Indholdsfortegnelse for May 2025 i Your Home

This issue is bursting with ways to help you switch up your home for the new season! For quick updates, start with Summer ready in a weekend (p28) – these easy projects will brighten your space in a flash. Get ready for outdoor entertaining in Household hints (p11), but first, check out our pick of the best garden maintenance gear (p110). If your plot is overlooked, then discover tips and tricks to make your space feel like a secluded sanctuary (p98) – I love the natural planting solutions. Our real homes and makeovers are also full of inspiration. Matt bought and decorated his noughties build (p84) while waiting to adopt his children – every aspect of the scheme was designed with them in mind. And Catherine renovated her 1870s lodge on…

The kitchen is the hub of thee home, so it's vital that this room is somewhere you love to be – not only because of how it looks, but also how it functions. It is a space that has to work hard several times a day to feed the whole family, so it has to have practical solutions to make this as enjoyable as possible. If you're planning a new kitchen, the layout needs to work for you – maybe you want to implement the working triangle, add smart storage solutions, or create an open-plan design. Follow our guide to find out everything you need to consider when planning your perfect kitchen. GO WITH THE FLOW ‘People often get caught up in the excitement of new cabinets and countertops, but…

Refresh grout If grubby grout is making your tiles look like they've seen better days, reviving it can give them an instant new look. Avoid the hassle of replacing it – instead, try using a steam cleaner to blast away stubborn grime, then smarten it up with a grout pen or special paint (find top tips on p30). Replace textiles Whether you choose to be bold and add a burst of colour, or play it safe with neutral tones, a new set of tea towels can work wonders to help you achieve a low-cost makeover. Finishing touches Even small changes can make a big impact, so consider adding a few carefully chosen accessories. A gallery wall, a new shelf for your recipe books, or even a set of chic storage…

Living in London was no longer practical for Catherine Frost and her husband, Alan. Before getting married, they lived separately in different areas of the city, almost an hour's drive apart. With their wedding on the horizon, it made sense to sell their properties and buy a bigger home together in the Surrey countryside. ‘We wanted to move closer to my family, and to a quieter area with lots of green spaces to enjoy,’ Catherine explains. ‘We looked for nearly a year and, after two failed house sales, we finally found this lodge house. It definitely needed renovation work, but nothing that felt overwhelming for us.’ Built as part of a larger estate in the 1870s, the property is on the former grounds of a nearby mansion house. ‘Although the…

PEBBLE AND DASH Refresh your garden lighting in seconds with these neat pebble lamps from Annabel James. Available in small and large sizes, these solar-powered glass pebbles have no running wires and a concealed solar panel to create both a natural and streamlined look. Simply pop them in bright sunlight during the day, and when the sun sets, they will automatically light up, guiding you on your way. Visit annabeljames.co.uk for more information. Our expert says… ‘A straightforward and cost-effective option for outdoor privacy is a classic fence, available in different styles to suit any garden. Whether existing or new, it can look dull and overshadow a garden scheme, so use paint to add interest and protect it from the elements. Black is a popular backdrop for planting, while neutrals…

Finding frames in junk shops to showcase artworks or photographs is easy – look for wide frames so the focus is on the picture. I found a great photo in a 1960s fashion magazine and loved the model in the simple flower design dress. I slightly enlarged the design and painted it over the frame. You can also paint old frames with geometric or abstract patterns to suit your decor. SHOPPING LIST ✔ Magazine page ✔ scissors ✔ old picture frame ✔ chalk paint in Old Ochre, Capability Green, Giverny and Tilton, all Annie Sloan ✔ chalk paint brush ✔ detail brush set ✔ MixMat or paint palette ✔ clear chalk paint wax ✔ chalk paint wax brush 1 Cut out your magazine image and plan out your frame design…

STEP INSIDE… WHO LIVES HERE? I'm Eloise Macgarvey, 52, a physiotherapist, and I live with my husband, Ted, 50, a carpenter, and our rescue dog, Audrey. Our house is a detached 1950s property in a village near Ilminster, Somerset. WHAT HAS BEEN CHANGED? We've transformed a rough patch of ground into a rustic patio and separate dining area with a hand-built oak pergola and plenty of careful planting. WHY THE CHANGE? After we had the house extended, the space outside had been ruined by the builders and we wanted to create our longed-for slice of the Mediterranean to replace the bare scrub. HOW LONG DID IT TAKE? To get the garden looking like this it took three years in total. TOTAL COST £3,376 Moving from London to the Somerset area…

Mural for mum During the summer university break, I asked my daughter, who is a third-year illustration student (@g_bell_illustration on Instagram), to design a mural for my downstairs loo. I love botanical and jungle wallpapers, so she took this as a design brief and developed it into this final result. I particularly like the cheeky parrot above the light switch! It's added some happiness into what was a small, dull room. I love it, and all who have visited have commented on how cheerful it is! Lucy Bell, Lincolnshire Tricia, creative design lead, says: You must be so proud of your daughter, Lucy! This is a beautiful mural – she's obviously very talented! Star letter Beautifully bespoke I made my own custom-sized footstool from MDF and foam and finished it…

Your May to-dos Check your outdoor lighting to make sure it's working properly. Clean light fixtures, replace any broken bulbs, and add some solar lights to make the most of the longer days Put away heavier winter coats in storage bags to make extra space on the coat rack and create a more welcoming hallway Freshen up your duvets by airing them near an open window or outside on an airer. This can help remove moisture and reduce built-up bacteria Spruce up your downstairs loo by giving the toilet and sink a deep clean, adding some fresh towels and nice hand soap, ready for those incoming summer guests Get your outdoor furniture ready for summer by cleaning it thoroughly and checking for any damage. If necessary, apply a fresh coat…

IKEA has spent 80 years creating stylish, affordable and functional designs, with endless customisation options – just look at the hacks and upcycles on social media! Today, it's more than a furniture store – it's a lifestyle brand, with thousands of products ranging from kitchenware and textiles to lighting and storage solutions. You probably have favourites of your own, but what about well-known interior designers, stylists and industry pros? Here, we've got the lowdown on the IKEA pieces the experts love best, plus how they style these pieces at home, so you can track down these fabulous finds on your next IKEA visit! 1 Annie Sloan, paint expert Perjohan stool, £25 ‘I like some of the simple stools. The Perjohan is a favourite as it acts as either a seat, side…

To paraphrase Jane Austen herself, it is a truth universally acknowledged that a person in possession of a good home must be in want of a beautiful decorating scheme. But even without generous Georgian proportions and period details, all homes can benefit from a sense of the understated elegance of Jane Austen's time. Soothing colours are the order of the day – think soft, sage greens and warm greys – with a mix of traditional chintz and striped patterns on chairs, cushions and bedspreads. Accessories should be plain with a touch of elegance. Look out for ribbed details, you can use these as a nod to the Regency passion for Ancient Greek designs. £5 AND UNDER Get the look for less with these quick updates…

EDiTOR'S CHOiCE…

‘When designing a kitchen, functionality should always take precedence. The layout needs to be intuitive and easy to navigate, whether you're cooking a quick meal, cleaning up, or enjoying dinner with family. The importance of the kitchen triangle ‘One of the most tried-andtrue principles of kitchen design is the ‘kitchen triangle’ – a concept that positions the sink, refrigerator and cooker at three points of a triangle. This layout ensures that you're never far from the key areas in the kitchen, allowing for seamless transitions when preparing meals. As you move between these points during cooking, a clear and direct path between them is essential. This design minimises unnecessary steps, making the kitchen more efficient and enjoyable to work in. But don't forget to consider how this triangle impacts the…

When we talk about feel-good bathrooms, we usually think about serene, spa-like spaces, but what if the best way to get that boost is actually the opposite? Anything but subtle, the primary play trend is an expressive, joyful way of decorating, while the laidback maritime fisherman aesthetic that's currently making waves in fashion will soon catch on in interiors too. Why not consider a blend of the two? Nautical does lend itself perfectly to bathrooms, and you can give it a playful makeover to bring it up to date! It seems there's already a host of people who don't want to miss the boat – according to Pinterest, primary play is big news for 2025. So, let's dive in – adulting is officially overrated! TOP TIP ‘Pick colours in the…

SHOPPING LIST ● Old wooden cabinet with doors ● tape measure ● pencil ● combi drill ● jigsaw ● orbital sander ● damp cloth ● clear matt varnish ● paintbrush ● sharp scissors or craft knife ● natural rattan webbing ● staple gun ● staples HOW TO… 1 Carefully unscrew the doors from the cabinet, remove the knobs and place the screws and knobs in a safe place so you don't lose them. Use a tape measure to mark a 4cm-wide frame around the outer edge of the cabinet door in pencil. Drill a pilot hole at each corner, then use a jigsaw to cut out the centre of the door. Sand the cut edges smooth. Repeat for the second door. 2 Use an orbital sander to sand the surface…

SHOPPING LIST ● Framed cork pinboard ● emulsion paint ● paintbrush ● tape measure ● 1m fabric – ideally loose-weave linen ● pencil ● dressmaker's scissors ● staple gun ● staples HOW TO… 1 Remove the cork pinboard from its frame. Paint the frame in two coats of your chosen colour of emulsion, allowing it to dry thoroughly between coats. 2 Measure the width and height of your pinboard with a tape measure. 3 Measure your fabric by adding 25cm to both your pinboard's length and width measurements. The extra fabric allows for 12.5cm of excess fabric per side, which should be more than enough to work with when it comes to pulling the fabric around the edges of the pinboard. Ideally, use a loose-weave linen for this project as…

SHOPPING LIST ● Polyester wadding ● 20cm-high papier mâché letter ● spray adhesive ● lightweight cotton fabric ● scissors ● iron ● hot glue gun and glue sticks ● fabric glue ● A4 sheet of card HOW TO… 1 Cut wadding strips to the size of the papier mâché letter. Use spray glue to adhere the wadding to the front of the shape. 2 Cut a rectangular piece of fabric that measures approximately 8cm larger than the letter. If your fabric has any cute animals or pretty flowers on it, make sure you cut the fabric so that these are visible from the front. Iron out any creases. 3 Place the letter facing down onto the wrong side of the fabric. Fold the fabric around the straight sides of the…

Our homes are our sanctuaries – spaces where we can relax and unwind, away from prying eyes. So, if your property is overlooked or open to unwanted attention, whether indoors or out, we've got all the practical solutions you need to create or enhance privacy. From fencing options and natural planting ideas in the garden, to choosing the right window dressings and careful positioning of your furniture, here are nine steps to achieving the ultimate retreat. 1 Apply window film If any of your windows face out onto a busy street, are overlooked by other properties, or you simply want extra privacy for the bathroom, try updating the glass with a sheet of window film. It comes in a wide range of designs including frosted, patterned and reeded, helping to add…

SPACE TO GROW This exciting new Greenhouse collection is a must for anyone who wants to boost their garden's growing potential. Perfect for propagating seeds and protecting young plants, they'll help you achieve healthy growth and thriving yields this year. Choose from six different styles, priced from £27.99 to £64.99: there are 3-tier, 4-tier, extra-wide 4-tier and 5-tier designs, as well as a larger walk-in greenhouse, and one designed especially for growing tomatoes. Each one is easy to build, with a robust steel frame, lightweight shelves, and a cover to keep your plants warm while sheltering them from the elements. Find out more at townandco.com.…

Loaded barbecue peppers with burrata YOU WILL NEED ✔ 1 x 130g pack Asda garlic and herb ciabatta breadsticks, quartered ✔ 4 small red and yellow peppers, halved and deseeded ✔ 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil ✔ 2 x 120g Asda burrata cheese, drained ✔ ½ x 25g pack fresh flat-leaf parsley, leaves picked and roughly chopped For the dressing ✔ 2 tbsp red wine vinegar ✔ 1 garlic clove, crushed DIRECTIONS ■ Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas mark 6. Whizz the breadsticks in a food processor until you get large coarse pieces. Scatter onto a baking tray and bake in the oven for 8-10 minutes until golden and crispy. Set aside. ■ Brush the cut side of the peppers with 1 tbsp oil. Heat the barbecue until…

TOP TIP Mix the fruit, herbs and wine and chill for a few hours before adding the cordial and sparkling water. This allows the flavours to infuse into the wine, creating a more flavourful drink How to make ■ PREPARATION TIME 10 minutes ■ SERVES 6 You will need ✔ 1 large peach ✔ 200g strawberries ✔ 1 Granny Smith apple ✔ 5g fresh mint leaves ✔ 250g ice cubes ✔ 750ml bottle Viña del Cura Rioja Blanco ✔ 100ml elderflower cordial ✔ 100-300ml sparkling water, to taste DIRECTIONS ■ Stone the peach and cut into 8 wedges; hull and quarter the strawberries; core and thinly slice the apple. ■ Add the peach, strawberries and apple to a 2L jug, then follow with the mint leaves and ice cubes. ■…

HOW TO… add shelter and shade to an outdoor space From gazebos to parasols, there are loads of ways to create a covered area in your garden, keeping you dry from the rain and cool under the sun, so you can enjoy your space no matter the weather! • A retractable wall-mounted awning is ideal if your garden is on the smaller side, or if you don't want your shelter up all the time, plus you can adjust the canopy to get the right level of shade from UV rays, or protection from light rain. Prices start at around £100 – see B&M and Amazon for some of the most affordable options – or spend a little more on a chic striped design or a funky colour to really elevate…

TRENDING TONES For the first time in three years, Crown Paints is expanding its popular walls & ceilings paint range. The 12 new shades in the extension have been created with easy palettebuilding in mind, says Kathryn Lloyd, Crown colour specialist: ‘We've designed the new colour pairings to give people more confidence to use colour in their homes.’ As such, the collection is split into trending colours and tonal ones – for a bold statement pick from the trending pot, like Bright Bluejay (think Amalfi blue), while the more neutral tonal hues will bring a timeless appeal. See the range and the curated pairings at crownpaints.com.…

STEP INSIDE… WHO LIVES HERE? I'm Sharon Moore, 65, a property renovator. My home is a 1930s semi-detached three-bedroom house in York, which I bought in March 2022. WHAT WAS UPDATED? A wall was knocked down to incorporate the separate toilet, and the room was given a complete makeover with bold wallpaper, painted furniture and panelling. WHY THE CHANGE? Having two small rooms wasn't practical, especially as I often have my grandchildren to stay who love playing in the bath. One large room allowed the luxury of an opulent bath and walk-in shower. HOW LONG DID IT TAKE? The house reno took eight months and the bathroom was done in stages during that time. TOTAL COST £5,391 As a serial renovator, Sharon Moore wasn't daunted by the massive project she…

SLEEK & CHIC Add some luxury to your washspace with Flair Showers’ latest collection of shower doors and enclosures. The Verve PRO 8 range offers shower solutions – including sliding and pivot doors; inline and frameless side panels; and one door quadrants and offset quadrants – in Matte Black, Brushed Brass or Silver. With so much choice, there's a luxe-look option whatever your budget. Plus, the Verve PRO 8 collection comes with a 20-year guarantee for added peace of mind. Prices start from £717.60 for an 800mm pivot door in Silver, pictured here. See the whole range at flairshowers.co.uk.…

I hate my kitchen worktops – are there any quick fixes that won't cost a fortune? Looeeze Grossman, founder and CEO of The Used Kitchen Company, has been a pioneer in the concept of kitchen recycling since the company's inception in 2005. She suggests… ‘If your kitchen is in overall good condition, but your worktops have seen better days, or you fancy an upgrade, replacing them can be a great way to freshen up your space. The benefits are that materials have moved on considerably in the past five years, with new finishes and more durable worktops now available, which last far longer than before. Options such as Corian are typically very durable, but do tend to be quite expensive. If you don't have the budget for a new worktop,…

Experiment with colour ‘The bathroom is a great space to experiment, allowing you to explore colours you might not typically use. A mural is a brilliant way to add a pop of colour to the space, letting your personality shine through without overwhelming the entire scheme. As bathrooms are often quite small rooms, using bold colours can actually help to create a sense of spaciousness’ Choose the right paint ‘The most important tip for decorating your bathroom is to use an eggshell paint finish – it's hardwearing and can withstand the damp bathroom environment’ Prep properly ‘Start by thoroughly cleaning the walls with sugar soap. Rinse well and allow to dry overnight. Masking tape is essential – apply it around any sanitaryware adjoining the walls you're planning to paint. Remove…

GIVE IT AN EDGE Pastels are often associated with children's clothes, but these finds all have a grown-up edge. Pair pieces with materials like wood or metal for a refined look…

ACT NATURAL Elevate a green scheme by layering natural materials like wood, rattan and stone. This will create a tactile effect that will contribute to an organic look…

1 PLEACHED TREES BEST FOR… adding height Pleached trees are a perfect way of introducing height and screening into your garden, without compromising on space. They are trained on a cane frame, offering formal structure, and can be easily maintained. Pleached trees are available in many varieties, such as eucalyptus, with the choice of deciduous or evergreen, and are usually planted in multiples to give an instant boundary screen. 2 CLEMATIS MONTANA BEST FOR… soft screening This is a vigorous climber that produces an abundance of flowers in late spring. It will happily climb up a trellis or over a shed to provide softening to those areas you might want to hide. Although deciduous, its structure can create year-round screening even when not in leaf. 3 STAR JASMINE BEST FOR……

With the weather finally warming up, now is the time to start getting your garden ready for the season ahead, whether you enjoy family barbecues, gatherings with friends or simply relaxing with a good book. Shabby sheds, unloved fences, and grubby decking can easily make a space look untidy, and you'll be amazed at the difference that even a few hours can make. We've chosen some of our favourite products for garden maintenance, including outdoor paints, decking protectors and pressure washers, to help you get your space looking its best. How to keep your patio or decking clean and safe Dirt, debris and algae can soon build up, making these areas look untidy and causing a slip hazard in wet weather. Follow these top tips to keep yours in tip-top…

TIME TO WINE DOWN Sit back and enjoy the longer days with a glass of beautiful South African wine from Mount Rozier. Its special Reserve range of wines has just launched exclusively in Sainsbury's, so whether you prefer a crisp, dry white like this Chardonnay or a smooth, flavoursome red, there's something for every palette. They're available from just £7.50 per bottle, so why not grab a selection, invite a few friends over and enjoy a glass in the sunshine. See the whole Reserve range at sainsburys.co.uk.…

TOP TIP A simple twist on jelly, with fruit and yoghurt or milk, makes for a delicious and more nutritious children's or snack Strawberry yoghurt jelly pots ■ PREPARATION TIME 10 minutes, plus setting ■ MAKES 4 You will need ✔ 11.5g pack strawberry or raspberry sugar-free jelly (ensure vegetarian, if needed) ✔ 200g strawberries, hulled and roughly chopped ✔ 100g natural yoghurt or milk ✔ handful of blueberries or raspberries Directions ■ Dissolve the jelly crystals in 285ml boiling water, stirring until completely dissolved. Leave to cool for 15 minutes. ■ Blitz the strawberries to a purée in a blender, or mash by hand. Mix with the yoghurt and stir into the cooled jelly. ■ Pour into small, lidded pots or jelly moulds. Drop a few berries into each…

A Agriframes agriframes.co.uk Amazon amazon.co.uk Anna Cox Home annacoxcushions.com Annie Sloan anniesloan.com Anthropologie anthropologie.com B B&M bmstores.co.uk B&Q 0333 014 3357 diy.com Barker and Stonehouse barkerandstonehouse.co.uk Bathquest bathquest.co.uk Beach House Art beachhouseart.co.uk Bed Kingdom bedkingdom.co.uk Benisouk benisouk.com Best4Flooring best4flooring.co.uk Big Bathroom Shop bigbathroomshop.co.uk Blackstone Kitchens blackstonekitchens.co.uk Blinds 2go blinds-2go.co.uk BLT Direct bltdirect.com Bobbi Beck bobbibeck.com Bosch bosch-diy.com/gb/en Britannia Rose britanniarose.com Build & Plumb buildandplumb.co.uk Bronte By Moon brontebymoon.com C Ca’ Pietra capietra.com Carpet Warehouse carpetwarehouse.co.uk Charles Bentley charlesbentley.com Checkatrade checkatrade.com COAT coatpaints.com The Cotswold Company 0333 2001725 cotswoldco.com Craig & Rose craigandrose.com Crocus crocus.co.uk Crown Paints crownpaints.co.uk Cuprinol cuprinol.co.uk Currys currys.co.uk D daals daals.co.uk där lighting darlighting.co.uk Debenhams debenhams.com Decor Supplies decorsupplies.co.uk Desenio desenio.co.uk DFS 0800 110 5000 dfs.co.uk Dibor dibor.co.uk Dobbies dobbies.com Dulux dulux.co.uk Dulux Heritage duluxheritage.co.uk Dunelm dunelm.com DUSK dusk.com…