When you feel that your home is no longer big enough and your family needs more space, there is more than one way to create extra rooms or bigger living spaces without the need to sell up and move house. A house extension can be the best solution for expanding the amount of living space as well as adding more value to the property. Even when money is short, there are things you can do to create more space within your home.

If you think you need more space because the house you live in has become too cluttered, or you want to join in the trend for house extensions, those are not good reasons to go ahead. Before approaching any builders, you should know exactly why you want a house extension.

Work out your requirements by deciding whether the extra space is needed for an existing room, such as the kitchen or utility room, or if you want an extension to give you more bedrooms, a games room, a new nursery, a home office or a self-contained annexe for an elderly parent.

When you know precisely why you need more space, it is time to make a full assessment of the existing space in your home to see what your options are for adding an extension.

Garage Conversion

Converting an integral or adjoining garage into extra living space is one of the most popular options for a house extension. A converted garage space is suitable for any use and it can either be accessed from inside the house or have a separate entrance to a self-contained annexe.

Attic & Loft Conversion

Attics and loft spaces are ideal for conversion when extra rooms are needed, and the most popular use of a loft conversion is to provide a bedroom with its own en-suite bathroom. This type of house extension is ideal when you have teenagers who need privacy and space of their own. It does not make good living accommodation for elderly relatives who might have difficulty with the stairs.

Basement Conversion

An unused basement is suitable for conversion into a games room, T.V. room, utility room or separate living accommodation, but it can be the most expensive option for a house extension.

Kitchen Extension

A bigger kitchen is one of the most desirable house extensions. It gives you the chance to plan a dream kitchen with more space for the family and some added design features.

A kitchen extension can include a separate utility room or add more space for a multi-purpose kitchen diner where meals can be served. This will provide you with more space in another part of the house that has previously been used as a dining room or breakfast room.

House Extension Costs

The average cost of a garage conversion is around £10,000, which means that it can be best option when you want more value for money. A kitchen extension costs about eighteen percent more than a garage extension. A loft conversion can cost more than twice as much. Converting a basement can cost three times as much as you would have to pay for loft conversion or other type of home extension.

The least expensive option is to make more space in your home by removing clutter and to get rid of anything that is taking up space and is no longer needed or has no useful function. This will create more living space and it may also bring in extra cash when unwanted items are sold through classified ads or online auctions.

Get some quotes for your choice of house extension and take a look at the different costs, using price comparison websites for garage conversions and home extensions.

If you have a suitable garage to convert, that will be the best value choice for expansion, but your decision depends on why you need a house extension. You might want to invest more money on an extension to your attic, basement, kitchen, or another suitable space.

Persian rugs beautify and keep our homes warmer, but sometimes it can be tricky to protect these pieces that enhance our home from being subject to damage. A rug differs from a carpet, because a carpet is actually affixed to the flooring below, while a rug is generally an accent piece used to enhance the ambiance of a room. Persian rugs are often handmade, and can be modern, but often the most beautiful Persian carpets are antiques.

Even when your best effort is exerted to maintain your Persian rug, damage can still be caused, even if appropriate cleaning procedures are carefully followed. Persian rugs are constructed from delicate, fine fabrics that can be easily subject to wear. Persian rugs will eventually succumb to old age, and the quality of the valued adornment will break down. To stave off this aging and degradation process, a few simple tips that anyone who owns a Persian rug can follow are discussed below.

Cleaning a Persian Rug

Spills – Don’t neglect spills on your rug. Clean them up quickly but use only water. Never use soap or bleach to clean your Persian rug. You must first carefully attempt to absorb the contents of the spill using paper towels. Gently dab the spill, working from the outside of the spill to the centre of it. This method of cleaning the spill will stop it from spreading to other parts of the rug. Put the paper towels under the spill to end additional damage to the rug’s backing. If you are unable to remove the spill on your own, seek the help of an experienced professional to clean the stain.

Vacuuming – Regularly vacuum your Persian rug to maintain cleanliness. Vacuuming also serves to stop the rug’s natural fibres from flattening. When you own an aging or an antique Persian rug, it’s a good idea to switch off the beater bar feature on your vacuum, because it can pull out fibres that are loose, which can contribute to a run or rip in your valuable rug.

Fighting Sun Damage – To fight sun damage, if you can, do not subject your rug to direct sunlight, because it can cause your rug to fade in the area where the sun touches it. These conditions are heightened when you are the owner of an antique rug or a Persian rug created with natural dying agents to add colour to the adornment.

Maintaining Even Wear Patterns – To battle uneven wear patterns on your Persian rug, be sure to rotate the piece often if it is exposed to direct sun at a minimum of once per month. Even if the rug is subject to some fading, the fading will be even about colour. If your rug is in a shaded part of your home, it is adequate to rotate it at a minimum or four times per year. Move your furniture placed on your rug to change natural pathways where traffic occurs. This will make wear pattern conditions, even so your rug does not look worn in one particular area.

Remedying a Twisted Fringe – In the event of a twisted fringe on a Persian rug, flip the end of the rug over the other end to straighten a finger that is twisted. Do not ever comb out the fringe, because this can cause damage to the natural fibres. When you flip the end of the rug over to the other end, grab one carpet end and walk it over to the opposing end. This will flip the rug over, and the fringe will be straightened. You can then shake the rug in a gentle manner to assist with further straightening the fringe.