
Sarah Harley
Sarah has been an avid lover of all things homes and interiors since she started redecorating her bedroom as a teenager. Since then she has worked in a number of different roles from copywriting, PR, events management and photography to interior design and home staging. With her two passions being the written word and the joys of a beautifully-designed home, she eventually found her way to writing about interiors and has never looked back. When it comes to her personal building and renovations experience, viewers saw her don a pink hard hat on Grand Designs to project manage the renovation of a Grade II listed folly with the addition of a sweeping modern extension. Prior to this, as well as undertaking smaller interior projects, she renovated and extended a cottage in Kent and also worked for clients, redesigning a central London gym and making improvements to properties that needed to be sold . She admits she has never actually left a property she has lived in untouched, and with over 20 moves to her name, it’s fair to say that she knows lots of tricks for turning a house into a home. Although she still dreams of living in a contemporary self-build somewhere by the sea, she’s decided to leave the packing boxes in storage for now. In the meantime, she continues to fill her Pinterest boards with ideas and inspiration….just in case.
Latest articles by Sarah Harley

Fed up of water streaks on your walls? Me too. This is what's causing them and what you can do about it
By Sarah Harley published
Water streaks on walls might not be as visible as water stains, but can be just as annoying and damaging if you don't deal with them. I know because I have them

12 breakfast bar ideas for the perfect seating spot
By Sarah Harley last updated
Searching for breakfast bar ideas? You're in the right place. From standalone solutions to stylish stools we've got 12 ideas for creating the perfect perch

Fitting a kitchen takes planning and know-how. How to create a design that works for you
By Natasha Brinsmead last updated
Whether you're looking to fit a kitchen on a DIY basis or calling in the experts, follow our handy how-to guide to help remove the stress

19 bathroom panelling ideas that will wash your walls with style, substance and a practical, hard-wearing finish
By Sarah Harley last updated
Once a room reserved for tiles and paint, bathroom panelling ideas offer a fresh and innovative alternative when choosing your wall finishes

Planning a new garden in 2026? Experts share their garden trend predictions for the year ahead
By Sarah Harley last updated
Garden trends in 2026 will focus not just on the user-experience, but also on nurturing the land. From mini meadows to wellness zones here's what to expect

I wait with anticipation for the Pantone Colour of The Year announcement every December, but this year I'm disappointed — is it even a colour?
By Sarah Harley published
The Pantone Colour of the Year is usually embraced in the world of design and it pops up everywhere in the year ahead. But will this be the case in 2026?

If your sash windows are letting in cold air, here's how to draught proof them to preserve the heat inside your home
By Natasha Brinsmead last updated
Tackling the job of draught proofing your sash windows may require professional help, but there are also some easy DIY methods you can employ yourself

Best dehumidifiers – combat condensation and mould, plus dry laundry quickly with our tried-and-tested favourites
By Natasha Brinsmead last updated
The best dehumidifiers help eliminate condensation, prevent damp and mould, dry your laundry and even cut energy bills. Here's our tried and tested favourites

Do you check these three bathroom weak spots regularly? You really should if you want to avoid damp in bathrooms says building expert
By Ian Rock published
Damp bathrooms are commonplace, but damp in bathrooms is a problem none of us want to deal with. Here's how to identify the problem areas and keep damp at bay

I asked a listed building expert for five practical rules to follow when renovating a listed building and here's what he recommends
By Sarah Harley published
Renovating a listed building takes time, care and expert help. But, understanding where to start and how to tackle it will help make the job a little easier

Looking for a guest bed with storage? The Dusk Berkeley Ottoman Storage Bed has never let me down and has an extra 25% off in the Black Friday sales
By Sarah Harley published
This bed has been the best bedroom storage solution I've ever owned. So much so that I'll never buy a bed that's not like this again

The 2026 interior design trends are like a warm hug from your best friend — and I'm here for every single one of them
By Sarah Harley last updated
The great thing about interior design trends is that you can pick and mix from them depending on your personal taste. Here's your menu for 2026 and we rate it

The best way to hang a wreath on your front door — after all, no-one wants a new front door on their Christmas list next year
By Sarah Harley published
Knowing the best way to hang a wreath on your front door is the key to a damage-free festive entrance. We share expert tips and tricks

Wondering why mould keeps appearing on your outside walls? Check out these expert tips on how to stop it and identify serious issues
By Sarah Harley last updated
If your exterior walls are looking mouldy, here's how to stop it. Plus, we look at when it might be a sign of something that requires further investigation

I want to replace all my lights now I've seen what experts are predicting for the 2026 lighting trends
By Sarah Harley last updated
From shapes and forms inspired by nature, to playful bubbles and rechargeable heroes, get ready to boost the mood in your home with 2026's lighting trends

The paint trends designers are backing for 2026 – I spoke to colour experts to get their insight on the shades shaping next year’s style
By Sarah Harley last updated
Paint trends and colour trends go hand in hand. We explore this year's paint palette and how to use them when decorating your home

Is painting over wallpaper ever a good idea, or should you always strip and start again?
By Steve Jenkins last updated
Painting over wallpaper might seem like a quick and easy option but is it a long-term solution? Experts weigh in on this often divisive DIY topic

Renovating a new build home that's lacking in character? Don't worry, it is possible to turn a blank canvas into a home and I know, because I did it
By Sarah Harley published
While new build homes have benefits, they can also be fairly generic and a little low on features. We explore how to give one a generous helping of personality

Could your clutter be concealing a hidden menace? Why decluttering can help prevent one of winter's biggest problems
By Sarah Harley published
Decluttering doesn't just clear mess, it also makes it easier to manage winter moisture, damp and mould. We reveal the main clutter culprits and the solutions

From decadent decor to designs for daily life, these dining room ideas are perfect for homes of every shape, size and style
By Sarah Harley last updated
Dining room ideas are on the menu once again and we're dishing up 14 delights guaranteed to get your interior tastebuds tingling

Gather your fluffy robes — these are the bathroom trends set to dominate in 2026, and we've never felt so calm
By Sarah Harley last updated
If you're designing a new bathroom in 2026, take note. From spa like sanctuaries to feature baths, these are the bathroom trends you'll want to include

Damp patches and drips are tell-tale signs of ceiling condensation. Experts reveal the causes and how to stop it from happening
By Sarah Harley last updated
While condensation on windows is a common occurrence, we take a look at condensation on ceilings to see what causes it, if it's serious and how to prevent it

Move over kitchen islands there's a new kid on the block – dining rooms are back in fashion
By Sarah Harley published
While dining rooms were once considered standard in home design, over recent years they've fallen from grace. But, it seems the trend is in reverse and here's why

Are noisy radiators disturbing your peace and quiet? We explore the different sounds and what they mean
By Sarah Harley published
Of all the things that go bump in the night, noisy radiators are some of the most annoying. From clicking to hissing, bangs to bubbling here's how to identify the noise, its cause and when to be concerned

These are the main warning signs you may have drainage problems, what's causing them and how to fix them
By Sarah Harley published
Dealing with drainage problems is something most homeowners want to avoid. We explain the signs to look out for and how to resolve the 5 main drainage problems
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