When looking to buy their first home, this family was looking to put roots down and express their own creative style. They had lived in Oxfordshire before but struggled to find the right property at the right price before moving abroad. During a family visit back to the area a couple of years later, they took a detour off the motorway.
‘We missed the scent of freshly cut grass and went the long way through the Oxfordshire countryside,’ the now-homeowners recalls. ‘A Grade II-listed Georgian house caught my eye and then I spotted it was for sale.’
The property
Image credit: Future PLC/James French
‘It was full of lovely big rooms with high ceilings, sash windows and lots of natural light.From the outside, the symmetrical appearance was like the doll’s house I’d drawn as a child – it was exactly the home we wanted.’
Formerly a farmhouse with outbuildings, the property had remained pretty much unchanged over time. The three bedroom home had been built back in 1836 and needed a bit of a facelift. The couple were keen to create a home with en-suite bedrooms and open-plan living room ideas – the sort of home they’d never had before. So plans were soon put in place for an extension that needed careful consideration for conservation planning approval.
The sitting room
Image credit: Future PLC/James French
‘Architectural symmetry at the front is part of the listed status so we couldn’t extend to the side. Our architect designed a glazed rear extension, accessed through a link hallway creating an architectural bridge between the old and new. I wanted a modern classic look that would work with the contemporary extension ideas but still be sympathetic to the heritage of the house.’
The sitting room is in the extension, which has a striking ceiling with long skylight.
The dining area
Image credit: Future PLC/James French
‘This space is full of natural light, even on cloudy days, because of the wonderful glazed doors.’ Space was made for a table in the sitting room as the couple wanted to include a large table for entertaining.
The kitchen
Image credit: Future PLC/James French
The was drawn to Neptune’s Suffolk kitchen and furniture for the design simplicity. The glazed decorative wall units are full of character and feel like an original feature.
The breakfast room
Image credit: Future PLC/James French
A local joiner made cupboards to hide the boiler and create storage.
The main bedroom
Image credit: Future PLC/James French
‘My friend has this curtain fabric in maroon and I’ve always loved the print. I bought the blue colourway and that inspired blue for the walls of the master bedroom ideas.’
The en suite
Image credit: Future PLC/James French
A modern bath was chosen to make a statement and the basin was picked for its traditional looks.
The guest bedroom
Image credit: Future PLC/James French
‘I wanted muted blues and greys everywhere but after decorating the guest bedroom I realised the colour didn’t contrast well with the oak furniture. I redecorated it in a wonderful shade of green instead. Green was a popular Georgian decorating colour and looks lovely with the oak.’
Cleaning hacks can be the ultimate time and energy saver. However experts are warning against a bleach grout cleaning hack that could be causing more damage to your bathroom than you think.
A hack for how to clean grout has been taking TikTok by storm recently. The trick – which has been doing the rounds on the ‘Cleantok’ side of the social media platform – involves dousing pieces of toilet roll (or kitchen roll) in bleach.
Videos like this one on TikTok inform people that they should then line up the paper onto their grout – be it in their shower or baths – pressing it into the black patches of mould that have developed.
Image credit: Future Publishing Ltd / Colin Poole
Most videos then advise leaving the bleach-soaked toilet paper overnight, or at least for a couple of hours, before wiping the paper down the grout in order to remove the black mould. With most videos, the grout appears to be wiped clean following the hack, leaving users with gleaming white bathroom grout once more.So it looks to be an incredibly effective way to clean one of the trickiest parts of the bathroom. However cleaning experts are warning that this hack is best avoided.
Jennifer Sharpe, Chief Fragrance Officer at Fabulosa, explained that though effective, she wouldn’t advise using this trick at home. ‘I wouldn’t recommend using bleach on grout, as it could compromise the grout’s integrity by potentially causing damage and degrading it. Instead, I would strongly suggest using a relevant task specific product.’
Image credit: Future Publishing Ltd / Colin Poole
Sam Stawarz, a cleaning expert and Operations Director at Time For You agreed, explaining that neat bleach can be really hazardous if used in this way. ‘I’d never recommend using neat bleach,’ he said. ‘It can be really dangerous to your health for starters.’
Stawarz even explained that the trick doesn’t actually appear to even work properly. ‘This ‘hack’ doesn’t actually get rid of the mould, it merely hides it.’
Cleaning expert at Housetastic, and owner of Squeaky Clean Queens, Karen Barrigan agreed, stating, ‘This claim has been backed up by experts, including a mycologist who states that this is one of the worst ways in which you can tackle mould growth in your home. When you put bleach on the mould, it simply takes the colour out, but the fungi remain. The mould will always come back after a few weeks with this method.’
Image credit: Future Publishing Ltd / Chris Snook
As such, Sharpe cautions against blindly following cleaning hacks on platforms like TikTok, and instead exercising caution. ‘Cleaning has become a fun hobby for many people, especially with the rise of ‘cleanfluencers’. But it is important to remember that cleaning products are made up of chemicals that fight against viruses, bacteria, and germs, and must be used safely.’
So how should we actually be treating – or getting rid – of mould in our bathrooms, then?
Stawarz explained, ‘The best thing is prevention; it’s always best to stop the build-up before it gets too late. Use a stain blocking grout sealant and regularly clean with proper Mould & Mildew Spray. These are usually bleached based but at lower levels, and usually mixed with other compounds to actually remove the black mould.’
A well-lit home has a profound effect on the quality of life of its dwellers.
Lighting is one of the most important elements in interior design. Besides its obvious purpose to illuminate a space, a well-planned lighting design has a transformative effect on a home’s aesthetics and it can greatly impact the mood, health, concentration level, and general wellbeing of its inhabitants. So, before you rush into things, take your time to make a lighting plan that will transform the look, feel, and everyday experience of your home. But first, here are some top tips to get you on the right track!
1. Understand the different types of lighting
Ambient lighting
Also called general lighting, ambient lighting provides uniform levels of illumination across an entire room. It is usually the principal light source, providing the foundation layer of lighting, and the first switch you flick when you walk into a room. Ambient lighting typically consists of ceiling-mounted or recessed lights, flush mount fixtures, and track lighting.
Task lighting
As the name implies, task lighting is intended to illuminate an area for a specific task or purpose. An obvious example of task lighting is the under cabinet lighting in the kitchen for food preparation and cooking or a table or desk lamp for reading or working.
Accent lighting
Often referred to as highlighting, access lighting is used to draw attention to architectural features or particular objects, such as sculpture and artwork. This is done by focusing light directly onto the object using recessed or track lighting, downlight, or wall-mounted fixtures.
Decorative lighting
Think of this type of lighting as jewelry. It adds the finishing touch to your decor and enhances the overall aesthetic. Though it has a principally decorative function, it can also serve other purposes, like task or accent lighting. Decorative lighting typically comes in the form of wall sconces, pendant lights, or table and floor lamps.
2. Maximize natural light
Lighting your home is as much about maximizing natural light as installing electrical lights. The importance of filling your home with natural light goes beyond lighting your home and cutting down your electricity bills. Sunlight benefits the mind, body, and soul, it reduces stress and anxiety, improves your mood, stimulates productivity, and improves the circadian rhythm, amongst other things.
Even if you’re not blessed in the window department, there are plenty of ways to boost natural light in your home. Start by using window treatments that can be pulled back or rolled up to provide complete clearance of the window. If you’re concerned about privacy, replace heavy blackout blinds and curtains with lightweight or sheer fabrics.
Paint the walls a light color and incorporate plenty of glossy, smooth, reflective surfaces, such as silk, mirror, glass, metals, or paint or wallpaper with a sheen, to bounce the light around the room. A strategically placed mirror optimizes the amount of light in a space, particularly when hung adjacent to a window. The bigger the mirror, the more light it will reflect, and the bigger and brighter the space will feel. Oh, and don’t forget to regularly clean the windows, you’ll be surprised by the difference it makes!
3. Think about the function of the room
Each room in the house requires different types of lighting according to its function. Consider how you will use the room, what activities will take place, and what ambiance you want to create. Most rooms require a combination of ambient, task, and accent lighting.
These days, the kitchen is the hub of the home and is used for more than just cooking, but also as a dining room, home office, and meeting point for friends and family, so it needs to be lit to accommodate all of these functions.
For cooking, bright ambient and task lighting are required, so use under cabinet lighting to illuminate the work surfaces and recessed ceiling lights for a general uniform light. Place table lamps around the room and a decorative pendant over the dining table to ambient the room for dinner.
For open-plan spaces or rooms with multiple functions, dimmers are a worthy investment, allowing you to control the illumination levels and adjust the atmosphere of the room accordingly. Dimmers are also energy efficient and will help you cut down your electricity bill, so they’re an all-around win!
4. Highlight the size and shape of the room
Use light to accentuate and amplify the room’s dimensions. Using multiple light sources placed strategically around the room makes the space feel bigger. Never rely on one central pendant to do the job. This will create a concentrated pool of light in the middle of the room, leaving the corners dark and gloomy, and making the room feel smaller.
To make the room appear wider, place lamps in the corners or use wall washing; a technique in which vertical, indirect light illuminates the wall in an equal, uniform way.
To create the illusion of depth, use backlighting behind a headboard or mirror, or downlighting in shelves and alcoves. Long pendants and uplights emphasize vertical space by drawing the eye up and distracting from the room’s small floor space.
For large rooms, cluster lighting to make the space feel cozier and break down the space into functional areas for watching TV, reading, and eating, for example.
5. Take a layered approach
The best interiors feature multiple layers of lighting to achieve an appealing aesthetic and flexible ambiance. To do this, include at least one of each lighting type in every room, between ambient, task, and accent lighting.
Ceiling lights, wall sconces, table lamps, and floor lamps all illuminate the room from different heights and with different intensities, creating a dynamic space and providing flexibility to adjust the distribution and level of light in the room. Each light source has its own unique and valuable function, yet when combined they bring the space to life.
Start with ambient lighting as the base layer, add task lighting, and finish with accent lights and decorative pieces. A variety of light fixtures create visual interest and serve as influential design elements for the overall scheme of the room.
6. Determine the right size fixture for the room
This golden rule applies to decorative light fixtures, like pendants and chandeliers. It’s important to get the scale spot-on as this marks the difference between making or breaking the decor. Luckily it’s pretty easy to both calculate and remember: the sum of the length and width of your room in feet equals the diameter of the light fixture in inches. Say your room measures 8 feet by 10 feet, the maximum diameter of your statement light fixture would be 18 inches. And don’t forget the height. As a general rule, there should be a distance of at least 30 inches between the bottom of a chandelier or pendant light, and the top of a dining table.
7. Create symmetry and balance
Implementing symmetry and balance in your decor is vital for creating a harmonious home. This applies to everything, from furniture arrangement and accessorizing to lighting, of course!
One way to do this is by taking a pair of matching table lamps and placing them on either side of a bed, sofa, or a long console table, or by installing symmetrical wall lights on either side of a mirror or piece of artwork. If you prefer an asymmetrical look, make sure to balance out the light with other objects.
For example, you could place a table lamp on one side of a console table and balance it out with books, a candle, a potted plant, or a sculpture on the opposite end. Or, if you want to hang a big pendant on one side of the room, balance it out with a cluster of smaller lamps on the other side.
8. Make a design statement with a striking decorative piece
As well as fulfilling a practical function, some decorative light designs feature interesting sculptural forms that make a style statement even when they are switched off.
For example, a Sputnik-inspired pendant light makes a striking showstopper and focal point hung over the center of a dining table or as a centerpiece in a large hallway. Bold designs are a great way to liven up a room and introduce an element of surprise and drama to a scheme.
Limit statement pieces to one per room, any more and it will overwhelm the space and distract from the striking impact you intend to create. And, make sure it is bigger than the other light fixtures in the room so that it stands out and gives the eye something to focus on. Remember, the size of the light fixture will vary with the size of the room: the bigger the room, the bigger the light can be. A large pendant or chandelier is unsuitable for a small-scale room, so you may opt for a distinctive wall sconce or floor lamp instead.
9. Match the light fixtures to the scheme
Mixing and matching lighting styles can create a cool eclectic look – when done right! Whatever look you go for, make sure your lighting is coherent with the rest of the decor. This is best achieved by maintaining a consistent color scheme and material finish. For example, you could have various light fixtures in one room that all look vastly different. However, as long as they all have a polished brass finish that visually links to other furniture pieces in the room with the same brass finish, they’re likely to look and feel coherent. As a general rule, avoid mixing more than two finishes per room.
Alternatively, if you have a lamp with a fabric lampshade, integrate it into the existing decor by covering it in a fabric with the same pattern or colorway as the curtains, cushions, or other upholstered furniture in the room. Remember, the fabric of the shade will influence the light diffusion around the room. Light colors and thin fabrics will diffuse more light and create a brighter atmosphere, whereas a dark shade will concentrate the light and add a sense of coziness and luxury. Colorful shades add a burst of fun to the decor, but they will tint the light, making it appear cooler, warmer, brighter, or darker, depending on the hue.
10. Choose an appropriate color temperature
The color temperature of the bulb drastically alters the look and feel of a room. Light color is measured on the Kelvin (K) scale from 1,000 to 10,000 and falls into three broad categories: warm, neutral, and cool. The lower the Kelvin number, the more yellow the light will appear, and the warmer and cozier the room will feel.
Warm white light, from 2000k to 3000k is best for relaxing, making it a great option for bedrooms and living rooms. The higher Kelvin numbers indicate bright white light with a blue tone, creating a cool, invigorating, and sterile environment that is often associated with a hospital ward or office. This is because cool, bright light (4500k and above) emulates broad daylight and makes you feel alert and awake. It is often used in areas where you need to concentrate or be able to see clearly, such as a garage or basement.
Neutral light, or bright white light, between 3100k and 4500k, is the middle ground and is best for areas that require energy and focus, like kitchens, home offices, and bathrooms.
11. Prioritize energy-efficient lighting
Do your bit for the planet (and your pocket) with an energy-efficient lighting design. LEDs are the most energy-efficient and long-lasting light bulbs, followed by compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). Both bulbs are safer and more durable than traditional incandescent bulbs and, given that they last longer, they also produce less waste as fewer are thrown away.
Now you’re set to make a strategic lighting plan…
Whether you’re starting from scratch or updating your current scheme, begin by creating a strategic lighting plan. As each room will require different levels and types of lighting, you’ll need to make a unique plan for each.
Start by maximizing natural light and considering all the activities that could take place in each room and the ambiance you want to create. Register the size and shape of the space and note down the rooms’ measurements or any architectural or decorative features you want to draw attention to, or that may present a challenge. Determine the scale of the light fixtures and choose an appropriate style to compliment the decor.
Finally, consider the type of bulb and color temperature required to create the desired ambiance.
With the cost of everything from putting food on your plate to fueling your car rising, the last thing you’ll want to do is spend a penny more than you need on your home insurance.
However, scrimp on your home insurance too much and there’s a risk it doesn’t do the job you need. You could find that you do not get the payouts you expect, or worse that claims are rejected altogether.
Getting a good deal on your home insurance isn’t about getting the cheapest price or shelling out for the most comprehensive plan; it’s about finding the best value and choosing a policy that suits you and your home.
GoCompare’s home insurance expert, Ceri McMillan, says: ‘To get the right level of home insurance cover at the best price for you, it’s important to shop around. Policies can vary widely in price, and also in terms of the cover they provide.
‘Ultimately, the most important thing is making sure your policy offers the right level of cover for you. So, read policy documents carefully before making your decision.’
From shopping around to advice calculating the value of your possessions, find out how to cut your home insurance bill without sacrificing the cover you need.
Image credit: Future Plc/Dominic Blackmore
1. Buy combined home insurance, but only if you own your home
Home insurance is actually made up of two policies: buildings insurance to cover the structure of your home and contents insurance to protect everything in it. It’s usually cheaper to buy both policies in a combined plan with the same insurer but always compare it against the cost of two policies to be sure.
‘If you own your own home you’ll need both, so consider buying a combined buildings and contents policy,’ suggests Sarah Poulter, media relations manager at Aviva. ‘But, if you rent, you would only need contents insurance.’ This is because it is your landlord, as the owner of the property, that is responsible for the structure of the property and buying adequate buildings insurance.
2. Shop around every time you renew
It’s quick and easy to renew your home insurance with the same provider each year. However, even if it was the best deal a few years ago, it’s unlikely it still is. So next time your policy comes up for renewal shop around on a comparison site, such as our sister brand, GoCompare, before you agree to another year with your current insurer.
Once you’ve purchased your policy, make a note in your diary a month or so before it’s due to renew to ensure you have plenty of time to shop around once again. Jessica Willcock, home insurance expert at Confused.com says: ‘Historically, data has shown that shopping around about three weeks before your renewal date could save you the most money.’
3. Choose the right level of cover for you
Sarah Poulter says: ‘It’s important to choose a product that best fits your needs. Many insurers offer tiers of cover and you may find that a lower tier is suitable.’
While a five star, bells and whistles policy might give you peace of mind, it won’t give you value for money if the additional benefits it offers aren’t relevant for you. There’s no point, for example, paying for extra cover in the garden, if your garden is basically the kids’ football pitch and there’s nothing more than old flower pots and junk in the shed.
Image credit: Future Plc
4. Take care valuing your possessions
Try and ensure you calculate the value of your possessions so you don’t end up buying cover you don’t need. Jessica Willcock says: ‘Overestimating this by a significant amount could mean you’re paying more, as insurers will see this as being a more expensive claim. But if you don’t need £40,000 worth of cover, don’t add it, and you might see your price reduced.’
5. Don’t confuse the rebuild cost of your home with its value
If your home is damaged beyond repair, in a fire for example, your home insurance will cover the cost of rebuilding it. For this reason your insurer will request a rebuild cost figure for your house, however it’s important not to confuse this with its current market value, which will be higher.
Willcock says: ‘These are not the same thing, and matching the rebuild cost to the value of your home could see your price increase, as insurers will base the rebuild claim on this.’ Few of us will know how to accurately estimate this figure, however there are online calculators that can help such as this one from the Association of British Insurers.
6. Choose a higher excess level
The excess is the amount you need to pay towards any claim. Sarah Poulter says: ‘Most home insurance policies have a standard excess if you make a claim, but you can choose to pay a higher excess to lower your premium. Just check you could afford to pay for it if you needed to make a claim.’
7. Check if your home is in a flood risk area
If you live in a flood risk area ask potential insurers if they are signed up to the Flood Re scheme, suggests Sarah Poulter. This scheme makes home insurance more affordable for people who have homes with a higher risk of flooding. ‘Some insurers are not part of the scheme and premiums may be higher for people living in high-risk areas, or they may exclude flood cover altogether, so it’s important to check.’
8. Work on your no claims discount
It seems counter-intuitive not to claim on your home insurance, it’s the reason you bought it after all. However, just like your car insurer, your home insurer will usually offer a no-claims discount. The more years you can go without claiming, the bigger the discount you’ll get and it shouldn’t usually matter if you switch insurers either.
This means it’s worth thinking twice before putting in smaller claims, where you can easily afford the cost of repair, and keeping your insurance for bigger, more costly disasters.
9. Improve your home’s security
Upgrading your home’s security will not only reduce the risk of a burglary, it may also lower your insurance bill. Jessica Willcock says: ‘Any burglary deterrents could ultimately mean you are less likely to have a break in and make a claim.’
Image credit: Future Plc/Chris Snook
10. Stay on top of your property maintenance
Just as you want to minimise the risk of a break-in and losing possessions, if you want to reduce the risk of claiming it’s also important to take care of your property itself. This includes insulating your pipes (so they don’t burst in a cold winter), unblocking your gutters and removing tall trees. In fact, insurers may not pay out for claims if they think the property hasn’t been properly maintained.
11. Think carefully about add-ons
When you take out your home insurance, think carefully about adding bolt-on cover to your policy such as accidental damage, for an extra fee. It could be worth its weight in gold if you like red wine and pale carpets but, if accidents are few and far between, or you’ve a slush fund that could cover any emergencies, it may be an unnecessary expense. Also think carefully about whether you need personal possessions to be covered away from – your phone, for example.
12. Don’t double up
If your possessions are covered by your home insurance, don’t fall into the trap of buying additional cover when you buy new items. Sarah Poulter says: ‘You may be asked if you want to take out insurance when you’re buying a new sofa, carpet or mobile phone, so make sure you aren’t already covered by your home insurance, especially if you have cover for accidental damage.’
13. Look at multi-product discounts
‘Some insurers will offer you a discount, if you have more than one product with them, for example home, motor, travel and even health insurance,’ says Sarah Poulter. Buying all your insurance from one provider isn’t necessarily the cheapest option, nonetheless it’s worth taking advantage of these discounts if you’re happy with the insurance company in question and are the sort of person that likes to keep everything in one place.
Image credit: Future Plc/Simon Whitmore
14. Pay for your insurance in one go
Your home insurance can cost you several hundred pounds and so you may well be tempted to spread the cost of your insurance over the year by paying monthly. However, while some insurers will permit you to pay monthly, you are effectively borrowing from your insurer when you do this. As such interest will be charged so you will pay more overall as a result.
15. Know the limits of your policy
When you buy home insurance it’s vital to check your most valuable – and precious – possessions are covered. Sarah Poulter says: ‘Contents policies usually have a single-item limit, often between £1,000 and £2,000.’ This is the maximum the insurance company will pay out for any one thing.
‘Insurers will usually state that any items above this limit should be listed separately on the policy, to ensure that the items are covered.’ You’ll usually have to pay more to ensure these items are properly insured, but this is one area where you don’t want to scrimp – especially if items have sentimental value too.
