Indholdsfortegnelse for May 2022 i HomeStyle

With warmer, lighter days ahead and a smattering of bank holidays on the horizon, there’s no better time than now to give your rooms a refresh. In this month’s issue you’ll find plenty of decorating trends to inspire you. We’ve got a host of ideas on page 73 to give your walls the ’wow’ factor, whether it’s with texture, paint or a breathtaking mural. While over on page 61, our decorator’s moodboards take their inspiration from classic looks from the past, reinventing them for today’s interiors. If you’ve been hankering after a designer-look kitchen but you’re watching the pennies, then you’ll love this month’s ‘luxe for less’ feature on page 80, where you can discover how to create a timeless Shaker scheme or an edgy industrial look on a budget.…

A BIT ABOUT ME I’m Atia Azmi, 38, a GP and craft and lifestyle blogger. I live with my husband, Matiur, 45, a commercial manager, and our children, Suhayb, 13, Noura, nine and Idris, six, and our cat, Leyla. You can see more of my home style at @thebrightbloomshome. WHERE I LIVE Our home is a four-bedroom, semi-detached Edwardian house in Beckenham, Greater London. We moved here in 2016. WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE The house was in quite a poor state, with peeling wallpaper and bad paintwork. All of the rooms desperately needed redecorating. HOW I MADE IT WORK We gave every room a makeover and had a new bathroom fitted upstairs. We also converted part of the master bedroom into a small fourth bedroom, to give us the…

You will need • Plywood sheet & pieces • Pencil • Ruler • Drill & 8mm wood bit • Sandpaper • Masking tape • Paint • Dowel rod • Rotary tool • Saw • Hammer • Wood glue 1 Measure and mark 36 equally-spaced points on the plywood sheet. Then, using a 8mm drill bit, drill holes through the wood at each point. Smooth rough edges with sandpaper. 2 Mask off the board diagonally with tape and apply paint to one half. 3 To make the pegs, cut the dowel rod into 10cm pieces with a saw and sand any rough edges. Bang the pegs into the holes on the board with a hammer. 4 For the shelves, first rest a rectangular plywood piece on top…

A warm and welcoming vibe is at the heart of the look. With that in mind, texture is key so think thick-weave throws and heavily textured cushions. The colour scheme is calm and muted, taking inspiration from the light, natural look of Scandinavian homes, and the warm, darker browns of Japanese interiors. Natural light is encouraged to stream through simple blinds rather than fussy curtains, and floorboards covered with natural rugs are preferred over carpet. Japandi leans towards fresh blooms and living plants, rather than fake foliage. Embrace its minimal look, and choose simple stems or living branches, like Isatu’s magnolia shoots. Emphasis on sustainability, with a nod to natural wood, vintage furniture and handcrafted ceramics, is an important part of the concept. Go for pared-back, sleek accessories and streamlined…

First, consider the style you’re going for. Do you prefer a rustic, farmhouse look with painted tongue-and-groove panelling, a more minimalist Scandi vibe with vertical wood slats, or perhaps a modern industrial style complete with faux leather upholstery? If you need to incorporate storage there are several options, from flip-top benches to sliding doors or straightforward cupboard doors underneath. If you don’t have much tall storage in your kitchen, this space can be invaluable for hiding away a brush, mop and bucket, vacuum cleaner or ironing board horizontally. Most joiners will be able to create made-to-measure bench seating to your exact specifications. This can include upholstered seating and backing. Alternatively, you could ask them to make the wooden base, and then create your own seat pads using just foam, fabric…

PRETTY SCANDI We wanted to create a casual but practical dining corner in our kitchen. We decided on bench-style seating with built-in storage and a bespoke mirror, all of which was created by my amazing handy dad! I love a shelf or two to faff over and style up with my ever-growing collection of accessories. I‘d describe my style as a mix of Scandi with some traditional features. I love a pastel palette and it’s fair to say I am pretty obsessed with sage green and any shade of pink! @nicolajaneloveshome WIN A PRIZE! Congratulations to everyone who featured in this month’s #myHShome – you’ve won a bundle of cotton wraps, bags and a roll, worth £50, from waxwrap.uk! Use our hashtag on Instagram to show us your fave room…

Mix and match Fallen in love with a wallpaper that’s just too pricey for your budget? It’s easily done! But there is a neat decorating trick that allows you to use the paper you love without breaking the bank. Cover the lower portion of your walls with the paper, then paint the top section with a matching colour. Paint a length of wooden moulding to neaten up the join. Into the woods ‘Using botanical wallpaper will ease your mind. During lockdowns the desire to be in nature grew stronger and this was reflected in interior designs. A green and lush wallpaper provides energy and at the same time has a calming and healing power. It looks incredibly beautiful to combine the natural green with dull mid-tones, such as sand and…

S T Y L E INSPIRATION Classic Shaker style The simple lines and pared-back style of Shaker kitchens has made this a timeless classic that can be styled to suit a myriad of looks. Opt for pale neutral cabinetry and offset this with warm wood tones. If space allows, opt for a versatile island unit, which can be home to your sink or hob and offer both storage and display space for your favourite accessories. Woven baskets are a versatile option to keep your bits and bobs tucked stylishly out of sight and add to the country charm of this look. Stone-effect floor tiles add to the rustic feel, although aged floorboards or slate flags would work equally as well. Complete the scheme with some vintage kitchenalia, such as enamel…

• Raid your cupboards for out-of-date food and clean the insides while they are empty. Sort out pots and pans, and storage containers. If there are missing lids, recyle or repurpose them for DIY jobs. • Use bicarbonate of soda to clean your oven. Make a paste with 1 cup of bicarb and enough water so that it’s spreadable. Remove the shelves and spread the paste all over the inside, avoiding any heating elements. The paste can also be used on stainless steel shelves, but not aluminium. Leave overnight then remove with a plastic scraper. Fill a spray bottle with equal parts water and white vinegar. Spray and wipe clean. • Steam clean the microwave by squeezing the juice of 1 lemon into hot water in a microwave-safe bowl. Throw…

‘Black accents and pops of pastels add charm to pared-back style’…

DISGUISE YOUR TECH TVs can be the bane of an interiors lover’s life. How can you make those black rectangles fit in with your beautiful space? One option to consider is the Samsung Frame TV that allows artwork to be showcased. However, Sisi has an easier, cheaper solution that’s just as effective. She simply finds a beautiful, abstract image from YouTube that ties in with her art prints behind and plays that on the screen. GLOW UP YOUR FURNITURE Sisi bought these shelves from IKEA as a storage and styling device. When she bought them, they were black, which didn’t suit the colour balance in her home, so she gave them a cheap and easy update by spraying them gold. ‘I love the sophisticated edge gold adds to my room,’…

Natural treasures Nothing brightens up a space as much as nature, so bring in oversized houseplants and a mix of dried and fresh flowers for a quick and easy way to refresh your room. Colour therapy Think about how you want to feel as well as how the space is going to look. If you want to be comforted and calmed, go for pink; orange will make you feel energised and excited, while yellow boosts feelings of happiness and positivity. It’s the little things The simple additions in life can bring us so much joy. Display everyday items that are special to you and inject a burst of colour with books, candles and souvenirs. It’s a cheap and easy way to cheer up a room.…

• Stratford Classic Hexagon floor tiles in White, Black and Red, £169.42 per sq m, Original Style • White marble-effect shower wall tiles, £33 per sq m, Wall and Floor Tiles Ltd • Carlton high-level traditional toilet, £329.95; Chatsworth thermostatic shower, £319.95; for a similar shower tray, try the Ideal Standard Silk Black Ultraflat rectangular shower tray, £294.94; for a similar basin mixer tap, try the Trafalgar Traditional Mono basin mixer tap, £129.95; Bristan 1901 Globe bath taps, £210.52, all Victorian Plumbing • RAK Laboratory ceramic sink, £178.08, Taps Empire • Vanity marble top, £120, Brian Morris Marbleworks • For a similar bath, try the Royce Morgan Chatsworth 1530 free-standing bath, £663.30, Showers to You • For a similar wall light, try the Ripon bathroom wall light, £38, Dunelm •…

Industrial style is still a huge trend and this magazine rack taps into the look perfectly. It’s also the ideal way to use up leftover lengths of piping and fabric remnants from other DIY projects. YOU WILL NEED Wednesbury copper compression pipe: 3m (length) x 5mm (diameter), £10.21, B&Q Tape measure Sharpie pen Monument AC4P automatic and manual 15mm tube cutter, £10, B&Q 8 x Plumbsure push-fit 90° pipe elbow, 15mm (diameter), £10.98 for a pack of 5, B&Q Black all-surface spray paint 0.5m Tacit fabric in Graphite, £44.95 per m, Annie Sloan Sewing machine Pins Scissors Matching thread 1 Using a tape measure and a Sharpie pen, measure and mark the copper pipes ready for cutting. You will need 6 x 40cm lengths and 2 x 30cm lengths of…

Ready to refresh It’s finally time to brush off winter’s cobwebs and get outdoor spaces spruced up! If your patio or balcony is in need of a pick-me-up for spring and summer, how about adding a stylish, statement rug? Rugs Direct has a range of durable and easy-to-clean rugs that can be used both indoors and out. We love this geo print, from £79.99, rugsdirect.co.uk. Rattan refresh To clean garden furniture, brush away dust then scrub with a toothbrush and warm soapy water to remove dirt and grime. Bottle’s best friend It can be hard to give reusable bottles a deep clean with traditional washing-up sponges and brushes. This is where the cotton-tip bottle brush, from ProCook, steps in. Made with a bamboo handle and soft, anti-scratch tip, it keeps…

Kale, JAZZ apple & cashew cheese salad Prep time 30 minutes plus extra time to make the cheese Serves 4 INGREDIENTS • 1 JAZZ apple • 250g bag of de-stemmed kale, roughly chopped • 60ml of cooked buckwheat (you can also use quinoa) • 1 pomegranate • 1 courgette cut into slices • A handful of walnuts For the cashew cheese • 300g bag of dried cashews • 60ml of water • 2 tbsp of nutritional yeast • 1 teaspoon of miso paste • 2 tbsp of lemon juice • Powder from 2 capsules of probiotics • 1 tsp of onion powder • 1 tsp of salt • 1 tbsp of freshly chopped dill For the dressing • 2 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil • 1 tsp of balsamic…

This big cat’s bold stripes add instant drama According to the Chinese zodiac, 2022 is the Year of the Tiger. The Chinese believe the tiger personality to be lively, free and independent so give your home interiors a touch of these feral traits with tiger-themed pieces. They’re perfect for adding a rock’n’roll edge to maximalist schemes, or just a pop of playfulness to more minimalist looks.…

WEEKEND PROJECT Sitting pretty May is the perfect time to spruce up outdoor furniture and wooden planters to give you a bright new look for summer. To perfectly prep your piece, remove any loose pieces of paint, then give it a sand and a clean. For a smooth finish, paint the fiddly corners before moving on to the larger areas, using long brush strokes. Valspar’s range of fade-resistant garden paint is available in 200 stunning shades. So, you can keep your garden fresh with bright colour all year around. HELPING HAND Get together Celebrate your friendships, and make some new ones, this month. The 9th to the 15th of May is Mental Health Awareness Week. This year the theme is ‘loneliness’, a problem more people are struggling with following the…

Conservatories are renowned for being too hot in the summer, which can often mean they’re not used as much as you’d like. If you find yours is stifling in the sun, consider additional ventilation, from opening vents, doors or windows to help cool it down. Alternatively, blinds will offer some shade and reduce heat and glare, as well as protect your furnishings from fading in the sunlight. An insulated roof will help keep the heat in when it’s cold and reflect it when it’s hot outside, helping your conservatory to stay toasty in the winter and cool in the warmer months. Polycarbonate roofs are a cheaper option, but a double-glazed glass roof could be a more cost-effective, energy-efficient option in the long run. You could also install blinds that have…

Most of the ground floor is white, so instead of choosing expensive paints with interesting names, I buy large tubs of good-quality trade paint, which saves me an absolute fortune. Glass isn’t always the most practical material in a kitchen. I love the sleek look it has, but our hob, splashback and breakfast bar, all made of glass, show up stains very easily and need constant maintenance to keep them looking nice and clean. If you take your time, you’re much more likely to create a home that better reflects your personality and that you’ll enjoy more, as your decisions will be more mindful and considered. See yourhomestyle.uk for more great real homes…

A BIT ABOUT ME I’m Emily Smith, 26, an NHS medical imaging physicist. I live with my husband, Jake, 25, who’s head of tech for an advertising and media company. I share our renovation story on Instagram @coloursofnumberone. WHERE I LIVE Our home is a three-bed new-build semi in Nottingham. We moved here in November 2020. WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE I wanted to add as much colour and personality as possible to what started off as a very plain white box. HOW I MADE IT MY OWN We’ve put up fun, colourful art prints, painted feature walls and fitted banquette seating in the dining area, as well as turning the smallest bedroom into a dressing room and the second bedroom into a home office. MY FAVOURITE PART The living…

I’ve loved learning about the different ways design impacts mood and well-being, as well as the theory behind colours, textures and lighting. Now I’m confident to run with fun ideas because paint can always be changed and I’m more likely to regret playing it safe than trying something a bit more colourful. If I love something and it makes me smile, I just go for it. I can work out how it fits in with the rest of the décor later. It’s better to buy decent paint. It’s not actually much more expensive when you factor in how many coats of cheap stuff you might need. See yourhomestyle.uk for more great real homes…

Bolt from the blue Think outside the box when it comes to decorating your walls. Wall hangings add colour and texture to large, plain areas. They make rooms feel cosier and help to reduce noise in open-plan spaces too. You can also buy purpose-made wall hangings or DIY it using vintage embroidered tablecloths and flat woven rugs. Cloud paint Dreamy Mediterranean style is set to be a huge trend this summer. Give your home the vibe of an elegantly crumbling Venetian villa with specialised paint. These clever formulas are designed to allow you to create an uneven layer of colour, full of random texture and interest. Each paint is different, so follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully to create the effect you want. For more tips, head to our website at…

While some people welcome a spring clean, for lots of us it’s a task that can seem unachievable. You might want to set aside a couple of days to take on your entire home, creating a checklist before you get going. Or, if the thought of de-cluttering and deep-cleaning the whole place seems overwhelming then tackle one room at a time, even if it’s one a week. If your home has got the better of you, you might want to deal with the clutter before you start the big clean. Break it down into smaller tasks – de-cluttering a drawer or cupboard each day will help you to get on top of things. However you go about it, finding what works for you is key to getting (and staying) motivated!…

Daniel Prendergast from The Rug Seller has these tips. ‘Nylon rugs can be steam cleaned, or by hand using water and a light detergent. Use a specialist rug cleaner for wool or mix water and non-bio washing detergent. Sprinkle jute and sisal rugs with carpet-shampoo granules. Work them into the rug with the vacuum’s cleaning-head bristles without turning it on. Leave for an hour, then vacuum out. Polyester rugs are often machine washable but if not, mix water with non-bio washing detergent and follow the same steps as you would for a wool rug. For sheepskin, fill a bath with cool water and mix in a specialist sheepskin detergent. Leave for five to 10 minutes and then rinse thoroughly. Pat out excess water and leave to air dry flat, and…

FREE UP WALL SPACE By keeping wall cupboards to a minimum, Francesca was able to reclaim a real sense of space in the kitchen. ‘Our rustic-look peg rail gives us a handy place for utensils that we use every day,’ she says. If you need wall cupboards for extra storage, consider having floor-to-ceiling designs on just one side, like Francesca. That way you’ll minimise the space you take up elsewhere in the kitchen. ADD PERSONALITY WITH ART People often buy wall art for display in the living room, bedroom or hallway, but follow Francesca’s lead and hang it in the kitchen too. Francesca has featured just a few monochrome prints to complement the neutral scheme in the space but why not add a much-loved handwritten recipe, family photos or a…

Elevate the look Give your space a more polished look by pairing natural wood elements, often seen in classic Scandi schemes, with luxe-looking materials, such as marble and metallics. Illuminate to elevate Maximise the feeling of light by keeping walls in a fresh white and, if privacy isn’t an issue, forgo window treatments. Light candles for a cosy vibe, even during daylight hours, and especially when it’s grey out. Selected edit For a laid-back, clean look, get rid of anything you don’t need and pick accessories that not only look good but have a practical purpose. Double up stylish kitchenware as décor by hanging them up or storing in pots displayed on worktops.…

• For a similar green sofa bed, try the Haru small sofa bed in Moss Green, £385, MADE.com • For a similar pink sofa, try the Pink Atonya three-seater velvet sofa, £729; Adel Cream/Black rug, £129.99; Allie frame coffee table, £154.99; Ernesto serving cart, £95.99, all Wayfair • Madang wall art, £153 for a set of four, Maisons du Monde • Ariana Gold nest of tables, £179, Audenza • Aurinia colourful glass pendant light, £377.90, lights.co.uk • For a similar pink throw, try the Light Purple Shaggy bedspread, £9.99, OnBuy.com • For similar shell cushions, try the Luxury Shell cushions, from £17.99, Hussingales • For a similar gold tray, try the Rectangular Chain Link Gold metal decorative tray, £24.99, Maison Des Caeaux • Large Lena rattan sideboard,…

‘Warm wood tones and subtle colours give a lovely lived-in look’…

TIME FOR CHAI? It’s now easy to spice up your tea-drinking habits as Tea India announces a full roster of chai flavours that includes Masala, Turmeric, Coconut and Ginger, with the news that later this year, chai lovers can also enjoy its Mango flavour. Tea India’s founders emigrated to the UK in the early 1980s, bringing with them authentic recipes for chai, wellness teas and regional teas, such as Darjeeling and Kashmiri kahwa. In addition to producing great tasting chai, Tea India works to support Action Village India, a project that provides education to girls in rural India. Prices for chai start from £2.89, and the range is available from Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and Amazon. teaindia.co.uk BACK TO THE FUTURE The Modern Milkman is a next-day delivery service that aims to…

Habitat TURN A NEW LEAF Fall asleep in a bed of botanicals thanks to this new range celebrating the power of plants Next Home CRAFT WORK This new collection focusses on cosy tactile textures and warm, earthy tones Joe Browns WILDEST DREAMS Travel the globe from your home with these eclectic accessories John Lewis & Partners NEW MODERN The ANYDAY range for spring and summer teams classic pieces with curvy designs…

Choose what you love and don’t be afraid to add colour. When we first moved in, I painted everything grey and white. It was a bit bland and was quickly ruined by grubby little hands! The bright wallpaper prints and bolder paint colours disguise this much better. It’s easy to save money by upcycling vintage finds. I’ve found plenty of bargains for our home, ranging from wardrobes to chests of drawers, as well as our dining table and chairs. Adding texture, pattern and colour with accessories helps inject personality to your interior. I’ve used lots of brightly coloured rugs and cushions to make our home truly unique. See yourhomestyle.uk for more great real homes…

A BIT ABOUT ME I’m Isatu Chadborn, a learning support assistant, aged 55. I live with my husband, Peter, 53, a financial planner, our son, Travis, 20, a student, and our dog, Ziggy. Our daughter, Millie, 24, left last year to buy her first home with her partner. WHERE I LIVE Our home is a four-bedroom extended 1960s detached house in Brightlingsea, Essex. We moved here in April 2012. You can see more of our home on my Instagram @life_of_isatu. WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE I wanted to create a relaxed home with one large space where we could all be together. This meant converting the warren of small downstairs rooms into a large, kitchen-diner, featuring a comfortable sofa area. HOW I MADE IT MY OWN I chose a neutral…

You will need • Stretched canvas • Side plate and saucer • Pencil • Acrylic paint • Paintbrush • Leaf template • Sheet of acetate • Masking tape • Craft knife • Repositionable adhesive spray • Stencil brush (or sponge) • Kitchen paper 1 Place the round side plate and saucer on the stretched canvas and draw around it with a pencil. 2 Neatly paint the circles in beige and terracotta colours and leave to dry. Apply a second coat if you feel that it’s needed. 3 Go to yourhomestyle.uk for your leaf template. Print it out and then place it beneath the sheet of acetate. Use masking tape to hold it securely in place on your cutting mat, and then carefully cut around the shape using a…

‘One of the first decisions we made was the bright yellow sofa. I loved it but was worried it wasn’t very sensible. Luckily, Jake liked it as much as me, so we went for it. That was the starting point and then we chose the green sofa to contrast. It was definitely influenced by our wedding colours from 2018 when I picked sunflowers and then dark green to go with them. I assumed that we’d paint the walls, but I quite like having them white, as you can fill the room with other colourful things and you know that it will work. It’s the perfect backdrop for a gallery wall. The prints all have different frames, but everything has a bit of pink or yellow to tie into the colour…

Field of dreams Turn your walls into artistic creations with a beautiful mural. These large-scale designs break out from the confines of the traditional width of wallpaper to create impressive visual effects. Custom-printed murals are made to fit the height and length of your walls. You can align the artwork exactly how you want it for a personalised look. Pre-printed wallpaper murals are a bit less flexible but easier on the wallet and you can simply cut the paper to the shape that suits your room best.…

Home zone Our homes are working harder than ever. We need them to be offices, classrooms and chill-out areas. Trying to create the right vibe for all of these activities in one place can feel overwhelming. A simple way to zone our spaces is to use colour. Painting a small area within a room helps to create separation so you can have sections to work, rest or play without them overlapping. All in the details Use your woodwork as a foil for creating a rich colour palette. These often overlooked features can be quickly turned into beautiful details that elevate your scheme. They’re small enough for you to add pops of colour without them dominating the room. Think of door and window surrounds as picture frames instead and paint them…

Remove sofa cushions where you can and vacuum the seats, and a crevice tool to get between them. Use the upholstery tool to vacuum the whole cushion before replacing. When it comes to spot-cleaning spills, Suzy McMahon, Buying Director at Sofology says: ‘Blot with water and paper towels and avoid rubbing the fabric. Use a solution of soapy water and a clean white towel to blot until you’ve removed the colour. To avoid water marks after cleaning, dampen a colourfast cloth with boiled water and wipe the entire panel or cushion.’…

WASTE NOT Take your recycling game to the next level with these gorgeous pedal bins from Brabantia. As well as being easy-on-the-eye, the designs are made from 91 per cent recycled waste and can be reused again once you’re done. Choose from Jade Green, Dark or Light Grey and use the click-on label holder to keep your storage organised. The roomy 40L capacity is generous, plus the streamlined design will make the most of your space too. SEEING STARS Released as part of Verona’s 20th anniversary range, its new collection of gorgeous porcelain tiles are true works of art. Named after two of the Netherlands’ most famous painters, the Vincent and Mondrian designs will make an on-trend yet timeless addition to any kitchen or bathroom scheme. ALL IN A LATHER…

• Metod kitchen units, from £28; Sävedal White cabinet doors, from £20, both IKEA • Square Edge White marble-effect laminate worktop, £566 for 3m, Howdens • For similar door knobs, try the GoodHome Gomasio Brushed Gold cabinet handles, £6 for two, B&Q • Tongue and groove cladding, £27.03 per sq m, Wickes • Zanussi 74cm gas hob, £319, Safeer Appliances • Elica Aplomb chimney cooker hood, £529, AO.com • Vellamo Designer single bowl Brushed Gold stainless steel kitchen sink, £259.99; Harbour Icon Mono Brushed Gold kitchen mixer tap, £109.99, both Tap Warehouse • Chamonix Butterscotch oak flooring, £36.95 per sq m, Luxury Flooring and Furnishings • Olive Green cone shade wall light, £69, houseof • Pleated shade pendant light, £79.99; for a similar peg rail, try the bird wood…

BE MONEY SAVVY ‘My original plan was for a made-to-measure Roman blind, but because of the thick window frosting and position of the shower, we didn’t need a functioning blind that went up and down. Instead, I bought a basic bamboo blind from B&Q and made a pelmet using MDF. I covered the board with wadding before adding fabric and stapled it together for an easy upholstery hack, then attached hooks for hanging. It covers the ugly fixings and softens the window.’ LOOK TO THE PAST Classic features, like the traditional-style toilet, give the bathroom instant character. ‘I love the high-cistern toilet,’ says Caroline. ‘It’s a mock old style from Victorian Plumbing and it works well with the reclaimed cupboard doors. The builder constructed the new built-in cupboard around the…

Double feature For instant vintage vibes put a wall light at either side of the mirror. Not only will it provide useful task lighting for getting ready, it’ll also bring a subtle feel of retro glamour. Transform the tub Classic details, such as a free-standing bath, will add instant character to your space. If a traditional tub is out of reach, or you don’t have the space, consider fitting tongue-and-groove panelling instead to add in some old-school character on a budget. Highlight your faves If, like Caroline, your vanity unit is the star of the space, make it stand out by painting the exterior in a slightly darker or lighter paint colour than the walls for a subtle contrast. Attach antique-style handles for extra charm.…

Wi-fi wonder TP-Link AC1750 dual band wi-fi range extender and booster, £49.99, Argos This product connects wirelessly to your router and delivers dual band wi-fi speeds of up to 1.75Gbps. It will boost your coverage up to 10,000 sq ft and features a gigabit ethernet port, which lets you connect a wired device, like a smart TV to your wi-fi network. We love: The external antennas that help your devices to stay connected anywhere in your home. Signal star Rockspace AC2100 wi-fi extender, circa £49.99, Amazon Optimise your wi-fi network coverage with this range extender, which is compatible with any wi-fi router, and boosts your signal up to 1,292 sq ft. It’s simple to get started: connect it to your existing network using either the WPS button on your router…