Where home offices used to be a nice-to-have feature, these days, with more and more of us working from home, they are pretty much essential. Even if you work outside of the house, having an office space in which to do admin, store paperwork or even as a quiet area for children to do homework can really come in handy.

Personally, a dedicated work-from-home room is high on my wish-list, and my own home office design is currently centred on something set away from the main house at the bottom of the garden – although I am still at the early planning stages on this one.

Once it is actually constructed though, I am determined to make it a space I thoroughly enjoy spending time in, at the same time as it being somewhere that helps me focus and feel alert. Colour plays a huge role in how we feel and, with this in mind, I reached out to the experts to discover the shades they would recommend using in a home office. Here's what they had to say.

Certain colours – especially green – inspire calm and focus

Some colours have the ability to work on so many different levels, being able to create a sense of calm as well as to energise – and, according to the colour experts, green is one of them and should definitely appear in your home office design ideas.

"For a space in the home which needs to feel both calm and productive, the colour green is one of the most versatile and emotionally resonant colours you can introduce to a home office,' states Eloise Pfeiffer, interior designer at Pfeiffer Design. "From olive to forest green and sage, green has the power to help a space feel grounded yet fresh, relaxing and confident. Ultimately it is a great shade for home offices because it is both timeless and of the moment. It plays on the contemporary themes of biophilic and wellness-led design, both of which continue to be at the forefront in 2026 – inviting nature to connect with people in an interior setting."

Ruth Mottershead, creative director at Little Greene agrees. "Greens and earthy neutrals are wonderful choices for a workspace as they connect us with the natural world, helping to create a sense of calm and tranquillity, while cooler tones such as soft blues and greens can encourage focus and concentration."

Shop green paints

Select brighter shades to help with motivation

While you definitely want a home office to feel calming, particularly at those times when work can feel a little bit overwhelming, there is nothing to say that bright colours are off limits – they really can help pack a motivational punch. Don't forget to take into consideration your home office lighting when choosing colours – particularly those at the brighter end of the spectrum.

According to Ruth Mottershead, it's all about selecting a shade that you love. "Ultimately, the most productive spaces are those that reflect the personality of the person using them – a considered palette that feels joyful, comfortable and inspiring will help create a workspace you genuinely enjoy spending time in."

Ruth goes on to explain how to use brighter shades to boost productivity. "Vibrant colours can be a wonderful choice for a workspace, bringing a sense of optimism, energy and creativity to the room. Rather than being distracting, carefully considered brighter shades can help lift our mood and create an environment that feels motivating and uplifting – something that is particularly important when spending long periods of time working from home."

That said, Cathryn Sanders, head of creative at Earthborn, is keen to point out that sometimes a little restraint when it comes to the use of bold colours can go a long way. "Bright colours can work, but they are often better used in smaller amounts. A strong yellow or red across every wall may feel too distracting in a room where you need to concentrate. Instead, use brighter shades on a shelf, cupboard door, desk area or pinboard wall to add energy without taking over the whole room."

Stick to paler shades in compact home offices

We can't all afford to hand over a huge amount of space for a home office – but if your own is on the smaller side, colour can really help to visually expand it.

"For a small home office, lighter shades tend to work best because they help reflect available light," says Cathryn Sanders. "Warm off-whites (such as Earthborn's White Clay or Up Up Away, both available on Amazon) can make a compact room feel cleaner and more open, especially when used on both walls and woodwork."

Cathryn goes on to explain how colour drenching can help open up small spaces too. "Painting the ceiling in the same colour, or a slightly lighter version, can reduce visual breaks and help the room feel less boxed in."

Use colour changes to define an open-plan home office

Even if you can only spare a corner of the guest bedroom or an alcove within your living room for your home office, you can still create a really useful, useable office space – and, along with some clever home office layout techniques, colour can be your best friend in doing this.

"Colour can be used to define a workspace within a larger room," advises Ruth Mottershead. "Adding a contrasting or tonal shade within an alcove, or across a defined area, you can subtly zone a home office and give it its own identity, without the need for physical divides. A change in colour helps to signal a shift in function, creating a dedicated workspace while still allowing the area to feel connected and harmonious with the rest of the room."

Cathryn Sanders has some more tips on creating an open-plan home office space, including some that would work for those seeking home office spare room ideas. "Paint is a simple way to mark out a work area without adding walls or furniture. Painting the wall behind a desk, an alcove or a built-in shelving area in a different shade helps create a clear work zone. A muted green, soft blue or warm neutral will define the area while still allowing it to sit comfortably with the rest of the room."

FAQs

What paint finishes work best in a home office?

Choosing the best paint for any space is about more than just colour and paint trends – the finish you opt for matters too, so what do the experts suggest?

"An ultra matt finish can help soften light and reduce glare, which is useful if you spend a lot of time looking at a screen," says Cathryn Sanders. "For high-touch areas, such as shelves, cupboards, doors or desks, a more durable finish may be more practical."

"If your home office is a space that needs to work hard, consider choosing a durable finish," picks up Ruth Mottershead, who suggests something like Little Greene's Intelligent Matt Emulsion, available at John Lewis. "It retains a beautiful soft, flat appearance, but offers the added benefit of being wipeable and hardwearing. You need practical choices for areas where furniture, books or files sit against walls, as everyday marks, scuffs and fingerprints can then be easily cleaned away, helping the space stay looking fresh for longer."

Should I use wallpaper in a home office?

The world of wallpaper designs is huge – something I see as both a good, and a bad thing. One the one hand, the breadth of choice means there is something out there for every taste, but on the other, it can also make choosing hard – which is why I have no wallpaper in my house.

However, having gone back on forth on the topic of wallpaper vs paint for some time, I now love the idea of introducing some pattern into my new home office and, according to Ruth Mottershead, this is fantastic idea and one she would highly recommend. "Introducing a beautiful wallpaper design can transform a home office from a blank canvas into an inspiring environment, with botanical and floral patterns in particular bringing a fresh, uplifting feel."

If you are struggling to choose a wallpaper, Cathryn Sanders' advice on the shades that will aid with focus could come in handy. "Colour affects how settled and focused the room feels. For most workspaces, the best colours are those that support concentration without making the space feel too busy. Soft blues, blue-greens and muted greens work particularly well because they have a calm quality, while still bringing enough colour to stop the room feeling plain."

Colour can really come in handy when developing shared home office ideas – it can help to define each occupant's space and add individuality to the various areas within the room. Or, if like me you are considering taking your home office into the garden, take a look at the main types of garden office you have to choose from.

Scroll through any bathroom mood board right now and you'll spot the same colours on repeat: deep green baths, terracotta units, and pink basins in candy shades that would have made your grandmother wince. After what feels like thirty years of glossy white as the only acceptable choice, colour is back in the bathroom, and it's not being subtle about it either.

But there's a gap between admiring a burnt orange bidet on Pinterest and actually plumbing one into your new build. So is coloured sanitaryware here to stay, or just a bathroom design trend that photographs better than it wears?

I asked the experts who spec it, fit it and live with it for the honest answer, including how it holds up to a decade of family bath times, and whether that gorgeous olive green suite will still feel right in ten years' time.

Is coloured sanitaryware trendy again?

After decades of glossy white as the default, colour is one of the biggest bathroom trends making a comeback, but is that translating into what actually goes into new bathrooms, or is it staying on the mood board?

According to Keeley Sutcliffe, design manager at BC Designs, the demand is real and has been for some time. "Coloured sanitaryware stopped being a Pinterest-only idea several years ago. We have seen sustained demand for coloured baths and basins for a long time now, so the more interesting question is not whether people are choosing colour, but how they are using it."

"Most homeowners are not recreating the fully matched avocado or pink bathroom suites of the past," she explains. "Colour is being used with much more restraint, usually through one key piece such as a freestanding bath or basin. That gives the room personality without making the whole scheme dependent on one shade."

James Roberts, director at Sanctuary Bathrooms, agrees, pointing to the staying power of coloured suites, rather than them having a passing moment.

"Coloured bathroom sanitaryware is definitely becoming more popular among our customers, not as a fad, but as a genuine, longer-term preference for coordinated, colourful bathroom schemes over individual white or chrome pieces," he says. "This is particularly evident where coloured suites complement biophilic design and the growing use of bathrooms as wellness spaces, giving the trend real staying power."

He points to his own company's research to back this up. "Our recent survey of 2,000 UK adults showed that soft pink, blue and green colour schemes were among the retro trends people said they would be most likely to recreate at home, with interest particularly strong among Gen Z and Millennials."

But whether it's expressed through one considered piece or a fully coordinated scheme, both experts agree this isn't a fad that will fade as quickly as it arrived.

The pros of coloured sanitaryware

1. It gives a room personality

Done well, colour can give a bathroom a sense of character that white simply can't. Sophie Chapman, interior designer at The Vawdrey House, explains more.

"Coloured sanitaryware is gaining momentum as bathrooms shift towards more expressive, personality-led spaces, with homeowners looking to move beyond all-white schemes in favour of something warmer and more individual.

"Softer pinks and earthy tones continue to lead the way," she continues, "reflecting a broader move towards grounded, natural palettes that bring a sense of calm and tactility to interiors."

2. It can tie your spaces together

Sophie also points out that colour can help a bathroom feel connected to the rest of the home, rather than sitting apart from it. "Increasingly, bathrooms are also being designed as part of a larger suite, where the relationship between bedroom, dressing space and bathroom is carefully thought through. Coloured sanitaryware can play a key role in this, helping to visually connect spaces through a shared palette."

Shop coloured sanitaryware

The cons of coloured sanitaryware

1. It can limit flexibility

The case against is less about taste and more about commitment. Blanca Sanchez, director at Halo Design Interiors, is candid about the risks.

"The biggest issue with coloured sanitaryware is that it limits flexibility. A white suite acts as a neutral foundation that can work with almost any design style, whether you prefer modern, traditional, minimalist or colourful interiors. Once you've committed to a pink, green or blue toilet and basin, every future design decision has to work around them. That makes updating the space more expensive and more restrictive."

2. Social media appeal doesn't always translate into real life

Blanca Sachez is also sceptical of how much of the online appeal actually holds up in daily life.

"While they're generating some attention on Pinterest that doesn't really reflect what most homeowners are choosing when they're investing thousands of pounds in bathroom costs they'll live with for the next 10 or 15 years. Social media is brilliant for inspiration but it rewards bold, eye-catching designs that don't always translate into spaces people want to use every day."

How to make coloured sanitaryware work in your space

Let the walls carry the statement too

A coloured suite doesn't have to work alone. Pairing it with a bold bathroom wallpaper can pull the whole room together rather than competing with it. The downstairs toilet pictured above (designed by Jamie Watkins, co-founder of Divine Savages) shows exactly how.

"By pairing blush pink sanitaryware with glossy green tiles and statement wallpaper, the result is layered, contemporary and full of character," says Jamie, "proving that even the smallest room can make the biggest design statement."

Opt for earthier or muted shades

Not every colour ages well. Keeley Sutcliffe, says the shades with staying power tend to have some depth to them rather than being punchy or primary.

"The colours with the greatest longevity tend to have some complexity to them. Very bright shades can work brilliantly, but softer mineral tones, warm neutrals and deeper nature-led colours are easier to live with and can adapt as the rest of the bathroom changes. You can also replace brassware, repaint walls or introduce new towels and accessories without the bath suddenly feeling out of place."

Choose one statement piece to add a pop of colour

Rather than a fully matched suite, the experts all tend to favour a single coloured piece doing the hard work.

"My advice is to choose one coloured piece, make sure the shape feels current and avoid matching everything around it," says Keeley Sutcliffe. "Let a statement piece, like a colourful vanity unit, lead the room, then use the surrounding finishes to support it rather than compete with it."

Add colour through finishes and taps

If a full suite feels like too big a leap, brassware and taps are a lower-commitment way to bring colour in without touching the sanitaryware itself. Emily Robertson, bathroom expert at Mira Showers, agrees this is often the smarter starting point.

"If you're interested in adopting the trend without committing to replacing your whole bathroom suite just yet, it's far more cost-effective to start with replacing your fixtures and fittings. Try swapping out fixtures like your taps, shower or shower head, cabinet handles, or bathroom lighting."

A coloured tap, shower or set of handles can add just as much personality as a basin or bath, while being far easier and cheaper to change later if your taste shifts. It's a good starting point if you want to test how you feel about living with colour before committing to anything permanent, and it means the rest of the room can stay flexible while one or two smaller details do the work.

Shop easy ways to add colour to your bathroom

FAQs

Does colour affect resale value?

"Resale is the worry that stops a lot of people committing to colour, but Keeley Sutcliffe thinks that fear is overplayed.

"Resale is often used as an argument against colour, but I think that concern is overstated when it is handled well. One coloured bath in a strong, contemporary shape is very different from committing every element in the room to the same shade. Buyers increasingly respond to bathrooms with character, particularly when the choice feels part of the wider scheme rather than added for novelty."

Does coloured sanitaryware need more maintenance than white?

Not according to Keeley Sutcliffe, who says maintenance is more about the material than the colour.

"With a colour-through solid-surface bath such as ColourKast, the shade is integral to the product rather than sitting only on the surface, which makes it a practical choice as well as a decorative one."

The same principle applies to damage. White sanitaryware in a coated or glazed finish can chip and show a duller layer underneath just as easily as a coloured piece can show white, so the real difference in durability comes down to how a piece is made, not what colour it is.

Can coloured sanitaryware work in a small bathroom?

Yes, but it needs a different approach to a large family bathroom. Emily Robertson warns against treating every space the same way.

"Adding a coloured suite to a small bathroom, like an ensuite, can run the risk of making the room feel overcrowded and dark. This is where you should consider pairing the suite with lighter and contrasting features, as well as good bathroom lighting ideas and bathroom mirrors to open up the space."

Colour isn't the only way to bring personality into a bathroom. If you're after something calmer, our guide to spa bathrooms shows how texture, lighting and natural materials can create the same sense of character, minus the commitment. Or, if your tastes venture further afield, these Japanese bathroom ideas could be just what you're looking for.

If you're in the market for new bathroom flooring, you might be tempted to cut corners by rushing the preparation or choosing the first attractive material you find and hoping for the best.

However, bathroom experts have warned that flaws as little as a slightly off gradient could result in big problems in the long run, which can be costly to repair and waste more time.

To help you get the job done once – and properly – we asked bathroom design experts to share the most common flooring mistakes they see people make, so you can avoid them.

1. Not checking if the flooring is suitable for wet, humid conditions

Before you invest in brand-new flooring, it's worth double-checking whether it's suitable for your bathroom's conditons, recommends Yarl Christie, Founder of Stories Flooring.

"One of the biggest mistakes we see is people choosing bathroom flooring ideas purely for the overall look, without checking it is actually rated for wet, high-humidity conditions," he says. "Materials such as laminate or standard engineered wood can swell, warp or delaminate once they are exposed to daily splashes and condensation."

You'll also need to take slip resistance into consideration. While a beautiful glossy tile can serve up style points, it becomes a hazard when it gets wet, which is less than ideal for a bathroom setting.

Side note: My former flat had black, shiny tiles, and they were an absolute nightmare to keep clean. We basically had to live with constant footprints and splash marks. I've vowed to never live anywhere with dark glossy tiles ever again!

Shop these bathroom-proof flooring picks

2. Poor preparation

If you want your bathroom flooring to stand the test of time, preparation is key. Before you even think about laying it, you'll need to install a properly waterproofed subfloor, explains Yarl Christie. Failing to do this is one of the most expensive mistakes to make, as you'll likely have to rip up the entire floor and start again if it isn't done correctly.

"A properly installed subfloor, correct waterproofing and tanking system, and a level surface are what prevent problems like cracked tiles, loose grout and water damage further down the line," adds Vic Slovak, co-director of VOSC Bathrooms.

3. Incorrect installation

The slightest mistake in the gradient can result in pools of water collecting on your bathroom or wet room flooring, warns Vic Slovak. "This affects both the practicality of the space and its longevity."

Fitting your tiles too close to walls and fixtures is also a no-no, says Yarl Christie. Without an expansion gap, you may see tenting, cracking or lifting as the material expands and contracts with changes in temperature and humidity.

He adds, "Oversized tiles in a small bathroom need to be cut awkwardly around the toilet and basin, and poorly planned grout lines or thresholds can create trip hazards between rooms."

4. Choosing the wrong tile size or pattern

Contrary to popular belief, having a small bathroom doesn't mean you're limited to a smaller tile size. According to Lesley Taylor, Interior Designer and Founder of Baked Tiles, "a larger-format porcelain tile can reduce the number of grout lines and make the floor feel far less busy."

“The reverse can be true in a wet room, where the floor needs to fall towards the drain. A very large rigid tile may be difficult to use across that change in level without specialist cutting, so a smaller format or mosaic can sometimes be the more practical option," she adds.

Pattern is another area that people often get wrong. While the design might look great in a single image, Lesley says you need to understand the full picture of the room, including how it will appear when sanitaryware is installed. The solution? "Lay out several tiles together and identify the strongest parts of the design."

5. Forgetting aftercare

While some bathroom flooring requires little to no maintenance, you'll need to take extra care with natural materials, such as stone, which require regular sealing and ongoing aftercare.

"Use the cleaning products recommended for the material and accept that some stones will develop a softer patina as the bathroom is used. The mistake is not choosing stone; it is choosing stone while secretly hoping it will behave like a piece of plastic," says Grazzie Wilson, Head of Creative at Ca’ Pietra.

"The finish is what people see, but it's everything underneath that determines how long your bathroom flooring will last," concludes Viktor Slovak.

For more expert-backed advice, find out why wooden flooring in a bathroom is a bad idea and whether laminate is waterproof.

When you’ve spent years daydreaming about utility room ideas, it can be a rude awakening to face the noisy reality of this functional space, when you get one.

Utility rooms are often noisy because they tend to house the loudest appliances in the home, especially washing machines and tumble-dryers. Combine the normal operating noise of these appliances with a room that might be small, and last in line for renovations such as cavity wall insulation, and you have a recipe for a racket.

The good news is that there are plenty of things you can do to reduce utility room noise, ranging from quick improvements to belt-and-braces acoustic treatments. We interviewed a soundproofing specialist, a property developer and an appliances expert to understand exactly how to soundproof a utility room.

1. Identify the source of noise

“This is the room where a lot of people have got their washing machine or tumble-dryer, and these are the main sources of noise,” says Andy Youngson, director of Yorkshire Soundproofing.

To some extent, the level of noise will depend on the model and condition of each laundry appliance. However, one utility room might allow far more noise into the rest of the building than another – even if the appliances used are the same. This is due to several factors, including the structure of the floor and walls.

“The floor is your first port of call for soundproofing work, after which you should look at the walls and any boxing for your ducting and pipes,” says Andy.

“Any hollow cavities within the room will transfer vibrations, amplify them and pass them through walls and the ceiling. And then there’s the airborne sound from tumble-dryers and washers, which can go through the ceiling, especially if the ceiling has only a single layer of lightweight insulation. But, there’s a wide range of things you can do to limit these sources of noise,” he confirms.

2. Soundproof the floor

Vibrations travel from kitchen appliances, such as washing machines, directly into the floor, making this surface the key focus when soundproofing a utility room.

“A suspended timber floor in particular tends to vibrate the whole structure, and as with any empty cavity, it can cause cavity resonance,” says Andy Youngson. “It’s like the hollow box on an acoustic guitar, causing the sound to bounce and echo more than it would through a solid floor (or through the solid body of an electric guitar).”

The most thorough solution that’s commonly used to sound-insulate suspended timber floors is to add mineral wool insulation under the floorboards. You might even go as far as to replace the floorboards with a more sound-insulative surface material, such as engineered wooden flooring or cork.

If these measures are too disruptive or beyond your current budget, then a cheaper (possibly temporary) fix could be to use acoustic matting.

“You can cover the full floor, or just put rubber matting under the appliances so that the vibrations don’t get into the joists and the wall,” confirms Andy.

3. Reduce noise from appliances

A good place to start is with your choice of laundry appliances, as some models are far noisier than others.

“If you're looking for a quieter laundry appliance, you should start with looking at the noise rating before you buy,” says Gwil Snook, laundry expert at AO.

“The lower the decibel (dB) rating, the quieter the appliance is likely to be, especially during the spin cycle. Features such as inverter motors can also help reduce vibration and keep noise to a minimum, as they’re designed to run more efficiently with fewer moving parts.

Gwil also suggests looking for appliances with Quiet Mark certification. “This is independently assessed and benchmarked against comparable products, and it indicates that the appliance will operate more quietly than standard alternatives,” he says.

Whichever appliances you choose, how you set them up in your utility room layout will also affect the operating noise.

“Leaving a clear space around the machine to prevent it from touching surrounding cabinets and walls is helpful for reducing noise,” says Michelle Feng, product marketing manager at Hisense.

“Also make sure that the appliance is level, by adjusting the feet so that it sits stable on the floor. This will reduce the rattling and noise when a cycle is on,” she adds.

You can use a spirit level, such as this Firecore Small Spirit Level from Amazon to double-check that you’ve used your appliance’s adjustable feet to the best effect.

Washing machines and tumble-dryers are pretty much guaranteed to become louder as they accumulate wear and tear, but it’s often possible to limit the increase in noise.

“If the appliance makes unusually loud or abnormal noises, we advise contacting the relevant customer service so it can be inspected by an engineer,” says Michelle.

“Regular washing machine maintenance such as cleaning the drum and filter is important, and I also recommend checking to ensure your laundry loads are balanced (with a mixture of lighter and heavier items spread throughout the drum), and ensuring the appliance remains level," she continues.

“All of these measures can help to minimise noise, as well as extending the washing machine’s lifespan."

4. Soundproof the walls and ceiling

So what about walls and ceilings? How can you include soundproofing measures at the earlier stages of construction?

“There are solutions such as isolation clips and channels,” explains Andy Youngson. “You can use something like a mute clip to decouple your plasterboard layers from the original structure, allowing the walls to vibrate independently of the supporting structure. As all sound is a form of vibration, decoupling these structural layers can prevent that vibration from travelling through," he adds.

But, rather than leaving an empty gap between the plasterboard and the supporting structure, Andy recommends filling that space with a sound-insulative material.

“Treat empty cavities with mineral wool,” he recommends. “We use Rockwool RW3 at 60kg per cubic metre. It’s one of the better mineral wools for absorbing bass frequencies.”

Some homeowners go even further to soundproof their utility room walls and ceiling.

“The go-to upgrade is Tecsound," continues Andy, "a vibration dampening membrane that can go between two layers in a wall, or alternatively you can add a second layer of acoustic plasterboard,” he suggests.

“Whichever methods you choose, make sure everything is airtight sealed with acoustic sealant, and focus on making sure there are no empty cavities in the structure,” notes Andy.

5. Install a soundproof door

According to Andy Youngson, installing a soundproof internal door is mostly relevant to households who want to be very thorough in their soundproofing.

“Whether you pay attention to the door really depends on how far you want to go with soundproofing your utility room, but it does make sense in some cases, particularly in high-end properties where this room houses something like a ground source heat pump or swimming pool motors,” he says.

“A 44mm fire door with fire seals will seal the door effectively, or you can put in a drop seal on the door. Drop seals are inexpensive but they can be a pain to fit, because they require the door to be at a particular height,” notes Andy.

Find door drop seals at Screwfix and other DIY retailers.

5. Detail, seal and box in where possible

There’s even more you can do to minimise the noise from your utility room.

“Even if you have a good soundproofing system installed, its effectiveness can be significantly reduced if gaps and service penetrations are not properly detailed,” says Brenden Potton, managing director of Potton Developments and Designs.

“Form a 25 to 50mm service void behind the plasterboard where possible, as this allows electrical wiring, sockets and pipework to be installed without penetrating the main acoustic lining,” he advises.

“Also take care to seal all gaps around pipes, cables, sockets and ventilation ducts using an acoustic sealant to maintain the integrity of the soundproofing system.”

Even the plumbing in your utility room can transmit noise – so this can also be a focus of your soundproofing project.

“Box in exposed pipework using insulated boxing where pipes are likely to transmit noise, and where practical, use flexible pipe connectors to reduce vibration transmission through the plumbing,” says Brenden.

“Where utility room ventilation is required, fit acoustic vents or duct attenuators to minimise noise escaping through ventilation openings.”

How much does it cost to soundproof a utility room?

“The cost of soundproofing a typical utility room (sized at approximately 4-8 m²) will depend on the level of treatment required and whether the work is carried out as a DIY project or by a contractor,” says Brenden Potton.

According to Potton, these are the rough price ranges you’re likely to be looking at:

• Basic improvements – such as upgrading the door, fitting acoustic seals and installing anti-vibration pads beneath appliances, are likely to cost in the region of £100 to £400 and can provide a noticeable reduction in appliance noise
• Comprehensive soundproofing system – including acoustic treatment to the walls, ceiling and door, is likely to cost between £2,000 and £5,000 if professionally installed.

When correctly specified and installed, this comprehensive level of treatment can achieve a significant reduction in airborne noise, although the overall performance will depend on the existing construction and the source of the noise.

You might also be able to bring down your project cost by prioritising a limited number of soundproofing measures that provide a significant improvement.

“For the greatest benefit, priority should be given to replacing a hollow-core door with a well-sealed solid-core door, and installing anti-vibration pads or isolation feet beneath vibrating appliances,” says Brenden.

“Other key measures include upgrading walls adjoining habitable rooms with appropriate acoustic insulation and linings, providing acoustic treatment to the ceiling where noise transmission to rooms above is a concern, and sealing all joints, gaps and service penetrations, as even small openings can significantly reduce the effectiveness of the soundproofing system," he explains.

Three options to make your utility room quieter:

FAQs

What makes some washing machines quieter than others?

Washing machines can range from about 40dB to 80dB in terms of operating noise, with quieter models peaking around 75dB or lower.

“Manufacturers are using advanced motor technology and intelligent software to reduce noise and vibration, and some also use enhanced sound-insulation panels or strips to absorb operating noise, along with higher-quality shock absorbers that provide better vibration reduction during high-speed cycles,” says Michelle Feng.

“In addition, some machines have sensors which allow them to improve their balance by adjusting the drum movement and spin speed, helping minimise vibration at peak spins.”

Can soundproofing a utility room be a DIY job?

“Yes, many soundproofing measures can be completed by a competent DIYer, provided the manufacturer’s installation guidance is followed and attention is paid to sealing all gaps and maintaining the integrity of the acoustic system,” says Brenden Potton.

“DIY works may include installing acoustic mineral wool within wall and ceiling cavities, fixing resilient bars to walls or ceilings, and installing acoustic plasterboard.

“Many confident DIYers will also be capable of applying acoustic sealant to board joints, perimeters and service penetrations, fitting acoustic door seals and drop seals, and installing anti-vibration pads or isolation feet beneath appliances,” he adds.

However, there are some soundproofing jobs that are best left to the professionals.

“More complex works that would generally be best carried out by an experienced contractor include constructing new independent stud walls or rebuilding existing partitions, and installing suspended acoustic ceiling systems,” says Potton.

“I would also recommend hiring a professional to alter plumbing, electrical or ventilation services, or to make structural alterations to floors or walls.”

There’s nothing quite like the enjoyment of a tranquil home. Once you’ve dealt with the noise from your utility room, why not turn down the volume elsewhere with our advice on how to soundproof a garden and how to soundproof a bedroom.

As the first thing you see when you walk through the door, your hallway should make a strong first impression. However, combining functionality with style – the two key ingredients of a well-designed entrance – in a compact space is no easy task.

While small hallway ideas can be challenging to get right, there are plenty of tricks interior designers use to make these spaces feel bigger and brighter, from clever mirror placement to nailing the lighting design.

Below, we explain how to create the illusion of more space and light in a small hallway, using first-hand advice from the experts themselves.

1. Opt for built-in storage solutions

Built-in storage is always a good idea, particularly if you're working with a smaller space. Not only does it make the most of every inch available thanks to its custom-built design, but it can also double as multifunctional furniture, such as a built-in seating nook.

"Fitted storage can use the full height and width available, including awkward corners or shallow sections of wall that might otherwise be overlooked," says Gail Bignell, Head of Design at Sharps.

"By keeping more behind closed doors, clearing the floor and reducing the number of things interrupting the eyeline, the hallway feels wider, less enclosed and much easier to move through

2. Use mirrors to create the illusion of space

It's amazing what a carefully placed mirror can do for a small hallway, helping to make a compact space look bigger and brighter by reflecting available light. Try placing a mirror opposite a window, glazed door or at the end of the hallway and you'll be blown away by the results.

“When it comes to choosing the best mirror for your hallway space, think about what might complement the other items in the area. If your fixtures and furniture mainly feature straight lines and minimal design, you could soften and balance the hard angles by using a round or oval mirror," says Melissa Denham, interior design expert at Hammonds Furniture.

“If you’re looking to create more of a statement or just want to fill more wall space, a large square or rectangle mirror will do that and reflect a lot of light on the opposite wall and ceiling.”

Shop these space-enhancing mirrors

3. Get your hallway lighting right

The darker your hallway is, the more confined it will feel, Melissa Denham explains. With that in mind, implementing well-strategised hallway lighting ideas should be at the top of your priority list when it comes to brightening a dingy-feeling entrance.

“If your hallway has a low ceiling, stay away from pendant lighting. They can bring the ceiling down and make your space feel cramped. The same goes for a spotlight. Having one light in the centre of your hallway creates a single pool of light that’s ineffective for lighting your whole space," Melissa says.

“Instead, try spotlights that are scattered across your ceiling or specifically in the corners. By lighting the corners of your room, you’ll spread the focus and make it appear bigger."

4. Use understairs storage to your advantage

Hallways can quickly become a dumping ground for shoes, bags, and coats, making a small space feel even more cramped and claustrophobic. That's where understairs storage comes in handy – it's the perfect hidden spot to conceal everyday clutter.

"Hallway storage ideas for small spaces come into their own when you consider what other hidden or unused space is available. For example, if your staircase has a void underneath, this could be a location to install built-in storage cupboards to help free up valuable hallway space," says Melissa Denham.

"You can tailor the fixtures and fittings to house all the things you need within reach of your entrance. The tall part of your understairs is perfect for a coat rail, while the lower sections could be a good spot for things like paperwork, stationery or a printer."

5. Choose your flooring carefully to enhance space

As one of the most-used areas in the home, hardwearing hallway flooring – such as LVT or porcelain tiles – is non-negotiable. Practicality aside, Melissa Denham recommends choosing a light-coloured design to help the space feel larger.

“If you opt for a hardwood floor, choosing wider planks over narrow strips is your best choice. The theory behind this is that bigger components will mean fewer joins in the floor, making it look less busy," she says. The same theory applies to tiles, too.

“Adding a narrow floor runner down the centre of a thin corridor is an interior hack that can also give the illusion of a longer, wider space. It’s even better if you extend the runner up the stairs for continuation and to further extend the hallway length.”

Hallway flooring picks

By trying these space-enhancing design tricks, you'll soon discover that you don't need loads of room to create a practical and stylish hallway.

For more entrance ideas, have a browse through these hallway decor ideas or learn how to perfect your hallway design.

Have you ever stepped into someone's home and found a kitchen that was so meticulously organised? The kind where everything in the pantry has its place – every shelf is lined with clearly labelled containers, and every inch has a purpose.

If you haven't seen it in person, you've probably seen it online. After watching one too many kitchen organisation videos, I've been desperate to learn how to create a similar effect in my own home.

On a mission to transform my pantry design from chaos to clutter-free, I asked storage and decluttering experts to share the key items that make this space look and feel more put together.

1. Clear containers

Clear containers are one of the easiest, fastest and most affordable ways to make your pantry look more polished, especially if you have a walk-in pantry design. Instead of half-opened packets creating clutter, this simple addition creates a uniform look.

Not only do they look great and help you see exactly where everything is, but by choosing an airtight option (like the ones below from Amazon), you'll also extend the shelf life of your food and keep unwanted pests, such as pantry moths, at bay.

"My go-to recommendation is decanting everyday dry ingredients into clear airtight glass containers so contents are visible at a glance," says Jessica Roj, founder of BEKUNST. "This creates a cleaner aesthetic and also helps reduce food waste by making it easier to see what you already have."

Shop our favourite clear containers

2. Labelled categories

It might seem like overkill, but organising your pantry by category and adding labels will make cooking feel easier – especially when someone is helping you and isn’t familiar with your kitchen.

"I recommend grouping ingredients by category, such as baking essentials, grains, pasta and snacks, and keeping the most frequently used items at eye level," says Jessica Roj.

"Simple additions like labels, tiered shelf organisers and turntables for oils and condiments can make a significant difference to both accessibility and everyday functionality."

3. Adjustable shelves

Adjustable shelves are a must-have in every pantry idea – especially for those looking to optimise storage in a small kitchen pantry. Not only can they be removed for easy cleaning, but because they can be moved up and down, they can be tailored to suit your needs and the items you buy.

"I believe these are truly overlooked in most organising discussions," says Justin Brown, storage expert at Timber Shelves. "I was able to fit eight tins on a shelf in my pantry, but with the addition of risers, I now fit 14 tins on a shelf without any cramped areas or difficult to reach spots."

"They double the usable space on a single shelf without any installation at all, which works particularly well for canned goods and spice jars that would otherwise sit in one flat layer."

Shop adjustable shelving

4. Pull-out drawer system

If you're lucky enough to have a large pantry, it's well worth investing in a pull-out drawer system, as shown in the photo above, to optimise the available space and make everything easier to reach.

"A typical 600mm deep cupboard often has its back third sitting unused because it's too far to reach comfortably. A pull-out system brings that entire depth to arm's reach instead," says Justin Brown.

"I made one for my pantry out of solid oak. For me, this is the upgrade that made the biggest difference in how the pantry actually works day to day."

5. Door-mounted shelving

I dream of having a walk-in pantry, but for now, my simple cupboards will have to do. If you're organising a smaller space too, I highly recommend door-mounted shelving for storing smaller items like condiments.

My multi-tiered rack (like the one below) is conveniently placed in the cupboard beneath my hob, making it easy to reach for my favourite herbs and spices while I cook, rather than letting them get lost at the back of the cupboard.

While I use mine as a spice rack, you could also use it to store salt and pepper shakers, cling film, foil, or any other kitchen essentials that you reach for regularly.

These simple ideas prove that you don't need loads of space – or spend a fortune – to achieve an organised pantry.

For more advice, read our guide on how to design a pantry in a small kitchen or see how our content director created a built-in pantry for just £350.

Getting the design of a bedroom right is so important. Make a common design mistake and the space where you begin and end every day won't be as restful or restorative as you might hope.

Your bedroom design not only needs to ensure you get the best night's sleep possible, it should also take into account the fact that you may need to use the room to store your clothes, to get dressed and ready in, and even as a quiet space to retreat to for a moment of quiet during the day.

Unlike the more 'public' spaces in a house, such as living rooms, bedrooms are often not given as much attention as they deserve. To ensure your bedroom is a dream to spend time in, we're here to reveal the top bedroom design mistakes you need to avoid at all costs.

1. Underestimating storage needs

While it is understandable to want your bedroom storage ideas to tie in aesthetically with your overall scheme, do ensure that they are still capable of carrying out their primary function.

Simon Tcherniak, senior designer at Neville Johnson, explains how properly planned storage is essential in a bedroom. "One of the most common bedroom design mistakes we see is spaces without enough storage, which quickly leads to clutter. Mess can make the bedroom feel overwhelming, which in turn can make it difficult to relax or fall asleep at the end of the day. Instead of storage being an afterthought, we recommend fitted storage that can make the most of the space available, without compromising floor space."

Yaqub Khalid, design consultant at Ashford Kitchens & Interiors, agrees that for a bedroom to feel relaxing, good storage is key. "Storage doesn’t have to be complicated and you don’t need a walk-in wardrobe for a bedroom to function properly.

"Bedroom storage needs to balance aesthetics and practicality, so we’d advise bespoke, made-to-measure storage that maximises the space available to you. As this is unique to your home, it can be designed to your specific needs. From large, walk-in spaces to built-in wardrobes, the right storage is essential to create a tranquil sleeping environment."

2. Not exploring layered lighting

A well-planned and executed lighting design scheme has the ability to completely transform any space, but when it comes to your bedroom lighting ideas, it pays to consider the various moods this space needs to be capable of delivering.

"One of the most common lighting design mistakes is relying on a single overhead light," picks up Sophie Chapman, associate and interior designer at The Vawdrey House. "Bedrooms need to feel comfortable and adaptable throughout the day, so it's important to introduce layers of lighting. Bedside lamps, wall lights and softer ambient lighting can create a much more welcoming atmosphere as well as offering flexibility – for example when one person wants to read in bed or gets up earlier and needs to get dressed without disturbing their partner. We would also generally avoid cooler-toned bulbs, which can feel harsh, particularly in the evening when you're trying to wind down."

"When it comes to bedside wall lights, placement is everything, both for functionality and visual balance," picks up James Kendall, operations director at KES Lighting & Home. "A good rule of thumb is to position the light so the bottom of the shade or fitting sits around 50 to 60 cm above the top of the mattress. This ensures the light is at a comfortable eye level when sitting up in bed, reducing glare and creating a soft, relaxing atmosphere. Horizontally, you’ll want the wall light to sit around 15 to 20 cm from the edge of the bed.

"If you’re using fixed wall lights, take extra care with positioning to ensure the beam angle is appropriate, as you don’t want a direct spotlight in your eyes," adds James. "For more flexibility, swing-arm or adjustable wall lights are brilliant. They let you direct the light exactly where you need it without disturbing your partner."

Shop practical yet stylish bedroom lighting

3. Choosing the wrong type of flooring

Your bedroom flooring not only needs to feel warm and comfortable underfoot, it also forms an important part of the overall backdrop in terms of the decor scheme – so give it the attention it deserves.

"Hard flooring can work beautifully, but bedrooms benefit from warmth and softness underfoot," points out Sophie Chapman. "If carpet isn't the preferred option, a large rug beneath the bed can help define the space and make the room feel more comfortable."

Jodie Hatton, design manager at Brintons, has some useful tips on choosing the best options for bedrooms. "While wall colours, furniture and bedding often take centre stage, the floor is what you interact with first each morning and last each night before getting in and out of bed. Often referred to as the 'fifth wall', your flooring choice has a significant impact on the overall atmosphere and comfort of the space.

"Wall-to-wall bedroom carpet remains a popular choice for creating a warm, luxurious bedroom, but for homes with hard flooring, a large area rug can make just as much of a difference," continues Jodie. "The feeling underfoot when you step out of bed sets the tone for the day, and introducing a soft, plush rug instantly adds warmth and comfort where it's needed most."

4. Getting the paint colour all wrong

The colours you surround yourself in your bedroom will have a huge effect on how it feels to spend time in.

Rather than opt for the safest option, Sophie Chapman suggests choosing a shade based on the individual nature of the room. "When it comes to colour, many people either play it too safe or choose shades that feel disconnected from the room's natural light. Bedrooms are one of the few spaces where deeper colours can work exceptionally well, whether that's a soft olive green, a warm brown or a muted blue. The key is to consider how the room is used and how the light changes throughout the day."

The best bedroom colours are those that you enjoy being surrounded by so do ensure you aren't led too heavily by paint trends.

5. Failing to explore alternatives to paint

Which brings us nicely on to this next point. Make sure that you research the alternatives to simple painted walls. While they can work brilliantly, there are other options worth considering too, including wallpaper.

Ian Tomlinson, MD at Chaunceys Timber Flooring is keen to highlight how wooden wall panelling ideas can be perfect for bedrooms. "Wood can significantly enhance the cosiness of a bedroom, transforming it into a warm and inviting sanctuary.

"While wood is commonly used for flooring, its application on walls can create an even more relaxing atmosphere" adds Ian. "Using wooden planks as wall cladding adds texture and depth, creating a rustic charm that feels both timeless and sophisticated. The natural grain and colour variations of timber bring a sense of organic beauty, making the space feel calm and cosy."

6. Picking the wrong window treatments for the space

When it comes to choosing coverings to finish off your bedroom window ideas, you need to consider not just how well they will block out light, but also how they'll add to the overall scheme in terms of appearance.

Sophie Chapman reveals the common mistakes she often sees in this area. "Curtains that are too short, too narrow or made from lightweight fabrics can make a room feel unfinished while also allowing unwanted light into the space.

"Well-fitted curtains can significantly improve both the appearance and functionality of a bedroom," continues Sophie. "We often suggest layering curtains on double poles, combining sheer curtains with blackout-lined drapery, as this provides flexibility throughout the day. The sheers soften natural light and maintain privacy, while blackout curtains help create a darker, more restful environment when needed."

7. Being unimaginative with furniture

Your bedroom furniture choices might need to provide important practical functions but that doesn't mean you can't get a little imaginative with them. This is particularly important when it comes to your master bedroom ideas, where an indulgent feel should be the order of the day.

"Matching sets are a massive no-no," advises Sophie Chapman. "Try to have a stand out piece and then other items that are complementary, such as a four-poster bed or an eye-catching decorative chest of drawers."

Kate Palmer, creative director at The Painted Furniture Company, has some more advice on choosing bedroom furniture. "Choose furniture that works harder, whether that's a bed with storage drawers underneath, a well-designed wardrobe or versatile bedside tables that incorporate a drawer or cupboard. This will help keep everyday items neatly stored away, resulting in a bedroom that feels calm and restful, just as a bedroom should be."

Shop bedroom furniture with storage

8. Neglecting to consider heat sources

Your bedroom heating needs to be spot on if you want to ensure it is a comfortable space to spend time in. Underfloor heating is a great option that provides a gentle, ambient warmth but often bedroom radiators are the favoured option.

Nick Duggan, director at The Radiator Centre, explains the bedroom heating mistake he frequently witnesses being made. "One bedroom design mistake that's often overlooked is failing to consider heating as part of the overall design. The wrong radiator can take up valuable space, disrupt furniture layouts or simply not provide enough warmth to keep the room comfortable year-round.

"Today’s radiators come in a huge choice of colours, shapes and sizes, and by planning your heating alongside the rest of the room, you can choose a design that perfectly complements your scheme, whether you want something that blends in or acts as a focal point," adds Nick.

FAQs

How can you avoid mistakes when choosing bedroom accessories?

Introducing new accessories and soft furnishings is one of the easiest ways to quickly update your bedroom – and they can easily be swapped when you fancy a change.

Debbie Leigh, design manager at ILIV, has some tips on how to use soft furnishing to add texture and interest. "One of the most common bedroom design mistakes is feeling that everything has to match perfectly. A bedroom doesn't need curtains, cushions and bedding all in the same fabric to feel cohesive. In fact, overly matched schemes can often date more quickly and lack personality.

"Instead, focus on complementary colours, textures and patterns that work together," continues Debbie. "Mixing scales of pattern and introducing different textures will create a bedroom that’s more timeless and personal."

Don't forget to give your guest bedroom ideas lots of attention too – providing a comfortable restful spot for overnight visitors will make them feel really welcome.

It can be hard to keep up with changing kitchen trends – from high gloss cabinetry in some pretty 'brave' colours, to elegant and refined bare wooden schemes, the world of kitchen design is constantly changing and evolving.

That said, not everyone designing a kitchen wants to follow trends – there is a lot to be said for opting for a timeless look – and this is part of the beauty of Shaker kitchens. Looking just as fresh and beautiful as when they were first designed, this is a style well worth considering if you want your kitchen to stand the test of time.

That said, this style hasn't missed out on some modern updates entirely. Step forward the 'slim Shaker' kitchen – a more modern take on the classic. We asked the experts what it's all about.

What are slim Shaker kitchens?

There has been much talk about slim Shaker kitchens in the design world of late, so getting to grips with what the term means is really useful for anyone researching kitchen ideas right now.

Al Bruce, founder of Olive & Barr, outlines what defines the style. "The skinny Shaker is a refined, contemporary twist on the much-loved Shaker kitchen. Featuring a slim 40mm frame on the cabinet with a 20mm frame on the Shaker doors and concealed hinges, the design brings a fresh sense of lightness and sophistication to any space."

Alex Main, director of Main, explains what these little updates to a classic design could offer homeowners. "This subtle change in style offers a more refined look, while still being enduringly popular and showing beautiful craftsmanship."

How do slim Shaker units differ from traditional designs?

While slim Shaker kitchens were inspired by the classic Shaker design, a style that first appeared in the mid-18th century, there are some key differences between these two types of kitchen units to be aware of.

Sam Harris, senior design consultant at Ashford Kitchens & Interiors explains what sets them apart. "The main difference is how the proportions change the aesthetic of the door. With a classic Shaker, which has a thicker frame, it creates a more handcrafted appearance, while a slimmer frame is more understated. This more refined look is often preferred in contemporary settings thanks to their sleeker look."

"Rather than one replacing the other, slim and standard Shaker styles simply offer different interpretations of the same design heritage," picks up Tom Howley, creative design director at the eponymous bespoke kitchen company.

"Slim Shaker is ideal for those seeking a transitional aesthetic that blends traditional detailing with contemporary simplicity, while standard Shaker continues to be the benchmark for enduring, classic kitchen design."

Is slim or classic Shaker better?

Both these Shaker kitchen styles have a huge amount to offer – classic good-looks, easy to pair with a range of other materials, and simple to update or refresh with cabinet hardware. What this means is that it can be difficult to decide which is the best option.

Luckily, Alex Main has some advice on which works best where. "Slim Shaker doors are a great choice for those who would like to add character and depth to their kitchen, without it being overly traditional. They work beautifully in modern spaces, where finer profiles and sleek silhouettes are often abundant.

"Slim Shaker units also complement bold architecture and an array of colour palettes thanks to their versatility," he continues. "Additionally, they are a good choice for compact kitchens as the slim frame helps cabinetry feel more pared-back and less dominant as part of the overall scheme."

"Slim Shaker units are well-suited to modern kitchens, while still offering the warmth of a traditional style," adds Sam Harris. "With a cleaner silhouette, they work beautifully as either painted or wood-front doors, paired with natural stone worktops. Slim Shaker doors also work well in small kitchens as they appear less visually busy and can help the kitchen feel more spacious and open.

"Standard Shaker kitchens, on the other hand, are particularly well suited to period homes as their deeper frames complement traditional architectural features," he suggests.

Tom Howley also explains that slim Shaker units are a good choice where people are aiming for a more homely contemporary kitchen. "They're particularly popular in open-plan spaces and new-build properties, where homeowners want warmth and character without the heaviness of a traditional country kitchen."

Try this hardware on your slim or classic Shaker doors

Are slim Shaker kitchens more expensive than classic?

The cost of a new kitchen is not insignificant, and when organising your budget you need to take into account a really broad range of factors, ranging from who will fit it right down to smaller details such as tiles or splashbacks. If you are keen to keep a lid on costs you will no doubt be interested to find out the price difference between a slim and classic Shaker kitchen.

According to Sam Harris, there is little in it. "What affects the cost is the materials the units are made from, the paint finish you choose and the manufacturing method. Slim Shaker units can sometimes be more expensive as they feature finer detailing, and potentially more precise manufacturing."

“There are a few variables when it comes to cost, so slim Shaker units are not necessarily more expensive," adds Alex Main. "From the construction method to the material, finish and detailing, there are a few design elements that can influence the price."

FAQs

What is the best way to use slim Shaker units in a modern kitchen?

Slim Shaker units are perfect for creating a contemporary yet timeless scheme, but if you want to ensure your kitchen cabinet design looks fresh and modern, there are several steps you can take to dress your slim Shaker kitchen up.

Firstly, rather than the chunky knobs or cup handles that suit classic Shaker kitchens so well, consider more modern cabinet hardware, such as sleek bar pulls.

The kitchen cabinet colours you pick will have an enormous effect on the finished look too – on-trend choices include earthy neutrals, such as taupe, soft pinks and bolder shades such as burgundy.

Even if you already have a good idea of what you want your new kitchen to look like, it is still well worth keeping an eye on the latest kitchen trends – even if you just weave one or two into your space, it could really help elevate the whole design. And, be sure to check out the advice in kitchen colours you should avoid according to the experts. Updating your cabinets can be costly if you come to regret the colour you choose.

These days, working from home seems to have become the norm rather than the exception. For this reason, home offices have becoming something of a must-have – not just a room for carrying out the odd bit of paperwork and filing stuff away, but the space where the majority of the week is spent.

Whether your home office design currently involves using a corner of a spare bedroom as your makeshift office, or you have the luxury of a dedicated room in which to house your working space, getting this space spot on is key not only to your productiveness, but also to your overall wellbeing. This should be somewhere you look forward to heading.

I am in the early stages of planning a garden office and am determined that this will be the perfect working space – so I asked the experts for the top home office design mistakes to be aware of.

1. Underestimating your storage needs

To be a productive space, your home office needs to be organised – mounds of paperwork or equipment cluttering up your desk area is something you want to avoid at all costs.

Sophie Chapman, associate and interior designer at The Vawdrey House, explains that one of the most common mistakes she sees within home office design is a lack of storage. "Without adequate storage, paperwork, technology and everyday items can quickly take over a room, making it feel cluttered and distracting. Bespoke joinery or integrated shelving can help keep everything organised while making better use of available space."

Eloise Pfeiffer, interior designer at Pfeiffer Design, agrees that home office storage ideas should be a priority. "When designing a home office, storage should be thoughtfully considered within the overall aesthetic, rather than seen as an ‘add-on.’

"Built-in storage cabinets are a great option as they maximise your available space, provide plenty of storage and ensure the room remains clutter-free, creating a sense of calm. This could be floor-to-ceiling cupboards if you have tall ceilings, or a combination of cupboards and open shelving.

"Open shelves always provide an opportunity to add personal touches. It’s about creating an organised space but with clean lines so the room feels calm and curated, rather than chaotic."

2. Prioritising practicality over personality

Whether we like it or not, for many of us, the week is dominated by work responsibilities meaning a huge proportion of time gets spent in the home office. For this reason, it needs to be somewhere you actually enjoy being in.

Simon Tcherniak, senior designer at Neville Johnson, is keen to highlight that practicality need not mean sacrificing aesthetics. "Home office design ideas should balance style with functionality, creating a space that suits your working needs while also feeling inviting. We often see home offices that sacrifice one for the other, either prioritising functionality at the expense of personality, or eschewing style and creating a home office that, whilst practical, feels uninspiring.

"To design a well-balanced space, incorporate open shelving with closed storage to display decorative items and books that reflect your personality, while still allowing ample storage for essential items or papers you would prefer to keep hidden away," adds Simon.

3. Leaving your lighting design until last

Lighting is hugely important in any room of the house, but in a space that you need to focus and carry out tasks, it needs really precise planning.

"Don’t leave home office lighting as an afterthought," advises Simon Tcherniak. "Layer desk lamps, ceiling lights, and lighting built into your shelving to allow you to change the atmosphere throughout the day. Your office can then function as a space to focus throughout the day, or become a restful environment for hobbies or reading in the evening."

Ally Dowsing-Reynolds, co-founder and interior expert at Dowsing & Reynolds, has a great tip for lighting a north-facing or gloomy home office. "If your office space doesn’t get much natural light, a quick fix is to choose a lightbulb with a neutral temperature. This will mimic the look of natural light and brighten the room in a less stark way than a cooler temperature lighting option.”

4. Positioning the desk in the wrong place

Your home office layout needs to take into account not just the size of the room and the type of work you will be doing there, but also its orientation and how much natural light it receives. A lack of natural light could mean your home office makes you feel ill, especially when you are spending so much time in there.

"A common oversight is failing to consider natural light," says Sophie Chapman. "Positioning a desk without thinking about glare, views or daylight can make a space uncomfortable to work in for long periods of time. Wherever possible, we recommend locating workstations close to a window to maximise natural light and create a stronger connection to the outdoors."

"Natural light is essential for both your productivity and your wellbeing, especially when you’re working from home," points out Helen O'Connor, product and interior trends manager at 247 Blinds.

"Some people want all of the daylight to get them in the workday flow, whereas others prefer a softer, diffused look. There’s also the issue of unwanted glare, which can cause unnecessary eye strain, headaches, and screen fatigue, and is much more common at home, as we spend more concentrated time on our screens or in unnatural lighting. Consider 'day and night blinds'. They diffuse the harsh sunlight and remove glare, creating a more energising, but natural feel."

5. Designing a space that feels disconnected from the house

When creating your home office you obviously want it to be somewhere free of distractions and unwanted noise. Not everyone has the space for a dedicated office, while others may be after shared home office ideas, and in this case you need to think about how you can incorporate it into your existing layout.

Alex Main, director at Main, explains the secret behind integrating a home office into your layout. "The challenge for many homeowners is finding enough space for a desk, while still being able to separate it from home life when not in use. As many people work from their living spaces, this can cause home and work life to combine – but you can create distinct zones between the two with clever design solutions.

"To establish boundaries but still ensure your home-work environment is part of the overall design scheme, a broken-plan layout is ideal – and a room divider is a great way to do this," continues Alex. "A custom timber wall, for example, perseveres the light and feeling of space within a larger living area, without closing any of it off. The result is a designated work zone that feels separate, yet still feels connected to the rest of the home."

6. Creating a space that feels cold or impersonal

Whether you are working with a home office garage conversion, or an existing space, this is your office so make it a reflection of your personality as well as the work you'll be doing there.

"Your surroundings can have a significant impact on your mood, concentration and productivity," picks up Debbie Leigh, design manager at ILIV. "Many home offices are designed with practicality in mind but can end up feeling stark or disconnected from the rest of the home. Introducing colour, pattern and texture through soft furnishings such as curtains, blinds, cushions or upholstered seating can instantly make the space feel more homely and comfortable.

"Another often-overlooked element is acoustics. Hard surfaces can create a space that feels echoey and distracting, particularly during video calls," adds Debbie. "Fabrics naturally help to soften a room, improving sound quality."

Shop home office comforts

7. Overcrowding the space

While your home office needs to be capable of fulfilling all your professional requirements, make sure you don't end up trying to fit too much in. This is particularly important when it comes to home offices on landings or in smaller spaces.

According to Kate Palmer, creative director at The Painted Furniture Company, this is a common error. "It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking more furniture will make the room more functional. In reality, overcrowding a home office with large desks, filing cabinets and storage units can make the space feel cramped and distracting, particularly in smaller rooms.

"Instead, it's worth taking the time to consider exactly what you need and choosing well-designed pieces that offer practical storage without overwhelming the space," continues Kate. "Making use of vertical space is another great way to increase storage without sacrificing valuable floor space."

8. Getting the colour scheme all wrong

The colours you surround yourself with can have an enormous effect on your mood and productivity levels, so design your home office with this in mind.

"An at-home office may be one of the smaller rooms in your home, picks up Ally Dowsing-Reynolds. "White is the most popular choice for making a small room look bigger and a clean white shade can reflect light, making the space feel brighter and more open.

"However, I’d actually recommend green for an at-home office," continues Ally. "Not only will it reduce screen glare, compared to white walls, but green is a naturally soothing colour (hence why green bedroom ideas are so popular). Green decor and greenery around our desks, in the form of real or faux plants, can really help us to feel calm and focused. If you want to stay away from neutral walls, it’s believed that light greens and blues are the most welcoming colours, especially for people with sensory issues. Use paints with a sheen, such as a satin or gloss finish. This will reflect even more light around the room and add to the feeling of spaciousness."

Jonathan Clark, creative director at Shelved, also has some advice on how to get this element right. "Softer, neutral tones can reduce visual distraction, while pops of colour through artwork or shelving accessories can spark creativity. Materials matter too, adding natural elements such as wood, plants, or woven textures can make the space feel warmer and more inviting,

Shop green home office accessories

9. Failing to think through your flooring

The type of flooring you fit in your home office needs proper consideration for this to be your perfect work-from-home space – yet all too often this is an element that gets overlooked.

"A smooth, durable engineered wood floor works particularly well in a home office," suggests Adam Robertson, managing director at Urbane Living. "It provides comfort underfoot during long periods at a desk while also being easy to maintain. Wood flooring naturally lends a more refined and professional feel to the space, and introducing a generous area rug can help define the working zone, absorb sound and add warmth and texture to the room."

Jodie Hatton, design manager at Brintons, highlights the importance of the right colour flooring too. "Soft, muted tones underfoot can establish a sense of tranquillity, while richer, grounding colours add depth and sophistication without becoming distracting. Choosing the right palette alongside tactile flooring helps create an office that feels inviting and balanced, making it easier to stay engaged throughout the working day."

10. Not including enough electrical sockets

And, finally, don't forget that you will need somewhere to plug in all your electrical office equipment – you really don't want extension leads trailing all over the place.

"Plug sockets are an essential element of an office but, despite their necessity, many people want them hidden out of view," picks up Ali Dowsing. "The best way to do this is by strategically placing them in areas where you will have things plugged in permanently. For example, if you keep a monitor and laptop on your desk at all times, opt for a socket behind them, which means they can be hidden behind the appliances.

"If it’s not possible to hide your plug socket from view, opt for one that matches your colour scheme or decor theme to create a seamless, uninterrupted look," continues Ali. "The key is not to overlook these small details. We once thought that light switches and sockets had to be confined to either black, white or metallic shades, but there’s no reason they can’t have a makeover."

FAQs

What is the best way to organise home office shelves?

You really need to make the most of your home office storage. Open shelving is a great idea, not only due to the extra space it gives you to place all your essentials, but also when it comes to adding a few decorative flourishes, including incorporating some shelf lighting ideas.

"Zone your shelves by dedicating one section for work tools, another for decorative touches, and even a small area for personal items, creating subtle boundaries between work and home life," advises Jonathan Clark.

"You can also design a workflow into your storage, using trays or shelving sections to separate 'to do,' 'in-progress' and 'complete' tasks, giving you a visual sense of progress through the day."

Fancy the idea of a home office filled with natural light and with the very best views out over your garden? In that case, a conservatory home office is well worth considering – and there are lots of ways to ensure it doesn't overheat too.

You'd think by now I'd know all the tricks and tips behind keeping an appliance running smoothly. After all, I've spent more than 20 years writing about microwaves and mixers, dryers and dishwashers, visiting the factories, interviewing the kitchen design experts and putting the latest models through their paces. Surely there couldn't be much left to surprise me?

Well, it turns out there was. A recent chat with my good friend and appliance engineer Damien Rolls, AKA TikTok’s Appliance Hero, quickly revealed I'd been making a few mistakes myself. From using the wrong dishwasher detergent to loading my washing machine incorrectly, I'd been unintentionally giving my kitchen appliances a much harder time than they deserved.

Damian might just have saved me thousands in repairs and replacements with his incredible advice – so I’m passing on his words of wisdom, so you can do the same.

1. I’ve stopped using solid dishwasher tablets

I found this piece of advice a little mind-blowing, and it’s what prompted me to quiz Damien on everything else I might be doing wrong with my carefully chosen kitchen appliances. As a regular user of solid dishwasher tablets, I’d never considered that they might not be the best option for modern machines.

So why do those hard, chalky tablets get the thumbs down from our expert? "Well, years ago, dishwashers were much more powerful," Damien tells me. "They had stronger heaters that could break down hard detergent tablets properly. However modern machines, especially those built to meet energy-efficiency regulations, use lower-powered heating systems and heat pumps, so those tablets don't always dissolve as completely."

"The problem is that the residue can build up inside the machine, especially if you've got hard water, dirty filters, or you're constantly running quick-wash cycles. The tablet doesn't get enough time or heat to fully break down, so it leaves deposits that can clog spray arms, pumps, and heating components over time."

And according to Damien, it's not just the tablet, it's how people use them. "If you're using hard tablets on short cycles, you're asking the dishwasher to do a job it wasn't really designed for," he explains. "Use a detergent that's suited to modern machines and the programme you're running, otherwise you're likely shortening the life of the dishwasher."

For Damien, that means hybrid powder/liquid or fully liquid pods to keep your freestanding or integrated dishwasher running at its best. He isn’t tied to any particular brand, but he recommends Finish Quantum, Fairy Platinum, or if you are on a budget, Aldi and Lidl's offerings. Here our our top picks:

Three of the best liquid dishwasher pods

2. I never run my microwave for more than four minutes at a time

This was another game-changer for me, though Damien reassured me that most people make the same mistake where microwaves are concerned. "Everybody does it – they stick something in the microwave, whack it up to the highest power setting and think it will cook quicker," he explains. "But that maximum power is really designed for heating liquids for a short period of time, like warming a cup of tea or some milk for a minute or two."

In Damien’s view, around 600 watts is a much better setting for most foods. "If you're reheating something like beans or leftovers, do it in shorter bursts. Heat it for a couple of minutes, give it a good stir, then carry on," he tells me. "Microwaves don't always heat food evenly, so stirring helps get rid of those hot and cold spots."

The same goes for foods that take longer, like jacket potatoes. Rather than putting them in for 10 minutes straight, Damien recommends cooking them in stages. "After four minutes, let the steam escape, then cook for another four minutes, and finish with the last couple of minutes if needed," he says. "That gives the microwave a chance to cool down and lets all that moisture out."

But why is this such an issue? "People don't realise that heat and steam can shorten a microwave's life," says Damien. "They can damage the magnetron (which generates the microwaves) or the power module on inverter models. Cooking in shorter bursts, using a sensible power setting, and letting the steam escape in between all help your microwave last longer."

“It’s also important to ensure you’re using microwave-safe containers and crockery," adds Gwil Snook, laundry and dishwasher expert at AO.com. "Use a cover to retain moisture and avoid mess and carefully give dishes a stir or turn halfway where possible. In general, shorter intervals with a quick check in between will give you much more consistent results while helping to preserve the appliance in the long run.”

3. I never overload (or underload) my washing machine

Damien has plenty of tips on how to make your washing machine last longer, but his biggest bugbear is something simple – over- or under-loading. And I'm as guilty of this as anyone.

"A lot of people think cramming in more laundry saves time, but it usually does the opposite," he says. "Think of your washing machine like a cement mixer. If you overfill a cement mixer, the contents spill out of the front. A washing machine has a door to stop that happening, so instead the load gets forced against the drum and struggles to move properly. That's when you get the banging and vibration during the spin cycle."

Under-loading can cause problems, too. "If there's only one heavy item, such as a bath mat, or too few items in the drum, the machine can struggle to balance the load. When it can't find its balance, it will stop, reposition the drum, and try again. Every stop-start adds time to the cycle. In some cases, if the machine still can't balance the load after several attempts, it will abandon the spin altogether and leave the laundry soaking wet."

Damien explains that the best approach is to fill the drum to roughly the top of the door hinge. "Doing five properly loaded washes is often quicker than doing four overloaded ones, because the machine can spin successfully the first time."

"Keeping the load balanced reduces cycle times, prevents unnecessary banging, and puts less strain on the shock absorbers, springs, bearings and other moving parts. In the long run, that means a more reliable machine and a longer lifespan."

"Similarly, with a tumble dryer aim to keep the tub around three-quarters full so air can circulate properly and group similar fabrics together to help everything dry evenly," advises Gwil Snook. "It’s also worth giving clothes a quick shake before they go in to reduce any tangling and creases. Small steps like these speed up drying times and help protect your clothes and keep energy use down."

4. I now always do a double drum clean

I was already aware that limescale is one of the biggest killers of washing machines. Over time, it coats the heating element and other components, making the machine work harder and increasing the risk of costly repairs. That's why Damien says regularly running a cleaning programme isn't just about getting rid of unpleasant smells from your kitchen or utility room – it's one of the best ways to prolong the life of your washing machine.

He recommends using the machine's Drum Clean programme (or a 90°C cotton cycle if it doesn't have one) every four to six weeks in hard or medium water areas, or every two to three months if you live in a soft water area. But Damien has one extra tip that most people don't know about, including me. Always run the cleaning cycle twice.

"The first cycle is there to do the prep work," he explains. "Run an empty Drum Clean programme – or a 90°C cotton wash – with no clothes, detergent or cleaner. What you're doing here is heating up and softening the limescale and grime inside the machine, making it much easier to remove."

Once that cycle has finished, run the same programme again, this time pouring a bottle of washing machine cleaner directly into the drum. Damien recommends Bosch’s dedicated washing machine cleaner, particularly if you live in a hard water area. "The first wash softens everything up, then the cleaner can really break it down and wash it away," he says.

Gwil at AO.com is in total agreement. "For a great washing machine detox, I always recommend running it on an empty cycle without detergent, on the hottest cycle possible. This will help break down washing machine mould or bacteria, especially if you run your machine on cooler wash settings," Gwil says. "Don’t forget to pull the detergent drawer out and clean it with a toothbrush and hot, soapy water to scrub away any detergent or gunk build up."

If your machine already smells musty, don't be surprised if one double clean isn't enough. "If it still smells afterwards, it means you haven't broken all the dirt down yet," says Damien. "Just repeat the process – one empty hot cycle followed by one with cleaner – until the smell has gone." Once you've got it back to its best, sticking to the routine every few weeks will help keep limescale at bay and your washing machine running efficiently for longer."

Top tip: Also remember to clean out your washing machine filter regularly, to prevent big repair bills down the line. "A small collection of hair and fluff can be easy to remove, but if it's given the chance to collect into a big ball, it could be costly," says Damien.

5. I use the appropriate dishwasher cycle (and always add salt)

When we buy a new integrated or freestanding kitchen appliance, most of us don’t spend the next couple of days studying the manual cover to cover. If I’m honest, it never even makes it out of the box. But as Damien points out, skipping the basics can mean you’re unintentionally mistreating your machine.

Let’s start with the programmes. “That quick 30-minute cycle isn't designed for your Sunday roast dishes,” he says. “It's there for lightly soiled items, like a few dessert plates or coffee cups when you need them cleaned in a hurry. For your everyday wash, you should be using the normal, auto or 45°C to 65°C programme."

Damien also warns against automatically selecting the hottest programme every time. "People think the hotter the wash, the better, but if you're constantly using the intensive 70°C or ‘chef’ cycle, you're putting unnecessary strain on the heat pump. It's like driving your car flat out everywhere you go – it'll wear out much sooner than it should. Those intensive cycles are there for the occasional really dirty load, not everyday use."

While you're at it, don't ignore the dishwasher salt indicator either. "The salt softens the water, which helps protect the machine from limescale," he explains. "And always keep the rinse aid topped up as well. Think of it like the wax you get when you wash your car. It helps the water run off properly, giving you cleaner, drier dishes."

Finally, don't forget the filter. "Give it a quick clean every week," says Damien. "You wouldn't leave the strainer in your kitchen sink collecting food for months, so don't do it with your dishwasher either. And while you don't need to rinse every plate until it's spotless, scrape off anything that's going to cause problems. Dried rice, porridge (basically edible cement) or anything with lots of liquid should be removed first. The dishwasher is designed to clean your dishes, not wash yesterday's soup around the inside of the machine."

6. I don't overpack my fridge-freezer

"When you load your fridge or freezer, you need to leave a gap over every shelf to allow the air to circulate properly and regulate the temperature," says Damien. “Ramming it full is fine on a rare occasion like Christmas, but day to day, it just makes the appliance work harder than it needs to."

He adds that most people don’t realise how much overloading affects efficiency. "If things are hanging over shelves or blocking the door seals, you think your fridge-freezer is shut but it’s not quite, and you end up losing cold air without even knowing it. Again, everything starts overworking, and the appliance won't last as long."

Freezer and fridge temperatures matter, too. "For example, if your ice cream is rock solid and you need a hammer and chisel to get it out, your freezer is too cold," he says. "Most are set around -18°C, but you can comfortably bring that up to -16°C or -15°C and still keep everything frozen, just without turning it into a geological excavation."

Not having the right temperature settings will increase how much electricity your fridge and freezer uses, impacting your energy bills.

Now you know how to look after them better, discover which appliances use the most electricity, and the best appliance options for a small kitchen.

There's no doubt that water pouring from your washing machine's detergent tray can be worrying. It can quickly flood your floor and put your washing machine out of action, leaving you without your much-needed laundry facilities.

But what causes it and is it always easy to fix? I was really hoping my problem would be straightforward, and simply be a case of cleaning the right parts. Unfortunately, it wasn't quite that simple, but it still was a job I could fix myself.

So, before you start looking at how long washing machines last and invest in a new one, or pay for expensive plumber call-out charges, follow the steps I took to resolve my leak and get my machine working like new.

Reasons why your washing machine detergent tray is leaking

The first thing you need to do is find out why water is leaking from the detergent tray. As you might expect, there can be a number of reasons, so it is often a process of elimination. I typically start with the simple, less time-consuming option if I’m unsure.

1. Blocked detergent drawer or housing

Ian Palmer-Smith, appliance repair expert at Domestic & General, reveals one of the most common causes: “A blocked detergent drawer or housing is a common cause of overflow, typically due to a build-up of detergent, fabric softener, or mould restricting water flow.”

I took my detergent tray out (a simple job we can all do) to see if it made any difference – but it didn't.

Water was still pouring out, but now I could see more of what was happening with the detergent tray removed.

My top tip at this stage? Make sure you have someone with you who can switch off the washing machine at the power point to immediately stop the water flow. Also, keep a bath towel nearby to stop any stray water from dripping onto the floor.

2. Blocked dispenser hose

Now I could see what was actually happening inside, I could see water flowing from the top of the tray, as it should. However, after a few seconds, the drain to the drum filled, and water once again flowed from the tray area onto the floor. Once again, make sure you have someone next to the power point for a quick switch off.

The fact the leak continued suggested the problem with my machine was down to a blockage somewhere else (and which I subsequently discovered to be in the dispenser hose).

Ian Palmer-Smith confirms this is another common problem. “A blocked or partially blocked dispenser hose can prevent water from draining properly into the drum, causing it to back-up and spill.”

3. Less common problems

There are also a few other issues that can cause water to spill out from the detergent tray, says Ian Palmer-Smith.

“Overuse of detergent or the use of an incorrect type, such as non-HE detergent (a non high energy product is more suited for older top-loading machines), in modern machines can also contribute to the issue by creating excessive suds, leading to foam overflow from the tray.”

“Other contributing factors include low water pressure or uneven water flow, which can prevent the drawer from flushing cleanly and cause water to spill forward," he adds, "as well as clogged spray jets that misdirect water towards the front of the dispenser.”

Shop these tools to fix washing machine tray issues

Cleaning the dispenser tray

If you have identified the leak is down to a dirty dispenser tray, cleaning it is an easy job and starts with you removing the detergent drawer and drawer compartment. Take a look at your instruction manual if it doesn't come out easily as there may be a certain method to follow for your particular machine.

Michael Forbes, lead product trainer at AEG, shares what to do next. “Warm water and a soft brush are usually enough to clear away detergent build-up.” To help keep it free from limescale, he also suggests you, "regularly run a maintenance wash using a dedicated washing machine cleaner, particularly in hard water areas.”

Keen to prevent the problem reoccurring? “Using the correct amount of detergent for the size of the load and your local water hardness is an important part of keeping your washing machine running efficiently,” advises Michael.

Even if the problem lies elsewhere, it's worth doing this job as well as any others you need to do to stop the leak.

Removing and cleaning a blocked dispenser hose

Before I started removing parts, I thought I'd try pouring hot water down the dispenser hose, combined with pushing a flexible pipe cleaner along the inside. This may work for you, but didn't for me as the blockage turned out to be caused by bits of foam lodged inside, so I had no choice but to access the innards of the washing machine.

Here's the steps I took to remove, clean and re-attach the hose.

1. Unplug from power and move

The first step was to switch off and unplug the washing machine before I did anything else. Safety first. Most washing machines also don’t sit out in the open, so, like me, you’ll need to drag it out to access the top cover. Instead of stretching the drain hose and risking damage, I simply put the end of mine into a bucket so the water didn't go on the floor.

2. Remove the top

The top or lid of a washing machine is typically held in place by a couple of Philips screws at the back of the machine. Undo these with an appropriate screwdriver and place them in a container. Slide off the top to see inside the machine.

3. Access the dispenser hose

To access the dispenser hose, you’ll need to undo the screws that hold the detergent tray in place (again, place the screws in the container you have to hand for this reason).

Now manoeuvre the tray to access the dispenser hose. You might also need to remove the water pipes on the back of the tray. I didn’t have to do this, but if you do, the holding clips are typically removed by pushing them together by hand.

4. Remove the dispenser hose

My dispenser hose is attached to the underside of the detergent tray so I unclipped it, pulled off the hose and moved the tray out of the way. You'll then need to remove the bottom of the dispenser hose. I needed a small spanner to loosen the clip holding it in place. Put the clip with the screws you've put to one side so you don't lose it.

Another quick tip is that if a clip is difficult to squeeze together, use a pair of pliers to make the job easier.

5. Clean hose and replace

Next, take the hose and remove any debris by hand. Mine was full of bits from foam padding that had broken up in the wash. However, generally, the blockage will be from a buildup of detergent. If this is the case, squeeze the hose to break up the detergent, then rinse through with warm water until it runs clear.

Now comes the fun part. Replace the dispenser hose and make sure any clips are in place. One option I often do is to take pictures of the removal and unclipping process to help your remember how the parts were fitted.

Also remember that he dispenser hose needs to be secure when you re-attach it otherwise, you'll be coming back to do the job again. Make sure you attach any pipes to the back of the detergent tray and put the tray back in place. Finally, secure the detergent tray and lid with the screws you put to one side.

Before you start the machine, make sure to check and clean the washing machine filter, as this could well have debris inside as well – mine did.

Where do you keep your washing machine? Could it be time to move it? Check out our utility rooms guide and small utility room ideas to make the most of your space. Or, how about an upstairs laundry room? It's becoming more popular with home renovators and it's easy to understand why once you look into it.

Getting your porch storage ideas right is, in many ways, the secret to a truly organised home. The porch is your buffer zone – the first line of defence between the front door and the rest of the house – and without decent storage, it can quickly descend into chaos.

Whether you're working with a grand Victorian vestibule or a terrace porch the size of a postage stamp, the right storage for your porch ideas can turn chaos into calm, and make you feel just a little bit smug every time you open your front door.

Best of all? They don't even need to cost a fortune either. Wave goodbye to chaos and hello to intentional living with these porch storage ideas.

1. Get smart with secure outdoor storage

For open or exposed porches like this one, storage needs to work that little bit harder. Parcels left on the doorstep are an easy target for thieves, and clutter that might be hidden away inside an enclosed porch is fully on show, so the solutions you choose need to be as good-looking as they are practical.

Full-sized parcel boxes have come a long way in recent years and can sit flush against a wall without looking like an afterthought. "Opt for a powder-coated steel design in anthracite or slate grey and it will complement a contemporary door colour rather than compete with it," says Alex Dutton, sales and marketing director at Ultion Locks. But, he cautions, the box itself is only half the story. "Porch storage is exposed to the elements all year round, so needs to withstand rain, temperature changes and general wear and tear. Even if the storage is sturdy, poor-quality locks, exposed hinges or a loose-fitting lid can still make it an easy target – check every possible access point, not just the main lock."

For small porches, where floor space is at a premium, a wall-mounted lockable box keeps deliveries secure without encroaching on the entrance, and is considerably harder to tamper with at a higher level.

For homes with an enclosed porch, Dutton suggests controlled access may be a smarter alternative to external storage altogether. "A smart lock can allow a homeowner to let in a delivery driver or trusted neighbour remotely, then secure the door again once items are safely inside. Paired with a doorbell camera, this keeps deliveries protected and out of sight, and lets the homeowner monitor who is accessing the porch for extra peace of mind."

2. Don't be afraid to mix and match storage solutions

All too often, a disorganised porch can descend into a no-man's-land of stray parcels, miscellaneous shopping bags and shoes that belong to nobody (or possibly everybody). That's why, if you have the space, it's a good idea to include a mix of different types of entryway / boot room storage.

As this enclosed porch shows, the most considered set-ups layer different solutions to tackle different problems. Wall-mounted pegs keep coats and bags within easy reach, while a built-in storage bench offers a place to sit while you pull on your boots.

If you're not ready to commit to a fully fitted scheme, modular furniture is well worth considering. Kate Palmer, creative director at The Painted Furniture Company, explains the appeal: "The benefit of modular furniture is that it can adapt as the needs of your household change over time. Look for designs that can be reconfigured or expanded, allowing you to make the most of the available space without committing to a fixed arrangement from the outset."

3. Get shoe storage right from the start

Shoes are, without question, the porch's greatest nemesis. So getting your shoe storage right is arguably the most important porch storage decision you'll make.

Pull-out shelves – angled slightly for easy access – keep footwear visible, accessible and contained without the usual chaos, while a cushioned bench with concealed cupboard space beneath contains everything else.

If a fully fitted scheme isn't on the cards, a freestanding shoe cabinet with a flat top doubles as a surface for keys, bags and the other daily essentials that would otherwise end up on the floor.

4. Combine a place to sit with handy storage

A storage bench might just be the smartest porch storage idea you can invest in. Offering a place to perch while you pull on your boots as well as an open lower shelf for shoes, baskets or a folded blanket, it's doubly useful without taking up too much space.

"A bench with concealed shoe and coat storage is an excellent multifunctional upgrade that I would always recommend," says Rachael Hutcheson, interiors expert at Sharps. "By combining seating with hidden compartments for shoes, bags and outdoor essentials, you create a space that feels both crafted and practical. It sets a calm, organised tone for the rest of the house and makes transitions inside or outside a much easier task."

5. Go vertical with wall-mounted hooks or shelves

When floor space is limited, the answer is almost always to look up. A wall-mounted unit that combines open cubbies with a run of hooks below – like this Kempton Storage Rack from Sue Ryder – is one of the smartest porch storage ideas for smaller entrances, keeping coats, scarves and umbrellas off the floor while giving you a home for the things that tend to vanish.

6. Splurge on bespoke fitted cabinetry

If your porch has the space for it, fitted units are worth every penny. As this scheme by Sharps demonstrates, floor-to-ceiling cabinetry can swallow clutter and make the whole entrance feel intentional and considered. Helmets, backpacks and wet weather gear are all accounted for via the row of sturdy hooks above, while the cushioned bench below provides a comfortable spot to sit and a discreet run of cupboards to conceal whatever you'd rather keep out of sight.

When it comes to colour, it's worth thinking beyond the porch itself. "Consider colours that tie in with your other furniture in the connecting rooms so that it creates a natural flow," suggests Kate Palmer. And if you're working with a period property or an awkward porch layout, "made-to-measure pieces can make a big difference – they look like they were designed specifically for the space rather than simply fitted into it."

If built-in storage feels like a big commitment, start with a freestanding bench unit and add a hook rail above – the effect is similar and the investment considerably smaller. If that includes open shelving, Kate suggests adding a houseplant or a stylish lamp: "It can help to make it feel more homely rather than purely practical."

7. Opt for an all-in-one freestanding unit for coats and umbrellas

If you want maximum storage impact for minimum effort, a freestanding hall unit could be the answer. A unit like the one above, from Vonhaus, does everything: a row of sturdy hooks and a lift-up storage bench for shoes and seasonal extras – all in a single, self-contained piece.

These freestanding pieces of furniture are a particularly good option for renters or anyone not ready to commit to fitted storage, and the classic cream and oak finish means it will sit happily in most porch schemes without demanding too much attention.

That said, Kate Palmer, urges restraint when choosing. "One of the most common mistakes is choosing pieces that are too large, making your entrance feel cramped. Think about how your family moves through the space day to day." For smaller porches, she recommends slimline units and furniture that earns its footprint twice over. "A bench with storage underneath is ideal – it serves two purposes without taking up any extra space."

8. Organise and store muddy boots with an outdoor organiser

For country homes, cottages and anyone with a dog or a passing interest in the outdoors, muddy boots are a fact of life – and a wall-mounted boot rack is one of the neatest ways to deal with them. Mounted directly onto brick or a rendered exterior wall, it keeps wellies off the ground, allows them to drain and dry properly, and frees up the porch floor entirely.

The engraved oak version here feels considered rather than purely practical, which is exactly what the best porch storage ideas should do. Pair it with a boot scraper nearby and you have a proper system – one that keeps the worst of the mud outside where it belongs.

9. Use decorative storage baskets for a classic look

There's a reason storage baskets have been doing the rounds in interiors for decades. They're one of the few storage solutions that actually look better when they're full. Woven seagrass and rattan styles, like those used so generously throughout this scheme, bring warmth and texture that no drawer or cupboard door can quite replicate.

The secret, as this entrance shows, is committing to them wholeheartedly. A single basket reads as an afterthought, whereas a whole run of them – tucked into open cubbies, lined up along a bench, grouped on a high shelf – reads as a design decision.

10. Don't forget wheelie bin storage

Wheelie bin storage is nobody's favourite design feature, and yet, when bins are left to their own devices, they have a way of becoming the first thing anyone notices about your home. For open or exposed porches, a lockable bin store is a clever investment for enhancing your home's kerb appeal.

As this sleek anthracite steel unit by The Garden Furniture Centre shows, modern bin stores have come a long way from the rickety wooden structures of old. The best designs conceal bins entirely, include a lockable parcel compartment and – as here – even accommodate a stylish, planted top.

Get your porch storage right and the space looks after itself. For more organisation inspiration, find out the 5 things people with an organise porch always have, and read our guides on how to organise a shed and how to organise a utility room.

Confession: I can't remember the last time I replaced my pillows. While it's definitely something I know I should do, I just haven't gotten around to it – and, to be honest, there are more exciting things I'd rather spend my money on.

But after recently discovering that dust mites (horrifyingly) exist, I decided it was finally time to do something about my pillows, especially since I have sensitive eyes. Dust mite allergies are very common and can cause symptoms like sneezing, itchy eyes, and a runny nose.

Instead of immediately forking out £50+ on a brand-new set, I decided, in the meantime, to buy these allergy-friendly pillow protectors on Amazon for under £10. They act as a barrier between you and any dust mites that might be lurking inside.

Shop anti-allergy pillows

I know pillow protectors aren't exactly revolutionary (and are probably something I should have had already), but they've given me so much peace of mind about dust mites, offering an extra layer between my pillow and my face.

There are plenty of synthetic options out there, but I'd highly recommend choosing cotton ones if you want to avoid hearing a rustling noise every time you move your head in bed (I made this mistake with satin covers previously). Plus, they won't contain any microplastics and will stay cool in the summer.

While I'm chuffed with my new little purchase, I spoke with Dr Stephanie Kayode, Allergy Physician at Allergy Care London, to find out whether pillow protectors are something experts would actually recommend.

"Allergen-proof barrier covers on mattresses, duvets and pillows will reduce dust mite exposure by preventing bedding dust mites from getting through," she confirms. "In the bedroom, it is also important to wash bedding at 60 degrees as only high temperatures kill dust mites, and reduce indoor humidity by ventilating."

As someone with raging hay fever allergies, I was also curious to find out whether pillow protectors could help alleviate my symptoms at night, but unfortunately, that doesn't seem to be the case.

"This isn't likely to be effective. Airborne pollen can land on hair, skin and clothes and transfer onto bedding. Pollen particles are so small they can get through pillowcase fabric," says Dr. Kayode.

As a hay fever sufferer, I’m unsure whether my sensitive eyes and sneezing are caused by that or dust mites, but either way, I feel a lot better now that these pillow protectors are in place.

Wondering whether dehumidifiers help with allergies? Our expert explains all in this helpful feature. We also have a fantastic guide on hayfever-friendly gardening, which includes all the tips and tricks you need to minimise your allergies.

Working from home was supposed to be the dream – no long commutes, no awkward small talk. And for the most part, it is. But there's a growing body of evidence to suggest that the average home office setup could be doing us a disservice.

Those frequent headaches and that persistent crick in your neck might not be down to stress or screen time alone it seems. From the paint on your walls to the way the afternoon sun hits your monitor, your home office could be affecting your health in ways you'd never think to connect.

Here's what experts want you to know about getting your home office design right, so your health doesn't take a nosedive as a consequence.

Ergonomics – what is your body trying to tell you?

If you've been putting nagging back pain or a persistent headache down to a stressful week, it might be time to think again. The way your body feels by Friday afternoon often has less to do with your workload and more to do with your home office setup.

Is your chair giving you a bad back?

According to experts, the single biggest mistake most home workers make is choosing the wrong office chair. More often than not, we find ourselves dragging a spare chair in from the dining room, which is perfectly fine for a Sunday roast but considerably less so for eight hours of back-to-back video calls.

Elizabeth Moreno, a qualified osteopath, doesn't mince her words on the subject. "Chair quality is 30 - 40% of the solution," she explains. "Your chair should support your natural lumbar curve, so built-in lumbar support is ideal. If your chair lacks this, add a lumbar pillow or roll. Sit back into the chair so the support contacts your lower back and don't perch on the edge."

When seated, Dr Robin Clark, Medical Director of Bupa UK, adds that your hips should sit above your knees, your back fully supported by the backrest, and your shoulders relaxed with elbows at roughly 90 degrees just above the desk.

Is your screen giving you a pain in the neck?

According to Elizabeth Moreno, neck pain accounts for 41% of work-related musculoskeletal complaints in the UK, and the culprit is often closer than people realise. "Neck stiffness, eye strain and headaches can indicate that you are too close or too far from the screen," she explains. The fix is simpler than you'd expect: your monitor should sit roughly at arm's length, with the top of the screen at or just below eye level, your shoulders relaxed, wrists straight and elbows bent at roughly 90 degrees.

Hand and arm discomfort is another commonly ignored warning sign of a poorly set-up desk. Elizabeth flags tingling, tension, or tenderness in the forearms or hands as a clear signal to reassess the positioning of your keyboard and mouse.

Is sitting all day bad for you?

In short, yes. Though perhaps not for the reasons you'd expect. Dr Clark warns that the effects of prolonged sedentary behaviour tend to develop gradually and silently, which is precisely what makes them so easy to dismiss. "Sitting down for too long can slow down your metabolism, making it harder for your body to regulate blood pressure, blood sugar, and break down fat," he explains. Over time, this increases the risk of cardiovascular conditions including high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.

To counteract the negative effects of staying seated, Dr Clark suggests aiming to leave your chair every 30 minutes or so, even if it's just to make a coffee or swap your desk chair for a standing position. Your body, he notes, isn't designed to stay still. It will find ways to remind you.

Office lighting can have a bigger impact than you realise

Most of us put real thought into lighting our living rooms and bedrooms, but when it comes to our home offices, we tend to use whatever's already there. According to the experts, that casual approach could be costing you more than you realise.

Think carefully about natural light

Too much natural light in the wrong place can be just as problematic as too little. Simon Browne, technical manager at Luxaflex, identifies glare from direct sunlight as a major – and frequently misdiagnosed – contributor to eye strain and poor concentration. "You'll often see people subconsciously shifting position, squinting or leaning forward throughout the day without realising the cause," he says. So, that 3pm headache you've been blaming on meetings might actually be a consequence of how your desk is positioned relative to the window.

Chris Gore, founder of SPOR Group, agrees, and says it's worth thinking carefully about your home office layout before you commit to a desk position. "People set up their monitors wherever the desk fits, rather than where the light sources are – the result is either glare directly on the screen or a bright window sitting behind the display, both of which force the eye to constantly compensate, causing strain, headaches, and by mid-afternoon, a level of visual fatigue that most people just accept as normal."

Luckily, the fix is simpler than a full room reshuffle. As a rule of thumb, sit perpendicular to any window rather than facing it or putting it directly behind you. And for rooms that get a lot of sun, external shading can block up to 98% of solar heat gain before it even enters the room, while internal blinds help diffuse harsh daylight without plunging you into darkness.

Find a balance with artificial lighting

If you've ever found yourself reaching for the paracetamol by 11am and blaming it on your inbox, Abbas Kanani, superintendent pharmacist at Chemist Click, has news for you. Poor home office lighting is a more common culprit than most people realise and it rarely gets the blame. "Too much glare, flickering LED lighting, or working in dim rooms with bright screens can show up as headaches by late morning, watery or dry eyes, or a feeling that concentration drops off sharply in the afternoon," he says.

Lighting temperature plays a bigger role than most of us appreciate too. Harsh cool-white bulbs can become fatiguing over a long working day. A warmer, layered setup – ambient lighting combined with a decent task lamp – is almost always kinder on the eyes than a single overhead source.

Air quality and temperature

Most of us focus on how our workspace looks rather than what we're actually breathing in, which, according to the experts, is something of an oversight. In an office sealed off from the rest of the home, indoor air quality can deteriorate faster than you think.

Are your walls off-gassing?

It might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you're choosing a paint colour, but Jon Mee, technical advisor at Earthborn, says the contents of your tin matter as much as what's on the colour chart. VOCs – volatile organic compounds – are carbon-based chemicals emitted as gases from paint, and can contribute to both short and long-term health issues, including irritation of the eyes, nose and throat. "Opt for a natural claypaint that is virtually VOC free," he recommends, "meaning no horrible smells or headaches that can often be the case with some other paints."

Is your office getting enough fresh air?

Even if your walls are pristine, a poorly ventilated room has its own problems. Abbas Kanani flags high CO₂ levels in small home offices as one of the most underestimated factors affecting how we feel at our desks. "People describe it as feeling sluggish, sleepy despite adequate sleep, or struggling to think clearly in the same room for long periods," he says. It's a set of symptoms that's routinely mistaken for stress or burnout, when the real fix might be as simple as opening a window.

Is your home office overheating?

You won't always notice a room getting warmer throughout the day, but you'll probably notice the irritability and inexplicable mid-afternoon slump. Simon Browne warns that rooms with significant glazing are particularly vulnerable to overheating, a common and underreported problem in sun-facing home offices. The fix is often at the window: external shading tackles heat before it enters the room, while good ventilation can make a surprising difference to how clearly you think.

Factors that impact your mental health

The boundary between desk and sofa can blur in ways that feel harmless in the moment but corrosive over time – and the experts are clear that the mental health risks of a poorly designed home office are just as real as the physical ones.

Are you ever really switching off?

"Not giving yourself enough time away from your desk, or working longer into your evenings than you would if you were office-based, can put you at increased risk of stress, along with the health concerns that can come with it – including high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease," says Dr Robin Clark.

The problem is that most home workers don't recognise the pattern until it's well established. The commute that once felt like dead time turns out to have been doing important work by creating a buffer between professional and personal life that, once removed, is harder to replace than you'd think.

Is your workspace making it worse?

Chartered psychologist Claire Law has a simple explanation for why you can't stop thinking about your inbox at 9pm. A home office that bleeds into living space – such as a laptop left open on the kitchen table – keeps the brain in a low-level state of alertness that makes genuine rest surprisingly hard to come by. "Our brains are very good at forming associations," she explains. "If you're working from the same space where you eat, relax or sleep, it becomes harder for your mind to recognise when it's time to switch off."

In other words, if your bedroom doubles as your boardroom, don't be surprised if sleep doesn't come easily. So, before you get carried away turning your dining room into a home office or carving out space for an office on your landing, it's worth asking whether the convenience is worth the cognitive bleed.

The first steps to a healthier home office

The encouraging thing about most home office health problems is that they're eminently fixable, often without spending very much at all. Here's where to start:

1. Move more than you think you need to

Aim to get up every 20 to 30 minutes. Not for a full workout, but just to shift position, roll your shoulders, or walk to another room. A sit-stand desk is the simplest structural fix if you can stretch to one, but even propping a laptop on a kitchen counter for 30 minutes achieves something similar. The key is balance: sit when you need support, stand when you can, and keep changing position.

2. Audit your symptoms

Abbas Kanani's diagnostic rule of thumb is worth keeping in mind: look for complaints that are predictable, time-linked, and location-specific. Headaches that ease at weekends, back pain that disappears on holiday, afternoon fatigue that lifts the moment you leave the desk, are all patterns, not coincidences. If your symptoms improve reliably away from your workspace, your environment is almost certainly a factor.

3. Clear away any visual noise

Claire Law flags clutter and visual distraction as a significant and underappreciated drain on cognitive energy. Open shelving, unfinished projects, and sightlines into busy areas of the house all pull at attention subconsciously, even when you're convinced you've tuned them out. Tidying, zoning with a room divider or curtain, or simply closing a door can reduce that load more than you'd expect.

4. Sort out your acoustics

Chris Gore identifies poor acoustics as one of the most consistently underestimated sources of daily stress. "Constantly straining to hear colleagues on calls, or being subjected to echo-heavy rooms where your own voice bounces back at you, puts the brain into a low-level stress state for hours at a time," he says. Soft furnishings, a rug, and bookshelves all help absorb noise without requiring any additional soundproofing.

5. Add colour and greenery

The colour of your home study can actively support or undermine how you feel over the course of a working day. Jon Mee is emphatic on the subject: "The paint colours that you choose can have a dramatic effect on the mood of a room," he says. "In a home office, colours that ground us and help us feel more comfortable, whilst also offering energising qualities, are great options. Nature-inspired tones work well – warm neutrals for a more pared-back aesthetic, or deeper, earthier colours that feel organic and refined but also offer a sense of inspiration and interest."

Greenery works in much the same way – plants or even just an outdoor view can help restore cognitive function throughout the day. It's one of the cheapest upgrades you can make, and one of the most effective.

If you want to embrace a brighter, healthier approach to working from home, consider a dedicated garden office or conservatory home office. These purpose-built spaces can make separation between work and life effortless.

The kitchen is always one the most hardworking spaces within a home, but when it comes to family kitchens, it needs to work harder than ever if it is to meet the demands of the whole household.

The key to success when designing a kitchen always lies in precise planning – without this stage, how can you ever expect the space to deliver everything you need? When it comes to family kitchens, not only do they need to fully support daily life, they also need to foster a sense of togetherness if you want this to be the spot everyone comes together to spend time in.

Here, we bring you 20 of the most beautiful and inspiring family kitchen ideas to help get your project off the ground in style.

1. Have a clear idea of what you need in your family kitchen

When planning a kitchen, the first step should always be to list down everything you want the space to deliver – not just in terms of practical functions, but also when it comes to overall ambience.

Al Bruce, founder of Olive & Barr, explains exactly how to approach this stage. "You should always start your kitchen design process by understanding how you might use your space. The kitchen is nearly always the most hardworking room in the home, meaning it has to function effortlessly and withstand continuous use.

"It is the little things that make a kitchen perfect, such as making the fridge easily accessible when cooking, having a special place for your chopping boards and knowing where to put your bin so the functionality of your kitchen is flawless," continues Al.

"After all, one of the cornerstones of every kitchen is combining function and practicality with your wants, needs and personality. When dealing with any kitchen layout for a family, it’s important that the space works harder and has elements of multifunctionality."

2. Plan the layout to avoid bottlenecks

All kitchens can become busy places at certain times of the day, but in bustling family homes, things can really ramp up a notch, particularly during the rush to get to school in the morning, or when cooking large family dinners.

Charlotte Butler, kitchen design manger at BK Eleven, suggests looking at how your kitchen layout ideas can be designed to help things run smoothly. "A family kitchen has to be planned around the busiest moments of the day, not the quietest. Breakfast, homework, cooking, clearing away and people coming in and out of the garden can all be happening at once, so the best layouts are the ones that give everyone a clear place to be without creating bottlenecks around the sink, hob or fridge."

Jenna Forsdyke, senior interior designer at Pfeiffer Design, highlights the importance of clear circulation here. "When designing a family kitchen, it’s all about creating a fluid layout that can support what the household needs on a daily basis. Good circulation is essential as you want family members to move throughout the space effectively, without crossing over.

"It’s good to think about the kitchen layout with parallel living in mind, such as one person cooking whilst the other works or helps with homework, for example. The layout needs to support all activity simultaneously."

3. Choose durable matt cabinetry

Your kitchen units not only perform the important role of storage – they also form a large part of the overall look of the space. As such, it is important to choose a finish that won't easily mark or show up stains.

Emily Newmarch, design consultant at Kitchens by Holloways, suggests opting for matt finishes here. "For family kitchens, durability is just as important as aesthetics. Painted cabinetry in softer matt finishes tends to work particularly well. It has a more timeless feel while being easier to maintain than high-gloss surfaces, which can show fingerprints and marks more readily.

"Natural timber cabinetry is also increasingly popular, particularly oak with visible grain – it ages beautifully over time," adds Emily.

4. Incorporate a gathering spot in a family kitchen

In a family home, creating areas where everyone will gravitate really gives the space a happy, sociable feel. But what is the best way to do this?

"In a generous open-plan kitchen, an island can work brilliantly because it gives the room a natural gathering point away from the main cooking run," says Charlotte Butler. "It can become the place for after-school snacks, a laptop, a quick coffee or someone chatting while dinner is being made, but it only works if there is enough room to move around it properly."

So what if you don't have space for an island? "If the island makes the kitchen feel tight, a peninsula or a well-positioned dining table will usually be a better choice," says Charlotte.

5. Include a comfy seating spot to relax

If you have the space to spare, incorporating a welcoming seating spot can really cement the kitchen as a multifunctional area, as well as making contemporary kitchens feel cosy.

"Introducing a more comfortable seating area can completely transform a kitchen, helping it feel less like a purely functional workspace and more like the heart of the home," explains Sophie Chapman, associate and interior designer at The Vawdrey House. "Even something as simple as a small sofa, built-in banquette, alcove or occasional chair can encourage people to linger for longer, whether that’s chatting while cooking, reading with a coffee or spending time together at the end of the day.

"In open-plan spaces especially, these softer elements help blur the line between kitchen and living room, creating a more relaxed and inviting atmosphere."

6. Zone an open-plan family kitchen

Open-plan kitchen diner ideas are hugely popular with homeowners looking to design a family kitchen but, to work well, they do need to be approached with care.

Sam Harris, senior design consultant at Ashford Kitchens & Interiors, explains that the key to success lies in zoning the space. "Open-plan layouts work incredibly well for busy family homes because they allow the kitchen to become a true multi-functional hub – somewhere to cook, socialise, work and relax all at once. We recommend layouts that create clear zones within the space, so family life can happen simultaneously without feeling chaotic. A well-planned island can also help anchor the room while improving circulation and storage."

Alex Main, director at Main, is also a fan of open-plan layouts. "The kitchen is often the centre of the family home and a hub for every activity from cooking and eating to relaxing, entertaining and working. The best layout will depend on how you use your kitchen in your home, however, for many families, an open-plan layout is often one of the most popular designs. A large, open-plan space creates an area with more function and flow – making family interaction easier and entertaining more sociable. Open-plan creates a lighter, larger and airier kitchen, offering greater versatility which suits today’s more informal, lived-in lifestyle."

7. Create a welcoming family dining area

In an ideal world, all family kitchens should incorporate a spot for everyone to sit and eat meals together – even if this rarely happens. But what is the best way to provide this?

"It depends on how the family uses the kitchen," says Alex Main. "Islands are incredibly versatile and functional for modern living as they combine preparation space, integrated storage and, for larger units, plenty of kitchen island seating for socialising and eating together. A dining table, however, creates a more relaxed and inclusive environment for longer meals, which is better suited for larger groups of friends and family when entertaining. Either option works well and it also depends on how much space you have. If room will allow, incorporating both a dining table and an island together means they work beautifully in tandem and maximise functionality."

"An island is wonderful for everyday convenience, but a table still gives you that more relaxed, face-to-face way of eating together," points out Charlotte Butler. "In a larger family kitchen, having both is ideal, but in a smaller space I would rather see one really good dining spot than an island squeezed in just because it feels like the thing to have."

Shop kitchen island seating

8. Inject personality with hardwearing tiles

It is so important that your kitchen flooring ideas not only look great, but also make life easier in terms of being easy-to-clean and durable.

Grazzie Wilson, head of creative at Ca’ Pietra, explains how to combine functionality with aesthetics. "A family kitchen is never just a kitchen, so the surfaces have to be ready for real life – but that absolutely does not mean playing it safe.

"Tiles are brilliant in a family kitchen because they can take a bit of everything. A porcelain floor is a lovely place to start because it gives you all the practical benefits you need in a hardworking space, but with so much scope to have fun with the look," continues Grazzie. "You might go for a big, soft limestone-style tile that makes the room feel calm and easy, a wood-effect porcelain if you want warmth without worrying about every spill, or a chequerboard floor if the kitchen needs a little bit of charm and mischief.

"I always think the best family kitchens have a bit of personality to them. They should not feel too perfect, because family life is not perfect," adds Grazzie. "A patterned splashback, a warm terracotta tone, or a floor with a little movement and texture can make the whole room feel more forgiving, more welcoming and much less like everyone needs to tiptoe around it. Choosing a surface with warmth, character and proper staying power means the room can cope with the everyday bustle while still feeling like somewhere you genuinely want to spend time."

9. Use on-trend storage options to cut down on clutter

The kitchen storage ideas you put in place are vital when it comes to reducing clutter and staying organised – thankfully, there are now more options than ever in this particular department.

"The kitchen trends worth considering are the ones that make family life easier," picks up Charlotte Butler. "Pantry cupboards, breakfast stations, deep drawers, charging drawers and somewhere to hide away smaller appliances can all make a huge difference to how calm the kitchen feels day-to-day. These are not showy details, but they are the things that stop the worktops becoming a dumping ground."

"Larger kitchens that have the room for plenty of appliances should consider their placement and storage, as well as the frequency of use," adds Al Bruce. "If you’re a family that enjoys regularly baking in your bread maker, or your morning ritual includes a fresh cup of coffee from your espresso machine, these items might be best positioned in a double larder with a coffee station. That way they are easily accessible but can be shut away behind closed doors for a clutter-free kitchen."

10. Swap minimalism for a lived-in family look

There is no room for a showroom finish when it comes to family kitchens – they need to feel like spaces built to relax in.

"We’re seeing families move towards kitchens that feel warmer and more lived-in rather than ultra-minimal," reveals Sam Harris. "Natural textures, earthy tones, layered lighting and concealed kitchen storage are all popular because they balance style with everyday practicality."

Sophie Chapman agrees that homeowners are now more often seeking this laid-back look. "We’re seeing a move towards kitchens that feel softer and more connected to the rest of the home, rather than purely single-use spaces. Natural materials, textured finishes and integrated seating are all helping kitchens feel homier and more adaptable for family living."

11. Prioritise hardwearing surfaces

Kitchen worktops always need to be up to the task of handing spills, heat and stains, but when it comes to family kitchens, they also need to be easy to care for on a day-to-day basis.

Oli Webb, director at Cullifords, lays out some of the wisest options. "The best kitchen worktop ideas ultimately depend on how the kitchen will be used. Granite remains popular for busy family homes because it is low-maintenance and highly durable, while quartzite is being increasingly sought after for its individuality, timeless appeal and similar durability. Porcelain surfaces are also becoming more desirable due to their sleek appearance and excellent performance qualities."

"Families want surfaces that can handle everything from homework sessions to entertaining without needing constant upkeep," adds Sam Harris. "Quartz continues to be one of the most popular choices for family kitchens due to its durability, low maintenance and resistance to staining. Porcelain is also becoming more popular due to its modern appearance and impressive resilience."

12. Use engineered timber flooring to warm up a family kitchen

While tiled floors are a brilliant option in family kitchens, don't discount wooden flooring either – but do be careful with your choices if you want to ensure it stands the test of time.

"While wood flooring adds warmth and character, kitchens are high-traffic spaces that are exposed to fluctuations in moisture levels, food prep and daily wear and tear, which can cause hardwood flooring to deteriorate over time," warns Natalie Mudd, co-founder and creative director of Knot & Grain.

"A simple solution is installing engineered wood flooring, which is a brilliant option for the kitchen. Its top layer is made entirely of solid wood, bonded to a strong plywood layer beneath and a stabilising base layer. This layered construction helps balance the wood's tensions, preventing bending, warping, and swelling in areas with changing moisture levels."

13. Make every inch count in a small family kitchen

If you don't have a huge space to work with, fear not – even small kitchens can be designed to take-on busy family life with the right design approach.

"Smaller kitchens needs to work harder so clever storage is essential," says Alex Main. "As part of your kitchen design, include deep drawers, internal organisers, integrated appliances and full-height cupboards if you can to maximise the space efficiently. This will result in a more streamlined, organised and non-cluttered look and feel to your kitchen. A successful small kitchen design is less about the size and more about planning that supports everyday use."

"I would focus on full-height storage, deep drawers, a compact dining solution and keeping the main route through the room clear," adds Charlotte Butler. "A peninsula can often be more useful than an island because it adds worktop and seating without needing space on every side."

"Every inch in a small kitchen needs to be thoughtfully planned to ensure maximum storage and use," picks up Jenna Forsdyke. "Uninterrupted surfaces help elongate spaces, so implement integrated appliances and full-height cabinetry. If seating is a priority, then look at the best way for this to be added to suit the number of family members – whether that’s a small island with bar stools, banquette seating or a separate dining space. If you design your kitchen around your daily routine, it will make it feel effortless."

14. Give various seating options for flexibility

In kitchens that are going to be used by multiple people at once, or in multi-generational homes, it makes sense to include as many seating options as you can.

"The most successful kitchens usually include a variety of seating options to support different events throughout the day," explains Emily Newmarch.

"An island naturally becomes the functional hub of the kitchen, which supports preparation, casual dining, entertaining and everyday interaction," continues Emily. "However, a dedicated table or banquette area introduces a more relaxed way of using the space, which can feel important in family homes where the kitchen is also used for working, homework or longer meals together."

15. Enjoy the practicality of a U-shaped layout

The kitchen layout you choose needs to be based on the space you have available, but also on your storage needs and how you plan on using the space.

Al Bruce favours U-shaped kitchens for family rooms. "The U-shaped or kitchen island layout are great choices for families. U-shaped kitchens work best in larger homes and this layout allows you to better separate the cooking and preparation areas while giving you ample storage space to create a functional, practical and aesthetically pleasing scheme. It also gives you room to add a dining table, making it a hub for the family.

"The kitchen island layout serves a slightly different purpose to a U-shaped kitchen," continues Al. "It creates a centrepiece, allowing you to utilise your kitchen as both a workspace and social area where friends and family gravitate throughout the day. The set-up is ideal for gathering the family and the added worksurface allows multiple members of the family to get stuck in and help at dinner time. Whenever it can be, the kitchen should be designed to be the most used social space in the house."

16. Choose time-saving appliances in a busy family space

When choosing kitchen appliances, take the time to think about how they will contribute to the smooth running of daily life. Ideally, they should be designed to make everything more efficient.

Michael Sammon, design director at Wödår, highlights how useful boiling water taps can be for families. "The biggest benefit is convenience. You are not waiting for the kettle to boil every time you need hot water, whether that is for cooking, cleaning, making drinks or getting dinner moving more quickly. It is one of those additions that can feel quite small when you are planning the kitchen, but once you live with it, it becomes part of the everyday flow of the room.

"Safety is always part of the conversation in a family kitchen too, and a good hot water tap is designed with that in mind," adds Michael. "It keeps boiling water in one fixed place, rather than carrying a hot kettle across the kitchen, and it can be much easier to manage during those busy moments when several things are happening at once."

Shop time-saving kitchen essentials

17. Consider LVT flooring for its durability

If you are after a cost-effective and practical finish underfoot take time to look into LVT flooring.

Lauren Levy, design manager at Amtico Flooring, explains its benefits. "Family life is full of movement, so kitchen flooring needs to be able to keep up. From muddy footprints and spilled drinks to everyday cooking and constant foot traffic, choosing a durable, easy-to-clean and visually appealing floor is essential.

"LVT flooring is a practical and versatile choice, offering the authentic look of natural wood or stone alongside the durability modern households demand," continues Lauren. "With a wide range of colours, patterns and finishes available, homeowners can create a kitchen that feels both functional and beautifully connected to the rest of the home."

18. Don't overlook the little details

It is all too easy to overlook the finer details when designing a family kitchen, but these seemingly small decisions can make all the difference to the look and performance of a space. This is certainly the case when it comes to choosing handles for kitchen cabinets.

"Handles are one of those details that people sometimes leave until the very end, but in a family kitchen they really do a lot of heavy lifting," points out Gareth Hull, design lead at Hendel & Hendel. "They are touched constantly, often with wet hands, sticky fingers, or while someone is trying to open a drawer with a child, a school bag or a basket of laundry in the way, so they need to feel good as well as look good.

"In a busy kitchen, I always think hardware should have a little bit of generosity to it," continues Gareth. "Large drawers, pantry cupboards and integrated appliances are much easier to use when the handle has a proper grip, while smaller knobs or neater pulls can work beautifully on wall cupboards or lighter doors. It is one of those details that can make a kitchen feel instantly better to use, even though you might not notice why at first. For family spaces, I would always choose something that feels comfortable in the hand, sits well with the scale of the doors and drawers, and has enough character to cope with a room that is rarely still."

19. Incorporate banquette seating for a sociable family vibe

Banquette seating has really soared in popularity in recent years – and for good reason. Not only is it a great way to add in a comfortable spot to sit and eat, but it also takes up less space than dining chairs.

Additionally, it lends a relaxed, warm feel, as Emily Newmarch explains. "Where space allows, incorporating a softer seating area can completely change how a kitchen feels and functions. A built-in banquette helps bridge the gap between kitchen and living space.

Emily also likes to include other alternatives to dining chairs. "Even a small sofa or window seat will make the room feel more relaxed and less task-focused."

FAQs

Which trends work well in a family kitchen?

It would be wrong to base your design entirely on the latest kitchen trends, but that doesn't mean you can't incorporate some into your final design.

"The current 'cosy kitchen’ or 'soft kitchen' trend is key for family homes," says Alex Main. "Homeowners are looking to create a cosier, more inviting kitchen aesthetic that acts as an extension of their living space. By incorporating cosy seating areas, multifunctional layouts, personal touches and tactile materials, your kitchen can cater to everyone in the family at once."

Jenna Forsdyke also encourages homeowners to look into the trend for 'secondary spaces'. "We’re seeing more demand for kitchens with secondary spaces which support the daily needs of family life. From breakfast cupboards to banquette seating and homework stations, kitchens with secondary spaces allow a more considered use of space, whilst still being able to spend time together."

It isn't just the kitchen that can benefit from careful planning when designing a home for a young family – you also need to think about how you will lay out your living spaces, the positioning of home offices and how accessible bathrooms are from the bedrooms.

For most people renovating a kitchen, the utility room is an afterthought. The kitchen gets the mood boards and the endless decisions about hardware finishes, while the utility gets whatever is left over – usually a cheaper version of the same thing, on the basis that matching feels like the safe, considered choice.

But is matching your utility and kitchen actually the right call? Increasingly, designers think not. The best utility room ideas are those that treat the space on its own terms, designed around what it actually needs to do, rather than what the room next door looks like.

Below, we ask the experts how to strike the right balance between connection and individuality, so you can get both rooms right.

The case for matching a kitchen and utility

In an open-plan kitchen, or anywhere the utility door is left open as often as it is closed, the two rooms will be read as one whether you design for it or not. In these layouts, the case for matching is hard to argue with.

"A fully matched kitchen and utility creates seamless 'visual flow', which is especially valuable when the utility door is often left open," explains Julie Gokce, senior kitchen expert at MoreKitchens. When the two rooms share the same cabinetry, finishes and colour palette, the eye moves between them without interruption. "In smaller homes, this can also make the whole ground floor feel larger by removing the visual stops," she adds.

The benefits are not purely spatial either. "From a styling perspective, a cohesive look feels calmer and more luxurious, even if the utility is a messy zone," says Julie. "Buyers and estate agents also tend to read matching joinery as a sign of a well-planned kitchen renovation, which can add perceived value to a property."

The project shown above is a good example of how this works in practice. Sam Harris, senior design consultant at Ashford Kitchens and Interiors, describes how his team carried the same tone and feel across key surfaces in both rooms, while specifying finishes in the utility that were better suited to daily wear.

"The result is a design that feels cohesive overall, while allowing the utility to work harder as a separate, functional zone," he says. Matching the overall impression or aesthetic, rather than the materials, allows each room do its own job more effectively.

The case against matching a kitchen and utility

Many kitchen designers argue that the utility room's separation from the kitchen is not a problem to solve, but an opportunity to take.

"At deVOL, we find people tend to want their utility room to be slightly different to their kitchen, to give it its own personality," explains Helen Parker, creative director of deVOL Kitchens. "I think if a kitchen completely matches a utility, it is a missed opportunity to have a bit of fun with colour and design."

In practice, that might mean a change in cabinet colour, more open shelving in place of wall cupboards, or tongue and groove cladding on the walls – details that give the room a humbler, more workmanlike feel that suits what it is actually used for. "I don't think matching the rooms would make them any more functional," she adds.

There is a practical argument too, and it is a persuasive one. "A utility room gets genuine wear and tear – wet boots, detergent spills, hot tumble dryers," says Julie Gokce. "Specifying cheaper, tougher materials makes far more sense than duplicating expensive kitchen finishes. Budget goes further when you splurge in the kitchen and save in the utility."

And there's also a longer view to consider: "If you ever change your kitchen in five years, an unmatched utility is cheaper and less disruptive to update," she notes.

Charlotte Butler, kitchen design manager at BK Eleven, frames it most plainly. "The utility room has a different job to do. It might need more tall storage, more robust surfaces, space for laundry appliances, cleaning products, pet bowls or household overflow – and those practical needs should lead the design."

How to get the middle ground right

For most designers, the answer sits somewhere between a perfect match and a complete contrast. "There isn't a one-size-fits-all answer," says Sam Harris. "In many cases, the most successful approach is a balance between the two: keeping a consistent palette or key design details, while adjusting cabinetry, handles or worktops to better suit everyday use."

The key, says Holly Lamont, founder and creative director of Holla Design, is to treat the utility room as a continuation of the kitchen's design 'language' rather than a repetition of it. "Pull a colour from within the kitchen's palette – a grout tone, a hardware finish, a tile colour – and amplify it in the utility. By doing this, the contrast feels curated, not accidental."

And Jenna Forsdyke, senior interior designer at Pfeiffer Design, takes a similar view. "Rather than creating two identical spaces, allow each room to have its own personal touches, but combine them by carrying through a few key elements from the overall kitchen design. This will create a soft sense of continuation between the two rooms, allowing them to feel connected and considered."

Ways to get the balance right

The trick, according to designers, is to choose two or three visual threads to carry through both rooms rather than trying to match everything. Here are the approaches that work best:

• Match the colour but change the materials: Use the same paint colour or finish in both spaces, but specify more durable, moisture-resistant doors in the utility. This way, you keep the visual link without duplicating the kitchen costs or worrying about warping in a damp environment.
• Match the handles and taps, but nothing else: Keeping hardware identical across both spaces ties the rooms together even when the doors, finishes and floors are completely different. Handles can visually connect rooms even when everything else diverges.
• Try matching only the worktops: Running the same worktop surface through both rooms is surprisingly effective, because worktops are what the eye lands on at standing height. This lets you simplify the cabinetry in the utility without the two rooms feeling disconnected
• Avoid the near-match on flooring: If you cannot run the same flooring through both rooms, do not try to approximate it. "Unless you have exactly the same flooring product, a near-match will always draw unwanted attention for looking slightly off," warns Graeme Shelley, managing director at Factory Direct Flooring. If continuity is not possible, lean into contrast instead – a stone-effect floor in the utility that picks up on the tones of a wood-effect kitchen floor, for example, will always read better than an almost-identical version of the same thing.

Use this hardware to create continuity

If you're wondering where to spend and where to save on your new kitchen and utility, it's worth getting to grips with utility room costs before making any decisions about finishes or cabinetry. Knowing your budget will shape how far you can take the matching question in either direction.

A lot of home trends have originated from social media, but one of the best, in my opinion, is the 'loo with a view'. Instead of doomscrolling while you do your business, this concept involves placing a window opposite your toilet so you can take advantage of the landscape instead.

While this wouldn't personally work in my bathroom design (I don't fancy staring at a row of brick terraced houses), it would be a great way for some people to admire their hard-working garden or take in the city's skyline while on the throne.

So, what's causing this fascination with loos with a view, and how do you go about creating one in your home? And, even more importantly, how do you stop your neighbours from catching an eyeful as they walk past? I asked the experts to learn more.

How do you design a loo with a view?

Location and sanitaryware placement
In most cases, a loo with a view works best in loft conversion bathrooms, where you're less likely to be overlooked and can take advantage of the best sights up high.

When it comes to designing this space, architect Ryan Wenham recommends placing the bath in front of the window, with the toilet just behind it. This way, you can look straight over the tub at the view outside, allowing both features to take in the scenery.

"It's essential to consider where our sight lines and best viewpoints are and go from there. Practically speaking, you may need to consider pipes and drains, but these can usually be worked around in your spatial organisation," he says.

Window choice
Aside from deciding on the view itself, the type of glazing is the second biggest consideration. If privacy isn't an issue, Ryan recommends a large, single-pane window with minimal interruptions and a slim frame, even better if it "opens fully, so you can completely envelop yourself in fresh air and feel that you're outdoors."

However, if there's a chance your neighbours might catch a glimpse, you could opt for switchable privacy glass that turns frosted at the click of a button, or position the glass so that it sits only at seated eye level.

Why is the internet obsessed with this trend?

From London’s The Shard to Hong Kong’s The Ritz-Carlton, every top hotel features impressive bathrooms with floor-to-ceiling windows. With more people trying to replicate a luxurious look at home that captures attention online, there seems to be no better way to achieve it in a toilet than with this daring design approach.

"The appeal of a loo with a view is part of a broader shift in how people think about bathrooms. Rather than treating them as purely functional spaces tucked into the darkest corner of the house, many homeowners now see them as places for relaxation, wellness and connection with nature," says interior designer Francesca Leat.

"Social media is a huge driving force behind this bathroom trend, as many influencers and celebrities invite us into their homes, holidays and otherwise private lives including their bathrooms. Whether this trend is executable mostly depends on the property's nature."

While it may require a little extra planning when it comes to placement and privacy, we think the result is definitely worth it – but only if you're lucky enough to be surrounded by beautiful views.

Keen to give this toilet trend a go? Browse our collection of bathroom window ideas for a bit of inspiration or learn how to choose the right window style for this space.

If you've been searching for a smarter way to dry your clothes, a laundry maid might be the answer you didn't know you were looking for. Once a staple of Victorian homes, this classic ceiling-hung airer is making a well-deserved comeback.

With energy bills showing no sign of retreating and tumble dryers eating through electricity, more and more homeowners are rediscovering the simple genius of air-drying clothes up high. But while adding a laundry maid to a utility room sounds straightforward enough, its placement matters more than you might think.

Here's everything you need to know about where – and where not – to put a laundry maid in your utility room.

What is a laundry maid?

A laundry maid – sometimes called a ceiling airer, pulley maid or clothes maiden – is a wooden or metal rack suspended from the ceiling on a pulley system. The mechanism allows you to lower it to hanging height to load it with freshly washed clothes, then raise it back up towards the ceiling where warm air circulates and dries everything naturally. A cleat on the wall holds the rope in place, keeping the airer safely raised until you need it again.

The design has been around since the late 18th century, when it was a practical fixture in the sculleries and wash houses of working homes across Britain. It fell out of fashion when tumble dryers became a household staple, but as energy costs have climbed, the laundry maid has staged a comeback in utility room design.

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Where to put a laundry maid in a utility room

Placement is everything with a laundry maid. Even the best-quality airer will frustrate you if it's hung in the wrong spot, so it's worth thinking carefully before you commit to drilling into the ceiling joists.

Place it above your utility room sink

As the beautiful utility room above shows, positioning a laundry maid directly above the sink can work wonderfully, as the sink below is perfectly placed for hand-washing and rinsing items before placing them straight onto the airer above. It's a particularly elegant solution in a room with good ceiling height and a deep butler's sink.

That said, it's worth proceeding with care. As Josie Medved, Design Manager at Symphony Group, advises. "Make sure there is enough space between the worktop and the bottom of anything you position on the wall or ceiling above your sink – it might be best to leave some clear space, to avoid any awkward overhead obstructions."

Hang it above or near the washing machine

The other most logical position is directly above or close to your washing machine. It keeps the wet end of the room neatly contained and creates a natural workflow, as clothes come out of the drum and go straight up to dry, without trailing wet laundry across the floor. If your washing machine and tumble dryer sit side by side, positioning the laundry maid above both means you can also make a quick decision about which gets used for each load.

Use the warmest part of the room

Heat rises, which is the whole principle a laundry maid works on. Think carefully about your utility room heating when deciding where to position it, whether that's a boiler or simply passive warmth from an adjoining kitchen. Clothes will dry significantly faster when the air around them is warm, so even a degree or two of difference can speed things up noticeably. It's no coincidence that one of the most popular spots for a laundry maid in older homes is above or near an Aga, as that gentle, constant heat is ideal.

Think about the layout around it

A laundry maid works hardest when the rest of the room is planned around it, and that starts with ceiling height. You want the airer to sit at least two metres from the floor when raised, so there's no risk of anyone walking into damp laundry. Standard ceiling height in most UK homes is around 2.4 metres, which is workable, but measure carefully before buying, as the pulley fixings and rope take up a few extra centimetres too.

At deVOL Kitchens, creative director, Helen Parker, pairs it with shelving to create a utility room that feels as good as it functions.

"We like a laundry maid up on the ceiling for drying clothes, first and foremost. This soft approach has a country feel and is actually very practical too. We usually fit shelves for wash baskets, ironing, and folded clothes. This design choice makes the room feel well used and functional and gives a pleasant, chore-like aesthetic to the space, making it feel distinctly different from the main kitchen."

Where not to put a laundry maid in a utility room

Knowing where to avoid is just as important as knowing where to install. A few common mistakes are worth flagging before you commit to placement:

Avoid placing it directly above clean laundry

Wet clothes have a tendency to drip, so positioning a laundry maid above open shelves storing folded clothes, cleaning products or anything absorbent is asking for trouble over time. It's not necessarily a reason to rule out the spot altogether, but if utility room shelving sits below where your airer will hang, closed cabinetry is a much safer choice than open storage.

Stay clear of extractor fans or cold draughts

It might seem counterintuitive, but cold air is the enemy of a laundry maid. Extractor fans pull air out of the room rather than circulating warmth, and positioning your airer beneath one – or near a window that's regularly left open – will slow the drying process considerably. You want still, warm air gathering around the clothes, not a cold draught rushing past them.

Don't stray too far from the washing machine

It sounds obvious, but it's easy to overlook in the planning stage. If the only viable ceiling joist is at the opposite end of the room from your appliances, you'll quickly tire of lugging heavy, wet laundry across the space. Convenience is key to making a laundry maid a habit rather than a hassle.

What are the alternatives to a laundry maid?

Not every utility room can accommodate a laundry maid. Whether it's a ceiling height issue, a lack of suitable joists, or simply a preference, here are the strongest alternatives.

A freestanding drying rack

The simplest solution of all is arguably a good-quality freestanding airer. These solutions can hold a full load of laundry, be moved wherever it's needed, and tucked away again when not in use.

A wall-mounted drying rack

Where ceiling height is limited but wall space isn't, a wall-mounted rack is a neat compromise. It folds flat when not in use and extends when you need it, plus there's no major installation required.

A heated airer

A heated airer uses significantly less electricity than a tumble dryer and can dry a full load overnight. Freestanding and requiring no installation, the only trade-off is the floor space it takes up in a small utility room. However, heated dryers are firm favourites amongst our editors, along with using a dehumidifier to help dry laundry.

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An organised utility room is one where laundry has a proper place at every stage of the process. The right setup makes it easy to hide laundry when needed, and just as easy to access it when the time comes.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my Victorian house, but perfecting the layout in what is a long and narrow building has been a challenge. I’m finally in a position to add our kitchen extension and renovate our bedrooms. And for what feels like forever I’ve been puzzling over one particular question: where should the utility room go?

Would it eat into the kitchen? Could I squeeze it under the stairs? Should I sacrifice a chunk of our shiny new garden-adjacent entertaining space? In the end, I decided to ignore all those options entirely and put the utility room upstairs.

Controversial? Maybe, but it makes a lot of sense in my book. These are the main reasons why I’ve come to this decision, and I’ve also asked a few experts to weigh in on whether I’m doing the right thing.

1. Doesn't it make sense to wash clothes close to where they're stored?

When you really think about it, the majority of laundry is generated upstairs. Clothes are taken off before you shower, towels are used in bathrooms, sheets and pillowcases are stripped from beds. So why carry everything downstairs dirty, only to bring back up again clean? Sure, you might want to line-dry some items – particularly towels and bedding for the whiteness and hygiene that UV brings. But, on wet days when you're reliant on a tumble dryer, it really does seem like a waste of time.

“Positioning the utility room next to the bathroom removes that unnecessary circulation around the house and creates a much more intuitive and streamlined daily routine,” agrees Charlotte Tilby, head of marketing at Calypso and LochAnna Kitchens.

“It also futureproofs the home to a degree. Carrying heavy washing baskets up and down stairs multiple times a week isn’t especially practical long term, especially if you're beginning to struggle with motility, and modern house renovations increasingly prioritise ease of day-to-day living.”

2. It leaves me with more space in my kitchen

Designing a kitchen isn't easy at the best of times. And nowadays, there seem to be more gadgets to add to the mix. Wine coolers, American-style fridge freezers, air fryers, bean-to-cup coffee machines – how are we meant to find space for it all?

By ditching the laundry appliances, that's how. "Kitchens today have become far more than purely functional cooking spaces," says Charlotte Tilby. "They’re entertaining areas; family hubs. Because of that, there is a growing desire for kitchens to feel calmer and less dominated by bulky household appliances.

"In many UK properties, washing machines and tumble dryers are still fitted beneath kitchen worktops, but that can compromise storage, add noise, and bring a very practical task into a room that is often designed for cooking, gathering and hosting," adds Charlotte Butler, kitchen design manager at BK Eleven. "Moving those appliances upstairs gives the kitchen more breathing room, while allowing the utility area to be planned properly around laundry, linen and household storage."

"It also removes a layer of visual clutter that can make kitchens feel overly practical rather than sociable," she adds.

“Integrated laundry appliances can seem like a convenience within a kitchen, but in practice they often interrupt functional parts of daily life like cooking, dining and entertaining," agrees Rikki Fothergill, bathroom design expert at Big Bathroom Shop.

"Keeping laundry rooms upstairs is the perfect way of avoiding visible laundry and the demands of chores from taking over free time. Like in many Mediterranean homes, siting utility areas closer to bathrooms helps create a quieter, more considered layout where practical tasks can happen discreetly in the background of everyday life,” adds Rikki.

3. It keeps noisy appliances away from entertaining areas

There's nothing guaranteed to ruin a Zoom meeting, cinema night or romantic dinner for two like a spin cycle. So if you spend most of your day working, eating and relaxing downstairs, it makes a lot of sense to keep laundry appliances as far away as possible. And where better than upstairs?

"Washing machines and tumble dryers are inherently noisy appliances, and in open-plan homes especially, they can interrupt conversations, hosting or simply the atmosphere of a calm evening at home," says Charlotte Tilby.

"Relocating those appliances upstairs removes that background noise from the kitchen and main entertaining areas entirely. It helps preserve a quieter, more relaxed environment downstairs, while creating a clearer distinction between areas of the home for household chores and spaces intended for socialising or unwinding."

Naturally, you're not going to run your appliances at night while you're sleeping next to them (and it pays to leave them off for safety reasons too), so it might pose a slight issue if you have previously taken advantage of cheap nighttime tariffs. Similarly, if you have young children or work shifts, it might not be so practical. But for my lifestyle, it's the perfect fit.

4. The plumbing is already close at hand

Trying to find a space for a utility downstairs can be further complicated by your plumbing set up. It's all well and good if your kitchen is right next door. But otherwise, you may have limitations.

"Putting a utility area within or next to a bathroom is probably the most space efficient option because you're already in the wet zone and you're usually closest to the soil stack and existing hot and cold supplies," explains Matthew Powell, plumbing expert and founder of WarmZilla.

"That means shorter pipe runs for both water and waste, fewer floor or ceiling penetrations, and less chance of slow drains because the route can be simple and direct."

"Placing the utility next to the bathroom rather than inside it might give you a better day to day result," he says. "You can still stay close to the soil stack and water supplies, but the room is drier, easier to service, and simpler for electrics and storage. It also gives you more control over noise by using a solid door, lining, and anti-vibration measures without compromising the bathroom experience."

In this scenario, Matthew recommends siting the separate utility back to back with the bathroom so they share a wet wall. "Keeping the soil stack, wastes, and hot and cold feeds on one side of the wall reduces complexity and makes faults easier to find," he says.

"Design a shallow service void so pipes can run straight with gentle bends and so you can add access hatches where traps and valves sit," Matthew adds. "It also pays to place appliances so the waste route is short and direct to the stack connection rather than taking a long scenic route around the room."

5. If it's good enough for the Europeans

I've happily holidayed in Spain, Italy, Croatia and Greece for decades. And in many cases, I've noticed laundry facilities either within or next to bathrooms on the first floor. In fact, in most of these countries, having a washing machine in a kitchen is something of a rarity.

And I'm not the only one to notice. "In Mediterranean homes this type of setup is really common where kitchens are 100% focussed on preparing food," London- and Majorca-based interior designer Clare Morton tells me. "Cooking is a very separate job to laundry in the med!"

"In the UK, we’ve grown up with washing machines in kitchens but thinking differently can elevate the home! In my own property, I put a utility next to the master bathroom – it sits naturally close to the bedrooms, which makes laundry much easier to process, organise and put away day-to-day," she reveals. "Next to the bathroom is perfect as the plumbing set up is easy to access for the washing machine."

And Clare's top design tip? "I would also design the utility so it feels elevated and integrated rather than too “spare room”. Household chores are more fun in a nice environment!"

If your home is crying out for a separate laundry space – whether you choose to locate it upstairs or on the ground floor, make sure you avoid these utility room mistakes, and get an idea of utility room costs with our guide to budgeting.

The utility room has a tough job. It's home to the washing machine, the tumble dryer, muddy shoes, and – more often than not – piles of dirty laundry. But it doesn't have to feel like a lost cause.

With the right storage solutions, even the most chaotic space can be transformed into somewhere that's hardworking and surprisingly stylish.

We asked the experts to share their tried-and-tested tips for hiding laundry and getting the most from your utility storage ideas. Whether you're working with a compact corner or a dedicated room, here's how to bring order to all that chaos.

1. Include ventiliation to prevent odours, damp and mould

Before you start hiding laundry behind closed doors, there’s one practical consideration that shouldn’t be overlooked – airflow. A sealed space packed with damp clothes is exactly the kind of environment where mould and unpleasant odours thrive, so ventilation needs to be built into your plans from the start.

Melissa Denham, interior design expert at Hammonds Furniture explains: “When concealing laundry behind doors or within cabinetry, airflow becomes especially important. Opting for designs that allow for subtle ventilation is key.

"Consider slatted cupboard doors, discreet air gaps or integrated vents, as these designs help prevent moisture from becoming trapped inside the enclosed space.”

Melissa also recommends avoiding overfilling your laundry storage, as tightly packed spaces restrict airflow and make odours more likely to develop. For a quick and affordable fix, she suggests placing a hanging dehumidifier bag inside the cupboard to absorb excess moisture. “Many of these bags come in a variety of scents, such as linen, which helps keep your laundry space smelling fresh too.”

2. Opt for fitted solutions

When it comes to keeping your laundry out of sight, fitted cabinetry is hard to beat. Whether you're faced with an awkward boiler, or pipework that throws off a standard utility layout, these bespoke solutions can be designed around the quirks of your room.

“Awkward layouts just call for smarter, more intentional design,” explains Rachal Hutcheson, interiors expert at Sharps. "Instead of trying to force standard furniture into a tricky footprint, fitted storage provides wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling solutions so no millimetre is wasted.

"Sloping ceilings, tight corners and uneven walls all become opportunities – slimline cupboards slot into narrow gaps, while larger units make the most of the taller, more open parts of the room."

“Floor-to-ceiling fitted cabinetry gives you more range to plan your storage effectively, so you can keep everything – laundry baskets included – completely out of sight,” adds Melissa Denham. She points to the entrance of the utility room as the most important spot to get this right.

“A dedicated laundry area near the entrance is a must. Having storage to stow dirty clothes in as soon as you step inside prevents them from making their way into your clean areas.”

3. Choose doors that conceal laundry stylishly

When the goal is concealment, the doors you choose matter just as much as what you store behind them. The wrong style can make a utility room feel heavy and closed-in, but the right one makes laundry disappear without the room suffering for it.

Melissa Denham recommends handleless or shaker-style doors. "They're particularly effective at creating a streamlined look, helping laundry areas blend seamlessly into the rest of the room."

For longevity in a humid environment, she also recommends soft-close doors in moisture-resistant finishes: "Choose materials like laminate or quartz, as they can be easily wiped down and are resistant to stains."

Pocket doors that slide flush into the wall rather than swinging open, are also ideal for closing off a laundry area where space is tight. Similarly, fluted glass – used as a cabinet insert or screen – discreetly softens what's behind it, keeping laundry out of sight.

Never underestimate the power of a cafe curtain, either. A simple panel on a tension rod is perfect for concealing utility shelving or open laundry hampers. Plus, they're easy to change up whenever you fancy something different.

4. Hide laundry in plain sight with pull-out hampers

“Integrated pull-out drawers or tilted linen baskets can keep laundry neatly hidden behind closed doors, while still being easy and practical to use on a daily basis,” says Melissa Denham.

If you tend to sort laundry before it goes in the wash, look for units that accommodate two or three separate pull-out sections (one for lights, one for darks, one for delicates). It adds a layer of organisation that makes wash day significantly easier, all without a single basket on show.

5. Or select hampers that don't look like hampers

Not all laundry concealment has to happen behind a cabinet door or a screen. Some of the cleverest solutions hide in plain sight, inside pieces that function as hampers but read as furniture.

In a utility room, an ottoman bench works particularly well tucked beneath a window or positioned at the end of a cabinet run. Likewise, a large lidded basket in rattan or woven seagrass can sit alongside the washing machine without looking out of place, especially in a utility room with warmer, more considered finishes.

The rule of thumb is simple: if it has a lid and you can't see inside it, it's doing the job.

6. Use wall-mounted and overhead storage to lift laundry off the floor

One of the most common mistakes in a utility room is trying to hide everything at floor level, which means laundry piles have nowhere to go but outward. Going vertical can change the equation entirely.

“Wall-mounted cabinetry and overhead cupboards are some of the most effective ways to keep laundry out of sight, especially in busy households,” explains Rachal Hutcheson. “By lifting storage off the floor, you free up valuable space while creating a cleaner, more streamlined look."

If you want to organise your utility room in style, linen or woven storage boxes are worth considering. They stack neatly on shelves, look far more considered than a plastic laundry basket, and are ideal if you like to sort lights from darks before washing.

7. Store laundry close to appliances

When a washing machine and tumble dryer are taking up a significant chunk of the room, hiding laundry alongside them can feel like a challenge. The trick is to treat the appliances and storage as one unified design rather than separate elements competing for that space.

“Enclosing the washing machine and dryer within shelving, paired with overhead storage for detergents and everyday clutter, creates a clean and unified look,” says Rachael Hutcheson. “Similarly, positioning them beside tall utility cupboards keeps laundry essentials organised and out of sight.”

Melissa Denham adds that a large utility room sink near the entrance – paired with counter space – earns its place in this kind of layout too. “It can be used to rinse muddy boots and clothes, and allows you to spread out wet or dirty items for cleaning before they make it into the laundry pile at all.”

8. Make concealment part of the overall design

Whether you're working with a small upstairs laundry room or a spacious bootility room, there's a risk that in trying to hide everything, you end up with a space that feels cold and clinical. Rachal Hutcheson's advice is to resist the urge to 'conceal at all costs'.

"A stylish utility room starts with smart concealment, but it shouldn't feel like everything is simply hidden away. Built-in laundry cupboards, integrated appliances and streamlined cabinetry keep the mess out of sight, but it's the beautiful finishes, warm textures and open display moments that bring personality back into modern utility rooms," she says.

"When you treat these rooms with the same intention as the rest of the home, they stop feeling purely functional and become spaces that are both hardworking and genuinely uplifting to use," she concludes.

Planning a new space from scratch? Knowing what to include in a utility room – from concealed laundry to utility room wallpaper and the best utility heating systems – will help you get the most out of the space.

Step into the world of kitchen design and it is easy to quickly feel overwhelmed. There are a dizzying number of decisions to be made, from cabinets and worktops to appliances and lighting – not to mention the finer details such as splashbacks and socket placement,

When it comes to styles, modern kitchens have so much appeal, offering crisp, sleek detailing, and being just as suitable for larger, open-plan spaces as they are for small rooms. That said, a really careful approach needs to be taken to ensure that the overall look doesn't end up being clinical and stark, as opposed to warm and welcoming.

In my own kitchen remodel, I am aiming for a design that combines a fresh, modern finish with something that still feels cosy and sociable – somewhere everyone still naturally gravitates to. I reached out to the experts to find out how to get it right.

1. Incorporate plenty of natural materials

The use of natural materials in the kitchen in no way needs to be viewed as the reserve of classic, traditional or farmhouse kitchen ideas – they are perfect for modern kitchens too.

"Introducing natural materials is essential to adding warmth to a modern kitchen," picks up Yaqub Khalid, design consultant at Ashford Kitchens & Interiors. "Whether in the form of wood-fronted cabinets, stone worktops, brushed brush hardware or wooden flooring, there are a few ways in which organic materials can instantly change the feel of space."

Oliver Webb, director at Cullifords agrees. “Contemporary kitchens can absolutely feel homely, and much of that comes down to the surfaces used and how they interact. When everything is too uniform or highly polished, the space can feel quite stark, so introducing materials with natural variation is important.

"Natural stone is particularly effective in adding warmth and depth," adds Oliver. "Marble, especially in lighter tones such as whites, creams and soft neutrals, helps to reflect light and create a more open, inviting feel. Stones such as Bianco Carrara or Calacatta marble work well here, offering gentle veining that adds detail without overwhelming the surface. Quartz surfaces in softer tones can achieve a similar effect."

2. Consider a natural wood kitchen

Of all the kitchen trends to have done the rounds lately, wooden kitchens are the one that really seem to have stuck. Suitable for modern and classic kitchens alike, they offer a timeless look that can be made more or less contemporary-looking as required.

“Light wood cabinetry has dominated lately, with its serene and elegant look, which especially complements a modern home that celebrates natural materials – enhancing a connection to nature," picks up Al Bruce, founder of Olive & Barr.

"Homeowners are increasingly drawn to contrasting materials too, both in texture and colour," he adds. "This has led to more experimentation with various wood finishes, embracing the rich and varied tones of oak and ash, which pair beautifully with natural stone and brushed brass hardware.”

3. Focus on an earthy, neutral colour palette

The kitchen wall colours and tones of your cabinetry are key to ensuring the space feels inviting and cosy, as opposed to sterile.

According to Al Bruce, warm neutrals are one of the best options here. "We’d always advise warmer colours, from creamy whites, soft pastels to olive greens. These colours create an inviting and homely feel and work well on either the cabinets, or the walls, adding warmth to a modern kitchen."

In fact, according to Paul Dore, MD at County Stone, there has been a move away from cooler colours in general. "We’ve noticed a major shift away from the cooler greys that dominated kitchen ideas for years. Instead, warmer neutrals are becoming far more popular. Tones like mushroom, taupe, soft beige, and olive green all work beautifully in contemporary kitchens because they still feel fresh while adding comfort and depth.

"We’re also seeing more homeowners go bold with their choices," reveals Paul. "Rich colours, such as burgundy, and bright and bold shades, such as yellow, are being used more often by homeowners looking to add their own personality into the design."

4. Use your lighting scheme to add interest

When planning a kitchen, whatever its style, the lighting scheme is absolutely key to its success – and when it comes to warming up a modern kitchen it becomes more important than ever to get this element right.

“Introduce task lighting for practical areas like the worktop and hob, which will allow ample lighting for meal prepping and then, to soften the mood and add warmth, complement it with ambient lighting throughout the rest of the space," advises Tim Raffield, founder of lighting specialists Tom Raffield.

"The soft glow of a pendant over a dining table, or subtle downlighting from wall lights can add a sense of intimacy and depth, not to mention that dimmable lighting can allow for even greater flexibility to create the desired ambience. Finally, create a focal point in the kitchen by introducing a sculptural pendant light or wooden chandelier above the kitchen island," he says.

Helen Parker, creative director of deVOL Kitchens, reveals that she loves a more flexible approach to kitchen lighting. "We love a plug-in light that can just appear in a once gloomy spot, or in a newly organised little corner of a room, creating instant mood. Little pools of light for tasks like reading or writing can transform a dull and characterless corner.

"The ability to plug in a light source without the need for permanency can really enhance a room for a special occasion, or for a specific purpose," she continues, "but our guess is that once you have created an extra corner of moodiness in your home, you won’t want to take it away."

Shop modern kitchen lighting

5. Layer up on texture

While we understand that you might be aiming for a space featuring clean lines and an uncluttered feel, in order to do this in a way that doesn't end up feeling one-dimensional, you need to add in plenty of texture.

Emily Newmarch, design consultant at Kitchens by Holloways explains how to do this. "A modern kitchen can quickly feel sterile if it relies too heavily on flat, high-gloss surfaces or overly stark colour palettes. To avoid this, it’s important to layer in warmth through natural materials such as timber, stone and tactile finishes. Elements like fluted detailing, tongue-and-groove wall panelling or softly veined worktops can add depth without compromising a clean, contemporary look."

Alex Main, director at Main, supports this approach too. “Adding tactile textures is one of the most effective ways to soften contemporary kitchens which often include harder finishes. Wood cladding, whether that be on the walls, island or main run of cabinetry helps to bridge the gap between kitchen and living space, adding a sense of authenticity and balance."

"It's all about balancing clean design with tactile, human touches," adds Paul Dore. "While modern schemes often favour sleek cabinetry and minimal detailing, introducing natural materials such as timber, stone or textured finishes helps soften the overall look and prevents the space from feeling overly clinical."

6. Use your flooring as a warming backdrop

Your kitchen flooring ideas shouldn't just focus on practicality (although this is important) – they also have the power to prevent a modern space from feeling overly cool.

According to Adam Robertson, MD at Urbane Living, timber flooring is a great option here. "What we're seeing as particularly popular right now are natural mid-tone oaks, especially those that have been subtly altered to shift away from the traditional yellows and golds towards warmer browns or grey-browns. These tones feel contemporary and sophisticated without being too stark or cold. They add warmth and character while maintaining that clean, modern look that buyers are drawn to."

"The appeal of wood lies in its ability to bridge traditional and contemporary styles," picks up Ian Tomlinson, MD at Chaunceys Timber Flooring. "People are naturally drawn to organic, grounding materials and timber flooring in kitchens offers this in abundance. The subtle grain patterns, natural tones and inviting warmth of wood make it easy to create comforting environments."

Natalie Mudd, creative director and co-founder of Knot & Grain, goes on to explain how to use timber in a modern way. "Parquet engineered wood flooring designs including herringbone and chevron are hugely popular in kitchens since they add contrast and interest to otherwise straight sight lines. If you prefer to keep your flooring more streamlined, straight planks work equally as well and can have the effect of making a space seem larger than it actually is. Smaller kitchens or galley styles work particularly well with straight wooden planks which will add a sense of space and a smart finish to the room.”

7. Incorporate some open shelving

With all the decision making involved in choosing kitchen units, worktops, appliances and so on, it is all-too-easy to overlook the important role the smaller details can have on how the way a space feels. Mixing in open kitchen shelving, alongside fitted cabinetry, can really add a more personal touch.

"Open shelving provides the perfect opportunity to add both style and character to the space," explains Al Bruce. "Use this area for both form and function, displaying your favourite glassware, dishes and decorative items. Pick up a few antiques to add to your shelves, too; this provides a point of interest and contrasts against other modern elements."

"Freestanding furniture can work beautifully in a contemporary kitchen too," adds Kate Palmer, creative director at The Painted Furniture Company. "A dresser or pantry unit adds character and helps break up the uniformity of fitted units, making the space feel more relaxed and lived-in while still complementing a modern aesthetic. Styling it with everyday ceramics, glassware, cookbooks or greenery also brings in a more personal touch."

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8. Inject character through surface finishes

Never underestimate the power your kitchen worktops have in terms of avoiding a modern space appearing cold or unwelcoming.

"We often recommend introducing warmth through the worktops themselves," says Paul Dore. "For example, a white kitchen paired with a beautifully veined quartz or natural stone surface can feel incredibly elegant and welcoming because the stone introduces movement and softness into the scheme."

"Finish also plays an important role," points out Oliver Webb. "Honed or brushed surfaces tend to diffuse light more softly than high-gloss options, helping to reduce glare and create a more relaxed overall feel. By focusing on surfaces that offer variation in tone, texture and finish, it’s possible to create a kitchen that feels both modern and comfortable, without losing a sense of warmth.”

9. Build in details that lend a sociable air

If you want your kitchen to feel like a space where everyone naturally wants to gather together, be that for noisy family meals or dinners with friends, you need to prioritise creating cosy spaces that everyone feels drawn towards.

"Integrating areas for sitting, whether that’s banquette seating, island seating or a more informal dining spot, helps shift the kitchen from a purely functional room into somewhere people gather," explains Emily Newmarch.

"Creating a cosy corner or another form of relaxed seating, such as a built-in window seat or banquette seating helps add comfort and warmth, offering a welcoming balance to modern kitchen materials," adds Alex Main. "Informal seating spaces like this promote comfort and versatility."

10. Remember, modern needn't mean minimalist

If you are still holding onto the notion that modern means minimalist, it's time to let go. A contemporary kitchen doesn't have to look like it has never been used – yes, hidden storage will help with a sleek look, but incorporating personal items and decorative flourishes will ensure it feels cosy too.

"Modern kitchens are often associated with handleless cabinets and clean, minimalist silhouettes, cooler or monochrome colour palettes and state-of-the-art kitchen appliances," says Yaqub Khalid. "This mindset has shifted slightly. Homeowners are still requesting contemporary designs, but with warmer elements brought in to create a softer, more lived-in feel with the inviting, cosy atmosphere they want from a multifunctional kitchen.

"Personal touches are what truly make a kitchen homely," continues Yaqub. "A framed piece of artwork, houseplants, cookbooks or your favourite crockery on display – these small kitchen decor touches help a kitchen feel more human."

11. Combine contrasting finishes within the scheme

Something to avoid, if you want you kitchen to feel modern and welcoming, is a singular approach to styles and materials.

"Mixing and matching materials and textures is a strong way to add character," explains Eloise Pfeiffer, interior designer at Pfeiffer Design. "Rather than an over-reliance on a single style or cabinetry profile, combining varying colours and textures creates a more organic, softer feel leaning into the notion of a perfect imperfect.

"For balance, select a dominant style to anchor the space – which may be more contemporary in terms of cabinet style or colour scheme – then layer in other accents such as brushed brass hardware, wooden flooring or personal touches like open shelving," she recommends. "The result will be a space that feels considered and thoughtful, while still maintaining a contemporary feel."

María D Arráez, director of Tile of Spain UK, agrees that mixing up your finishes is a great idea. "To avoid a sterile feel, consider layering finishes. Combining matte and gloss tiles, or incorporating tactile surfaces, adds depth and visual interest without compromising a cohesive scheme.

"Splashbacks and feature walls are also a chance to introduce gentle colour or pattern, helping to break up minimalist layouts," she continues. "A contemporary kitchen feels most successful when it balances simplicity with sensory detail, using materials not just for function, but to create a space that feels lived-in, comfortable and welcoming."

12. Switch out flush-fronted for fluted cabinetry

There was a time when flush cabinets, devoid of detail and handles, were non-negotiable in a modern kitchen. Since then, kitchen trends have moved on – and fluted details and 'slim Shaker' units are now hugely popular, suiting modern and classic schemes just as well.

"Modern kitchens no longer have to mean ultra-flat, high-gloss slab doors," says Paul Dore. "One of the biggest trends we’re seeing is the growing popularity of contemporary Shaker kitchens and slim-frame cabinetry. These offer a cleaner, more modern interpretation of traditional styles so are ideal for adding a bit more depth and interest to modern kitchens.

"Fluted details, natural wood veneers and textured finishes are also increasingly popular because they bring subtle character and craftsmanship into the space while still maintaining a streamlined look."

Mike Whitfield, luxury interiors expert at LUSSO is also a fan of fluted finishes. "Flat fronted or handleless cabinets might be synonymous with modernist design, but consider adding fluted cabinetry in a minimalist kitchen to add texture and character. Fluted cabinets create an airy, architectural aesthetic that prevents the space from feeling flat without disrupting the harmony of the space."

FAQs

Can an all-white kitchen ever look warm and welcoming?

There tend to be two schools of thought when it comes to white kitchens. One is that they are bold, bright and refreshingly modern, while the other is that they are rather unimaginative, cold and sterile. Is there a way of using an all-white scheme that still feels cosy?

"White really comes into its own when layered with texture and contrast, pairing warm whites with natural materials, such as timber cabinetry, stone worktops, aged brass hardware, and tactile finishes like linen or ceramic. These combinations bring depth and prevent the space from feeling flat," advises Al Bruce. "Even a subtle contrast, like a deeper shade on cabinetry or an island, can make a white backdrop feel more intentional and elevated."

"While white kitchens create a clean and timeless look, introducing nature-inspired shades such as sage, olive or deep forest green can instantly soften the space and make it feel less stark," agrees Charlotte Tilby, head of marketing at Woodstock, parent company of LochAnna Kitchens. "Pairing these colours with natural materials like light oak, marble-effect worktops, brushed brass or textured stone adds warmth, depth and character without compromising the modern aesthetic."

Finally, Mike Whitfield has some advice on the types of white to use. "Avoid stark, bright whites that could create a cold, uninviting atmosphere. Instead, mix creamy or warm white tones with pure white to make a cosy, layered look that feels warm and inviting."

One of the biggest challenges when designing open-plan kitchens lies in making them feel cohesive while still maintaining boundaries between the functional space and those meant for dining or socialising. Make sure you understand how to successfully zone a kitchen-diner to ensure your scheme is a success.

If you were still hanging onto the notion that the best approach when it comes to decorating a small space is to play it safe, then it's time to let go – particularly in the case of small bathroom ideas.

No longer viewed as just a room where we go to carry out our daily ablutions, the bathroom is now seen as a space to retreat to after a long day, or to get ready and restored for the one that lies ahead. As such, the approach you take towards its decoration really matters. As well as changing how the space feels, it can help make the most of even the most compact of rooms.

Petite proportions should be no obstacle to creating a stylish bathroom. Our round-up of ideas demonstrates how to use colour in a wide range of different ways to create all kinds of results, from spaces that cosset, to those that feel bright and breezy.

1. Don't shy away from bolder colours

There was a time when bold colours felt strictly like the reserve of those with a large expanse of space to play with – not so these days.

Ruth Mottershead, creative director at Little Greene, is keen to highlight the role bold colours can play, even in narrow bathrooms. "Bathrooms are a wonderful space in which to retreat and relax. Consider using deep, rich tones that will envelop the space and create a cocooning and calming feel."

Debbie Leigh, design manager at ILIV, agrees that bold colours can feel like a warming hug in a bijou bathroom. "Don’t be afraid to go a little bolder in a small bathroom. Deep, earthy shades like olive green, navy or rich terracotta can actually make a compact space feel wonderfully cosy and cocooning, especially when used across the walls, woodwork, and even painted furniture for a colour-drenched look."

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2. Feel immersed in nature with blues and greens

Blues and greens are rarely out of favour in the world of paint trends, although, given the enormous array of shade variations out there, perhaps that should come as no surprise.

"While natural stone colours and warm neutrals work well to create a spa-like bathroom, my favourites are earthy greens and blues – true colours of nature. They're perfect for providing a cocooning, natural feel," explains Ruth Mottershead.

Wondering how to stop deep blues and greens feeling overly oppressive and moody in a small space? Debbie Leigh has some advice. "To make the scheme really work, good bathroom lighting is key to lift those deeper tones and keep the space feeling open, while natural textures, such as wood or wicker, are great for adding warmth. A coordinating blind is the perfect finishing touch, helping to tie everything together while bringing a homely feel to the room."

3. Use earthy neutrals to create a spa-like retreat

From rich browns to warming terracotta, soft mushroom to pinky cream, there are so many neutrals to choose from that it can be a little daunting. However, according to the experts, these shades are super easy to work with and perfect for small bathroom colour ideas.

"Soft neutrals, warm whites and gentle earthy tones are timeless choices for a small bathroom because they help create a space that feels light and calm," picks up Nick Duggan, director at The Radiator Centre. "These shades reflect natural light beautifully, helping even compact rooms feel more open and airy, while warmer undertones add softness.

"Earth-inspired colours also bring a sense of tranquillity to the space, creating a relaxed backdrop that feels both practical and quietly luxurious for everyday living," continues Nick. "Introducing subtle metallic touches, such as a brushed brass towel rail or fittings, can then add warmth, texture and a refined finishing detail."

4. Don't discount colour drenching a small space

For some, the idea of colour drenching can seem a little scary – painting the walls, ceiling and woodwork in the same shade, with the aim of a dramatic, all-encompassing experience. However, this is a method of painting a room that can work brilliantly in small bathrooms.

"Don’t be afraid to embrace the proportions of a small room by using darker shades in a colour-drenched scheme," says Ruth Mottershead. "One of the most effective ways to enhance a sense of sanctuary is through an enveloping colour drenching approach, painting walls, woodwork and ceilings in the same, or closely related, tones, resulting in an environment that feels cohesive, inviting and wonderfully atmospheric.

"While colour drenching can’t make a small bathroom larger, it can embrace the size of the space and create something that feels intimate and cocooning," explains Ruth. "It is a great way to decorate a room with low ceilings, too. There are no stark colour contrasts to draw the eye to the ceiling line, creating the illusion of space and height."

Interior designer, Eloise Pfeiffer, from Pfeiffer Design, has some more words of wisdom here. “You can use bold colours in a bathroom – but it’s all about confidence. We’d recommend committing to the colour fully, rather than adding a taster. Enveloping the bathroom in a single colour, or colour drenching it, can make a room feel larger and more spacious."

5. Neutrals and natural materials are timeless

If you would prefer to avoid interior design trends and instead opt for something that will stand the test of time, looking just as relevant in 10 years time as it does today, opt for nature-inspired, softer hues.

"Softer, tonal palettes often feel more timeless than bright shades, especially when paired with natural materials and warm finishes," explains Sophie Chapman, associate director and interior designer at The Vawdrey House.

Consider a vanity unit in bare wood, timber bathroom wall panelling, or even smaller bathroom accessories crafted from timber or stone to inject warmth into a neutral scheme.

6. Use the same colour family for cohesion

One of the best ways to approach the decoration of any small space is to pull together two or three colours that complement one another, rather than contrast – this results in a look that feels thoughtful, calm and cohesive, yet in no way one-dimensional or unimaginative.

"If you are looking for an expansive feeling in a small bathroom, use a light colour on the ceiling then take colours of different strengths from the same colour family across all elements – ceilings, walls and woodwork, to envelop the space in tonal colour," advises Ruth Mottershead, who goes on to reveal that pink bathroom ideas are perfect when using this technique.

"If you are looking to create a surprising and joyful feeling, pink is a fantastically versatile colour which will bring a sense of playfulness and softness to a small bathroom,” says Ruth.

7. Steer clear of stark white to avoid a sterile feel

It can be tempting to buy into the idea that an all-white scheme is best when it comes to small bathrooms, but if you want somewhere that feels personal and warm, you might want to reconsider.

“When painting small spaces, carefully consider how natural light interacts with your colour palette. Small rooms, and specifically bathrooms, are often painted in white out of habit, with the aim of making the space feel larger – however, brilliant bright whites can feel cold, generic and stark," warns Ruth Mottershead.

"One of the most common mistakes is reaching straight for brilliant white," agrees Cathryn Sanders, head of creative at Earthborn. "While it might seem like the obvious choice, very bright whites can often read quite cold in low natural light. Instead, softer off-whites or warm neutrals with gentle yellow or red undertones tend to work much better as they bring a sense of warmth while still helping to brighten the space."

8. Embrace smaller proportions using cosy colours

While you might want your bathroom to feel fresh and airy, you probably also like the idea of somewhere that feels a little cosy and restful – and this is where incorporating some warming shades, with toasty undertones, comes in.

From sunset pinks and terracotta, to rich, reassuring burgundy and even ochre, picture Mediterranean getaways and take your inspiration from there.

Before you begin, explore the bathroom colours to avoid and take note of the experts' advice when it comes to being brave here with your use of these bolder shades – no half measures, please. Just ensure you light the space well, taking a layered approach.

9. Consider fittings alongside wall colours

The bathroom tile ideas and wall colours you choose need to be considered alongside other elements you'll be incorporating into the space if you want the whole thing to look harmonious – something that's particularly important in smaller rooms.

"In small bathrooms, colour works best when it is supported by well-specified fittings and accessories. Rather than relying on colour alone, successful bathrooms use brassware and finishing details to add contrast, define the space and keep the overall look clear and cohesive," explains Jeevan Seth, CEO of JTP.

"In smaller bathrooms, combinations that allow fittings to add contrast tend to perform best," continues Jeevan. "Deep blue paired with brushed brass, and sage green paired with softer metallic finishes are great partners. Monochrome palettes can be reinforced with matt black fittings, while warmer tones such as blush or clay work effectively with softer metallic finishes. In all cases, consistency across fittings and accessories is key to a well-rounded bathroom."

10. Don't underestimate the power of lighting

You bathroom lighting could just be your best friend when it comes to lending it a sense of space, and this is one element that needs to be fully considered when selecting a colour palette too.

"It’s all about lighting," states Jonathon Barclay, director at Bowman Bathrooms Ltd."Background or ambient lighting is just as important as colour. Even the most beautiful palette will always fail under poor lighting. Layered lighting, including fittings such as LED mirrors, coffered ceiling lighting, and soft ambient lighting in recesses or over coving, dramatically changes the mood of the room and creates a feeling that cannot be achieved by colour alone."

"It’s also worth thinking about how natural light moves around the room," adds Cathryn Sanders. "Placing mirrors opposite or adjacent to windows can help reflect what natural light you do have, while choosing lighter tones for window frames or reveals can subtly bounce light back into the space."

11. Add ambience with moody, dark shades

Pale grey and anthracite have both fallen out of favour in the world of bathroom trends in the last couple of years, replaced with warmer, earthy neutrals. However, there is still a place for moody, stormy shades so don't discount greys altogether – particularly those with brown, earthy undertones.

If you love the idea of a little drama in your bathroom but are worried it'll end up feeling gloomy, Sophie Chapman has some tips. “If introducing bolder colours, we tend to balance them with texture or more muted elements to avoid the space feeling overwhelming. Ultimately, it’s about creating a room that feels calm and immersive rather than overly busy.”

"Bold colours work well when paired with contrasting materials such as reflective surfaces like glossy tiles and mirrors, as well as the right finishes that add warmth and help reflect light," adds Eloise Pfeiffer. "Pair with layered lighting to ensure the colour looks welcoming and warm, rather than cramped."

12. Warm up white walls with wood finishes

If you just love an all-white scheme, we would never stand in your way. Why not? Because, while brilliant white can undoubtedly feel a little clinical or unimaginative in certain settings, there are plenty of ways to mitigate this.

The key is to inject warmth using materials and lots of textural interest rather than relying on additional colour. Characterful layers of natural stone or brick tiles, wooden furniture and accessories, even tactile plaster finishes such as tadelakt and light fittings, particularly those with woven rattan shades, will all add so much in the way of visual depth.

"Lighter woods, painted finishes and pieces with visible legs can help maintain a sense of openness, rather than weighing the room down," advises Cathryn Sanders.

13. Use your ceiling to draw the eye upwards

All too often, not enough thought goes into ceiling ideas, particularly given the effect they can have on how big (or small) a space feels.

Providing it is not unusually low, painting a ceiling a bold shade can really help draw the eye upwards and away from the horizontal proportions of a room.

There are other ways to inject visual interest too, as Fred Horlock, design director at Neptune Europe Ltd, explains. "Pairing a deeper shade on joinery or cabinetry with a softer neutral on the walls tends to strike the right balance – you get visual interest without the space feeling busy. And if you're unsure where to start, a matt or eggshell finish will always give a more considered, settled result than a high sheen, which can amplify both colour and any imperfections in a smaller room."

14. Be selective with your palette

A little restraint when it comes to the number of different colours you use within a small space really does go a long way. A visual cacophony of colour within a confined room is always going to feel a little overwhelming.

"Limiting the palette to two or three colours keeps the room looking clean and intentional," explains Nischal Pomu, director at Platinum Paints. "A simple approach that works well is keeping the main areas light, then introducing a darker tone on a feature wall or cabinetry. This creates contrast without overwhelming the space.

"Overall, it’s less about avoiding bold colours, and more about how they’re balanced within the room," adds Nischal.

15. Get on board with 'American Maximalism'

And, finally, the overriding takeaway from all of the design experts we spoke to was not to fear the small proportions of your bathroom – instead, lean into them, embrace the bijou.

Jonathon Barclay loves the idea of taking a more adventurous approach towards bathroom design. "For me, neutral schemes might be in right now, but that’s because they are safe and timeless – but small bathrooms often need a bit more visual 'oomph' to create that design intent that small spaces can lack.

"For that reason, I do prefer to opt for bolder colours when designing small space," adds Jonathon. "My favourite theme at the moment is 'American Maximalism', which walks a fine line between chaos and harmony, but when you get it right, the effect is striking and beautiful."

FAQs

Which colour combinations work well in a small bathroom?

While it would seem that no colour is 'out' for a small bathroom, it is still worth considering which combinations tend to sit well together in a tighter space such as this. And don't forget to figure in how your choice of bathroom flooring ideas and sanitaryware will sit alongside your chosen shades either.

"Our favourites at the moment – in no particular order – are deep green paired with warm orange and/or terrazzo, which honestly just looks amazing," reveals Jonathon Barclay. "We like to pair this scheme with brushed brass fittings to complete the effect.

"Navy blue is still a big winner too, with marble-effect porcelain and brushed nickel," continues Jonathon. "It creates a timeless, elegant look that feels refined and suits a traditional theme well. For those that prefer the neutrals, warm beige tones combined with natural oak, off-white stone and brushed bronze brassware is definitely the favourite for me. It gives a modern, spa-like look that will never date and feels sophisticated."

Although most colours will fit in small bathroom ideas it's not always the case with your sanitaryware. In some cases, a bathroom will just be too tiny to squeeze in a bath, in which case it might be better to look into small shower room ideas instead.

Small orangeries tend to surprise people. There's an assumption that more glass and more space is always best, but some of the most considered rooms we've come across happen to be compact ones.

A well-designed small orangery extension will earn its place twice over. It doesn't swallow the garden, and it gives you a room that actually gets used.

The projects here range from light-filled dining rooms and sun-drenched garden rooms, to cosy snugs that feel genuinely removed from the rest of the house. Small, it turns out, has a lot going for it.

1. Think in terms of 'narrow' rather than small

Townhouse gardens are often dismissed as too tight for any meaningful home extension, but this London project tells a different story. At just 2.25m x 3.88m, this dining room orangery is proof that a compact footprint is no barrier to creating something special.

"Townhouses can be notoriously difficult to adjust or expand, due to smaller building footprints and close proximity to neighbouring properties," says George Lucas from Vale Garden Houses . "But this is a perfect example of how even the smallest spaces can be reimagined to elevate everyday living."

“The new garden room has a fully glazed roof and refined three-panel folding doors opening out onto the patio area, designed to bring natural light in to brighten up the room,” he explains.

To recreate this look in your own extension, George recommends choosing neutral, warm tones for both the interior and exterior colour schemes in order to accentuate a light and airy feel.

2. Choose a solid roof for a cosier, more private feel

Not every orangery extension needs to be fully glazed. This beautiful Cotswolds garden room, nestled into the corner of a small courtyard, makes the case for a solid roof, and the result is something altogether more intimate.

"The client chose a solid lead roof, which offers a cosy, enclosed feel to the room as well as an element of privacy," explains George Lucas. "It shows how a classical framework can work equally well with a more modest proportioned building."

Measuring just 3.875m x 5.5m and painted in 'Parker' from Vale's own Period Paint collection, the six-pane window design floods the space with light without sacrificing warmth or seclusion. Where a glazed roof draws the eye upward and outward, a solid roof pulls everything inward, making a small space feel considered rather than compact.

3. Use a small orangery as a grand entrance

Most people think of an orangery as something you add to the back of a house, but this Merseyside home proves the front can be just as exciting. Here, a compact orangery structure forms a vestibule entrance hall (as part of a larger design that also includes a living room and kitchen extension).

"French doors create the entrance, but the domed roof lantern is the design focal point," says Barney Bell, head of business development at David Salisbury. "The result is a stunning feature that looks as good inside as it does out."

4. Fill an unused corner with a curved design

If your courtyard has an awkward corner that never quite gets used, it could be the perfect spot for a small orangery extension. This beautiful example from Vale Garden Houses, set in the grounds of a Georgian property in Buckinghamshire, was built into exactly that: a dark, leaf-gathering recess that had long been overlooked.

"The open brief allowed our designer to consider all architectural features on the house," explains George Lucas. "The result mirrors the bay on the front elevation, and the interesting curved design utilises existing external walls within the structure."

5. Replace a tired conservatory with a light-filled orangery

If you already have a conservatory that's too cold in winter and too hot in summer, replacing it with a properly designed orangery could transform it into a space you actually use every day. That's exactly what happened here, at this Grade II listed Georgian townhouse, where a poorly performing conservatory was replaced with a bespoke timber and double-glazed garden room.

"Turning a disused space into an attractive, functional room can be a great investment, especially in towns or cities where space may be limited," says George Lucas.

The result is a bright, year-round conservatory home office, complete with glazed French doors leading out to the garden – proof that replacing an unloved extension with something better considered can be far more transformative than starting from scratch.

6. Extend your dining space

One of the smartest things a small orangery can do is connect directly to an existing room, and this project shows exactly why. Linking straight off the kitchen, the orangery creates a multi-purpose space for dining, relaxing and socialising without requiring substantial extra square footage.

"An orangery is designed to maximise natural light, meaning even those with a modest footprint can have a big impact," says Mervyn Montgomery, founder and joint-director of Hampton Conservatories. "The key is striking the perfect balance of vertical light, functionality, and seamless connection."

In this project, Hampton designed the floor-to-ceiling windows and glazed double doors to dissolve the boundary between inside and out. Finished in a soft sage green, the orangery feels like a natural continuation of the garden beyond.

7. Create a bright, modern kitchen in a compact orangery extension

Increasingly, homeowners are choosing to incorporate fully functioning orangery kitchen extensions into their plans, and the results speak for themselves. Here, a sleek run of cabinetry with marble worktops sits comfortably alongside a dining area, all bathed in light pouring through the fully glazed roof and decorative stained glass windows above the doors. But look down, and there's another design decision working just as hard.

The choice of flooring plays a bigger role than you might expect in a space like this. Much like the best conservatory flooring ideas, the pale timber here keeps everything feeling warm and cohesive, connecting the kitchen and dining areas without the jarring contrast of two different finishes.

8. Add a light-filled extension to a galley-style kitchen

A galley kitchen can feel like one of the hardest spaces to improve, hemmed in on both sides with nowhere obvious to go. But this elegant solution shows exactly what's possible when you add a small orangery kitchen extension to the end of one.

Rather than widening the kitchen, the extension draws the eye straight down the room and out towards the garden, making the entire space feel longer and more generous than it actually is.

9. Consider the role of artificial lighting and window treatments

A sun-drenched orangery is the dream, but without the right window treatments and lighting plan, it can quickly become too bright to enjoy in summer and too gloomy in winter. This beautifully considered dining room gets it exactly right, with pleated roof blinds that diffuse rather than block the light, and a statement lantern pendant that comes into its own once the sun goes down.

Good orangery and conservatory lighting should be planned from the very beginning, not added as an afterthought. Recessed downlights around the perimeter, combined with a central glass pendant will give you flexibility for everything from lazy Sunday lunches to candlelit dinners.

And if you're wondering how to keep your conservatory cool in summer, roof blinds are one of the most effective – and elegant – solutions available. As this image shows, they don't have to compromise the look one bit.

10. Add a stylish daybed for afternoon lounging

One of the great joys of a small orangery is that it gives you permission to create a space that's purely for pleasure; to sink into on a slow afternoon with a cup of tea and a good book.

A daybed is the perfect piece of furniture for exactly this, and this beautifully styled example shows just how inviting one can look dressed with layers of patterned cushions and throws. The botanical and ikat prints from OKA feel right at home against the garden backdrop beyond the windows.

Shop for orangery seating

11. Create a relaxed snug-space

Contrary to many of the examples above, an orangery doesn't have to house a dining table. This gloriously lived-in example – complete with two very relaxed Labradors – makes a compelling case for ditching the formal dining setup altogether and creating a proper sitting room instead.

The secret to making a living room in a conservatory-style room feel cosy rather than cold is simple: treat it like any other room in the house. Invest in real furniture, not garden chairs in disguise. Layer up with rugs, cushions and something with personality.

12. Create a light-filled reading room

An orangery might be the most romantic place in the house for book storage and this stunning example shows exactly why. A full wall of floor-to-ceiling built-in shelving turns what could have been a plain back wall into the entire point of the room, while the roof lantern above provides ample natural light so there's no need to strain your eyes.

Rather than leaving your walls bare or pushing a console table against them, think about what would make the space useful to you every day. A built-in bookshelf, a window seat or a home bar can all transform these compact rooms.

Still weighing up your options? Our guide to orangeries vs conservatories breaks down the key differences in cost, planning and thermal performance. And if you're planning a renovation, our guide to replacing a conservatory with an extension is well worth a read too.

Living in a hard water area, I feel like I'm in a constant battle against limescale, which seems to particularly love my shower head. If you can relate and are looking for a simple way to get rid of it – without spending all day scrubbing – you’ve come to the right place.

Limescale build-up can be particularly stubborn if it’s been there for a long time, as the deposits harden over time. With that in mind, it’s important to stay on top of this chore – otherwise, you could be left with blocked nozzles, permanent staining, and low water pressure.

While investing in a water softener is a good long-term solution, there’s also a simple fix that can get rid of limescale quickly, which our cleaning expert has shared below. Keep reading to see the before-and-after results from my shower and discover which £4 product solved it all.

How do I remove limescale from my shower head?

Removing limescale from a shower head doesn't have to be complicated. According to Kelly Moore, founder of Cleaning with Meaning, all you need is a bottle of white vinegar, some warm water, and a reusable bag.

Simply fill the plastic bag with a solution of one part vinegar and two parts water, secure it around your shower head, and leave it for a few hours or overnight. When the time's up, give it a gentle scrub with an old toothbrush and rinse it off.

Alternatively, citric acid also works well (and won't have such a potent smell!).

I swear by white vinegar for cleaning my home – whether it's removing mould from my washing machine drum or polishing glass and mirrored surfaces – so I was very optimistic about giving this a go. And, unsurprisingly, it worked a treat: my shower head was limescale-free within five hours of soaking.

What you will need

What causes limescale on a showerhead?

If you have hard water, minerals such as calcium and magnesium will be left behind on your shower head as the water dries. While it isn’t harmful, it does create an unsightly, chalky build-up over time, Kelly explains.

How can a water softener help with limescale on a shower head?

As previously mentioned, while carrying out regular cleaning is a good idea, a water softener is the best solution for long-term results.

"A water softener can help by removing the minerals that cause limescale before they reach your shower head," explains Lucinda Smalley, founder of Hard Water Home.

"They’re fitted to your mains water supply and remove calcium and magnesium, so your shower is no longer supplied with hard water. No more hard water means little to no new limescale, helping the shower head stay cleaner and work properly for longer."

Unfortunately, there’s nothing you can do about living in a hard water area, but regular shower head cleaning and investing in a water softener can help avoid this common problem.

For more cleaning tips and tricks, read our guide on how to clean a shower screen or find out how much a water softener costs.

Inspired by Masterchef and feel a chef's kitchen could help take your cooking to a whole new level? It could be that designing your kitchen more like a professional won't just lead to better food, but also to an improvement in your lived-in experience.

From layout to appliances, there are a number of different strategies you can employ if chef's kitchen ideas are the inspiration behind your kitchen design plans. And, when executed well, we reveal how a chef's kitchen concept can be beneficial, even if you aren't in the running for the Bake-Off apron just yet.

So grab a drink, sit back, and browse through our menu of suggestions to see how your chef's kitchen dream could become reality.

1. Layout is the most important factor in a chef's kitchen

We asked a range of kitchen experts and designers to define the one thing that separates a domestic kitchen from a commercial kitchen and the answer was unanimous. It's the kitchen layout that matters most.

“Really it comes down to the layout and the design, with the main part being the flow," says Alex Main, director at Main. "For a kitchen space to flow well, it’s about putting the right equipment in the right places. It’s all about making cooking simple at home, without too much fuss. You want the workspaces to feel right so that you’re not running around in circles," he adds.

"Careful consideration must be made to ensure movement is efficient," agrees Sam Harris, senior interior designer at Ashford Kitchens & Interiors. "You’ll often see larger kitchen islands, walkways and more dedicated prep areas than in a standard family kitchen."

“Layout will always come first, as even the most impressive appliances can’t compensate for a kitchen that doesn’t function well," he continues. "A well-designed layout creates efficiency between the key working areas – preparation, cooking, cleaning and storage."

It's something that even a professional chef agrees with, as Peter Sidwell, professional chef and Symphony brand ambassador explains. "A chef’s kitchen isn’t about looking professional – it’s about working professionally. It’s a space designed around how you actually cook, not just how it looks in photos.

"Everything has a purpose, everything is within reach and nothing gets in the way," he continues. "The biggest difference between a chef’s kitchen and a standard kitchen is intent – a chef’s kitchen is built to be used day in, day out, and to make cooking feel easier, calmer and more enjoyable.”

2. Allow for plenty of preparation space

Second on the list of chef's kitchen must-haves is preparation space. While it's important to have sufficient kitchen worktops in any kitchen, if cooking lots is key, then specify extra worktop space when working with your kitchen designer.

“When it comes to the non-negotiables that every chef’s kitchen should have, regardless of budget or space, it’s good prep space – an uninterrupted worktop where you can properly chop, mix and assemble," says Peter Sidwell.

“The biggest kitchen design mistakes people make is designing it like a showroom instead of a workspace," he continues. "Too often, kitchens are built around kitchen trends rather than habits.

“The most un-chef-like thing I see in home kitchens is tiny prep areas squeezed between appliances," he notes. "Chefs think in surfaces first and everything else comes after.”

In terms of where you need space, it's not just anywhere either. "What matters is usable space, especially around the hob, kitchen sink and main preparation area," advises Charlotte Butler, kitchen design manager at BK Eleven.

Sam Harris' top tip? "Prep sinks on islands are an excellent addition for keen cooks, while oversized islands provide valuable workspace for both preparation and entertaining," he says.

3. Pay extra attention to your kitchen storage plans

If your kitchen is for quick family dinners or breakfast on the go, you'll likely be able to manage with fairly standard concealed kitchen storage ideas. However, if you love to cook, bake and entertain, you'll need to think more carefully about the type of storage you'll need.

“Storage is one of the defining features of a successful chef’s kitchen," agrees Sam Harris. "The aim is to keep surfaces clear while ensuring everything remains easily accessible.

"Walk-in pantries, breakfast cupboards or even bantries are also increasingly popular if space allows, as they help to conceal clutter while keeping everyday items close to hand. We believe good storage should feel almost invisible," he says.

“Things like a slim bin and different compartments for waste work well in a chef’s kitchen," adds Alex Main. "Also use cupboards built into the island for big equipment like mixers and toasters. This means the kitchen itself is quite minimalistic and easy to navigate."

So why does storage in a chef's kitchen matter so much? Peter Sidwell says it's so your kitchen can avoid the one key element of a working kitchen that you'd rather not have at home – stress.

“Great storage keeps your worktops and your head clear," he explains. "Deep drawers, internal organisers, pull-outs and larders mean you can see everything at a glance. If you can find what you need instantly, you’ll cook more confidently and with far less stress. I love my pantry, as I can open the doors, see all my ingredients and work out what to cook.

“When your kitchen works properly, you cook more instinctively," he continues. "You’re not constantly adapting or compromising. That freedom lets you focus on flavour, timing and enjoyment, and that’s when home cooking really levels up.”

Shop for clever kitchen storage

4. Kitchen worktops need to be extra durable and up to the job

With extra cooking preparation and potentially a wider range of ingredients and cooking utensils coming into play, your kitchen surfaces also need additional thought when designing a chef-inspired kitchen.

“Worktops make a significant difference because they’re one of the hardest-working surfaces in the kitchen," starts Sam Harris. "Durability, hygiene and maintenance are just as important as appearance.

"Quartz and porcelain surfaces are a great option due to their durability and low-maintenance. They’re non-porous, highly resistant to stains and scratches, and better suited to the demands of everyday kitchen use, while still offering a premium finish.”

“Surfaces also need to be chosen for the way the kitchen will be used every day. In a chef’s kitchen, worktops have to cope with chopping, hot pans, plating, cleaning and constant use, so materials such as quartz, porcelain, stainless steel or natural stone can all be appropriate," adds Charlotte Butler, "depending on the look and the level of maintenance the homeowner is comfortable with.”

“Worktop style also helps define the character of the room," notes Alex Main, so it's important to make sure the type of worktop you choose still falls in line with your kitchen design ideas.

"A thick solid wood worktop can introduce warmth and craftsmanship, while marble or quartz creates a more refined, contemporary feel," he advises. "In many chef’s kitchens, we often see a combination of materials across different zones to balance practicality with design."

Of course it's not just worktop surfaces that matter though. A busy kitchen will have a high number of contact areas, so you need to choose materials that will cope with this level of contact.

“The materials that feel the most ‘professional’ in a home kitchen are those which are durable, tactile and age well," suggests Peter Sidwell, noting how, "matt finishes, solid cabinetry, and proper handles or pulls," are all worth considering.

"Professional kitchens are built to last and the best home-based chef's kitchens borrow that mindset," he says.

5. Choose your appliances carefully

Although it might be tempting to kit out your kitchen with professional-grade kitchen appliances, this can add substantial amounts to your kitchen costs, and may not be entirely appropriate for a domestic kitchen.

Instead, it's about thinking smarter so you can work harder say the experts.

"I am a keen cook and the things I feel are the most important to me are a good reliable gas hob and a large electric oven," notes Helen Parker, creative director at deVol. While Peter Sidwell agrees that it's about choosing appliances that you'll use every day, not ones that look good but you don't use.

"Pick a reliable oven, a solid hob and good kitchen extraction," advises Peter. "I prefer a hob in the island with built-in downdraft extraction, because it keeps the cook connected with the room rather than facing away from it. Overhyped gadgets tend to promise shortcuts but rarely improve your cooking. Simple, well-made equipment always wins.”

Of course, if you really are at a professional level with your cooking, then you may choose to invest in the latest technology, in which case Alex Main notes how, "for serious cooks, a high-performance cooker or induction system is often the centrepiece.

"Induction cooking has become increasingly popular thanks to its speed, precision, energy efficiency and cleaner aesthetic. A V-ZUG oven is also a great option," he suggests, "due to its minimalist design and advanced technology, particularly in steam cooking," says Alex.

"Boiling water taps, warming drawers and commercial-style extraction systems for better kitchen ventilation can all improve functionality considerably," adds Sam Harris, but when choosing appliances, don't forget that they are only as good as the rest of your kitchen design, says Charlotte Butler.

"They should support the flow of the kitchen rather than lead the design;" she says. "A powerful oven or professional-style hob will only perform at its best if there is generous prep space beside it, strong extraction overhead and the right storage close to hand."

6. Place extra focus on your kitchen lighting

While you'll never walk into a dark chef's kitchen in professional setting, bright, glaring lights in a home-based one aren't the answer either. So how do you get the lighting right in a chef's kitchen where cooking is so important?

“A chef’s kitchen needs layered lighting that combines task, ambient and accent illumination," says Sam Harris. "And, ideally, the kitchen lighting should be flexible enough to transition from food preparation during the day to entertaining in the evening," he adds.

"Choose task lighting for preparation and cooking areas, ambient lighting to create overall balance and comfort, and accent lighting to highlight cabinetry and shelving," advises Alex Main.

"If you can’t see what you’re doing, you’ll never enjoy cooking," adds Peter Sidwell. "You can have the best appliances in the world, but without lighting in place, the kitchen won’t work," he warns.

Try this kitchen lighting with your chef's kitchen ideas

FAQs

Does a chef's kitchen need to be big?

It's easy to assume that a chef's kitchen only works if it's generous in size, but in most cases, it's about quality over quantity say our experts.

"Size does matter in a chef’s kitchen, but not necessarily in the way people think," explains Alex Main. "A larger kitchen can certainly create a more comfortable cooking environment, particularly when entertaining or cooking with family or friends. However, what matters most is how the space is designed.

"A well-planned kitchen of any size can function beautifully when the layout is carefully considered. Ultimately, thoughtful design will always outperform unnecessarily large spaces," he says.

"Some of the best chef’s kitchens are surprisingly compact spaces," agrees Sam Harris, "however additional space does allow for features such as larger islands, pantry storage or multiple cooking zones," he notes.

There's also a risk with larger kitchens that haven't been carefully planned, adds Charlotte Butler. "A smaller kitchen can work beautifully if every area has been carefully planned, while a large kitchen can become frustrating if the key working points are too far apart."

What can make a chef's kitchen feel more homely?

"I would like to think a kitchen designer would automatically create functional, useful and beautiful areas within a kitchen for any client," says Helen Parker, "but I also think everyone needs a good kitchen table. For the keen cook, having friends and family around you as you cook and socialise is absolutely paramount to a happy cook and a happy family. The biggest joy of cooking is sharing the time, the food and the experience with other people," she shares.

"Simplicity is the key to a timeless kitchen" adds Helen. "Beautifully made, reliable cupboards and a dedicated pantry area are very important. Pots and pans that will last a lifetime and a beautifully considered lighting arrangement that makes the best of every moment you spend in your kitchen, will all make your kitchen a space you want to spend time in."

Should I have a chef's kitchen and a normal kitchen?

Although it's perfectly feasible to create a chef-style kitchen in one designated room using the above suggestions, if space isn't limited, or you're embarking on a self build or kitchen extension, and are yet to determine your final floorplan, you do have options.

"One of the biggest shifts we’re seeing is towards back kitchens or concealed prep areas," says Sam Harris. "These are spaces that allow the main kitchen to remain calm and uncluttered, while the practical work happens behind the scenes.

"It’s a concept taken directly from professional hospitality designs and increasingly popular in luxury homes," he explains.

Considering a chef's kitchen concept when renovating? Don't forget to consider these key practicalities for any kitchen renovation scheme, and with flooring such an important part of your kitchen design, make sure you avoid these kitchen flooring types in a high-traffic area.

If the water in your washing machine won’t drain, and there’s a flashing code on the screen, then you have a problem. You might be thinking, how long do washing machines last, and worrying that it could be a serious issue.

But don’t panic, the chances are it's much more likely to be something simple, and something that you can fix yourself. Before you do anything else, check the error code as this will give you a good clue to what the problem is.

Almost always, it's a sign that your washing machine filter needs cleaning. But as this can be a wet and messy job, here we offer a few smart, simple ways to make sure it isn't, and what you can do to stop your filter from getting blocked in the future.

How to clean a washing machine filter

Step one: drain the washing machine

If your washing machine isn’t draining on its own, you will need to empty it manually. Start by switching off the washing machine and unplugging it from the power.

To locate the filter, you'll typically find it at the bottom of the machine behind a small panel. Open the panel to get access ready for draining.

“Some models include a small emergency drain hose next to the filter," says Jag Sandhu, appliance expert at ASKO. "If your washing machine has one, this can be used to release the water with less mess.

“It’s important to take your time during this process," he adds, "as draining too quickly can lead to spills, so it’s always best to go slowly and carefully.”

What to do if there's no drain hose

Not every washing machine will have a drain hose next to the filter. If this is the case for your washing machine, you will need to take a different approach. As soon as you start unscrewing the filter, the water in the machine will pour out, so be prepared.

Jay Sandu suggests, "placing a towel or shallow tray underneath to catch the water, and opening the filter slowly helps you stay in control of the water flow.”

However, this can still be messy. One option is to invest in a washing machine drip tray with a drain funnel, such as the Washing Machine Drain Tray and the Washing Machine Drain Tray Universal Low Profile (both available on eBay).

Alternatively, you can take a DIY approach. A quick and cheap solution is to invest in a piece of similarly sized plastic plumbing pipe. For example, my washing filter is 60mm, so I bought this FloPlast Round Downpipe from Screxfix (it’s 68mm) and cut it to fit.

I cut down the pipe just below the halfway mark for a shallow curve, then cut the length to around 80mm. Hold it in place when unscrewing the filter to direct the water into a shallow tray.

Another option is to use thick tin foil, such as this Premium Heavy Duty Thick Kitchen Foil from Amazon and shape it into a funnel to direct the water into a tray. Both options work well and save on the cleanup afterwards.

Step two: clean the washing machine filter

Cleaning a washing machine filter is straightforward, but just remember to be gentle with it when doing so. Georgina Shepherd, cleaning expert at Housekeep, explains the cleaning process.

“Once you’ve removed the filter, rinse the filter under warm running water to remove lint, hair and debris.” If needed, remove debris by hand. Next, says Georgina, “use an old toothbrush or small cleaning brush to scrub away stubborn buildup.” After this, rinse again if needed.

Once the filter is clean, there is one last check to make, she adds. “Before reinserting it, check inside the filter housing too. Small objects like coins or hair grips can get trapped there. Then, securely screw the filter back into place before running a short rinse cycle to test it.”

Help keep your washing clean and lint-free

FAQs

Why isn't my washing machine draining properly?

Jag Sandhu, shares reasons why your machine might not be draining correctly. “The most common causes include a clogged filter, a blocked or bent drain hose, or small items like coins, lint or socks getting trapped during a wash cycle.”

However, the problem could also be a long-term buildup he notes. “Over time, everyday washing can lead to a build-up of debris, especially if pockets haven’t been emptied before loading.

“This can restrict how easily water flows out of the machine, leaving it sitting in the drum at the end of a cycle.”

If there is a problem, there will almost certainly be an error code. Michelle Feng, laundry expert at Hisense UK, advises to check the manufacturer's manual for more information or do a quick online search.

How often should I check and clean the filter?

It's easy to forget, but a washing machine filter needs to be checked and cleaned regularly. Michelle Feng says, “the filter should generally be checked and cleaned every 1-3 months.” However, this can differ depending on circumstances.

“If using the machine more than four times a week, a clean every month would be more suitable," she adds. "And, if you wash items that shed a lot of lint or contain debris (like towels or pet bedding), check more often.”

There are also a few telltale signs to look out for that require more immediate action. “If you notice slow draining, unusual noises, or poor wash results, it’s best to check it straight away rather than waiting," recommends Michelle.

How can I prevent blockages?

One of the simplest ways to avoid drainage issues is to check pockets for coins, paper, plastic, and any other debris before you wash your clothes. The less rubbish in a washing machine, the less chance the filter will be blocked.

“Avoid overloading the machine, use the right amount of detergent, as excess can build up in the system and wash heavily soiled items separately,” adds Michelle Feng.

In addition, you can use mesh bags for smaller items (this helps contain lint and debris). “Running a maintenance wash occasionally can also help keep the drainage system clear," says Michelle.

Keeping your washing machine working well for longer saves you money, but should you run a washing machine at night? For more maintenance tips make sure you also check out our guide to using white vinegar to keep your washing machine seal mould free.

My Pinterest feed is constantly flooded with black interiors and I've saved so many of the ideas now that 'ways to use black in interiors' is almost worthy of its own separate board in my Pinterest collection. But, is black really as easy to use as the images suggest?

Dark colours, much like light ones, when used impulsively and without the right advice can lead to regret when they don't perform or stand up to daily life in the way you'd hoped. It's why understanding how to choose paint colours is essential to the end result.

With that in mind, we asked interior experts to share their top tips on how to use black in your home, and what are the potential pitfalls if you get it wrong?

Take extra care when choosing and applying black paint

If the thought of dark and moody black walls entices you, there's a few things to consider before you reach for a fresh tin of paint and your roller. The type of paint, where you use it and how you get an professional looking finish will all need your time and attention before you pop the lid.

"Softer, off-black tones are easier to live with than jet black in residential interiors," suggests Katerina Tchevytchalova, director at K’Arte Design. "Finish is just as important, so matt or eggshell works well for walls to avoid harsh reflections, while satin or gloss can be effective for accents like joinery or front doors."

"Ideally, this colour should be used in rooms that benefit from natural light to prevent the space from feeling gloomy," continues Katerina.

"My golden rule is to avoid flat true black shades, which feel far too harsh," notes Lara Clarke, founder of Lara Clarke Interiors. "Always opt for an off-black with soot or navy undertones for a more lived-in, organic feel," she advises.

Whenever I've personally used black paint or dark colours, I've also found that you need to apply more coats than you might think. It's easy to assume that a dark shade will cover your walls easily, but if you don't get enough paint on the walls, woodwork or furniture, patchy marks will be very visible, so make sure you prepare your walls thoroughly before you start. Using sugar soap is a must to remove any bumps or texture that will impact the end result.

Shop for black paints to use in your home

Pick your partners for black wisely

Choosing which colours and finishes to use with black isn't like its polar opposite, white, where you know there's very little (if anything) that won't work. While black can marry up with many shades, what you choose will depend on the overall look you are trying to achieve.

“When it comes to any living space, incorporating the black into your decorating scheme can be a striking and impactful design choice," says Anna Hill, brand director and colour consultant at Fenwick & Tilbrook. Although she also notes that, "whilst black might not be considered a traditionally 'calm' colour, it can still create a serene and grounding atmosphere when used thoughtfully."

Dark bedroom ideas for example are one place where black could certainly become cosy when used carefully.

"Consider using it as a backdrop to allow other colours and metallic finishes to shine," continues Anna, "or use as an accent to ground the space, and add contrast with eye-catching detail.

"Black pairs beautifully with an array of textures," says Anna, recommending you, "opt for linens and cottons for a luxurious, laid-back look or velvets and metallics for a glamorous take. By thoughtfully balancing black with natural light, reflective surfaces, or vibrant accessories, you can add depth and drama without overpowering the space.”

"Black helps other materials stand out and 'pop', particularly natural finishes like timber and linen," agrees Katerina Tchevytchalova.

"Don’t be afraid to take it outside, either, painting a garden fence black makes the boundaries disappear making the space feel larger, and your greenery pop," adds Lara Clarke.

Partner these with black in your home

Consider it an accent if everywhere feels too much

Of course, if lots of black feels too much, but you like the ability it has to create interest, then think of it in a different way, says Lara Clarke.

"While a fully drenched black room is a bold statement, it’s not one I’d usually recommend," she notes. "It can be incredibly unforgiving, so instead, I find black does its best work as a sharp architectural accent, acting like a bit of sophisticated eyeliner to define a space."

"I think it’s important to use black intentionally," agrees Katerina Tchevytchalova. "Since this colour is so impactful, it’s best to use it sparingly which will feel more elevated than covering an entire room."

"We often paint window frames or doors in inky tones to frame the view, which instantly makes the garden greenery look more vivid," continues Lara. "This line work approach is also brilliant for highlighting joinery, like a staircase handrail or bespoke shelving, creating a crisp, graphic flow through the home."

FAQs

Does black hide dirt more effectively?

"The con of black finishes is that it shows dust and marks easily so will require regular care and maintenance," says Katerina Tchevytchalova. It's therefore important to make sure you use the right paint finish if you're painting your walls.

Using dark paint colours in bathrooms will mean using the right bathroom paint as well to avoid watermarks appearing on walls. And in high-traffic areas such as hallways, use a paint that can be wiped clean.

I changed my mind – how can I cover black paint easily?

"If you want to repaint a wall that is black, make sure that you use a good primer first which will reduce the number of coats needed for an even finish," recommends Katerina Tchevytchalova.

For more advice read our guide on how to paint over dark colours, and try this Zinsser Cover Stain from Amazon to give you a good base to work from.

For more advice on which colours to use – or not to use in your home, discover the 5 colours designers say to avoid in bathrooms, and see how the 60:30:10 colour rule could in fact help you get the right balance of black in your interior design scheme.

Unless you are lucky enough to have the luxury of two living rooms in a family home, this will usually be a room that needs to cater for the masses. It needs to be both a fun space where kids can play, as well as one that caters for grown-ups as a relaxation space when the kids aren't around.

As interior designer Holly Scott points out, your living room design needs to keep everyone happy rather than exclude certain members of the household. "When I design a family living room, I always approach it as a space that needs to work for everyone, while still feeling considered and grown-up. It shouldn’t feel like a playroom, but it does need to support real family life."

To prove that it really is possible to create a family living room that can be enjoyed by every single member of the household, all while looking sophisticated and stylish, we have brought together 15 of the best ideas and expert tips around.

1. Decide exactly what this room is going to be used for

With any kind of living room ideas, the secret to success lies in good planning and, in particular, deciding exactly how the space will be used – not just on a day-to-day basis (although that is important) but also on special occasions.

"The question I always start with is 'what do you actually want this room to do?'" picks up interior designer Shreya Vohora, Co-CEO of Interiors With Art. "Is it where the family curls up for a Friday film, or the social space where friends gather around the drinks trolley and the conversation runs late in front of a crackling fire? Once you can picture those moments, and the memories you want to create, then the rest of the design tends to follow."

Holly Scott agrees that working out what you want from the space is key. "The biggest shift for most people is moving away from designing around individual items. Instead, I always encourage thinking about how you want the room to feel and how you need to live in it," says Holly. "That’s what creates a space that feels calm, cohesive, and genuinely enjoyable for the whole family."

2. Try to stick to non-toxic, natural materials

In a space designed for the whole family, you really do want to be thinking about creating somewhere that not only feels sociable and welcoming, but also one that is safe, healthy and encourages a sense of wellbeing. Reducing the toxins in your home when renovating or decorating is a great place to start.

"Lean into natural materials wherever you can," advises Shreya Vohora. "Linen, cotton, timber, stone, rattan, a touch of aged brass. They age beautifully and they breathe with the room rather than quietly polluting the air. On the walls I always specify natural low-VOC paints in chalky clay, oat or sage.

"Then there's light and air, which quietly do most of the work," continues Shreya. "Daylight is one of the simplest gifts you can give. Allow the light to flood in, place seating where the morning sun can find you, and throw the windows open whenever you can. And don't skimp on plants. Yes, they bring warmth and a bit of nature indoors, but we also know from a biophilic design perspective that greenery quietly shifts how we feel in a space – calmer, happier, more serene the moment you walk in."

3. Create a flexible lighting scheme for a family space

The living room lighting you opt for is so important, not only when it comes to creating the right ambience within the space, but also in terms of how flexible it is in the way in which it can be used by all members of the family.

"A family living room needs to work hard throughout the day, shifting from a place of conversation to a relaxing evening retreat," explains James Kendall, operations director at KES Lighting & Home. "A layered lighting plan is essential. Begin with a ceiling light for overall illumination, then introduce wall lights and table lamps to create warmth and depth. Lighting that highlights texture is especially effective in family living rooms and warm-toned lamps are great for enhancing fabrics, wood and soft furnishings, helping the room feel inviting as the natural light fades.

"You may also like to consider incorporating at least one decorative piece such as a sculptural pendant or chandelier, which will help to anchor the room and bring a sense of intention to the design," adds James.

4. Seek out multifunctional storage pieces

As a family living room is a space that needs to fulfil many different requirements, it makes sense to opt for pieces of furniture that combine multiple functions, such as sofas with scope for living room storage.

"The key to designing a family living room is to consider the flexibility of the pieces you choose – a combination of closed storage that keeps toys or games tidy, alongside areas for displaying artwork or curated ornaments to keep the space visually interesting," advises Fred Horlock, design director at Neptune.

"Or how about a footstool that can double up as extra seating during the day, or as a coffee table in the evening, and a comfy corner sofa?" he adds. "Perfect for movie nights with the kids."

Shop multifunctional furniture

5. Choose paint finishes with durability in mind

While you will obviously want to think about the best paint colours for living rooms when it comes to your overall design, you also need to think about how your newly painted walls will withstand the demands of family life too.

Cathryn Sanders, head of creative at Earthborn, has some advice when it comes to choosing the right paint. "A family living room has to balance comfort, style and durability, and paint plays a central role in achieving that. Choosing finishes that are wipeable and hard-wearing is essential, especially in multi-use spaces where children and adults coexist.

"At the same time, paint can set the emotional tone of the space; so using soft, layered neutrals paired with more resilient finishes on high-traffic walls can create a space that feels calm but is built to last."

6. Keep walkways in a family living room clear and open

Whatever living room size you are working with, it pays to design a layout that allows everyone to move around without getting in each other's way.

"If a room is easy to move around, it will feel better to live in," picks up Hollly Scott. "Some layouts definitely work better than others, particularly in multi-use family spaces.

"I always look at flow, natural light, and the main focal point in the room," continues Holly. "Clear walkways are key so the space feels easy to move through and doesn’t become overwhelming. Rather than pushing everything against the walls, I often bring furniture in slightly to create a more sociable, connected seating area."

7. Don't make technology the focal point of your family space

For most families, it is unrealistic to try to design a living room that banishes technology altogether – after all, who doesn't love a movie night? That said, there are ways of designing the space, even to incorporate media wall ideas, so that devices don't take over.

"Technology is part of modern living, but it doesn’t need to dominate the space," agrees Holly Scott. "Some simple ways to manage it include using built-in cabinetry to house TVs and media equipment, concealing cables where possible and styling shelving around the TV so it feels integrated.

"The aim is for the room to feel like a living space first, not just somewhere centred around a screen," continues Holly. “Your TV shouldn’t be the first thing you see when you walk into the room.”

8. Zone an open-plan family living room

Creating distinct zones within open-plan living rooms helps ensure that each area within the space has a clear function – something that really can help in a room that needs to keep everyone in the family happy.

"When designing a living room for the whole family, the starting point should always be how the space will be used throughout the day. It’s about creating a layout that allows for different activities to happen comfortably at the same time, whether that’s relaxing, working, child's play or socialising," explains Sophie Chapman, associate and interior designer at The Vawdrey House. "We often use zoning to achieve this, with furniture placement, rugs or lighting helping to define areas without closing the space off."

Holly Scott agrees with this approach. "Zoning is really important, especially in open-plan spaces. It helps create a sense of structure without making the room feel broken up.

"You can zone with rugs, lighting or furniture placement," continues Holly. "For example, the main seating area might be defined by a rug and sofa, while a chair and lamp create a quieter corner. This keeps the space feeling intentional rather than cluttered."

9. Choose furniture with practicality in mind

A top living room design mistake is failing to give enough thought to comfort. Obviously you need to give some consideration to how the furniture you choose will stand up to everything daily life is bound to throw at it, but it needs to feel luxurious too.

“A successful family living room needs to balance durability, comfort and aesthetic," says Eloise Pfeiffer, interior designer at Pfeiffer Design. "Choosing the right seating is an essential element which targets each of these areas. When it comes to the sofa or armchairs, choose a long-lasting and easy-to-clean fabric, which also complements your style.

"When selecting fabrics, look for performance materials that are stain-resistant and soft-to-the-touch, such as treated linens and cottons," continues Eloise. "They also offer a refined aesthetic without compromising on functionality. It’s worth opting for removable covers if you can so they can be washed easily."

10. Select flooring that will stand the test of time

Living room flooring needs not only to feel soft and cosy underfoot, but it should, in the case of spaces used on a daily basis, and particularly those regularly inhabited by young children and pets, be durable and easy to clean. While you need not rule out carpet entirely, it pays to do your research on the best products when it comes to stain resistance and longevity.

A great alternative, that manages to feel warm underfoot as well as being capable of enduring family life, is engineered timber flooring, as Adam Robertson, MD at Urbane Living explains. "High-quality engineered flooring is designed to cope well with everyday life, making it ideal for living spaces. The key is choosing a well-made product with a quality wear layer and durable finish. A lacquered finish can offer strong protection against day-to-day scuffs, while oiled finishes can make spot repairs easier over time."

Ian Tomlinson, MD at Chaunceys Timber Flooring, also has some advice on the types of flooring to help create a sense of space. "I recommend opting for light-coloured wood flooring to make spaces appear brighter and more open, which is especially beneficial in rooms with limited natural light. Consider a light oil finish on oak or ash, or whitewashed Douglas fir flooring, to add a subtle tint that reflects more light whilst enhancing the wood’s natural grain.

"To enhance the sense of space further, it’s helpful to keep contrast low," adds Ian. "Pairing pale floors with soft neutral tones on walls, joinery and furnishings allows the eye to travel freely through the space. Opting for a matt or satin finish over a high-gloss one can also make a big difference, as it creates a softer, more seamless look that doesn’t disrupt the flow with glare or reflections."

11. Pick out a colour scheme to help the whole family relax

Any busy family space, be that kitchen ideas that incorporate homework spaces, or hallways that need to be up to the job of hectic school mornings, need to do everything they can to keep everyone feeling calm and relaxed – and this is where your colour scheme can really help.

"A larger, multi-use living room can benefit from colour zoning using paint to subtly define areas for relaxing, playing and socialising without the need for physical barriers," explains Cathryn Sanders. "We’re seeing a lot of earthy tones and muted greens being used in living rooms, which are particularly effective in creating a relaxed, family-friendly backdrop, adding depth and character."

"Family living rooms benefit from a palette that feels layered rather than overly matchy," further advises Debbie Leigh, design manager at ILIV. "Start with a base of calming neutrals or gentle earth tones, then build in depth through accent colours in cushions, upholstery detailing and soft furnishings. This allows the space to evolve over time, rather than feeling fixed or overly styled."

12. Go with an L-shaped layout for sociability

Whether you are after cosy living room ideas for snuggling up in or something more open and airy for your family living room, you want this to be a room that encourages sociability, as well as relaxation – and this is where an L-shaped layout can really help.

"I love an L-shape around a generous coffee table so people face each other," reveals Shreya Vohora. "Ground it with an engineered oak floor and a thick wool rug."

Kate Palmer, head of creative at The Painted Furniture Company, has some more advice regarding layouts. "When it comes to arranging your furniture, a little balance goes a long way. It doesn’t need to be overly formal, but it’s worth making sure one side of the room doesn’t feel heavier than the other. So, if you’ve got a large bookcase or shelving unit, you might find it works beautifully to echo that weight with a sideboard or media unit on the opposite side."

13. Include a 'get-away-from-it-all' spot

No matter how much you might love spending time with your family, we all need a little quiet moment occasionally.

For this reason, in a family living room it is a good idea to try to carve out a small space to retreat to – reading nooks are perfect for this as are cosy window seat ideas from which to sit and enjoy a view.

If you are struggling for storage, use these built-in retreats to your advantage and incorporate lift-up seats that hide a spot to stow away lesser-used items, or include drawers, cupboards or open shelving into the design.

14. Inject some warmth to a family space with wood finishes

A sense of warmth is essential if you want everyone to gather around and feel welcomed within your family living room – and including plenty of natural wood finishes is a fast way to achieve this, as well as being perfect for anyone after rustic living room ideas.

"Wood is one of the most amenable materials you can introduce whether used on the floor, walls or for furniture," explains Alex Main, director of Main. "Immediately adding depth and warmth to spaces, wood has an enduring quality that helps a living room feel more cosy and inviting – perfect for a busy family home.

"Embracing wood’s natural beauty via cladding is an easy way to add plenty of personality whilst pairing with an array of interior design schemes," adds Alex. "From modern to traditional, wood is a flexible surface that is available in a choice of forms and colour ways."

15. Make built-in storage a top priority in a family living room

Great storage is essential if you want this to be a room that remains feeling calm and uncluttered at the same time as being capable of housing all the 'stuff' that you need to keep close to hand.

"Storage is what allows a family living room to feel calm rather than chaotic – a calm room isn’t about having less, it’s about having a place for everything," shares Holly Scott. "The most successful spaces use a mix of hidden storage for everyday items and more styled storage for books, accessories, and pieces that add personality. Built-in joinery works beautifully if the budget allows, but even well-chosen freestanding pieces can achieve this."

"Storage is one of the most important elements to achieving a multifunctional living room – if it can be planned from the early stages of the design process, you can maximise your space as much as possible to meet the needs of both adults and children," explains Scott Hedger, senior design consultant at Ashford Kitchens & Interiors.

"As a high-traffic zone which can easily become cluttered and disorganised, built-in cupboards and storage units with doors enable good organisation, hiding away messy items. If you work from home, set aside an area to create a work zone with a bespoke built-in desk with floating shelves to add personality to an otherwise unused corner."

FAQs

Is it safe to have a wood burning stove in a family living room?

Open fires and log burning stoves both add so much character, as well as visual and physical warmth to a living room but, in a multi-generational family space, are they safe?

Jon Butterworth, sales director at Arada Stoves, has some reassuring advice. "A wood burning or multi-fuel stove can be installed safely in a family living room, provided it is fitted and used correctly.

"One of the most important considerations is the distance between the stove and surrounding materials. Items such as furniture, curtains, flooring and decorative features should be kept a safe distance away, particularly if they are made from combustible materials like wood or textiles," continues Jon. "The stove must also be installed on a non-combustible hearth, such as stone or glass, which protects the floor from heat and any debris. Where a stove is installed without a chimney breast or masonry surround, an insulated flue system is required to safely manage heat and protect nearby surfaces.

"For families with young children or pets, additional precautions can provide extra peace of mind," adds Jon. "A fireguard or protective safety gate positioned around the stove can help prevent accidental contact with hot surfaces, particularly when the appliance is in use. A non-negotiable is a working, fitted carbon monoxide alarm installed in the room where the wood burning stove is fitted. Keeping log baskets, fire tools and fuels neatly stored away from children is also recommended."

The X-Sense Carbon Monoxide Detector from Amazon is a great buy with a 10-year lifespan.

It isn't just living rooms that can benefit from a tailored design that takes into account every member of the household – when looking at how to design a home for a young family, it pays to take a whole-house approach.

A major crackdown has been launched on the cutting of engineered stone used in kitchen worktops following concerns over exposure to deadly silica dust.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has banned dry cutting and says safer water suppression methods must now be used to control harmful dust.

More than 1,000 inspections are being rolled out across Great Britain to enforce the new guidance.

Unsafe cutting method banned

The HSE has confirmed that dry cutting engineered stone is unacceptable, warning that it can expose workers to dangerous levels of respirable crystalline silica (RCS), a dust linked to the lung disease silicosis.

The regulator says businesses must now switch to safer methods such as water suppression systems, which reduce dust during cutting and fabrication.

Mike Calcutt, from the HSE, said the risks are clear: “Silicosis is incurable, but it is entirely preventable. No worker should lose their life to a lung disease caused by their job.”

He added that some firms are still failing to meet basic safety standards: “Many businesses are not putting the right controls in place, they are still using engineered stone with high silica content, and dry cutting, which must stop.”

This decision follows previous calls to ban kitchen worktops made from artificial stone.

Nationwide inspections underway

The HSE has begun a large inspection programme targeting businesses that manufacture and fit engineered stone kitchen worktops.

Over the next year, inspectors will carry out more than 1,000 visits across Great Britain, with enforcement action expected for companies that fail to comply.

Mike Calcutt warned employers that checks are already happening: “The guidance is now published, the expectations are clear, and our inspectors are coming.”

Inspectors will assess whether businesses are using approved dust controls, providing protective equipment, and meeting legal safety duties.

Some companies have already taken their own significant action, with Herringbone becoming the first UK kitchen company to ban high-silica quartz.

Why action is being taken

Engineered stone, widely used in kitchen worktops, can contain up to 95% crystalline silica. When cut or shaped, it can release fine dust that can be deeply inhaled.

The HSE says recent cases, including the deaths of two young workers from silicosis, have highlighted the severity of the risk and prompted urgent intervention.

Sir Stephen Timms, Minister for Social Security and Disability, said: “Every worker deserves to come home safe, without fear of losing their life to a preventable, deadly lung disease caused by their job.”

The regulator says the new rules aim to prevent further cases by ensuring safer working practices become standard across the industry.

I'm all for a bargain buy, but when it comes to interior design, I've been involved in renovating and extending homes for long enough to know that cheap doesn't always give you the results you want.

But, that doesn't mean you have to spend on every item you include in your project. Instead, adopting the concept of the high-low decorating approach can help you balance budgets while still achieving a polished end product.

Knowing where to spend and where to save isn't always clear though, which is why we've asked some expert designers for their input. And you might be surprised to see some of the high-street names that even feature on their shopping lists.

How to approach high-low decorating

You'd be forgiven for asking if a high-low approach is really feasible when you're embarking on a dream project. After all, you don't want to look round at the end and wonder if it was worth all the effort.

Yes it is, is the clear answer from our designers, and it's perhaps even more important in a world where rising house building and renovating costs mean many homeowners are concerned about stepping their toes into the pond. In much the same way as you have to decide where to spend and where to save on a self-build, the same concept can be used with your interiors finishes.

Jo Plant, chief creative officer at Pooky, explains more. “The high-low approach moves away from the idea that a beautifully designed home must be built entirely on high-end investment. Instead, it offers a more accessible way of decorating, one that allows for thoughtful spending, considered layering and a focus on what truly makes a difference.

“By recognising that not every element needs the same level of investment, high–low interiors enable homeowners to create spaces that feel refined and cohesive," says Jo, "without the pressure of making every piece a major financial commitment.”

Jo recommends you start by asking yourself the following question: "Will this item, or fixture/fitting, shape how the room feels every day, or simply support it? The answer will often tell you where to invest, and where you can take a more flexible approach.”

Katerina Tchevytchalova, director at K’Arte Design agrees, noting how balance is always a good philosophy. “When it comes to renovating or redecorating, it’s all about balance. You don’t need to splurge on everything, but there are key areas where a little extra investment makes a huge difference, both in how your home looks and how it feels.

"I always encourage clients to think about longevity and daily experience: what do you touch, see and use every day? That’s where your money should go," she advises. "Then, balance that out by saving smartly on areas that can be refreshed more easily or where design trickery delivers the same impact for less.”

Where should you spend on your interiors?

1. Flooring

Going back to the advice that you should spend on those high-touch items that receive daily wear and tear, it's no surprise that flooring is on the list of items to invest in.

“Flooring is the foundation of every interior," says Katerina Tchevytchalova. "It affects acoustics, light and the sense of flow between rooms. It’s also one of the hardest elements to change later, so it’s worth doing properly the first time.

"Durable materials such as engineered timber, natural stone flooring, or high-grade porcelain tiles not only age beautifully, but also add long-term value to the property,” she adds.

2. Bespoke joinery

Although experienced renovators may be able to achieve the bespoke look themselves – such as Homebuilding & Renovating's brand director, Laura Crombie, who created her own bespoke built-in pantry – if your DIY skills are more flat-pack than cabinet-maker, bespoke joinery will instantly elevate your interiors, and last for a long time when it's built well.

"Going for bespoke built-ins, especially in city living, is one of the best investments you can make, says Emma Deterding, founder and creative director at Kelling Designs, "as you can carefully plan your storage and make the most of all the space you have available. It also allows you to maximise storage in oddly shaped rooms, alcoves, or under sloped ceilings, offering significantly more storage than off-the-shelf, freestanding designs."

Katerina Tchevytchalova agrees, adding how the practicality of it also justifies the potential investment. “A well-designed wardrobe or media wall instantly makes a space feel tailored and intentional," she adds. "Good-quality joinery ensures every centimetre is used efficiently and the result feels architectural rather than decorative."

Need to invest, but without blowing your budget in one go? Katerina says, "a painted MDF wardrobe with a laminate or melamine interior (such as Egger) gives a high-end finish at a lower cost than solid timber. Add some distinctive handles, and it looks entirely bespoke.”

3. Bed and bedding

One of my first jobs when moving into a new home is to assemble and make the beds. It means that whatever stage of unpacking you're at come bedtime, you don't have to then face creating somewhere to sleep.

Emma Deterding says you should take a similar approach when allocating your interior design budget too. "The first place you should always spend is on a new bed for your bedroom. Always get the best you can afford and make sure you try it to ensure it’s the right one for you," she says.

"I’d always advise getting a new divan with a new mattress as they work together. Placing a new mattress on an old divan base will never offer the same level of comfort," she warns.

"Similarly, never skimp on your pillows, duvets and bed linen. By the best quality you can afford as you will never regret it. Good-quality bedding is crucial to getting a good night’s sleep."

This bedding will add style to your sleep zone

4. Lighting

Walking into a dimly-lit, or over-lit room is so noticeable, that it comes as no surprise to hear it features top on the list of places to spend when renovating, extending or building a home.

“Lighting is one of the hardest-working elements in any home," says Jo Plant. "It’s used every day and has a huge impact on how a space feels, so it’s worth investing in pieces that are made to last, both in terms of quality and design.”

"You should always allocate budget for a thoughtful lighting scheme," agrees Katerina Tchevytchalova. "Invest in layered lighting – architectural spots for function, wall lights and table lamps for mood. Dimmable LEDs in warm tones (2700–3000K) add depth and warmth, even in compact spaces, while quality fittings will last for years.”

5. Window treatments

Another key architectural feature of your home is your windows. It therefore makes sense that you would enhance the investment you've made into installing the right types of window with window treatments that will enhance the look, rather than devalue it. But there are practical reasons why it makes sense to spend a little more too.

“Curtains or blinds frame the architecture, add softness and make a room feel complete. They also help with insulation, energy efficiency and acoustics too," notes Katerina Tchevytchalova. "Soft textiles absorb sound, improving the sense of calm. Lined or interlined curtains retain heat in winter and block glare in summer.

"Bespoke window treatments also ensure the perfect proportions and drape, which really elevates a room,” she adds.

6. Appliances

Investing in new kitchen costs is always time to take stock of where you are best spending your budget. And, while there are opportunities to save as Emma Deterding will later come on to explain, there is one exception to the rule.

"Kitchen appliances are an area you should always invest in, spending as much as you can to get the best," she advises.

"These are great long-term investments. Spending more will also ensure your appliances last longer," says Emma. "The Miele brand for example can last for 20 years while also giving you a better energy efficiency rating, and that's something that will improve your energy bills too, so you could say your investment will include an element of payback."

Where can you save on your interior design?

With your budget fast being allocated towards the 'high' items, where then can you save when choosing how the interior of your home will look? The good news is, there are ways of spending less, without sacrificing the overall look.

1. Paint

A common question when working on your home is whether expensive paints are worth it or not. With colour-matching available at most DIY stores, do you opt for a cheaper base paint as long as it's the right colour, or do you always stick with the costly branded one?

Katerina Tchevytchalova says there's a compromise that can save money. “Paint is one of the easiest areas to save without sacrificing quality. A beautifully painted room comes down to colour choice and preparation, not the logo on the tin," she says.

"Brands like Dulux Trade offer great coverage, durability and a sophisticated palette at a lower cost than boutique names. With the right primer and finish, the craftsmanship does most of the talking.”

Be sure you also choose the right type of paint for the room you are decorating. The answer to can you use regular paint in a bathroom for example, is always no (as I found out after the fact).

2. Rugs and throws

Although flooring stays on the spend list, what you put on the flooring is one area where you certainly save say our experts.

“Rugs and throws are a brilliant way to save money while still achieving warmth and texture," confirms Katerina Tchevytchalova. "Many high-street and online retailers now offer gorgeous wool-blend or jute rugs that look far more expensive than they are.

"Layering affordable pieces adds comfort and flexibility – you can easily switch colours or patterns as the space evolves. Brands like La Redoute and Zara Home have fantastic options that elevate a space on a budget.”

Emma Deterding also offers up a trick for sourcing larger 'rugs' at a more cost-effective price. "A quick and affordable hack is rather than buying expensive rugs, make them from carpets instead," she says. "You can get really affordable seagrass or faux sisal and rather than using it as a carpet, simply double bind it and get huge floor coverings to the dimensions you need for a very reasonable price."

Shop for rugs

3. Renovate rather than replace internal doors

Although it can pay to invest in new internal doors if you don't have any in situ, or are building a new home or double-storey extension for example, it doesn't always have to be the case if you are renovating a home, says Katerina Tchevytchalova.

“If your existing doors are in good condition, refresh them rather than replacing. A fresh coat of paint and new handles can completely change their look for a fraction of the price – a simple update with a big visual return.”

With hardware often the unsung hero of an interior scheme, make sure you also spend time choosing the right handles for your home.

4. Sanitaryware

Next to kitchen costs, it can be all too easy for your bathroom costs to escalate once you start adding up the prices for bathroom tiles, lighting, labour and plumbing. The key to making this a save area? Simplicity and clever selection says Katerina Tchevytchalova.

“Keep it simple for the big bathroom pieces – choose good-quality, mid-range baths, basins and toilets, and invest in the bathroom taps and fittings instead. Those are the elements you see and touch every day, so it’s worth spending more for the design and durability.”

5. Don't dismiss high street retailers

Keen to employ the services of an interior designer for your project, but worried that means they will only suggest high-end fixtures and fittings? Don't be, says Emma Deterding, who frequently looks to the high street for inspiration herself.

"In terms of saving, we’re seeing many international designers designing for the high street, so you can pick up some really stylish, design-led pieces on the high street for an affordable price.

"Designs come in a variety of prints, patterns and colours, and if you see something you love the shape of but don’t like the fabric, it can still be a lot more affordable to change it than buying something from a high-end designer," she explains.

"IKEA is another great place to save money as their storage designs can be useful for creating built-ins," she adds. "The PAX system is incredibly versatile and if you have a good joiner, you can dress it up or down. The Alex desk is another really stylish piece of furniture and can be used in even the most expensive house – without costing a fortune."

6. Use mirrors or paint finishes in place of art

If adorning your walls with unique artwork is definitely a distant dream for now, it's completely acceptable to make this one area of your interior design you make do with for now, and come back to later.

"If you’re short of art for your walls, you can use more affordable mirrors to add interest instead," suggests Emma Deterding. "You can get some really fabulous big mirrors on the high street that work really well for city living. Or, simply doing a row of three or five identical mirrors will help to increase the feeling of space and light in more compact, darker spaces like a hallway, staircase or smaller living room.

"To add a different dimension and interest to your walls," she adds, "you can even use gloss paint on your walls (so long as there are no bumps or bashes) as an interesting alternative to wallpaper. Not only does it add another layer of texture to a space, but it’ll reflect light back into the space and add personality too."

Shop for mirrors

7. Blend standard kitchens with bespoke elements

As previously mentioned, if your dream kitchen is beginning to look a little out of reach, focus instead on how you can achieve the same look for a little less. Save your money for your appliances and consider using well-known retailers instead, and building on a more cost-effective base by spending on other fixtures and fittings.

"Even though we all dream of the bespoke, hand-made designer kitchen, designs from the likes of Wren, Howdens and even IKEA can be a sensible and good quality alternative to the more expensive brands," says Emma Deterding.

"Choose a timeless kitchen cabinet design and bring a luxurious feel to it with good quality worktops and a nice splashback – you’ll be surprised how no one will know the difference,” she assures us.

For more advice on making your interior spaces a stand-out feature of your home, make sure you understand where mistakes can be made too. See what living room design mistakes experts warn could make your space unliveable, and with flooring one area where it's recommended you do spend, arm yourself with knowledge of these common flooring mistakes so you can avoid them.

If you've ever stood in your living room on a bright afternoon wondering why it still feels dim, you're not alone. Dealing with a lack of natural light is one of the most common decorating frustrations. The instinct is to look for a single solution such as a bigger window or a coat of white paint, but light, as any interior designer will tell you, is never that simple.

Brightening a dim space is really about understanding how light moves around your home; how it enters, where it bounces, what absorbs it and what reflects it. Once you see your room that way, a series of small, considered changes can add up to something transformative.

We asked interior designers and lighting specialists to share the ideas that make the biggest difference and here's what they recommend.

1. Rethink your window treatments

Before reaching for the light switch or a paint brush, it's worth making the most of the natural light you already have. Small changes to how light enters and moves around your living room can make a surprising difference, which is why it's always worth starting by taking a look at what you have on your existing windows.

John Law, creative director at Woodhouse & Law says your approach to window treatments in a dark room should be one of restraint.

"Window treatments should be as minimal as possible – think sheer linens or lightweight blinds that allow daylight to filter through while maintaining privacy," he says. "We tend to avoid heavy, dark fabrics that absorb light rather than diffuse it."

If you're attached to curtains, consider hanging the pole higher and wider than the window frame itself, so the fabric sits clear of the glass when open, allowing maximum daylight into the room.

For those who need privacy without sacrificing light, Ross Evans, co-founder of ShuttersUp, makes the case for plantation shutters. "They provide privacy while still allowing natural light in, unlike curtains, which are either open or closed," he says.

"Angling the slats to let in maximum natural light can brighten up a space, and when the louvres are angled upward to direct light towards the ceiling, it bounces natural light around the room, enhancing brightness and further amplifying the sense of openness."

2. Keep windows clean and unobstructed

One of the most overlooked sources of lost light is also one of the easiest to address. Dirty glass can meaningfully reduce the amount of natural light entering a living room, so keeping windows clean is a simple, but worthwhile habit.

It's also worth auditing what else might be stealing daylight. Blinds that don't roll up fully or overgrown plants and fencing outside can all reduce the light reaching the room before it even gets through the glass.

3. Use mirrors strategically to maximise light distribution

Mirrors are one of the simplest and most cost-effective tools for brightening a dark living room. Ross Evans explains: "Mirrors help reflect both natural and artificial light around a room, instantly making darker spaces feel brighter and more open."

For maximum impact, Ross recommends positioning a mirror directly opposite or adjacent to a window so it catches and redistributes incoming daylight. Larger mirrors will have a greater effect, but even a well-placed cluster of smaller ones can meaningfully bounce light into corners that natural light wouldn't otherwise reach.

4. Create a lighting plan that includes natural and artificial light

Natural light will only take you so far, particularly in north-facing rooms or during the darker winter months. A well-considered artificial lighting scheme can make up the difference.

Before you buy a single bulb, you therefore need to think about your living room lighting as a whole. That's the view of Ally Dowsing-Reynolds, lighting expert and co-founder of Dowsing & Reynolds, who is emphatic on one point: "Lighting should never be an afterthought. Choosing the right lighting can make or break the atmosphere of a room – which is why a lighting plan is so valuable."

A lighting plan sounds more technical than it is. At its simplest, it's a scaled floor plan that maps out every light source, covering everything from where it sits, how it relates to your furniture layout, and where switches and sockets need to go.

"A good plan gives you a realistic overview of how much light is needed and where each source should be placed to properly illuminate the space," says Ally. "Done well, it can transform a room from dark and depressing to bright and welcoming."

5. Layer your light throughout the room

Once you have your plan, the next principle to understand is layering. "The best way to create comfortable, multifunctional spaces is to combine different types of light," explains Ally.

"Every room should have ambient lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting working together." Think of it as building the room's mood from the ceiling down:

• Ambient: This the foundational layer and typically includes ceiling fixtures, pendants and recessed downlights that provide the room's overall base level of light
• Task: This is the practical layer. This means directional light, such as reading lamps, adjustable wall lights, or desk lighting. Task lighting is designed to illuminate specific activities without straining the eyes
• Accent: The finishing touch. These are picture lights, uplighters and shelf-mounted spots that draw the eye to architectural details, artwork or objects

Shop for living room lighting

6. Choose the right paint colour and finish

Colour is one of the most powerful tools at your disposal in a dark room, but it needs to be used thoughtfully. Selecting the best colour for a living room, in the right finish, can transform how light moves around the space. But getting this detail wrong can make an already dim room feel heavy and flat.

Annie Sloan, founder of Annie Sloan Interiors, says wall paint should work strategically in darker rooms, rather than simply trying to compensate for a lack of light.

"I often turn to soft, nuanced neutrals like Old White or Paris Grey, which have warm undertones that prevent a space from feeling cold or flat," she says. "These shades create a subtle luminosity without the harshness of brilliant white." On finish, she adds that "a soft matt will diffuse light more evenly across the surface."

John Law echoes the case for warm neutrals over stark whites. "We favour warm soft neutrals to reflect light without the clinical feeling that pure whites can often bring," he says, adding that eggshell or satin finishes bounce light more effectively than matt.

Clara Dursent, Brand Manager at Ronseal, narrows it down further: "White paints with blue undertones can give a cold feel to a room, so opting for a colour with a warmer red or pink undertone can instantly enhance the warmth of a dark room and prevent it from feeling stark."

But always test before you commit to a colour

Whatever shade or type of paint you choose, testing is non-negotiable, and Annie Sloan cautions against rushing the decision. "A common mistake is choosing colours that are either too stark or too dark without balance," she says. Clara Dursent agrees: "Testing paint swatches in your space allows you to see how the colour reacts to natural and artificial light throughout the day before committing to a full repaint."

Top tip: Paint at least an A4-sized patch directly onto the wall rather than paper or card, and live with it for several days before deciding. In rooms with limited natural light, colours can shift dramatically between morning and evening.

7. Lean into colour drenching for adding light

It might seem counterintuitive, but going darker is a legitimate and increasingly popular strategy for a room that lacks natural light. Clara Dursent explains that rather than fighting the darkness, embracing it can produce a space that feels intentional and sophisticated.

"Choosing off-blacks, charcoals, or dark blues and greens can make the room feel smaller, warmer, and more inviting, perfect for creating a snug."

8. Choose the right flooring colour and finish

It's easy to focus all your attention on walls and lighting when tackling a dark room, but what's underfoot has a significant effect on how light moves through the space.

Stephen Latham, Managing Director at J2 Flooring, says your choice of flooring has a bigger impact on light than most people realise. "In darker living spaces, the floor can either absorb light or help reflect it, so the colour and finish you choose make a noticeable difference," he explains.

Lighter tones are generally the safer choice, but Stephen cautions against assuming that paler automatically means better. "Very flat or overly matte finishes can absorb light rather than reflect it, which can leave the room feeling a bit heavy," he says. "A softer, more natural finish helps to bounce light around the space without looking overly bright or artificial."

Also think about balance and flooring direction

The relationship between your flooring and the rest of the room matters too. "If the flooring, walls, and furniture are all very similar in tone, the space can start to feel flat," says Stephen. "Introducing some contrast, whether through flooring or surrounding finishes, helps create a lighter, more open feel."

Even the direction your flooring is laid deserves consideration. "Running planks in line with the main light source, such as towards a window, can help draw light further into the room and make the space feel more open," he says. If you can't change the flooring itself, a light-coloured rug is a simple and effective alternative.

9. Select furniture and layout with light in mind

Even the most carefully considered lighting scheme and colour palette can be undermined by the wrong furniture choices or a poorly thought-out living room layout. In a dark room, every piece needs to earn its place.

The furniture you choose and how you arrange it – can make or break a dim room. The guiding principle, according to John Law, is simple: keep pathways clear and windows unobstructed. "Light needs to travel freely through the space," he says. "Oversized sofas in a dark room can feel heavy and absorb light, whereas pieces with slim frames, open arms, or glass surfaces leave more floor area visible, making the space appear larger."

Laura Rich, product development lead at Furniturebox, agrees that scale and proportion deserve careful consideration. "Opting for slightly elevated or more streamlined designs allows light to flow more freely around the room," she explains. "The layout should feel open, not overcrowded, giving each piece room to breathe."

Choose upholstery that works with the light

Once the layout is settled, the next consideration is fabric. The scale and placement of your furniture matters, but so does what it's covered in, and the right upholstery choice can quietly amplify the light you've worked so hard to let in.

John Law's preference is for lighter, natural materials: "For upholstery, we tend to opt for lighter, natural, textured fabrics, as they reflect and soften light in a way that synthetic or very dark materials simply can't."

Laura Rich, meanwhile, makes the case for using accent pieces strategically. If your overall scheme leans towards deeper tones, she suggests using occasional chairs or accent seating to introduce lightness without sacrificing cohesion. "Introducing pieces in lighter tones, or even subtle colour moments like muted greens, can help to break up deeper shades without disrupting the overall tonal harmony," she says.

FAQs

What structural changes can I make to brighten a dark living room?

If you're planning a renovation or have the budget for something more structural, this is where the biggest gains can be made. Getting light into a room at a fundamental level will always outperform any amount of clever decorating.

John Law says that for those undertaking a full renovation, opening up the living room floor plan should be high on the agenda. "If it's a full renovation, we often open up layouts or widen doorways to improve light distribution," he says. "Borrowing light from internal rooms is a great way to lighten a space and introducing internal glazing is the ideal way to do this."

Even short of full structural work, removing internal doors, replacing solid partitions with glazed alternatives and widening doorways can all dramatically improve how light flows between rooms. In terraced living room or semi-detached homes where rooms sit away from external walls, the difference can be particularly striking.

Will rooflights help add light to a dark living room?

Of all the structural interventions available, rooflights are arguably the most impactful. John Law explains that they solve a problem no amount of window dressing can address. "Fitting a rooflight can bring daylight into rooms where light from vertical windows simply cannot reach," he says.

Unlike standard windows, rooflights introduce light from above at an angle that travels deeper into a space and changes the quality of illumination throughout the day. For those unable to install a rooflight, replacing a solid external wall with full-height glazing or sliding doors is the next best option.

For more inspiration, explore our round-up of small living room ideas, or discover how the right living room paint colour can shift the mood of even the darkest space.

If entertaining is one of the main activities in your kitchen, you're in for a treat. Bantry ideas are the newest kitchen trend, and perfect for homeowners who love to socialise in the heart of the home.

Combining all the ingredients you need to make, serve and present drinks without sacrificing on storage space, a bantry is the perfect hybrid of pantry and bar.

And, it doesn't necessarily need to be a bar linked to alcohol either – tea, coffee and soft drinks are just as at home in this clever use of kitchen cabinetry. But be warned, these bantry ideas could mean you might just want to change your kitchen design.

1. Include a sink in your bantry for practicality

If you like to create zones in your kitchen layout, making sure you have everything you need in each area makes sense. It saves you flitting between the zones in order to complete the task.

As drinks are one of the main focuses of a bantry, including a sink is the sensible option if you are designing your kitchen from scratch. It means you can run the necessary plumbing during the construction phase for a sink and any small kitchen appliances, such as a coffee machine, that can also be plumbed into the water supply.

It's a practical solution that will also save you carrying liquids from your kitchen sink, that may well be on the other side of the room.

2. Think about where to position a built-in bantry

Choosing where to place a built-in bantry is key to its success says Jane Everett, creative director at Naked Kitchens, meaning you shouldn't just place it wherever there's space for one.

"When planning the layout, the bantry should be placed to maximise workflow but minimise congestion," says Jane. "A spot that transitions from the main kitchen work area to an open-plan living or dining space works beautifully, allowing guests to access drinks without interrupting food preparation.

"Bantries work best when thoughtfully positioned within the flow of the kitchen, particularly close to key entertaining zones," adds Adrian Stoneham, managing director of Stoneham Kitchens. "Integrating one into a run of tall cabinetry allows it to sit seamlessly within the overall design, maintaining a clean, cohesive look."

3. Or, fit a bantry in an under-utilised corner

If your kitchen diner is set up with entertaining at its core, slotting a bantry idea into a wasted corner could be the feature you didn't even know you needed.

"A standalone bantry can be used to create more of a focal feature, adding both character and functionality," says Adrian Stoneham.

"Positioning it near a kitchen island or sociable seating area ensures everything is within easy reach, supporting both food prep and at-home entertaining."

For a standalone option that could fulfil the brief of a bantry, try this Inglesham White Oak Double Larder from The Cotswold Company.

4. Contrast finishes for visual interest

Even though your bantry cabinet doors may be closed most of the time, it doesn't mean you should neglect them when considering your kitchen colour scheme. Instead, see it as a way of adopting paint trends such as the peek-a-boo paint idea which uses bright or contrasting colours and materials to create an unexpected focal point.

Here, the coral of the glass-fronted cabinet provides a splash of colour to showcase glassware, while the wooden finish on the inside of the home bar section adds warmth to the navy kitchen idea.

Shop for coloured kitchenware for your bantry

5. Add mirrored shelves for extra light

With the inside of a bantry needing to be practical and functional (especially one that's used as a bar at nighttime), it's important to consider lighting in your main design brief say the experts.

"Integrated lighting is also becoming increasingly common, illuminating the interior so the space feels purposeful and inviting rather than simply a storage cupboard," notes Richard Davonport, founder and managing director of Davonport. "It transforms what was once a purely practical pantry into something that feels far more sociable and engaging."

Glass shelves and a mirrored splashback can also serve a dual purpose in bantry ideas by not only looking stylish, but ensuring any light within the space is maximised.

"Integrated LED strips, positioned vertically or horizontally, will not only enhance visibility but also elevate the overall look," adds Adrian Stoneham, "creating a warm, inviting feature within the kitchen."

Try adding these Warm White COB LED Strip Light with Touch and Hand Sweep Dimmer Switch for Cabinets to boost your bantry or kitchen accent lighting.

6. Include drawers for practical pantry storage

With its double identity, a bantry is expected to work pretty hard in your kitchen, fulfilling the role of host and store.

“This type of cabinetry kitchen storage should be designed with layers of functionality in mind," says Richard Davonport. "Deep drawers might store snacks, cereals, and dry goods, while upper shelving accommodates glassware or decorative bottles, and a durable work surface inside the cupboard creates space for making coffee in the morning or mixing drinks later in the day."

But where do you start? "Consider what you’ll be housing, from dry goods to glassware, and communicate this clearly with your kitchen designer so cabinetry can be tailored accordingly," advises Adrian Stoneham.

"Personalised detail, such as engraved drawer fronts for items like bread, pasta or treats, can also provide a practical solution, and a sense of understated luxury," he adds.

7. Make it hard-wearing and practical

While a fun neon light or a contrasting colour can bring a lovely aesthetic to your bantry ideas, it needs to be practical, and fit in with your overall kitchen ideas too, especially if the bantry is located among the rest of your kitchen cabinets.

"The first design tip we give homeowners is to ensure the internal materials align with the main kitchen," says Jane Everett. "We recommend integrating a counter-height shelf made from a durable material like quartz, or a complementary timber worktop to tie the space together."

Or, as is in this idea, you can extend your kitchen worktop choice inside a counter-top cupboard that's being designed as a bantry.

"A functional bantry should always include a few key components," she continues. "For the pantry element, dedicated housing for small appliances with electric sockets at the rear is essential, allowing them to be used in situ. For the bar side, dedicated wine or bottle storage and elegant glassware shelving or hanging rails are a really lovely addition. Interior lighting really elevates the bantry too."

8. Place a wine fridge below

Although including kettles, coffee machines and blenders inside a bantry will enhance its useablilty, where space permits, a wine fridge located below the worktop can also be worth the investment.

Or, if you have the room available, including an integrated fridge and freezer could also turn your bantry into a more practical bar, small pantry and cold store too. Perfect for drinks, snacks, ice and more will turn your bantry into a truly multi-functional kitchen hub.

This HiSense Wine Cooler from Argos can hold up to 96 litres of drinks if you need one to enhance your kitchen bantry.

9. Consider an extended bantry wall

If your kitchen truly is the heart of your home, and life revolves around the space from day into night, it could be worth designing a bantry that suits your lifestyle – even if this means making it larger and the focal point of your room.

Here, a sink, drinks storage, coffee machine, copious amounts of storage and elegant gold trims and finishes make this bantry idea a real hive of activity, and it's a concept that Richard Davonport has seen grow amongst homeowners.

“Entertaining at home has become more relaxed and integrated into daily life, rather than reserved for formal occasions, and homeowners increasingly want spaces that make hosting feel effortless," explains Richard.

"Having a dedicated cupboard where everything needed for drinks, coffee, or snacks is gathered in one place means guests can be served without disrupting the wider kitchen.

"Traditionally, a walk-in pantry was a purely practical space for food storage, while drinks and glassware might sit in a separate bar cabinet or dresser elsewhere in the home. What we are now seeing is a merging of those roles in a way that supports both everyday routines and entertaining," he adds.

10. Use pocket doors for easy access

Although, as the previous idea shows, bantries can be as large as you want, smaller bantry ideas require extra planning, with features such as pocket doors proving advantageous.

"When designing a bantry, it’s important to balance practicality with visual appeal," says Adrian Stoneham. "Pocket doors are a great option, as they slide neatly out of sight when open, freeing up floor space and allowing the interior to be fully appreciated while in use."

Is there a minimum size for a bantry? It's much the same as any kitchen cabinet choice, with sizes ranging from 600mm upwards.

"We usually suggest the minimum space for a bantry (without pocket doors) is around 800mm wide which allows for two doors to open and not protrude into the room," says Jane Everett. "As a minimum, the internal space also needs to be wide enough for appliances," she notes.

If, like me, you're leaning towards a bantry in your next kitchen design, make sure you've planned ahead in order to avoid common kitchen layout mistakes so that it's placed in the best location.

And, when it comes to the internal design, take inspiration from these pantry organisation ideas to make sure you get the maximum use from your cabinets.

Mosaic tiles can instantly elevate a room’s appearance. Their versatility and design diversity make them a perfect companion for floors and walls in any living space. They can enhance your hallway flooring, elevate your kitchen design and underline any smart bathroom designs you desire.

However, there are some subtle differences to standard tiles that any DIYer needs to know, whether you're using mosaic tiles when tiling a wall, or any other kind of surface.

Most mosaics conveniently come with a mesh backing to take the hard work out of spacing, but you’ll still need the right tools and techniques to get a professional-looking finish.

Tools you’ll need to install mosaic tiles

The tools you need to install mosaic tiles will differ slightly from a standard tiling kit. For example, you will need the right size trowel, shares Lorenzo Smith, Head of Product at Ca’ Pietra. “A smaller-notched trowel is important, as it helps control the adhesive bed and prevents it from pushing up through the finer joints.”

Another key essential to get right is adhesive to make sure that your tiles stay in place. "A flexible tile adhesive is the safest and most dependable choice," says Lorenzo. "White adhesive is often preferred for glass, marble, or lighter finishes," he adds, "so that the tone beneath does not interfere with the final appearance.”

In addition to the right trowel and adhesive, you’ll also need scissors to cut the backing mesh, tile nippers to cut the actual tile (a standard tile cutter won’t work), a rubber grout float, and a large sponge such as these GADLANE Jumbo Car Wash Sponges from Amazon.

A spirit level and a straight edge such as this ZZTX 12 Inch Stainless Steel Ruler from Amazon are also essential to ensure straight lines.

Shop for tile tools to install mosaic tiles

How to install mosaic tiles

1. Apply adhesive

To apply the adhesive, you will need a 4mm notch trowel.

"Spread in smaller sections so that it remains workable and applied at a consistent angle to ensure an even bed," says Lorenzo Smth.

One smart tip is to slightly flatten the ridges before placing the tile. Once the tile is in place, press down with a grout float or a similar-sized piece of board to help ensure good adhesion and a level surface.

2. Lay from the centre outwards

Although it can depend on the area being tile, as a general rule, start in the centre recommends Lorenzo Smith.

“With mosaics, beginning from the centre and working outwards often delivers the most composed result. This is especially true on splashbacks or feature walls, where symmetry is more apparent.

“That said, everything depends on a reliable starting point," he adds. “A perfectly level guide line is essential before any tile is fixed in place. Whether you begin from a central axis or a key edge such as a worktop, taking the time to establish that reference will define the accuracy of everything that follows.”

If you do start centrally, make sure to measure up (or dry-lay if possible) and see where the tile edges will fit against walls and surfaces. Luckily, mosaic sheets are pretty flexible, so you often don’t need to cut the tile, just the mosaic mesh, to get a good fit.

“It is also worth checking each sheet before installation," adds Lorenzo, "as small irregularities can sometimes occur during manufacturing, and these are far easier to correct before the tiles are fixed in place.”

3. Keep a consistent gap

The backing sheet of a mosaic ensures consistent spacing between the individual mosaics. However, when a sheet is placed on the adhesive and pressed into place, the mosaics can shift and twist slightly, so they are not always perfectly aligned.

Check by eye to see whether any of the mosaics are out of line. To ensure consistent alignment, I use a straight edge, a 30cm steel ruler, and place it in the gap and adjust any mosaic. I do this vertically and horizontally if needed.

Time spent at this point will ensure you don’t need to adjust later, which will be more difficult and time-consuming.

4. Cut in the correct way

When dealing with mosaic tile sheets, you rarely need to cut the actual mosaic tile, but if you do, there is a process to follow.

The first step is to, "cut the mesh backing first with scissors or a craft knife to separate the tiles you need," says Harriet Goodacre, interiors and tiling expert at Topps Tiles.

Make sure to measure and double-check before you cut so you don’t remove too many tiles. I can tell you from experience that it gets fiddly if you do, and have to start adding individual mosaics to complete a job.

If you need to make small cuts, you’ll need tile nippers, confirms Harriet. “For shaping, tile nippers are the easiest option, especially for curves or small adjustments. You simply cut away at the mosaic little by little, then smooth any rough edges with a file," she says.

I suggest a round file for curves and a flat file for straight edges. This will make sure your bathroom tile ideas look much more professional.

If however you need to make a straight cut across a full mosaic sheet, the best option is an electric tile cutter. To help ensure a straight cut, I apply wide masking tape to the front and back of the mosaic sheet where the cut will be made. This helps stop the mosaics from moving while being cut.

“It’s also worth remembering to wear gloves and safety glasses while cutting, particularly with glass mosaics, as small shards can break away," advises Harriet.

Shop these mosaic tiles for walls and floors

FAQs

Should I use tile spacers?

Tile spacers are a must when installing standard tiles, but mosaics are slightly different. Lorenzo Smith points out where best to use, saying, “tile spacers can be useful between sheets, particularly if you are less familiar with mosaic installation, though they are rarely needed within the sheets themselves.”

Personally, I think it’s easier to judge the gap by eye. But if in any doubt, use a spacer at both edges of the mosaic tile sheet to get an even gap.

The common gap between the mosaics is 2mm, so invest in a pack of 2mm tile spacers like these OX Trade Cross Shaped Tile Spacers from Amazon.

How do I choose the right mosaic tiles?

Choosing the right mosaic tile is the key to a smart finish. Alex Woods, bathroom expert at Victorian Plumbing, shares how to choose the right mosaic tile for your project.

“When deciding on your tiles, I would recommend holding a few options up against your wall or floor first to see how they look in the actual lighting of the room. Natural and artificial light can change how colours appear, so it’s worth checking before you commit.” Consider investing in a few different samples before you commit to purchasing.

“Mosaic tiles are typically small, busy patterns that can make a space feel more detailed and textured, while larger or simpler designs create a cleaner, more modern look," says Alex, "so it’s also important that the tile design suits the space. For example, lighter colours can make small bathrooms feel bigger, while darker tones can add contrast and style in larger areas.”

Lorenzo Smith's final tips for installing mosaic tiles? It's a simple tip, but it's essentially don’t rush.

“Take the time to step back and assess your progress at regular intervals," says Lorezo. This allows you to maintain a consistent finish, ensuring the final result feels cohesive and carefully executed.”

Mosaic tiles work well in bathrooms and kitchens and can add a whole new nuance to a room. Check out how to make the most of them in in these spaces with this range of kitchen wall tile ideas, and bathroom tile ideas for small bathrooms.

That drawer full of old chargers, broken headphones and unused gadgets is something most households recognise.

What many people don’t realise is that UK law already gives them the right to recycle these items for free through shops and dedicated collection systems.

These rules come from the long-standing Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) regulations, which require businesses to take responsibility for recycling electrical waste.

At the same time, new Simpler Recycling reforms are changing how household waste is sorted across the UK, making it clearer what can and cannot go in general bins – and highlighting the need for separate routes for electrical items.

What can you take back under WEEE rules?

Under WEEE regulations, many everyday electrical items can be returned for recycling.

This includes small household electronics such as chargers, cables, headphones, kettles, toasters, phones, and other portable devices, as well as larger appliances like televisions and washing machines.

Retailers are legally required to provide recycling options for these items, either through in-store take-back schemes or when a customer buys a replacement product.

In many larger shops, small electrical items can also be dropped off for recycling even without making a purchase.

How can you return recyclable electrical goods?

Recycling routes are built into the retail system. When buying a new electrical item, customers are usually entitled to return a similar old item for free recycling.

Many larger retailers also provide dedicated collection points for small electrical goods, such as cables and chargers. Online retailers are also required to support take-back arrangements, often through return or collection systems.

These responsibilities sit with businesses under UK government regulations, meaning households are not responsible for organising recycling infrastructure themselves – only for using the available options.

Why recycling rules are more in focus now

These recycling rights have existed for many years, but they are becoming more relevant as household waste systems change.

New Simpler Recycling rules across the UK aim to make bin rules easier to understand, but they also reinforce that electrical items must be kept out of general household waste and disposed of separately under WEEE rules.

As systems are streamlined, more attention is placed on specialist routes for everyday electrical items such as chargers, cables and small gadgets.

At the same time, government policy continues to highlight retailer take-back schemes and collection points as the main legal way to handle electrical waste outside the home.

As household waste rules tighten, the distinction between general recycling and specialist electrical waste is becoming more visible – reinforcing the importance of using the recycling routes that are already available.

Choosing a colour scheme for any room needs careful consideration if you want to ensure that it does the space in question justice, is one you won't grow tired of quickly and, crucially, is unlikely to look dated before you've finished applying the final coat of paint.

Getting bathroom colour ideas just right can be much harder than in other areas of the home. This is because, practical usage aside, this is a room that needs to feel both restorative and energising, as well as calming and tranquil at different times of the day – and the shades associated with these states of being are very different.

From experience, I can say that the shade currently gracing the walls of the main bathroom in my own house is doing absolutely nothing for my enjoyment of it. We all know that some colours are better suited for certain rooms of the house than others, but are any shades an absolute no-no in the bathroom? I asked the experts and here's what they had to say.

5 colours to avoid in bathrooms

1. Cold, pure white

Opinion tends to be a little divided when it comes to all-white bathroom design ideas. On the one hand, you have the staunch minimalists who love nothing more than pure, snowy white surroundings, while on the other you have those that find this kind of space soulless and stark.

According to Mike Whitfield, luxury interiors expert at Lusso, there is no right or wrong here – it is more a case of deciding on the kind of space you are hoping for.

"Choosing the right colour palette for your bathroom depends largely on the overall look and feel that you want to achieve," picks up Mike. "For example, cold neutrals, especially pure white, while popular in modernist aesthetics, can feel out of place for more traditional bathroom ideas, making the space feel less warm and dated if done incorrectly."

"I’d be cautious of overly stark and chalky whites, which can feel quite clinical and cold without enough contrast or texture," says Camilla Masi, interior designer at Otto Tiles & Design, who goes on to suggest some better alternatives.

"For main bathrooms, especially those used daily, I tend to lean towards more balanced, nuanced palettes with depth. Warmer neutrals such as soft stone, clay and earthy terracotta, create a more grounded, inviting atmosphere, particularly when layered through natural materials."

2. Clinical pale grey

Another shade that can, if not used with caution, appear a little austere and on the cold side, is cool grey (something I can vouch for having used it for my own bathroom walls.) Thankfully, there are plenty of warmer alternatives to this type of grey to choose from.

"When designing a bathroom, the palette needs to work a little harder than in other spaces. It should feel energising in the morning, but equally calm and restorative in the evening, so it’s about striking a balance rather than leaning too far in one direction," explains Camilla Masi.

"To create a relaxing, cocooning environment, choose soft neutrals or pastels instead of cold grey," says Mike Whitfield. "Colours like cream or pale blue, or nature-inspired neutral tones, will transform your bathroom into a cosy, sophisticated sanctuary that is infused with warmth. These tones juxtapose beautifully with natural, organic materials, such as wooden vanity units or a freestanding stone bath, creating a balanced, harmonious space that lets you relax and enjoy your evenings."

Shop cosy neutral paint colours

3. Moody dark reds and browns – in excess

Again, this is an area that has experts a little divided. While the use of dark, brooding shades can feel overwhelming and oppressive, it can also feel cosy and intimate – perfect for cottage bathroom ideas. The difference lies in the exact shades chosen and the way in which they are used.

"It’s important to be cautious when introducing deep, moody colours, like burgundy or dark brown, or very dark shades like navy or black," explains Mike Whitfield. "These colours can be overpowering when used incorrectly in a bathroom, making the space feel claustrophobic and oppressive, overwhelming the peaceful environment that you seek to create, especially if the space lacks natural light.

"Instead, you can introduce bold colours into the bathroom by creating a striking feature wall using colourful tiles, juxtaposed with calm neutral tones, brushed bronze fixtures and lots of warm lighting," continues Mike. "This adds a touch of personality and charm to the space without disrupting the tranquil spa-like feel that the space is intended to exude. This colour palette strikes a careful balance, creating a dramatic contrast that makes the space feel cosy, while maintaining the relaxing, spa-like bathroom feel.”

Cathryn Sanders, head of creative at Earthborn, has some more tips on using dark colours successfully.

"When choosing colours for an interior space, several elements beyond just the colour itself must be considered to ensure the space is cohesive, functional, and aesthetically pleasing," says Cathryn. "Spaces with abundant natural light can handle darker colours, while rooms with limited natural light may benefit from lighter shades to keep the space bright. Painting a ceiling in darker colours can make it feel lower and more intimate, while lighter colours can make it appear higher, adding a sense of spaciousness."

4. 'On-trend' highly-saturated shades

If it is a classic, timeless bathroom you are aiming to create, try not to get seduced by the latest bathroom trends – they might look great in a showroom, or on the pages of a magazine, but you need to consider what they will be like to live with on a day-to-day basis, as well as how they will date.

"We advise steering clear of overly bold or 'trendy' shades like deep avocado greens, bright oranges, or high-contrast geometric patterns," reveals Ant Langston, bathroom industry expert at HeatandPlumb.com. "While they might feel current at the moment, they rarely have staying power and can date the quickest.

"It is worth thinking beyond short-lived trends. We would suggest avoiding very bold or highly saturated shades such as bright oranges, strong purples or vivid blues across large surfaces," agrees Nick Duggan, director at The Radiator Centre.

"While eye-catching at first, these colours can quickly feel overwhelming in what is typically a smaller, more enclosed space. Instead, there is a growing preference for softer, more restorative tones that help create a calm and spa-like atmosphere. Gentle neutrals, warm whites, soft greys and nature inspired hues such as sage green or muted blue tend to work well. These shades provide a timeless backdrop and look beautiful alongside materials such as stone, tile and brushed metals."

"A happiness-inducing colour is personal to each homeowner – but there are a few colours which are known for creating a welcoming environment," points out Cathryn Sanders. "Thanks to its connection with nature, a soft, sage green provokes feelings of balance and serenity, while a fresh and breezy blue promotes relaxation and escapism. The colour of the moment, a playful pink, is also certain to inject a positive and playful atmosphere into the bathroom, especially when paired with a neutral palette.”

5. Over-used forest green and navy blue

Sometimes, a colour will become hugely popular, and really stick for some time – not just a fleeting fad. Then boom, just like that, everyone gets a bit sick of it. It doesn't necessarily look dated, more just a little overdone. And, according to the experts, this is what it happening with forest greens and navy. Fear not though, there is still a place for blue and green bathroom ideas – just in different shades to those moody versions we have seen so much of lately.

“We’re still seeing a lot of demand for blue shades," picks up Cathryn Sanders. "Renowned for its tranquil and calming qualities, blue is ideal for spaces dedicated to relaxation such as bathrooms.

“A colour trend continuing to dominate and grow in popularity is also green," adds Cathryn. "Bringing the spirit of the natural world within, and associated with balance, serenity, and renewal, it is therefore ideal for designing a calm and peaceful environment.

"As the world continues to emphasise eco-friendliness, these colours will likely remain popular, especially in interior design trends. Its diverse range of shades allows for flexibility in design, catering to both traditional and contemporary aesthetics alike.”

Shop modern green and blue paints

Which bathrooms colours are timeless?

Ideally, the colours you choose for your bathroom will look as fresh and relevant in ten years time as they do now — so what do the experts suggest?

"I'd say that, ultimately, the most successful bathroom schemes are those that feel considered and layered, rather than driven by a single colour," says Camilla Masi. "Subtle variation in tone, material and finish will always have more longevity than anything too flat or overly saturated."

Overall though, it was neutral bathrooms that got the unanimous vote when it came to shades that would stand the test of time.

"Timeless and versatile, neutrals are also colours that form the foundation of various design styles," says Cathryn Sanders. "Think beige, cream, grey, stone and ecru shades – all of these hues bring a warming appeal that not only grounds the space but creates a sense of calm too, perfect for the bathroom. These shades are timeless and classic and are ideally used to colour drench a bathroom to create a truly serene haven."

FAQ

Can you use bright colours in a bathroom without them dating?

Fans of bright and bold colours need not miss out here. There is still a place for colour – it just needs to be used in a considered way.

"No colour is ever completely off-limits – it’s more about how it’s applied," says Camilla Masi. "A deep or vibrant tone can work beautifully when introduced through pattern, material or smaller moments – a chequerboard floor, a striped tile, or a veined marble – rather than covering every surface."

"There are a number of interesting ways to add pops of colour to the bathroom using the peek-a-boo paint concept," adds Cathryn Sanders. "Painting the inside of drawers or the fronts of cupboard doors will add visual interest and character, while being creative with a different colour around your doors and by painting skirting boards will bring some drama and personality into the room. Don’t be afraid to be playful with your colour pops – highlight certain details like around light switches or hooks on walls and doors for that extra touch of fun.”

If you have decided to stick to a largely neutral colour scheme, don't feel that you can't still use a few of the latest ways to apply paint. Colour capping, for example, is a great way to add another layer of the same hue in your bathroom, and when used in the right way could even help your small bathroom ideas feel bigger.

It looks harmless enough going into the recycling bin and is the kind of everyday decision most people don’t think twice about.

But shredded paper is now at the centre of a growing warning from waste companies due to new Simpler Recycling reforms, which say this one small habit could be causing bigger problems than homeowners realise.

The reality is that it shouldn’t be going into recycling bins loose at all, and what happens to it afterwards is often not what people expect.

Why shredded paper causes problems in recycling systems

According to industry guidance aligned with Defra’s household recycling policies, recycling facilities are designed to process larger, recognisable pieces of material.

Once paper is shredded, it becomes lightweight, fragmented, and difficult to capture. Waste companies, such as Veolia and Biffa, have explained that shredded paper can:

• Fall through sorting machinery designed for intact paper
• Mix with other recyclable streams such as plastics, glass, paper and cardboard
• Reduce the overall quality of recovered paper fibres

The result is that material which is technically recyclable can become unusable once it enters the sorting process.

Defra’s Simpler Recycling framework stresses that clean, consistent recycling streams are essential to improving national recycling performance and reducing waste sent for disposal.

What happens if homeowners put shredded paper in recycling bins?

For households, the consequences depend on how local collection services handle contamination. Still, under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, certain powers exist to penalise households that do not comply with the rules.

If a bin is heavily contaminated by shredded paper, councils can:

• Leave it unemptied with a warning sticker
• Ask you to remove incorrect materials before the next collection
• Give written warnings for repeated contamination
• Provide advice notices explaining the correct recycling rules

In practice, this means a small amount of incorrectly placed shredded paper can have a wider impact on the recycling collected from an entire street or neighbourhood.

While some local authorities may allow shredded paper if it is contained properly within your recycling, this is not uniform. Guidance varies between councils, including those across London, where borough-level collection rules differ.

Most councils advise homeowners to check their specific recycling instructions rather than assume it is accepted.

Sort your shredded paper efficiently

Environmental impact of incorrect disposal

Defra has warned that contamination in household recycling streams remains one of the biggest barriers to improving recycling efficiency in the UK.

When shredded paper is incorrectly placed in recycling bins, it can lead to:

• Increased waste being diverted to landfill or incineration
• Higher carbon emissions from additional sorting and transport
• Reduced quality of recycled materials, making them harder to reuse

Waste operators including Veolia and Biffa have also highlighted that contaminated paper streams lower the value of recycled fibre, reducing its usability in producing new paper products.

Under Simpler Recycling, reducing this type of contamination is a key priority, with clearer rules intended to help households recycle more effectively.

As recycling systems become more standardised, experts say the message for homeowners is increasingly simple. Even familiar materials like paper need to be disposed of carefully once their form changes – and shredded paper is a clear example of where good intentions can lead to unintended environmental consequences. Organising your bins efficiently to reduce any possible contamination is a great place to start.

England’s Simpler Recycling reforms now require households to separate food waste as part of new national collection rules.

However, as the rollout continues, not all councils have fully delivered food waste caddies or weekly collections, leaving homeowners confused as to what they should do with their kitchen scraps.

In response, organisations and numerous local authorities have issued practical advice for households on six ways to manage food scraps safely until full services are in place.

1. Compost food scraps at home

The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) guidance encourages home composting as one of the most effective ways to manage organic food waste outside formal collection systems.

Fruit and vegetable peelings, tea bags, coffee grounds and eggshells can all be composted. WRAP describes this as part of the UK “waste hierarchy,” turning food scraps into a useful soil improver.

Many councils also actively support composting through local schemes. Bristol City Council and Leeds City Council, along with numerous other local authorities across England, promote home composting in their waste reduction advice and link residents to discounted compost bins through national partnerships such as the Get Composting scheme.

Alternatively, this Large Outdoor Wooden Compost Bin from B&Q is a stylish alternative if you're looking to include one in your garden plans.

2. Freeze food waste until collection

WRAP advises freezing surplus food or unavoidable scraps as a short-term storage method.

This helps reduce odours, slows decomposition and limits pest attraction to bins while households wait for full food waste collection services to be introduced.

Councils, including Leeds City Council and London borough authorities such as Camden Council, reference freezing as a practical interim solution during rollout phases.

Use these for kitchen food waste collection

3. Regrow food scraps at home

Some councils and organisations are encouraging food regrowing as part of wider food waste reduction schemes.

This is supported in UK food waste prevention messaging, including the national Love Food Hate Waste campaign, run by WRAP, which encourages households to make better use of food before it is thrown away as part of efforts to reduce edible food waste.

At a local level, councils including Bristol City Council and Leeds City Council also include regrowing food scraps within their household waste reduction and sustainability advice, as part of broader guidance on reducing food waste at source.

4. Use general waste bins where food collections are not yet active

Where food waste services have not yet been fully rolled out, and with up to 79 councils being delayed until 2040 at the earliest to deliver on the food waste changes, exceptions have in some cases been made to allow food waste in general waste bins.

This is a transitional measure while caddies are delivered and weekly food waste collections are fully implemented under Simpler Recycling.

However, it is important to check with your local council if you are allowed to do this, as you could, although very unlikely, be fined if you place waste in the general waste bin.

5. Reuse food scraps for household uses

WRAP and local authority guidance highlight that some food by-products can be reused outside of cooking and disposal.

Citrus peel can be used in natural cleaning infusions, while coffee grounds are widely referenced by councils – including Leeds City Council – for gardening, composting and odour control. Coffee grounds in particular can be used in the garden as a mulch for your plants.

These practices form part of wider circular economy approaches promoted in UK waste policy.

6. Reduce food waste at source

The most widely recommended step in reducing household food waste is prevention at source – something WRAP, which leads national food waste monitoring through the Courtauld Commitment for DEFRA, says remains the most effective way to cut waste overall.

WRAP’s guidance highlights simple actions such as meal planning, correct food storage, using leftovers and freezing surplus food as key ways to stop food becoming waste in the first place, rather than dealing with it after disposal.

A spokesperson for waste management firm Divert said the rollout is changing how households understand their waste: “The new Simpler Recycling regulations have been a great eye-opener for many people into how much food we actually waste as a nation. When food waste gets mixed in with your general waste, it’s hard to understand the scale, but once it’s separated, you will start to realise just how much we throw away.”

Divert added that once households begin separating food waste, many are surprised by the volume produced, particularly in larger households where standard caddy sizes fill quickly.

As Simpler Recycling continues to roll out across England, councils are still working to complete food waste caddy distribution and expand weekly collections.

In the meantime, households are being encouraged to manage scraps through composting, regrowing, reuse, freezing, and temporary general waste disposal where necessary.

But as WRAP, DEFRA and waste experts, including Divert, emphasise, the biggest long-term shift is not just how food waste is collected – but reducing how much is created in the first place.

After decorating the guest bedroom with a slatted feature wall, my parents were left with an abundance of panelling and had no idea what to do with it.

But after coming across a video suggesting clever ways to upcycle it, they knew just the place for it – a lifeless alcove in their hallway that was in desperate need of a refresh.

Not only has this new addition breathed new life into a once-boring wall, but it has also been a game-changer for catching splashes from the cat’s food bowls underneath, as it's much easier to wipe clean.

“When you’re redecorating on a budget, upcycling dated or tired-looking features is a great place to start. It’s a simple and easy way to instantly add some character, without the need to completely overhaul the room," says Summa Costandi, co-founder at Panels by Sofia.

How to recreate this idea

After measuring the width of the alcove, the panelling was cut to size using a Stanley knife, dragging it down the felt backing.

If you're working with a particularly wonky ceiling or a curvy wall and need to cut it lengthwise, you can make a template using cardboard. Cut it to match the profile, lay it on the wall panel, draw around it, and then cut it using a jigsaw.

To fix the panelling in place, my parents used Stixall Adhesive & Sealant, but any adhesive, such as Grip Fill, would work well for this wall panelling idea. It doesn’t take long to stick – simply push it against the wall and you’re good to go.

They decided to keep the original skirting in place, so the panelling sits neatly on top without dropping down.

To make the most of this once-forgotten corner, they screwed on eight pegs, turning it into a useful area for hanging coats as you walk through the door, slightly tucked behind the edge of the alcove.

They're really happy with the result and feel this space looks more polished and put together than it used to, while also making the most of spare material that would have been a real shame to waste.

What you will need

Other ways to upcycle leftover panelling

Even if you don't have enough panelling to cover an entire wall, there are plenty of ways to get creative and put it to good use. Here are some of my favourite ideas I’ve come across:

1. Media wall

If your media wall idea looks flat and boring, adding some panelling to the back is a great way to create some visual interest – without having to buy lots of knick-knacks to fill it up with.

Slatted panels, as pictured below, tend to work best for this type of setup, offering a subtle but stylish backdrop to your TV. Shaker and wainscoting may also work, but you’ll need to think carefully about the alignment of the rectangles.

2. Fireplace

Panelling is an easy way to spruce up a tired-looking fireplace, but you’ll need to ensure that you use fire-rated MDF panels.

"Installing panelling is a simple and affordable way to give this classic home feature the refresh it deserves, even when you’re short on time and on a budget. Panels can be fitted to the front of the mantlepiece or to the entire feature wall, to stylishly frame the fireplace," says Summa Costandi.

3. Shelving

Another easy way to upcycle leftover panelling is by turning it into floating shelves. Whether you hang it on a panelled wall for a seamless blend (as pictured below) or use it elsewhere to add a pop of interest, this is a thrifty way to put it to use.

"Smaller offcuts can work brilliantly as floating shelves, helping to create a more cohesive look throughout the home," says James Bryant, founder of Cut My. "It is a simple way to reduce waste while adding finishing touches that feel unique and personal."

These ideas are all incredibly simple and (virtually) free, but will go a long way in livening up forgotten features or even creating a new focal point.

If you found this helpful, you may also want to learn how I turned leftover decking into a DIY planter or how one writer used a wall panelling kit to revive a boring chimney breast.

I thought I was clear about paper and cardboard recycling rules, but it turns out that my coffee drinking habit is putting me at risk of breaking the rules.

Think that under the new Simpler Recycling guidelines your disposable paper coffee cup and lid are safe to put in the paper and cardboard bin if they're rinsed? Think again.

Coffee cups are not suitable for your recycling bins, and neither are some other common household paper and cardboard items, including non-food related products. Here's what you need to think about before casually discarding the paper and cardboard that comes into your home.

What items are banned from paper and cardboard recycling?

While it's easy to assume that your paper coffee cup and lid – commonly served by most high street coffee shops or cafes – is safe to pop in your paper and cardboard recycling as it's not plastic, in short, it's not.

In hindsight, it doesn't take a lot to work this out. Paper or cardboard alone isn't any protection against liquid, so they aren't just made of paper, as Lucas Hargreaves, recycling expert at Skip Hire Network, explains.

"Most takeaway coffee cups can’t go in standard UK recycling because they’re lined with plastic. That lining makes them tricky to process. Some popular coffee chains do offer in-store recycling, but if you’re at home, 'paper' coffee cup and lids are usually best placed in general waste, unless your council says otherwise, so it’s always good to check your local regulations on this.”

There's also one other food related item says Lucas, that homeowners often forget about and happily dispose of in their recycling without realising the risk.

“There’s a big culprit in our households that people assume is recyclable but sometimes isn’t. Greasy pizza boxes usually can’t be recycled, unless you tear off the clean parts," he warns.

"Wet paper or cardboard often gets rejected as well, so any takeaway containers, cake boxes with greasy spots, or boxes that have become wet cannot be recycled.”

It's the same for paper straws too. Their size, and the fact they are generally coated with whatever liquid you drink through them prohibits them from entering the recycling stream. And, as we all know, they absorb liquid too so generally are pretty soggy by the time you've finished a drink.

However, most of them are biodegradable, which is good, but isn't without restrictions. Biodegradable items are now excluded from your food waste under the new rules, so you have to dispose of them in your general waste.

Other paper items that could be risky

So what other standard household items should you avoid placing in your paper and cardboard recycling?

Wrapping paper and greetings card have always been a grey area for me, so I asked Lucas to explain the rules for these items as well.

“It depends on the type of wrapping paper and greeting cards, and it can be tricky to know," he agrees. "Plain paper wrapping is usually recyclable, but anything with foil, glitter, or a shiny coating isn’t recyclable. The same goes for cards – plain cards are recyclable, but avoid trying to recycle ones with extras like ribbons, batteries or coatings.”

And what about tape, stickers, or any additional materials that form part of the paper or cardboard packaging that comes into your home?

“It’s best to remove as much as you can, especially larger bits of plastic or heavy sticky materials," says Lucas, "but if you can’t separate it completely – like small pieces of parcel tape, shipping labels or stickers, or stubborn, minor glue residue – most modern recycling can filter this out before processing.

"But, it’s always considered best practice to remove as much of this as possible before recycling so not to contaminate the load," he notes.

Shop these items to make waste management easier

Paper and cardboard recycling guidelines

So what else can you do to make sure you don't break the new paper and cardboard recycling guidelines? Even if your council is exempt from the changes for now, it's good to understand what can and can't go in your recycling.

In much the same way as there is advice regarding washing your plastics before they go in the recycling, paper and cardboard must also adhere to the rules to avoid contaminating the rest of the items in your recycling bag or box.

To keep your recycling on the right side of the guidelines, take heed of the following:

1. Flatten all boxes before putting them out. It saves space in your bin, speeds up collection and helps recycling teams process materials more efficiently.
2. Keep cardboard dry by storing it indoors or under cover until collection day.
3. Don't bag it before placing it into the dedicated bin, box or bag
4. Watch out for waxed, coated and foil-lined packaging as these generally can't go in the paper and card stream.
5. Check your council's guidance if you're unsure.

FAQs

Are there rules about the size and amount of paper and cardboard I can recycle?

“There aren’t strict size limits, but collection works best when everything fits nearly into your bin with the lid fully closed," says Lucas Hargreaves. "Large boxes should be flattened, and if needed, cut down into smaller pieces so they don’t get stuck or left behind during collection.

“If you’ve got extra cardboard, start by flattening and stacking it to make the most of the space," he suggests. "If it still won’t fit, you can spread it across a couple of collections. Alternatively, take it to a local recycling centre, where larger amounts are usually accepted without any issues.”

Do I need to remove my name and address from packaging?

Although the paper and cardboard you are recycling will go through a pulping process, as explained below, you still need to be conscious of sharing your personal details says Lucas Hargreaves.

“It’s worth removing anything with your name, address or account details on it, as items can still be visible during sorting. The easiest option is to tear off labels or cut out sections with personal info. For more sensitive documents, shredding is a safer choice. If you don’t have a shredder, just ripping paper into very small pieces works.”

What happens to paper and cardboard in the recycling process?

Once it leaves your home, what happens to the paper and cardboard you've recycled?

"In short, once collected, paper and cardboard are sorted and turned into pulp," says Lucas Hargreaves. "That pulp is then reused to make new products like packaging or newspapers, so it all goes back into use rather than being wasted."

With a Homebuilding & Renovating poll revealing that 4 in 5 homeowners are still confused by the new recycling rules, if you're still unsure as to the new rules, find out what happens if you put items meant for recycling into your general waste, and why most councils won't be able to charge for supplying you with recycling bins or bags.

Homeowners planning bathroom renovations are significantly underestimating how much their projects will cost, according to new research from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

The study found that 71% of homeowners expect bathroom renovation to cost under £10,000, despite industry professionals warning that realistic budgets are often considerably higher.

The findings suggest widespread misconceptions about both pricing and project timelines, which may leave homeowners financially exposed.

Widespread misunderstanding of real renovation costs

The research highlights a strong disconnect between expectation and reality when it comes to bathroom budgets. A quarter of homeowners (26%) believe a full bathroom renovation can be completed for under £5,000, while just 3% expect costs to exceed £15,000.

Despite this, builders say those lower figures rarely reflect the reality of labour-intensive work, unexpected structural issues, and quality materials required for long-lasting results. The FMB notes that labour alone is often the largest cost component, yet only 38% of respondents correctly identified it as the most expensive part of a renovation.

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the Federation of Master Builders, said: “Bathroom renovations are one of the most common home improvement projects, but our research shows homeowners are walking into them with unrealistic expectations about both costs and timelines."

He added: "The gap between what people think they'll pay and what they actually need to budget is setting them up for disappointment - or worse, pushing them towards rogue traders offering unrealistic quotes and timelines.”

Timeline expectations also out of step with reality

Beyond budgeting, the study found that homeowners are also significantly underestimating how long bathroom renovations take.

Nearly one in five (19%) expect a full renovation to be completed in a week or less, while 39% believe it can be finished within two weeks.

Industry professionals argue that this is unrealistic once stripping out, plumbing, electrics, waterproofing, drying times, and multi-trade coordination are taken into account. Rushed schedules, they warn, are often linked to poor-quality finishes and long-term maintenance issues.

David Gutierrez, FMB London President and Director of FMB member companies AMIC Ltd and Nest Building Group, said: “We see this expectation gap every week. Clients come to us thinking a bathroom renovation will cost £6,000 and be done in five days, and we have to walk them through the reality. Quality work takes time – you're coordinating plumbers, electricians, tilers, sometimes structural work. Rushing it is how you end up with leaking showers and cracked tiles six months down the line.”

Risk of rogue traders exploiting unrealistic expectations

The FMB warns that this mismatch between expectations and actual costs can leave homeowners vulnerable to so-called “cowboy builders” who offer artificially low quotes to win work.

Berry added: “When someone thinks a full bathroom can be done for £3,000 in five days, they're prime targets for cowboys who will take a deposit, do substandard work and disappear. Most homeowners are budgeting for the bathroom they imagine, not the bathroom they'll actually get.”

The organisation says the issue is part of a wider consumer protection problem, with the UK construction sector having seen billions lost to rogue traders in recent years.

When low expectations lead to costly mistakes

One homeowner affected by a poorly executed renovation described the lasting impact of choosing the cheapest quote.

“I don't take baths anymore. It's hard to relax when you look around your bathroom and see thousands of pounds you've wasted,” they said. “Our quote came in at under half the price of installers from the retailer we bought materials from and we thought we'd get a bargain. Instead, we were left with uneven tiles, squiggly sealant, damaged fixtures including our toilet, and a radiator that doesn't work.”

The FMB says cases like this underline the importance of realistic budgeting, proper vetting of tradespeople, and recognising that quality bathroom renovations require both time and investment.

After being quoted £30,000 for an extension, Homebuilding's Content Director, Laura Crombie, decided to get creative by changing her entire downstairs floor plan to make the space work better for her family.

Since their old living room had become the kitchen-diner, it "made sense" for the redundant formal dining room to become the new living space. Despite being around 3x4m, they were "confident" they could make it work, and it has now become a "warm and cosy space" where her family spend most of their time.

Below, she walks us through how they achieved it, along with the best products she chose along the way to bring her dream living room design to life.

Before and after photos

Before

After

How they did it

To begin, the old serving hatch was blocked up with timber studwork overlaid with plasterboard, and aluminium bi-fold doors were added to maximise the beautiful garden views. Since the doors were the same width as the old window, they didn’t need a new lintel, but the floor did need to be reinforced to cope with the weight of the doors.

"We chose two-pane bifolds from Kloeber as they look like patio doors, with minimal frame, but open right back to allow access to the garden and to frame the view," she says.

As for the flooring, Laura chose Karndean’s herringbone LVT in 'Savannah Oak’, which flows seamlessly into her kitchen. To add a cosy touch, the floor was covered with an extra-large Berber-style rug, picked up in a La Redoute sale.

They also chose to paint the walls in Tikkurila Anti-Reflex White – Laura's all-time favourite emulsion, which is ideal for high-traffic areas, as you can “touch it up constantly without any telltale marks.”

"I still like a feature wall in the right setting, so I chose Lady Bug from Earthborn Paints, which is a really rich burgundy. I love the fact that it’s washable and virtually VOC- and odour-free, making it perfect for a family home," she says.

Shop Laura's favourite paints

The next big decision was choosing the right sofa. Having previously bought a Swyft sofa and “absolutely loved it”, Laura opted for another, choosing the largest one she could fit in the space, as it’s an area that's frequently used for sitting, relaxing and hosting.

"Swyft is a pioneer of ‘sofas in a box’, which means they come in pieces and can be carried into tricky spaces easily. We opted for installation, which meant the delivery drivers built them for us and took away all the packing, which was super handy," she says.

If you want to recreate Laura's look in your home, she bought two of the Model 10 three-seater sofas and a footstool in teal velvet, which she praises as being easy to wipe clean and ideal for those with children and pets. She says the Mid-century feel ties in perfectly with the style of her 1960s home.

Shop Laura's furniture

When it came to decorating her small living room idea, Laura selected a print by Georgia Elliot – an artist she discovered on Instagram, whose work she “loves” and hopes to one day afford an original of. Some of her prints are now available at John Lewis.

Laura bought her cushions from Dunelm, the ceiling light from Wayfair, and the wall lights from La Redoute.

They didn’t feel the need for lots of living room storage ideas, so a TV unit from Wayfair proved the perfect compact solution – especially as it has a similar feel as the mid-century style sofas.

"The fact it’s up on legs and you can see the floor beneath, makes the space feel bigger," she says. "The glass bookcase unit from JYSK has a similar impact as you can see through it – it’s also highly practical as it stops anything inside from getting dusty."

See the floorplan before and after

"The space now is warm, cosy and proof that small living rooms don’t have to be boring. As a family, we spend more time in this room than any other space," she concludes.

If you enjoyed seeing the transformation of this small living room, you might also like to see photos of Laura’s £350 built-in pantry from Amazon. Alternatively, if an extension feels like a better fit for your needs, take inspiration from this low-waste home designed with the planet in mind.

While granite, marble and laminate are all commonly associated with kitchen worktops, homeowners are often less knowledgeable about soapstone.

Although the name may suggest it's not strong, it is in fact highly durable and more than up to the task of dealing with daily life in the heart of the home – and can even be used in other rooms too.

In this guide to what is soapstone, we explain what it is, its pros and cons, and take a look at its attributes so you can decide if it could be the best material for your kitchen worktop ideas.

1. What is soapstone?

Unlike its foamy namesake, soapstone is a hard-wearing natural material, as Paul Dore, managing director at County Stone explains.

"Despite the name, soapstone isn’t made from soap; it is a natural metamorphic stone and gets its name from the soft, smooth, almost soapy feel of the surface. It is not an engineered product and is quarried in slab form, and then cut and finished for installation. That means each piece is unique, with natural movement, shading and markings."

'It is primarily composed of talc," expands Olli Webb, director at Cullifords. "Once quarried, slabs are cut, shaped and finished, often for use as kitchen worktops."

"It forms over millions of years when heat and pressure alter mineral-rich rocks," continues Paul. "Soapstone also boasts varying amounts of other minerals, and it’s these additional minerals and the degree of metamorphism that affect its hardness. Harder types are preferred for kitchen worktops because they are more durable than pure talc soapstone."

2. What does soapstone look like?

In terms of appearance, it's known for its rich grey-to-charcoal tones, often with subtle veining, although it can have a blue or green tinge too. Visually, differences are mainly seen in shade and veining.

"There are different types of soapstone available," explains Paul Dore, "but these are usually defined by the quarry source and mineral content. Some slabs are darker charcoal grey, while others carry green, blue or brown undertones. Veining can range from subtle to dramatic too," he adds.

"Hardness also differs between slabs, which is why it’s important to work with an experienced fabricator who can source suitable grades for busy kitchen worktops," notes Paul.

Shop for kitchen worktops

3. Where can it be used?

While more commonly associated with kitchens, soapstone can also be used in other applications around the home.

"Soapstone is primarily used in kitchens – for worktops, kitchen islands and splashbacks," confirms Olli Webb, "but it also suitable for bathroom surfaces too, such as bathroom panelling ideas." Its high-end appearance makes it a good option if you're looking to create a luxurious master en-suite, or even a spa-like bathroom in line with this year's bathroom trends.

Some other uses, explains Paul, include, "fireplace surrounds and hearths, to create bespoke shelving and even for windowsills and home bar ideas."

4. What is it most like in terms of other materials?

In terms of what it can most be likened too when comparing it to other surface finishes, it's usually placed with worktop materials such as granite, quartz and marble, although it can have less variations in its appearance, and is generally a bit softer in terms of its physical make up.

"Soapstone sits somewhere between granite and marble in terms of appearance and perception," says Paul Dore. "It has the natural beauty and individuality of marble, but it tends to be more forgiving in day-to-day use.

"It is also often chosen as an alternative to honed granite because of its softer, matte appearance," he continues. "If a client wants something understated, tactile and characterful, soapstone is well worth considering. And, unlike quartz or other engineered surfaces, what you see is naturally formed, which gives every slab its own character, making it unique – in the same vein as granite."

5. What are its pros and cons?

As with any type of material that features in hard-working areas such as kitchens, it's important to weigh up its pros and cons. What looks good, doesn't always give you the most in terms of performance or stand the test of time with repeated use.

So how does soapstone stack up in terms of its good and bad points?

"Some of its appeal is that it's highly heat resistant, non-porous, hygienic, low maintenance and develops character over time," notes Olli Webb, "although as it has a softer surface, it scratches more easily than granite or quartz."

Paul Dore expands further, listing the following attributes along with some of the points you need to consider if using it in your home.

Pros of soapstone

➕ Beautiful natural veining and tonal variation

➕ Heat-resistant, making it practical in kitchens

➕ Generally resistant to acids

➕ Develops a unique lived-in patina over time

➕ Non-porous varieties can be lower maintenance than some natural stones

Cons of soapstone

➖ Softer than granite or quartz, so it can be scratched or marked more easily

➖ Colour palette is typically darker and more muted

➖ Natural fissures are common and part of the material’s character

➖ Less widely available in the UK than granite, quartz or porcelain

6. How much does it cost?

So do you have room for it in your kitchen costs? If you're looking for budget kitchen worktops, you'll probably need to consider something else such as a laminate worktop say the experts. Soapstone effect options such as this GoodHome Nepeta Multicolour Soapstone effect Compact Laminate Square edge Kitchen Worktop from B&Q can also give you the look without the price.

But, if you do have more funds available, soapstone could be an option, depending on a number of variables.

"Pricing varies depending on slab origin, thickness, availability and fabrication detail, but soapstone is often priced in line with mid-low end marble. Installation costs vary between installers, as well as the complexity of the installation," says Paul Dore.

"Much like similar, premium natural stones, like granite, it typically sits in the mid-to-high price range," confirms Olli Webb.

7. Is it sold under a brand name?

If you're keen to find it when you start looking into your kitchen design, your best bet is to ask for it by name, says the experts, rather than searching for a specific brand or manufacturer.

"It’s usually sold as a material, rather than under widely recognised consumer brands, though specialist suppliers may name specific slabs," say Olli Webb.

"Unlike quartz surfaces, which are often marketed under well-known brand names, soapstone is more commonly sold by quarry name, supplier range or stone variety rather than consumer-facing brands," agrees Paul Dore. "Homeowners usually choose the actual slab rather than shopping by brand alone."

While you may come across Silestone when searching for it online, don't make the mistake of assuming this is soapstone. Silestone is an engineered product designed to look like soapstone, which could be a solution if you wanted to include the appearance of soapstone in your design, but opt for a slightly harder-wearing manmade product instead.

8. What style of home or kitchen does it work best with?

The beauty of soapstone is that it can really work with any type of kitchen idea, although it will often come down to the colour variations available, and the visual appearance of it and whether this suits your personal preferences.

"Soapstone can work with all types of kitchens, but we tend to see it used more commonly in alongside shaker-style kitchen units, adding depth and contrast to kitchens, as well as contemporary and minimalist kitchens where the matte finish adds to the modern aesthetic," says Paul Dore.

"Our view is that soapstone suits homeowners who appreciate natural ageing and authenticity, rather than those wanting a perfectly uniform finish," he adds, and we often say to homeowners that soapstone is ideal for kitchens that want to add softness, rather than shine."

It may not be as widely used in the UK as other materials, but can also be perfect if you are looking for an understated, timeless kitchen, such as those using Scandinavian, traditional or minimalist influences, notes Olli Webb.

Seeking more advice on making sure your kitchen worktop selection is just right? Take a look at what you can expect to pay for other kitchen worktop prices, how to go about choosing the right kitchen worktop colour, and if you're leaning towards wood as an option instead, discover the truth about solid wood kitchen worktops.

Due to a current lack of space, my home office and bedroom are cohabiting in the same space and they're fast falling out of love with each other. It may make the commute pretty quick, but therein lies the problem.

While the room is large enough for desk to live on one side of the room, and my bed on the other, it's a 24/7 relationship and one that's beginning to jar.

As breaking-up isn't an option, I've been eyeing up ideas to help zone the room, or screen off one space from another. As I'm selling my flat, I also don't want to build a wall. So, if you find yourself in a similar love-hate relationship as me, here's what I'm considering to turn my domestic disaster into domestic bliss.

1. An easy fast-fix with a moveable screen

If you're looking for a less permanent bedroom divider idea that doesn't involve any construction or decoration, the easiest solution has to be a room divider screen.

Readily available from a variety of online and in-person stores, such as IKEA and Wayfair, finding one is relatively easy. All you need to do is know how big it needs to be, and the style or design you want.

Think about whether you want it to block out the view of your home office set-up entirely, or if it's more a disguise than a total block. But, do take into account light and ventilation. It might be that the screen is better placed by your bed than the desk for example if you're close to a window, so that you don't diminish natural daylight when working.

As my bedroom has cream distressed wooden furniture in it, I've bookmarked this Vidaxl Hand Carved 3-panel Room Divider from B&Q as a potential purchase for my room, but there are plenty of other options available to suit your own bedroom decor.

2. This permanent-looking solution is still temporary

Another idea on my wish list which might work if you're searching for a solution that looks permanent, but can still be moved if you change your room layout, are these divider posts from Amazon.

Although they give the appearance of being a constructed room divider, they are temporary and have adjustable aluminium feet on the bottom to ensure the posts can be lodged tightly between floor and ceiling.

Available starting in packs of four, you can choose a larger pack size, or multiple quantities of to suit your bedroom. They'd also be a great way of zoning a dining room from the kitchen if you're weighing up a broken plan vs open plan kitchen extension scheme. Or, if your front door opened straight into a living room, you could use them to create a small hallway idea that causes minimal light disruption.

3. A curtained room within a room

One option that's sitting towards the top of my list is the idea of finding a way to disguise my bed, rather than my desk. While seeing the desk at night isn't overly conducive to sleep, neither is having my bed blurred out in the background ideal for video calls.

There also isn't enough room to build a new stud wall with a door, so whatever idea I choose needs to be less permanent, and one that doesn't include construction.

Instead, I've seen a number of curtain ideas that seem more suitable, and appealing. Perhaps it's because they make me think of a bedroom in a warm and sunny climate, as opposed to wet and windy Wales.

Either way, with options such as mounting these ceiling curtain tracks from IKEA and curving them around the bed, as shown in the second image, to the Umbra Anywhere Curtain Rod & Divider shown first, it's certainly a solution that I think could work well in any bedroom that needs clever zoning.

4. Replace my office furniture for hidden alternatives

Although I work from home on a full-time basis, my job doesn't really require many tools. Just a desk, chair, laptop, notebook, pen and desk lamp when you break it down to the basics. Some home office storage is helpful to store copies of the Homebuilding & Renovating magazine and spare stationery, but that's as much as I need.

So, while I have a large desk, the reality is I could do my job in less space if I needed to. This has led me to research some hideaway desk alternatives, and while this may prove to be a more expensive option, it's again not permanent so could also move with me when I next relocate. If you buy well, it could also end up being suitable for an alcove idea, or even find a new life as a homework station in a kitchen.

While I've included this Darla hideway desk from La Redoute, to illustrate the look, I also have the two desks below from Dunelm saved to my favourites as well.

Find yourself needing to relocate your home office rather than screen it? Take a look at these home office on landing ideas if you have wasted space that could be put to better use. Or, if you're keen to move out completely, then these garden office ideas are well worth considering.

New UK wiring rules are now in effect from 15 April, changing how and where certain electrical systems can be installed in homes.

The updates focus on modern installations such as EV chargers, battery storage systems and smart wiring rather than basic household electrics.

Homeowners planning new installations or upgrades may need to consider where equipment can safely be positioned before work begins.

Battery storage: Where they can and cannot go

The rules place clearer expectations on where home battery systems can be installed.

Solar batteries should now be located in areas that are accessible for maintenance and positioned to reduce fire and heat risks, meaning tight cupboards, escape routes, and poorly ventilated spaces are generally unsuitable. Installations are expected to be placed where airflow and safe access for isolation are possible.

This effectively limits common “out of sight” locations and pushes installations toward utility areas, garages or purpose-designed spaces.

EV chargers: Driveway and access positioning

Electric vehicle charger installations are now more closely linked to safe positioning around the home.

Chargers must be installed where they can be accessed safely for maintenance and where cables do not create obstructions or hazards. This places greater importance on driveway layout, wall position and cable routing from the consumer unit to the charging point.

In practice, this means installation planning now needs to consider access, clearance and proximity to parking space rather than just electrical capacity.

Smart wiring and data systems: Inside-the-home placement

Systems that combine power and data, such as smart home wiring and Power over Ethernet, must now be installed in ways that reduce risk from heat and interference.

This affects where cabling can run within walls, ceilings and service voids, particularly where mains wiring and data systems are close together.

As a result, some retrofit smart systems may require more careful planning around existing electrical layouts.

For homeowners, the biggest change is not what can be powered, but where modern electrical systems can be positioned in the home.

Installations or rewiring now require more consideration of ventilation, access and layout before work is carried out.

Existing systems are not required to be moved, but new installations must follow the updated placement expectations.

For many people, sharing their home with pets, be that a springy Spaniel or a fussy feline, brings unrivalled joy, comfort and companionship. Certainly I don't know where I would be without my own four-legged friend, a Labrador who loves nothing more than cuddles – except to perhaps shed excessive amounts of fur all over the place – something that led me to looking into pet-friendly living room ideas in the first place.

For all the happiness these furry little pals might bring, they undeniably make a bit of a mess around the house, which is why it makes sense to make yours a pet-friendly home, not only in terms of keeping your animals happy and content, but also when it comes to reducing the amount of time and effort you have to put into keeping your spaces clean, tidy and smelling fragrant.

If, like me, you are keen to find ways of creating a living room that feels relaxing for all members of the household and is easy to keep fur-free and fresh, I have been asking a range of experts, both from the world of interior design as well as in animal care, for their top tips.

1. Work from the ground up

Let's begin with the basics. It tends to be the flooring that bears the brunt of family life in general, but when you live with pets, it really does get put through its paces meaning it is more important than ever to think in terms of how your floors are going to hold up. You need to consider not only the best flooring for dogs but, if you have cats or other clawed creatures, how snag-proof your floors will be.

"The best options tend to be durable, low-toxicity, and easy to live with," picks up interior design Shreya Vohora, co-CEO of Interiors With Art (IWA). "Natural wood (solid or engineered) with a low-VOC finish, natural stone or ceramic tile, which are hygienic and non-absorbent, and cork (solid tiles rather than click planks), which is soft underfoot, naturally antimicrobial, and helps with sound-proofing are all good choices."

If your living room flooring ideas are based around wood, Ian Tomlinson, MD of Chaunceys Timber Flooring, has some advice on the best woods to opt for. "Oak and Ash are excellent choices due to their durability and resistance to wear. We generally advise against softer woods like Douglas Fir, which are more prone to dents and scratches."

While carpet feels cosy underfoot, it is not necessarily the best choice if you want something easy-to-clean, although Shreya Vohora does have a few alternative ideas. "Wall-to-wall carpet tends to trap dust, dander and pollutants.
If you want softness, natural fibre rugs like wool, jute, hemp, or sisal are a good option – but I’d avoid anything treated with stain-resistant or flame-retardant finishes, as well as synthetic backings."

Finally, LVT is also worth considering, particularly if hygiene is a big concern, according to Lorna Williams, head of product design and visual creation at Amtico. "Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) offers a durable yet stylish solution, designed specifically with pet owners in mind. Offering comfort, scratch and water resistance, with an easy to clean surface. Some of our collections feature advanced antimicrobial technology embedded within the urethane coating which helps prevent the growth of bacteria, viruses, and fungi."

2. Give your pets somewhere to relax too

While your living room design most definitely needs to prioritise your comfort and relaxation, if your pets don't feel at ease in the space, neither will you.

"Include safe, sensory, comfortable, resting spaces that you'll all enjoy, either separately or together, which could include easy-to-clean chairs, sofas, dog beds or even giant dog beds," suggests Liz Clifton, founder of Family Dog Connection. "We enjoy a big floor-based human-sized fluffy dog bed which we cover with fleece blankets so that our rescue dogs get to rest and snuggle us without the need to jump onto a sofa.

"To ensure that every family member gets to fully rest, relax, reset and renew in the living room, you can also consider a range of sensory supports," continues Liz. "These could include pet-friendly scented plants such as rosemary and sage, calming music to enjoy together from your chosen music source, and pet-safe specific spaces/dens to hide if they choose some alone time (especially if they are rescue animals or if you also have young children in the house).

3. Choose sturdy, multifunctional furniture

Particularly useful for those after small living room ideas, multifunctional furniture that works both for the human occupants of a house as well as pets, makes so much sense.

"Multi-functional furniture, such as tables which offer a safe animal bed, a scratching post, or a hideaway beneath or around them, make sense," says Liz Clifton.

Adam Brown, director at The Painted Furniture Company, reveals that the company has even developed an item of furniture for pet owners looking for both living room storage and somewhere for their pet to relax. "The Chester range allows clients to house their pet comfortably without compromising on style. It is incredibly practical, with options for built-in drawers to store leads, toys or grooming tools, and even a deeper drawer for bulk dog food. We’ve also had clients request added cupboard space to tuck away wellies and outdoor essentials."

4. Design in distractions to keep your furniture safe

Just as when designing garden ideas for dogs, if you want your living room to be somewhere you can truly kick back and relax, without worrying what your pets are up to, you need to design the space with their enjoyment in mind as well as yours.

"Provide pet-safe spaces for them to scratch, sniff, chew, or dig as appropriate to your animal companion's natural self calming behaviours," advises Liz Clifton. "Pet-safe snuggle mats or rugs can be a great addition as sniffing naturally calms – I recommend an easy-clean one that fits in your washing machine."

"Stop treating pet areas as an afterthought" adds Shreya Vohora. "Instead of hiding bowls or beds in a corner, design them in from the outset, as you would for any other member of the household. That might mean a built-in nook, or joinery that integrates feeding areas seamlessly. When practicality is considered from the beginning, the space doesn’t need to compromise on aesthetics."

5. Consider the layout of the space for easy flow

It is easy to overlook layout as an important part of pet-friendly living room design, yet nailing this aspect can make all the difference. Rather than attempting to steer clear of open plan living room ideas entirely and to give your pets their own zones, look at the bigger picture.

"You can’t realistically confine a pet to one area of the home. They’ll naturally move between spaces, settling wherever feels warm and comfortable," points out Shreya Vohora. "The more sensible approach is to look not at how to section them off, but how to make the entire space safe and suitable wherever they end up. That said, designated areas still matter. Pets benefit from having their own consistent safe spaces, whether that’s a bed or a quiet corner where they feel secure."

"Always offer them clear passage in and out of spaces so that they can choose to leave if they find the changes stressful at all," adds Liz Clifton.

6. Choose robust, yet stylish, furniture and fabrics

Obviously in your main living space, and in particular in modern living rooms, you don't want to feel restricted to tatty, worn-out pieces of furniture or be overly limited on your style choices, but it pays to think about how the items you choose will stand-up to life with pets.

According to Kenny Thian, products lead at Comfort Works, this is where choosing furniture with removable covers that can be washed can really help. "The most pet-friendly furniture is actually slip-covered furniture. Fixed upholstery is a liability with pets – once a cat shreds a corner or a dog has an accident, the piece is effectively ruined. Modular slipcovers allow for 'zonal cleaning' where you only wash that specific cover, not the whole sofa."

Kenny also has some advice on the best fabrics for a pet-friendly living space, particularly for cat owners. "For cats, we recommend tight-weave velvets or specialised performance suedes. Cats love the loops in linen or tweed because it’s satisfying to pull. Tight-weave synthetics offer less grip for claws, making them naturally more scratch-resistant.

"Homeowners should look for fabrics with liquid-repellent coatings and machine-washability," continues Kenny. "We recommend a 'wash-and-wear' rotation where you have one set of covers on the sofa and a spare set ready for quick swaps."

"One small detail that makes a difference is furniture with raised legs," adds Shreya Vohora. "It allows airflow and makes it much easier to clean the dust layer where pets spend most of their time, on the floor."

7. Put measures in place to cut down on pet odours

However much you love your pet, there is a reason why you don't see dog-scented candles in the shops. Thankfully, there are steps to keep a living room smelling fresh without banning your pooch to another room.

"The key is not to mask odours, but to deal with the environment itself," advises Shreya Vohora. "A lot of 'freshening' products, such as plug-ins, scented candles and sprays, can actually add to indoor air pollution rather than improve it.

"Regular ventilation helps," continues Shreya. "Try using a good air purifier in your home, with HEPA and activated carbon filters and use washable soft furnishings, including pet bedding. Natural materials like wool resist odours well."

8. Stick to low-toxin materials and finishes for a healthy environment

Whether you are designing your children's bedrooms or a living room that you plan on snuggling up in with your pets, limiting the amount of toxins in your home is a very wise move.

"Most conventional upholstered furniture is a chemical soup," warns Shreya Vohora. "It often contains synthetic foams, adhesives, and treatments that can affect indoor air quality. Where possible, I’d look for solid hardwood frames and natural fillings such as wool or latex. Certifications such as GOTS or GREENGUARD Gold can be helpful indicators.

"Avoiding unnecessary chemical treatments, particularly flame retardants, is a sensible baseline in any home with pets or children," continues Shreya. "Many 'stain-resistant' finishes rely on PFAS, which are persistent chemicals, so it’s worth being cautious there too. If durability is a concern, look for PFAS-free options.

"For fabrics, I always lean towards natural materials first – wool, linen, cotton, hemp," adds Shreya. "Don't forget finishes either. Caulks, silicones, paints, and flooring adhesives are often overlooked, but they can have a real impact on air quality, especially in the first year. Pets are in constant contact with these surfaces, and through grooming, they’re exposed both by breathing them in and ingesting them."

Shop pet-friendly sofas

9. Take care when adding in greenery

It isn't just those designing a living room in a conservatory that can benefit from the addition of some house plants – adding greenery into any space is a quick way boost wellbeing. However, not all plants are suitable for homes inhabited by pets.

“While houseplants can enhance a home aesthetically, it’s important to be mindful that some common varieties can be harmful to dogs," explains Melissa Denham, interior design expert at Hammonds. “Plants such as ivy and lilies are often overlooked but can pose a risk if chewed or ingested. Opting for pet‑safe alternatives, or keeping plants well out of reach, allows homeowners to enjoy greenery without compromising their dog’s wellbeing.”

"Plants are a big blind spot. A lot of the most popular houseplants are actually toxic to pets, so it’s always worth checking rather than choosing purely on how they look," agrees Shreya Vohora.

10. Create a safe environment for all to relax in

Finally, whether you have just brought a brand new puppy into your home, or are carefully welcoming a nervous, elderly rescue in, their safety needs to be carefully considered when designing a living room everyone can enjoy – everything from your living room lighting ideas to the way you plan on heating the space (particularly if you have an open fire) needs to be considered.

"Dogs are naturally curious, especially puppies, and everyday household items can very quickly become hazards," points out Melissa Denham. “Loose electrical cables, fragile ornaments and decor, and heavy objects placed at low levels are easy for dogs to knock over or chew.

“Keeping these items out of reach can help prevent accidents and make your home a calmer, safer environment for both pets and owners.”

FAQs

Should pets have their own furniture?

While you might be happy to share your cosy living room with your furry friends, not everyone wants them on the sofas, particularly during shedding season. Could giving them their own furniture be the answer?

"Absolutely – but give it a design twist," advises Kenny Thian. "We're advocates for matching pet beds or footstools. If you provide a high-quality, velvet-covered ottoman that matches the main sofa, the pet feels included in the pack, which may reduce their urge to claim the main seating as their territory."

You might also like to consider treating yourself to a new sofa or armchair, and passing your old one down to your pet, in fact, according to Shreya Vohora, this could work on multiple levels.

"In many cases, the oldest sofa in the room is the healthiest option for both you and your pet," reveals Shreya. "A second-hand, vintage, or showroom piece will have already 'off-gassed' any toxins. I’m not the strictest; my dog has free rein of most of the furniture. Many people prefer to keep pets off, though, which is understandable.

In both family living rooms, as well as those that your pets will be sharing, it really does pay off to incorporate lots of clever living room storage ideas in order to keep the space neat, tidy and organised.

The lack of water pressure in the home is annoying, inconvenient and a sign that you need to take action. The biggest issue is deciding where the problem lies. Is it inside or outside the home? Determining the location of the issue helps you decide on the next step.

If the problem is outside the home, you’ll need to leave it to your water company to sort it out. It could be something like a burst water pipe outside the house or up your street. However, if the problem lies within the home, then it's your problem to deal with. Here you’ll find quick tests and simple checks to identify the problem and the best way to resolve it.

The minimum water pressure you should have in your home

The water pressure in your home can vary due to a number of reasons, but it's important that the water supply meets the minimum requirement. Jamie Heath, plumbing expert at Build & Plumb, explains what you should be getting: “In the UK, water companies are required to maintain a pressure standard of 0.7 bar for the pipes supplying a property.” This refers to the mains support point outside the home, where the water supplier's pipework connects to your own.

He adds, “This is the minimum force required to push water up to a height of 7 metres and roughly the height of a two-storey home, though suppliers often aim for 1.0 bar for better service.”

Shop these products to help test water pressure

Testing your water pressure

There are several methods for testing water pressure in the home. Tony Wells from the Bathroom Spare Parts technical team explains the options.

The jug test

“This is a flow rate test and is a quick DIY method to time how long it takes to fill a 1-litre jug from your tap.” He adds, “Around six seconds equals good flow, while slower than 10 seconds could mean a potential issue.” He advises, “This measures flow rate, not true pressure, but it’s a useful indicator.”

Add a pressure gauge

For a more accurate reading, a pressure gauge is a better choice, advises Wells, “You can attach a pressure gauge to an outside tap or washing machine valve.” He adds, “Ideal pressure is 1–3 bar for most homes. Above 3 bar may require a pressure-reducing valve.”

Simple checks you can do

There are a few quick and simple checks you can do before calling in a professional or the water company.

1. Check your stopcock

Heath says, “Making sure that your stopcock is fully open is essential, as even a slight restriction can impact the pressure.” Wells adds, “Check both the internal and external if accessible.”

2. Ask the neighbours

Heath says, “I would recommend asking any neighbours if they are experiencing similar issues, as the issue may come down to the local supplier rather than your home.”

3. Look for leaks

Wells points out, “Even a small leak can significantly reduce pressure.” Heath adds, “Look for any visible leaks, such as dripping taps or damp patches.” Saunders shares, “A hidden leak is a common cause of sudden pressure loss.”

4. Inspect valves

Lee Saunders, plumbing expert at Drench, suggests, “Finally, check any accessible valves on appliances or pipework.” He adds, “If you have filters or aerators on taps, these can sometimes become blocked and reduce flow without you realising.”

Ways to increase your water pressure

There are a few simple solutions to try before you need to progress to calling in a professional to solve the problem. Heath offers some quick fixes, “Cleaning out aerators, replacing showerheads or making sure isolation valves are fully open are all simple DIY fixes you can do to improve your water pressure.” Check our guide on how to increase water pressure in a shower for help.

If the DIY fixes don’t work and water pressure in your home is still consistently poor, one solution is to install a booster pump. Wells shares why, “A booster pump is one of the most effective solutions where pressure is consistently low.”

Wells says, “Expect to pay £150–£600+ for a pump depending on type, while installation will be £200–£500.” The total for the job will be £350+. He finishes by saying, “These systems increase pressure across specific outlets or the whole property.”

To find out more about a low pressure problem you can call in a plumber for a diagnostic visit. Wells shares what they will typically do. “A plumber will typically test incoming mains pressure, check for hidden leaks or restrictions, inspect valves, pipe sizing, and system design and recommend upgrades such as pumps or system modifications.” He adds, “A diagnostic visit will typically cost between £60-£120.”

FAQ

Is water pressure the responsibility of your water company?

Yes, to a certain degree, explains Saunders, “Water companies are responsible for supplying water up to the external stopcock at your property boundary. If pressure is low at this point, it is typically an issue for the water provider to investigate.”

Beyond this point, issues with low water pressure fall to the homeowner: “If the problem is within the internal plumbing of the property, then this falls to the homeowner, such as old pipes or blockages.”

Wells adds, “If you suspect a supply issue, you can request the water company to test pressure at the mains and investigate local supply problems.”

Getting your water pressure fixed can be a good time to think about some smart new additions in your bathroom or kitchen. On a practical level you can follow our replacing a kitchen tap guide. For inspiration and ideas take a look at kitchen trends 2026 and our bathroom design suggestions.

While they might not be a common sight, two-storey conservatories are definitely striking features, adding instant 'wow', not to mention creating some beautiful, light-filled spaces internally.

Conservatory ideas have come a long way since the 1980s, when they picked up their reputation as flimsy add-ons prone to leaking, overheating and for being too cold to spend time in during the winter months. These days, largely thanks to advances in glazing technology, they can be designed to provide a beautiful sunny spot from which to sit and enjoy the garden, protected from the elements, all year round.

But can they really span more than one storey? Is it a good idea to even try to add a two-storey conservatory to a house, and just what does the job entail? We put it to the experts.

Can you have a two-storey conservatory?

If you are adding a conservatory to increase the floor space within your home, it makes sense to consider ways of maximising this new structure, and building another storey would certainly do this – but is it viable?

"Two-storey conservatories are a fairly specialist project and they need careful planning from the outset," picks up Michael Arrowsmith, manager at Etheridge Windows. "They’re also quite uncommon, it’s not something we’re often asked about compared to standard conservatories or single storey extensions.

"Structurally, they’re much closer to a small house extension than a typical conservatory," continues Michael. "You’re effectively adding two levels of glazed space onto the rear of a property, so the foundations, structural supports and how the new structure ties into the existing house all need proper design work. In most cases there will be steelwork involved and a structural engineer will usually be part of the process."

What is a two-storey conservatory?

Unlike standard conservatories, two-storey designs are rather complex. More thought needs to go into every aspect, including their foundations and how that second storey will be supported.

"From a design point of view, the biggest consideration is how the upper floor connects with the house," says Michael Arrowsmith. "Some homeowners use the space as part of a bedroom or landing area, while others create a balcony overlooking the conservatory below. Either way, it needs to feel like part of the original building rather than an add-on."

Often, these two storey structures are more akin to either orangeries, which feature more solid elements than conservatories, or complex glass box extensions.

"In one project we completed (seen below), the lower basement floor was completely excavated and extended to create a bright, functional space that previously had no garden access and now opens to a lower courtyard," explains George Lucas, marketing executive at Vale Garden Houses. "The upper level orangery provides light-filled views over the garden. This design approach created large amounts of usable space across two levels and allows light to flood into both levels of the home. It also transformed how the home is used, creating a seamless connection between indoors and outdoors from both levels while enhancing functionality and aesthetics of the rear elevation."

Are two-storey conservatories a good idea?

If a two-storey conservatory is something you have been considering, you may well be debating whether or not an extension or a conservatory will be the best option for you. So what can a dual-height conservatory offer?

"The main advantage is the amount of space and light you gain," says Michael Arrowsmith. "You’re creating a tall glazed area that can transform the back of a property and bring a lot more daylight into both levels of the home. For homeowners who want something visually striking, it can make a big impact."

"One advantage of a split level conservatory extension is the increased living space you get without expanding further into the garden – something particularly valuable in townhouses or homes where outside space is limited," adds George Lucas.

What are the disadvantages of a two-storey conservatory?

Given that this type of structure is going to take time to design and build, cost you a fair amount of money, and will have a huge effect on the appearance of your home, you need to go into the project fully aware of the downsides of a two-storey glass addition such as this.

"There are a few drawbacks to be aware of. Cost is always going to be the main one, as you’re dealing with a much larger structure and more complex build than a standard conservatory," points out Michael Arrowsmith. "Thermal performance also needs careful thought. Modern glazing and roof systems can deal with this well, but it needs to be specified properly at the design stage."

Along with the need to fully address the potential this kind of building will have for overheating, you will also need to look at other common conservatory pitfalls, such as poor privacy measures and inadequate ventilation. And don't forget, all that extra glass is going to need regular cleaning if you want this to be an attractive addition to your home.

Are two-storey conservatories expensive?

Any kind of heavily-glazed structure, be that an extension or orangery, need to be meticulously designed and specified if you want them to be beneficial additions that will stand the test of time – and this kind of project doesn't come cheap. While conservatory costs tend to be amongst the most affordable when compared to other kind of extensions, when you start adding another level, prices start to rise.

"In terms of costs, a two-storey conservatory will usually start somewhere around £35,000 - £50,000 and can go well beyond that depending on size, materials and structural work required," reveals Michael Arrowsmith. "If significant alterations to the house are needed, that price can rise very quickly."

Given that it is possible to add a simple, small uPVC lean-to conservatory for as little as £12,000, you can see that there is a big difference.

FAQs

Do you need planning permission for a two-storey conservatory?

Part of the beauty of standard conservatories is that they rarely require planning permission, providing they meet permitted development criteria. In the case of two-storey structures, however, things are likely to be very different.

"Unlike most single-storey conservatories, two-storey designs almost always require planning approval because of their height and visual impact," explains Michael Arrowsmith. "That doesn’t mean they’re difficult to get approved, but the design needs to sit comfortably with the property and the surrounding homes.

"Good drawings and early discussions with the local authority tend to make the process much smoother."

Even where your conservatory won't require planning permission, conservatory building regulations will always be a requirement. Not only will they ensure the structure is safe to spend time in, but adhering to them will also mean your new addition is energy efficient.

From 15 April 2026, updated electrical safety rules come into effect across the UK, changing how modern home systems are installed and maintained.

The building regulation updates affect solar batteries, electric vehicle chargers, and smart home wiring, including how data and electricity interact in the home.

Homeowners, renovators, and builders need to understand these changes in detail to ensure their homes meet the new safety requirements.

1. Solar batteries

The new rules introduce clear requirements for solar battery systems, often paired with solar panels:

• Batteries cannot be installed in lofts, narrow cupboards, or escape routes. They must be in accessible, ventilated areas.
• Battery enclosures must allow proper airflow to prevent heat buildup, particularly for lithium-ion systems.
• Batteries must have clear disconnection points to allow safe isolation during maintenance.
• Spacing, enclosure materials, and installation methods must meet stricter fire safety standards.

2. EV chargers

Updated requirements for electric vehicle chargers include:

• Chargers must have proper circuit protection to prevent overload or short circuits.
• Chargers must be correctly earthed and include disconnection points for safe maintenance.
• Chargers must be installed in accessible locations without creating obstruction or hazards.

3. Power over ethernet and home data wiring

The new rules have stricter guidance over rewiring and the safe integration of power and data in modern homes:

• Data cables carrying electricity (PoE) must be rated to handle the electrical load safely without overheating.
• Data cables must be separated from standard mains circuits to prevent interference and electrical hazards.
• Smart home systems, security networks, and LED lighting circuits must follow these wiring guidelines to operate safely.

4. Functional earthing for home electronics

Functional earthing rules clarify the difference between earthing for safety and earthing for equipment performance:

• Electronics and networked devices such as computers, media servers, and smart hubs must have functional earthing arrangements.
• Proper earthing reduces interference and ensures reliable operation of home electronics.

5. Energy efficiency in electrical installations

New requirements encourage energy-efficient home electrical systems:

• Circuits should be designed to minimise electricity loss.
• Wiring layouts should consider energy efficiency alongside safety.
• Smart energy management and monitoring systems may be incorporated to improve efficiency.

From 15 April 2026, all new or upgraded home electrical systems must follow these updated safety and installation rules. Existing systems already in place will not be forced to make the changes, but will no longer be to regulation.

Solar batteries, EV chargers, smart home wiring, functional earthing, and energy-efficient layouts now have specific requirements for placement, ventilation, isolation, and performance.

Homeowners and renovators must plan installations according to these rules to ensure safe, compliant, and modern energy systems.

Our kitchen extension was completed in the first phase of the renovation of our Edwardian cottage and remains the spot we all spend the most time in. It is the place everyone gravitates to in any social gathering, where the teenagers sit at the breakfast bar and unload the various dramas the day brought about and, of course, where we spend time cooking, clearing up and generally pottering about.

I think we realised that this would be the hub of the home even before it was finished which made getting it completed quickly a priority. This meant that we rushed some kitchen design decisions that we have later regretted. The window with glazing bars that are too chunky, wooden worktops around the sink and the undersized fridge-freezer, for example. Another of our kitchen renovation mistakes was that we totally neglected to think through the kitchen wall colours. Not only did we, on reflection, play it way too safe with our choice of cabinetry colours (green-grey and pearl white) but we also just slapped bright white (and very inexpensive) paint on the walls. This decision meant the walls are now covered with obvious grease splatters, tomato sauce stains and areas that have flaked – plus the room can look rather stark at times.

This is one area of the house that is way overdue redecoration and we plan on giving it not only a total makeover but also want to remodel its layout. With this in mind, I am keen that we get the colour scheme spot on next time, so I asked the experts which colours to avoid in a kitchen if we don't want to have to be thinking about doing it all again in a couple of years time – here's the shades they advised we steer clear of, and which hues to go with instead.

1. Cool, stony greys

Pale grey is a shade that has been noticeably absent from paint trends just lately – once seen as the perfect alternative kitchen wall colour to stark white, but now often viewed as a little cold and clinical.

"Grey has been hugely popular in the past, but overly cool, blue-based greys can leave a kitchen feeling cold, stark and uninviting," explains Paul Dore, managing director and kitchen expert at County Stone Ltd. "We often see this in newer developments where everything feels a bit too uniform – grey cabinets, flooring, walls. And while there are ways you can warm up the space with things such as rugs, wallpaper and accessories, incorporating cool tones on a large scale will always make a room feel cold."

"Flat, concrete-style greys can feel gloomy in UK light," agrees Samantha Davies, marketing director at The Kitchen Restoration Company. "We recommend using warm taupe, mushroom or layered neutrals instead – they offer that same modern minimalism but with a 'glow' that feels inviting year-round."

"If you are set on grey, try a warmer grey which has a brown, red or yellow undertone," suggests Paul Dore. "Alternatively, 'greige' gives you a similar look but with a more inviting finish. These also work far better with popular worktop colours and create a more balanced and lived-in feel."

2. Light-absorbing flat blacks

As kitchen trends go, black finishes and cabinetry are up there right now, proving that this is not a shade to be scared of. However, there are certain ways of using black if you want your kitchen to feel timeless.

"We love a dark kitchen when it’s done well, but flat, light-absorbing blacks can make a space feel heavy and closed in," warns Paul Dore. "This is particularly true in UK kitchens where natural light can be limited. These flat, matte dark colours also tend to show fingerprints and dust more easily.

"If you do love the look and feel of a deep, dark kitchen, we suggest opting for softer charcoals, off-blacks or deep navy tones instead," continues Paul. "These still give you that dramatic look but with more depth and warmth, especially when paired with a warm worktop to lift the scheme."

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3. Overly bright, primary greens

Green has become an incredibly popular shade within the kitchen world in recent years, with sage green kitchen cabinets and deep forest tones being particularly in demand. However, there are certain shades of green that the experts I spoke to advised to avoid.

"Avoid high-saturation primary greens," says Samantha Davies. "Vibrant greens can quickly feel overwhelming. Sage and muted greens act as a 'new neutral', providing personality that homeowners don’t grow tired of after twelve months."

Al Bruce, founder of Olive & Barr, has some more advice on using green in the kitchen.

"Green as an accent colour brings life, nature, and freshness to your kitchen," says Al. "This colour is particularly suitable for modern, minimalistic, or rustic kitchens, depending on the intensity and saturation. From emerald green tiles to light sage, the possibilities are endless, and they will provide a much-needed visual break from the typical neutral colours you might find in other kitchens."

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4. Vivid, high-saturation colours

While it is tempting to think you can use bright shades to inject personality into your kitchen, if it is a timeless and easy-to-live with look you are after, eye-popping hues might not be the way to go.

"When thinking about colour in the kitchen, it is important to consider how a space will feel over time as well as how it looks in the moment," picks up Kate Palmer, creative director at The Painted Furniture Company. "While bold shades can be appealing, we would advise using caution with very bright colours such as strong reds, vivid yellows or neon tones. These can quickly become overpowering, especially in a space that is used every day."

Paul Dore echoes this advice. "Strong, bold colours like reds, greens or yellows can be tempting if you’re looking to make an impact. But when used across full cabinetry, they can quickly become overwhelming and date much faster than more neutral palettes. They can also clash with the natural variation you get in materials such as wood and stone."

So what does Paul suggest for those wanting to incorporate some of these stronger shades?

"We don’t ever completely steer people away from bold looks if that’s what they want, but we always advise using bold colours and patterns as accents, rather than across the full kitchen," says Paul. "For instance, opt for striking kitchen island ideas or choose bright or contrasting colours for inside cabinetry, or simply add pops of colour with accessories, while keeping the main scheme more timeless and adaptable to changing trends and tastes. After all, a well-considered colour palette will not only look better on day one, but still feel right years down the line."

5. All-white schemes

While none of the experts I spoke with suggested skipping white kitchen ideas altogether, the advice tended to be to ensure that white is pared with natural materials and warmer neutrals to avoid a clinical look.

"One of the most common pitfalls we see is relying on stark, flat whites throughout," reveals Cathryn Sanders, head of creative at Earthborn. "While they can feel fresh initially, they often lack warmth and can quickly start to feel clinical or one-dimensional, particularly in kitchens that don’t receive consistent natural light. Instead, softer off-whites or warm neutrals with subtle undertones tend to age much more gracefully, bringing a sense of depth and softness to the space."

Kate Palmer agrees. "Stark whites can sometimes lack warmth and character. A more considered approach is to look towards softer, more enduring shades. Muted greens, gentle blues, warm neutrals and chalky greys are all popular choices as they bring a sense of calm and work easily alongside natural materials."

Al Bruce explains that, rather than considering colour alone, you need to think about the finishes you introduce into the space too.

"Finishes are becoming more tactile, with low-sheen paints, honed marbles, and softly veined quartz that delicately reflect the light," says Al. "Metals are warmer with a timeless feel; brass and antique silver with an aged patina are favoured over a mirror polish. Earthy pastels create a welcoming feel, so expect hints of mushroom and soft pink, rather than cool whites."

FAQs

What are the best colours for a kitchen?

While certain colours can work better than others in a kitchen, this does depend on factors such as natural light levels, the kitchen layout ideas you have opted for. and the other finishes within the space, such as flooring and worktop materials. In short, there is not really a right or wrong colour – it is a considered decision that matters.

"The most important thing is choosing colours that make you happy. Trends will always come and go, but your kitchen should reflect your personal style and how you want the space to feel," points out Cathryn Sanders. "And it’s worth remembering that walls and cabinets aren’t forever. With a bit of preparation and the right paint, painting kitchen cabinets is easier than you might think.

"Ultimately, the most timeless kitchens tend to balance softness, warmth and subtle character, creating a space that evolves with you rather than dates around you,” adds Cathryn.

"While many experts give a 'hard pass' to certain shades, we argue that no colour is truly off-limits – it’s the finish and the application that usually fail," says Samantha Davies. "We’re seeing a shift where homeowners are moving away from rigid 'don't' lists and instead choosing evolved versions of bold trends."

"Remember not to only think of what you need from your kitchen now – look a little further ahead," adds Al Bruce. "If you opt for a colour that deeply resonates with your tastes and needs, rather than following fleeting trends, you can’t go far wrong and are guaranteed to love your kitchen for years to come.”

How can you use bright colours in the kitchen?

Colours can be one of the things that make a kitchen look dated prematurely but you can still use bold, bright shades, providing you take care where and how they are introduced.

"Highly saturated, trend-led brights can date quickly, especially when used across large areas," agrees Cathryn Sanders. "While bold colour has its place, it’s often more effective when used in smaller, considered moments such as on a kitchen island, inside shelving or through accessories."

"For those wanting to introduce more colour, freestanding kitchen ideas and pieces offer a flexible way to do so," suggests Kate Palmer. "A painted dresser, pantry cupboard or sideboard can act as a focal point and choosing a richer tone for one of these pieces is a lovely way to inject some colour, even if you decide to play it safer with other cabinetry. This approach also has the advantage of adaptability. Freestanding furniture can be updated or repositioned over time, making it easier to evolve a colour scheme without committing to a full redesign."

“Doors, finishes and accessories are one of the easiest elements to update,” says Samantha Davies. “That means people can enjoy colour and trends now, without worrying about being stuck with a look forever.”

When choosing colours for your kitchen be sure to take its dimensions into consideration. The best small kitchen colours will help make the most of the proportions of the space as well as lending a cosy vibe.

Certain rooms in the house are far more prone to suffering from mould than others – those spots that are frequently subjected to high moisture levels and fluctuating temperatures. Bathrooms are an obvious one, but mould can also be an issue in utility rooms.

Utility rooms are hardworking spaces and we tend to expect a great deal from them – they might be where you do your laundry and hang wet clothes to dry, or maybe your room doubles up as a dog washing station or is simply the place you leave smell, soggy sports clothing before you get round to dealing with it. All of these activities produce moisture – and moisture, when left to do its thing, can lead to mould.

Whether you have spotted some troublesome signs of mould in your utility room or are just keen to avoid it appearing in the first place, our expert-led guide has all the advice you need to keep the space fresh, clean and airy.

Why does mould appear in utility rooms?