Adding colour through a single, thoughtfully chosen textile can make a significant impact on a room’s aesthetic, providing style and personality without overwhelming the space.

A single textile in a striking colour can also enhance the room’s character and establish a focal point that draws the eye.

By using just one vibrant textile, you can create a room with both energy and balance. This approach lets you experiment with colour and style without the commitment of repainting or extensive decorating, making it a versatile, low-maintenance solution for elevating any space.

Using a single textile in a bright, intentional colour also allows for both flexibility and control over the room’s aesthetic. It’s ideal for those who prefer a minimalistic style but still want to incorporate personality and vibrancy, as it keeps the decor simple yet stylish with just one statement-making piece.

Ultimately, adding colour through textiles is an accessible way to infuse personality, warmth, and vibrancy into a home, allowing you to experiment with style without making permanent changes.

When it comes to making a small space look bigger, you’d be forgiven for assuming that using smaller furniture pieces is the key.

But you’d be wrong. Okay, you don’t want super-sized furniture, but surprisingly enough, using a few bigger furniture pieces can help make a space feel larger.

One of the tricks is to use a few key, simple statement pieces in plain fabrics, rather than multiples. And if a piece of furniture can have more than one purpose, that’s even better. For example, a coffee table with storage drawers.

Furniture with an open design is also helpful. A sofa that’s elevated off the ground, or dining chairs with an open frame, for example. Round pieces rather than rectangular is another trick.

Low furniture can be a good choice as well. Simply by being lower it opens up more space above the item.

Also think about positioning. Spreading things out makes thing look more spacious, and keep things away from the walls where you can. Two small side tables rather than one big coffee table can open up space in the middle of the room.

And finally, furniture should never block pathways or light sources.

Green roofs, also known as living roofs, are a sustainable urban solution that integrate vegetation into building architecture. These roofs, covered with plant layers, offer numerous environmental, economic, and social benefits.

Environmentally, green roofs help mitigate the urban heat island effect, where city areas become significantly warmer than their rural surroundings. By providing insulation and reducing the amount of heat absorbed by buildings, they lower the demand for air conditioning, which in turn reduces energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

Additionally, green roofs enhance stormwater management by absorbing and filtering rainwater, which reduces runoff and decreases the risk of flooding and water pollution.

Green roofs contribute to urban aesthetics and provide green spaces in densely built environments. They create habitats for birds, insects, and other wildlife, fostering biodiversity in cities.

They can improve the quality of life for residents by offering recreational areas and reducing noise pollution. Additionally, they contribute to mental well-being by providing a connection to nature amidst the urban landscape.

From a monetary perspective, a green roof can increase property values and extend the lifespan of roofing materials. In addition, the insulation provided by the vegetation leads to lower heating and cooling costs, offering long-term savings.

Overall, green roofs represent a practical and multifunctional approach to urban development, combining ecological benefits with economic and social gains. As cities continue to grow, incorporating green roofs into building designs will be a key strategy for creating more sustainable and livable urban environments.

Sustainable design is more than just buzzwords; it’s a move towards creating environments and products that minimize environmental impact while enhancing our quality of life.

There are lots of way you can incorporate sustainability into your renovation and design, with longevity being one of the keys.

When you choose products, look for products designed to last longer. Durable materials reduce the need for replacements and minimize waste.

Also, invest in timeless, classic pieces that don’t go out of fashion quickly, reducing the need for frequent replacements.

By thinking about the durability and timelessness of your choices, your resulting design will have a lower environmental impact over time.

If you’ve either been to the Palace of Versailles or seen photos of it, then you’re probably already aware of how multiple large mirrors can make a small space look dramatically bigger.

It’s a long held rule in decorating that white is a great choice when you’re trying to create the illusion of space.

But that raises a rather important question – which white? There have been plenty of jokes told where one person says white, and the other immediately starts listing out all sorts of names for white – pearl, alabaster, snow, cotton, lace… you get the idea.

Here’s the catch though – not all whites are the same. Crazy, right? In fact shades of white fall roughly into two groups – those with warm undertones, and those with cool undertones. And that’s when it becomes clear that not all whites are the same.

Whites with a warm (yellow) undertone actually do what all warm colours do – they make a space feel warmer and cosier. So they don’t achieve the object of expanding the space.

Cool whites, usually with a crisp grey or blue undertone, are the ones you need if you’re trying to create the feeling of space.

Daisy, powder, bone, ivory, linen… 122 shades? Wow.

When you’ve had a busy, challenging day, there’s nothing better than retiring to a cosy, welcoming bedroom when the end of the day arrives.

One way of achieving a welcoming bedroom is through the use of accessories. Comfy cushions and throws in calm colours are a good place to start. A bed that looks inviting is definitely going to draw you into the room for peace and relaxation..

Expand outwards and choose calming colours for the walls as well. Soft blues, deep greens and other deeper, warm colours can work beautifully. Avoid it being too much with warm lighting to create feelings of serenity.

Flowing curtains and peaceful artwork can break up the space and provide points of interest without disturbing the restfulness.

We’ve tackled a few different ideas for making small spaces look bigger, but chances are you’ve never thought about doors in this context. Doors opening into a room can take up valuable floor space and interrupt the flow of the home.

Removing a door is a great way to create the illusion of more space. Because your eyes can now look further afield to the next room and beyond, the room you’re in feels bigger. You can also widen the opening where the door used to be to enhance the illusion.

Another option to consider is sliding, or pocket doors. These slide along a track instead of opening out like a standard door. Sliding rather than opening means they take up less floor space and cause less of an obstruction. Sliding barn-style doors have been popular for a few years now, or, if your walls allow it, you can slide the doors into the wall cavity.

In small spaces, every millimetre counts. So take a look at the doors to your room and think about what other options you have.

Updating or changing taps might seem like a small renovation detail, but it can significantly enhance the value of a property. First impressions matter, and taps are often one of the first things noticed in a kitchen. By installing new taps, you instantly improve the aesthetics of the space, giving it a fresh and modern look. This aesthetic upgrade can greatly appeal to potential buyers or tenants, making the property more attractive overall.

Beyond aesthetics, changing taps can also contribute to increased functionality and efficiency. Old taps may suffer from leaks, drips, or low water pressure, which not only inconvenience occupants but also waste water and increase utility bills. By installing new taps with improved features like better water flow control and energy-efficient designs, you enhance the functionality of the kitchen.

The quality and style of taps can reflect the overall quality of the property. Upgrading taps to higher-quality materials such as stainless steel or brass not only improves durability but also gives the impression of luxury and sophistication. This attention to detail suggests the property has been well-maintained and cared for.

Furthermore, changing taps can align the property more closely with current design trends and the preferences of the target market. Whether it’s choosing a sleek and minimalist design for a modern aesthetic or opting for vintage-inspired taps to complement a historical property, selecting the right taps can help create a cohesive and appealing interior design scheme.

Upgrading taps can also have practical benefits in terms of maintenance and upkeep. Newer taps often come with warranties and require less maintenance compared to older models, reducing the likelihood of future repair costs. Additionally, by installing taps with features such as anti-limescale technology or easy-clean surfaces, you make it easier for occupants to keep the kitchen clean and hygienic.

Finally, from a resale perspective, changing taps can provide a relatively inexpensive way to add value to the property and increase its marketability. Compared to major renovations or upgrades, replacing taps is a relatively quick and affordable project that can yield significant returns in terms of improving the overall appeal and perceived value of the property. Whether it’s for selling or renting purposes, investing in new taps is a smart strategy to enhance the attractiveness and desirability of the property in the eyes of potential occupants.

Check out hacks one and two for more great kitchen ideas!

While some people prefer symmetry in design, sometimes having a mix of asymmetrical elements helps to create a vignette that’s more eye catching. Each piece needs to be looked at separately to appreciate it, rather than being overlooked as it’s simply a mirror image.

So here are some more ways to achieve asymmetry in your vignette:

The important thing here is to express your creativity in an individual way. Have fun!