Why Garden Benches Are A Sign Of A Welcome In Your Garden

Wooden benches for your garden come in a variety of shapes, designs and sizes. Not only can they be designed to look traditional or modern, but they can also be great for creating a functional and fun family seating area too. 


Plenty of people have benches in their garden as a place to sit, as well as the decorative focal point. However, what you might not realise is that wooden benches are also a great sign that you are ready to welcome people into your garden too. Here are some reasons why you should have a garden bench in your garden. 

They are a place to sit together

One of the main reasons that people install wooden benches into their garden is because they want to sit together and chat. Benches come in a variety of styles, some are for two people to sit together, some offer the option of two separate seats that are joined together with a table in the middle. Some are large picnic style benches that everyone can crowd around.

The bench that you pick for your garden will really depend not only on the space that you have to spare but also, just how many people you think will be visiting you and your garden.

They show that you are ready to relax

There is no better feeling than sitting on a wooden bench and simply watching the world go by, particularly if that is with a large cup of tea in hand. Having a garden bench means that you always have a place to sit down and relax, no matter the time of day or the weather. Many people like watching the birds and local wildlife in their garden too. For your guests, it also shows that you are ready to sit down and chat whenever they need you, without having to go to the hassle of digging out a folded chair into the garden or even dragging a chair from inside, outside.

They can be stylish

Whilst the main aim is to provide a place to sit and bring people together, garden benches can also do this in style. Garden benches come in a variety of styles and designs that will appeal to everyone, so you will definitely find one that will fit in with the rest of your garden and your own personal style. You can opt for intricate and ornate or perhaps something a little more basic. It really is down to you.

You can make them a memorial bench

Memorial benches are incredibly popular. This is because they allow you to sit and think about the person who is no longer in your life. They are often placed in public places or sites of particular interest to the person who has passed away, but they can just as easily be located in someone’s garden. Having a memorial bench in your garden is not only ideal for you to use, but also could be a site that family and friends can come and sit down too, remembering the person that has passed. It can help you feel closer to them, despite them no longer being around.

They are social

As we have already covered, garden benches are a great place to sit together and relax. Which means that they are a social spot within your garden. This is particularly true if you pick out a garden bench that is has a table attached. You will often see these used by families who like to eat together outside, as well as those people who like to throw parties or BBQ’s in the summer months.

The great thing about wooden benches is that they are always there, which means that no matter when it is, no matter who has come to visit, you are going to be ready and waiting to invite them into your garden.

As you can see, there are a variety of reasons why people see garden benches as a way to be welcomed into a garden.  Why not install a wooden bench into your outdoor space and see just how much it improves it? With so many different styles to choose from, you are never going to be stuck finding a wooden bench that is not only the ideal style for you, but offers something extra to your garden and give your guests the welcome that you hope to achieve.

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Making An Entrance

The phrase 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder', often holds true when it comes to what people feel when they look at a home or business for the first time. Positive or negative first impressions are formed instantaneously. Curb appeal refers to the aesthetic charm of a residence or commercial property when first seen. Usually, this becomes more significant when selling the property.

The new kerb appeal in the internet-obsessed age is having your property up for sale on an internet listing. “Web appeal” means that a home’s interior and exterior both need to be inviting enough to tempt potential buyers online.

A company’s kerb appeal sends a significant message to customers. Current and potential customers form an opinion about your business based on how it appears from the outside.

There are some notable examples worldwide where unusual exteriors have raised eyebrows, for example, a sporting venue’s entrance that resulted in a redesign five years after construction, artsy apartments in Seattle, USA or even the CCTV media house headquarters in China, referred to as “the Big Pants” by residents.

CCTV media house China Photo by Verdgris, CC BY-SA 3.0

These whimsical structures contrast with the Brutalism exemplified by bare concrete that was prevalent from the 1950s to the mid-1970s. Brutalism was the style popularised in post-war Britain, exemplified by many shopping malls, government projects and high-rise apartments. Its origins can be traced to French-Swiss architect Le Corbusier. The name itself was derived from béton brut or “raw concrete,” but the name created a wholly different and for some, negative connotation.

This architectural legacy resulted in different box-shaped homes built from cheap and ageing materials, which over time, became quite unpopular and hotly debated over whether it is worth preserving or not.

Discarding an architectural genre does not come without resistance, so there will likely be a compromise. The exterior of any property can be tweaked through several imaginative options. Some inexpensive fixes to a boring house include putting on some accent trim like shutters, investing in some creative landscaping or painting the entrance a new colour.




Photo by Chanilim714, CC BY-SA 3.0

Even your old driveway can get a pick-me-up with some paving stones to uplift a lacklustre entrance. Creating an outdoor space at the front of the house for entertainment can also make the home quite inviting. A water feature, for example, is both pleasing to the eye and calming.



Photo by Phil Jones, CC BY-SA 2.0

For a business, architects can incorporate some comfort features into a new facade so that the style of the business is improved, and the functionality is enhanced as well. Contemporary buildings also have the critical role of improving energy performance for the interior of a building. Natural ventilation may be the purpose of the upgrade. In improving the exterior, access may be upgraded to accommodate ageing clientele or those with vision or physical issues.

Though the term 'kerb appeal' relates to selling a property, it’s not the sole reason for improving the exterior. Besides sending a message about you, the homeowner, or about the business, there can be a functional reason for an exterior upgrade like energy-efficiency or improving access. A professional can assist, but there are reasonable options that you can do to turn your uninspiring entrance into a visual masterpiece.

Do you have ways of adding kerb appeal to your home or business?

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Choosing The Right Road Trip Vehicle


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 My husband and I love going on road trips. There is something exciting about driving around a country, stopping where you want, seeing the places, the people, the cities, the towns and the tiny villages that you never knew were there.  You can really get under the skin of a place and discover a country you didn't know existed.

 Of course, when you are planning a road trip you need to take into account the type of vehicle that will be perfect for your needs. You may be renting in a faraway place or buying a car for that classic road trip across Europe or the States.  Maybe your car is due to be replaced so you buying a car that can serve both your every day and road trip needs.  So here are some things that you really need to think about when choosing the right road trip vehicle for that awesome trip.

 Size of car


The size of the car can be directly related to the size of your road trip party. Is it just you, you and your partner or your family too? You will need a car big enough to include your luggage too, so check the size of the boot/trunk. 

 Often a smaller car can be more economical and easier to park but you also want to be comfortable driving as well. If you are driving long distances a large car like a family saloon or SUV is usually more comfortable in my experience and can feel safer than a small car too. So way up the size of the car carefully.

 Features of the car


There are some features you may think you definitely need and some features that you would like but aren't essential. This isn't so important when buying or renting a new car, as most cars these days have features like air conditioning, but is more important if you are buying an older car. 

 Some features to consider are below.

 Air conditioning - very important in hot weather 
Sat Nav - useful if built in, but you could use Google maps on your phone 
Bluetooth connectivity - to play music in your car seamlessly
Back up cameras - to show what is behind you and help with reverse parking
Automatic stop and start engines - useful if you are driving in built-up areas to save petrol/gas

 Type of car

There are certain types of car that people think of when they think 'road trip' and most of these are convertibles.  Driving a convertible across America is often a dream of road trippers but is it all it is cracked up to be? I know when we hired a Mustang in the States, the wind in our hair was great, but the sun beating down on us, not so much. If you have people in the back they will be windswept that's for sure and if you hire a convertible don't forget the sunscreen! A convertible often has a small boot/trunk too, so not ideal for a long road trip. 

 A vintage or classic car could be another idea, such as an old Jaguar, Porsche or MG but there are particular problems here too. You will have to weigh up the cost of buying/renting a vintage car, and the excitement of driving one against the old-fashioned suspension which could affect the comfort and the lack of modern features.  Older cars are more likely to be gas guzzlers and air conditioning will be unlikely. These issues may not worry you if you want to go for the cool classic car experience but still need to be considered.

 If you are driving off-road, or across difficult terrain, you may want to consider a 4 by 4, also called a 4 wheel drive. I know when we drove around Iceland on a road trip, we were really grateful for this type of car which can help driving on gravel roads, light snow, sand, mud and water. 

 A luxury sports car is the top of the range option, however, the cost will be high and economy low. Still a fantastic experience if you can afford it. Luggage space is usually non-existent, so best to hire just for a day or two.

 A mid-size or large saloon style car or SUV is often the choice for many road trippers, for the combination of comfort, leg space, features and room for your bags, all this especially important if you are driving a long distance.

 So as you can see there are many things to consider with the type of car, at the end of the day, however, the choice is yours. 

 Cost


When buying or hiring a cost there are obviously cost implications. A small car is generally more economical and cheaper, although there are exceptions, the bigger you go and the more features the car has, the more expensive it will be. If you are buying a car for a road trip, sites like Cars.com will help you find your perfect road trip vehicle and can be searched by car type, make, price, style and MPG. 

 A sports car, convertible, classic or vintage car will be more expensive to buy/rent and to insure compared to a family saloon. Older cars are also more likely to break down and can be less reliable than a newer car, so this is something else to think about.

 I hope you enjoyed my brief guide to choosing a road trip vehicle. Let me know, have you ever been on a road trip? What is your ideal road trip vehicle?
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7 Surprising Benefits Of Working In The Beauty Industry


If you ask someone who works in the beauty industry what their favourite part of their job is, there is a good chance that they will find it incredibly hard to decide which part is the best. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t any benefits, in fact quite the opposite. In this post, we outline 7 main benefits of working within the beauty industry. 





1. You can treat yourself and try out all the best makeup brands

Of course getting discounts and freebies is never enough of a reason to set up a business on its own, however, one of the best perks to being within the beauty industry is that you get to enjoy some of the very best brands out there. You may get a discount because you are recognised as being a trade customer, as well as the ability to access some of the newest products on the market too. You may even find, from time to time, that particular brands will send you samples to try, something that you can encourage by reviewing and sharing about that brand when you do use it.

2. You get to help other people




There is no better feeling than knowing that you can help someone else. When you make over a client, cut their hair, paint their nails or any other form of treatment that you carry out, you are making them feel great about themselves, and this can help their confidence grow and improve their self-esteem. This, in turn, can make you feel pretty great about yourself and what you can do too.

3. You can set your own hours

No matter the industry that you work in, being self-employed is great if you want flexible working. Being a beautician is no different. Whilst you are going to have to work around the type of appointments that your clients want, you decide when you work and how often. This is ideal if you have a family that you need to take care of.

4. You can show off what you can do 




There are not many jobs whereby you get to showcase your skills in such an obvious way every day. Not only do you get to flex your creative muscles when it comes to working with your clients, but you can show it off on yourself too. Making you a walking talking advert for your skills and experience.

5. You are always learning

If you like to be kept on your toes and always learning something new, the beauty industry is perfect for you, as it is always moving and changing. Learning new skills and keeping up to date with the fashion and beauty industry trends is a perfect way to expand your knowledge, whilst giving your clients new products and beauty treatments.

6. You get to meet new people all the time


If there is one thing that you are going to quickly realise when you work in the beauty industry, is that it's a very social environment. Brushing up on your social skills so that you can make small talk is a good idea if you are thinking of this as a career choice.  One benefit of this is that you will expand your social circle and get to know a wealth of new people on a regular basis.

7. It can be great fun

If there is one thing that you will quickly realise about the beauty industry, is that it can be great fun. Whether you are training to be a beauty therapist in London or working within a salon or spa, it often means there is a great camaraderie. If you work alone there are still many ways you will work with people such as on photo shoots, or with bridal makeup or hair. Working with people in such a vibrant industry means it can be great fun. You never know, you may even get to work on a catwalk or for a magazine!

Think that you fancy working in the beauty industry? Not sure where to start? The best place is checking out some of the beauty therapy courses online with NCC Home Learning, where you will be able to learn more about what is required as well as finding out everything you need to know.

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5 Of The Best Themed Luxury Hotels

If you travel a lot, sometimes you just want to stay somewhere a bit different. Here are my best-themed luxury hotels for that unique stay.

The Malmaison Hotel, Oxford, UK

If you want to find out what life is like in a prison but you don't want to do the time, try the Malmaison Oxford. This converted prison is great for a unique stay.  

 Rooms are far more spacious than your standard prison cell, as when they converted the prison they combined cells for the rooms. You can stay in a standard room or a cell room, with a heavy door, and cell window, but don't worry, every room has wi-fi, luxurious beds and power showers. You certainly won't be slopping out here! 

 Recommended due to the uniqueness of the building. 






The Peabody Hotel, Memphis, USA


If you are staying in the American 'deep south' on a music tour, consider The Peabody Hotel Memphis.  This luxury hotel in downtown Memphis is literally around the corner from Beal Street with the shops, bars and people watching. 

 With rooms in muted shades of lilac, cream and beige, impeccable service and staff that have southern charm, this historic hotel is elegant, comfortable and luxurious. It also had some well-known residents - the Peabody ducks! These ducks live on the roof and every day the 'duckmaster' guides them down in the lift and into the foyer so they can have a paddle in the fountain. Yes, you heard me right. It's such a spectacle that people come from miles around just to see them! It also has a branch of Lansky Bros, the store where Elvis used to buy his famous shirts and jackets for the stage.

 Recommended for the ducks of course!




The Venetian, Las Vegas, USA


The Venetian Hotel Las Vegas is a five-diamond luxury hotel and casino on the Las Vegas strip. The Venetian is not just a hotel though, oh no, it's a resort complex, together with The Palazzo Hotel and the Sands Conference Centre that makes it the second largest hotel in the world with over 4000 rooms.

 The Venetian hotel is jaw-dropping in its attention to detail.  The hotel is themed around Venice. You can even visit a copy of St Marks Square in Venice, complete with shops, restaurants and performance artists, under a fake twilight sky.  See the Bridge of Sighs, the Campanile Tower, the Rialto Bridge, and the Doge’s Palace. Service was impeccable, with cases arriving at our rooms in little over ten minutes. For affordable prices, stay in the week, and avoid when there are big events on.

 Recommended for the experience, you will never see anything like it.




 The Corinthia Hotel, Budapest, Hungary 

The Corinthia Hotel Budapest is a historic luxury hotel opened in 1896 as the Grand Hotel Royal in Budapest, Hungary. It was (and still is) the place to go for movie stars and dignitaries in Budapest, and used to have a large cinema that accommodated over 1000 moviegoers in its time.  

 Taken over by the Corinthia hotel group in 2002, it is thought to be the inspiration for the Wes Anderson film The Grand Budapest Hotel, as he had a private tour of the hotel previous to the film being released. It's also a bargain price for a 5-star hotel. If you want to find out more information read my review of the Corinthia Hotel Budapest.  

 Recommended for the beautiful building and the movie connection. 




The Hard Rock Hotel, Orlando, Florida

The Hard Rock Hotel Orlando is part of one of our favourite hotel chains - the Lowes Hotels. The Hard Rock Hotel is a family-friendly, music-themed hotel, a five-minute walk to Universal Studios Orlando and the City Walk restaurant, shop and bar complex. We especially loved the pool area complete with sandy beach, slide and underwater music, as well as the super cool Velvet bar and live music offerings on a weekly basis. 

As a partner hotel to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure theme parks, if you stay here, you also get special privileges with your admission ticket to the parks.  This includes early entry, 'Ultimate Express' unlimited ride access, fast passing queues, priority seating to restaurants at both theme parks and Universal City Walk and lots more. 

 Recommended for music fans everywhere and it's theme park privileges.  



So this is 5 of the best-themed luxury hotels I have experienced. 


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What do you think of these hotels? Have you ever stayed in a unique hotel? 

 *PR collaboration with Expedia
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A Quick Guide To Choosing Your Bedroom Flooring

There are a number of options available to you when choosing bedroom flooring and you may not know where to start in researching this.  In this guide, I will take you through the mains type of flooring suitable for your bedroom, taking into account ease of cleaning, how it feels underfoot, design and aesthetics and cost. 

 Solid Wood Flooring

Solid wood flooring is 100 percent natural wood, refined from a piece of hardwood and then treated to give it a protective coating. It has a beauty and warmth and fits in with most styles of decor. 

It is normally laid in strips or planks in a bedroom although parquet is also popular. Parquet flooring is where individual pieces or blocks of wood are fitted together to form a patterned floor.

Solid wood flooring can be pricey but lasts years. Keep it clean by daily sweeping.  For a more thorough clean vacuum it and mop with a damp mop. Solid wood flooring may need to be oiled, check with the manufacturer when it is installed.

Laminate Flooring


Laminate flooring is made of a layer of melamine and fibre board, with a wood effect top. It is available in a wide range of wood designs and colours. 

Laminate flooring is versatile, easy to clean and fairly durable, although it is suspectable to scratching.  It is also cheaper than solid wood flooring so is a useful compromise when you want the look of solid wood flooring without the price. Keep clean by sweeping on a daily basis and mopping with a damp mop weekly. 

 Vinyl

 Vinyl flooring, a synthetic cousin of linoleum, is available in a very wide range of designs including patterned, plain and wood designs and is stain and water resistant.   Underfoot it has a cushioning effect so it is soft and has insulating properties keeping your room cool in summer and warm in winter.  

 Vinyl flooring is very easy to keep clean, so it is especially good for a child's bedroom, just sweep or vacuum it and use a damp mop. It is also very cheap compared to most flooring and is a cost-effective option for your bedroom. 

 Carpet 


Carpet is a popular choice for a bedroom as it is warm and cosy underfoot, soft and insulating. It is available in many designs and colours, for most price points and is very versatile. 

 Carpet is available in synthetic and natural wool, the latter being the most expensive option.  Carpets can stain so look for carpet with a stain guard to protect it  - especially important in a child's bedroom. 

 Carpets can hold dirt and dust and this is a consideration if you have those with allergies and asthma in the home when you should probably consider other types of flooring. To clean a carpet, simply vacuum and to treat any stubborn stains, clean with a recommended carpet cleaner. 

Ceramic tile and stone flooring

 Ceramic tile or stone flooring looks great but is very cold underfoot, so it not the best option for a bedroom. It also doesn't have the sound insulation you get with other types of flooring so underfoot it can be noisy to others in another room.

 The cost is also considerable with this type of flooring so only think about it if it fits in with the style, for example, a Mediterranean villa or Spanish style property.  

 So here is a quick guide to choosing your bedroom flooring. Which choice of flooring for your bedroom do you prefer?

* PR Collaboration

 Cleaning tips are only a guide, always check the manufacturer's instructions 

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What To Do In St Ives Cornwall For A First Time Visitor

St Ives in Cornwall is one of those postcard-perfect seaside towns that Cornwall does well, but it has a depth and appeal that goes beyond the traditional seaside resort, and it is a town that I would recommend a visit to all year round.



With a wealth of funky art galleries, amazing restaurants, cool independent boutiques and artsy gift shops, as well as the powder sand beaches, it caters for almost everyone, from young people to families and older couples alike.

Go for the food

a Cornish pasty shop

The smell of Cornish pasties and fish and chips permeates the air, and your stomach rumblings mean you will finally give in to a mouthwatering layered pasty.  The classic Cornish pasty is a thing of beauty, shaped like a D and crimped on one side. Traditionally made of beef, swede, potato and onion it's a filling snack and one which you should try when in St Ives.



Besides the Cornish pasties, this area is also known for its cream teas, the best comprised of warm scones from the oven, with fruity strawberry jam and clotted cream, thick with a crusty top and gooey centre. Serve with lashings of English breakfast tea, the Cornish cream tea is an iconic afternoon treat.
A cream tea

St Ives is also known for its amazing fresh fish and some of the best restaurants in St Ives feature fish heavily on their menu.  From the Seafood Cafe with fish so fresh it's almost swimming away, to the award-winning Porthminster Cafe, with amazing views, serving sustainable fish and featured in the Good Food Guide, you will be spoilt for choice in St Ives. 

Although it's not sophisticated, don't forget the fish and chips!  This classic seaside staple is something to be enjoyed out of a paper bag, with hot steamy chips reeking of vinegar and white flaky cod in a crisp light batter whilst watching the sun go down. Be careful though of the seagulls who are tremendously cheeky around these parts, or they may make away with a chip or two.

Stay for the art

Porthminster Gallery

Its magical light means it's a haven for artists. Even in the winter, you only have to take a stroll to the seafront to watch budding artists set up their easels by the harbour walls, their long brush strokes capturing the crashing waves. 

In the town there are several galleries, selling work by local artists. The Blue Bramble Gallery was a treasure trove of contemporary and traditional designs, from talented painters, sculptors and craftspeople, while the Porthminster Gallery was another exceptional gallery selling artwork and pottery by local artisans. 

Pablo Picasso's painting at the Tate St Ives

A highlight of St Ives for us was the Tate St Ives. This modern art gallery, a sister to the Tate Modern and the Tate Britain, is smaller than its London cousins but still perfectly formed. See amazing works of art from Piet Mondrian, Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso to Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore. Don't forget to stop off at the rooftop cafe for a cappuccino and cake with views over St Ives.

The Barbara Hepworth Museum and sculpture gardens are also worth a visit. One of the few female British artists of her generation to achieve international prominence, she is particularly known for her modern sculptures.

Shop til you drop

Trelyon Gallery

The independent shops in St Ives have a wealth of gorgeous fashion, home, jewellery and gift shops. Trelyon Gallery sells contemporary jewellery at affordable price points, and I was very tempted by a beautiful silver bracelet, whilst Home and Gift St Ives had some cool retro maps and travel prints that we adored, and the Painted Bird sells a diverse collection of gifts and crafts perfect as a souvenir of your stay.

As well as independent shops there is also a range of well-known high street brands, many with a beach/surf theme such as Weird Fish, Fat Face and Seasalt, as well as shops like Joules, Mountain Warehouse and Superdry. 


Seasalt St Ives

Enjoy the coastline



With an abundance of gorgeous blue flag beaches perfect for surfing and windsurfing and rocky outcrops that just invite adventure, St Ives and the surrounding area has just some of the best coastline anywhere in the world.

Why not go rock pooling near the Pedn Olva hotel, or take a boat tour from the harbour to go to Seal Island, where you can see, you guessed it - seals?! The Dolly P boat from St Ives Boats also offers trips to Godrevy Lighthouse and Hell’s Mouth, as well as fishing trips and private charter. 

 If you are not lucky to catch the seals, a trip to the Gweek Seal Sanctuary, 40 minutes from St Ives is highly recommended. A sanctuary for marine animals and injured seal pups, you can even have 'breakfast with the seals', where you get a chance to feed the fish their breakfast, have a tour of the sanctuary and later have your own continental breakfast in their cafe in with the ticket price.

Experience the unexpected

When you think you know all that St Ives has to offer, the charm, the food, the scenery, the beaches, the art, the culture, it smacks you in the face with something unexpected. If you are brave one night I recommend going on a ghost walk of the town with Shanty Baba. 

 In the eerie light of a lantern, let this local character tell you stories of fishermen lost, the plague, and ghosts galore. It's immersive, it's spooky, it's based in fact but above all it's entertaining. Definitely recommended.

To find out about the cultural events in Cornwall and what's happening in the area check out Cornwall 365. You can also send for an illustrated atlas of Cornwall's culture and heritage called Find & Seek. Packed with all the interesting events going on throughout the year and everything Cornwall is famous for. With hand-drawn maps and an overlay section that you can personalise this great guide is something, you can make into your own personal adventure.
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So this is my guide on what to do in St Ives Cornwall for a first-time visitor.

Check out the video below from the YouTube channel I created with Mr W, Fly Drive Explore, about our travels and laughs around the world as over 40 travel bloggers.



 Let me know, have you been to this area of Cornwall? Do any of the activities appeal?

Wander Mum
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5 Tips To Finding The Perfect Furniture For Your Bathroom Suite

You will notice that you have many options when searching for the perfect furniture for your bathroom suite. Bathroom furniture and cabinets are available for purchase in a wide range of styles, sizes, colours, and price ranges. It's no wonder that finding the perfect bathroom furniture can be a challenging task. Fear not readers, here are 5 top tips for finding the perfect furniture for your bathroom suite.

Tip 1: Stick to your budget

Seeing the wide range of options available it is easy to get carried away with your purchases, however, why not try and set your budget and stick to it? You will be pleasantly surprised at what you can find.  If the bathroom furniture you like is out of your budget, try and wait for it to go on sale, or search around for a cheaper, similar alternative. Don't be discouraged if you fail to find the perfect furniture that is within your budget at first. The perfect furniture is out there, try the January sales if all else fails.

Tip 2: Understand your needs

Before beginning your search, it is necessary for you to think about what you need. Firstly, think about the size of your bathroom. Do you need to get compact furniture or is size, not an issue? Where will you put towels? Is there a need to invest in a large cabinet for extra storage space? What would you prefer - an attached wall cabinet or a freestanding cabinet? Bathroom fitted furniture is all the rage these days. Are there any special features you are on the lookout for? If you understand your needs better, you will be able to shop better. Don't forget to keep your budget in mind when planning your bathroom too.

Tip 3: Think about your taste

Of course, it is necessary for the bathroom furniture to be functional and practical, however, it is equally important for your bathroom to be aesthetically pleasing. What styles do you like?  Are you looking for a large wood cabinet or will a medicine cabinet suffice? Do you prefer dark or light wood or are metal cabinets more your style? Are you looking for something simple or ornate? There are plus points and negative points with materials - wood cabinets can mark easily whilst metal can rust with the moisture in the air, so think about this carefully. A custom cabinet may be for you if you have specific tastes. Check out Custom Cabinets Dallas for quality construction and craftsmanship.

Tip 4: Explore

After deciding on your budget and knowing what you want, go ahead and start your search. Instead of visiting the usual home improvement stores though, why not check out second-hand shops, speciality shops, antique shops and auction sites? You never know what you might find and you could end up with a unique bathroom that no one else will have.

Tip 5: Assembly, fitting and delivery service

Check if they can deliver the bathroom furniture to the room of your choice, as this can reduce the risk of damaging the furniture.  If it is pre-assembled before the delivery this can be a lot easier for you, rather than having to assemble, fit, install, and place the bathroom furniture in your bathroom. Check out the cost of delivery too, as it all adds up to the overall budget. 

I hope this guide has been useful, let me know if you have had any challenges when buying bathroom furniture.

 *Guest post
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Helloprint - Perfect For All Your Photo Needs.

Photos mean so much to me. I am always capturing my life through a lens - from my son's first day at school to him winning an award for art at 16, to our family holidays to Orlando and my travels with my husband now that my son has grown up. Finding a site to get affordable good quality prints of my favourite photos with great colour rendition is always tricky but recently Helloprint asked me to collaborate with them to check out their website and report back for my readers. 
Who are Helloprint?


The brand started in 2013 - launched by four young guys with their dream to own a photo business - and now boasts more than 150 team members who come from over 20 different countries. The Helloprint platform is live in eight different countries and is visited by millions of people each year. The brand has nine core values: do what you promise, show flammable passion, be hungry, enjoy the ride, act energetic, powerful and fast, solve it, design yourself, make friends and be in it to win it. They hope to deliver on all of them to each customer. Helloprint are also one of the fastest growing e-commerce platforms in Europe and they even won the Deloitte Fast 50 Rising Star of 2016.

So what is the site like? When it comes to photo printing, I want the site I use to be simple and easy to use. I pride myself on being quite tech savvy but I like my sites to be as user-friendly as possible so anyone can use them. I want my photos to be crisp and good quality - like these photos from New York. So do they deliver?



Helloprint is incredibly easy to use - you can quickly find the specific product you are looking for or enter the design studio to create your own personalised products such as leaflets or business cards. The company are great because they offer such a wide variety of products from packaging to Point of Sale items to home items to clothing - they have pretty much anything you could ever wish for. 



They sell such a variety of items that you are bound to find what you are looking for. Whether you are looking for items for a business (business cards, business stationery, document bags or even brochures), something for the home (umbrellas, beanies, bomber jackets) or some specific stationery (birth announcements, wedding invitations, letterheads), Helloprint probably have what you need. They cater to every consumer - from big businesses to a new mum at home wanting to let everyone know that her baby has arrived. They are a relevant brand for everyone and offer some items that you probably didn’t even know you needed - printed balloons or printed water bottles aren’t your everyday item but are definitely needed at times!


What makes them so special though?
  • You are getting good quality products at an extremely affordable price. 
  • They really do go the extra mile - offering a free artwork check for example
  • In the unlikely event that you have a problem, they are readily available for customer service. 
  • They offer free delivery on all products - you don’t have to meet any minimum threshold for the free delivery which is refreshing.
  • The brand is also rated as excellent on Trustpilot, which is not something every brand can claim to have!

For the quality and the affordability, Helloprint are a brand I would certainly use in the future. They really have covered all bases with the number of items they offer without skimping on quality. Far too many brands offer plenty of items and plenty of promises but cannot deliver upon them - Helloprint are different and this is reflected in their Trustpilot rating. I will definitely be considering them next time I need some items for work - they really do offer everything - and decent quality items always help impress when it comes to business.

What printed items do you utilise in your personal or business life?

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