Suggestions in the usage of graffiti when decorating could be in a studio flat, urban homes, a recreation room or a trendy home office. The gallery below will give you a little inspiration on the subject.

Image credits to hire-a-graffiti-artist.co.uk and deviantart

Even with a few extra metres to build, your house extension can be contemporary and appear to give a huge amount of extra space.

Patio dining area with external lighting, and electric glass doors which allows for a completely open air kitchen and dining area. Ideal for warm, summer nights.

Smart use of an L-shaped extension with sliding glass doors. Perfect for a romantic drink and a view of the sunset.

Most planning for extensions will restrict you to a certain sq meterage. However, with a clever design, you can seamlessly blend your extension to your patio and then even to your garden to make it look like they are all one.

This is a good way to design your home extension; Try not to constrict yourself by building as many rooms as you can get. Opt towards making it a place where you can relax and not feel squashed.

Big Abstract Painting on high ceiling wall

In this apartment a lot of effort was made to create a modern appearance with a big abstract paint on the wall.

Abstract Painting used against stone

An abstract paint was put in this room to create some modern looking to a classic loft.

Abstract Paintings matching furniture and decor

Here you can see a collection of abstract paintings that fits with the red furniture of the house.

Abstract Painting with matching sofa and pillows

This room follows an exact colour pattern, pillows, carpet, sofa and of course a beautiful abstract painting.

Abstract Paint in a Loft Bedroom

This bedroom’s abstract painting pulls from the colour family of the entire room.

More photos

Other beautiful bedroom design can be found here:

Amazing Black and White Room Refurbishments

Pink Bedroom Decorating Ideas

Bedroom with tub

A view from the same bedroom (but from the other side)

Cream coloured bedroom

Artistic, with Wall Art

Modern Bedroom

Very Modern, check out how the lighting shows up the details on the wall surface at the back.

Purple Bedroom

Distinctly Feminine, Purple (Unusual?)

Abstract painting

The focus is the painting here. Very overpowering.

White Bedrooms

Soft, Fresh & Classic.

Modern, but still with an oriental flavour.

An ordinary room, brought to life by huge wall prints.

A surreal bedroom with great view.

To get started with transforming your standard rooftop into an great outdoor living space, you must first observe the safety regulations for your property. Your rooftop must be flat to fit with regulations as a common space where people can gather. Unfortunately, If your rooftop is not flat then a terrace is an idea that you will have to eliminate. However, if your rooftop is flat then your are on the way to have the space that you have been dreaming of. The next step is to call in a builder to do a full terrace conversion.

When the terrace is ready one trick is to add a little nature to it. If you are in a warmer climate and want to acquire exotic species, a decorative palm tree is perfect. But keep in mind that they grow and cast shadows. If you do not want to deal with flowers and plants, we have another fresh proposal – stalks of bamboo. Kept in a transparent vase the bamboo decor maintains a light open space on your terrace. All you need to do is fill the vase with water and leave it on the sunshine. In addition, you can add table and chairs if there is room. If your terrace is small, put folding chairs and small table – as a cold cup of coffee or cocktail spring is best served outside.

If you can boast owning a large terrace, then one of the most popular uses is a terrace lounge. Sofa chairs on the terrace is ideal for relaxation after a long tiring day. During the summer this is the perfect place for sunbathing. For the final touch select pleasant colour tones when choosing your pillows and upholstery. Candlelight at night will make for a perfect romantic location. There is no argument that the terrace is a place where where a totally new environment can be created and get you away from the TV or closeted up in your living room.

Terrace Design Inspiration

Deep Pink Bedroom

Hotpink Girl’s Bedroom

Lavender Children’s Bedroom

Magenta with Wood Bedroom

Orchid Bedroom for a Baby

Pink Bedroom for a Little Girl

Other Pink Bedroom Variations

This video brings up some very important factors about what nano-architecture can bring. Here are some key ideas that I can see already developing…

Read also: The Nano Revolution In Architecture

MAKING THE TECHNOLOGY MORE HUMANE

Johansen’s vision for the future of architecture is quite thought-provoking. In this video you get a sense of how built environments can evolve — for the better. Johansen’s envisioned “community” shows a new kind of architecture that makes use of the emergence of nanotechnology in both adaptive and humane ways.

Nano-architecture will allow for designs that better interact with the human senses. Experiencing this type of architecture could feel more “natural” and less forced than many of the designs we experience today. (…although this might be up for debate.)

Johansen shows that the future of architecture can be both technologically rich and humane —simultaneously.

DESIGNING YOUR OWN MATERIALS

By merging both nanotechnology and architecture, the advent of nanotechnology will give architects renewed freedoms that we don’t experience today. For instance, the ability to design your own materials — going beyond wood, concrete and glass.

BUILDINGS THAT WILL “GROW”

It is interesting to think of architecture as a “growing” environment that evolves according to different respective codes. Nanoarchitecture could treat such codes (or rules) as a way to optimize intended functions and aesthetics. Architecture would then be more of a dynamic entity, morphing to occupant needs.

RESPONSIVE ARCHITECTURE

An architecture that is responsive would allow for better design variations that meet occupant need. Personalization of nanoarchitectural spaces will be a likely benefit giving occupants greater flexibility and choice.

BRINGING ARCHITECTURE CLOSER TO NATURE

Johansen’s vision of a chapel responding to light energy is a rather beautiful idea. This one concept powerfully illustrates the possibilities that nano architecture will allow. It is likely that nano-architecture will bring architectural design a few steps closer to having buildings more synchronously harmonize with nature.

WHO IS JOHN M. JOHANSEN?

Just in case you are not familiar with John M Johansen, here is a brief biography of this well-known architect:

John Johansen has been one of the pre-eminent architects in the United States for more than half a century. After studying under Walter Gropius (who became his father-in-law) at Harvard, he embarked on an extraordinary career marked by experimental domestic and public design. Since retiring from practice, Johansen has devoted himself to producing futuristic architecture that looks to the newest technologies science has to offer–from nanotechnology to magnetic levitation to material science–for its inspiration. (Excerpt from the Editorial Review of his book, “The New Species of Architecture”)

Getting planning permission on a piece of land, or for a renovation opportunity, not only transforms the value of that plot, but also gives you the chance to create development opportunities.

Unfortunately, the planning process can be drawn out, confusing and riddled with doubt and problems — but what you stand to gain should make it all worthwhile.

It is quite possible to buy a building plot that already has planning permission, as many on the market do. However, this is not always as good an idea as it may at first seem, as the most desirable plots rarely get beyond the estate agent’s door before being snapped up by developers. Another factor to watch out for is that the planning permission in place may not be all it seems; for example, there may be no details about the size of the house.

The rules of planning are unpredictable, open to interpretation and often easily bent — and this is something that can work both for and against you. It is vital to have an understanding of the planning process because, put simply, ending up with the right permission is the only way you will end up being able to build the house of your dreams. Whatever your circumstances, there is often a way to negotiate and come up with a satisfactory solution, as the case studies that are linked below demonstrate.

Planning Permission Education

Probably the easiest way to understand planning is to hear it from the horses mouth. The UK Planning Portal provide an interesting 3D demonstration of a home, its’ parts and a clear statement of what does or doesn’t need planning – or what may need looking into.

INTERACTIVE HOUSE

If your property is Semi Detached please click on the link below to open the interactive model and find out everything you need to know about your Planning Permission requirements:

Launch the guide »

INTERACTIVE TERRACE

If your property is a Terrace please click on the link below and find out everything you need to know about your Planning Permission and Building Regulation requirements:

Launch the guide »

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

• You don’t have to own a piece of land in order to make a planning application on it.
• It should take no longer than eight weeks from the point of application until you get a decision.
• The objections of neighbours and local residents will not necessarily have any impact on the decision.
• It is possible to withdraw an application — if you suspect you might get a refusal, you can withdraw at any time you wish and resubmit free of charge.
• You can submit however many applications you like for any one site — and then choose which one you want to use most. As long as it is current, you don’t have to use the most recent.

Planning: Our Top Tips for Success

UNDERSTAND THE SYSTEM

Planning permission has a particularly unpredictable set of rules — open to interpretation and often capable of being bent. Unlike the Building Regulations, planning regulations differ from one area of the country to the next, while the scope for inconsistencies between planners – even within one authority – is huge. So if you want to self-build, renovate or extend, a flexible and pragmatic approach to achieving what you want is vital.

BUY LAND SUBJECT TO PLANNING

It is perfectly legal to make a planning application on land you do not own — you don’t even need permission from the landowner, as permission goes with the land rather than the applicant. It is common practice to make a purchase subject to satisfactory planning permission — which is then legally secured by exchanging contracts with completion conditional upon getting the permission you want, or by entering into an ‘optional agreement’, whereby you have the legal option to buy if you’re successful or to walk away if you’re not.

GET PRE-APPLICATION ADVICE

First find your local planning department. Your local planning department and its website is a free source of information that can help you to exploit opportunities. But you need to know how to use it and this is where it is extremely helpful to talk to a planning officer from your local authority. Try to achieve a good rapport rather than approaching them as an enemy, and aim to gain an understanding of the key issues you will have to deal with in order to get permission.

MAKE FRIENDS WITH THE ENEMY

Most objections from neighbours etc stem from a fear that their own properties will be devalued — and also often from a worry about the change that a new house will mean for them. Perhaps the best way to avoid objections, therefore, is to talk to neighbours and the parish council prior to making your application and try to accommodate in your design any specific concerns they have. If you can accommodate what might be trivial issues it could make the difference between a delegated approval and a planning committee refusal.

UNDERSTAND THE CONDITIONS

If and when you do get permission, it will be subject to certain conditions. This will include a time limit during which the application has to be started — now three years. Any conditions on your application are extremely important and a failure to comply with them can result in a ‘breach of condition notice’ (BCN) to which there is no right of appeal and which can be enforced through the courts by prosecution.

TRADE UP

If you come across a piece of land that comes complete with planning permission, don’t be put off if the nature of the approved house design does not quite meet your requirements. Just because permission already exists for, say, a bungalow, this does not mean that this is what you will have to build.

KNOW THE RULES

The rules of the planning game are not simple. They are produced by local authorities and referred to as ‘development plan policies’. They are supposed to be a guide as to where new housing is located and what kind of developments are built in that area.

These rules are not hard and fast, and it is really all about how well you can sell what it is you are applying for to the local planning authorities in relation to the policies in their particular development plan.

The development plan policies set out – often not particularly clearly – criteria for what will and won’t be acceptable. Villages and towns will normally have been given a development boundary – also known as a settlement boundary – and it is within this boundary that the principle of new development is allowed. Outside of these boundaries, land is usually grouped together as countryside and is extremely difficult to gain planning permission on.

Trying to comply with any of these vaguely worded policies can be very difficult — particularly if you are aiming to do so without the help of a good designer or planning consultant who is able to interpret exactly what the local authorities are trying to say.

TRY AN INCREMENTAL APPROACH

By submitting parts of a controversial scheme incrementally, planners are less likely to countenance refusal because they are always duty bound to compare it to what has already been approved — meaning that big leaps forward can prove too controversial for consumption, but incremental amendments to approved schemes are difficult to resist.

PRESENT YOUR IDEAS CLEARLY

Finally, spend money on presentation drawings of your development — planning authorities grant permissions for what is really only a picture at that stage.

HAS WHAT YOU WANT TO DO ALREADY BEEN REJECTED?

Check the planning office for records relating to the site you have in mind and investigate whether the plot has suffered any rejections or other forms of adverse planning history. What has gone on in the past will be the starting point that planning officers will base their new decisions on.

Planning Jargon: The Terms Explained

• Outline Planning Permission: A general approval to enable construction. This may simply be for one dwelling; it might also specify whether the new house is to be a bungalow, but will give little more detail. On plan, it merely constitutes a red line around a plot.
• Detailed Planning Permission: Specific approval for an individual design to be built, based on a set of drawings indicating details on elevations and even facing materials.
• Full Planning Permission: Another term for detailed planning permission. Some plot developers bypass general outline approval and go straight for ‘full’ permission.
• Permitted Development Rights: Developments that can be carried out without planning approval. They relate to existing houses and cover small-scale improvements, such as modest extensions, loft conversions and so on.

Good luck on your house extension project!

HOUSE EXTENSION IDEAS – CASE STUDIES & GALLERIES

channel4.com

Modern Extension Designs. Looking to extend your home but want to add style to your home? Here are just some looks to inspire you. All you need now is a building company to make it real…

Archinspire.com

Provide home design ideas, including house extension, contemporary room space design, such as living room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom design, and garden landscape ideas. Also provide home improvement tips and tricks.

Blogcatalog.com – House Extension section

House extension blog post collection from around the web including house extension ideas, lofts and more.

Shomera.ie

A House extension gallery. Creative inspiration

freshome.com

Interior Design & Architecture wesite with a lot of Home Extension posts and images to give you some ideas for your own extension.

chriswarrenconstruction.co.uk

Chris Warren and his team are well known in the Great Missenden and surrounding area for quality building including house extension.

coolboom.net

CoolBoom is a blog launched in January 2007 to collect and share a “personal taste” in architecture and interior design ideas. All the house extension you find in CoolBoom have gone through a selection process to create a nice, and functional blog.

busyboo.com

Their motto is “Rediscovering the power of simple design”. This site has a good home extension gallery.

conservatoryinfo.co.uk

Take a tour of conservatories, a beautiful type of house extension, and view a small sample of quality bespoke hand crafted hardwood conservatories by various hardwood conservatory specialists from England and Scotland.

redbrookconservatories.com

This is a conservatory gallery which is continually updated with new photographs as and when we acquire them.

You can use the filter selection within the site to view your preferred styles and click on each conservatory picture to view a larger version of the image.

PLANNING YOUR EXTENSION AT HOME

Let’s start from the beginning with the subject of house extensions.

1. Your house extension should look similar to your original home: Use the Brick Visualization Tool for help in select the correct brick to use.

2. Decide where is the correct place for the extension, take a look to this interactive house extension page for all the law about it.

3. Work out your maximum and minimum budget, this article can help you out: Building and Renovation Costs UK.

4. Create the plans for your extension.If you don’t know how to do it look at this article for more information: House Extension – Designing, Drawing and Submiting your own Planning Application.

5. Run the plans past your neighbours, read why in this article: Keeping in With The Neighbours.

6. Apply for planning permission and building regulations approval. Do you feel confused over what everyone means by plans? Take a look at this article: Planning permission for house extension?

7. The next steps are common sense logistics, fine-tuning and anything else which comes up including:

• Make any required changes to the plans.
• Appoint contractors or sub-contractors.
• Agree with neighbours any times during the day you can start and finish the build.
• Organise your current space to provide easy access for builders and less disruption for yourself (for example, if you have a spare bedroom, consider making it a temporary sitting room away from the mess).

USEFUL PAGES FROM THE PLANNING PORTAL UK

What is planning permission?

Planning Permission, in simple terms, is like asking if you can do a certain piece of building work. It will be granted or refused. Certain types of work are ‘permitted development’. This means that they can be carried out without any planning permission, so long as they comply with the rules and restrictions explained in the laws. Read more

Permitted Development

You can make certain types of minor changes to your home without needing to apply for planning permission. These are called “permitted development rights“. Certain development is granted an automatic planning permission by the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995, as amended, i.e. is classed as ‘permitted development’.

Planning application

If your building work does not qualify as permitted development your remaining option is to apply for planning permission. Keep in mind that while a proposal may not meet permitted development criteria that does not mean it cannot be done. An application for planning permission allows the local planning authority to assess your proposal against a range of criteria and decide whether or not to approve it. You will have to pay a fee. Read more

How do I apply for planning permission?

The Planning Portal is the Government’s official planning website. Every local authority in England and Wales accepts planning applications via the Planning Portal.

There are many benefits to creating and submitting applications online. It can be used to complete applications for consents including:

• planning permission
• lawful development certificates
• listed building consent
• conservation area consent

How do I contact my local planning authority?

To view information for a Local Planning Authority (LPA), go on the page and fill the form.

Download Building Regulations an explanatory booklet

PARTY WALL ACT

What is a party wall?

If you live in a semi-detached or terraced building, you share a wall or walls with your neighbour.  Such walls are known as party walls.  Party walls separate buildings belonging to different owners.

Where a wall separates two different sized buildings, only the part that is used by both properties is considered to be a party wall.  The rest of the wall belongs to the person on whose land it stands.

Your neighbours agreement must be gotten before starting any building works such as extensions, damp proofing works, structural alterations and some internal refurbishment.

In many cases, excavation or constructing foundations for a new building within 3 or 6 metres of neighbouring properties also needs written agreement. Read the full article at walthamforest.gov.uk

Read this article for a full explanation: The Party Wall Act 1996 explained

FINDING AN ARCHITECT

Selecting an architect is one of the most important decisions you will make when you have to start a project. You may use this selection methods:

Qualifications-based selection (QBS) (sometimes called “quality-based selection”) is one of the most common methods of selecting the best architect for the project. In particular, institutions, corporations or public agencies (sometimes represented by a committee) use this method. QBS is a system that chooses an architect on the basis of professional qualifications and proven competence. This procedure will provide your project with the best-qualified architect with whom you can develop a professional relationship. Such a relationship is very important for the kind of in-depth discussion which allows the architect and the engineers to deal effectively with issues on your behalf.

To achieve an objective comparison, QBS uses predetermined, value-based criteria that may include such factors as:

• the architect’s history and ability to perform required services;
• related experience such as past performance on similar projects;
• familiarity with local geography and facilities;
• experience and skills in project management; and
• design approach/methodology.

You can find al lot of architect to choose from at this links: List of UK Architect and Architects index

FINDING A BUILDER

Of course, a good way to start to find a good bilder is to get a recommendation from friends and family. But one good way is to check them out with Registry Trust, where all county court judgments (CCJs) against businesses and individuals are recorded. A CCJ is a judgment issued by a court when someone has failed to pay money they owe. This can be done online at its new website – www.trustonline.org.uk. You can find out whether the tradesman has ever been sued by unhappy customers or has CCJs, High Court judgments, fines or court orders taken out against them. Records are kept for six years.

You can use this websites to find builders: findabuilder.co.uk, mybuilder.com, findagoodone.com

Ask your friendly Core Architect Admin :)

This website is fueled by experience project managers and architects. Why not drop us an email and we will find you the best architect or builder in your area.

Housetohome.co.uk

Over 4500 rooms to inspire you full of decorating ideas.

Freshome.com

Our main mission here on Freshome is to inspire you, to give you ideas and make your home a better place to live. On Freshome you can see : beautiful pieces of furniture, pictures that will inspire and provide you new and fresh ideas for your home, latest home architecture news, home gadgets, tips and tricks for improving your home, etc.

Home.ivillage.com

Very nice gallery including bedroom, living room, outdoor room.

Getdecorating.com

This is the best place on earth to find interior design and decorating ideas. Getdecorating features thousands of photos of actual homes designed, decorated and landscaped by Interior Designers.

Decoratinginspiration.com

It’s your ultimate decorating toolbox with thousands of gorgeous color photos. Imagine it… plan it… then do it with Decorating Inspiration.

Hgtv.com

At HGTV.com, you’ll find even more of what you love about HGTV: instructions for thousands of home and garden projects, video tips, an interactive Program Guide and episode finder, Message Boards and more. Just click on your favorite topic — Decorating, Home Improvement, Landscaping, Organizing, Holidays and Entertaining, Real Estate or Crafts
— to learn the latest on enhancing your nest.

7. Home-designing.com

We provide ideas & inspiration for making your dream home.

Channel4.com

A one-stop shop for everything you need to know about homes. Links to the best property programme sites – including Grand Designs, The Home Show and Property Ladder – and expert advice from your favourite 4Homes presenters. Plus great quizzes and competitions.

Dutchboy.com

Dutch Boy Paint is an United States brand of paint founded on 1907. Its icon, the “Dutch Boy”, was originally created to symbolize the Dutch Process. Its early marketing slogan, used until 1932, was “If it ain’t our paint, it’s got the taint!” Dutch Boy is currently a subsidiary of Sherwin-Williams and is owned exclusively by Menards.

Very good inspiration gallery.

DULUX SECTION

Color Inspiration:

Red

Orange

Yellow

Green

Blue

Violet

Neutral

Color wall: Suggested color scheme based on your preferences.

MyColor:

See what thousands of different colour combinations look like in your home without lifting a paintbrush. Simply upload a picture of your room, and then paint it with the colours of your choice.

Dulux room ideas:

Bathrooms

Bedrooms

Halls

Kitchens

Dulux How To: Video demostrations and guides to painting.

Single Function: Colour Scheme Generators

If you need help in choosing the best color scheme you can read this article: 15 Hand Picked Color Palette and Color Scheme Generators Extract: “Color is the most significant factor that affects our mood and perception of any visual element, and making the right choice of a color combination is considered a priority, regardless where it will be used. This roundup is about the online tools that will help you accomplish that, 15 to be exact, packed with features to make the process of generating color palettes, schemes, and themes a smooth, pleasant, and creative experience.”

HOME GALLERIES FOR INSPIRATION

Kitchen Galleries for Inspiration

Kitchen at hgtv.com

Kitchen at housetohome.co.uk

Kitchens, Cabinets, Countertops at getdecorating.com

Kitchen at freshome.com

Kitchens at decoratinginspiration.com

Kitchens at pro-decorating.co.uk

Bathroom Galleries for Inspiration

Bathroom at housetohome.co.uk

Bathrooms, Powder, Pool at getdecorating.com

Bathroom at freshome.com

Bathroom at getdecorating.com

Bathrooms at decoratinginspiration.com

Bathrooms at pro-decorating.co.uk

Living Room Galleries for Inspiration

Living Rooms at channel4.com

Living Room at housetohome.co.uk

Living Room at freshome.com

Living Room at getdecorating.com

Living Rooms at decoratinginspiration.com

Dining Room Galleries for Inspiration

Dining Rooms at goodhousekeeping.com

Dining Room at housetohome.co.uk

Dining Room at getdecorating.com

Dining Rooms at decoratinginspiration.com

Dining Rooms at home-designing.com

Bedroom Galleries for Inspiration

Bedrooms at theinspiredroom.net

Bedroom at housetohome.co.uk

Bedroom at freshome.com

Bedroom at getdecorating.com

Bedrooms at decoratinginspiration.com

Bedrooms at pro-decorating.co.uk

Children’s Bedroom Galleries for Inspiration

Children’s Rooms at projectnursery.com

Children’s Room at housetohome.co.uk

Children’s Rooms at dutchboy.com

Children’s Rooms at getdecorating.com

Children’s Rooms at pro-decorating.co.uk

Kids Rooms at decoratinginspiration.com

Hallway and Home Entry Gallery Inspirations

Hallways at mydeco.com

Foyers and Hallways at dutchboy.com

Hallways at housetohome.co.uk

Entries and Hallways at decoratinginspiration.com

Entries and Hallways at getdecorating.com

Home Office Galleries for Inspiration

Home Offices at thisoldhouse.com

Home Office at housetohome.co.uk

Home Offic and Library at getdecorating.com

Home Offices at decoratinginspiration.com

Home Offices at hgtv.com

Home Theatre Galleries for Inspiration

Home Theater at home-designing.com

Home Theater & Entertainment at decoratinginspiration.com

Home Theater at getdecorating.com

Home Theater at hometheaterinspiration.com

Home Theater at freshome.com

Here are some images of loft conversion design ideas we found on the net of late which may assist in your planning for a new loft. Take the time to browse through our many articles and inspirational loft conversion galleries to fully understand what you want before calling in an architect or builder.

There is a pre-conceived idea that lofts can only be this way or that way, and conform with the general loft design styles: Mansard Loft, Dormer Loft, Velux Loft and Terrace House Loft Conversions.

Keeping in mind that the most scrutinized part of getting planning permission for a loft is simply the exterior rendition of it from the street and making it look like the other lofts in your area, there are many ways you can smartly avoid having a boring addition. This includes focus on the internal structuring, interior design for your loft and and usage of windows and terraces.

Even small or city gardens, where space is a premium, can be transformed into a haven of architectural foliage and fabulous areas for summer dining and entertaining, adding not only value to the home, but a new dimension to living space. Remember, the garden should not be considered as a separate entity, but more as an extension of the living room. In our short summers it should be a magnet drawing family and friends to it at every available opportunity, and in winter the view should be one which serves to remind that spring is not too far away.

The design and planning of a garden is the starting point. The chosen style and design should reflect the home and not be at odds with it. One needs to begin by addressing any unsightly features. Even an ugly view can be softened with careful thought to planting. Equally, privacy should be protected without the prying eyes of neighbours overlooking. Once again this can usually be achieved with strategic planting. Common garden fences can be camouflaged, as can sheds, which may serve as essential storage, but lend absolutely nothing to the overall design.

The next priority is the patio, the size of which should at the very least, accommodate the occupants of the household, and if space allows, provide for entertaining. Tables and chairs should fit comfortably with plenty of room to walk around, and the golden rule of never blocking the entrance from the house into the garden always adhered to. Ideally, patio depths should be a minimum of 4 metres. Quite simply, skimpy patios look awful.

The hard landscaping of the garden and the choice of materials is paramount and whilst budget may ultimately dictate the finishes, always try to aim for the best you can afford. For example, cheap pine decking looks like a budget finish from the day it is installed, let alone after a year or two, when it will become a slippery algae covered liability unless regularly maintained. A good quality hardwood deck, on the other hand, will look beautiful for many years to come with very little maintenance and in the grand scheme of things, the extra cost is money well spent. In a contemporary or minimalist garden where the emphasis really focuses on the hard landscaping, the quality of the materials becomes even more relevant.

Ideas for Roof Garden

A green roof generally means a carpeting of plants on a roof, which improves the energy performance of buildings, and reduces storm water runoff. Though many urban dwellers have flowerpots or container gardens on their roofs, these aren’t providing the energy savings that green roofs do. In order to start a green roof garden there are some things that must be taken into consideration:

Safety: First and foremost, the garden should be safe. This isn’t just about protecting those on the roof from falling off. Since roofs are generally windy places, we also need to protect the passersby from falling tools. So install fencing and securely tie down all equipment. Consult the local department of buildings for any necessary permits and regulations about fence height.

Weight: Wet soil is heavy. So too is a foot of wet snow on top of that soil. So it is necessary to figure out the sustainable weight load of the roof (consult a structural engineer), as too much load in the wrong places can cause structural damage. In most cases, a planting medium instead of soil has to be used.

Containers: A container that is lightweight, but allows drainage is essential. For maximum energy benefits, it should sit flat against the roof. A modular planting system designed for green roofs can be used. So that the plant roots don’t burrow into the roof membrane. Some containers like the recycled-plastic trays with a fabric weed block, wading pools, feed sacks and even recycled tires can be used.

Watering: It is to be done daily. This problem can be solved by running a garden hose up the side of the building, and attaching it to drip lines and a timer system.

Plants: Finally, what can be grown up there? Part of it depends on the available weight load.

Exotic Roof Gardens

A plant that is native to another part of the world but has been introduced anywhere else is an exotic plants. Similarly, exotic roof garden have plants that are not native to one’s place.

Semi: – A small split-level roof garden, which is cluttered with rubbish and a hotchpotch of different materials, is transformed into a slick modern roof garden. The space is divided up into two separate areas, each with its own character. One is funky and colorful; the other calm and relaxing.

Paving: – Bespoke paving is used throughout the garden to create a sense of unity and harmony between both spaces. The paving has tiny flecks of metal and glass embedded in it that reflect the light and sparkle in the sunlight.

Decorative relief screen: – Pale lilac paint is used on the walls to give the garden a sense of space. It also contrasts with a decorative relief screen that’s mounted on the wall opposite the stairs. The screen is custom-built and was inspired by the modern art of Ben Nicholson.

Wave water feature: - A contemporary, stainless steel water feature shaped like a tall wave is used as the central feature in the design, as it can be seen from both areas of the garden. The water cascades gently over the surface reflecting sky and sunlight into the garden.

Galvanized containers: – Galvanized metal containers are used throughout the garden to give extra space for planting. The reflective metal surfaces create additional light into the garden and also complement the plants inside them.

Metal gabions: – Gabions (metal cages) filled with large pebbles and topped with irk wood, form seating areas in the upper garden. They emphasize the contemporary feel of the space and also look good against the architectural foliage of the planting. A rope light threaded through the gabions adds an extra dimension at night.

The main thing in building it is the design. With an optimal design, the construction will go efficiently and you will get the maximal function of it. In this case, the most effective design of a pool is square. This is because this design will support the convenience in using it. In addition, this needs small space to build it with this design. This simple design can be improved with the overflow system. You will have a beautiful pool.

In colder countries such as the UK, many homeowners are opting to building swimming pools inside a house extension. See this case study of a swimming pool Installation in London, England.

Furthermore, the design of the swimming pool must be fitted with the design of the house. This is done to have a balance concept between the pool and the main building that is your house. In addition, make sure that the floor around the it is not slippery. So, you will not be slipped. You have to do the maintenance to it in order to keep it clean so that you will be able to use it every time. For children, make sure that the depth of the pool will not drown them. Thus, you have to make sure everything.

UK PLANNING PERMISSION FOR SWIMMING POOLS

The first thing to know for swimming pool planning permission in the UK is the rules governing swimming pools apply equally to outbuildings, sheds, greenhouses and garages as well as ponds, sauna cabins, kennels and many other structures incidental to the enjoyment of the dwelling house.

You will need planning permission if;

• The swimming pool is located beyond the side elevation of the property and faces the highway.
• Is within 2m of a boundary, the maximum height of any structure is greater than 2.5m.
• The structure has a veranda, balcony or raised platform.
• No more than 50% of the land around the “original house”* is covered by additions or other buildings.

* The term “original house” means the house as it was first built or as it stood on 1 July 1948 (if it was built before that date). Although you may not have built an extension to the house, a previous owner may have done so. In national parks, the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and World Heritage Sites, the maximum area covered by buildings, enclosures, containers and pools more than 20m from the house is limited to 10 square metres.

Where to get more information on UK swimming pool planning laws:

UK Planning Portal – Out Buildings

US PLANNING PERMISSION FOR SWIMMING POOLS

In the US, planning for a swimming pool is much easier than in the UK. As the US is generally hotter most US homeowners will tend to place their swimming pool in their garden. This requires much less complexity than building an internal pool or a pool with a structure around it. Local planning authorities, however, do expect to be notified on any additions such as a swimming pool in your home’s garden.

General Pool Security requirements where children are near

5′ high fence measures from the outside of the yard and is non climbable. I.e. we want to prevent children climbing into your yard, not climbing out of the yard. All gates leading to the pool area must have the following characteristics:

1. 5′ high
2. Self closing. That means there must be a spring that returns the gate to the closed position once the gate has been opened more than about 12″.
3. Self latching. That means the gate must latch automatically when it returns to the closed position.
4. The gate must open “away” from the pool area. The thinking is that a toddler is more likely to push on the gate before he/she pulls on the gate.
5. All wrought iron gates and fences must not let a 4″ diameter ball pass through between the vertical pickets.
6. The man door on the garage that leads to the pool area must be self-closing and self-latching the same as the gates.

State of California Pools Safety Code

10 Reasons to Buy a Pool

One of problems in building a swimming pool is the breaking of the floor tiles that cover the wall of the pool. In a big size pool, after it is filled with water, it is not recommended to deflate the pool. This is done to keep the pressure of the pool. Thus, the structure of the pool will be always in good condition. The breaking floor tile will be hard to be fixed. But if it is not fixed, it can danger the users of it. Therefore, you have to take care of the pool that you have built.

Anyone interested in buying a pool is often caught between the benefits and the expense. If they were to sit down, however, and write a list of pros and cons, they would find the advantages of having their own are many. The following are ten reasons that one should buy one:

Cooling Off In the heat of a hot, summer day, nothing can feel as good as knowing that a dip in the backyard is waiting. Many people find this to be the main benefit of owning one and discover that it helps them to stay cool, even in the worst heat of the day.

Vacation at Home Others find the main advantage is that instead of spending hundreds of dollars to vacation at a resort, they can spend their vacation at home and enjoy it just as much. Anyone can make their own paradise right in their own backyard.

Making Memories A pool can also help build great memories for any family. All one has to do is imagine their weekends at home with their family in the pool and they have found a great reason to have one installed.

More Relaxation Relaxing by it is often just what the doctor ordered. In today’s world, where so many people are working more than 40 hours a week, coming home to relax with a swim is what allows them to forget about their troubles.

Value of Home The installation of a pool can actually increase property value. With the market of today, it is important that homeowners have that something extra that buyers want.

Exercising Those who have a pool on their property will be able to get the daily exercise they need to stay in shape. Children of all ages will also find more time playing than watching television, which can help them to stay in shape, as well.

Great Entertainment Homeowners will also find there are a wide variety of water toys available to them that will provide some great entertainment. From slides to floats, both adults and children can enjoy their own theme park they helped to create.

Family Gatherings Families that make the decision to buy a pool will always have a great place to hold a social gathering. In fact, they may even find that their home is now the preferred place.

Romantic Evenings The single individual will find that along with entertainment, the pool allows for more romantic evenings. A nice patio table beside it is often the best location for a candlelit dinner.

Life of Luxury Anyone who buys one will find themselves with the life they always wanted. Regardless of someone’s current financial status, pools allow one to lead a more luxurious lifestyle.

Choosing the Best Place For Your New Swimming Pool

A swimming pool at home will be a good idea, health-wise, pleasure-wise, and appearance-wise. It is good to be able to do a few laps whenever you feel like, instead of having to walk or drive to a pool carrying swimming gear, and having to submit to their timings. You will be able to entertain your guests also well by having a swimming pool at home.

An outdoor swimming pool can be made pretty grand, with a diving board, water features, and slide. And if there is good landscaping around it as well, it will be perfect. Or you can opt for an indoor heated pool, which can provide its own cozy comfort of a different type.
Your choice will have to depend on various considerations like the climate of the place, the budget you have set, and your lifestyle in general.

Climate considerations

A pool in the backyard will be an ideal choice for those who live in places that are not too cold. If severe winter is restricted to just about four months, the remainder is enough to use the outdoor swimming pool well.

Plus you will be free of the expenses and problems associated with maintaining an indoor one. But the option will not work for people living in colder climes with longer winter months. For them it will be best to have a heated pool inside where they can take their laps even if there is a feet of snow outside.
Then there will be privacy concerns for some who may not like to swim in places visible to others. There will be security concerns or health concerns for others who may prefer to swim within their home in warm waters, rather than lock the home and go outside to swim.

According to their function, they are categorized as follows:
Main stairs
Service stairs
Portable stairs

According to their construction, stairs are categorized as follows:
Stone stairs
Timber stairs
Concrete stairs
Iron and steel stairs
Stairs from modern materials

Stairs are classified according to their plan form as follows:
Straight stairs: they stretch from a lower to an upper level in one straight run
Return (U) stairs: with two flights of steps parallel to each other with a landing between
Circular stairs: they sweep in a broad curve from one level to another
L stairs, double L stairs: they make a 90-degree turn at a landing
Winder stairs: they have “pie-shaped” steps which substitute a landing
Spiral stairs: they generally have winder steps and they twist around a centre pole

Prime considerations in stair design should be easy use and safety. The available space will make us determine the stair’s shape.

Straight stairs are easy and not expensive to construct, but they require plenty of space.

That’s why stairs with a landing (L-shaped or U-shaped stairs) are often preferred if there’s enough space for them. Winder stairs are used when the space is not sufficient for the L stairs.

Spiral stairs

are used where little space is available. They are not very safe and they are also hard to climb.

The wider and gradual the stair, the more space it will consume.

Stair Terminology

Tread: the horizontal surface for the foot to ascend from one level to another

Riser: the vertical distance between the upper surfaces of two consecutive treads

Flight: a series of steps between floors or landings

Landing:  a platform between two flights that either acts as a resting place, a change of direction or is the end of the stair

Nosing: the front edge of the tread that hangs over the riser

Going:  the horizontal distance between nosings

Stringer: the angled beam or member at each side of the stair that supports the treads

Balustrade: A railing system which provides protection on the open sides of a stair

Total Rise: the total vertical distance from floor to floor

Total run: the length of all of the treads combined

Pitch: the angle that the flight of stairs is built at

Headroom: the distance from the leading edge of a tread to the header directly above

Constructing to Current Building Regulations

All new staircases designed and installed in the UK must meet the standards and guidelines set by the ‘Approved Document K – Protection from falling, collision and impact’ Sub-sections K1 to K5. Part ‘K’ has been developed to make sure staircases are designed safely and covers additional items such as guides to riser heights, tread widths, handrail heights, workmanship, health and safety, head heights limits.

The importance of bringing in a good, professional designer as early as possible cannot be overstated. They will come up with ideas that may never occur to you and advise on achieving your aims within your budget. They can also steer the project through development, minimising compromise so you end up as close as possible to your ambition, adding space and that elusive ‘wow’ factor, too.

The Royal Institute of British Architects has a good library in London where you can find many books and material related to house extensions, ideas for designs and planning and how to refurbish them. Find material like this, directly from proven architects is a good point to start finding ideas for your house extension project

Another idea is to study the house extension designs from well-known architects as a way of determining your extension design.

House extension in Chiswick (provided by architect your home)

You can also find a good amount of useful online home design websites. We would recommend taking a look at our house extension category for house extension ideas, galleries and planning information – we have worked hard and searched the web to give you modern house extension design ideas.

Most popular types of home extensions:

Single Storey Extensions

Extending your home with a single storey extension as opposed to moving to a new house can prove to be a more economic and satisfactory solution that suits your family’s present and future needs. A new extension is a sensible investment that can add to the value of your home and provide the additional internal space required enabling you to make the most effective use of your accommodation.

Double Storey Extensions

A two storey extension can make a substantial difference to your home, not only giving you extra space in your lounge, kitchen, dining room or other living areas, but also increasing the available bedroom accommodation or providing an additional bathroom. This type of extension often gives you enough space to avoid having to move home, at a cost which is far more affordable.

Side Return Extension

A side return extension is usually used to create extra space in existing rooms or to re-arrange your interior floor plan to create extra space that could include: bedrooms, bathrooms or living space. Side return extensions can also be combined with rear extensions to form a wrap-around extension.

Conservatory Extensions

Investing in a conservatory extension is a wise move that will add value to your property and provide room that is flexible enough to be used in a variety of ways. By purchasing a conservatory, you’re not just buying another room… ‘you’re investing in a whole new way of life.’

The Cube:

‘The Cube’ design has been developed with the following key functions in mind; sustainable development, pre-fabricated construction methods, visual impact and cost efficiency.

The major benefit of The Cube extension is that it can be installed for the same cost as a glass roof conservatory, which means you get the benefit of thermal mass construction providing great energy efficiency, large glazing with bi-fold doors and frameless skylights, allowing maximum day light penetration and amazing opportunity for evening star gazing when relaxing or entertaining.

Where do I start?

A general process for getting an extension built might be
1. Sketch out some plans/ideas yourself
2. Approach an architect and get some detailed drawings made
3. Apply for planning permission
4. Get some quotes in (can be done before planning permission if not sure on budget I guess)
5. Agree contract with builder. A useful suggestion that some people have done is to break down the payment into different sections based upon completion of job.
This is just a simplified overview, you will also need to get building regulations approval and permission (at least no dispute) from your neighbours as well.

Prices:

An extension to your house can be a easier option to moving for gaining more living space, but how much will it cost for types of extension of different sizes? See our general uk building price guide.

As a rough idea you can typically say that it will cost £1000 per m2 or  93 per ft2 including basic plumbing and electrician work. This price is per unit area of internal floor space and so a 5x4m single floor extension will have a total floor area of 20m2 and a double storey will have 40m2.

Typically, single storey house extension costs will cost more per metre squared than a double storey. In theory a triple storey would cost less still. In practise the difference in cost may be small though. The price per square metre also depends on the size of the property.

There are basic costs that don’t increase too much with size and hence the cost per square metre will decrease as the floor area increases.

We have recently added a more comprehensive list of resources for your house extension with our article House Extension Inspiration and Planning Guides Feel free to have a look! (July 2010)