Once a traditional feature of country kitchens, larders have seen a huge revival, and for good reason. They combine classic charm with modern practicality, giving you a beautifully organised space that adds character and structure to your kitchen or dining area. Today, we want our interiors to work harder, look neater, and reflect a calm, curated lifestyle, and the larder ticks every box.

In this guide, discover how to style a larder, why they’re proving popular, and the best options to suit every kitchen design.

Why freestanding larders are trending in kitchen design

Romsey larder | @countrysidecottagediary

In an age of home organisation hacks and shelfie-worthy pantries, the larder has become a design statement with functional appeal. With the rise of social content focused on tidy interiors, minimal clutter, and aesthetic organisation, larders are enjoying a moment in the spotlight.

Here’s why they’re so popular:

• Aesthetic appeal: Glass jars, matching containers, and labelled baskets have turned pantry organisation into a thing of beauty.
• Functional efficiency: With compartments for everything from spices and cereals to wine, snacks, and even appliances, larders help streamline your cooking and storage habits.
• Freestanding flexibility: No need to commit to built-ins, larders offer all the storage of a fitted unit but with the freedom to move or restyle them as your space evolves.
• Zoning for lifestyle: As more kitchens double as living or dining spaces, larders let you keep the mess behind closed doors, without compromising on style.

Best freestanding larders for every style

St Ives coastal kitchen larder

St Ives larder | @barn_owls_and_butterflies

Fresh and airy, the St Ives larder brings coastal calm to your kitchen. Painted acacia paired with contrasting oak tops gives it a relaxed yet refined feel. Its clever interior layout is ideal for everyday essentials, while its versatile sizing options make it work in both compact kitchens and spacious open-plan homes.

Original Rustic larder in a country-style kitchen

Original Rustic larder

Natural, welcoming, and timeless, Romsey captures everything we love about modern-rustic design. With its solid oak build, rounded edges, and warm waxed finish, this piece lends itself perfectly to Scandi or farmhouse kitchens. Behind the doors you’ll find roomy shelves, pull-out drawers, and generous door storage that’s ready to house everything from snacks to spices.

Bevel modern larder with wine racks and shelves

Bevel larder

Sleek and smart with modern appeal, Bevel offers a bold twist on the traditional larder. Its architectural design, bevelled detailing, and rich wood grain make it a statement piece, perfect for minimal or industrial interiors. Inside, it doesn’t skimp on practicality: wine racks, adjustable shelving, and deep drawers help you keep everything stylishly in order.

How to style your larder for a clutter-free kitchen

Romsey small larder

Ready to bring calm to your chaos? Whether you’re sorting baking supplies, breakfast goodies, or just looking for a place to tuck away your extra dinnerware, a larder helps you achieve organised kitchen storage for that effortlessly ordered look.

Henley large larder

Top organisation tips:

• Zone your shelves by purpose, think breakfast corner, pasta shelf, snack drawer.
• Invest in glass jars or matching containers to create a cohesive look.
• Label everything (yes, even your spices!) for visual clarity and easy access.
• Style the inside like a display, especially if your larder doors stay open often.

Henley large larder

Are you all about modern kitchen storage with a clean aesthetic, curated jars, and snack stations? Shop our full larder range and share your look with us on TikTok or Instagram by tagging #OakFurnitureland and using #GrowYourHome.

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Discover the similarities

Evie loveseat

When it comes to living room seating, all our sizes feature the same high-quality details. We use hardwood in the frame and feet to provide a solid foundation for our sofas and loveseats.

We offer styles to suit any home, all made from durable and cosy fabrics or quality leather. Many of our loveseats and sofas also include scatter cushions for added style and comfort.

So, what’s the difference?

Malvern sofa | @pretty_poplar

The only technical difference between a sofa and a loveseat is the size. Both a 2 seater sofa and a loveseat are designed for two people but are proportioned slightly differently. Loveseats tend to be smaller, with ours ranging from 117cm to 162cm in width, while our 2-seater sofas start from 155cm for our most compact styles and go up to 195cm. The best way to choose between them is to look at the measurements of your room and select the size that works best.

Styling your furniture

Dewsbury loveseat | Burleigh side table | Burleigh sideboard

While offering space for two people to curl up together, loveseats also make an ideal cosy spot for one. Add tactile throws and textured cushions to maximise the comfort factor.

Place yours in the corner of a room to create a spacious reading nook, and pair it with a nest of tables or a side table as a handy perch for drinks and snacks.

Thornley 2 seater sofa | Thornley footstool | Durham nest of tables | Durham tallboy | Clouds metallic rug

Our 2 seater sofas are ideal for smaller multipurpose spaces such as playrooms, kitchen diners, or home offices. Alternatively, pair your sofa with a coordinating piece from the same range to create a complete living room suite.

Discover our complete range of loveseats and browse our selection of sofas to find the perfect fit for your home, whatever your needs, budget, or taste. We’d love to see how you style your sofas and loveseats. Tag us at #OakFurnitureland #GrowYourHome on Instagram to share your latest photos.

Lead image credit: @barn_owls_and_butterflies

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Whether you’re looking for something bold to add colour to a room, a textural design to lift a neutral space or just wondering how big you should go, here are some tips to make it a little easier when the time comes to choosing the right rug for your home.

Types of rug

The first thing to consider is the type of rug that’s right for you. You’ll need to think about where the rug will be used so you can determine whether you should go for a low-pile or high-pile style.

Low pile rugs

Low-pile rugs are great for busy areas of your home that get a lot of foot traffic, such as hallways or living rooms, as they will stand up to wear and tear better. A good underlay will make low-pile rugs more comfortable for sitting on – ideal if you’ve got young kids who will be playing on the floor.

Placing a rug under dining tables is a simple way to zone your dining space. Low-pile rugs are best here to allow dining chairs to move in and out freely, plus you can vacuum up crumbs easily.

High pile rugs

Cosy high-pile rugs, such as our Shaggy or Dakota designs, are ideal for low-traffic areas of the home such as bedrooms. And, they’re lovely to sink your toes into when you get up in the morning.

If you have wooden or tiled flooring, shaggy rugs introduce instant texture that brings added comfort to your home. These plush, fluffy designs create a luxurious finish that really ups the cosy factor in any space.

What size should you go for?

The best way to decide this is to measure out the area you want to cover. There should be at least a foot or two of visible flooring around the room. This will give you an idea of the size you’ll need before you set out to find your dream rug.

Our rugs come in three different sizes to offer plenty of options to suit your space. In a living area, generally speaking, all the front legs of the furniture should sit upon the rugs. Stay away from postage-stamp size rugs right under the coffee table as it will make your room look smaller.

At the same time, you don’t want to waste a lot of money buying a large rug that sits fully underneath the furniture as you’ll essentially be paying for a rug that you won’t even see. And if it’s in front of a sofa, then it should run the same or slightly wider than the width of the sofa.

Rugs for other rooms

In a dining room, the rug should be large enough so that when you pull out your chair, the chair remains on the rug. In most cases, you’ll also want to match the shape of your rug with the shape of your table, so rectangular tables suit rectangular rugs and round tables suit round rugs.

In a bedroom, you might want to consider two smaller rugs on each side of the bed or one that’s large enough to cover two-thirds from underneath the bed and at least a few feet on either side of the bed and in front of it.

What material should you choose?

Choose from a range of different materials depending on your needs and budget. Our Kennedy, Mayfair and Ohio rugs are hand-tufted and made from 100% wool to offer a naturally luxurious finish.

We also have a range of polyester rugs – designed to be hard-wearing and practical for every home. Be sure to utilise an underlay to make thinner rugs more comfortable underfoot. On the upside, they’re normally less expensive than wool rugs so if you tend to change the style of your room frequently it may make more sense to buy something you won’t feel guilty replacing every few years.

Finally, natural materials, like jute rugs, are great for high-traffic areas although less comfortable underfoot than wool or cotton rugs. However, they are very practical and don’t require as much care. Simply beating the rug outdoors will loosen any dust and debris and keep it looking great for years.

Remember there are never any hard and fast rules when it comes to decorating. The most important thing is to buy what you know you will love for years to come. Find the perfect rug for your home by shopping our latest rug collections. We’d love to see how you’ve styled rugs with your Oak Furnitureland pieces at home. Tag us at #OakFurnitureland and #GrowYourHome on Instagram.

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Will you go for an elegant look paired with silver and velvet, or an industrial-inspired interior with slate grey accents? There are so many options when it comes to this ever-popular colourway. Plus, grey walls and furniture allow your accent pieces to do the talking.

Grey is a great colour to work your own style around. Unlike some other colours, it doesn’t set the tone of an interior by itself, it steps back and lets you decide how you would like to approach the decor scheme. This is why it’s a perfect option for any room in the home. Read on to discover how to decorate with this versatile colour.

Grey bedroom ideas

Burleigh bedside table | @cottagerenovationcwmrhys

Decorating your bedroom with grey is a lovely choice for those who want to feel tranquil and serene while they dream. It’s a calming shade that leaves room for warmth. If you’re worried about grey looking too cold, then take the same approach as you would with an all-white room and add texture with throws, cushions, and add lamps to brighten the space.

You could also go for the cottagecore modern farmhouse aesthetic by using Shaker-inspired furniture in your bedroom and soft grey accents on your bed. Finally, you can give your space a contemporary twist by introducing luxurious materials like velvet. Be sure to layer cushions and blankets so you create a soft haven that just begs to be climbed into. Instead of having blinds, flowing curtains will also provide that element of gentleness that you’re aiming for.

Newton bedside table | Newton bookcase

If you’re wondering what colours go with grey bedroom furniture or interiors, we recommend soothing pastel or green shades – think powder pinks, denim blues, green tones, and warm peaches. Basically, anything that will subtly sing you to sleep and contribute to making your bedroom a complete relaxation zone.

Grey living room ideas

Parquet TV unit | @life_at_kuldana

A grey lounge is a timeless choice that lends itself to a variety of styles, whether you like elegant pale tones or bolder options.

Choosing a grey sofa is a neutral option when it comes to pairing with other colours as it really does work with everything in the spectrum. No matter if it’s fabric or leather, your sofa will easily slot into new or existing decor schemes.

Use cushions and throws to add texture and colour contrast to your living space, with pleasing combinations including sunny yellows that will brighten up your space, inky blues that create a chic backdrop, and clean whites that provide a delicate contrast. There’s so much room to experiment!

What furniture goes with a grey sofa?

Burleigh pedestal side table | @our_wandsworth_home

Style-conscious designers love the grey-all-over look, so pairing your grey sofa with painted grey furniture is a really fashionable option. This explains why our classic St. Ives range is so popular. We love how fresh and modern the sleek finish feels, but the pieces still have elements of traditional, rustic styles.

One idea is to bookend your grey sofa with the side table from this collection or point your seating towards the corner or large TV unit so your grey theme has visual clarity.

How do you accessorise a grey sofa?

Malvern sofa | @budgethomeinterior_

As mentioned, soft furnishings will be your primary accessory with a grey sofa as these provide a splash of colour or an opportunity to layer more grayscale shades on top of each other.

Additionally, consider hanging a mirror or a clock over your grey sofa to complete the look, or add some houseplants to liven up an interior which you might otherwise perceive as too stark.

Grey dining room ideas

Scroll back dining chairs | @paintitprettyhome

Keeping large furniture pieces in the same shade of grey as your walls will give you an understated look that’s ideal for your dining room. This could be light grey walls or floors paired with a farmhouse-inspired dining table or even a matching sideboard alongside it.

Even the smallest of dining room accessories can be matched, such as beautiful show china in your display cabinet or matte lighting fixtures to spotlight the areas where your family will congregate for mealtimes. All these will add to the overall calm look.

Grey hallway ideas

Richmond console table

Our hallways are often the most neglected area of the home, but they’re so important when it comes to making a first impression!

Make a striking feature of your hallway with our Richmond console table, which definitely gives the wow factor the second the door opens. This inky-blue painted range set against shades of grey brings elegance to your entrance space. Accessorise with potted plants, books and lighting for an extra welcoming feel.

Hopefully, that’s given you plenty of ideas for how to decorate with grey. Head to the Oak Furnitureland website to discover beautiful furniture to pair with your grey schemes. We’d love to see how you style grey in your homes. Tag us at #OakFurnitureland on Instagram.

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Can you tell us a bit about your interiors background?

I’m an interiors expert specialising in styling, writing, consulting, speaking and teaching for a range of clients, both commercial and residential. My key areas of work are styling photoshoots for brands to use in their marketing and campaign imagery (past clients include Oak Furnitureland, among many others!) and my written work is mainly for magazines, alongside ongoing work as a Contributing Emerging Trends Writer for the trend forecasting agency WGSN.

Over the past few years, I’ve diversified a little and have started teaching courses and workshops covering interior design, for both businesses and individuals keen to learn more about certain aspects, alongside offering creative consulting and online design services for those simply looking for a little guidance to help them on their way.

My passion is helping others understand how to use design to tell their story, whether that’s for their brand or within their own home, and to explain how we can use design to enhance our well-being once we’ve clarified our own needs and understood the effects certain colours, shapes and styles have on our brains. I’m also the author of four interiors books.

What’s the premise of your latest book?

Interior Design Masters (published by Quadrille), is in association with the popular BBC1 TV series. Designed as a manual to all things interiors as well as to represent the best of the show across all four series, it’s broken down into easy-to-follow sections so readers can learn more about all aspects of the design process, based on ideas from the show, from how to begin planning your projects to looking at colours, layouts and design styles, right down to the finishing touches.

Why has Interior Design Masters become so popular?

Sofa area in the design studio of season 4 of Interior Design Masters

I think design shows are always popular as they offer some escapist entertainment with an educational element, too – plus, while not everyone has a special interest in interior design, we all ultimately want to live in a space that makes us feel good, so there’s a curiosity to it, as well.

The nice thing about the show is that while the contestants’ work is of course critiqued and judged, it’s always constructive, rather than simply pitting people against each other for entertainment’s sake.

What is the most challenging aspect for contestants?

Interestingly I feel like – aside from the pressures of being filmed for a TV show – many of their challenges are what most people working in this field face on a daily basis: an unforeseen problem like discovering a damaged sub-floor that needs replacing, or hold-ups from deliveries not arriving on time or containing an incorrect order, and dealing with those knock-on effects.

In real life, there’s of course a little more flexibility to deal with these issues, but on a show like this, just like styling a photoshoot, you have to think on your feet and come up with instant workarounds.

Do you have a favourite room scheme from the series?

I really enjoyed the novelty factor of the beach chalets the contestants designed in Episode Five: I always think tiny, leisure-only spaces are really interesting to work on as you can afford to be a little more fun and playful, which they all were.

I actually really liked different aspects of all five designs – Temi’s really hit her beachy, eco brief, I loved Tom’s cosy weather-worn interior, Monika’s ‘gin palace’ felt super decadent, Peter’s colourful mural felt incredibly warm and playful, and Jack’s deco-themed space was stunning. I’m not sure I can really choose a favourite from these as they were so diverse and all finished to such a high standard – the judges had a similar problem in this episode, too!

What role do you think trends play in design concepts?

I spend a lot of time immersing myself in trends for my monthly trend reports, and for me, it’s about a lot more than simply ‘trending’ colours or patterns, it’s about looking at broader societal issues and how that impacts the way we live.

The pandemic, for example, obviously forced many of us to spend a lot more time at home and created the need for additional functionality which may not have been required there before, such as office and exercise spaces.

This has led towards more broken-plan and multi-functional living which can be easily adapted for fluctuating needs, and retailers have responded to this by offering, for example, modular or multi-use furniture, room divider screens to aid splitting up an open-plan space, and home office furniture solutions which look far more homely than corporate. For a trend to be successful, it has to be solving people’s real-life problems rather than simply looking good.

How do you first approach a project?

Studio set from season 4 of Interior Design Masters

It very much depends on the brief but broadly speaking, initially, I’d find out a little more about my client, whether it’s a brand or an individual: what are their values, aesthetic preferences and needs for that project or space? Then I’d start pulling together images and ideas that could represent the direction they are looking to go in.
Once the brief is clearer, it’s on to fleshing things out and selecting specific products or decorative finishes, clarifying design ideas and working out the practical steps to pull everything together and make it happen.

How are commercial and residential projects different?

They are surprisingly similar and surprisingly different all at once! The initial process mentioned above is often the same, but it’s the execution that’s very different.
When I’m dressing a space for a photoshoot, I’m purely thinking about how it’s going to look on camera and there’s often a lot of ‘faking it’ going on – floor tiles are laid down but left unfitted, walls are only painted as far as the camera will see, and lights are suspended from metal poles out of shot rather than fixed into the ceiling, for example. I will work with set builders, rather than traditional builders. It goes without saying that none of these cheats would be appropriate for a real-life home!

Do you have a favourite room to design?

It really depends on the concept and the space, but linking back to my comment earlier about the beach chalet episode of Interior Design Masters, I think there’s something really fun about designing a little escapist nook, where the focus is more on creating an immersive experience, rather than having to worry too much about practicality.

Has the world of interiors has changed since the rise of social media?

Judge Michelle Ogundehin’s office space from series 4 of Interior Design Masters

Hugely, and for both good and bad (though predominantly good!) I feel like design has become a lot more democratic and accessible to all, including previously overlooked groups such as renters, people on a budget and those living in tiny homes (which is increasingly becoming the majority of us, so it’s brilliant that more of us are being catered to!)

I do however think there’s a ‘danger’ of falling into the trap of simply copying the homes of favourite influencers, without necessarily understanding if it’s going to be right for you personally, or if that look will support your well-being needs.

It’s really worthwhile getting to understand your design personality (my previous book, The New Mindful Home, published by Laurence King, goes into this in a lot more detail). Once you’re clearer on this you’ll be able to decipher what colours, schemes or concepts might genuinely work for you, vs what might offer pleasing eye candy, but is best left on the ‘Gram.

What tips can aspiring designers take from the show?

Often on design shows, there’s so much to pack into the edit that it can be a real challenge to show all the aspects of a contestant’s design, so when it came to writing the Interior Design Masters book, I wanted to really use this as an opportunity to amplify some of the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it projects and DIY makes that were created across each series, and explain in more detail how readers can adapt them for their own homes.

So as well as giving how-tos for specific makes, there’s also lots of information on more fundamental design elements that regularly crop up in each series, such as creating a wood-panelled wall or making a simple box storage bench. The book also includes lots of tips and insights from both the contestants and the on-screen builders and carpenters, to help it feel more personal.

What’s your advice for finding your signature style?

Breakout space from series 4 of Interior Design Masters

This aspect is very integral to the Design Masters ethos, and it’s a really useful principle to apply to real-life designing, too. It’s covered fairly extensively in the book, but in essence, it’s all about digging deeper than individual trends and getting to grips with your ‘design DNA’, which you can do by getting really curious about all things you: what colours, eras or looks do you feel naturally drawn to? Are there any patterns you feel nostalgia towards that always make you feel happy? Do you prefer a more neutral home, or does surrounding yourself with patterns and bright colours give you more of an emotional lift?

Taking the time to think about your personality type and preferences can really help determine all of this and give you a framework to take into account when making informed design choices.

To find out more about Joanna, visit her website at joannathornhill.co.uk or follow her on Instagram @joannathornhillstylist.

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When did you first get into interiors?

I have 25 years of experience in the industry. I worked my way up from an interior stylist to interiors editor on several leading UK titles, including deputy interiors editor for Good Homes magazine and interiors editor at Best magazine. In addition, I’ve been fortunate enough to work with some of the industry’s leading photographers, magazines, advertising agencies and directors.

I’ve also done some television. I worked as interior designer for ITV1 prime-time show Bad Builders Bang to Rights with Dominic Littlewood. Designer for the BBC2 hit TV show, The Hotel Inspector with Alex Polizzi and industry expert for the hit TV show, The Fixer, on Channel 5.

Can you tell us about your new book?

The Sensory Home (Ryland Peters & Small, £25) is a book that will help you to understand whether your home is working for or against you. Layout, colour, texture, scent, lighting and more can be used to create a calming or stimulating environment according to your family’s unique needs, including for neurodiverse individuals.

The book offers hints, tips, and long-term solutions to bring your vision of a warm, inviting, and harmonious home to life. Chapters covering each room of the house include sensory checklists to help you identify the causes of unconscious stress, whether it be the cluttered kitchen, the dimly lit home office or the unsupportive sofa.

What was the inspiration behind the book?

  Image from The Sensory Home by Pippa Jameson | Credit: Joanna Henderson

Having an autistic daughter made me more aware of my surroundings; I started thinking about the concept in late 2017 and early 2018. I work on commercial briefs, so I have always created trend-led interior spaces rather than designed for specific needs.

At home, it’s different. We have set processes, and I became acutely aware of their positive effects on everyone in our household. This included small things such as an essential oil by the front door for a calming and familiar scent, calm paint colours, sensory alarm clocks, LED sensory lights in my daughter’s room and a no-tech rule (for all of us) upstairs.

I wanted to share my experience and talk about the sensory approach to interior design and how it benefits everyone’s well-being. By considering all our senses, you can ensure that your home works for you and not against you.

We love the idea of mindful decorating, can you explain this concept?

Sensory interior design is a mindful decorating approach focusing on individuals’ well-being. It’s a decorating and styling strategy that ensures all interior spaces activate the human senses – sight, scent, sound, touch, and taste. Considering all the senses when styling a room enables you to create something that completely supports your needs.

A simple scent, for example, can evoke powerful emotions and bring real comfort to a space. Consider what you can see in your eye line. Think about how furniture feels; a natural wooden desk, for example, will feel nicer than a melamine piece and is a more sustainable choice.

If you mentally walk yourself through your day and home and consider each sense as you go along, you are creating a home that works specifically for you. It’s about pausing to reflect and ensuring that your home works for you and not against you. The book has a sensory checklist at the end of each chapter to help you on your way.

What are the fundamental things to consider when styling your home?

  Image from The Sensory Home by Pippa Jameson | Credit: Joanna Henderson

It’s about being comfortable in your surroundings. We now know that our home environment is intrinsically linked to our mental health, so if we consider our senses when styling and decorating our homes, we are well on the way to creating a happy home that looks after our well-being and mental health.

Think about what you hear at home and whether you need to alleviate or solve noise pollution. Are you happy with what you see? What materials is your body encountering, and are they offering positive sensory experiences? This includes supportive furniture and breathable bedding. They may feel like small insignificant changes, but combined, they are very powerful.

Do you have a favourite room to style?

That’s a tricky one. I think dining tables are great as you can layer up with stylish ceramics, add softness with beautiful linens, and then create height and drama with candles. I particularly love your Parquet oak dining table.

How do you see interior styling evolve over the next few years?

Image from The Sensory Home by Pippa Jameson | Credit: Joanna Henderson

I believe sensory interior design is the future. Consumers will think more about how colours and materials resonate with them and how certain products fit within their home environment. As a result, there will be an increase in sensory spaces, cosy nooks, biophilic design, and a demand for more sustainable choices.

Thanks to Pippa for sharing her expert insight into sensory decorating. Find more information on The Sensory Home website, and the book is available via Amazon. For interiors inspiration, head to Pippa’s Instagram @pippajameson or visit @thesensoryhome.

Lead image credit: Jemma Watts

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Seasonal style switch-ups

Detroit bed | @alderaangirl

If you want to make a big impact without spending too much, an easy way to update your living room or bedroom for autumn is to change small items, such as cushions. Store your cotton-covered and holiday-inspired floral summer styles to make way for tactile fabrics, including velvet, faux fur and tufted textured designs, in darker, more seasonal tones.

Modern rustic

Parquet bedside tables |@homeonkellslane

The autumnal look is very often associated with all things rustic, but if you’re not a fan of that, fear not, as there are ways to channel the vibe on a more subtle level. Adding some muted reds, mustard, or dark khaki tones and combining them with strong, sleek shapes can bring some autumnal references into your home while completely bypassing the reclaimed look. Add some gold accents for a little glamour and keep any plants or flowers fairly simple – so no big bouquets of flowers or large baskets of fruits for this look.

Take cover

Orrick nest of tables | @victorian_house_garden

When the evenings start to even get just a little cooler, you’ll want to have a blanket close by to make your sofa time extra cosy. This is the perfect excuse to add another small touch of autumn colour and texture to your living room, and they look great draped over the back or arms of the sofa when not in use.

Moodboard makeover

Montgomery armchair | Savoy lamp | Oliver clock | Bette chair | Oliver dining table | Venice dining table | Maine sideboard | Immersed art

Still unsure about how to combine some of the autumnal colours with your existing home decor? A moodboard is the ideal starting point and enables you to visualise how a room will come together with all the things you love. Pinterest is the easiest way to bring your moodboard ideas to life and you can find plenty of seasonal pins on our Autumn Decor board.

Are you excited about the turning of the seasons? Send us your autumnal snaps on Instagram or TikTok and make sure to tag us at #OakFurnitureland #GrowYourHome.

The post Decorating with autumn tones appeared first on Oak Furnitureland Blog.

Your first port of call when it comes to decorating a rental property is to see what your contract allows. Speak to your agent or directly to your landlord, you might be surprised to find that you can paint and change more than you think.

Whether you’re under strict guidelines or you’ve got more free rein, we take a look at simple ways that you can put your stamp on your rental home.

Temporary rental decor ideas

If you’re not planning to stay in your place for very long, or your contract doesn’t allow for grand decor changes, there are some simple tweaks you can make to give the place a little facelift.

Create atmosphere with lighting

Lighting makes the world of difference in a home – and rental properties are no exception! Create the right atmosphere in each room with lighting techniques; think floor and table lamps, candlelight in your living and bedroom, and task lighting in your office and dining rooms. You could also update existing light fixtures with beautiful lampshades.

Parquet large TV cabinet | @newcountryhome

Add beauty and functionality with furniture

If your rental home comes unfurnished, you have so much scope to make the place your own. If you don’t feel like you can alter much else about the space, make a statement with carefully curated pieces. Why not add an eye-catching drinks cabinet or sofa?

Storage can often be an issue, especially in smaller rental places, so make sure you have some quality storage pieces as part of your toolkit, such as sideboards, console tables and bookshelves.

If you’re not planning on staying in a place for long, focus on multifunctional furniture. If a corner sofa is the look you’re going for, choose a modular model, as you’ll be able to adapt it to any future home.

Morgan modular corner sofa | @sceneathome

Go wild with houseplants

An easy way to spruce up your rental interiors is to let nature take over. Green plants bring vibrancy and personality to an otherwise blank canvas. Create visual interest by combining hanging planters and pots in different forms and colours.

Why not create a herb garden in your kitchen? Not only will it look great, but it’ll make your kitchen smell amazing, and your food taste great too!

Brooklyn coffee table | @kas_interiors

Hide flooring with rugs

The most challenging element of rental decor is often the flooring. Whether it just doesn’t match your colour scheme, or your landlord picked a drab carpet, fear not! Rugs are your new best friend. Source an oversized area rug to hide most of the floor space, or simply layer smaller rugs and runners to add texture and warmth to a wooden or tiled area.

Malvern sofa | @thelarchhome_10

Hang artwork without nails

If you’re not allowed to put nails in the wall, but still want to give your rooms some character, find other ‘hanging’ solutions. There are loads of self-adhesive strips and hooks on the market that won’t mark your walls and are strong enough to take most artwork and mirrors.

If this isn’t an option for you, why not embrace the trend of leaning your pieces against the wall? Whether a smaller piece on top of a sideboard or chest of drawers, or a bigger piece on the floor, this can be a super-stylish way of displaying your favourite pieces.

Parquet double wardrobe | @709_design

Update your tiles with stickers

If your bathroom or kitchen tiles leave much to be desired, put your own stamp on them. You can find temporary tile stickers that you can cut and stick to cover the original tiles. Trust us, it will completely transform the space!

Pete Larsen | Unsplash

Bring life to the walls with removable wallpaper

If you’re not allowed to alter the walls in any way, but are tired of the boring rental standard of magnolia walls, get creative. Use removable wallpaper to create a statement wall, or do all four!

Parquet chest of drawers | @aliceincolour

Fill it with accessories

One way to make a rental property your own, is to fill it with your stuff! Let your imagination run wild with accessories. From cushions and throws to woven baskets and candles – whatever you love, will add personality to your space!

These details are really what makes a house a home, and can transform the look of a place, no matter the furniture that might already be there, or the flooring in place.

Jensen sofa | @hollypmcgowan

Invest in curtains

Don’t let the soft furnishings stop at cushions and throws. While they’re more of an investment, using your own curtains is a great way to improve a rental property and bring some of your taste to the decor scheme.

Rental properties often supply blinds, which can bring a cold atmosphere to the room. Add texture and softness with thick curtains. They’ll be great for keeping you warm in the winter too!

Parquet bedside table | @thelightshesees

Make the most of mirrors

Whether your rental property is on the smaller side, you’re lacking light, or you simply need to add intrigue to a room, a mirror is always the answer. From wall mirrors to floor and table mirrors, add some of these accessories to different rooms of your home.

Payton mirror | @fallowsheath

Rental-friendly home upgrades

If you’re looking to get a bit more interior design crazy, and your contract allows for bigger alterations, here are a few slightly more involved elements that you might want to consider. These are all still temporary though – so don’t worry about risking your deposit!

Update the walls with panelling

Panelling is all the rage right now, but did you know that it’s actually super easy, and unlikely to damage your walls? This makes it a great option for renters. You can remove it at the end of your rental period, and even take it with you to your new property!

If you’re a dab hand with DIY, why not try it yourself? If not, or you’re unsure about its effect on the existing walls, speak to an expert.

Jensen sofa | @biancawildinghome

Give the walls a fresh lick of paint

The simplest way to give your home a completely new feel is with a fresh coat of paint. You can easily transform the look of your space with your favourite colours or go for a neutral look.

Some contracts may state that you have to change it back at the end of your stay. If this is the case, and you don’t want to go through the effort of painting all rooms twice, consider painting one wall or use shapes. Arches are a great way to frame your favourite pieces of furniture or to help create separation in an open-plan space.

Parquet double bed | @houseofjackandboo

Add open shelves

Nothing adds character to a room of the home like open shelving. Hang some in your living room to house books, plants and your favourite trinkets, or display your favourite crockery in your dining room.

Canterbury sideboard | @jessicacarmichaeljones

Hang a gallery wall

Add interest to an otherwise neutral wall with a gallery of artwork. Make sure to plan it out though! Don’t be fooled. While it may look spontaneous and simple, a gallery wall takes a lot of pre-planning.

Parquet chest of drawers | @houseofjackandboo

Paint existing furniture

If your landlord has supplied the furniture, it’s likely that you’ll have quite mismatched pieces. Why not offer to paint them? Match to any painted furniture that you bring, or paint in complementary tones to other natural wood pieces. This is also a great way to tie in the landlord’s furniture to your carefully selected pieces if you’re moving into a part-furnished place.

Shay large dresser | Shay small sideboard | @ourlittlehome2017

Fix some hanging pegs

An ode to country chic, hanging pegs are very fashionable in interior design. Use them to hang your coats and bags by the door, or jump on the trend bandwagon, hanging accessories from them. These are a great way to add something fun and interesting to your hallway, or spare wall in your kitchen or dining space.

St. Ives large dresser | @that.makes.six

You should now be ready to give your rental space the love it deserves. Make sure to check any planned home improvements with your landlord or agent first – you never know, they might love your changes, and want to keep them that way at the end. And, if you need some new accessories or furniture to spruce the place up, shop now!

We’d love to see how you’ve styled your rental property, so make sure to tag #OakFurnitureland on Instagram.

The post How to decorate a rental property appeared first on Oak Furnitureland Blog.

Read on for our top tips on all of the different ways you can create a multipurpose dining room to work around your needs.

How to make a dining room more functional

1. Create a flexible home office

Parquet desk | @elliesdecorandmore

With many of us having to work from home more than we used to, a good home office is becoming more of a necessity. Transforming your dining room into a work area is probably the most obvious choice, particularly if you’re pushed for space or budget as you can just use the dining table as a desk. All you need is a convenient place to store your work equipment and access to a power source.

Alternatively, you can add a desk to your dining room to create different zones for work and pleasure. If you don’t want to see your work during the evening you could get a fold-up desk or a curtain that pulls across to hide the area. Make sure to measure your room first – here’s our handy guide on how to measure your dining room.

2. Get creative with a music room

Another great use for a multipurpose dining room is to combine it with a music room. If you or your kids play instruments, or want to start learning, dining rooms can be a great space for playing and storing your musical equipment. Smaller instruments can be stored in a sideboard or cabinet, or you could even make a fun display and hang them from the wall.

Is it odd to have a piano in the dining room? Not at all, in fact it’s actually traditional. Before smart phones and TV, playing live music after dinner was a popular way to entertain guests. Fitting a small upright piano in the corner of your dining room makes it multipurpose without using up too much space, and can add a touch of grandeur to your decor.

To create this multipurpose room, all you need is somewhere to sit while you play and storage space for stands, instruments and sheet music.

3. Become a host with the most with a guest room

Jasmine sofa bed

If you don’t typically use your dining room, why not repurpose it as a guest room? The best way to do this depends on what you’ll use the space for the most.

If you think you’ll use it more as a guest room, then consider having a fold-up dining table, either attached to the wall, or one which you can slide into or behind cupboards. With this option it may be best to use a sofa bench instead of dining chairs, as that could go at the end of your guest bed and still work in a bedroom setting.

If you’d like to keep a dining space as an option for socialising or family events, then consider getting a sofa bed which can fold up as a comfy seating area, and be pulled out when guests are staying. For this you’ll need somewhere to store the bedding, and a side table that could work as a bedside table.

When styling this multipurpose room, use the same colour schemes for both dining and bedding decorations, as this will save yourself a lot of time and money changing out accessories.

4. Level up with a study space

St. Ives extending dining table | @mrs_roobottom_home

An easy and teen-friendly way to multipurpose your dining room is as a study space as this requires very few changes. You just need somewhere to store any placemats or decorations that you would have on the dining table, a close power socket, and some upright and comfortable dining chairs for sitting on while they work.

Hide any ugly textbooks or scrappy notes in a sideboard with closed storage. Again, make sure to think about where your charging cables will cut across, and hide extension leads behind cupboards and seating. An extendable dining table could work best for this, as you could have a small daily study space during the day and a large dining table for entertaining and eating in the evening.

5. Tidy up with storage

Parquet sideboard | @atnumberfourteen_

Worried you might have too many things in your dining room for all of these activities? Storage is your answer. The space around your dining room table gives you loads of room for built-in or freestanding storage. Use cupboards, shelves or sideboards to store any miscellaneous items that you want regular access to. Just make sure to consider whether or not you want your things on show when choosing between open and closed storage options.

If you get a space-saving dining table, like an extendable or fold-up table, you can make even more space for large storage furniture. Get some inspiration for some stylish storage solutions in our handy blog about decluttering.

6. Give yourself a second living room

Morgan sofa | @life_inside_our_home

There is no rule to say that you can’t put a sofa in your dining room. Sofas and lounge chairs can soften your dining room and make it feel more comfortable and relaxing. Adding a sofa is also a great way to fill an awkward or empty space in a long dining room.

It can also make the space multipurpose, as when you’re not using the room for meals you can still relax in it. If you’re short on space, use a padded sofa bench instead of dining chairs. Just make sure you get a sofa that is high enough that you can eat at the table, or consider installing built-in benches with cushions as a more permanent option.

7. Have a living room/dining room/office combo

Feeling ambitious, or short on space? Put three rooms into one with a multipurpose dining room, lounge and home office. This is more simple than it sounds, you just need to think carefully about your layout and use clever furniture. A sofa against the wall can double up as living and dining seating, and an extendable or fold-up dining table and a fold-up desk tick both work and dining options.

This creates a really flexible space, but to keep it cohesive, stick to a shared colour palette throughout and indicate different zones through rugs, furniture, lighting and contrasting textures.

8. Make memories with a playroom

Parquet dining table | @hausfifteen

A dining room can make a great playroom for young kids. Why not use your multifunctional dining table as a space for them to do their colouring in?

To keep their play safe, ensure that your dining table is too high for them to climb on top of, or use a fold-up dining table. Store all of the toys you want for the playroom in closed storage in a sideboard or cabinet. Your dining room wall decor could also double up as playroom art if you can find fun but classy prints that work for both kids and adults.

If you need more space for play, keep a wall clear and temporarily push the dining table against it to make more room, and lay a cosy rug or foam playmat for them to sit on.

9. Relax in your own library

Boston bookcase | @sandpiperbarn

If you’re a bookworm you may have always dreamed of having a library, but where do you find the space? A library is in essence just large bookshelves and a good place to sit, so it’s definitely something you can create in a dining room.

Cover a wall top to bottom with built-in or freestanding bookshelves, and put a comfy reading chair, side table and floor lamp in the corner of your dining room. This is a great solution if you’re looking for small dining room ideas or ways to fill odd nooks, as built-in bookshelves don’t take up too much room but can create a big impact. Plus, it can be great fun to style them with not just books, but vases, house plants, candles and picture frames, which add a homely feel to the space.

10. Combine with your kitchen

Hercules dining table | Scroll Back dining chairs

Combining your kitchen and dining room is a fantastic way to save space while keeping functionality. One way to do this is by installing benches in the corner of a room with comfortable, custom-made cushions, with a dining table next to them.

If you have a breakfast bar but want a larger table for entertaining, you can also use a fold-up dining table on a free wall of the kitchen, and use either a sofa bench, built-in bench or dining chairs for seating.

Hopefully this has inspired you to create your dream multipurpose dining room. If you make any changes to this space we’d love to see them – just tag us Instagram or use the hashtag #OakFurnitureland.

The post How to make a multipurpose dining room appeared first on Oak Furnitureland Blog.

British home decor brand and paint specialists Lick, has teamed up with award-winning interior designer Kelly Hoppen CBE, known as the ‘Queen of Neutrals’, to create six timeless neutral paint colours to decorate your home with.

Grove bedside table | Grove double bed

Tash Bradley, Lick’s Lead Interior & Colour Specialist, said these timeless neutral paint colours, known as Palette 04, are designed to help us create ‘balance and calmness’ and ‘soothing spaces to retreat to and relax in’. Sounds good to us!

Brooklyn TV unit | Brooklyn coffee table | @kas_interiors

What is a good neutral paint colour?

A good neutral paint colour is any shade that serves as a quiet background for other elements. Neutrals are usually grey and beige, whites and browns, but very light shades can be neutrals even if they have a hint of colour in them.

Neutral paint colours are a reliable option for any room if you’re looking to create a calming and tranquil space. Kelly Hoppen has long been an avid lover and advocate of neutral palettes. She said: “I love using them because they provide the perfect, quiet, easy backdrop for so many looks, materials and styles of furniture and furnishings.” Neutral colours are super easy to pair with other shades to create exactly the look you want.

Shay Bookcase | @mrs_roobottoms_home

Kelly Hoppen x Lick

We love this collaboration because Kelly Hoppen is such a veteran of creating perfect neutral interiors. She’s done the hard work for us by choosing this palette, which she said ”offers a truly timeless appeal that will work with every home design.” Here are our favourites from the collection and tips on how you can style them in your home.

The perfect light grey paint

Light grey is the ultimate neutral shade because its lightness provides a comforting and calm backdrop in your home. Grey 11 from the collection has subtle hints of blue, but is still light and grey enough to be a neutral colour.

Brindle coffee table | Brindle display cabinet

To style this versatile shade, go bold and contrast it with darker tones in your interiors such as inky blue painted furniture like the Highgate range. Or for a fully neutral palette, consider matching it with some grey and white painted furniture. For more inspiration, check out our blog on how to style grey and white painted furniture.

Highgate triple wardrobe | Highgate 5 drawer chest | @merford_manor

The best dark grey paint

If you’re wanting a darker look, Grey 10 is definitely the shade for you. Its cool undertones give an impactful and sophisticated feel to any space and this is definitely a colour that will stand the test of time.

Brindle desk | Brindle stool

The best way to style this grey wall paint is to complement it with light grey tones in soft fabrics, like our Morgan sofa range. You could also choose wooden furniture with grey tones, like the solid oak Willow range. Read this blog for a comprehensive guide on how to decorate with grey.

A gorgeous greige

Greige is a famous neutral in between grey and beige, and is the perfect choice if you’re not sure which to go for. There are two greige paint colours, Taupe 01 and Beige 04, in the collection and both are warm tones which will give a chic and elegant finish to any room.

Taupe 01

To style these greige shades, stick to warm natural woods like our Original Rustic range, for that cosy farmhouse feel. These neutral shades can also work as a beautiful backdrop to brighter tones, so if you have colourful curtains and fabric chairs or striking artwork you want to incorporate, these are the perfect shades to pair with.

Hove double bed | @ourhomemadeofthree

Finally, we can’t share our pick of these timeless neutrals without featuring Kelly Hoppen’s favourite. As she put it, ‘if I had to pick a favourite, it would have to be Beige 05, it is a beautiful soft linen shade which pairs so well with fabrics.’

To style this colour in your home, embrace the natural tones and fill your room with real oak furniture. The wood textures in oak furniture, especially those of the Parquet range, will perfectly compliment the earthy hues in this shade. Finish the space off with some dried grasses to bring the outside in and you’ll have your very own calming oasis.

Parquet chest | @thelightshesees

And those are our top picks of the Kelly Hoppen x Lick range. If you’re still trying to decide on paint colours, check out this other blog post from Lick on how to choose the best paint colours for a soothing sleep.

We’d love to see how you style these timeless neutral paint colours! Tag us on socials with the hashtag #OakFurnitureland, and don’t forget to follow our Instagram for more inspiration.

The post How to decorate with neutral paint colours appeared first on Oak Furnitureland Blog.