This time we’re bringing you more new ideas for kitchens (and bathrooms), embracing colour, pattern and texture. Discover a new enthusiasm for your home… making dramatic choices will reinvigorate those important rooms, giving them a new lease of life.

Well, it’s been said many times, but it’s always worth repeating, that one of the quickest ways of overhauling the kitchen is a new paint colour for the walls. Yes, of course the cabinetry can be painted too (well, it generally works best on previously painted or real wood finishes), and for expert help, read about cupboard makeovers here, but for a pretty instantaneous ‘wow’ look, go for something different on the walls. The latest easyclean® formulation from Crown Paints is their most advanced washable, wipeable, durable and scrubbable multi-surface interior emulsion. It’s suited to walls, ceilings, wood and metal, and this is Emerald Vision, used for the walls.  Style Tip: Use two dark shades together for maximum impact. As seen here, navy cabinets look great with Emerald Vision walls. Or try dark aubergine and deep grey, for example.

And for a second inspiration hit, here’s a bathroom suggestion. This time, it’s Crown’s Mouldguard+ Mid Sheen Bathroom Emulsion, which is also available in the easyclean® formulation. Shown here in Powdered Clay, and once again, suited to walls, ceilings, wood and metal.

Tiny details make a difference, and if you don’t want a whole wall full of colour in the bathroom, go to the other extreme and just add tiny touches of colour. Above, it’s the Nickel Control Valve with Cerise Porcelain Lever handle, which is due to be introduced shortly to the Highgate X ASH NYC collection from  Waterworks. Below are Nickel Bathroom Taps with Jade Green Porcelain handles.

The new Format 45 Cooker Hood from Franke is a good value purchase, especially for anyone who may want to spruce up the kitchen on a realistic budget. It’s in Stainless Steel, with three speeds, and an intensive setting that will extract at 700m3/hr. There are three models, 60cm, 70cm and 90cm, which is also available in black. The joy of this is the simple, sleek design which belies its affordability.

There’s a definite buzz around warm, welcoming, natural and earthy tones – particularly for soft furnishings (think orange velvet sofas and terracotta cushions), so it’s worth noting that these shades are appearing in kitchen schemes as well. These two stylish finishes are Light Chestnut handleless cupboards and drawers, with Matt Lacquer Terra doors and open shelves. And just to make the operation and ergonomics of this kitchen even better, the handleless wall cabinets have lift-up doors with Tip-On operation. See the options from Pronorm here.

Banish boring radiators from your kitchen and bathroom schemes, go for strong colours and bold, classic shapes, which can suit both contemporary and traditional homes. This is the Cirencester floor-standing radiator in Navy Blue, from Rutland London. The Blockley in Abberley Green is striking too, and bespoke colours are also available.

There’s a definite back-to-nature vibe going on at the moment, combined with luxury finishes, and beautifully encapsulated in the new range of kitchen sinks from Shaws of Darwen. Above, the Lines Gold design has a simple design of fine vertical lines which work equally well as a contrast to a more rustic or natural style, but we can imagine it sitting beautifully in a sophisticated scheme featuring brass/gold finish taps and fittings, too. The Wild Grass design, below, is one of the more illustrative designs, featuring delicate arching leaves and slender stems. This brings an organic, natural element to an otherwise classic and elegant kitchen scheme.

One way of making a kitchen revamp easier is by choosing wall panels, rather than tiles – that’s not to be critical of tiles, but if you’re looking for budget-friendly options and if speed is of the essence, do consider panels. The new Alloy by Bushboard collection is a range of decorative, 100% fire safe aluminium splashback panels. They can be used across the full width or height of a wall, creating a seamless look with a patterned and/or colourful finish. Caroline Elliot, Product Manage for Worktops, Bushboard UK says ‘We recognize that kitchens are no longer purely functional spaces and homeowners are looking to create a kitchen that connects with the rest of the home. The Alloy collection allows a move away from harsh materials that may break up a relaxed aesthetic. With no grout lines, Alloy splashbacks are easy to clean and maintain, ensuring the kitchen stays looking its best’. This is the Alloy Geometry Splashback, shown with the Bushboard Omega Venetian Marble work surface.

For a faux-tiled effect, but with a super-smooth finish, consider the Maltese Ochre Alloy Splashback.

Go for a Go for a darker design scheme with the Walnut Geometric design, also from the Alloy Splashbackcollection. Each is available in four sizes, and there’s lots of useful installation info and video content available too.

It’s always useful to learn about the latest cleaning products, and if all that time at home over the last 18 months means that the carpets are looking less than lively, it may be time for a major clean-up. The new VAX Platinum SmartWash Carpet Cleaner will sort out grubby carpets, as it can kill over 99% of bacteria trapped in carpet fibres. It’s a triggerless design, so intelligent motion sense dispenses the right amount of water and solution. Use with warm water and the VAX Platinum Antibacterial Solution. There’s also a Spinscrub hand-tool for use on stairs, upholstery and the car. Just the job for sprucing up after all those long, messy days at home!