Cabinetry That Defines the Space

“Cabinetry provides storage and sets the overall tone, often influencing every other decision. Whether you favour a classic shaker or a sleek slab front, it should reflect the feeling you want to evoke — traditional, contemporary or somewhere in between. While soft whites and warm timber remain favourites, we’re seeing clients embrace bolder choices, with deep navy, forest green, and matte black. Two-tone cabinetry is also worth considering. Combining light upper units with darker base cabinets can help to anchor the space while adding interest and subtle contrast.”

Customisation Makes the Difference

“What really sets a luxury kitchen apart isn’t necessarily what you see at first glance but what lies beneath — functional touches tailored to how you live, cook, and entertain. These small details are where true craftsmanship and design insight shine. Bespoke drawer inserts that keep everything organised; integrated charging points that help keep surfaces clutter-free; breakfast cupboards or built-in coffee stations to bring calm to busy mornings; or tailored finishes on hardware, taps, and lighting to match your scheme. This layer of quiet detail is what elevates a kitchen from beautiful to exceptional.”

Appliances That Work Beautifully

“A luxury kitchen should be as functional as it is beautiful, and appliances play a key role in achieving both. Choose manufacturers trusted not just for their innovative technology, but for the way their products integrate seamlessly into bespoke cabinetry and design schemes. Some of the most popular choices include smart fridges with internal cameras, energy-efficient modes, and sleek finishes; steam ovens with intuitive controls and self-cleaning features; induction cooktops that offer precision control and faster cooking; and built-in wine fridges and climate-controlled storage drawers.”

Countertops That Make an Impact

“Practical and visual, the material and finish you choose influences the room’s overall character. Marble’s traditional style and heat resistance have retained popularity, but consider how it can scratch or stain when choosing, and it also requires regular maintenance. Quartz remains a top pick owing to its solidness and low maintenance needs, with a non-porous surface stopping liquids and bacteria from getting inside. The use of natural stone and quartzite is also popular for both their attractive look and resilience, while granite offers a selection of possibilities that are aesthetically pleasing as well as being highly functional.”

Lighting That Brings the Room to Life

“Good lighting gives you the chance to introduce texture or finish, expressing personality without overwhelming the overall design. Pendants can add style, as they come in various shapes, sizes, and colours, or there’s sophistication offered by crystal chandeliers, which range from contemporary Sputnik to classic and which fit any kind of luxury interior. Recessed lighting also offers a modern aesthetic by evenly distributing light and highlighting luxurious features. Natural materials, sculptural designs, and bold fixtures with nostalgic elements are popular choices to achieve this desired effect.”

Storage That Feels Effortless

“Storage is not just about fitting in more cupboards but creating systems to help the space flow. Consider a hidden pantry, from wall cabinets that fit in with any décor to floor-to-ceiling systems designed around aesthetics or even freestanding cupboards. Built-in banquettes are also great for storage, as well as providing a seating solution. Then there’s open shelving: when used thoughtfully, they bring personality to a space, giving you an opportunity to display your favourite cookware, ceramics or decorative objects, adding warmth and individuality to more streamlined cabinetry.”

Kitchen Islands That Do More

“Now a defining feature of many homes, islands bring people together as well as providing extra worktop space. Built-in seating creates a more relaxed environment, with multi-level designs or curved ends making it feel like an integrated part of the space. For regular entertainers, a built-in wine cooler is functional and refined, and, with proper care, becomes a lasting feature for performance with elegant design. Integrated sinks continue to be popular: built directly into the surface, they support a minimalist aesthetic and can be tailored in size, depth, and material to suit your cooking and cleaning habits.”

Flooring That Grounds the Design

“One of the most important kitchen features, flooring needs to be durable, comfortable underfoot, and complement the overall design. Depending on your preference, a hardwood floor’s natural wood brings warmth and texture, especially in open-plan spaces; choosing wide planks in neutral finishes for a timeless foundation. Porcelain or ceramic tiles offer easy maintenance, with many colours and textures to suit both classic and contemporary styles, while polished concrete makes a strong statement in modern kitchens and is practical, striking, and ideal for use with underfloor heating.”

Backsplashes That Add Personality

“This is your opportunity to introduce pattern, texture or material into your design and can tie elements together or act as a feature in its own right. Antique-style mirror splashbacks bring depth and character, especially in smaller spaces where they reflect light and make the room feel larger. Aged brass offers a look that pairs with natural materials and darker cabinetry. Or for those seeking an artisanal feel, glazed tiles in muted or earthy tones are timeless, bringing individuality to the space, with a subtle variation in shade and texture adding visual interest without overwhelming the design.”

The post Here’s How to Create Your Dream Luxury Kitchen appeared first on Best of Living.

A garden office for better work-life boundaries

With remote or hybrid working part of everyday life, creating a purpose-built garden workspace is a smart move, helping you separate work from home, avoiding the dining table desk setup and letting you shut the door at the end of the day. Plus, if you’re meeting clients or running a business from home, a stylish garden office adds a professional edge and gives your family the home life they deserve.

Embrace a ‘big room’ feel, even in a smaller garden

Even modest gardens can accommodate a substantial garden building; it just needs thoughtful design. A larger structure becomes the standout feature of the space, adding depth and balance. For the best effect, place the building square to the back boundary so it ties naturally into fences or landscaping, and choose materials and finishes that scale the size without overwhelming the garden.

Sustainable garden rooms that are built for nature

Owners increasingly want garden rooms that do more than look good. Think sedum roofs, excellent thermal insulation, responsibly-sourced cladding and manufacture that co-opts low-impact processes. These features support biodiversity, improve energy performance and allow you to give something back to the environment, all while enjoying your new space.

Choose a room to make a bold design statement

Another area to consider when it comes to a garden room is that it can be a striking architectural feature – not merely a functional extra. From large, glazed sliding doors to contrasting finishes or bold rooflines; styling matters. When well executed, the building becomes a visual highlight of the garden rather than an afterthought, and it can transform the character of your outdoor space.

Think smart storage for a smart space

Why simply settle for a bog-standard shed when you can instead integrate stylish and insulated storage into your garden building? Sectioning off part of the space gives you secure, weather-proof storage alongside a beautifully finished room for daily use. It’s a seamless solution: one smart structure and two highly useful functions.

Explore the prospect of man caves and hobby rooms

Garden rooms don’t need to strictly follow the rules. Want a private pub, a creative studio, a home gym or your very own cinema? Go for it. These bespoke spaces let you carve out a room that’s just for you, whether that’s for entertaining, unwinding or pursuing a passion, and crucially, it keeps the activity away from the main house.

Versatility with a multi-purpose room

One of the most compelling advantages of a garden room is flexibility. Instead of being assigned a single use at the outset, it can flex as your needs change. A space might begin life as a home office, then evolve into a guest room as required. With clever furniture or partitioning, you can switch up the room’s role without major cost or fuss.

Views and light to let the garden in

When your garden’s view is one of its strengths, choose large glazed doors and windows to bring the outside in. Premium double glazing ensures you’re comfortable year-round, even on cooler days. In warmer months, folding or sliding doors can open the space completely, creating a strong indoor-outdoor link and making your garden room feel like part of the landscape.

Stylish garden pods for tiny spaces

Even if your plot is compact, you don’t have to sacrifice quality. Garden pods are a smart choice for tighter spaces: they offer cosy, carefully considered retreats, and with minimalist furniture and clever storage, you can genuinely harness the square metres you have. A well-designed pod can feel luxurious and purposeful, and it might just become your favourite room.

Bring leisure to you with a golf simulator

With golf growing in popularity and home leisure demand rising, garden rooms designed specifically for simulator use are becoming a top trend. A building with generous internal height and strong design allows you to practise swings, host friendlies and stay active whatever the weather. It’s a perfect blend of leisure, sport, and home-life investment.

Outdoor entertaining to be redefined

Why head out when the party can be in your garden? A dedicated garden bar, pub room or lounge offers a gorgeous setting for socialising and entertaining, and keeps the mess, noise and tidying up outside of the main house. Choose finishes that complement your garden, add lighting and seating, and make the space as inviting as your favourite venue.

A games room for a dedicated fun space

Into board games or pool? What about gaming or bingeing the latest Netflix series your spouse refuses to watch? A separate building lets you relax or play as loud as you like – with no disruptions and no compromises. The separation from your home gives you freedom and focus; while offering flexibility to design the space exactly as you want it.

The post Elevate Your Outside Space with These Garden Room Inspirations appeared first on Best of Living.

Invest In Art

“Art speaks volumes about your style and personality, so buy pieces you are instantly drawn to. Choosing art should be ‘love at first sight’. If you can’t stop thinking about it, you need to buy it. Art is very powerful and is about evoking emotion as much as looking good on a blank wall. I go shopping with my clients when they think they don’t know what they like, and it’s so interesting to see the genre and the colours they’re drawn to. The biggest misconception is that art should be bought last, to finish a room. It’s one of the first things I choose, and everything else evolves around it.”

Splurge On Statement

“This is another powerful way to add excitement to your interior. For me, a statement piece that sets your home apart from everyone else’s is priceless and will make your home memorable. My top tip would be to keep the other elements simple, so that your statement piece really shines. I bought this hand painted antique carousel horse by the famous funfair artist, George Hebborn in 2017. He’s called ‘Del Boy’ and has become an iconic piece, featured in numerous publications around the world.”

Mix Old and New

“To create striking and memorable interiors, I like to mix old and new pieces. Mixing different eras adds depth and interest to any scheme, almost taking your eyes on an unexpected journey around the room. A memorable room is one that keeps surprising — every time to you enter it, you should notice or discover something new.”

Use Symmetry and Asymmetry

“Symmetry is classic — it works in both modern and traditional interiors, creating balance and harmony to make a space feel calm. A symmetrical layout promotes stability and relaxation, which is often while it’s used in bedrooms, such as matching bedside tables and lamps. That said, too much symmetry can feel predictable and stiff. I often balance it with a touch of asymmetry, such as placing a lamp on one side of a sofa or juxtaposing a wall of vintage plates in a random design.”

Lighting is Key

“Statement lighting is always a great investment. A feature ‘showcase light’ is a great way to add wow factor, whilst drawing the eye up, especially if you have features on the ceiling such as ceiling roses and cornices. It’s also a wonderful way to anchor the room or create zones — just make sure it’s central to any features you want to highlight, such as a fireplace or kitchen island. Then, use a mix of task, ambient and accent lighting to add depth, warmth and functionality. This could be done with ceiling lights, wall lights, table lamps, floor lamps and even candlelight.”

The post Some Effective Ways to Give Your Home an Alluring Appeal appeared first on Best of Living.

More is more

“First off, I’m a strong believer that colour has the ability to change your life — it’s proven that different colours can influence your mood and the way you feel. For example, warm colours such as orange and yellow are linked to energy and warmth, while cool colours, such as blue and green, are generally more calming and relaxing. Colour is so much more than a paint on the wall: it’s a way of your interior speaking to your soul and the feeling that evokes. You will never wake up feeling low in a home full of colour and pattern. If you’re nervous, start with three to five colours that work together and build up from there.”

Layer patterns

“I love to layer patterns in my designs as I believe it brings a level of joy that cannot be achieved with plain walls and plain soft furnishings. My rule is to choose a ‘hero pattern’ such as a wallpaper, as the main feature, and then choose a variety of smaller patterns to complement the hero. As a former artist, I see a room in the same way as a painting. I start with a blank canvas then add the colour and pattern layer by layer to create a ‘masterpiece’. In my own collection, The Penally House Garden Collection with Wear the Walls, I designed the pieces to be layered. The collection includes various wallpapers, fabrics and home accessories with different patterns in various colours and sizes.”

There are no rules

“Ignore the naysayers and build a space that makes your heart sing. Take risks with colour and choose a design scheme you love and that reflects your personality. Add colour by incorporating items that tell your story — artwork, antiques, travel finds, and personal items. Your house will only feel like a home if it reflects you and your life. For my Dining Room at Penally House, I decided to wrap the room in a piece of art by my favourite artist, Kristjana Williams. I wanted to create the feeling of dining at the bottom of the ocean. The wallpaper is immersive as it was 3D scanned, and some of the hero characters printed onto Perspex and layered over the wallpaper to give extra depth.”

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