1 Plant up a hanging basket
Bring instant colour to your outdoor space with a cheerful hanging basket potted up with in-season blooms. Follow the gardeners’ rule of ‘thriller, filler, spiller’ when planting containers or baskets. Start with a statement ‘thriller’ plant that will act as a focal point – try busy lizzies or begonias. Complement this with a few ‘filler’ plants in small flowering varieties like erigeron and nemesia, alongside some contrast foliage. Finish off with ‘spiller’ plants that will trail over the sides, such as ivy or lobelia.
2 REFRESH SCHEME YOUR COLOUR
Perk up a tired-looking bedroom with an uplifting colour combo, like this pretty peach and zingy mint green. Soft peach walls make for a relaxing backdrop that allows brighter shades to pop – and adding a quirky bobbinshaped picture rail painted bold green makes the perfect hit of colour. Paint the area above the picture rail the same colour as the wall below if you want the ceiling to appear taller as it will draw the eye up and stretch the space.
How to claim back LOST MONEY
Editor of Money Week.com Kalpana Fitzpatrick advises how to reclaim money that you might have lost track of
Plan the perfect BATHROOM LAYOUT
Whatever the size and shape of your bathroom, nail a layout that works for you and your family
Ellie's choice: A HOT WATER TAP
Free up kitchen worktop space by replacing the kettle with a multitasking tap that provides hot (and cold) filtered water
'Now we have fab SEA VIEWS!'
Three separate rooms have been turned into one stylish kitchen-diner by Ellie Rimmer, filled with colour and personality
Try a speedy STYLE UPDATE
Use a long weekend to perk up your home with these easy decor ideas and quick fixes
Be creative WITH COLOUR
Brighten up your home with the latest paint techniques and colour combinations
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Determined to dispel the stigma that all new builds are bland, visitors to Cotty's home are wowed by how she's added character into every room
'Our redesign adds VITAL SPACE'
A well thought-out extension and renovation has created a charming family home that's testament to Amy and Jamie's hard work and creativity
'We went over to the DARK SIDE'
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'This house has always BEEN HOME'
When Donna inherited her late parents' home, she realised it was the perfect blank canvas to create the Nordic look she loves