Browse Forums Interior Decorating Lounge 1 Jul 06, 2010 9:09 pm Hi, I have a small 3 bedroom house in Canberra. My daughter's room doesn't get any sun and is the coldest room in the house in winter and summer. It is also quite small (about 3m by 3.5m). How can I cheer it up? I was thinking of a skylight but am concerned that any heat in the room will just go straight up through the roof. Will a skytube (solartube??) be better. And if I put one in where should it go? In front of the doorway, in a corner, near the light? As her bedroom is on the corner of the house another window is possible. Do I need building plans for this? Is it very pricey? Thanks in advance. Re: Cold dark bedroom - Any tips? 2Jul 06, 2010 9:17 pm If you use the search function you should find a few posts on skylights - I don't think they're terribly expensive (maybe $600-700? It would probably depend on the roof height and materials though). I can't help with the structural issues around windows, but perhaps redecorating might help lighten and brighten, and give a feeling of warmth. Any chance you can post a photo of the room? What colours do you have in the room? Walls, ceiling, carpet.... And is there any heating? Re: Cold dark bedroom - Any tips? 3Jul 06, 2010 9:26 pm The walls are pale yellow with floating floor boards (oak colour). I have installed a roller-blind to keep the heat in (it has been freezing this year) and she also has curtains as well. Heating is a portable oil heater. The furniture and bed covers are light coloured (nothing too dark). Just no cheerful sunlight. Re: Cold dark bedroom - Any tips? 5Jul 06, 2010 9:48 pm A panel heater for warmth. Popular Brands include Nobo, Noirot. these are used in Europe as well. get one with a timer the nobo E4EU10 would do the job. 6 cents/ hour to run according to the manufacturer A brightly colored rug. with a deep pile. HTH Michelle Re: Cold dark bedroom - Any tips? 6Jul 06, 2010 9:53 pm Thanks for mentioning you are in Canberra. Perhaps you could put this in your profile! Regarding the temp, a lot of heat is lost through the floor. Fitting nice thick wool or nylon carpets and an underlay such as Prime would make a BIG difference to the thermal insulation as well as comfort of the bedroom. See http://www.carpetinstitute.com.au/downl ... hermal.pdf Ash. Re: Cold dark bedroom - Any tips? 7Jul 07, 2010 2:01 am mishb A simple tip is a decent size mirror to reflect the light coming in from the window around the room? You can get cheap mirrors from places like Ikea, or even Bunnings. I'm not sure i would go the mirror option, as during the night, they can reflect light and shadows on her wall, that can be quite scary for little ones Dear J.K. Rowling, Your books are entirely unrealistic. I mean, a ginger kid with two friends? Sincerely, Anonymous Re: Cold dark bedroom - Any tips? 8Jul 07, 2010 8:29 am Emohruo A panel heater for warmth. Popular Brands include Nobo, Noirot. these are used in Europe as well. get one with a timer the nobo E4EU10 would do the job. 6 cents/ hour to run according to the manufacturer A brightly colored rug. with a deep pile. HTH Michelle Sorry a little off topic....Emohruo, are these panel heaters the ones you just attach to a wall, plug in and off you go? Would this form of heating be appropriate for a rental property do you think? The cold bedroom....I agree with other posters, a big thick rug would help and I personally would put the skylight in. Its amazing how the spirits are lifted when natural light is allowed into a home Mrs B Re: Cold dark bedroom - Any tips? 9Jul 07, 2010 8:56 am Mrs B Sorry a little off topic....Emohruo, are these panel heaters the ones you just attach to a wall, plug in and off you go? Would this form of heating be appropriate for a rental property do you think? Hi Mrs B, They're great in a rental property...especially if it isn't open plan. They work well in spaces that can be closed off. You can get different sizes to suit the size of the room too. We installed them in a small block of flats, and the tennants love them. Sorry to go off topic sisu. 'chelle We have a hand-over date...15/10...but I won't hold my breath! http://people-in-glass-houses.blogspot.com/ Re: Cold dark bedroom - Any tips? 10Jul 07, 2010 9:15 am What about a blown up photo of a sunny beach scene? or a sunset? something that creates the illusion that there's sun in there? (of course i haven't tried this, so it may not work in which case, sorry :blush: ) Re: Cold dark bedroom - Any tips? 11Jul 07, 2010 9:43 am Do you have any photos? quick suggestions 1. Paint the walls brighter colours - even off white 2. Warmer lighter carpets 3. New light fittings - 3 or 4 downlights would make it bright 4. Is the roof insulated 5. Improve Heating 6. Remove curtains back from window if they obstruct daylight Re: Cold dark bedroom - Any tips? 12Jul 07, 2010 10:53 am We have some eco panel heaters, and they are a great. They are silent and gently take the chill out of the air without becoming overly hot. A timer model is the perfect heating option in the bedroom you are talking about. Also, someone mentioned a thick rug. They are better than nothing, but don't have anywhere near the insulating value of a good wall to wall installed carpet with underlay. Try sleeping in a king size bed with a single size doona, and see how well it keeps you warm! Ash. Re: Cold dark bedroom - Any tips? 15Jul 07, 2010 7:11 pm Can't say I'd put a skylight in. We had them in the bedrooms of our old place (in Sydney), and they were a pain in the backside, actually I'd go so far as saying I hated them. Terrible in the mornings (woke the kids early, too bright), and terrible when it rained (it sounded like a drum pounding). Bel Still not in. Don't ask!? Re: Cold dark bedroom - Any tips? 16Jul 07, 2010 7:18 pm We painted our bedroom (in the old house) white. Even though it "brightened" the room it made it feel really cold. I think a light shade of a warmer colouyr may be better than white. When we repainted a colour it felt instantly warmer. Just my experience, others may disagree. www.themaxbuild.blogspot.com forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=20717&start=300 www.leahspaperpassion.blogspot.com Re: Cold dark bedroom - Any tips? 17Jul 07, 2010 7:22 pm I had sky-lights in our old house and I loved them - one in kitchen and one in dining area - however I would have to agree with Bel that they are not suitable for a bedroom - you dont always want light in a bedroom eg when you are sleeping in or haveing a nap or sick in bed. I know there are some you can get with closable "vents" but I havent had one of those and I think they are a lot dearer. Re: Cold dark bedroom - Any tips? 18Jul 07, 2010 7:24 pm bel Can't say I'd put a skylight in. We had them in the bedrooms of our old place (in Sydney), and they were a pain in the backside, actually I'd go so far as saying I hated them. Terrible in the mornings (woke the kids early, too bright), and terrible when it rained (it sounded like a drum pounding). Bel Exactly what I was going to say - I have to sleep in pitch black darkness - I couldn't think of anything worse than a sky light in a bedroom. What about an electric blanket too??? I have seen on the TV yesterday that there's a company that have just released electric throw rugs - they are made from polar fleece material - so i would think this would be a bit safer/healthier than the electric blanket option too?! Sleven Moved into our Atlantique MkII 36 by Carlisle Homes Re: Cold dark bedroom - Any tips? 19Jul 07, 2010 7:26 pm Thankyou for all these tips. I never thought of a mirror. It would be great during the day and when I close the blinds at night it should block out enough shadows that may spook her. I have a Nobo heater in my kitchen/eating area and I love it. I would put one in each bedroom but I have no wall space. I have good insulation (thanks to Rudd!), and I have tried rugs except her room is so small they clutter it up even more. But I never thought of carpet! When I put the floating floor down nearly 10 years ago I was so glad to get rid of carpet that it hasn't crossed my mind again. I'll see how the mirror goes before I get a skylight. Thanks guys. Thank you so much. This has been very helpful. We definitely wish to settle and get these people out of our life. They are trying to charge us interest on late… 7 14242 if i have understood your dimensions correctly my suggestions include using the smallest toilet and wall hung handbasin eg Caroma Urbane with in wall cistern, small wall… 1 8156 Depends how much direct sun it gets. Is there any shading (eaves or trees)? If the sun hits a window directly it doesn't matter too much if it's double or single… 1 12647 |