Olive green, royal blue, and burnt orange are among the most popular home colours on Instagram right now. Social media shows that we are making bolder choices in our homes and embracing a richer colour palette as we continue into winter months.
See our thoughts on the 5 standout colour choices of 2022, the interior trends they are synonymous with, and how to bring fresh colour into the home…
Royal Blue Dark blues can be powerful when it comes to décor but also intimidating when experimenting in the beginning, so it’s wonderful to see them taking centre stage this winter for a change! Deep and rich tones of navy and Prussian blue look truly stunning in both contemporary and traditional style rooms and can be as striking or understated as you like.
For those who take a more subtle approach to colour in the home, royal blue can be used sparingly in your accessories. If deep blue is too strong, you can incorporate it as glass, for example as glass side lights or pendant lights, adding colour to a neutral room. Accessorise with cushions and throws of similar shades to tie it all together. If you feel like going bolder with blue, why not try some blue velvet bed linen and then add a striking feature wall behind your headboard?
Mauve and Neutrals Even though grey didn't make it onto the list, it's unsurprising to find that neutrals were the second most popular home colour on our feeds.
Neutrals are always a great idea. Simple yet effective - the layering of oatmeal, stone, taupe, mauve and brown in a room brings a relaxed Scandi vibe. Adding an over-sized rug or kilim to a dark wooden floor creates the ideal textured canvas for a natural living room or bedroom.
Blush Pink This winter, pinks take on a softer and more muted feel, used on tactile upholstery like linen and velvet.
Muted pinks have become very popular in interiors over the last month. They add a touch of delicacy and a glimmer of wonder to the home. Opting for a pale pink upholstered bed, ottoman or stool will add femininity and romance to a white bedroom.
Pulling the look together with a candle, wall art and cushions will make a magical sanctuary for you to retreat to. Rose pinks have also become a favourite choice for living rooms, with luxurious velvet sofas taking centre stage. Pink is the new neutral.
Olive Green Over the last years we’ve seen an abundance of greens with the rise of the biophilic trend and natural botanical motifs. From shades of sage and cardamon during the warmer months, to olive and forest in the winter months, there are plenty of ways to bring green into your home.
A deceptively versatile shade, olive green makes for a bold feature wall or as a pop of colour in an occasional chair, footstool or even a painted chest of drawers.
Colour drench your walls to create an intensely cosy living room, make a statement with luxury green velvet bed linen, or use house plants in kitchens and bathrooms for more of a subtle touch.
Burnt Orange The warmest colour on our list, using a rich burnt orange in the home offers a brighter outlook during darker months. As the days darken and the weather turns colder, it is comforting to bring warmth into our homes with burnt orange hues.
Last year we also saw the nostalgic 70s trend back on the rise; use vibrant colour choices to tap into this time-warping trend and have fun with textured feathered lamp shades, tassels, fringing and macrame wall hangings and planters.
Are you changing your colours this season? Let us know!Read more
For every successful bit of hallway decorating, there are dozens of tales of lopsided shelves, incorrectly fitted taps, and a whole host of other DIY disasters and fails.
And this risky approach doesn’t just apply to home DIY – we often see it when a landlord tries to do everything themselves.
When it comes to selling a home, there’s a simple way to add thousands of pounds to the price you achieve – and that’s to get rid of your clutter.
By being a little bit ruthless with yourself, and those you live with, you really can achieve a quicker and more lucrative sale.
Here are five ways to say toodle-oo to your old toot.
Make a start The first step is often the hardest, especially if you have a strong emotional attachment to the property. Make things easier by focusing on a single cupboard or box – and building up from there. Move on to other boxes, cupboards or shelves in the same room before progressing onto other rooms in the property.
Be honest You don’t have to bin everything, but you do have to be honest. Will a buyer be impressed by your fishing rod collection, or your stash of Queen Mum memorabilia? Probably not. Buyers are looking for a property they can put their stamp on and might be turned off by your ‘special interests’. Put your beloved items into storage.
When did you last use it? It’s amazing how many items we never use but keep ‘just in case’. Exercise equipment, camping gear, and sewing machines top the ‘I swear I’ll use it one day’ list. Consider selling these items online. That way someone else will get joy out of them – and you’ll earn some extra cash.
Take before and after photos Before you start decluttering a room, take a quick snap of it in all its crowded glory. Once you’ve finished in a room, take an ‘after shot’. You’ll be surprised at how much more spacious the room looks, providing useful inspiration to keep going on your decluttering mission.
Reward yourself It can be stressful – and even emotional – getting rid of things that you’ve had for a long time. When you finish decluttering a room, reward yourself with a nice meal out, a walk with a friend or trip to the cinema.
If you’d like more advice about selling your home, contact us here at Pinkertons.Read more
It’s time to give your hallway some attention. As a buyer steps into a home, in their mind that first view of home must be something they want to come home to, every day. If they are put off in the first few steps, what chance do you have? Many forget the entrance hall when staging a home, considering the kitchen, bedrooms, living room more important, but we’re here to say a well-staged hallway can sell a home. It’s time to give it a spruce!
1. Clear the clutter This tip may seem obvious, but you need to create the sensation of space in the hall, so be ruthless and limit each family member to one coat and one pair of shoes in the hall. Make sure you put your bike in storage and clear that build-up of junk mail. Use hooks on the wall or tuck coat racks under the stairs, if possible, to maximise the space.
2. Keep paint pale and neutral Unless you have an impressively large, period hallway that can carry off traditional, darker paint colours, keep the walls of your hallway pale and neutral. Neutral colours help people to imagine their own furniture in the space and pale colours make the room appear larger. Keep ceilings white. Try painting the baseboards the same colour as the floor to make the floor space appear larger.
3. Keep it light and bright There is a reason that estate agents will describe a property as “bright” – dark homes simply don’t sell as fast, so take the time to think about the lighting in your hall. If the ceiling is high use a pendant light, but if the ceiling is lower use an uplighter. If the front door does not have a window in it, would it be possible to change the door for one with glazing, or could interior doors with glass add light from other connecting rooms?
4. Flawless floors In a hallway, people’s eyes are drawn to the floors so make sure they are worthy of inspection. Again, keep colours neutral. Wooden flooring is most popular while stone or Victorian tiles are popular in period properties. Sisal or coir carpets are also popular, but make sure that the carpets are meant for high-wear areas so that they can withstand the traffic. Also make sure you have doormats inside and out so that your prospective buyers don’t wreck your efforts to maintain a top-notch floor with mud and rain.
5. Depersonalise the hall Get rid of any family photos. The buyer needs to be able to picture themselves living in the home, so keep pictures to a minimum. Instead, hang a mirror on the wall, so that when buyers enter the space, they are literally seeing themselves in your home. The mirror also reflects light and creates a sense of space.
If you’re ready to put your home on the market or are thinking about how best to stage it for when you do, get in touch! We can give you bespoke advice on your home to get it sold for the best price.Read more
The pandemic didn’t just trigger an exodus of city slickers moving to the country, it also kick-started a multi-billion-pound home renovation boom.
UK property owners spent £110 billion on home improvements* last year – a 30% increase year-on-year.
While some people kept things simple by giving a few rooms a lick of paint, others embarked on major projects resulting in a 25% increase in planning applications for home extensions.**
What kind of renovations are popular right now? Let’s examine an analysis of planning applications compiled by Barbour ABI.
Most popular home improvements
Garage developments Applications to develop garages (and turn them into home offices or additional living space) soared by 25%. The trend was most notable in Scotland, where applications rose by 50%.
Garden buildings and works There was a 7.5% hike in applications, reflecting our growing desire to spend more time in our gardens connecting with nature. (This only represents a small proportion of the garden rooms that were installed, as many did not require planning permission.)
Extensions Far and away the most popular type of home improvement requiring planning permission, extensions accounted for 81.7% of all applications – and were up by 4.3%.
Out of favour
Conservatories It seems the conservatory may have been eclipsed by the garden room/home office as there was a 21% drop in the number of planning applications for conservatories.
Loft conversions Applications for loft conversions dropped by 9%. Historically, loft conversions have been popular in areas such as London, where people develop upwards because they don’t have the space to build outwards. But last year, many homeowners with families left the capital, which might explain why this type of development waned in popularity.
Conclusions The pandemic has brought about a re-evaluation of how we live, with many people wanting more space – but not just any sort of space. People want the ability to work from home, but to get away from children and distractions, hence the rise in garden rooms and garage conversions instead of more open plan style spaces.
For expert advice about adding value to your property, get in touch with us here at Pinkertons.Read more
Luckily, there are plenty of affordable upgrades and simple ways to spruce up your home to appeal to millennial homebuyers and sell your home quickly.
1. Updating your kitchen and bathroom The majority of younger buyers looking to see if they can afford to purchase their first home. They most likely won’t have the money or time to redo a kitchen and bathroom. Millennial homebuyers will be looking for an updated kitchen. A kitchen that includes new countertops, fresh cabinets, and hardwood floors. Updating your cabinets and countertops is a great way to spruce up your kitchen, or even give it a whole new look. Additionally, hardwood floors are becoming increasing popular among homebuyers and can improve the look of your kitchen dramatically.
First-time homebuyers are also looking for a bathroom with new tiling and modern fixtures. By hiring a team of professionals and putting some money toward a kitchen and bathroom remodel, you can attract more millennial homebuyers to your property. Not only that, but you’ll probably recoup a lot of your costs in the selling price of your home.
2. Creating an open floor plan Millennials are attracted to large, open spaces. Larger spaces that can be used to entertain guests or as multi-functional rooms are favourable with millennials. Essentially, they don’t want to feel like their family or friends have to be sectioned off in different parts of the home. If you are already planning on remodelling your kitchen, you may consider tearing down a wall or two to create a more open look.
3. Choosing low-maintenance materials Millennial homebuyers are interested in low-maintenance homes. They are not looking for a fixer-upper the way Gen-Zers and other past generations were. Millennial homebuyers don’t want to spend their time on significant repairs, home-maintenance or even cleaning their homes. They prefer things that will last and are easy to maintain.
Consider choosing low maintenance materials. These materials include quartz countertops, full-sheet materials like back painted glass, and quartz backsplashes to eliminate grout lines for easy cleaning. As well as installing vinyl, sealed concrete or hardwood floors in your kitchen and bathroom to provide the new homeowners with durable, easy to clean surfaces.
4. Adding smart home technology Adding technology to the home will excite millennial buyers into purchasing your home. Many millennial homebuyers are interested in looking at homes that can manage all their home devices from one place. A smart home ecosystem has many benefits. Including, remote control functions, increased home security, and increased energy efficiency. These functions will allow homeowners to conveniently control their home from anywhere as well as reduce their energy bills.
5. Installing energy efficient appliances Millennials care about the environment and will even pay extra to protect it. Younger homebuyers want appliances designed to help reduce power consumption, reduce environmental impact, and contribute to a healthier planet. 75 percent of millennial homebuyers want energy Star-rated appliances in their homes. They also want these appliances to save them money and have the latest features and technology to make everyday tasks easier.
6. Adding a home office Creating a space that can double as a home office is intriguing to many millennial homebuyers. Many do commute to work, especially if they work in city. But there is also an increasing number of millennials working from home at least a couple days a week. Creating this space allows these millennial homebuyers to have a designated area where they will be able to work from home easily and comfortably.
7. Painting your home If you need to freshen up your paint, and want to appeal to millennial homebuyers, opt for neutral colours on walls, trim, and baseboards. Colours such as light grey, cream, and other soft neutrals are preferred. If you have children and their rooms are all shades of bright green, blue, and pink consider painting those to match the rest of your home. Having this neutral base will make your home easy to stage and design. It also will bring a more simple, sophisticated look that millennial homebuyers find alluring.
8. Highlighting proximity and walkability to market your home A “walkable community” means a home is near public transportation, grocery stores, restaurants, local businesses, and public services. Homes receive a Walk Score based on how many errands can be accomplished on foot. Millennial homebuyers are very interested in homes that have a great location. 56 percent of millennials and 46 percent of baby boomers prefer walkable communities with a range of housing amidst local businesses and public services. If your home is considered walkable, you’ll want to market it that way. By doing so you will attract more buyer interest, and you’ll potentially be able to price your home higher.
As time moves forward, millennials are beginning to make up a bigger population of homebuyers than ever before. As the playing field of buyers changes, it isn’t a bad idea to update your home to cater to the larger homebuying demographic. Following these tips can help provide you with more bids from potential buyers, and possibly sell your home quickly and for more money.
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When all is not what it seems Horror movie fans will remember that scene in the Bruce Willis classic The Sixth Sense when it becomes clear that all is not what it seems.
Home buyers need to exercise a little caution when taking a property seller’s word for granted – as highlighted in the following story of woe.
The Torrance family (the names have been changed to protect the innocent) bought a home in an area they liked but were initially concerned about parking issues on the road.
Mrs Torrance said: “The people we bought the house off five years ago lied and told us residents’ parking was coming into force, and naively, I believed them without checking. The truth is, people in the street have been trying to get residents’ parking for years without success.
“They also told us that a planning application for houses to be built behind our garden had been rejected. The truth was it had been granted permission, and we endured years of building work and noise. It’s been a nightmare, to be honest.”
The lesson from Mrs T’s experience are – always do your own research. If in doubt, ask the selling agent and your solicitor for clarification of any grey and potentially problematic areas of the purchase.
Phantom landlords If this doesn’t leave a chill down your spine as a home seeker, nothing will.
There’s an increasing number of phantom landlords out there.
These ghastly money-grabbing ghouls trick trusting tenants out of thousands of pounds by getting them to pay deposits for properties that aren’t available, have already been rented out and, in some cases, don’t even exist.
Never send money as a deposit for a property you haven’t visited.
Check out this article on how to exorcise the risk of falling foul of these fraudulent fiends. https://bit.ly/3mlbVZk
Up in smoke One family in London had an awful experience when choosing a cheap removal company to move their prized possessions.
The removal van had been filled with their belongings and set off to their new home.
The family, let’s call them the Addamses, on their way to their new home, caught sight of the van on the emergency lane of the M25.
The problem was the van was on fire, and everything in it was destroyed.
This horrific tale was made far worse because the ‘cheap’ removal company had no insurance and pretty much vanished into thin air after the incident. ALWAYS ask to see a removal company’s insurance certificates and cover level.
We’re always on hand to answer any questions you have about home moving. And we promise always to treat you well, and we never trick anyone. Happy Halloween.
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A number of surveys were conducted at several places by researchers about the need fulfillment of landlords or, in other words, what they really seek from the tenancies. This largely differed in terms of the age groups who are given the rental flats or apartments; and hence the categories went something like - professional workers, young independents, small or large families on a tight budget or the elderly couples looking for spaces at their old age.
Landlords must be especially wary about looking for tenants who would give them good returns on investment. Aside that, learning the psyche of tenants who usually look for certain features is something that must be acted upon too. Here are a few things that landlords must check to boost chances of getting good tenants for their properties.
Location is primary Talk to any tenant and he or she would admit that location stays the most important priority. While most people often come with a checklist of amenities that would improve their living, tenants usually look for properties that are in proximity to work, schools, colleges, workplaces, grocery shopping and entertainment options too.
Safety and security go hand in hand A secure place to stay and survive is as basic as the need to live. Any tenant would look for a house or a landlord who knows how to provide a crime free neighborhood. One can surely say that the crime statistics is not really in the hands of the provider, but when considering a place to stay and relax; tenants would surely vie for the same as much as their purchasing counterparts.
Ageing is natural, but young properties win the deal Isn’t it natural to seek for younger properties? In other words, those houses or flats of recent built are easier to maintain and chances of having repairs are minimised considerably. In addition to the money they shell out at the beginning of the month, why would anyone be up for taking stress over leakages and wear and tear every now and then?
Storage means add-ons The reason why storage facilities make for win-win situations is simply because of the neat and tidy look the flat imparts. Having a couple or more of storage counters or lofts will see many tenants choosing the property as that would help them stay free from the clutter. This also includes parking for vehicles like bikes and cars.
Needless to say, this can’t be an exhaustive list. But the above-mentioned aspects are usually the foremost ones that landlords must pay special attention to, if they feel the need to attract potent tenants and utilise the property well.
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How do you distinguish a historic home from a new home? Usually, there is a list compiled by the National Registry of Historic Places. In this list, historic homes have been compiled based on their architectural style, age, and the general/overall significance. Also, as much as historic homes offer the quirky feature, not forgetting their unique charm, they come along with a given set of benefits as well as challenges. Take a look at the below-outlined pros and cons of purchasing a historic home. Read on!
Pros
They showcase plenty of charisma and charm A historic home offers a classic, yet unique view, take for instance, from antique door knockers, ornate fireplaces, intricate crown molding to the vintage built-ins. These are just some of the fun details that may thrill you with historic homes. They come along with a vast range of outstanding architectural designs.
They are filled up with history Apart from the amiable characteristics found in historic homes, each house carries its unique history, which is passed through each house owner. Are you a history buff? A historic home can be a better way to quench your history thirst.
You aid in keeping the history alive By buying a historic home, you play a significant role in keeping as well as preserving its history.
You might get monetary paybacks According to Porch.com, if you intend to purchase a historic house, the local government could step in and offer you tax inducements or favorable interest loans to reinstate the homes or simply to preserve them.
Cons
Historic homes may require lots of work Bearing in mind that the majority of the historic homes are at least fifty years old, you better have your toolkit ready for repairs and some renovations. The most of the common challenges are electrical issues, water damages, and termite damage. Also, you may require some structural adjustments to have your home to your preferred tune.
Selected historic regions come with stringent rules This can be listed as one of the key disadvantages of buying historic homes. Why? In some districts, homeowners must adhere to given rules and guidelines provided by the local laws. These can restrict you from renovating or adding in new features.
Mismatched updates and renovations Take for example; if a home is dated 100 years, you can imagine how many families have lived in that house. Now, imagine each family, while moving in and making a few adjustments and renovations to their preference, eventually, this leaves the historic home with dozens of different designs. This might leave the house with mismatched updates; a 70’s style bathroom, with a 90’s style kitchen. Therefore, it is important to keep this in mind if you are very specific about how you want your house interiors to be.
Your insurance cover may be expensive Many of the insurance firms do not offer cover in historic properties, this automatically leaves you with one insurance option; going for historic property insurance, which might be very expensive. Also, according to Esurance.com, the older the property is, the more the insurance costs.
You may experience unwanted surprises It is always advised that to avoid chances of molds, termites, you should consider having a thorough, reliable home inspection especially for a historic home. Failure to, you may be at risk of finding unexpected shocks.
Buying a historic home? Before acquiring a historic home, evaluate the pros and cons that are mentioned above. If your joy is in owning a stately house, filled with its unique characteristics, not forgetting its history outweighs the repairs agony, expensive insurance covers and the strict rules… then this is the property type for you.
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Whether you’re looking for kitchen remodel ideas or you’ve set a goal to finally transform that spare room into your dream office, we’ve got you covered. Here are the major design trends showing up for homeowners to embrace.
Home Design Trend 1: Designer kitchens fit for a chef Since many picked up cooking or baking as a new hobby in 2020, it’s no surprise that the kitchen remains the heart of the home. When it comes to kitchen design trends this year, think functional yet stylish. Spacious, open concept kitchens with top-notch stainless steel appliances will continue as a “must-have” for homeowners, but they’re also seeking a beautiful and stylish design.
Home Design Trend 2: Stylish kitchens with contrast While an all-white kitchen is a classic, expect to see bolder palettes — like blue hues, forest greens, and deep charcoals — on island cabinetry, as a contrasting backsplash, or with kitchen furniture. We’ll see kitchens continue to incorporate luxe statement lighting and sleek hardware, such as gold faucets and cabinet handles.
Home Design Trend 3: Bonus spaces that can double as a home office Working from home will continue to be a theme in years to come, and many are looking for opportunities to create dedicated workspaces within their homes. Whether it be a sunroom, an additional guest room, or transforming a shed into an office space — this is one of the major home design trends that’s here to stay.
Home Design Trend 4: Earthy textures with luxury elements In 2021, look to see more homes incorporating a lot of the colours you typically see in minimalism. You’ll see colours like white, cream, beige, rust, and sage, but layered in with multiple textures. Think a living room that combines jute, oak, and linen with materials that are undeniably luxe, or a kitchen with coloured marble countertops and rich velvet banquette seating.
Home Design Trend 5: Quartz countertops In the war of countertop materials, quartz has risen up through the ranks over the years. Versatile, practical, contemporary and elegant, quartz is basically the full package — and we expect to see more of it moving into 2021. Quartz countertops pair well with both light and dark coloured cabinets, making them easy to integrate into any kitchen colour scheme.
Home Design Trend 6: Outdoor dining rooms for year-round entertaining Now, more than ever before, homeowners want to blur the lines between indoor and outdoor in a way that lets them experience the best of both realities. With people less focused on eating out, they’ll be looking to take advantage of outdoor entertaining with spaces that can function as open-air dining rooms — whether that be a deck, a gazebo, or a patio overhang.
Home Design Trend 7: Embracing grandmillennial style This style slowly began to take off this year, but “grandmillennial” is being embraced with open arms in 2021. This fun and unique design trend is all about appreciating traditional style from a modern point of view. You can expect to see tasteful antique decor — like a vintage statement mirror — plenty of brass and wicker, and varieties of texture. Whether it’s just a fad or a timeless trend here to stay, it’s going to be “in” throughout this next year.
Home Design Trend 8: Floor-to-ceiling windows If you’re looking for an open, airy, and refreshing space, then floor-to-ceiling windows are the upgrade your home needs. On-trend with indoor/outdoor living, this home design trend lets light pour into your space without the need to actually step foot outside. Although not the easiest home upgrade to make, it’s one we’ll continue to see throughout homes this year.
Need some help updating your home to get the best price? Get in touch!Read more
A very professional and friendly experience when buying my new home. A huge thank you to Nikki and Richard and team who were simply fantastic!
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Bobby Doherty
Bangor & Donaghadee Branch
April 2022
Aimee has been so warm and friendly. She regularly keeps me up to date on new properties coming on the market and follows up with me which is very nice. She...
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Chantelle Derrick
Comber & Newtownards Branch
November 2022
Pinkertons were fantastic from start to finish.
As a first time buyer they simplified the whole process and made sure I was updated, informed and happy throughout....
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David Budden
Bangor & Donaghadee Branch
October 2022
Great company and made the process of selling and then buying our new home stress free!
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David Mills
Comber & Newtownards Branch
July 2022
Megan's exceptional attention to detail and unwavering dedication have truly set her apart in managing my property. From the initial let to the mid-term inspections...
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Sandra Gibson
Bangor & Donaghadee Branch
February 2024
Pinkertons recently took over the management of an apartment block in Bangor of which I am a Director. Victoria herself is dealing with the transfer from the...
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Janet Atkinson
Bangor & Donaghadee Branch
July 2022
Many thanks to Peter, Nikki, Erin and Aimee for a very efficient and friendly service. Everything went very smoothly and they kept us in the loop with every...
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Anne H
Bangor & Donaghadee Branch
October 2021
Colin and Jenny at Pinkerton's were very good. They got me a tenant extremely quickly and were extremely knowledgeable. The price was very reasonable too and...
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Barry McGalie
Bangor & Donaghadee Branch
October 2022
My Dad had chosen Pinkertons to sell his home in Bangor recently. I cannot thank them enough for their help, support & efficiency.
It was mainly Christina...
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Colin McFarland
Bangor & Donaghadee Branch
July 2022
I have a number of properties which Pinkertons manage for me and they provide an excellent service with very little input from me. Keep up the great work Colin....
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