One area of our kitchen which seems to be constantly in use (besides, of course, opening and closing the fridge hoping it’s been refilled) is the sink. Whether it’s cleaning dishes, washing hands or rinsing produce, over sink kitchen lighting ideas are key to consider to make your daily tasks that bit easier.
All kitchen lighting ideas have their role to play, but all to often sink lighting is looped in with general lighting. Instead, task lighting is needed, but you also need to take into account extra details like the height and size so you aren’t bumping into it, or blocking a view.
‘Get the positioning of the units more or less firmed up before the first fix of lighting,’ advises Karan Main, Director, The Main Company. ‘Once this has been completed a loose lighting plan can be done. Take things into consideration like not standing in your own shadow at the sink.’
‘Also take in to account the ceiling height and the proportions of the room,’ adds Victoria Rothschild, founder, Rothschild & Bickers. ‘Then work out where you need focused light directed. Once you have this foundation lighting, consider the decorative aspects.’
Over sink kitchen lighting ideas
From pretty pendants to backlit splashbacks, these over sink kitchen lighting ideas might just light up your life.
1. Choose slimline designs for a clear view
Image credit: Amos Lighting
‘When it comes to how to plan kitchen lighting, it’s important to consider the brightness level of the room and what areas of the space need to be well lit,’ advises David Amos, Founder, Amos Lighting + Home. ‘We always recommend making sure that your kitchen layout has already been finalised, including the furniture, appliances, units and fittings. Once you have done this, you are then in the best position to incorporate lights that complement the rest of your scheme.’
Positioning is also key when it comes to windows. If you have a view behind your sink, then you don’t want this blocked by an oversized pendant. Slimline designs will allow all the task lighting you’ll need when the sun goes down, but won’t obstruct your view during the day.
2. Take pendants up high
Image credit: Future PLC/Rachael Smith
Although you don’t technically need an IP rated light for over sink kitchen lighting ideas, it’s advised that you don’t keep them too close to water. Take away any anxiety you might have by installing you lights way up high. Plus, the lighting ring will be wider the further you pull them back.
Just ensure you check that you’re still getting enough brightness to see what you’re doing.
3. Invest in a backlit splashback
Image credit: Rothschild & Bickers
‘Best practise is to layer and spread your lighting across the full area of a kitchen,’ suggests Victoria from Rothschild & Bickers. ‘Using a balanced mix of bright, non glare directional lighting and soft, ambient illumination. You want your lighting to have the ability to lift and open up your space as well as being cosy and inviting.’
A backlit splashback will add a wonderful mood lighting aspect to your kitchen lighting layouts. Plus, choose a bright enough – or dimmable – option and you’ll double this up as task lighting for your sink.
4. Make a subtle statement with a single pendant
Image credit: Future PLC/Polly Wreford
Sometimes less really is more. A bold single pendant will work effectively at task lighting your sink, but also add an extra design element.
Choose a colour or pattern which complements the rest of your decor, ideally in the darkest tone so it truly stands out even when switched off
5. Add strip lighting to prevent shadows
Image credit: The Myers Touch
You tend to be slightly hunched over your sink when cleaning things up. While this is in spite of all our mothers taught us about posture, it also blocks light coming from above. Strip lighting underneath shelving will prevent this problem as the light comes from the length of the shelf. This is also a great approach if you’re looking for a more streamlined, minimalistic design.
6. Stick with classic island lighting
Image credit: Future PLC/Lizzie Orme
If your sink if situated on your kitchen island, then you can’t go wrong with classic pendants. Hang a couple of pendants above – two or three tend to work best, whichever ensures that the entire island gets suitable lighting. Plus, these pendants will work as both task and statement lighting meaning you get more bang for your buck.
To avoid hitting your head while working away, a good rule of thumb for kitchen island lighting ideas is to hang pendants 12-20 inches below an 8 foot ceiling, adding 3 inches for each extra foot of ceiling height.
7. Add spotlights to your shelving
Image credit: Life Kitchens
‘Task lighting is designed for everyday needs but is also incredibly useful for illuminating food prep areas, the sink and the hob,’ says Graeme Smith, Head of Retail and Commercial design, Life Kitchens. ‘Stronger lighting is required for preparing and cooking, but softer lighting makes for a calm, relaxing ambience when eating and socialising.’
With this in mind, add spotlights to the bottoms of your shelves above your sink. This will add the necessary light needed for a task area, but due to being inset, won’t distract when turned off.
8. Put spotlights in lower ceilings
Image credit: Future PLC/James French
If your kitchen has a low ceiling, then you do need to bear this in mind for your over sink kitchen lighting ideas. You can’t go wrong with simple spotlights for small kitchen lighting ideas. Choose a set on a dimmer, so you can have bright task lighting when needed, and set the mood when entertaining.
9. Look for oversized designs to add impact
Image credit: Magnet
For kitchens with higher ceilings, it’s time to go big or go home. Oversized pendants will add a serious style statement to the room.
Light designs, or those with natural gaps, such as from woven or raffia materials, are a great option as they will shine light outwards as well as down. If you choose a more solid style, make sure the interior is either a bright white or a warm metallic to encourage the light to bounce around as much as possible.
10. Combine spotlights and strip lighting
Image credit: Detail Lighting
‘Try to reduce shadows on task areas so when leaning over the work-top the lights should not be directly behind you,’ advises Piero De Marchis, Director, Detail Lighting. ‘Linear LED lighting is good for reducing shadows, above cabinets, under cabinets or linear trimless strips in the ceiling.’
Combine these with ceiling spotlights so you can choose the level of brightness and adapt as needed.
Can a light be placed over a kitchen sink?
Yes, you absolutely can. You don’t even need IP rated lights, but do take some precautions. ‘We recommend that lighting is at least 60cm away from a water source, so not hanging directly over the sink,’ says Victoria from Rothschild & Bickers. ‘We usually recommend not to hang lights over the hob area as well as they can get greasy and the heat can affect them.’
What kind of light goes over a kitchen sink?
This is totally up to you and your own interior design preference. What tend to work well are pendant lights, spotlights and linear strip lights. Choose a design based on the architecture and height of your kitchen, as well as how much light you need at different times of the day in this spot.
When it comes to paint, walls are literally a blank canvas! Whatever room you’re decorating, there are plenty of creative paint ideas for walls to suit. From the huge scope of colours, to paint effects, and unexpected colour pops, paint is a brilliant way to add character to your space. Even in a room lacking any architectural details, being clever (and imaginative) with how you apply paint and colour can result in a scheme full of depth and interest.
The other big plus point in paint’s favour is that you can use it to create a big impact on a small budget. There’s a host of paint ideas that can be done with tester pots or paint you have leftover from other DIY and decorating projects so you don’t need to spend a fortune to add the wow factor to your space. So if you’re looking for a quick and easy project, paint offers stacks of potential. Grab your paintbrush and you can give any room a new look in a weekend (or less!).
Imaginative paint ideas for walls
1. Give panelling a tricolour freshen up
Image credit: FuturePLC/Dominic Blackmore
Separate panelling with the addition of a shelf along its length. This allows you to separate colours just like you would above and below a dado. Choosing colours that are tonally the same but from different colour families works well. Think about how to use the colour wheel – a grey, a brown and a green blend perfectly.
The addition of a painted up-cycled table, in a darker grey, adds to the look. Leave a fun circle of its original colour in the centre.
2. Go for vertical colour blocking
Image credit: FuturePLC/Dominic Blackmore
Create a colour-block wall of uplifting blues and greens by dividing the area with an off-centre stripe of white. Choose colours from the same colour spectrum. , and look at colours that sit next to each other to create a sense of balance.
Continue the colour blocking living room paint idea through the scheme with graphic rugs, cushions and bold accessories.
3. Create a painted fireplace focal point
Image credit: FuturePLC/Dominic Blackmore
Paint a fire surround a bright, uplifting colour. This idea works brilliantly to add a pop of colour to a room. Use an eggshell paint so that the surfaces are easy to dust and clean.
Co-ordinate the scheme by painting log ends. You could even paint a circular canvas a flat colour too as an alternative to hanging wall art. Add colourful candles and vases to create a fun mantel display.
4. Try ombre stripes on shelving
Image credit: FuturePLC/Dominic Blackmore
Follow the trend for faded ombre finishes by choosing three to four shades from the same colour family. Paint the shelf and its background the same colour working from pale to dark as you go from bottom to top.
Display objects of similar colours to the shelf. This will provide a feeling of calm. Try this in dining room alcoves or across a narrow wall for a fun kitchen wall idea.
5. Paint a canopy over a bed
Image credit: FuturePLC/Dominic Blackmore
Take a statement headboard to a whole new level. Continue a painted area behind the bed, over and onto the ceiling surface when planning how to paint a ceiling. The painted panel creates a canopy of colour for a cocooning effect. Use chocolate, coffee and caramel tones for a bedroom scheme that is both warming and restful. Mix velvets, slub linens and textural cottons to add to this welcoming scheme.
6. Frame a vanity area with a painted arch
Image credit: FuturePLC/Dominic Blackmore
Paint a panel in an accent shade to give the impression of wall architecture where there is none. This also makes a look-at-me feature in a room where there isn’t a natural focal point. Use a painted arch to emphasise a feature, like this oversized circular mirror over a dressing table for a bedroom paint idea. It elevates the room and gives it a boutique hotel feel.
7. Highlight architectural details with colour blocking
Photography credit: FuturePLC/Carolyn Barber
Paint colourful blocks so that they break into a fireplace, or continue over a section of coving, or door architrave. This is a clever paint idea that gives a real designer look to a room. Choose between three or four shades of paint in striking contrasting colours for a bold statement. Or go for subtler pastel shades for a more soothing scheme. Make sure you cut in paint using masking tape and a set of good brushes.
Try using large circular shapes, or arch shapes as an alternative to rectangles and squares. Remember to choose furniture and accessories that have bold and sculptural forms. They’ll sit more comfortably with this eye-catching technique.
8. Enlarge the scale of a framed print above a fireplace
Photography credit: FuturePLC/Carolyn Barber
Love the print but feel it’s drowned out by the size of the wall you want to hang it on? Painting a square or rectangle behind it will give it the impact it needs. Whether it’s for an idea for how to paint a wall above a fireplace, sofa, or behind a bed, enlarge the space that the print will sit on. Use masking tape to edge the shape, then paint carefully within the tape.
If the framed print is rectangular in shape then paint a matching larger scale rectangle. Pick out a colour found in the artwork for your painted panel to complement the artwork. Alternatively, choose a contrasting colour to make the print really pop.
9. Paint bold squares in a hallway
Photography credit: FuturePLC/Dominic Blackmore
For a modern wall display or gallery wall idea, create the illusion of an in-built cubby by painting vibrant squares on a white background. Then hang picture ledges the same length and arrange your favourite accessories.
Try bold shades of blue and orange for an urban vibe. Perfect for narrow spaces, like hallway ideas, try adding a couple of cup hooks under the picture ledge for hanging keys etc.
10. Enhance a bed with a painted canvas headboard
Photography credit: FuturePLC/Carolyn Barber
Make a statement above the bed with your very own art. Choose four shades of the same colour and start by painting the base with the palest tone. Then drip saucer shape amounts of the other shades onto the canvas at random. Using a wooden paint-mixing stick (on its side) drag the paint down the canvas at an angle, overlapping the different shades as you go.
This bespoke paint idea is super easy and can work with any colour as long as you stick with shades of one rather than trying to mixing contrasting colours.
11. Paint walls using a scallop stencil
Photography credit: FuturePLC/Carolyn Barber
For the most up-to-date living room paint idea, look no further than simply painting a scalloped shape motif along the length of a wall. Ever wondered how to paint a scalloped wall – well it’s super easy!
Start by painting the top section of the wall, extending down slightly further than the line you want your scallops to fall at. Then paint up towards the scallop stencil in your base colour, carefully painting up into your stencil shape as you go.
Change the scale of the stencil to alter the effect. A smaller scallop will create a pretty country feel, whilst an oversized stencil will give a bolder, more contemporary look.
12. Add drama to panelling with bold stripes
Photography credit: FuturePLC/Carolyn Barber Stylist credit: Charlotte Boyd
No need to splash out on expensive wallpaper when a couple of paint tester pots will give you the same look for half the price. Creating fun bold stripes is a super quick wall panelling idea. First, paint the inside of the panelling white and then mask off areas to paint in the rose-pink stripes on top.
Keep the furniture simple with a wooden trestle table and black woven chairs, so that the stripes are the star of the show. You could try other wallpaper designs that can be duplicated by using paint – like terrazzo, polka dots or checks.
13. Create a piece of two-tone artwork
Photography credit: FuturePLC/Carolyn Barber Stylist credit: Charlotte Boyd
First, paint a two-tone wall and then using the leftover paint from the walls make a reverse-out masterpiece. All you need to do is paint two thirds one colour and one third the other (in the reverse to the colours you have on the wall). Hang so that the dividing lines line up!
Alternatively, use contrasting colours to your wall colour. Pick two shades of terracotta, for example, to make an even bolder art statement.
14. Balance the room using two-tone walls
Image credit: FuturePLC/Joanna Henderson
Splitting a room in half using colour will make it feel cosier without dominating and keeping the top half white will give the appearance of height. Painting the bottom half a soft shade will act as fun DIY headboard idea and save on budget too. Take the two-tone effect all around the room including any architectural features such as architrave and even doors. Here the colour changes along the bottom line of a row of cabinets, it’s the perfect trick to make storage blend.
We recommend FrogTape to help achieve the perfect clean line when painting with two different colours.
15. Add a subtle slice of colour to divide open-plan living
Image credit: Future Publishing PLC/ Jo Henderson
Open-plan living is hugely popular thanks to benefit of making smaller rooms feel bigger and creating a more inclusive space. While it makes sense to paint the original spaces in the same colour, to provide a sense of continuity, it does present the problem of not having defined zones for different activities. A great way of subtly zoning distinct living areas within the same open-plan living room idea is by adding accent colours on architectural points of interest – such as archways.
Given it’s only a limited slice of paint coverage you can afford to change the colour seasonally, or when you switch up accent accessories within the room without huge expense.
16. Zone areas with an accent colour
Image credit: Dulux
How’s this for an imaginative way to add colour and character to a room? In this living space, the dining area is highlighted by the use of an accent colour painted as a backdrop on one section of the wall – which is then continued onto the ceiling above.
This thoughtful use of colour creates a dedicated zone. In this instance it’s for dining, but it could also work well behind a sofa or TV unit to signify a zone for relaxing or entertaining.
17. Get creative with shapes
Image credit: Crown
To add an instant sense of fun to a painted wall try using alternative shapes. This fine example uses a semi-circle of soft pink to create the perfect backdrop for a bed in a bedroom. Using paint in this way in a bedroom provides a brilliant budget idea in place of a headboard idea.
18. Paint the ceiling for ambience
Image credit: Future Publishing PLC/ Jo Henderson
This is a winning bedroom paint idea, particularly effective if you choose a dark colour to emulate the night sky, encouraging a sense of being enveloped by the darkness to aid a good night’s sleep. In modern new build properties simply paint the ceiling as you would a flat wall, taping off the adjoining fours walls to ensure a crisp line of separation. If you live in a period property with high ceilings you can afford to take the colour down to the picture rail, if you so wish.
19. Stencil a rug onto the floor
Image credit: James French
If you can’t find the perfect rug to suit your space why not try painting one instead? If you have wooden floorboards the decorating world is your oyster. Use specialist floor paint to fashion a rug design when planning how to paint floorboards. It adds a unique decorative touch for any room with wooden floors.
Here we see a geometric chevron design skilfully painted in an array of bright blues and corals with a pale grey border. Painting a rug is ideal in rooms with high traffic, such as kitchens and hallways because there’s no danger of slipping – unlike on the real thing.
To adopt this imaginative idea we suggest planning your design first, measuring the space and marking it out with tape ready to paint. Paint as many coats as necessary, be mindful not to make it too heavy as this is more likely to get scratched. Ensure you allow the colour to dry thoroughly before you place furniture back – lifting, not dragging to avoid scratching the surface.
20. Paint on a chalkboard
Image credit: Future Publishing PLC/ Jo Henderson
Add an element of fun to a family room with a chalkboard idea. Paint a noticeboard with the specialist paint to create a family planner, for calendar events and weekly reminders. This idea is ideal for a kitchen or a child’s playroom to allow a little creative freedom.
To make maximum impact with your paint choice try using creative paint effects, which can add depth to any colour combination. By carefully mixing two colours, in this case neutrals, from the same colour palette you can create a textured effect for your walls. This skilful painting method is ideal for making a statement without having to use patterned wallpapers.
This textured paint effect on the walls was created using ‘Stone III’ and ‘Stone V’ pure flat emulsion, both by Paint & Paper Library. The muted tones are offset against the strong contrast of the black metal accessories, while hints of orange and light grey on soft furnishings inject a warming, softer quality.
22. Fake architectural details
Image credit: Dulux
Don’t let architecture stand in the way of your design dreams – what is it they say, fake it until you make it! Create the illusion of alcove or archway with a clever application of paint. Simply measure out your design and type with a masking tape, then carefully apply your accent colour to create interest.
‘Create a cocooning effect for intimate dinner parties, with a rich-coloured feature wall, like this arch painted in Dulux Simply Refresh Ink Well’ says Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director at Dulux.
23. Pick out a picture rail
Image credit: Future Publishing PLC/ Dan Duchars
Create the illusion of ceiling height by painting above a picture rail. This simple, yet clever splash of colour helps to draw the eye up, stretching the walls up. It works best with bare walls, rather than decorated with wallpapers and pictures. Choose a bright colour to make even more of a statement.
24. Frame architraving with colour
Jo Henderson
Draw attention to decorative woodwork such as doorframes and cornicing by picking it out in an unexpected colour (not white!) and carrying the colour further up the wall to give the illusion of depth. Pick a striking, contrasting shade to add pops of colour around the room by painting a chair or a lamp base in the same paint.
This idea helps to break up a solid expanse of painted wall, while adding an uplifting accent colour in the room scheme. You could also consider colour as an option when looking at how to paint skirting boards.
25. Position a half point with paint
Jo Henderson
If the dream is to own a home with period features, but you live in a modern space you have to think outside the box when it comes to decorating. For instance, if you don’t have picture rails, dado rails or cornicing adding interest to walls consider other ways to add these decorative details. We say fake it with simple paint ideas. As seen above we’ve created the illusion of a dado rail by simply using two contrasting paint colours – a striking green underneath a warm white. The effect creates a more characterful finish to an otherwise plain wall.
25. Make a statement with a painted panel
Image credit: CROWN
Create a zone of colour around a room’s main focus, around a desk area, a bed or a sofa. Using squares or rectangles mask off the area for painting and choose your shade. Indulge yourself with a colour you love but may be feel is too bold to use on all four walls, this is a great opportunity to give some braver, bolder shades a go.
27. Paint a continuous line for definition
Image credit: Dulux
Use an accent wall colour to break up a decorating scheme. This idea is most effective in a room where you have a clear defined eye-line from top to bottom, such as in a kitchen where the cabinets determine a base level. Using the bold of two colours on the bottom half will help to create the illusion of one continuous line around the room, even when the wall is free of storage. Choose a matching wall colour to that of the kitchen or utility room cabinets to help balance the space.
This method is an ideal small kitchen idea to give the room a sense of greater height, resulting in the compact space feeling bigger than it is.
What changes can I make with paint?
‘Painting a room in contrasting colours is a great way to create a dynamic space with plenty of personality’ says Judy Smith, Crown Colour Consultant. ‘Whether drawing a geometric shape on a bare wall or highlighting features such as radiators, skirting boards and window frames with colour. Using contrasting shades will add a playful and quirky feel.’
‘Versatile and impactful, the effect can be achieved by mixing bold and neutral shades, creating a variety of moods that will suit different styles of interiors.’
‘Contrasting colours can be introduced in a number of ways. Use natural breaks such as corners, alcoves, shelving, dado or picture rails to start and stop the different colour choices’ Judy advises. ‘Alternatively, a simple and effective way to use different shades is to paint up to a certain level in one colour, mask with tape and then paint above in a different shade.’
Whether looking to add architectural detail for a thoughtful dining room paint idea or creating a striking contrast with a dark ceiling as part of a bedroom paint idea, there’s an imaginative solution for every room.
And, of course, paint isn’t just limited to the walls, use the best paint for furniture to add a splash of colour to an old dining table and chairs, sideboard or chest of drawers.
Is it cheaper to paint or wallpaper a room?
Both wallpaper and paint can range in price from low to high but generally wallpaper is more expensive to purchase. Wallpaper often needs an expert to install it, whereas paint is on average a cheaper option and doesn’t need an expert to apply it.
Should I use a brush or a roller to paint walls?
A roller is much quicker to cover large areas but will give a slightly stippled effect due to its foam or wool finish, whereas a paint brush will give a smoother finish. You may find that rollers can cause a small mist of paint to spray around the room, so more care needs to be taken with covering furniture and flooring, than with a brush where you can control the paint a little more.
Always use brushes to cut in the edges before filling in the main area with a roller as rollers cannot get into corners easily. It’s quicker to wash and clean brushes than rollers, due to the fact they do not absorb as much paint.
Not every garden is made the same – and more are on uneven ground than you might think. Sloping garden ideas allow you to create your dream outdoor space because of – rather than in spite of – the incline.
Garden ideas for sloped spaces are not simply a problem solver, in fact they can offer their own unique interest that you can’t achieve with a flat area.
‘A sloping garden can offer plenty of opportunities,’ agrees Carlos Real, Lawn Care Expert and Managing Director, TotalLawn. ‘You can create something truly beautiful with multiple heights and dimensions on a budget. It just requires a little more planning.’
‘You might think you are limited to what can be planted on a steep slope, but there’s plenty of options, as many plants can be grown on an angle,’ continues Carols. ‘A retaining wall is great for a hillside flower bed. Crevice-loving plants include trailing lobelia, rock cress, thyme, and candytuft. Take advantage of the slope and display your favourite plotted plants on the edges. It’s a great way to add a splash of colour! You can also select easy-care groundcover plants for slopes, such as: lamium, epimedium, lady’s mantle and mondo grass.’
So with thoughtful landscaping even the steepest and most fractured of gardens can be picturesque and practical.
Sloping garden ideas
‘Far from being a problem, a sloping site presents some of the best opportunities in garden design,’ enthuses John Wyer, CEO and lead garden designer at Bowles & Wyer.
‘Tackled carefully, it allows plants to be arrayed in layers so that successive sweeps of foliage and flower build onto one another. Finding the route through the slope also offers potential for drama or subtlety in garden design.’
‘Think of the grand staircases and terraces in Italian renaissance gardens. Well, we might not all have that much space (or money!) but it is possible to make statements with sweeping sets of steps leading up to a piece of sculpture or a bench.’
1. Combine steps and raised beds
Image credit: Future PLC/Howard Walker
If you’re thinking about how to plan a garden, remember that steps and raised beds are each ideal for sloping garden ideas, so why not bring in both? Shallow beds and long, shallow steps means you can roughly have one step per bed, creating a lovely sense of symmetry. Using the same material on the risers as the sides of the beds will also help visually link the structures.
‘Don’t be afraid to experiment,’ advises Carlos from TotalLawn. ‘Mix up the planting, add in splashes of colour and ornaments where you can.’ Pockets of potted plants will help create a real impression of cohesion.
2. Add flowerbeds between platforms and lawn
Image credit: Future PLC/James French
If there’s a gap between your home and your sloping garden, a natural addition is a decked platform area for alfresco entertaining. This can, however, leave an awkwardly empty gap beneath. Fill this will lush planting to disguise.
If you want to keep the illusion that things are level, plant flowers and foliage which grow taller where there’s the biggest height discrepancy between lawn and garden decking ideas.
3. Cut a path between sloping lawns
Image credit: Future PLC/Lizzie Orme
If your garden is only gently sloped and you’re not dealing with a dramatic incline, then you have several options. Cutting a path to lay flat on the ground is ideal and a great use of easy garden ideas. This means you can get evenly from one end to the other, and easily plant a path border if desired.
Plus the look of the two sections of lawn gently sloping upwards gives a bucolic and calming impression.
4. Level out with a raised path
Image credit: Future PLC
‘Terracing can be time consuming and expensive, so consider all your options first,’ advises Carlos from TotalLawn. ‘For example, is there anything you can create yourself?’
One such DIY-possible creation is by building in a raised pathway. You can plant on the sloping areas and build a straight path running across the whole area. For safety reasons this is best if there’s only a minor slope. Otherwise, it’s worth adding a rail to prevent anyone from falling off.
5. Create a rockery inspired cottage garden
Image credit: Future PLC/Howard Walker
Cottage garden ideas are, by their very nature, more rustic and ad hoc in appearance. Use this approach to build in slightly wonky, quirky stone steps, walls and beds. You can go uneven in heights and levels and the effect with be charming rather than messy. Work in cottage garden planting to finish the look.
6. Soften a steep slope with grass steps
Image credit: Helen Elks-Smith MSGD/Elks Smith Landscape & Garden Design
If your garden is on different levels and you’re not keen on hard landscaping ideas take inspiration from this garden by Helen Elks-Smith MSGD, of Elks Smith Landscape & Garden Design. Instead of incorporating stone steps, Helen has used grass treads – integrating them into the existing lawn to connect the lower patio to the small sun terrace above. Creating a softer approach to the flow of the garden, seamlessly journeying from one space to the other.
The thoughtful addition of grass steps in this garden helps to make the sloped transition feel less structured, because too much paving can feel overwhelming for some settings. This idea is ideal if you want to join two paved areas without having to jeopardise any further lawn coverage.
7. Raise a seating area
Image credit: Simon Orchard Garden Design
This new build property comprises of a garden that gently slopes up in two directions into the far corner. Garden designer Simon Orchard explains how he made the slope a design feature rather than a design feat.
‘Levelling the whole garden would have been very expensive in terms of creating the retaining walls along the boundaries – and the walls would have been very high. So instead we only levelled the main terrace and lawn area then worked with the natural slope, incorporating the three chunky overlapping concrete steps leading up to a slightly elevated seating area.’
The staged seating area gives an elevated view over the rest of the garden.
8. Transition levels with a slide
Image credit: Fiona Lamb Design
Garden designer Fiona Lamb has created a sloping garden of dreams for little ones, by connecting two levels with a garden play area complete with slide. The element of fun injects a different dimension to the beautifully landscaped garden. This brilliant budget garden idea is also highly practical, giving children a safe way to navigate the steeper levels.
9. Work with an incline to create a water feature
Image credit: Simon Orchard Garden Design
In the landscaped garden above, you’ll see how Simon Orchard Garden Design used the uneven ground to naturally create drop water feature ideas.
‘The grade of the slope was perfect for creating the bespoke two-level water feature,’ says Simon Orchard. The different levelled groundwork lent itself perfectly to make a cascading water feature, a tranquil addition meaning the garden benefits from the sound of trickling water.
10. Take a different perspective on planting
Image credit: Helen Elks-Smith MSGD/Elks Smith Landscape & Garden Design
‘Sloping planting beds can be great to look at – rather than simply view a planting bed from the side an angled view creates a different perspective’ says garden designer Helen Elks-Smith. Explaining how the planting differs, with flat beds,’you have to create planting schemes using plants that grow to different heights – but the same height plants will appear taller when looking up a slope.’
‘And for some plants this different view has real impact,’ advises Helen. ‘For example looking into the top of a fern is very different to the view of the fronds from the side, roses and many flowering plants look equally good from the top.’
11. Enjoy a multi-level garden
Image credit: Simon Orchard Garden Design
There’s incline, and then there’s ski slop-style that is hard to imagine where to start?! All you need is an expert, as this garden proves. ‘This long sloped garden comprises a height difference of over 5 metres from the upper terrace to the bottom of the garden,’ explains garden designer Simon Orchard. ‘This made the space pretty much unusable.’
‘The solution was to create a series of flat terraces, each serving a different purpose. With steps linking the different areas. A generous dining terrace was created at the upper level by the house, leading down to a lawn with flower borders and a secondary deck. This leads down to a sunken trampoline area from which you can walk onto the roof of the new studio/sauna – which was decked’ Simon explains.
12. Zone with different levels
Image credit: Simon Orchard Garden Design
A steep sloping garden naturally invites the creation of clearly defined zones, each providing a different purpose. The result of creating a cascade of turfed terraces helps to shape an otherwise unusable garden into a multifunctional family space. Simon Orchard says, ‘It’s a much more usable garden with different areas to sit and relax in, enabling you to enjoy the garden at different times of the day and take in the various views.’
Garden landscaping costs explained, so you can determine just how much to pay for garden landscaping.
13. Use railway sleepers to add structure
Image credit: Future PLC/Polly Eltes
This New England style garden makes a feature of the different height levels, embracing it rather than try to soften the look. Low railway sleeper walls are used to contain flowerbeds between the descending levels.
If you choose raised borders planted with hardy perennials, such as hosta and astilbe, they won’t need much care or constant maintenance. Add splashes of colour with drought-resistant osteospermum and gazania.
14. Install a pond to split different levels
Image credit: Helen Elks-Smith MSGD/Elks Smith Landscape & Garden Design
This thoughtful example shows how a hardscape stone wall on the side of a pond was used to deal with a slope across a garden. The wall helps to disguise the slope by making the stone framing look intentional to elevate the lawn beyond. A pond is also a fabulous wildlife garden idea, to turn your outdoor space into a haven for wildlife.
15. Make a statement with lighting
Image credit: Simon Orchard Garden Design
The different levels of a sloping garden provides the ideal layout to use garden lighting ideas to full effect. On a practical note it accentuates the different heights between levels, providing a safer way to navigate the journey through. In terms of design the lights add a more dramatic look, as they highlight key planting and bring the many zones to life with illumination.
Try setting each zone to a different light level to ensure you can provide the right light for each setting – brighter in the kids’ area, more ambient on a terrace made for entertaining.
16. Give steps character with gabion walls
Image credit: Bowles & Wyer
‘We designed the expansive landscape surrounding this modern architectural property, including this terraced garden leading away from the house and its adjoining terrace’ explains John Wyer, CEO and lead garden designer at Bowles & Wyer.
‘We’ve paired sleek paving with gabion-structure walls to create the terraces, finished with naturalistic and textural planting with splashes of Verbena. Not only does it provide an interesting journey as you travel up the steps to the main garden, but it creates a beautiful vista from the house too.
17. Structure a terraced garden
Image credit: Bowles & Wyer
‘This was a large country garden we designed and built in Berkshire,’ explains John Wyer. ‘We used the sloping land leading to the property to create a modern terraced garden, which provides an outlook of greenery from every facing window in the house. The lighting scheme also ensures this terraced space is the perfect spot for evening entertaining.’
This design could be scaled down to suit a small garden idea to give the space more purpose and a clearly defined structure. Work with a landscape gardener to tailor the space to suit your own garden needs.
18. Gently transition between levels
Image credit: Marcus Foster
‘Combine retaining walls with slowly rising steps, which encircle the sloping ground to subtly transition the levels’ suggests landscape designer Marcus Foster, ‘providing a design feature in the process. His idea to do so is, ‘Using natural materials such as breedon gravel and gabion cages.’
‘With over-sized aggregates the level changes can be further softened to slow down the pace and thought of moving through the space.’
How do you landscape a slope on a budget?
Embracing it as much as you can, will save costs because your budget isn’t eaten up by levelling the ground. Landscaping a slop on a budget is possible by decking over the top of the old surface and swapping raised planters for pots.
‘Think about how you use your garden,’ advises Carlos Real, Managing Director, TotalLawn, on how to landscape on a budget. ‘Do you want a seating area, an area to grow veg, or just an aesthetically pleasing lawn? Separate your space through functionality but think practically about transitioning from one area to the next. Separate your space by introducing rows of flower beds, using railway sleepers to build retaining walls or building fencing using wooden pallets and paint to add a splash of colour.’
‘Create a defined route,’ continues Carols. ‘Consider how you are moving from one section to another. Whether you require steps or not depends entirely on how much your garden slopes. Why not add in stone slabs? They don’t cost a lot; you may even find some lying around or on Facebook Marketplace for free! Just make sure they’re securely in position (for safety purposes, of course).’
‘It’s important to have a space where you can kick back and relax in the summer months. Bark chippings or gravel are quick and inexpensive ways to create a reasonably-level seating area – and can be tailored entirely to the aesthetic you are trying to achieve; gravel and slate in particular come in a range of colours which can be used to break up spaces in the garden.’
‘Maintaining a lawn on a slope can be difficult, and even dangerous when operating machinery,’ adds Carols. ‘For the most sloped areas, prioritise planting flower beds and keep your lawn in the flatter areas of your garden, where possible.’
What can I do with a sloping garden?
A sloping garden naturally provides different levels to create different zones – one for dining; one for kids; a level for a garden room or a vegetable plot. Zoning the garden allows the space to provide a multifunctional purpose.
‘Water run off from any sloping ground will need to be considered,’ warns garden designer Helen Elks-Smith. ‘Especially where the ground slopes back to the property and out from a driveway. In both cases drainage needs to be considered to capture the water and deal with on site.’
‘Sometimes you need or want to cut into a slope, to form terraces. This does tend to push up budgets as the soil then needs to be retained. Drainage is always needed behind garden walls and the walls themselves need to be specially constructed to retain the soil or structures, structural engineers can help. And moving between the different heights often needs steps. But sloping paths can work just as well and will make the space accessible for all.’
Put down a weed-suppressing membrane (from garden centres) to cut down on the amount of weeding. Then plant the border with ground cover plants, such as geraniums or catmint. Geraniums, in particular, provide good ground cover and colour through the summer. Use tall pots planted with grasses for a statement display.
Can you flatten a sloped garden?
Depending on the height of the slope it may be possible to flatten, but it involves a lot of work and a hefty budget. Levelling a garden can be expensive and might not give you the garden you desire. So working with a garden landscaper to design a garden that embraces the unconventional layout might be a better option.
We’ve all experienced that shivery feeling from a rush of cold air through unwelcome gaps in a home’s building envelope. There are various ways to stop draughts from doors, the prime suspect for gusts of cold air in the home. Most of these can be done by a competent DIYer without involving a specialist trade.
The first step to eliminating a draught is understanding where it’s coming from. Are there any obvious gaps around your front door? What about the letterbox and keyholes – is there a barrier there to stop air from coming through? Have you got glazed doors through to your garden that seems to let in the cold? Remember that glass is not as thermally efficient as solid materials. So is there single glazing on your front door that’s contributing to cold spots and draughts?
According to the Energy Saving Trust, draught-proofing around windows and doors could save the average household around £45 a year on lost energy. There’s never been a better time to make sure you’re maximising every penny and saving on utility bills. ‘Draught proofing a door is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to save energy and money in a home,’ says Victoria Brocklesby, COO at door specialist Origin.
10 ways for draught-proofing a door
Image credit: Future plc/Ryan Wicks
1. Fit a door brush strip draught excluder to stop draughts from doors
The space at the bottom of a door, where it runs over the carpet or other hallway flooring ideas, is the main culprit for draughts. ‘If there is a gap under the door then you can fit a brush seal or hinged flap at the bottom of the door,’ says Jill McLintock, Head of Product Marketing at Everest.
Brush strips are readily available online at stores such as Amazon and from DIY stores for under £10 to stop draughts from doors. You’ll need to measure the width of the door to make sure you’re getting the right minimum size. Before fitting, cut the strip to the exact length of the door to ensure there are no gaps. Position the brush so that it lightly sweeps the floor when the door is opened. If it’s too low then the door won’t open easily. If you leave a gap then you’ll still get draughts. Some products come with an adhesive backing, but you’ll probably still need to screw or nail it into place to ensure it won’t detach over time.
2. Install a hinged flap to the bottom of the door
Another for how to keep your house warm in winter and summer is to install a hinged flap design (sometimes called a weather bar) and eliminate draughts and at the bottom of your door. This works in a similar way to a brush strip. Instead of bristles, the product has a solid panel (usually made from rubber) that hinges and moves as the door opens and closes.
Bear in mind that the way your door opens makes a difference to what method is best. For instance, hinged flap designs are only suitable for doors that open inwards as they won’t be able to travel over the door frame.
‘These products can be bought and fitted yourself, but to do it properly you should either be good at DIY or employ a carpenter who can make sure there are no gaps and the draught is completely excluded,’ says Elizabeth Assaf, Designer and Co-Founder at Urban Front.
3. Add draught strips around the edge of the door
The bottom of the door isn’t the only area where draughts can come in. The edges and top should also be properly sealed to stop heat from leaking out and cold air from entering your home. To stop draughts from doors, fit rubber, foam, brush or wiper strips. These are attached to the frame with adhesive and possibly screws or nails, depending on the product.
‘Look at filling any gaps that are around the edge of the door with self-adhesive edging strips. Remember to clean the surface first to ensure the edging sticks properly,’ says Jill McLintock.
Draught seals are available in different colours to match your door material. Make sure to measure your door length and width, as well as the depth of the gap that needs sealing, to get the right type, amount and size of excluder. Most products are supplied with fixings, but always double-check.
Some types of weatherstrip edging also double up as an acoustic seal (they’ll be clearly labelled on the supplier’s website). This could be a great option if your house is on a noisy street and you want to turn the volume down on annoying external sounds as well as cut draughts.
4. Invest in an efficient letterbox flap
Image credit: Mr Standfast / Alamy Stock Photo
Is your letterbox letting in unwanted draughts? An energy-efficient letterbox will have brushes and a flap that work together to stop air from blowing through into your home – and heat from escaping out. It’s an easy way to save money at home. Many letterboxes are missing one of these elements, but they’re affordable and simple to fit yourself.
If you’re going to upgrade your letterbox then you’re probably going to replace the whole internal faceplate. Letterboxes come in different finishes and colours, including aluminium and plastic. Remember that some materials have better thermal efficiency credentials than others (so a simple metal flap without the brushes will always feel cold). Always take measurements of your door so that it fits properly; in some cases you may need to trim the letterbox hole.
Of course, the most efficient letterbox is one that doesn’t put a hole in the door at all. If you have a timber door, you could consider filling the gap (fit an appropriately-sized piece of wood, plane or sand down to fit, treat any blemishes with wood filler and paint or stain over). You could then invest in an external wall-mounted letterbox (available from as little as £29 at Amazon).
5. Buy a soft pillow draught excluder to stop draughts from doors
A more traditional method for blocking out draughts is to lay a long soft cushion or bolster on the floor, directly in front of the door. There are lovely designs available in a range of patterns – so this method can add cosy charm to your interior decor.
You can get designs that have buttons or fixings to attach to the door. Most soft cushion excluders are simply placed up against the door once it’s shut. In this case, the draught excluder won’t be in place when you’re out of the house, so the gap at the bottom of your front door is still a weak spot in your home’s thermal envelope, allowing heat to leak out and cold air to come in. For this reason, a soft pillow draught excluder is probably a better method for internal doors rather than your front door.
Another traditional option is to explore curtain ideas to hang on the inside of your front door – although this can be a bit fiddly to pull across when you’re leaving or coming home.
6. Make your own draught excluder
Image credit: Scott Ramsey / Alamy Stock Photo
With a bit of creativity, you’ve probably got the materials in your house already to make a draught excluder. You could fashion your own soft cushioned design to put in front of the door – the Energy Saving Trust recommends stuffing a case with used plastic bags, spare bits of fabric or similar material, which will work well as a thermal barrier.
It’s an easy DIY idea and there are lots of videos online and articles from craft hobby specialists offering tips on how to make your own draught excluder. It’s a great option if you love to get creative – plus it could save you money on heating and, if you’re reusing materials, will be cheaper than buying a draught excluder from a shop.
7. Cover the keyhole to stop draughts from doors
A bit like your letterbox, the keyhole is a small but disproportionately leaky gap in your door that could be letting in unwanted cold air. There are several options for this. A simple round of metal attached with a screw can be added to the outside of the door and pushed to the side when you’re using the key. These are called covered escutcheons and are a common feature of front doors; you possibly already have one.
You can also get keyhole lock cover guards, which are designed for modern cylinder locks. These flaps fit snugly over the face of the cylinder (where the key goes in) and can simply be lifted up to operate the lock.
Alternatively, you can get brush draft excluders for keyholes, which are a bit like those on letterboxes, where the key can be pushed through the brushes to operate the lock.
If you’ve got a door that has an old lock that’s no longer in use, you can fill the obsolete keyhole.
8. Upgrade door glass
Glass is the main culprit when it comes to bad thermal efficiency in homes. Lots of doors have glazed panels. If the glass is broken, then it’s important to replace front door glass. Not only is this playing with your home’s energy efficiency, but it’s also a safety risk. Single glazing can be upgraded to more thermally efficient glass – and you don’t have to replace the whole door to do this.
If you’ve got old glazed French, sliding or bifold doors that are leaking heat out of your home when it’s cold and leading to rooms overheating in summer, it’s a good idea to think about replacing them with more energy-efficient types of glazing. When assessing your options, look at the U-value. This is the method used to measure heat loss through a solid material. Lower numbers indicate better thermal efficiency. From June 2022, the Building Regulations will require most replacement doors to achieve a maximum U-value of 1.4 W/m2K.
9. Keep internal doors closed to stop draughts from doors
Image credit: Future plc/Simon Whitmore
It might sound obvious, but shutting the internal doors between your external door and living spaces will do wonders in helping to keep spaces warm. There’s a reason why front doors were traditionally in closed-off hallways and back doors in utility spaces. Smaller rooms were the norm in older homes as it was easier to keep spaces warm. This doesn’t stop the root cause, however, and heating in your hallway is likely to be lost through the door – thus impacting your heating bills.
This is particularly important when it comes to open-plan living. If you’re opening rooms up, design in barriers to stop heat from easily escaping. And consider if the walls, windows and doors of your home are energy efficient enough to cope? Remember that larger spaces need more energy to heat, so the thermal efficiency of your doors and windows is even more important.
10. Buy a new door with efficient weather seals
Image credit: Future plc/Emma Lewis
If you’ve exhausted all the above options and nothing seems to be fixing the draughts, it’s probably time to invest in a replacement door. Look for products that offer great thermal efficiency and come with weather seals.
‘Buying a well-made door with good weather sealing is essential,’ says Elizabeth Assaf. ‘We do double and triple weather seals on our doors in silicon. My experience is that brushes eventually flatten to let draughts in, so a good weather seal fitted into the frame or on the door itself is the best way forward. Also fitting a mobility threshold that has a seal on the cill of the door is a good idea – this wouldn’t cost more than £100 to do.’
When it comes to thermal efficiency on a new door, the installation is just as important as the product itself to stop draughts from doors. Guarantee the door performs as it should by getting it properly installed. ‘The best thing to optimise your draught and weatherproofing is to ensure your door is fitted correctly by using recognised installers. High-quality and expertly fitted doors won’t suffer from gaps which cause draughts,’ says Victoria Brocklesby from Origin.
