A walk-in wardrobe may be desirable, but let’s face it, these bespoke storage spaces don’t always come cheap. There’s a reason why they’re a celebrity favourite. However, with a trip to IKEA and a little hard work you can save a fortune building one.

That is just what Megan Righelato from Essex did when she updated her bedroom and wardrobe area. If you’re short of bedroom ideas or have been stuck on wardrobe storage ideas, then this makeover is a lesson in great planning and creative thinking.

Having moved into the house she shares with her boyfriend in October 2020, Megan was keen to turn her bedroom into a soothing sleep space with the walk-in wardrobe of her dreams.

IKEA Pax walk-in wardrobe makeover

Bedroom before

Image credit: @megsathome

Beige walls and carpet, curtain-free windows and lots of scuff marks meant the bedroom in Megan’s new home was in desperate need of a makeover.

‘We’re having to budget as we’re renovating the whole house and adding an extension downstairs next year,’ Megan told online retailer MattressNextDay.

‘We spent approximately £1,000 building our walk-in wardrobe and renovating the bedroom. Keeping costs low by doing everything ourselves, as paying for labour is usually the biggest expense.’

Image credit: @megsathome

On the other side of the room, a small mirrored wardrobe just didn’t live up to Megan’s dream of a large clothing closet. She began to think about how she could use the space better. With the average cost of a labourer around £200 per day, it would likely have cost Megan about £800 in labour. However, she was determined to do the work herself.

‘As we both work full-time we could only dedicate our weekends to working on it,’ she says. ‘It took about six weekends in total.’

Glam bedroom after

Image credit: @megsathome

Fast forward to now and you wouldn’t recognise it as the same room. Gone are the plain walls and dreary decor. Now a smart bed, wall panelling and beautiful lighting combine to create a stylish hotel feel.

‘We wanted to go for a calming vibe, so we kept the tones neutral,’ Megan explains. ‘However, we used black accents to add more modern touches throughout the room, such as the black sockets and the statement chandelier overhead.’

Image credit: @megsathome

On to the walk-in wardrobe idea, which Megan made after watching YouTube videos. Large enough to store all her clothes and shoes neatly, the wardrobe area looks much more expensive than it is.

The bespoke space is filled with plenty of drawers and rails, a small dressing table area and vinyl herringbone-effect flooring.

‘It was a bit of a nightmare to get our heads around, but with the help of YouTube we ended up mastering it,’ she says.

‘By the end, I realised that it’s important not to be afraid to make mistakes and realise that it always gets worse before it gets better. We got to a point where it felt like it was never-ending, but we are so pleased with the result.’

Image credit: @megsathome

Another way that Megan saved money was by buying cheaper (but good quality) wardrobes and finding ways to make them look more bespoke.

‘We purchased IKEA’s Pax wardrobe units for around £600, but added beading to the drawers to match the more traditional style of our bedroom, such as the panelling,’ she says. ‘We then painted them in Crown’s Satin White and added cup-shaped handles to the wardrobes to make them look more expensive.’

Megan’s done an amazing job and it’s a space to be proud of. You can see more of Megan’s home on her Instagram account @megsathome.

Has this inspired you to create your own walk-in wardrobe?

The post DIY-er saved £800 on glamorous bedroom makeover with a smart IKEA Pax walk-in wardrobe appeared first on Ideal Home.

After converting the loft to create more space and renovating the family bathroom, the owner of this three-bedroom apartment in North London turned her attention to the kitchen. She wanted to to improve the kitchen and dining spaces to accommodate a growing family.

‘The original layout of our kitchen didn’t work for a couple of reasons,’ says the owner. ‘It was originally two rooms – the kitchen had a doorway leading through to a separate, small annexe by the garden. Which we called the summer room as it was just too cold to use during the winter.’

‘This small annexe space was pretty redundant as we only used it for drying the laundry and for access to the garden.

The kitchen itself was far too cramped for all five of us to sit and eat together. There was barely enough room for a table, and having friends over was a fiasco!’

She wanted to create one kitchen and dining area by combining the two rooms. Extending the property wasn’t an option, so she had to make the most of the space she already had, which meant a lot of thought went into the new kitchen idea.

Family-friendly kitchen makeover

Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles

The owner toyed with the idea of two-tone Shaker-style units, before deciding that a more clean, contemporary line would be better for the space. She chose Beckermann units from the Estrada range in two shades of grey gloss laminate.

Speaking of her grey kitchen idea the owner explains, ‘The bank of light grey units helps make the room feel lighter and larger, and separates the storage zone from the cooking hub.’

Grey kitchen units

Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles

One of the last decisions before ordering the kitchen was to include a kitchen island idea in the new design. ‘We felt that the room would look too empty without one, but the kitchen supplier didn’t think that there was enough space.’

‘We decided to reduce the size of the island so it wouldn’t impact the room too much. We’re so pleased that we opted for this simple solution – it has made the kitchen very practical and has given us extra storage space.’

Streamlined kitchen storage

Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles

The owner saved money by reusing some of the original kitchen appliances such as the oven, fridge freezer and even the pull-out tap.

Colourful kitchen splashback

Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles

This kitchen mixes rustic textures like brick and wood to soften the look of a modern kitchen. Exposed areas of brick wall add texture, colour and interest. A colourful glass kitchen splashback idea adds a fun touch.

Family dining space

Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles

The owner wanted a bright and spacious eating area so that the family of five could sit and enjoy mealtimes all together. She also wanted a garden view.

‘We’re ecstatic with what we’ve achieved. The kitchen has now become the heart of our home, and it’s wonderful having the view of the garden from the dining table. There really isn’t anything at all that we’d change!’

The post Before and after: reworking the layout creates a kitchen-diner fit for family life appeared first on Ideal Home.

The Dulux Colour of the year 2022 is literally a breath of fresh air waiting to be added to your home. While last year’s colour focused on keeping us grounded, this year is all about embracing optimism in your home and looking to the sky.

The paint trend selected by the experts to epitomise our homes in 2022 is Bright Skies, an airy light blue shade designed to capture the hopeful mood of the moment. After the bright and rich shades of the last two years, a return to a light optimistic blue is a welcome change and one the team at Ideal Home can’t wait to embrace in their bedroom colour schemes and beyond.

Dulux Colour of the Year 2022 Bright Skies

Image credit: Dulux

‘As a big fan of the outdoors I’m loving the freshness of Bright Skies. It’s perfect for 2022 with its feeling of optimism,’ says Heather Young, Ideal Home Editor. ‘I’m on the hunt for a wall colour for my bedroom at the moment. Blue wasn’t on the table but now I’m very tempted to give Bright Skies a try.’

‘It’s a lighter, brighter and more refreshing colour than that of last year’s Brave Ground, yet it still has a deep connection to nature,’ adds Tamara Kelly, Ideal Home Digital Editor. ‘It pairs so beautifully with a whole range of accent colours, is this the new alternative to light grey?’

Image credit: Dulux

Many of us have been turning to shades such as blue in our home office ideas and bedroom ideas thanks to its connotations of offering peace and serenity. However, its connection to the outdoors also makes it the perfect colour choice to give your mood a boost at home.

‘Right now, people want to feel revitalised and enjoy the freedoms that are returning to them, to look out and bring in new ideas. What better inspiration can we take than the endless skies around us?’ says Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director of Dulux UK.

Image credit: Dulux

‘It is widely known that nature makes us feel better and taking steps to bring the outside in enhances our sense of wellbeing. So whether we are working or relaxing, creating or exercising, it is essential to have a space that reflects the optimism and desire for a fresh, new start that is top of the agenda for the year ahead.’

‘However, Bright Skies is not about idle day-dreaming. It is about turning those dreams into reality and forging ahead with the changes that we want to make.’

How to use the Dulux Colour of the Year 2022 in your home

If you are keen to add Bright Skies to your home Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director of Dulux says the best place isn’t on your walls but your ceiling.

Image credit: Dulux

‘If you use this colour on the ceiling you don’t have to commit to the walls. It just makes that ceiling melt away, it just fills a room with a breath of fresh air,’ she says.

‘I absolutely believe when people put it on the ceiling and can see what it can do that’s going to be an amazing revolution.’

‘I’m going to paint it on the ceiling of my bedroom. In fact, I’m going to immerse my bedroom, watch this space,’ she adds.

How is the colour of the year selected?

The Dulux Colour of the Year 2022 Bright Skies was selected by a panel of design, fashion and colour experts. It was heavily influenced by the events of the last few years, homes dealing with the aftermath of three lockdowns and many of us craving freedom and a return to nature.

Even the process by which the colour is usually selected had to be changed due to the pandemic. For the first time in 19 years, rather than attending the Global Aesthetics Centre, where the colour is chosen, the group gathered online for a virtual summit.

Image credit: Dulux

‘Over the past 19 years, we’ve seen a dramatic shift from a concentration on brighter tones to an emphasis on neutrals,’ Heleen van Gent, head of the AkzoNobel Global Aesthetics Centre.

‘This year, however, vibrant colours and light tones are re-emerging – a reflection, perhaps of our need for positivity and a fresh approach. After a spell of feeling shut-in, we crave expansion – the great outdoors. The 37 curated colours in this year’s collection help to make it easy to choose on-trend shades.’

What colours go with Bright Skies?

Four colour palettes have been built around the versatile Bright Skies – Greenhouse, Studio, Workshop and Salon. Each palette is starkly different from each other demonstrating the genius of this year’s colour of the year at adapting to different spaces.

Image credit: Dulux

The Greenhous palette showcases fresh greens, paired with the lovely blues. If you’re a houseplant fan then Bright Skies is the surprising, but perfect backdrop shade to make your green babies pop.

While Salon and workshop feature more muted shades for a grown-up spin on blue, the Studio colour palette really caught our eye. Partnering the pale blue of Bright Skies with reds, oranges and pinks, it is an unexpected and modern colour combination for blue bedroom ideas we can’t get enough of.

Will you be trying Bright Skies in your home?

The post Dulux reveals this is the perfect colour to create a happy home in 2022 – and we can’t get enough of it appeared first on Ideal Home.

Whether your staircase is large or small, the right banister ideas can totally transform the space. Because you’d be surprised the impact your staircase railings will make to your hallway and landing.

‘A whole staircase can be completely transformed by simply updating and fitting new bannisters, treads, newels and spindles,’ explains James Murray, Senior Staircase Designer at Neville Johnson.’From the raw, industrial effect – ideal for a modern or minimalist space – to rich wood finishes for a traditional home, a new riser adds a different design element to the home.’

For James, attention to detail is key to his banister-centred staircase ideas. ‘Those all-important decorative touches such as twisted oak or wrought iron spindles can be used to introduce a touch of traditional charm. Alternatively, incorporate glass panels to add light to your hallway and create a contemporary feel.’

Banister ideas for stairways

1. Choose contemporary curved design

Image credit: Future PLC/ Katie Lee

Rethink the wooden banister by reshaping the design, choosing a curvaceous rail to guide you along the stairway. A sleek polished wooden banister rounded at the edges helps to soften the presence of such a solid structure. The fluid shape takes the edge off, especially when teamed with contemporary glass panels.

This look is perfect for a modern interior or if you’re looking for small hallways ideas that offer a sense of space.

2. Refresh banisters with a splash of colour

Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles

If your stairs and existing banister are in good shape and simply just need an update paint can go a long way. Define the banister on a white staircase by picking it out in an accent colour. To make the colour a practical choice select a shade that won’t show up signs of wear and tear as easily as the white perhaps.

To enhance the overall staircase further, choose to paint the wall beside the stars in a coordinating colour to define the rise of the staircase.

3. Paint around the handrail

Image credit: Future PLC/ Brent Darby

For a more traditional approach to decorating the stairs, leave the banister natural and paint all the elements around it. Use your chosen hallway colour scheme, brilliant white in this case, to carefully paint the walls, wall panelling and stair spindles leaving only the handrail unpainted. This helps to create a serene backdrop against which the banister can shine.

4. Create a contrast by mixing materials

Image credit: Bisca

This house conversion beautifully mixes materials to fuse the old with the new. The bespoke Bisca design fuses natural materials to celebrate the heritage of the building while taking into consideration modern design.

The main structure is a steel ribbon of with kiln-dried oak treads and tapered steel spindles. The banister is made of an oval solid oak handrail that sits on top of the hand-forged balustrade below. The handrail sweeps up the staircase, inviting you to journey up.

5. Wow with a wire design

Image credit: Neville Johnson

This Neville Johnson staircase demonstrates beautifully how alternative materials can really make an impact when designing a banister. If you’re designing a stairway from scratch you have the freedom to explore different forms and finishes.

This striking metal staircase feels like a piece of art, making a highly functional element of your home feel more impactful and well throughout rather than just ‘there’.

6. Source sustainable materials

Image credit: Bisca

This new staircase in a refurbished property is made using locally sourced, sustainable materials. ‘The client was remodelling and modernising a brick and stone farmhouse near Hartlepool’ explains a member of the Bisca design team.

‘Local materials reclaimed by the homeowner were the inspiration for the design of a new staircase to be located in a newly created triple-height entrance space providing a link between old and new.’

7. Embrace the natural beauty of wood

Image credit: Future PLC/ David Merewether

On a painted staircase choose to leave the banister bare, stripped back to the natural grain to give it prominence and celebrate its natural beauty. By keeping the banister and spindles bare against a painted backdrop it helps to define the structure of the staircase.

8. Seek a sensitive design in a new build

Image credit: Bisca

If renovating or building your staircase from new, be sensitive to the surroundings when planning the design. ‘For a new-build home in Derbyshire which replaced the owner’s previous house on the same site, Bisca designed and built a staircase for the main entrance hallway’ explains a representative of the design team.

‘The property was inspired by Arts and Crafts architecture, and the brief for the new staircase was to include distinctive features associated with the movement – a simple, utilitarian design where the beauty of natural materials is allowed to shine. Bisca’s sensitivity to ‘the right design for the right place’ really comes in to its own in this project, where the finished staircase is a beautiful, stylish addition to the new build.’

9. Break up the framework with a fractured design

Image credit: Neville Johnson

Create interest by breaking away from a traditional continuous banister design. Go for a more contemporary look, such as this example by Neville Johnson. Break the flow of one piece of material with separate  sections, adjoined by fastenings in the same material.

9. Wall mount a handrail in a narrow stairway

Image credit: Future PLC/ Polly Eltes

In a narrow hallway where the stairs are framed by walls, as opposed to open spindles, it’s best to wall-mount a slim handrail. To save valuable space choose one dominant wall to place the banister on. Making sure it’s positioned practically to assist journeys both up and down the stairs.

Incidentally, we’re massive fans of this smart staircase runner idea, which draws the eye up. If you wanted to make the staircase appear wider, you could opt for a horizontal stripe instead.

10. Add interest with curved steel

Image credit: Future PLC/ Jake Curtis

This banister ideas contrasts a wooden staircase with a sleek alternative steel handrail. In this curved stairway, the banister curves round to add a stylish finish to a modern stairway design.

11. Make it monochrome

Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles

Refresh an existing, perhaps dated, staircase and banister with a coat of wood paint. This creative take on decorating offers a monochrome finish, providing a great base for a colourful hallway scheme.  To unify the scheme, paint a staircase in the same colour continuing on door frames and skirting boards within the hallway.

How much does it cost to replace a banister?

Costs for replacing a banister depends on the material you choose to do the job, but can range from a few hundred pounds to tens of thousands.

A carpenter will replace a banister for a reasonable price, dependant on the work involved and the size of the staircase. You’re looking in the hundreds, rather than thousands. But as with any interior design element there’s a high end option, if you have the budget.

Bespoke staircase specialist Bisca designs and makes award-winning staircases all over the UK, built entirely in the North Yorkshire workshop. ‘Each commission is the handiwork of a dedicated team of multi-skilled craftspeople who combine traditional disciplines, including metal work, blacksmithing, cabinetry and leather. Working with precision-engineered designs and modern materials.’

Prices for this level of expertise, for a full staircase, start from £25k.

The post Banister ideas: 11 staircase railing designs to transform hallways appeared first on Ideal Home.