See: Interior design tips – decorating secrets for the world’s top experts What is line in interior design? The different types of lines – vertical lines that extend up and down; horizontal lines that extend side to side; and dynamic lines (diagonal, curved or zigzag) can all help to unify as well as contrast, guiding the eye around the room and ensuring it’s interesting as well as functional. Barrie Cutchie, Design Director at BC Designs (opens in new tab), says: ‘Lines are part of the concept of form within interior design and are critical to the success of a design scheme....

From pendants and chandeliers to wall lights, floor and table lamps, plus lights for illuminating artwork, lighting stairs, and more, there is a wealth of choices that can elevate the room as well as act functionally. So if you don’t have an expert on hand to emphasize the importance of well-planned lighting ideas, it’s easy to see how things unravel. Living room lighting mistakes Our panel of experts has covered all the major living room lighting mistakes to avoid....

When thinking about how to make a house look cozy, the first assumption is that you have to use darker, warmer tones. Luckily, however, there are more ways to make a neutral space feel cozy than introducing bolder colors. Here, we have spoken to Camilla Clarke, creative director of Albion Nord (opens in new tab) to learn how the luxury studio curates beautifully refined, neutral spaces that still exude that cozy feel....

This highly functional, transitional room often sets the impression for the rest of your home – so it’s important that your tone provokes productivity while still looking good. And curating the perfect space begins with the colors to avoid. If you’re debating these tones in your mudroom ideas, experts urge you to reconsider – and share a rule to remember when decorating this space. 5 colors to avoid in a mudroom Designing a mudroom begins with the correct color palette – from your wall tones to your cabinetry....

So, whether you are looking to hang a single piece of art in a focal position, perhaps over a fireplace, or want to work gallery wall ideas into a space, it’s worth seeking the help of an expert. Jo Sampson founded Artorial (opens in new tab) with Jenny Crosbie because, despite there being an overwhelming abundance in the marketplace, both found it difficult to source art to match their individual tastes....

If you’ve got a few hours to spare away from your day-to-day duties this season, it could just be the perfect time to tackle those projects and home improvements that you may have been putting off all year. We’ve turned to the experts for inspiration on what DIY projects to take on during your downtime. 8 holiday projects to beat the post-Christmas blues When we say post-Christmas ‘DIY projects’ at H&G, we are really not entertaining the idea of ripping out an old bathroom, stripping paint, or unblocking drains....

The resulting redesigned home offers exactly the balance the family were looking for. A stylish combination of new and original features, alongside upcycled and repurposed elements, preserves the character of the original building and makes it one of the world’s best homes. The family called on interior designer Georgia Zikas (opens in new tab), who was delighted to come up with inspiration and practical solutions for a full renovation of the 1920s historically protected home....

Many people also want to learn how to keep bees as they recognize the important part bees play in pollinating many of the plants in our gardens, and the foods that we eat. With bee populations declining at an alarming rate, every gardener can do their bit to help, and keeping beehives in your back yard and providing a safe habitat for them can be added to your garden ideas, along with planting pollinator friendly flowers and other wildlife garden ideas....

Decorating with contrasting tones can be tricky to get right, but with a considered eye and with each tone used in the right proportions, this daring tonal duo can be used to create beautifully balanced interiors. Two-tone schemes can run the risk of being cold and flat – the key to decorating in monochrome is to ensure to add interest and depth through tonal variations, intriguing shapes, pattern and texture....

‘Blue is a colour that gives a feeling of openness and a sense of space, creating a calming and restful backdrop for any room,’ says Judy Smith, Color Consultant at Crown. ‘Due to its connection with nature and its relaxing qualities, it’s incredibly popular in bedrooms.’ For bedroom ideas associated with cloudless skies and rippling seas, the color blue is a go-to. Blue has been proven to induce feelings of calm and soothe stress, making it ideal for a pre-slumber environment....

Essentially the midway point between open plan and traditional separate rooms, broken plan is the division of rooms, either partly or temporarily. Think: screens, partitions, and even the intelligent use of furniture. We’ve chosen our favorite living room ideas that utilize the broken plan look, and show how this layout plan can be adapted to work in just about any interiors scheme. Broken plan living room ideas A broken plan layout can be much more practical than an open-plan living room, allowing different members of the family to inhabit the same space without distracting or interrupting each other....

Decorating bedrooms for kids doesn’t mean you have to scrimp on style, in fact it is the perfect excuse to indulge their imagination and choose children’s bedroom wallpaper designs that are bright, bold and full of fun. Although it is a good idea to avoid anything too current, such as cartoon characters they might grow out of, there is a wonderful choice of designs to choose from that can open up a whole new world of design possibilities and provide your child with a stimulating and magical environment to grow up in....

It’s the season of goodwill, so it makes sense that any Christmas decor ideas should be enjoyed by more than your immediate family and friends. By decorating your backyard and home’s exterior for the holidays, you’re helping to bring joy and color to your neighborhood and community – something that’s sure to put you on Santa’s ’nice’ list. A Christmas tree decorated with twinkling lights is the perfect symbol of the season....

There is a whole range of outdoor Christmas decor ideas you can use to set the scene, and turning your porch into a welcoming nook – or even a full-blown festive grotto – is easily done with a few decorative adjustments, so you can start the holidays in style. Below, we have suggest pretty ways to decorate a front porch for the season, taking you from fall to festive, fast....

While your windows aren’t likely to be central to your Christmas decor ideas, creating little pockets of holiday fun around the house is important to creating an immersive magical feel. ‘We often dress the home for Christmas, from wreaths to garlands and bowls filled with clementines and pine cones, but windows are so often overlooked!’ says Juliette Thomas, Founder and Director at Juliettes Interiors (opens in new tab). Christmas window decor ideas From string lights and quirky garlands to indoor wreaths and outdoor window boxes, we asked the experts to share their favorite Christmas window decor and found some stunning ideas for festive displays....

From layout, storage and materials to lighting, wall colors and window treatments, there are plenty of kitchen ideas to consider when creating the perfect cozy and rustic space, but perhaps the best place to start is to consider what you have. Cottage kitchen ideas Cottage kitchens are prized for their original features. Whether stone flagstone floors, rustic ceiling beams or weathered inglenooks, it’s these details that give cottage kitchens their unique charm and homey feel....

Whether you highlight an interior design scheme with touches of carefully chosen accessories or paint walls floor to ceiling in a deep shade of this versatile color, it can transform interiors and create different moods – from refined to playful – depending on its application. In moderation, primary reds work well in children’s rooms, while more sophisticated, darker reds – such as madder and cochineal – make welcoming backdrops for dining rooms and hallways....

Born and raised in California, Jenni Kayne launched her eponymous brand in 2002 – aged just 19 – with her first clothing and footwear collection. She extended her fashion label into homeware in 2017 with a range of pillows, throws, slippers, and candles. Today she runs what Forbes has described as ‘the ultimate California lifestyle brand.’ The business was extended with an interior design studio and product line with the addition of Jenni Kayne Home (opens in new tab) which offers a comprehensive range of home furniture and accessories encompassing everything from upholstered sofas and beds to tableware, lamps and linens....

His ability to marry historical sensitivity with a modern sensibility has been recognized with a plethora of interior design industry accolades on both sides of the Atlantic, including the Andrew Martin International Designer of the Year Award 2021 (opens in new tab) – which led to him being included in our list of the world’s best interior designers. Here we explore Thomas Jayne’s aesthetic, influences and career. Projects past and present The Jayne Design Studio (opens in new tab)’s work includes contemporary dwellings and historically important houses, from a seaside cottage in Oyster Bay (below) and a Soho loft in New York to The Director’s House at the Winterthur Museum in Delaware and an important 18th century house in Charleston....

As neutral colors, grey and white makes a brilliant pairing if you’re looking to layer your living room with color, print and artwork, but a carefully considered monochrome scheme can also have wow-factor. If you’re thinking of decorating with grey together with white then you’re in the right place as we’ve gathered a host of different room ideas to help get you inspired as well as some handy advice from the interior experts....