Help & advice

Trends & inspiration

Latest ideas and inspo for bathroom and kitchen renovations and design, especially for small spaces (more coming soon!)

Kitchen floor tile motifs

Kitchen

3 kitchen trends you'll be seeing more of in 2025

The moods and moments that are helping to create calming, warm and inviting homes.

Design journalist Pip Rich, editor of interiors bible Livingetc.

Handless kitchen cabinets

Kitchen

How to create a minimalist kitchen in a small space

Smaller kitchen footprints don't have to be cluttered.

Design journalist Pip Rich, editor of interiors bible Livingetc.

Mahogany tinged wood in a bathroom for a spa feel

Bathroom

How to create a spa bathroom even in a small space

Peace might come from within, but it's certainly helped if your immediate surroundings are calm and collected.

Design journalist Pip Rich, editor of interiors bible Livingetc.

On a budget

Working out a realistic budget is where it all starts. Save your skin, find the ways to save money and get your renovation project done on budget.

Lounge

Understanding the costs of a Lounge renovation

Renovating a lounge / living room is one of the most impactful ways to refresh your home.

All rooms

Save money. Save energy. Save water.

You've got the vision for your dream room - colours, tiles, that perfect finish. But have you thought about how it's going to perform?

Bathroom

Top green and energy saving tips for bathroom renovations from the Energy Saving Trust

Published February 2023 – here's a quick summary.

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Managing the renovation to do list

Start with a solid to-do list and some fresh ideas, we've got the order figured out for you from budgeting to when the plumbing and tiling decisions need to be made. Wondering how long it'll take?

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Template plan for a new bathroom, kitchen, utility or bedroom
We've boiled down the 15 steps to follow to get you through a renovation like a pro.
To do list

Planning your layout

Getting that floor plan right is golden, especially when it comes to small and demanding spaces like our bathrooms. Get layout inspiration and ideas to nail that bathroom, kitchen (and any other rooms) reno!

Bathroom

How do I find the best bathroom layout for my space?

Here's a pro tip: start with the toilet. Why? Because it's the one fixture that's hardest to move.

Bathroom

I only have a small bathroom, what can I do to make the most of the space?

There are lots of smart ways to design a bathroom to make the most of the space that also make it feel larger.

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Looking for layout inspiration?
Check out our floor plan gallery for layout inspiration and ideas for your new bathroom or kitchen renos.
Floor plan gallery

Bathroom

Why moving a toilet is a big decision

It will add to the overall time required to complete the project, which, in turn, increases the cost.

All rooms

How do I tell if my wall is solid or stud?

Knowing the difference between different wall types is important for understanding the work needed to mount anything to it.

Bathroom

Bath or shower?

Accountable for the highest water consumption in the home - effecting your power and heating bills as well as water usage.

Bathroom

Wet room or enclosed shower?

Wet rooms are likely to consume more water, and in our experience get colder faster than an enclosed shower...

Bathroom

Dimensions and understanding the space needed around your bathroom items

You'll want at least 700mm of clear floor space in front of your basin, toilet, shower, or bath—basically enough room to use them comfortably.

Kitchen

Planning the best layout for your kitchen

One of the first steps in kitchen planning is understanding the room's physical features.

Bedroom

Planning the best layout for your bedroom

Sometimes it can be helpful to start from the outside and work your way in.

Ensuite

How to add an ensuite bathroom to a small bedroom

This requires careful planning and design to make the most of the available space. Here are some key considerations...

Lounge

Planning the best layout for your lounge / living room

Begin your lounge layout by identifying the room's focal point.

Home office

Finding the best layout for your Home Office

Start with the desk - the desk is the focal point of your workspace, and its placement will influence the flow and functionality.

Hallway

10 tips to make your hallway appear larger

Often one of the most overlooked areas in a home, yet it plays a crucial role in setting the tone for the entire space.

Choosing sanitaryware

Bathroom

What is the difference between the types of toilet?

When replacing your toilet, look for highly efficient (HET) or ultra-low flush (ULF) toilets to minimise water use.

Bathroom

Freestanding or standard bath?

Swap your shower head for a water efficient one to save on your bills, water and energy usage.

Bathroom

Choosing the right type of shower, shower head and thermostatic control

Choosing the right type of shower, shower head and thermostatic control.

Bathroom

Choosing the right type of over bath shower screen

Glass and metal are 100% recyclable and can be recycled forever, whereas plastic ends up in landfill.

Bathroom

Recycling showers

It's about to get easier to make more sustainable choices for our bathrooms with the innovative water recycling shower solution.

Choosing appliances

Utility

A comprehensive guide to choosing a washing machine

Washing machines can be a significant investment and if you get a good one it will likely serve you for 7 years or more.

Utility

A comprehensive guide to choosing a tumble dryer

This guide walks you through the important factors to consider when choosing a tumble dryer, helping you to make an informed decision.

Electrics

Bathroom

Bathroom lighting and electrical zones

Resist the temptation to “just put spotlights everywhere”!

Bedroom

Mastering bedroom lighting, what do I need to know?

One thing that everyone seems to agree on is to make sure you have different types of lighting in your bedroom, also known as layering.

Dining

How to effectively light your dining room

Lighting plays a crucial role in setting the right mood and functionality in your dining room.

Home cinema

Choosing the right TV / Screen size for a home cinema

When setting up a home cinema, selecting the appropriate screen size for your room is essential for a truly immersive experience.

Heating

Bathroom

Should I consider underfloor heating for my bathroom?

Adding underfloor heating to your bathroom can transform it into a cosy, comfortable oasis, especially during chilly mornings.

Walls, floors, decor, tiling and cabinetry

Bathroom

Pros and cons of different surface materials for the bathroom

Materials that require low energy to produce, or natural materials delivered without intensive mining, have the least impact on the planet.

Kitchen

Pros and cons of different surface materials for the kitchen / utility room

Choosing the right surface materials for your kitchen is crucial for both aesthetic appeal and functionality.

Bathroom

Pros and cons of different metals for the bathroom

Looking at resistance to corrosion, cost, how durable it is and how easy it is to keep clean.

Bathrooms and Kitchens

The importance of tile edging

Not all tiles come with a finished edge, so you need to do some planning up front to avoid an incomplete look in your space!

All rooms

What materials are best for custom made furniture

Solid wood, MFC, MDF, plywood, glass and mirrors are the most common materials.

Bedroom

What flooring is best for a bedroom

When choosing what flooring to have, consider how it will feel under foot, think about noise issues and how you want to feel in the room.

Decorating and finishing

Bathroom

Creating a mood board for your bathroom design

Before you start buying tiles or paint samples or even parts of your bathroom suite, you need to work out the basics of what look you are trying to achieve and why!

Bathroom

Do I need to use 'bathroom paint' rather than emulsion?

Here's a list of reasons why using a bathroom paint is a good idea – and what you should be looking for in the paint you choose.

Kitchens and Utilities

Do I need to use 'kitchen paint' for my kitchen / utility?

For rooms prone to high humidity levels and moisture accumulation due to steam from cooking, dish washing and cleaning.

Bedroom

Creating a mood board for your bedroom design

Start from the bottom, be a thief, follow your eye, create zones and follow some rules!

Working with trades

Bathroom

Should I hire trades or can I do it myself?

Bathroom renovation projects can involve many individual trades, including builders, plumbers, electricians, plasterers, tilers, carpenters and decorators.

Bathroom

How do I find good trades for my project?

Our top 5 tips for finding the right trades for your bathroom renovation project.

Bathroom

How to work well with your trades

Based on many years of experience working with trades and learning lots of painful lessons along the way.

Bathroom

Tips for surviving a bathroom renovation

Our tips for staying fresh and stress-free!

Material supply and waste

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