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Space & Light Top Interior Design Trends, Survey Says

Some of the key interior design and home improvement trends for 2015 have been identified in a new report, with space and light heading up the list. But how are homeowners going about incorporating these two elements into their properties this year?

According to Direct Line Home Insurance's latest piece of research, while extensions are the most popular choice for people when it comes to renovations right now, Brighton homeowners (and others) are still keen to install bi-fold doors, fit new skylights and replace the exterior brickwork so as to make their rooms seem more spacious.

The builders questioned in the survey came up with some top tips to help people ensure that their renovation projects finish on time and to budget. These include agreeing a quote beforehand and agreeing on a realistic timeframe, keeping in regular communication with those working on your house, using the same labourers throughout to ensure consistency and checking that your choice of builder has the appropriate insurance in place before they start work.

"Extending homes or converting rooms to add light and space can add real value to a property, so can be worth the investment. With the rising cost of house prices making it expensive to move, home improvements are a popular way to improve your living situation without breaking the bank," the company's Katie Lomas remarked.

If you are considering an extension this year and want to do some of the work yourself, make sure you have the relevant skills and experience before you get involved as you could end up doing real damage to your house and having to pay out huge sums to have someone come in and rectify the situation.