This isn’t necessarily the smartest DIY project we have ever seen, but it could be fun to make.
The idea is that you can flip over the end of the table and all the rubbish left on top will be concealed within, a perfect solution for those of us who cannot see a free surface without strewing it with letters and magazines!
Getting to the stage in running your own business where you need to rent some office space is a fairly momentous occasion.
If you’ve got to the point where you can actually hire people and afford the overheads associated with an office, it means you’re on the right track. There are loads of things to think about when you get to this point, such as picking your space, setting up phones and internet, getting computers.
Unless you’re in a completely managed space, an important thing to think about is the design and furnishing of your shiny new office, but this is something that often gets left until the last minute.
It’s important because the office vibe and comfort levels are crucial to your staff’s motivation. In those early days of setting up an office, bringing in new people and getting your business to grow and succeed, this is really important. People spend so much of their time at work, and when they’re facing challenges you want them to be in as relaxed and positive a mindset as possible. So getting your office right from the start can really have an impact.
Everyone will tell you about the importance of good office chairs for posture and comfort. Ergonomics has taught us a lot about the way we interact with our environment and the effect it has on our well being. You need to buy quality chairs which the user can adjust to the right height. Help your staff to set themselves up for maximum comfort and good health – the top of their screen needs to be at eye level to minimise strain; offer them cushions for under their arms; if necessary provide foot rests to keep them comfortable.
Some office furniture can look quite bland and uninspiring. Depending on the vibe you are trying to create for your business you might want to liven it up or consider some more adventurous and a stylish furniture designs. For example, could you get your company logo stencilled onto desks cheaply to brighten them up? Perhaps even think about buying a cheap sofa from a second hand place or furniture market for staff to relax on during breaks or use for meetings? Office furniture doesn’t have to just be white desks and black chairs, be creative and it could have a really positive impact on your employees’ productivity.
If your office is low on windows make sure the lighting is good. Invest in some additional lamps if needs be – the last thing you want is a dark, depressing workplace.
Buy a radio. You’ll be amazed at the difference a little background noise makes to productivity. Additionally, as you’re starting out and hiring new staff it’s a great ice breaker and makes people feel more relaxed, which is important for team building.
Look for any other little ways that you can afford to give the space personality. Plants are great for creating a positive environment. Other ideas include a fish tank, pictures on the walls, or even just a pinboard which staff can put notes and photos on. It will all help, and give you more happy, healthy and productive staff.
Image by crinklecrankle.com
As the summer begins to draw to a close, it’s time to think about what to do with your garden furniture this winter. After all, it’s no use splashing out on the latest fancy garden set in summer, only to find it’s turned rusty or mildewed by next spring!
Protecting your garden furniture isn’t hard to do, and it’s sure to save you lots of time, effort and cash in the future.
1) Put it into Storage
The simplest and most effective way to protect your garden furniture is to put it into storage. Whether this be in your garage, your conservatory or your attic, it’s an ideal way to defend your furniture against any harsh weather.
Many pieces of furniture can also be damaged by UV Rays however, so if your conservatory doesn’t have a UV filter, then you can protect your furniture by using my next tip…
2) Cover it
Whether it’s stored inside or out, by putting a cover over your furniture, you’re adding an extra layer of protection. If your furniture will be exposed to sunlight, then choose a cover with a UV filter to prevent bleaching by the sun, while waterproof covers are essential if your furniture will be outside.
To prevent mould growth under the cover, always make sure you leave enough space to let some air circulate. It’s also a good idea to make sure that the cover is arranged in a way that doesn’t allow pools of water to collect.
3) Make it Weatherproof
If you really want to ensure that your garden furniture stands up to the elements, then it’s time to look into weather-proofing solutions.
Wood
Most woods can be made waterproof by simply spraying or staining them with a special varnish. These are usually available in both clear or coloured versions, so you can even give your plain-coloured furniture a classy update while you’re at it.
However, while this will help to seal the wood and to protect it from water, fluctuations in temperature can still cause wood to warp. So on those cold winter nights your wooden furniture is best kept indoors.
Plastic
Naturally waterproof and weatherproof, plastic is the ideal material if you don’t want to worry about weather protection. However you can still find that algae will choose to grow on your table, so make sure to give it a quick wipe over every now and again. Over long periods of time plastic can become brittle if exposed to extremes of hot and cold, but it’s one of the least vulnerable furniture materials. Now if only it looked nicer!
Wicker
If you are the proud owner of a wicker furniture set, then Tung oil is the ideal solution to protect it from the elements.However, wicker is one of the more fragile materials used for garden furniture, so despite a Tung oil coating it should still be moved inside during heavy downpours. Wicker is also very susceptible to frost, so move it inside as soon as the weather begins to cool.
Metal
If you have a cast or wrought iron patio set, make sure to keep a close eye on it as both can easily rust. Keep them inside during bad weather and look into weather proofing solutions such as a waterproof cover. If you have an Aluminium set on the other hand, you have no need to fear; while aluminium may be the most expensive of the three, it doesn’t rust, so it often works out cheaper in the long run!
Rattan
PVC rattan sets designed for the garden are naturally weatherproof, so you have nothing to worry about. However, rattan sets designed for indoor use are most certainly not, so never leave them outside for prolonged periods of time. You can easily wash off any dirt that builds up on outdoor rattan furniture with a hose pipe, and they will usually have built in UV protection, so they won’t fade in the sun.
So whether you have rattan, metal or oak furniture, there’s a simple way to protect it.
Do you know of any other ways to help your garden furniture survive the winter?
Estelle Page is an interior designer and DIY addict. When she’s not busy working on her latest project, you’ll find her with her nose buried in the latest style magazines. She loves sharing helpful hints and tips and writes for Great Furniture Trading Company in her spare time.
For years people have complained at how tricky some of Ikea’s assemby instructions can be for their flat packed furniture, but at last they have launched the first of a series of assembly instruction videos.
The Swedish company’s usual printed instruction booklets have always just used pictures to illustrate what you need to do to put your furniture together, and many have found this frustrating to say the least!
The first video they have released is a how-to on putting together their Malm bed frame, but they plan to add to this regularly, focusing on their most popular items.
So let’s hope that now Ikea furniture stress becomes a thing of the past!
Have you had problems following Ikea instructions in the past and what do you think of their video help?
With extended family and friends staying over during the festive season here’s a quick guide to what’s best for your sleepover needs. When a property is topsy turvy from home improvements, space saving furniture is one idea to minimise disruption.
With children in mind a single foam chair bed is made especially for little people; when it’s time to sleep, this sleepover solution flops out into a single bed and is a chair when storing during the day.
For more than one child another favourite is the popular foam sofa bed, which as the name suggests, is a small sofa during the day and can flop out within seconds to a bed suitable for two small children up to the age of 5, depending on size.
With adults to accommodate, look no further than a traditional futon. The futon base can be solid pine or a metal action futon. Consider the depth of mattress when buying a futon, mattress range from a 9cm depth to a luxury 14cm thick futon mattress. Look for a cotton drill cover as these will be available in a range of modern and funky dyed colours.
With a price to suit every budget from divan beds to guest beds, the Comfy Living online store has the perfect sleepover solution for everyone to enjoy, with free delivery to mainland UK on everything!
DIY Doctor fans are entitled to a limited 5% discount on any item on the website www.comfy-living.co.uk simply enter the code DIYDOCTOR at the checkout. Offer expires 11/12/11.
