Freshly painted skirting boards can make a big impact in any room, but if you’re not sure how to paint skirting boards, then you’ve come to the right place.

While it’s fairly traditional to paint skirting boards a fresh, bright white, the new norm is to banish boring white and opt for something different, by painting your skirting boards either the same as your wall for immersive colour, or a different shade entirely!

And with plenty of paint ideas to inspire your next decorating project, knowing how to complete your look and frame your room perfectly, will be worth its weight in gold.

Because of their positioning in a room, skirting boards are often the first element of a room to look a little tired. Constant scuffs, kicks and the gathering of dirt and dust, can mean they can get battered from every day wear and tear, while your walls and ceiling still look pristine. But that just means they are doing their job- protecting your walls from taking a hammering, as well as neatly finishing off your space. And the good thing is, that an afternoons work can soon turn things around…

How to paint skirting boards

Image credit: Fenwick & Tilebrook

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As with any DIY project, it’s all in the preparation to ensure the best job, so while it can seem time consuming and boring, we fully recommend you follow each of our below steps for the best outcome.

What finish paint to choose it totally up to you. A gloss paint is the most durable, but can look dated in some spaces (or fantastic in others!).

If you’re not a fan of the high-shine finish, a satin finish might suit you better as it still has good durability, but a less subtle shine to it. An eggshell paint will give a wonderfully soft, matt appearance to match your walls, but it will show scuffs and marks easily, so perhaps not the best option if you have small children or large pegs.

What you’ll need

• Newspaper, dust sheets or plastic sheeting to protect your floors
• A damp cloth
• A medium coarse sand paper
• Decorators tape (or masking tape)
• A good quality paint brush
• Your chosen paint colour and a pot to decant in to

1. Protect your floors

Using masking tape, stick down the edge of your newspaper or sheeting, as close to the skirting boards as possible so there is no gap between the floor and the board. This way any drips or slips of the paint brush won’t damage your flooring. If this happens, be sure to clear it up as quickly as possible, as you don’t want to step in it and trudge footprints through your house!

2. Prep your skirting boards

Yup, even your skirting boards way down at the bottom of your wall need to be prepared before you get all gung-ho about things. The level of prep they will need depends on their state. For old, previously painted boards, make sure any holes or dents are filed, dust and dirt is removed and you give them a good wipe down with a damp cloth. Then give them a light sand with a medium coarse sand paper. Alternatively, you could use an electric sander. This is especially important for boards previously painted in a gloss paint.

Following this, give them another quick wipe to remove the dust.

For new, bare skirting boards that should be dent-free and smooth to start with, give these a quick sanding too, so provide a suitable key for the paint to stick to.

Image credit: Valspar

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3. Stick tape to the walls

Next apply decorators tape along the base of the wall, where it meets the top of the skirting board. This will ensure a crisp, clean line and protect your walls from getting marked with the paint.

TOP TIP: We’d still recommend this step, even if you are painting your skirting boards the same colour as your walls, as you might want to use a paint with a more durable finish, than the paint you have used on your wall.

4. Apply your paint

Depending on your chosen paint, you might need to use a primer first. We’d always recommend this step if your boards are bare, as it gives a much better finish, but some paints do have primer built in, so you might be able to get away with this step. If not, apply your primer with a good quality brush, leave to dry, give a light sand and then wipe, followed by a second coat. Then, before starting with the first layer of your chosen paint, give it a light sand and wipe again.

If your paint is water-based, opt for a synthetic bristled brush, as natural bristles can sometimes soak up too much for the paint and will leave a streaky look.

Apply at least 2 coats of your chosen colour,  sanding and cleaning in between each coat, then once completely dry, carefully remove the tape from the wall.

Image credit: Dulux

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What’s the easiest way to paint skirting boards?

The easiest way to paint skirting boards is with a good quality paint, that has a primer already mixed in. This will save you from having to paint a primer layer before you start with your chosen paint colour. Use a wide brush so that you don’t have to keep going over the same bits with a smaller brush and apply the paint in long, steady strokes. Try not to go over the same area too many times or it will start to get sticky. Allow the recommended time to dry between each coat and make sure to clean and dry your brush in this time too.

Do you paint walls or skirting boards first?

We’d recommend painting walls first, and skirting boards second. As a general rule of thumb when decorating, start from the top and work your way down. For example, when painting a room, start with the ceiling, next the walls, then lastly the woodwork, including skirting boards, window frames and door frames. That way, you won’t risk getting any drip marks on parts of the wall further down.

Can you paint straight over skirting boards?

You can paint straight over skirting boards without prepping or sanding them,  but you’ll always get a better finish if you put the effort in. Without properly sanding and preparing wood before painting it, means it can easily chip or peel away as there is no key for it to adhere to. While it’s a quick and easy fix, in the long run, you are better off spending the time prepping your boards before painting them.

In terms of whether you can paint straight over skirting boards to continue the same colour on the wall, then yes, you can absolutely do this! It’s a good trick to make a space seem larger and will immerse you in colour.

The post How to paint skirting boards- a step-by-step guide appeared first on Ideal Home.

Thinking about a bathroom update? If you are, you’ll have noticed that black bathroom ideas are on the increase. In fact dark colours are a big trend for most rooms in the house. There are a number of different looks you can go for, so decide in advance what you’re drawn to. Knowing whether you prefer a moody gothic style, something more glamorous or a cleaner contemporary feel will guide you to the right fittings, finishes, tiles and paint tones.

Black bathroom ideas

Once you’ve narrowed down the basics, like who’ll be using the bathroom, you’ll be drawn to certain surface materials to create your bold bathroom colour scheme. For example if it’s where you’ll be bathing the kids, tiled walls will be a good option. Alternatively consider half painted half tiled and current bathroom splashback ideas. If splashes are less of a concern, start looking at the best black paint for your project.

Armed with this information, you’ll have a better idea which of these beautiful black bathroom ideas will suit your lifestyle and the look you want to achieve.

1. Paint walls, window frames and skirting the same shade

Image credit: Future PLC/ Lisa Cohen

Consider a bold bathroom paint idea by cocooning with colour! f you fancy a gorgeous shade of matt black paint for your walls, increase the impact by painting the skirtings and window frames in an eggshell version too. Leaving them white creates an entirely different look and can lessen the impact if dark and moody is your thing. Colour matching a linen blind will complete the leaden backdrop for cosy candle-lit soaks.

Here the dark shades look stylish rather than sombre, thanks to the steel bateau tub, floor-standing bath filler and burst of light from the sun ray mirror.

2. Make it monochrome

Image credit: Future PLC/ Rachael Smith

Like the idea of a black bathroom but not sure you could actually live with it? It pays to consider this properly, as a new bathroom doesn’t come cheap. Ideally, it’s going to last you for around fifteen or more years. So it makes sense to work out what you genuinely like rather than choose what’s currently on trend.

Going for a monochrome black and white bathroom look with a mix of black and white surfaces, gives you the freedom to change the paint colour and tiles at a later date. Sticking with white on the more permanent fittings such as the bath and vanity unit can be a wise choice.

3. Go for spa-like style with marble

Image credit: Future PLC/ Fraser Marr

Marble is a desirable choice in bathrooms and walk-in showers – and it’s easy to see why. Marble signals luxury and it’s for this reason it’s the material of choice for high-end hotels and spas. It’s an expensive option though and it takes looking after. An alternative option that is popular with homeowners is marble-effect porcelain tiles, as they’re so practical and easy to maintain.

Many porcelain floor tiles have a slip rating too, so check with the manufacturer. ‘We recommend a resistance rating of R13 for wet areas such as showers,’ says Louisa Swannell, Head of Creative Design at Walls and Floors. 

4. Light the ledge

Image credit: Future PLC/ Tamra Cave

Many bathroom renovations often entail building a false wall to hide plumbing and pipes behind. Depending how deep it is, this often presents an opportunity to create a cupboard or a shelf above.

In an all-black bathroom like this one, including a strip of LED lighting along a shelf or ledge, makes a worthwhile feature. It not only helps illuminate the space, it means the main light can be off if you want a relaxing soak. Remember, water and electricity are not a good mix, so ensure any lighting has the correct IP rating, which varies depending on the distance from the water source.

5. Include a gallery wall

Image credit: Future PLC

It’s become popular to make the bathroom feel less like a functional space and more like a comfortable room you’d like to spend time in. One way to enhance this is with a gallery wall idea.

In this bathroom, black tiles on the floor and shower walls, along with the dark countertop, create a striking contrast with the white walls. Against this, the black frames around the monochrome artwork and photography really stand out. This thin black border near the ceiling is a nice finishing touch.

6. Tie the look together with tiles

Image credit: Future PLC/ Colin Poole

To prevent a black bathroom from looking gloomy – and dating too soon – it’s wise to keep the more permanent fittings such as the bath and basin white. After all, noone wants to end up with the 2020s equivalent of the avocado suite.

Patterned tiles are big news in both bathroom and kitchen schemes and choosing a black and white geometric motif for your flooring makes uniting these two shades easy. Mixing a patterned floor with brick-style tiles for the splashback is another popular look, made even more stylish with dark grey grout.

7. Mix black walls with marble finishes

Image credit: Future PLC/ Colin Poole

The owners of this bathroom not only went for patterned tiles on the floor to tie the matt black walls and glossy white fittings together, they’ve gone for carrara-style porcelain tiles in the walk-in shower too. The dark grey veining works perfectly and gives a luxurious lift to the room, while the traditional brass taps and shower head add warmth to the cool colour scheme.

It goes without saying, when choosing the best black paint and patterned tiles for your project, gather swatches and look at them in the room you’re decorating, and at different times of the day, so you can tell whether you still like them as the light changes.

8. Bring in some bling with a brass vanity unit

Image credit: Future PLC/ Colin Poole

For blogger Jess Hurrell of Gold is a Neutral, the shimmering shade is just that – and it works a treat in her gorgeous (and multi award-winning) black bathroom.

Having asked her builders to create the vanity unit carcass from plywood, Jess bought bespoke brass doors from Custom Fronts. ‘I then painted the whole room black to allow the brass cabinet to shine,’ says Jess. ‘I love how the brass dulls down over time, then a quick lick of Barkeepers Friend and it’s shiny as new again.’

9. Create a cocoon with black walls, floor and ceiling

Image credit: Future PLC/ Tamra Cave

If you’re feeling brave why not embrace a move to the dark side and go the whole hog with black walls, floor and ceiling in your bathroom. Large jet black floor tiles have been teamed with a polished plaster effect on the walls and ceiling, which creates a cavernous yet contemporary feel. The antique gilt-framed mirror provides a touch of glamour in this bold black bathroom.

10. Introduce a quirky gothic look with black wallpaper

Image credit: Future PLC/ Paul Raeside

There’s been a Victorian gothic air in interior trends in recent years. From curiosity cabinets and decorative trinkets to characterful wallpapers these bygone oddities have thrown off their dusty vibe and come back into our homes. This look has crept into the bathroom too. Here, you can have fun with hints of darkness, such as black wallpaper, and an ornate gold sink. If it’s a look you love, scour salvage yards for vintage taps and bath fillers.

What colours go with black in bathrooms?

All colours go with black in bathrooms because it provides such a striking contrast. Any accent colour shines against the darkness of black. When it comes to fixtures and fittings both silver chrome or gold brass work wonderfully to create a sophisticated accent for black tiles, walls or flooring to shine bright in comparison.

How do you design a black bathroom?

Think about whether you prefer baths, showers or both. A free-standing bath suddenly becomes a worthwhile investment, if an indulgent soak in the evening will wash away the stresses of the day. Likewise a walk-in shower or double basins seem worth the extra cost if it makes the morning routine smoother.

‘The early stages are about exploring what this room will be used for,’ says James Lentaigne, creative director, Drummonds. ‘Is it a master en-suite, a family bathroom, an occasional guest bathroom or an additional shower room? The finishes will determine the look and feel of the bathroom. Think function and mood. As well as tiles, paint or panelling, what window coverings and flooring? What metal finish will be specified for the brassware?’

The post Black bathroom ideas: 10 ways to use this on-trend colour appeared first on Ideal Home.

Outdoor space is one of the most desirable attributes for homes right now. Make yours work harder by exploring patio ideas that can turn a basic area into something really quite special.

There are countless shapes and sizes of gardens out there, and there’s a way to make the most of a patio in every one. The right design makes for a wonderful and welcoming outdoor living space, throughout the summer months and beyond. Even into winter the right garden design can prove invaluable, with a patio providing a weatherproof space to gather around a fire pit.

Compared with lawned gardens, patios (paved and gravelled spaces, too) require little maintenance, and therefore become more of a preferred choice. From polished concrete to stone slabs there’s a choice for every style.

Patio ideas and designs to inspire

Make the most of your patio whatever type of the garden landscaping ideas you’ve gone for.

1. Top with a pergola

Image credit: Future PLC/Joanna Henderson

Turn your patio into an outdoor room by topping with a garden pergola. Even the most simple designs can be incredibly effective with a lick of paint and some clever styling.

Situate your furniture and accessories under the pergola so everything is neatly zoned. You can also train climbers and drape festoon lights across the top. And voila – your patio is now a miniature outdoor living room!

2. Build in seating

Image credit: Future PLC/Claire Lloyd Davies

Patios can often be lacking in space, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use them to their full potential. Think about what you need from your space and prioritise it. For example, every patio needs some form of seating.

Save space by building in benches to the sides of raised beds. You’ll save precious space and have ample seating.

3. Create an outdoor kitchen

Image credit: Future PLC/Joanna Henderson

Outdoor kitchens are having something of a moment right now, and they happily pair up perfectly with patio ideas. There are outdoor kitchen ideas to suit every size of patio – from a full-blown chef’s paradise to a pizza oven or a barbecue.

One patio consideration to make is that some flooring materials are better suited to this job than others, so confirm with your supplier.

4. Create zones with planting

Image credit: Future PLC/Alisdair McIntosh

It can be tempting to pave a whole small garden into a large patio space to save effort and upkeep. However, you can be clever with planting to actually make your space work even harder.

Landscape your area with two main patios at either end, and a path linking them. In the space, or spaces, between, add in luscious planting to get up close and personal with nature and add interest to the space. Plus, you’ve now created two zones, which is ideal for a busy family or when entertaining.

5. Create cohesion with stepping stones

Image credit: Future PLC/Brent Darby

It can sometimes feel a bit jarring having your patio suddenly end and the lawn begin. Make this transition feel so much more natural by using excess paving material from your patio ideas and turning them into a stepping stone pathway.

Both areas will feel linked and there won’t be any hard divisions between patio and lawn.

6. Add a pretty border

Image credit: Future PLC/Claire Lloyd Davies

If you’re looking for easy garden ideas to add impact to a patio, then upgrade your borders. Even small lawns can benefit from offering up some of their space to be turned into borders. These will add pretty interest and neatly separate out lawn and patio ideas.

Use this extra planting space cleverly – either turning it into a haven for wildlife by opting for a herbaceous border, or creating mini kitchen garden so sweet smelling herbs are readily available.

7. Save space with a hanging chair

Image credit: Future PLC/Tim Young

Square footage is lacking in many of our outdoor spaces, but you can still create pretty patio ideas. Use a hanging chair for your seating element, to free up ground space. Then layer in pots a plenty to add colour and interest.

8. Add personality with pattern

Image credit: Ca’Pietra/ @design_at_nineteen

Patterned floor tiles are not just for indoors. The experts at Ca’Pietra say porcelain tiles are one of the unsuspected tile materials that can live outdoors, just as happily as they can do in kitchens and bathrooms. ‘They’re frost-proof, because they don’t absorb water so won’t crack. And they’re super low maintenance so will stay looking as good as new with very little TLC. Plus, you can get patterned porcelain tiles to jazz up sections of your garden rather than classic stone paving.’

‘Just make sure that the porcelain tile is suitable for exterior use, you will find that with many of our internal porcelain tiles we offer an external option too, to allow a tile to run from the inside-out.’

9. Make the patio an extension of your indoor space

Image credit: Future PLC/Darren Chung

Create a patio garden that looks nothing like your traditional idea of a patio garden! Installing sliding doors means you can roll back the doors from your kitchen-diner and increase space with a seamlessly adjoining al fresco space beyond; make the tiles match up perfectly to create a fluid dining area.

You could move the table and chairs out easily for fuss-free and family friendly weekend meals.

10. Lay different solutions to zone a garden

Image credit: Annaick Guitteny

Use different materials to give a space clear distinction between its dedicated areas.

Think using decking for a busy social space, a tiled patio to signify a chill out zone and lawns for fun and games.

11. Surround porcelain tiles with gravel for an organic feel

Image credit: Tile Giant

For a more organic look that feels less set in stone (quite literally) try a more free-form approach to how your patio tiles are laid. These stylish outdoor porcelain tiles can be laid directly onto gravel, grass or sand to create a softer feel for the layout.

These robust porcelain tiles are robust and practical, both algae and moss resistant and fade resistant too. Plus they don’t require maintenance , other than a seasonal clean to keep them looking their best.

12. Create a seamless flow with matching materials

Image credit: Future PLC/Richard Gadsby

Blur the boundaries between indoors and outdoor aesthetics. Make the patio feel like an extension of the immediate indoor living space by coordinating the flooring material. ‘Merge your kitchen and garden by extending your indoor flooring out onto courtyards and patios,’ says Isabel Fernandez, Director at Quorn Stone.

‘To give the illusion of more space, we recommend going with a larger paver size such as 900 x 600 or 800 x 800. The larger the paver, the less grout and therefore it helps to create a seamless space that isn’t broken up by numerous grout lines. We also recommend choosing a grout colour that is a close colour match to the paver itself – again, this helps the grout to blend in with the pavers and gives the illusion of a larger area.’

13. Add decorative deck tiles to a patio

Image credit: Future PLC/Bridget Peirson

Add interest to the look of a wooden patio by laying deck tiles, rather than the classic deck boards. This style of outdoor flooring is readily available from all good flooring retailers, and it’s no more expensive to the traditional style of decking.

Choosing an alternative decking area helps to add character.

14. Surround paving with raised flowerbeds

Image credit: Future PLC/Lizzie Orme

If you only have a small garden, swap grass for a patio to create the perfect area for alfresco dining. Raised flower beds surrounding the patio are a clever way to add a splash of colour, that will make you feel like you’re dining in the middle of a meadow.

Paint the walls of the planters white to attract the light, helping to make the space feel bigger.

15. Create a focal point with a warming fire pit

Image credit: Future PLC/Polly Eltes

Fire pits are the garden must-have right now, as we look to use out outside spaces more – whatever the weather. Build your own design incorporated into the patio paving to get the exact size and shape to suit.

No matter how big or small your patio, it’s always good to create a focal point to give the space a sense of purpose. Benches either side of a warming fire pit help to create an inviting place to relax and spend some downtime in the garden – however chilly it gets.

16. Paint the patio

Image credit: Dobbies

Painting the patio has become a popular trend to give tired-looking paving slabs a modern day makeover. Using specialist outdoor paints and a stencil homeowners are giving their patios a refresh with an injection of colour and pattern.

17. Elevate a dining area

Image credit: Future PLC/Colin Poole

Add interest to raised patio ideas by dressing it as the main social spot within the outdoor space. Look to stylish interiors trends when creating your dining space. For a modern look, mix and match bright and contrasting furniture with traditional wooden finishes.

18. Extend a small space

Image credit: Future PLC/David Still

Make the most of a compact outdoor space that adjoins a flat or house, by creating your very own modern secret garden. Run floor tiles out from the interior space to give a sense of continuity and create the illusion of a larger area. Add clusters of large pots holding lush plants to create a tropical feeling and the sense of being in nature.

Remember that mirrored panels can double the space – visually at least -making it feel light and full of energy for a meal or casual drinks. Talk about having it all!

19. Take indoor interiors out with homely accessories

Image credit: Future PLC/Max Attenborough

In addition to considering the aesthetics such as wood panelling on walls and floor tiles, think about taking the indoor accessories outside too – to create a more homely feel. Outdoor rugs and cushions are both becoming increasingly more popular, as a great way to inject an artistic flare to garden spaces.

There’s no harm in taking your existing accessories outside, permitted the weather stays fair to prevent damage. However you can purchase accessories especially made for outdoor purpose, which is preferable.

20. Make it modern with contemporary colours

Image credit: Future PLC/Nick Pope

Grey is still one of the most popular colours in all aspects of interior design. Take the colour into your patio ideas by way of polished concrete or grey porcelain tiles. Go one step further and co-ordinates the colour scheme with grey shutters and doors.

Add a glass-topped table and finely woven chairs to achieve an almost weightless feel, and look crisp and fresh against all the garden’s greenery. Finish with a modern large white parasol to both visually zone the dining space and provide shade on sunny summer days.

21. Plot a pretty potting area onto the patio

Image credit: Future PLC/David Brittain

A patio needn’t be used solely for summer dining. Set up your practical plant potting area outside your back door, with a vintage workbench for storing gardening tools and housing the season’s prettiest plants.

When not in use for pruning tall trees, a neat stool doubles up as a lovely spot to have a tea break and take in the scene.

22. Install an enclosed garden room

Image credit: Future PLC/Matthew Williams

Is it a porch? Is it a patio? Maybe it’s both! The space beneath a raised deck makes a lovely shady outdoor living area, that’s ideal for sociable gatherings in summer – or even winter, if you provide a little heating and plenty of blankets.

23. Plan a designer garden

Image credit: Future PLC/Mark Bolton

Patios don’t have to be a one-level, just-outside-the-door affair; this carefully designed tiered space is a prime example of a patio that has stepped up (forgive the pun) to the next level in garden design, for a statement grassless garden idea.

24. Keep it functional and family-friendly

Image credit: Future PLC/Emma Lewis

If you’re looking for patio ideas with a more traditional design direction, why not use garden furniture to set your desired atmosphere? Consider teaming wooden benches with relaxed soft furnishing for a patio haven that’s very shabby chic. Or, by contrast, set out a vintage-style iron bistro set with slatted chairs and patterned seat covers to capture an effortless French farmhouse look for lazy Sunday lunches outdoors.

If you have a brand-new kitchen extension, but the garden beyond doesn’t quite match up (yet), a little streamlined modern furniture can work wonders.

25. Simplify your patio space

Image credit: Future PLC/Brent Darby

Make a cosy nook for yourself in a sprawling country garden with a beautiful and simplistic courtyard. Plant the space richly with climbers creeping up trellises, bedding plants and even a selection of plants potted in aged galvanised steel containers. A simple bench or bistro set is all these patio ideas need to let the surroundings sing.

26. Opt for a ski-chalet-style garden

Image credit: Future PLC/David Brittain

Patio ideas don’t come much better than this! You don’t have to hit the slopes to enjoy the benefits of an apres-ski style terrace. A fresh take on the functional garden patio, this idea takes the outdoor social space into winter…with the help of an outdoor heater, plenty of faux-fur blankets, woven textures and flickering candles housed in glass lanterns.

Romantic, super stylish and a little bit hygge? We think so.

27. Perfect your patio with Shabby-chic furniture

Image credit: Future PLC/David Giles

A paved balcony can make a great patio ideas substitute in flat. Make the most of the extra space and furnish with slimline colourful furniture that won’t overwhelm the patio. Foldable pieces are ideal as they can be folded down to create space when not in use/to suit the situation.

Use the ledge beneath the balcony to house plants and bring the all-important natural element to your miniature garden.

28. Create a sunshine vibe with colourful accessories

Image credit: Future PLC/Robert Sanderson

A walled garden, with a herringbone bricked patio, needn’t stick to English country style. Bring a more exotic feel to your space with richly patterned and colourful accessories that are more reminiscent of a Moroccan riad.

29. Incorporate a garden canopy

Image credit: Future PLC/Dan Duchars

It goes without saying that patio ideas are a go-to spot for alfresco dining, but rain – or sometimes sun – can be a problem when entertaining outside, so garden shade ideas are a must. A simple homemade canopy made of a swathe of flowing fabric can offer a stylish covering, and gives a somewhat nautical vibe to an outdoor area.

Looking at other fabric-based garden accessories (or some might say essentials) a hammock is another indulgent option for a relaxed patio. It works for small and large spaces alike, and makes a lovely place to snooze in the shade on long summer days.

30. Create ambience with lighting and accessories

Image credit: Future PLC/Jamie Mason

You may want to dial up your garden’s ambient atmosphere after dark. Consider setting the mood once the sun sets on your patio, with lanterns and cushions scattered on the floor. Lanterns are an easy and instant way to illuminate garden spaces without having to seek assistance from an electrician.

How can I make my patio look nice?

Make a patio look nice in a few simple steps. Firstly have a spring clean to ensure the patio surface, whether it be decking or paving slabs, is looking its best. Cleanliness goes a long way when it comes to making a patio look more appealing. Use a jet wash to blast away the algae and moss that may have taken hold during the winter months. But always take care when using a pressure washer, because it can damage the cement foundations.  Dress the space with stylish garden furniture to instantly make the patio an inviting place to relax and enjoy alfresco dining.

Use potted plants to welcome greenery to the space and soften the look of the hard edge of stones against the softness of a lawn. Just be sure to move the pots from time to time to ensure they don’t leave marks on the patio, from watering and so on.

How do you build a patio area?

How you build a patio area depends on what style you’re looking for, and the size. ‘Before you start digging and buying paving slabs, think about the size of the patio area and the style of pavers you want,’ say the experts at Gardening Express.

You can certainly DIY your way to creating your dream patio but it’s not always the best, or easiest, ideas. ;Be aware that laying a good patio isn’t easy – this may be a job to get the professionals in on.’

What can I use instead of slabs?

‘Natural stone paving is a type of outdoor paving commonly used for patios, driveways, and pavements,’ says Rowen Cripps from Infinite Paving. ‘Natural stone pavers, or paving slabs, are crafted from a variety of natural stones, including granite, marble, limestone, sandstone, and slate. Among man’s earliest technologies, natural stone paving trends have been around for a very long time, and for good reason as well. The unique colour and texture of this type of paving is the result of centuries of geological processes, rather than chemical dyes.’

‘There are many different types of natural stone paving including Sandstone paving, Limestone paving, Granite paving and finally Slate paving to name a few. However, over the last few years, Indian Sandstone paving, Indian Limestone paving and Brazilian slate paving have become more and more popular for homeowners and gardeners across the UK and Ireland.’

‘Introduced in the 1990s, Indian Sandstone has become the first choice for natural stone paving in the UK and Ireland, due to the fact that it offers a rustic charm to your space, without costing the earth. Furthermore, Indian limestone paving is hard-wearing with a slightly softer surface to the touch than Indian sandstone paving. This type of natural stone paving is loved by so many due to the fact that it comes in a variety of colours from black, greys, blues, and tan colours will add a unique charm to your garden.’

The post 30 patio ideas to transform your outdoor living space appeared first on Ideal Home.

Underfloor heating not working? When installed correctly, underfloor heating is a low-maintenance, energy-efficient solution that delivers an even spread of radiant warmth. High-quality systems are designed to be robust enough to withstand years of daily use – which is why it’s so frustrating when you splash out on underfloor heating and it stops working.

Most of the common problems occur due to mistakes at the design and installation phase. That is why it’s vital to bring in an experienced professional to specify and fit your system. The heated cable or pipe sits either in the screed layer or under the floor surface, where there’s little that can go wrong or damage the system.

Causes of underfloor heating not working

Here, we investigate some of the most common causes of underfloor heating not working and explain how to resolve them.

1. Poor design & installation

Image credit: Future PLC/ Colin Poole

‘The vast majority of issues are down to poor installation or shoddy commissioning,’ says Matt Densham, sales director at Robbens Systems. The heat output your system needs to deliver depends on multiple factors, including the age of the property to how well insulated it is. Your heating engineer should carry out a heat loss survey before specifying the system to ensure all these variables are accounted for.

‘It’s crucial that UFH systems are fully designed and installed by professional companies,’ he adds. When the system is installed, the warm water pipes or cables should be laid at neat, regular intervals. This will ensure that the heat is distributed evenly across the floor surface, rather than a patchy heat with hot or chilly spots. If the workmanship looks messy or uneven at the pipe/cable laying stage, it’s a red flag, and the job may need to be re-done.

2. Not enough insulation

To get maximum efficiency from your underfloor heating, installing the correct level of insulation in your floors is a must. Otherwise, a proportion of the warmth your system generates will travel downwards through the sub floor and be lost. This issue can occur with both wet and dry underfloor heating systems.

‘Poor insulation requires higher heating temperatures, which will not provide a comfortable living environment,’ says Tom Edmunds, general manager at Wunda. ‘In a property with good insulation levels, low temperature and energy efficient underfloor systems will perform perfectly, giving maximum savings.’

If you’re installing UFH as part of a larger refurb or renovation, you could also look at upgrading the insulation in other areas (eg loft, walls etc) as well as switching out draughty old windows for thermally-efficient replacements.

3. Incorrect floor finish

Image credit: Future plc/Dan Duchars

Another common pitfall when underfloor heating is not working is laying an unsuitable floor finish. ‘While most materials are suitable for UFH, care must be taken to select the correct type of underlay for carpets,’ says Matt Densham from Robbens.

‘Heat outputs can suffer drastically if an insulating type of carpet underlay is used.’ Laying thick rugs across large areas of your room will also have a negative effect on the overall performance of the system. Read more advice on underfloor heating with carpet. Smooth, hard surfaces such as ceramic, porcelain or slate tiles typically provide the best thermal conductivity.

4. Incorrect UFH controls

Although an error in how the controls are set won’t damage your system, it will prevent your underfloor heating from delivering warmth effectively. ‘Trying to control the system like an old-fashioned radiator central heating system (where the heating comes on for a couple of hours in the morning and a couple of hours in the evening) will end up with a patchy setup that doesn’t seem to work very well,’ says Matt Densham.

Instead, running the system continuously will result in better performance. The temperature in each of the zones where UFH is installed should be regulated by its own individual thermostat. Once the floor surface is up to the correct temperature, its radiant heat will continue to warm the space throughout the day, without continuing to run the boiler. ‘By only running the UFH for a few hours a day, it won’t have time to warm the floor up to enable the rooms to be heated,’ says Matt Densham.

5. Problems with the screed

Image credit: Future PLC/Colin Poole

If you have a water-based system and the sand and cement screed was laid without the pipes being properly pressurised, it’s possible that the screed may be obstructing the pipework. This means the warm water flowing though the pipes to heat the floor above will struggle to flow through. During the installation phase, make sure that the screed is left to cure and dry properly without the system being turned on. Cool water should be running through the pipes when this happens.

Issues with screed can be difficult to rectify once this layer and the floor finish above go down. If you engaged the services of a professional heating engineer for the installation, you should request that they come back to resolve the issue, which may mean that the screed needs to be re-laid entirely.  You won’t get these issues with electric underfloor heating.

6. Trapped air

Image credit: Future PLC

This problem of underfloor heating not working occurs with water-based underfloor heating. If air gets caught in one of the underfloor conduits and gets stuck, it’ll have a knock-on effect on the rest of the system. Taking the correct steps during the installation phase can help to overcome the potential for this issue occurring.

Do not fill the pipes with water from the boiler filling loop, as this will push the flow of water through your pipes too quickly and trap air. When your system is filled, water should be flushed right through the network of pipes so you can see it flowing in through one end and out at the other.

Once the system is installed and your floor finish has been laid, bleeding the system to release some of the air and water that’s trapped can help to alleviate this issue. Your supplier can provide a detailed guide as to how this is carried out with your unique system.

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