Adding the final pieces to your home

As the property market is so stagnant, lots of people are choosing to stay still and improve rather than move on up the ladder. There are many benefits to this; firstly you have the potential to raise the value to your house so when the market sooner or later picks up you can make a decent profit, but additionally you'll be able to enjoy an improved quality of life in a home that is fitted out to your needs.
Whether you want dramatic alterations to your home such as an extension or a loft conversion, or simple alterations such as new interior designs and layouts, it is the finishing touches that always complete a room and turn a house into a home. From the soft furnishings, wallpaper and curtains to the doors and flooring, these changes inject character, warmth and homeliness and enable you to really make a style statement.

Here are three ways you can make bold alterations with small details.

Doors

Internal doors are underrated. They are the first and last things your see when entering and leaving a room and thus help define a person's first impression and lasting memory of a room. So they need to be suited to the overall design of the room and home in general, but also create a mood of their own.

Period homes benefit from solid oak doors; these help to inject atmosphere and fit agreeably with the time period of the property. Modern homes can afford lighter pine or white doors that add a freshness and cleanliness. If you live in an apartment or a dark property, glazed internal doors will help spread natural light throughout the home and make your home feel more open.

Flooring

The floor is just as important as the walls and ceiling. The main materials are tiles, including clay and stone, wood and carpet. Each material produces a unique atmosphere and ambience, and certain floor types work best in certain rooms. For instance, carpet in a bathroom is impractical not to mention passŽ, but carpet in a bedroom adds lavishness. Tiles work best in plumbed areas such as kitchens and bathrooms, whilst wood says simple class and sophistication.

Windows

Windows work both ways: not only can you look out and you can look inwards. They should suit the aesthetic and time period of your property, but they should also be double or triple glazed to hold onto the heat throughout the winter. Period homes are crying out for sash windows and modern homes need glass patio doors and large, multi-opening windows. Don't forget that lots of natural light commands a premium when selling on your home.