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As the main hub of the house the living room plays an integral part to how our homes functions. How to plan a living room comes down to how you wish to use the space, and indeed how much area you have to work with.

The basics are generally the same when considering living room ideas for rooms of all sizes; style, layout and costs.

How to design a living room – decor and layout

‘When setting out to design your living space it’s worth considering whether you’d like it to be a formal or more informal space’ advises Jessica Robins, Senior designer at LUXE by Andrew Henry Interiors.

‘It’s best to start thinking about your largest or most impactful pieces first i.e. the sofa, wallcoverings and whether you have any existing pieces you particularly would like to include within the room. Once you’ve decided on the finishes of your largest items, and whether these will include any bold patterns, you can then layer textures and hard finishes to add depth to your design.’

‘When choosing your finishes, neutral tones mixed with multiple textures compliments a more informal relaxed scheme. Alternatively using deeper, jewel hued textiles alongside textured glass and brushed brass, helps to create a sense of luxury for a more formal living space.’

1. Set a budget

Image credit: Future PLC/ Robert Sanderson

The key to good planning, for any room of the house, is to set a strict budget. It’s good to be realistic at this stage of planning, make the best of what you can afford. If your budget can’t stretch to all the thing you want simply work in preference, invest in the most important things now – like flooring and good electrics for lighting. Where you can live with certain elements do so for now, with the intention to change things at a later date.

Having a budget allows you to plan exactly where to spend, and where you can afford to save. Look for smart and simple living room ideas to keep costs on track.

‘The seating will make a huge difference to your living room and will also take up a considerable amount of the budget, so do as much research as you can on the key pieces’ advices Katie Lion, Interior Designer, Kitesgrove.

2. Choose a colour palette

Image credit: Future PLC/ Joanna Henderson

Firstly choose a colour palette for the walls to create a backdrop on which to build a decorating scheme on. Look to the latest paint trends to see what’s trending in the world of design experts, to try a bold new shade to set the scene for the seasons ahead. If you’re looking for timeless appeal go for a neutral living room idea to create a blank canvas to add pops of colour through furniture choices and soft furnishings.

‘We have seen that creating a statement in a room with a feature colour or palette of coordinating colours continues to be really popular in our decorating community’ explains Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director at Dulux. ‘Using colour on the ceiling, layering colours and using blocks, bands, stripes and arches to define areas in which we do different things is also a growing trend that we are thrilled to see!’

‘Nothing defines a room or the person who lives in it more than the creative joyful use of colour. It results in a look that is completely unique and intensely personal, with no other design quite like it to compare your home against.’

Whatever the colour be sure to test the shade in different lights, from early morning to night time with only artificial light.

3. Select the right living room flooring

Image credit: Carpetright Ardent ‘People and Planet’ Carpet, Burnt Orange, £29.99m2, Maestro Primary Ochre Rug, £79.99m2

When it comes to choosing the right living room flooring idea consider what best suits your needs. Are you looking for practicality with a vinyl flooring for a busy family living room idea? Or perhaps supreme luxury underfoot from a plush carpet? Alternatively a change of style with a polished concrete floor for a more modern living room idea?

Whatever style you choose be sure to consider all the implications, does it insulate? Will it reduce noise for the floor below, a valid factor if you live in a flat or a beside house with an unconventional layout.

‘As a social space to both enjoy and relax in there are no steadfast rules when it comes to decorating living rooms’ says Punam Chada, Buyer at Carpetright. ‘Although neutrals remain flooring favourites there is an interest in aspirational prints, patterns and colours that bring joy and make a statement.’

‘A rug can really ground the room to bring warmth and effectively “zone” the space’ says  Katie Lion, Interior Designer, Kitesgrove. ‘A good tip is always measure the room and consider the furniture which will be framed by the rug – a rug that is too small or big can make a room look unfinished or unconsidered.

4. Consider living room lighting options

Image credit: Future PLC/ Simon Whitmore

As a multifunctional space the lighting has to be well considered so it caters for all purposes. The right living room lighting idea will ensure the space is useable at all times of the day, and for different uses.

When putting lighting in place consider dimmer switches to allow control over the light levels, enabling the freedom to create ambience for more intimate occasions when entertaining. Living rooms can be completely transformed by adjusting the brightness. Play with different levels to make your lounge as comforting as possible, both floor and table lamps are crucial for adding soft illuminations to darker corners or over side tables to make them more user-friendly.

‘Make sure you have varied sources of lighting’ advises  Katie Lion, Interior Designer, Kitesgrove. ‘Overhead spotlights are usually too harsh for a living room, so I’d recommend having a mixture of different light sources which can be floor lights, table lamps, wall lights or pendant lights. This makes it much more interesting visually by introducing more materials to the scheme and atmospheric with various lighting levels and focal points. If possible, also instal a dimmer switch so you can adjust the light according to the time of day.’

5. Invest and measure for the right furniture

Image credit: Douglas Gibb

Furniture is never cheap, unless of course you are that savvy shopper who turns to Facebook Marketplace for a bargain. The main thing to consider when investing in living room furniture is how long it will last, buy cheap buy twice is the old saying. For things like sofas and storage solutions, where the investment is high, look for seasonal sales to take the edge off when outlaying big costs.

‘Whenever possible, try out the sofa first to make sure you find it comfortable – it’s not just about how it looks’ advises Katie Lion, Interior Designer, Kitesgrove.

Be sure to measure the space accurately to trust that any piece you buy will fit comfortably. Consider access into the property too, as this will factor into what pieces you can furnish your living room with – whatever the size.

6. Be mindful when arranging living room furniture

Image credit: Future PLC/ Alun Callunder

This element of designing a sitting room needs much consideration as it determines how you’ll use the space. Ask any interiors expert and they will share the opinion that how you arrange the furniture changes the layout entirely. The beauty is, you change up as frequently as you like to transform the space without it costing a single penny!

When talking to Ideal home about how to arrange living room furniture Lisa Mitchell, Design Director and Founder of Interior Style Studio advised, ‘Always give your furniture space to breathe. Stand back and check nothing is getting in the way.’

‘Decide where you want the eye to focus,’ says Lisa, ‘and layer around it. Stand back and contemplate the room as you would a picture. Sometimes a 10cm nudge to one side can make all the difference. A two-or three-seater sofa and a pair of armchairs opposite with upholstered pouffes always works well to balance a room.’

‘Often the living room is dictated by the tv,’ says Martin Waller, Founder of Andrew Martin. ‘And for the film fanatics the technology will likely be the focus. But if it’s going to be a sociable space to entertain friends and family then an abundance of seating facing towards each other will facilitate this – creating a warm and inviting feel.

7. Get the right window treatment in place

Image credit: Hillarys

‘For a subtle look, pick a fabric for your curtains that is slightly lighter or darker than your wall tone’ advises Debbie Leigh, Design Manager at ILIV. ‘If you prefer a contrasting colour, choose an accent colour from in the room, drawing a shade from a cushion or throw for example.’

Another brilliant living room curtain idea is to hang thermal lined curtains, as Debbie explains ‘Good quality, lined curtains are worth the investment. They are suitable all-year-round offering temperature control and privacy and their ability to help keep the cold air from seeping into the home makes them particularly useful during the autumn and winter months.’

8. Retain order with storage

Image credit: Future PLC/ Dominic Blackmore

Create a clutter free space to ensure the element of relaxing is not disturbed. Look for plentiful living room storage ideas to make sure everything has a place to be tidied away, out of your eye line.

‘If your living room is also doubling as a home office at the moment, think about storage’ advises  Katie Lion, Interior Designer, Kitesgrove. ‘Ideally you should be able to tidy away your work things at the end of the day allowing you relax in the space.’

9. Add a personal stamp

Image credit: Neptune

Style the space to make it your own personal sanctuary. From hanging artwork to form a living room feature wall idea that speaks to you to layer sofas with oodles of colourful cushions, make it personal.

‘A combination of small changes can create a big impact to your home, helping to uplift your interiors and make the most of your space’ explains Sabina Miller, Head Buyer at Heal’s. ‘Opting for pieces you really love will quickly transform the overall look. Statement accessories such as Raawii’s Strom Jug or Tom Dixon’s Tank collection can help to build a sense of strong decor and add an injection of personality and colour.’

‘Gallery walls are fun, or for something simpler but very dramatic a large giltwood antique mirror hanging on its won will be a talking point’ suggest Benji Lewis, interior designer and founder of Zoom That Room.

‘Scatter cushions are a great way of ringing the changes, consider ones with fringed detail to add a luxurious flourish. If you’re after an opulent vibe, look at velvet cushions in tones of green, rusty gold and scarlet; alternatively for a more pared back look, then soft greys, tan and ballet pink would work well.’

10. Live with your scheme to get a feel for it

Image credit: Future PLC

Where you place your furniture of course is an easy one to change, while redecorating has cost implications. Time will tell, so the best way to determine if your new look living room is right for you is to live with it – see how it makes you feel as you spend quality time in it.

The post How to design a living room: from floors to wallcoverings, colours and layout appeared first on Ideal Home.

Rumours of the death of doorbells have been greatly exaggerated, and instead, the old standard chimes have been replaced with the best video doorbells, that allow you to do so much more.

Pairing video security with smart home convenience, the video doorbells give you the power to keep an eye on the area around your house, speak with delivery men if you’re unable to answer the front door (even if you’re out and about!) and incorporate them into any smart home setup you already have.

Ever heard a knock at the door right when you’ve started the washing up? Or had a guest arrive while you’re still at the shops? Video doorbells solve these problems and more and also serve a vital security purpose.

Related: the best security cameras for keeping your home safe

Many video doorbells give you the option to store footage from specific incidents, which can be extremely useful should someone attempt to break in. You can also hook some of them up to a smart display, allowing you to see who’s on the porch without even opening your phone.

Of course, video doorbells cost a good chunk more than a classic doorbell chime. So is it worth making the jump, and which is best for you? Read on to find out everything you need to know.

The best video doorbells 2021

1. Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus

Best Ring video doorbell

Credit: Ring

Video: 1080p HD
Audio: Two-way audio with noise cancellation
Power: Rechargeable Quick-Release Battery Pack
Reasons to buy: Night vision, lots of accessories
Reasons to avoid: Can’t see past recordings without a subscription

The Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus is one of the best models from the company that started it all several generations ago. As such, it has managed to perfect the offering while driving down the price at the top-end. The result is a video doorbell that runs on battery, for super-easy installation, which took us under an hour, and lasts for half a year before you need to charge it – which is done quickly via a phone charger.

This looks quite similar to previous models, but that’s not a bad thing as these not only look decent but are also recognisable and work as a deterrent for burglars.

Video quality is high at Full HD 1080p, while audio is clear in both directions. What’s improved in this model is dual-band Wi-Fi connectivity which means you get features like Pre-roll. This, as the name suggests, gives you a few seconds of video to show the person approaching the doorbell before they press, allowing you to see who’s coming ahead of time.

It sounds pretty standard, but the app works so well it’ll pop up in your phone’s notifications before you even enter the app itself.

Or just pair this with Alexa, and you’ll be told through your speaker, for example, that someone’s at the door – a feature we found very useful in the kitchen away from the door chime. Finally, go for the Chime Pro, and it acts as a Wi-Fi booster, too, although we had issues with this, which Ring says was our Wi-Fi.

Thanks to intelligent sensors and the ability to designate zones that the camera responds to, notifications aren’t too annoying, even when you have a busy road in front of your home. In addition, the Ring Protect plan is affordable at £2.50 per month. It gets you lots of smart features like longer-term video recording, making this a fully-fledged home security solution complete with night vision.

Ideal Home rating: 5 out of 5 stars

2. Google Nest Hello

Best video doorbell for Google Home

Credit: Nest

Video: HDR video
Audio: High-quality speaker and microphone
Power: 12 V AC – 24 V AC; requires an 8 VA transformer and wired doorbell
Reasons to buy: Crisp, clear images, easy installation
Reasons to avoid: Requires a wired doorbell and chime

Google bought Nest, so it now features as part of its line-up for smart home products. So if you own a Thermostat, Home or Nest Wi-Fi, then this is an excellent addition to that ecosystem which is all run through one app. That means Google Assistant integration for door alerts on your Google Home speaker, which also means Google smarts.

As such, this doorbell is clever enough to recognise faces. That means you can have it alert you only when you want to know a particular person, say when your child gets home late. Thanks to the HD video with HDR, this is clear to see, which we found meant you got a clear image even when sunlight was in the background or when in night vision mode.

The look is super minimal, and the easy installation process goes along with that. But it’s backed by robust 128-bit encryption, so you don’t need to worry about security. You can also rest easy on recharging as this only comes in a hardwired version. That can make installation challenging if you don’t already have a doorbell wired in. But it means you can get the video to record constantly for you to scroll back through, for up to three hours at a time, without worrying about battery life. But, of course, you’ll have to pay if you want to store video for the longer term.

Ideal Home rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

3. Ring Video Doorbell Wired

Best budget Ring video doorbell

Credit: Ring

Video: 1080p Full HD
Audio: Two-way
Power: Wired
Dimensions: 9.9 x 4.5 x 2.2cm

Reasons to buy: the cheapest Ring doorbell on the market; smaller than other models
Reasons to avoid: no wireless option; no chime included

After conquering the video doorbell market, Ring has gone a step further by releasing the Ring Video Doorbell Wired – an affordable option with pretty much all of the features of its other, more expensive models.

The smart doorbell offers 1080p Full HD video with two-way audio, is weatherproof and has night vision to help you see what’s going on after the sun goes down. You can view the video feed from your phone or Alexa tablet, and motion zone customisation lets you set how the camera monitors the area in front of your home.

It’s sleeker and less bulky than the Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus or Pro, so some may prefer its more demure aesthetic. However, the biggest thing that could stop you from opting for the cheaper one is that it needs to be wired, which makes things slightly more complicated for those who are renting or who don’t already have existing wiring.

That said, if you already have a wired doorbell or are willing to hire a professional to fit it for you, the Ring Video Doorbell Wired comes highly recommended for those looking to save a few pennies.

Ideal Home rating: 4 out of 5 stars

4. Ring Doorbell Pro

Best wired video doorbell

Credit: Ring

Video: 1080 HD video
Audio: Two-way audio
Power: Hardwire to existing doorbell kit or via Plug-In Adapter
Reasons to buy: Slim design, interchangeable plates
Reasons to avoid: Requires professional installation and an existing doorbell

Yes, it’s a Ring doorbell appearing again early on in this list. That’s because Ring specialises in what it does, and it does it well. But there are different models to suit different needs, and in this case, it’s for those that don’t want to faff with a battery and would like a lot of options.

One thing we found in testing video doorbells is that they’re only as good as their notifications. Yes, you could use it at its most basic, only responding to the doorbell press, but if you want to be secure too then, motion detection is essential. That’s why this model excels, as it uses smart sensors and an app that lets you set zones to only be alerted when you need to be.

The design is also of appeal here with a super slim finish and long single black glass central unit to give a more premium look to the front of the house. There are interchangeable plates, too, so you can pick the look that fits. Even wiring this in is easy with an adapter included and all the tools and instructions to get you up and running quickly.

The price is the only downside here, although we did find audio quality could vary with it less clear sometimes, but that was likely our Wi-Fi in those cases.

Ideal Home rating: 4 out of 5 stars

5. Eufy Video Doorbell 2K Battery

Best doorbell camera

Credit: eufy

Video: HD 2k resolution
Audio: Two-way audio
Power: Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery
Reasons to buy: 180-day battery life, no subscription fee needed
Reasons to avoid: Video quality doesn’t shine through on a smartphone

Eufy is growing fast in the smart digital homeworld, with robot vacuums and security cameras leading the way. Its doorbell is a standout model as it, unlike most of the competition, offers an eye-melting 2K video quality on its feed thanks to a Sony sensor.

This is a pro-grade lens, which goes some way to explaining the price of this video doorbell. The quality is excellent but, to be honest, isn’t that noticeable on a small smartphone screen when compared to a 1080p video.

What is a really appealing feature here is the inclusion of free cloud storage. This means you keep access to all your video but without having to store it locally. Another pro feature is the customisation for motion sensitivity with a selection of activity zones, motion sensing and human detection.

All that amounts to notifications only when relevant – something our smartphone battery certainly benefited from. This also makes no compromises with power, allowing you to wire it in or go for the battery. Using it on battery should last for half a year which seemed accurate in testing, but of course, it depends on how active your notification settings are.

The use of an included base station helps keep battery use low, and Wi-Fi worries less of an issue, which we struggled with on other models.

Ideal Home rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

6. Ezviz DB1 Video Doorbell

Best high-res affordable video doorbell

Credit: Ezviz

Video: 3 MP resolution camera
Audio: Two-way audio
Power:
Reasons to buy: Alexa and Google compatible, heat detector
Reasons to avoid: Camera resolution not as sharp as the competition

Ezviz might not be a big brand name, but it’s quietly been working away at home security for years, offering decent specs for a low price. This wired model fits that description perfectly, undercutting the competition while still offering high-resolution video and a minimal design.

All the usual features are here with night vision, two-way chat, dual-band Wi-Fi, IP65 weatherproofing and app support. What it also offers, that’s better than some of the competition, are a full 180-degree field of view, ideal for smaller spaces, heat-based motion detection, and local storage on MicroSD cards.

At first, the heat detection was a little overly sensitive, but you can easily adjust this to avoid too many notifications. Settings range from 5 to 3 to 1.5 metres allowing you to perfect this, so you only get notified when someone is actually near your door. Or, as we did, just turn it off and let them press the bell.

Since this records everything, you can always check back should there be an incident worth your attention. This even works with Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant for smart alerts on your home devices despite the price.

Ideal Home rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

7. Byron Wi-Fi Video Doorbell

Best security doorbell

Credit: Byron

Video: 720p HD video
Audio: Two-way audio
Power: Rechargeable battery pack
Reasons to buy: 160-degree viewing range, long-lasting battery
Reasons to avoid: Video quality not as high as the competition

Byron is a long-time doorbell specialist that has made the jump to smart video doorbells and has landed on its feet. The result is a video doorbell that, unlike many brands, will give you free local video storage.

As you’d expect from the brand, motion detection can be input through to your phone using the app. While basic, similar to the design of this unit, the app works well and does what’s needed when it comes to more straightforward functionality like two-way video talk.

Unlike video storage, which is local, meaning you can store long term without paying a subscription for cloud video.

While this model is battery powered, with a six-month life, you can also get a wired version for those that already have a doorbell wired in and want to make a relatively easy swap.

Byron also sells electric door openers, meaning you could theoretically see who’s at the door and open it for them without moving from where you are in the back garden. Perhaps more realistically, this works with a gate opener making it perfect for deliveries where you want them dropped off in your locked rear garden.

Ideal Home rating: 3 out of 5 stars

How to choose the best video doorbell for your home

Credit: Ring

Video doorbells come in plenty of different shapes and sizes. But what’s important is that they also come with a wide variety of features. There are a few stand out specs you’ll want to make sure you take into consideration before you buy.

Wired or wireless: some are wired into power, like a classic doorbell, while others can use battery, allowing them to attach easily, anywhere
Ecosystem: some brands work with a broader ecosystem of gadgets via one app, making your life simpler if you’ve already got some of this kit
Home security: some are built for this, with motion alerts, while others simply respond to the button press
Ongoing costs: some charge for storage of video in the cloud, while others allow you cheap or free local storage options
Quality: the better the quality, the more you can see, which is crucial if you want this for home security too
Audio quality: can vary, so if you plan to do a lot of two-way chat, this is a feature to look closer at

Why do I need a video doorbell?

If it isn’t clear already, there are two main reasons to go video with your doorbell. First, to see and interact with who’s at your front door and to offer video surveillance of your home’s main point of entry. Second, it’s also great for rental owners, especially Airbnb operators, who aren’t always at the property.

Of course, these two also break down into more details, like being able to see potential guests at your door even when you’re at the bottom of the garden, thanks to that Wi-Fi connection and phone app. Or the ability to use that camera as a deterrent for would-be burglars that now recognise these doorbells as recording devices.

Some video doorbells even use facial recognition to intelligently alert you to a guest when you need to know. This helps avoid too many notifications. On that same subject, you can more easily silence your doorbell, making this ideal for those people with young children whose nap time almost inevitably coincides with the delivery man’s arrival.

How much should I spend on a video doorbell?

Video doorbell prices are pretty varied, with older models for under £100 and newer, more feature-packed units coming in at over £400. Usually, you can quite easily decide which works for you based on what you need. The problems arise when you need a particular feature that’s reserved only for the higher-end models.

Thankfully these have been around long enough now that competition is growing as such. Everyone is trying to cram in the best features at a lower price. That means you should now be able to get what you want without paying for the top end.

Of course, as is often the case, if you do want the best working video doorbell, you’ll need to pay more for it. Another advantage to paying more is that often these higher-end models look better too, enhancing your front door’s finish.

What other key questions do I need to ask?

Power can be an issue. If you’re going for a battery unit, make sure it’s made to last at least six months, or you’ll be annoyed at having to remember to charge the battery. Ease of battery access in these models can also be essential to help make life simpler. In the case of mains power units, be sure they work with your current doorbell wiring or at least come with the adapter to work using that setup.

How you want to view your callers is another factor. Some devices work with third-party video units, like Ring working with Amazon Echo Show, so you can see who’s at your door without even taking your phone out.

Other units also work with electronic door locks, although this is still in its infancy with mainly US-based products. But it’s something worth keeping in mind for the long term.

For many of the best features, like voice controls, or stored video, you’ll likely have to pay for a cloud subscription to the service provider. So considering that cost for the longer term is also worth keeping in mind.

Field of view could be a factor if the doorbell is going in a tight space. Essentially, the wider the field of view, the more you will see.

The post Best video doorbells – secure your home and never miss a delivery with a smart Wi-Fi doorbell appeared first on Ideal Home.