Room by Room: Tackle Your Home Improvements Head On

Ok, so you’ve done the hard work and bought your new home. Now you’ve got the ultimate blank canvas for all your interior decorating fantasies. But with that much scope, it can be difficult to know where to start, which is why it’s a good idea to make a plan and take things room by room. Need some tips? Follow our step-by-step guide to get a handle on your home improvements right now.

Brighten up Your Bedroom

The bedroom is arguably the most important room in the house. You’ll probably spend more time here than anywhere else, so it pays to have somewhere you feel comfortable – even if you are asleep for most of it!

First of all, consider the furniture layout. The bed is obviously the centrepiece here, and you should do your best to ensure that there is adequate circulation to all three sides of the mattress and space for bedside tables or chests of drawers. A nice collection of throw pillows will also make a truly inviting sleeping spot, but don’t overdo it – you still want to be able to find your bed! Don’t neglect additional furniture either. A couple of chairs to complement your bed will provide great spots to chill out when you need some space away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the house.

Kit Out Your Kitchen

For most people, the kitchen is the true heart of the home. From family lunches to romantic dinners, this is where you’ll make many of the memories that you’ll treasure forever. A great kitchen will be warm and welcoming, without forgetting that it’s a functional space designed for preparing and eating food.

When it comes to decorating your kitchen, simplicity is key. There’s nothing more off-putting than a cluttered, untidy cooking space, so try and eliminate unnecessary mess by keeping only essential appliances on the counters. Add a splash of greenery with live plants (a window herb garden can be pretty as well as functional) and give the space a warm glow with scented candles that will also help to get rid of cooking odours.

A simple tip to make your kitchen more attractive is to turn ingredients a decorative element in themselves. Attractive jars for spices and staple ingredients will stand out on your shelves and add a splash of colour. Finally, liven up your kitchen walls by decorating them with framed pictures of your family – the perfect final touch for a homely, welcoming feel.

Once you’ve got your bedroom and kitchen whipped into shape, you’ll want to create a space where you can relax at the end of the day. Start by thinking of a colour scheme. The right choice of paint for your living room can create a relaxing or energising feel, depending on the shade. If you want something tranquil and relaxing, choose pale blues, pinks, violets, or greens. Or if you’d prefer to create a warming effect, deep yellows, oranges and reds are your friends. And don’t forget to think with your feet too. The right floor choice – from hardwood to carpet – will have a huge effect on the ambience of the room. If you’re going with a wooden floor, a nice rug will break up the room and add a relaxed feel.

To give you the option to create different moods, you’ll need a mix of overhead and table lighting. A well-selected collection of lamps will allow you to create a warm and relaxed atmosphere. Choose a focal point for the room, typically the fireplace or the television, and consider the arrangement of your furniture to work in harmony with that. The ideal furniture arrangement will also allow conversation to flow easily in the space, so take that into consideration when placing the chairs.

If you want to create the perfect living space, AIB can help. We offer home improvement loans that will give you the flexibility you need to create your dream home. AIB offer loans from €1,000 with loan decision in just three hours*. You can apply online through AIB Internet Banking, the AIB Mobile App. You can also book a branch appointment or phone 0818 724 725 if you’d like to speak to someone in person.

* 3 hour loan decision applies to fully completed new personal loan applications processed within 3 hours 9am-5pm, Mon-Fri excl. bank holidays. Loans from €1,000-€30,000. Excludes applications: to restructure or clear existing AIB credit facilities; received through Branch and referred to a lender for review, from customers in financial difficulty; for Student and First loans; applications through Business Centres; or where total borrowings exceed €100,000 (excluding Home Loan debt up to €600,000).

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