Friday, June 8, 2018

How to Maximise Space in Your Home Through Careful London Property Refurbishment


When you’re living in London the chances are that there will be challenges with the space you have available at your house or flat. There are ways in which you can maximise space in your London home through a careful process of property refurbishment.

Whether you are a property developer looking to maximise profits, one of a group of friends or fellow professionals looking for a way to gain more space in the home, or you have a growing family and require a little bit more space in your home, a London property refurbishment project can help you reach your goals.

Here, we take a look at a few different ways in which you can boost the available space within your London home.

Consider the Property Layout – Adding an extension might seem like the only way that you are ever going to be able to gain more space in your London home, and where it is possible it is always a healthy solution. However, it might not always be practical. In these times you should take a look at how to reconfigure the current layout. Every property has dead space, so take an analytical approach and make the home much more efficient. Bring in more light wherever possible, create more height and add mezzanine flooring in rooms where you can. It creates new perspective and extra living space.

Always Prioritise Storage – One thing that helps with London property renovation is to utilise clever storage solutions in order to maximise the space afforded you. Looking to add in-built storage wherever possible helps to not only increase the amount of storage open to the resident (something we all drastically need), but also helps to add a feeling of spaciousness around the home. You can be really clever with both kitchen refurbishment and bathroom renovation in how to create storage that makes a big difference, in rooms where surface space is always limited.

Think Outside the Box – When it comes to changing the internal layout of a building it really pays to think in a more creative manner. Not only can you add more light and create more space in conventional ways, but why not consider adding curved walls. An approach such as this helps to free up that tiny bit more space to be utilised when necessary, as well as being an interesting design quirk in an aesthetic way. Another interesting addition is a skylight, allowing light to flood into otherwise dark areas and to change the whole mood and perspective of a property through renovation.

With these few hints and tips a London property renovation project can take on a whole new life. We are all looking for ways to maximise the space and create a stunning home that doesn’t feel cramped and jaded. Looking at a home renovation in a slightly different way can help to achieve that.

If you would like to speak with a friendly member of the London Refurbishment Company team, pick up the phone and dial 0208 445 8677 and we’ll be happy to assist you with your London property refurbishment. We understand how to make the most out of any space and our experts are here to help with clever planning and stunning application.

Do You Always Need Planning Permission for a London Property Refurbishment?


If you have recently purchased a property in London you might be thinking about what needs to be done next. If there is work to be done, London property refurbishment could be subject to planning permissions in certain cases. If you are considering adding an extension, or converting the attic or basement to create new space, it might be achievable, but does it fall within planning permission rules.

Here, we take a look at a few key guiding points to help you make the right decision for your London refurbishment project.

In most cases planning permission from the local council is only ever required if a property refurbishment includes the construction of entirely new structures, extensions or where there is to be major structural alterations to the existing building. With smaller property renovations where none of this is necessary, or there is no alteration being made to the façade of the front of the building, there is no reason to suspect that planning permission is necessary. However, we would always advice that you check with your local authority before going ahead with the planned work (and the LPS team is always happy to help with advice and guidance relating to potential planning permission).

When it comes to adding extensions to the property, you are almost certain that you will need to gain planning permission, so be thorough with your application and ensure that the proposed design isn’t too challenging aesthetically or radical, or it is more likely to lead to potential objections from the planning department of your local authority.

What about permitted developments?

The Permitted Development Act ensures that homeowners are entitled to increase the size of the original property by more than 7 cubic metres or 15%, with small extensions carried out under Permitted Development not requiring formal planning permission to do so. With the lack of space inside many London homes, refurbishment often does require planning permission where an extension is concerned however.

There are a few restrictions within the Permitted Development Act. A development must not cover more than half of the area of land around the existing building, be nearer any type of public access than the original building, be taller than the existing roof, overshadow a neighbour’s window that has existed for longer than 20-years, or be part of a listed building or conservation area.

Permitted developments only apply to houses, not apartments, so if you are looking for a London flat refurbishment project, different rules apply when it comes to planning permission. Always bear this in mind.

If you are considering making renovation plans with your London home, London Refurbishment Company are the team to contact. Our expert team has developed a number of innovative strategies over the years to ensure that our London property refurbishment clients are always happy with the delivery of our service. If you would like to book a consultation with our team, give us a call today on 0208 445 8677 and we’ll be happy to talk through your project, budgets and where you may need planning permission. We look forward to helping you renovate your property and maximise quality of life and valuation in the process.

What to Focus on with a London Flat Refurbishment


If you are the owner of a flat in London, it can be hard to figure out the best ways in which you can improve the property at your disposal. You might be looking to increase the valuation of the apartment in order to sell it, or to refinance on a flat that you live in. Alternatively, it may be time to upgrade through a London flat refurbishment that allows you to make a healthy monthly yield on the rental market.

Whatever your intentions, choosing the right approach to your London property refurbishment project is vital to your dreams and successes. So, how can you make the most of your London apartment?

Create more Space – Within any property in the capital the key is always space. Look at all the ways in which you can make more space in your apartment. This can be by adding an extension where possible, but definitely look to create brand new space where there currently isn’t any. This can be achieved by creating an open plan living area, turning hallways into part-time living areas and even replacing old, cumbersome water and heating systems with new, leaner Combi boilers, creating more storage space in the process.

Think of an Entire Flat Concept – Whatever your intentions for the property refurbishment, always think of it as one common design theme. A consistent design brings with it a thread that makes the entire flat seem larger through a process of similar design and colours throughout each room. If you use tiling on the floors, use large tiles to create an effect of bigger rooms, install a consistent surface, fixtures and fittings and just think of the flat as one large piece of art, rather than single rooms that have no cohesion with the room next door.

Utilise Key Features – If your London apartment has any key original features, always make the most of it when working on a flat refurbishment project. Highlight any attractive and unusual features, restore old surfaces and original floorboards, and think about how your flat could be completely unique. It is never great to have an attitude of conformity, that you want your London flat to be refurbished to look like every other modern dwelling.

London Refurbishment Company has a find reputation as a London property refurbishment company that you can trust to deliver results. Our team has vast experience with helping the owners of London flats renovate their properties and turn them into a stunning home. No matter your intentions for your London flat refurbishment we can help, creating a neutral and enticing apartment if to be sold or rented out, or specific aesthetics and décor if you are planning on living (or staying in the flat) yourself. We have the team, the dedication, experience and application that match your desires. To arrange a free consultation with our expert team of property refurbishment specialists, call London Refurbishment Company on 0208 445 8677 and we’ll arrange a convenient time to start drawing up plans for your perfect London flat.