Let’s put things mildly; Generation Rent are certainly facing their fair share of pitfalls in 2022. Chiefly, the structural obstacles in place to buying a property, with house prices rising and greedy landlords hoarding. 

But on a more micro-level, the quality of rental properties, in terms of aesthetics and comfort, also leaves much to be desired, with strict contract terms preventing renters injecting any kind of personality into their places

More specifically, tenants might find themselves having to contend with a range of harsh restrictions on what they can and can’t do when it comes to decorating a rental property. 

This is a problem that millions of renters have had to contend with, but with such prevalence comes resourcefulness, and there are plenty of tried-and-tested ways that you might inject a little bit of personality into your interior without breaking the spirit of your rental agreement. Yep, we’re referring to all those pesky pockmarks you try in vain to fill in during your end-of-tenancy clean up.

Indeed, rental homes have a reputation for lacking in personality. The walls tend to be painted magnolia and the furniture beige. This is largely because rental properties need to appeal to the broadest possible cross-section of would-be tenants. This leads to landlords making safe choices wherever possible.

It also means that if you’re going to be staying in rented accommodation, you’ll need to restore it to the state it was in when you first moved in. This rules out painting the walls for most tenants – since doing it twice is understandably seen as burdensome.

That said, there’s no shortage of ways to temporarily change your home so that it better reflects your tastes and style, without defaulting on your deposit in the process. Here’s how to make your rented home décor come to life whilst still keeping your deposit.

Bring In Soft Furnishings

Soft furnishings, like cushions, pillows, rugs and throws, can act as visual accents and tactile flourishes of comfort, equally. Those neutral-shaded items of furniture we mentioned? Well, these can work as the perfect foil for a more colourful, vibrant item of soft furnishing, helping you lift the aesthetic mood of your rental property without having to make any massive investments.

Add Additional Lighting

It’s easy to underestimate the extent to which lighting can alter the look of a room. A statement floor lamp can completely change the character of an entire room, bringing light into dark corners and creating a sense of spaciousness where none existed before.

When paired with other smaller efforts at task lighting, you can create separate zones within a single room which help add depth and distance.

Change Blinds Or Add Curtains

Even the way you dress your windows can make a big difference. The colour of your blinds or curtains is something that you’re free to choose – and when the time comes to move out, you can simply bring your curtains with you to the next property. As well as this, heavy curtains can act as insulators, saving you energy and bringing down your living costs.

Read: 5 ways to dress your windows this spring

Invest In A Quality Rug

A well-placed rug can bring a whole room together, especially if it’s in the middle of a hallway or living room. If you have a hardwood floor, or a tiled one, then the right rug can add a much-needed sense of homeliness. Again, though purchasing a rug might feel like an investment, you can take it to your next property to inject new life there, too. 

Add House Plants

It’s fairly well established now that houseplants have a positive effect on your mental well-being, which is critical in living spaces, and in-home offices. The best house plants are low-maintenance and can be easily accessed.

Some of the easiest house plants to take care of include a snake plant, spider plant, pothos, coffee arabica, monstera, peperomia and of course, all types of succulents.

That said, be mindful not to place your plants behind electronics equipment; there’s always the possibility of a spillage causing a problem when you go to water them. And we speak from painful experience on that one…

Use Removable Wallpaper

One of the most innovative solutions for rental decoration is removable wallpaper. These peel-and-stick options come in countless designs and can transform a room without leaving any residue behind. They’re perfect for creating accent walls or adding pattern to boring spaces, and they can be easily removed when your tenancy ends without damaging the underlying wall.

Create Zones With Room Dividers

For open-plan spaces or larger rooms, consider using decorative room dividers or screens. These not only add visual interest but also help create distinct areas for different activities. Opt for folding screens, macramé hangings, or even strategically placed bookcases that can be easily moved when you leave. This approach allows you to customise your space without making any permanent changes to the property’s structure.

Freestanding Artwork

Whilst you may be forbidden from hammering a hook or nail into the wall to hang your artwork, there are myriad other ways you can create aesthetic, ornamental intrigue at home. 

If you have traditional prints that you would usually hang on the wall, instead consider an easel or freestanding frame with legs to display your artwork. Alternatively, there’s something rather chic about larger artwork, framed and leaning against the wall, giving the impression of an artist at work or a studio in motion.

Or, if you want to include art suggestive of something innovative, paint by numbers custom photos can add a personalised and creative touch. These pieces stand out, tell a story, and make your space more expressive.

Finally, and whilst a few small pieces of standalone sculpture won’t make any mark on the walls, if you don’t own any you can even make artistic statements from your hobbies. That guitar leant against a wall? Your old school lacrosse stick? The pestle and mortar you faithfully lugged back from Thailand? They can all look great as ornaments, too.

Read: How to frame, hang and display your artwork to catch the attention of your guests 

Ask Your Landlord Or Estate Agent

Most landlords prefer that tenants don’t paint or make home improvements. However, you can ask your landlord’s permission; what’s the worst that could happen?

Most landlords and estate agents have specific policies about property modifications but there’s always room for negotiation if you approach it professionally. It’s essential to first understand estate agency regulations and the terms of your tenancy agreement, as this knowledge can help you make more informed requests.

When dealing with estate agents, remember they act as intermediaries and must understand both landlord and tenant perspectives. They might have experience with similar requests and can advise on what modifications are typically accepted. Some estate agents even maintain lists of pre-approved changes that landlords are generally comfortable with.

To enhance your chances of success, err on the side of reasonable in your request. For example, instead of painting the whole flat, ask if you can make a feature wallpaper wall and promise to strip and repaint the wall its original colour when you leave. 

Also, if you’re renting a flat or home which has come ‘furnished’ with some hideous furniture (think cream leather sofas, cheap IKEA furniture and other items synonymous with the beigeification of rented interiors), then see if they will remove it and consider investing in your own furniture. Again, what’s the worst they could say?

If you’re keen to break free of the rental cycle and take a tentative step onto the property ladder, then here’s some genuine advice on how to save for a deposit that doesn’t involve cancelling your Netflix subscription or cutting out the avocados.

When it comes to decorating your home, sometimes, in the rush to evoke a certain overarching aesthetic, the finer details can get overlooked. As the old saying goes, ‘’a house is made of bricks and beams, a home is made from hopes and dreams’’, and if you’re keen for your property to fall into the latter camp, then it’s essential you consider every nuance of the place in order to preserve that sense of comfort and homeliness.

Today, we’re talking about blinds. When choosing the right dressing for your windows, there’s actually a surprising amount to consider, from materials and functionality to colours, patterns and beyond. With that in mind, here are 7 top tips for finding the right blinds for your home.

Where To Begin?

First things first, you’re going to need to seek some inspiration on the visual aspect of your blinds. If not, it’ll be like the blind leading the blind. Hmm, that didn’t quite work… 

Anyway, blind buying is surprisingly complex and presents more choice and consideration than you’d perhaps originally bargained for. You’re going to have to get your head around the terminology involved, with roller blinds, vertical blinds, Roman blinds and Venetian blinds just some of the many options out there.

Generally speaking, roller blinds have a slightly clinical appearance, and are best suited to home office set ups. Roman and Venetian are more aesthetically pleasing, and in terms of visual appeal, work well in the bedroom. For outdoor spaces like patios and balconies, however, outdoor roller blinds offer an excellent solution for managing sunlight and creating privacy whilst maintaining a seamless indoor-outdoor flow.

Follow some interior design-friendly Instagram accounts that can help you with finding the right blinds for your home, such as Ian Snow, Home Sense, and Design at Nineteen, to name but a few, for inspiration and ideas. 

Functionality

Though aesthetics do, of course, matter, it’s important to remember that blinds are intended to serve a more practical purpose than they are meant for pleasing the eye. As such, as a general rule, prioritise functionality in the decision-making process.

Not only are blinds ideal for reducing glare from the sun, but the right type of blind can also save on energy bills in the winter months as your rooms will keep the warmth in more efficiently. If you have a seriously sunny room, bamboo blinds are ideal. They give you privacy while still letting in some of that much-needed sunlight. Moreover, they are one of the more affordable blind options out there. In terms of blinds which are adept at keeping the heat in, roller blackout blinds made from thermal fabrics are best.

Consider the desired functionality of your blind first, before aesthetic considerations muddy your decision-making process.

Materials

Not all blinds were created equal. And blinds are certainly not all made from the same material, neither do they let sunlight in the same way. You can find slats made from aluminium, wood, plastic and metal, with some more dense and sturdy than others, with the density of design determining how thoroughly the blinds will allow or block the room’s natural light source.

For the kitchen, the best choice would be sheer or Roman blinds, which gives you a decent amount of privacy, holds the sunlight, but still lets a decent amount of light shine through. In the bathroom, luxe silk Roman blinds give a greater level of privacy, whilst still allowing enough natural light not to cause things to feel gloomy whilst you’re doing your business.

In the bedroom, however, you’ll likely want to opt for a duette blind in a much thicker material; this style of blind allows for any fabric to cover the whole width of the window. Add another layer of blackout lining if you prefer a sleep uninterrupted by the rising sun. 

Colour & Pattern

After you figure out the functionality and material of your blind, it’s time to consider its colour, which will have a big impact on the appearance of the room as a whole. Do make sure the colour scheme works in synergy with the palate of the room; mismatched colours, even when the blind is fully rolled up or open, can look incredibly jarring.

You should also consider whether you want any patterns on the blinds. Gone are the days when blinds only came in a single colour scheme or monotone. Now, patterns can serve the same function as a feature wall, teeing up visual intrigue in an area which otherwise takes up a whole load of wall-based real estate without having much to say for itself. This year, paisley blinds are looking set to be popular with interior design insiders, whilst tropical patterns, when deployed tastefully, can also look great.

Maintenance & Durability

A crucial consideration often overlooked is the maintenance requirements and longevity of your chosen blinds. Different materials and styles demand varying levels of upkeep to maintain their appearance and functionality. Vinyl and aluminium blinds are remarkably easy to clean with a simple wipe-down, whilst fabric options might require more careful attention or professional cleaning.

Consider your lifestyle and the amount of time you’re willing to dedicate to maintenance. If you have young children or pets, you might want to opt for more durable, easy-clean materials. Additionally, think about the room’s environment – bathroom blinds need to withstand moisture, whilst kitchen blinds should be resistant to cooking residues and daily wear.

Budget Considerations

Whilst it might be tempting to opt for the cheapest option available, investing in quality blinds can prove more cost-effective in the long run. Consider your budget not just for the initial purchase, but factor in potential maintenance costs and longevity. Made-to-measure options might seem expensive initially, but they often provide better functionality and durability than off-the-shelf alternatives.

Look out for seasonal sales and don’t be afraid to request quotes from multiple suppliers. Some retailers offer package deals if you’re buying blinds for multiple rooms, which can help stretch your budget further. Remember that certain types of blinds, particularly those with thermal properties, can help reduce energy bills, offsetting their initial cost over time.

Window Dependent Design

Of course, your choice of blind is dependent on the type of window you wish it to cover. The style and size of the window itself will determine the size and shape of your blinds, but rest assured, most retailers offer custom made, bespoke blinds, though these do come at a cost. Do also bear in mind that made-to-measure blinds will be made with measurements which you supply, so make sure you’re providing precise, accurate readings.

Generally speaking, where larger rooms are concerned, you should go for a blind which sits outside the recess – you don’t want it overlapping the walls either side of it. Should the blind be going inside the recess – which is common for bedrooms – make sure you measure the width of the recess at its most narrow point.

If you’re looking for more inspiration on decorating your house for the months ahead, check out our tips on 5 stylish ways to dress your windows this winter.  

Is there a room in your house that feels like it could use some extra light? We’ve all got one, right? Are you struggling to find the perfect wall decor for this particular room? That struggle is, you could say, real.

Enough of the semi rhetorical questions, us homeowners with decor deliberations have got enough on our plates. Indeed, many who choose to decorate their gaff based on their own unique style are often left with one room which feels very much like an afterthought when compared to the rest. 

Well, we’re here to give you a few pointers on changing that afterthought room (as we’re now calling it) from drab to fab in quick time. Suddenly, you might find it’s your favourite place to spend time in. With that in mind, here are 7 stylish wall decorations IDEAL for brightening any room in your home.

Create A Gallery Wall

In the digital age, people take photos with their phones only for them to be shared on social media, perhaps synced to the Cloud if you’re lucky but, ultimately, then forgotten. Chances are, you have a number of these pictures stored with the well-meaning intention to print them but you never get round to it.

Us too! Whether your photographs are of your favourite meals, your family, friends, travels, or even your pets, don’t you think they’d look better printed off in a variety of sizes and added artfully to a wall somewhere? We say somewhere, but we mean a room in your house, of course.

When creating such a gallery wall, many opt for picture frames that are uniform or at least of the same colour. Actually, we prefer the opposite effect; a sense of organised chaos using a mismatch of frames has real charm to us. Say, a copper picture frame sitting alongside a wooden one… It just works!

So, instead of perfectly matching frames, consider choosing colours that complement each other and are eye-appealing as a whole. 

Hang A Beautiful Tapestry

Get rid of the idea that using a wall tapestry is outdated or only for hippies from the 70s. Not that there’s anything wrong with that; the music was rather good. Indeed, tapestries are quite a unique, groovy choice in wall decorations as they cover a large area, spark conversation, offer that much coveted pop of colour, and can be hung in a number of ways.

Depending on your preference, you might prefer a more traditional mandala pattern, find a relaxing beach scene, or possibly feature your favourite musical artist. 

But the subject matter is only half the consideration here. It’s not what you hang, it’s how you hang it, as the old saying somewhere in the world goes. You could choose to hang your new piece with a conventional curtain rod or if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, you can drape it over a large tree branch. Didn’t see that one coming now did you? On the other hand, you could just use clear thumbtacks to avoid damaging your wall. 

Make Some Macrame

If you’re looking to bring colour and texture to your living space and add a boho feel to the overall aesthetic of your home, say it with a macrame wall hanging. Essentially, this is a textured piece made from knotting squares; a complicated process best left in the hands of the professionals at the ‘hitching’ stage. That said, once it’s ready and you enter the ‘hanging’ stage, your eye for detail and feel for the overall decor of your place can really come into its own.

To further emphasise that boho chic appearance and really highlight the intricate work involved in the macrame hanging, consider also introducing other textured elements to your wall, such as carefully curated exposed brickwork to go alongside that tapestry we already mentioned. Result!

Create A Statement Wall With Washi Tape

Here’s a fun, temporary, and incredibly versatile way to brighten up any room – using washi tape to create geometric patterns or artistic designs directly on your walls. This decorative masking tape, originally from Japan, comes in countless colours, patterns, and widths, making it perfect for customizing your space without commitment.

The beauty of washi tape is that it removes cleanly without damaging your walls, making it an ideal solution for renters or those who like to frequently change up their decor. You could create a bold geometric pattern that draws the eye, fashion a headboard effect behind your bed, or even make a playful grid pattern that doubles as a mood board or photo display.

For the more artistically inclined, washi tape can be used to create abstract designs or even cityscapes – the only limit is your imagination. And if you’re not confident in your artistic abilities, there are plenty of simple patterns you can try, like chevrons or honeycomb shapes, that look impressive but are surprisingly easy to execute.

Best of all, this decoration method is budget-friendly and can be changed up seasonally or whenever the mood strikes. Just remember to choose high-quality washi tape that won’t leave residue, and test it on a small, inconspicuous area of your wall first.

Utilise A Mirror (Or Several) To Reflect Light

For rooms with poor natural or artificial lighting, harnessing the brightening power of mirrors is a prudent move. One large mirror or several smaller mirrors (gallery style) will reflect whatever light is available to help brighten the area and give it the illusion of spaciousness.

Ideally, your mirror should be framed, giving off a more polished vibe, but this isn’t obligatory. If you’re going for several smaller mirrors, consider using various shapes and sizes, much like you would when creating that photo gallery wall we mentioned earlier.

Be mindful that a large mirror hung prominently will offer a better reflection of light whereas smaller mirrors will give you more opportunity to play with the style and design of the wall as a whole. Either option is a great look for an entryway with a table or above another piece of furniture. Get creative and you’ll be richly rewarded!

Add Greenery With Wall Planters

There are a number of benefits to bringing the outdoors in with regards to your home. For one, plants are eye-catching. What’s more, when chosen right they’re easy to maintain, and can even improve your mood. 

We realise that people with children or pets often shy away from houseplants, usually due to the fact that kids and pets tend to destroy them (not to put too fine a point on it) but if this is the case for you, opting for out-of-reach wall planters represents the ideal solution. These planters may be secured out of reach of tiny hands or curious paws but still offer that indoor jungle you’re after.

Whether you choose to hang rustic flower boxes or opt for more ornate pieces that offer a bit more embellishment and colour, don’t forget the most important part; water those damn things!

Introduce Shelving To Display Prized Possessions

Whether you’re a collector of particular, esoteric items or happen to love antique finds, displaying them all over your house can cause rooms to appear a bit chaotic and cluttered. Instead of having your most prized possessions – great as functional art, incidentally – causing a, unnecessarily busy aesthetic, install shelving and display them proudly.

When you choose shelves for your home, keep in mind the materials they’re made from, as well as their colour, to ensure they fit in with the overall decorative feel of your place. The idea is to add a showcase for your items, not have the shelves as the main attraction.

And with that, we hope the afterthought room becomes a focal point of serenity and calm.

Your living room is a place where relaxation meets activity and entertaining. It’s a room for kicking off your shoes, cosying up on the couch, sitting on the floor with a cushion or sprawling out completely on it. And if you have kids, the living room is a place for playing and jumping around.

Yep, it’s where the ‘living’ truly happens, and since it’s one of your home’s hardest working floors, it needs to not only look good but be durable too. With that in mind, here are 5 IDEAL flooring ideas for your living room.

More Than Just A Carpet

Tactile and comforting, carpets have been a mainstay of living room floors since forever, and possess the unique ability to add texture, warmth and visual intrigue.

If your home gets cold in the winter, with that unmistakable feeling of a rising draught from below, then carpet is probably your best choice for living room flooring. A plush carpet, heavy on the pile, can insulate your home and is guaranteed to bring a cosy feeling to your living room. Now, where’s my pipe, hat and slippers?

What’s more, a whole host of different types of carpet are quieter underfoot than hard floors – great for relaxing and softening the volume of children’s excitable pitter-patter. Living room carpet needs to be hard wearing – 80% wool and 20% man made fibre is ideal – and a good level of soft yet able to stand up to everyday foot traffic. 

Natural carpet in materials like sisal and coir are becoming increasingly popular. Perhaps our favourite natural carpet is seagrass, which is less susceptible to watermarking than other similar materials and ideal for those accidental spills that are bound to happen in your living room. 

Polypropylene carpets have also seen a rise in prevalence across living rooms in the UK recently as it’s stain-resistant, fade-defiant and is an affordable option. 

Wooden Flooring

A beautiful, wooden floor can lend just the right balance of lightness and warmth to your living room, and make it feel bright and open. Moreover, they can be used as a backdrop to show off  colourful furniture or a carefully chosen rug. That said, if you’re prone to causing spillages (hey, who isn’t?) then you’ll need a floor that is quick and easy to clean, or that wooden flooring of yours may start to look like a Jackson Pollock piece worryingly fast.  

When considering the installation of wooden flooring, the Flooring Group, who offer flooring in London, tell us that there’s a rather daunting spectrum of choice on the market, from old fashioned period reclaimed boards to modern vinyl, laminate, parquet, and solid and engineered hardwood flooring, to name but a few. That said, if you’re lucky enough to have original hardwood floors, then embrace them. 

You also need to consider the wood species or variety, which determines the grain, colour and pattern. When it comes to choosing the right type of wood floor for your living room, sealed flooring surfaces or anti-static joints which not only prevent dust from sticking to your floor, but also allow for swift cleaning, allowing you to make the most out of your relaxation time. 

There’s so much to consider when choosing wooden flooring, in fact, that we’ve written a whole other article on it here. Do check it out, and sorry we only just mentioned it!

Go Contemporary With Concrete

Concrete flooring has a reputation for being hard and cold, both physically and aesthetically, and as such, isn’t always the first choice that springs to mind when discussing living rooms. However, there are some benefits of concrete floors for the living room.

The most obvious is the unique, hip visual appeal such a floor can imbue, the industrial vibe bringing a trendy, industrial and modern edge to your home. Easy to maintain and beautifully nuanced, you also don’t have to worry about heavy sofas and other furniture damaging it as they are resilient and durable as anything.

However, one of the biggest drawbacks of concrete is that it’s going to be cold underfoot in winter (concrete is a conductor so can heat up in the summer quickly) which brings us to our next point… 

Sustainable Cork Flooring

While perhaps not the first material that springs to mind for living room flooring, cork is experiencing a renaissance in British homes, particularly among environmentally conscious homeowners. This sustainable material, harvested from the bark of cork oak trees (which regenerates every nine years), offers a unique combination of benefits that make it particularly well-suited to living spaces.

Cork’s natural properties include excellent thermal insulation, making it warm underfoot even during Britain’s notoriously chilly winters. It’s also remarkably sound-absorbent, helping to create a quieter, more peaceful living environment. The material has a subtle spring to it, making it comfortable to stand on for extended periods and forgiving should little ones take a tumble.

Available in a variety of styles and colours, from traditional warm honey tones to contemporary whitewashed or darker stained options, cork flooring can complement any interior design scheme. Modern cork flooring comes in both tile and plank formats, with some designs incorporating intricate patterns or textures that add visual interest to your living space.

Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT)

Gone are the days when vinyl flooring meant cheap-looking sheets that peeled at the corners. Today’s luxury vinyl tiles have revolutionised the flooring industry, offering a premium alternative that’s both practical and aesthetically pleasing. Modern LVT can convincingly mimic natural materials like wood, stone, or ceramic tiles, but with added benefits that make it particularly suitable for living rooms.

The key advantage of LVT is its exceptional durability combined with comfort underfoot. Unlike ceramic tiles, which can be cold and unforgiving, LVT maintains a more comfortable temperature and provides a slightly cushioned feel when walking. It’s also significantly more water-resistant than laminate or hardwood, making it an excellent choice for homes with young children or pets where spills are frequent occurrences.

What’s particularly brilliant about LVT is its acoustic properties. Unlike hard flooring options that can create echoes and amplify footsteps, quality vinyl tiles absorb sound effectively, creating a more peaceful living environment. Many modern LVT options also come with built-in underlay, adding extra comfort and insulation.

Underfloor Heating

Picture this – you’ve just cosied up under a blanket, but you’ve left your cup of tea in the kitchen or the remote is on the other side of the room. Sure, you could sashay over there barefoot and gather the goods you need for a snug and intimate evening. But those wooden floorboards or that concrete floor are absolutely freezing. Enter underfloor heating, which grants a radiant yet gentle heat.

The choice here is either electric or wet system, the former being easier to fit as it’s simply a network of wire elements on a mesh placed below the flooring, while the latter uses water pipes below the floor. Retrofitting an electric system is relatively straightforward, all the more so if you’re laying new flooring. Wet systems are a little more complex, and are more appropriate if your home is undergoing a more all-encompassing renovation.  

Fortunately, both are appropriate for concrete or wooden floors, though wooden flooring isn’t the best heat conductor, so you might not get quite the bang for your buck you’d hope for.

Zone With Rugs 

Whether you have wooden floorboards or a carpet, rugs and living rooms go together like that tea and cake so often given to guests in the living room setting. Not only do they add some personality into the room, but they also add warmth and texture.

Placing a rug in the middle of the room can offer an obvious balance and symmetry to proceedings, however, zoning your living room into separate spaces with rugs can really impact its sense of space and are especially ideal for open-plan living rooms which require a little sense of order here and there.

Consider framing different furniture areas with rugs of different shapes and sizes, creating a multifunctional space and highlighting areas you wish to become a focal point. While patterned rugs can be the most forgiving, hiding those split teas and enthusiastically eaten TV dinners, the trick is to choose similar style rugs to create a more unified and cohesive space. 

Create A Feature Centrepiece

For those looking to make a bold statement with their living room floor, creating a permanent decorative centrepiece can transform an ordinary room into something extraordinary. This approach essentially creates a permanent ‘rug’ effect using hard materials, offering a unique way to anchor your living space and create visual interest from the ground up.

Consider using encaustic tiles to create a medallion design in the centre of your room, surrounded by more understated flooring like neutral timber or carpet. These handmade cement tiles, with their rich colours and intricate patterns, can be arranged in circular or square formations to create stunning focal points. Alternatively, geometric tiles in contrasting colours can create a more contemporary look, while natural stone patterns using marble or limestone can add a touch of luxury.

For wooden floor enthusiasts, parquet patterns offer excellent possibilities for creating distinctive centrepieces. A sunburst pattern or a square of intricate parquetry surrounded by plain boards can provide sophisticated central features that honour traditional craftsmanship while fitting seamlessly into modern settings. Whatever material you choose, remember to use appropriate transition strips between your centrepiece and the surrounding flooring for a clean, professional finish.