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Finding a first home isn’t always an easy process, but taking into account a number of factors such as budget, agents and negotiations will help first time homebuyers on their way to purchasing an abode. From deciding on a budget figure, to sorting necessary paperwork and choosing a trusted conveyancer, the experts at JMP Solicitors, have compiled a list of top tips to help get you ready. See: The expert home staging tips that you can do yourself...

Many of us dream of our interiors feeling light and airy; expansive spaces when perhaps our rooms are smaller than we would hope. The default mechanism for correcting this conundrum is often to paint everything white in the hope that it will create space and bounce light. However, white on its own will not make a small room suddenly appear larger. In fact, it can often look boxy and lifeless – so if you are thinking on these lines – think again....

In all likeliness, you had to untangle your string lights, you unearthed a shattered bauble or two and it took you around four days to find the Christmas tree stand. Let’s not have a repeat of that this year, shall we? With a little preparation and a few canny buys, you can make next December’s decorating task a far more relaxed one. We’ve popped our organizational Santa hats on and collated a must-have list of storage buys to help you pack away your Christmas decorations neatly and safely this week....

While fans of the designer have spent years admiring Michael’s luxurious handiwork, his designs have recently gained newfound attention, after he was praised by Michelle Obama in the foreword to his new book, Designing History: The Extraordinary Art & Style of the Obama White House (opens in new tab). See: Interior design tips – decorating secrets for the world’s top experts According to People (opens in new tab), who shared extracts of the former First Lady’s words, Michelle Obama had praised the designer for crafting The White House, so it felt less like an office and more like a home....

The Zojirushi Virtuoso Plus Breadmaker justifies its high price in several ways. First, it boasts 15 different settings, including options for gluten-free, salt-free, sugar-free, and vegan bread. It can even help you make sourdough starter, and there are three “homemade” memory settings that you can program to bake custom loaves. Additionally, this bread maker boasts dual kneading blades that promise more even mixing, and a horizontal baking pan for a classic loaf shape....

Add to that the new adventurousness we’re all showing in not only picking out braver color schemes and layering kitchen floors with rugs, and you can see how this once purely functional space can be quickly overwhelmed with visual clutter. So, while you may have a Pinterest board of kitchen ideas ready to roll out, be aware that not all will work in your space, especially if yours is a small kitchen already....

When it comes to organizing toys and effective toy storage ideas, less is more. Not just for the sake of keeping your home neat and tidy, but also for your child’s play – after all, there’s nothing like clutter to cramp creativity. There’s no such thing as an ‘ideal number’, and we’re certainly not saying get rid of all, or even most. But if it’s an inspirational play space you’re after, decluttering toys is the best place to start....

It is therefore important to choose kitchen ideas that create the harmony between a consistently high-functioning yet welcoming space. Follow these simple guidelines and you can achieve the perfect balance. 1. Consider your family lifestyle and end kitchen user What we love about designing a kitchen is that no two projects are exactly the same. The end user influences the entire kitchen layout and design of a kitchen, as the practicalities and style are chosen based on how they intend on using the space....

Paint has the potential to elevate your entryway paint ideas instantly; but, it has the ability to influence your space negatively too. So how can you avoid a color mistake? These are the five colors you should never paint your entryway, according to those in the know. 5 colors you should never paint your entryway ‘Entryways are extremely tricky to design, despite being one of the smallest rooms in a home....

Usually, these tricks will involve learning how to unclog a toilet. ‘A toilet that won’t flush is actually a really common issue that’s usually easy to repair,’ according to the experts at Homeserve (opens in new tab). ‘Remember that with all home DIY projects, safety is important. If you don’t feel comfortable doing a task, it’s best to leave it to a professional plumber.’ Here are five of the most common reasons why your toilet won’t flush – and how to fix them....

More homeowners are opting for products that promise to reduce impact on the environment, whether that’s cabinets made from responsibly sourced timber; eco paints for surfaces; or energy-efficient appliances. When it comes to kitchen ideas, a timeless design crafted from high-standard materials will stand the test of time. It can be repainted for a smart refresh, or new counters added for an instant revamp. When you do want to replace your existing cabinets with new, there is an option to buying a box-fresh kitchen – buy a pre-loved kitchen that has been carefully sourced to offer impeccable finish and quality....

They gave this historic home an exciting new future by drawing inspiration from its Jacobean and Georgian heritage. They restored and renovated within the constraints of its Grade II * listing, including adding new en-suite bathrooms, new kitchen units, a new driveway, and carefully sanding and polishing original wooden floors. This welcoming mix of warm wood furniture, layers of plush and generous soft furnishings, roaring log fires, and the mouth-watering smells of home-baking form a natural festive backdrop to their Christmas decor ideas....

The Mediterranean-style home was built in the early 2000s, and was ripe for a new look inside and out to create a bright, comfortable and transitional family living space. No area was left untouched, and the stunning results of the redesign put it among the world’s best homes with inspiring spaces and cozy nooks that would translate just as well to any style of home. A look like this doesn’t just happen by chance, however....

See some of the world’s best homes – beautiful properties from around the globe See: our spaces section for more inspiring featured homes The property The owner grew up in the village and would walk past the house on his way to school. ‘I’d always imagined living here, so when it came up for sale in 2016, my wife and I were quick to put in an offer,’ he says. ‘Over the years the house had been added to in a hotchpotch fashion, so everything needed doing, but we felt that we could make it work – with help....

See: our spaces section for more inspiring featured homes See some of the world’s best homes – beautiful properties from around the globe The property ‘When we moved in, we had a bit of an issue with the layout. There was always going to be one room that people would need to walk through so I decided to make this an open-plan kitchen, dining and sitting room. Structurally, we did not knock down many walls but we did convert the garage into a suite of guest rooms, complete with its own boiler, so that we can shut that wing off when no one is staying....

If you’ve asked yourself, ‘what is a rain chain?’, it is likely that you’ve read up on its function – which is to collect rainwater from your roof and gutters – and channel it down into your borders. However, while you may know what a rain chain is and does, its efficiency may feel slightly less explored. In all their beauty, it is hard to believe that a rain chain is as practical as its less aesthetic alternatives – the most prominent being a gutter downspout....

But practicality doesn’t mean boring, since there are so many solutions that combine style with functionality – whether you want a statement pattern to add personality and a burst of color or a more neutral and seamless look that serves as a simple backdrop to a showpiece bathtub or vanity unit. It makes sense to consider all your bathroom ideas, and especially the flooring, as part of a plan at the outset of the project as the best way to create a cohesive scheme – and since bathroom flooring will likely be laid at a relatively early stage, after initial plumbing and any joinery....

Whether you’re exploring kitchen cabinet ideas as part of a complete kitchen remodel or want a refresh, these are the best places to buy kitchen cabinets. Most manufacturers on our list offer the option to have an in-person consultation where you can bring your kitchen plan and work with a professional designer. Several have this service available at major home retailers like The Home Depot. And a few go the extra mile by custom-making every element of your cabinets....

All pansies are part of the viola family and they bear many similarities, although pansy flowers are larger, whereas violas produce smaller but more plentiful blooms. Easily out blooming any other winter flowering bedding plant, winter pansies and violas are a joyous sight in the garden in the coldest and darkest months. It’s easy to learn how to grow pansies, and they offer a vast variety in shades, often bicolored combinations, and patterns across their heart shaped petals, making them a plant lover’s dream and wonderful addition to winter garden ideas as they are among the best winter plants for pots and borders....

Not only are bonsai trees some of the best trees to grow in pots, but due to their miniature proportions, are some of the best trees for small gardens. ‘Looking at bonsai trees gives me peace, as they remind me that there’s always something good to look forward to, even when things seem tough in life,’ says Katrina Jin from House of Bonsai (opens in new tab). ‘Barren winter branches develop into spring flowers, and summer shoots then transition into falling autumn leaves....