Sunrooms are becoming an increasingly popular addition to houses across the UK, gracing gardens nationwide as the perfect addition to detached and semi-detached homes.

However, if you are the proud owner of a bungalow, that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on all the outdoor fun. A sunroom can be just as effective on a bungalow plot as it is with a detached or a semi.

In fact, with bungalows typically housing less interior space than a two-storey property, adding an extra room can make a big difference, making a bungalow sunroom an even more valuable addition.

Benefits of Sunrooms for Bungalows

As we touched upon in the intro, one of the main drawbacks of a bungalow property is their limiting living restrictions. Naturally removing a floor is going to effectively cut your living space in half.

A huge advantage of adding a sunroom to your property is that it effectively adds an extra room on to your house. In the case of a bungalow, this can make a notable difference and really contribute to a more enjoyable home-life.

The additional space can be utilised for a variety of purposes you may have otherwise not been able to house, be it an office, play room or home gym.

What’s more, the addition of a sunroom can also add financial value to a property, often providing added value that exceeds the initial expense.

In the case of a bungalow – particularly smaller-scale builds – a sunroom could account for a significant portion of a property, providing a notable expansion of available living space.

Good to Know

If you’re considering adding a sunroom to your bungalow, there are a few handy facts that are good to know before you jump in to your property-expanding project.

Permission to Land

As a general rule of thumb, adding a sunroom to your property doesn’t require any planning permission, provided it isn’t built on a border. As a result, the addition of a sunroom effectively allows you to really make the most of your land by expanding your indoor living area.

DIY-able

If you’re working to a budget and are either an experienced tradesman or confident DIY aficionado, you may consider taking on the task yourself. Our range of sunrooms are designed with a streamlined, modular design for easy installation, allowing you to step up to the plate if you wish to take on the challenge.

Cash-Conserving

Sunrooms can be considerably less expensive than traditional conservatories. If you’re looking to expand your space while conserving your cash, a sunroom is the perfect solution. Better still, sunrooms are better equipped for year-round use, while conservatories are typically more seasonal.

If you’re thinking of adding a sunroom to your bungalow, why not drop us a line today? Call now on 0800 028 8756 or get in touch online using the link below.

Get in Touch

Visit our sister site www.sunspaces.co.uk to browse our full range of sunrooms!

When it comes to breathing a new lease of life into your property, renovating your garden is a great way to do so in spades.

Back garden renovation, in particular, can really transform a property and, more specifically, your enjoyment of it, providing endless hours of outdoor relaxation and open-air fun.

However, with limitless potential for renovation ideas, settling on a way to do so can be a headache in itself.

Luckily, this blog is here to help get you on track to the garden of your dreams.

Garden Renovation Checklist

Like any big job, garden renovation isn’t something you can jump into without any forethought or planning. If you want it done right, you’re going to have to be organised.

Follow these steps to ensure your back garden renovation goes smoothly:

Draft a Design

Your first port of call should always be to draft up a rough design of how you want your garden to look. Just like any building project, flying by the seat of your pants without a definitive direction is a sure-fire recipe for disaster.

Even if your design skills leave a lot to be desired, a rough sketch of what you want where can really help you to visualise the finished product and go a long way in helping you achieve the end result.

Go Pro or DIY?

Once you’ve got an idea of how you want your garden to look and which creative direction you want to go, you should now have a good idea of what needs to be done in order to achieve your desired result.

From here, you should also have a general indication of what you are capable of achieving yourself and what you will need professional help with. The extent of outside influence can often depend on budget but it’s important not to overstep your boundaries.

While it is usually cheaper and more cost-effective to go the DIY route, a botched job done poorly can result in a sub-par finish and lead to further costs down the line. If you don’t think you’re capable of achieving the desired result on a specific task, don’t be afraid to call in an expert.

Shop Around

Speaking of budget, another important thing to keep in mind when you’re planning your garden renovation is that price can and will vary from one supplier to the next.

This can be particularly notable when it comes to accessories and features like garden furniture, plants and pots. Don’t settle on the first result and take time to shop around.

That being said, shopping around for the best item at the best price can also be quite a juggling act at times, as there’s a fine line between economical and cheap.

If budget is a concern, aim for a middle of the road item for the best of both worlds. The product with the lowest value may have earned that price tag for a reason.

Recycle and Upcycle

One of the best trump cards for keeping within your budget when it comes to garden renovation is to recycle and upcycle old/existing items.

Old indoor furniture with a lick of paint can get a second wind with a renewed sense of purpose outdoors, so think twice before you throw out those tired kitchen chairs.

Similarly, charity shops can be a treasure trove of potential when it comes to upcycling, while even industrial items like breeze blocks and disused timber can make for a surprisingly attractive shabby chic bench.

Deck or Paving

Proper planning and budgeting can give you the chance to visualise the desired look and feel you want for your garden. It can also allow you to consider possibilities that can truly transform your outside space.

If you don’t already have it, an instant way to revamp your outdoor property is to invest in decking or paving. Meanwhile, if you do have a patio or a deck area, trading one for the other can also reinvent your garden instantly.

Zoning is also an increasingly popular design trend, combining lawn, patio and deck areas in one single garden space. Don’t be afraid to play around with concepts during the design stage. After all, it’s your space – let your imagination take you where you want to go.

Space Jam

If you have a modestly sized outdoor area and space is a concern, you don’t have to lose out. In fact, small garden renovation can be just as rewarding and equally as stunning if you know the tricks of the trade.

From building up vertically using shelves and wall decorations to creating the illusion of space using light colours and clever furnishing, there are a whole host of tricks, shortcuts and hacks that can allow you to get the most out of the space you have.

Click HERE to find out more about space-saving tips for a small garden renovation.

For more information on back garden renovation and how to revamp your outdoor space, why not drop us a line today? Call now on 0800 028 8756 or click the button below to get in touch online.

Get in Touch

When it comes to outdoor design, having a small garden can be frustratingly restrictive at times. With a limited amount of room to work with, every inch of floor-space can be vital.

However, just because you may have a modestly-sized outdoor space doesn’t mean you have to lose out on all the greeny garden gratification of a larger garden.

With a bit of creativity, an open mind and a little elbow grease for good measure, you can turn your pint-sized plot into a veritable Tardis of alfresco awesomeness.

Small Garden Ideas

There’s a fine line between busy and messy, and even the addition of a single plant pot can take up a surprising amount of room. As such, every small garden design addition needs to carefully thought out.

To help you make the right choices when it comes to your outdoor space, here are five great garden hacks that never fail to expand your exterior.

Shelf-Respect

Building up is a recurring trend when it comes to making the most of a small garden. Adding shelves to your garden courtyard can be a great way to save space. Providing multiple levels of decorative space at your disposal, shelves make for the perfect place to house potted plants and garden ornaments,

Climbing the Walls

Much like shelving, another great way to incorporate flowers and plant life without monopolising floor space is to utilise the fences and walls around the garden. Incorporating trellis fencing to hang plants from the side and rear walls can create a beautiful space-saving perimeter for a truly stunning visual.

Pane Relief

A fantastic alternative to a bulkier flower bed that will eat up a chunk of floor space, window boxes are a great way to provide colour and vibrancy for your garden using a minimal amount garden real estate.

Don’t Cut Corners

Adding seating to your outside space can and usually will take up a lot of room, particularly if you incorporate a table into the mix as well. Opt for a weatherproof corner sofa to ensure you utilise every inch of space to its fullest potential. Meanwhile, this will also cover the walls giving the illusion of additional space.

Lighten Up

Finally, be sure to incorporate light/bright colours into your small garden design. Whether you opt for creamy-coloured flooring tiles, white-painted fencing or even lightly-coloured garden furniture, a simple bright colour-scheme can have an instant impact on space. 

For additional small garden ideas or more information on how to make the most of your small garden design, why not drop us a line? Call now on 0800 028 8756 or click the button below to get in touch online.

Get in Touch

The great outdoors is said to be one of the most relaxing places on Earth, full of wildlife, steeped in nature and generally radiating organic tranquillity.

Sadly, the same can’t always be said for our gardens, where wildlife is replaced by plastic kids’ toys, nature is subbed for overgrown weeds and radiant tranquillity makes way for barking neighbourhood dogs and cat mess.

But it doesn’t have to be this way! In fact, creating your very own outdoor oasis can be a lot easier than you think.

With a little imagination, a bit of time and a lot of will power, your gruesome garden could become the nirvana of the neighbourhood in no time.

Here’s how to create your very own outdoor spa in your garden space.

On the bubble

What better place to start in your quest for garden serenity than with the ultimate piece of chill technology – the hot tub.

The pinnacle of outdoor relaxation, the hot tub has been the symbol of summertime leisure for decades, offering an unrivalled setting for alone times and social gatherings alike.

However, hot tubs have also been seen as a symbol of status as well and with very good reason – hot tubs don’t come cheap! That being said, there’s no denying they are worth the investment.

On the other hand, if you don’t happen to have a swag bag of thousands lying around gathering dust, there are economical alternatives. Inflatable hot tubs – like the Lay-Z-Spa – can be found at a far more affordable price.

Lay the foundation

If you do decide to opt for a hot tub, you’ll need a designated area to house it. An exposed spa in the middle of a marshy wasteland doesn’t exactly scream “decadence”, so start by laying a base for your new home spa with a fitting flooring option.

At AlfrescoPlus, we recommend either capped composite decking or porcelain paving tiles for their superior moisture control and water-resistance. Naturally, these watery capabilities make either surface ideal for the task at hand.

Capped composite decking comes in protective polymer sleeve that is virtually impervious to moisture, while porcelain is made for slip-resistance and built to withstand spills and splashes while maintaining grip and traction.

Whichever surface you settle on, either one would make a fantastic flooring solution that’s ideal for housing a hot tub.

Take cover

Now that we have our hot tub and flooring planned out, it’s worth considering a cover for your outdoor spa area.

British weather can be pretty unpredictable at times and, at others, completely unforgiving. There’s nothing fun or relaxing about sitting in the rain, so cover your back by covering your head.

Meanwhile, even if you don’t mind the rain creeping in, you’ll certainly mind a neighbouring peering in. An awning or veranda can provide elemental shelter and heightened privacy simultaneously.

Meanwhile, shelter in the form of wood fencing, trellis and naturally high growing plants can provide additional privacy and seclusion, while also adding to the natural ambience of your garden spa space.

Take a seat

As amazing as it is to relax in the comfort of a hot tub in the outdoors, doing so for too long can pose many risks. Meanwhile, too much of anything can lose its appeal, so an alternative option can act as a welcome break.

Creating a seating area within your outdoor space can provide you with the perfect spot to soak up a rare bout of sun and unwind with a relaxatory beverage of your choice. Whether this is part of the same area as your hot tub or another patch entirely is up to you.

If budget and space allow, this could make for the perfect opportunity to create an outdoor lounge area separate from your hot tub, capitalising on the garden trend of zoning while adding to your overall spa ambience.

Choose a fitting flooring surface in keeping with your theme and adorn with compatible garden seating and loungers. Accessorise with a water feature for the ultimate complimentary area to complete your garden spa sanctuary.

For more information about our products and how to transform your outdoor space into a home spa haven, give us a call on 0800 028 8756 or send us an email using the link below.

Get in Touch

When it comes to adding an element of contemporary garden design to your outdoor space, knowing where to start can be half the battle.

With so many options at the click of a mouse, the myriad of available avenues is virtually endless, leaving you spoilt for choice and none the wiser on where to begin.

To save you from an overwhelming state of mental design flux, we’ve laid out a few simple options to help you bring your contemporary garden design to life on your property.

Zone Out

A growing trend in the gardening community and exterior design is the art of zoning. This essentially splits your outdoor space into distinct areas with a designated theme, look or purpose for each “zone”.

Zoning can help open up your garden give it a more voluminous feel, while it can also increase your garden’s overall appeal by giving your outdoor space with a multi-dimensional sense of purpose.

Creating designated areas for dining, relaxing and play can instantly make your outdoor space an outdoor oasis for people of all ages, making your garden the place to be for a variety of occasions.

Hit the Deck

The multi-functional appeal of decking makes it the perfect addition to any modern garden design. Whether you’re looking to relax and soak up the sun or wine and dine with friends, a decking area can oblige with ease.

Providing the perfect surface to host a variety of outdoor activities, decking can also be a great way to break up your garden and separate it from your lawn and plants.

What’s more, modern composite decking provides both style and substance with its superior durability and range of board designs, making it the perfect material for a long-term garden fixture that looks good and lasts.

Pave the Way

Providing design diversity in droves and personality in abundance, paving for your garden can inject an immediate dose of personality into your property, bringing your outdoor space to life from the moment they arrive.

Available in a huge variety of design options, paving is perhaps the easiest way to make a wholesale change to your garden’s aesthetic presentation. Better still, porcelain paving is specifically designed for low-maintenance longevity and long-term lifespan, providing you with a durable design that retains its looks for the long-haul.

Additionally, lighter colours, like creams and whites, can help create a sense of space, giving the illusion that your garden is bigger than it actually is. If space is at a premium, a brighter tile choice could result in a visually expansive garden.

Lounge Around

Perhaps the ultimate in outdoor enjoyment and relaxation, turning your garden into a glorified lounge can be a perfect way to add a touch of contemporary design to your outdoor space.

While a lounge-like ambience can be achieved through many of the above methods – established to great effect when combining several of these options – the way you accessorise can make all the difference.

Modern design trends have seen interior design staples make their way out into the open air, from rattan style corner sofas to upcycled indoor furniture reborn for the outdoors.

Meanwhile, fire pits and fire bowls can make a great centrepiece for a social area that also provides a hypnotic, mesmerising quality you can just as easily get lost in.

However, no outdoor lounge would be complete without comfy weatherproof seating, so keep that high on the list. Complete the care-free atmosphere by adding an attractive water feature for an all-natural soundtrack.

For more inspiration and information on contemporary garden design, give us a call on 0800 028 8756 or get in touch online using the button below.

Get in Touch