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Small Bedroom Storage Ideas & Organisation Tips To Banish Clutter

Do you dream of a relaxing and well-kept bedroom, but are faced with the reality of clutter creeping into every space? We feel your pain. Small bedrooms in particular are susceptible to feeling overwhelmed with ‘stuff’. This is even more true now that bedrooms frequently double as home offices, with desks taking up valuable floor and storage space.

Clutter, especially in small bedrooms, raises our stress levels, so is not only detrimental to both relaxation and sleep but also hinders productivity, if used as a workspace. On the flip side, a tidy and organised space increases your ability to focus, reduces stress and means your home is easier to keep clean. Plus, in all honesty, it looks better too.

If you’re ready to overhaul your bedroom, you’ve come to the right place. Keep scrolling to read five top tips for creating a well-kept and organised bedroom.

• Utilise the space under your bed

If you’re looking to create a more balanced and clutter-free bedroom, it’s important to use every inch of the space to maximum effect and get savvy with storage. That means not only utilising obvious storage choices like wardrobes and dressers, but also less obvious choices – such as under the bed.

Your bed is often the largest piece of bedroom furniture, with double beds taking up around 6ft in length and 5ft in width of floor space. By investing in storage boxes you can use up the entirety of that space, and it’s the perfect place to store bed linen, as well as clothing that is only worn seasonally.

Jonathan Warren, director and bed specialist at Time4Sleep, explains your other options: ‘If you’re not keen on exposed storage boxes underneath a bed, a storage bed or ottoman bed is a great option, providing you with a hidden storage space that’s effectively the same size as your bed.

‘You can make the most of the space by investing in vacuum storage bags and a label maker to pack in as much as possible whilst staying organised.’

• Try a daily five-minute reset

There are never enough hours in the day, it’s just a fact. But what if we told you that staying organised doesn’t take hours, but just five minutes a day? By dedicating just a small amount of time daily to staying on top of your bedroom organisation, you save yourself hours of deep cleaning and reorganising.

‘A reset a day keeps the floordrobe away! Each morning after you have got yourself up and ready for the day, be sure to make your bed and reset your bedroom by putting anything away that’s out of place,’ say Ingrid Jansen and Lesley Spellman of The Declutter Hub Podcast. Making a daily reset part of your daily routine means you’ll start to tidy up without even thinking about it.

We recommend that before going to bed, you should firstly remove anything that doesn’t belong in your bedroom (mugs, dirty laundry, rubbish etc), then put everything that does belong there back in its rightful place (clothes on hangers, books on shelves and jewellery in a trinket tray). If you’re feeling extra organised, a quick wipe of any surfaces helps to keep the space looking and feeling fresh and clean.

• Move furniture to create a balanced space

Look at your bedroom and ask yourself: is the room arranged to utilise the lightest, brightest spot possible? Is there adequate empty space, both on the floor and on the walls to make the room feel airy?

Kate Windleton, a feng shui enthusiast and Relocation Manager at Strong Move, explains how organising your room can aid in creating balance: ‘You’ll need space on both sides of the bed for a nightstand to ensure symmetry in the room. I would also advise having a headboard – for they help represent stability.’

Consider the practicalities of the room, making sure it’s easy to move around and doesn’t feel too enclosed. You may want to consider replacing bulky furniture with more streamlined options, especially those more fitting with your current storage needs.

• Keep a clear bedside table

We’re all guilty of turning our bedside table into the home for anything and everything. From used mugs to phone chargers and piles of magazines, the bedside table quickly becomes the place for everything that doesn’t have a place.

To keep your bedside clear, stick to the rule that only items that relate to sleep or have a practical purpose should have a place. That can include things like lamps, aromatherapy diffusers and, if needed, a spot for your glasses, too! Say goodbye to everything else.

‘Don’t make your bedside table a dumping ground,’ advise Ingrid and Lesley. ‘For a restful night’s sleep, have only those things by your bedside that you need to aid sleep. Less clutter means more calm and more sleep.’

• Invest in new storage & furniture

It’s all well and good knowing that you should tidy everything away, but what if you don’t have anywhere to tidy it away to? Without the proper organisational tools to clear clutter, you’re setting yourself up to fail.

Storage baskets that come in sets are a great option for easy clean-ups because you can throw whatever you need inside and hide it away. You’ll have laundry, linen and shoes cleared up in seconds. Furniture with dual purposes is also handy – mirrors with hidden storage, clothing rails that include shoe racks and ottoman beds all kill two birds with one stone.

It’s also important to have furniture that realistically fits the size of the room, so nothing is vying for space. This is particularly true in the case of beds.

‘You might have managed to squeeze a kingsize bed into your room to enjoy the extra stretch space whilst you sleep but it’s likely that this tactic will be visually overcrowding your bedroom,’ says Jonathan. ‘This will also reduce your storage options and might be forcing you to uncomfortably manoeuvre around your space.

‘Having a bed that fits comfortably within the room will allow you to have additional freestanding storage options such as wardrobes and drawers whilst avoiding looking too busy in a space that should ideally be promoting a sense of calm.’

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10 books to inspire you to clean, declutter and organise your home

14 Grey Living Room Ideas

We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.

Here’s how to use this versatile colour in your living space.

By
Rachel Edwards

25 Aug 2022

Farrow & Ball

Grey is one of the most popular and versatile colours in interior design. It is ideal for a living room because you have so much choice in terms of shade, intensity, and colour combinations. From a barely-there grey to a deep gunmetal shade, it’s the perfect base colour to help you decorate the living room of your dreams.

‘Grey is an incredibly versatile colour, forming an ideal base from which to expand your palette,’ says Kelly Collins, interior designer and head of creative at Swyft Home. ‘When looking for wall colours to go with grey sofas, you can get away with pretty much anything from light to very dark, but try and avoid bright tones. Think classic white, a rich dark navy, and other shades of grey or muted green tones.

‘Colours with a cool undertone (blues and other greys) will complement grey well while colours with warm undertones (terracotta or burgundy) will contrast the shade and bring a touch of warmth into the space.’

Need some grey living room inspiration? Here, we look at 14 fabulous ways you can introduce grey into your living space.

Farrow & Ball

1 of 14

Grey living room ideas: complementary colours

When decorating with grey, consider it a neutral base rather than a fully formed colour scheme. ‘Black, grey and white schemes are very stylish alone but for extra drama you may want to consider adding in some colour,’ says Amy Wilson, interior designer for 247 Curtains. ‘Bold colour pops of hot pink and yellow can look striking and quite contemporary.’

Pictured: Lamp Room Grey at Farrow & Ball

House Beautiful

2 of 14

Grey living room ideas: pair with pastels

There can be a tendency to lean into the subtleties of grey, pairing them with whites and metallics, but this can occasionally appear washed out, especially if your living room receives a lot of natural light. This living room is a great example of using pastel colours to soften and brighten grey features.

Shop now: House Beautiful Claudette Sofa at DFS

Mylands

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Grey living room ideas: charcoal grey

Dark charcoal walls are a great way to define your space, but extra consideration is needed in styling. ‘To avoid your monochrome schemes from feeling too stark or cold, introduce texture,’ says Amy. ‘Consider all of the surfaces and finishing touches and where possible combine soft, smooth pieces with more tactile textures such as sheepskin with concrete.’

Pictured: Lock Keeper No.18 at Mylands

Farrow & Ball

4 of 14

Grey living room ideas: traditional

As this fabulous living room shows, grey needn’t be reserved for contemporary or minimal spaces. Brown leather is such a surprising pairing here, but adds a great deal of warmth and richness – in recreating this look, make sure to use an equally warm grey on your walls.

Pictured: Purbeck Stone at Farrow & Ball

Carpetright

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Grey living room ideas: grey and pink

‘You’d be right to think graphic shapes and gunmetal grey is a typically masculine look, so add curves with blush pink and plaster pink on the walls to soften the look and keep it the right side of pretty,’ says Sarah Keady, Style and Interiors Director at House Beautiful.

Pictured: House Beautiful Luna Moonlight Rug at Carpetright

Dunelm

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Grey living room ideas: monochrome

This is a classic design route for living rooms, and it won’t steer you far wrong. Stick to a grey, black and white palette, and introduce metallics – you can mix gold and silver as long as they are complementary tones like a gunmetal and brushed brass. The organic motif on the rug is a nice touch here to soften the severity of a modern monochrome design scheme.

Pictured: Furniture and accessories, all at Dunelm

Simon Bevan

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Grey living room ideas: greige

The grey-beige mix known as ‘greige’ is often favoured over a true grey for its capacity to warm up a design scheme. Greige is really the best of both worlds, combining the cooler tones of grey with the warming nature of beige.

Pictured: House Beautiful Freya Sofa at DFS

Ercol

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Grey living room ideas: wall treatments

Grey tends not to react to natural light in the way that a warmer colour does, and so a common complaint in grey living rooms is that walls can appear flat. To mitigate this, consider a wall treatment that adds a bit of texture.

‘You can consider incorporating texture on your walls with the use of some of the more interesting paint finishes available like limewash, polished plaster or even a textured paper,’ says Amy.

Pictured: Ercol Amalfi Sideboard and Avanti Snuggler at Heal’s

Mylands

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Grey living room ideas: consider how grey interacts

One of the joys of grey is the way it changes when placed next to other colours – use grey against an intense purple for instance, and it will bring out lilac tones. Consider this if you’re after a soft and feminine space, and sit your greys next to rosey pinks or buttery yellows.

Pictured: Sloane Square No.92 at Mylands

Poster Store

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Grey living room ideas: Japandi

The Japandi trend combines clean lines, neutral colours, understated silhouettes and a nod to the natural world. All of these elements make it a great design choice for a living room. Here, several grey shades sit alongside pale wood and heaps of texture to create a serene and comfortable retreat.

Pictured: All wall art available at Poster Store

Alessandro de Besi

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Grey living room ideas: try bohemian elements

Grey is not an obvious choice for bohemian styling – usually sandy neutrals and greens are favoured – but grey works almost universally, no matter your preferred design theme. Take some design cues from this modern bohemian living room, and use plenty of dark wood, lush greenery, and some warming red and mustard accents.

Pictured: Model 03 3 Seater Right Chaise at Swyft

Dan Duchars

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Grey living room ideas: the grey sofa

‘Grey is likely a slightly more popular sofa colour choice as it’s the most versatile of all the neutral colours,’ says Ben white, design and trade expert at Swyft Home. ‘This allows homeowners to change up the colours of their living room more often (if they like to redecorate) by introducing different accessories and wall colours, at a lower cost than replacing large pieces of furniture. ’

Pictured: Fluted Isla 2 Seater Sofa at Sofology

John Lewis & Partners

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Grey living room ideas: pattern

Soft greys lend themselves to rooms full of rich pattern. Consider this living room with a white sofa or walls, and it loses a lot of its warmth.

Pictured: Tokyo Modular Sofa at John Lewis & Partners

Dan Duchars

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Grey living room ideas: combined spaces

If you have a combined kitchen and living room space, consider a grey colour scheme. A combined space will naturally require lots of furniture, accessories, storage, and surfaces, plus zoning, and so a soft and neutral grey can mitigate some of the busyness.

Pictured: Fellini 2 Seater Sofa at Sofology

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31 wallpaper ideas to transform your living room

Home Design Ideas, Pictures & Inspiration – September 2022

Entertaining all round

Kitchen Architecture Ltd

Kitchen Architecture bulthaup b3 furniture in graphite with an oak bar and stainless steel worktops.
Design ideas for a contemporary galley kitchen in Other with flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, black appliances, light hardwood flooring, an island and beige floors.

Monochrome Home

Absolute Interiors

A compact family bathroom with shower over the bath. A backlit wall mirror and floating vanity keeps the space open.
Contemporary bathroom in Cornwall.

Sponsored

Oberwiera

Team Petrik – Gärtner von Eden e.K.

Zwickau bis Gera I Wir machen Ihren Garten zum perfekten Erholungsraum

Chelsea family home

Turner Pocock

This is an example of a traditional home gym in London with grey walls, light hardwood flooring and beige floors.

West London Home

myDNAproject

About This Project
This project was to design a comfortable apartment space in a beautiful location in West London.
The family that resides in this home wanted to demonstrate their individual styles and tastes with the final result being a soothing sense of calmness and relaxation. Our project scope was to find a balance with all the different design styles, therefore to create a harmonious and aesthetically pleasing interior design for them. We combined diverse and complementary items, which when put together created a balanced look. We choose a selection of green colour shades for the dining chairs, footstool, vases and fabric patterns to create a connection between the interior and exterior. The simply gorgeous honey oak blind fabric gave the residence control of light without losing the view of the garden and allowing an element of privacy.
The rustic elements displayed from the shelving unit were combined with bespoke rope handles and then an introduction of flora, by including beautiful rich green plants bringing our clients closer to a sense of nature and freedom within their home – Leaving them with a far-away thought that the property was actually within urban London. The modern designed corner sofa and crisp clear straight lines of the workable spacious kitchen maintained a modern flair in the open-plan space.
The bespoke natural wood slab dining table was complemented with a matching bench on the opposite side, with guests and residents treated to luxurious velvet green dining chairs – The mood here we will describe as cosy. The bespoke high-end designer wallpaper mural, made from two frames, to create a magnificent piece of artwork was a huge component for this project and complements all the decor. The wallpaper pattern is an invitation not only to discover the unexpected diversity of beauty in all of its forms but also creates a welcoming and atmospheric area to enjoy at any time of the day.
The open plan design encourages interaction and socialisation of all the family and guests, as they will enjoy and feel welcomed into this space. The skylights flood the area with natural light and give the impression of height, with the sky visible above – “The simple things in life like a clear blue sky can bring so much pleasure”.
The connection of all the items mentioned from this project creates an abundance of a delightful interior design combination – Giving a refreshing and revitalising atmosphere. We loved completing this project – And as for the end result – you can see for yourself.

Copper Heritage

Sola Kitchens

Sweden’s copper mining heritage goes back to the Vikings and the traditional red-painted houses and Verdigris copper roofs bear testament to its influence on the landscape.
This kitchen makes the material contemporary, setting the soft lustre of the copper cabinetry against dark grey laminated cabinets with oak framing.

Sponsored

Oberwiera

Team Petrik – Gärtner von Eden e.K.

Zwickau bis Gera I Wir machen Ihren Garten zum perfekten Erholungsraum

Neutral Contemporary Living Room

Balance Interior Design

This living space is a mix of contemporary and modern with statement artwork and linen sheer curtains to let in the natural light whilst still offering a level of privacy.

Sponsored

Oberwiera

Team Petrik – Gärtner von Eden e. K.

Zwickau bis Gera I Wir machen Ihren Garten zum perfekten Erholungsraum

Open Plan Contemporary Kitchen – Suffolk

Kitchenology Ltd

Super stylish kitchen for a very contemporary new home. Tactile super matt and planked oak fronts mix up edgy and warm colour tones. Features 1200mm wide breakfast cabinet, cabinets to the ceiling, door colour matched handles, structured oak niche panelling, colour palette changing LED shelf and accent lighting.

Project for Kitchen Bee Design

Anna Stathaki | Photography

Photo of a contemporary l-shaped kitchen in London with a built-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, mirror splashback, medium hardwood flooring, brown floors and white worktops.

Fusion Linear Chicago Concrete Door

Ashley Ann Kitchens, Bedrooms & Bathrooms

Kitchen: Ashley Ann Fusion Linear
Kitchen Finish: Chicago Concrete Door with Brushed Steel Handle Rail
Worktops: Corian in Glacier White
Sink & Taps: Corian Sink and Blanco Tap
Appliances: Neff Slide & Hide single oven, Micro Combi, Intergrated dish washer, ceiling extractor, flex induction hob
Extras: Pull out larder

Sponsored

Oberwiera

Team Petrik – Gärtner von Eden e. K.

Zwickau bis Gera I Wir machen Ihren Garten zum perfekten Erholungsraum

A Kitchen in Ditchling by deVOL

deVOL Kitchens

Design ideas for a medium sized traditional kitchen in Other with a belfast sink, shaker cabinets, beige cabinets, wood worktops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, medium hardwood flooring, no island, brown floors and brown worktops.

St John Street

Emil Eve Architects

Within the thickness of the library’s timber lining is contained deep entrances to connecting spaces. Shifts in floor surface occur at these thresholds, delineating a change in atmosphere and function. A lighter terrazzo is used against rich oak and white and forest green tiles in the family bathroom.

Classic Shaker Style Kitchen

Davies and Foster

Handmade classic shaker kitchen with island, designed to be the heart of the home.
Efficiently designed with all the modern kitchen alliances including integrated fridge, freezer, washing machine, sink, tap, hob, extractor, oven, pull out spice rack, set of drawers, floating shelves and storage space.
The internals were made from ash, the worktops and floating shelves were made from Walnut. Complementing these natural tones, the rest of the Kitchen is spray finished in Farrow and Ball ’34 Calke green’ and ’81 Breakfast room’ (Island) with a 10% sheen.
All carefully designed, made and fitted by Davies and Foster.

UK Home Ideas – Great new ideas for your home

Thursday, December 10th, 2015

Swoon Editions was launched by Debbie Williamson and Brian Harrison in 2012, when they became exasperated with the current prices of stylish furnishings for their homes.

So they decided to set up Swoon Editions, to provide consumers with top quality craftsman-made furniture designs at affordableÂ prices.

Buyers have searched the world, to select only a few furniture creators in Europe and Asia, who can provide furniture to satisfy the high quality and standards of behaviour required by Swoon Editions.

The chosen furniture craftsmen are portrayed on the Swoon Editionsâ€™ blog, Humans of Swoon Editions, to enable consumers to see where the products are made, as well as the skills used.

Pictured here are:

The Churchill Armchair Â crafted by hand from solid Mango wood, with intricate carved detail overall, even down to the fluted legs.

Itâ€™s upholstered in houndstooth linen, flint grey colour, plus antique brass studs. Priced at Â£449.

The Smith Mattress offers the best ever nightâ€™s sleep.Â Each mattress is carefully tufted and hand-stitched and features 8 separate layers, to provide an excellent balance between sumptuous comfort and firmness.

The perfect amount of support is supplied by 2,000 pocket springs, while cashmere, wool and silk, plus a layer of cotton, ensure the mattress contours to your shape. Priced at 499.

Swoonâ€™s supplier for this product, is a family business that has specialised in making top quality mattresses for 70 years.

How does it work?

Swoon Editions introduces up to 4 entirely new products daily, to its growing community of Insiders.Â {Insiders are consumers who have registered, to be sent Swoonsâ€™ daily emails, featuring the launch of new products. }

Every new design is only made in small quantities, initially 10-20.

The company quickly assesses the demand for individual pieces, using sales data and then only increases production of the most sought-after designs.

Delivery and Returns are free.

For further information and to view Swoon Editionsâ€™ comprehensive collections of traditional and contemporary furnishings, go to the website.

Read more about : Contemporary Furniture

Monday, December 7th, 2015

Fred Astaire, Greta Garbo and Coco Chanel, all exuded style in the 1920s.

The glamour and luxury of that time, is intrinsic in the Art Deco design style, which is now appearing as a prime look for 2016, in interiors and fashion.

Art Deco design is classic in its attraction, which makes it perfect for bathrooms, which have to remain stylish for a long time.

Pictured here are Pure Bathroom’s Roxton and Hamilton suites, which are ideal, for those looking for an Art Deco design for their bathroom.

The sanitary-ware for both suites is subtly sharp cornered in style.

The WCs priced from Â£298 and basins from Â£102, are offered in a selection of designs, to ensure that there is a Deco style to suit any space.

The Westminster brassware priced from Â£29, is supplied for both suites.

The basin taps, mixers and bath fillers in the range, suitably exploit the 1920s style.

The sanitary-ware of the Art Deco period was neutral in style, so the Roxton and Hamilton collections are both offered in white.

Go to the website for more information and to browse Pure Bathroomâ€™s comprehensive collections of bathroom products.

Tel: 0845 634 4321

30 Brilliant House Design Ideas for 2021

Homebuilding is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s why you can trust us.

(Image credit: IQ Glass)

If you’re going to the expense of a significant home improvement or house building project, then you are going to want to consider incorporating some clever house design ideas to create a sense of wow factor. But which home design ideas offer the biggest reward?

At the design stage, think about whether you are looking for house design ideas to add architectural interest, to transform how you live in and interact with your home, or a combination of the two.

From adopting a broken plan arrangement or adding a mezzanine through to new plaster finishes and all-in-one flooring packages with underfloor heating, here are 30 of the hottest home design ideas to get those creative juices flowing and maximise the results of your building project.

(Image credit: Jeremy Phillips)

If you’re working with a small footprint, ideas to help the space feel bigger are always welcome. One idea that’s definitely worth incorporating was showcased in Samantha Parr’s beautifully built oak frame home: it’s just 100m² but clever use of mirrors makes this space seem bigger.

The first floor of Samantha’s home is open plan and has exposed rafters. One gable is glazed with views out, the other gable wall cleverly features mirrors above the kitchen units — giving the impression that the house actually expands beyond this gable end. But in fact the mirrors are reflecting the interior and views out. A convincing technique!

(Image credit: David Barbour)

To keep materials consistent throughout their energy efficient home, and to herald the nearby Black Country and its local artisans, these homeowners chose to include a touch of industrial style with seven fretwork panels made from mild steel that adorn the staircase from top to bottom, and the striking pergola entrance porch.

The delicate design and painted coating add ‘wow’ factor to the interior and exterior, turning an entrance and flight of stairs into something far from ordinary.

This vibrant courtyard house, made up of a series of linked pavilions, is arranged around a tranquil pool in the heart of the London (Image credit: Simon Maxwell)

A courtyard layout can provide ample scope to connect multiple rooms to the garden and flood the space with light. With single-storey homes in particular, this home design idea avoids the need for deep floorplans, which can often suffer from a lack of natural light.

(MORE: 5 ways to remodel a bungalow)

4. Textured Wall Finishes

“We’re finding an increased interest in ‘real’ materials: walls and surfaces that are self-finished rather than covered over with plasterboard, skim and paint,” reports architect Paul Testa.

“Birch-faced plywood is a common choice; it’s dense,robust and adds natural texture and warmth to a space. It’s been traditionally used as a low cost wall finish, but it’s not cheap to buy and it’s time expensive to install and finish well. It is a lower carbon choice than a gypsum-based plasterboard, too.”

5. Build a Large, Practical Pantry

Good lighting in the pantry is a must to show off your wonderful
array of wine and food in all its glory (Image credit: Martin Moore)

A design idea growing in popularity, the pantry has also grown in terms of room size too. Homeowners are opting for larger utility-sized spaces as opposed to a cupboard, freeing up the kitchen for living and entertaining.

6. Opt for an All-in-One Flooring Package

(Image credit: Junkers)

It’s usual to have to order your underfloor heating (UFH) and levelling system separately from your solid timber flooring, but the timber floor company Junckers is launching Leveldek, a fully integrated package of solid hardwood floor, levelling and underfloor heating system, so you don’t need to order the items from separate suppliers — great idea!

This pool is situated in a small rear courtyard of a London Passivhaus. The cover doubles as decking when the pool is not in use, ensuring the courtyard is usable all year round (Image credit: Simon Maxwell)

An outdoor swimming pool is part of a wider home design idea to make the house a space where we keep healthy and well, as well as a place to relax and entertain. The popularity of home gyms is another case in point.

This high-end shower room, inspired by Moroccan spas and featuring sleek brassware and shower from The Watermark Collection, is a case in point (Image credit: The Watermark Collection)

Tadelakt is a Moroccan plaster finish that has actually been around for centuries, but will make an impact in our homes in 2020. And for good reason: this lime-based plaster is water and mould resistant, making it excellent for bathrooms. What’s more, it’s low-maintenance – there’s not a single grout line in sight – and aesthetically pleasing.

9. Blur the Lines Between Indoor and Outdoor Living

While ‘opening the house to the garden’ is not a new design idea for your home, there is now an increased focus on a considered use of materials in both the interior and adjacent outdoor environment.

There is now a push to create a ‘room outdoors’ and reduce perceptible boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces.

Solar PV (photovoltaic) panels have had their fair share of limelight in recent times, but the end of the Feed-in Tariffs — and the healthy(ish) incentive offered to homeowners and landlords — in April 2019 has perhaps taken the shine off specifying this renewable electricity-generating technology.

However, it’s not all bad news, as our attention is slowly turning back to solar thermal. Could 2020 bring a renaissance for this sustainable technology?

11. Bedrooms with Balconies

(Image credit: Jeremy Phillips)

Recent years have seen self builders and renovators alike incorporating outdoor spaces leading off from their bedrooms. Whether located on the first floor giving far-reaching views or incorporated as part of an ‘upside-down’ layout, with bedrooms leading off to terraces, adding a sense of the outdoors to sleeping spaces is a great design feature.

‘Broken plan living’ has been big news in the design world in recent years — and will continue to influence our floorplans in 2020. So what is it?

Broken plan is all about moving away from cavernous open plan living spaces (which many of us find impractical), and utilises certain devices to create spaces that feel sociable and connected but have a degree of separation and privacy. These devices include:

bookcases
partial walls
sliding doors
internal ‘windows’
fireplaces.

13. Use Concrete to Create a Contemporary Look

The Pink House by Gresford Architects has used pink fair faced concrete which sets off this single-storey rear extension (Image credit: c/o Gresford Architects)

If you’re looking to construct your extension in something a little different, don’t dismiss concrete. The material is no longer being covered up but exposed as an architectural finish, known as ‘visual concrete’, in domestic builds. It’s a good material to use externally — it’s durable, doesn’t require much maintenance and can be left exposed.

(MORE: Building an Extension: All You Need to Know)

(Image credit: LochAnna Kitchens)

Bright metallic colours will be a key design trend for kitchens this coming year. “2020 will be the year of gold, copper and bronze accents,” predicts Paul Jenkinson, founder and managing director of British kitchen brand LochAnna Kitchens.

“However, it’s important that you don’t overdo it with these colours and remember that a little goes a long way. ”

While upcycling is nothing new, the number of people recognising just how much they can save by buying a second-hand or ex-display kitchen is. The emergence of more and more companies specialising in used kitchens is testament to the growing popularity of this way of buying a kitchen. Plus, there are often some bargains to be had.

“We are now all so much more aware of the waste we produce from mass consumerism,” says James Saidman of The Used Kitchen Hub . “Consumers are much more conscious of not adding to their waste footprint and want to find tangible alternatives to landfill.”

(MORE: New Kitchen: How to Get one for Under £5,000)

16. Choose Pivot Doors for Added Wow-Factor

Parma E80 Pivot Door from Urban Front (Image credit: Urban Front)

Move aside bifold and sliding doors, the latest glazed patio doors do not fold or slide back, but delicately pivot — providing a large expanse of glass coupled with minimal frames as a further benefit.

Natural light and views will be maximised.

(MORE: Pivot doors)

(Image credit: IQ Glass)

Using space in the ceiling to provide extra living accommodation makes sense — it ensures every last inch of space within a house is used, without the need for new foundations or planning permission.

From ‘floating’ sleeping pods to home offices or informal living spaces, mezzanines provide quiet spaces away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the home, without being cut off from the action. They need not be an expensive addition either — some of the most innovative mezzanines are created from inexpensive materials and are accessed via simple flights of stairs.

18. Make a Feature of Rainwater Goods

Highlighting your rainwater goods is a good idea on less prominent elevations which need a healthy dose of architectural interest (as on this project designed by Francesco Pierazzi Architects ) (Image credit: c/o Francesco Pierazzi Architects)

Hidden rainwater goods have become a popular design idea in recent years. However, making a feature of this element of the building, with chunky, aesthetically-pleasing gutters, hoppers and downpipes, is another (cheaper and perhaps less complex to achieve) solution.

Material choice is important — forget PVCu, opt for streamline steel from the likes of Lindab and Alumasc.

19. Incorporate Pocket Doors

(Image credit: Simon Maxwell)

While open-plan living spaces are still a firm favourite in self built and renovated houses, we’re seeing a shift towards creating spaces that can adapt to cater for both intimate everyday living and occasions when family members and friends descend en masse.

One sleek and discreet way of achieving this is by including pocket doors — these slide back into a cavity in the adjacent walls when not in use (as here) to open up rooms to one another.

20. Install Hidden Lighting

In order to create the illusion of the glazed bridge (which connects the two halves of Jake Edgley’s London self build) floating when lit at night, he attached strips of LEDs to aluminium foils fitted to the ceiling edge (Image credit: Jack Hobhouse c/o Edgley Architects)

While bringing natural light into the home is a recurring theme, it can be easy to forget how important achieving a well-balanced artificial lighting design scheme can be — many treating this element of the design as an after-thought, placing a few pendants and downlights wherever there’s space.

Consideration of your home’s lighting should be planned out well in advance.

(MORE: Clever Lighting Design Ideas for Your Home)

(Image credit: Kate Stoddard Architect)

Placing patio doors or glazing in adjacent or opposing walls has obvious benefits when it comes to introducing light to the interiors and creating a greater sense of connection with the garden.

However, this design motif can also help reduce massing, making a building appear transparent and less ‘bulky’.

22. Consider Split Level Layouts

When you consider how plots are becoming increasingly hard to track down, as well as the fact that some of the most stunning of these plots are located on sloping sites, the increasing prominence of split-level layouts begins to make sense.

While the split-level layout may often be born out of necessity, it often ends up bringing warmth and character to homes. Level changes act as a way of defining individual areas within open-plan spaces. For example, in large houses they break up vast spaces to avoid them becoming too clinical, while in small spaces they break up rooms without the need for walls.

23. Make Outside Spaces Suitable for British Weather

This modern take on a loggia, combined with an upside down arrangement where living areas are located on the first floor, makes the most of the incredible views of the Isle of Harris landscape (Image credit: Chris Humphreys)

Covered outdoor spaces allow the British summer to be enjoyed whatever the weather, plus provide opportunity to make a design statement.

However, we’re no longer simply looking to create such spaces on the ground floor, but on the first floor too, where covered balconies or loggias, leading off the master bedroom for instance, are a happy indulgence.

24. Modular Bathrooms

(Image credit: Roman)

It’s not just construction systems that are going modular; our fixtures and fittings are too. New from Roman for 2020 is this basin and vanity unit linked directly to the shower enclosure. This all-in-one piece fixes together precisely, which means no more butting up basins to glass panels, and no more tricky spots to clean!

The curved ceiling in this traditional-style new build features whitewashed timber cladding, which gives a cosy Scandinavian feel to the interiors (Image credit: David Barbour)

We’re accustomed to seeing flat ceilings in our homes, but if you are extending or building from scratch then it’s a great opportunity to think outside the box when it comes to your ceiling design.

Vaulted ceilings are a great way to add both interest and volume to any space, can fit well in both contemporary and traditional home designs.

26. Make Use of Timber Cladding

The upper levels of this Passivhaus-certified treehouse has been clad in untreated larch (Image credit: Matt Chisnall)

Versatile, rustic and lending warmth, timber has become the go-to material for those seeking to bring texture to their projects — both inside and out.

Whether it’s dark-stained pine to add contrast and help the home to blend in with its surroundings, rough sawn oak left to weather to a silver grey, birch, western red cedar, larch or plywood lining the walls, ceilings and floors to provide a warm and cosy space, timber cladding is a popular home design idea.

27. Bring Glazing Indoors for Added Architectural Interest

(Image credit: Mailen Design)

Interior glazing is by no means an architectural innovation — this device has been used for years in commercial spaces and offices. However, self builders are now beginning to see the benefit of interior glazing in new homes: it can allow natural light and views to be ‘shared’ by adjacent rooms, while still offering a degree of soundproofing.

Allowing light to reach into even the most central sections of the floorplan, incorporating internal glazing can offer glimpses of adjacent rooms and create the illusion of space and volume.

(MORE: Internal Glazing Design Guide)

This extended cottage features a veranda that works well with both the contemporary and traditional elements of the property (Image credit: Simon Maxwell)

A key staple of traditional architecture, the veranda appears to be making a comeback. From New England-style wrap-arounds to sheltered timber frame additions – allowing homeowners to enjoy the outdoors even on wintery days – the veranda has proved the perfect accessory to homes both contemporary and classic.

29. Exposed Ceilings are Popular for 2020

(Image credit: NimTim Architects)

Exposing characterful timber rafters and trusses as a feature is not a new innovation when renovating old homes, but this idea has been adopted by extenders and self-builders in 2019, with the fabric of new roofs exposed to produce some very interesting results.

In the project above, designed by design practice NimTim, the geometric structural plywood used for the extension roof brings architectural interest. The timber designs provide a real warmth to the contemporary interior and increase the perceived head-height in this single-storey extension. We look forward to seeing this trend continue throughout the coming year.

30. Colour Pop Comes to the Structure

(Image credit: Selencky///Parsons Architects)

Using an accent colour to highlight the structure of a self build or extension is becoming more popular — think pink stairs, bright orange aluminium doors and, as in this project by Selencky///Parsons Architects, vibrant yellow steel beams. Note that exposed structural beams need to be treated with fire-retardant paint to comply with Building Regulations.

Claire became Editor of Homebuilding & Renovating in 2016 and has been a member of the team for 14 years. An experienced homes journalist, her work has also appeared in titles such as Real Homes and Period Living.

She has a particular interest in green homes, and interior design is a passion too; she has undertaken qualifications in this area.

After finishing a major renovation of a period cottage, she is now onto her next project: overhauling a 1930s property in the Shropshire countryside.

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Get The Look: 18 Ways To Bring British Style Home

May 11, 2018

While British interior design is rooted in traditional motifs and styles, it always feels fresh and relevant. The trick? A timeless mix of classic and modern that celebrates heritage while occasionally pushing the envelope. Click through to learn how to achieve the look fit for royalty.

Every English country manor has rambling gardens full of “rooms.” Landscaping creates zones fit for afternoon tea parties, and understated stone elements help make a garden look like it’s been there for centuries.

Photographer: Virginia Macdonald

Source: House & Home October 2010

Designer: Landscape design, Shelagh Crandall

Brass accents like these gilded mirrors add a sense of luxury to every room — even a children’s bedroom.

Photographer: Stacey Brandford

Source: House & Home March 2012

Designer: Sarah Richardson Design

The hand-blocked wallpaper in this formal stairwell is a subtle touch you wouldn’t notice right away. It’s the quality finishings and trimmings that give British interiors that little something extra.

Photographer: Stacey Brandford

Source: House & Home March 2012

Designer: Sarah Richardson Design

In this London townhouse kitchen, beautiful millwork and dentil moldings add depth and richness to the pale blue walls, which shows off the homeowner’s collection of silver and white serving dishes.

Photographer: Stacey Brandford

Source: House & Home March 2012

Designer: Sarah Richardson Design

An unexpected hummingbird-patterned wallpaper from Thibaut adds a touch of levity to a country house powder room. A retrofitted washstand and vintage lanterns up the heritage factor.

Photographer: Stacey Brandford

Source: House & Home July 2014

Designer: Natalie Hodgins and Kate Stuart, Sarah Richardson Design

This kitchen is a masterclass in mixing styles and periods. An Eero Saarinen pedestal table is a modern counterpoint to the traditional rush-seated wood chairs and the vintage Aga cooker.

Photographer: Chris Tubbs

Source: House & Home December 2014

Designer: Apostrophe Woodcraft

Never ones to shy away from a good pattern or two, the British do a mix of bold patterns best. In a modern twist on the classic floral pattern, a large-scale bouquet wallpaper sets the stage for a collection of soft pillows in stripes and florals.

Photographer: Chris Tubbs

Source: House & Home December 2014

Designer: Samantha Lawrie

Making a dramatic first impression, this foyer uses a moody grey and imposing console and mirror to strike a serious note. Lofty ceilings and creamy white trim lighten the look.

Photographer: Chris Tubbs

Source: House & Home December 2014

Designer: Samantha Lawrie

In her dining room, designer Colette van den Thillart introduced a painterly touch with hand-painted stools inspired by artist Cy Twombly.

Photographer: Chris Tubbs

Source: House & Home October 2014

Designer: Colette van den Thillart

In Colette’s living room, a range of pieces and art — each a slightly different style but sharing a similar elegant feel — combine for a luxe look. The trick to layering such diverse pieces is finding common elements; here, a blue and green palette is paired with black and white artworks.

Photographer: Chris Tubbs

Source: House & Home October 2014

Designer: Colette van den Thillart

Given the unpredictable weather, it only makes sense that the British tend to favor cozy and intimate rooms, which the cocooning seagrass wallpaper and ornate bed corona deliver in this bedroom.

Photographer: Chris Tubbs

Source: House & Home October 2014

Designer: Colette van den Thillart

Rooms that pack a punch are a fun way to do irreverent style. For an unexpected yet welcome touch of playfulness, this dining room is wrapped — bookshelves and all — in a laser-printed velvet in a grotto detail.

Photographer: Virginia Macdonald

Source: House & Home December 2012

Designer: Colette van den Thillart

Tried-and-true paint colors are a hallmark of British design. Opt for rich colors that have a traditional or heritage feel to them, so that they will pair well with antiques and heirlooms.

Photographer: Janet Kimber

Source: House & Home March 2014

Designer: Kenneth McRobbie and Colin Blanchard, 31 Westgate

If you don’t have the space for a grass tennis court, bring the look inside with vintage racquets hung on a wall or a crisp white sofa finished with preppy banded trim.

Photographer: Angus Fergusson

Source: House & Home October 2014

Designer: James Davie

Give a newer home instant pedigree with salvaged or restored architectural details like knobs, flooring or plaster moldings. The closet doors here add vintage soul to a new build.

Photographer: Janet Kimber

Source: House & Home August 2015

Designer: Architectural designer, Nicholas Lewin

Part of the charm of British interiors is that there’s a curated element to it. A careful pairing of colors, textiles and artwork combines for a look that evokes the interiors of the famed bohemian Bloomsbury Group.

Photographer: Michael Graydon

Source: House & Home March 2015

Designer: Produced by Kai Ethier and Stacey Smithers

As the home of the sash window, England knows how to frame a view. A smaller paned window above gives this window nook architectural pedigree.

Photographer: Janet Kimber

Source: House & Home July 2014

Designer: Philip Mitchell

With verdant rolling countryside and a damp climate, it’s no wonder flowers feature heavily in British design. A small vase of flowers in any room, even a powder room, adds a certain je ne sais quoi. Bonus points for whimsical or low-key bouquets, as they add a sense of casual formality.

Photographer: Alex Lukey

Source: House & Home April 2016

Designer: House & Home March 2016

Author: Jessica Flower

Tags:
British

Collecting wild plants has become fashionable in Great Britain

March 28, 2021, 20:28
Style

100%

The slow food movement, which advocates the ideas of seasonal and local cooking, has gained a new breath: in the West, people are increasingly interested in wild plants, berries and mushrooms that can be picked in nature. If earlier it was a shame to cook from nettle or wild garlic, now it is fashionable. In the UK, courses are being opened to teach you how to distinguish between herbs, and in Australia, where it is now autumn, advice is given on social networks on how to distinguish between edible and inedible mushrooms.

In the West, the gathering trend is gaining momentum – dishes from nettles, wild garlic or forest mushrooms and berries no longer look something shameful or unusual. As Liz Knight, who has been teaching volunteers to gather edible plants in rural Herefordshire, in the west of England, told The Guardian for 10 years, people’s attitudes towards gathering have changed – and she suggests that this happened against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Liz Knight, the change in the perception of the idea of collecting wild plants is due to television shows and restaurants: the former are increasingly talking about what can be prepared from nettles and hogweed, the latter are serving dishes with herbs and flowers collected from nature. “Now it’s very difficult to find a British restaurant that doesn’t have ingredients from the wild, because it really fits the idea of seasonality and locality,” said Liz Knight.

British interest in using wild-harvested ingredients in gastronomy was confirmed by Marlow Renton, director and gathering instructor at WIld Food UK, which organizes training courses for those who want to diversify their diet in England, Scotland and Wales and publishes YouTube videos on this topic. According to him, the number of visitors to the site last year exceeded 1 million – and increased by 25% compared to the previous year.

According to Liz Knight, many English people have changed their attitude towards hogweed. If earlier it, along with Sosnovsky’s cow parsnip, was considered poisonous, now people are less likely to get scared when they see it on sale.

“People just pick it up and say, ‘Oh yes, I know hogweed,’” she said. Indeed, young leaves and petioles of common hogweed can be used in the preparation of soups (it was from the name of this plant, from which stews were cooked in Ancient Russia, that the word “borscht” came). In addition, it can be pickled – the only problem is how to distinguish the common hogweed from the much more poisonous Sosnowsky hogweed.

Among other wild plants that are now eaten by the British, Liz Knight named nettle, wild garlic and meadowsweet (its flowers are used to flavor sweet dishes and syrups). “If you look at old cookbooks, you will see a lot of edible flowers,” Liz Knight noted. In her opinion, industrialization led to the fact that the use of flowers in gastronomy began to be perceived as a rough, far from sophistication habit of uncouth villagers.

But now everything has changed. Social media posts about foraging have increased by 89%, according to Waitrose’s report on food and drink consumption, cited by The Guardian. True, experts warn the British: you need to go to nature for edible plants in the company of a person who understands them. “Learn and take your time,” Liz Knight advised. – For example, when you collect wild garlic. It grows with many plants that are actually poisonous. All you need is to identify them correctly and not to tear everything in a row, but to carefully take it, leaf by leaf, knowing that you are collecting what you need.

She also clarified that collecting herbs near polluted areas, as well as where they walk dogs, is not worth it.

In Australia, meanwhile, autumn and mushroom season – and the inhabitants of the country are also learning to distinguish between edible and inedible.

Mushroom expert Alison Pulo told ABC Australia that indigenous peoples have traditionally picked and distinguished mushrooms, but whites have inherited British mycophobia, a fear of mushrooms. “Because mushrooms are so ephemeral – they pop up and then disappear – in the UK they were considered something bad, like crime or witchcraft,” explained Alison Poulo.

Now the popularity of local and seasonal culinary – the slow food movement – makes Australians look more closely at mushrooms and exchange opinions on their edibility on social networks. True, sometimes advice is questionable. “You can chew and spit out a small piece of pale toadstool or any other poisonous mushroom, and nothing will happen to you,” ABC cites an example of such recommendations.

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