Many people in the UK like renovating or “doing up” their houses to keep up with fashions and trends. Here are some useful English words and phrases to describe this.
Decorating
give something a lick / a coat of paint = paint walls
hang / put up wallpaper = to attach new paper to the walls
fit / put up blinds or curtains = cover the windows either with curtains (fabric hanging across the window) or blinds (strips of plastic or fabric that cover the window)
throw out / replace the old light fittings = change the lights
go for a (name of fashion) effect = recreate a particular look
put the finishing touches to = complete the decoration with the final details
Renovation
have an extension = build on to the existing house to provide more rooms
put in a conservatory / a fitted kitchen / a new bathroom = to install a conservatory (room between the back of the house and the garden), a fitted kitchen (where the units are connected, rather than being single pieces) or a new bathroom
convert the loft (have a loft conversion) = convert the attic into a liveable room
turn the dining room into a spare bedroom = convert a room into one with a different purpose
knock down a wall = demolish a wall
knock through from the kitchen = demolish the wall from the kitchen into another room
build a patio = build a paved area around part or the whole of the house
rewire the house = put in new electrical wiring
install central heating / solar panels = put in a new heating system
re-plaster the ceiling = take off the old plaster (covering the bricks) and replace it with new
re-tile the bathroom = put new tiles on the floor and walls
Other useful expressions
diy = Do it Yourself (doing maintenance and building works in your house)
be handy around the house = to be practical and able to do jobs in the house
draw up plans = to make technical plans before you do building or renovation work
get planning / building permission = to get authorisation from the town hall to do work on your house
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