To do this you will need to use a smooth over product that is designed for textured wallpaper. Cover the floor and any furniture with dust sheets before you begin.  Check the wallpaper is clean and dry and that any loose areas have been removed.  Use gloss paint on any screw or nails that cannot be easily removed as this will prevent corrosion.  Make sure any cracks are filled and any stains are sealed so that they do not bleed.

Follow the instructions on the chosen product.  You will generally need to stir the product before you use it.  A special roller will be used in conjunction with the product; this roller will only pick up the required amount of product each time.  Gently roll the product over the textured wallpaper, working away from the edges.

Ensure a maximum coverage of about 2mm and after every square metre, or thereabouts, use a smoothing tool to get a smooth and even finish.  Allow the first coat to dry for at least four hours, or as per instructions, before applying the second and final coat.  Once the woodchip wall paper has been successfully covered, use sandpaper to give a flat and even finish.

One of the most popular kinds of blind to have over a bedroom window are blackout blinds. They are unique in that they create a completely dark environment inside a room once fully drawn. They keep out the glow of streetlights, moonlight or other light interference from outside so that you can get a restful night’s sleep. Blackout blinds come in a range of fabrics and patterns to suit all room themes, and they also fold up neatly so that they do not take up too much space. They are ideal for rooms where babies or young children sleep, where a bedtime routine is important.

Blackout blinds are available as roman blinds with a blackout lining that have folded fabric edges for a chic, more contemporary look. Roller blinds can also come with a blackout lining, but offer a more traditional kind of finish and they roll up neatly.

For a more traditional look when choosing a bedroom blind, many people opt for wooden venetian blinds, particularly if the amount of light coming into the room needs adjusting to suit the homeowner’s taste. Venetian blinds often have a warming effect when half opened, making them perfect for Sunday mornings lazing in bed. Natural wood finishes such as oak or walnut, or a distressed wood finish are all popular choices. Coloured venetian blinds make a bold, more contemporary statement.

Ensure that you take careful measurements before shopping for bedroom blinds – many companies make to measure.

However, with mixer taps, the source of the leak may also be at the base of the spout if it is the type of mixer tap that swivels. If this is the case, the rubber O-ring seals that are located at the base of the spout may need replacing in order to fix the problem of leakage.

The spout might be secured by a grubscrew or a circlip, but if you are lucky, you may find that it will simply pull free after you twist it to one side.

First, ensure that both the taps are fully turned off before unscrewing the shroud out of the base of the mixer’s swivel spout.

Take a pair of pliers and remove the circlip, which is usually holding the spout in position, and then lift it away from the body of the mixer.

Use a small screwdriver to prise away the old O-ring seals or simply lift them away from their grooves inside the body.

New seals can then be fitted to replace the defective old ones. These should be moistened first with a small amount of water before the swivel spout is reassembled to the main body of the tap.

Remember to have a few rags handy when performing this job because it is liable to get a bit messy.

Don’t panic, the perfect solution is available in the guise of a garden studio. A garden studio will instantly provide you with the space you and your family need to indulge your creative urges in a convenient and comfortable way: away from the house.

Garden studios can adapt themselves to a variety of uses. Potters find them the ideal creative environment, as do painters and sculptors. For activities that require an element of good-quality light, garden studios with plenty of glass are a good idea.

Garden studios can also make a great garden music room. Additional sound-proofing should be included in the design specifications to allow for the containment of noisy drums or piercing violins.

No matter what your artistic pursuit, we all need a little peace and quiet sometimes to get creative. Garden studios from OECO allow us to indulge ourselves creatively in an inspiring environment that is warm, beautiful and calm.

Although they are refreshingly easy to construct, you have to remember that solvent weld joints are permanent. Therefore, any piperun must be trial-assembled before making the finished joins. The best way is to mark all the components involved with a pencil after placing them together, to make sure that when they are assembled for real they will be correctly aligned.

First off, chamfer the end of the pipe with a file and place it into the fitting. The position of the socket can then be marked on the pipe.

A file is then used to remove the glaze around the pipe up to the position of the pencil mark. The purpose of doing this is to aid the solvent.

The inner surface of the joint socket is then ‘keyed’ using an abrasive paper. All the sockets in the run should be treated in this way. 

Then wipe the joint and pipe clean before applying a liberal amount of special solvent cement to the socket. You can then fit the pipe into the joint, at the same time twisting it to spread the solvent. Allow it to set after wiping away excessive solvent.

When solvent welding large soil pipes, which typically have a wider diameter than normal pipes, you need to work fast before the solvent sets.

However, the problem is usually easily solved.  Identify the offending hinge or hinges, and carefully squeeze a few drops of household lubricating oil such as WD40 onto the hinge.  This should provide enough lubrication to stop most hinges squeaking.  Be careful not to spill the oil on floor coverings, as such lubricants can be difficult to remove from carpets or rugs, and can be slippery on wooden floors or laminates.

If it’s difficult to access the hinges using the oil can, you can remove the pins from the hinges, put the door to one side and apply oil directly to the pins before putting them back in.  A dry lubricant such as powdered graphite (which can be bought in small tubes) can also be used if you prefer.  Rub a small amount into the hinges.  If after trying both solutions, the hinge still squeaks, the problem is likely to be the hinge itself, which may need replacing.

Roller blinds are popular, versatile blinds which are suited to any room in the home.  They are perfectly simple; the blind is rolled around a tube, and lowered and raised using a chain or by twisting a thin pole at the side of the blind.

Why should I choose roller blinds?

Roller blinds are ideal for updating the appearance of your room while on a budget.  They can be purchased for as little as £10.  You also have plenty of choice, as there are hundreds of different fabrics, styles and colours available.  They are also really easy to use.  It is not necessary to buy roller blinds to fit your window if you don’t have to, as many varieties can be cut down simply and easily at home.

They are easy to put up and take down for cleaning, and can also be wiped clean.

What are the negatives?

The cords on cheaper roller blinds may snap when pulled roughly over a period of time.

Where can I use roller blinds?

Roller blinds are suitable for any room in your house, and are particularly useful for kitchens and bathrooms as they are compact and easy to keep clean.  Additionally, it is possible to buy PVC varieties.

It is possible to use roller blinds alone, especially if you choose a blackout fabric, or they can be used behind curtains for extra privacy and light control.

What are my choices?

You can choose virtually any colour, print or pattern for your roller blind.  You can also choose which side you would like the cord or pole.  Roller blinds are available with a straight or shaped bottom, and you can choose different trims, eyelets and embroidery to match your style.  This means your blind will match the décor of the room it is in.

If you chose to purchase a corded drill, it is recommended that you pick one with a long cord since you will be able to use it at a greater distance from the mains plug without the bother of an extension lead.

Cordless drills are powered by a battery, so if you are using one it might be a good idea to have some sets of spare fully-charged batteries at the ready. Most drills also work in a reverse motion if required and can be used to remove screws.  Drills vary in weight, so it is important to shop around and do some research into which one is the most suitable for you. You can buy drills of different operating speeds, so you should also take this into consideration. They vary in size too, but don’t make your decision solely based upon size, as bigger drills can be less powerful than some small ones, and vice versa.

Think again. If you still need more living space, but moving house is not an option, why not consider expanding into the garden? Beautifully-appointed garden rooms are a neat way of creating more luxurious living space without the upheaval and expense of moving house or extensive building works.

Garden offices can be used to create space for artists’ studios, music rooms, office space, gymnasiums, playrooms, retreats, even extra dining space. Many garden room specialists have a choice of models to choose from with set prices that include installation by professional fitters. A garden room does not need to be prohibitively expensive and can add value to your home. Planning regulations are quite straightforward for garden structures within a certain size, as long as you do not reside in a conservation area.

Remember that if you intend to use the extra space of a garden room regularly, as a work place for instance, it is essential to have good insulation so you can use it all year round. The more money you are willing to invest, the more usable your garden room will be on a daily basis. Ask about the thermal efficiency of the model you are interested in, as this can vary across designs.

Additional comforts such as double-glazing, kitchen and WC facilities, electrics and digital communications can make a garden room a real asset and a pleasure to use.

No matter what materials you are looking to use, the most important stage is building a solid foundation for the steps to sit on. The steps should be firm and secure, with no movement in them at all, as even a slight wobble will worsen over time and use. Other than this, the treads need to be set level, with adequate foot space and a manageable riser height. Apart from ensuring that these basic aspects have been taken into consideration, it is possible to be creative with the shape of the step design and the overall aesthetics.

Something to consider during the design stage is how often the steps are likely to be used, for what purpose and by whom. If you are creating a set of steps on a major pathway where many people will be walking, it is important to ensure that they are easy to navigate, whereas if they are intended to be more decorative, in an area not used as a walkway, this is not as important.