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See: more inspiring house tours in our Spaces section See some of the world’s best homes – beautiful properties from around the globe The property The main challenge that Mike and interior designer Fleur Liversidge faced was the positioning of the principal rooms - whether they should be at the front of the house, which faces north or at the rear. In the end, they decided to orientate the main rooms to the beautiful street at the front....

Unlike other bedroom ideas and guest bedroom ideas, attic bedrooms have unique requirements. Sloping ceilings, unusual floor plans and the need for additional storage all need to factor into the design. ‘When working with an attic space you often have to contend with challenging architecture like slanted or low ceilings,’ says Kim Meardon, designer at M + M Interior Design (opens in new tab). ‘Lean into those details and accentuate them with paneling and beams....

As well as being decorative, wall tiles are a great bathroom idea for zoning different areas and, where attention is given to scale and shape, bathroom tiles can be clever devices for creating the illusion of space in small bathrooms. To help get you inspired we’ve rounded up a selection of ideas along with tips from the experts. Available in an infinite array of materials, colors and shapes, wall tiles offer scope to create myriad looks....

Historically constructed from timber, ceiling beams have been used for centuries in building design to support the weight of floors and roofs. Over time, these functional features have developed not only in their engineering, but in their style, impact and aesthetic for ceiling ideas in the home. Whether you want to celebrate the history and natural beauty of original wooden beams for wood ceiling ideas, or uplift them with colorful paint, our beamed ceiling ideas explore a range of creative options for interiors both classic and contemporary....

Unless an exceptionally-avid reader, your bedroom isn’t likely to need as much space for books as other areas of the home, such as a living room or library area, so bookshelf ideas don’t need to be too extensive. But lack of space can be a problem in many bedrooms, so space-saving bedroom bookshelf ideas that are neat and discreet is key. Bedroom bookshelf ideas The first point to think about with book storage ideas is to assess what space is available and the volume of books that you’re likely to need to cater for....

The key to a well lit bedroom is to introduce multiple layers that integrate both ambient, decorative and task lighting seamlessly. Never underestimate the quality of good lighting – it is just as important to your wellbeing and preservation of eyesight, as it is to aesthetics. ‘Layering your lighting is the key to creating the perfect balance of warmth, coziness and function in your home,’ says Rohan Blacker, founder, Pooky....

Although gardening does requires a degree of patience, there are ways we can speed things up a little – one of which is by choosing the right plants. You might also be keen for evergreen shrubs and plants to establish quickly for reasons of privacy or shade. Offering a range of leaf and flower form and color, and interest at different times of the year, these best fast growing shrubs can suit a variety of spaces as part of your garden ideas....

A black decorating scheme is a brave choice, as it requires careful editing and a strong design eye. Darker living room paint ideas can also appear ‘flat’ if you don’t introduce texture and subtle tonal variety. But put together carefully, black schemes are a great way to add drama and style. Black living room ideas Whether you’re keen to make a stylish statement or you simply want to add a touch of drama to enhance your space, we’ve gathered the best black living room ideas for you....

After all, tumble drying can ensure the duvet is completely dry, which will avoid the issues with mold and mildew that could occur if it remains damp. Drying it this way will also ensure its filling is lofty and evenly distributed so you’ll stay snug underneath the duvet when it’s back on the bed. The good news is that you can plan your laundry room ideas to make space to tumble dry a duvet....

With the help of H&G favorite interior designer Jake Arnold, the model and Grammy Award-winning singer have an enviable collection of beautifully curated rooms – so it’s no surprise that the holidays have offered the pair a quirky canvas for creativity. Chrissy and John are pictured next to the striking pampas structure that towers above other Christmas trees that are covered in faux snow – but as aesthetic as these are – the pampas is the real statement piece....

Well-designed cloakroom or powder room ideas will not only add value to your home, it could also be particularly handy when you’re entertaining. Or when children are playing out in the garden and you don’t want them rushing up and down stairs. Cloakroom ideas These clever bathroom ideas for your downstairs WC will help you revamp an existing cloakroom or make the most of unused space with an additional loo....

Below, our expert tricks and tips take you through the basics of decorating with primary colors – all illustrated by beautiful room shots from a recent Homes & Gardens photo shot. You really are most welcome. See: Interior design tips – decorating secrets for the world’s top experts 1. What are primary colors? The primary colors are red, yellow and blue. These colors are called primary colors because they cannot be created by combining any other colors....

Launched in the UK in 2009, her products have been stocked at Selfridges, Liberty and Fenwick and are now sold internationally through boutique stores in countries including Australia, France, South Africa, USA and Hong Kong. She describes her signature interior design look as ‘African, specifically west African: a look of luxury modernism with a high dosage of color’ and she references the way in which being born and raised in Germany and finding joy in her Nigerian heritage has inspired her to fuse those cultural influences and create the sort of uplifting products she wanted but was unable to source for her own home....

Whether your farmhouse shower room is a separate space, a standalone cubicle, or above the bath, key decorative choices in fixtures, wall surfaces, flooring and accessories will help to introduce the minimal but natural bathroom ideas that suit this look. Farmhouse shower ideas Complement existing farmhouse bathroom ideas, or use the relatively small space of a shower room to explore this rustic-luxe aesthetic for the first time. A combination of wood, aged metalwork, sleek tile and restrained color are elemental factors in farmhouse shower design....

Houseplants have a powerful ability to not only improve aesthetics but also nourish personal energy. These natural decor pieces strengthen the energy of the wood element which brings energy for growth and action to a space. As we continue our obsession with house plants even as the world reopens, a Feng Shui expert offers their advice as to the best and worst plants you can bring into your home. The ‘bad’ Feng Shui plants to avoid The placement of Feng Shui plants can have an enormous impact on the flow and energy of your home....

Garden edging is often used to define a space – so as long as it separates two distinct areas – it can just about be anything you like. Popular choices include stone, brick and concrete, while more creative options range from logs and shells to recycled roof tiles and coated-wire. Not only do they add charm and character to your garden landscaping, they’re extremely practical too, separating weeds from flower beds and mulch from lawns....

Whether a touch of emerald will bring you joy or mint is more your thing, we’ve compiled an inspirational collection of green living rooms. With green available in a whole host of shades, it’s easy to find decor and living room ideas that will suit your ideas for decorating with green, and give your scheme a seasonal lift, whether it’s a large-scale makeover for the living room or simple styling project....

Living room ideas that include a grey sofa can either provide a visual oasis of calm among a colorful scheme, or provide a steady foundation on which to build a deftly layered neutral composition. ‘Grey is an incredibly versatile color, forming an ideal base from which to expand your palette,’ says Kelly Collins, Head of Creative at Swyft (opens in new tab). ‘It might seem like an uninspiring choice, but the truth is it’s anything but....

The owners use it as a second home, to be near to their grown-up children, and called on the services of design duo Vernon Applegate & Gioi Tran of Applegate Tran Interiors (opens in new tab) to help them make the most of the new space. The owners wanted to combine the laid-back sensibility of California design (open spaces, light filled, casual but elegant) married with some of the classic elements of the Boston and New England aesthetic....

But if you haven’t commissioned one before, hiring an architect can be a daunting prospect. We’ve outlined the main considerations when deciding how to commission an architect, along with some insider tips from a panel of industry experts, to give you a helping hand. See more: House Design – find out more and be inspired by beautiful projects Hiring an architect: how do I find the right architect for my project?...