Buying the best coffee grinder for your kitchen will ensure that you get an endless supply of rich and fragrant coffee grounds to keep your filter (or portafilter) topped up. Every coffee bean demands a different optimum grind, so buying a burr coffee grinder will ensure that you always have the perfect cup of coffee, no matter the bean. The best coffee machine is only as good as the beans you put in it, and you will find that the fresher the grind, the more enjoyable the brew.

Another perk of investing in the best coffee grinder is the long-term savings. While there is an up-front cost involved, it is far less expensive to buy coffee beans than ground coffee, so you will find that you save money in the long-run when you pick up one of our manual or burr grinders.

Why do I need the best coffee grinder?

If you love the aromatic taste of coffee beans, then you’ll need a great coffee grinder. This will give you more precise control over how you prefer your coffee, and retain the freshness and flavour. The blunted edges on coffee grinders are much more reliable than those of food processors or blenders which won’t be ideal.

How much should I spend on a coffee grinder?

How much you spend all depends on how much coffee you regularly grind. Most good burr grinders start from around £35, while top of the range models can go up to £900. However, these will have more advanced grinding features, excellent results and quality design. 

Best coffee grinders

1. Smeg CGF01 Coffee Grinder

Best high-end coffee grinder for the aficionado

Type: Electric burr grinder
Capacity: 350g
Grinding levels: 30
Reasons to buy: Stylish retro design, plenty of settings, easy to maintain
Reasons to avoid: Costly price, too large for small countertops

For those who want to splash out on a top-notch coffee grinder, this Smeg model is a great option. With its signature, 50s retro design and quality build, it certainly makes an eye-catching addition to any kitchen.  Set-up is easy by simply pouring the beans into the hopper at the top and 

slide over the chrome level to the setting you need – from fine, medium and coarse. Then set your preferred setting using the dial before pressing the Start button. The grinder immediately gets to work, producing aromatic, ground coffee straight into the container in seconds. This can also be sealed to keep its freshness for future use. 

The main feature here is the 30 grinding levels that you can choose from at just a twist of the dial. While this may seem a bit much, true coffee fans will enjoy experimenting with the different types of brews. As to be expected, the Smeg coffee grinder performs exceptionally well, and you can really taste the rich and flavoursome coffee.

Compared to other grinders, it has a large capacity, which is ideal for endless cups. Just make sure you have enough counter space! It also has an expensive price tag, so if you’re not likely to use all the features, this may not be practical. However, if fresh-tasting coffee is your forte, this is a great investment. 

Ideal Home’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars

2. Melitta Molino Coffee Grinder

Best value coffee grinder

Type: Electric ceramic burr grinder
Capacity: 200g
Grinding levels: 17
Reasons to buy: Has cup quantity selector, quiet, value for money, easy to clean
Reasons to avoid: Some may not favour the plastic container, can be messy

Melitta is well-known for making top quality coffee grinders, and if you’re after an affordable burr grinder, this model is the perfect choice. It has a simple yet stylish design that is compact to fit any space. 

The convenient 17 different grinding settings ranges from extra fine right up to very course. So you have more than enough options to suit your coffee moods. 

More so, if you’re after simplicity, this grinder is very easy to use. Simply pour the beans in the container above, use the rotary dial to set your grinding level before using the push button to start the process. For a compact grinder, it performs well, producing consistent results with each setting. In fact, it excels in grinding very fine coffee which is perfect for cold brew or French press fans. In addition, it is quiet, which is always a bonus!

The plastic container to collect your coffee is removable and easy to clean. However, the plastic seems light and not as durable as other grinders. The only thing that lets it down is it can leave behind a mess of coffee dust all over the countertop after use, so just bear in mind. 

But overall, it’s a great, little coffee grinder with a decent choice of grinding levels at an affordable price. 

Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars

3. Le’Xpress Stainless Steel Traditional Coffee Grinder

Best manual coffee grinder 

Type: Manual
Grinding levels: 3
Reasons to buy: Affordable, traditional steel design, multi-functional
Reasons to avoid: Has three grind settings

If you fancy a more traditional, hand-powered coffee grinder (and don’t mind the elbow grease!), this manual grinder is ideal. Not only does it look the part with its stylish, stainless steel and wood trim design but it also does a cracking job. It only has three grinding levels – fine, medium, coarse, which is sufficient if you have those preferences.

It’s simple to operate by turning the crank arm clockwise to grind your coffee beans, at your own convenience. It has a handy, clip-top canister underneath to collect your ground coffee, which also has a silicone bung to retain the freshness. What’s more, you can use it to also grind hazelnuts, spices or any other ingredients for your recipes.

More suitable for a small household, the Le’Xpress coffee grinder is simple to use, attractive and most of all, gives you the satisfaction of grinding your own beans!

Ideal Home’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars

4. Barista & Co. Core Electric Grinder

Best stylish espresso coffee grinder

Type: Electric stainless steel burr
Capacity: 240g
Grinding levels: 40
Reasons to buy: Slimline design, easy to operate, additional accessories
Reasons to avoid: More suitable for cold brew 

If you’re after chic and sleek, this filter and brew coffee grinder fits the bill. Fairly new on the market, this top quality coffee grinder could give the more established brands a run for their money. With its modern, slimline design in black, it looks great for compact spaces. 

Easy to use, simply fill the hopper with your beans and adjust your grind size at just a twist. Best of all, the grinder comes with a generous 40 settings to achieve that perfect aromatic blend. By selecting either the plus or minus button, you can choose your grind time from 1—50 seconds or default, before pressing the button to start grinding your coffee. The results produce a consistent grind size, particularly for cold brew and espresso flavours. 

It also comes with handy accessories such as portafilter attachment, measure scoop and cleaning brush. What’s more, the parts are all removable and easy to clean. 

Overall, this Barista & Co grinder is an impressive, sleek grinder that performs well and easy to maintain. Bear in mind, it’s not a specific espresso grinder, so if you’re a fan then this may not be ideal. However, it has a wide range of levels that will give you your money’s worth.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

5. Sage The Smart Grinder Pro 

Best coffee grinder for precision

Type: Electric burr
Capacity: 450g
Grinding levels: 60
Reasons to buy: Dosing IQ tech for grind precision, choice of grinding filters, large capacity
Reasons to avoid: Expensive

Coffee connoisseurs who know their bean will appreciate this Smart coffee grinder by Sage. Designed with high-tech features, it comes with a ‘dosing IQ’ of 60 (yes 60!) programmable grinding settings to get the most out of your bean. Ranging from ‘coarser’ to ‘finer’, you’ll find the perfect espresso for everyone’s tastes. 

The LED blue-backlit display is stylish and user-friendly. You can easily select your program, grind size and time. What’s more, you can select the number of shots or cups you need at just a press of a button. It also has a start/pause/cancel in one button. 

It’s large bean hopper can hold up to 450g capacity, perfect for large households who love their coffees! The bonus is, you can also grind directly into a portafilter, airtight container, or paper filter of your choice. 

Bear in mind, it is a lot more expensive than entry-level burr grinders. However, it’s a superb, smart coffee grinder that literally does all the work so you won’t have to!

Ideal Home’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars

6. De’Longhi Coffee Grinder

Best coffee grinder for filter coffee

Type: Electric burr
Capacity: 12 cups
Grinding levels: 17
Reasons to buy: Not too expensive, generous capacity, adjust by cups and coarseness
Reasons to avoid: The finest setting is not fine enough for some

The sleek and blocky design of the De’Longhi Coffee Grinder will list happily in the corner of your kitchen, next to the finest coffee machine. It has a dial at the front which allows you to choose the amount of cups you’re grinding for, and a dial at the side to choose your ideal coarseness.

Some have complained that the finest setting is not as fine as shop-bought coffee grounds, but the ideal coffee grind will depend on the specific bean.

We like the large capacity, both up top and to hold the grounds. It makes enough for 12 cups in one go, so whether you are making filter coffee or a few cups at once, it’s a good choice.

How to buy a coffee grinder

There are three main types of coffee grinder available. Blade grinders have blunt edges and operates like a food processor. These are usually smaller and compact in size. Burr grinders are the more popular as they give even and precise grinding results. They work just like a pepper mill as the coffee beans are ground by passing through two metal objects. Burr grinders usually have a number of grinding settings to choose from, larger in size, noisy and more expensive. If you enjoy grinding by hand, manual grinders are smaller and inexpensive. Again, these work like a pepper mill by grinding beans between two burrs. 

What features to look out for?

Depending on your coffee needs, It’s worthwhile checking out what features you need before purchasing. The number of grinding settings determines how many brew styles you’ll use. Less than 30 is sufficient if you’ll only use standard brews like French press or pour over. Capacity of the hopper will determine your cup quantity, and the speed will affect the time it takes to grind your coffee. 

What are the grind sizes for different types of coffee?

Typically, these are the best grind levels for your favourite coffee:

• Very fine – Turkish coffee and espresso
• Fine – Espresso
• Medium fine – Light espresso
• Medium – Light pour over/drip coffee
• Coarse – French press
• Very coarse – Cold brew

The post Best coffee grinders 2021: burr coffee grinders for delicious brews appeared first on Ideal Home.

The best kettle will keep your cups of tea topped up and your pasta boiling in record time. Short of investing in the best boiling water taps, there’s nothing more effective when it comes to speedy brews, and we’ve reviewed ten of the very best from Swan, Smeg, De’Longhi, Morphy Richards, Bosch, Russell Hobbs, and Dualit.

While they all do the same job, there are so many different styles of kettles to choose from. It’s the hardest-working appliance in your kitchen, so investing in the best kettle that really takes your fancy is a decision that will pay off in the long-run. You can also pair it with a toaster to complete your morning routine, and display your matching set in your home for years to come.

You can buy a kettle for as little as £20, but many of the best kettles in our guide cost upwards of £50. For the added cost you’ll get smart features such as multiple temperature settings, and stylish designs to keep your counters looking in top shape.

How we pick the best kettles

Our reviewer Ysanne was previously editor at Beautiful Kitchens magazine and has hands-on experience with dozens of kettles. Our small appliances editor Millie has also tried a handful of these kettles in her own home. Both know how to detect common issues like noisy kettles and limescale build-up for hard water kettles, and we have taken care to include a range of kettles that will work for every budget. Some of the kettles in our guide can be bought for well under £30, but the more expensive ones can cost over £100 and feature variable temperature, water filters and other extras.

What is the best kettle in 2021?

Our overall best kettle was the De’Longhi Ballerina Kettle, which we rate for its usability and temperature-control functions. The Dualit Architect kettle also wins our approval for its sturdy build and good looks, and the Russell Hobbs Emma Bridgewater Kettle is the quietest kettle we tested. Read on to discover more of our test verdicts.

Why do I need a kettle?

Kettles are for more than just brewing cups of tea. Investing in a kettle will make dinners so much easier, from boiling paster to blanching tomatoes. Some kettles with in-built water filters, which is great for those with limescale buildup or concerns about their local drinking water. Large capacity kettles are perfect for filling up hot water bottles or par-boiling potatoes for a Sunday roast, and even if you don’t use it so much, a small kettle can pack plenty of style into a compact kitchen.

Best kettles

1. De’Longhi Ballerina Kettle

Best kettle overall

Capacity: 1.7 litres
Type: Pyramid
Colours: Green, black, white
Features: 360° swivel base, anti-limescale filter, water level indicator
Reasons to buy: The beautiful design and quality construction
Reasons to avoid: No button to open the lid

The De’Longhi Ballerina Kettle pairs with our guide to the best toasters perfectly, because its two- and four-slice counterpart also sits in the top spot. Why? Well, for a start it has a stunning design that really catches the eye and looks beautiful on any kitchen counter. We had numerous comments from friends and family when testing, and it’s more that just easy on the eyes, too.

With a water level indicator and a light-up switch to indicate that it’s on, the De’Longhi Ballerina Kettle is ideal for practical use around the kitchen. The 1.7 litre capacity is also perfectly suited to serving mugs of tea, or filling up a whole teapot.

Our one gripe is that the lid has to be lifted away. Other options in our guide (such as the Bosch TWK7203GB) have a button to lift up the lid and open up the kettle for easy refills, but the De’Longhi requires both hands.

Ideal Home’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars

2. Bosch TWK7203GB

Best kettle for tea

Capacity: 1.7 litres
Type: Jug kettle
Colours: Black, white
Features: Keep warm, variable temperature, smart display
Reasons to buy: Delightful to use, with tons of smart features
Reasons to avoid: The look isn’t for everyone

We love a bit of hi-tech style, so it’s no surprise we were impressed by the unique touch-control panel on this kettle. At just 1kg, it’s light, easy to fill and holds an impressive 1.7L when full. The base features a simple power-on graphic that, when gently pressed, allowed us to switch the kettle on and off in the same way as we would our smartphone or tablet. Nice.

There’s also a funky, futuristic blue-light slider that illuminates to indicate a chosen temperature, from 70˚C to 100˚C. While it wasn’t quite the quickest to boil, it was pretty speedy at just over two-and-a-half minutes. And if you get distracted, like we often do, there’s an ingenious keep-warm function. This maintains the desired water temperature for 30 minutes after the kettle has boiled.

It also has the obligatory 360˚ base, meaning it’s comfortable to pick up from any angle. There’s a lovely large flip lid and a removable limescale filter, too. Sure, it’s got a slightly bigger footprint that most of the models we tested. But we think its elegant lines and steely good looks mean it’s an absolute keeper, however much worktop space you might have.

Ideal Home’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Read our full Bosch TWK7203GB Sky Kettle review

3. Swan Nordic kettle

Best on-trend kettle

Capacity: 1.7 litres
Type: Scandi design
Colours: Green, blue, grey, white
Features: Matt finish, soft touch, Scandi design, 360˚ rotative cordless base
Reasons to buy: Great value with a soft-touch finish
Reasons to avoid: The ‘on’ light is very subtle

Available in either cool white or slate grey with contrasting wood-effect comfort handle, this highly attractive kettle is a great choice for anyone that loves a bit of Nordic design. The boil-dry protection mode, which prevents it from being accidentally switched on if there’s no water in it means you won’t need to worry about accidentally damaging it either. There’s also a limescale filter, which helps to keep drinks delightfully scum- and impurity-free.

It holds 1.7 litres, enough to fill around 7-8 cups depending on your ‘portion sizes’, and it boiled a litre of water in just 2 minutes 45. The end of the on lever glows an agreeable bold blue colour while it’s boiling and the handle has a lovely soft feel to it. It has a lovely drip-free pour, too, which we found very pleasing.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars

4. The Funky Appliance Company Funky Kettle

Best matching kettle and toaster

Capacity: 1.7 litres
Type: Upright kettle
Colours: Stainless steel, rose gold, cream
Features: Button to open, sturdy metal design, easy-pour spout
Reasons to buy: It makes a great pair with the matching toaster, which is equally high-quality
Reasons to avoid: The colour range is lacking

The Funky Appliance Company’s aptly-named Funky Kettle hit the spot when we were hunting for a great kettle and toaster combo. It’s surprisingly hard to find a matching set where each component delivers great performance, but the Funky Kettle and its matching Funky Toaster were the perfect brunch duo.

We loved the exterior, which is quirky and reminiscent of the SMEG, even down to the stainless steel design. The lever clicks down easily, illuminating the back panel which shows the water line and shuts off when water has reached a boiling point. While it may not have a place in the best kettle roundup, the toaster could take frozen and fresh bread and toast evenly on each side, every time.

The spout makes pouring very easy, and refilling is simple thanks to the button on the top of the lid that pops open. Even the handle was ergonomic, but we do wish the colour selection was a bit more fun.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

5. Morphy Richards Verve Kettle

Best large kettle

Image credit: Morphy Richards

Capacity: 1.7 litres
Type: Upright large kettle
Colours: Black, white, cream
Features: 360 base, sleek look, window panel
Reasons to buy: Amazing value for a large kettle
Reasons to avoid: Hard to use for smaller quantities of water

The Morphy Richards Verve Kettle has a 1.7 litre capacity, meaning it’s great for making many cups of tea in one go. It comes in cream, white or black and has an optional matching toaster, which is also a top buy. The kettle comes with a limescale filter that can filter your drink as it pours. It comes with a sleek and discreet 360 base that will work on any counter. The kettle itself lights up, and you can see your water heating and eventually boiling through the back panel near the handle.

We found that the Morphy Richards Verve Kettle takes a while to get going, which is mostly because of its large capacity and therefore the tendency to overfill for the amount of tea you need. For example, the first marker on the transparent gauge is for three cups, so when you fill it for just one person it’s hard to know if it’s full enough. This kettle is also easier to pour when it’s more full. It is quiet though, and the look is great.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars

6. Dualit Architect Kettle

Best for style and substance

Capacity: 1.5 litres
Type: Stylish and sleek
Colours: Silver, black, grey
Features: Interchangeable design, easy to read, circular spout, no splashes, quiet boiling
Reasons to buy: It’s a kitchen classic that will last forever
Reasons to avoid: You have to pay extra for panel kits

If you’re the kind of person that likes to switch up your home décor with the seasons, then this model with interchangeable panels is for you. The (already beautiful) steel exterior can be further enhanced with easy-to-fit panels that encase the bottom and lid. The panel kits can be bought separately, and range in price from £12.50 for plain colours and metallics to £24.95 for specially commissioned designs from the likes of Bluebellgrey, Charlene Mullen and Kit Miles, whose floral Biophilia design is our current must-have.

As we’ve come to expect from Dualit products, the kettle is also beautifully built and ergonomic to use. The lid had a nice soft-open action, meaning it’s easy to refill without the risk of steaming your hand. The water indicator under the handle lit up when we started boiling, and has easy-to-read levels from two cups cup to a maximum of 1.5L. We particularly liked the unique circular pouring spout, which ensured free-flowing water with no splashes.

It’s not the lightest kettle we tested but feels stable and secure on its base. There’s an integrated cord store and it boils quietly, if not overly speedily, for such an impressive looking machine. An internal filter meant boiled water was crystal clear and scum-free, even though the water from our tap tends to be harder than action hero Jason Statham on a tough day at the office.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

7. Russell Hobbs K65 Anniversary Kettle

Best classic kettle

Capacity: 1.2 litres
Type: Classic design
Colours: Copper, silver
Features: Quick boil, long and streamlined spout, discreet base, auto shutoff
Reasons to buy: Classic stovetop design will look great in your kitchen
Reasons to avoid: The spout is very long, so pouring takes adjusting to

The Russell Hobbs K65 Anniversary Kettle has a flat and discreet base and a classic design that resembles a cooktop kettle. The long streamlined spout is a pleasure to pour, and it automatically shuts off when water is boiled.

We enjoyed how fast this kettle boiled, and both the silver and copper designs are sleek and sophisticated. Many kettles have a larger capacity than the 1.2 litre design so it may struggle to cater to families or fill up a pot for boiling rice or potatoes.

Featuring a quiet boil – it apparently makes 75% less noise when boiling than other Russell Hobbs models – this is kettle is a great fit for open-plan spaces where a loud kettle can be a real distraction. In addition this kettle has an auto-shutoff to prevent it boiling dry, although since the water window on the side is clear and lights up, you can clearly see how much water there is when it starts to boil anyway.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars

8. Smarter 3rd Generation iKettle

Best app-controlled kettle

Capacity: 1.8 litres
Type: Smart kettle
Colours: White, silver
Features: App compatibility, keep warm, schedule, smart speaker, water level indication
Reasons to buy: It’s possible to use this kettle remotely
Reasons to avoid: No on-board adjustments, so you’ll need to have your phone handy to use it

The Smarter iKettle is well-named. While it lacks the on-board controls of the Bosch Sky kettle, you can control the temperature using a smartphone app or even a smart speaker. You can also schedule it, and switch it into keep-warm mode. It’s an extravagant appliance, but when you’re working from home and drink a lot of tea, the remote access is a bit of a blessing.

We enjoyed the button, which you simply press to open the lid and refill. The metal design also felt high quality, but if you don’t get on with smart tech, this one’s not what you need. While pairing was easy enough, the rest of the controls are left to you to figure out.

Pouring was easy and the handle was ergonomic, so if you like your smart tech, this is a top pick.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Read our full Smarter 3rd Generation iKettle review

9. Russell Hobbs Emma Bridgewater Kettle

Best quiet kettle

Capacity: 1.7 litres
Type: Pyramid kettle
Colours: Polka dot, heart print
Features: 360 base, “on” light, washable anti-scale filter, quiet boil
Reasons to buy: It’s easy to pour and looks lovely in country kitchens
Reasons to avoid: The plastic paddle looks a little cheap

The Russell Hobbs Emma Bridgewater Kettle is the quietest one we tested. It heats and boils virtually silently, which means you’re unlikely to be disturbed if it’s used when you’re in a call or early in the morning. It’s also a treat to look at, with a retro-contemporary design that comes in either a multi-coloured polka dot or a love heart pattern. There’s also a matching toaster available, which we really enjoyed testing. The spout of this kettle makes pouring a treat, and the overhead handle is easy to hold and tactile.

Russell Hobbs claims this kettle has 70% quieter boil technology. You can tell when this kettle is finished boiling by the audible click it makes when switching off. It is on the expensive side for a less smart option, but there are plenty of matching Emma Bridgewater mugs and plates available to make the design even sweeter. With a 1.7 litre capacity, it’s also fairly large, despite its cute and shorter pyramid design.

Ideal Home’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars

10. Smeg KLF04 Variable Temperature Kettle

Best retro-style kettle

Capacity: 1.7 litres
Type: Retro
Colours: Red, blue, white, and more…
Features: Variable temperature, limescale filter, cord storage, keep warm
Reasons to buy: Sturdy and high-quality, with that classic look
Reasons to avoid: That price

Don’t let the fun candy colours and retro design of this kettle deceive you – it’s deadly serious about boiling. The sturdy 360˚ swivel base makes it easy to use whether you’re left or right-handed, while anti-slip feet means it stays firmly put on the worktop. An audible beep can be heard when you first switch it on and similarly when the water has reached the chosen temperature.

As it’s another variable temp kettle, we decided to take it through its paces with three different teas. We tried black, white and green to see if we could taste the difference. While we’re not real connoisseurs, we did definitely feel that the lower temps suited both the white and green teas we tested. It gave them what we can only describe as a softer, more rounded taste than they had when made with fully boiled water.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 star

How to buy the best kettles for you

How much should I spend on a kettle?

How much you spend depends on what features you’re after. Prices tend to rise the more stylish and feature-led the kettle is. If you just want a bog-standard model that boils fairly quickly and quietly, there are kettles available from £15 and above.

See the best coffee machine for more morning essentials

Designer looks come at a price, though, and many with more thoughtful, elegant designs can cost upwards of £50.

What are the main features to look for in a kettle?

Image credit: Lizzie Orme

Top of our must-have list is that it’s easy is it to hold, fill and pour. If you often refill a kettle as soon as it has boiled, choose one with a flip-top lid you don’t have to take off manually. This is really important to avoid the risk of scalding yourself on steam when you open it.

We’d definitely suggest a cordless model on 360˚ swivel base, for ease of use. A cord store will keep things tidy on a worktop, and an easy-to-view water indicator is handy.

While kettles don’t come packed with tech, some have variable boil temperatures. This is great if you’re a tea aficionado who knows their oolong boiling temp from the one that’s right for standard black tea. That’s 80-85˚C and 100˚C, respectively, if you’re curious.

I live in a hard water area. What’s the best kettle for me?

Filters that reduce limescale are invaluable if you live in a hard-water area and don’t want to be descaling your kettle on a regular basis.

Just be aware that models that feature a Brita filter, for instance, generally have a smaller capacity. That’s because of the room taken up by the filter and its holder. The cost for replacing the filters once a month can add up, too. However, it will mean you don’t need an extra water filter jug on the worktop.

The post Best kettle 2021 – reviews of the top 10 electric kettles appeared first on Ideal Home.

When it comes to living room feature wall ideas, wallpaper isn’t the only way to add wow. Sure, a statement wallpaper in a bold colour or flamboyant floral will make instant impact and look fantastic, but there are plenty of other ways to get creative if you’re faced with a featureless living room.

Wall art is an easy way to turn a plain wall into a focal point – and is easy to rearrange if you fancy a change later on. Or if your living room idea is lacking in architectural details, why not try creating a faux feature with DIY panelling or a decorative paint effect.

Living room feature wall ideas

No matter what your decor style, feature wall ideas are a great way of adding extra visual interest if your living room is looking a little lacklustre. While bold patterns and vibrant colours are impactful, calmer colours and neutrals can look every bit as eye-catching on a feature wall. Or consider adding shelving so you can work in colour and texture with ornaments, artwork or greenery.

1. Put up a picture gallery

Image credit: Habitat

Fill empty wall space behind a sofa with a gallery of favourite art work. Instead of a random mix of colours, give your display a more cohesive feel by choosing pictures, frames and mounts that complement each other. Paint walls a toning shade so that the background brings out the colours of your art.

For an informal display like this, choose artwork in a range of sizes. To work out the best picture layout for your gallery wall idea, try cutting paper templates out first and attaching to the wall with Blutak. You can then play around with the arrangement until completely happy with it.

2. Paint vertical stripes

Image credit: Future PLC/Dominic Blackmore

Give a featureless wall some decorative detail with a simple colour-block treatment using uplifting blues and greens. Keep to two colours of a similar tone for a subtle, understated look, painting one large panel in the centre of your wall, with two narrower panels, one at each end.

Separate your coloured panels by painting narrow bands of white in-between to create a dividing line. Use low-tack painter’s tape to give a crisp line.

To enhance your colourful living room paint idea Add cushions and soft furnishings in complementary tones with bolder pops of pink and yellow here and there.

3. Give panelling a modern twist

Image credit: Future PLC/Joanna Henderson

Add architectural detail to a plain living room by installing timber wall panelling over one wall. Paint woodwork a flat, matt eggshell finish, continuing the colour on skirting, architrave and doors to create a rich immersive feel throughout.

Break up dark tones by adding statement artwork. One oversized canvas or large framed print will add more impact than several smaller pieces. Choose pale colours that complement soft furnishings with metallic accents to add sparkle.

4. Line a wall with floating shelves

Image credit: Future PLC/Tim Young

Combine a feature wall with smart living room storage ideas. A stack of floating shelves run wall-to-wall will give an abundance of display space for artwork, picture frames, books and decorative pieces.

If you’re worried that a long run of open shelving might look untidy, separate shelves into sections by placing items in groups of three or five. Add height to displays by using a short stack of books to raise up smaller pieces.

5. Try a chic half-painted wall

Image credit: Sofa.com

Get a hit of bolder colour without committing to a whole room redo by trying a half-and-half paint treatment on a feature wall. A rich, warm colour on the lower section of wall will make a cosy backdrop for a sofa or a decorative piece like a sideboard or cabinet.

An easy way of updating a white or neutral room, a half-painted wall with a darker colour at the bottom (and paler colour at the top) will also create the illusion of height in a living room with low ceilings.

6. Create a wall of greenery

Image credit: Future PLC/Dominic Blackmore

Revitalise a tired living room by adding an indoor living wall. House plant ideas and greenery not only add colour but can boost air quality and well-being too. Just choose ferns and succulents that don’t require frequent watering.

Use the wall behind a sofa or a sideboard for your display. Pocket planters that are attached to the wall on brackets make a great alternative to wall art. Display in multiples of three or five to fill the space above furniture in a block effect.

7. Paint a statement border

Image credit: Little Greene

Try a two-tone treatment on the wall behind a sofa and paint a bold border stripe mid-way across the wall. Continuing the stripe over a bookcase or a door creates an eye-catching effect that adds even more ‘wow’.

Try this effect in a dark-coloured room by painting the stripe in a paler colour. Or try the reverse effect in a light room, by opting for a darker colour for your stripe.

8. Go dark with a dusky paint colour

Image credit: Dulux

Make a statement by painting a feature wall in an ultra dark on-trend paint shade. Choose a flat, matt paint in a velvety finish that will make a plush backdrop for a living room sofa and furniture and take colour floor-to-ceiling for an immersive feel.

Try dark shades of plum or damson in a living room to create a super-cosy effect. Avoid strong contrasts to keep the mood mellow, bringing in touches of rich raspberry, soft grey and olive green, with accents of warm gold and brass to add contrast on artwork and furniture.

9. Run shelving wall to wall

Image credit: Sofa.com

A patterned wallpaper makes for the perfect living room feature wall, but adding a single run of shelving will take the look up a level. Paint shelving a complementary colour so that it blends in with your wallpaper design and display family photos, artwork and favourite ornaments in a cheery mix of colours.

Hang the shelf at eye level (when standing up) and choose a slimline design or narrow picture ledge so that anyone sitting on the sofa won’t knock their head as they get up.

10. Play with scale

Image credit: Sofa.com

Supersize a favourite floral print and repeat it on a floor-to-ceiling mural to give a living room feature wall the wow factor. Paint adjoining walls in the same dark background colour to make your feature wall really zing.

Choose plush velvet upholstery for sofa and armchairs in complementary dusky tones. A dark winter floral like this looks great teamed with rich garnet, midnight blue and dusky plum.

11. Create an easy-change picture gallery

Image credit: Neptune

Line a living room wall with narrow picture ledges that can be filled with favourite prints or framed family photographs. Shelves are super-easy to rearrange if you have new additions or simply fancy a change at a later date.

Paint shelves to match your walls for a chic look – it’ll make art work stand out more. Add further interest by layering in a few small ornaments here and there to fill in any gaps between pictures.

12. Use feature stripes to widen a wall

Image credit: Sofa.com

Go bold with extra-wide stripes across one wall of a living room. Horizontal stripes will make the wall appear wider – perfect for small living rooms. Vertical stripes (both wide and narrow) have the opposite effect and will help make a wall look longer and higher.

For a chic scheme, choose monochrome striped wallpaper. Black and white looks ultra smart teamed with just a few accent accessories in bold primary colours.

Which wall should be a feature wall in a living room?

A feature wall can be used to highlight a living room’s existing focal point, such as the wall where a fireplace sits or where the TV is positioned. Alternatively, a feature wall can be used to create a backdrop for a statement piece – such as a sofa or sideboard – with a bold colour or standout pattern used to draw attention to the item.

Size-wise it makes sense for a feature wall to be used over a larger area to have maximum impact, so avoid them in very small rooms, where the effect might be too overpowering. In open-plan spaces, feature walls are a great trick for zoning the space – a painted panel or feature wallpaper can act as a visual divide and make the perfect break-out spot for a seating area or study space.

What do you put on a feature wall?

Generally speaking, paint is the easiest option, whether it’s block colour allover or a paint effect, such as stripes or painted panels. Wallpaper is another popular choice – while a bold floral or flamboyant pattern might be overpowering used wall-to-wall, a small amount in a key area can give the perfect hit of pattern.

Tactile feature walls are another option, from traditional wooden panelling and reclaimed timber boards to walls clad in tiles, slate, marble or stone.

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