Innehållsförteckning för February 2023 från Your Home

At this time of year, when spring is on the horizon but it's still dark and grey, it's natural to want to brighten things up with a décor refresh. So, we've packed this issue with lots to inspire and motivate you, plus plenty of pocket-friendly shopping! For super-quick makeover ideas, flip to page 46, where we round up easy, affordable ways with peel-and-stick tiles, wallpapers and more - perfect for weekend room redos and renters! Learn all about the emerging 'broken-plan' trend on page 42 - we think it's here to stay, so we show you 10 ways to bring it into your home. A simple furniture reshuffle might be all you need to help you see and use your space in a whole new way. Don't let DIY doubts…

HOW TO… clean upholstery While it's not a task that needs to be tackled too often, cleaning upholstery really does make a difference - whether you're sprucing up a sofa or giving a hand-me-down piece some TLC. Follow our top tips to keep your favourite fabric-based pieces looking new… • If you're cleaning a sofa or mattress, vacuum it first to remove any dust or dirt. For best results, use an upholstery or crevice attachment. • To spot clean any obvious stains, we'd suggest test cleaning an inconspicuous place on the upholstery first, in case any darker patches don't fade (different fabrics have various cleaning Instructions, so check labels first). Whether you're using an upholstery-specific cleaner, diluted white vinegar or soap, gently dab at the stain rather than rubbing it,…

GET THE LOOK Go big and be bold with one of this season's most attention-grabbing trends: super stripes. Forget about dainty, delicate lines, this look is focussed on embracing the maximalist mindset and making a statement with broad, bold bands of colour. Keep it bright and punchy with primary colours and push the look even further by contrasting the shade of your stripes with the hue on your walls. Super Strips YH LOVES Electric fantastic My Furniture has released a new collection that simply fizzes in vibrant electric blue! The four pieces in the EYOS collection are made for living and dining areas. Built with black glass and steel legs in a polishedbrass finish, you can choose from a sideboard, bedside table, chest of drawers or console table. Prices start…

When their third child, Ada, came along, Kate and Owen Jones realised they needed more space. Luckily, they found the perfect property only 50 metres away from where they were living. Being stuck in a smaller house during lockdown with two small children and a baby spurred them on to make the move, and this property ticked a lot of boxes for them. ‘We loved the fact that this place didn’t need major work,’ says Kate. ‘But after moving in we began decorating the kids’ bedrooms straight away as I wanted to get them settled in first.’ THE PROJECT ‘It felt like an easy win to start with Molly’s room,’ says Kate, explaining that Harry’s bedroom has bunk beds, so it made sense for middle child Molly to move In…

WE ARE Hannah Peaty, 33, an internal communications and engagement manager in the automotive industry, and Chris Lamb, 40, a music leader and piano tutor. We live here with our Labrador, Dolly. OUR HOME IS A three-bedroom, mid-terraced house built around 1900, overlooking the river in Washington, Tyne & Wear. The terrace was originally built for the local mine managers and their families. We bought our home in April 2019. I share my home renovation on Instagram @terraceontheriver. OUR BIGGEST MISTAKE WAS Trying to do everything at once. It was quite overwhelming as we were making so many decisions at the same time. Living in the house and pacing the renovation might've been better, so you can see how the light works and where you need power sockets and radiators.…

Linda downsized to her seaside cottage from a larger home nearby in 2020. She’d always planned to do this, knowing that her granddaughter, Hannah, who had been living with her long-term, would move out once she had finished her studies. Linda’s sons are grown up and her husband, Robert, passed away a couple of years before the move. ‘It was tough deciding what to keep and what to jettison, overwhelming almost,’ she admits, ‘but I knew exactly what I wanted to do with the new house.’ She rented a place nearby initially, and engaged a team of workpeople to get started on the renovations. ‘I wanted all the walls and floors stripped, but I was determined to retain the character of the property,’ Linda explains. She installed simple, white Shakerstyle…

CUT OUT & KEEP! YourHome Whole roasted cauliflower with herbed breadcrumbs ■ PREPARATION TIME 5 minutes ■ COOKING TIME 1 hour 30 minutes ■ SERVES 4-6 YOU WILL NEED ✔ 1 cauliflower, stem removed but florets kept intact ✔ 5 tbsp olive oil ✔ salt and pepper ✔ 45g panko breadcrumbs ✔ 1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped ✔ ½ lemon DIRECTIONS ■ Preheat the oven to 220°C/200°C Fan/Gas Mark 7. Drizzle the whole cauliflower with 2 tbsp of the oil and season. Place the cauliflower in a cast-iron frying pan, cover with aluminium foil, and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 50 minutes, or until the cauliflower is tender. ■ Meanwhile, mix the remaining 3 tbsp of oil, breadcrumbs and thyme, then season. ■ Remove…

According to the RAC, six million garages in the UK are used for storing junk instead of cars. Were it not for that junk, most garages could be transformed into additional living space (without planning permission, if it falls under permitted development). At an average cost of under £14,000, a garage conversion is cheaper and less disruptive than converting a loft or building an extension, as walls and foundations are already in place. If you do decide to convert your garage, have it checked for structural soundness, approach builders for quotes and decide what you want to turn it into. Here are a few ideas to help with that decision… 1 INSTALL A HOME OFFICE Now that working from home is here to stay for so many of us, a…

Curtain and blind brand Hillarys has announced fresh offerings for spring 2023. The new collection consists of 353 curtain and Roman blind fabrics, all of which are due to launch in March and promise to create ‘windows that wow.’ The designs, says Hillarys, are ‘bursting with beguiling botanicals, patterns that pop, retro and heritage florals, abstract line drawings and comforting, curvaceous shapes that keep the mood modern’. If you’re planning a spring refresh, head to hillarys.co.uk to make your choice!…

BEFORE WHO LIVES HERE? Kate Jones, 36, owner of The Little Jones, which sells prints and posters, my husband Owen, 37, a consultant and our three children: Harry, seven; Molly, four; and Ada, two. Our home is a four-bedroom semi in Birmingham and we bought it in November 2020. WHAT WAS UPDATED? I zoned the room, with areas for sleeping, playing and reading, and added a desk and toy storage. WHY THE CHANGE? I wanted a neutral space that could grow with Molly. Find out more about how I did it @thelittlejones. HOW LONG DID IT TAKE? I blitzed it over two days, including painting the room white and adding the colour-blocking. Styling the accessories is an ongoing job. TOTAL COST £684…

BEFORE WHO LIVES HERE? My name is Miriam Faber (@our.semi.life), 39, and I live in a 1930s, five-bedroom semi in East London, with my wife, Rachel, and our three children: Sophia, four; and twins, Teddy and Esme, 18 months. WHAT WAS UPDATED? The loft space had already been converted into two bedrooms, but they were very bland. We decided to move Sophia's bedroom upstairs to her new room because it had more potential and is much larger. WHY THE CHANGE? With the addition of soft pastel shades, and cosy sleeping and reading zones, we knew Sophia would love her new room so much more. HOW LONG DID IT TAKE? Sophia was able to sleep in her new bedroom after about three weeks. TOTAL COST £1,464…

BEFORE WHO LIVES HERE? I'm Valentina Gross, 39, a stay-at-home mum. I live with my husband, Ashley, 36, a chef, our daughter, Astrid, 10, and son Diego, five. It's a fivebedroom, 1940s, detached house in Weybridge and we moved here in July 2020. WHAT WAS UPDATED? We knocked through a wall, decorated the playroom and added shelving and a concealed opening. WHY THE CHANGE? We wanted another entrance to the room so the children could play without coming through the kitchen. We wanted it to be bright, colourful, and an area where they could really use their imaginations. HOW LONG DID IT TAKE? Around two months, as the shelving and doorway took time to design. TOTAL COST £5,580…

Peel-and-stick options have gained huge popularity in recent years, and we're not surprised! A cheap option for a quick update, they are also easy to apply and transformative for renters, as peel-and-stick tiles can often be removed without damage. Beyond the familiar splashback peel-and-stick options, there are now varieties for windows, walls and floors. Ready for a no-fuss weekend makeover? Read on… YH Spruce up your splashback A kitchen doesn't feel complete without a stylish splashback, and the right style can really elevate a space. It's a mistake to think that stick-on splashbacks are only for renters, as they're a smart choice for anyone who likes to keep up with the latest trends - with a stick-on style, you can embrace the latest looks without spending a fortune on something…

Top tip Leave PVA glue uncovered in a pot for a day or two to allow some of its water content to evaporate. This will make it less runny and easier to use on angled or curved surfaces that can't be left to dry 'flat' COASTERS SHOPPING LIST ✔ 12mm ceramic tiles in Matt Black and Ivory ✔ 10mm ceramic tiles in Gold ✔ 2 x 10cm2 MDF coasters ✔ PVA glue ✔ brush ✔ powder tile grout in Dark Grey ✔ wooden lolly stick ✔ rubber gloves ✔ sponge ✔ kitchen roll ✔ felt, at least 12cm2 in Dark Grey ✔ scissors or a craft knife 1 Place the tiles onto your MDF coaster without glue first to check the layout, leaving a gap between them for the grout.…

I AM Linda Gault, a retired teacher. I live with my black Labradors, Ollie and Lottie. MY HOME IS a terraced cottage in a seaside village in Fife. MY BEST BARGAIN the antique radiogram cabinet that my basin sits on in my bathroom. It was £15 at an auction. MY STYLE IS a mix of French and Nordic vintage style. I love Swedish Gustavian interiors and interesting pieces of furniture with a bit of history, preferably a bit distressed-looking. FOR INSPIRATION I snoop around antique and vintage shops locally, but I also find travel very inspiring. MY FAVOURITE ROOM is the sitting room. I feel so lucky that it looks out onto the back garden, which overlooks the sea. GROUND FLOOR FIRST FLOOR…

PREPARATION TIME 5 minutes COOKING TIME 5 minutes per pancake SERVES 2 Beetroot pancakes YOU WILL NEED ✔ 125g self-raising flour ✔ 80ml milk of choice ✔ ½ banana ✔ ½ Florette beetroot ✔ 3 tsp granulated sugar ✔ handful of raspberries for topping ✔ chocolate of choice, melted for drizzle or use maple syrup/honey DIRECTIONS ■ Mix all the ingredients, except the toppings, in a blender to create a smooth, thick batter. ■ Add 2 tbsp of the batter into a non-stick pan at a time. If you want them thicker, add more batter. ■ Cook for 3-4 minutes on a lowmedium heat until the edges are set and bubbles appear at the surface. ■ Flip the pancake and cook for another 2-3 minutes until golden on both sides…

Q WILL A GARAGE CONVERSION BOOST THE VALUE OF MY HOME? A 'A garage conversion has long been a decision that homeowners ponder over when deciding whether to move or stay put. A conversion can add value to your home if it's done well, as it creates a flexible space. The question as to whether garage conversions add value or not has long been debated and for the right buyer, it will. I would convert the garage if it's for your own personal use, not purely to add value.' Russell Hill, Board of Management Partner at William H Brown estate agents Q WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO BEFORE LAYING FLOORING? A 'When it comes to garage floors, people often find that they're faced with a surface to cover that's…

Tiled style I wanted a new splashback but it was out of my budget, so I found some self-adhesive and water-resistant floor tiles in a reduced section instead. I think it looks beautiful! Stacy Chapman, Dudley Michelle, Features Editor, says: This kitchen makeover is so lovely, Stacy. What a fantastic and thrifty find! Delighful display Having been inspired by projects in Your Home magazine, I started painting pieces of tired-looking furniture a few years ago. I upcycled this display cabinet using furniture paint from B&Q and added floral wallpaper inside - I'm really pleased with the result. Linda Lynch, Kent Tricia, Art Editor, says: Upcycling is a fantastic way to bring life back into slightly worn furniture, and you've done a brilliant job with this, Linda. Centre of attention I…

CONSUMER NEWS Frequently asked questions… Is switching bank accounts easy? Yes, and it should only take seven working days using the Current Account Switch Service (CASS). Simply open a new account with your selected bank then request a switch through it - you should be asked during the application if you want to switch. Most banks are registered with CASS (always check) and it will close your old account, move your money, direct debits and standing orders over, as well as moving payments into the new account. So, no need to worry about your work salary or any other payments that usually go into the old account - and this carries on for three years giving you plenty of time to let everyone know the new details. Where travel insurance…

Celebrate nature by introducing organic textures and colours into your interiors. Mossy greens and muddy browns with unbleached cottons and rustic wood finishes will bring calm into a space, while choosing eco-friendly pieces can give you peace of mind, too. Many supermarket and high-street homeware sections have dedicated sustainable ranges — including Dunelm, B&M, George Home and Habitat — but so do plenty of small independent brands. Look for products made from jute, bamboo, organic cotton, FSC wood and recycled materials for style that will last for years. £10 AND UNDER Get the look for less with these quick updates…

SHOPPING LIST For a similar pine bed, try the Kaycie single bed frame, £85, Argos. Colour-blocking painted in easycare washable and tough matt paint in Cracked Clay 1 and Natural Hessian, both £43.18 per 2.5L, Dulux. Cotton pile rug, £49.99; Rainbow cushion, £8.99, both H&M. For similar wooden bench, try the wooden kids bunny bench, £54.95; Floating Shelves Emine, £39.95, both Sklum. Modular Confetti Playmat Set in Sand, from £70, gus + beau. Lixhult metal cabinet, £35; Trofast pine frame, £40; Trofast storage box, £3 each, all IKEA. Majari floral 100% washed cotton single duvet cover, £35, La Redoute. Plain cotton knit blanket, £29.99, Zara Home. Tellkiddo fabric Toys storage bag, £26.95, Lullabuy. Floor cushions, £43 each; for a similar canopy, try the Canopy curtain, £46; for a similar play…

SHOPPING LIST Walls painted in intelligent matt emulsion in Hellebore, £59.50 per 2.5L, Little Greene. Wevet Modern Emulsion, £59 per 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. Coloured polka dot rug, £119.99, Zara Home. Elvarli wardrobe combination, £647; Brimnes chest of drawers, £99; Duktig play kitchen, £89, all IKEA. Eleonora rainbow wall sticker, £25.59, Etsy. Pom pom garland, £9.99, H&M Home. Kid’s bookcase, £30, Dunelm. Cat laundry basket, £10, Matalan. Charlie wooden house bed, £548, Crazy Price Beds. Be Kind Balloon poster, £10.95; Play poster, £13.95; Look for Rainbow poster, £10.95; Rainbow poster, £8.95; white frames, from £10.95, all Desenio. Viergeline Growth Chart, £18,99, Wayfair. Sirit table lamp, £30; Drew side table, £50, both Habitat. Tufted Dashes throw, £15; Tufted Spots bedlinen, £28; Best Day Ever cushion, £12, all Dunelm. Knitted footstool, £59.99,…

SHOPPING LIST Heavily carved antique oak linen press cabinet, £990, Vinterior. Walls painted in modern emulsion in Strong White, £59 per 2.5L; shelving painted in modern eggshell Drawing Room Blue, £81 per 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. For similar flooring try V4 wood flooring A104 Upland Oak, guide price £72 per sq m, Hampton Flooring. Aissa 3-seater sofa bed, £2,579; Snowdrop armchair, £540, Sofa.com. Armchair upholstered in Dandy Lion Blue, £120 per m, Corita Rose. Upholstery costs, £550, John Miller Upholstery. For similar blinds fabric, try Empower plain fabric by Harlequin, £23.25 per m, Jane Clayton. Topfinel outdoor cushion cover set, £25.99 for a set of 6; square cushions, £13.25 for a set of 4, both Amazon. Rug similar to chevron zig zag rug in Multi, £59, The Rug Seller. Anyday…

Q How can I make sure tile stickers will fit? A'Although tile stickers are often available in a large range of set sizes, you might not always find the perfect option for you. If you can't find the dimensions that you require, I recommend getting the tile stickers cut to size to ensure the best application. Measure your tiles twice to ensure the perfect fit. Covering the grout may cause your tile stickers to lift, so make sure you do not include this in your measurement. You can also easily trim tile stickers with scissors or a sharp blade, to fit around plug sockets and any other tricky areas.' Q What sort of vinyl is best - high-tack or removable? A'Choose a high-tack vinyl when a stronger adhesive is needed.…

BATHROOM IDEAS Tip Use unusualshaped tiles to create a splashback with impact It’s time to head to your nearest garden centre and stock up on plants, as botanical bathrooms are back in this year! Create a calming space using tiles, textures, and a soothing colour palette inspired by the natural world. A few leafy greens can also help to transform a basic bathroom into a haven of relaxation and freshness – Boston ferns, peace lilies and monsteras thrive particularly well in humid conditions. Whether you prefer a light and airy scheme or a more dramatic look, we’ll show you how to create a blooming beautiful bathroom. Au naturel ‘Green and blue hues are popular choices for bathrooms, not only because of the spa-like feel, but because of a desire to…

Hannah Peaty and Chris Lamb struck lucky when they stumbled upon a run-down terraced house in a charming riverside location. After living in Leeds post-university, the couple relocated to the North East and quickly took a shine to Washington, Tyne & Wear. After renting there for 18 months, they were delighted when a house on the opposite side of the river came on the market. ‘The property had been rented out for over 20 years, so everything had been done for functional reasons,’ says Hannah. ‘The house felt very unloved and needed some character injecting back into it, but we loved the size of the living room and the half landing staircase with light pouring through the big window.’ Despite lots of viewings taking place, most would-be purchasers were put…

LUNCHTIME hero If you’re fed up with sad sandwiches or reheating last night’s limp leftovers, Instagrammer Nathan Anthony’s Bored of Lunch: The Healthy Slow Cooker Book (£18.99, Ebury Press) will liven up your midday meal. It’s full of low-effort slow cooker recipes that make brilliant lunch (or dinner) options. We particularly love the mango chicken curry, vegetarian lasagne and honey chilli beef noodles (right) – the latter proving extremely popular on Nathan’s Instagram grid. You’ll even find a couple of sweet treats – who knew you could make mini-egg fudge in a slow cooker? Discover more of Nathan’s recipes at @boredoflunch. BERRY GOOD For a luscious snack, try Bonne Maman’s latest addition to its small pot yogurt range. A layer of thick blueberry compote sits beneath smooth natural yogurt made…

TREND alert The experts at Tile Giant have put together the top trends to look out for in 2023. This year is all about making a statement with extra-large-format floor tiles, which deliver an illusion of space by running seamlessly through your home. Keep pastels on your radar, as muted colours bring a soft, elegant feel to your décor. Feeling adventurous? Add a touch of the Mediterranean with striking geo patterns and textures in calming, earthy tones. Also look for opulent touches like gold and copper; industrial-style materials; and nature-inspired greens. SMOKING HOT We’d like to introduce you to your new favourite hue: Pale Smoke. This shade from Kitchen Makers is a light and smoky neutral that works effortlessly with both traditional and contemporary kitchens. 'This is a classic neutral…

Choosing the right coloured grout can turn a plain wall into a serious style statement. Whether you want a cool, classic monochrome scheme with white metro tiles and black grout, or a mermaid aesthetic with gold grout and teal fish scale tiles, this practical filler needn’t be dull! You can buy pre-mixed coloured grout, or you can make your own unique shade by mixing a tub of white grout with acrylic water-based interior paint. Be sure to test out a few shades first, and let them dry overnight to get a good idea of the colour. SCAN ME to discover more DIY solutions on yourhomestyle.uk…