Narrow, restrictive hallways are a common problem for a lot of homes but with clever narrow hallway ideas the limited space becomes practical more than problematic.

Thoughtful styling tips, clever paint tricks and smart storage solutions can make more of a limited entranceway – tapping into its potential to be so much more.

Narrow hallway ideas to improve small spaces

‘We all live busy lives, so adding clever storage to your hallway makes it easier for everyone to make that stress-free dash out of the house,’ says Clotilde Passalacqua, Interior Design Manager at IKEA UK and Ireland. ‘As well as creating an inviting entrance to come home to’.

‘When space is tight, you need to get creative with areas of the hallway you might not usually think about’ advises Simon Glanville, managing director of A Place for Everything. He suggests smart hallway storage ideas below, all fine examples of improving a limited hallway space.

1. Hang a mirror to open up the space

Image credit: Future/ Lizzie Orme

Hanging a large mirror is a purely aesthetic solution to make more of a narrow hallway. Reflecting back light to open up the space and also faking a sense of depth by extending the wall by mirroring the view. A mirror is also a very handy addition in any hallway space, to ensure you can carry out a last hair and teeth check before you dash out the door!

2. Elevate the ceiling height with clever painting

Image credit: Rachael Smith

Try a clever paint trick to make a narrow hallway feel more characterful by should choosing a colour you love and paint along the length of the hallway but only to your waist level.

The theory behind painting to waist height in a narrow space is to break up a solid corridor of wall, creating a Trompe-l’œil style optical illusion of interest that can give a different perspective. This smart use of colour frames the space, giving it extra depth and interest.

3. Keep clutter at bay

Image credit: IKEA

‘ Two-in-one furniture, like the a bench with shoe storage really comes in handy when you want to optimise a small hallway,’ suggests Clotilde Passalacqua, Interior Design Manager at IKEA UK and Ireland.

‘Whilst wall-mounted hooks will help you take advantage of the full height of your ceiling. The PINNIG rack (above) with hooks means you can easily make good use of awkward spaces, like the wall surface over your radiator – and a bonus: your wet clothes dry faster!’

Buy now: Pinnig Coat Rack, £75, IKEA

4. Make the space feel bright painted all-white

Image credit: Lizzie Orme

Paint a narrow hallway in an all-white  colour palette to offer a blank canvas, reflecting any natural light that is permitted through windows and front doors.

Choose the best white paint to suit the light quality, is it south-facing and bathed in natural light or north-facing and cold. The right undertones of white will enhance the warmth, in turn making the space feel brighter and airy.

5. Adopt an immersive colour scheme

Image credit: Farrow & Ball

If you’re not looking to decorate with white the best way to overcome a problem narrow hallway is to make it feel like a wider room layout. Incorporate the colour scheme from the downstairs rooms that lead off the hallway to create a continuity to the flow – in essence prevent the space from feel small in comparison to the linking spaces.

A dark wall colour is a create way to create a cocooning ambient feel for a welcoming entranceway.

6. Add a decorative rug to dress the floor

Image credit: IKEA

Don’t feel like the decor has to be limited, just because the space is. A long thin runner can actually help to make the space feel better dressed, making it seem more considered. This in turn helps to make the narrow corridor-like space feel more generous, because you’re highlighting the space rather than glazing over it.

A decorative runner or rug helps to lift the decor and give the space more of a homely vibe, essential for a welcoming entrance to any home.

7. Welcome personality with a gallery wall

Image credit: Future PLC/ Colin Poole

Elevating the ceiling height, through clever tricks of the eye, is a brilliant way to make a narrow hallway space feel more generous. Hanging pictures at eye level all the way along one wall helps to keep the eye-line focused up, in affect drawing the floor away from the ceiling.

Use this idea along the full length of the narrow corridor space to elongate the wall. Make the artwork of choice treasured family photos to make the space feel more welcoming and cosy, rather than restrictive and soulless.

8. Stack vertical storage

Image credit: Future/ Lizzie Orme

In small and narrow spaces the key to successful storage is to capitalise on vertical wall space. If you really want to maximise your hallway, a tailor-made unit with built-in shelves and drawers will fill the available space intelligently, and look great too.

Like this slim but multifunctional storage unit that scales the wall from floor to ceiling, to ensure the storage doesn’t impact on valuable floorspace. Having such plentiful storage also in turns helps to open up a narrow hallway space, alleviating the are from being overrun with shoes strewn on the floor and stray bits and bobs left with nowhere to go.

9. Illuminate a central point of focus

Image credit: IKEA

If you have a long narrow hallway, use hallway lighting ideas well to elongated the space. Centrally placed overhead lights, such as these pendant lights used by IKEA,  will cast pools of light one after the other to  naturally invite guests into the rest of the home.

A central strip of light helps to create a central focus of illumination that highlights and celebrates the narrow space, rather than making it feel limited.

10. Hide an unattractive radiator

Image credit: Future PLC/ Lizzie Orme

Don’t let an unsightly radiator becomes the main focus of a small narrow hallway. An elegant radiator cover hides a multitude of sins and helps to add a polished finish to a space that could easily be overlooked in the style stakes. Plus it provides a handy shelf ledge to keep keys and display photos and flowers – adding a more homely touch to the decor.

11. Aim high for shelving

Image credit: Future/ Lizzie Orme

Placing floating shelves and wall-mounted storage units high will naturally free up the space below, to make it feel more open. A high shelf rack is a useful spot for coats and scarves and ensures precious floor space is kept clear.

‘Wall or overhead storage solutions – whether that’s floating bookshelves or wall mounted coat racks – will help make your space go further’ agrees Simon.

12. Welcome a slim console table

Image credit: Future / Jo Henderson

Console tables are a great place to allow family belongings to accumulate, with drawers to hide away all those delivery menus and loose change. Opt for a slim design, especially in narrow, corridor-style space to preserve a sense of spaciousness. Wicker baskets placed at the side or underneath are a useful place for hiding away other knick-knacks.

13.  Make storage multipurpose

Image credit: A Place For Everything

Add a mirror and handy storage at the same time, win win. ‘Multifunctional storage is also a clever way to store items without sacrificing the decor of the room’ says  Simon Glanville, managing director of A Place for Everything.

‘A mirror can add a lovely touch to a narrow hallway and can double up as a box for shoes or bags.

Buy now: Hallway Storage Mirror, £85, A Place For Everything

14. Go slimline with furniture choices

Image credit: Dominic Blackmore

Avoid overcrowding a narrow hallway with bulky furniture pieces that feel uncomfortably big within the tight space. ‘Another space-saver is slimline furniture’ Simon agrees. ‘Storage that is chic but also space saving will help you utilise the space in your hall without getting in the way.’ A concealed shoe rack is perfect, space-saving but providing practical storage.

How can I improve my narrow hallway?

The easiest way to improve a narrow hallway is to clear the clutter – remove surplus shoes, coats and outerwear that can comfortable live elsewhere. Space is precious in a narrow hallway, meaning smart storage is essential.

Look for savvy storage solutions that are slimline to avoid taking up valuable spaces. Also look for multipurpose storage solutions that worker harder to make the space more practical.

What colour should I paint my narrow hallway?

A failsafe colour to paint a narrow hallway will always be white. This light neutral creates a sense of space by bouncing light around the small space. Lighter wall colours reflect more light, a great quality when in small or light deprived spaces such as hallways.

Having said that if the space already feels small and enclosed it can sometimes benefit from a dark colour. On all walls and woodwork bold colour cocoons the space – leaning into the fact it’s small and cosy like. A brooding dark charcoal grey or even navy can actually be very sophisticated and create a stylish entrance.

The key to decorating with dark colours is to be sure everything matches. Ensure storage units are in the same colour palette to prevent them leaping out and jarring – overwhelming the limited space.

The post Narrow Hallway Ideas – 14 ways to make the most of an entranceway lacking in space appeared first on Ideal Home.

With an extensive coffee menu that will rival your favourite coffee shop, the De’Longhi Dinamica Plus is a great investment for those who are serious about coffee. And it is a serious investment, too, with an RRP of over £1000. You can buy some of the best coffee machines we’ve tried for as little as £100, but if you care about finding a fully automatic machine that’s easy to use and capable of making all manner of lattes, americanos, and even macchiatos, it’s a top-shelf machine that will get a lot of use in your home.

When I started reviewing the De’Longhi Dinamica Plus in my own kitchen I was drinking an average of one coffee a day, but the convenience of customising my morning and mid-afternoon brew has slowly ramped that up to three, at least! Another big win is that I can add my own ground decaff coffee without needing to disrupt my regular coffee beans. From its compact footprint to its easily customisable beverages, the De’Longhi Dinamica Plus is the best bean-to-cup coffee machine I’ve tried.

Ideal Home rated 5 out of 5 stars

Reasons to buy: 

• Fully automatic systems
• Compatible with an app
• Customisable presets
• High quality milk frother
• Sensitive bean grinding, with adjustable strength levels

Reasons to avoid: 

• It is an expensive option

De’Longhi Dinamica Plus

De’Longhi Dinamica Plus fully automatic espresso machine

Specs:

• Coffee type: beans or ground
• Control type: digital
• Water tank capacity: 1.8 litres
• Pressure: 19 bar
• Power: 1450kW
• Power cord length: 0.7 metres
• Dimensions: H34.8 x W23.6 x D42.9 cm
• Weight: 11.93kg

Getting started with the De’Longhi Dinamica Plus

The De’Longhi Dinamica Plus  came in a hefty box, but I was pleased to find that there was next-to-no assembly needed. The water tank and ground dispenser are both housed at the front of the machine for easy removable, and the bean grinder is at the rear of the machine, with a low enough profile to be easily topped up with beans.

The machine is fully automatic. You slot the milk dispenser onto the front left side of the De’Longhi Dinamica Plus, and if you don’t care for frothed milk, you can push a hot water dispenser into the front of the machine instead.

The milk dispenser has a LatteCrema system, which is designed to deliver robust and fine foam and frothed milk. This is fully adjustable using a dial at the top of the milk dispenser, with three levels of froth. When you choose your coffee setting you will be instructed to turn the dial to the right one for your coffee, and you can then switch it to the clean setting to rinse out the mixing device after you’re finished.

Making coffee in the De’Longhi Dinamica Plus

The touch display on the front of the Dinamica Plus shows a full menu of different drinks. There are the regular latte, americano, espresso and cappuccino modes, but you can also make a macchiato (the traditional way) or a latte macchiato, if you have a penchant for the Starbucks variety.

The aroma and size of the drink is fully adjustable, too. Simply press the bean and cup size buttons to toggle through five levels of strength, and five different cup sizes. The cup size will depend on the specific drink you’re making, so a large espresso will not be the same size as a large latte. I ended up buying the De’Longhi coffee cups that are shown in the illustrations on the digital screen, which made adjusting the size a lot easier, but it will take some time to get used to the specific size that suits your personal mugs.

The bean grinder has a capacity of 300 grams, which is the average size of most smaller coffee bags, and you can also lift up the hatch to pour in coffee grounds, a scoop at a time, to make decaf coffees. This was great for my mid-afternoon cappuccinos, although I did have to buy the coffee ground because the machine can only grind one type of bean at a time.

Customising your drinks

You can customise your coffee to your own personal preference, and save it to your profile to easily make the perfect coffee for you. The De’Longhi Dinamica Plus has four profiles to choose from, and you can still customise your aroma and size of the coffee even when on your personal profile. Just press the ‘my’ button to revert to your saved preferences.

Adjusting your ideal coffee is very easy to do. You simply change the aroma for your own liking, and then press stop when your mug is full. This is trickier when making a milky coffee, because you need to leave room for all the coffee you want to top up the coffee. When it’s done, you can save your preference, which means you will always have the perfect size coffee to fill your favourite mug.

Image credit: De’Longhi

The coffee’s made in the De’Longhi Dinamica Plus are picture-perfect, with a cross-section that shows the different strengths and levels of your coffee. I also enjoyed the way it handled my favourite beans, which were not burnt or bitter after extraction in the 19-bar machine. The flavour was well-rounded, and my latte macchiato foam was firm and well-formed.

As a former barista I do enjoy frothing my own milk by hand and working on my latte art. You’ll get no such opportunity with the De’Longhi Dinamica Plus, because the milk dispenses and is then topped up by the coffee machine.

You can pour two cups of coffee at once, but you can’t make two milky coffees simultaneously because there is only one dispenser.

Pairing the De’Longhi Dinamica Plus with the app

You can easily pair with the app on Bluetooth, which will give you the full menu and allow you to adjust everything completely, from the volume of coffee (in milliliters) to the seconds spent dispensing milk.

The temperature is also adjustable in the app, so you get some expanded functions you won’t find with the machine alone. You do need to change the dial to dispense milk and add a mug to top up your drink, so much like the Lavazza Voicy, this smart coffee machine still needs tending to.

Image credit; De’Longhi

Cleaning

Cleaning the De’Longhi Dinamica Plus is very easy. You pull out the grounds bin from the drip tray to empty both out, and the tray can go in the dishwasher. The milk dispenser can, too, and it’s a good idea to keep it very well refrigerated when there’s milk left between coffees. The dispenser cannot go in the dishwasher, but the milk carafe itself can.

Should you buy the De’Longhi Dinamica Plus

Image credit: De’Longhi

While it is an expensive coffee machine, the De’Longhi Dinamica Plus has a brilliant design that makes it the perfect investment for coffee lovers. It has four profiles, which means it is brilliantly designed for families, and while it is not quite as compact as the Cuisinart Veloce Bean-to-Cup coffee machine, it is still a decent size to not take up the entirety of your kitchen counter.

My only slight complaint is that you can only make one milky coffee at a time with the De’Longhi Dinamica Plus, because the milk dispenser will pour into one cup only. You can easily do two milky coffees back-to-back, and realistically you will make your coffees one at a time anyway, but it is a slight difference when compared to the De’Longhi Maestosa.

If you want a smart coffee machine to smarten up the kitchen counters, the De’Longhi Dinamica Plus is an easy five-star option. It will do any coffee bean justice, and the milk dispenser makes perfect steamed milk.

About this review, and our reviewer

Millie Fender is small appliances editor at Ideal Home. She reviews everything from coffee machines to air fryers from her own kitchen, meaning these tests have been carried out in the same conditions that you’ll be using the machine.

The De’Longhi Dinamica Plus was kindly sent to Millie by De’Longhi, and Millie tested for a month before writing this review. This gave her the chance to test all of its functions as well as cleaning and check for any troubleshooting. While she prefers a frothy latte or an iced cappuccino, her partner is never running on less than three americanos, so the De’Longhi Dinamica Plus was very thoroughly tested.

The post De’Longhi Dinamica Plus review: the perfect indulgence for coffee fanatics appeared first on Ideal Home.

Good lighting can make or break a scheme, but is often an afterthought. And, with a living area, there’s lots to consider. Finding the right balance of lighting is crucial when it comes to creating the right ambience for living rooms.

From spots to chandeliers, table to floor lamps, getting your living room lighting scheme just right can be complicated. Whether you’re looking to add mood or light up your WFH corner, we asked our favourite lighting experts to shed a little light on the subject.

Living room lighting ideas

Your ambient living room ideas will take the form of a principal light. For good distribution use a pendant, chandelier or spotlights – plus any natural light from windows, doors or skylights. You can then add your task lighting, which is especially useful if you’re also using your living room as a home office, or a place to settle with a good book. Adjustable desk lamps and table lamps both fall into this category.

Aside form the style of lighting you might also want to think about what colour light is best for a living room. Soft or warm white bulbs have a more traditional, cosy feel and are a good way to make a larger room feel relaxed and welcoming. Cool white light, on the other hand, is more energising, and probably better if you have an open-plan space incorporating a kitchen and dining area. 

What are the main types of living room lighting?

Image credit: Future PLC

‘There are three distinct types of lighting; task, ambient and accent,’ explains Simon Wallis-Smith, Director and Designer at Fritz Fryer

‘It will help you to choose the correct lighting if you understand the difference between these: task lighting, such as desk lights or spotlights, has a practical purpose; ambient lighting- wall lights, table and floor lamps, and dimmable ceiling lights- creates constant lighting, while accent lighting captures features, creates drama or alters atmosphere’

‘The best schemes include multiple layers of lighting, all doing their bit to create desired levels of illumination and flexibility,’ Simon adds.

How to use living room ceiling lights

1. Pick the perfect pendant

Image credit: Habitat

‘Investing in a feature ceiling light helps to transform your space in two ways: it draws the eye upwards and opens the space up, and tricks the eye into thinking that the space is bigger than it is,’ says Natalie.

‘It’s not always necessary to opt for an overhead light,’ says Jo, ‘but comes down to design preference and how you plan to use the room.’

Simon loves an overhead chandelier: ‘They’re great in a room with high ceilings.’

Buy now: Easton 5 Light Opal Chandelier, £110, Habitat

2. Add on-trend texture with woven pendant shades

Image credit: George Home

‘The right lighting can completely change the look and atmosphere of a room,’ says Simon. Changing a light shade can be transformative to a rooms decor. Not to mention simple and cost effective.

Buy now: Natural Corn Husk Pendant Shades, £25 each, George Home

3. Make a statement with a lighting sculpture

Image credit: Future PLC/ David Parmiter

Contemporary lighting can serve as a striking focal point in a living room. If you are blessed with high ceilings, you can really go to town with dramatic and angular fixtures. This owner didn’t let her home’s distinctive Victorian character stop her from indulging in her love of up-to-the-minute design, and picked a modern three-arm take on a chandelier.

She has cleverly chosen fixtures and fittings – such as the picture ledge side table and shelves – with strong black lines to bring cohesion to the look.

4. Go glam with a glass droplet chandelier

Image credit: Future PLC

Chandeliers might not be as popular as they were ten years ago, when shabby chic fixtures were all the rage. But they can still be a classy and contemporary lighting option. To bring them up to date, pair them with a scheme that’s rich in deep jewel colours such as amethyst purple, sapphire blue and emerald green, and brass and bronze-finished furniture and accessories.

When used as a central lighting choice, it may be that you hardly use this as your lighting option – it can be there to provide more of a decorative purpose. A top tip when choosing chandelier is to opt for a dimmer switch, to allow you to control how bright the light is. Use to the nature of having multiple arms, these designs can often be very bright.

5. Match with a coordinated theme

Image credit: Future PLC/ Polly Eltes

The best way to make all your living room lights blend seamlessly, without being too matchy-matchy is by coordinating a theme. The overhead here is a stylist glass take on a traditional Fishermans pendant, and while the task lamp doesn’t ‘match’ its white enamel design has a subtle coastal vibe. Both sit naturally amongst the decor of soft blue hues, with natural linen textures and seaside mementos. When all the lighting elements work together it helps to create a more thoughtful decorating scheme, where the lighting enhances the look – rather than dominates.

How to use living room lamps

6. Create a cosy atmosphere within open-plan layouts

Image credit: Original BTC

‘By creating light and shade areas, you can have cosier spaces within a large area. Mix up the layers of light, highlight architectural features with accent lighting and don’t over-light ares that don’t need illuminating.’ says Simon Wallis-Smith, Director and Designer at Fritz Fryer.

‘Look at your room and decide where function lighting is needed and mood lighting is required’ advises Natalie Mann, New Product Development Co-Ordinator at Iconic Lights. ‘There’ll be some crossover between the two, so dimmer switches will give flexibility to switch between function and mood lighting.’

7. Mismatch lamp shades to make a style statement

Image credit: Pooky

Do all lamp shade sin a room have to match? ‘No,’ says Jo Aynsley, Designer Director at Jeffries Interiors of Edinburgh ‘unless they are a matching pair. For wall lights though, it’s best to match.’

Natalie Mann, New Product Development Co-Ordinator at Iconic Lights, adds, ‘It’s important to work out what kind of light you want. The weight and colour of the shade will impact the amount and tone of light emitted. If you want brightness, consider mesh shades or glass. Or dispense with shades and go for exposed bulbs- Edison-style.’

Buy now: Large Stucco Table Lamp, £120, Pooky

8. Illuminate alcoves and dark corners

Image credit: Future PLC/ Polly Eltes

If you have a dark corner, such as an alcove beside a fireplace a lamp can prove invaluable. This helps to illuminate the space, to make the room feel bigger and add depth. It can also help to make it feel more characterful after dark, as the shadows play with the space to create interest in contrast to the light bouncing directly off a flat wall.

You can chose to direct the light slightly more into the alcove, as opposed to shining it directly outwards – as desired.

9. Shed light on a reading corner with an oversize adjustable lamp

Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles

For a quiet moment with a book, select an enormous Anglepoise-style lamp with a flexible arm and head to direct the light exactly where you need it. This large-scale design can also create the perfect spotlight for any budding entertainers at family gatherings.

10. Play with scale

Image credit: Future PLC/ Lizzie Orme

‘Think about the size of the room and scale of chosen design’ advises Suzy McMahon, buying director at Sofology. ‘The addition of a large floor lamp can draw the eye, adding personality and making a statement.’

‘However, for smaller rooms, consider floor lamps with slim bases that won’t take up too much space; these also offer a way to light darker corners and hallways without being imposing.’

11. Bring symmetry and order with matching table lamps

Image credit: Future PLC/ Dominic Blackmore

Take a tip from the interior designers and double up for a more professional, put-together look for a living room. Two identical table lamps used either side of the sofa can really anchor a scheme, especially when set on matching tables, with the colour of the lamp bases picked out again in cushions and other details.

12. Add colour and pattern with a mix-and-match lampshade and base

Image credit: Future PLC/ Dominic Blackmore

The right table lamp can brighten up a room even when it’s turned off. The trick here is to mix pattern with block colour and to take two contrasting colours to come up with a combo that really pops. For a more coordinated look, reflect the same colours in combination elsewhere – here, you’ll see them echoed in the sofa and cushions.

13. Welcome fashionable flex

Image credit: Future PLC/ Dominic Blackmore

The lamp flex – AKA the cable that runs to the plug socket – is having a moment. No longer the poor cousin to a a flashier shade or even bulb, it’s being allowed to make its own style statement with colour and pattern. Here, a blush pink flex stands out against a simple glass base and graphic monochrome shade, and coordinates with carefully chosen ceramics.

14. Match your lighting to the furniture

Image credit: Future PLC/ Simon Whitmore

Despite its importance, lighting can often look like an afterthought. Avoid this (even if it is the case!) by picking lighting in a colour that perfectly matches a key room feature. In this case, it’s a sofa, but it could be your curtains, wallpaper or a rug. Suddenly, your lighting choice looks very deliberate and put together – who would know?

15. Mix materials

Image credit: Sofology

‘Choosing designs with mixed materials such as metal and glass adds texture whilst keeping the look contemporary’ advises Suzy McMahon at Sofology. ‘Although it’s not necessary to match a light’s materials to other pieces in the room, it’s worth opting for styles that complement each other for a cohesive décor scheme.’

‘For example, if your wallpaper features a lot of green, selecting a lampshade in a similar colour will tie the look together.’

Ideas for living room wall lights

16. Keep wall lights simple and sophisticated

Image credit: Fritz Fryer

‘Wall lights are a great addition to a living room,’ says Natalie. ‘They act as a much softer alternative to an overhead light and add visual interest to the walls.’ Keep the design simple and understated for a sophisticated finish.

Simon adds, ‘Wall lights are great for an ambient tone in a room. They create a low level of light and bring out features in a room. It’s all about balancing the layers.’ Jo says wall lights should match, ‘and we prefer downlighters rather than up uplighters.’

Buy now: Ledbury Ribbed Glass Wall Light, £189.25, Fritz Fryer

17. Mimic natural light with wall lights

Image credit: Future PLC/ Lizzie Orme

Placement is an all important factor when it comes to lighting, for any room. With living rooms especially because you are likely to use the room all throughout the day, therefore mimicking the natural light with well-placed lighting options is a favourable idea.

In this bright and airy living room space the wall lights are placed directly above the skylight which floods the room with down light during the day. The wall lights will help to replace/mimic that light once it’s dark outside, giving the room a familiar ambient feel to that of the light during the day.

18. Free up space by thinking vertically

Image credit: Future PLC/ Dominic Blackmore

Who says all lamps having to sit on side tables? Opting for a lamp that can be wall-mounted allows you the freedom to move secondary furniture around more freely, such as side tables. It also means the space isn’t taken up, preventing you using the surface for cups, vases, books etc.

19. Use the walls to allow more focused lighting

Image credit: Nick Smith

Wall lighting provide the perfect way to create a more directional approach with fixed lighting. Choosing wall lights with adjustable rams allows you to concentrate pools of light exactly where you want them to shine, a great characteristic in open-plan living spaces.

As we see in the example above a seating area is well zoned within the open-plan living and dining space. Even when the lights are not in use you immediately know where the point of focus is, thanks to the positioning of the lights poignantly pointed towards a plush, comfy sofa.

Alternative living room light ideas

20. A well placed reading light

Image credit: John Lewis and Partners

As well as being highly practical, an eye-catching floor reading light also adds a contemporary note. Lighting a corner of your living room can give your space a whole new purpose. This type of light delivers a more direct concentrated lighting – perfect for creating a cosy reading corner or a quiet place for crafts.

21. Introduce natural light with skylights

Image credit: Future PLC/ Simon Whitmore

You might think adding roof lights is a huge structural undertaking, but it can be surprisingly easy – especially if you only opt to add one or two. However, the transformation will be instant and dramatic. Velux is a good place to start your research – and if you’d prefer a larger roof lantern, try Apropos.

Natalie adds, ‘Getting the balance right between natural light and fitted lamps can be tricky, so think about what exactly you need.’

22. Make a grown-up display of string lights

Image credit: Future PLC/ Simon Whitmore

Fairy lights don’t have to be exclusive to Christmas trees and kids’ rooms. Pick the right design and they can be used tastefully to light up a dark corner. Cotton ball string lights like these are ideal – provided you stick to tones like white, taupe or soft grey, you’re on to a style winner.

23. Complement lights with lanterns

Image credit: David Brittain

For a relaxed vibe, nothing beats candlelight – and popping said candles inside a lantern will reduce the dangers associated with a naked flame. For total safety, you could even consider using LED candles instead, as once they are inside the lantern, you’ll barely notice a difference.

Rustic washed designs like these work beautifully in a coastal-themed living room – a polished aluminium would work just as well.

The average modern living room will boast at least two different lighting options. From statement ceiling pendants to smart spot lights to provide the main overhead lighting. Accompanied by either floor standing light or side table task lamps to more directional wall lights to create an undertone, proving a more ambient option rather than the main lights.

How do I choose a light for my living room?

Lighting will set the tone of a living room and should never to be underestimated – though sadly, it often is. It might help to think of lighting a room in the same way you’d dress a bed.

With a bed, you start with the basics – a sheet, duvet and pillows, and then add to them with cushions and throws. Similarly, when you’re lighting a room, you start with the primary level of lighting, ambient lighting, and then add in task lighting where you need it.

Jo Aynsley, Designer Director at Jeffries Interiors of Edinburgh says it’s important to recognise how lighting makes us feel: ‘It affects us both physically and psychologically. Good lighting  can improve our mood and energy levels. While poor lighting can contribute to depression and affect concentration, sleep, appetite and even our eyesight.’

How do I get mood lighting in my living room?

‘Dimmers can give you good control of light levels in a room,’ says Jo Aynsley.

Natalie Mann, New Product Development Co-Ordinator at Iconic Lights, agrees: ‘Whether they’re wall-mounted dimmable switches or touch lamps with three settings, being able to dim your lights or make them brighter makes for a comprehensive set up.’

It’s about being flexible, explains Simon Wallis-Smith, Director and Designer at Fritz Fryer. ‘Warming up the colour temperature of a light will create depth and a more atmospheric mood. Whereas a cooler light temperature will bring energy levels back up in the room.

‘Successful schemes include lots of layers and the flexibility to individually control each layer, by either dimming or turning on and off.’

The post Living room lighting ideas – expert tips to improve lighting and create ambience appeared first on Ideal Home.

This bedroom was given a full budget Scandi inspired bedroom makeover thanks to some clever shopping and a smart £3 IKEA hack.

The smart makeover from Julie Pentelow from Swindon is full of budget bedroom ideas, that look chic and stylish. The busy mum had already given a few rooms in her home a facelift and was inspired to start work on the bedroom.

‘I was inspired to transform our bedroom after seeing people in Facebook groups giving their spaces a new look,’ Julie told money-saving community LatestDeals.co.uk. ‘I wanted to achieve something similar, so I decided to give it a go myself.’

Budget Scandi-inspired bedroom makeover

After browsing the internet for different ideas, Julie fell in love with Scandinavian design and decided to base her new scheme around that look. ‘The minimalist style provides a lovely sense of escapism, so I wanted to make my bedroom the same,’ she says.

Before

Image credit: Julie Pentelow

Although Julie had a chest of drawers and bedside tables, the room felt messy and a lot of the makeover came about simply from clearing the clutter with smart bedroom storage ideas.

Taking the time to find homes for everything instantly made the room look bigger and feel more relaxing, and storage boxes helped to store what she didn’t need out.

After

Image credit: Julie Pentelow

Julie started by clearing away the clutter and painting the walls in Dulux’s Overtly Olive (available at B&Q). She then gave her old IKEA furniture a smart makeover with a simple £3 leather handle IKEA hack.

‘I really liked the look of leather pull handles on furniture,’ she says, ‘They’re used a lot in Scandinavian-style makeovers, so I thought I’d make some myself.’

‘I ordered a strip of brown leather from eBay for £3 and cut the handles to size, then I used gold noticeboard pins to make it look like the fastening of the handle and stuck them into the drawers with a bit of extra glue for stability.’

Image credit: Julie Pentelow

Julie swapped the handles on the chest of drawers that now sits neatly in-between wardrobes and her bedside table. To complement the simple upcycled furniture idea Julie invested in some smart budget buys.

‘I already had some of the cushions I used on the bed, but the others I bought were only £5 each – I spent £15 in total at Home Bargains,’ Julie says. ‘I made use of warm yellow tones to complement the cooler white and grey shades on the bed.’

Image credit: Julie Pentelow

She also picked up some artificial plants from B&M and IKEA for £20 to make the room feel more homely. She position one of the small potted plants by the headboard and a taller plant next to the bed.

Mini bistro lights have been strung on a cane ladder to create a sparkling feature in the evening, while a mirror, artwork and wall hanging decorate the walls. Julie already had some white bed linen that complemented the look, but she added to it with a few snuggly throws.

Having received plenty of compliments about her new-look bedroom from family and friends, Julie couldn’t be happier. ‘We’ve saved hundreds by decorating ourselves and we’ve got a new-look bedroom!’ she says.

What do you think of the leather handles? Is it something you’d have a go at doing?

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