Lifestyle

You can’t see it or touch it, you never see it delivered and although it all looks the same, it's a must have. We’re talking about energy.

Bathrooms have come a long way in a short amount of time. From the unheated, outside privy, to an inside bathroom suite in attractive avocado green and now all-singing, all-dancing wet rooms with rain showers and massage jets, ablutions have definitely experienced an upgrade.

The colour experts have spoken and the Dulux Colour of the Year 2025 has been announced. True Joy is what we should be filling our homes with, a warm and sunny yellow with a sumptuous, golden tint.

If you have been getting ready for a property move, you may have followed the time-honoured advice of redecorating so your home is a haven of neutral colours. While this does appeal to the masses, we know some of you are suppressing your desire for dazzling colour and interior interest.

Small can definitely be perfectly formed but in the case of property, potential buyers are often motivated by space. Floor plans can be deceptive so purchasers will instinctively rely on photographs and then a viewing to decide whether the property warrants an offer.

Whether you’re freshening up the interior of your property ahead of a sale, or have just moved into a new home and want to make your mark, paint will probably form the backbone of your decorating.

Wood panelling is the interior design detail that’s here to stay. In fact, it’s a trend that’s never been out of fashion, with the Tudors, Elizabethans, Jacobeans and Victorians all putting their own spin on timber décor.

The kitchen is often described as the heart of the home – especially with our fondness for open plan living – so it makes sense to spend time and money on a room that’s well used.

Pink isn’t going anywhere, with an updated version of the colour recently announced as the Dulux Colour of the Year 2024. Thankfully, Sweet Embrace™ is a very pale, muted pink that does not bring Barbie to mind.

We had to check the date wasn’t 1st April but this autumn, a quite unbelievable collaboration was announced. Paint specialist Lick has teamed up with food manufacturer Heinz to launch a very special product.

Whether you are redecorating your home ahead of a sale or you’ve just moved and have a blank canvas to personalise, there’s a myriad of choices when it comes to colours, accessories, materials and fittings.

While we’ve gone mad for the lush green of house plants, a new interior fashion wants to bring more colour and botanical pattern back into our homes. Bloomcore encourages us to embrace flowers, buds and delicate petals and if you want something longer lasting than a bunch of real blooms, you’re in luck.