Now, let’s get dreaming of the warmer months and find inspiration from these new IKEA gardens and balconies. I can’t wait to spend more time outdoors, can you?

The LAMPAN table lamp is portable and battery-powered, making it easy to place anywhere, and can also be used outside on a balcony or patio. It’s easy to change the mood around the table by changing the color of the light with a touch of a button under the lampshade

In this article, I will give you simple decorating tips that will optically make your ceiling look higher. It’s not the real deal, but with these tips, your room will feel more spacious and lighter.

Decorating the entire room in a light color scheme will make the room feel larger, but if you prefer darker tones (and you definitely can go dark in a smaller space), you can choose a lighter color on the ceiling to make it look higher.

Shades of white, light gray, or pastel tones work well on a ceiling because they reflect light and create a bright and airy ambiance. To make a ceiling look higher, avoid dark and bold colors, which tend to make the ceiling feel closer.

This charming English cottage has very low ceilings, and the exposed brick wall and orange walls are pretty busy. Contrasting these elements, the owners painted the wood beam ceiling white to make the room slightly higher visually.

That doesn’t mean you can’t put anything high in a room with a low ceiling. But make sure that it is narrow or thin. While clean, uncluttered walls are preferred, you can decorate them without making them feel cramped and low, which you will read more about later in the article.

This basement kitchen by deVOL only has lower cabinets and carefully placed wall sconces to avoid getting a cramped-looking kitchen. The only exception is the open storage cabinet on the side.

Instead, choose sleek and flush-mounted lighting that doesn’t take up much vertical space. If you want a hanging pendant anyway, you can opt for a pendant that almost seems to float in the space like a glazed or transparent pendant.

Stefanie Silm Flush Mount

Stefanie Silk Pendant

McKenzie Iridescent Flush Mount

Rosetta XL Pendant

Bijoux Crystal Flush Mount

Eloise Glass Outdoor Semi-Flush Mount

Bola Disc Pendant

You can also apply a vertical line design to your curtains, but make sure the curtain has a calm design; otherwise, it will still look cluttered and confined. Another curtain tip is to make sure you hang them from the ceiling to maximize your ceiling height.

Do you love wall paneling? Add vertical shiplap, beadboard, or wainscotting to the walls. These design elements create a sense of upward motion and elongate the walls visually.

This cottage kitchen with a low ceiling feels more spacious thanks to the vertical cream-colored butt-and-bead paneling, light color scheme, and skylights.

Hamilton Weston’s “Brown Paper Stripe” wallpaper draws the eye upward in this magical cottage dining room. In the bathroom, they used tongue and groove paneling for the same effect.

Paint the top 10 centimeters of your walls in the same light color as the ceiling. This subtle paint trick creates a seamless transition and tricks the eye into perceiving more vertical space.

Add Mirrors to the Room

Strategically placed mirrors reflect light and create an expansive feel in the room. Full-length mirrors or mirrored wall panels and doors can help make the ceiling appear higher by enhancing the sense of depth and openness.

Mirrored wardrobe doors in a Swedish basement bedroom reflect the natural light coming from the small window.

Use Lighting Strategically

Wall sconces that point upward or track lighting aimed at the ceiling can make the room feel more expansive. Avoid lighting that casts shadows downward, as this can make the ceiling seem lower.

A wooden countertop is natural, timeless, resilient, and warm. The best thing is that a wooden countertop looks good in any kitchen design, whether you want a modern, minimalistic, rustic, or country kitchen.

However, like any material, a wooden countertop has pros and cons. In this article, we look at the advantages and drawbacks of a wooden countertop, with plenty of visual inspiration of real kitchens, to help you decide if they’re the right fit for your home.

Aesthetically Pleasing and Versatile

Yes, a kitchen must be functional, but you also want it aesthetically pleasing. A wooden countertop brings warmth and character to your kitchen space. And thanks to their versatility, a wooden worktop complements a variety of interior styles, from a rustic farmhouse kitchen to a modern, minimalistic kitchen.

The wooden grain and color variations of the wood make each worktop unique, and wooden also works well with every color family, so whether you go for an all-natural look or opt for colorful cabinets or shelves, a wooden worktop will look great.

This kitchen by Retrouvius features reclaimed Iroko kitchen countertops and cabinets.

The Cons of a Wooden Countertop

You have to pay attention to some things when you want a wooden countertop. Wood can be more challenging to maintain. It is not stain-resistant and has no scratch, heat, or moisture resistance.

Vulnerable to Moisture

Unlike a stone countertop, water is not a wooden countertop’s biggest friend. Prolonged exposure to moisture can cause swelling, mold, or rot. This makes a wooden countertop less suitable for areas around sinks or dishwashers unless extra precautions are taken. You also have to be careful with wet dishcloths or towels on the countertop; leaving them too long can leave marks.

Susceptible to Damage

We’ve already covered this in the item above, but wood is susceptible to damage. While wood is repairable, it’s also prone to scratches, dents, and burns. Cutting directly on the surface or placing hot pans on it can lead to visible damage. You also have to be careful with aggressive cleaning agents like chlorine or drain cleaners, as these products can cause ugly discoloration on the countertop.

A solid oak countertop paired with IKEA Bodbyn cabinets in a natural dark green shade in a charming vintage apartment.

This kitchen in a Swedish apartment pairs an oak worktop with classic white backsplash tiles and light green cabinet doors.

Pros: walnut looks luxurious, it’s strong, and it works well in any kind of interior style.

A classic kitchen in a warm vintage Stockholm apartment with a walnut worktop, burgundy tiles, and white cabinet doors.

Pros: beech is durable, practical, affordable, and versatile.

Maple

Maple is a durable and dense hardwood that resists wear and tear. Maple is a light wood type with a fine grain, making it a popular choice for both modern and traditional kitchen designs. Because it’s hardwood, it is less prone to dents and scratches.

Pros: hard and dense, making it durable. Maple is easy to clean thanks to its smooth surface, and the light color is flexible.

Teak

Teak is highly resistant to moisture and pests, making it an excellent choice for a kitchen with high humidity or near sinks. The wood’s natural oils provide a built-in level of water resistance, reducing the need for frequent sealing.

A solid teak countertop paired with light pink walls and dark gray cabinets in a serene period home in London.

Iroko

Also called ‘African Teak, ‘ Iroko wood is a rich wood type whose color will become darker over time. Iroko adds a luxurious touch to your kitchen space, and thanks to its natural oils, it’s highly resistant to water.

Pros: Iroko is water-resistant and low maintenance, and over time, the wood will look more beautiful.

This small London apartment of an antique dealer features a reclaimed Iroko countertop from Retrouvius (salvaged from a school science laboratory) paired with cabinets painted in Farrow & Ball’s “Black Blue”.

Rachel Khoo’s green deVOL Shaker kitchen also features reclaimed Iroko countertops. These countertops are made from reclaimed school countertops, which Rachel sanded back and oiled to make them look stylish and sophisticated.

Bamboo

Though technically a grass, bamboo is a renewable and eco-friendly option if you want a wooden countertop. The bamboo parts are pressed together and laminated to form a solid, super-strong work surface. It’s lightweight yet durable and offers a modern, clean look. The fast growth of the bamboo cycle makes it a sustainable choice.

Pros: sustainable, light in color, eco-friendly

If you want to create a sustainable kitchen, you can choose bamboo as an alternative to actual wood, or you can opt for a wooden countertop made from reused materials.

Pantone is the global color authority, and its color forecasts have a huge impact on the design world. In early 2024, The Nordroom made a Color of the Year prediction based on the color palettes provided by Pantone, showing the trending hue for the upcoming year. And Pantone’s Color of the Year 2025 was one of the trending color predictions.

For a couple of years, there has been a growing movement to align ourselves with nature, which we also see reflected in the past colors of the years. Characterized by its organic nature, Pantone’s Mocha Mousse honors and embraces the sustenance of our physical environment. Mocha Mousse finds harmony and balance between the demands of modernity and the timeless beauty of artful creation.

In addition to choosing a Color of the Year 2025, Pantone has also created five color palettes with hues complementing Mocha Mousse.

The Relaxed Elegance color palette consists of warm neutral from a cream tone to a dark brown that will create a harmonious and calming look.

The Floral Pathways color palette features beautiful natural hues like green, blue, and brown. It’s more diverse in tones than the relaxed elegance palette, but still natural, calm, and harmonious.

Pantone’s 2025 color, Mocha Mousse, is a versatile color that can be added to walls, floors, furniture, and home decor accessories. Whether you want to fully embrace the warm brown or use it as an access color, this hue is perfect to create a warm ambiance in your interior space.

The timing couldn’t have been better. This beautiful kitchen by  Isla Porter, a new female-founded kitchen company, reached my inbox right after Pantone chose its color of the year. Isla Porter designed this kitchen in collaboration with The Misfit House, and it’s a classic design with a trending color look.

Moody, warm, and natural. This kitchen perfectly blends a moody kitchen cabinet color with a brown wall and brown tiles. Paired with a marble worktop it creates a luxurious yet inviting space.

A brown door and bedroom paired with gray and wooden floors in a Nordic apartment.

If you liked the relaxed elegance palette, you should take a look at this Oslo apartment, painted in beige and brown shades.

The woodwork in a Scandinavian apartment is painted in beautiful warm brown tones like Pantone’s Mocha Mousse.

A brown door paired with a nice pop with the half-painted staircase in blue and beige.

Brown shades in the art and furniture create a cohesive and warm living room look.

The color on the walls in the living room is lighter than Mocha Mousse, but it does show the beauty of a warm brown shade on the walls and how you can create a cozy and calm ambiance in a home.

A bedroom in a renovated Victorian home color-drenched in a warm brown shade.

These dark bathrooms don’t all have huge windows that let in plenty of natural light. But what they do have is a good design. Large mirrors, brass accents, plants, or glossy dark tiles can make a dark bathroom feel luxurious, lively, and brighter. So, let’s get inspired by these moody dark bathrooms so you can see that dark colors work beautifully in a small bathroom.

Designer Heidi Caillier is one of my favorite interior designers because she is so good with color. She opted for dark blue tiles in this small bathroom paired with a marble and brass sink and classic Victorian-style floor tiles. The beige blinds add a calm, light, and neutral tone to the room.

Black walls and herringone tiles are spurced up with brass fittings and a wood vanity to add warmth.

The bathroom in the 1920s Portland home designed by Jessica Helgerson features dark green metro tiles.

Even though they used black tiles in this bathroom, it doesn’t feel dark at all. The light floor helps, but also the fact that they didn’t tile this bathroom all the way to the ceiling. The white border adds a fresh and light touch to this tiny New York bathroom.

The owners of this Edwardian house in London aren’t afraid of dark colors as they also painted the dining room black. For one of the bathrooms, they opted for dark blue tles paired with a light terrazzo floor and a yellow concrete sink for a vibrant color accent.

Moroccan vibes in this small moody bathroom with textured dark gray tiles. The huge lighted mirror and brass sink and fittings add a glamorous touch.

Another bathroom designed by Heidi Caillier in the Fox Island home. The room features deep blue tiles paired with warm wood and brass accents.

In 2024, Behr paint company chose ‘Cracked Pepper’ as its Color of the Year. This dark gray shade also works beautifully in a bathroom. In this bathroom designed by Becca Interiors, the dark gray walls are paired with a classic checkerboard floor. The wooden legs of the sink and the basket add a warm touch to the gray space.

The small bathroom in a light pink and gray Nordic home oozes luxury thanks to the dark gray walls and bras fittings.

The bahtroom in a duplex apartment in Stockholm features dark blue walls, a black marble floor, and warm deep red tiles.

Dark gray walls and glossy black tiles turn a small guest bathroom in a traditional Los Angeles home into a stylish space.

The small, moody bathroom in Trevor Noah’s Manhattan penthouse.

Dark gray walls, paneling, and shelves turn a small bathroom in a pink and black home into a moody haven.

The midcentury ranch house designed by interior design firm a 1000 x better features a bathroom with the ‘Artemis’ wallpaper from House of Hackney.

This small bathroom is decorated with the Farm Weeds wallpaper designed by Kelly Ventura.

The bathroom on the right features the House of Hackney ‘Midnight Garden’ wallpaper. ‘The wallpaper is inspired by the Dutch Masters and depicts a country garden after dark. Painted with bountiful blooms in a classic colour palette of pink, green, off-white and blue, this moodily romantic print offers a duskier take on a traditional floral.’

Midnight Garden by House of Hackney is a popular choice for a moody, floral wallpaper. This Tudor house in Los Feliz designed by residential developer Jordan Bakva features a moody bathroom with this floral wallpaper.

A Victorian villa in London is decorated with color and wallpaper which you can also see in the bathroom. Moody dark green tiles are matched with a dark green wallpaper.

You may be thinking ‘this sounds rather extreme’, but a color drenched room doesn’t have to be overwhelming or too colorful. You can use any color you want, including muted and light shades like pale pink or muted blue (which is already gaining attraction in the 2025 color of the year picks).

Color drenching is not the same as color blocking or a two-tone wall. With color blocking, you create fun and graphic patterns on your walls for a unique wall feature, and a two-tone wall (as the name suggests) limits itself to the walls. With color drenching, you paint the walls and the ceiling, and when you want to immerse yourself and your room in color completely, you also paint cabinets, fireplaces, and other period features.

Two shades of pink in this London living room. The lighter shade on the ceiling makes the room feel larger and highlights the beautiful period features.

The master bedroom in the same London house shows color drenching in a subtle manner with light pink walls and ceiling that beautifully contrast with the raw brick fireplace.

The Netherlands has one King of Color and that is interior stylist Theo-Bert Pot. It will come as no surprise that his own apartment features several color-drenched rooms, from the living room to the bathroom.

The walls in the sitting room are painted in Flexa’s ‘Full Plum’, and the ceiling is painted in ‘Lush River’ by the same brand.

The bathroom walls and ceiling are painted in ‘Full Plum’ by Flexa which are paired with a graphic black and white floor.

You can also color drench by pairing paint with wallpaper as you can see in this living room designed by Heidi Caillier.

Color drenching with vibrant colors. Pink, blue-green, and pink are combined to create a cheerful, colorful kitchen space.

Golden yellow is a color shade that you don’t often see in a living room, but look how warm and inviting this room in a Victorian terrace house is.

a terracotta pink color drenched hallway in a Portuguese apartment designed by Garcé and Dimofski.

Rich color tones in the smallest room of the house. In this small hallway, everything is painted in a deep reddish-pink shade.

This narrow period hallway is completely painted in Farrow and Ball’s ‘Selvedge’ in their dead flat paint finish.

The Dulux Color Forecast 2024 predicted the color-drenching trend as many of the rooms in this forecast are completely painted in one of their trending colors.

Cohesive and calm is how you can describe this all-green deVOL kitchen.

Don’t shy away from something a little bit unexpected. a neutral-colored Swedish home features a cobalt blue color-drenched hallway.

Dark blue walls and ceiling paired with deep red tiles is a stunning Swedish bathroom.

Moody dark gray walls and ceiling with beautiful period features in a luxurious renovated apartment.

Every room in this wonderful Victorian apartment is color-drenched. Pink, red, green, or blue, the owners love drenching their interior with color.

A two-tone green room by Farrow and Ball’s The Nordic edit. The lighter ceiling color gives a more airy feeling.

another room that color-drenched with wallpaper and paint. House of Hackney ‘Hollyhocks’ wallpaper is paired with dusty pink and green.

This den in a colorful Morongo Valley airbnb is painted in a deep red shade called “Arabian Red” by Dunn-Edwards. For a warm layered look, they paired this red tone with more earthy red shades in the furniture and decor as well as ochre yellow tones.

Yellow has been used more often in home design in recent years. And that’s not surprising, as it’s such a versatile color whether you want to create a warm and deep space using ochre tones or add a subtle color with butter yellow, whatever yellow tone you choose will bring a sunny vibe to your home.

I’ve also added the paint color used on the walls or the cabinets in these kitchens (if the information was available) so you can recreate these yellow kitchen ideas in your own home. Let’s look at these yellow kitchen ideas, which will show you the strength of this beautiful color.

Pair wooden cabinets with a sleek kitchen island in a vibrant yellow shade.

This deVOL Kitchen combines a buttery yellow shade with brown/purple, greige, and off-white. It’s the perfect example of a light white/neutral base with warm color accents.

This modern kitchen pairs mid-yellow cabinets with a white island and concrete worktops. The color is beautiful, though the real star of this kitchen is probably that wooden ceiling.

Architect G.P. Schafer restored a 19th-century carriage house in Charleston which features this stunning pale yellow kitchen with a wooden floor and an exposed brick wall.

another kitchen from G.P. Schafer with pale yellow cupboards in a beautiful barn house.

This kitchen in a Victorian apartment pairs muted colors from Paint and Paper Library with a vibrant yellow cabinet and fridge.

The butter yellow kitchen cabinets in this Swedish family apartment are paired with the ‘Natural Owl’ wallpaper from C.F.A.Voysey.

The kitchen in a colorful Georgian house is a lovely space with cabinets painted in a soft yellow shade that are combined with caesar stone worktops and splashback. 

Pink and yellow is a lovely combination of colors in this tiny midcentury kitchen in a Swedish studio apartment.

The light yellow kitchen cabinets in a Swedish home are paired with light gray and a warm wooden floor.

The kitchen in a Nordic apartment adds a warm atmosphere to the room thanks to its ochre yellow cabinets.

The modern kitchen in a historic home has floor-to-ceiling cabinets painted in a sunny yellow shade. These are paired with a blue kitchen island that features a breakfast bar. 

This Scandinavian apartment features a soft yellow kitchen that is combined with wood paneling and light colors.

Yellow is versatile and can be combined with many other colors, from natural shades like gray or blue to pink and green, as you can see in this modern kitchen.

A Georgian home in England is packed with history and color and you can certainly see that in the kitchen. The kitchen is adorned with plank and muntin paneling, painted in a warm ochre hue, and features a sturdy brick subfloor.

Blue and yellow is a great color combination, as you can see in this colorful historic house.

A Victorian house in London pairs modern black cabinets with ochre yellow tiles and a very pale yellow wall color.

The kitchen in a Welsh cottage features a warm and muted color combination with a deep ochre shade on the walls and green cabinets.

The kitchen in a historic English country house pairs cabinets painted in ‘De Nimes’ by Farrow & Ball with a sunny yellow wall color.

This cottage kitchen in England features pale, warm yellow walls paired with blue color accents.

Ochre yellow tiles and cabinets turn a utility room in a Victorian home into a space you want to spent time in.

Sunny, vibrant, and natural. In this Dutch kitchen, they paired sunny yellow walls and ceiling with green doors and sea-green tiles.

Yellow Kitchen Floor

Unusual, but very beautiful. The kitchen in a color blocked home in London features a bright yellow floor.

Bathrooms are a very private room in your home. It’s where you get ready for the day, and it should reflect your style. I bet you get ready with a smile on your face when you can spend this time in such a cheerful, colorful room. So today on the blog, it’s time for some colorful bathroom inspiration, from colorful textiles to pink sinks and unique colorful tilework. Enjoy!

warm purple tiles paired with an antique vanity and terracotta floor tiles in the San Francisco pied-à-terre designed by Heidi Caillier.

This bathroom in a colorful family home uses every color of the rainbow.

The bathroom in an award-winning London apartment has terrazzo tiles on the floor and walls combined with forest-green shiplap panels.

Pink tiles paired with black fittings in a London townhouse.

a Morrocan style bathroom in a London mews house with blue Jaggery tiles and a dark blue ceiling.

Pastel blue and pink in a Parisian-inspired townhouse on Majorca.

The family bathroom in an english barn conversion is completely blue with a blue clawfoot bath, a blue bathroom vanity, and beautiful blue walls that are painted in “Nightshade” by Bauwerk.

Two colorful bathrooms in a unique family home in London.

a subtle touch of color paired with a classic bathroom design in a swedish family home.

This beautiful colorful bathroom in a pink and black Fox Island home is designed by Heidi Caillier using pink tiles are from Fireclay, paired with Neisha Crosland’s Frieda terra-cotta design for De Ferranti.

The other bathroom in the same barn conversion is painted in a soft pastel shade called ‘Alabaster’ by Bauwerk. On the floor lie reclaimed Spanish tiles while the shower is clad in glossy green Zellige tiles.

The bathroom of Susan, known as @myedwardianhouse on instagram, is a beautiful display of color with a pink bath and green tiles.

This bathroom in a Cotswolds family home is painted in Bancha by Farrow & Ball.

every room in this charming historic house in England has been painted in bold colors and the bathroom is no exception.

Tiny and colorful and even the ceiling has been given a color update with beautiful leaf wallpaper.

A grand Amsterdam villa, designed by Atelier ND Interior, features two colorful bathrooms.

A pink bathroom with gallery wall in Heather’s colorful eclectic home in Scotland.

Vibrant blue tiles and a freestanding bath in a villa in England.

Pastel pink walls and a pink vanity in Lumière Lodge: A Creative Vintage Cottage in Australia

But even when your entryway is small, it can make a big impression. With color, custom storage solutions, artwork, and smart storage items, a hallway can be transformed into one of the best rooms of the house and a real welcome for you, your family, and your guests.

Scroll on to see amazing small and stylish entryway ideas that showcase smart storage solutions and a welcoming entry to your home.

Cabinets Up To The Ceiling

Use the space up to the ceiling like in this apartment where they added open cabinets with hooks underneath all the way to the ceiling. An open floor cabinet in the same style is used as shoe storage.

Paint Everything The Same Color

Create a cohesive look by painting the walls and the furniture pieces the same color. In this entry in a Nordic maisonette, they opted for a deep red shade called ‘Eating Room Red’ by Farrow and Ball.

No matter how small your hall entryway may be, there are countless ways to make it both functional and stylish. From clever storage solutions to decorative accents, these small entryway ideas offer inspiration for transforming your entry into a welcoming space that sets the tone for the rest of your home.

There is a growing trend in interior design for bolder paint colors and I celebrate the homes where white, gray, and very light pastels are a thing of the past. Go for bold, and start in the bedroom. It’s your private zone and a darker shade on the walls will transform your space.

These dark feminine bedroom ideas will inspire you to pick up a dark paint color and turn your bedroom into a cozy haven.

An antique wooden bed and leather club chairs are paired with dark green floral wallpaper and a floral throw. The combination of dark colors, cool leather chairs, and floral patterns turn this room in a 1920s Spanish style villa into a perfect example of dark feminine.

The Benefits of a Dark Bedroom

• Dark Tones Create a Cozy Atmosphere. Dark paint colors make a room feel snug and intimate, which can help you relax and fall asleep faster.
• Dark Colors Enhance Sleep Quality. Dark colors block light, which can help you sleep better, especially if you are sensitive to light.
• Dark Colors Add Drama and Depth. Dark colors on the walls create depth and a luxurious look to your bedroom.
• Dark Colors are Versatile: The great thing about dark colors is that you can combine them with almost any color on the color wheel. For a soft accent, pair them with pink. For an earthy look, pair them with terracotta.

• A Dark Bedroom Increases The Value of Your House. Did you know that certain paint colors will increase the value of your house? According to a Zillow study, a dark blue bedroom can add approximately $1,500 in value to your house.

Create the right balance between dark and light and add textiles to your room for a layered and warm look.

How To Create a Dark Feminine Bedroom

• Create a color palette with complementary colors. Start by choosing a dark shade that suits your interior style. Classic hues like dark blue, emerald, purple, or gray will certainly form the right base for your dark feminine bedroom.

• Use Soft Textures. Lighter-colored accessories and textures add depth, warmth, and softness to the room. Velvet and silk add a soft and luxurious touch to your bedroom. Don’t be afraid to mix and match and create a layered look for extra coziness.

In this dark feminine bedroom, a velvet, earthy pink folding screen is used as a headboard. Floral pink bedding and layered soft textiles complete the look.

• Add Metallic Accessories. Metallics like brass or gold are the perfect match for dark colors. They add a touch of sophisticated glamour and a hint of shimmer. Add metallics in lighting, mirrors, wardrobe handles, or fittings.
• Curved and Ornate Furniture. To create the optimal dark feminine bedroom, an antique bed with intricate woodwork and curved lines is a must. Look in your parent’s attic or visit vintage stores for dark wooden antique finds that add a romantic touch to your room.

• Florals. A floral pattern always adds a feminine look to a bedroom. Think about dark floral wallpaper, floral cushions, floral artwork, or (fake) flowers.    

• Lighting. Think carefully about your lighting to create a cozy vibe. A chandelier with soft lighting can be a great statement piece that can be supplemented with wall sconces, table lamps, and (electric) candles.

The light pink being and dark plum stool add a subtle feminine touch to the dark blue bedroom in a Scandinavian apartment.

The bedroom in a Swedish country house is decorated with a dark floral wallpaper called Ava Dark Blue by Sandberg Wallpaper).

I hope these dark feminine bedroom ideas and tips will help you create a dream bedroom using dark colors.