A good place to start is deciding how much you are prepared to pay, with prices ranging from around the £1,500 mark to £15,000 or so. A more basic, portable design won’t blow your budget and it can seat as many as six people. The Plug N Play Portable is fitted with three layers of insulation to allow outdoor use in colder weather and packs up neatly with a hard cover on top. This is perhaps the most practical choice for those who want a treat during the holidays or who are only likely to buy a home spa for recreational use.

To install a hot tub in your home obviously bumps up the price quite considerably, but there are many benefits to the permanent home spa. For under £4,000, the two-person Yukon Plug N Play is at the smaller end of the scale in terms of capacity, but includes a good amount of features such as deep massage jets for the shoulders, neck and back and can be simply used as a bath if desired. Couples who are looking to buy a new bath with a therapeutic element may find this option the most suitable.

Mid-range spas are tiered in price by the number of people they cater for and the level of treatment provided. A four-person design will give you room for the family and some, like the Halifax 34 Jet, come with an additional leg and foot massage, in addition to more aesthetic features such as backlit waterfalls and handrails.

The Victoria Spa 46 jet has seven-person bench-seating for more social gatherings, not to mention powerful heated air and water features. The top-end of the scale sees hot tubs become virtual pools like the St Lawrence Deluxe, a 16 foot long swim machine which caters for those interested in improving their fitness levels, allowing them to adjust the currents for a harder workout.

The choice really depends on what you want to get out of your spa; whether you want to soothe away tension or hold a hot-tub party. Either way, investing in a home spa can mean instant relaxation on hand whenever you need it.

The best way to explain what constitutes a ‘non-standard’ property is to define it as one that does not have brick or stone walls and a roof of slates or tiles. Such properties can be very specific to a particular area where the building materials were readily available at the time the property was built. Essex cob or wattle and daub are good examples. These houses are built using a mix of soil, sand, clay, straw and animal dung.

Other examples of non-standard construction include; timber or steel frames, eco homes, prefabricated buildings, stramit, flat or shingle roofs, property in conservation areas and park (static caravan) homes.

Listed buildings also require specialist insurance because of the high cost of the original materials required to rebuild them. Comparison sites such as MoneySupermarket.com have a range of specialist insurance providers who cover listed buildings. They can also prove a godsend if your property has suffered from subsidence or has required underpinning as competitively priced cover in such cases can be difficult to find.

If your property is thatched, insurance companies recognise the increased risk of fire and you will require specialist insurance for this. You will also require specialist insurance if your property is to be unoccupied and empty for any length of time.

Following the recent flooding events across the country, you will require specific flood insurance if you live in an area which has been affected.

If you run a bed and breakfast business from your home, you will need specialist insurance cover.

Finally, those with criminal convictions may be declined by mainstream insurers although there are specialist providers in these circumstances.

After a little hunting, I came up with this solution, and can now say with confidence that the stool is no longer relegated to the corner, but is now a smashing addition to my bedroom, and I am now in the process of building a bench to match, which will be displayed in front of my bed. So, I’ve gone from not being very impressed with my product to liking it so much I was motivated to go bigger on another project that sprung from the bleak stool. What I did to dramatically improve my humdrum stool was to knit a seat cover for it, also referred to as a benchwarmer by some. All it took was size seventeen needles, and three skeins of wool yarn. This enabled me to knit a beautiful cover, in a colour I call turquoise, for my eighteen inch stool seat.

To make these bags you will require the following:

* At least two contrasting fabrics (You will have to judge the amount based upon the size of the item you plan to put inside. One will be for the pulls, the other for the bag itself. You can of course switch them up too, for visual interest.

* Sewing supplies and machine

* Iron

* Narrow bias tape

Should you find you have leftover material, make smaller pouches for jewellery, and travel ones for your undergarments, or toiletries. Nothing need go to waste with this project.

First off, if you have a chandelier, you may be able to dust it, and the bulbs without even getting very close to it. An expandable duster can make this a ridiculously easy, if not altogether pleasing chore. As for your lampshades, they too like a good dusting, and while you are at it, get those bulbs. The worst part, as far as I’m concerned is the amount of dust bunnies that you will be surrounded by after doing this. Which is precisely why you should do this before cleaning your floors.

Just wait till you have done this, you will feel such a sense of achievement you may even be inspired to tackle the window treatments and blinds. Hopefully the memory of how easy these things are will prompt you to do it over and over again.

Here are the ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons of chopped / roasted pistachios
• 2 tablespoons of chopped / dried cranberries
• 1 log of fresh goats cheese
• your choice of crackers

To prepare:

Lay out a mixture of the cranberries and nuts on a cutting board and roll the log on top to coat. And you’re done, no really, you’ve made it. And I would be shocked if your guests do not ask you about how you made it, or tell you it is truly yummy.

Therefore, I scramble to come up with things to do with the random objects that are on their way out the door. Most recently I came upon this ingenious idea, and no admittedly it was not mine. Now, having seen it, it seems so obvious, as many of these repurposing tips do.

So without further ado it here it is. Whether you drink wine, or cook with it, chances are that you have a wine cork or two lying about. Well get it out and make use of it on a daily basis, as a utensil rest. No more goopy masses of sauce on the counter or stovetop. And if it were a really good bottle, or it is connected with a special event, then being reminded of it every time you cook is a bonus.

You should always make sure that only genuine materials used in the repair. For instance, wires should have the British Electro-Technical Approved Board (BEAB) seal. This mark of quality shows a buyer that the wire being bought has been tested and approved by the government or any other governing body. Unapproved wires could be cheaper but using them could create the likelihood of a house fire if the wires melt or if there is a power surge.

You are also advised to carefully read manuals on electrical appliances used in the home. You should also extend this research to knowing the intricacies of the wiring in the house. This will make sure that you purchase the correct fuses, plugs and wiring when undertaking a house repair. Also, this will help you in choosing the correct tools for the job.

Prior planning before starting the project is very important. You need to know the exact specifications of wiring and other materials to be used. This can be things like cable lengths, the right set of tools, correct fuses and plugs etc. It is advisable to have more than what theoretical calculations show. This is because accidents and mistakes can happen that will result in you using more than was initially planned. Having excess electrical supplies will keep you having to stop halfway to get more from your local DIY store. In some cases, you may find that a certain item is not available in the shops. This will allow you to look for alternatives before starting the project. Imagine what would happen if you found that you could not get more of a certain type of wiring halfway into the project? Taking a few minutes to plan will avoid these kinds of complications.

Most people prefer to complete the repair by spending as little money as possible. The most convenient way to get the best materials and tools for the least amount money is by purchasing them online. Internet based stores have options where you can compare tools and materials from different manufacturers which can help you to choose the most affordable option without compromising on quality. On the other hand, if you prefer getting material from a local DIY store, call beforehand to make sure they have the electrical supplies you are looking for in stock.

On a final note, you must not always opt for materials solely because they are cheap. Some cheap or low quality items could eventually lead to added costs in repairs.

Company Profile:

Screwfix is the UK’s largest direct and online supplier of trade tools, accessories and hardware products. With over 30 years’ experience in the industry, we despatch tens of thousands of parcels every week for next day and weekend delivery to tradesmen, handymen and serious DIY enthusiasts all over the UK.

To view the full range of electrical supplies from Screwfix customers can visit our website here – http://www.screwfix.com/c/electrical-lighting/electrical/cat830080.

Both knitting and crocheting are employed today for purposeful uses, and beautification. For example, there are numerous charities and religious organisations that collect knitted blankets or clothes for the sick, homeless, or under privileged babies. Other organisations gather crocheted clothing for shelters and newborns, in addition to hats for patients undergoing chemotherapy. Some of these articles are shipped thousands of miles away to reach those in need. Speaking of which, the practice of making gloves, sweaters, socks and hats for soldiers began back at the time of the Crimean War, and is still performed today for those soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. Though most of this is not well known, it is by all means a very good example of the modern day use of these two crafts.

Not to mention the fact that knitters have made sweaters for penguins that have been exposed to oil slicks and are in rehabilitation. In addition, that knitting volunteers have also come to the aid of battery hens that have lost their feathers. Needless to say these handmade materials have withstood the test of time in ways no one could have imagined when they were first created.

Then there are the artistic items made of knitting and crocheting. Apparently, there is something called graffiti knitting or crocheting, where practitioners make decorative material items to enhance their surroundings. Which is where my interest was peaked. I decided to meld the old practice and this very edgy approach together, to make a graffiti inspired, knitted blanket for my sofa. Having virtually no experience with either crocheting or knitting this is a monumental undertaking for me, but not one that will be fleeting. As I now know that once I have swaddled my couch, I can then become involved with one of the donation programs. If I actually find that I am any good at it I might even join a knitting guild or club.

No worries, make yourself this quick and sensible selection. Gather your favourite type of low fat pudding, your favourite fruit, and a handful of healthy nuts. The example I can share is the one I made last night for myself, which is the inspiration for this recommendation.

I used vanilla bean low fat pudding as the base, as it would not have been enticing enough on its own. I had blue berries, and peach available, so I mixed those in along with some chopped walnuts. I must concede that I drizzled a bit of maple syrup on top, but it is not necessary, and I could have skipped it. Having just written this, I am actually considering making another right now. So good.