DIY Q&A

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Q. I want the look of wood for my bathroom floor, but will it stand the wet environment?

A. Solid wood must be protected under several layers of varnish or paint. Even then, if water ingresses between the boards it can move. There are laminate floors suited to bathrooms, but most are water-resistant not waterproof, so don’t let water pool on any laminate or the sections can swell. Try AquaLOC, from B&Q. A vinyl wood effect would be far less of a headache and highly economical, too.

Q. My bathroom is so dull. I know white and neutral is a good, safe choice, but how can I put in some individuality for a small spend?

A. Buy a roll of splash-resistant wallpaper with a great-big, fascinating pattern. Put up a piece of MDF as wide as your sink and run from the sink’s top edge to the ceiling. Wallpaper the MDF carefully. Put up a glass or Perspex splashback (ask the supplier to bevel the edges) on the panel over the sink to make it utterly waterproof. Mount a lovely mirror on the papered panel, and you have instant impact.

Q. I am tired of struggling with the blind in our bathroom. What other window treatments are there that are easy to operate and won’t get so dirty?

A. None at all would be my suggestion. Buy a roll of window film and screen off the area of the window you need for modesty and let full light come in on the top section. IKEA do a self-adhesive window film for just €4.06. You can order Purlfrost rolls window film at Amazon.co.uk, from £10 for plain and £12 up for lace or flower effects. Purlfrost.com. Follow manufacturer’s instructions to apply.

* Answers by Kya deLongchamps