Over the last few months, the interior design world has been hinting at an earthy revival. Moody olive greens have emerged alongside warm terracottas and calming light blues, shaping how we interact with our homes heading into the new year — we want our spaces to feel grounded, lived-in, and stylish but ultimately comfortable. That said, I must admit I was still slightly shocked to read Dulux call 'Soulful Sage' its Color for the Year for 2027.

But when you really think about it, and after the initial surprise wears off, Soulful Sage starts to make a lot of sense. Rather than strictly analyzing quantifiable color trends and cyclical styles, Dulux chose its color of the year based on a common theme or attitude: to bring joy despite the turmoil of the modern world, and to 'live lightly'. Soulful Sage is a soft green, with grayish undertones that further promote that sense of serenity and calmness. However, it's also bright and joyful, and has deep-rooted ties to the natural world.

It may look like a simple pastel, but there is a lot of nuance. Especially when paired with Dulux's three color stories, it's not the dull, tired sage green of years past; it's the light-hearted base of the more contemporary earthy color palettes that we will see dominate 2027's interiors.

Honestly, I shouldn't have been surprised to see a reinvented sage green slated for 2027's color of the year. So far, every color-of-the-year prediction has pointed to some new version of earth tones, with greens taking the lead. The central theme is that we're still decorating with color, but we want our homes to feel grounded — exciting, saturated, or joyful earth tones scratch that color itch while still acting as a neutral in most scenarios.

As for Soulful Sage specifically, the Dulux team explains that the decision was made after consulting design experts from every continent during the brand's Trend Forecast brainstorm. This year's overriding insight was, unsurprisingly, that everyone feels weighed down by world events and swamped by digital overload. A rebalancing is needed, and Soulful Sage was created to give people the opportunity to create lighter spaces for a lighter life.

No color in the color wheel or in the natural world is as timelessly grounding as green — decorating with green represents healing, growth, and wisdom. And the slight silveriness of Dulux's Soulful Sage makes it that much more radiant and 'light'. Plus, a palette comprised of green color trends is one of the most soothing color combinations, as it echoes the shades of the natural environment around us.

However, decorating with sage green on its own is a fast track to a 'flat' palette, so to help people bring the shade into their own homes, Dulux created three curated color stories — Glow, Light, and Lift. Each palette offers a different way to decorate and create a home that feels a little lighter.

Glow

Glow explores how paint palettes and decorating ideas that feel more 'real' can help balance the dominance of the growing digital world. In the Grow color story, Soulful Sage is paired with a warm color scheme. It's the most saturated of the color stories, but again, still very rooted in earth tones.

The main colors are clay, terracotta, and stone — classic colors that feel authentic, familiar, and comforting. "Glow is the warm hug of the three palettes. Earthy shades like Clay Walls, Cinnamon Sprinkle, and Spiced Honey bring that familiar, grounding quality, while Violet Storm and Soulful Sage add a slightly unexpected freshness that stops the scheme feeling too heavy," says Marianne Shillingford, creative director and color expert at Dulux.

"I love it for living rooms, dining spaces and bedrooms — anywhere you want to settle in, get comfortable and feel really at home," adds Marianne.

Light

Light is the color story for those who want to lean into the airy, sensory-conscious color side of things. It's the most neutral, muted, and gray-toned. It's also the most classically nature-inspired palette and feels very spa-like. The idea with this story is to 'declutter' through color.

"Light is all about creating visual breathing space. Quiet shades like Whispered Blue, Ashen White and Arctic Pebble sit beautifully with Soulful Sage for something soft and restorative, while deeper colors can be used to add definition and depth," says Marianne. And although the overall mood is light and airy, colors like Faded Indigo and Double Espresso bring that much-needed contrast.

As for where to use it, "It would work wonderfully in a bedroom or bathroom, but equally in a busy kitchen or home office where you want the surroundings to feel simple, calm, and uncluttered," adds Marianne.

Lift

Dulux's Lift color story leans back into a more energetic vibe, but with a softer application than the deeper, more saturated shades of Glow. Lift was created to give your interior a truly lighthearted feeling that 'leaves space to dream'.

A mix of yellow-y ochres and soft pinks, alongside Soulful Sage, of course, Lift is optimistic and, well... uplifting. Marianne says, "Lift is where we get a little more light-hearted. The soft warmth of Taupe Pink alongside the sunny optimism of Honey Bear brings out a much more joyful side to Soulful Sage, while shades like Fern Forest can add a richer hit of color."

Dusty pinks are, after all, another favorite choice for the upcoming year, so combining them with Soulful Sage and yellow-tinted khakis might just be the new way to do pink and green. "It's brilliant for sociable spaces such as kitchens and living rooms, or anywhere you want to introduce color in a way that feels joyful, positive and full of personality," says Marianne.

In an interesting turn of events, it looks like we will be deciding between olive and sage green when decorating our homes in 2027. Luckily, shades like Soulful Sage invite those feelings of freedom, serenity, relaxation, and familiarity associated with nature indoors.

For more inspiration, be sure to subscribe to the Livingetc newsletter.

It's easy to think of the bedroom as the problem child. Combining function and form in its footprint is a tall order, especially if you want to fit in a decent-sized bed alongside other furniture. Rachel Chudley, director of Rachel Chudley Interior Design, suggests reframing the way you approach decorating it. "[They] can be a really great opportunity to make a big impression, because if you want to lean into a certain concept, you’ve got a smaller space to properly conceive and carry it out," she explains.

Of course, if you're working with a bedroom with no built-in storage, there are extra challenges. Your furniture will need to work harder — think hidden wardrobe space on runners and ottoman beds. Though if you know how to maximize the room's height and square footage, you can create a harmonious space without it looking in any way cluttered.

We've asked some of our favorite designers to share their tricks for designing stylish bedroom storage that feels cozy in the right way. Here's how to do it.

1. Max Out Your Room's Height

Built-in storage can be used to make full use of your room's height. It's a technique that pays off at this South London home, designed by Louise McGarry, creative director of Studio Braw.

"In this bedroom, we reset the wardrobes into the alcoves on either side of the fireplace so that they don't eat so much into the floor space in the room," she explains. "The wardrobes are as high as possible to utilize the space."

It's worth investing in custom storage to transform other dead spaces, too. "We built in storage around the door into the room's en suite so it looks like part of the wardrobe but is in fact a secret door," Louise adds, referring to the same tiny bedroom.

Another smart trick used in this room is the addition of a striking wallpaper at the head of the bed to add a focal point without taking up any space.

2. Dream Big, Just Shrink the Scale

When designing a bedroom, interior designer Rachel Chudley insists you shouldn't consider the limitations of its size, but rather see it as the perfect place to create a singular vision.

"I think an easy trap people fall into with small bedrooms is thinking that they have to pare everything back, paint it white, and put as little as possible in there. But actually, it's a great opportunity to make a big impression," she says. "If you want to carry off a pattern, a small room is often the best place to do that. You can also lean into the cozy nature of a spare room, and if you go in with a clear intention, it won't feel too cluttered."

For example, at this project in east London's De Beauvoir, her team themed the entire space around a statement antique kimono that was chosen to cover a sliding door. They added perfectly proportioned pieces, leaving enough floor space free to make the room easy to move around. "The kimono inspired a bespoke bed with incredible bamboo details, and we did the same with the bedside tables," she explains. "The rug on the floor is an Art Deco original with detail that ties it all together. The room doesn’t feel cluttered as everything is cohesive," Rachel notes.

3. Yes, Storage Beds Can be Chic

Christian Bense, founder of Christian Bense studio, is a dab hand at designing rooms with plenty of hidden storage.

"The downside of a small bedroom is often the compromise on storage," he admits, though he suggests dividing it between functional pieces of furniture to maximize the space. Beyond built-in storage, he says not to forget about your bed. "Drawers are great, but having a full storage divan where you can lift the whole of your mattress and access the full length and width of the underside is the best way forward. I'm surprised that more people don’t do this, especially in kids' rooms or guest bedrooms," he says.

"The lift mechanisms are so easy to use, and you can use it while the bed is made, so there really isn’t an excuse that it's not a practical everyday solution. I literally use mine daily," he adds. If you want to splash out on a bespoke design, Christian recommends Robert Langford. If you prefer to hide your divan, a linen coverlet that reaches the floor is an elegant choice which will add texture and warmth.

4. Invest in Practical Vintage Pieces

If you want a characterful bedroom that makes the most of its footprint, Laura W Jenkins, founder of Laura W Jenkins Interiors, suggests seeking out vintage and antique pieces that double as storage.

"My biggest tip is to use multipurpose furniture and to maximize wall space if you have it," she says. Adding: "Think about using a great glass-front cabinet to store shoes or bags — put your beautiful fashion items on display. Use a tiered table as a nightstand, which doubles as a bookshelf and table. Or go with an option that has both a storage drawer and an open shelf."

5. Choose Multi-Functional Furniture

Natasha Lyon, founder of the Margate-based interior design studio Appreciation Project, takes a lot of her inspiration for practical layouts from boutique hotels, which squeeze beds, wardrobes, and desks into small spaces. In this London loft conversion, she combined pops of color and used sustainable materials to create custom furniture that clearly 'zones' areas while creating a sense of flow and openness.

"I'm always thinking of our mental health when it comes to designing spaces, and I liked the idea that when you wake up in the morning you are facing the window, the birds and the trees," she shares. "With the desk space neatly constructed behind the bed, it's out of sight, out of mind."

The project also has cleverly concealed storage. "We plotted a pull-out wardrobe under the eaves, allowing every nook and cranny to be useful," she adds.

For more inspiration for your bedrooms and storage, sign up to the Livingetc.com newsletter.

People will happily splash out on a marble worktop, or invest in a state-of-the-art stove, but when it comes to expensive cabinetry, people often feel less inclined to spend the big bucks. But when it comes down to it, your cabinetry is the backbone of your kitchen, and it's well worth spending a little bit extra for the clever functions they can bring into your kitchen.

You may think the standard offerings are good enough for your kitchen drawer planning, and while they will certainly do the job, there's a lot to be said for the convenience, beauty, and ease a custom design can offer. "Most kitchens are based on standard modules, which inevitably creates compromises," explains Søren Lundh Aagaard, who not only owns Danish kitchen brand Garde Hvalsøe, but is a cabinetmaker himself, giving him an in-depth understanding of exactly what a custom cabinet design can do. Instead of forcing your kitchen to fit these standard modules, Søren says, "As cabinetmakers, we can work with the dimensions that are actually there, using the space fully and creating something intended to remain relevant for many years."

From hidden internal drawers to inserts designed specifically for your favorite utensils, there's an endless list of genius, customized features you can integrate into your kitchen drawers when you're willing to spend a little bit more on your cabinetry. And no one knows that better than kitchen designers, which is why I asked them to share their favorite genius drawer features to include in luxury kitchens. So if you're planning a remodel any time soon, you may want to take notes.

1. Internal Drawers

The best thing about custom cabinetry is that a drawer never has to be just a drawer, despite how it may look at first glance. Just take internal drawers as an example. Though they may look like your standard, deep drawer from the exterior, once you open it up, you'll be met with layers of smart, organized kitchen storage.

It's a technique you'll often find popping up in luxury, modern kitchens, and is a favorite of Rachel Davis-Zavala, who frequently includes them in her designs at Harvey Jones Islington. As she explains, "Internal drawers can make particularly good use of a deep cabinet because they retain a simple exterior while creating several very practical layers of storage inside."

They can help simplify the way you organize your kitchen drawers. You could combine a deep lower drawer for chinaware with a hidden internal drawer above for cutlery, or a deep pan drawer with space for utensils to be stored above.

It's these kinds of details you can discuss in depth when working with a bespoke cabinetmaker. “These are details we spend a lot of time exploring with clients in our showrooms because opening a drawer and seeing how the internal storage works is very different from looking at it on a drawing."

2. Clever Customizations

The benefits of custom-made kitchen cabinetry go far beyond looks, and oftentimes, the smartest features are the ones you don't even notice at first.

For Søren, the marker of a truly exceptional drawer is in how it reflects the clients it's made for. Or, more specifically, "It is when a drawer has been designed around the person using it," he says.

The design of your drawers should be catered specifically to you and your unique needs, reflecting how you cook and use your space. "This might mean a drawer made to the exact dimensions of your favorite kitchen utensils, integrated knife storage, or simply using a few extra centimeters that would otherwise have been lost." It can look different for everyone, and therein lies the beauty.

As Søren so aptly puts it, "True luxury, to us, is when something feels completely natural to use because it has been made specifically for you."

3. Pan Drawers

"Good drawer design removes lots of tiny frustrations from everyday life," says Rachel, and there is no kitchen issue quite as frustrating as figuring out how to store your pans.

In small kitchens and large ones alike, the one consistent thing seems to be the lack of logical spots to keep your pots and pans, and no matter what, you're left with a precarious tower of cookware, constantly one gust of wind away from clattering to the ground.

Which is exactly why, in her custom designs, Rachel always specifies deep drawers for storing pans. This simple inclusion can completely transform how you use your space, making cooking enjoyable rather than stressful. "Instead of stacking pans at the back of a cupboard or searching through utensils, everything comes towards you and has a logical home," she says.

As well as deeper dimensions, Rachel also often recommends opting for full-extension drawers, which she says "are particularly useful because you can see and reach everything inside," and also save you from awkwardly shimmying your favorite frying pan out from the back of a cupboard.

4. Habit Drawers

One of the best things about investing in custom cabinetry is that you can shape it to support your unique habits and patterns, whether that be tea drawers or a built-in coffee nook; these specialist additions are the little things that make your kitchen feel uniquely your own.

This is one of the features Rachel loves adding to her designs, saying, "I also love bespoke drawers designed around a particular ritual, whether that’s a perfectly organised tea and coffee drawer beneath a breakfast station or spices positioned exactly where you prepare and cook food." With this feature, the more personal it is, the better. It's an opportunity to do something that feels truly reflective of your lifestyle.

No matter what form it takes, the hope is that it helps to make your life easier, removing some of the friction from your day-to-day. As Rachel puts it, "The real luxury is having storage created to suit how you genuinely use the kitchen rather than expecting you to adapt to it.”

Custom-Vibe Kitchen Buys

Not ready for a full kitchen refurb? These helpful buys can help you bring a bit of that luxury feel to your home for less.

While the experts certainly make a strong case for bespoke cabinetry, we know that it's not always a feasible option for all. But there are still plenty of budget-friendly, rental-safe ways to bring a little more structure and order into your kitchen storage. And this tiered cutlery organizer is one of them.

For even more helpful tips and design ideas, why not subscribe to our newsletter?

Forget stacked coffee tables and bookshelves featuring spines turned inward: the interiors crowd is turning to the library table to show off impeccable taste. The feature comes in different forms — a round pedestal table in a hallway, a long console table behind the sofa in a living room — but one thing that unites library tables is the eclectic collection of books, magazines, and objets strewn across the surface, effortless in appearance but curated to reflect one's passions and taste.

"A library table is one of the most personal elements you can introduce into a home," says interior designer Zoe Feldman. "It becomes a place to display the books, objects, and collections that tell the story of who you are and what interests you. I love library tables because they bring warmth, character, and a sense of soul to a room. They create an opportunity for layering and curation, while also giving a space a feeling of permanence and lived-in sophistication."

Here's how.

Why Are 'Library Tables' Trending?

A library table acts as a moment of pause and an analog distraction — and works particularly well in a hallway, dining room, living room, or office for that reason. "Ours serves as a desk when we need it, but [is also] a place for keepsakes and inspirational things, items, and collections we want to keep in mind and be inspired by in our work, as well as during our daily rhythm," says Russell Pinch, co-founder of Pinch London. "If we're passing by, it encourages us to pause for a moment and dip into the spread of materials and ideas laid out, even if only briefly."

What's particularly interesting is what the library table says about how we present ourselves — and how it ties into a wider trend towards so-called "intellectualism". The rise of celebrity book clubs; the book as fashion accessory; the boom in cultural video essays and heavily hyperlinked Substacks — these all point to an increasing appetite for being, or at least appearing to be, well-read. And how better to demonstrate this at home than with a curated library table?

How to Style a Library Table

"I think people are increasingly interested in surrounding themselves with things that feel meaningful and reflective of their identities," says Zoe Feldman. "A library table offers a way to make those interests visible."

"Whether it's books on art, travel, history, fashion, or fiction, what you choose to display says something about your curiosity and perspective," she adds. "A library table invites conversation and offers a glimpse into the homeowner's interests. It reflects a desire for homes that feel personal, thoughtful, and intellectually engaged."

In this way, the library table feels like an analog response to our digital age — proof that you're still discerning at a time when social media delivers ready-made taste via algorithm. "I think there's a lot of truth in that," says Zoe. "At a moment when social media can create increasingly homogeneous interiors, a library table offers an opportunity to express something genuinely individual. The books you've collected, the objects you've brought home from travels, the pieces you've inherited or discovered over time all tell a story that can't be replicated by an algorithm. Displaying them creates a home that feels rooted in personal experience rather than trends. It's one of the simplest ways to bring authenticity, personality, and a strong point of view into a space."

Of course, curating your library table is an entirely personal endeavor, but Russell and Zoe have some tips. "Try not to get too hung up on a 'final look'," says Russell. "It's more enjoyable to view it as an ever-evolving source of inspiration, a reflection of personal tastes and a way to capture what you've been up to."

On a practical level, built-in cable management, he says, keeps the space clear and clutter-free. Plus, "Isokon's Gull book stand is a brilliant place to rest postcards or books with pages opened, perhaps rotated daily to change up the energy."

To arrange your coffee table books, "create several stacks of varying heights and choose titles that genuinely reflect your interests," says Zoe. "From there, layer in a few sculptural elements to introduce contrast: a lamp, a vase of flowers, or a beautiful bowl can help break up the horizontal lines created by the books."

The best library tables, she says, are never truly finished. "They evolve as your interests evolve: new books are added, objects are moved around, and meaningful pieces find their way into the mix over time," she explains. "That's what makes them so compelling. They're living reflections of the people who inhabit the home."

It’s a question worth asking yourself before you commit to a new kitchen scheme: if you were going to live in this home for a long time, do you think you would still be in love with the color you choose after five years? What about 10 years?

There’s something to be said about embracing what you love, regardless of both trendiness and timelessness. Choose something that’s on trend? It’s a shortcut to being tired of your kitchen color choice in a couple of years. Only considering timelessness? There’s not much room for creativity or layering in your own personal preferences.

It’s easier said than done. Separating your own taste from what you’re fed by the algorithm isn’t easy, but if you interrogate your choices, you might just find the real reason behind your decision. To give you some examples, I asked some of my favorite kitchen designers to give their insight on what they would choose for their own kitchens if they knew they were living with it (and, hopefully, loving it) for the next 10 years.

Contrasting Colors

For Matthew Andrews, this question isn't a hypothetical. "We've actually just bought a house in the countryside, an old cottage dating back to the 1800s, and we're extending it at the moment," he explains. Instead of playing it safe and choosing a neutral, Matthew wants to highlight the contrast in the architecture between the original house and the new kitchen extension.

"I'm planning to pair tiled flooring with a moody, darker green door front, then bring in a big pop of color — something like Caravan from Paint & Paper Library, set hard against Nori, also from Paint & Paper Library, or Mid Azure Green from Little Greene. Then a timeless marble worktop on the back wall and sink run to pair with the green, and a full butcher block worktop on a dairy table island in the Caravan finish. That combination gives you a scheme with real visual interest."

It's a very specific choice, yes, but there's a wider lesson in Matthew's choices here. "Done properly, contrasting colors don't fade or date the way a single safe or trendy color eventually will — if anything, I think they get more characterful with age. It's the kind of scheme I'm confident we'll still love in 10 years."

2. Something Deep and Dark

Kitchen brand Roundhouse is one of those design studios that I think balances innovation with timelessness really well, so I'm interested to hear what its designers would pick for their own kitchen colors.

First up, senior designer Allison Lynch, who picks (another) Paint and Paper Library shade — Squid Ink. "It’s got depth; it’s easy to pair with timber, tiles and soft furnishings," Allison explains. "It is a timeless color. It ties in with the green from the garden."

For junior designer Isabella Pacelli, it's another dark shade — Little Greene's Invisible Green. "I love greens and think they’re very timeless," Isabella says. "This green has a really nice earthy muted tone to it, and feels calm and elevated without being too dark and moody."

3. Something Unexpected

Choosing something a little bit different is William Durrant's secret to still loving your color choice year after year. "My own kitchen is light blue, with a burgundy and red pantry. It's an unusual color combination, but it works well: bright enough to make a statement, but not too dark, as the space has low ceilings."

It's more personal in its execution, and less about choosing a timeless kitchen color.

Earthy Neutrals

“Colors that have real longevity are ones that are adaptable and versatile," suggests Emily Newmarch, a design consultant at Kitchens by Holloways.

So, what kind of color would she choose for a kitchen if she couldn't change it for the next 10 years? "Earthy tones tend to be colors that never go out of style, such as warm taupes, deep mushrooms, and muted greens, or, as an alternative to paint, a wood-paneled kitchen is a style that can work in both traditional and modern settings."

"Your kitchen is a long-term investment, so it’s vital to select a color that continues to feel calm and sophisticated but also functional," Emily adds.

Off-White and Timber

While some of the designers offered bold choices for their 10-year kitchen picks, Jayne Everett of Naked Kitchens suggests she'd keep it classic. "I would definitely choose a warm off-white combined with timber," she says. "I love this look, and I know when I revisit it in 10 years, I will still love it. The scheme can be pulled together using a bolder wall color and grounded with a neutral floor; I always love the warmth of timber for this," she adds.

As William Durrant suggests, as long as you're considering how a color functions, not just how it looks, you'll have a scheme that endures. "Instead of worrying about the timelessness of your choice, consider the size of your kitchen and the amount of natural light it gets," he says.

But whether you've got a small kitchen, a dark kitchen, or a bright, open, airy one, if you're looking for more inspiration, why not sign up to the Livingetc newsletter?

Announcing our color crush has become one of my favorite ways to ring in the month. Not only does it help set the mood for the next few weeks, but it's also a lovely way to keep expanding our color palettes and how we interact with new and nuanced shades. September is one of those months that can sometimes feel like an 'in-betweener'. True summer is over; we are gearing up for a cozy fall, but the weather forecast still calls for pretty high temperatures. So in the spirit of this month's transitional vibe, we've dubbed Denim Rush as our latest color crush.

Denim Rush is one of those blues that instantly feels both timeless and contemporary — it's inspired by your favorite pair of jeans, after all. And right now especially, I think we are seeing a resurgence in familiarity, comfort, and nostalgia in color trends — Denim Rush fits right into that. It's bold and on the darker side, but still technically a mid-tone blue. And the muted tone gives it a liveability that other blues (like true navy and electric blue) lack. Again, is any color more classic than that of your favorite denim?

And while our most recent color crushes, like August's bold pink and July's Mango Swirl, feel perfectly in line with summer weather, Denim Rush is confidently stepping into a new season, aesthetic, and design atmosphere. It can be bold, muted, or moody, and the best iterations of this blue will somehow capture a bit of all of that. Here's everything you need to know to decorate with it.

What Color Is Denim Rush?

So, you probably have an immediate color in mind for 'denim' blue — something deep, possibly a bit faded, and super liveable. And that's pretty much exactly how we are defining this shade of blue. But to put it in terms of the color wheel, "Denim Rush sits comfortably within the blue hues that lean slightly towards purple," explains interior color expert Fiona de Lys. "It has a mid-tone shade weight, and it sits back a few subtle tones towards gray."

Those subtle gray and purple undertones are what give Denim Rush its depth and make it more relaxed than other, bolder shades. Ultra Azure, for instance, is a similar but very saturated color. "I describe Denim Rush as an early autumn blue with a hint of periwinkle and gray for play and mood," adds Fiona. "I'm reminded of late evening walks under a slightly brooding sky, where a hint of purple lingers from the setting sun."

Decorating with light blue and navy is a classic choice, whereas a mid-tone blue can be trickier to incorporate. It can easily read as dated, but when you have the right balance of hue, tints, tones, and shades, it becomes an equally timeless and fashionable color. Denim Rush is quickly becoming my top choice for pre-autumn decorating. It's cozy, moody, and pairs with almost everything.

How to Use Denim Rush in Interiors

Decorating with blue is relatively easy, as it's a natural color that also brings a sense of calm. However, to bring Denim Rush into your home's color palette effectively, try fully leaning into the specific mood this shade creates. Rather than any old blue, Fiona explains that "Denim Rush evokes a sense of bringing the day to an end, a winding down of a fun day outdoors, rather than a freezing cold winter's day." Therefore, it works really well for cozy spaces. "Think bedrooms, snugs, and living rooms accented with other colors," adds Fiona.

A Denim Rush color drench will envelop a cozy living room or bedroom when you want a wellness-forward space. Plus, this paint application will make the shade feel a bit more modern.

However, don't feel stuck to a drench. Denim Rush is one of those colors that would work really well on larger furniture items and decor. It adds a pop of color, more interesting than the common neutral, but 'safe' enough that you can easily style it with a range of colors and textures.

The inherent earthiness means a lot of other colors go with blue. So, even if you go bold, you can still incorporate Denim Rush in most palettes. But if the goal is a well-balanced, cozy space (and isn't that what we are all after?), warmer colors will provide that essential balance in design and make this blue pop.

And to get specific, Fiona says, "Given its tone and hue, Denim Rush works well with burnt Sienna and tan for smooth pairings, or mustard yellow and paprika for more vibrant pairings." Alternatively, "Purple and red for bold, tense pairings," she adds. It really all depends on how calm or maximalist you want your room to be.

"I wouldn't hesitate at all to put all these colors together as a complete palette," she adds. Decorating with Denim Rush really is like styling your favorite jeans — it goes with everything!

I think I've just been convinced that a denim, mid-tone blue is the new color to ring in the start of Autumn. And while we are totally crushing on Denim Rush, be sure you don't accidentally choose a blue paint color designers say to avoid.

And if Denim Rush has you wondering how to actually bring the shade home, our Design Lab by Livingetc stylist, Miaad, has curated a 20-piece Denim Rush collection, from furniture to smaller accents, to show just how versatile it can be.

For endless color inspiration, be sure to subscribe to the Livingetc newsletter.

Here at Livingetc, we're constantly covering some of the most beautiful properties across the globe. From petite city apartments to sprawling country homes, every project has its own unique charm, reflecting both the visual culture of the country they come from and the personal style of the designers behind the homes.

We know, though, that time is precious, and we don't all have hours to spend scrolling through home after home, hunting for new ideas and inspiration. I, however, have just done exactly that. And even better yet, I get to call it 'work'. I've looked at each and every beautiful house tour from the past month, picking out my favorite features and figuring out which have left the strongest impression, before narrowing it down to my ultimate favorites. It's a tough task, but someone's got to do it.

What I love about these modern homes is how distinct their identities are. Each one tells a story, revealing a glimpse of its inner life and how it translates into an exterior presence. To me, these homes capture everything we love at Livingetc. They're incredibly stylish, of course, but they also have character and a unique depth that makes them truly stand out.

If this hasn't satisfied your craving for beautiful homes, Livingetc's 2026 Style Awards House of the Year is unmissable.

And for even more inspiration, why not sign up for the Livingetc newsletter? All the latest home tours and design ideas will be delivered directly to your inbox.

In many ways, September marks the beginning of the end of the year — it's when we slowly start to reflect on the year that's been, the designs that have defined it, and think about which trends will endure, shaping the year ahead. And after an email from US paint brand Behr landed in my inbox last week, announcing its Color of the Year prediction for 2027, I was quickly reminded of the fact. It's time!

Safe to say, this year has been colorful. So what can we expect in 2027? Well, Behr's prediction, Grounded, a deep, muddy olive green, has a comforting character and strong natural ties. In a way, it feels both obvious and surprising. On the one hand, earthy olive greens have been sidelined this year in place of more vivid green color trends like sour apple and chartreuse, which feel more personality-driven and experimental. But that's not to say it's ever been 'out of style', and as they always do, the scales look to be rebalancing in 2027, with softer, muddier variations of the same bold color trends resurfacing.

And as more color predictions trickle in and new homewares collections roll out, it's clear that people are craving this return to a more grounded, earth-inspired palette. So, what does this mean for upcoming trends, and what can we look forward to in design? Well, more of my musings on that below.

What These Early Color of the Year Predictions Mean for Design

In our hyper-online world, and with AI growing ever more present, there is a growing desire for clear signs of humanity and natural influences in our homes. Other facets of culture, beyond just design, are experiencing this, too. For instance, the 'hiking holiday' has, for lack of a better word, become trendy, and other travel trends are following suit. Plus, analog living practices, learning how to thrift furniture and decor, and a desire for clear craftsmanship in design (think drawn-on patterns and carved wood, like the dimpled wood trend) are all growing in popularity.

In interior design trends, there's also a duality at play that's important to understanding the nuances of the new earth tones we're seeing. While we are certainly craving more natural influences, more eccentric, yet nostalgic ideas, like Kylie Jenner's jeweled birthday cake, also have their place.

I'd go so far as to say that this juxtaposition is why earthy colors are coming back, but with more interesting hues, tones, tints, and shades. It's not the same tired sage greens and bland beiges we want; it's soft baby blues, muddy olives, oxblood reds, and dusty pinks. And we still want to feel calm in our homes.

As the design team at Behr put it, "'Grounded' is designed to help you transition from the day's high-energy buzz into a more rhythmic, calming state. It's inspired by 'earth's exhale,' that quiet moment when the sun dips below the treeline."

All of this is to say that while a mossy, olive-green with rich brown undertones slated as 2027's Color of the Year might seem singular or unoriginal, it's actually a clear continuation of a collective contemporary design mindset. Character mixed with comfort, craftsmanship mixed with lived-in aesthetics.

But Behr's not the only one predicting a return to decorating with olive greens and deep forests. Lick also created a Hunter Green paint color earlier this year that's a contemporary take on a very heritage color. On a smaller scale, cooler brand Fieldbar released a limited-edition cooler in a deep 'Racing Green'. While both are slightly darker and more heritage-inspired examples, it still points to these rich earth tones continually popping up as the new wave of decorating with color.

Beyond green, Dutch Boy Paint has also announced an earthy shade as next year's color prediction: Deep Rooted, a bold terracotta with dark undertones. As for Sherwin-Williams, the brand's recently released Colormix Forecast for 2027 is another beautiful earthy color palette — ochre yellows, rich reds, light blues, and creamy whites, to name a few.

And the goal is to experiment with pairing all of these colors together. Greens and other earth tones make for interesting 'neutrals' in design. Meaning they have seemingly endless combinations and applications. The consensus is that experimenting with color will always lead to a more design-forward home, but 2027's lineup reiterates the importance of an interior color palette that soothes, comforts, and grounds us.

There may not be much we can change about growing digitalization, but designing our homes with palettes that invite that same refreshing feeling of standing in a wooded forest or the clay of a riverbed helps bring a little peace to our lives.

And the best part? You can still choose shades and saturations that have personality. Pair deep, grounding hues with unexpected lighter hues, anti-trend color combinations, if you will — because that's 2027's whole shtick, blending comforting familiarity with hyper-personal style.

For more inspiration like this, be sure to subscribe to the Livingetc newsletter.

It's funny how trends work. I'll see something I think is impossibly chic and, as I so often do, show it to my mum, expecting to receive her stamp of approval, and instead I'm met with, "That's the kind of rubbish I grew up with," which is a phrase I've heard more than once. But what strikes her as a reminder of her own parents' original home decor is, to me, the height of style. We've bickered over onyx bowls and shag pile carpets, and now, the most recent addition, textured glass light fittings.

I'm not the only one to have this experience, either. Designer David Hicks tells me, "I remember showing pieces to clients years ago and being asked why they would pay so much for something they remembered seeing in their grandparents’ house". But while some may take longer to get on board, the designers are always ahead of the curve. Having emerged as one of the biggest lighting trends of this year, these gently textured, Murano-esque lights are hard to ignore. From luxury design brands to high-street favorites, you'll find some version of this retro light style. Whether it's a dramatic, tiered chandelier or a subtly speckled table lamp, there's an interpretation for everyone.

So, I asked experts exactly what they love so much about this trend, as well as all their top tips for styling it in your own home. And, to finish it all off, I've picked out some of my favorite examples of the trend, all available to shop right now.

Why Designers Love This Style

As so many designers know, lighting is one of the most powerful tools in design. The right light fitting can completely transform the feel of a space, which is exactly why knowing how to plan your home's lighting scheme is such a crucial skill. And in the current design climate, where warmth, texture, and visible imperfections reign supreme, it should come as no surprise that textured glass has become so popular again.

As the world becomes increasingly dominated by AI, our homes become our sanctuaries, a place where we can find comfort. And where better to find comfort than in the past? A surge in nostalgic decorating trends has emerged this year, and this just happens to be one of our favorite examples.

But it's not just the nostalgia factor that's made this trend so popular; it's the way it makes our spaces feel that's so special. "It has the gorgeous ability to soften a room and give it a feminine edge," explains Fiona Begley, who often uses these lights in her designs for Barlow & Barlow. "It's perfect in a dressing room, powder room or bedroom to diffuse light and really calm a space."

The gently mottled texture and lightly colored glass bring a calming warmth into a space, providing a more diffused, subtle light than you'd find with a traditional glass light fitting.

There's also something about the lack of consistency and inherent imperfections this style of lighting brings that feels particularly appealing in this post-AI climate. "With textured glass, you have the variation and imperfection of something made by hand, which gives it a very different quality to a machine-manufactured light fitting," comments David. "The glass creates a beautiful softness when illuminated, but just as importantly, it has a sculptural presence when it is switched off."

And while they resemble the lighting that became so popular in the 70s, the style has roots that go back even further. Reminiscent of Murano glass chandeliers, Fiona says, "Murano glass has had a huge surge in popularity, with many of the big brands and suppliers copying classic styles made famous through the Art Deco period. A browse on Vinterior or 1stdibs will bring up a huge selection of lighting which can accommodate all budgets and tastes."

It's not just the designers that love this style either. In fact, the team at Livingetc love the trend so much, they gave the iconic M&S All Over Glass Table Lamp the Smart Buy award in this year's Livingetc Style Awards for lighting.

How to Style Them

With so many different variations of the trend to pick from, you can easily find a way to make this finish work with any interior design style, from contemporary to classic. The textured warmth of this finish makes for a welcome addition to almost any space.

Fiona reflects this sentiment, saying, "It's really adaptable to many settings." This is especially true for smaller, decorative pieces, like table lamps, which can easily slot into any room, adding a touch of textural intrigue. Though for the most impactful effect, Fiona admits that "a beautiful light deserves center stage."

A gorgeous, textured chandelier can easily be the highlight of a room, bringing a sense of movement and warmth that would otherwise be missing. When styled well, it should look retro, but not kitsch, an elegantly timeless addition to your space, filling it with the diffused glow of dappled glass.

"Try not to make the room fussy or overbearing and be clever with height for maximum effect," advises Fiona. With designs like this, it's best to keep the surrounding finishes simple. If you begin to bring in too many other textures or prints, your space can quickly feel overwhelming, with the various elements competing for attention. Allow the light fitting to command the attention it deserves.

David also adopts a similar approach in his designs. "I like using Murano lighting in quite restrained interiors, where the light can become an object in its own right," he says.

You don't have to opt for a massive chandelier, though. There are plenty of more subtle ways to incorporate this trend. For example, Fiona says, "We love a pair of wall lights either side of a mirror or console." A delicate table lamp or pendant light can also look beautiful, especially when paired with other Art Deco-style inspired pieces.

Shop the Trend

While this trend would look gorgeous used across the home, we're especially drawn to the idea of using it as a statement piece of living room lighting, especially when paired with earthy colors and soft, curving furniture pieces.

Stay on top of all the latest trends by subscribing to our newsletter.

Normally, I'm one of those people who clings to summer for dear life, not accepting the arrival of autumn until trick-or-treaters are at the door. But, for some reason, this year, I've found myself eagerly anticipating its arrival. A sign of maturity, perhaps; I think I may be becoming a true 'autumn person', and I'm already planning how to design my house accordingly.

It's well known that the colors you use in your home can affect your mood, which is exactly why choosing your kitchen color is such a crucial decision. It's the room you're likely to spend the most time in, so it only makes sense to choose a color that feels true to you. You want a shade that feels welcoming and relaxing, one that puts your mind at ease as soon as you enter a room. And if you happen to be an autumn person, I've found just the colors for you.

Even if you're not a dedicated autumn-lover, it's hard to deny the allure of an autumnal color palette. With all the warm, burnt oranges and sunset tones, as well as deeper, richer shades, it's a palette that works no matter the time of year, and these are the colors our experts say are the best to use in your kitchen.

1. Olive Green

While sage green kitchens may have had their moment, for a more timeless, grown-up take on the look, olive green is the way to go.

Unlike shades like pistachio and sage, olive has a beautiful depth to it, bringing more dimension into your kitchen without weighing it down. It draws on the earthy color palettes typically associated with autumn, but is slightly more neutral than the rest, allowing for a more versatile design.

Its natural warmth and easy elegance make it particularly easy to style too, especially if you opt for a warmer, earthier scheme throughout your design.

As a choice for autumn lovers, interior designer Jordan Ashkenazi notes, "It works particularly well because it pairs so effortlessly with other warm tones such as caramel, taupe, chocolate brown, soft cream, terracotta and antique brass." Sticking within this palette for your design ensures a cohesive feel throughout your kitchen, with warm earthy colors and bronze accents coming together naturally.

2. Terracotta

Warm, rich, and inviting, terracotta is one of the most captivating shades you can use in a kitchen. Evoking the sun-baked clay pots of the Mediterranean, this color tiptoes on the edge of summer and autumn, ideal for those who can't quite choose between the two.

While a red kitchen may sound intimidating at first, the unique undertones of this particular shade make it surprisingly calming. It's a color even the most committed minimalist lovers can get behind.

Take designer Mariam Prada, for example. While she typically opts for a light, neutral color palette, terracotta is an exception. As she says, "Terracotta brings warmth without the harshness of a bright red." The warm shade instead "creates an immediate sense of comfort," especially when paired with rich, textured natural materials and warm metallic finishes.

3. Burnt Orange

No color epitomizes autumn quite like the rusty hues of burnt orange. With earthy undertones of red clay and fallen leaves, this shade is autumn at its best, and it looks just as beautiful on your kitchen cabinets as it does across the treetops.

With years of experience at one of the most beloved paint brands, Helen Shaw is well qualified to offer advice on color choices, and, in her opinion, "a confident red-orange, such as Benjamin Moore's Soft Glow" is a natural choice for an 'autumn person'.

But, for a more complex look, Helen recommends moving away from the color-drenching approach and instead pairing the warm, rusty color with something a tad brighter and fresher. "Introducing a touch of unexpected contrast is a contemporary take on a straightforward color wash concept," explains Helen.

Set to become one of the next hottest kitchen trends, she says, "This season, opting for a moody mid-tone contrasted with a warm-based accent provides a surprise for the eye while maintaining a cossetting feel. Using Soft Glow in a less obvious area, such as the underside of an archway or the transition space between two rooms, is a creative way to tap into this rich and cozy autumnal look."

4. Soft Browns

"For the “Autumn person,” muted cinnamon brown is a great choice," shares interior designer Neha Gupta, adding, "It’s a warm, cozy, and earthy color between shades of brown, rust, and even terracotta."

Brown has had a real moment over the past year, and it's taken over fashion and interiors alike. We're not complaining, though; it's about time this warm, rich shade got the love it deserves, and there's no place better suited to this appetizing shade than the kitchen.

It feels unique in comparison to many other neutral kitchen colors, with Neha noting, "Because it contains a tinge of earthy colors like brown, it doesn’t feel vibrant or saturated, but has enough depth to set it apart from the mild hues usually found in many interior design schemes."

It works particularly well as an accent shade, used to accentuate specific architectural features, or on the lower cabinetry, rather than across the whole room.

5. Burgundy

If there's one color I'd argue more people should be using in this space, it's burgundy. It's a grounded color that designers love for kitchens, and it couldn't be much more perfect for autumn lovers.

It's rich, enveloping, and inviting, creating a cozy warmth that you'll never tire of. When designing spaces for self-described 'autumn people', designer Laura Hammett says, "I love leaning into richer colors for a cozy, cocooning aesthetic. These shades create an enveloping elegance that feels both contemporary and timeless." They may feel intense, especially if you're used to a bright, white kitchen, but that intensity is exactly what makes these designs feel so special.

Sitting somewhere between red and brown, burgundy feels more neutral than a true red shade, making it easier to pair with other kitchen materials and finishes. For Laura, the shade Mulberry from her paint collection is the perfect example. She describes it as "a deeply sophisticated, rich shade of burgundy that exudes warmth and elegance."

If you're now feeling inspired to inject some autumnal warmth into your space, our edit of autumnal soft furnishings is perfect for decorating in a way that feels chic rather than kitsch.

And for more color and design ideas, subscribe to our newsletter, and they'll be delivered straight to your inbox.

Dark kitchens, whether they're wood, painted, or otherwise, can bring a huge amount of warmth, depth, and character to any home. Personally, I think they just read as more sophisticated.

But they're only one part of the kitchen design story, and those dark cabinets need to be paired with the right kitchen countertop ideas if you want them to really work for your design.

Your choice of color here will inform how your kitchen feels a lot — whether you’re aiming for a bright, contemporary look or a more traditional design, this is the choice that really sets the tone. So what to pick? Here are your options, according to kitchen designers.

1. Soft Neutrals

“The mistake is assuming dark cabinetry automatically needs a bright white worktop to contrast," says Athina Bluff, founder of Topology Interiors. "Sometimes a pale surface lifts the room; at other times, a tonal dark worktop creates a far more sophisticated result.”

If you're drawn to the light side for kitchen countertop colors, Athina recommends choosing ivory, putty, or cream rather than brilliant white, allowing the dark kitchen to be lifted and softened by the lighter tones, avoiding stark and jarring surfaces that dominate the space. “It helps a dark kitchen feel calmer, lighter, and more inviting.”

2. Make a Statement With Green Marble

A dark wood kitchen, in particular, gives you a chance to try something exciting with color, and in this beautiful kitchen by Studio Braw, a rich green is an intriguing accent. The rich golden-dark cabinetry feels instantly cocooning, while the green marble countertops bring a hit of natural color and movement that keeps the scheme feeling fresh and vibrant.

"The stone is a Verde Guatemala," Louise McGarry, creative director of Studio Braw, explains. "It's the perfect combination with the golden wooden cabinets, and pairs beautifully with the walls painted in Jonquil by Edward Bulmer." The pink walls and ceiling give a playful finish to this brilliant amalgamation of contemporary and traditional features.

3. The Beauty of Aged Copper

Let’s talk copper. The soft, slightly full sheen of aged copper is glamorous, sophisticated, and offers a sheen without being too flashy or shiny. But the real beauty of copper backsplashes and counters lies in its practicality and patina. "Paired with dark cupboards, it is moody, but also very practical; every touch and mark just adds to its patina,” says Helen Parker, creative director at deVOL. "The patterns created by everyday wear and tear change the surface constantly, giving a living finish which gets better with time."

What could be better or more encouraging than making a work surface better by simply using it?

4. Embrace the Best of Both Worlds

If subtle isn’t really your style, let me introduce you to the heavily veined marble in this kitchen by Blakes. With its crisp white base and bold, dark grey veining, this countertop is designed to be seen and admired by all.

Annie Burrows, lead designer at Blakes London, explains the concept: "When working with darker cabinetry, we favor lighter natural stone worktops to create contrast without the scheme feeling stark."

However, by choosing bolder veining, it actually makes the look feel lighter. "The intricate veining and tonal depth of natural marbles, such as Arabescato Corchia, introduce warmth and movement, creating a softer transition between the light stone and darker cabinetry," Annie adds. "The result is a scheme that feels balanced, layered and refined."

So, rather than playing it safe with a barely-there pattern, the dramatic statement of the veining applies instant character to a dark wood kitchen to create the perfect balance.

5. Double Down on Dark

Now, if you’re already embracing the dark kitchen cabinetry, why not take it a step further with a dark countertop?

"Sometimes keeping everything dark and cohesive can really add to the moody look of a dark kitchen," Isabella Pacilli, junior sales designer at Roundhouse, tells me. "So rather than breaking up the scheme with a lighter surface, going tonal can create a rich and enveloping look that feels effortlessly sophisticated. Think deep charcoal, black stone, or a patterned dark marble. This certainly proves dark on dark can be anything but gloomy.

"It feels very luxurious, and in spaces with lots of natural light it doesn’t feel too dark," she adds.

6. Choose Complementary tones

Choosing a worktop that sits tone-on-tone with the kitchen’s overall color palette is a very different option in style, but most definitely works. "In this case, a gray limestone that complements the shade of the walls creates a calm and harmonious atmosphere," says Jonna Karlsson, kitchen designer at Nordiska Kök. The traditional dark wood adds depth and warmth, while the gray feels contemporary and intentional; together they create an unexpected cohesive design.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to choosing a countertop for a dark kitchen; it’s got to work for you and your home. But there are plenty of options that will serve you well for years to come.

The beauty of dark cabinets is that they give you plenty of room to play. Go lighter for contrast and a softer, more open feel, introduce color for personality and playfulness, or simply lean into the darker tones for something rich and atmospheric.

As all of these examples show, the countertop can be so much more than just a practical surface. It’s the perfect opportunity to feature texture, color, pattern, and personality, making your dark kitchen feel completely individual and unique.

For more inspiration for your kitchen, sign up to the Livingetc.com newsletter.

From deep forest green to muted pistachio, green bathrooms have topped our interiors radar for a while now. A nature-inspired olive, emerald, or sage green et al always feels calm and collected — whether that’s for a morning shower or a relaxing soak at the end of the day.

But what makes a green bathroom feel especially luxe is the addition of warm brass fixtures and fittings — it’s that shortcut to the modern vintage mood we can’t get enough of. Crucially, though, is the green-and-brass bathroom combo a flash in the pan or a timeless choice we’ll still love in a decade from now? According to the experts, this classic duo isn’t going anywhere.

"Green works beautifully in a bathroom because it’s a color that ages very well," says Marcelina Janiszweska, head of design at Project London. "Brass details in a few well-placed fittings or handles add just the right amount of warmth and polish, which is exactly what gives a green bathroom that timeless and luxurious feel."

It’s a combination that also works incredibly well in every style of bathroom — whether you prefer modern rustic or cool and contemporary. So if you’re inspired to explore green and brass in your next bathroom renovation, here are six bathrooms that embrace the color combination oh so well.

1. Luxe Green and Brass Powder Room

It’s a well-documented design trick that one of the best places to go daring with our decorating choices is in a small space, such as a powder room. And this luxe green-and-brass cloakroom proves the point brilliantly. The bold, slightly heritage mood is classic, yes, but feels spot on for today’s storytelling interiors.

"Smaller spaces are an opportunity to be more expressive, and we wanted the powder room to feel rich and immersive," says Alexii Friedman, founder and lead designer at Studio Friedman. "The saturated green creates depth and intimacy, while the unlacquered brass brings warmth and a sense of history."

Instead of tiles, the designer used embossed vinyl wallpaper with a crocodile leather effect. The green-sheen backdrop is then highlighted with pops of brass on the taps, fittings, and wall lamps. "The combination feels inherently classic, yet still bold. I also love that the brass will continue to patina over time, adding another layer of character to the room," adds Alexii.

2. Pair Green and Brass With Vintage Furniture

Green and brass work incredibly well as a base for layering vintage pieces — and this was exactly the starting point in this bathroom by Elemental Studio.

"The clients are a young couple who love vintage, so the entire house followed that premise," explains Laurence Katz, owner and creative director at Elemental Studio. "The vanity unit is a vintage cabinet adapted for the two basins, and the counter was the old kitchen slate worktop. That way, less was thrown away from the kitchen."

As for choosing green, it’s a color that Laurence always tries to bring into her schemes to help anchor and calm other hues. "For me, green is timeless, and in color psychology, it’s the easier color on the human eye as it’s the color of nature," she adds.

Classic green metro tiles create that timeless silhouette while brass details echo the vintage brass fittings used throughout the rest of the property.

3. Add Drama With Vibrant Green

In this modern bathroom (part of an iconic Art Nouveau apartment block in Malta), vibrant green geometric tiles are offset with brushed brassware — and the result is dramatic.

"The client’s brief was to restore the space to its former Art Nouveau glory, adding a modern, contemporary touch," says James Lentaigne, creative director at Drummonds. "Vibrant green geometric tiles wrap the walls and floor while the brushed brass will develop a patina, in keeping with the historic feel of the building.

"Although the room is relatively compact, the high ceiling, large window, and continuous tiling help to give it a much greater sense of space."

If you ever needed any more push to go full green-and-brass, this might be it.

4. A Dark and Moody Jewel-Box Bathroom

We love dark, moody interiors for a cozy, personality-filled space — so a green-and-brass bathroom is the perfect color scheme to take this look throughout the home.

"This bathroom sits downstairs, off a lounge, bar, and home theater, all of which are dark and moody," says Brenda Thompson, owner and creative director of Houselift Design. "We didn’t want the bathroom to break that spell, so we carried the darker palette right through it. Same reasoning behind the black toilet — a white fixture would have pulled focus, and we wanted the mood to hold.

"Once we knew the room was going dark, green was the obvious answer. Many dark colors can get oppressive in a space this size — black closes it in, deep blues go cold, dark reds overstimulate, browns can feel heavy."

Movement and texture were key in a bathroom this dark. So the designer introduced brass fittings for a warm sheen, limewash walls for a cloud-like texture, and glazed tiles that catch the light and throw it back into the space.

"Green is also why the room won’t date,” adds Brenda. “It has staying power because of its connection to nature, and we surrounded it with classic wood, brass, and tile materials that don’t go in and out."

5. Soften With Earthy Neutrals

Green and brass might sound like a super bold choice for the bathroom — and it can be if that’s the look you want. Deep green with warmer antique brass is impactful, for sure. But it’s also a timeless combination that can be stripped back if you want to lean into a gentler bathroom decor.

The simple way to do this is to introduce a range of earthy neutrals, like sand, off-white, buttermilk, and taupe. In this classic bathroom, the mix of eucalyptus wall tiles and brass taps is softened with bands of ivory tiles on the upper half of the walls and natural linen curtains.

And to enhance the timeless yet luxurious mood, black-and-white checkerboard floor tiles introduce a crisp accent. "Rather than being tied to one particular trend, green and brass can be adapted to suit everything from a classic country bathroom to a more contemporary space, which is what makes it such a timeless choice," says Richard Skeoch, director at Hyperion Tiles.

6. Try Pale Green and Brass

The green palette is vast, so there’s a green to suit every bathroom. So if you don’t fancy a deep emerald hue, a chalky sage creates a softer silhouette with brass bathroom detailing.

"What I like is that the green on the walls has not been matched exactly to the floor," says Grazzie Wilson, head of creative at Ca’ Pietra. "Pulling out a softer, chalkier version of the sage gives the room more depth — exact matching can make a bathroom feel slightly showroom-like."

"The brass then becomes a small point of polish rather than another big color statement. There’s enough yellow and warmth in the floor for brass to feel completely at home."

Grounding shades of green are emerging as one of the defining interior trends of the moment — and that includes the bathroom. "Green has enough personality to make an impact, but its natural undertones mean it is unlikely to date quickly," says Abbas Youssefi, founder of Porcelain Superstore. "Richer shades like forest, emerald and deep olive can create a cocooning, luxurious feel, particularly when paired with warm metals, natural wood and layered lighting." Green is featured in our list of timeless bathroom color choices for a reason.

And for more ideas for your bathroom and beyond, why not subscribe to the Livingetc newsletter? And all the latest will be delivered directly to your inbox.

Blue sofas have been a popular choice for years — and understandably so. Widely associated with calm and relaxation, it stands to reason that a blue sofa works so well in a space created for gathering and comfort, which is exactly why I chose one for my own living room.

From light tones that make a space feel airy and serene to deeper hues that envelop and cocoon, this versatile shade pairs with so many other colors and textures for an elegant scheme. And for the very best blue sofa living room ideas, I went back to the Livingetc archives to hand-pick my favorite designer-styled spaces.

So whether you're looking to buy a sofa or want ideas for redesigning your space around your current sofa color, these ten living rooms with a blue sofa as its anchor will fill you with inspiration.

1. Pair It With Terracotta Accents

This modern living room, in a once-neglected villa turned modern marvel, perfectly blends style and comfort. The choice of sofa was particularly important for designers Enrique Ventosa and Ana Arana of design house Plutarco. "The blue lower floor sofa by Arflex was essential. We wanted it to be very cozy and very soft," explains Ana. The calming light blue contrasts with the terracotta high-gloss vaulted ceiling, which is echoed in the artwork, creating a considered scheme that pops without being overwhelming.

2. Go for a Moody Scheme

Allison McAfee and Naina Hotchkiss of Park Interiors designed this 1980s home in Dallas, blending antiques with custom modern pieces for a truly personal space. The sumptuous, slightly curved deep blue velvet sofa works effortlessly in this earth-toned living room to create a comforting, moody space rich in depth and texture.

3. Choose a Pastel Palette

The pastel color palette adds a delicate softness to this contemporary, light pink living room designed by Chris Rak and Kathryn Robson of Australian architecture and interior design firm Robson Rak. The cloud-like pale blue sofa, which is said to be one of the most comfortable couches ever specified by the design duo, quietly draws attention, creating a space that works just as well for sophisticated hosting as for family movie-watching.

4. Anchor a Neutral Space With Deep Blue

This living room is a masterclass in achieving balance in interior design. Created by Christine, co-founder of NYC's GACHOT, the space is packed with personality without affecting its inherently calming feel. The pops of deep blue in the sofa and armchairs punctuate the otherwise neutral color palette just enough, while the angular seating mimics the clean lines of the architectural openings.

5. Cocoon the Space in Rich Blue Tones

Christie Ward and Staver Gray from Ward + Gray, who designed this space, wanted the home to "feel approachable and deeply comfortable, yet still design-forward and refined," explains Christie. "The silhouettes are generous and inviting. Nothing overly fussy or pretentious. Every piece was chosen to feel lived-in and easy, without sacrificing intention," she explains. And this cozy living room does exactly that. The deep blue-on-blue sofa, walls, and pouf cocoon the space for a luxurious retreat.

6. Get Creative With Organic Shapes

Designed by Adrie Rensen and Jo Edwards, co-founders of the London-based firm Edwards Rensen Architects, this gallery-like space is all about the pieces within it. With no freestanding or built-in storage, the considered use of negative space in the design makes each piece of art and furniture sing, with the navy sofa as the star of the show. It pops in the room that's peppered with organic shapes and visual stories — and while your eyes are drawn to other pieces, they always fall back to rest on the sofa.

7. Pair It With a Bold Accent Wall

"We wanted a place for the family to convene together and spend cozy nights in watching movies," explain Susan and Ben Work, the co-founders of architectural design studio Homework, who designed this warm space. The blue velvet sectional sofa is striking against the equally striking coral accent wall it faces, and the softness of the plush, pillow-like sofa creates a beautiful contrast with the sharp lines of the built-in cabinetry in the alcoves and the marble fireplace detail.

8. Make It a Quiet Focal Point

Pauline Lorenzi-Boisrond, creator of Studio Ett Hem, designed this space alongside partner Maxence Lesueur. "We always seek a subtle balance between bold choices and quiet restraint, aesthetics, and functionality," she explains. By avoiding symmetry in the design, the room feels fresh, and the empty neutral wall on the right draws your eye to the colorful artwork on the left, forging a link with the dark blue sofa. Each piece exudes intentionality, giving a refined and elegant feel.

9. Opt for a Mirrored Look

Kristine Fine, co-founder of The 1818 Collective and responsible for the design of this space, once lived in this home and continued to do so throughout the design process, following the buyer's request that she redesign it. "The brightness allowed us to include a few strong deep colors like the black wall and console and the blue sofas without impacting the airy brightness of the space," Kristin says. The materiality of the space adds great depth and character, with the tactile mirrored sofas broken up by the bronze metallic finish of the coffee table.

10. Or Mirror With a Tonal Shade

What's better than one blue sofa? Two blue sofas. But this time it's paired with a lighter hue for added contrast. "We embraced a quiet palette in the main common areas that let the art and furniture shine," explains the interior designer behind the project, Zoe Feldman. "We furnished the home with deconstructed furniture that had a sculptural, minimalist bend." And this mid-century modern living room balances color and texture perfectly.

For more sofa ideas for creating a big impact, these are the sofas worth designing your home around, according to some of the coolest designers around.

And for more design ideas, why not subscribe to the Livingetc newsletter? All the latest can be delivered directly to your inbox.

Our homes are reflections of ourselves — an expression of not just our style, but our priorities, routines, and desires. And no place is this clearer than in the kitchen.

It would only make sense, then, that every kitchen would look a little different, shaped by the person living within it. However, within the current trend economy, we've become so used to seeing recycled versions of the same design over and over again. It's as if there's only one way to design a modern kitchen nowadays, leaving no room for individuality. We're so used to seeing a certain vision of what a kitchen should look like that it's become difficult to distinguish what you actually like and what you're just used to seeing.

Not everyone is plagued by this issue, though. No, for designers who spend every day carefully crafting kitchens that perfectly reflect their clients' needs, adjusting the designs to meet their unique preferences, it becomes a lot easier to pick out the features that appeal to them and the ones that don't. So I asked the designers exactly what design features they would never be caught including in their own kitchens, and their answers were not what I expected.

1. Raised Microwave Storage

"Upper cabinet microwaves are a kitchen eyesore, and I would never design a kitchen with one," says Damian Samora, from Ferguson & Shamamian Architects. Proper storage of kitchen appliances is the key to a tidy, uncluttered kitchen. A well-placed appliance garage, or cabinet, can keep your kitchen worktops free, providing you with more much-needed prep area.

However, not all kitchen storage solutions are created equal, and while some are the backbone of a functional, organized design, others can have the opposite effect, and this is exactly what you'll find with a raised cabinet microwave. "There is simply no functional or aesthetic occasion where you should stare at a black window and have children reaching above their heads for scalding hot bowls of anything," argues Damian.

You may think keeping your microwave stored above your countertops will help to make your kitchen more streamlined, removing the need for a bulky box sitting on your counters, but not only does a raised microwave look ugly, it actually introduces more risk into your space, especially if you have young children.

2. Fluted Cabinets

Fluted wood kitchen cabinetry has been one of the standout kitchen trends of the past few years, popping up in almost every chic, modern design. But for Isabella Pacelli, a designer at London's trend-setting kitchen design brand, Roundhouse, this is a style she'd avoid using in her own home.

While it's undeniably beautiful, there are a few practical issues that would keep Isabella from featuring this kitchen cabinet style in her own kitchen. As she explains, "It is difficult to clean due to the ridges, and in a painted finish it is prone to chipping on the scalloped edges, unfortunately."

Your kitchen cabinets form one of the crucial elements of your design, and over the years, they'll likely be subjected to plenty of wear and tear, so choosing a low-maintenance kitchen material for this feature is undoubtedly the smarter option.

3. Built-In Coffee Machines

There's a certain belief that when it comes to designing a luxury kitchen, you should always choose built-in appliances over freestanding ones. But according to Amy Peltier from Peltier Interiors, the truth is a little more nuanced.

While a concealed fridge will always look chic, there are some other appliances that aren't quite so beneficial to have installed as a permanent fixture in your kitchen. Namely, the coffee machine. "I would never install a built-in coffee maker," states Amy.

Not only is this a far more expensive option than a regular espresso machine or coffee maker, Amy shares that the results are often less than desirable: "Over the years, feedback from clients who have had them in their homes has been less than ideal," she shares, adding, "They require regular cleaning and servicing, which can be cumbersome, and there are only a handful of really good options on the market."

With so many fantastic coffee machines on the market now, you'll find far better results sticking with a countertop machine. And, if you're really after the minimalist kitchen look, Amy says, "For clients who don’t want one sitting out, we’ve even concealed them inside cabinetry on an appliance lift. This keeps the coffee maker hidden on a daily basis while still making it easily accessible and, importantly, not permanently built in."

4. Oversized Islands

"One thing I would never include in my own kitchen is an oversized island simply for the sake of having one," shares interior designer Maureen Gomez, whose London-based studio specializes in elegant designs that bring contemporary touches to period properties.

So often with kitchen islands, people follow the logic of 'the bigger, the better', but, according to Maureen, this is often to the detriment of the overall flow and feel of the space. This is especially prominent in small kitchens, where an island is often just about squeezed in, and ends up taking over the entire space, leaving the room looking cramped and awkward.

Even worse still, Maureen says, "Don't even get me started on the hideous trend of installing two islands. I would always favor a smaller, beautifully proportioned island, or no island at all, over one that interrupts the natural flow of the space."

It's not just the size of your island that can be an issue; Maureen also draws attention to the often problematic placement of sinks and hobs on kitchen islands. As she explains, "An island is often the social heart of the room, so I prefer to keep it free from extractor fans, pans, cooking splashes and lingering heat." Similarly, a kitchen sink invites clutter onto your counters, often leaving your island covered in dirty dishes and drying racks.

5. Recirculated Extractors

The benefit of working in kitchen design is that you're granted a first-hand view of what works and what doesn't. While the rest of us have to live with it to find out, for the designers, every new project offers a learning opportunity, and they have the time and experience to filter through what is just a trend and what should become a modern essential.

And, unfortunately, as Matthew Andrews, head of design at bespoke kitchen and joinery specialists, Co Domi, found out, the sleek, recirculating extractor hood fans fit firmly in the former category. "On paper it looks like the easier option — no ductwork, simpler install — but it never really removes the grease or odors," explains Matthews.

Though it may seem like the easier, faster option, in the long run, it can end up dragging down your kitchen as a whole. "In a kitchen where every material and finish has been chosen with intention, that's a false economy as it compromises air quality, shortens the life of cabinetry and worktops, and the filters need replacing far more often than people realize," says Matthew, adding, "If ducted extraction genuinely isn't possible, I'd redesign the layout around one that is, rather than compromise on it."

6. Banquette Seating

While, for the most part, the designers draw on practical noticings in their decision-making, there are other cases in which it simply comes down to personal preference.

This was the case for Alexis Ryder, from Robert A.M Stern Architects. "I would skip a banquette in my own kitchen," she tells me.

This is not because there is anything fundamentally wrong with an island with built-in seating or banquette dining in the kitchen; it's just that this style wouldn't align with Alexis' lifestyle.

As she explains, "I love to cook, and the kitchen is the soul and main zone of my home, so I want it to accommodate real life, not dictate it." Built-in seating can be a great solution for squeezing seating into small kitchens; however, for more social spaces, they can feel a little restrictive. Instead, Alexis says, "Give me fun chairs I can pull together for a crowd, move around for a conversation, or clear out entirely when dinner turns into cocktails. Fixed seating has its place; I just don’t want it fixing the way I live."

To design a kitchen like a pro, you need to plan it like a pro and avoid common kitchen planning mistakes from the start — 'fail to prepare, prepare to fail' is the key mantra here.

Speaking of expert advice, ever wondered what details top restaurateurs judge restaurants on? We have, and, well, now we know.

For more design inspiration, why not subscribe to our newsletter, and all the latest will be delivered directly to your inbox.

As obsessed as we are with the idea of being 'minimalist' in our homes and freeing ourselves from clutter, there are some rooms it suits more than others. Minimalist bathrooms often feel a little too harsh and clinical for real life in 2026. All-white, glossy surfaces and graphic lines don’t naturally lend themselves to a room we now want for relaxing slow showers and a restorative soak.

Enter the ‘romantic minimalism’ trend, an interior mood Livingetc.com’s editor Hugh Metcalf is championing for its ability to feel pared-back yet soft, elegant, and personal. But, while it's a look that naturally fits a space like a bedroom, how does romantic minimalism work as bathroom trend, in a space that needs to be fresh, clean, and hygienic?

Think soft palettes, slight old-world charm, a hint of floral and textiles (yes, even in the bathroom). But the real key to nailing the romantic minimalist bathroom is contrast.

"The beauty comes in making a choice that feels directly at odds with the minimalist worldview," adds Hugh. "A floral motif for example or a moment of jewelry-like glitz in a decorative chandelier. A minimalist backdrop reframes these choices, showing them in a new light."

If you’re feeling inspired, here are five bathroom schemes that perfectly capture the romantic minimalism tempo. A balance of minimalist cool with just the right hint of romantic detail.

1. Embrace a Pared Back, Soft Color Palette

The soft, earthy color scheme of this compact bathroom perfectly captures the lived-in mood of romantic minimalism. The mix of burgundy, ochre, and off-white is grounding yet inviting.

But it is the gentle, neutral backdrop of this (some would argue) minimalist bathroom that allows the patterns and fabrics to create an elegant, elevated, and warm atmosphere.

"The walls are painted in Farrow & Ball’s White Tie because I wanted the color to be similar to the background of the tiles, keeping it fresh and clean," says Bianca Serrao Jones, interior designer and founder of The Home Reform. "Delft-style tiles add delicate detail to the bath surround, while the burgundy and cream checkerboard floor tiles ground the scheme."

It’s a small yet personality-packed bathroom thanks to the basin skirt (custom-made by a curtain maker) and the striped shower curtain in a washable fabric that’s suitable for damp areas.

"Classic Lefroy Brooks brassware will develop a beautiful patina over time," adds Bianca. "Overall, the feel is timeless and considered, balancing classic details with playful, unexpected touches."

2. Soften With Curtains and a Rug

Introducing soft texture and fabric is a simple way to combat the coldness of a minimalist aesthetic and instantly add warmth. For the bedroom, that’s an easy win with cashmere blankets, billowing drapes, or plush rugs. But does this work in the bathroom too? Most definitely.

It may not be in London, but this project in Denver, Colorado, captures the spirit of the romantic minimalist bathroom aesthetic.

"We kept the foundation of this bathroom quiet and tonal, allowing the natural materials and decorative details to bring in warmth and personality," says Regan Mattingly, lead designer and owner of Chalet. “The soft, sheer curtains, vintage-inspired rug, and wood vanities add layers of texture and depth. It’s a great example of how a more restrained starting point allows textiles, materials, and accessories to give a space character and dimension."

Bathroom curtains might be a divisive design trick, but if you follow a few simple rules, they work wonders for the romantic minimalist look.

Make sure your bathroom is well ventilated and, if possible, the window is away from direct splashes. Rather than full-length curtains, you could try café-style sheers that stop at the sill.

Material choice is important too. Polyester will repel water, dry quickly and resist mould. But if you prefer a natural fabric, linen and cotton-rich curtains are breathable and quick-drying. Steer away from velvet, which will trap water and lead to mould and musty smells; heavy silk curtains stain and tear easily.

"We also recommend keeping rugs away from areas that are consistently wet," adds Regan.

3. Embrace Original Design Details

Original design details, like cornicing and skirting boards, are another way to bring authenticity and elegance to a minimalist bathroom.

But this small bathroom presented something of a design conundrum. The bathroom is part of an original Victorian building that was converted into flats in the 1960s. And this part of the apartment held no original fabric of its own.

"Rather than invent a period the room never had, we borrowed from elsewhere in the apartment," explains Anthony Calvert-Harrison, architectural design lead at Levan House Design, an interior design studio that works with period and character homes. "We took a Victorian cornice and a sympathetic skirting from the rooms that still had theirs, then set them against tongue and groove paneling."

After that, a palette of earthy hues layered with antique brass, bamboo frames and a marble floor creates a warm, lived-in bathroom mood with masses of character.

"The 1960s conversion earned a reference of its own, and so we chose a diamond floor in white and Rosso marble," adds Anthony. "The point was layering. Not a period replica or pastiche, but a room that suits modern living in an older setting."

4. Hang a Statement Light

Paying attention to the details — the textures, bathroom lighting, original architecture — is what adds the romance element to a pared-back bathroom. And in this space, by Golden, an amber glass lantern adds a whimsical flourish to the warm, pink-toned neutrals.

"The client’s brief was a New York-inspired, slightly Art Deco aesthetic," says Alice Bettington, co-director of Golden design studio. "The walls and ceiling are washed in warm, pink-toned neutrals with Moroccan Zellige tiles adding a super reflective, tactile and luxurious base."

The design team chose a statement Murano glass lantern in a rich amber hue to add cosy elegance against the neutral backdrop. The warm glow ties in with the striped silk blind and olive-painted bath for a bathroom that’s simple and unfussy, but packed with shape, texture and romance.

5. Add Flowers and Foliage

There’s nothing easier than adding a huge jug of greenery to a bathroom if you want a little romance. And for this trend, it's a good idea to go less formal and less structured with your foliage.

In this bathroom, the soft pink walls, lace curtain and antique sideboard layer texture and color. But it is the trailing branches of foliage that create a whimsical mood with just the right hint of romance.

And don’t forget, lighting a scented candle adds fragrance and glow to the most minimalist bathroom scheme – in literally seconds.

The best thing about any interior design trend in 2026 is that they are open to interpretation. You can adapt, enhance or strip back a trend to suit your own personal style and space. So for the romantic minimalist bathroom, it might be that adding an oversized vessel of freshly-picked flowers is enough. Or you might want to upgrade your basin or shower area with some pretty Delft-style tiles. It's totally your call. If this has piqued your design interest, discover more about the emergence of the romantic minimalism trend written by our editor.

It might sound screamingly obvious, but without the right lighting, life would appear a little flat, particularly after dark. Nowhere is this more true than in the case of garden lighting, where the right design scheme can mean the difference between a space that feels just as welcoming and considered as the inside of your home, and one that is nothing more than a bland patch of outdoors.

According to Mike Kazer, founder and design director at London Lightworks, the key to getting your outdoor lighting ideas spot on is to step into the project with a crystal-clear idea of what you want and how you plan on using the space. "Do you enjoy modern garden ideas with lots of light and bold, dramatic features, or are you looking for something much more delicate and minimal, with subtle pockets of light that create atmosphere without overpowering the landscape?"

Once you have a concept of how you want the end result to feel, you can begin to develop a lighting scheme that really delivers. Let this selection of inspiration be your starting point.

1. Don't Overlook the View From the Inside

Before ever setting foot outside, your garden lighting begins to have an effect — particularly in heavily glazed spaces, where creating the right view is everything. Come nightfall, simply staring out into a black abyss is hardly appealing.

When developing a garden lighting design scheme, Luke Thomas, group design director at John Cullen Lighting, makes the outlook from inside a priority. "A garden is often viewed from inside the house for more months of the year than it is experienced outside, so always stand inside and look through each important window when positioning fittings. Avoid glare or visible light sources and make sure fittings aren't directed back toward glazing, pathways or seating areas."

"One of my favorite techniques is to position discreet miniature spotlights or floodlights in pots and borders just beyond windows and glazed doors," continues Luke. "By illuminating planting immediately outside, you draw the eye beyond the glass at night, making the interior feel larger and creating a much stronger connection between the house and garden."

Fran Deanes, senior lighting designer at Brilliant Lighting, agrees that the right outdoor lighting scheme can transform your indoor spaces. "Exterior lighting isn't only for when you're outside. A beautifully illuminated tree or garden wall can effectively become artwork viewed through the windows at night."

2. Use Mirrors to Enhance Your Lighting Scheme

The lighting ideas you choose for a small garden should have the power to add richness and depth to the scheme, drawing the eye to individual and carefully curated planted spots and features rather than toward its limitations.

Mirrors and reflective surfaces — even water garden ideas such as small pools or channels — work so well in more compact spaces, allowing light to bounce around freely at the same time as creating some beautiful shadow effects.

Within this scheme, a stairway has been surrounded by architectural plants and lit by a combination of downward-facing stake lights and hidden uplighters — a mirror adds sparkle and an enhanced sense of space.

3. Celebrate Darkness as Well as Light

It is important not to get so carried away with your exterior lighting design that you end up with a space that feels more like a floodlit football pitch than a garden in which to linger — and this is where leaving a few areas in darkness comes in.

"Resist the temptation to illuminate the entire garden," picks up Luke Thomas. "Darkness is just as important as light in creating a successful scheme. Instead, choose a few beautiful features to light, perhaps a sculptural tree, an architectural shrub, a piece of sculpture or textured stone wall, and selectively light these."

This scheme uses lighting to ensure the waterfall steps remain just as much of a feature after dark as they do in the day, while hidden light sources highlight the quirky sculpture and a select handful of trees — these features are made all the more striking thanks to the areas of darkness that intersperse them.

4. Uplighters Aren't the Only Way to Give Trees a Glow

Adding in tree lights is a quick way to create focal points within gardens of all sizes — even more petit species can be transformed into works of art when illuminated.

That said, while uplighters are undoubtedly a fantastic way of doing this, it is important not to feel restricted to these light sources — mixing things up a bit avoids the whole thing looking too paint-by-numbers.

David Haslehurst, founder of Moonlight Design, reveals the technique he favors. "We sometimes put hanging lights into trees, such as these Starry lights, which are copper tubes with holes in. They tend to work best if a few are installed into a canopy of leaves — you get a glittery light filtering through the foliage."

5. Strategically Place Floor Lanterns to Soften Paving

While spacious patio ideas on which to sit and host your outdoor parties might be top of your wish-list, large areas of paving can end up looking characterless and overly formal. This is where the right lighting comes in — in particular low level floor-washers and exterior lamps.

"The use of floor lamps is something we regularly like to use in the garden," says David Haslehurst. "The low-level lanterns offer a layer of lighting to a terrace or path and are also a good way to define an area. We hardwire these, so they are not portable, but permanent features."

The entire finish of the above hard landscaping scheme is lent a beautiful, diffused glow thanks to the combined use of floor lanterns and hidden light sources to draw attention to the surrounding greenery.

6. Light the Architecture, Not Just the Ground

Don't overlook your front garden when thinking about exterior lighting — they arguably more important than those tucked away at the rear of your house, and certainly have more of a role to play when it comes to setting the right tone and adding curb appeal.

While practical lighting needs to stay at the forefront of your mind in terms of ensuring safe passage from your vehicle to your front door after dark, Fran Deanes, is keen to highlight the importance of enhancing the design of your home with your garden lighting too. "Use discreet uplights to graze brick, stone, columns or textured walls. This creates depth and makes a property feel much more considered after dark."

Wall washer lights work really well here too, giving a spread of light that can often be adjusted to suit your particular property.

7. Anything Can Become a Feature When Well Lit

While lighting up your favorite tree, piece of garden artwork or a water feature is the perfect way to ensure all eyes are directed where you want them, don't feel you must rush out and hunt down something new to illuminate — in many cases, the right lighting can transform what you already have into something that looks spectacular once the sun has set.

Travis Hogue, owner of Outdoor Lighting Perspectives, explains that he begins the process of designing an outdoor lighting scheme by assessing what's already there to work with. "I always start by walking with the homeowner outside so we can identify the focal points and sightlines that matter most."

Look around your garden and note down any trees, shrubbery, walling and so on that could become a stand-out feature. In the case of patio lighting ideas, even the paving materials or any changes in levels can become features when properly illuminated.

8. Explore Floor Lighting Options Thoroughly

Garden lighting needs to be multidimensional if you really want to make the most of whatever space you have available. What that means is looking at each and every element that goes into making up the space and assessing its lighting potential.

The 'floor' of the garden — be that a grassy lawn or a paved pathway — is an area that often gets overlooked, yet it can underpin the rest of the entire scheme.

That said, Luke Thomas suggests exploring all the options to ensure you are getting the right effect. "Rather than always using a narrow spotlight, consider a miniature floodlight to softly wash light across a wider area of planting or paving. The effect can feel wonderfully natural and understated."

9. Build Up Layers of Lighting for a Multi-Dimensional Finish

A layered lighting scheme is always the way to go if you want a space that can be used for all kinds of activities, as well somewhere that enjoys visual depth.

"Layering is key to creating a successful lighting scheme, both indoors and out. In exterior lighting, we use the different heights, depths and distances within the landscape to build a sense of depth and atmosphere," says Mike Kazer who goes on to explains how he approaches the process of building this kind of scheme. "We might start with low-level lighting within planting beds, particularly those close to the house or outdoor seating areas. From there, we look at interesting mid-level planting and trees.

"Finally, we look further into the landscape and use taller, more distant trees to create a sense of perimeter and enclosure," continues Mike. "This helps to extend the perceived boundaries of the garden and creates depth beyond the immediate seating or entertaining areas."

10. Draw the Eye Upward as Well as Out

When layering lighting outdoors you need to take into account the height of your garden too, and the levels within it, be that a fence, hedging or trees. This can work particularly well in making a small garden feel bigger, distracting the eye from the boundaries and drawing it upward instead.

Fran Deanes explains how its done. "Combine low-level path or step lighting with mid-level wall lights and higher-level illumination through trees or façades. This prevents the garden from looking flat."

String lights running overhead are a great way to finish things off with a sparkling flourish.

11. Create a Moonlit Effect With Cool Light Temperatures

Just as when designing a lighting scheme indoors, you need to pay attention to the color temperature of your light sources if you want to ensure they are delivering want you want.

"Moonlighting is a good example," picks up Garrett Cunnington, founder of Loudoun Lighting. "If I am installing fixtures high in mature trees to create the effect of moonlight filtering through the canopy, I may use 4000K or potentially a cooler source.

"Most of our garden lighting is warm – typically around 2700K to 3000K – but a 4000K, or even somewhat cooler source, high in a tree can help suggest the cooler, slightly blue appearance we associate with natural moonlight."

12. Subtlety Is Key to a Cozy Dining Experience

There is a real skill to lighting outdoor dining areas in a way that allows them to feel warm, welcoming and inviting at the same time as being bright enough to be fit for purpose as the light fades.

Mike Kazer highlights the importance of glare control in this kind of space. "It's fundamental. Good glare control comes partly from the fitting itself, but mostly from how it is positioned and angled within the surrounding planting. We want you to see the effect of the light, rather than the light source itself here."

Along with lighting that is wired in to your overall scheme, a few strategically positioned portable lamps will really help create the right ambience for al fresco dining, shedding cozy little pools of light wherever you want them.

13. Be Selective With the Features You Highlight

Too many focal points quickly equals no focal points — just overwhelm. In terms of garden lighting, this means being a little picky with the features you choose to highlight rather than just aiming a beam of light at each and every tree or structure within the space you have available.

"Pick a beautiful tree, sculpture, planting bed or architectural feature and make that the hero," advises Fran Deanes. "You don't need to illuminate everything."

In fact, a less is more approach was something all the design experts encouraged, including when it comes to pathway lighting. "Avoid creating an airport runway effect by using evenly spaced lights on both sides. Staggered fittings or lighting nearby planting usually looks much more natural," says Fran.

One of the biggest outdoor lighting mistakes is to overlook the beauty of natural light from features such as outdoor fireplaces or firepits — they are the perfect way to add both visual and physical warmth.

For more inspiration for your garden, sign up to the Livingetc newsletter.

When choosing kitchen color ideas, our attention tends to stop somewhere around the top of the cabinets, but designers are increasingly making a case for looking up.

Far from being destined for default white, the ceiling can completely change how a kitchen feels, whether that's with a cocooning earthy red, a sophisticated neutral or an unexpected hit of ochre.

“Ceilings are often defaulted to white, but color overhead can completely change the way a space is perceived," says interior designer Eva-Marie Prineas, founder of Prineas Studio. "It doesn’t necessarily make a room feel smaller; a strong ceiling color can give it depth, atmosphere, and a much greater sense of intention."

However, there is a trick to getting it to sit well alongside the rest of your scheme. “Our advice is not to choose a ceiling color in isolation," Eva-Marie says. "Consider it alongside the materials, natural light, and adjoining spaces. If the whole palette is working together, a colored ceiling can feel surprisingly natural rather than brave.”

And, as these spaces prove, being a little braver with the fifth wall might just be the color decision that pulls the entire room together.

1. Rich, Earthy Red

A warm, earthy red like Bamboozle is an unexpectedly effective choice for a kitchen ceiling, bringing depth and drama without feeling overly bold or jarring.

The decision to carry the rich terracotta-red overhead in the room above draws the eye upwards and creates a wonderfully enveloping effect, while also picking up on the softer pink and deeper burgundy tones used throughout the room.

“The kitchen colors were chosen to enliven what was a drab, boring kitchen,” states Nomita Joshi-Gupta, founder of Nomita Joshi Interior Design. “Inspired by the colors of the Caribbean, we started with Farrow and Ball's Red Earth for the cabinets, added Deep Reddish Brown for the walls, and Bamboozle on the ceiling.

“Leaving the ceiling white would have been a tragedy, so I decided to add a fiery red with the right shade of rust to give that extra depth. The ceiling pendants sit beautifully against this backdrop, as does the artwork. We also paired the colors with soft coral window shades to complete the effect.”

2. Smoky Green

Green doesn't have to stop at the kitchen cabinetry. Taking a sophisticated, muted shade such as Farrow & Ball's Green Smoke across the upper walls and ceiling creates an enveloping canopy of color, while leaving the lower walls lighter prevents the scheme from feeling too heavy.

It's also a clever way to make a generously proportioned kitchen feel warmer and more intimate.

“We wanted to create a kitchen that felt timeless but had a contemporary edge,” explains Emily Robson, co-founder of KERV Interiors. “The color palette and lighting were key to achieving this balance. Painting the ceiling in Green Smoke was a key part of the design, drawing attention to the beautiful architectural details of the period property."

“A painted ceiling can completely transform a room; depending on the color, it can enhance the sense of height while also making a space feel warmer, cozier, and more considered.”

3. Warm Taupe

Painting the ceiling is one of the simplest ways to transform the feel of a kitchen, yet it's so often overlooked,” says interior designer Laura Stephens.

She chose a subtler take on the statement ceiling in the room above, using Mink by Paint & Paper Library. But a warm, muddy neutral can be surprisingly transformative. Used overhead, the soft taupe-brown hue brings warmth and intimacy to this otherwise light kitchen, while beautifully accentuating the original cornicing and ornate ceiling rose rather than allowing those architectural details to disappear into white.

“We opted for a warm, plaster-inspired tone to soften the space, complement the olive green cabinetry and highlight the beautiful period detailing,” confirms Laura.

“Introducing color overhead creates a more immersive, layered scheme, making the room feel warmer and more intentional. It also naturally draws the eye upwards, allowing any architectural details to really shine.”

She adds: “It doesn't have to be a dramatic shade either — tonal ceilings are a brilliant way to add personality and depth while maintaining a calm, timeless palette, especially in kitchens.”

4. Deep Burgundy

For maximum impact, forget creating contrast altogether and take your chosen kitchen color right up and over the ceiling.

Benjamin Moore's Townsend Harbor Brown gives the color-drenched space above a rich, cocooning quality, with its deep plum-brown tones feeling particularly luxurious alongside veined marble and warm brass.

Rather than making the compact kitchen feel smaller, the lack of obvious visual boundaries creates a wonderfully immersive, seamless effect.

“For our Upstate kitchen, we chose Benjamin Moore Townsend Harbor Brown, a deep, earthy brown-burgundy, and carried it from the cabinetry onto the walls, trim, and ceiling,” says Dorothee Junkin, founder of Dorothee Junkin Design Studio. “The kitchen has a fairly compact footprint and, rather than breaking up the space with a contrasting white ceiling, we wanted the color to envelop the room and create something that felt warm, intimate, and a little unexpected. It's a weekend and vacation home, and the owners wanted to introduce some color.”

“I think painting the ceiling can completely change the feeling of a kitchen,” she continues. “It doesn't have to be a bright or dramatic color. Even a deep, nuanced tone can make the room feel more cohesive and create a sense of depth.

“In a smaller space especially, carrying the color onto the ceiling eliminates visual interruptions and allows elements like the marble backsplash and countertops, brass hardware, and natural wood to stand out.

Dorothee adds that she generally likes to think of the ceiling as another opportunity to bring character into a room rather than simply leaving it white. She says: "Here, the warmth of Townsend Harbor Brown works beautifully with the natural light throughout the day, while the brass and marble keep the darker palette from feeling too heavy.

“This kitchen was originally an abandoned, half-finished renovation, so we also wanted the finished space to feel very different from a typical new kitchen. We wanted it to feel cozier, bolder, and a little more playful. The deep color helped us achieve exactly that.”

5. Golden Ochre

For something truly bold, an earthy ochre can turn the kitchen ceiling into a statement in its own right. In this pared-back space, the saturated golden tone adds warmth to the natural timber and plaster finishes below, while drawing the eye across the ceiling and giving the room a wonderfully atmospheric glow.

It's proof that a strong ceiling color can work beautifully even when the rest of the palette is relatively restrained.

“We used a deep ochre yellow across the ceiling to bring warmth and intimacy to this kitchen,” says Eva-Marie Prineas of Studio Prineas. “Rather than treating the ceiling as a neutral backdrop, we saw it as another surface within the room - one that could contribute to the overall composition of color, material and light.

“The color draws the eye upward while also making the space feel more contained and enveloping. Against the warm timber cabinetry, muted plaster and stainless steel, it creates a richness without overwhelming the room.”

Eva-Marie used Dulux Balsam Pear, which isn't available in the UK, but Farrow & Ball's India Yellow is also a great choice.

Ultimately, the ceiling offers one of the most exciting opportunities to be a little more adventurous with kitchen color ideas.

Whether you choose a soft, grounding neutral or go all-in with ochre, red, or deep brown, looking beyond white can add warmth, depth, and an entirely new dimension to the room.

And if you're nervous about embracing a bolder shade elsewhere, the fifth wall might just be the perfect place to start.

For more inspiration, whether it's for your kitchen or a new paint color to try, sign up to the Livingetc newsletter.

When decorating a room, it often feels natural to orient your design around the central point. There's a certain logic to this approach — the center of the room feels like an obvious spot to build your design around — but, in practice, what this leaves you with is a space with all the furniture awkwardly cramped right in the middle of the room, with dark, underused corners surrounding it.

This isn't always entirely our fault, though. Even with the most perfectly planned ways to light a room, if a corner is completely absent of direct natural light and with no clear purpose, it can be incredibly hard to bring life to these spooky nooks. It's an issue that's likely to be familiar to a fair few of us, and, if you're anything like me, you may have already given up hope of ever finding a way to make your sad corner flourish. But even though I was fresh out of ideas, I knew someone who wouldn't be. And she just so happened to have a trick that hasn't just brightened up my sleepy corner; it's actually turned it into one of the most chic spots in my home.

Ever the whiz for making the most of a room, interior stylist Lucy Gough (style_by_lucy) has shared her trick for a dark corner glow-up. It's surprisingly simple, yet dramatic in impact, and she's told me exactly how to recreate it at home.

The Trick

So, what exactly is this transformative lighting trick?

In its simplest form, this idea is about combining a mirror with a light source in a corner that requires some brightening. Decorating with mirrors is a favorite technique for many designers, offering a simple way to make a space feel more expansive by using the reflective surface to create the illusion of more space; in dark spaces, combining this reflective surface with a light intensifies the effect of the light, brightening up your space with relative ease.

Explaining how to use this technique in your home, Lucy suggests, "Lean a floor-length mirror in the corner, angled slightly into the room, and position a sconce above it." Opting for a full-length living room mirror, rather than a smaller wall-mounted option, creates a more dramatic effect, providing more surface area for light to bounce off, while the casual, wall-leaning mirror brings a more laid-back feel to your room.

While using a lamp in a dark corner may seem like a relatively obvious solution, the real magic comes from the combination of the light with the mirror. Positioning a wall light or floor lamp next to the mirror will bring brightness to the corner, while the reflective surface will help the light project further into the space than it would without it.

"The mirror will reflect and bounce the light around the space without making the scheme feel overdone," notes Lucy. A larger mirror will help to open up the space, while the light brings warmth and brightness to the dark corner.

How to Recreate the Look

This isn't a one-size-fits-all trick; there are plenty of ways to play around with it and adjust the style to make it work for your room.

For example, in small living rooms, wall sconces are a particularly effective choice as they take up minimal space, keeping your floor completely free while still providing a "soft, atmospheric light". However, in larger rooms, with more floor space to work with, a floor lamp can also provide the same effect.

Thanks to the developments in smart lighting, there are plenty of stylish, USB-powered and rechargeable wall light options available, so even if there are no plugs in this corner, or you don't want to go through the hassle of hardwiring, you can still adopt this lighting trick in your space.

In terms of placement, Lucy says, "You can position the sconce above the mirror or place a lamp on the opposite side of the room so that its glow is reflected in the glass. Either way, it helps the whole room feel brighter, larger, and more inviting."

Shop the Look

When it comes to creating atmosphere, lighting is everything, so knowing the best ways to light a dark room, and make your space feel a little cozier will always go further than you'd expect.

For more expert-led design tips and ideas, make sure you sign up to our newsletter.

I love walking into a living room and having plenty of ‘stuff’ to look at — as a maximalist, I feel you can really capture a snapshot of a person by looking at their bookshelves and observing the way they’ve arranged their coffee table. That said, the best spaces always have a sense of curation rather than unbridled chaos — and there’s a very fine line indeed between a space that looks collected and one that feels cluttered.

Happily, most modern living room ideas tend to show a little personality. As interior designers leave out-and-out minimalism behind and create homes with more character, though, the risk of overstuffing a space has increased. “Books, artworks, and objects are just as important to the atmosphere of a room as furniture,” says Murude Katipoglu. “These really tell you something about the person who lives there, but there needs to be an editing process.”

So, what are the lessons to learn from living rooms that feel collected, not cluttered? Interior designers have found the balance — let’s step inside…

1. Create Order With Symmetry

Built-in storage is an effective choice, especially around either side of an architectural feature like a fireplace. Rather than adding freestanding pieces to a floor plan, symmetry brings a sense of continuity that allows your storage furniture to recede somewhat. “It gives a space breathing room,” explains interior designer Heather Hilliard.

To allow built-in cabinetry to work best, keep attractive items on display and functional ones hidden away. “This is part styling and part restraint, and restraint is usually the hardest part,” says Heather. “A good rule of thumb is that if you wouldn’t want a photo taken of it, it belongs in the cupboard.”

2. Use One Piece As an Anchor

Making a sideboard or console table a hero piece in your living room checks multiple boxes. By using mixed living room shelving, essentials can be stowed away underneath while the surface on top provides the opportunity for creativity. “There is also something grounding about using a strong, well-proportioned piece of furniture as an anchor within your room,” says Hannah Armstrong from Heal’s.

“The surface can bring character and meaning to a space, and there’s a distinction between what is seen and what is deliberately hidden away,” she explains. “This is key to achieving the balance of collected rather than cluttered. Just be selective with what earns a place on top.”

3. Curate Your Coffee Table

Every surface in a living room provides the opportunity for display, but there’s something about styling a coffee table that feels different. As it’s positioned low and so close to seating, it becomes an immediate focal point — so why not dress it up? “Group objects with intention rather than just placing pieces side by side,” says the London-based creative Riley Uggla.

“I like to stack a few books for height, then let a sculptural piece like a vase or seashell sit slightly taller,” explains Riley. “You also want to be able to actually use the items on your coffee table, so as a rule I always leave a third of the surface completely bare.”

4. Let Books Be Books

If there’s one thing that many of us have a lot of, it’s books, and you can be really creative with your book storage ideas. Rather than trying to cut the number of paperbacks you own or imposing a book-buying ban, hold on to your tomes and organize them with pride. “A well-loved collection brings personality to a room, and I’d never tell a client to trim theirs down,” says Saskia Blyth.

“The trick is to give books enough breathing space, and to think about how they sit alongside furniture and other objects within your space,” the designer explains. “Varying height and scale and mixing horizontal and vertical stacks allows books to feel layered, becoming part of the architecture of a room rather than visual noise.”

5. Utilize Height

I’ve argued before that minimalism is not the answer to small space living, and floating shelves are one of the best ways to store things without taking up floor space. They’re a clever way to take advantage of a room’s height, regardless of its square footage, too. “Floating shelves allow you to keep the floor space and furniture surfaces relatively uncluttered,” agrees designer Laura Stephens.

“Don’t fill every inch of them, but don’t aim for perfection either,” the London-based interior designer suggests. “You want the eye to move around the shelves rather than taking in a solid block of just ‘stuff’. Plants are brilliant on shelving as they bring movement and softness, particularly in spaces with lots of straight lines and hard surfaces.”

6. Integrate the Television

Televisions are a fact of life and a key part of most living rooms, so consider an all-in-one solution that combines practical storage with decorative opportunity. “A television can easily become a focal point, but integrating it helps to soften that effect,” explains Sophie Pringle, founder of Pringle & Pringle. This allows a wall to feel like more of a curated set-up rather than cluttered.

“Painting built-in cabinetry in a strong color instantly helps, as the television becomes one element within a more purposeful composition rather than something that immediately draws your eye,” says Sophie. “The surrounding shelving gives other points of interest, so your eye doesn’t go straight to the screen. A television can be accommodated beautifully, but it doesn’t have to dictate the room.”

7. Consider Color

To bring a sense of cohesion to a collection of different objects, arrange them by color. Sticking to a similar scheme allows, for example, a display of ceramic, metal, and glass decorations. “When everything speaks the same tonal language, the eye sees one considered display rather than competing objects,” agrees Annie Harrison from London-based interior design studio Fare Inc.

“Allow variation to come through material and form, rather than color,” says Annie. “In this project, a speckled vase, a fluted lamp base, a hammered brass box, and a smooth stone bowl all sit within the same tonal family but feel distinct through texture and surface. This richness adds depth without ever tipping into clutter.”

And ensure you don't overfill your open shelves, either.

8. Treat Belongings Like Artworks

To truly elevate your possessions, give them the gallery treatment. “Clutter tends to happen when everything is given the same importance, leaving no room for individual pieces to breathe,” explains Murude Katipoglu.

For this to work successfully, spotlight just two or three pieces. “It’s about creating moments of focus without making the whole room feel like an exhibition,” the interior designer says. “When an important artwork or object sits alongside books, textiles, and things you use every day, it becomes part of the life of the room and makes your space feel collected.”

9. Group Similar Objects Together

To give a collection focus, center it around a single point rather than spreading it across a whole living room. By concentrating pieces in one spot, you’re allowing them to become greater than the sum of their individual parts.

“This is more effective than scattering objects throughout your space, and it works even when dissimilar items share the same common thread,” agrees the interior designer Liz Caan. “We call this idea a ‘curiosity table’, and in this project we grouped items with an ocean and seaside living theme.”

10. Leave ‘Breathing Space’

Don’t succumb to the temptation of filling every surface, as this is a surefire way to make a living room feel cluttered. Leaving some negative space allows objects to enjoy their own ‘moment’, rather than ending up crammed in beside lots of other things. “You need to give things space to be appreciated,” explains Eloise Pfeiffer.

“Depending on the scale of your furniture or shelving, leaving about a third of it unoccupied works well,” suggests the interior designer. “By editing your belongings carefully, your displays become natural focal points in a space that feels layered rather than overwhelming.”

Whether you’re sorting through treasured pieces or struggling to find storage ideas for your paperbacks, it’s always possible to create a living room that feels collected rather than cluttered. Chances are, your belongings might be better grouped, filtered by color, or organized in another stylish way.

For more ideas, read up on this year’s home storage trends and sign up to the Livingetc newsletter to receive inspiration straight to your inbox.

Color trends come and go in garden design but green never gets tired. The latest trend for layering green on green planting puts the focus firmly on green as the star of the show rather than simply a color that is so often overlooked and undervalued.

A combination of restful greens will bring harmony to any planting scheme. It's not just about foliage either. There are plenty of green flowers that add zingy beauty, and are a good fit for modern garden ideas such as euphorbia, hellebores, and nicotiana.

The green on green trend recognises green as a color in its own right and reappraises the way we view it, especially the variation of form and texture found in green foliage and flowers. The value of green in the winter garden should not be forgotten either.

We asked leading garden designers to share their favorite things about the green on green trend and how it can be used to transform a garden, as well as sharing their own favorite designs.

Why Green on Green Planting Is Trending Now

"An all-green planting scheme can be highly effective because it encourages us to notice texture, shape and light rather than relying on color," says landscape designer James Scott. "Different tones of green, from silvery olive foliage to deep evergreen shrubs and soft ornamental grasses, create subtle contrast while giving the garden a timeless, elegant feel."

Being surrounded by green planting naturally creates a sense of calm and can make a garden feel noticeably cooler, particularly when planting is used generously to soften hard surfaces and provide shade. "I always aim for planting to be an integral part of the design rather than something that's simply added afterwards," says James.

Where possible, increasing the proportion of planting over paving helps create a more comfortable microclimate, while choosing lighter-colored paving or gravel reflects more sunlight and reduces heat build-up compared with darker materials. According to James, combined with layered planting, these choices make outdoor spaces feel fresher and more inviting during hot weather.

1. Create A Sense of Calm and Timeless Elegance with A Green Palette

“We typically aim for around 70% evergreen planting, ensuring a garden retains its shape, presence and architectural character throughout the year rather than feeling sparse during the winter months," says landscape architect Sophie Bertrand, head of design at Rosebank Landscaping. "Prioritising a predominantly green palette creates a sense of calm and timeless elegance, while subtle variations in tone, from deep emerald and silvery-green to fresh lime, bring richness and depth without overwhelming the space."

Flowers become moments of celebration rather than the focal point, with evergreen planting providing a strong framework that allows seasonal blooms to make an even greater impact when they appear.

"To create visual interest, we combine plants with contrasting leaf shapes, sizes and textures. Fine ornamental grasses sit alongside broad-leaved shrubs, glossy foliage is balanced by softer matte finishes, and upright forms are complemented by looser, more natural planting."

Layered from low-growing ground cover plants through to shrubs and feature trees, green on green planting creates a garden that feels established, immersive and full of depth while softening the surrounding hard landscaping.

"Evergreen planting also keeps borders looking lush and structured throughout the year, providing the perfect backdrop for trees, sculpture, water features and the architecture of the house," says Sophie. "The result is a landscape that changes beautifully with the shifting light and seasons, revealing new textures, tones and moments of interest all year round."

2. Allow the Textures and Forms of the Landscape to Become the Focus

"This verdant garden explores the relationship between architecture and planting," explains garden designer Andrew Duff. "The restrained palette of predominantly green planting allows the textures and forms of the landscape to become the focus, with seasonal highlights provided by the soft white flowers of Mexican fleabane."

Find Mexican fleabane at Crocus, and allow it to cascade over walls, soften pathway edges, or scramble around urban nooks.

In this design flowing grasses contrast with the crisp geometry of the in-situ concrete, creating movement against the solidity of the hard landscaping. The limited color palette brings a sense of calm while allowing subtle differences in foliage shape and texture to stand out.

"The planting was chosen for its resilience and long season of interest, creating a garden that feels contemporary yet relaxed," says Andrew. "The design was inspired by the idea of creating a sanctuary where architecture and nature enhance one another without competing for attention."

3. Go for Green If You Want To Create A Tranquil Retreat

This roof garden was designed as a tranquil retreat above the city, creating the feeling of being immersed in planting despite its urban setting. Structural evergreen planting forms the backbone of the design, providing year-round enclosure and privacy while softening the surrounding architecture.

"The predominantly green planting palette creates a calm, timeless atmosphere, with carefully selected flowering plants adding subtle seasonal moments rather than bold displays of color," says the garden's designer Andrew Duff.

Every plant in this scheme was selected for its ability to thrive in the challenging conditions of a rooftop environment, including exposure to wind and periods of drought. The result is a garden that feels lush and immersive, offering texture, movement and seasonal change within a carefully ordered framework.

4. Use Contrasting Color and Texture to Stop the Design Feeling Flat

"An all-green garden can be wonderfully tranquil, but it needs contrast to prevent it appearing flat," says garden designer Katrina Kieffer-Wells. "Treat green as a spectrum: combine fresh lime and yellow-greens with olive, blue-green and deep forest tones. Darker foliage visually recedes, while brighter leaves come forward, creating a surprising sense of depth."

Texture is just as important as color. Place large, glossy leaves alongside fine fern fronds, soft grasses, clipped evergreens, and matt or silver-green foliage. "Contrasting leaf shapes – from bold and architectural to delicate and feathery – give the planting rhythm and movement. Repeating a few key plants throughout the garden creates cohesion and calm."

As summers get hotter there are other benefits from green planting too. It can also make a garden feel cooler. "The color green evokes woodland and shade, while dense planting shades the ground and reduces the amount of heat-absorbing hard surface," explains Katrina. "Where paving is necessary, pale stone or light-colored gravel reflects more sunlight and feels visually cooler than dark materials. Gravel and other permeable surfaces also allow rainwater to return to the soil."

Natural timber, weathered steel and pale stone work particularly well alongside green because they add texture without competing for attention.

5. Opt for a Layered Look to Showcase Textural Plants

Trees and leafy plants create dappled shade from the upper canopy down through the layers, filtering the harsh sun light that reaches the seating area, creating a microclimate and reducing the heat from hard surfaces.

"Layered planting, creates a great showcase for multiple green textural plants from bulbs and ground covers to medium-height leafy plants, shrubs, and climbers, as well as the tree canopy," says garden designer Karen McClure. "This "green on green" layering intercepts sunlight at different heights before it reaches the ground."

This sheltered seating nook is nestled into the corner of a compact urban garden design by Karen. Foliage from the acer griseum, fatshedera, hellebores and ferns help make this the coolest part of the garden, a perfect little place to take a moment.

Acer griseum has bold green foliage that slowly transitions to pink and red. It's a slow-growing variety that is good for smaller gardens. Find Acer griseum at Suttons.

6. Create a Composition that Changes Beautifully Through the Seasons

"This design demonstrates how a carefully considered green on green planting scheme can create a garden that feels both elegant and refreshingly cool without relying on colorful flowers," says landscape designer James Scott. "Instead, the design celebrates the subtle beauty of foliage, using layers of different leaf shapes, textures and tones of green to create depth, movement and year-round interest."

Although the overall style is formal and contemporary, planting is the defining feature of the space. "We deliberately incorporated approximately one-third of the garden as planting, using raised beds and carefully positioned planting islands to soften the clean architectural lines, enhance privacy and divide larger entertaining areas into intimate garden 'rooms'."

A structured grid of four olive trees forms the backbone of the green on green planting design, complemented by flowing ornamental grasses and naturalistic herbaceous planting. The restrained green palette allows texture, form and light to become the focus, creating a timeless composition that changes beautifully throughout the seasons.

The hard landscaping was designed to support this feeling of freshness, with light-reflective paving, bespoke seating, raised beds and clean-lined terraces. Together, the balance of generous planting and lighter materials helps the garden feel bright and naturally cooler during warm weather.

One final tip on green-on-green planting from garden designer Katrina Kieffer-Wells: "For year-round structure, combine evergreen shrubs and climbers with ferns, grasses, tree ferns and bold-leaved architectural plants such as fatsia. Ground-cover planting helps conceal bare soil, while restrained white or pale-green flowers can be used as small points of reflected light without disturbing the predominantly green atmosphere."

For more inspiration for your home and garden, sign up to the Livingetc newsletter.

Choosing a sofa is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your living room. This isn’t just where you sit, slouch, and socialize — it’s the anchor around which everything else in the room is built. It’s no wonder, then, that so many of us choose to make our sofas a real ‘wow’ moment, but designers are increasingly shifting the emphasis away from color and toward silhouette.

In fact, our pick of this year’s top sofa trends highlights this move brilliantly. “Color might be an instinctive way to make a statement, but we’re now seeing impact coming through form and shape instead,” says Sophie Chapman from The Vawdrey House. “This is a versatile design choice, especially compared to choosing a sofa that immediately demands attention.”

Sitting comfortably? Let’s explore why interior designers are prioritizing sofa shape over statement colors.

Are ‘Statement’ Sofas Over?

There’s always going to be a time and a place for a showstopping sofa — we’ve even compiled a list of sofas worth designing your home around. What increasingly makes these pieces unique, though, isn’t their vibrant color or standout pattern but their silhouettes. “For a long time, a statement sofa meant a bold color or an unexpected print,” says interior designer Heather Hilliard. “Now people are asking for something sculptural.”

Rather than making upholstery the focal point, a shapely sofa lets its form take center stage in your living room. “Today’s statement sofa could have a deep curve, an unexpected arm, or a low profile,” says Heather. “In my opinion, the silhouette is now doing the work that color used to do. At first glance, you might not notice the shade of the sofa!”

This shift away from colorful upholstery is a common thread in living room projects, where design features are becoming less ‘look at me’ and more nuanced. Statement sofas haven’t ended, then, but the definition of what makes them special has changed.

“While color still has a place, we’re seeing a move toward quieter palettes, whether the statement comes from form rather than finish,” explains Sophie Rastrick, interior designer at A.LONDON. “A sofa should anchor a room through its presence, and a distinctive silhouette feels elegant and enduring.”

Why Does Sofa Shape Matter?

Your sofa is about so much more than just looks — finding the right design impacts how comfortable you feel as well as how you use your home. “Sofa shape actually influences how people live and behave inside a space,” explains Katerina Tchevytchalova, founder of K’Arte Design.

As one of the largest pieces of furniture in your living room, don’t underestimate the role your sofa’s silhouette plays in establishing the mood. “Soft curves create warmth and encourage conversation, while clean architectural lines bring structure and calm,” the interior designer says.

Think about scale and proportion, too, as these factors are linked with shape and influence whether a room feels open and airy or more intimate. “Low profiles create a greater sense of openness and allow architecture to breathe, while curves tend to soften interiors and introduce a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. For a casual lifestyle, look for generous proportions with softened edges and deep seats rather than overly ornate detailing,” adds Katerina.

Certain designs will work better in certain room shapes, so it's important to select not just the right size, but the shape and style of sofa that matches your room shape.

In the living room project above, New York-based interior design studio AREA opted for a tailored curve. “This floating sofa creates a room within the larger space and gently draws people together, while still keeping everything open and approachable,” explains Janine Carendi MacMurray.

When selecting the type of sofa you want, using a more interesting sofa shape than, say, a conventional boxy one, relates differently to other pieces in your room. A more shapely design makes individual side tables, armchairs, and other accessories feel connected to an overall scheme.

“Your sofa’s silhouette defines the way a room is experienced,” says Janine. “A sculptural design speaks to other pieces in the space, holding its own without overwhelming the room.”

Are Sculptural Sofas Here to Stay?

Whereas certain colors and specific patterns can come and go fairly regularly, a considered sofa silhouette tends to last far longer than upholstery trends — as long as you steer clear of anything too wacky. “The sofas that are likely to stand the test of time have well-balanced proportions rather than bold, exaggerated features,” explains Sophie Chapman from The Vawdrey House.

Indeed, the shapes favored by interior designers in 2026 aren’t exactly brand new. “Curved sofas and lower profiles feel very relevant now,” says Bari Jerauld, founder of Blank Slate Studio. “They have also been around for many decades, so I feel that they will endure and won’t date when installed in the right setting. Opt for a shape that works with the style of your home, and it could last a lifetime.”

As a sofa can be an investment piece, considering its longevity is key. By prioritizing shape over color, you’re allowing your sofa to adapt as interior design trends change and act as an anchor no matter what shade your walls are painted or which cushions, rugs, or pieces of art you’ve placed around it.

“Focus on the sofa shape that suits your home,” agrees A.LONDON’s Sophie Rastrick. “Consider the architecture of your property and choose a design that complements its character. This will make sure it works as your home evolves.”

Which Sofa Shapes Are Trending in 2026?

Whether you’re shopping for one of the new sofa designs to know, or prefer to stick with a classic, make sure shape is just as important in your decision-making. While the statement sofa might not be disappearing entirely, interior designers are placing far more emphasis on silhouettes rather than color.

For more styling advice and design ideas, sign up to the Livingetc newsletter for inspiration straight to your inbox.

There's no denying the timelessness and enduring appeal of neutral color schemes, but sometimes, they can fall flat. The solution? Designers are adding pops of unexpected accent colors to bring them to life in 2026.

Taking inspiration from the most stylish color trends of late, designers are breaking the rules by disrupting all-neutral spaces with these bolder hues, and the result is spaces that feel more layered with contrast, warmth, and richness.

This doesn't mean you need to repaint neutral walls; it can be as simple as adding one of these designer-approved shades to your scheme through small decor accents. These are the exact shades that feel fresh for 2026.

1. Rich Plum

In living rooms with neutral walls, in this case, Paint & Paper Library's Leather II, going for a more colorful and richer sofa can help to ground the room. "Introducing a sofa in a rich plum velvet creates a deliberate point of tension," says Andrew Griffiths, founder of A New Day Design.

"It acts almost as a neutral in its own right, adding depth, warmth and a sense of quiet luxury while giving the space a stronger identity," he adds. "We often favor colors with complexity over brighter statement tones, as they shift beautifully throughout the day and make an otherwise restrained palette far more layered."

2. Cobalt Blue

Neutral kitchens are a popular choice for good reason — they're timeless and feel light and airy. That said, adding a pop of fun color can do wonders to elevate the space. Against the COAT Paper Plane walls, a cobalt blue kitchen island brings a cool and contemporary edge.

"The vivid blue asymmetric Durat island was introduced as a sculptural centerpiece, bringing energy and personality to the space," explains designer Sophie van Winden of Owl Design. "Bold blue works particularly well with soft neutrals because it provides a confident focal point without overwhelming the space."

"Our advice is to keep the surrounding finishes simple and tactile, then use one bold color with conviction rather than introducing lots of competing tones," she adds. "This creates a scheme that feels balanced, timeless, and full of character."

3. Bright Orange

"This room was intentionally designed as a calm, neutral backdrop, so I knew it needed one strong moment to bring it to life," says designer Lindsey Herod, who opted for a bright orange artwork to do so.

"I loved that it picked up on a few subtle colors already woven throughout the room, but did so in such a bold, unexpected way," she says. "It adds warmth, energy, and personality without overwhelming the space. It felt like exactly the right punch of color the room was asking for."

To soften the room slightly, light blue was added with the armchairs. "The blue acts almost like a neutral, balancing the warmth of the artwork while keeping the overall look feeling fresh, relaxed, and inviting."

4. Mustard Yellow

If you want to add more warmth to a neutral scheme, go for yellow. In this kitchen, a deep yellow paint (Farrow & Ball's India Yellow) adds an unexpected look to the ceiling, along with soft yellow used on some of the cabinets.

Discussing the addition of yellow to the room, the designer Jessica Helgerson says that it was "absolutely transformative and made a room that was formerly cold and sterile feel warm, earthy and inviting."

"I love the contrast of warm tones with cool ones; it creates a dynamic and visually interesting space," she adds.

5. Rich Teal

Decorating with teal is a sophisticated and timeless accent, elevating neutral rooms with a sense of moodiness.

"There's timber flooring throughout and a good deal of wooden joinery, with hints of aged brass catching the light, so the sofa needed to hold its own against all that texture, to ground the space and draw the eye out towards the bay window rather than compete with the view," says Alicia Meireles, creative director at OWN LONDON. "Teal does that beautifully as it has enough depth to balance the warmth of the wood without disappearing into it."

"This is a bespoke sofa with a really intricate, sculptural shape that we didn't want to lose," she says. "Against a neutral background, that shape would simply have melted away. The teal gives it definition; it lets you actually see the design, the curve of the arm and the tailoring."

6. Deep Red

In this neutral bathroom, the deep red bathtub adds warmth, moodiness, and depth. "We kept the architectural shell warm and understated, using a palette of yellow- and earth-toned neutrals to create a soft, inviting backdrop," explains designer Holly Vaughan of Vaughan Design & Development.

"Against this, we introduced carefully considered accents: a rich cherry red bath and a sunny yellow vanity, bringing personality and warmth without overwhelming the space."

"With its generous ceiling height and abundant natural light from the rooflights, the room comfortably embraces these bold color moments."

Decorating with neutral colors need not be boring — elevate your scheme with these unexpected accents to add depth and contrast, and keep the space from feeling predictable. If you're not quite ready to paint the walls a bold color, start with small decor accents.

And for more color and design ideas, why not subscribe to the Livingetc newsletter?

In the world of sofas, there’s a new shade worth sitting up and paying attention to. Interior designers are increasingly using ‘peige’ upholstery in their projects — a portmanteau of pink and beige, this color is so much more than the sum of its parts.

While white, gray, and beige will always be go-to neutrals, our pick of the best sofa colors proves there’s always an appetite for more. Peige answers that — it brings living rooms a hint of color without veering into the intensity of bolder tones. “On sofas, the shade is subtle enough to work as a neutral but interesting enough that it never feels predictable,” explains Sophie Garland.

So, what exactly is peige — and why does this sofa color trend work so well on sofas? Interior designers share everything you need to know.

What Color Is Peige?

Warm, inviting, and perhaps a little bit unexpected, peige is nestled comfortably in the gap between a neutral and a color. “Peige is much warmer and more characterful than simply being a ‘beige with a touch of pink’,” says London-based interior designer Sophie Garland. “It sits somewhere in the middle. Unlike blush, which often feels quite sweet, this shade has earthier undertones that create depth.”

As with any nuanced color, these characteristics are key. “What distinguishes the hue from traditional beige or greige is its subtle red undertone,” explains Megan Brown. “This gives it a soft rose infusion that introduces warmth without ever becoming overtly pink. The effect is a sense of organic depth that feels grounded, authentic, and quietly luxurious.”

Depending on the light, the color reads as soft, earthy or even lustrous, with these qualities making peige a versatile neutral that works beautifully where out-and-out pink just wouldn’t. “There’s a sensuality to it, but it sits very comfortably within both masculine and feminine interiors,” says Megan.

Why Are Peige Sofas Trending?

Whenever we notice a new color trend popping up in designer projects and across furniture showrooms, the first question we always ask is — why now? For peige sofas, the answer is twofold. Very few colors bridge the gap between ‘soft’ and ‘rich’ quite so successfully, while the hue also works well to highlight the weave and texture of different materials.

“People are shifting towards interiors that feel warm and more inviting, and peige does both,” believes the New York-based interior designer Lisa Staton. “As a sofa takes up so much space, it has a huge impact on the overall mood of a living room. Choosing one in this shade brings softness without demanding to be the room’s focal point.”

“Clients are increasingly drawn to colors that feel comforting,” agrees Marea Clark. “Peige has much more life than traditional beige or cool-toned grays, bringing complexity that softens a room. The pinky undertones act almost like a filter, making everything around it feel a little richer.”

How Should You Choose a Peige Sofa?

The success of a peige sofa lies as much in how it feels as in how it looks. “We always begin with the fabric choice rather than color alone, as texture, handle, and the way a textile reflects light are what ultimately determine how the color reads,” explains interior designer Megan Brown. “As a studio, we naturally gravitate towards bouclé, brushed linen, and soft velvets as they best reveal complexity.”

Importantly, not all pinky-beige sofas automatically qualify for the sofa trend — color really does matter when searching for the perfect peige sofa. “The undertone is probably the most important thing to make sure your sofa stays timeless,” reveals Sophie Garland. “Lean towards warm clay, subtle red, and terracotta rather than anything too sugary. Always look at large fabric samples in daylight and throughout the evening before making a decision. The color should end up being incredibly versatile.”

Once you’ve selected your sofa, consider how it relates to everything else in your space. “Peige pairs naturally with chocolate browns, purply grays, and soft whites, but it plays well with almost any colors as long as the scheme stays warm,” suggests Marea Clark.

Rustic timbers, woven textures, and glossy finishes will bring a sense of movement alongside the shade, while harder materials can anchor everything together. “Natural stone and aged brass will keep the overall palette grounded and allow your sofa to fit seamlessly into the composition,” says Marea.

Whether you’re looking for a sofa worth designing your home around or planning to reupholster a sofa in a brand new fabric, peige would make a very smart choice. Subtle and sophisticated, peige sofas are a color trend that feels new but somehow timeless.

Keen for more? Sign up to the Livingetc newsletter and receive the latest interior design news and views straight to your inbox.

Any Mediterranean-inspired planting design tends to have a color theme that relies predominantly on the addition of cool shades of olive green, silver, gray and blue-green foliage. Plants in these colors often have an interesting architectural shape too that adds a sense of drama, as well as making ideal plant partners

Many plants with leaves in these colors are drought tolerant, and thrive in full sun, and this is why they tend to be a key part of Mediterranean garden ideas. In addition their foliage reflects harsh sunlight, loses less water, and enhances the signature Mediterranean color palette of pale stone, warm terracotta, and the deep blue of sea and sky.

There is something cooling about the addition of these colors to your planting design too, especially when combined with white or blue flowers. Plants with silver and gray-green foliage will add impact by introducing luminous contrast to the other elements in your planting scheme. Really, this Mediterranean garden trend makes so much sense on every level as summers are getting hotter. Leading landscape design experts now reveal how you can get the look in your own garden.

1. Choose Layers of Cool And Elegant Resilient Planting

Resilience is the buzzword on everyone's lips at the moment and there's no better place to look for inspiration than Mediterranean plants. Easy to grow, tough and drought-tolerant, these don't need a lot of attention and thrive in hot temperatures. So if you're aiming to create a cool place where you can retreat from the sun, always opt to add gray-green and silver-leaved plants to the mix.

“We favor a restrained palette of silvery-green foliage to create a sense of calm, sophistication and timelessness, particularly when working alongside contemporary architecture," says Sophie Bertrand, head of design at Rosebank Landscaping.

"Mediterranean species such as Teucrium fruticans ‘Azureum’, Ballota pseudodictamnus and Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’ are favorites for their ability to thrive in dry, sunny conditions once established, making them increasingly well suited to warmer, drier summers."

In this London garden design, layered planting creates a relaxed, immersive feel, combining clipped evergreen forms with softer ornamental grasses and perennials, and moving from low-growing ground cover plants through to mounding shrubs and architectural trees. "We often use this approach to blur the boundary between indoors and outdoors, repeating colors, textures and materials so the garden feels like a natural extension of the home."

Inspired by the understated elegance of Mediterranean landscapes and courtyards, the result is a garden that feels tranquil and luxurious, but is also designed for longevity, with a planting palette that remains beautiful and resilient well beyond the summer months.

2. Make A Gray-Green Olive Tree The Focal Point of Your Design

With their elegant silvery-green hues, slender leaves and resilience to drought olive trees are at the heart of every Mediterranean garden. They can endure extreme heat and lack of water. They are extremely tough, can withstand neglect, and are very easy to grow.

Olive trees are a versatile, elegant addition to Mediterranean garden ideas, with the gray-green leaves introduce a cooling note. You can choose one whatever the size of your space, as they thrive in pots too, like these standard olive trees from Thompson & Morgan, which are happy growing in a large pot.

There is a trend right now for introducing mature olive trees as sculptural focal points, bringing an immediate sense of character and a strong Mediterranean identity to a garden design.

"In this design the grand, architectural entrance is framed by a pair of mature olive trees," says designer Katharine Pooley. "On this particular occasion, the olive trees were flown in. However, for our other Mediterranean projects, if there is an olive tree in a place of pride, we like to ensure that they are preserved in their designated roots and to form the surrounding setting around them."

Katharine approaches each project with sensitivity, prioritising the preservation and repurposing of elements where possible. This includes established planting, as well as the paving tiles pictured in this Mallorca property, carefully recycled from a Barcelona renovation.

3. Add A Sculptural Element With Reflective Silver Planting

Silver foliage is invaluable in a Mediterranean-style garden because it reflects the light and gives a border a luminous, sun-bleached quality. It also acts as a visual bridge between stronger colors: pinks and purples appear richer beside silver, while fresh green foliage looks more vibrant. Many silver-leaved plants are naturally adapted to hot, dry conditions, but good drainage is essential.

"I prefer to repeat silver foliage through a border rather than confining it to one isolated plant," says garden designer Katrina Kieffer-Wells. "Combining different leaf shapes is particularly effective: broad, velvety leaves can provide a focal point, while finely divided or needle-like foliage creates movement and texture."

But in this design Katrina uses shapely Senecio candicans ‘Angel Wings’ as a bold punctuation point instead, rather than dotting individual plants throughout a border. We asked Katrina for more recommendations for silver planting that adds a sculptural touch. "Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’ is one of my favourite plants for creating a soft, billowing layer with its finely cut, aromatic silver foliage."

Lavender is on everyone's list of Mediterranean garden ideas too but there's one in particular that Katrina is a fan of. "I like the lavender cultivar ‘Richard Gray’ for its woolly, silver leaves and deep purple flowers. It brings fragrance, movement and pollinators into the garden, so it contributes far more than color alone."

Katrina is also a fan of Santolina ‘Pretty Carroll’, a compact evergreen with finely divided, aromatic silver-gray foliage (Santolina makes it onto my list of the 9 best mediterranean garden plants too). "It's ideal for repeating along the front of a border or beside a path, where its neat mounds give structure throughout the year. The yellow button flowers add a warm accent, although the foliage is attractive enough for it to earn its place even without them.'

As well as the aesthetic and practical plus points of using plants with silvery-green and gray foliage as part of Mediterranean garden ideas, they also help to create a cool and calm garden retreat that's a wonderfully soothing space. It's a good idea to add gravel landscaping ideas to the mix too as it's the natural medium to set off your Mediterranean garden ideas perfectly.

If you've ever lived in a small apartment, you'll be no stranger to the design challenges they pose. From limited storage space to open-concept areas that can be tricky to zone, making these space-restricted homes truly work (both functionally and stylishly) requires some outside-the-box thinking.

And so, who better to turn to for advice than NYC-based designers who have time and time again imparted their skills to optimize every inch of their notoriously small apartments?

Here, you can browse clever space-saving design ideas for compact rooms, as well as stylistic ideas that make a lot of sense in small apartments.

1. Use Vertical Storage

When floor space is limited, using the available height is a clever way to optimize apartment storage ideas, especially in spaces like narrow hallways. "In a New York City apartment, I'm always looking for opportunities to add storage, especially vertical storage," says NYC-based designer Jennifer Hunter.

"One of my favorite tricks is incorporating a vintage or antique armoire or tall dresser into an entryway," she says. "It creates a beautiful focal point while providing concealed storage for everything from hats and gloves to picnic blankets, sports gear, and kids' toys. I love that it keeps everyday essentials easily accessible without adding visual clutter."

2. Add Banquette Seating

Small apartment kitchens can make it tricky to fit enough seating around a dining table, since too many chairs can disrupt the flow of the room. The solution? Opt for built-in banquette seating, which turns unused alcoves or nooks into generous seat spaces.

"In this apartment in Brooklyn's Dumbo neighborhood, the kitchen, dining area, and living room all flow together in one open space," says designer Hannah Blumenthal of Studio Olivine. "In a small alcove, we installed a built-in banquette, wallpaper, and sconces to create a more defined dining space."

"The banquette is not only space-saving within a narrow room, but includes storage drawers below and even a hidden storage space in the back with a flip-up top that was custom designed to house an extra table leaf," she says.

3. Choose Light Colors in Open-Plan Spaces

Small apartments often have open-concept floor plans where the kitchen and living area are in the same room. To enhance a sense of flow in these spaces, decorating with neutrals can help.

"Light hues — such as soft whites and warm creams — help maximize available light, creating an open, airy atmosphere while maintaining a sense of sophistication," explains Hannah Yeo, color expert at Benjamin Moore. "Shades like Swiss Coffee OC-45 reflect light beautifully, while Windham Cream HC-6 evokes the warmth of natural sunlight, making the space feel brighter and more inviting."

"To further enhance the feeling of openness, maintain a cohesive color palette across walls, cabinetry, and key design elements," she adds. "When thoughtful color choices are paired with intentional design, a small apartment can feel welcoming and spacious."

4. Embrace Bold Color in Small Rooms

While the main living spaces can benefit from a light neutral color palette in small NYC apartments, don't be afraid to go bolder with color in closed-off rooms, such as bedrooms. There's a misconception that small spaces have to play it safe, but the opposite is true: a rich, saturated paint color can make low-light spaces a moment of their own, even in small apartments.

"Don't try to make a space into something it's not," says Sarah Jacoby, founder of Brooklyn-based studio Sarah Jacoby Architect. "Lean into its assets: for instance, embrace it as cozy and intimate with darker colors and efficient built-ins. Think about what the space wants to be. Instead of defaulting to sterile white paint, explore using warm and saturated tones to make it feel personal and welcoming."

5. Go for Wall Lights in Bedrooms

Choosing small, narrow nightstands is a smart way to maximize space in a small apartment, but they don't always allow enough space for table lamps. Instead, go for wall lights and sconces that don't require any surface space. Not only do they save on space — they add visual flair if you go for an architectural, statement design.

This is the approach NYC-based designer Meagan Camp opted for in this bedroom. By keeping surfaces clear, she says that "the moments of negative space make the curated pieces feel more special and prevent the space from feeling crowded."

By following a considered approach to small apartment furniture ideas and choosing decor that enhances the flow of the space, these compact homes can be just as interesting as much larger ones.

For more inspiration, subscribe to Livingetc's newsletter.

Choosing a kitchen countertop is as much about how you live as how you want your kitchen to look. After all, this is one of the hardest-working surfaces in the room, so while color, texture, and finish matter enormously, so too do durability, maintenance, and how gracefully a material will age.

And, with kitchen countertop ideas ranging from beautifully veined natural stone and warm timber to sleek stainless steel and increasingly sophisticated laminates, there isn't one material that comes out on top for every kitchen.

"The best kitchen worktop isn't necessarily the most expensive," says Sofia Lundgren, of Blakes London. "It is the one that works with the way you cook and live, while offering the right balance between aesthetics, durability and the level of maintenance you're prepared to take on."

We asked interior designers to weigh up the pros and cons of the most popular kitchen countertop materials, so you can find the right balance of practicality and style for your space.

1. Natural Stone

Few countertop materials have quite the same presence as natural stone. From richly veined marble kitchens to characterful quartzite and granite, every slab is unique, bringing natural color, movement, and a sense of permanence to a kitchen.

PROS

Character and individuality: "Natural stone like marble offers beautiful slabs to choose from," says Isabella Pacelli, junior designer at Roundhouse. "Each piece is different. Nothing has the same depth and beauty as a natural stone."

Sofia Lundgren, of Blakes London, agrees sense of character is key. "Natural stone brings an individuality to a kitchen that is difficult to replicate,: she says. "Every slab has its own variation, veining and character, giving the space a sense of depth and permanence."

Oozes luxury: "Marble has an undeniable sense of luxury and works beautifully in both traditional and contemporary schemes," adds Sofia.

"Every slab is unique; many can be book-matched for a really dramatic run, and the client gets to be genuinely involved - going to the yard, choosing their slab, seeing the veining they'll live with," adds Jayne Everett, creative director of Naked Kitchens. "That's part of the pleasure of a bespoke project. The range is vast, in pattern, color and price. Totally showstoppingly beautiful.

Some are hardwearing: Other materials, like granite and quartzite, are particularly hardwearing and heat-resistant. With the right care, natural stone can last for decades.

CONS

Heavy and expensive: Natural stone can be expensive and is also extremely heavy, so installation needs careful consideration.

May require sealing: "Some stones, particularly marble, are porous and require regular sealing,: warns Sofia Lundgren. "Marble can also stain, scratch and etch when exposed to acidic ingredients such as lemon and vinegar.

"For some, this is simply part of the beauty of a natural material; for others, it can make it less suited to a busy kitchen."

Can be prone to cracking: "Marble is porous," says Jayne. "Some materials carry fissures and can lead to cracking. It needs to be sourced carefully from reputable stone yards, slabs need to be selected and reserved early, and prices can be eye-watering. It rewards planning."

BEST FOR

Design-led kitchens where the worktop is intended to be a feature.

"Natural stone works particularly well in classic, country and high-end schemes," says Sofia. "If durability is the priority, granite or quartzite are excellent choices; if you're drawn to marble, embrace the fact that it will evolve and develop a patina with use."

Design Inspiration for Your Kitchen

2. Porcelain

Porcelain kitchen countertops have become an increasingly popular countertop choice, particularly for contemporary kitchens.

Available in remarkably convincing stone-look finishes as well as more minimal designs, it offers the high-end appearance of natural materials with a sleeker, engineered edge.

PROS

Durable and low maintenance: "Porcelain is an excellent choice for a busy kitchen, combining durability with relatively low maintenance," explains Sofia. "It is non-porous and highly resistant to staining, scratching, heat, and UV light, so it doesn't require sealing and is straightforward to keep clean.

Quality is improving: "Porcelain is improving constantly, partly because it's benefiting from the industry's move away from quartz," says Jayne Everett. "Three-dimensional porcelain is now coming through, which is fabulous for replicating marble convincingly. The choice is huge, and you get real consistency of pattern and tone between sheets."

"A lot of porcelains now have incredible depth and look closer to a natural stone than quartz," agrees Isabella Pacelli.

CONS

Lack of edge detailing: "Where the pattern is only printed on the surface, the veining doesn't run through the body of the material, so cut edges read as white. Worth checking before you specify."

Expensive: "Good-quality porcelain can be a significant investment and requires specialist fabrication and installation," says Sofia Lundgren. "While the surface is exceptionally hard-wearing, edges and corners can be more susceptible to chipping from a heavy knock.

"It also needs to be handled and installed correctly, particularly where cut-outs or complex details are involved."

BEST FOR

"A hard-wearing surface. A family who wants the beauty of a natural stone without the upkeep," says Isabella.

Sofia Lundgren agrees, adding: "It's great for busy family kitchens and contemporary spaces where practicality is as important as aesthetics.

"Porcelain is particularly appealing if you love the look of marble or natural stone but want a surface that is easier to live with day to day."

3. Wood

Wood kitchen ideas bring something to a kitchen that harder countertop materials often can't: instant warmth and character.

From pale oak to deep, richly grained walnut, a timber worktop can soften a contemporary scheme or add to the tactile, lived-in quality of a more traditional kitchen.

PROS

Timeless appeal: "Wood is one of the few worktop materials that genuinely warms a room," says Jayne Everett, Naked Kitchen's Creative Director.

Organic character: "It's a natural feature element in its own right, and it softens an otherwise hard-edged scheme," continues Jayne.

"It's also a fabulous food prep area - you can dedicate an area purely to chopping and prep and ages gracefully."

Renewable and repairable: When sourced responsibly, wood can be one of the more sustainable countertop choices, particularly if you look for FSC-certified timber. As well as being renewable, a quality wooden worktop can have a very long lifespan, as scratches and signs of wear can often be sanded out and the surface refinished rather than replaced.

CONS

The upkeep. "Wood has to be oiled and cared for regularly to maintain its look," says IsabellaPacelli.

Jayne Everett confirms wood must be properly sealed from the outset. "That's non-negotiable," she says. "Most of the concerns around timber is about maintenance, which is totally mitigated if the timber worktop is sealed correctly at the start."

BEST FOR

"Wood is ideal for areas where you want to break up an expanse of stone or introduce warmth into a cooler palette," says Jayne Everett.

4. Stainless Steel

Once associated predominantly with professional kitchens, stainless steel has firmly entered the design conversation at home.

Its cool, reflective finish feels crisp and contemporary, while the patina it develops over time can give a kitchen a surprisingly relaxed, characterful quality.

And, if you didn't know, industrial kitchens are quietly getting cool again.

PROS

Durable and easy to clean: "Stainless steel is the ultimate workhorse and has earned its place in professional kitchens for good reason," says Sofia Lundgren of Blakes London. "Hygienic, non-porous, heat-resistant and highly durable, it is easy to clean and can withstand the demands of serious cooking."

Creates an architectural aesthetic: "Bespoke fabrication can allow the worktop, sink and splashback to flow together almost seamlessly, creating a strong architectural look.

Sustainable: Stainless steel's sustainability credentials lie largely in its longevity and recyclability. It's an exceptionally durable material that can remain in use for decades, while stainless steel can be recycled at the end of its life and new products can contain significant amounts of recycled material - making it a strong choice for a kitchen designed with longevity in mind.

CONS

Can feel cold: "Stainless steel has a distinctly utilitarian character, which can feel cold or industrial if it isn't balanced with softer, warmer materials," says Sofia.

Scratches easily: It will show fingerprints, water marks, and scratches, particularly when new. However, this is also part of its appeal: over time, the surface develops a softer, lived-in patina that can add to its character.

BEST FOR

Serious cooks and contemporary or industrial-style kitchens. "Stainless steel works particularly well when paired with timber cabinetry, natural stone or other tactile materials, helping to soften its more utilitarian character," adds Sofia Lundgren.

5. Quartz

Quartz countertops offer the polished look and substantial feel of stone, but with the consistency and practicality of an engineered surface.

Available in everything from quiet, barely-there finishes to dramatic marble-inspired veining, it's an incredibly versatile choice that can work just as comfortably in classic kitchens as it does in sleek contemporary spaces.

Quartz is being slowly phased out of the home market, for issues involved in the material's production process, rather than anything to do with its qualities. Similar materials are coming to market that no longer have these issues.

PROS

Large variety of choice: Quarts offers an enormous variety of colors, patterns, and, increasingly, textures.

Durable: "It's hard-wearing and can be super-durable and stain-resistant. Being man-made, durability is a top priority," says Roundhouse's Isabella Pacelli.

Affordable: "Quartz is widely available and sits at an accessible price point, which is why it's been the go-to material for so long," says Jayne Everett.

CONS

Lower wow factor: Some quartz can lack depth and doesn’t have that same wow factor as natural stone.

Silica health concerns: "The industry conversation has changed significantly around quartz," says Jayne Everett. "The health risk isn't to the homeowner; an installed worktop is entirely safe. It's to fabricators cutting and polishing the material, where respirable crystalline silica dust can cause silicosis."

"We strongly encourage anyone specifying it now to ask their supplier directly about silica content and fabrication practice."

BEST FOR

Worktops and splashbacks where consistency and budget matter most .

6. Laminate

Laminate has come a long way from being simply the budget countertop option. Today's designs can convincingly recreate everything from richly veined stone to timber and more unusual finishes, making it an increasingly versatile choice for achieving a particular look without the price tag of the real material.

PROS

Affordable and versatile: Laminate is one of the most budget-friendly countertop materials, while the huge variety of finishes means it can replicate everything from marble and terrazzo to timber surprisingly convincingly.

Easy to live with: It's non-porous, straightforward to clean, and doesn't require sealing or the regular maintenance associated with some natural surfaces.

CONS

Less resistant to heat and damage: Hot pans can scorch or damage laminate, and although good-quality versions are fairly hard-wearing, the surface can scratch, chip, or be marked with heavy use.

Difficult to repair: Unlike wood or some solid-surface materials, significant damage can't simply be sanded or polished away. Once chipped, burnt, or badly scratched, a section - or potentially the whole countertop - may need replacing.

BEST FOR

Laminate is durable, low maintenance, and low cost, yet has poor heat resistance, and repairs can be challenging," says Alex Alonso, founder of Mr Alex Tate. "It's ideal for lower-budget projects or less-used spaces like laundry rooms."

Ultimately, the best kitchen countertop material is the one that strikes the right balance between how you want your kitchen to look and how you need it to perform.

Natural stone might win on individuality, stainless steel on hard-working durability, and wood on warmth, while engineered and more affordable surfaces can offer impressive practicality with fewer maintenance demands.

Think realistically about everything from your budget to how much upkeep you're prepared to embrace — and remember that a countertop doesn't necessarily need to remain pristine to be beautiful. Often, the surfaces that age, patinate, and tell the story of a well-used kitchen are the ones that give it the most character.

And for more inspiration for your kitchen, sign up to the Livingetc newsletter.