Home Improvement Ideas for the New Year – Fohen UK

What better way to start the New Year than with a new and improved home? Improving your home doesn’t have to be expensive as you will see from some of our home and kitchen improvement ideas.

All you'll need is a small investment of time and effort. From ideas to brighten up your bathroom to tips that will revolutionise your kitchen. 

Lay a stylish stair runner

Stairs are often the first thing you see when you walk into a house. Why not update a tired-looking staircase with a smart and stylish stair runner.

It’s also a great place to add colour. Make a big impact by choosing a striped or bold coloured runner. Or go classy with a neutral weave or thick and pale pile.

Install LED push lights

Install LED push lights under kitchen cabinets for a cheap alternative to downlighters.  This is a great way to achieve the same effect and brighten up your kitchen for cheap.

Reinstate the fireplace

A fireplace is a wonderful focal point to any room. But sadly, they weren’t so hot in the 1970s and ’80s, leading to many homeowners ripping them out. So if you have a chimney breast bare of a fireplace, why not reintroduce one? It certainly beats a TV as a focal point and could bring back all the character your home’s been missing.

Take a look at local selling groups or online marketplaces to find used fireplace bargains before splashing out on a new one which could be expensive.

Freshen up your bathroom

It’s amazing what impact a grout pen can have on a tired-looking bathroom. You can buy grout pens online for cheap. Simply cover the old grout using the new grout pen to freshen up your bathroom.

Paint or replace the front door

A fresh coat of paint can work wonders, but if your front door has had its day, invest in a new one to make a great impression on visitors. You can even design your own.

Build some shelves

As we all know finding space to hide things in the home can be challenging.  So why not build some shelves and free yourself from clutter.  Shelves can be placed in small alcoves or high up in corners so that they are out of sight. Plus, shelves are cheaper than purchasing cupboards or large storage boxes.

Install a skylight

If you have a dark attic room or kitchen extension, off-the peg skylights are a relatively inexpensive architectural solution. Adding one or two will brighten any gloomy room, instantly transforming a space.

Recover old furniture

Update a vintage sofa or sofa bed with some funky new fabric or give a sentimental piece a new lease of life with neat new upholstery.

Transform your kitchen

You can transform your kitchen in an instant with a clever choice of tiles, or an all-in-one glass splashback. Look at designer tiles on the market, choose your favourite, then find a low-cost lookalike.

Replace your tired old kettle and basic tap with a 3-in-1 instant boiling water tap from Fohën. An instant boiling water tap provides hot, cold, and boiling water, saving you time and money. The 3-in-1 tap will be a stunning centerpiece in your new look kitchen. Read more on how 3-in-1 boiling water taps work. 

Change your kitchen worktops

Rather than replace your entire kitchen, simply change your worktops to give a new look for half the price. Choose from a simple worktop, like laminate, which is generally the cheapest, to a more expensive but more impressive marble worktop.

Power that shower

If your water pressure is low and you don’t have a combi boiler, your shower is probably less than invigorating. Installing a pump to increase the pressure and a thermostatic shower valve to maintain the temperature will improve it no end.

Hang striking new curtains or blinds

Spruce up any room with new curtains or blinds. Unlined curtain panels are easier to make than traditional curtains and, with no pleats to increase the amount of fabric you’ll need, you can go for more luxurious options.

Fix sash windows

Gaps around sash windows can increase your heating bill. These gaps can be fixed with a sealant which is cheap to buy or by enlisting the help of an expert to repair your windows.

Clean all your light bulbs to brighten up your room