

Monday, 21 January 2013

Creating a Sense of Space in your Home


Whether you are moving to a new home or simply redecorating your current abode, it is vitally important to create a sense of space. The feeling of being cramped within a restrained environment can be damaging for a persons emotional wellbeing and cause great aggravation. Creating this space can be easier than imagined using a variety of helpful tips and clever little tricks. Rather than creating additional space, these tips will allow you to make the most out of the space that you have at your disposal.

Clutter can be incredibly inhibiting and restrictive. It may feel as though you cannot move when there is excessive décor and bric-a-brac adoring every wall and surface. The simplest method would be to rid your home of all clutter that does not hold sentimental value. Judge whether you would prefer each artefact or an additional sense of space. Even items with sentimental value can be moved out of the way and into areas of the home that are not habited as regularly.



An open space staircase can help easy the restrictive feelings. Many staircases can be large in size and extremely cumbersome. This can be avoided with implementation of a light coloured and unrestrictive Wooden Staircase. An incredible versatile and sturdy material; small wooden fittings can create a strong and safe Timber Staircase without taking up a great deal of space. Bespoke staircases can serve to fit the room perfectly, hug the way and not take up space wantonly.

Investing in a corner sofa can help seat the whole family without taking the same amount of space that a three piece suite would do. Spreading out a three piece suite may inhabit an excessive amount of room in a living area. A single corner sofa may take up only half the room whilst seating the same amount of people.

Thursday, 20 December 2012

Recreate the Classic Library Appearance


Many towns and cities that have grown quickly over the past 60 years tend to suffer from unoriginal and unsightly architecture. The buildings erected in the 1960s and 70s now appear dated and unsightly. The town library is often one of the main offenders in the list of unsightly buildings. Older libraries were often buildings of extravagant beauty and were a pleasure to visit. Ugly architecture could be one contributory factor towards the decline in popularity.

It is possible to recreate the appearance of the classic library interior easily, if not so much the exterior. Replace soulless plastic and MDF book shelves and fittings with traditional furnishings made by a skilled carpenter. Rich wooden tones and mahoganies can serve to create the much desired archaic appearance.

Two stories libraries can rid themselves of the cold, sterile office feel by steel lined staircases with a more traditional look. TheWooden Staircase was a staple of the classic library look. It adds a touch of elegance and timeless sophistication. Not just for the aesthetics but also for the sound. The soft thud of feet upon wooden steps is aural ecstasy in a library. Libraries with more natural light draping in may benefit from a lighter Timber Staircase.

The most important part of the library is the collection of books. Investing in high quality literature with ornate hard back covers adds authority and class to the establishment. Literary greats such as Hemingway, Steinbeck and Shakespeare should take pride of place when adorning the book shelves of a high quality library environment.

People who enjoy books and reading often have more than a passing fancy for fonts and calligraphy. Take advantage of this by using elegant sans serif fonts. Stay away from authoritative serif fonts such as Times New Roman. Likewise never use completely informal fonts such as Comic Sans.

Friday, 2 November 2012

Staircase Shapes and Designs


When redecorating your house; the staircase design is often one of the most difficult decisions to make. One of the most fundamental and functional parts of a buildings structure; the staircase is a focal point that can make or break a design. The positioning, the area used and the potential load bearing aspect renders the design important and difficult. For many, the decision is too tough and often forfeited; however, with some simple advice and clever thinking an elegant solution can be reached. Here are four staircase designs that could benefit your home.

Straight Staircase

The most simple and common of the designs needn't be boring. Using beautifully crafted materials, astonishing designs can be created. Wooden Staircases add a touch of natural class to the décor of a house; 



bringing the countryside to the city. Skillfully polished Timber Staircases crafted by a talented carpenter can create an awe-inspiring spectacle in many homes.

Quarter Turn Staircase

The quart turn staircase gives a regal feeling to a home. Allowing the staircase to be tucked away in the 



indent of a wall, space is increased. The quarter turn staircase will not stick out in the hallway protruding like a sore thumb. Quarter turn staircases also offer a great amount of storage underneath.

Half turn Staircase

Perfect in houses that have a large lobby or reception area to welcome guests; the half turn staircase incorporates two turns to create a sprawling feel. The half turn staircase benefits from the first floor landing 



being directly above the ground floor hallway. This means that communication between the two floors is incredibly easy.

Spiral Staircase

The main benefit of the spiral staircase is the space efficiency. Barely taking up any space in your house; 



the spiral staircase will allow you to incorporate more features into your home. A very contemporary modern look is provided by the spiral staircase.

Wednesday, 31 October 2012

Maximise Room Space with a Bespoke Concise Staircase


A sense of wellbeing can be achieved with increased living space. Small cramped rooms can lead to feelings of claustrophobia and restriction. The negative effects that this can have on psychological and physical health are endless. A lack of available space is damaging to many people's psyches dues to the cramped feeling of encroachment and limitation of air and space in which to flourish.

One of the best ways to remedy this is to increase the living area by reducing the cramping factors. Minimalists concentrate on creating as much open room and space to enjoy life and appreciate themselves in their surroundings. The first step is to remove any unnecessary clutter and restrict furnishings to a minimum. However, to truly minimalise the encroaching effect, fitted fixtures can be altered accordingly.



One of the most functional fittings in a house is the staircase, the pathway between floors is a necessary fixture. Often large, space consuming and cumbersome; the staircase can waste a lot of room in a home. Investing in a bespoke staircase perfectly fitted to your home and requirements can free up a lot of much needed room.

Often when re-decorating; a new staircase is not taken into consideration due to its seeming permanence. However, a cleverly re-designed staircase can complement and complete a room. Many people who value space and an airy feel, now desire the natural look within their homes. Wooden Staircases perfectly achieve this sense with their attractive, natural appearance. Utilising a Timber Staircase can create the effect of a spacious country home.



Alternatively, a home that is attempting to achieve the modern, minimalistic look could benefit from a bespoke spiral staircase. As well as appearing timelessly elegant, the spiral staircase consumes barely any floor space in the house. With minimal floor and air space taken up, the room will appear far larger. Furthermore the gaps in the fitting create a see-through effect that will only further the feeling of space.