A DIY fan has upcycled her way to a modern grey bathroom, and the finished result is remarkable. With a budget of £200, Clare turned a tired old bathroom into a calming retreat.

Before, it was plain and, above all, functional. But once Clare got to work bringing her modern grey bathroom ideas to life, things started to look very different.

Before

'I’m passionate about recycling and upcycling old materials,' Clare tells Latest Deals. She says she loves making things look great on a budget, and inspiring other women to give DIY and decorating a go.

‘This bathroom was a boring, dated, disabled wetroom. I wanted to make it feel modern and luxurious for as little as possible,' says Clare. She sourced the sink for free and picked up the bathtub for £50 by browsing Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree.

First, she removed the original bathroom and levelled the floor where the shower tray used to be. Next, she painted one wall in Anthracite grey, and the rest in Soft Satin White paint from Toolstation.

After

‘Then I scored the wall and tiled it approximately one metre high around where the bath would go,' says Clare. She finished the edges with tile trim. The tiles she used were £13 per square metre from B&Q and the tile trim was £8.99 for 2.5m from Screwfix.

A friend of a friend helped out with the plumbing, and when that was done Clare painted over the concrete floor with masonry paint. Then, finally, it was time for some bathroom decor.

Clare hung some mirrors from The Range, which were only £6 each at the time, and made a macrame plant hanger. It's hard to believe the view of the bath above shows the same space as the image of the old sink and shower (above, top).

'I was working on renovating the whole house at the same time while working full time in my day job and looking after the kids. So the biggest challenge was finding the time and energy!’

We love her use of oversized bathroom tile ideas for adding texture and visual interest. If you're feeling inspired by Clare, check out her YouTube channel where she posts tutorials of her DIY projects.

This bedroom was given a full budget Scandi inspired bedroom makeover thanks to some clever shopping and a smart £3 IKEA hack.

The smart makeover from Julie Pentelow from Swindon is full of budget bedroom ideas, that look chic and stylish. The busy mum had already given a few rooms in her home a facelift and was inspired to start work on the bedroom.

'I was inspired to transform our bedroom after seeing people in Facebook groups giving their spaces a new look,' Julie told money-saving community LatestDeals.co.uk. 'I wanted to achieve something similar, so I decided to give it a go myself.'

Budget Scandi-inspired bedroom makeover

After browsing the internet for different ideas, Julie fell in love with Scandinavian design and decided to base her new scheme around that look. 'The minimalist style provides a lovely sense of escapism, so I wanted to make my bedroom the same,' she says.

Before

Although Julie had a chest of drawers and bedside tables, the room felt messy and a lot of the makeover came about simply from clearing the clutter with smart bedroom storage ideas.

Taking the time to find homes for everything instantly made the room look bigger and feel more relaxing, and storage boxes helped to store what she didn't need out.

After

Julie started by clearing away the clutter and painting the walls in Dulux's Overtly Olive (available at B&Q). She then gave her old IKEA furniture a smart makeover with a simple £3 leather handle IKEA hack.

‘I really liked the look of leather pull handles on furniture,' she says, 'They're used a lot in Scandinavian-style makeovers, so I thought I'd make some myself.'

'I ordered a strip of brown leather from eBay for £3 and cut the handles to size, then I used gold noticeboard pins to make it look like the fastening of the handle and stuck them into the drawers with a bit of extra glue for stability.’

Julie swapped the handles on the chest of drawers that now sits neatly in-between wardrobes and her bedside table. To complement the simple upcycled furniture idea Julie invested in some smart budget buys.

‘I already had some of the cushions I used on the bed, but the others I bought were only £5 each – I spent £15 in total at Home Bargains,' Julie says. 'I made use of warm yellow tones to complement the cooler white and grey shades on the bed.'

She also picked up some artificial plants from B&M and IKEA for £20 to make the room feel more homely. She position one of the small potted plants by the headboard and a taller plant next to the bed.

Mini bistro lights have been strung on a cane ladder to create a sparkling feature in the evening, while a mirror, artwork and wall hanging decorate the walls. Julie already had some white bed linen that complemented the look, but she added to it with a few snuggly throws.

Having received plenty of compliments about her new-look bedroom from family and friends, Julie couldn't be happier. ‘We’ve saved hundreds by decorating ourselves and we've got a new-look bedroom!’ she says.

What do you think of the leather handles? Is it something you'd have a go at doing?

Minimalists should look away now, as this colourful hallway makeover is one for the maximalists out there. Everywhere you look there is something new to see, it's hard to believe that this incredible revamp was achieved on a small budget.

Halloween and Christmas festivities have placed revamping hallway ideas high on the to-do list, and this space is bursting with unique inspiration. Kim (@miss_mustard_design on Instagram) from Lancashire took her downstairs hallway, stairs and landing from tired and drab to a vibrant, pattern-filled space.

Colourful hallway makeover

'My style is what I'd describe as "enthusiastically colour-driven maximalism with a mix of eclectic modern vintage",' Kim told furniture company Swyft Home.

'This transformation was so therapeutic and I thrive off design, pattern-clashing and bold dramatic colours.'

Before

Working to a budget can be stressful for some, but for Kim, it was a walk in the park. 'I thrive working under pressure with big transformation reveals at very little cost,' she says.

'I love the challenging task of working within a budget to create an incredible glow-up. My whole house consists of my own handy work and creativity, and I'm constantly making dramatic changes for less money.'

Although the old hallway design had features such as panelled walls, patterned carpet and pink-coloured wallpaper, it was far from the colour-clashing space with bold wall panelling ideas Kim was after.

The dark woodwork and lack-lustre decor made the hallway feel drab and tired. But now the panelled walls have been painted a vibrant orange.

The old stair carpet has been swapped for candy-pink paint and a runner. Even the bannisters have had a lick of paint and feature leopard-print details.

The walls are bare no more, with an array of prints, plates and mirrors leading the way upstairs. To make sure the hall is perfectly lit, there's a wall light, floor lamp and a glitter ball overhead - talk about original hallway lighting ideas.

'I often head to local vintage stores and charity shops to do some treasure-spotting,' says Kim. 'It's amazing what a bit of spray paint can do! Everything can be transformed into a show-stopping statement piece of decor with a bit of love and attention.'

Upstairs, the maximalist treatment continues, with bright-coloured skirting and door frames, jungle-themed wallpaper and stripy carpet.

So, how can lovers of this style of decor emulate Kim's interior? 'I'd recommend gathering samples of materials to create a tactile mood board, so you can get a sense and feel of the space you want to transform,' she says.

'Paint large colour swatches on the walls in different areas, as each one will react differently depending on the lighting, so it can be quite misleading.'

'Fabric swatches are always a good idea,' Kim continues, 'as then you can sense the mood the material creates. Recreating my design style would be a case of indulging in maximalist soft furnishings, bold colour and pattern with quirky gold statement accessories.'

You can see those gold touches downstairs, with the arch at the bottom of the stairs painted gold. It's certainly not a hallway that you'd describe as subtle, with every a sea of hallway wallpaper ideas and colour designed to grab your attention.

'I think you should go with your own personal design style and what you love, rather than being influenced by other people's style and design,' says Kim. 'Interiors are such a personal decision. My house is a complete mix-up of everything we love – dramatic pattern and bold colour that reflects us as a family and our personalities.'

Would you be confident to use this much pattern and colour in your home?

One homeowner spent less than £250 on a pastel kitchen makeover with a gallery wall, transforming the space from drab to fab.

Annabelle Taylor and her partner Joe transformed their dark, lifeless kitchen into a colourful paradise, filled with pastel kitchen ideas.

Pastel kitchen makeover

'I love anything bold and eye-catching,' she told sofa start-up Swyft Home. 'I love being individual and always putting my own spin on everything I do, so decorating my house was going to be no different.'

Before

Before, the room felt small and dark. Annabelle documented its transformation with some clever budget kitchen ideas on her Instagram account @built.on.love.and.shenanigans.

When the couple first moved in, they found the kitchen to be a dark space and were keen to brighten it up. Not only that, but Annabelle longed for more luxurious-looking worktops.

'I really wanted a white marble surface, however that would have cost a fortune,' she says. 'Instead, I found white marble vinyl wrap for £7 a roll and managed to do the whole kitchen for £28!'

If you're tempted by a marble finish Amazon have included hode marble sticky back plastic in their Amazon Black Friday deals for just £5.49, instead of £7.99.

After

The first thing you'll notice is all the artworks that flow around the walls, peppered with shelves, garlands and a large neon sign.

'I recommend shopping around and being imaginative,' Annabelle says. 'We did a lot of upcycling after finding things super cheap on Facebook Marketplace. Also try accessorising what you already have, as this can be a great way to give something a new lease of life and transform a space.'

A small pink wood trolley slots neatly into an alcove and is home to pet treats and bowls, while the breakfast bar has had stick-on tiles used underneath to give it a new look.

'The other big change I made was to our tea and coffee station, which was originally a big set of cupboards that did nothing for the space,' says Annabelle.

'I managed to get a free Welsh dresser from my family and used the top part as a shelving system, which I painted using tester pots (to keep costs down).'

Annabelle also attached hooks at the bottom of the shelves to hang some pretty pastel mugs, and used the same stick-on floor tiles as on the breakfast bar for the wall, to give it the look of a splashback.

'It's completely opened up the room and transformed the space,' she says.

On another wall, a fun lemon-print wallpaper has been used and even the appliances fit into the scheme, with a pastel blue microwave taking pride of place, rather than hidden away.

Have you been inspired to give your space a colourful transformation?

Many of us dream of having stunning parquet flooring in our homes. Two brothers have just made it a reality for their mum, with pallets and some serious carpentry skills.

The pair sourced the pallets online and spent a week on the project. Pallets are brilliant materials for all kinds of DIY and decorating projects, but compared to  garden seating, this wooden pallet parquet flooring project takes things up a level.

Before

Brothers Harry and Charlie were renovating their mum's living space. But, unfortunately the flooring they had bought suffered some water damage. It would have cost around £2,000 to replace.

'We wanted to create a classic herringbone parquet, so we had to think outside the box,' Harry tells Latest Deals. They used around 50 pallets that they nabbed for free from Facebook Marketplace.

As you'd imagine, the process of turning wooden pallets into something worth putting on the floor was very labour-intensive. 'We first had to process an enormous amount of pallets, using a planer thicknesser to get them to the correct thickness,' says Harry.

'Then, we used a pass through the table saw to get the width, and finally each block was cut to the exact length using a chop saw.' Once Charlie and Harry had their blocks cut to size, they laid them using adhesive and a nail gun.

Harry says the most expensive part was the finish. They used Tung oil, available to bulk buy on eBay, and spent around £100 in total on the flooring.

'My biggest tip for anyone attempting this is to make sure that all of your blocks are cut as accurately as possible,' Harry shares. 'Use sharp tools and get some knee pads - I didn’t use any and regretted it!'

After

This luxury flooring option, first seen in France in the 17th century, is admired for its quality and craftsmanship. Parquet is a subtle and classic way to incorporate geometric pattern into your living room ideas - particularly if bold prints aren't usually your thing.

What an amazing result! The wooden pallet parquet flooring looks like it could belong in a chic Parisian apartment.

If you don't fancy taking on such a huge project, there are plenty of other lovely living room flooring ideas whatever your budget. Have you been inspired to do an upcycling project?

A DIY fan has recreated Monica Geller's kitchen - and it only cost £750. With second-hand bargains and some help from her friends, she and her husband kept costs down.

Desiree Elias, a childcare worker from Urbana, Ohio, always wanted a kitchen just like Monica's. Here's how she brought her Friends-themed kitchen ideas to life, dealing with some unexpected challenges.

Before

Previously, the L-shaped kitchen had plenty of natural light, but the wooden cabinetry was dark and outdated. Once Desiree moved in, things soon changed. Speaking to LatestDeals.co.uk, she said, 'Monica’s kitchen from Friends has always been my dream kitchen.

'My husband agreed when we bought our first home that we could make it a reality.' Their home was built pre-1900s, so there were a few surprises along the way on this DIY and decorating project.

This included a giant hole in the wall behind the upper cabinets and water damage. When a storm hit, they lost all power in their home, so Desiree and her husband had to lay new flooring using a torch.

Friends kitchen after

Desiree and her husband also had to move some of the electricals and plumbing, 'feeding the wires through old rock walls in a not very well lit space.' They installed new lower kitchen cabinets, painting them all in 'rushing stream' blue, and added knobs and drawer pulls.

The pair also painted the iconic Friends purple door, and applied the self-adhesive textured wallpaper that gives the illusion of exposed brickwork. Having realised they didn't have enough of the wallpaper, they ordered more and had to wait for the extra rolls to arrive.

Desiree and her husband also built the open shelves and bar area (above) from blonde plywood. Their friend built the upper shelf and breakfast bar in their basement for more room and easy access to tools.

'He used a table saw and set up jigs to make them all the same size, then he used wood glue and a Kreg Jig to assemble them. We then installed the countertop, sink, breakfast bar area and open shelves,' says Desiree.

'We did all the work ourselves with two wonderful friends who know how to do all the things and guided us through it,' she adds. Desiree is over the moon with how her dream kitchen turned out, and says it helps her channel her inner Monica Geller.

'I’m still in shock every time I walk into the kitchen because I can’t believe we actually did it,' she says.

A mum has transformed her formerly cramped kitchen into a light and bright haven. Before she and her husband extended their home, the kitchen lacked natural light and offered little space for entertaining.

Now, the white kitchen extension is a calming yet functional space perfect for everyday family life. And it's sparking lots of white kitchen ideas for our own dream reno.

I mean, look at those fluted glass pendant lights...

We spoke to Stephanie (@thecheshiregreyhome) about her inspiration for the white kitchen extension and how she made her kitchen ideas a reality.

'I love bright and airy spaces that make you feel calm when you walk into them,' she tells us. 'So I really wanted to use this as the inspiration for our kitchen extension.'

The interiors and lifestyle blogger says that she also loves taking inspiration from nature and the coast. And, like the rest of us, she gets plenty of ideas for colour schemes and decor from Pinterest and Instagram.

Before

'My husband and I narrowed down our main priorities for the space; a utility room, an open plan kitchen with a large island and a snug space. We already have a downstairs WC so didn’t need to take this into consideration,' Stephanie says.

They then contacted a local architect, who designed an L-shaped wrap around extension. This included an office at the front of the house, a utility room off the kitchen and a large open plan kitchen with a dining room and snug.

The extension went out 3.5m from the back of the house. After this, they contacted several builders to get quotes for the job and get a feel for how their team would work in their home.

Work began in November 2020, when Stephanie was six months pregnant with her baby boy, Theo. The build continued until the end of May.

'We are still not quite finished with the utility room and snug area,' Stephanie tells us. 'But it all takes time (and money!)'

Stephanie and her husband remortgaged their home in order to fund the extension. With the equity, they were able to get the ball rolling. Luckily, Will and his dad are really handy so they did a lot to save money, like fitting the heating and radiators.

We're obsessed with the ceiling pendant lights, from Juice Electrical Supplies and the herringbone flooring from Invictus. The instant boiling tap is from Fohen.

Stephanie's top tip for an extension is to live in the space first and see how you use it before planning your kitchen extension ideas. She also suggests narrowing down your top three priorities for the build.

If you've been looking for ways to give your hallway a makeover then take a leaf out of this mum's book, as she created a cool tribute to her six children.

Having thought about different stairway wall decor ideas, Janine Cars from Devon came up with this novel approach, which not only gave the space a new look but cost her under £80.

Racking her brain for a way of adding some excitement to her hallway, Janine decided to create the tribute to her children, aged 10 months, four, eight, 10, 13 and 15. 'I recently started to decorate the hall and stairs and really wanted something different to take centre focus on the wall,' she told money-saving community LatestDeals.co.uk.

Hallway tribute makeover

Determined to find a way of bringing pizzazz to her hallway ideas without spending a fortune, Janine decided to print out self-adhesive wall vinyl and buy some clocks and frames from Asda to create the tribute. The feature wall has each of her children’s time and date of birth, as well as their names, birth weights and photographs.

'I saw a few similar ideas on the internet, but nothing with the wow factor,' Janine recalls. 'I sent some screenshots to my friend Amanda, who has a small business called Wavey Soul. She specialises in macrame, however, she also does wall decals.'

Before

Having explained her vision, Janine commissioned Amanda to create some wall decals with each child's name, birth weight and date of birth.

As the writing is self-adhesive, it's easy to attach each word to the spot that you want it. 'You simply place the words on the wall, rub the decal to secure and peel back the transfer paper it's on,' says Janine.

The wall clocks and picture frames were bought in her local Asda, and Janine used a spirit level and tools to put them up on the wall. 'The frames were £1.50 for two, and I bought six so they cost £4.50 in total,' she says. 'The clocks were £6 each and it cost me £36 for the wall vinyl.'

After

Printing out the photos online also helped keep costs down, and each one came to just 50p! Janine is over the moon with how her hallway turned out – and luckily, so is her family.

'My partner Pete and the kids thought I was crazy at first, but now they all love it,' she adds. 'I'm so happy with it and I really love that I can see my babies' first pictures every day and be reminded of how small they used to be. I've had some lovely feedback about my stair art and I'm really in love with it!'

We think it's a lovely sentimental touch – has this inspired you to create your own family wall tribute?

A savvy DIY fan has created a stylish kitchen island out of an old chest of drawers. Taking a tired piece of furniture and giving it a new life, she completed the project for free.

Kym Brookes' DIY kitchen island idea has given her a handy storage solution for the heart of her home - plus we think it makes the area look more spacious.

Chest of drawers DIY kitchen island

After looking on eBay and kitchen stores for expensive pre-built islands, she decided to make one herself. 'I've always wanted a kitchen island but they are not in our budget,' Kym told money-saving community Latest Deals.

Before

Kym also needed to free up space in her hallway while working from home. So, she came up with a budget kitchen idea to make her home work harder by taking an old chest of drawers in the hallway and turning it into an island.

'I decided to cover the drawers with white DC Fix that I already had from when I wrapped my kitchen cupboards,' Kym shares. 'I used wood glue and screws to secure my tabletop to the top of the drawers.' The DIYer then added legs for extra support using the base from her dining table.

After

Kym cleaned all the surfaces before applying DC Fix adhesive vinyl. Once she was happy with how it looked, she applied wood glue to the top of the drawers.

She placed weights on top and left the DIY kitchen island to dry overnight. The next day, Kym used the base of her dining table to create the legs.

She sawed a little off each as they were a little too long for the height of the island. 'Once we got them to the right size, my partner drilled two holes through the tabletop in each corner so we could incorporate screws for added support,' she says.

After that, she covered the tabletop and screws with the DC Fix for a seamless finish. Kym says her family loves the finished result - her mum has even been inspired to do a similar easy DIY project. The sleek, multifunctional island provides additional worktop space for preparing food, as well as extra seating.

'I like to try and recycle as much as I can with furniture as we don't have the biggest budget to do up the house,' says Kym. 'If you can make something you already have better, then what's the point in buying new?'

If you're feeling inspired, Kym recommends Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace for finding spare drawers on a budget.

Interiors professionals have transformed the living space of a hard-working London paramedic. Award-winning designer Clare Gaskin and stylist Emily Wheeler have created a calming retreat for its owner, Gigi, to relax in.

The formerly drab and dark space was in desperate need of some stylish yet functional living room ideas. The finished result - achieved with the help of charity Design Havens for Heroes - is a multifunctional and inviting space with a modern Scandi vibe.

Before

Client Gigi, who worked tirelessly through the pandemic, told Clare Gaskin and Emily Wheeler that she likes soft greens, blues and neutrals. Describing how she wanted the room to feel in three words, she said it needed to be relaxing, cosy and light.

Before getting to work with the multifunctional living room makeover, there were some real spatial challenges to take into consideration. Gigi wanted the space to function as a living room and also an eating space with smart dining room ideas for spending time with friends and family.

After

When you look more closely, you'll notice the shelf display unit with sliding artwork to hide a wall-hung TV when not in use. Interior designer Clare made this by adapting shelving donated by Neptune and creating made-to-measure artwork to mount onto the shelves.

The finished room is totally unrecognisable, and performs lots of functions. We're loving the consistent use of light-toned wood and white accents in this multifunctional living room.

Also, the combination of the rattan dining room chairs from Dunelm and velvet stools makes for a really convivial set up in a small space. The gorgeous green velvet sofa from Snug was a jumping-off point for the rest of the scheme.

The pared-back, minimalist design style and play on texture makes it feel warm and welcoming. From the cushions to the statement lampshade to the houseplants and the blind, there's a huge range of natural materials.

At a time when maximalism is becoming more popular, it's a reminder that there's absolutely nothing wrong with keeping things simple. We're particularly keen on the clever solution for hiding the TV.

‘This room was all shades of beige and brown,’ says the owner of this five-bed Edwardian house in North London. ‘I had been contemplating grey walls for this room, but got tired of seeing the colour everywhere.' After spotting the gold cabinet from Swoon, she planned a luxe look with dark walls and pink accents, instead.

She chose Farrow & Ball’s Hague Blue for her transformative blue living room idea. 'I was definitely the right choice, but everyone else was doubtful!' she admits.

‘As soon as I saw the first coat go on, I knew we’d made the right choice. I don’t know how painting a room darker can make it brighter, but it has!’

‘At first, we weren’t planning that pink would be part of our scheme,’ says the owner. ‘I was toying with the idea of adding emerald green. However, a velvet sofa had been on my wish list before we even moved in.

'So when I found this one, I knew it would add opulence along with the gold cabinet and dark walls. The blush hue just ticked all the boxes in terms of the look we were after.’

‘I ended up painting the fire surround white, but leaving the rest – picture rail and skirting included – dark blue. Our decorators suggested picking out the picture rail in white, but I politely declined. I’m so pleased that I stuck to my guns, because the walls are a great backdrop for our furniture and accessories.’

This inclusive living room paint idea is especially brilliant in a small living room to make the look more cohesive.

‘Before, cabinets and shelves cluttered the alcoves, which made the room feel much smaller 
than it is, says the owner. ‘We are self-confessed hoarders and didn’t want to fall into the trap of having too many places to stash things we don’t need!’

'We decided not to rush into buying furniture and accessories that might not suit until we'd let the colour settle. It was a pain not to have it all ready immediately, but it saved money in the long run.'

Love them or hate them, dramatic walls do make spaces cosy – and they’ll never overwhelm in a big, bright room. Honey oak flooring cosies up all the cool blue, grey and pink tones, and brass and gold details have given the room a luxe feel.

'It’s been such an exciting project and has set the tone for the decoration in the rest of the house. I love sharing photos of the room on Instagram, @my_London_home. My dad is still unsure about the colour and my grandmother hates it, but you can’t please everyone!’

One savvy homeowner saved money on her scandi cloakroom makeover by picking up tools and having a go at the DIY herself – with amazing results.

Often one of those forgotten-about rooms, many of us don't have the budget to invest in smart cloakroom ideas. However, Instagrammer Laura Jones proved that it is possible to create a stylish downstairs bathroom on a budget.

Cosy scandi cloakroom makeover

The old cloakroom was plain and uninspiring, plus the small space had not been used effectively. The whole room was in need of some urgent updated small bathroom ideas.

Laura wanted the space to reflect the cosy feel of the rest of her home. 'I love a mix of neutrals with some country-style,' she told luxury sheepskin interiors company Jacobs & Dalton. 'My home is a bit rustic, but also has Scandi vibes as well.'

Before

To help decide on the final bathroom layout ideas, Laura used a visualiser app, to help her see how decor would look dotted around the room. 'For a really basic, free version I use Instagram stories and add pictures to my images, cropping pictures of the things I want to add, so I can see them in the space,' she explains.

Laura started by stripping back the brown carpet and plain vanity until she was left with the perfect blank canvas. 'I’d 100 per cent recommend trying small bits of DIY and a small room like this is a great place to start as it’s not overwhelming,' Laura says.

'We let tradesmen do the plumbing, but I did the rest. I filled a gap in the skirting rather than removing the whole thing and I found even if it’s not perfect, once painted, caulked and filled you can generally cover and disguise it.'

After

Laura had a new toilet and vanity installed as well as giving the space a lick of paint. Vinyl flooring was installed to replace the old brown carpet and was a great alternative to bathroom tile ideas. Plus it helped keep the budget down.

'We saved money by picking vinyl instead of tiles,' Laura says. 'These days, vinyl flooring is great quality and can look just like real wood or tiles.'

The walls have been decorated with a large round mirror over the brick-look splashback, a gallery wall of black-framed photos, along with wooden shelves, which add a beautiful natural touch to the space.

The added decor also serves another important purpose of making the space appear bigger than it is. 'Having looked at a lot of inspiration on Instagram and Pinterest, I actually found that adding decor and details to the small space makes it look bigger rather than smaller,' Laura reveals

'It was just about finding the right amount to add. Adding features gives a sense of size and depth – if it stays bare, it almost looks smaller.'

The compact vanity offers a place to keep cleaning products and extra loo rolls. Small storage baskets with lids and a tiny bin fit in neatly next to the loo.

Laura also included some natural slimline wood shelves from JYSK to display houseplants, vases and fancy hand soap and lotions.

The finishing touch was some faux plants – one on the shelf and another in this sweet rattan planter on legs.

Have you been inspired to be creative with your downstairs loo?

Armed with some budget supplies and a determination to change her dated kitchen, one homeowner created a whole new look with this less than £60 grey kitchen makeover.

Julie Pentelow from Swindon was desperate for some kitchen ideas to revamp her old, plain wood cabinetry on a budget. To keep costs as low as possible she set about learning how to paint kitchen cabinets.

'I saw people in Facebook groups, particularly the "DIY on a Budget" page, saving money by painting their kitchen cabinets to give them a new look, so I decided to give it a go myself,' Julie told the money-saving community LatestDeals.co.uk.

£60 Grey kitchen makeover

Before she got started, Julie started shopping for some supplies, making sure to keep costs down with smart choices at stores such as Asda, B&M and IKEA.

Before

'I picked up some small bits, like sugar soap and mini foam rollers from B&M,' she says. 'I already had the handle part for the rollers so that saved a little money. I used V33 Renovation Loft Grey Satin Cupboard & Cabinet paint from B&Q, which cost £39 for two litres, and it was enough for all of my kitchen cupboards with some leftovers – I even managed to paint my bannister and kitchen table with the same tub!'

When it came to the walls, Julie chose Dulux Rock Salt emulsion, along with a Dark Grey Grout Pen, £3.80 from Amazon that she used to go around her old kitchen tiles.

'The first step was to prep the kitchen cabinets using the sugar soap,' Julie explains. 'This gave them a good clean and ensured there wasn’t any greasy residue before I started painting.'

'Then I used a mini foam roller to apply the V33 paint – it went on so well and gave it a really smooth finish. In fact, everything now feels great and not like it’s been painted at all.'

'The grout pen was a bit fiddly and hard to keep straight, but I found going along the lines with a piece of kitchen towel afterwards helped straighten up the pen line.'

After

It may not have been a 10-minute job, but Julie's new chic-looking painted cupboards is certainly giving us some grey kitchen ideas.  The grouted tiles are a small update but has proven to be a really effective kitchen splashback idea.

Above the newly-painted dining table, Julie added a gallery wall of framed prints and a small shelf for displaying knick-knacks.

‘I made some artworks as I do a bit of graphic design in my spare time,' Julie says. 'I have an Etsy shop selling prints and wedding stationery, so I enjoyed making some to add to the picture wall.'

'I also picked up an artificial hanging plant from Ikea for £6 and a hanging plant in a glass jar for £4 from B&M to give a natural look to the room and add some colour.'

‘I'm really happy with the way the room turned out,' she says. 'It feels like I have a brand new kitchen! The shade of grey I picked adds sophistication and now the drawers match the oven, making it look much more coordinated. I have had plenty of compliments from family and friends!’

One mum saved thousands by shopping around and putting some easy DIY into practice in this monochrome scandi-look bathroom makeover. All without calling in the professionals.

Julie Pentelow from Swindon was desperate for some new bathroom ideas and dreamt of turning her plain white scheme into a stylish Scandi-look retreat.

Monochrome Scandi-look bathroom makeover

‘I saw people on Facebook groups saving money by revamping their bathrooms to give them a new look, so I decided to give it a go myself,' Julie told money-saving community LatestDeals.co.uk.

'I browsed the internet and fell in love with Scandinavian design. It has a really relaxing and cosy feel to it that gives you a lovely sense of escapism.’

Most of Julie’s supplies came from budget stores such as B&Q, IKEA, B&M and Matalan. ‘My first stop was B&Q, where I picked up some Dulux Rich Black matt emulsion for £18 and White Satin V33 Wall Tile & Panelling Paint for £25,' she says.

'I also needed to think about the bath, which had a lot of black mould. To tackle this, I used Unibond Re-New White Silicone Sealant, £6 from Amazon, to cover it all up. Another area that needed work was the floor tiles, so I used a black grout pen that cost £3.99 from Amazon.'

Julie also cleaned up her dirty shower screen after seeing a hack on YouTube. 'They used a razor blade in the original video with some white vinegar,' she recalls, 'so I used a paint scraper, white vinegar, Viakal Spray and Elbow Grease Spray, which made it look like a new shower screen!'

Before

The old bathroom was functional but bland, starving of any imaginative small bathroom ideas. Julie couldn't wait to give it a makeover. ‘Having two young children often made it difficult to find time to work on the project without them being near the wet paint or distracting me,' she says.

'Luckily my husband Mike helped keep them out of the way at times, and I also did a lot of the work on my day off during the week when my youngest was napping.'

The bathroom has been given a smart monochrome look, with self-adhesive tiles used on the bath panel, new under-sink vanity and a lick of paint on the old tiles. The self-adhesive tiles were a smart bathroom tile idea that saved Julie a small fortune.

‘The adhesive tiles on the bath panel cost £1 a sheet from One Below and it cost me £15 altogether,' says Julie. 'I also bought some self-adhesive wall caddies off of Amazon for £15.'

'Finding an under-sink console was tricky, as I only have a small space between the sink and the bath,' she continues. 'I eventually found one that fits perfectly – and it only cost £34.99 from The Range. I painted the handles black to match the colour theme.'

After

Self-adhesive tiles are a great way to transform walls or furniture, but how easy were they apply? 'I cut them to size with scissors and also used self-adhesive spray from B&M for extra adhesion,' explains Julie. 'It was simple.'

On the other side of the room, a dramatic dark wall houses a mirror and some homemade artworks. '‘I was able to save money on the decor as I do a bit of graphic design in my spare time and have an Etsy shop selling art prints and wedding stationery,' says Julie.

'I made some of my own prints and enjoyed creating simple designs to add to the Scandinavian picture wall. I also used artificial plants and accessories from Ikea, B&M, Tesco, Dunelm and Matalan to give a natural look to the room and add some colour – and nothing cost more than £15!'

'We’ve saved thousands by decorating ourselves and it now looks like we have got a brand new bathroom!’

A busy mum gave her daughter's room a garden-themed bedroom makeover on a small budget, saving £600 by doing the work herself.

Decorating a child's room can be tricky – after all, you want to dial up the creativity without spending a fortune on a design they'll soon grow out of. That's why Mum, Anna Oliver, decided to make keep costs low by making sure that everything she used was affordable and carrying out the work herself.

Garden-theme bedroom makeover

‘My daughter asked for a garden-themed bedroom, which started the ideas swirling in my brain!' Liverpool-based Anna told money-saving community LatestDeals.co.uk.

‘Looking on Instagram helped to confirm in my mind that I wanted a pink and green colour scheme. Although my daughters are only young, I wanted the room to feel a bit more grown-up, but still delicate and feminine.'

Keen to keep costs down, when brainstorming girls bedroom ideas, Anna decided to do all the work herself. ‘We had a plasterer in, who was brilliant, but the rest of the work we knew we could do ourselves and save money in the process,’ she says.

Before

As you can see, it was in real need of a makeover, but before it could be decorated, the room needed to be stripped back. ‘We replaced the old rotten window for £390 and got a plasterer in to skim all the walls and the ceiling for £340,' says Anna.

'We also had a new laminate floor fitted, which cost £450 including the fit. We avoided professional expenses where possible – for example, we stripped the walls of wallpaper ourselves, and by not getting a painter-decorator in we probably saved ourselves around £600.’

Decorating the room wasn't all smooth sailing and there were some obstacles that had to be overcome. ‘We had a leak from the chimney which resulted in the ceiling staining and needing to dry out over the wintertime before we could paint it,' says Anna.

If you suspect you have a leak it is best to follow Anna's lead, address the area, and allow it to dry out with the help of a dehumidifier before continuing with the project.

‘Then, when inspecting the leak in the loft space the ceiling got damaged and had to be repaired and replastered– so that pushed things back too!’

After

The finished result is a botanical dream that any little girl would be happy to spend time in, with flower-filled bedding and hanging foliage that gives us The Secret Garden vibes.

After the walls were painted, it was time for the old wardrobe to get a makeover. ‘I painted it using Frenchic paint in Dusky Blush, which cost £19.95,' says Anna. 'I also replaced the handles with new ones from eBay for £7.'

One of the key features in the room are the ivy garlands that drape up and along the tops of the walls. ‘I’m asked a lot about those,’ Anna says. ‘I bought a pack of faux ivy garlands on Amazon for £12 and stuck them to the wall and ceiling using White Tack. The round-shaped pink cushion and basket are both from B&M.'

Despite shopping clever, Anna still wanted to invest in furniture that would last. 'I paid £500 for the beds and mattresses, and £100 for the chest of drawers,' she says.

The same faux ivy garlands were wound around the base of the bed to create an outdoor feel to the room. 'We painted one wall using a colour we matched to Mizzle by Farrow & Ball, which was £25, saving £20,' she says.

Now that the project is over, Anna couldn't be happier with the outcome. ‘There's nothing I would change, which is actually a surprise as I'm a perfectionist!' We bet Anna's daughters are thrilled with the result.

A smart DIY fan transformed her old uninviting patio into a stunning alfresco space on a shoe-string budget.

If you're after some inspiration for an unattractive patio or garden ideas, then look no further than this dramatic makeover. Laura Higham from East Sussex turned her overgrown patio into a show-stopping outdoor space, with hardly any outside help.

Keen to take on the transformation without enlisting a landscape gardener, Laura began by thinking about what it was she wanted from the space. 'It’s really important to consider what you want to achieve, how you want the space to work for you and what you’re going to use it for,' she says.

Budget was also a key factor, with the family keeping costs down by doing a lot of the work themselves. 'From cutting down small trees to taking up the old patio and digging out the beds surrounding it, we did it all,' Laura continues.

'This allowed us to invest our money in items that we knew would be essential for our social space.'

Rattan patio makeover

Before

The patio was a little lacklustre, with unmatched paving and bland grey fencing – it was definitely in need of an overhaul!

'I started by getting some inspiration from Pinterest and Instagram,' says Laura, 'and we even visited National Trust gardens to help us build a solid framework of our concept.'

'It's also important to think about the overall space, as well as elements such as how the sun hits your garden,' Laura continues.

'For instance, would you want your seating area to be in the sun for evening dining or prefer a shaded option? It’s crucial you consider these points before you begin the work so you don’t encounter any costly changes.'

With the planning and manual labour done, it was time to start buying furniture and accessories.

After

The previously unloved space has now been transformed into a spot that's ideal for family lunches and cosy autumn evenings spent outside. The space is filled with smart patio ideas that are laidback and inviting.

'I wanted the garden to reflect the same style as we have in the home so that everything flowed well and felt connected,' said Laura.

'I love bringing the outside indoors with natural, rustic elements and textures, lots of wood, neutral colour palettes and textiles. Therefore, I wanted to take that back out into the garden. We've added lots of garden planters and flowers to soften the space, and then pattern and texture within the seating space.

The garden furniture was given a serious overhaul, now everyone has a space to sit. All the furniture came from Luxury Rattan.

With the furniture her main investment, Laura was keen to save pennies where she could and so chose secondhand accessories to ensure her garden has a unique look.

'As we wanted our space to feel relaxed and laidback, we opted for vintage additions in the form of planters and pots to create a rustic and informal feel,' she says.

'Antique stores and eBay are ideal for these, while vintage furniture sellers on Instagram (such as @shop_wallis) take the hassle out of sourcing antique finds.'

The new space couldn't be more different and has been enjoyed by the family throughout the summer. It just goes to show what can be achieved with some good planning, smart buys and hard work, you'll have extra pennies to invest in your dream furniture set!

Now that Chelsea Flower Show is back, September is not the time to start forgetting about your garden. One savvy mum proved that you don't need to spend a fortune for a stylish garden, and managed to save herself £2,200 in the process.

Lynda Chadwick from York hated her garden and was desperate to turn it into a more attractive area with some smart new garden ideas.

‘I hated my garden so much that I hadn’t sat out in it for the five years I’ve lived here,' Lynda told money-saving community LatestDeals.co.uk.

'However, when I saw what people were doing with their gardens on the Facebook group "Gardens On A Budget", I decided to carry out my own makeover, with help from my friend Sharon, to try and make it look better.'

Gravel garden patio makeover

In fact, it was Lynda's friend Sharon that encouraged her to start and kept her motivated throughout the process. ‘We did it together,' Lynda explains. 'I’m a single mum so I had no help from men, and even though I have three sons, they didn’t help as I wanted it to be my project.’

Before

Originally an abandoned space, Lynda's garden had a paved area covered in various debris and certainly wasn't the relaxing, attractive garden she'd dreamed of. 

Having had someone price up the job the year before and quote £2,700, Lynda had been put off until Sharon persuaded her she could do the makeover for well under that – in fact, it came in at under £500 in total!

'It took us about three weeks, and it was hard work, but it paid off in the end,' says Lynda. 'The first step was to dig up about five tonnes of soil and grass. There was also a concrete post buried under the soil, so that had to come up, too.'

After

The neat outdoor space is no longer a mess, and you can see just how much effort Lynda must have put in to achieve the finished result.

‘I dug up all the paving slabs and killed all the weeds, then put black roll down before wheel barrowing in three tonnes of stones,' she says. 'Next up, we painted the fence and replaced two panels that were broken. I bought lights for each post and a log roll to edge the stoned area.'

Luckily, Lynda managed to find supplies that were either very cheap or free, which helped her be able to afford the stones that were needed for her patio idea.

'The stones were £75 a tonne,' she says, 'and I got three tonnes, so I paid £225 in total. The log rolls were from The Range at £5.99 each and I only had to buy five as my friend had seven rolls leftover from her garden, which she gave me for free. That was the beginning of my motivation to start on the garden – getting these freebies!'

Painting what was originally a brown fence, smartened up the garden immediately. ‘The paint came from B&Q and was £24 a tin,' says Lynda. 'I used two big tins. I also had a look on Facebook Marketplace and managed to find some bargains there: I picked up a barbecue for £30 and a sunbed for £50!'

Lynda's luck continued, as she managed to get several plants and a palm tree for free. 'Luckily, my dad was moving, so he gave them all to me and that saved me a fair bit of money,' she says.

'My other costs included two black rolls to go under the stones, which were £10.50 each, and I also paid £60 for someone to take away all of the topsoil I dug up. Overall I paid just under £500 – I had saved that much and I didn’t go over budget.’

Despite the project being hard going at times, Lynda stuck it out and created a garden, full of budget garden ideas that she can finally enjoy.

‘Halfway through, I did say I wish I’d never started it and I could see no end,' she says, 'but Sharon said, "Come on, we can do this!", so we did. I’m so happy with the result and now I have a beautiful space to sit out in after five years.'

Have you been inspired to give your garden an overhaul?

‘With our two sons getting older and space and privacy becoming more important, we decided to extend upstairs to create another bedroom and bathroom,' says the owner of this five-bedroom modern detached house in Cheltenham.

'We built the extension over the sitting room and knocked through the old bathroom, which gave us a corridor to the new rooms and a decent-sized shower room for the boys.'

Bathroom makeover

'I've learned to always start a scheme with something you really love. I fell in love with the palm print wallpaper for the bedroom and everything in the bathroom was chosen to work alongside that.'

‘Because our room is so tucked away, we didn’t need doors on the en suite. It means the light flows between the rooms and I can lie in the bath and watch the telly in the bedroom!’

Modern freestanding bath

The extension cost £70,000 and the project took six months. They gave the new en suite a simple monochrome scheme, which can evolve with different accessories and artwork. 'I’d always wanted a freestanding bath, so that was number one on my wish list!'

'I used a deep blue shade on one wall but kept the rest white and introduced texture and pattern with the tiles' says the owner of the decorative bathroom flooring idea.

'I added bits and pieces I found in junk shops and on eBay while working on projects for my company, Rachel Collis Design.'

Black-framed shower screen

The shower was built into the corner of the room, a space-saving shower room idea. A false wall was built to create the enclosure, which left the perfect nook for the loo, out of sight inside the doorway. A black shower frame won’t show fingerprints and smears like chrome.

Upcycled sink vanity unit

The owner bought the marble-topped washstand in a house clearance sale, deciding on a savvy upcycled furniture idea. Changing the handles and painting it black totally transformed the piece.

The mirror was another vintage find, which she painted black to match the washstand.

A hanging house plant idea adds style without using surface space.

'This bathroom is our private retreat,' says the owner. 'It’s a grown-up place to relax in now!

The owners bought their house knowing that they could make a big difference to what was already there and create the sort of home they'd dreamed of.

'When we moved in, the house had a bathroom you really wouldn't want to spend much time in, and a tiny en-suite,' they say. 'We were keen to improve the property, so we decided to extend the master bedroom and en-suite. We had a good idea of what we wanted the new shower room to be like, but in order to make the most of the space, we employed an architect to help us draw up the plans.'

The pair already had a great local builder in mind to carry out the project. 'We knew him before and had inspected his work, so we were confident it was up to scratch,' they say. 'He did such an amazing job.'

The new en suite is much bigger than it was and, as it's only the couple that use it, they decided to treat themselves by recreating a hotel spa look, with plenty of natural stone and mirrors. A winning bathroom idea to make everyday routines feel more luxurious.

Supersized shower room makeover

'We've always liked Villeroy & Boch bathrooms,' say the owners. 'And as we're not planning to work on this room again for a long time, we splashed out on our sanitaryware. We also chose gorgeous tiles that are different sizes, but all made of luxurious grey stone.'

Rather than having blinds, the couple added opaque glass for privacy.

Shower with stylish glass screen

For a similarly fuss-free look, the shower fittings were kept very streamlined. 'We looked hard to find a shower with as little chrome as possible,' they say. 'And we chose a glass shower enclosure because we wanted it to look almost transparent when you walk in.'

The one thing the couple had kept from the previous bathroom was a radiator. 'Now it has a lot more space around it, so it's more effective,' they say. 'And because everything else is neutral, we treated ourselves to bright hammam towels to add bursts of colour.'

Savvy bathroom storage shelf

The plumbing is hidden by a false wall, so the owners built in a handy shelf for shower essentials. A great solution in a small bathroom idea where less on show means the space appears bigger to the eye.

To complete the scheme, the couple added two mirrors to throw light around the room. 'It's a fairly cheap way of making the space seem larger,' they say. 'And it's easy to get pieces of mirror glass cut to size at a local merchant.' Just one of the many great ways to make your bathroom feel bigger.

This bathroom storage idea makes the space feel effortlessly tidy and organised. 'It's a luxury to have this much storage,' the pair say. 'We've got a drawer each, with the inside of one divided into sections for toiletries and make-up.'

'We love the shape of this basin mixer,' say the owners, 'and we've echoed it in the shower controls, so everything ties together.'

The couple are so happy with their newly supersized shower. 'You can't keep us out of here now!' they say. Testament of a bathroom makeover well done.

This bathroom makeover originally appeared in Style at Home, July 2017.

A walk-in wardrobe may be desirable, but let's face it, these bespoke storage spaces don't always come cheap. There's a reason why they're a celebrity favourite. However, with a trip to IKEA and a little hard work you can save a fortune building one.

That is just what Megan Righelato from Essex did when she updated her bedroom and wardrobe area. If you're short of bedroom ideas or have been stuck on wardrobe storage ideas, then this makeover is a lesson in great planning and creative thinking.

Having moved into the house she shares with her boyfriend in October 2020, Megan was keen to turn her bedroom into a soothing sleep space with the walk-in wardrobe of her dreams.

IKEA Pax walk-in wardrobe makeover

Bedroom before

Beige walls and carpet, curtain-free windows and lots of scuff marks meant the bedroom in Megan's new home was in desperate need of a makeover.

'We're having to budget as we're renovating the whole house and adding an extension downstairs next year,' Megan told online retailer MattressNextDay.

'We spent approximately £1,000 building our walk-in wardrobe and renovating the bedroom. Keeping costs low by doing everything ourselves, as paying for labour is usually the biggest expense.'

On the other side of the room, a small mirrored wardrobe just didn't live up to Megan's dream of a large clothing closet. She began to think about how she could use the space better. With the average cost of a labourer around £200 per day, it would likely have cost Megan about £800 in labour. However, she was determined to do the work herself.

'As we both work full-time we could only dedicate our weekends to working on it,' she says. 'It took about six weekends in total.'

Glam bedroom after

Fast forward to now and you wouldn't recognise it as the same room. Gone are the plain walls and dreary decor. Now a smart bed, wall panelling and beautiful lighting combine to create a stylish hotel feel.

'We wanted to go for a calming vibe, so we kept the tones neutral,' Megan explains. 'However, we used black accents to add more modern touches throughout the room, such as the black sockets and the statement chandelier overhead.'

On to the walk-in wardrobe idea, which Megan made after watching YouTube videos. Large enough to store all her clothes and shoes neatly, the wardrobe area looks much more expensive than it is.

The bespoke space is filled with plenty of drawers and rails, a small dressing table area and vinyl herringbone-effect flooring.

'It was a bit of a nightmare to get our heads around, but with the help of YouTube we ended up mastering it,' she says.

'By the end, I realised that it’s important not to be afraid to make mistakes and realise that it always gets worse before it gets better. We got to a point where it felt like it was never-ending, but we are so pleased with the result.'

Another way that Megan saved money was by buying cheaper (but good quality) wardrobes and finding ways to make them look more bespoke.

'We purchased IKEA's Pax wardrobe units for around £600, but added beading to the drawers to match the more traditional style of our bedroom, such as the panelling,' she says. 'We then painted them in Crown’s Satin White and added cup-shaped handles to the wardrobes to make them look more expensive.'

Megan's done an amazing job and it's a space to be proud of. You can see more of Megan's home on her Instagram account @megsathome.

Has this inspired you to create your own walk-in wardrobe?

After converting the loft to create more space and renovating the family bathroom, the owner of this three-bedroom apartment in North London turned her attention to the kitchen. She wanted to to improve the kitchen and dining spaces to accommodate a growing family.

'The original layout of our kitchen didn’t work for a couple of reasons,’ says the owner. ‘It was originally two rooms – the kitchen had a doorway leading through to a separate, small annexe by the garden. Which we called the summer room as it was just too cold to use during the winter.'

'This small annexe space was pretty redundant as we only used it for drying the laundry and for access to the garden.

The kitchen itself was far too cramped for all five of us to sit and eat together. There was barely enough room for a table, and having friends over was a fiasco!'

She wanted to create one kitchen and dining area by combining the two rooms. Extending the property wasn't an option, so she had to make the most of the space she already had, which meant a lot of thought went into the new kitchen idea.

Family-friendly kitchen makeover

The owner toyed with the idea of two-tone Shaker-style units, before deciding that a more clean, contemporary line would be better for the space. She chose Beckermann units from the Estrada range in two shades of grey gloss laminate.

Speaking of her grey kitchen idea the owner explains, ‘The bank of light grey units helps make the room feel lighter and larger, and separates the storage zone from the cooking hub.'

Grey kitchen units

One of the last decisions before ordering the kitchen was to include a kitchen island idea in the new design. 'We felt that the room would look too empty without one, but the kitchen supplier didn’t think that there was enough space.'

'We decided to reduce the size of the island so it wouldn’t impact the room too much. We’re so pleased that we opted for this simple solution – it has made the kitchen very practical and has given us extra storage space.'

Streamlined kitchen storage

The owner saved money by reusing some of the original kitchen appliances such as the oven, fridge freezer and even the pull-out tap.

Colourful kitchen splashback

This kitchen mixes rustic textures like brick and wood to soften the look of a modern kitchen. Exposed areas of brick wall add texture, colour and interest. A colourful glass kitchen splashback idea adds a fun touch.

Family dining space

The owner wanted a bright and spacious eating area so that the family of five could sit and enjoy mealtimes all together. She also wanted a garden view.

'We’re ecstatic with what we’ve achieved. The kitchen has now become the heart of our home, and it’s wonderful having the view of the garden from the dining table. There really isn’t anything at all that we’d change!’

The owner and her boyfriend had lived in their two-bed flat for just over a year, and it's the perfect location for them. The downside was that the interior needed majorly updating.

Priority was the living room idea, which had stained and dirty walls, ceilings with peeling wallpaper and stained carpets. They also needed to redo the fireplace, and maybe build some cabinets and shelving on either side of it.

Coastal blue living room makeover

They began by sanding down all the walls, removing the old carpet and stripping the textured wallpaper from the ceiling. 'We wanted a neutral wall colour and chose Farrow & Ball's Dimpse, as it went so well with the coastal living room scheme we wanted.'

'I love the clean, airy look of the Hamptons style, with lots of whites, blues, and natural materials like jute and rattan.'

Painted fireplace

The wooden fireplace didn't work with their new scheme, so they decided to paint it white, which made a huge difference. Builders fitted cabinets on either side of the fireplace, along with shelving, which gave them some much-needed storage and a place to display books and mementos.

'We did have a slight issue though as we'd asked them to tile the fireplace surround using real marble tiles, but came home to see they had tiled it with marble-effect plastic tiles instead, hoping that we wouldn't notice! We had to confront them about it, and ask them to use our original marble tiles instead.'

A similar thing happened with the living room flooring idea. 'The builders had put herringbone flooring down in a rather slapdash way, and it wasn't aligned properly, was all over the place and made the floor look cheap.'

'We had to ask them to take the floor back up, and lay it down again, and line them up properly! Aside from that, it all went smoothly and the whole process took around six weeks.'

Alcove storage solution

'We went for a blue-and-white stripe sofa and armchair from Ikea, as we thought they would suit the space quite well. The armchair is probably a little too chunky for the space, as it the footstool' the owner says reflecting on the decor.

'If I had to choose again, I would probably go for a smaller design, or even a glass coffee table. Despite that, we've still managed to make the most of the space and have used the bay window to fit in a dining table, which can extend to seat eight people.'

The dining chairs were salvaged from a scrapyard in Dorset, which were then sanded and painted. 'I love visiting reclamation and scrapyards, and have found so many amazing things.'

'When the room was finished, it felt amazing to put our new furniture in, hang up some new curtains, and install a TV. We hardly ever watch TV, but somehow having one installed and being able to watch the news in the morning made it feel like a real home, rather than a building site!'

'I love bold, bright and colourful living rooms, but as we had quite a small space to work with, I think the calm colour palette works much better, and helps to make the room feel lighter and brighter. It has a calm and cosy feel, and it's a lovely space to come home to.'

If you're stuck with kitchen cabinetry you don't like or just want to wake up your space in time for the new season and need some makeover inspiration, you can take your cue from this budget green kitchen makeover

Bored with her brown units and keen to transform them without paying a lot of money, Heidi Vanacore, a primary school teacher from Middlesbrough, has given us a lesson in budget kitchen ideas and how to paint kitchen cabinets.

'Some of my kitchen cupboards were discoloured, I’m assuming from sunlight over time, and I wanted to change them so they were all the same colour,' she told money-saving community LatestDeals.co.uk. 

‘I'd seen a lot of people changing their cabinets with either vinyl or paint, but the idea of painting seemed much easier to complete myself. I think I would’ve needed someone to come and help me to lay vinyl properly without getting any bubbles or creases!' 

Armed with her paint supplies, Heidi set to work bringing her green kitchen ideas to life.

Budget green kitchen makeover

Before

The brown cabinetry and white walls had to go and it was easy for Heidi to come up with her design inspiration. 'Before moving into my first home, I upcycled a kitchen table using white Frenchic paint and a green leaf-print material for the seats,' she says.

'I love botanical designs and I've always loved the colour green, too. In fact, my mum’s kitchen walls are currently a dark green and I liked the idea of having green cabinets as that colour is rarely seen – plus I was fed up with seeing lots of grey and neutral rooms!'

After

Using two tins of Frenchic paint in victory lane that cost her £29.90 in total, Heidi has given her kitchen a bold look that not only makes much more of a statement but has also given the room a modern, up-to-date feel.

So, how did she go about it? ‘I started by painting my kitchen walls pure white, using some paint that I already had, as they were previously off-white and needed a refresh,' she says.

'The following week I painted my cabinets, removing a few cabinet doors from their hinges and taking off the handles. I cleaned the doors using sugar soap and then sanded them down until they had more of a matte look, as they were previously hi-gloss.'

'Next, I applied four layers of paint to everything, waiting two hours between coats before applying the next one.'

The project wasn’t all plain sailing, however. ‘One challenge I faced was having the space to lay out all of the doors,' says Heidi.

'As it started to rain, I couldn’t leave any of them outside to dry. This meant it took longer than expected and I could only remove up to three doors at a time. Luckily, the drawers could be painted while still attached to their fittings.'

‘Another challenge was getting the integrated fridge and freezer doors back on in the correct position. Luckily my mum and dad came to help me with this bit!'

Even the bank of appliances at the back of the kitchen got a brand new wall colour. 'While I do prefer more unique designs, this look suited the style of cabinets that were already installed,' says Heidi.

‘Overall, I don’t think there's anything that I would have done differently. I love creating things myself and I loved the idea of changing the colour of my kitchen.'

It just goes to show what a difference a few coats of furniture paint can make. Plus it's a makeover that was cheap as chips!

'Moving into this house was the beginning of a whole new lifestyle for us as a family,’ says the owner. ‘Growing up in a small home meant I was always after more space. Room for us to eat together, play together and just generally enjoy each other’s company, and I finally found what I’d been looking for in this house.'

With two reception rooms, three generous bedrooms, outside space and a kitchen big enough for a large dining table, there’s oodles of room for her little family. But while the property itself had plenty to offer, the decor left a lot to be desired. The kitchen idea, in particular, wasn’t to her taste.

The kitchen layout was impractical, with double doors eating into valuable storage space, broken tiles and mold.

Kitchen renovation: before and after

It took a huge amount of work to renovate. 'We pulled up the flooring, ripped out the units and even replaced the double doors with a window looking out onto the garden,' recalls the owner. 'We also installed a stable door – something I’d long had my heart set on – and replastered.'

The upcycled furniture ideas meant the renovation was manageable on an affordable budget.

Even though she lives in a city, traditional decor is more her style, so she used this as a starting point for the country kitchen scheme.

'We went for patterned floor tiles, and metro tiles for the walls. I struggled to settle on a colour for the cabinets, but in the end I chose sage green. And I made sure that the unit doors could easily be upcycled in case I decide to redecorate later.' Using the best furniture paint for the job means upcycling in the future will be a breeze.

A beautiful cream cooker reinforces the theme, as does the Belfast sink, which the owner confesses was 'non-negotiable'.

There used to be patio doors where the window is. The owners replaced them, which is more practical and gave them extra room for cupboards.

New window replacing patio doors

A self-confessed charity-shop addict, the owner found most items in the kitchen from junk shops, car boots or flea markets, including the bread bin and cups and saucers. ‘Glass-fronted cabinets are ideal if you have a collection to display,' she says.

Instagram was a huge source of inspiration for the owner. 'I love looking at other people’s homes and sharing my latest retro bargains on my account, @vintageirishkat,' she explains. 'I get so many great ideas and have made lots of friends who share my passion for interiors.'

Quirky feature wall

'My favourite purchase has to be the beautiful dining table, bought for £22 at a local market. I just adore it,' says the owner, who is also a keen upcycler.

'I created the wall feature above the table using wooden spoons and second-hand saucers,' adds the owner. Speaking of the fun kitchen wall decor idea she says,  'It’s so unique. Wooden spoons will only set you back pennies, and can easily be transformed into a fun display.’

Upcycled decoupage chairs

The dining chairs were a gift from a friend. 'I painted them in pastel hues to add colour to the scheme, and used a floral decoupage on one of the seats. It’s a doddle to do and an affordable way to add interest to plain furnishings.’

 'If I’ve learnt anything from renovating the kitchen, it’s that nothing worth having ever comes easily. It was stressful and there were days we wanted to give up, but we kept focused on the end result, and it was completely worth it. Now we have somewhere we feel cosy, relaxed and completely at home, and for that reason, I wouldn’t change a thing.’

The owner of this property was convinced she'd never live in a house of this style. Having come to the UK from Boston, she'd found 1930s properties to be a little unattractive. However when she and her partner came to view, they were struck by the great proportions and room sizes generally. As a result she quickly changed her mind.

The current kitchen once occupied four separate spaces, all with very little storage in any of them. The previous owners had added a conservatory, there was a long galley kitchen, another small living room and an extension with a loo, at the back.

Rather than increasing the size of the space, they removed the two extensions and came up with a new kitchen idea on the same large footprint. Building on the existing plot meant none of garden had to be sacrificed.

Before and after: kitchen transformation

The couple lived in the property for three years before doing anything, which gave them time to envisage what they wanted to achieve. They worked with architects (newmanzieglmeier.com), interior designer (claudia-urvois.com) and Such Designs kitchens (suchdesigns.co.uk) on the new kitchen extension idea.

The owner admits she had no idea of the level of design detail involved in achieving an extension like this. There were so many new considerations, such as how lintels work, or how a door frame would meet the floor. Such a major undertaking would have been overwhelming without professional guidance.

Open-plan kitchen area

Terrazzo flooring was a big must-have for the couple. They managed to find large format tiles, which were much more economically sensible than a poured concrete floor. Underfloor heating hides beneath the on-trend surface.

Green kitchen units were on the list list, too, a preference the owner says is down to her New England upbringing. The large sliding doors provide great access and connection to the garden, which feels like a bigger part of the house now as it can be seen from all angles of the kitchen layout.

Adding skylights

Twin skylights in the new roof ensure the space has plenty of  extra light. Living in the property for some time before starting the work gave the couple a good sense of how the light moves, and how they might incorporate the glazing to make the best use of this.

So although the space is north-facing, the placement of the glazing makes it look and feels incredibly bright, ensuring it is a room the whole family spend plenty of time in.

Green kitchen cabinets

The colourful green kitchen idea is offset with inlaid touches of exposed wooden cabinetry and brass fixtures and fittings. Sleek quartz worktops prevent the space from feeling overwhelmed by colour.

Clever concealed storage

This busy kitchen required plenty of storage. The couple wanted the units to feel modern – but warm and natural, rather than slick and white. Interior designer Claudia Urvois found the exact colour the owners wanted after researching American paint companies.

The cabinets are painted Hunter Green 2041-10, from Benjamin Moore.

Banquette seating

The new layout incorporates banquette seating, a design feat for any busy family-filed open-plan kitchen idea. The couple's children enjoy sitting here and chatting, or playing while Mum and Dad prepare family meals.

Pendant lighting

Pendant globe lights above the main work surface provide functional but attractive task lighting– a must-have when planning kitchen lighting ideas. These vintage Czech designs are from antique and vintage lighting and furniture emporium Rotrouvius.

The shiny brass tap and brass drawer pulls add a touch of glamour to the scheme.

Kitchen makeovers don't come much more impressive than this one. This couple bought their home on impulse, seeing it for sale at 9pm one night and having their offer accepted the very next morning.

The location was perfect, and they could see the potential. However, as it is in a green belt area, planning regulations were very restrictive. It meant adding this 9.5 x 7m kitchen extension idea to a smallish cottage was tricky. Meaning the couple ended up renting for a couple of years while everything fell into place. And it certainly paid off, because this cottage kitchen makeover has the real wow factor.

Before and after: kitchen transformation

The creation of a large space was required, with lots of character that would complement the existing building. Having seen a similar charcoal grey kitchen idea in a magazine, that was close to what they wanted, the couple used it as a starting point.

The kitchen design and the materials are contemporary, but not overly so, offering a more organic feel.

The couple bought the oak carcasses readymade and added bespoke kitchen cabinet doors. The cabinetry painted in a RAL colour: Anthracite #9016. The warm, grainy, inlaid oak shallow shelving creates a graphic contrast to the matt charcoal painted door fronts and is perfect for displaying attractive cooking essentials.

Mixing bespoke with off the shelf kitchen cabinets

An oak breakfast bar came from a sawmill in Hampshire; a single piece of wood from one tree. There was a small split in the wood, that needed a repair, but the couple love the tiny imperfection, as it adds more character.

Sculptural lighting

The owner designed and made the beautiful kitchen lighting by rolling metal into simple sculptural forms. His take on the classic cylinder pendant, each one is rolled from a single sheet of brass and formed into a gentle spiral – giving it a unique look. He has since set up his own online lighting shop called arcform @studioarcform.

Subtle kitchen surfaces

The black worktop is made from a composite called ‘Cinza Letano’ by Unistone’. The grey floor tiles are practical for the kitchen area and contrast with the wide, limed oak floorboards that run into the dining area.

Cooking on gas

The kitchen has been designed so that the owners and their guests can enjoy the lovely garden views through huge glazed sliding doors. A gas hob was a must have for these owners, as they are both keen cooks and prefer the immediacy of the heat control.

Galley style layout

The cooking end of the kitchen has been laid out in a traditional galley style, with sink to one side and hob opposite. Integrated appliances offered the clean lines the couple were looking for. They wanted symmetry and order and having toyed with the idea of two single ovens, they chose a double oven for a neater kitchen appliance layout idea.

This impressive kitchen makeover proves the impact an extension can make. It's certainly inspirational for those looking to improve a small kitchen space.

This inspirational kitchen diner has been given a brave colour injection of green, pink, coral and mustard – and wow, it's made a real impact.

The owner's original kitchen wasn’t all bad, but the space was really dark, so they had architects draw up plans for a rear and side return extension in which to create a bright, sociable kitchen diner with a neighbouring utility and playroom.

When it came to choosing just the right style, Pluck Kitchens birch plywood kitchens with coloured laminate veneers hit the spot. The owners felt that none of their kitchen ideas were boring. Quite the opposite, in fact. These are home owners who love colour and all things maximalist, and who felt that the green, coral and blush colour choices on offer at Pluck would go brilliantly together.

Before and after – colourful kitchen transformation

As it’s a big space, the owners wanted contrast, rather than everything sinking into the walls with just one colour. ‘It was fun choosing such a colourful kitchen,' says the owner. 'Pluck had a jigsaw system you could play around with. They must’ve mocked up about ten different options before we chose this combination.’ The coral and green kitchen idea is both sophisticated and fresh.

Contemporary side return

The side skylight lets in loads of light and looks amazing.  All the woodwork was painted in a dark colour to match the aluminium window frames, which creates a cohesive feel against all the colour elsewhere. The larder and crockery cupboards are light pink inside. Whenever you open them you get even more colour.

Garden view

Having a toddler, the thought of folding garden doors was not an option, due to safety concerns. This aluminium glazing feels more solid, and having the middle doors open in the summer is all they felt they needed to create an indoor/outdoor feel.

Vertical wall tiles

Mustard yellow wall tiles laid vertically rather than horizontally add an unusual design feature. Using the tiles in this way creates a unique kitchen splashback idea to keep the walls protected in style. Top of the wishlist was a range cooker which offers gas, plus a sociable island with sink and stools.

The full kitchen renovation and extension, documented @theyesmumnest, took three months and the results are spectacular.

Ply drawers

The owners are big fans of natural materials, so they chose a pale wood veneer for some of the drawer fronts, which ties in with the flooring. The well designed drawers provide a highly efficient kitchen storage idea.

Terrazzo worktops

The owner fell in love with this Terrazzo island worktop from Diespeker & Co before she'd even bought the house. It works well with the industrial black doors and contrasts with the natural flooring. She chose brushed gold fittings, such as the tap, throughout, to link everything together.

The owners of this kitchen wanted to create a spacious family living area where they can all be together, while all doing their own thing. 'We bought the house in 2010 and thought we’d only be here for a few years, but we love the area and have great neighbours, so we decided to stay and extend the downstairs living space to create a sociable area.'

'Fortunately for us, my brother-in-law is an architect. He drew up the plans from my sketches, creating an industrial style kitchen/diner that extends through to the old dining room.'

The impressive new kitchen extension features Bi-fold doors and sleek roof windows flood the new space with natural light, which reflects off white painted walls. A high ceiling, steel beams painted in grey anthracite to blend with the cabinetry and exposed brickwork, inject a contemporary feel that is emphasised with strong flush lines and stainless-steel worktops and appliances.

Contemporary open plan kitchen makeover

'I love the symmetry of the kitchen with its strong lines and flush finishes that give it a contemporary look' exclaims the homeowner. 'Exposed brickwork, warm oak and stainless steel add texture and colour.'

'I found the kitchen company, Naked Kitchen on Pinterest while looking for inspiration. The solid oak cabinets are a mix of painted and unpainted units, with the colour mixed to match a sample. We didn’t want a kitchen that we had to be precious about, so everything has been designed to be practical. It functions well as a working kitchen, a family space and a place to entertain.  We love the simplicity of the space and how it works for us as a family.'

To maintain clean lines, the American style fridge freezer was inset into a wall, which meant building a false wall, that also houses a larder cupboard. To tie everything in we’ve painted the surround the same colour as the cabinetry' – a brilliant grey kitchen idea for inspiration.

'Thanks to a local engineering company who made the stainless steel worktops, we saved over £6K' explains the homeowner. 'I used to work in catering and enjoy the practicality of working on stainless steel. It’s hygienic and easy to keep clean and I don’t have to worry about pot marks.'

'I had wanted a concrete floor, but it was too expensive. By chance I came across these amazing tiles which help to soften the industrial look and I think they are a better choice. They were the largest tiles in the showroom and measure 1.2m x1.2m but really complement the space.'

Adding ' The underfloor heating is amazing, we have a constant warmth, and without the need for radiators, it’s given us more flexibility with the overall design.'

The steel beams and open high ceiling add to the contemporary industrial look. The beams have been painted in grey anthracite to blend with the cabinetry. 

'The extractor fan was a must-have and I wasn’t going to compromise' says the owner of her Luxair extractor hood. 'It’s perfectly flush and creates a clean discrete line. We designed the roof lights to be positioned above the central island to provide plenty of light within the working area. We’ve also got directional track lighting when the natural light fades.'

Breakfast bar

'The children often sit at the breakfast bar and do their homework. It’s given us a flexible seating area. There’s clever storage for my recipe books and crockery below. The tractor-style bars stools were an eBay find.' 

'We all make use of the chalk board; it’s great for shopping lists and for the children to draw on. It’s been given three coats of a magnetic chalk paint.'

A length of solid oak extends from the central island unit with stools below to provide an extra seating area. I can enjoy a quick coffee or the children can sit and chat to me while I cook. 

Family dining area

'The dining table is a one-off, made by my husband and his father after we ran out of money. It’s made to my exact measurements and is constructed using a metal frame and scaffolding. It’s given us plenty of space for entertaining, while it’s narrowness makes it intimate.'

Large sliding doors made using inexpensive shuttering plywood, hide the children’s art and craft materials. Christine and her daughter, Sophie, created the geometric design on one of the doors using masking tape and paint. 

Handy hot water tap

The boiling tap is brilliant. You can have a cup of tea or filtered water in an instant. There’s also one less item to clutter the worktop as I don’t need a kettle.

Inset hob

'The Smeg inset hob is amazing to work with, I’ve lost some storage space below, but I love that even the pan supports are flush to the work surface.'

'A double oven gives me the flexibility to cook a roast dinner and a pudding at the same time.' Positioning the oven, hob and sink within an ergonomic triangle makes movement around the kitchen easier.

Kitchen lighting

'The pendant lights add a warm ambience when we’re entertaining and the linear design complements the length of the table.'

'The garden is quite small, so to give continuity we extended the tiles onto the patio to bring the inside out. The flush threshold on the bi-fold helps the natural flow.'

Ideal Home asks the homeowner; what have you learned? 'Have faith in your ideas and how you want to use your kitchen. Don’t let your builders or installers set you off your path' says the owner. 

Feature by Camilla Sharman

When this young couple bought a two bedroom terrace house  the bathroom was a good size but not to their tase, 'I liked that it was quite traditional but I wanted it to be more extreme, says Hannah. 'I disliked how dark the space was and wanted it to feel completely different without incurring lots of costs such as changing the plumbing.

Let Hannah's bold bathroom ideas inspire your own dream space.

Blue bathroom makeover inspired by hotel suite

When the couple first lived in the house, the bathroom walls were in teal blue and brown with a very old-fashioned feel. 'This was the first room we'd ever spent to much money on and I knew we wanted a roll-top bath, but I couldn't have one that was freestanding,' says the owner.

The blue patterned bathroom tile ideas is the stand-out feature of the space. The inspiration came from similar looking tiles the couple saw on an Italian holiday to the Amalfi coast. 'I get so many compliments about them, especially from people who usually prefer a more neutral style.'

The bathroom wasn't spacious enough to have a separate bath and shower, but once they had worked out that the bath could go against the wall and shower screen could be fitted above it, everything fell into place.

The owner also had her heart set on his n her sinks, but again, space restrictions, ruled that out. Instead she chose an elegant Victorian style to complement the bath.

To complete the look of the bath a smart bathroom storage ideas consisting of a tiled niche area was created about the taps. 'I hate seeing products on the side and I wanted to add a niched area because I just end up knocking things off and it was important to have things neat and tidy.

Another feature on the owner's wishlist was a double shower head, but it has ended up serving a slightly different purpose. 'I was so excited about having a double shower head , but now I only use the smaller one to water plants.'

'There’s nothing like having children to show up your house’s shortcomings,’ says the owner of this detached five-bed Thirties house in Cheshire. ‘So when our son and daughter came along, it became clear our existing kitchen just wasn’t going to work.'

'It was small, boring and beige but because it was usable, we ended up living with it for years. My husband and I could clearly see that no thought was given to how a family would use it and this was, after all, a family home, so it really needed sorting once and for all.'

The kitchen was just one element of the three-storey extension the couple were planning. 'We started the kitchen ideas of the project first, but we had to complete the various stages as funds allowed. My husband project managed and did as much of the work himself as he could – no mean feat for a man who barely knew how to build flatpack furniture!'

The extension starts where the old kitchen ended and a conservatory, outside toilet and laundry shed were demolished to make room for it all. Taking out the back of the house meant a huge RSJ was needed, giving the family 500 sq ft of new, open-plan space.

Kitchen makeover

The work wasn't without its problems. 'We couldn’t afford to move out during the work, so we ended up living on a building site for a long time, says the owner. Dust aside they managed to make it work.

'In all, the work on the kitchen took six months, and with the builders finally out of the house, I was able to start focusing on the finishing details' the owner explains.

‘The directional tap is a game changer because you can rinse every corner of the sink! You can get them in a range of prices, too.’

'We did have the foresight to plan the kitchen lighting ideas early so the power points are in the right place. We wanted downlighters for task lighting and mood lighting over the island and table.’

‘I wanted to have fun styling the kitchen and knew it was the perfect excuse to display the plates and pictures I’ve collected over the years’

Open-plan dining area

A vivid emerald green on the wall behind the table really helps to define the dining area in this open-plan space, and provides a vibrant backdrop for a striking gallery wall and quirky, wall-hung bar.

'Before, when it came to decorating, I’d just go with whatever colours and furnishings were in fashion, but by this stage, I had the confidence to follow my own tastes,' says the owner. 'I love colour and I wanted the kitchen to be a fun space.'

The new space is bursting with character, 'The flooring is maple from an old tobacco factory. It had 130 years worth of dirt ingrained and took ages to clean.'

'The old school desk makes the perfect wall-mounted drinks cabinet – it’s a real talking point!’

Speaking of the bold dining room colour scheme the owner remarks, 'If something doesn’t work, I can always repaint it. Sometimes I see a shade and obsess about how to make it work somewhere. I’d already used a deep green paint to upcycle a sideboard and loved it so much, I used it on the dining area walls, too.'

Pick an accent colour and echo it around an open plan room using accessories to help tie the scheme together. The owner of this space chose a buttercup yellow shade.

Now the family has had a chance to use the space, they've found it works really well. 'No-one’s stuck cooking on their own in the kitchen when we’ve got friends over,'says the owner. 'And we can keep an eye on the kids doing their homework when we’re making dinner.'

'Yes, there were bumps along the way but it was all resolved in the end. Now we have the social space we wanted. In fact, it’s the new heart of our home.’

The owner of this garden is passionate about gardening and entertaining. She chose to work with garden designers Taylored Gardens, to ensure she got the very best out of her outside space.

'I was really impressed with their previous projects, that I'd seen, and as I needed the garden to be completely redesigned and landscaped it made real sense to go for a company which offered both design and installation services,' says the owner. 'Knowing a professional team were taking care of everything from start to finish really helped ease the pressure of the project. The work took two and a half months and it came together just before the first lockdown. 'I feel so blessed to have had such a sanctuary at such a difficult time.'

Having discussed her wish list for the space, the designer came up with some smart solutions. 'Some of them would have never occurred to me,' says the owner. 'But my own suggestions were also taken into account, so it was a collaborative process.' Once the plans were agreed, the garden was cleared in January 2020, after which the landscaping, building of the pergola, built-in seating, raised beds, and planting were done. 

Thinking of landscaping your garden? Read: Garden landscaping ideas – how to plan and create your perfect garden

Garden makeover: monochrome style

‘As the garden already had a bit of a contrasting monochrome feel, with the dark toned wood fencing and pale flooring, I thought it would be a nice touch to carry that look on into the accessories, such as the cushions which I found online at Design Vintage.’ Different fencing denotes the dining area zone at the front of the garden and pale paving keeps the garden fresh and open with a contemporary finish.

‘I liked the idea of an already weathered outdoor coffee table, so that it felt blended in. I researched online and was really chuffed to find what I was looking for on eBay second hand locally for just £50!’ says the owner.

Smart built-in storage solutions

Built-in benches provide lidded storage which doesn't encroach on the entertaining space. ‘The storage in the rear seating area has worked so well,' says the owner. 'Initially I didn’t think that I would need more storage, but you can never have enough, especially as I have a large cushion collection, which although weather-proof, are best kept undercover when not in use.’

Pergola and artificial grass

It made sense to keep the existing built-in white seating as well as the fencing along one side, as it was in good condition. This saved money on the overall materials budget as well as saving time.

The owner also wanted to incorporate garden shade ideas into the space. ‘The idea of a pergola at the end of the garden, strung with pretty outdoor lighting, really appealed to me to give the seating area an encompassing feel and the garden a real focus overall,' she says. The pergola was made to measure, priced from around £2500, by Taylored Gardens. 

The garden needed to be easy to tend and, as the owner has a dog, she opted for artificial grass, a useful grassless garden idea for lower maintenance spaces. 'I am so pleased with the end results – it gives the garden a really neat finish,’ she says. Edging the artificial grass with setts has given the grass a beautiful border in keeping with rest of the garden.

Calculate the costs: Garden landscaping costs – how much to pay for garden landscaping

Clever lighting and planting

The garden has been planted with structural plants, which are mainly evergreen, so the garden will look lush all year round. The design included existing features combined with new bold palms, added for structure.

Lighting was a really important consideration when designing the garden. They used spiked lights in the beds to illuminate the Silver Birches, navigator lights to highlight the path, step lights and swivel lights under the pergola. 'It looks so wonderful in the evening – even in the rain,’ says the owner.

Related: Garden lighting ideas – solar powered stakes, spotlights and wall lights to illuminate outdoor spaces

Entertaining barbecue area

The owner loves to entertain, especially during the summer months. It is handy to have the barbecue positioned by the kitchen, for easy access, but it’s also easy to manoeuvre it around if necessary, because the unit is so compact and it's on wheels.

The owner of this city garden had left a fast paced job in central London to set up her own company (www.papr.com). Thee years later when the dust had settled and her business was thriving, she finally had the time and budget to do something with her large, previously unloved garden.

It had fallen to the bottom of her list of home improvements because it was intimidatingly overgrown and she had no idea where to start.

Check out our garden ideas for more garden makeovers

‘I had bifold glass doors fitted out to the garden and suddenly had an unencumbered view of a big, neglected jungle with lots of mature but unruly trees,’ says the homeowner. ‘It was time for it to be tamed! I just needed to meet the right person, who I could trust to tackle it.’

Fortunately, she entrusted the team at TJG Gardens with the task. With a modest budget and a tight time frame – the owner was hosting a garden party for her best friend’s hen do, six weeks after the work started – she focused on the character and layout of the space first, then moved onto the planting.

A first job was to think up garden path ideas. We love this gravel version that weaves its way through the greenery, in a crisp bright contrast.

Characterful planting

‘Once I had someone with a great eye and vision telling me what was going to happen it made me really excited to finally tackle it and carve out the beautiful garden that was clearly always hidden underneath’ she says.

Recycled whelk shells light up the ground underneath the Acer palmatum at the back of the garden. The owner wanted to make a feature of it, and to hide the dark soil beneath.

Blurring architecture and nature

With a taste for simplicity and calming colours in her interiors, the homeowner was up for doing something different and more adventurous outside. In terms of the space, she wanted a rear terrace to catch the evening light and provide an entertaining area.

Laurel hedging planted alongside gave it an instant sense of privacy. The rear garden wall was imposing, so it was painted a natural green colour to blend in with the greens provided by nature.

Gravel pathway

A bright, winding path was installed from the front to the back of the garden. Covered with white gravel, it contrasts with the planting and greenery in the garden, while leading guests back to the alfresco entertaining area. A strategically placed mirror gives the garden an added sense of depth.

Related: Garden path ideas – curved and straight walkway designs in gravel, brick and stone for every budget

Outdoor seating

‘I love entertaining’ says the homeowner, 'so whether I'm inside or out I wanted the garden to bring interest and atmosphere to my dinner parties.'

But it’s also the times when she’s home alone during the working week that she gets to fully appreciate the relaxation and peace of mind that the garden brings. A small table and chairs just outside the kitchen doors is the perfect garden seating idea for this space. A place to unwind and drink in the last of the sunshine.

Raised beds

By raising the beds, the owner is able to enjoy the colour changes in the garden throughout the year from her house. She has a cinematic view of purple perennials and cinematic, lively grasses.

Ready for another? Enjoy this multi-level garden makeover with clever planting and banquette seating

'To see so much greenery interspersed with bursts of colour and flowers is very special,' she says. 'I love watching the light move down the garden throughout the day. By evening the back wall is speckled with evening sun against the climbing rose.'

'My mum bought me a bird table for my birthday and I’ve loved watching all these small birds enjoying the new space as much as I have.'

Green is the shade to be seen on kitchen cabinets this year. And mixed colour schemes are all the rage too, making this two-tone kitchen makeover a real winner!

And who says you have to rip out your old kitchen to keep up with the trends?

Take inspiration from one savvy mum who proves you can totally revamp the space, for as little as £100. On-trend and on budget.

Latest trends: Kitchen trends – the latest kitchen design trends and ideas

Jo Honey, 43, from Northumberland, says 'We recently had a house extension, when it was completed we couldn't afford a new kitchen.'

So Jo did the new best thing, DIY...

Jo's kitchen before

It's not the worst kitchen by any means, but it's not the on-trend green kitchen Jo dreamed of.

'I didn't want to go all green as the kitchen is quite dark to begin with. Plus we added a kitchen island that we bought from IKEA and the bottom of that was cream.'

'We decided on the bottom half green and the top bit cream to interlink all the colours together without it being too overwhelming.'

Jo tells money-saving community Latest Deals 'I got the idea of decorating my kitchen with two colours from watching TV makeover programmes.'

To learn how to undertake the makeover herself, Jo watched YouTube videos and sought advice online.

She sought simple and inexpensive materials, such as self-adhesive plastic and spray paint. Transforming the neutral space into a deliciously on-trend one...

Jo's kitchen after

'We used DC Fix Fablon in concrete grey from eBay (£35 for seven metres) for the worktops and use stainless steel chopping boards to protect the surface.'

'I used V33 paint for the green cabinets and V33 cream paint for the top cabinets.' The gold handles, sourced from eBay, help to complete the look.

'We used wallpaper over the tiles which actually is really durable and gives a good finish.'

'The kitchen table was mahogany and was painted with grey furniture paint, and I bought chair covers from Amazon.'

Speaking of the newly painted two-tone kitchen Jo says, 'I absolutely love the kitchen now! I haven't seen anyone else with the same kind of look so I think it's unique.'

'Eventually we might splash out on a new kitchen, but so far I am pretty happy with the look of it and it saved thousands of pounds. It cost around £100 to complete the look!'

Money well spent to get the kitchen she so desired.

Jo is feeling proud of her DIY prowess, feeling inspired to tackle the rest of her home now.

Buy now: V33 Cupboard paint, from £24, B&Q 

Think you have to spend thousands to transform your kitchen, think again!

'We live in a cottage built in 1710 so it’s very unconventional. We bought the house in 2007 and inherited a shell bathroom suite, an old boiler, low water pressure and no shower!' explains homeowner Lucy Ledger.

Ever since I watched The Holiday and saw Rosehill cottage I just fell in love with everything about it’s interior' Lucy tells Ideal Home. 'I knew if we ever renovated our bathroom it would be inspired by Rose Hill cottage!' Who can forget that quaint country bathroom.

Related: Bathroom makeover – a bedroom becomes a tropical oasis inspired by travels to Asia

Rosehill Cottage Bathroom in The Holiday

'I’m not sure how we did this, but we lived with this bathroom for 12 years and saved money up slowly' she says. 'To get our dream bathroom meant an overhaul of our entire heating system.'

'We knew if we moved to a combi boiler we’d be able to remove the old tanks and have space for a walk in shower. So that’s what we did. And to help the pressure issue we installed a water pump. Once the initial work on the boiler was done  we could start on the fun part!'

Get the look: Cottage bathroom makeover

'I knew I wanted stone wall tiles and after a lot of searching I found some beautiful ceramic ones from Walls and Floors.We tiled a feature wall behind the bath and chose a slipper bath as a tribute to my favourite part of Rosehill's bathroom.'

'We also tiled the inside of our walk-in shower. We knew this would be money well spent and made the whole look work so well. Mixing our budget meant we could splurge on some items and cut back on others' Lucy recalls. 'I sourced the bath and shower from PlumbWorld.'

New walk in shower

'I found a lovely wooden vanity sink at a fantastic price from ebay. I also fell in love with a pink chest of drawers from Dunelm – brilliant for giving the space a contemporary look and worked well with the rustic tiles and white walls.'

Lucy added a beautiful blind to coordinate with the colour scheme, and welcome a touch of pattern into the space.

Attention to detail

'Our builder found us some old scaffold boards that we used for the windowsill and boxing in pipes.' A great idea for upcycling and keeping costs low. 'We went for a bargain vinyl flooring from ebay that looks amazing. Finished with an extra large gold mirror and lots of hanging plants, candles and shelves!'

'I’m so happy with the finished space,' Lucy delights. 'It cost us £5,800 in total including fitting, electrics, plastering, flooring and tiling. It has the rustic Rosehill cottage look whilst not looking to twee or old fashioned.'

Colour inspiration: Bathroom colour schemes to upgrade your bathing space and inject character

'It’s like being in my own beautiful spa and definitely worth the 12 year wait.' Well worth the wait Lucy, this bathroom is a smash-hit with us!

‘The old kitchen hadn’t been touched for 15 or 20 years,’ says the owner of this five-bedroom Victorian terraced house in East Dulwich, London.

'It was too small, and all the cupboards and units were falling apart. We wanted to make the space bigger, and with a baby on the way, to turn it into a useful family room.' So they added an invaluable narrow kitchen extension to create the space of their dreams.

'We planned everything ourselves, working out dimensions, what space was needed between seating areas. Even the positioning of appliances and units to ensure it would work for us. So we could have a kitchen that we can entertain in, with all of us enjoying the same space.’

Before and After: narrow kitchen makeover with extension

‘Our main objective was to create a spacious kitchen with the island and dining table taking centre stage. In the old kitchen, we squeezed a small, round table into a bay window but could only seat four people – now, we can accommodate eight comfortably' explain the couple.

'We used Resi, an architecture practice, to secure planning permission, but I’m a builder so I built the extension myself' says the homeowner proudly. My partner and I produced several different layouts on graph paper, detailing the dimensions for the space needed – for things like walking between the island and kitchen units. And what might be required for the seating area.'

Being a builder, the owner not only built the extension but designed the pitched glass roof as well.

‘It was a fairly straightforward design using planed structural timber, double-glazed panels and power-coated aluminium capping. In fact, it was probably cheaper than a slate and Velux alternative and allows plenty of light to flood in.’ The combination of a glazed pitch roof and large steel-style windows and doors provide a bright, airy feel to the kitchen.

'After introducing texture in the form of an exposed brick wall and raising the ceiling to reveal the upstairs floor timbers, we opted for a white colour scheme, allowing the windows, tiles and island to become the main showpieces.'

'We fitted our Range cooker within the island, so that you are facing the dining table while cooking. Now, when we’re entertaining, we can prepare the food while chatting to our friends. Before, one of us would be stuck out in the kitchen, not involved in the conversations. We chose a leathered granite worktop because it’s not only strong but has a slightly uneven surface so you don’t see cleaning streaks or marks.'

Stylish storage solutions

'We wanted plenty of cupboards and storage space – and in convenient locations, too. For example, to the left of the oven is a pull-out bin for food scraps when you’re chopping and peeling' they explain. 'On the other side is a cupboard for pots and pans – so everything we need is within reach.'

The owners wanted to avoid traditional shaker-style doors. Instead, they chose a simple v-groove design from Howden’s which provides depth to an otherwise flat panel. The addition of plain black handles creates a classic timeless look.

Concealed appliances

To make this kitchen seamlessly stylish, everyday design aspects were well considered. 'Microwaves are invaluable when you have young children but aren’t the prettiest of items, so we’ve hidden ours' the couple reveal. 'We just open the door when we need it, then close it off again when we’ve finished. It helps the kitchen remain clutter-free.'

'Essentially, we’ve created plenty of storage options without it appearing like the space is full of cupboards. In fact, it’s quite a clean space. We’ve achieved that effect partly by not fixing wall cupboards; they would have enclosed the space too much.'

Thoughtful layout

‘It's important to take time to explore different options and layouts, focusing on where items, such as ovens, tables and islands, will be placed. Or how much room you want between your table and any cupboards or islands.'

Adding, 'For us, the inclusion of an island has been a big success. Now, we can sit round it and read the paper, watch TV or chill and chat while our two-year-old plays around us. As well as the big stuff, remember that the best ideas aren’t always the most expensive ones. For example, we decided to hang free or inexpensive paintings by family and friends to our walls, adding a splash of colour in the process.

The owner explains, 'The build took around three months and went smoothly. Although was a little delayed thanks to a massive storm striking halfway through the project. We’re very happy with our new kitchen.'

'Although, in hindsight, installing underfloor heating might have been a good idea. We can definitely say that our bigger, smarter, more contemporary kitchen has improved our lives.’

Further finishing touches: Kitchen wall decor ideas – easy and affordable ways to style your space

This impressive kitchen makeover was featured in the July 2020 issue of Ideal Home. Words by Richard Webber.

Wow is the first thought, upon seeing this incredible before and after kitchen renovation.

Lois Spencer-Tracey shared the newly revamped kitchen with us on in the Ideal Home Room Clinic – our Facebook group, for like minded interiors fanatics.

It's safe to say it was love at first sight when we saw the finished results, from the iridescent blue tiles to the industrial-style accessories this kitchen is a complete inspiration.

More: Navy kitchen ideas – to add an element of rich colour and sophistication

Industrial-style kitchen before and after

Lois, lifestyle blogger at Bunnipunch, is renovating her Victorian house in Essex. Sharing the kitchen before and afters she writes to the group...

‘So after 11 months, we have finished our kitchen. We had no hot water downstairs for nine months and fitting the roof window was a first for us but we’ve done it and I’m pretty proud of us! The only things we didn’t do ourselves was moving the boiler and the plastering.’

Lois approximates by doing the majority of work themselves, the whole kitchen – appliances included cost roughly £10,000.

‘Loving the bold design choices, nice to see something different and a little daring x’ writes one fan. Ideal Home is in complete agreement, it's inspiring to see such striking design choices.

‘Looks amazing! ♥️’ exclaims a fellow member. While another says, ' Omg what great work congrats to both of you. Not many people would take it on...Brilliant result.’

The new kitchen is filled with many on-trend features, from the dark painted cabinetry to the copper taps and furniture fittings. The decorative floor tiles, exposed brickwork and the salvaged scaffold board shelving all add personality in abundance.

Related: Kitchen trends 2020 – the latest kitchen design trends and ideas for the new year

We can't take our eyes off the cyan blue coloured tiles most of all! The herringbone style design is used to clad the entire end wall, and create a colourful splashback on the remaining wall. The statement hue works particularly well against the characterful brick.

Buy now: Opal Marine Wall Tiles, £34.42 per square metre, Porcelain Superstore

Lois chose a pillar box red fridge to inject a hit of striking colour to her new kitchen scheme. It's the perfect accent colour to add extra wow to this dreamy blue space.

Her brilliant bright red fridge is from Amazon! The stylish light fittings are from eBay.

Buy now: Amica Fridge Freezer, £397.99, Amazon
Buy now: 3 Way Industrial Ceiling Light Fitting, £71.99, eBay

Do you have a fabulous room makeover? We welcome all to share, to inspire others. Tagging us in your photos means you could be in with a chance to feature on our Instagram.

From kitchen makeovers to a styled corner of your living room, to a garden shed you've recently renovated – we'd love to see.

Related: Grey spray-painted kitchen cabinets and transforms family kitchen

Don't forget to use the hashtag #MyIdealHome.

'Somehow, over several years, we had ended up with three overflowing sheds in a garden that we rarely used,’ says the owner of this pretty plot in Berkshire.

‘My partner and I had decided to upgrade our house with a one-storey extension, and as the garden had become a complete mud bath from the building works, it made sense to revamp the outside at the same time.'

Love your garden! See more of our garden ideas

The owner is an interior designer and decorator and often paints furniture for customers, but her sitting room had ended up as her workshop.

'Before we even started the renovations, I had a major clear-out and replaced the sheds with a large summer house with windows, where I could both relax and paint furniture,' she explains.

The garden before and after...

The garden had previously been divided up into several areas, which made it feel small, so the couple opened it up into one whole space.

'In such a small plot, it was important to make the layout work visually. We settled on quite a formal-looking design with a shed at the back and symmetrical raised beds to frame a dining area.'

Gorgeous garden makeover

Ahead of the building work, they put in new fencing, gates and a concrete base for the shed.

'I couldn’t find the perfect colour for the fence so I mixed my own with Urban Slate and Smooth Pebble from Cuprinol Garden Shades,' says the owner.

Raised beds full of wild flowers

Raised beds better define the space and, as the plants are at eye level, you really appreciate them. They were built using breeze blocks which were rendered then painted.

Finishing them in white lets them blend into the background, drawing your focus to the social space.

'Chris lined the sides with membrane and put gravel in the bottom for drainage before filling with compost and leaf mulch,' says the owner.

'The last big job was laying black limestone slabs between the raised beds. Chris’s company Distinguished Gardens did our planting. He’s passionate about planning carefully so that we have colour throughout the seasons.’

Smart dining area

The centrepiece that completes the space is the fantastic weathered wooden table that the owner found on eBay for £80. 'I removed the paint, then scrubbed bleach into the top and left it out in the sun,' she recalls.

'I washed the table top then repeated the same process several times, finally sealing it with clear matt exterior varnish and painting the legs to match the summer house.'

Fabulous she shed

Once the landscaping and planting work was completed, the couple painted the summer house.

'I furnished it gradually in a boho style, using treasures from Pedlars Place, eBay and car boot sales – the original Seventies hanging chair, for example, was 
an eBay find. I can’t see myself getting bored of the style because anything natural and earthy looks timeless.'

Buy now: Shed painted in Farrow & Ball Railings acrylic exterior eggshell, £27 for 0.75ltrs, Homebase
Buy now: Alseda stool, £25, Ikea

The inside of the shed is painted white for a spacious look.

Buy now: Shed floor painted in Brilliant White acrylic durable eggshell by Johnstone’s Paint, £25.95 for 2.5ltrs, Decorating Warehouse
Buy now: Graphite chalk paint used on desk, £19.95 for 1ltr, Annie Sloan

‘The officer’s army trunk was a car boot find and it’s where I keep a lot of my paint cans,' says the owner.

Another makeover: Before and after: we turned our garden into an outdoor living room

We’ve enjoyed so many celebrations with friends and family in our finished garden, and it’s also proved to be a fantastic space for me to work. Gardens as small as this can be tricky, but we've achieved everything that we wanted.’

For any couple that loves cooking and entertaining, the kitchen is the most important room in the house. But sadly for these owners, theirs was a total mess. With broken cupboards and dirty magnolia walls – it all had to go.

'The room has a low ceiling and felt like a tunnel,' recall the owners. 'A side return extension wasn’t an option and everyone advised us that the space suited a narrow kitchen.'

'Instead, we decided to go with our instincts and create two areas, separated by a peninsula, and open up the back wall to let in light and give us a view of the garden.' And what a difference that made...

New kitchen layout

The owners designed and measured everything themselves, sourced the building materials – including eden units by Second Nature – and tradesmen. They removed the old kitchen, did all the painting and bought everything online to keep costs down. The work took three months and fitting cost £5,000.

Because the room felt narrow and dark, the owners decided to move the kitchen to the opposite end. That allowed them to fit in French doors to increase the light, and have a dining space overlooking the garden.

Open shelves help a narrow room feel more open, and offer extra display space. ‘We custom-designed the peninsula with open shelves, so it wouldn’t block the view of the French doors and light can travel through to the rest of the space.'

'The carrara marble worktop does attract stains and marks, but we love its imperfections and patina’ say the homeowners.

Losing the dining table gained the couple extra space for a breakfast bar and a small living area. Removing the back wall has made the kitchen much brighter, too.

Get the look
Buy now: Grace pendant, £159, Heal’s

Opening up the original chimney breast provided the couple with the perfect space to slot in a big range cooker.

Get the look
Buy now: Smeg Opera 90 dual-fuel range cooker, £1,999.99, Currys

With a dark grout, this zig-zag pattern makes budget tiles look more expensive.

Painting the units blue-black has given the traditional design a modern edge.

Get the look
Buy now: Farrow & Ball Railings Estate eggshell emulsion, £6a for 2.5ltrs, Designer Paint

'We wanted the kitchen to look in line with the age of the house, but contemporary, so we filtered decisions that way – traditional units in a modern colour; butler’s sink, but in stainless steel, and so on,' add the owners.

Get the look
Buy now: Astini Belfast 800 2.0-bowl sink and waste, £329.99, Taps UK

The owners made the unusual stainless-steel butler's sink into a feature by adding overhead lighting.

Both of the owners work long hours but love coming home to spend time in the kitchen, cooking and chatting. 'The room works exactly the way we envisaged – I’m so glad we had the courage to design the layout to suit us.’

'When we moved in, we weren't keen on the bathroom, but it had some nice features,' say the owners. 'We liked the shape of the basin, the bath was comfy and the big window kept the room bright.'

The couple decided to live with the bathroom for a while to give them time to think of all the different ways to change the space.

'We realised it would be crazy to spend thousands of pounds ripping it all out,' they say. 'The basics were fine and we were sure it could be revamped beautifully.'

Feel inspired: Planning a bathroom – everything you need to know about designing your perfect washroom

The savvy owners worked with what they had. Making smart changes to create a fabulous new on-trend bathroom scheme.

After: regrouting bathroom tiles

Poring over websites for hours, the couple fell in love with the industrial feel of white brick tiles with grey grout. As they already had white tiles, the DIY duo got stuck into scraping out the old grout.

'We found matching tiles to cover the bath panel, which made the room look sleeker and less 'country',' they say. And once the new grey grout was done, the room looked so smart. If this has inspired you to have a go at grouting yourself, our how to grout tiles guide has all the advice you need.

Related: How to clean grout in tiles – get wall and floor tiles looking as good as new

To blend the untiled wall with the white tiles, the couple were torn between two paint colours - white and grey. 'We thought grey would look bolder,' they say, 'so we used Mole's Breath by Farrow & Ball, which has a warm tone.'

Buy now: Mole's Breath Estate Emulsion, £57 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball at Designer Paint

Replacing shower curtain with a glass screen

The owners couldn't wait to get rid of the ugly shower curtain and replace it with a more solid-feeling glass panel. 'Having a curtain flapping around was really annoying,' they say.

The pair also treated themselves to a fixed rainwater shower, which creates a spa-like experience and injects a bit of luxury into the space.

Buy now: White Metro Tiles, £20 per sq m, Topps Tiles

Next, the taps were replaced. 'It's amazing how much difference such a small change has made,' say the owners.

Buy now: Topaz basin taps, £59.95, Hudson Reed at Victorian Plumbing

With regards to storage, the couple found a tall mirrored cabinet at Ikea, which fits behind the door and is great for keeping everything neatly tidied away.

The mirrored front also reflects light from the window on the opposite wall, making the room feel really bright.

Using plants in the bathroom

On their online search, the owners had seen some glass spheres with plants inside hung on walls, and they loved the look.

'We bought some glass orbs and vases on Etsy, and set to work, deciding on exactly where to position them on the wall. Cutting pieces of paper to the size of each vessel and taking our time as we stuck these to the wall to see where they looked best,' say the crafty pair.

'Once we'd got them in a position that we felt was just right, we fixed the vases to the wall and filled them with plants and flowers from the garden.'

On the windowsill, glass bottles also play their part. The owners have arranged a few here to add a quirky apothecary element to the scheme.

With the bathroom makeover complete, the owners are really pleased with their industrial-chic bathroom. 'We're thrilled that we managed to make use of so many existing pieces,' they say.

Related: Shopping edit – best bathroom mirrors to enhance beauty, on every level

'It just goes to show how a few changes can completely transform your bathroom.'

The homeowners' previous garden at their four-bedroom Victorian house in north London, consisted of a patio, lawn, path and a tumbledown shed. ‘I wanted more interest, and a crisp, architectural feel,’says the homeowner.

‘As our grown-up children live at home, it was about creating a relaxing, low-maintenance, adult space for everyone. Another must-have was a shed for me to keep my sewing machine and fabrics.’

Discover more makeovers and inspiration and check out our garden ideas

Acting on a recommendation, the homeowner and her partner Sakura Gardens Ltd. ‘My partner and I already had ideas about the planting and other things we wanted, like the water feature,’ says the homeowner.

‘Sakura’s designers pretty much hit the brief first time, with just a few small tweaks needed here and there.’

Multi-zoned garden makeover

The garden has three sections – the top patio, which is bathed in morning sunshine, the central seating area and the bottom deck with a water feature, and homeowner’s ‘she shed’ for her crafting activities.

The movement of the sun, from the patio to the far end of the garden, helped dictate the new layout. The seating was placed centrally, where it would enjoy almost all-day sunshine. Its linear design was carefully measured to give the illusion of regular, straight lines, as the garden is not quite a perfect rectangle.

The seating also contains the majority of the planting, which was chosen for its height, movement and structural shapes.

Banquette seating

Benches have been built into the concrete planting troughs to make them look as if they’re floating above the ground. White gravel underneath them emphasises the effect.

The homeowner makes her own cushions, which soften the stone seating and add to the sense of a comfortable, outdoor room. Foliage prints pick up the leafy surroundings and crisp black-and-white stripes give edge and contrast.

Buy now: The leaf cushion cover, £8.99, H&M, has a similar look

Concrete raised beds

Planting troughs are integrated into the bench seats, so the plants create a semi-transparent screen at eye-level. ‘We’ve planted white flowers, like alliums and lilies, but it’s mostly about textures and greens.'

'I love the palms and grasses we chose, especially the variegated and blue-toned ones,’ says the homeowner.

Patio dining area

A round dining table maximises space on the raised patio, which has a full view of the whole garden. Steps lead down to the stepping-stone path. ‘We discussed using artificial grass,’says the homeowner, ‘but I’m glad we went for the real thing – it’s authentic and natural.’

Get the look
Buy now: Jakta garden table, £319, La Redoute

The ultimate she shed

The homeowner turned her shed into an inviting retreat for sewing and relaxing. The bespoke design incorporates insulation, double-glazing and a storage area for the garden seat cushions. The shed’s dark interior and bright coloured accessories reflect the homeowner's unique, adventurous style.

Buy now: For similar try the Dante pod hanging chair, £399.99, John Lewis
Buy now: The full rattan coffee table, £80.15, Only Home, is similar

Water feature idea

The water feature is built into the deck at the end of the garden. A twice-yearly treatment with protective teak oil keeps the yellow balau hardwood looking smart and glossy.

Ready for another inspiring plot? Before and after: enjoy this gorgeous garden makeover with fab she shed!

‘In all, we spent £30,000 on the garden, including the shed,' says the homeowner. The work was an investment, but it’s made the outdoor space much more usable and enjoyable, as well as improving the flow and the feeling of space in the ground floor of our house.’

The homeowner is delighted with the new garden space. 'It was definitely money well spent, as well as an enjoyable project,' she says. 'Everyone loves the garden now and we’re out here all day in summer.'

Before the owners moved into their 1970s house, it was in desperate need of updating. They focused on the interior first, meaning that the garden was largely forgotten.

'We knocked through the kitchen and dining room to make one large open-plan kitchen-diner. But it was depressing to look out of the patio doors onto the garden side return to see nothing but weeds and mess,' explains the owner.

Be inspired: Before and after: enjoy this gorgeous garden makeover with fab she shed!

The main back garden was already full of large mature shrubs when the owners bought the property, so it was low maintenance and no big changes were needed.

But the side return was an awkward space. 'You walk through it to get to our side gate. It was really uninspiring, with discoloured old paving slabs and an ugly 1970s patterned concrete wall.'

Garden side return makeover

They  decided to include built-in bench seating. 'My husband is really handy when it comes to DIY. He’d build us an L-shaped bench in the dining area of our kitchen-diner, and we thought a similar design would work outside too,' says the owner.

The owner had seen some gorgeous fencing made from roofing battens, and so thought about doing something similar to cover up the concrete wall as they couldn’t remove it completely. 'I was really drawn to fences painted in dark shades and thought it would be great to have a black shade outside.'

Once the position of the bench had been fixed the rest of the space was designed around it. The firepit was the next project on the list.

DIY garden firepit

Being keen campers, the family love gathering around the campfire, so they were very excited about recreating this with a firepit in their own garden at home.

The simple yet effective design has been made with a steel fire bowl from Amazon, with a brick-built surround.

DIY decking pathway

For access to the side gate, the owners needed to put in a path. 'We worked out a route that winds its way around the bench and the firepit and then out to the lawn at the back,' the owner explains. 'I liked the idea of creating a seaside-inspired, boardwalk-style path, which my husband built using deck planks.'

Homemade log store

The owners always wanted a log pile so they built themselves one to store logs. Painted in the same grey shade at the fence, it really pops out against the natural tones of the logs and the garden's white stones.

Upcycled jar planters

An assortment of rich coloured ferns and fashionable succulents frame the garden's edge. 'I like to use all sorts of containers and planters' says the owner.

Solar powered garden lights

Edison-style solar lights hang amongst the trees, giving the garden space a vintage feel.

Progress was quite slow because the owner did the entire garden landscaping themselves. After a final big push, the garden makeover was finally finished in the autumn which gave the owners and their children a few last ‘round the fire evenings’ before the winter drew in.

Another magical makeover: Enjoy a multi-zoned, sophisticated garden designed to suit the whole family

This garden originally appeared in Style at Home, August 2017.

This owner used creative thinking to convert a courtyard space, lost in the wilderness, into a brilliantly multi-functional garden.

'Taking on this project was quite a challenge as I wasn’t quite sure where to begin,’ says the homeowner. ‘But then I began to see how the garden’s different zones and levels could work.'

Starting out by saying, 'I wanted to keep the established trees and shrubs and I loved the old brick walls.'

But she soon found that the ivy on the walls was completely out of control. And the area closest to the house just trapped leaves and dirt, and had nothing going on.

You can find more makeovers in our Garden ideas

Courtyard garden makeover

Top of her wish list was creating a lovely seating area, where she and her family could put their feet up.

'The terrace was the obvious spot and I was keen on the idea of some outdoor sofas,' she says. 'The ones I liked were way out of our budget, but luckily for me, my husband is amazing at DIY. He designed and built the wooden bench seats to fit perfectly into the corner.'

Once they were done, the couple protected them with outdoor-quality furniture oil, but soon had to rethink that. 'The ivy kept dropping wet leaves all over the wood and it started to discolour,' she says.

'In the spring, my husband sanded the benches, and we applied deck oil instead, which did the trick.'

Read more: How to make pallet garden furniture – a step-by-step guide

'We then wanted to make something of the lower level too, as it was just paved – nothing to look at,' adds the homeowner.

Once the structure was finished, they worked on creating an 'outdoor room'. Making seat pads and cushions for the benches, and upcycling a little wooden coffee table that had been unearthed in the garden.

And the creativity didn't stop there...

Upcycled garden mirror idea

'My best find was an old, discarded window frame, which we’ve turned into an outdoor mirror. It looks amazing on the brick wall,' she says.

They removed the ivy behind, exposing the lovely old brickwork and opening up the space.

The garden table and chairs from their old house fitted nicely at the far end. They now have a dining zone and plenty of comfy seating on the terrace, so decided on decorative touches in the area near the back
door.

Salvaged wooden ladder shelving idea

'A friend had made fabulous rustic garden display shelves from a salvaged wooden ladder, and I was keen to create something similar,' the homeowner says. 'Another friend gave me a very rickety old ladder, which was perfect for the project.'

She made the shelves out of scaffolding boards and dressed them with vases, pots and accessories that were already around the house.

Drinks trolley workstation idea

'We used the little wooden trolley for drinks at our wedding – it was a bargain find at the local recycling centre. I popped some plants and accessories on it, and it looks lovely next to the ladder shelves.'

Inspired by the idea of a pretty cottage garden they went with a low-key look, with plants to attract birds, butterflies and bees. 'We were keen to keep the mature shrubs and an old apple tree, and we managed to rescue a pink climbing rose that was being overwhelmed by ivy,' explains the homeowner.

'I didn’t know much about gardening, but I researched online to find out when to cut back certain plants, and how much sun and water the different varieties like,' she adds.

'A hydrangea I bought has been much happier since I moved it into a more shaded position and we’ve saved a little fig tree by putting it in a sunnier spot, so it’s a been quite a learning curve.'

The different sections have made the garden feel larger allowing the family to spend as much time outside as much as possible, for meals and entertaining friends.

'It’s gorgeous in the evenings, as I’ve got solar lights in the trees and a patio heater for after dark,' she says. 'We’ve even got an outdoor projector and a white sheet for film nights, which the children love. I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved.’

She also added lovely jam-jar lights that have tiny fairy lights attached to the lid, and are powered by a built-in solar panel.

The biggest challenge that the family overcame was  the  split-level layout of the garden. 'Everything was overgrown and the old brick walls at the back were swamped by ivy,' she explains.

Too add colour to the garden, she sowed self-seeding annuals like Verbena, Bonariensis, Asters, Cornflowers and Snapdragons which will effortless, year-on-year colour.

Having the plants spilling over the borders minimise the landscaping shape lines. Now it's a lovely  space with plenty of interest, with places to eat and chill out with the family. The family cat approves, too.

More? Before and after: from shabby garden to tropical oasis with tiki bar

Feeling inspired to give your garden new zones?

After extending their kitchen and adding bifold doors leading outside to a new patio area, the owners decided they wanted to make the entire garden feel like a part of the house. 'Our priority was to create a comfy outdoor seating area,' they say.

The brick wall at the rear of the garden had always been a favourite feature of the couple and it struck them that this area would work really well as an outdoor living room.

They decided that decking would be the best option, as they could fit it themselves, so they sourced an affordable decking kit online.

More inspiration: Brilliant budget garden ideas to boost outdoor spaces without breaking the bank!

The pair had wanted an outdoor sofa for ages and finally took the plunge and ordered one from eBay. 'When it arrived, we hated the cushions,' they say.

'They were an unexpected yellow colour, so we sold them and replaced them with smart grey ones from Ikea that we resized to fit.'

This is the view from the seating area, back towards the house. The kitchen flows out on to the patio, which provides a second dining area for the family.

It was this flow from the indoors to the outdoors that inspired the owners to create an outdoor living area in their garden.

The shed was already part of the garden, but the simple addition of plants to the window box and a large potted tree has really helped to brighten it up.

For continuity, the decking was colour matched to the shed - the light tone also helps to create the illusion of more space.

'We're big fans of pattern,' say the owners, 'so we brought in Moroccan-style design and colours on the textiles and crockery.' Similar prints are used in the lounge area, which helps to tie the two spaces together.

In fact, the circular cushions above make an appearance on the other side of the garden, too (see below). Grey seat pads provide a really versatile backdrop for these pretty hits of colour.

The owners definitely have a creative eye. This innovative pot display was made out of old roof timber. 'We love things that look old and are keen recyclers,' they say. 'To create this shelf, we pulled an old roof timber out of a skip and added ornate black brackets.'

Below is another great find from the decorating duo. 'We snapped up an old enamel-topped cupboard from outside a neighbour's house,' they say. 'With a little upcycling, it's now the perfect potting table.'

Colours have been carefully chosen in this garden - just as though it were an interior - and the pink trellis matches the potting table drawers. The hot hue is a great complement to the greenery. 'It looks amazing when the roses are in bloom,' say the owners.

A succulent bed makes a stylish feature at the edge of the decking. 'We love this idea, which we copied from Pinterest,' say the owners.

Related: Small garden ideas to make the most of a tiny outdoor space

This garden originally appeared in Style at Home, June 2017.

A mum-of-three has made her son’s dreams a reality by transforming his room into a Star Wars-themed bedroom — and the result is incredibly impressive.

Karen Robinson, from County Durham, gave her nine-year-old son’s room a complete overhaul. Making it the ultimate space for any Star Wars fanatic, like Ethan.

Another: Mum transforms son's bedroom into a gaming-themed den of dreams

Star Wars bedroom makeover

The 45-year-old kept costs down by using cheaper materials — such as flooring from B&Q and IKEA units — and borrowed tools from her dad to ensure she didn’t break the bank with her DIY project.

As well as buying a few decorative pieces, Karen also decided to have a go at making some Star Wars furniture that she had seen online.

Related: This bathroom makeover proves the power of a painted ceiling – the result is lush!

The photographer told money-saving community LatestDeals.co.uk, 'I saw Death Star shelving for sale but it cost a lot of money so I asked my husband if he could make it instead.'

'We got the MDF and borrowed some tools from my dad. When he started with the project, lights were added so the cost was around £50 with lights.'

'We bought a mural for £79 from Amazon, furniture units including the wardrobe for £200 from IKEA, grey ash flooring from B&Q for £80. We also picked up accessories from Amazon such as the pictures, rug, wall sticker, bedding set and lamps.’

In total, her efforts set her back £496  — which for a total room transformation, is an incredible price!

It seems the savvy mum isn't the only one who is happy about how the project turned out, Ethan is absolutely thrilled with his new room!

She said, 'He is over the moon with the finished look! The LED mood strip lighting helps my son sleep as he always used to have to fall asleep with the main light on – it's such a good idea if anyone has children afraid of the dark.'

Karen advises others contemplating a DIY makeover, to trust yourself to have a go at making furniture – it helps keep costs down.

She adds, ‘I’d advise people to shop about price wise and try do a lot yourself if you can be creative with designing and look at some ideas before creating the theme. I just created as I went along.’

Related: One savvy Mum transforms dated kitchen with DIY job – all for under £90!

It's safe to say that all her hard work paid off.

This homeowner and her husband had been looking for a property that would be a good project, and they got it with this four bedroom house in Staffordshire, where they live with their two kids. 

'The house needed a lot more work than we originally imagined,' says the owner. 'It hadn’t been decorated since the Eighties. The electrics and pipework were almost retro and the walls were in really bad condition. The bathroom was a top priority as I was desperate for a proper bath and a space I could relax in.' 

Related: Before and after: a derelict kitchen becomes a light and sociable space

As well as being dated the room was damp, with a rotten window. The bath has been removed to make room for a double shower, plus the floor sloped so nothing was level. 'not having a bath was a big deal,' says the owner. 'Using the shower to bathe two small boys was a struggle.'

She started the renovation process with a great deal of research on Pinterest, Instagram, as well as magazines. 'I’d seen a bathroom renovation on YouTube with floor tiles that looked wooden. I fell in love with them and knew they would be the basis of the room. From there I planned to have dark wood with grey walls and a pop of colour.'

Get the look: 
Buy now: Chatsworth Graphite Bath Panel Pack, £184.95, Victorian Plumbing

The couple went for a traditional-style sink and toilet, choosing a dark wood bath to give the room more depth. 'With a lot of planning we managed to work out a layout where we could have everything we wanted, including the new suite and shower cubicle'. 

'My large wall mirror reflects light around the narrower part of the room and doubles up as a small shelf too'.

Get the look
Buy now: Stockholm mirror, £75, Ikea 

The couple added frosted glass panels in the bathroom door to allow light into the hallway. Using an old pine door, they also made new airing cupboard doors. 

‘Our shower may be smaller than some, but it’s perfect for us and 
its simple design 
works really well with the traditional shape of the sink. We needed a big wall cabinet to store our toiletries. I found one in dark wood that worked perfectly with the scheme.'

The homeowner originally wanted brushed brass hardware but the budget wouldn’t allow it. In the end she was pleased she had opted for chrome, which worked better with the rest of the room.

Plants add a bit of natural decoration while also absorbing moisture.

Get the look
Buy now: Havana yellow planter, £14, Sainsbury's Home

‘The dark wood bath rack complements the room’s theme – plus it holds my glass of wine at the end of the day!'.

Get the look
Buy now: Egyptian Cotton Mustard Towel, from £1.25, Dunelm
Buy now: Washed Wood Bath Rack, £15, Dunelm

Although the couple had previously taken on a lot of renovation work themselves, they hired a local builder to tackle the bathroom – they needed minimal disruption. 'He did everything from changing pipework to tiling with our gorgeous new floor tiles'.

‘It has been such a pleasure finally being able to open the new window. I can display accessories on the ledge too’.

Get the look
Buy now: SAXBORGA Jar with lid and tray, set of 5, £12, Ikea

They did encounter one problem – the house is over 150 years old and the walls and flooring needed a lot of correcting. That took an extra day and slightly extended the homeowner's two-week plan. 'However, it was so nice to have someone else do all the hard work'. 

The bright accessories help to break up the parquet-style wooden-effect flooring. 'Finishing touches can really transform a space, and I wanted to add a little pop of colour, so we introduced the mustard towels and bath mat.'

Get the look
Buy now: Andira 
Rural Oak floor tiles in smooth brown, £46.52 per sq m, Topps Tiles

They created a bracket with a hook to hang a plant, and added a large round mirror from Ikea to create space. A shelf from La Redoute to provide additional storage for accessories. 

Get the look
Buy now: Roots Wall Shelf, £79, La Redoute

The couple are thrilled with their contemporary, flexible family bathroom. 'I think my favourite item has to be the bath,' says the owner. 'We went two years without one, so it’s a real luxury to have a hot bath with a nice glass of wine.'

'The boys love bathing together and playing in the water and after two weeks of borrowing the neighbours’ bathrooms during the renovation, I really appreciate how much I love the room and will never take it for granted.’

Follow Sophia Carradice on Instagram @sophia.at.home

'My old kitchen looked like it belonged in 
a youth hostel or a student house,’ says the owner of this two-bed terrace in South London. ‘It was just 
a bland backdrop of beige and all my lovely chrome and silver accessories looked incredibly drab against it.'

'I love to travel and was faced with 
the choice of an amazing trip to the Far East or a kitchen makeover. So I decided that if I could keep the budget to under £1,000, I could do both! I was inspired 
by my fearless mother – there was rarely 
a week that went by without me returning home from school to find her elbows-deep in a DIY project.'

Get ready for your makeover project with our kitchen ideas

'The cabinets were perfectly sound, but the beech-effect doors were just boring, so I decided I’d try my hand at painting them myself. I researched the paint online, eventually choosing a technical paint specialist. Priming and painting 
was a lengthy process: I learnt that allowing days between each coat is the key to get the paint to “cure” effectively. 
I gave the units four coats of paint and left a full 48 hours between each coat. And I’m happy to report they have passed the spilled pasta sauce test!'

'The biggest challenge was the floor. It’s 
a laminate that I repurposed from my guest bedroom. It’s not as daunting as 
it sounds, as it un-clicked and re-clicked very simply, but as I knew I had very little to spare, I drew a scale plan and cut each plank out of paper, giving each a number. I spent a tense weekend on the job but it worked amazingly well.' Laying it perpendicular to the units has given the illusion of width in what could be perceived as a narrow space.

A beloved trestle table looks suitably relaxed with bright, clashing chairs around it. Potentially wasted space beside the fridge has been filled with a handy tower unit.

Get the look
Buy now: Ancient Mariner vintage trestle table, £396, CFS
Buy now: Tolix-style chairs, £59 each, Cult Furniture

'I gave this old crate a coat of paint to keep oils tidy and I keep napkins in these quirky cans.'

'The tiling was 
an education – I watched some great YouTube tutorials for hints and tips. The tiles took a very long day to apply and I added the grout using my own, slightly unorthodox method – using a piping bag and squeezing the grout in the cracks. I’ve never seen it done before, but it made light work of a messy job. And once I got the hang of it, it was as easy as doing a blank jigsaw.'

'I did all of the work myself but had to admit defeat with the worktops and got a professional in. With four metre lengths, they would have been impossible for me 
to lift, let alone install. I also paid a gas engineer to literally unhook the hob and then reinstall it. He was only in the house 10 minutes, but it was £50 well spent.'

Get the look
Buy now: Feelings furniture paint, £16.80 for 1ltr, Holman Specialist Paint
Buy now: Metro XL Flat Grey gloss tiles, £19.99 per sq m, Tons of Tiles

'To keep costs down, I made sure nothing was wasted. I used an offcut of the worktop vertically to clad the end of the unit, which gives it a chunky, expensive feel. I also used a couple of lengths of 
the laminate floor to cover the cabinet baseboards. I simply glued them into place and weighted them down with heavy books until they were dry.'

'Due to all these DIY jobs, I’m now the proud owner of a very flashy drill, which made fixing up the brackets and shelves reasonably easy, although I practiced on the wall above the units before the tiles went up. I love open shelving. I went for 
a single row of shelves instead of wall units because I wanted to display my kitchenware, ingredients and some other favourite things, like my collection of white ceramic jugs. The shelves were made from a length of MDF, plus wooden brackets from Ikea, and I then painted 
all of them to match the cabinets.'

Get the look
Buy now: Farrow & Ball Dix Blue modern emulsion, £46.50 for 2.5ltrs, Homebase
Buy now: Ekby Valter brackets, £2 each, Ikea

'I created a chalkboard out of an old breadboard and even this old stag lamp got a lick of paint.'

Ready for another one? Before and after: from cramped Seventies kitchen to family-friendly mid century inspired kitchen diner

'As a final finishing touch, I painted the end wall above the tiles in a cool blue 
to give the room a focal point. I really couldn’t be happier with my new kitchen. My mum would be so proud of me!’

The owners bought this four-bedroom detached new build in Solihull, West Midlands in 2014. Initially they used this room as a guest bedroom and study, but as their family grew, it needed to become a bedroom for their new son, and so they set about creating a classic Scandi-style space that would grow with him.

‘The old room was functional, 
but not very inspirational or attractive,' says the owner. 'I found lots of ideas 
on Instagram, as well 
as at rockmyfamily.co.uk and rockmystyle.co.uk, where I work 
as a content manager.' With a love for Scandinavian style she chose to use lots of white, grey and natural colours. 'White walls are easy to patch up when they 
get covered in crayon and sticky fingermarks!'

‘I’m obsessed with interiors but decorating nurseries are by far my favourite (I’m a big kid at heart),' the owner says. 'You can afford to go a bit crazy and whimsical with the finishing touches. I’m particularly proud of the unusual colour scheme that I’ve used – grey, white and oak, with splashes of colour and sprinkling of gold.'

For more looks for little ones, see our children's room ideas.

The owner wanted to create a cosy, characterful and practical space for her son to play in during the day and snuggle down in at night. ‘I was torn between painting the whole room grey and trying a feature wall,’ she says. ‘I chose an animal motif paper to put behind my son's cot and it sparked off an ‘all creatures great and small’ theme!'

Get the look
Buy now: Sunshine cotbed, £319, Boori
Buy now: Grey Pebble wool rug, £149, Dunelm
Buy now: Portraits wallpaper, £59.95 a roll, Hibou Home

A comfy armchair has been used to create a corner for relaxing and reading. The textured upholstery and chunky knitted pouffe add an extra level of interest and warmth.

Fairytale solutions: What if your favourite children's authors designed your baby's nursery?

The owner has hung the peg rail nice and low, in the hope her son will learn to hang up his own clothes! Storage baskets for toys and clutter are a must in a kids' room and these ones fit perfectly into the simple colour scheme. plus crafted a poster hanger for the animal alphabet chart from a piece of dowel

Get the look
Buy now: Hambledon six peg rail, £35, Garden Trading

‘The wall shelves are the first thing you see when you walk in, so we wanted them to catch the eye,’ says the owner. ‘They’re 
just made from basic B&Q white matt shelf boards 
and oak-effect brackets.’ She accessorised them with inexpensive pieces that would add a splash of colour.

Picture ledges are a great way to create a kids’ book corner, with the covers facing out so that children can recognise their favourites before they’ve learnt to read the titles.

Get the look
Buy now: Mosslanda picture ledges, 
£8.95 each for 115cm, Ikea 
Buy now: Mountain Bear garland, £38, Velveteen Babies

The nursery is light, fresh and timeless, while the knits and baskets, and colourful books and pictures add warmth and softness. When the owners had worked out the colour scheme, they bought a simple cot bed, which will convert to a bed as their son grows, enduring that they won't need to redecorate the room any time soon. 'The project took two months and I really love the room,' the owner says. 'It’s such a tranquil, calm place.’

The owner's main priority for the new extension in her four-bedroom semi was to create a sociable kitchen-diner to cook, eat, play and relax in.

Get more inspiration for your next project with our kitchen ideas

'This is our third renovation in four years – we like to keep busy!' says the owner. ‘When we bought this house it was pretty run down, and we knew we wouldn’t be able to live in it while the work was being done as there was just so much to do, so we moved in with my mum for about 10 months.'

What they really wanted was a sociable kitchen-diner that would incorporate their must-have bifold doors. This meant extending the existing kitchen into the garden and out to the side of the house to get the space they needed.

Get the look
Buy now: Ranarp pendant lights, £25 each, Ikea

As the house had so much potential, the owners were keen to get the kitchen makeover just right. An architect drew up some plans to include a kitchen-diner, utility room and a small office.

Three different quotes from builders were obtained and they went with the builder who they felt would do the best job, and had also been recommended to them by family and friends – a key factor important factor when taking on such a big build. Once the plans were approved, the owners started on some of the groundwork to reduce costs. Then the builders and tradesmen came in to do the rest of the work, which left them with the fun task of decorating and furnishing.

Get the look
Buy now: KitchenAid Yellow stand mixer, £494, Go Electrical
Buy now: Smeg cooker hood KD610XE, £149, AO.com

Get the look
Buy now: Faux fur white rugs, £29.95 each, The Rug Seller
Buy now: Similar Shilp dining table, £699, Next Home

Keen to ensure their new kitchen would sit happily alongside the rest of house, they opted for modern design including built-in appliances for a streamlined look. And while initially gravitating towards and neutral scheme, a quick look around local companies as well as Instagram and Pinterest led to them being drawn to a darker, two-tone style kitchen.

The builder had an account with Howdens and the owners fell in love with the Fairford design eventually opting for that in a mix of Slate Grey and Antique White. The grey shade was used on the majority of units, while cream was used on the island for contrast.

Underfloor heating fitted under ceramic floor tiles was installed to ensure this space would feel warm all year round. After some searching, the owners stumbled on some marble-effect tiles from B&Q, which ticked the boxes for both cost and character.

With the main elements in place it was all about the accessories and those extra standout features, which included the back wall being painted in a bold mustard colour. While they were initially hesitant about such a bold choice, it helped to create a strong focal point and add that all important pop of colour. A wooden hairpin dining table complete with a hairpin bench from Next added a rustic feel and helped to create a distinct eating zone.

Get the look
Buy now: Dulux Honey Mustard matt emulsion, £12 for 2.5L, B&Q

More kitchen makeover magic: Before and after: reorganising 
the layout of this kitchen gained storage 
and space

Summing up their kitchen makeover the owners added: 'Overall, I love the space. It's the perfect place to cook and socialise and we keep adding more decorative touches. We're always tinkering, but I think we’ll stay put for a few good years to come.'

Many homeowners dream of converting their loft to create extra living space, so the couple who bought this four-bedroom semi in London were delighted that the hard work had already been done for them. Their attic bedroom was practically ready to go - it was structurally sound and filled with light.

Get your makeover off to a flying start with our bedroom ideas

The only problem was it was blank and ordinary, and not at all to their tastes. There was also a major lack of storage space.

The pair tackled the problem room with colour. 'It's a lovely light space, so we knew it could take a strong shade,' they say. 'We went for the darkest green we could find and were slightly nervous when we painted an initial tester patch. We put wallpaper behind the bed to zone the space and went for the houses pattern to add some interest.'

Get the look
Buy now: Invisible Green Absolute Matt Emulsion, £43.50 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene
Buy now: Hampstead Cool Grey wallpaper, £70.50 per roll, Wallpaper Direct

Storage was the biggest headache. With the French doors on one side, the only suitable place was under the sloping ceiling. 'We could see we'd waste room if we bought standard units and we couldn't find anything we liked anyway,' say the owners. A friend recommended a local company that provides bespoke solutions, so they decided this would be the best way to maximise space and get the look they wanted.

It took six weeks for the wardrobes to be made, which gave the owners a chance to focus on the rest of the room. 'We didn't like the pine floor, as it didn't match our existing furniture,' they say. 'We hate clashing wood colours, so we painted it white.'

Get the look
Buy now: Similar Ideal Home Foster Metal Bed Frame with Mattress Options, from £329, Very
Buy now: Similar Ideal Home Freydis Table Lamp, £49.99, Very

Wanting the walls to be the star, the couple chose plain white curtains for the doors, but in a thick fabric so that they wouldn't be woken up at dawn.

The armchair was an eBay find and it was given a new seat cover to match the grey rug on the floor.

In order to keep the renovation costs down and avoid wastage, the owners wanted to make sure the colour scheme would work with their existing furniture. Two chests of drawers they had brought from their old house were painted in mushroom and grey, and these versatile neutrals tie in perfectly with the dark walls.

Get the look
Buy now: Similar Ideal Home Normandy 4 + 2 Drawer Chest, £299, Very

Next up: Before and after: the original hearth tiles inspired this classic bedroom makeover

Now that the decorating is complete, both husband and wife couldn't be happier. Their loft bedroom is now exactly to their tastes: colourful without being overly feminine. Unsurprisingly, they have earmarked it as their own space - and we can definitely see why.

'Four years ago we moved to a house the same size as our last, in the same area, to release some equity. It was in desperate need of renovation, so we could indulge our shared passion for renovating,’ says the owner.

Make the entrance to your home more inviting with our hallway ideas

‘The house wasn’t really fit to live in but luckily we found a builder who came highly recommended and was ready to go – in fact, he originally told us he could complete the upstairs in just three weeks. It was great timing because it was the Easter holidays, so we went away for a couple of weeks during the renovation, then stayed with friends.'

'However, rather than being able to skim the walls, as first thought, everything had to be stripped back to the bare brickwork and replastered, adding another two weeks to the project.'

When the couple first viewed the house it was drab and uninviting, and that made them really want to push the boat out and make a big effort with the hall. They chose a soft vanilla shade for the walls, which they felt had a lovely warmth to it. They've gone on to use it throughout the house to create a continuous look.

In the hall it made good sense to go for smart, practical wooden flooring, with all the traffic going in and out.

Get the look
Buy now: Walls painted in Lead White emulsion, £50 for 2.5L, Little Greene
Buy now: Banisters, unit and door painted in Sky Blue intelligent eggshell, £64 for 2.5L, Little Greene
Buy now: Castello Dune white oak oiled planks, £71.49sq m, Quick-Step

When it came to the front door, the couple got quotes for a bespoke one made to suit the period of the house, which came to around £3,000. 'Then when I researched what was available ‘off the shelf’, I was able to find one that worked really well, especially when it was painted to tie in with the overall look, it blended in beautifully,' says the owner.

The large mirror enhances the feeling of space and is handy for checking your hair when the door knocker goes.

Get the look
Buy now: For similar, try Isleworth door, £509, Todd Doors

The owner wanted to make the stairs the focal point, as they’re the first thing you see when you walk into the house. 'I researched different runners and carpets online before I finally settled on a carpet with a spot pattern, which I thought was fun, but went for it in a neutral shade so that it wasn’t too overwhelming.'

'I had the idea of painting the banisters sky blue to turn them into a real feature. With space at a premium, I was limited when it came to what furniture I could fit in. I toyed with having a bench with hooks above but in the end we decided to make room for coats, out of sight, under the stairs. I wanted to incorporate as much storage as possible, so I looked for a suitable unit to fit the space.'

With the add-on shelving on top this sideboard is perfect for holding all the bits and pieces throughout the house, such as the first-aid kit. It didn’t look quite right in white, so the owner painted it sky blue to match the banisters, which really pulled the whole look together.

Get the look
Buy now: Brintons Pebble spot carpet, £53.49sq m, Carpet Factory
Buy now: Hemnes sideboard, white stain, £195, Ikea
Buy now: For a similar runner, try Lewes natural runner, £125, Laura Ashley

The owl umbrella stand makes visitors smile.

More makeovers to enjoy... Before and after: from dark, dingy basement to lively living area

The owner has created little cameos on the unit with pictures, accessories and unusual storage.

A collection of dog pictures takes you up 
the stairs.

Get the look
Buy now: Set of four dog portrait prints by Ros Shires, £69, Notonthehigh street.com

Investing in fake flowers means that there’s always a welcoming bunch.

Before and after: from bland and boring to bright and beautiful bedroom

'I am thrilled with the finished space – it’s so refreshing to come home to now,' says the owner. 'I can’t believe it all came together during the last week of the five-week renovation and cost us just £1,500 for the work!’