News and ArticlesUseful news, industry updates and inspirational articles

Garden rooms

The Benefits of Having a Garden Office

Creating an effective work-life balance lies in having a clear separation between each space. While remote working has become the norm, this self-disciplined way of life requires a dedicated workspace to keep the productivity levels high and the distractions at bay. If you're thinking, "there's no space in my home for an office", have you ever considered outside? Converting the unused space in your garden into a constructive home office could add value to your home and add structure to your life. Having a detached area to work from will not only allow you to switch off at the end…
Dave
25th October 2021
Uncategorized

Relocate or Remodel?

Should you stay or should you go? If you’re a homeowner in need of a change of living space, you generally have two options, renovate, or move. Most people will agree that moving can be an incredibly stressful life event but does the costs and stress involved in the moving process outweigh the risk of renovating? The answer is completely up to you. You need to ask yourself if your current housing benefits exceed those offered with a move. Are you still happy with your location? Is there enough space for your growing needs? Would it be more cost-effective finding…
Dave
28th September 2021
Your home

Simple DIY design ideas to transform your space

Want to renovate your home to achieve a straight-out-of Pinterest aesthetic on a budget? These entry-level projects of minor refurbishings and decorative detailing will quickly transform your space without spiralling costs. Faux textured wall. Whether you're using grey paint and a buffing technique to fake a concrete wall, or you're adding in a few different shades of stain to create the illusion of wood grain, an artificial textured wall has the ability to create dimension and texture even in the most basic spaces. If you don’t want to commit to transforming a full wall from top to bottom, why not…
Dave
9th August 2021
Your home

How to add light to dark rooms with Interior Design.

Living in a home with minimal natural light can leave your home feeling a little on the dim side and could result in a lot of space being left unused. Trying to get natural light into a dark room can seem like a tough task to do, too, which may result in that room never getting used. Fortunately, adding windows or wall demolition are not the only options when it comes to transforming an uninviting area in your home into an inspiring airy space. Here are our top 5 tips for adding light to a dark room with interior design.…
Dave
5th July 2021
Loft conversionsYour home

The lowdown on loft conversions costs

Growing out of your dream home is a regular occurrence for homeowners. Perhaps your family is expanding and the property you've invested in no longer offers the space you require. You might find yourself contemplating whether it's time to sell, but that's not your only option. So what's the best way to extend your home on a budget? If you're weighing up the costs and time involved in relocating altogether, considering a loft conversion might be a more cost-effective option for you. Loft conversions offer you the opportunity to build up on your home, creating a new living space specific to…
Dave
9th June 2021
InspirationYour home

6 Ideas for Creating the Perfect Work From Home Space

Working from home has become the norm, one that will continue long-after the global pandemic dissipates. No matter how long your working from home stint may be, it is important to set up a designated space to get your work done. Your work area needs to be a comfortable space that promotes productivity. Here are our top tips for creating a work from home space that is both functional and helps you get more done. Choose a Dedicated Space While working from home, you may be tempted to spend the day sitting on the sofa or even lying in bed…
Dave
1st April 2021
ExtensionsNew buildsYour home

How To Get Building Control Approval

There are two ways to get Building Control Approval - which is best for you?   If you are in the planning phase of building or renovating a home, the need for Building Control Approval has probably entered your radar. This approval is essential for any build or renovation. The Building Regulations look at the construction standards to ensure all structures comply with the minimum standards of health and safety and conservation. While the regulations remain the same throughout England and Wales - each application must go through the relevant local authority. There are different ways to get approval. This…
Dave
3rd March 2021
ExtensionsNew buildsYour home

Everything you need to know about the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)

If you are building a new house or adding an extension to your current home, you have come to the right place. Arkiplan is here to help you through the beginning phase of this process, starting with what you need to know about the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). This charge is imposed by certain local authorities in England and Wales, to assist in maintaining and improving the local infrastructure that your build could impact. While this levy is a well-thought-out solution for areas where builds are taxing on the existing infrastructure, the impact on people building new homes or extending…
Dave
5th February 2021
InspirationYour home

The Pros and Cons of Using an Online Architect

Online architectural services are on the rise. Using the services of an online architect carries many benefits to those looking to expand or improve their living and/or workspace. That said, it’s important to make informed decisions when selecting a service provider - Begging the Question, what are the Pros and Cons of Using an Online Architect? The current pandemic has had a role to play, with many customers in a pinch looking to cut costs wherever possible. Related lockdowns and social distancing boost the attraction of virtual services for every possible situation. Working from home has become commonplace - a…
Dave
15th January 2021
InspirationLoft conversionsYour home

Interior Design Tips For Your Loft Conversion

We recently teamed up with the wonderful people at My Bespoke Room so we asked them for their top interior design tips for our Loft Conversion clients.   What to consider when designing a loft conversion Loft conversions are an incredible solution to creating more space in your home as your family grows. However, these tricky spaces come with many design challenges! We’ve outlined here some of our favourite tricks and tips that we follow when designing these spaces for our clients and we hope they’ll be useful to you! At My Bespoke Room, it’s our job to bridge the…
Dave
2nd December 2020
ExtensionsInspirationYour home

Interior Design Tips For Your Extension

We recently teamed up with the wonderful people at My Bespoke Room so we asked them for their top interior design tips for our Extension clients.   What to consider when designing an extension Sometimes a blank canvas can be the most daunting! It’s very common to feel a bit overwhelmed with ideas and the pressure to get the most from a new extension. In this guide we’ll take you through the most important factors to consider when designing your dream extension and the most common mistakes to avoid!  Our biggest piece of advice is to get the design and…
Dave
2nd December 2020
InspirationSustainable & RenewableYour home

These Three Types of Plants Can Transform Your Living Space

Your home is your sanctuary, your refuge and it’s meant to bring you both comfort and delight. How you design and style your home is really important and this includes the greenery! The addition of houseplants can transform your home entirely and are not only strikingly beautiful, but they’re also good for your health! They have the ability to change our mood, making us feel more relaxed and calm to build a home into a  sanctuary. When plants breathe they release oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide, cleaning and purifying the air.   Here are three types of houseplants that can…
Dave
5th November 2020
Your home

5 Quarantine Home Improvement Ideas

With the whole nation on lockdown, many people are wondering how they are going to keep themselves busy indoors for the foreseeable future. If you must stay inside for long periods of time, you might as well use the time constructively. What better time to focus on home improvements? Not only will you fill your time constructively, stay active and get on top of your to-do list but you will also create a much nicer environment for your stint in quarantine. Continue reading for Quarantine home improvement ideas.     Quarantine Home Improvement Idea 1: Spring Clean There has never…
Dave
26th May 2020
InspirationYour home

Creating the Perfect Sanctuary at Home

Coronavirus lockdown is a stressful time for many; money worries, health concerns, kids at home, home working, food shortages and concerns for vulnerable relatives all play their part in heightening our stress levels before we’ve even left the house for our daily one-form-of-exercise. Now, more than ever, is the ideal time to start creating the perfect home sanctuary to retreat from the concerns of daily life. These tips will help you get started on a project that will save your sanity through quarantine and beyond.   Creating the perfect sanctuary Tip 1: Dedicate a space Those who live alone in…
Dave
26th May 2020
ExtensionsInspiration

Which Doors Would Be Best for My Extension?

Whether you’re planning a rear, side or wraparound extension for your home, the doors you choose can transform the look and feel of the entire thing. The right doors not only allow access to the outside world but let light into your home and can even be a special feature that creates the ‘wow’ factor for future buyers. We weigh up the main options to help you choose the best doors for your extension…   Sliding Doors Sliding doors have been a popular addition to homes for several decades now but still provide a modern feel. The reasons for their…
Dave
26th May 2020
InspirationYour home

How to Add Value to Your Property

Most people view their property as an investment. Even if you think of it as your forever home, it is still an asset that will one day be passed on to your loved ones. Whilst property prices do tend to rise over time, there are plenty of additions and adjustments you can make to your home that will add value and see you reap a greater return on your investment when it comes to selling. There’s something for all budgets with our top tips for adding value to your property… Resolve structural issues Structural issues will devalue your house. Fixing…
Dave
26th May 2020
InspirationNew builds

What is Broken Plan Living?

New trends in home design crop up so often these days, it’s hard to keep up. Open-plan living has been around a while now, well-known for its key traits of larger, open spaces and the removal of dividing walls to create an integrated, light and spacious feel. Now we introduce you to its younger sibling – broken-plan living which is all the rage in the home design world right now. Central to the concept of broken-plan living is the clever use of space and design to make an open-plan space look open but separated at the same time. This allows…
Dave
26th May 2020
ExtensionsGarden roomsLoft conversionsYour home

10 Home Improvements Without Planning Permission

We all know planning can be a nightmare. There’s plenty of horror stories circulating with the power to put you off home improvement projects for life. The good news is there’s plenty of improvements you can make to your home without ever having to seek planning permission. Here’s 10 ideas to get you started… 1. A Garden Room As long as you stay within permitted development rules, you can get a garden room without planning permission. The key here is that you don’t plan to use it as a separate sleeping area or an annexe. If you do decide it…
Dave
26th May 2020
InspirationYour home

Don’t Move, Improve! Renovation Ideas for your Existing Home

Research by home insurance company LV has revealed that, last year, a massive 15 million homeowners made the decision to transform their current home into their forever home instead of moving. For many, renovations to their existing home is the perfect solution when they can’t afford the expense of moving up the property ladder. It can be incredibly difficult to find the perfect forever home, without having to put some work in to turn it to your taste. So, why not stay put and give your current home some TLC instead? Here’s some renovation ideas and inspiration for creating your…
Dave
26th May 2020
InspirationNew buildsSustainable & RenewableYour home

Boosting Sustainability in Your Projects

Environmental decline is a huge issue which is capturing the attention of people worldwide. As such, people are increasingly looking for ways to be kinder to the planet in all areas of their lives and looking into boosting sustainability in projects. We find that more people are looking to add some sustainable elements to their home extensions or build, as this is the perfect time to incorporate them. Here we have a few tips for those looking to be more sustainable in their own home improvement projects.   Upcycling Upcycling is the art of taking old pieces of furniture and…
Dave
26th May 2020
Loft conversions

Top Tips for a Stress-free Loft Conversion

A loft conversion can add significant space and value to your property. It’s a popular solution because it can be much easier, cheaper and less disruptive than a major extension project. If you’re thinking of converting your loft, here are our top tips to ensure your project runs smoothly and stress-free. Is your loft a useable space? The first thing to consider is whether your loft space is suitable for conversion. The good news is that most lofts are suitable, but consider these three key things to be sure for a stress-free loft conversion: Roof pitch – measuring the angle…
Dave
26th May 2020
ExtensionsYour home

Do I Need a Structural Engineer for My Extension?

If you’re embarking on your first home extension project, you may be confused about all the different professionals you may need to involve – architects, builders, structural engineers. What is the difference and which of these do you actually need? Continue reading for more information on what a structural engineer is and if you will need one. What is a structural engineer? Specialising in just a few key areas, a structural engineer may be required if your building project affects the structure of your property in some way. This includes things like rear extensions, loft conversions and room alterations involving…
Dave
26th May 2020
ExtensionsInspirationYour home

Do I need planning permission?

Permitted Development Rights (Read more on the gov.uk website) were extended permanently this year. This gives you the right, as a homeowner, to build certain extensions on your property without the need for planning permission. The rules around this are specific and can, at first glance, seem complicated so here’s what you should consider before drawing up any plans… What is permitted development? Permitted development grants you permission to extend your property without having full planning permission, providing that your designs fall within government guidelines relating to the size and appearance of the extension. If you’re thinking of extending your…
Dave
5th December 2019