Sarah Harley

Sarah Harley

Assistant Editor

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

grey and white kitchen with breakfast bar extending off central island in large open plan kitchen diner with patio doors

5 kitchen layout mistakes and how design experts say you can avoid them

By Sarah Harley published

Kitchen layout mistakes can be costly and result in an unusable space. These are the 5 main mistakes according to experts and how to steer clear of them

Why the viewpoint needs to be practical and pretty when designing a kitchen for an upside down house layout

By Sarah Harley published

Designing a kitchen for an upside down house layout is usually about maximising on the view. But what do you need to consider from a practical point of view?

15 charming farmhouse kitchen lighting ideas that celebrate countrycore style

By Sarah Harley published

Looking for farmhouse kitchen lighting ideas? Here's 15 that are perfect whether you're lighting a farmhouse or just a fan of a cosy and eclectic countryside feel

kitchen with light wood reeded wall panelling on back wall, replicated on base of kitchen island with white and grey veined marble top

25 wall panelling ideas to add a new dimension to your interiors

By Sarah Harley, Natasha Brinsmead, Hugh Metcalf last updated

From bedrooms to bathrooms, living rooms to hallways, wall panelling ideas can transform a humble wall into a focal point. Here's 25 ideas to inspire you

converted barns with large glass extension in between linking the buildings together

How to convert a barn: An expert guide to a successful countryside conversion

By Michael Holmes, Sarah Harley last updated

The decision to convert a barn presents the perfect opportunity to create a unique countryside home packed with character. Follow this expert advice to get it right

Kitchen in large room with high ceilings, large sash windows, corniced ceiling, wooden marble topped kitchen island, large pendant lighting with small round dining table and four chairs in corner

Moving a kitchen to another room isn't a task for the faint-hearted. Here's what to consider before you start

By Sarah Harley published

Think your kitchen could serve you better if it was relocated to another room? Find out just what's involved and if you think it's still worth it

evening shot of large oak frame house with render and oak exterior, tiled roof and separate double garage building to side with large gravel driveway in front of both buildings

How much does it cost to build an oak frame home? Here's how much to set aside and how to stay on budget

By Sarah Harley, Rebecca Foster last updated

We take a look at what is the cost of an oak frame home to help you set a realistic budget for this type of self build or custom build project

pale coloured kitchen with large island, tan leather bar stools, three glass and brass pendant lights above island and back wall of cabinets, some glass fronted, others open and some with full doors, plus worktop with kitchen sink

29 kitchen ideas from colours to cabinetry and layouts to lighting, to help you create your perfect cooking space

By Sarah Harley, Hugh Metcalf last updated

Turn your kitchen from everyday into extraordinary with these 29 kitchen ideas that will help inspire your next kitchen makeover or new build

luxury looking bathroom with walk in shower clad in black marble effect wall panels, alongside black fluted vanity unit on one wall with double sinks and two circular mirrors

These are 5 hotel bathroom ideas experts say won't work in your home, plus 5 you can include instead

By Sarah Harley published

Tempted to replicate your favourite hotel bathroom ideas at home? Experts say these are the ones to avoid and instead share alternatives which combine style and practicality in equal measures

bathroom with oak engineered wood flooring, pale blue curved front vanity unit and white roll top bath at end of room

Why solid wooden flooring in a bathroom isn't a good idea — plus, what to use instead

By Sarah Harley published

Although solid wooden flooring in a bathroom may look good, it's a bad idea say experts. Instead, here's how to get the look without the risk

kitchen island made from RAK ceramics which includes a hidden hob so the saucepan on the island is being heated even though the hob features are invisible

14 kitchen innovations that are on my kitchen wish-list — and why you should add them to yours

By Sarah Harley, Natasha Brinsmead last updated

If a hi-tech culinary zone is your dream, take a look at the latest kitchen innovations that don't just look good, but also improve how your kitchen performs

Get your pantry design right warn the experts or it could be a waste of time, space and money

By Sarah Harley published

Get your pantry design wrong and it could become nothing more than a wasted space. Here's what the experts advise when it comes to size, layout and storage tips

large gallery kitchen with modern wooden cabinetry, central island with ceiling extractor, lighting, cream floor and large stainless steel american style fridge freezer

21 kitchen layout ideas that will serve up a kitchen that's practical, purposeful and above all else, perfectly stylish

By Sarah Harley, Amy Reeves, Hugh Metcalf last updated

Getting your kitchen layout ideas right is key to making sure your kitchen is easy to work in, as well as being worthy of its position as the heart of your home

night time shot of exterior of contemporary passivhaus with large glass windows

An expert guide to MVHR: everything you need to know about this ventilation system

By Tim Pullen, Sarah Harley last updated

MVHR – mechanical ventilation with heat recovery helps to improve airflow and energy efficiency, experts explain what's involved

bathroom with wood effect floor and wall tiles, indoor garden to rear of room with white freestanding bath, walk in shower and concrete moulded sink and countertop

9 Japanese bathroom ideas to embrace — and the one to avoid adding to your wash space

By Sarah Harley published

Japanese bathroom ideas can be simplistic, stylish and enhance many bathroom designs. Which ones should you choose and are there any to avoid?

exterior of one of storey of eco house clad in timber shingles with large gravel area outside and large trees along rear of property

Eco houses: An expert guide on what it means to build an eco home

By Sarah Harley, Tim Pullen last updated

Considering building an eco house? There are several ways to approach your project depending on what you want to achieve. We explore the options

Why having a freestanding bath in a small bathroom is possible — and how to get it right

By Sarah Harley published

Think freestanding baths are for large bathrooms only? We think you'll change your mind once you've read our expert-led guide to including one in a small space

loft conversion bedroom with green floral wallpaper, wooden floor, black metal framed bed with white bedding, green and white throw with door open leading to small landing and stairwell

Considering a loft conversion? Here's what you need to know

By Michael Holmes, Sarah Harley last updated

Adding a loft conversion is one of the best and most cost effective ways to get more space without extending your home's footprint – but is it the right route for you? Our expert guide explains the key factors you need to know

kitchen with breakfast pantry cupboard and walk in pantry to side

Does a pantry add value? Yes say the experts but make sure you add these key elements into the mix

By Sarah Harley published

Kitchen pantries have enjoyed a resurgence in popularity, but does adding one add any value? If so, how much and what can you do to maximise its worth?

evening shot of low level brick house exterior taken from rear of house showing windows lit up and a patio area

17 real-life eco homes that perfectly blend style and sustainability

By Sarah Harley, Amy Reeves last updated

If you're looking at eco homes we've rounded up 17 real life projects that are not only environmentally friendly, but also unquestionably stylish

oak frame conservatory attached to side of traditional stone detached property

Could an oak frame conservatory be the extension idea you need?

By Sarah Harley last updated

Oak frame conservatories invite natural light and garden views into your home. Read on to discover everything you need to know from the rules and regulations to designs and costs

modern light wood kitchen with large bookmatched white and pale grey quartz splashback

What is bookmatching and could this luxurious finish elevate your kitchen design?

By Sarah Harley published

Subtle, but extremely effective, we take a look at the technique of bookmatching and how it can add a layer of extra luxury to your kitchen design

kitchen diner space with exposed beams, soft sage green kitchen cabinets and island with raised seating area made from large wooden block

15 cottage kitchen ideas to transform your cooking space into a whimsical hideaway

By Sarah Harley published

Whether you're seeking cottage kitchen ideas for renovating, or simply love the cosy feel of one, here's 15 ideas guaranteed to turn you into cottage-core fan

open plan bathroom and bedroom with black and white wooden sliding decorative screens to divide the bathroom from bedroom

Are open plan bathrooms only for the brave, or are they a concept worth considering in your bathroom design?

By Sarah Harley published

Can open plan bathrooms ever work, or is the bathroom a space where broken-plan design will always work best?

large kitchen island with seating area, storage and glass pendant lighting above

The four kitchen island mistakes to avoid at all costs, according to interior designers

By Sarah Harley published

Having the extra functionality of a kitchen island can make your kitchen experience even better. But what are the main kitchen island mistakes to avoid and why?

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Archives