"We had the architect's plans. We just didn't know how we were actually going to live in it."

Becky and her husband were in a position many families find themselves in mid-renovation: the architect's drawings were finalised, the builder was coming - and had just moved the timeline forward, and yet the biggest questions remained unanswered. How should the kitchen be positioned? Where does the dining table go without feeling crammed into the kitchen run? And how do you design a space that's genuinely wow, not just bigger?

"We couldn't quite put our finger on why it wasn't working - but something felt off."

Kat was at a pivotal point in their renovation. She’d had planning approved for a ground floor extension and their architect had produced a proposed layout. On paper, it ticked many of the boxes: a utility room, a new playroom, an extended kitchen. But every time they looked at the plans, something nagged at them.

"Our concerns were that it would create an overly complex, convoluted journey through the house - and make both the kitchen and playroom feel narrow."

She knew they needed an expert pair of eyes before the builders arrived. So they booked a Power Hour.

Let's be honest. You've had a tab open on that sofa for about six months. You've saved approximately 400 things to a Pinterest board that somehow manages to look both too much and not enough all at once. You've stood in the middle of your living room more times than you can count, hands on hips, staring at a space that just... isn't quite right.

Sound familiar?

You're not alone. Designing a room that actually works - one that feels like you, functions for your real life, and doesn't make you wince every time you walk into it - is genuinely hard. And it's not because you have bad taste. It's because knowing what you love and knowing how to make it happen are two very different things.

That's exactly why we created The Complete Design.

You’ve decided to redecorate, or perhaps you’re finally putting your own stamp on a new home. The beginning of this process always feels exciting. You’re full of ideas, picking up paint charts, imagining how everything might come together.

But before you know it, you’re four paint charts deep, completely overwhelmed by colour options and wondering who knew there were so many shades of white. What felt like a simple decision suddenly feels anything but.

Your head is spinning with endless possibilities, and that’s before you’ve even thought about paint finishes.

After designing customers’ homes for over 35+ years between us at The Living House, we completely get it, choosing a paint colour isn’t easy. That’s why we’re sharing our tips on what to do before you start decorating. So, as tempting as it is to pop to the DIY store and choose your paint colours on a whim, read this blog first.

If you’ve never worked with an interior designer before, especially through an online interior design service, you’ll probably have plenty of questions. How does it work? What do you actually get? And is it the right fit for you?

Not all online interior designers work the same way, and at The Living House we know that can make things feel unclear if you’re exploring your options. That’s why we’ve brought together the most common questions our customers ask before working with us, along with honest, straightforward answers that show exactly how we work and what sets us apart.

If you’ve looked at online interior design before and weren’t quite sure it was right for you, this is for you.

Costs are rising. The decisions are multiplying. And it can feel like the stakes have never been higher to get it right. Here's how to protect your investment before you commit to a single cabinet door.

There's a moment almost every homeowner knows. You've decided it's finally time for a new kitchen. You've done a few showroom visits, maybe you’ve received a few mock up’s. You're excited. And then… the quotes arrive. And the excitement quietly turns into a low-level, constant dread.

Because kitchens, in 2026, are genuinely expensive. Not just a little. Properly, significantly, wake-you-up-at-3am expensive.

A hallway is the first impression of your home, it sets the tone the moment you walk through the door. But great hallway design isn't just about looks (though of course we think that's rather important!). It also needs to work hard practically, especially in busy family homes: think storage for shoes and coats, a spot for keys, and surfaces that can handle the daily chaos of coming and going. We're sharing our expert interior design tips to help you make the most of your hallway so that it creates a wow first impression whilst still working for everyday life.

Getting the keys to your new home is one of life's most exciting moments, but it can quickly feel overwhelming when you're standing in all these new spaces wondering where to even begin. Before you rush into any big interior decisions, here are our top interior design tips to help you turn your new house into a home.

When you think of a living room, you automatically picture a sofa, so obviously this is where most people start when designing theirs. You begin sofa scrolling, visiting showrooms. But this is where the mistakes start. Before you spend a penny (even on petrol!) you need to know these 5 rules from us at The Living House, to save you from costly mistakes, wasted time, and regret.

When it comes to decorating our living rooms, it's easy to get swept up in the latest trends. The colour everyone is painting their walls, the sofa style all over Instagram, or the flooring pattern you keep seeing on Pinterest. But trends come and go, and what feels fresh today can feel dated in just a couple of years. At The Living House, we believe in creating living rooms that stand the test of time. Here are our top tips for creating a timeless living room you'll love for years to come.

It feels like we've had a fairly miserable few weeks when it comes to the weather. Between the snow, rain, and it being pretty chilly, I think we need to look ahead to brighter and hopefully sunnier days with some gorgeous spring homeware finds. To brighten up your (probably rainy) February day, I've found some beautiful homeware pieces to make you feel that little bit closer to spring!

Designing a living room often starts with one thought: 'Once we choose the perfect sofa, everything else will fall into place.' But here's the reality: the sofa is just one piece of a much bigger puzzle. From layout and lighting to rugs and traffic flow, there are countless decisions that transform a room from 'fine' to 'exactly what you've been dreaming of.' We're sharing our do's and don'ts to help you design a living room that's not just beautiful, but actually works for how you live.

Are you feeling stuck with design decisions? Perhaps you’re about to start a renovation and questions are coming thick and fast from your builder, leaving you feeling overwhelmed. Maybe you have your architect’s plans but would love an interior designer’s perspective to sense check the layout, flow, and overall feel before moving forward.

You might even be almost finished with a room but feel unsure about those final finishing touches. Or perhaps you’ve had a few niggling design dilemmas sitting in the back of your mind for a while and just want clear, expert answers.

This is exactly where The Power Hour comes in.

Choosing the right paint colour for your room isn’t just about the style or look you want to achieve, it's also important to consider which way the room faces, as this can affect how a colour appears and how the space feels.

South facing rooms are often the easiest when it comes to choosing a paint colour, as they benefit from abundant natural light throughout the day. This steady flow of sunlight gives you more flexibility with colour choices. Whether you prefer light, airy tones or deeper, more dramatic hues, a south facing room can handle a wide range of colours, making it a versatile space to design. That said, because of the sheer number of colour options available, choosing the perfect paint can still feel overwhelming.

To help you find the perfect paint colour for your south facing room we have selected eight gorgeous shades from some of our favourite brands that will work beautifully in your south facing room.

As interior designers, we love using pattern to add interest to a room, which is why we’re so pleased to see stripes making a comeback. More than ever, people are feeling braver about introducing pattern into their interiors, and stripes are the perfect place to start thanks to their timeless appeal. They’re also incredibly versatile, pairing beautifully with other patterns such as florals and checks to create a layered, well-designed look. With that in mind, we’ve put together a roundup of our top 10 striped sofas, featuring a mix of brands and price points so there’s something for everyone.

It’s the beginning of 2026, the perfect time to share the interior design trends we’re likely to see this year. As designers, we love exploring fresh ideas, gaining inspiration and insight into what will shape the year ahead.

That said, it’s important to remember: when updating your home, don’t follow a trend just because it’s trendy. Choose pieces you truly love, ones that reflect your style and personality. Trends come and go, but your home should be filled with items that are meaningful and personal to you and your family.

Gallery walls are a great way to add personality to a room, whether it’s a mix of your favourite art pieces or a collection of family photos. They can bring a space to life and create a focal point that reflects your style and memories. That being said, it can feel overwhelming to figure out how to create your gallery wall—choosing the right frame sizes, selecting the type of frames, and deciding which artwork looks best when grouped together. We’ve helped many customers create personalised gallery walls within their design schemes, so we wanted to share our top tips for creating your own.

Choosing the right paint colour for your room isn’t just about the style or look you want to achieve, it's also important to consider which way the room faces, as this can affect how a colour appears and how the space feels.

East facing rooms will receive sunlight in the morning and tend to be cooler in the evening. Because of this, it's important to think about when you'll be using the space. If it's a room you use more in the morning, embrace the brightness. However, if it's a space you tend to use in the evening, consider choosing colours that will make it feel cosy and inviting.

To help you find the perfect paint colour for your east facing room we have selected eight gorgeous shades from some of our favourite brands that will work beautifully in your east facing room. 

Here at The Living House, we’re so excited to announce the launch of our new service — The Layout Fix. Designed to help solve your room layout challenges!

As interior designers, we know that getting the layout right is one of the most important parts of a successful design. In fact, it’s always where we start because how can you know what’s going to fit, or how a room will function, if the layout hasn’t been nailed down first?

We’ve been working with a number of customers lately who are updating their bathrooms, and we’ve noticed a common theme: the sheer number of decisions can feel overwhelming. Whether you’re planning a full makeover and renovation or simply looking to refresh your existing space, it’s easy to feel stuck.

Bathrooms today are so much more than they used to be in terms of design. With Pinterest and Instagram overflowing with stunning bathroom inspiration, it’s easy to feel inspired, but where do you even start? How do you recreate those beautiful looks in your own home? Like kitchens, bathrooms are an investment, and with so many options to consider, such as layout, tile types and placement, flooring, storage, lighting, and finishes, the choices can feel overwhelming.

To help simplify the process, we’ve put together six key things you need to consider when designing your bathroom.