For years, certain unofficial “rules” have quietly dictated how we decorate our homes. Light colours for small rooms, matching furniture and white ceilings only. These are just some of the lingering thoughts we’re all labouring with before embarking on a home decor mission. But in 2025, we think it’s time to challenge those outdated interior design norms because truly great design isn’t about playing it safe. You want to create a space that reflects you and your family.

To that end, here are 8 traditional décor rules worth breaking this year, and how doing so can breathe new life into your home.

1. “Small Rooms Should Be Painted Light Colours Only”

Light tones can make a space feel airy, but they’re not the only option. Rich, darker shades like navy, charcoal, or forest green shouldn’t be avoided, as they can create depth and intimacy in smaller rooms. When their use is considered and purposeful, the dark walls blur the boundaries, making the edges of the room blur, which actually enhances the space. Alongside these colours, you should add soft lighting and layered textures to create a cosy feel.

2. “You Can’t Mix Metals”

This is an outdated view; if you mix finishes like gold, black, chrome, and brass, you are actually adding interest and visual texture to the space. The trick to getting away with mixing these is to stick to a dominant metal and use others as accents. Trying to repeat each tone at least twice (say, black cabinet pulls and a black mirror frame) helps keep the look considered and cohesive rather than just chaotic. This can work beautifully in kitchens, bathrooms, and living spaces.

3. “All Furniture Should Match”

Gone are the days of buying identical furniture sets. Mixing pieces, like pairing a sleek modern sofa with a vintage wooden coffee table, will create a layered, collected feel. It makes rooms visually and texturally appealing and less like a showroom. When picking pieces, you can definitely combine eras, textures, or finishes.

4. “Stick to One Interior Style”

Personal style often spans more than one trend. Mixing Scandinavian calm with boho texture or pairing rustic wood with industrial metal creates spaces that feel lived-in and are going to genuinely be spaces that you love. The secret here is that if you’re nervous, remember that you can repeat certain elements (like colours or materials) to tie everything together.

5. “Art Must Be Hung at Eye Level”

Sure, that’s the gallery standard, but homes aren’t galleries, and they shouldn’t look like one. Try to go higher, lower, or even cover the full wall, building a full gallery wall that stretches to the ceiling. Away from walls, you can also use the art of layering frames on shelves, or leaning oversized art against the wall adds dimension and edge.

6. “Fitted Wardrobes Only Work in Big Rooms”

Smart, modern fitted wardrobes make small spaces feel larger, not tighter. Mirrored doors bounce light. Sliding wardrobe panels save space. Clever internal layouts maximise storage without eating into the room.

7. “Ceilings Should Always Be White”

White ceilings are safe but not always the right fit. Colour-drenching has become more common recently (painting walls and ceiling in the same tone) as it can elongate walls or simply add drama. If you use soft shades like blush, pale blue, or warm neutrals, you’ll make ceilings feel higher.

8. “Open Shelving Always Looks Cluttered”

When thoughtfully arranged, open shelving adds personality to your wall and the room while also creating charm and warmth. Open shelves are also great, as you can use them to help make a space feel new if you get bored, but just by rotating books, art, or seasonal decor, you can keep it fresh. Use consistent colour schemes and group items in threes to avoid visual chaos.

Your living room is arguably the heart of your home.

It is the space where you will open presents on Christmas day, and enjoy a cup of coffee at the start of the week. It’s the place where you’ll watch (and rewatch) your favorite movies, or invite guests to sit down and enjoy a glass of wine. 

As such, it is one of the areas in your home that is most worthy of some real improvements and DIY. With that in mind, here are some top tips for upgrading your living room. 

Start with a theme. Whether you’re transforming your living room from top to bottom or are simply planning on making a few minor tweaks that have a big impact, choosing a theme for the space can be incredibly useful. This is because it will make it easier to pick out furniture, choose a colour scheme, or even set on the ideal layout. 

Create a feature wall. Creating a feature wall is a relatively simple way to change how your living room looks. This is because it serves as an interesting focal point, as opposed to having all of the walls look the same. There are a few different ways to experiment here. For example, you could choose to paint the majority of the walls in a neutral shade, before introducing a pop of colour through the feature wall. Alternatively, this could be the perfect place to hang artwork or family photographs. 

Focus on your comfort. As referenced above, you’re going to be spending a lot of time in your living room. This means that you must ensure that the space is as comfortable as possible all year round. One way in which you can achieve this goal is through installing cast iron radiators, which will help keep out the winter chill and keep your home warm.  

Consider buying furniture second-hand. Whether you’re designing a space that looks warm and welcoming or sleek and sophisticated, it is important to note that buying furniture second-hand is an incredibly viable option. After all, the costs of redecorating your living room can quickly add up, even if you are relying on DIY. Buying furniture second-hand can help to mitigate this. 

Don’t assume that something being second-hand means that it is of poor quality. With the right determination, you’ll be able to find some real hidden gems. Or, you could try your hand at upcycling! 

Seek out help when you need it. If you have limited time on your hands or don’t have a lot of faith in your plastering or wallpapering skills, there’s nothing wrong with seeking out expert help. Just be sure to reach out to a few different decorators ahead of time to make sure that you are getting the best possible price.

Final thoughts. In short, there are many different ways in which you can set about upgrading your living room, from bringing in the help of skilled experts to installing high-quality radiators that will keep you warm and cosy for years to come.

If you’ve ever thought about giving your place a complete makeover but the idea of running around to showrooms and hardware stores feels like too much, the good news is you can now do it all from your sofa. From picking out designs to ordering materials and even getting expert advice, the whole process can happen online. It might sound a little too easy, but the truth is, with the right approach, you can remodel your home completely online and still get the result you want.

Planning your project

The first step is knowing what you want. This doesn’t mean you need to have every detail mapped out but having a general idea of what needs changing will save you from going in circles. Do you want to update just one room or give the whole house a new look? Once you’ve decided, you can jump online and start collecting ideas. Sites like Pinterest, design blogs, and even Instagram can give you a ton of inspiration and help you figure out your style.

Getting expert advice online

These days you don’t have to meet a designer in person to get solid advice. Plenty of interior designers and contractors offer virtual consultations where you can share photos or even a quick video tour of your home. They’ll give you suggestions, sketches, or even 3D visuals so you can see what everything will look like before you commit. This step can take away a lot of the guesswork and give you more confidence when you move on to the next part.

Choosing materials and tools

Once you’ve got your plan in place, it’s time to shop. Whether it’s flooring, tiles, or lighting, almost everything you need is available online now. Even smaller details like brackets, screws, and fixings can be ordered without leaving your home. Websites like efixings make it easy to find exactly what you need without the hassle of multiple store runs. Ordering everything to your door means you can keep the project moving without wasting time.

Visualising the final look

Technology has made it so much easier to picture the end result. There are free apps and tools where you can upload photos of your rooms and try out different wall colours, flooring styles, or furniture layouts. This is a game changer because it lets you test out ideas before spending money. If something doesn’t look right, you can change it instantly and avoid costly mistakes later.

Managing the remodel

Even if you’re doing a lot yourself, keeping things organised is key. Online calendars, project trackers, and even group chats with anyone helping you out will stop things from getting messy. If you’re hiring tradespeople, you can arrange everything through email or video calls, which cuts down on confusion and keeps everyone on the same page. The more you keep track digitally, the smoother the project will go.

Focus on Safety

Home safety should always be a priority, and tackling various repairs and improvement projects can always be a great way to focus on this. Take the time to figure out exactly what’ll make your home safer and actually get them sorted out. While that might mean spending a bit of extra time and effort on the process, it’ll be more than worth it in time.

Enjoying the result

When everything’s done, you’ll have the fun part of stepping back and enjoying the transformation. The best thing is knowing you managed to do it all from the comfort of home. No endless trips to stores, no waiting in queues, and no feeling overwhelmed by too many options in person. It shows just how much easier home projects can be now that almost everything can be handled online.

You may only have noticed it subconsciously, but wood wall panelling has been quietly staging a full-blown comeback over the past few years. This isn’t a return to dusty studies or a 1970s throwback, though; Today, panelling is turning up in the smartest of places, from boutique hotels in Shoreditch to pared-back townhouses in Primrose Hill…and it’s looking sharper than ever.

Of course, there’s a reason it’s back on the radar of interior designers. As homes, offices and spaces of all nature get more sleek and more minimalist, people are reaching for materials to soften the edges, both literally and visually. Wood – perhaps the most natural of materials – does this in spades, adding warmth, bringing in a sense of tactility, and making a space feel considered, rather than just filled.

What Is Wall Panelling, Really?

Let’s not assume everyone knows what we’re talking about when we speak about wood wall panelling. In the simplest of terms, it’s the process of adding wood or wood-look panels to your walls – but this makes it sound far more mundane than it actually is.

When it’s done right, panelling can change the entire feel of a room, giving depth to blank spaces, masking wonky plaster, and hushing the echoes you get in open-plan flats.

Part finish, part feature, all intention.

Why It’s Everywhere Again

It looks good. That’s a given, but panelling also earns its place with a few unexpected perks. It can help insulate walls, cut down on noise, and shrug off the scuffs of daily life far better than a lick of emulsion. As you might imagine, this is useful if you’ve got busy hallways, wild kids, or a particularly clumsy vacuum.

There’s something else going on too – a kind of design nostalgia. We’re surrounded by glass, gloss and smart tech, but still crave the grounding feel of natural materials. Panelling brings a touch of calm – even soul – to a room. It feels permanent in a way that’s rare these days.

The real beauty here is that it’s wildly versatile. Want a Scandi-style escape? Go for light oak slats. For something more dramatic, deep green board-and-batten has your back. Wall panelling isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, and there are options abound to get the right look and feel for the vibe you want to craft.

Choosing Your Materials

Here’s where the practical bit kicks in. If you’re splashing out and want that high-end, natural finish, go for solid timber – oak or walnut are both timeless. Oak is warm and golden, while walnut leans darker, moodier. If you’re planning to paint or watching the budget, moisture-resistant MDF is a safe bet – smooth, easy to work with, and loves a bold colour.

There are also clever in-betweens. Wood veneers bonded to stable boards give you the real-wood look without the price tag, and plenty of suppliers now offer FSC-certified or recycled options if you’re keeping it green.

Which Style Works Where?

There are no hard rules, but there are some general guidelines to consider.

Fluted or slatted panels, which offer clean, evenly spaced vertical lines, are having a serious moment. Modern, elegant, and brilliant for sound absorption, you’ll find them in bedrooms, living rooms, even home offices – anywhere a little peace and quiet is needed!

If you’re after something with more of a classic lean, shiplap and tongue-and-groove styles work beautifully in kitchens and bathrooms (yes, that’s right…we’ll get to this in a moment) or any space that needs a bit of heritage character. If you’re going for high-impact drama, board and batten delivers a bold, architectural look that makes a staircase or feature wall really stand out.

In truth, the best style is the one that feels right in your space. Pick something you’ll still love five years from now – not just what’s trending on Pinterest this week.

Kitchens & Bathrooms

It’s easy to assume wood doesn’t belong in steamy rooms like a bathroom or kitchen, but with the right prep and materials, it can absolutely hold its own. The trick is moisture resistance – sealed panels, good ventilation and proper installation.

There are even purpose-built panels on the market now that are waterproof, mimicking the look of timber without any of the stress. What this means is that if you’re redesigning a bathroom and fancy something a little warmer in tone than white tiles, you’ve got options.

Paint, Stain or Keep It Bare?

This choice really depends on the vibe you’re going for. Real wood looks beautiful oiled or stained – it brings out the grain and gives you that soft, tactile finish. Painted panelling is more playful and versatile. Rich greens, navy blues, and smoky greys are still going strong, but neutrals and chalky whites have their place too, especially in light-starved spaces.

Raw or barely finished wood, meanwhile, is a go-to for minimalist or Scandi schemes. It’s quiet, calming, and has that lovely undone quality.

Can You DIY Wall Panelling?

The short answer here is “yes”. The longer answer is that some panelling kits are specifically designed with DIYers in mind – especially tongue-and-groove styles or pre-made slatted boards. If your walls are straight and you’ve got a steady hand (and a decent level), it’s very achievable.

For more complex layouts or polished, made-to-measure looks, getting a joiner in is money well spent. After all, there’s a fine line between “rustic” and “wonky.”

What Will It Cost Me?

Costs vary wildly, as they always do with interiors. MDF and pre-primed panels are wallet-friendly, while bespoke timber joinery, on the other hand, can stretch into the thousands. 

Here’s the thing: panelling is one of those details that adds instant perceived value to a space. It wears well, hides dings, and doesn’t date in the same way trends often do. It’s more of an investment into a timeless, classic style.

Is It Sustainable?

If you care about the footprint your home leaves behind, the good news is there’s a growing choice of sustainable panels. Look out for FSC-certified woods, fast-growing species like bamboo or poplar, or products made from recycled fibres. Panelling also reduces the need to redecorate constantly – and that’s a sustainability win in itself.

Final Thought

Wall panelling isn’t a trend that’s likely to fade any time soon. We’re seeing a return to texture, to craftsmanship, to spaces that feel good. Whether it’s a full feature wall or just a few slats behind the bed, it can turn something functional into something beautiful. What more could you ask for?