Lighting the way

FROM THE EDITORS

PHOTOGRAPH ADELINA LIEV There’s a lot to celebrate

INSIDE TRACK

Get the scoop on new design ideas, must-have products and looks you’ll love

BEST LAID plans

Georgina and Joe used their renovating skills to transform make-do rooms into the perfect home for their young family to grow up in

REAL HOMES

HOME & GARDEN AWARDS

RETRO GLAM

The ’70s are back with a bang – and a glamorous one at that. Rock the look by pairing mid-century designs with gold, marble, velvet, and oversized prints

FLOOR FILLERS

The perfect accompaniment to sofas and chairs, a multipurpose pouffe is a style statement in its own right, that lets you kick back in comfort

THE STYLIST’S EYE 20 UNDER £20

Cool hangout, study space, and sleep zone – ateenager’s bedroom needs to work hard. Style editor Anna picks the perfect pocket-friendly furnishings to impress even the fussiest of teens

STYLE CRUSH

Sometimes we come across a product we just can’t stop thinking about – and we want to share it with you. Here’s what we’ve fallen for this month

PETAL POWER

Invite natural blooms and rose garden-inspired aesthetics in to give a floral boost to your living space, and let the power of flowers brighten your décor and well-being

DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT

Support independent businesses and meet the creatives making waves in the interiors world. This month, we look at independently designed lighting to brighten up every room in your home

Greige

A blend of two classic neutrals creates a shade that’s the perfect balance of cool and warm. Colour guru Amelia shares why we needed this new hue in our lives

DRESS TO IMPRESS

Planning on hosting a supper-time soirée or bottomless brunch? Set a beautiful scene for your gathering with artfully placed, coordinated pieces to ensure a tablescape masterpiece – whatever the occasion

FAMILY BATHROOMS …the hardest working room in the house

Needing to cater to the whole family, bathrooms must flex their multifunctional muscle in a big way. We show you how to combine practicality with style…

Utility rooms

let’s talk

Stuck for ideas this weekend? Get your DIY fix and delve right in with our quick and easy ways to update your home for less

Omega Prints, On The River velvet fabric in Aqua,

THE STYLE file

With a background in fashion, Chloe couldn’t wait to shift her focus to interior design, creating plenty of colourful and budget-friendly ideas for her family home

THE DESIGN CLINIC

Whether you’re torn on two paint colours or are debating whether to extend upwards or outwards, the Real Homes team is here to answer your questions

DOWN TO business

Jessica and Matt’s hands-on transformation of their flat resulted in a characterful home, and kick-started a new venture together

inspired by aris

When it came to renovating their London flat, classic design and statement pieces were at the top of Lucy and Adrian’s lust list

keep calm and carry on organising

Do we need to lighten up when it comes to tidying up? Jennifer Morgan looks at our changing attitudes to keeping our homes clutter free, and sees if some expert help can take the pressure out of maintaining order

party ready

Charlotte and Andrew have cleverly linked their home and garden with a combination of raised decking, established planting and smart styling

Spring palette

Katy and Ross’s confident use of colour has brought freshness and charm to their new open-plan kitchen extension

Cutting the cost of your renovation

Revamping a living room, dining space or bedroom? Find out how to do it for less and get the most from your budget

Glass-box extensions

This modern take on the traditional conservatory can create a visually striking, sleek and comfortable addition to your home

PROJECT NEWS

The latest ideas, trends and essential buys for your kitchen, bathroom and renovation

Spend V save

Update your showerhead and cut water use. Innovative new designs can reduce flow while giving a refreshing experience.

See the light

Muse Collection Botanic Concrete, from £34.99 per m

On the boil

Keep your sink-side clutter free with Quooker’s slick

Expert advice

Jolanda de Gooijer, senior product manager for VELUX ( velux.co.uk ), looks at how to pick the right roof window for your project

Q What is an ethical bank and how do they benefit the environment?

THE MONEY CLINIC

Picture windows

A GUIDE TO

Decking

Take your outside living spaces to the next level with new decking in traditional wood or contemporary composites

Kitchen bins

Make tidying up a pleasure not a chore with bins too stylish to hide away in a corner

Metal-framed vanities

Give your bathroom a little extra edge with a contemporary vanity unit that offers sleek storage

Lawnmowers

Don’t let the grass grow under your feet when you can keep it trimmed with an easy-to-operate design