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Interior Design

Getting organised: 11 stylish ways to clear up your clutter

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Start as you mean to go on, says Sam Wylie-Harris. It’s a goal we all aspire to, getting organised.


Even if you love clutter, you want your clutter to be catalogued and for everything to have its place – so although a good old rummage might still be required, it’s not too much of a nightmare when you’re trying to hunt something down.

And then of course, you might be so minimalist that tidy is your second name – in which case ensuring you have enough stylish storage solutions to house all those bits ‘n’ bobs is essential.

Either way, if one of your New Year resolutions is to have a stellar sort out, these handy homewares will help you make those getting-organised dreams a reality…

1. Bembridge Storage Baskets, from £35, Garden Trading

Sturdy storage baskets can be a godsend when it comes to folding away tea towels, wash day sprays and laundry soap, although you could really use them for anything. Rustic and resilient.

2. Kitchen Trolley with Bamboo Top, £199, A Place for Everything

A quick kitchen fix, this island on wheels will not only double up as a scullery chef for all those cooking utensils, but can be placed strategically for serving, plating and most importantly, storage. Genius.

3. Rope Hanging White Storage Baskets, £32, Next

A tip-top trio, these hanging rope baskets lend themselves to any nook or cranny. Ideal for toiletries and beauty buys, they could even be filled with faux flowers if all your vases are full.

4. Large Spoon Storage Box, £22, Natalia Willmott

A soft solution for kitchen towels and knick-knacks, you could also stand cutlery and napkins inside so they’re within easy reach.

5. Cupboard & Fridge Organiser (middle shelf), £1.50, B&M stores

Olive oil, pepper mills and spices can be a messy business… Not with a bargain handy organiser to keep them neat.

6. Felt Woven Storage Caddy, £22, Next

If you’ve been getting crafty lately with a newfound hobby, or working from home means you need a carry-all for cables and techy stuff, this felt caddy could do the job nicely.

7. Slimline Slogan Boxes, £2.50 each, B&M Stores

These italic-style slogans might inspire a host of cleaning products for multiple surfaces, but they can also double up for magazines, filing and even outdoor storage.

8. Smartstore Basket Medium – Just Base, £6, Just Lid, £9, or £15 for the set, A Place for Everything

These white plastic storage baskets with a stylish Scandi-inspired bamboo lid are ideal for staking, and so versatile they can multitask anywhere in the home, from a utility room to the bedroom or even the garage.

9. Bloomingdale Valde Clothes Rack, £385, Sweatpea & Willow

An investment piece for sure, but if you especially like an open design, this neat clothes rack means you can hang key pieces with confidence, and the five fixed shelves are ideal for shoes, accessories and baskets.

10. Jewellery Box – Moona – Natural & White, £50, A Place for Everything

Trinkets: Tick. Timepiece: Tick. Reading specs: Tick. This stylish jewellery box ticks so many boxes.

11. Kubu Stair Storage Basket by Pacific, £44, Next

If you have a roomy enough staircase, this stylish storage basket could be just the ticket for tucking away scarves and hats or blankets. We love that it also has an easy carry handle and oozes county chic.

5 basic design principles for creating a beautiful modern home – whatever your budget

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Design guru Matt Gibberd tells Lisa Salmon that using space, light, materials, nature and decoration cleverly will help make a home gorgeous.

Having a beautiful home has never felt more important than during the past 18 months when we’ve been forced to spend more time inside our own four walls – and you may have longed to transform yours into a beautiful modern living space.

But if a lack of know-how or limited finances held you back, it’s not too late to get started. For design guru Matt Gibberd insists it can be easy to create a gorgeous home without spending a fortune, just by implementing five simple design principles.

“If you ask me, a Palladian villa, for example, has the same sensibility as a masterpiece of the modernist era, and has been designed according to the same set of timeless principles,” he says.

View this post on InstagramA post shared by The Modern House (@themodernhouse)

“A simple way to think of these principles is to distil them into five categories – space, light, materials, nature and decoration.

“Paying careful consideration to each of these will allow you to create a home that’s beautiful, supportive and inspiring, regardless of scale or budget.”

Gibberd, who is a founding director of the design-led estate agency The Modern House, has just written the book A Modern Way to Live, in which he outlines the five principles and how to best use them to create a beautiful home.

Here he gives us a taste of exactly how to do it…

1. Space

Gibberd explains that when a home combines both space and “refuge” areas it can help make occupants feel settled. He suggests: “Try to create an open and bright space for socialising, and a womb-like space for retreating and sleeping. Even in a studio flat, creating different zones using a curtain, sliding partition or bookcase on castors can greatly enhance the experience of occupying the space.”

You can create the illusion of space with mirrors and reflective surfaces, he says, by using natural niches for built-in cupboards, and continuing the same material from inside to out. Consider re-hanging doors the other way around to open up rooms, and place radiators beneath windows to free-up valuable wall space for furniture.

And don’t forget the kitchen! Gibberd advises homeowners to think of the kitchen as a collection of pieces of furniture rather than a set of units, and to avoid wall cupboards if possible, as the space above them becomes redundant. And instead of a freestanding fridge-freezer, consider a pair of under-counter refrigerators side-by-side.

And then there’s the bin… “A free-standing dustbin hangs around the kitchen like a foul-smelling Dalek, tripping people up and overflowing with the remains of yesterday’s dinner,” declares Gibberd. “Try to build in the rubbish solutions – the space beneath the sink is always a useful spot for food waste, for example.”

2. Light

View this post on InstagramA post shared by Matt Gibberd (@matt_gibberd)

Gibberd says it’s better to consider fixed glazing with a conventional door alongside, rather than bifold doors. “A picture window – free of obtrusive handles and mechanisms – does a better job of framing the views and looks more beautiful because the structural supports are hidden,” he explains.

He suggests avoiding Roman blinds and pelmets, and hanging curtains from extra-wide poles so they can be pulled back to reveal the full window. And think about how the light moves around your home. “Sitting areas benefit from the enhanced light of a south-facing window,” explains Gibberd, “whereas parts of the home that are seldom used, such as utility rooms, are best placed on the northern side. The eastern side is ideal for sleeping, and dining spaces work well on the western side, where they capture the radiant embers of the day.”

If your home has more than one level, he suggests thinking about inverting the layout. “You might never get used to the idea of declaring ‘I’m going downstairs to bed’,” he admits, “but in most other respects it makes a lot of sense, unlocking the light and views for the living spaces, and using the naturally darker areas lower down the building for sleeping.”

But although light is crucial for a home, Gibberd says householders shouldn’t be afraid of the dark either. “Without areas of contrast, our homes would be one-dimensional and monotonous,” he explains. “If you walk down a shadowy corridor, for example, when you arrive at a sun-soaked space it feels all the more bright and uplifting.”

And on a brighter note, Gibberd says that if you can look straight into the filament of a lightbulb then it’s probably in the wrong place. “Shun ceiling lights in favour of task lighting, wall sconces and plug-in lamps that provide a gentler glow and better promote the circadian rhythm,” he suggests.

3. Materials

View this post on InstagramA post shared by Matt Gibberd (@matt_gibberd)

Gibberd says householders should think carefully about the things they come into physical contact with every day, including light switches, door handles or kitchen worktops. “Are these as tactile as they should be?” he asks, pointing out that natural materials will always age more gracefully than man-made plastics and laminates. “Try to preserve original materials wherever possible, as they tell the individual story of a building and induce less anxiety than new ones,” he advises.

Gibberd suggests living in a home for at least a year before making any changes. “For example, that wooden floor you thought was a bit beaten-up when you moved in might start to take on some significance – its warmth beneath bare feet, or its ability to absorb the comings and goings of daily life.”

Natural materials like marble and glazed tiles have a gentle sheen and are easy to keep clean, he says, and clay is a moisture-absorbing alternative to conventional plaster.

It’s also worth thinking about the environmental impact of the materials you use, he says, pointing out that cork, for example, is naturally regenerative because the tree grows back its bark, and farms provide some excellent sources of eco-friendly insulation, including sheep’s wool and straw bales.

4. Nature

View this post on InstagramA post shared by Matt Gibberd (@matt_gibberd)

A connection to nature is vital for wellbeing, so even those who are looking for somewhere to live in a city should try to find a flat that overlooks a communal garden, or has deep window ledges that can hold plants, suggests Gibberd.

If you’re lucky enough to have outdoor space, he suggests combining borders of shrubs and flowers with decking, compacted gravel, flint, stone setts or herringbones of brick.

And inside, stock up on the greenery. “Indoor plants positively impact our wellbeing, lowering blood pressure and increasing attentiveness, but they can also serve a practical purpose, helping to demarcate space, provide screening, absorb sound or add a flourish to an unremarkable room,” says Gibberd.

He suggests putting shells, pebbles and pinecones on the mantelpiece, using natural-looking paint colours, and hanging landscape paintings and photographs on walls.

5. Decoration

View this post on InstagramA post shared by Matt Gibberd (@matt_gibberd)

Instead of fitted carpets, Gibberd suggests trying loose-laid natural floor coverings such as sisal and jute, with a gap between the edging and the wall. Use rugs in layers and let them fill the natural spaces between furniture.

And to avoid making an interior feel one-dimensional, he says it can be a good idea to mix furniture and objects from different eras and places. “Rather than putting a set of matching chairs around the kitchen table, for example, throw a bench or a wobbly Windsor chair into the mix,” he suggests.

“Surround yourself with the objects that have the most meaning to you personally and tell the story of your life – family heirlooms, or things that remind you of a particular holiday or experience.”

He advises householders to avoid using a flat screen TV as a room’s centrepiece, and instead organise furniture traditionally around the hearth. Group furniture and objects together in odd numbers, he says, explaining: “If things are arranged asymmetrically, the eye is forced to move around them to fully absorb what it sees.”

And you may need to rethink the way your pictures are hung, he warns. “The most common mistake is to place them too high,” he points out. “My advice is to use your eye to find what feels like the right place instinctively, then take it down by six inches.”

And finally, he adds: “When choosing what to buy for your home, try to follow your instincts rather than any preconceived notions about what constitutes good taste. Many of the best things have not been celebrated on Instagram, can’t be found in textbooks, and don’t cost a great deal. Often they have an accidental beauty that’s the result of fulfilling utilitarian needs.”

A Modern Way to Live by Matt Gibberd is published on October 28 by Penguin Life, priced £25.

Living the green dream: 13 ways to bring home nature’s most calming colour this summer

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Sam Wylie-Harris shops a mix of forest shades.

Calming, optimistic and fresh, the colour green can steer us from summer meadows to manicured lawns, botanical gardens and olive trees.

And when we want to conjure that connecting-with-nature vibe, a variety of plants, green decos and furnishings is the easiest way to achieve that in our homes – and style up a favourite space in the process.

From minty accents to fertile ferns, everything ‘grows’ together with a healthy, grassy palette to play with. These are some of our favourite ways to go green at home this summer…

1. Sophie Allport Home Grown Mug and The Kitchen Garden Mug, £12 each (other items from a selection), Sophie Allport

To turn your kitchen into a cottage garden setting, these sweet illustrated mugs evoke thoughts of vegetable patches, foxgloves and a wall of climbing roses.

2. Gluggle Jug in Woodland Green, £39, Graham & Green

If you’re a Jenny-come-lately to the joy of gluggle jugs, now’s the time to snap up one of these fish-shaped pitchers. Famed for making a gurgling sound – think how much better your Pimm’s will sound and taste – they also make brilliant vases for showing off those pink peonies.

3. Sage Green Linen Table Cloth, £89, Graham & Green

Sage green is cited as the shade of the season and thanks to its versatility (it’s the neutral on the colour chart), it works like a dream in interiors. Made out of stonewashed linen, picture a bowl of avocados and some recycled glass tumblers artfully placed atop this table cloth, to pull it all together.

4. Set of 4 Eucalyptus Green TruGlow Taper Candles, £29.99, Lights4fun (available from July)

Whether it’s a rustic setting with cabbage-green earthenware plates or something more serene, tablescaping with LED tapered dinner candles is so much easier without the worry of wax dripping.

5. Monstera Deliciosa & Helena Rose Pot, £56 (£48 Soho Home member), Soho Home

A collaboration between Soho Home and Leaf Envy, what could be easier than festooning with foliage in your own ‘House’, with their carefully edited selection of real house plants and pots, similar to those you’ll find around Soho House members’ clubs.

6. Onism Moss Green Wallpaper, £85 per roll, Woodchip & Magnolia

Larger than life, if you’re feeling brave, think about creating a wonder wall of wild flowers for maximum impact. The different colour combinations in this delightful paper can be picked up with an accent chair, scatter cushion or decorative piece of furniture.

7. Copper Cube Terrariums, from £69.95, The Urban Botanist

Housed succulents make a stunning edition, especially when your trump terra has been hand-picked by a team of botanical experts. Each copper frame is designed to house a selection of three succulents resting on a bed of gravel, with the option to add lights. We’re in.

8. Small Flagon Table Lamp in Thyme Green Vintage Linen, £135, Loaf

With a clear base and linen shade in Mediterranean thyme green, not only does this lamp sit well next to a sofa in a similar shade, but you can ‘switch on’ to the herb’s medicinal benefits, with the soothing effects of ambient lighting.

9. Lilly of the Valley & Ivy Charity Candle, £49, Jo Malone

Softly scented and blending wellness with whimsy, this gorgeous Jo Malone candle channels Lilly of the valley with cassis, narcissus and cool green ivy notes, such as herbs and foliage. An added bonus, a donation equal to 75% (less VAT) goes towards charities and projects supporting mental health.

10. Magnolia Solar Smarttech Illuminated Plant Pot – Small, £135, Amara

Suitable for indoor and outdoor use with four flash settings, your favourite fern will love basking in the spotlight.

11. Betty Armchair in Olive, from £330, Sofa.com

Fashioned on a mid-century cocktail chair with a curved, padded back, rounded edges and a plush seat, style Betty with hanging grasses and a trug of dried woodland flowers to weave it all together. Did someone say grasshopper cocktail?

12. Garden Trading Rive Droite Bistro Tray Table in Forest Green Steel, £30, and matching Bistro Chairs, £80 for two, Garden Trading (available from June 7)

Practical and space saving, this foldable bistro table with detachable tray and matching chairs will pimp up a patio or tinsy lawn, plus we love the simplicity of steel.

13. Heating & Plumbing London Pure New Wool Picnic Blanket – Mint Green & Yellow, £125; matching Waterproof Outdoor Cushion in Pure New Wool, £44.50; ‘Keep Your Cool’ Champagne Bucket – Yellow Leather Strap, £85, Heating & Plumbing

Heating & Plumbing have done all the hard work for you and foraged three vital ingredients to make your garden party a chilled – and cosy – celebration. And you can always branch out and hang the champagne bucket from a pretty parasol to enjoy the first sip, and toast those slow days of summer, in the shade.

Own a holiday let property? 4 ways to boost staycation bookings

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As 2021 looks set for a staycation boom, here’s how to make the most of opportunities to let your holiday property out. By Vicky Shaw.

With staycations likely to prove popular in 2021, holiday lets could become more appealing to those with the money to invest.

And mortgage lenders have boosted their ranges to cater for demand from holiday let investors, according to Moneyfacts.co.uk.

The website recently found the choice of mortgage options for borrowers looking at holiday lets has doubled since August 2020. In early April 2021, Moneyfacts found 149 mortgage options available for holiday lets – a figure which was nearly back to levels seen in March 2020, when there were 162 deals on the market. Back in August 2020, there were just 74 deals recorded.

If you’re getting a holiday let property ready for bookings, here are some tips from Bev Dumbleton, chief operating officer at Sykes Holiday Cottages, to help maximise the potential of the property…

1. Prioritise easy DIY jobs

Now could be the perfect time to get stuck into some DIY. People often underestimate how effective simple DIY jobs can be to spruce up a property. And when it comes to a holiday let, you need to ensure that the space is always looking its best for your guests.

If your property has been empty for a few months, it might just need a bit of love. A fresh coat of paint on the walls can really brighten the space and you could also bring your painting skills into the garden to repaint any garden furniture and fences, to make it feel smarter and more luxurious.

Prioritise easy repairs that are going to make the experience better for the customer. For example, a bathroom can be instantly revitalised by resealing around sinks and the shower, replacing an old shower curtain or fixing any leaky taps.

Remember, it’s not just about making it look better, but fixing any small issues that will help secure you top reviews – and ultimately more bookings.

2. Give your property images a facelift

When marketing your holiday let, ensure you’re using top quality images. No matter how stunning your property is, images are going to be what really grabs people’s attention.

You only have one chance to make a first impression, so make sure you are using the most up-to-date photos. If you have made renovations or interior changes during the lockdowns, now is the time to show them off.

The first image makes the biggest impact, so use it to showcase the best parts of your holiday home. Try and capture pictures that show off amenities that will be great for all times of year too – from cosy fireplaces all the way to beautiful balconies and sun terraces.

Finally, you should also consider including some of the local area to show off what there is to do around the property come rain or shine.

3. Ensure year-round appeal

Looking to the years ahead, to help secure bookings across the seasons, think about what will drive opportunities during those sometimes-quieter autumn and winter months. Certain amenities draw more bookings in colder months than others, so if it’s something you can afford to add, it could be a worthwhile investment.

For example, Sykes’ bookings data has previously shown that properties with hot tubs, on average, earn 50% more than lets that don’t, and woodburning stoves and open fires also attract guests all-year-round. Believe it or not, dishwashers are also an attractive feature to holidaymakers when booking.

If you’re worried about cost, then there are smaller but still effective changes you could still make, like providing blankets or putting rugs down on wooden floors to add warmth. The key is to ensure the space is cosy to drive bookings in those colder months.

4. Allow shorter bookings

Often during the low season, guests don’t want to book a week-long holiday, opting instead for a shorter mid-week or weekend break. Allowing bookings for two or three-night stays will may well encourage more people to book.

This is especially true after the past year, with short breaks becoming increasingly popular as people have been working from home and having long-weekend ‘workcations’. Recent research from Sykes found half of people plan to take more weekend trips and shorter breaks this year, rather than longer ones.

 

13 ways to work sorbet shades into your home this spring

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Pretty pastels will make brightening up your space a breeze, says Sam Wylie-Harris.

Top of the colour charts, the pulling power of pastels never fades.

Serene, easy-on-the-eye hues and mellow effects can collide beautifully together. And in their low-key statement way – especially in the world of interiors – pastels are the never-boring neutrals in a wash of bold brights.

A clever tool to combine with eclectic furnishings, decos and romantic accents, a palette of plush pastels can be imaginably designed as a glamorous backdrop. Use them to draw in more light with paint choices, or turn up the volume and artfully place them among your hothouse of florals, or alongside dark furnishings for dramatic contrast.

Let’s see what’s turning heads on this season’s pastel parade…

1. Slow Coach Sofa in Nordic Blue Brushed Cotton, from £1,345, Loaf

Neutrals and pastels are natural bedfellows, and a pillow-soft sofa in pale blue, built on strong Scandinavian Birch, will sit like a dream against a blank canvas.

2. Round Ruched Velvet Cushions, £45 each, Graham & Green

Funny how a plush velvet cushion shaped like an expensive macaron works like a sweet treat in any space – and picture perfect in pastels.

3. Elinore Gold Swivel Base Accent Chair, £299, Next

A chic 1930s-style cocktail chair to pimp up your boudoir, or set the tone for a creative corner, style with a brass standing lamp to complement the glitzy metal base. Drinks trolley optional.

4. 4 Piece 200ml All Purpose Glasses – Set of 4, £38.91 (was £40.99), Wayfair

Team pink crystal with blue, and just imagine how much lovelier your favourite glass of rosé or pinot grigio is going to taste in these glammy goblets.

5. Resplendence Blush Wallpaper, £65 per roll, Graham & Brown

Wallpaper with the wow factor – with these striking teal peacocks perched amongst pale yellow blooms, you can evoke an exotic private garden to call your own. A fabulous take on luxe living for less.

6. Zuiver Luigi Table Range – Square and Round Side Tables available in Pink, White and Green, £159 each, Cuckooland

A little Italian flair within arms’ reach… A sociable side table is just the ticket as we head into ‘spritz season’, and need something stylish to place our refreshing spring cocktail and bowl of olives on.

7. LeBonCandles Full Twist Set of 6 Soy Wax Candles, £32, Etsy

Funky and fun, twisted candles are all the rage and we’ve got a crush on this cute set.

8. Set of 3 Summer Fruit Abstract Art Prints A4, £59, Claude & Leighton

A tempting trio that really hits the spot, these abstract prints in sorbet shades work like a dream with bleached wood and Scandi style furniture.

9. The World Is Your Oyster Print, from £15 for A4, Eleanor Bowmer

And of course, a clever styling trick is to tie a scheme together with a kittenish print for maximum impact.

10. Geode Wave Wallpaper – Classic Paste The Wall Mural, from £32 per square metre, Wallsauce

To kick things up a notch or two, a show-stopping colour palette of coral and turquoise with gold foil effect reflections will add extra pizzazz to any space, and make anything you put next to it look like a room set worthy of a starring role.

11. Sadolin Superdec Peachy Punch Paint, from £19.99 for 1L, Buypaintsonline

With everyone stepping into springtime, spruce up your outdoor space with a peachy paint shade. This satin opaque wood protection is suitable for windows, doors, conservatories and cladding.

12. George Home Outdoor Metallic Shell Plastic Tumbler – Set of 2, £6, Asda Direct

You can almost taste the tipple and feel the sand between your toes with these cute as candy tumblers. Just made for sundowners.

13. Seymour Sloth Hanging Planter, £14.50, Red Candy

A foliage favourite, your growing collection of houseplants will welcome this quirky, new addition with open arms.

Local Craft Creation Hartley Wintney

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McCarthy Holden introduce local craft work

In the conduct of McCarthy Holden’s day to day activities we meet people from all walks of life and from time to time we discover people with great craft talents and skills, so in this news article we are highlighting the unique products created by Maggie Sheerman who lives on the outskirts of Hartley Wintney.

Below are samples of her work created by Maggie from her workshop on the Bramshill / Hartley Wintney borders. We are also listing the prices of some of her work as well as her contact detail for you to purchase direct from her.

McCarthy Holden introduce local craft work

These reclaimed pine or oak door stops with bullet cartridge heads, with a heavy duty ring handle are available from £20 to £45.

McCarthy Holden introduce local craft work

The reclaimed oak key fobs with cartridge heads are available from £5 to £9.

McCarthy Holden introduce local craft work

Polished oak key racks with brass bullet hooks are available in various sizes and priced from £25.

McCarthy Holden introduce local craft work

Reclaimed wood wall art with wine / champagne corks are available from £85

McCarthy Holden introduce local craft work

Reclaimed oak lamps with bullet cartridge heads and light stem (shades extra) are available from £180.

McCarthy Holden introduce local craft work

Reclaimed oak mirrors in various sizes (ornament excluded) are available from £45 to £180.

McCarthy Holden introduce local craft work

Serving tray / mat with wine / champagne corks are available from £35.

McCarthy Holden introduce local craft work

Reclaimed wood key racks with bullet cartridges or antler tips are available from £35 to £65.

McCarthy Holden introduce local craft work

Reclaimed oak key racks with brass bullet cartridges are available from £25 to £65.

How to purchase or commission a bespoke craft item.

If you are looking for something unique or interesting, beautifully crafted locally then contact Maggie Sheerman on 07770 624443 or email at maggie.s@btinternet.com

Product photography by johnjoe.co.uk

7 ways to make a rented house feel like a home

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Liz Connor shares some quick and easy design tips that won’t annoy your landlord.

From magnolia walls to that one IKEA wardrobe everyone owned as a student, there are a lot of things that can make a rented home feel like a temporary space.

But you don’t need to own your property to make your place feel homely, and with more of us spending time inside, there’s never been a better time to make some updates.

While you’ll need permission from your landlord to do things like painting the walls or updating the floors, there are ways to get Insta-worthy interiors without wasting your cash.

Whether you’re renting a room or a whole house, we’ve found some temporary hacks for sprucing up your space without breaking the bank…

1. Hang some artwork

A few well-placed frames can really transform a room. If your rented home has white walls, artwork can add a punch of colour without the need to bargain with your landlord about re-painting.

Desenio (desenio.co.uk) is a great place to find affordable, contemporary posters and prints, but if you have a slightly larger budget to play with, we recommend checking out the limited edition screenprints at Print Club London (printclublondon.com) for something extra special.

Make sure you read your contract to find out if you’re allowed to put nails in your walls; if not, you could try Command picture hanging strips (£12 for 10, argos.co.uk), which are ideal for hanging framed photos without causing damage to your walls. Or, you could simply prop your art on a side table, for a relaxed aesthetic that won’t put your deposit at risk.

2. Pot some plants

Scattering leafy green plants around your home can fill a lifeless rented pad with the kind of positive feng shui energy we all need right now. Studies have found that plants can help to reduce stress levels while you’re working from home – plus, some varieties naturally purify the air around you.

If you’re new to the world of gardening, we recommend looking at aloe vera, English ivy and snake plants; three hardy varieties that are fairly low-maintenance and easy to care for.

Your local garden centre is a great place to find inspiration and advice, but you could also try a plant delivery service like Patch Plants (patchplants.com), which deliver everywhere in the UK (apart from the channel islands and Northern Ireland due to Brexit restrictions).

3. Lay down some rugs

Is there anything worse than moving into a flat that has a funky carpet that should have been left in the Eighties? While you won’t be able to rip it out and sand up the floorboards below, you can cover a multitude of flooring sins with some well placed rugs.

We like Made.com’s Bodhi Wool Handtuft Rug (prices start from £269, made.com) which can lend an abstract, modernist vibe to even the most dated carpets. If you’ve got a really busy pattern going on, you might want to cover it with something neutral, like H&M Home’s Textured-weave Wool Rug (£249.99, hm.com).

4. Throw in some textiles

Whether you love colour or are a fan of monochrome interiors, you’ll have probably heard interiors experts talk about the importance of textiles. Fabrics can add warmth and texture to a rental space, and they can also cover up a dodgy sofa that your landlord is reluctant to update.

Invest in throws and blankets with natural fibres, like linen and merino wool, to bring depth to your interiors. You could experiment with different patterns and weaves, too. Layering different textures through the use of cushions and curtains can bring loads of personality to your home, without too much effort.

5. Photo frames add a personal touch

Whether its an unloved hallway or a living room that needs some cheer, a few photo frames with pictures of friends and family can make your house feel a lot more welcoming.

Photos of good times can spark memories and bring you joy, and we like Oliver Bonas’ Aurora Green Glass Stars Photo Frame (£22.50, oliverbonas.com) for spreading some good vibes.

6. Get some one-off furniture

Nothing screams ‘rented flat’ more than popular IKEA furniture. From Lack tables and Billy bookcases to Malm dressers, flatpack furniture has a time and place, but it’s often a staple of rented flats.

Updating your furniture is a good way to change your space, and you don’t have to break to bank to get some unique pieces either. Online marketplaces like Ebay (ebay.co.uk) and Shpock (shpock.com) are a great place to look for cheap vintage items, and Gumtree has furniture going for rock-bottom prices too. If you’re really tight on cash, you could also try Freecycle (freecycle.org), a grassroots movement of people who are giving (and getting) stuff for free in their own towns.

7. Vinyl your surfaces

OK, so you can’t exactly rip out a dated kitchen when you’re renting, but you can use removable vinyl to add a more modern colour or pattern to your units.

We like JesRose Vinyl (jesrose.co.uk), which has a massive variety of patterned vinyl options for covering everything from furniture and walls to backsplashes, cupboards and bath panels. The vinyl itself is really easy to apply and simply peels off when you’re ready to move out.

Try it in small areas that lack personality, and if you’re unsure where to start, the brand’s Instagram (@jesrosevinyl) is a great place to find before and after inspiration.

12 ways to bring some spring vibes into your home right now

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Ditsy prints and blousy blooms are where it’s at, says Sam Wylie-Harris.

As the countryside steadily wakes up and the tiniest buds begin to blossom, it’s easy to get a little impatient for spring to really bloom.

After all, it feels like we’ve waited a long time to see those blankets of yellow daffodils and clusters of purple crocuses, and those bare branches to come back to life.

Of course, it won’t be long before our gardens and parks start to flaunt their fabulous flora, leaves unfurl and clouds of pink blossom lift our mood.

But to bridge the gap with a little floral flair, we’ve picked a bunch of early bloomers to plant indoors…

1. Bike Planter, £25, Next

It’s bit of a cheat, but what could be more quaint than a bicycle basket filled with flowers? Reclaimed furniture isn’t always easy to come by, but this planter has that salvaged, cottage feel we’re coveting right now.

2. Joules Cambridge Cotton 4 Seater Sofa in Navy Combination, £899 (was £999), DFS

A delightful sofa featuring wildflowers and sprigs of greenery, this joyous print from Joules can be spiked with scattered cushions – think posy prints and bumble bees. Plus it’s reversible, just in case you have a change of heart with the change of seasons, and available in a choice of colours.

3. Designers Guild The Rose Wallpaper, PJD6002/05, £71 per roll; Wrought Iron and Brass Bed Co Lily Iron Day Bed Frame – Single – Black, £795 (furnishings from a selection), John Lewis

A striking feature wall of rambling yellow roses, symbolising friendship and joy? We’re in. Instantly uplifting and easy to style, creamy yellow tones can be complemented with dark furnishings for contrast, or paired with lemony decos and ivory furniture. Rose arch or pergola optional.

4. George Home Artificial Yellow Flower Trough, £14, Direct Asda

Wellbeing for a shady windowsill or shelfie, this faux flower trough imbibes thoughts of daisy chains and nature walks.

5. Marie Pouffe – Fabric Upholstered – Green Palm Leaf, £69, Cult Furniture

If you want to play up an indoor palm, add a touch of the exotic to a cocktail corner or glam up a dressing table, this pouffe is perfect for perching on in a verdant green frock.

6. 12 Piece Spode Kingsley Dinner Set, £133, Next

Cheerful crockery can make all the difference, especially with the upsurge in home entertaining in-and-out of lockdown – and dining-in still on the cards for weeks to come. As far as tablescaping goes, this burgundy floral print is timeless and will look even lovelier topped with your favourite bottle of red wine. Includes four dinner plates, side plates and bowls.

7. Greenwich Flowers Apron, £22, Cath Kidston

We love a pinnie, especially one with a roomy front pocket and popping pattern print, without the worry of spills on fresh whites.

8. Orchid LED Light String, £45, Ella James

Orchids are notoriously difficult to grow – but you can still channel their petal power with this stylish string of orchid petal lights. The petals are handmade, and the 2.3m-long string, featuring warm white LED bulbs, is suitable for indoor and outdoor use.

9. Churchfield Kids Toy Box, £109, Cuckooland

If you’re hankering after a dressing-up box to call your own, or simple storage ideas for handbags or throws, this mini statement piece is covered in Churchfield’s Country Flower Florals and makes a lovely addition to any space.

10. Set of 6 Botanical Coasters, £20, Creature Candy

You’ve foraged for the gin and garnish, grabbed a balloon glass, half-filled it with ice – and the only thing missing is a coaster. These British wildflowers will bring you that much closer to the countryside, with 10% of the purchase price donated to Plantlife.

11. Sophie Allport Honey Spiced Lavender Home Scents, from £20 for Honey Spiced Lavender Scented Candle, to £25 for Reed Diffuser, Sophie Allport

Fresh lavender soothes our hearts with its calming fragrance, but there’s always the tendency for it to fade before we’ve had our fill. These handmade candles offer up to 40 hours of burning time, with diffusers and room sprays to spritz and scent surround.

12. Wildflower Quilted Bedspread, £150, French Bedroom Company

Imagine laying down in a meadow of wildflowers with the sun warming your face? We’ll have to wait a while to celebrate those mellow moments for real, but this Seventies-inspired floral print is a comforting and cosy reminder of what’s to come.

Kitchen kit: 10 ways to lift the heart of the home

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After some inspiration for quick kitchen updates? Sam Wylie-Harris hits the shops.

Whether you’re a creative cook or have a soft spot for Uber Eats, no matter which way you look at it, your kitchen is probably the space serving the most purpose right now.

And with dining-in, or a quick kitchen disco, the only way to get the party started these days, you really don’t need an excuse to elevate the busiest room in the house with some lovely new kit.

Here’s 10 ways to give your kitchen a mini makeover and maximise mealtimes…

1. Russell Hobbs Structure White Kettle, £49.99; Structure White 2 Slice Toaster, £49.99 and Structure White 4 Slice Toaster, £59.99, Russell Hobbs

Chances are your kettle’s clocked more brews lately than the busiest teashop in the land. Your next mug of builder’s is going to taste that much nicer when you flick the switch of this glossy white model from Russell Hobbs. With ‘rapid boil’ zone markers and capacity to boil one cup in 45 seconds (saving energy), the matching toaster with ‘lift and look’ feature means faultless golden slices at a glance.

2. KitchenAid Steel Core Enamel Casserole, Red, from £130-£140, John Lewis

Casseroles, chilli con carne, curry… this flame-red casserole dish offers as much feelgood factor as the comfort food you’ll be lovingly spooning out of it.

3. Italian Chef Set, £21.50, Brabantia

Whether you’re serving pasta, slicing pizza or grating a chunk of Parmigiano Reggiano, this trio will put the buono! into your next bolognese or margherita.

4. Bronx Kitchen Wall Unit, £75; Bronx Bread Bin, £26; Bronx 12 Piece Dinner Set, £48, and Set of 3 Bronx Storage Jars, £27 (other items from a selection), Next

A great way to gain more space, this industrial-inspired wall unit can be stacked with dinnerware and those all-important indoor herbs. We love the co-ordinating bread bin and storage jars too.

5. George Foreman 28000 Smokeless Electric Grill, 1500 W, Stainless Steel, £96.21, Amazon

It’s the cooking conundrum anyone with a small kitchen, or limited ventilation, knows only too well – how to grill delicious kebabs or chicken thighs without having to live with the lingering smoke and smells. George Foreman’s electric grill now eliminates up to 87% of smoke, accommodates a wide variety of foods in record time, with dishwasher safe removeable grill plates too. Job done.

6. Kilner Universal Storage Jars, from £8, Amazon or Kilnerjar.co.uk

Kilner’s iconic storage jars are made from 100% recyclable glass that doesn’t absorb odours or flavours, so they can be used over and over again for a myriad of items, including dry and fresh food. Plus they’re neat and tidy and you can clearly see what’s inside.

7. Mayflower Ceramic Non-Stick Frying Pan, from £28 (was £35); Mayflower Ceramic Non-Stick Milkpan with 2 Spouts, £37, Greenpan

Suitable for all hob types, these lovely ceramic pans hint at ‘cottagecore’ and foraging for home-grown veggies.

8. Bo Touch Bin 36L – Pine Green, £179, Brabantia

The Bentley of waste bins, this space efficient, non-slip model, with silent opening and closing system, will handle all your rubbish – with the added bonus of PerfectFit Bo waste bags and Brabantia Perfume Your Bin Capsules to reduce nasty smells, so it’s ‘pine’ fresh too.

9. BAKTRADITION Baking Kit 1, £18.25, IKEA

If you’re a jenny-come-lately to the great British baking trend (or running short on a few implements), Ikea’s new baking kit will have you – and the kids – whipping up sweet treats and Victoria sponges in no time, especially with Mother’s Day around the corner.

10. Mary Berry Signature Collection 16 Piece Dinner Set, £125; Set of 16 Cutlery Set, £50, and Set of 4 Red Wine Glasses, £40 (other items from a selection), Next

With her fingers in many pies, Mary Berry’s Signature Collection dinner set retains her keen eye for detail with its beaded edge. And who wouldn’t want the queen of cooking’s tableware for entertaining, tablescaping and creating memorable moments at home?

Nursery style: 10 top picks for natty newborns

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From cots to night lights, these nursery additions are cosy, cool and made to last, says Sam Wylie-Harris.

The sweetest room in the house for sure, decorating your baby’s nursery requires a masterful mix of things for your eagerly awaited bundle of joy – and you.

After all, baby’s first bedroom is going to be the hardest working room in the house. Well, it will feel that way for the first few months, at least!

With so many late night feeds and rock-a-bye baby lullabies to look forward to, comfort and practicality are both going to come into play – along with pampering and bonding, and not to mention all those adorable cuddles.

Here’s what’s on our stylish sprog spec for kitting our a new nursery…

1. Vox Vintage 3 Piece Cot Bed Nursery Set in a Choice of Oak or 5 Pastel Colours (Yellow shown), £1,095, Cuckooland

If you’re splashing out on new nursery furniture, you’ll want to get your money’s worth. This cot converts into a junior bed for when they grow bigger, with a matching tall chest of drawers and smaller chest, plus the option to add a changing table. That’s nappies, onesies and blankets sorted – and come the day, kiddies’ clothing and school uniform.

2. Disney Store My First Mickey 2021 Small Soft Toy, £15, Shop Disney

Bang up to date, every new babe needs the world’s most famous mouse in their collection of cuddly toys.

3. Dark Grey Baby And Junior Bed by Little Ella James, £950, Notonthehighstreet.com

Another cutting-edge cot, this time in fashionable grey (colour specialists Pantone have named Ultimate Grey one of their colours of the year for 2021), this one offers sweet dreams from day dot to eight years old. With a height-adjustable base and removable side panels, the grey makes a perfect neutral to work with and looks right at home with yellow, pink and baby blue.

4. 366 Rocking Chair – Velvet Collection – 366 Concept in Powder Pink, £805, Lime Lace

Yes, it’s a big investment but a nursing chair is going to be your indispensable workhorse – so mother and baby may as well rock the benefits and soothing effects of relaxing and bonding in comfort and style. Eye-catching and elegant, the fabric is treated with a water clean film so it can cope with feeds and spills.

5. Little Dutch Wooden Baby Gym – Ocean Blue, £40, Amara

Ahh, the advantages of a baby play gym are much storied. They encourage eye and hand movement while stimulating the senses, and who wouldn’t love to lie down and watch these marine toys swim into view? Plus, it means you can steal a few precious moments for yourself.

6. Safari Baby Gift Set, £40, The White Company

Your little monkey will look adorable in this Safari sleepsuit, especially with a monkey comforter to call their own – and star-print suitcase for their favourite travel toys.

7. The Nursery Collection Patterned Carpet – Blue Stargazer, currently £19.99 per square metre (was £24.99), Carpetright

When baby starts to crawl, all eyes will be focused on the floor. This durable carpet, made from super-durable 100% polyamide will feel especially comfy for those first steps, toddling milestones and tiny tot tumbles.

8. Green Balloon Wall Light, £16.99, lights4fun

You’re never too old for a night light, and we love the idea of a party balloon to provide a warm, happy glow. Easy to hang on the wall, it takes 3 x AAA batteries (sold separately) and lights with a pull on the cord.

9. Rainbow Fabric Wall Stickers by Littleprints, £30, Notonthehighstreet

Rainbows are definitely having a moment, and their positive vibes are beneficial as well as beautifying. Especially if you have a plain white wall that could do with a little love and affection. Available in nine different colour options, eco-friendly and solvent-free, each set includes three rainbows, a cloud and choice of raindrops, hearts or stars. Magic.

10. Personalised Flopsy Pull Along Toy, £34.99, Getting Personal

With her fetching furry ears and blush pink coat, who can resist this timeless pull-along toy? From the official Peter Rabbit burrow, your little princess will adore tugging along the wooden wheels when they start to take their toys walkies.

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