YOUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO.. A makeover by Christmas

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, Nov 27, 2005 | by LINDA PARKER

DO you wish you could wave a magic wand and transform your home into a haven of comfort and chic in time for the family descending on you for Christmas? If youre prepared to do a little bit of organising, it IS possible to revamp your home in time for the big day. LINDA PARKER reveals how you can get the look you want in time for the festive season...

Kitchens

DONT complicate matters by going for a completely new layout if you want a super-quick kitchen re-fit before Christmas, keep it simple. Consider painting or staining the existing cabinets, or adding new handles.

If a totally new kitchen is the only answer, look at the takeaway ranges available from Focus, Wickes, B&Q and Ikea. Dont forget tiles and worktops buy everything in one batch to save time and endless trips to the store.

Draw up accurate floor plans and measure the existing cabinets replacing like-for-like will save money, time and effort. Kitchen fitters, carpenters and electricians are likely to be scarce in the weeks leading up to Christmas, so if youre not planning to install the kitchen yourself, make sure you have a fitter and tradesmen lined up.

Local kitchen specialists will be more expensive than the big DIY stores, but may be able to offer pre-Christmas delivery and supply fitters. If you need appliances, buy them at the same time as the cabinets youll probably get a good package deal if you buy oven, hob, hood etc in a batch.

B&Q: Deadline.. December 24 B&Qs range of takeaway kitchens includes the Birch Beaded design. Prices are from pounds 45 for a 500mm base unit, plus pounds 49 for full-height doors. Other designs in the range are the Gloss White Shaker (from pounds 19 for a full height door) and the Maple Style Modern (from pounds 5 for a full height door). Call 0845 850 0175 for branches, or visit www.diy.com to check out the designs before you buy. Stores close at 5pm on December 24.

WICKES: Deadline.. December 24 Wickes range of kitchens includes the Linton, in a stylish oak-effect finish with satin nickel bow handles, from pounds 66.99 for a 500mm base unit. Stores close at 4pm on Christmas Eve.

IKEA: Deadline.. Dec 23

Most of Ikeas kitchens are available from stock. We love the Fagerland kitchen (detail, left) in antique pine finish, from pounds 83 for a 60cm wide floorstanding base unit. Theres also a good choice of freestanding kitchen furniture. Call 0845 355 1141, or visit www.ikea.co.uk. Brent Park, Warrington and Croydon stores close at midnight on December 23, all others close at 10pm.

Bathrooms

DONT decide to replace your bathroom suite the week before Christmas unless youre an experienced DIY-er youll never get a plumber to come and sort out any problems youve caused!

Assuming youve got plumbing and DIY experience, or have booked a reliable plumber to do the job for you, then takeaway bathroom suites are available from the major DIY stores.

Bathroom furniture, basins and taps are available from Ikea, and would go a long way to revamping a tired bathroom, but they dont stock baths, showers or toilets. For quick results, dont attempt to change the layout replacing like-for-like will save time and money.

IKEA: Deadline.. December 23 Ikea is the place to go if you want to replace the basin and add some cupboards. Try the Vattern Lonnen wash stand, pounds 206 for a double cupboard unit, including basin and taps, in white with deep blue doors. Brent Park, Warrington and Croydon stores close at midnight on the 23rd, all others close at 10pm.

WICKES: Deadline.. December 24 Wickes always has a good range of takeaway bathrooms in stock, such as the Oceana, at a very affordable pounds 299 and also all the plumbing tools and bits and pieces youll need to complete the job check out their advice leaflets if you need a bit of help. Stores close at 4pm on December 24 (0800 106 068).

Fireplaces

CHRISTMAS time demands a glowing fire and decorative fireplace.

Fire surrounds (mantelpiece and hearth) are available from all the major DIY stores. Electric stoves and fires give realistic flame effects. Electric models are ready to plug in and switch on, but gas fires take a little more planning and need to be installed by a CORGI-registered gas fitter. An instant option is a gel fire they dont need a chimney or flue, and give a beautiful flame-effect.

JOHN LEWIS: Deadline.. December 9 The Stockbridge electric fire, pounds 339 by Dimplex, available from John Lewis (www.johnlewis.com), with delivery within 14 days, so order before December 9, or telephone Dimplex on 0870 727 0101, www.dimplex.co.uk for other stockists.

Flooring

IF you are capable of laying a carpet or fitting a hard floor, nows the time to do it.

All of the DIY stores will hold good ranges of laminate and hardwood flooring. Provided the sub-floor is clean, dry and even, most wood or laminate can be installed over practically any surface. Dont stint on the finishing touches they can make all the difference.

Allied Carpets Deadline: 15th Dec Carpets in stock at their warehouse can be ordered for pre-Christmas delivery, with fitting arranged in stores. They also have roll stock carpet to take away if you arrange fitting yourself. Call 0800 093 2932, or visit www.alliedcarpets.com