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Learn what products and technologies to invest in on your next home or new build project.
If you are about to embark on a refurbishment or new build project, you will soon realise that there are many modern and sleek products in the construction and home markets. You might also be becoming aware that things can add up and push your overall budget up exponentially.
We gathered our top 10 products and solutions for you to invest in to stay trendy, chic and smart whilst increasing the value of your property’s interiors.
1. Smart Home Devices
These devices make our lives substantially easier and more efficient, saving us time and energy. You can unlock your door from your phone, put a timer for the kettle, make a coffee by tapping your tablet, set up a timer for the lights before going to bed or control the temperature automatically as the weather changes. Who wouldn’t want this comfort? Of course, we all do - but they are primarily hard-wired, so a renovation project is the best time to invest in it.
These gadgets will add functionality and a touch of luxury to your property, as well as increase the value of your real estate will rise right away. These devices include smart lighting systems, smart fridges, smart coffee machines, smart doorbells, smart fire detectors and others. One of the leading web platforms is IFFTT, which can be used with more than 360 devices without a fee. In conclusion, a smart house has a lot to offer, which will always be an excellent way to boost the value of your property
Photo: COR London
2. Luxurious Solutions for Your Window Treatment
A beautiful glass ceiling or skylight will always be a great focal point of the room. At the same time, they are impressive architectural structures that will let endless natural light in. However, especially in south facing rooms, it might get unbearably hot, and bright and even help damage your furniture. With all the new glazing invading the renovated houses, concealed blinds and shades are a good solution for window treatment. For instance, Blindspace has developed an innovative, functional and attractive solution that works even with those awkward slopped corners and windows.
These blinds can be used to black out a cinema room completely, softly filter sunlight, decrease glare, and protect against UV fading of the interiors. Most installations use electric motors, while small roof roller blinds can also be operated manually. Each blind may be independently controlled or grouped and regulated all at once using a wall switch, remote control, or any home automation system. Motorized blinds can insulate your rooms throughout the year, regardless of the season, making it comfortable at all times, whether it's a chilly winter or a warm summer day. As a result, it also saves energy and contributes to the property's value.
As for more traditional interiors, we like to dress up our windows with curtains. The question is, "How can a curtain add value to the house?" Let us share some tips with you. You can install hidden curtain tracks that will give a more sophisticated look to your room. All you need is a dip in the ceiling plasterboard or to push back the cornice, creating a gap to hide the track behind it. It can be just a concealed track which is more cost-effective than the others but still give an upgraded look. Even better if you go with a silent track by Silent Gliss.
Photo: COR London
3. Built-in Ceiling Speakers
One of the top wireless audio companies and most well-known sound systems is Sonos. Your music-listening and movie-watching experience is improved more than ever when you use an app that interfaces with bigger smart home systems.
The technology adjusts the sound to the particular space acoustics so that your content always sounds perfect. Sonos offers various types of speakers with different sizes, sound qualities and colours, with the option to connect through Wi-Fi. The speakers can be built into the ceiling and look rather sleek.
Photo: Sonos
4. Kitchen Faucet with Amazing Features
When it comes to the kitchen, we like to use the newest mixers, coffee machines and so on to make cooking easier. However, although they increase the cooking experience, they are hardly a differential nowadays. Differently, the Beale Measurefill Kitchen Faucet by American Standard has a sleek, contemporary tube-style design with several unique features.
For example, it dispenses an exact amount of water up to 5 cups. It also has touch functionality which can help keep the kitchen tidy. As for safety, it will shut off after 5 minutes when it is turned on with the touch function. You have different options to choose from water pressure, and it can also be pulled out as a hose.
Another way to increase the quality and value of the kitchen is using Quooker taps. This beautiful, advanced tap will filter your water and produce boiling water within seconds. You can choose from different designs, whichever fits your kitchen best.
Photo: American Standard
Photo:Quooker
5. The Best of Heating
Underfloor heating systems have plenty of benefits for homes, such as low maintenance costs, energy efficiency, and comfort. Compared to traditional radiators, underfloor heating reduces the risk of allergies as they don't generate air flow or air currents, and dust mites are not blown around the house. Hard surfaces such as stone or ceramic tiles, or engineered wood work best with underfloor heating but all floor types suit it.
Another valuable point compared to radiators, they are safer as there is no explosion to hot or sharp surfaces as they are hidden. In conclusion, underfloor heating is an excellent investment as it will increase the resale value of your house, you will have more space and face less expenses with maintenance. They can also be installed with solar panels and work even more energy efficiently.
Photo:COR London
6. Dimmable Switches and Matching Sockets
When it comes to light switches and sockets we have a big variety to choose from, regarding to function and design and they definitely lift the look of a room using a stylish model.Dimmable light switches can make a huge impact of the atmosphere depending on themood you want to achieve whether it is a relaxing or a brighter tone.
Lutron has a beautiful and elegant selection and they are compatible with smart technology, starting from Alexa, Google, Apple all the way to Zigbee, if you wish to use them together. Sockets can be chosen with the same style and colour, with USB ports and are also available with child protection.
Photo: COR London
7. Glass and Modern Balustrades
It is known that properly executed home improvements can quickly increase the value of your house by thousands of pounds. You can be sure that glass balustrades are the ideal choice for smooth integration into your home. Using glass balustrades to spice up your interior will help to make it look airier and more spacious.
If you wish to use different materials, they are easy to combine with for example, wood, metal or stone for the banister or rise. Glass is known as fragile material but not anymore. These types of glass panels have a robust structure.
Photo: COR London
8. Choosing the Right Handles and Hardware
Instead of replacing all the doors – which can be challenging and costly - you can have an alternative solution. First of all, you can have an experienced decorator give them a fresh coat of paint of your liking that will fit with the rest of the interior.
Next, you can determine whether you need door lever handles or knobs. Door knobs are more prevalent in period properties but can also fit beautifully in a modern home. As the next step, select the suitable material. Brass hardware can look elegant and easily fits many styles, making it a solid material. Fun fact, brass finishes are proven to prevent bacteria from spreading.
Most metals will develop a beautiful patina over time which can also add to their beauty and character. As for bronze, it may keep its bare, pinkish condition. Whether you’re after modern, traditional or classic styles, bronze will have a range of styles to suit.
Photo: COR London
Photo: COR London
9. Get an Eco-friendly Fireplace
Adding a fireplace will increase the ambience of your room, but if you consider having an electric or gas fireplace, it will also contribute to the environment.
Gas fireplaces are one of the most adaptable options, making them the preferred option in most houses. Depending on the type of gas fire you purchase, you might not need a chimney, making them an excellent choice for newly constructed homes without functional ducts.
The other option is the electric fireplace. If you decide not to connect your fireplace to your domestic gas supply or prefer to use an app-based control this a great choice to go with. They offer several styles, which can be freestanding or wall mounted or inset.
Photo: The Fireplace Superstore
10. Use Valuable Materials
Choosing elegant, timeless and durable materials is quintessential for a successful project. For instance, updating your kitchen worktops is a clever approach to increase value without undertaking a massive refurbishment project.
Marble is known to be pricey and can require more maintenance, especially if you have children, but it will certainly give that extra WOW look. However, quartz is quite affordable, and in addition, it can be stain and cut-resistant. Your kitchen will look elegant and sophisticated, worth to try it.
Another material that is always a great option, whether we talk about furniture or flooring, is solid wood. For instance, it is a good idea to replace the areas with carpet with solid timber and choose genuine wooden products over MDF or laminate. They are durable, require low maintenance, are always trendy, and are the most valuable.
In addition, you have many options to choose from, including oak, ash, walnut etc., and also available in different styles such as herringbone, chevron or mosaic.
Photo: COR London
10+. Bespoke Floor Patterns
We know that 10 days ideas are great, but we thought we would give you a bonus one! If you want to impress your guests and future buyers, we recommend creating a unique home interiors. To achieve that, bespoke and made-to-measure items & details will undoubtedly take your property value to the next level.
One reasonably easy way to do it and will give that high-end look is to add a “frame border” around your patterned floor with a metal trim going around it. This can be done in either wooden floor or tiles. If you are feeling extra creative, you can even create your own pattern.
The flooring below at our Woodford Green Project was complimented with antique brass trim throughout, separating the border and the internal herringbone pattern. Istoria Wood Floors by Jordan Andrews for instance, supplies wonderful wooden flooring and trims and in a range of finishes.
Photo: COR London
Photo: COR London
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