Bathrooms can be tricky to get right at the best of times, but small bathrooms can pose a further dilemma, as when space is at a minimum, it’s even more essential to get your decor and layout right. Thankfully we’ve gathered plenty of small bathroom ideas to help you on your way and inspire your next spa-like sanctuary, no matter what size your space.

With clever storage ideas, savvy layouts and smart design tricks, there are plenty of ways to make your bathroom, cloakroom or shower room, the zen-like space you’ve dreamed of.

Plus we’ve asked the experts for their top tips too, to ensure you have all the advice you need before taking on your small space.

Nigel Palmer, Marketing Director at Perrin & Rowe explains, ‘Examining your space fully before you start is key. For smaller bathrooms, traditional style wall-mounted mixer taps  work well as the pipework can be hidden without the need for a pedestal. A sleek monobloc tap with a single lever to control on/off and water temperature can also save on precious basin space. And remember, it’s never one size fits all when it comes to bathroom design!”

Small bathroom ideas

Big bathrooms are a luxury many of us can only dream of, however true that may be, we think compact bathrooms can be just as glorious. You have to be smarter with bathroom design ideas, but there’s plenty of potential in even the smallest of spaces.

A small space doesn’t have to look cluttered or feel cramped when you incorporate a few clever tricks of the trade. Your compact bathroom can soon ooze style and sophistication, even if all you have is a shower room idea to experiment with.

A couple of space-saving tips mixed in with a splash of gorgeous accessories will turn the most modest of bathrooms into an enviable space in minutes. We show you how to create the small bathroom of your dreams.

1. Build a ‘false wall’ shelf

Image credit: Future Plc/Lizzie Orme

It might seem counterintuitive in a small space, but building out a half-height false wall in your bathroom, will mean you can hide all the ugly soil and water pipes needed for your loo, plus create a shelf to house your prettier accessories too. Once tiled, you’ll never even know it wasn’t always there! Houseplants (fresh or faux) will look great lined up along the top, plus there’s space for artwork too.

2. Go grand with faux panelling

Image credit: Future Plc/Dominic Blackmore

Create a period vibe in a small space, with panelled-effect walls. Simple portrait panels are an easy way to add character or, for a more ornate look, try a ribbed effect. Dark colours will also work well to make a small space feel cosier.

3. Make the most of wall space

Image credit: Future Plc

In this luxe bathroom, a shower over the bath has made the most of the small space, plus fixing the radiator to the opposite wall has meant towels are at easy reach. The brass hardware and marble-look tiles all combine for a high-end look, in a tiny space.

4. Mix and match materials

Image credit: Cullifords

Make a feature of your bathroom basin and match it to your walls. Here a stunning, smooth marble covers the top half of the wall, which butts up against a textured, concrete lower. The basin sits on the same marble block, which cleverly ties the two looks together. A well positioned shelf adds to the linear look and provides additional space for accesories.

Buy now: Avalanche Marble, priced from £924 per m2, Cullifords

5. Opt for a (faux) living wall

Image credit: Future Plc/Katie Jane Watson

Bring some greenery into your bathroom in a big way, with a living wall. Perhaps a little tricky to do with real plants, but a panel of faux foliage will give you the same effect and is much easier to maintain. Saving surface space, it will create a stunning feature on your wall and bring a touch of the outside, inside.

6. Choose floating vanities to maximise floor space

Image credit: Garden Trading

Mounting your vanity to the wall and leaving the floor space beneath clear of clutter, will make your space feel larger and less boxed in. Opt for a vanity with plenty of storage for towels and toiletries and choose a basin that sits neatly on top. Gold hardware and accessories give this bathroom a spa-hotel feel.

Buy now: Pimlico bathroom wall light, £45, Garden Trading

7. Use mirrors to open up the space

Image credit: Lundhs

Hang a large mirror, (or two or three) over your bathroom basin, to bounce the natural light around the room and make the whole space feel larger. You’ll be surprised how much a mirror can open up a space and is the number one trick used by interior stylists to make a room feel larger. Go big, go bold and make a statement in your bathroom.

Buy now: Royal natural stone, priced from £680 inc VAT / m2, Lundhs

8. Invest in a slimline trolley

Image credit: Ikea

Store essentials on a neat storage cart that can be wheeled from bath, to basin to shower so you won’t need to double up on supplies or storage space. Choose a slimline design that can be tucked out of the way when not in use.

Buy now: Nissafors black trolley, £25, Ikea

9. Create a sense of space by defining zones

Image credit: Britton Bathrooms

Use the method of zoning to make a small space feel more generous. This smart bathroom is small and simple but feels much bigger, thanks to the clearly defined zones. The toilet is less than half a metre from the sink but thanks to the wood wall panelling and the tiled splashback the two areas feel very separate, which helps to put a sense of distance between them.

10. Position taps on the side of a sink

Image credit: Britton Bathrooms

Don’t let a narrow bathroom space mean you struggle to get the look you want – simply think outside the box. Choose a slimline, oblong sink that allows for plenty of volume, without taking up as much space due to its width. Adding taps to the side will help to eradicate any problems you might encounter because of the slim width, because the water will run away to the longest length.

11. Create the illusion of space with an oval bath

Image credit: Future PLC/ Chris Snook

Don’t shy away from including a freestanding bath in a small bathroom. An oval bath cuts corners to boost the impression of space. A shallow shelf to hide waste pipes is also handy for adding extra surface space to display bath salts, bathroom plant ideas and more.

12. Think like an expert

Image credit: Future PLC/ Colin Poole

Architecturally and visually, it is best to keep a small bathroom feeling open by not crowding too many things into it. Edit your amenities often, hang your towels on bars or hooks, keep pattern to a minimum, and generally, make it simple.

The room will feel bigger if you use a pedestal sink rather than a bulky vanity, a clear glass door rather than shower curtain and reflective surfaces such as glossy ceramic tiles in a large scale.

13. Work in a wall-mounted unit

Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles

Wall-mounted modular furniture remains a favourite for storage, due to its fuss-free, streamlined look. Available in a range of heights, widths and depths, it means that you can create semi-bespoke furniture that best suits your space.

You’ll find a wide range of colours, from soft hues to strong brave tones, available too, as well as plenty of different textures.

14. Utilise wasted wall space for a towel rail

Image credit: Future PLC/ Rachel Smith

Elevate your radiator to free up floor space, but go one further and position it above your bath or toilet to make the most of an otherwise unused section of wall.

‘We’re always being asked how to make the most out of a small bathroom,’ says Dan Nezhard, director at UKRadiators.com. ‘Our first recommendation is to look at investing in heated towel rails, or wall radiators in general. If you can remove a bulky, low-sitting radiator, it’ll open up a lot of space and instantly make the room feel bigger.’

15. Keep colours light for awkward layouts

Image credit: Future PLC/ Emma Lewis

The general rule of thumb for small award layouts is to keep your colour pallet light and bright. ‘If you want to make your bathroom appear bigger than it is, opting for lighter colours on the walls is going to work in your favour’ says Dan Nezhard. ‘Lighter colours will reflect the light and in turn, make your bathroom feel more open and airy.’

Lighter shades of whites, neutrals and greys are all ideal to open up awkward narrow and small layouts, to bounce the light onto all walls to avoid any dark corridors or corners.

16. Reflect darker paint choices

Image credit: Future PLC/ Lizzie Orme

While the general advise for small spaces is to decorate with white to create a bright and airy feel, there’s no denying how fabulous on-trend darker paint shades can be. There’s also an element of cocooning and ambience that comes from using darker paint colours in smaller rooms, so it is very much a choice of personal taste.

When using dark paint and tile choices the use of reflective surfaces can be invaluable for welcoming light to bounce around the space, to stop it feeling too flat and restricted – because dark colours absorb light, making the room feel more closed in and smaller than it really is.

17. Make use of an awkward corner

Image credit: Future PLC/ Colin Poole

If you don’t have a space tall enough for a shower in your small bathroom instead opt for a freestanding bathtub with a bath shower mixer tap. If you’re short on storage a bath tray will keep your bath time supplies within easy reach, and save valuable shelf space.

18. Be design savvy with glass

Image credit: Future PLC

A walk-in shower with frameless panels looks barely there in this elegant bathroom, helping to create the illusion of space. Grey marble wall tiles g and brass fixtures and fittings gives the small space a dash of glamour, without overpowering.

19. Add alternative decoration with tiling

Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles

Avoid overwhelming a small space with too many different decorating themes. But that doesn’t mean your bathroom has t be devoid of personality. This pairing of hexagonal and Metro tiles adds interest without overwhelming this small room with pattern. The owners have used hexagons in the porch and kitchen, too – as a subtle link through the house.

20. Close in the gap between fittings

Image credit: Future Publishing Plc

When space is really tight closing the gap between the elements is a savvy idea. In a tiny ensuite look to make the space a watertight wet room where the toilet is directly opposite the shower, using the space wisely. Use any awkward ceiling heights to determine the best layout.

21. Work in a wet room

Image credit: Future PLC

A stylish wet room  idea can make the most of a small space and add value to your property. If you’re converting an attic, consider a wet room instead of a bathroom. It’s a great way to make the most out of a small space and when it’s beautifully finished like this designer-style one, it’s stunning.

Ventilation is key as a build-up of moisture could lead to condensation and damp problems, so install a good extractor fan. Underfloor heating doesn’t take up any space but will add warmth and help to dry surfaces quickly. A partition wall helps add purpose without closing off different areas.

22. Double the size with mirrored wall

Image credit: Future Publishing Plc

Ok, so it’s not doubling the size in literal terms but it is creating the illusion of doubling the space. Mirrors can completely transform the look and feel of a room, as they reflect light and create the impression of space. It’s a winning style trick that interior designers use a lot to maximise space. Whether you install a sheet of mirror to cover an entire wall or simply hang a large mirror, the reflection is guaranteed to brighten your bathroom.

23. Stay inline

Image credit: Future PLC

The old green striped wallpaper was stripped out of this room and replaced with a smart tongue-and-groove wall panelling painted in white and repeated on the bath panel idea for a streamlined approach. The old carpet was swapped for an industrial-look lino flooring, which is more hygienic and pleasing to the eye.

24. Use clever paint effects to create an illusion of height

Image credit: Future PLC/ Polly Eltes

Paint halfway up a wall to create an illusion of height, as this bathroom has done with a blue painted wall panelling idea. By lowering the eye with a darker paint shade you create a distance from the upper portion of the wall. If the wall was all one colour the room wouldn’t have as much depth. This clever, yet simple paint trick is a great way to make a small space appear larger than it really is.

25. Wall-mount the taps

Image credit: Perrin & Rowe/@simplyscandikatie

26. Wallpaper a cloakroom

Image credit: Future PLC/ Colin Poole

One of the best ways to disguise a small bathroom is to create interest and a striking wallpaper is ideal for this. If you have a bath or shower in the room (rather than it being a cloakroom), make sure you buy one that’s made specifically for bathrooms, which will cope with the damp, warm conditions.

27. Buy freestanding and multi-functional furniture

Image credit: Future PLC/ David Brittain

A limited footprint shouldn’t impact on your creative flair. If your bathroom is verging on the small side, consider using freestanding furniture that you can move around at a moment’s notice.

Going for freestanding storage and seating allows you to move your scheme around whenever you like and, unlike fitted bathroom units, you can take freestanding pieces with you when it’s time to move out.

28. Trick the eye with tiles

Image credit: Future PLC/ Paul Raeside

The amount of space you have and what the eye perceives aren’t necessarily the same thing. Play with the boundaries of perception by tiling the side of your bath and the wall with the same design – it makes it hard to distinguish where each begins, thereby making your space feel larger.

Marble is particularly effective here for a smart bathroom tile idea , as it looks almost like one huge sheet and the individual tiles aren’t very obvious.

29. Invest in tall tiered storage

Image credit: Future PLC/ Trevor Richards

Freestanding pieces are a godsend in small spaces. Tiered wire storage keeps luxuriously packaged lotions and practical wash bags on show and easy to grab. If space is limited, you can take the stand from bedroom to bathroom when needed.

30. Use the same tiles on the floor and walls

Image credit: Future PLC/ Polly Eltes

A clever trick to making a small bathroom look bigger is to use the same tiles on the walls and the floor. ‘Use wall panels or matching floor and wall tiles in large-scale sizes for a seamless look,’ suggests Nicky Taha, Visual Stylist, VictoriaPlum.com.

Not only does the natural stone in this family bathroom add a spa-style touch, but the continuous run of tiles creates a spacious feel, along with the wall-hung fixtures that save on floor area.

If natural stone feels too neutral, you can easily pep it up with strong colour pops with your towels, storage and accessories – an on-budget way to add personality to your bathroom.

31. Make the most of a sloping roof

Image credit: Future PLC/ Brent Darby

Use every inch of an attic space by building a bath into the eaves. If you have an awkwardly shaped ceiling – like this loft bathroom – turn it into a decorative feature.

Paint the ceiling white to contrast with the statement wallpaper behind. It’s a great way to add character in a confined space. Consider adding a skylight, if possible, to open up your bathroom and create a light and airy space.

Your bathroom lighting ideas are key. Include task lighting next to mirrors and dimmable options in alcoves or behind a bath to create drama and mood. Make sure all light fittings have the correct IP rating for safe use in wet areas.

32. Furnish to scale

Image credit: Future PLC/ Lizzie Orme

Large items of furniture can dwarf a small room so always buy pieces that suit the scale of your space. In a small bathroom, stick to the basics of a vanity unit and storage rack that you can either hang on the wall or rest on the edge of a bath. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t pack on the personality. Paint a vanity unit in your favourite colour and opt for patterned tiles on the floor.

33. Choose furniture and accessories wisely

Image credit: Future PLC/ Tim Young

Bring a nostalgic touch to the bathroom by upcycling a narrow console table to incorporate a small basin. Space-saving wall-mounted taps provide a neat solution. The more of the floor you can see, the more spacious your bathroom will feel, so go for a freestanding basin unit.

Plus, you can pop a few baskets underneath if you’re short on storage space.

34. Tile halfway up the wall

Image credit: Future PLC

Unsure how to tile a sloping ceiling? Then try tiling halfway up the wall. It’ll save on tiles and make the space feel larger. Choose a dark neutral tile and paint the ceiling above it white to maximise brightness from roof lights.

35. Add a hint of colour to a white suite

Image credit: Future PLC/ Colin Poole

While a white bathroom colour scheme is the best choice for opening up a small space, it can sometimes feel a little stark if the whole room is white. That’s why a hint of colour on the walls is the perfect compromise: light enough to create an airy feel, but with bags more character.

Here, the storage alcoves were built from tongue-and-groove panelling, then painted in white to contrast with the raspberry walls and striking cobalt-blue tiles.

36. Accessorise white with black or blush

Image credit: Future PLC/ David Woolley

If you don’t have the budget to give your entire bathroom a makeover, accessories will do wonders for a compact space. Choose a theme – monochrome is bang on trend and easy to implement, or you could choose blush tones for another up-to-the-minute look.

Apply the style of your chosen trend to lighting, mirrors, smaller accessories and soft furnishings and instantly transform the space.

37. Invest in made-to-measure fittings and fixtures

Image credit: Future PLC/ Veronica Rodriguez

A well-thought-out design can fit all the essentials into as little as two square metres for a bathroom and even less for a shower room. The key is not to squeeze too much in.

If you only have a small space, it’s much better to make a focal point of a walk-in shower or a beautiful bath, rather than ending up with a cramped bathroom.

38. Distract from the size with feature wallpaper

Image credit: Future PLC/ Rachael Smith

Wallpaper will make a statement in any room and the bathroom is no exception. A downstairs cloakroom is a prime space to use a quirky bathroom wallpaper idea, as bathrooms with a shower or bath will require specialist paper to prevent steam damaging it.

Opt for a unique, bold or interesting print to maximise the impact in a small space like this. Fit a sheet of Perspex as a splashback behind the basin to prevent water damaging the wallpaper.

39. Reposition your shower valve

Image credit: Future PLC/ Colin Poole

Where space is tight, opt for an over-shower bath that delivers the best of both worlds. Rather than positioning your shower against the short side of the bath, try placing it along the longer side for a more luxe feel. Use a bold tile design around the bath to contrast with the rest of the room.

40. Stick to a monochromatic palette

Image credit: Future PLC/ Oliver Gordon

Keep to a monochrome scheme and add colour, texture and pattern with out-there accessories. White will open up a bathroom like no other colour, making it feel as spacious as possible. White tiles and black grouting can be a winning combination in a small bathroom.

41. Characterise with accent colours

Image credit: Future PLC/ Matthew Williams

This compact modern bathroom uses a number of techniques to create real wow factor, despite the small square-footage. Add a hearty dose of colour to inject vibrancy and personality into a white bathroom otherwise at risk of feeling clinical and characterless. A bright yellow ceiling and shower screen give this small bathroom a real focal point, while downlighters and white tiles keep the space feeling light and bright.

42. Have recessed shelving built in

Image credit: Future PLC/ David Parmiter

Recessed shelves are a great space saver, both practically and visually, keeping toiletries neat and off the surfaces. Building the shelves into false walls that hide pipework is a clever use of a necessary feature. Also consider recessed light fittings – either spot or linear.

43. Keep it simple

Image credit: Future PLC/ David Cleveland

If you’re in a quandary over how to decorate your small bathroom, just keep it simple with soft, natural shades. Choose furniture and accessories with clean lines and keep the room as clutter-free as possible to create a feeling of space.

44. Make it appear larger with mirrors

Image credit: Future PLC/ Richard Gadsby

Tile a wall in mirrored tiles to add reflections and light, while also adding design details. These metro tiles offer a fragmented take on a mirrors, which feels more design focused than a flat sheet of mirror would.

45. Make your bath the star

Image credit: Future PLC/ Polly Eltes

Go for a freestanding bath – it can work really well as a focal point in a small space. They’re not all as big as you think and you can even buy smaller versions that will fit into tighter spaces.  Add a pretty stencil on the wall above to draw the eye up and create the illusion of space.

46. Place a shelf for storage above panelling

Image credit: Future PLC/ Matt Cant

Tongue-and-groove panelling visually frames the bath and the handy shelf at the top acts as a mantelpiece to a host of trinkets, toiletries and accessories. The eau de nil colour is a relaxing choice for the bathroom, and adds interest to this compact space.

47. Make space beneath the eaves

Image credit: Future PLC/ Brent Darby

Compact fittings are a big help in awkward-shaped loft spaces. Don’t worry about trying to fit a bath – go for a luxurious glass shower enclosure instead. It’s common with loft conversion ideas and attics to box in parts of the room that have a reduced ceiling height for storage. But instead, why not look at ways to work around the reduced heights? A toilet or basin is a smart idea.

48. Factor in a slipper bath

Image credits: Future PLC/ Tim Young

If you can’t squeeze a standard roll-top bath into the bathroom, consider a shapely slipper bath – many come in short versions and they’ll let you rest your back in style. And if you crave traditional fittings in small space, the latest roll-top baths are available in smaller dimensions.

49. Draw the eye with statement tiles

Image credit: Simon Brown

Having only a small area to decorate really opens up your options with wall coverings that may be out of your price range in a larger space. These chevron bathroom tiles dance across the wall, creating a bespoke pattern behind the bath.

50. Keep clutter at bay

Image credit: Jo Henderson

Choose a couple of large decorations to adorn your small bathroom and keep the rest of the bathroom clutter-free to create the feeling of more space. The shape of this curved countertop basin adds an interesting focal point without dominating the basin area, and when teamed with a striking houseplant the space becomes full of interest.

51. Be bold with a dark colour

Image credit: Chris Snook

In a small room it’s tempting to use pale shades to bounce the light around for the illusion of more space. However, dark colours like these grey bathroom walls create an intimate feel (which is just what you want in a tiny bathroom). In this space bright books, mirrors and decorations break up the solid blocks of colour and light marble slabs break it up to prevent the room from feeling stifling.

52. Confined spaces and sloping ceilings

Image credit: Veronica Rodriguez

Make the most of all areas in your home by creating a shower enclosure under an angled piece of ceiling or hidden bit of space. This shower has bespoke Crittall style doors designed to fit in with the sloping roof of this house, but teamed with lots of plants and concrete it still works as a tiny, zen-filled bathroom.

How to plan a small bathroom – need to know

Kitting out a tiny bathroom might seem a challenge, but there’s no need to comprise on style. Decide what bathroom features are important to you, be that a bath or extra storage. Then draw out a scale plan, allowing space around the fittings for moving around the room.

Keep the loo in place if possible as moving the soil stack can be a costly job. Don’t forget to include those luxurious touches, such as statement tiles or underfloor heating for chilly mornings.

Is it better to use small or large tiles in a small bathroom?

‘While larger tiles help to open up a space thanks to the need for less grout lines, we believe that homeowners should embrace smaller rooms and if they love a smaller tile, then go for it’ advises Hamish Smith, creative director at Ca’ Pietra.

‘A small tile, perhaps with a pattern or interesting detail will add personality to a space, if you want to embrace a small space, you also shouldn’t be afraid of smaller darker coloured tiles either, dark colours add depth to a room which can actually make them feel larger’.

While Oliver Webb, Director at Cullifords, offers this advice, “With marble in a bathroom of any size, less is often more. Particularly if you are using a surface that is wildly veined in a small space. A popular choice of many homeowners and designers in smaller bathrooms is to marble up to a mid-height rather than full height as this won’t overpower the room.”

Will a bath fit in a small bathroom?

Image credit: Ashley Morrison

As we mentioned earlier, a freestanding bath can be a good option, as these also come in smaller sizes. D-shaped baths also get the look perfectly but have one flat side, which butts up against a wall. In bathrooms with a tricky layout, a corner bath could work well.

Can I squeeze a shower in a small bathroom?

Shower enclosures come in all shapes and sizes, including space-saving quadrant designs, which are a neat fit for a tight corner. Or, go for a wet room with a tiled floor or a low shower tray. A glass panel separates the space and contains any splashes, making the room feel bigger too.

If you can’t live without a bath fit an over-bath shower, or a smart shower bath for more room.

How do I maximise space in a small bathroom?

Fitted furniture will unlock storage potential dramatically, adapting to the most awkwardly shaped spaces. Fitted furniture can also conceal pipework. For a boutique hotel vibe, go for a wall-hung loo and basin unit with drawers and tall cabinets to match. This will free up floor space, giving even the smallest bathroom a clutter-free feel.

“Semi-pedestal basins are the perfect solution for homeowners that want to save space, without exposing pipework. Semi-pedestal basins are wall-hung, they conceal all pipework, and they don’t reach the floor, making a bathroom appear more spacious. Attaching to the wall, semi-pedestal basins provide a slim and sleek bathroom feature that compliments a variety of trends,” says Faye Froy, Brand Expert at Burlington

Don’t let a compact room be a barrier to creating your dream scheme – we’ve got all the tips, tricks and expert advice you’ll need. Let us know how you will be visually expanding your bathroom. Will you be using any of these small bathroom ideas?

Additional words: Holly Walsh

The post Small bathroom ideas- 52 ways to style up and maximise your space appeared first on Ideal Home.

The Help to Buy scheme is aimed at first-time buyers to help get a foot on the property ladder. It offers a five-year interest-free equity loan paid for by the Homes and Communities Agency (trading as Homes England). It’s a government agency funded by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

A record 55,000 households purchased a home through the Help to Buy scheme in the financial year 2020-21. Since the scheme was introduced in April 2013, 328,506 households have now purchased a home through the programme.

This guide will explain everything you need to know about Help to Buy. From whether you’re eligible, to how much you can borrow and what this house-buying programme is like.

The Help to Buy scheme – explained

Image credit: Alamy

What is the Help to Buy scheme?

The Help to Buy: Equity Loan scheme was relaunched on 1 April 2021 and will run until March 2023. As with shared ownership, the aim of the scheme is to help first-time buyers get onto the property ladder. Prospective first time buyers in England can apply for an equity loan of up to 20 per cent of the value of a new-build home. Buyers in London can borrow up to 40 per cent to reflect the higher property prices in the capital.

The amount that you can spend on the home depends on where in England you buy:

As an example, if  you want to buy a house in South West England for £200,000 with a five per cent deposit and a 20 per cent Help to Buy equity loan. You will need £10,000 deposit, £40,000 Help to Buy and a £150,000 mortgage.

Who is eligible for the Help to Buy scheme?

You need to be at least 18 years old. You cannot own a home or land anywhere in the world now or in the past. If you are purchasing with another person, they also must meet the the ‘first time buyer’ criteria.

If you’re married or in a cohabiting relationship, you’ll have to make a joint application with your spouse or civil partner and both live in the home having it as your only residence.

Image credit: Future Plc/Douglas Gibb

Do all lenders offer Help to Buy mortgages?

Not all lenders will offer a Help to Buy mortgage. ‘Lenders that do offer Help to Buy mortgages will vary mortgages from their standard mortgage products. This is because you are one of three parties involved in your mortgage, which includes yourself, the government and your provider,’ says Kate Burns, Mortgage Consultant at KB Mortgage Services.

Can I buy any new-build home under Help to Buy?

Not all developments sell their homes with Help to Buy. ‘However, most of the larger builders have to provide a certain amount of Affordable Housing depending on the size of the development. This is agreed with the local authority,’ says Gemma Caufield, Residential Sales Branch Manager at Bramleys.

Any home builder that wants to sell homes via Help to Buy must apply to Homes England to become part of the scheme. The developer has to be a UK-based company and provide a Building Warranty. All Help to Buy home builders must have agreed to sign up to the New Homes Ombudsman, too. The scheme supports buyers in resolving or being compensated for poor building work and enforces higher building standards.

How do I pay back the loan?

For the first five years, the equity loan is interest-free. You only pay a £1 monthly management fee by direct debit.

From year six, you pay the £1 monthly management fee, and you pay a monthly interest rate of 1.75 per cent of the equity loan.

You continue to pay interest until you have paid off your loan in full. The interest rate will rise in April each year based on the rate of inflation at the time, plus two per cent. If the rate of inflation is 0 per cent or less, the interest rate will rise by two per cent.

You must repay the equity loan in full when you pay off your repayment mortgage, sell your home, or reach the end of your loan term, which is usually 25 years. You can pay off your equity loan in full or make part payments at any time before then. However, any part payment you choose to make on top of a monthly interest payment must be at least 10 per cent of the market value of your home at the time. Part payments will reduce the amount you owe on the equity loan.

What happens when I sell my home?

You can sell your home at any time. You will have to pay off the equity loan before the sale completes. ‘When you’re ready to sell the property that you purchased via Help to Buy, an independent valuation needs to be arranged to work out the full value of the home,’ says Jonny Enticknap, at Hamptons.

‘You then pay back the percentage loan that was borrowed from the Government, which varies according to how much the property is now valued at,’ he says.

What is the Help to Buy house buying process?

Image credit: Future Plc/Colin Poole

With three parties involved buying a house via the Help to Buy scheme can be more complicated than a standard property purchase. Here’s a summary of the procedure.

Find a property

First find a new build with a homebuilder who is registered with the scheme. Visit Own Your Home to search agents in your area.

When you’ve found a home you will need to pay a reservation fee and receive a signed Reservation form from the homebuilder. The fee will be refunded if you’re not approved for an equity loan.

Register your interest

Next, register with your Help to Buy agent in your area at Own Your Home.

Send your agent a completed Property Information form and the signed Reservation form. The agent will then check your eligibility. ‘It’s advisable to also take independent advice from a financial advisor or mortgage broker at this stage,’ says James Smith, Director and Co-founder at Holden Smith. ‘To ensure this type of lending is the most appropriate for your personal situation.’

If your application is approved, your Help to Buy agent will give you an Authority to Proceed issued by Homes England. This is an official document stating that you’re eligible for the equity loan and you can progress with buying the home.

Exchange contracts

Appoint your own solicitor or conveyancer who will give you legal guidance and further forms to fill in. The Authority to Proceed is valid for three months. If it expires you will need to reapply. At this stage, you also need to arrange your repayment mortgage with a lender.

Once all the necessary forms and title checks are complete, you can exchange contracts. You’ll be expected to pay at least five per cent of your deposit and you are legally bound to buy your new home.

Completion

At this point you will pay the remainder of your deposit, your lender pays the homebuilder the full amount of your mortgage and Homes England pays your equity loan to the homebuilder.

Now you legally own your new home. You can officially start the moving house checklist.

‘Once legal completion occurs, the Help to Buy agent passes your details onto the equity loan administrator to manage the equity loan account until it is paid in full,’ says Kate Burns, Mortgage Consultant at KB Mortgage Services.

Image credit: Future Plc / Colin Poole

Help to Buy: the pros and cons

What’s great about Help to Buy?

• It helps first-time buyers get a brand-new home with a small deposit.
• You won’t have to pay any interest on the equity loan for the first five years.

What are the negatives?

• An equity loan is secured against your property in the same way a repayment mortgage is. This means if you are unable to keep up with the repayments, you run the risk of losing your home.
• Once you have exchanged contracts, you may have to pay costs if you change your mind and back out of buying the home.
• You can’t make any structural changes to your property, such as an extension or converting a bedroom into a bathroom, without permission.
• You are not allowed to sublet your home without permission which can be restrictive.

Are there any further considerations?

You must complete buying your home within six months of exchanging contracts.

The amount you borrow is based on the market value of your new home when you buy it. If the market value of your home increases, so does the amount you have to pay.

However, if the value of your home decreases, the amount you have to repay also falls. ‘Over the last 18 months we’ve seen values rise across the UK, so it’s unlikely people will see a drop in property value unless they initially paid significantly more than market value for the property,’ says Jonny Enticknap.

Factor in extra fees. ‘There is a significant amount of paperwork for both a financial advisor, if you employ one, and your solicitor to complete with the Help to Buy loan,’ says James Smith. ‘So expect an additional fee on top of the usual solicitor fees as it can be quite an onerous paper process.’

The post The Help to Buy scheme explained – including the new equity loan appeared first on Ideal Home.

You can now buy wallpaper specifically designed to boost productivity while working from home. VELUX teamed up with Poodle & Blonde to launch a luxury wallpaper for the home office named ‘Magic Hours’.

The range is the first of its kind, complementing the varying daylight in our home offices – whether this means an entire room or the corner of the living room. As home office ideas go, we have to say this is one of the chicest we have stumbled upon.

Productivity-boosting wallpaper for the home office

Image credit: VELUX x Poodle & Blonde

VELUX worked with Whinnie Williams and Kierra Campbell from luxury, retro-inspired homeware brand Poodle & Blonde to create this limited-edition collection. The range has three colourways, each drawing inspiration from how the light changes over the course of the day.

The Magic Hours colourways

1. The Golden Hour
   The orange and caramel tones of this paper take inspiration from the golden hour, AKA mother nature’s filter.
2. The Twilight Hour
   Purples and deep pinks evoke the moment when the last of the daylight turns to moonlight.
3. The Blue Hour
   When the sun’s last rays create subtle hues of blue.

Image credit: VELUX x Poodle & Blonde

Each wallpaper for the home office has a texture that reflects light, and gorgeous wood-grain print. The gentle contours add interest and a sense of depth, great if you’re looking for small home office ideas to spruce up your space.

Plus, studies show looking at wood can lower our blood pressure. So this natural pattern is bound to make us feel a little calmer when logging onto important calls. Because whether we like it or not, almost half (46%) of us are still working from home 5 days a week.

‘At VELUX , we’re committed to helping homeowners transform the spaces they spend the most time in. This collaboration with Poodle & Blonde allows us to do just that,’ says Lisbeth Collignon from VELUX . Whinnie and Kierra say that they jumped at the opportunity to work with this well-known brand.

Image credit: VELUX x Poodle & Blonde

Their favourite colourway is Golden Hour, ‘simply because it conjures a real sense of warmth and light, which we’re always drawn to, especially when designing a space that is used for both living and working.

‘We love it when something as simple as introducing a pattern into your home, can make such a big difference to the way you use and feel about the space,’ they add. Check out the wallpaper trends for 2022 for more inspo.

The VELUX x Poodle & Blonde ‘Magic Hours’ wallpaper collection is available now: buy it here for £115 per roll.

The post This new wallpaper has been designed to boost WFH productivity appeared first on Ideal Home.

The best multi-cooker may be somewhat new on the appliance scene, but they’ve made a big splash. Often combining pressure cooking with modes for slow cooking, baking, steaming, and even air frying, these multi-cookers really can change the way you use your kitchen.

Some of the first multi-cookers came from Instant Pot, and the Ninja Foodi range was quick to follow. Since then, everyone from Tefal to Magimix has come out with their own iterations of the best multi-cookers, and there really is a suitable choice for every kitchen.

Offering as much as 14 cooking settings in one machine, though, it’s fair to say that we needed to test these multi-cookers thoroughly to put together an expert guide. That’s exactly what we’ve done, with a panel of expert reviewers weighing in on how well these multi-cookers can replace rice cookers, the best slow cookers, and debating if they can oust the best air fryers from your kitchen.

Below are our top picks of the best multi-cookers on the market, with budget-friendly models for under £100, and options that go into the thousands…

Best multi-cooker: our top 6

1. Instant Pot Pro

The best multi-cooker overall

Capacity: 5.7 L or 8 L
Pre-sets: 28 pre-set cooking programs
Cooking functions: Pressure cook, slow cook, steam, sauté, bake, sous vide, yogurt, rice/ grain
Included: Stainless steel pot, steam rack, spare sealing ring
Reasons to buy: 

• Silicone cooking pot handles
• Safe and easy steam release
• Free recipe app makes it easy to adapt to

Reasons to avoid: 

• The pot isn’t non-stick

The Instant Pot Pro has a sleek black exterior and is fully loaded with presets and cooking functions to take centre stage in your kitchen. We appreciated how compact the 5.7 litre model we tested was, but it also comes with an 8 litre pot for larger families. Something that can put people off pressure cooking is the steam vent release. This lets out high-pressure steam, which can splutter depending on the machine you’re using. We had no such issues with the Instant Pot Pro though, thanks to the switch to the side of the valve which means you can keep your distance.

We made tasty brown rice in just 30 minutes, and were left with fluffy separated grains. The slow cooking mode was also impressive, but it’s worth noting that with all multi-cookers they will retain liquid better than a regular slow cooker, so reduce the amount of stock you’re using to get the same result you’re used to with your slow cooker.

Everything, even the lid, can go straight in the dishwasher, which we were thrilled with. Especially because the pot isn’t non-stick, it’s nice to know there won’t be any need for scrubbing.

Ideal Home rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

Read our full Instant Pot Pro review

2. Ninja Foodi 9-in-1 Multi-Cooker OP350UK

The best multi-cooker for in-built air frying

Capacity: 6 L
Pre-sets: None
Cooking functions: Pressure, steam, slow cook, yogurt, sear/ sauté, air crisp, grill, bake/ roast, dehydrate
Included: Reversible rack, Cook & Crisp basket with detachable diffuser, cooking pot, pressure lid
Reasons to buy: 

• Simple controls
• Non-stick cooking pot
• In-built air frying

Reasons to avoid: 

• Hinged crisping lid can’t be removed

A popular choice for those who want an air fryer and multi-cooker in one, the Ninja Foodi 9-in-1 Multi-Cooker OP350UK is the most entry-level of Ninja’s lineup of multi-cookers. It’s smart though, with an uncomplicated display panel that’s unlikely to scare new users away. The central dial allows you to switch between the cooking functions, and it will also allow you to increase and decrease the timings and temperatures.

The air frying lid (which is known as the tendercrisp lid) is hinged to the side of the cooker, so when you use the pressure lid you need to allow room for the crisp lid to stand upright. This can make it tricky to fit the Ninja Foodi 9-in-1 Multi-Cooker OP350UK under kitchen counters. The air frying is actually really good, though. We were able to make an entire roast chicken by pressure cooking and then air frying it, and the potato wedges it made were even and crispy.

We enjoyed the non-stick cooking pot, but it can swivel around slightly when stirring because the pot isn’t held into place with handles like the Instant Pot Pro. The bottom of the pot is also slightly curved, which made it tricky to add oil to the pot without it gathering at the sides. Cleaning is a breeze, and the handles on the side make this a storage-friendly multi-cooker.

Ideal Home rated 4 out of 5 stars

Read our full Ninja Foodi 9-in-1 Multi-Cooker OP350UK review

3. Sage Fast Slow Go Multi-Cooker

The best multi-cooker for easy presets

Capacity: 6 L
Pre-sets: 8
Cooking functions: Pressure cook, slow cook, steam, sauté/ sear, sous vide, reduce
Included: Stainless steel cooking bowl, stainless steel trivet
Reasons to buy: 

• Attractive controls
• Pre-sets work on pressure or slow cook
• Handles make it very portable

Reasons to avoid: 

• Cooking bowl can’t go in dishwasher

Sage’s latest multi cooker, the Sage Fast Slow Go, is a great alternative to the fascia of many multi-cookers. The images make it more attractive, but also easier to get to grips with. You can choose between pressure and slow cooking for many of the presets, and it can also be used to steam, sous vide, and reduce.

The hinged lid is unusual, and not our favourite. It can be removed, but the process is quite fiddly. We do like that the pressure cook mode releases the valve hands-free, which means you won’t need to worry about any splattering hot water.

We made a very delicious risotto in just 18 minutes using the Sage Fast Slow Go, and it required no stirring. Another dish we tried was a chickpea curry using dried chickpeas on the legume setting. This was a big win, and while we’re not usually fans of using dried chickpeas, this machine may have converted us for how easy the process was.

Ideal Home rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

Read our full Sage The Fast Slow Go review

Buy Sage The Fast Slow Go, £169.95, at sageappliances.com

4. Magimix Cook Expert

The best multi-cooker for premium design

Capacity: 3.5 L metal bowl, 3.6 L food processor bowl
Pre-sets: 13 automatic programmes + 1 expert manual programme
Cooking functions: Steam, soup, blend, chop, bread, and more
Included: Universal blade, Steamer basket & tray, Whisk, Heat-resistant spatula, three-layer food processor, 2 slicing discs, 2 grading discs
Reasons to buy: 

• Easy to clean
• Food processor and cooking attachment
• Completely hands-free cooking

Reasons to avoid: 

• It’s a very expensive choice

The Magimix Cook Expert brings an alternative take on multi-cooking, with an attachment to put even the best food processor out of a job, and a cooking bowl with blades attached at the bottom which can whiz through soup or stews with ease. You can use the presets for soup (chunky or smooth), blending, frozen desserts, and even kneading dough, or even freestyle on the manual cooking mode to make your own recipes.

We really enjoyed how immersive the Magimix Cook Expert experience is. You can join online groups to get tips on new recipes to try, and it’s amazing to see how many different things people make in their Cook Expert. This includes mulled wine, porridge, even custard. The blades at the bottom can’t be removed, so the grooved spatula is needed to get ingredients out of the bottom of the cooking pot. It’s a bit fiddly when cooking dishes like porridge or mashed potato.

None of the other multi-cookers we tried had blades attached, so while you can use the steam insert or use the Magimix Cook Expert as one of the best soup makers, you will also enjoy being able to set the blades on a slow mode to use them to stir rice or veggies while they cook from the bottom of the cooking pot. Cleaning is very easy, because everything is dishwasher-safe.

Ideal Home rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

Read our full Magimix Cook Expert review

Buy Magimix Cook Expert, £1,195, at Magimix

5. Tefal CY505E40 All-in-one Pressure Cooker/Multi Cooker

The best multi-cooker for under £100

Capacity: 6 L
Pre-sets: 11
Cooking functions: Pressure, steam, slow cook, simmer, brown, bake, baby food, oatmeal, rice
Included: Measuring cup, spatula, steam basket, trivet, recipe booklet
Reasons to buy: 

• 24-hour keep warm function
• Recipe book included
• Great for rice

Reasons to avoid: 

• No obvious start button

If you want the best multi-cooker for under £100, the Tefal CY505E40 is a great choice. We really loved the control panel, which made it easy to pick the right mode for you, and there’s a lot this multi-cooker can do. It made delicious, fluffy rice, the likes of which we’d expect from one of the best rice cookers. We also really enjoyed the recipe book included, which made it easier to get used to using the Tefal CY505E40.

The compact design of the Tefal CY505E40 will be a winner in smaller kitchens, but again, the lid is hinged. Using the browning program before switching on the pressure cooking mode was useful for getting the most flavour out of a delicious beef stew, and the whole process was pretty low-effort.

One issue we had was the lack of an obvious start button. Instead there’s an icon, which you’ll need to find in the control manual, but it does make getting started a little trickier. Cleaning was easy. The non-stick coating of the cooking pot was appreciated, especially from Tefal, who makes some of the best non-stick frying pans. It can’t go in the dishwasher though.

Ideal Home rated 4 out of 5 stars

Read our full Tefal CY505E40 All-in-one Pressure Cooker/Multi Cooker review

6. Crockpot Turbo Express Electric Pressure Cooker

The best multi-cooker for cooking meat

Capacity: 5.6 L
Pre-sets: 14
Cooking functions: Pressure, steam, slow cook, brown, bake, rice, yoghurt
Included: Stirring spoon, steaming rack and sous vide rack
Reasons to buy: 

• Makes 6+ functions
• Makes great stew
• Separate pressure release dial

Reasons to avoid: 

• Not great for steaming veggies

The Crockpot Turbo Express Electric Pressure Cooker made delicious stews. We were able to brown the meat first before switching over to slow cook or pressure cooking mode and leaving it to cook. The turbo settings  There are presets for rice, beans, stew, meat, and ever desserts, as well as manual settings to let you get stuck in.

Steaming was a little tricky, as was cooking rice, but this is a multi-cooker that you’ll enjoy after an initial adjustment period. It’s also well-priced, and great for generous portions. The steam vent is once again distinguished from the pressure switch, so you won’t have to worry about splatters with this multi-cooker. It’s got a non-stick pot, but it’s not dishwasher-safe.

Ideal Home rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

Read our full Crockpot Turbo Express Electric Pressure Cooker review

How to choose the best multi-cooker

If you’re looking for the best multi-cooker to make stews and speed up cooking times, you’ll be safe with an entry-level model. Most multi-cookers can pressure cook, so you’ll be able to enjoy cooking all types of meat and pulses with a range of functions to brown and then cook your dish. However, not all multi-cookers come with an air fryer in-built. Adding an air fryer into the equation will let you switch from pressure cooking to air frying, which will crisp up the skin of your chicken or make your roasties in minutes.

Pre-set modes

Although they often come with around 10 cooking modes, not all multi-cookers have pre-set modes. Whether you need pre-sets is really up to you. Some enjoy using them to follow specific recipes, but others will find that they are dependent on what you’re cooking. For example, a rice preset is designed to cook a specific amount of rice, and a stew preset is designed to cook a specific type of meat. The amount of time this needs will vary depending on what you’re cooking, so you can’t depend on pre-set modes alone.

How did we review the best multi-cookers?

We reviewed each and every one of the best multi-cookers in this guide hands-on. There are a lot of modes on offer, so we made sure that every cooker was put to the test for more than just stews or curries. We made rice, used legume presets, and even cooked cakes when putting the best multi-cookers to the test.

As more multi-cookers continue to hit the market, we’ll be reviewing to continuously update this guide with the top options on the market.

The post Best multi-cooker 2021: reviews of the top 6 appeared first on Ideal Home.