In summer, leaving out a fresh water source for birds, often via a bird bath, is one of the easiest ways to support them. However, wildlife experts have revealed three places you should never put a bird bath, and where it should be positioned instead.
If you want to attract birds and other garden wildlife, many experts preach the importance of having a fresh water source, so birds can drink, bathe and cool down easily. Essentially, if you want to help birds in hot weather, you need a bird bath.
But just as bird feeder placement is important, the placement of a bird bath can make the difference between birds using it or not. And putting your bath in one of these three places can be a big bird bath mistake.
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What you need
Fallen Fruits
Ceramic Bird Bath, Grey
Oypla
Oypla Traditional Ornamental Pedestal Garden Water Bird Bath (bronze)
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Terrastyle Glazed Bird bath (H)48cm
1. Directly under trees
While it may be tempting to put a bird bath directly under trees, due to the shade potential, this can actually create more problems for birds.
(Image credit: Getty Images/Gail Shotlander)
‘Leaves, twigs, berries and bird droppings quickly find their way into the water, causing it to become dirty and potentially encouraging the growth of bacteria and algae,’ says Danny Yeoman, wild bird expert for Pets Corner and developer of Peter & Paul Wild Bird Foods.
‘Trees can also provide convenient perches for larger birds, which may result in the bath becoming contaminated more quickly. A little shade is beneficial, particularly during hot weather, but I would position a bird bath close to a tree rather than directly underneath it.’
2. Next to dense shrubs
Another mistake is to place your bird bath too close to dense shrubs, which could be housing potential predators, such as cats.
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‘It’s important that birds feel safe when drinking and bathing, as these are both vulnerable times for them. A bath that is positioned too close to dense cover can make it easier for predators to approach unnoticed, reducing the time birds have to react and escape,’ explains James Ewens, wildlife expert at Green Feathers.
However, birds don’t like being too exposed, so you don’t want to put your bath in a completely open area, such as your lawn. Instead, it should be placed a few feet away from shrubbery, so birds can retreat when they need to.
3. In direct sunlight
Lastly, you should avoid placing a bird bath in direct sunlight. In hot weather, the water can heat up too much, becoming undesirable to birds. It can also encourage excess growth of algae, which is not only unsightly but is also unhygienic and harmful to birds.
(Image credit: Getty Images/HelenL100)
‘A little sunshine is absolutely fine, but a bird bath that spends the entire day baking in direct sunlight can quickly become less appealing,’ says Danny.
‘Water evaporates faster, algae can grow more readily, and the bath may require constant topping up during hot spells. A position that receives morning sunshine and some shade later in the day is often ideal. It helps keep the water cooler and fresher for longer.’
Where to put a bird bath
‘The ideal bird bath is positioned where birds can easily spot approaching danger, where the water remains reasonably cool and where it can be cleaned and refilled regularly,’ says Danny.
‘If you provide fresh water in a safe location, you’ll often be surprised by how many species visit. Blackbirds, robins, sparrows, starlings, thrushes and even birds that rarely visit feeders will often stop by for a drink or a bath. Food may attract birds to your garden, but clean water is often what keeps them coming back.’
(Image credit: Getty Images)
You want to put your bird bath somewhere that is both safe and private for birds to retreat to.
But don’t forget to make sure you can see your bird bath from your garden seating areas – it would be a shame to miss witness visiting birds enjoying it!
In the home decoration market, light wood vanities for bathrooms are becoming one of the fastest-growing design elements in recent years. From white oak to light walnut, and then to natural oak grain, consumers’ preference for natural materials and warm tones continues to increase. According to the, “2024 US Bathroom Decoration Trends Report” released by Houzz, wood color has become the top color category for consumers when choosing bathroom cabinets, accounting for 26%, surpassing traditional white and gray vanities.
Industry insiders believe that the popularity of light wooden bathroom vanities not only reflects consumers’ pursuit of naturalistic design but also represents the transformation of bathroom spaces from “functional spaces” to “healing spaces”.
So, in the current market environment, which color is most suitable for matching light-colored wooden bathroom vanities?
Why light colored wood has become mainstream in the market
Data show that over 76% of bathroom renovation projects replace bathroom cabinets, and the wood-grain color scheme has been steadily growing for many years. In 2022, 30% of homeowners chose wooden-toned bathroom vanities; by 2024, natural wood colour was still maintaining its leading position.
Designers point out that light colored wood has three major advantages:
It creates a warm and natural spatial atmosphere
It can enhance the visual transparency of small bathrooms
It’s compatible with modern, Nordic, Japanese, and contemporary farmhouse styles
At the same time, the residential design industry is gradually moving away from the popular cold grey palette of the past decade towards warmer natural wood and earth tones.
First Choice: Warm white
From a market acceptance perspective, warm white remains the safest and most popular combination for light-colored wooden bathroom cabinets.
Warm white walls can highlight the wood texture to the fullest and enhance the space’s brightness. Compared to cool white, warm white has a beige or cream tone, which naturally echoes the yellow and brown elements in the wood.
Houzz data shows that white and off-white are still the most common color combinations for bathroom walls and countertops, occupying an absolute dominant position.
It has become a classic configuration in new residential and renovation projects, with combinations such as:
White oak bathroom cabinets and cream white walls create a warm, timeless colour palette that highlights the natural beauty of the wood grain while reflecting light around the room, resulting in a bright, welcoming space that feels both elegant and relaxing.
Light wood cabinets and white quartz stone countertops combine the warmth and texture of natural timber with the clean, crisp appearance of quartz, creating a fresh contemporary look that feels spacious, sophisticated, and easy to coordinate with a wide range of bathroom styles and finishes.
Light wood vanities paired with warm white subway tiles and brushed brass fixtures create a timeless look that works equally well in contemporary, Scandinavian, and transitional bathrooms.
Natural oak cabinets combined with warm white walls and light stone flooring help maximise the sense of space, making smaller bathrooms feel brighter and more open.
White oak vanities complemented by warm white wall paint and soft beige textiles introduce subtle layers of texture while maintaining a calm, cohesive colour palette.
Designers often favour warm white because it offers exceptional flexibility. Unlike cooler whites, which can sometimes make natural wood appear stark or washed out, warm whites help showcase the richness of the grain while creating a softer, more inviting atmosphere. This versatility allows you to update accessories, hardware, and décor over time without needing to change the overall colour scheme.
Second Choice: Sage green
If warm white represents classics, then sage green represents current trends.
In recent years, consumers’ demand for natural healing styles has significantly increased. Multiple design agencies have listed sage green as one of the most popular bathroom colors from 2025 to 2026.
Color psychology research shows that green is a calming and relaxing colour, that helps create a sense of balance; light wood color can increase spatial temperature. The combination of the two can significantly enhance the comfort experience in a room and are perfect for a relaxed “spa bathroom” style.
For example:
Sage green wall tiles, whether used as a full feature wall, shower surround, or decorative splashback, pair beautifully with light wood bathroom cabinets by creating a natural, organic colour palette that feels calm, fresh, and effortlessly sophisticated.
Sage green accessories such as towels, soap dispensers, storage baskets, artwork, and indoor plants can introduce subtle touches of colour throughout the room, helping to reinforce the spa-like atmosphere without overwhelming the light and airy design.
Sage green floor tiles or patterned flooring can provide a gentle foundation for the space, complementing the warmth of light wood cabinetry while adding depth, texture, and visual interest that enhances the bathroom’s overall sense of comfort and relaxation.
In high-end residential projects on the West Coast and Northeast, “white oak and sage green” has become one of the most common combinations.
Third Choice: Beige and milk coffee color
With the rise of the concept of ‘Chromatic Neutral’, traditional gray is gradually being replaced by beige, milk coffee, and light camel colours.
For example:
Beige walls create a soft and seamless transition between the natural wood tones of the vanity and other bathroom finishes, helping to establish a warm, welcoming atmosphere while allowing the wood grain to remain a prominent design feature.
Milk-coffee-coloured ceramic tiles introduce additional depth and visual interest to the room, creating subtle layers of colour and texture that enhance the overall sense of sophistication without overwhelming the space.
Camel-coloured soft furnishings, such as towels, bath mats, window treatments, or upholstered seating, add richness and understated luxury while reinforcing the warm, earthy palette that defines contemporary bathroom design.
Designers generally believe that this type of color has a more lively atmosphere than pure white and is more in line with contemporary consumers’ understanding of “warm modernism”.
Especially in the mid to high-end residential market, a large number of projects have begun to adopt white oak cabinets, with light beige walls and cream coloured stone countertops. Together they build a unified natural colour scheme.
Fourth Choice: Light blue
Blue has always been a classic color in bathroom design.
Due to the natural association between water and blue, many designers tend to use light blue to enhance the bathroom’s refreshing feel.
For light colored wooden bathroom vanities:
Sky blue introduces a light, airy coastal character that evokes clear summer skies and seaside retreats, making it an ideal choice for homeowners who want to create a relaxed, tranquil bathroom with a bright and uplifting atmosphere.
Grey-blue tones complement light wood vanitiesparticularly well in contemporary and minimalist interiors, offering a sophisticated balance between warmth and coolness while maintaining the clean, uncluttered aesthetic associated with modern design.
Haze blue adds subtle depth and visual texture to the space, creating a layered and refined appearance that feels softer than stronger blue shades while still bringing a sense of freshness and calm to the overall design scheme.
For projects Florida, California, and coastal areas, the combination of light wood and blue has remained in high use for a long time.
This combination can achieve a balance between naturalness and modernity.
Fifth Choice: Dark accent color
Although the overall trend is towards light colors, dark accents are becoming a hot topic in the industry too.
For example:
Matte black hardware, including taps, cabinet handles, shower fittings, and towel rails, creates a bold visual contrast against light wood cabinetry, helping to define the vanity area while introducing a contemporary designer-inspired aesthetic.
Dark grey mirror frames, lighting fixtures, and decorative accents add depth and structure to the bathroom, creating clear focal points that balance the softness of natural wood tones and lighter wall colours.
Deep blue storage cabinets or feature units introduce a rich layer of colour that complements the warmth of light wood while adding character, sophistication, and a sense of individuality to the overall design scheme.
Together, these darker accent elements provide visual contrast and definition, preventing the space from feeling overly uniform while allowing the natural beauty of the light wood vanity to remain the focal point of the room.
In design forums and home decor communities, many people have noted that combining light wood tones with black hardware can effectively enhance the overall sense of luxury while avoiding the space from appearing too monotonous.
What do industry professionals think?
The bathroom design industry generally believes that bathroom spaces will continue to develop towards “naturalization” and “healing” in the next five years.
According to Houzz’s research data, 76% of homeowners will upgrade their bathroom vanities and 61% of consumers choose customized or semi-customized products.
Wooden cabinets have become one of the most popular choices for bathroom vanities and the design trend is gradually shifting from cool gray colour schemes to more natural and earthy options.
Conclusion
From the perspective of comprehensive market data and design institutions, the best-matching colors for light-colored wooden bathroom vanities are warm white, sage green, milk coffee beige, light blue, and dark accents.
Among them, warm white is still the solution with the highest market coverage and widest acceptance. Sage green, on the other hand, is considered the most promising popular color for growth in recent years. As consumers increasingly value natural materials, healthy living, and emotional appeal, the combination of light-colored wooden bathroom cabinets and natural color schemes is expected to maintain strong growth momentum after 2026, becoming the core direction of modern bathroom design.
If you love a summer party that drifts late into the evening, outdoor lighting is a must. I think I’ve just found the ultimate garden light no summer hosting fan should be without at Next: the New Garden White Lima Portable Rechargeable Light.
This clever little rechargeable outdoor light might not look like much on its own, but it makes transitioning from sheltering under a parasol during the day to lingering outside in the dusk over a bottle of wine so much easier.
The Lima portable rechargeable light, priced at £49, looks like an ordinary white doughnut lamp. However, it uses magnets to snap apart in the middle and fasten around the pole of any of the best parasols. It effectively turns your garden umbrella into a supersized floor lamp, ideal for lighting up a dining table or an outdoor seating area.
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New Garden White Lima Portable Rechargeable Light
You can find this portable light at other retailers, but Next is currently offering one of the best prices for it.
The Lima isn’t the only light solution that has tackled the issue of illuminating underneath a garden parasol at night, but it is certainly one of the chicest. It’s curved, discreet design blends neatly into the parasol and can be turned on with a remote control from where you’re sitting.
The Lima light requires no installation; it simply uses a built-in magnet for easy attachment to a parasol or to garden railings. It also has an impressive battery life, delivering 20 hours of continuous lighting from one charge.
Using the remote control, you can control the intensity and colours of light to set the mood for your outdoor gathering. You can choose between three intensity levels and warmths, along with red, green and blue light options.
(Image credit: New Garden / Next)
When it comes to garden lighting ideas, layering types of light like you would indoors is often forgotten, but it’s just as important. You still need to think about ambient lighting to set the general mood. This can be done via festoon lights or with globe lights dotted around a patio. Then you need to consider accent lighting to highlight features in the garden, such as sculptural plants lit with an uplight, or a beautiful overhanging tree branch wrapped in micro fairylights.
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Finally, you need something like the Lima or a cheaper option, such as this £14 Amazon parasol light, to operate as task lighting over a dining table or a seating area. This type of lighting allows you to see what you’re doing while entertaining outside in the evening.
What I particularly love about using something like the Lima as a task lighting solution is that it doesn’t take up any additional surface or floor space as a recharge table lamp, making it ideal for small garden ideas. However, if you prefer your task light to look more decorative, rechargeable table lamps like these £85 from Pooky, available in a range of trending colours, will elevate your next garden party.
Here are a couple of other clever lighting solutions I’ve spotted to light up a garden parasol this summer.
B&Q
Battery Operated Parasol LED Lights
If you want to combine your ambient and task lighting, this LED set is ideal. The 80 bulbs run along the spokes of the parasol to create a beautiful twinkling look.
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80 Led Battery Operated Parasol Lights Uk
This combination of fairy lights and festoon lights will offer a more magical look to your garden parasol. Each strand of lights wraps around each spoke, leaving just enough wire for the bulbs to dangle and different length around the edge create a gorgeous boho look.
Eletorot
Garden Parasol Lights Led
If you’re simply after something practical and affordable this LED light will do the trick. It’s a fraction of the price of the one on sale at Next, while it’s not as pretty, it will get the job done.
Get ready to light up your garden and continue the party into the night this summer.
Grandma gardens are fast becoming one of the most popular garden trends of the year, and characterised by low-maintenance, naturalistic planting rooted in nostalgia, this gorgeous trend is here to stay.
With searches for ‘grandma flower garden’ up 500% on Pinterest, it’s no surprise that old-fashioned plants are making a comeback. Unruly in the best way, this style is defined by combining stunning cottage plants with natural garden furniture, pots and wildlife-friendly landscaping.
Given that nostalgia has been a driving force behind trends in both the home and garden for the past few years, it’s only natural that we’re now looking to create gardens in honour of our grandparents. Here’s how you can do it, too.
‘The grandma garden is a nostalgic space, anti-minimalist, abundant. It reminds us of a time when things felt warmer, richer. Flowers climbing a rustic trellis, foxgloves erupting from greenery, peonies and hydrangeas in large unruly clusters, mismatched terracotta pots, bright ceramic garden ornaments, birdbaths, hanging baskets. The aim is an inviting, lush garden that looks loved, not designed. Nothing coordinated or over-manufactured,’ explains Annabelle Sacher, retail trends lead at MediaVision.
‘Demand for grandma ‘core’ and ‘style’ has risen by over 100% across Google, Pinterest and TikTok, while more specific searches for terms like ‘grandma flower garden’ have seen an increase of 500% on Pinterest.
‘The indicator that this is a genuine cultural shift vs. a passing style trend lies in what’s happening at a planting level. Searches for planting, pruning and caring for flowers associated with the ‘grandma garden’: peonies (+1600% Google), hydrangeas (+600% Google), roses (+267% Google), etc., are all rising.’
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The entire essence of this trend is to create a space that feels comforting, and to do this, we need to embrace softer, romantic planting schemes. Say goodbye to hard landscaping as grandma gardens prefer less polished, wildlife-friendly borders, veg patches and patios that are packed with your own personality.
‘I think grandma gardens are trending right now because people are craving comfort and escapism in their homes. In a world that often feels fast-paced and digital, there’s something incredibly grounding about a garden that feels traditional, personal and slightly imperfect. It ties into a wider movement towards slow living and reconnecting with nature,’ says Luke Newnes, gardening expert at Hillarys.
‘Typically, a grandma garden is abundant and a little unruly in the best way! You’ll find classic cottage garden plants like roses, hydrangeas, lavender, foxgloves and delphiniums, often mixed freely rather than planted in strict rows. There’s a real emphasis on scent, colour and texture, and it’s not about perfection, it’s about creating a space that feels lived-in and loved,’ says Luke.
‘The furniture and decor play a huge role too, like painted metal bistro sets, weathered wooden benches, floral cushions and vintage-style accessories. Details like bird feeders, terracotta pots, climbing frames for roses, and even an old watering can used as a planter all add to that nostalgic feel. It’s about layering pieces that feel collected over time rather than bought in one go.’
Charles Bentley
Cast Aluminium White Tulip Bistro Set
This classic metal bistro set is exactly what comes to mind when I think of the garden furniture sets used by my grandparents.
Argos Home
Argos Home Henrietta 3 Seater Wooden Garden Bench
A wooden bench is not only a nostalgic feature, but one that allows you to sit back and enjoy the splendor of your garden.
M&S
2 Pack Floral Outdoor Cushions
When selecting cushions for your gardens, opt for ones with floral motifs such as this one.
Thompson & Morgan
Delphinium ‘summer Skies’ (pacific Hybrid)
Delphiniums are a classic cottage plant and are loved by pollinators, too.
Crocus
Hydrangea Macrophylla ‘little Purple’
Hydrangeas are another classic, old-fashioned plant that are having a huge comeback. This purple is great if you want bold colour.
Thompson & Morgan
Geranium ‘best Red’ F1
My grandma always had geraniums in her garden, so they remind me of her. I love the bold red hue of these.
‘If you’re looking to get the look, my advice would be to start by loosening up your planting style. Don’t over-plan it – mix perennials and annuals freely, and opt for heritage plant varieties where you can. Incorporate vintage or vintage-inspired furniture, and don’t be afraid to clash patterns and colours slightly. It’s also worth adding small decorative touches, like lanterns or ceramics, to build that layered, homely feel,’ Luke concludes.
This trend is rooted in comfort and nostalgia, creating gardens where you actually want to relax and enjoy.
I don’t know about you, but I’m seeing more and more slow-moving tiny flies buzzing around my kitchen as we head into summer. But while attracted to my fruit bowl, these are not fruit flies I’m dealing with, but vinegar flies – and they’re likely to be the same flies plaguing your kitchen, too.
There’s nothing I hate more than flies in the house, to the point where I’m willing to try any method to get rid of flies. This includes the more bonkers methods, too, such as the cucumber hack, which uses scent to deter these pests.
Frequently confused with fruit flies, vinegar flies are often the small, buzzing pests we see circulating fruit bowls and kitchens during summer. I asked the experts exactly what vinegar flies are and how to stop them from entering our homes.
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What are vinegar flies?
‘Vinegar flies are actually the flies that you see buzzing around in summer, not fruit flies. Vinegar flies are the tiny ones with red eyes, whereas fruit flies are actually much larger (about the size of a standard housefly) and are an agricultural hazard. This is because the true fruit flies lay their eggs through the tough skins of healthy, growing fruit, which can destroy crops,’ explains Ryan Kaila, food waste expert and waste and recycling manager at Kingfisher Direct.
‘Vinegar flies, on the other hand, can not do this, and are only attracted to rotting food, feeding on fermenting liquids, yeast, and decaying or overripe organic matter. The majority of people, especially in the UK, refer to vinegar flies as fruit flies.’
(Image credit: Getty Images/ Helin Loik-Tomson)
When fruit overripens, its natural sugars start to ferment, and the scent this releases attracts vinegar flies to your home. And vinegar flies can lay many eggs. A female vinegar fly can lay as many as 500 to 2,000 eggs in her lifetime, and these hatch 24-30 hours after being laid.
‘As fruit ripens, it essentially ferments, releasing compounds that vinegar flies can detect from miles away. And for food-related businesses, this can be a problem, because they’re not just attracted to fruit. Compost and food waste, kitchen drains, alcohol and sugary drinks, even unwashed bottles, glasses, and recycling can appeal as a breeding site, so you can find yourself inundated easily,’ says Adam Juson, pest expert and founder of commercial pest control company Merlin Environmental.
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How to get rid of vinegar flies
Vinegar flies are quick to breed, unhygienic and a nuisance to have in your home, and the best way to get rid of them is by removing the source of the problem. So, during summer, it can be a good idea to remove your fruit bowl and refrigerate the fruit, or use produce savers to extend their shelf life. I find Lakeland’s StayFresh Sheets (£9.99) to be really helpful at extending the life of my fruit bowl, delaying overripening.
(Image credit: Getty Images/Tomasz Klejdysz)
‘The best way is to remove the source. Removing the source of the flies will mean that they go away and stay away, so check for any decaying and fermenting foods and throw away any fruit that is overripe, split, leaking juice or starting to smell sweet and fermented,’ says Ryan.
‘If the fruit/food was in a container, you’ll then need to thoroughly wash it before putting anything else back in it. This is because it’s incredibly easy for sticky residue or juice to sit at the bottom of it, which will keep attracting the flies.’
‘I also recommend emptying your food waste caddy more often in summer. Anything from fruit peels, apple cores, banana skins, etc., can all ferment very quickly in warm kitchens, especially if your caddy is placed in the sun. As well, some caddies might not close properly. If this is the case, try to make sure they’re always sealed as tightly as possible; they’ll be an instant attraction for these flies.’
‘Clean thoroughly, washing fruit bowls, worktops, and nearby surfaces to remove sticky residue,’ adds Adam.
‘Clean drains, flushing with boiling water or using an enzymatic drain cleaner to remove organic build-up. Use a trap, such as apple cider vinegar with a drop of washing-up liquid in a covered container, to reduce adult numbers.’
Adam is keen to point out that the flies are the symptom – you need to be more careful of the thousands of eggs potentially being laid in your home instead. So, good hygiene is paramount to keeping your home vinegar fly-free.
StayFresh
6 Stayfresh Sheets With Rypen Technology
These Lakeland StayFresh are really good at extending the life of your fruit bowl. They work by absorbing ageing ethylene gases to slow the ripening process.
Joseph Joseph
Joseph Joseph Intelligent Waste, Stack 4 Kitchen Food Waste Compost Caddy
The food waste caddy has a ventilated design to help reduce odours and moisture. It also has a tightly fitted lid to prevent pests from entering.
Zero In
Zero In Fruit fly trap, Pack of 2
This discreet non-spill trap attracts flies before trapping and killing them. They’re safe to use around food preparation areas, garden seating areas and open bottles of wine.
Honestly, the thought of these pesky flies makes my skin crawl. However, by removing my fruit bowl, regularly cleaning my food waste bin and kitchen, I won’t have to put up with this problem this summer.
