Are you excited for Bonfire Night? While most of us will enjoy a fireworks display, building a Guy and attending community events, the use of fireworks can sometimes be antisocial. There are strict rules about when you can set off fireworks, so I asked legal experts to explain what you can do if your neighbour is in breach of them.
Neighbour disputes are never pleasant and are always best avoided. However, if you feel your neighbour is letting off fireworks irresponsibly or it has a negative impact on your home life, legal experts say there are a few steps you can take.
Of course, most of us want to enjoy Bonfire Night safely and responsibly, but this is what legal experts say you can do if you feel your neighbours are not doing the same.
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What is the law surrounding setting off fireworks in a residential area in the UK
Some key rules apply on the big night, including a curfew to stick to. According to Gov.uk, you are not allowed to set off fireworks between 11 pm and 7 am. On Bonfire Night, this is extended to midnight. On New Year’s Eve, Chinese New Year and Diwali, this is extended to 1 am.
‘There are also restrictions on where fireworks can be used. It is illegal to set off or throw fireworks, including sparklers, in the street or other public places. They should only be used on private land, with the landowner’s permission and enough space to follow the recommended safety distances. Under-18s are also prohibited from possessing adult fireworks in public places,’ explains Paula Moses, Legal Director in the Commercial Dispute Resolution team at Blacks.
‘Additional consideration should be given to the surrounding environment. For example, if you live near a veterinary practice, school, care home or other sensitive premises, fireworks can cause significant disruption, particularly to animals, young children and vulnerable individuals, so it is important to be mindful of the potential impact and take reasonable steps to minimise disturbance.
‘Councils also encourage a little neighbourly courtesy such as letting those around know ahead of time, particularly if they have young children, elderly relatives or animals, and try to wrap up early.’
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Can I report my neighbours for setting off fireworks?
‘For many people, the biggest concern isn’t just the noise itself but the impact it can have on young children, vulnerable relatives or pets. While that doesn’t automatically mean a neighbour is doing anything wrong, it’s something people should be mindful of when planning a display,’ comments Joanne Ellis, partner and a specialist in dispute resolution at the law firm Stephensons.
‘In most cases, a friendly conversation is the best place to start. Giving neighbours advance notice that you’re planning to set off fireworks allows them to prepare and can go a long way towards avoiding disagreements. Likewise, if you’re unhappy about noise from a neighbour’s fireworks, raising it politely and calmly will often resolve the issue more quickly than escalating matters straight away. A friendly chat in advance to discuss your worries may enable an agreement to be reached.’
As when trying to resolve issues around replacing fences or cutting back plants, a friendly conversation is most likely the easiest point of resolution. However, if these conversations go nowhere, you can escalate your complaint.
‘It is illegal to set off most fireworks between 11 pm and 7 am, and if your neighbours are breaching these restrictions, you can report this to the police. However, fireworks can also cause a noise nuisance before the 11 pm curfew. If the disturbance is persistent or excessive, you can raise a complaint with your local council’s environmental health team, which can investigate whether the noise amounts to a statutory nuisance,’ says Paula.
‘If firework use is persistent, regular, or beyond normal seasonal occasions, you may be able to bring a claim yourself in the civil courts under the laws of private nuisance. This would require that the use and enjoyment of your property is reduced by the noise, light and perhaps debris from the neighbouring property. In extreme cases, you could seek an injunction to prevent it.
‘Remember that courts will conduct a balancing exercise between the parties’ rights and freedoms. If you are considering a complaint to the Council or a private claim, it would help to keep a diary and some evidence of the level of disturbance.’
While we can expect to hear fireworks on Bonfire Night, we can still expect our neighbours to set them off responsibly. If you plan to set off fireworks in a residential area, ensure you notify your neighbours first as a courtesy.
New homes are built to be far more airtight than older ones. That keeps heat in, but it also means fresh air no longer leaks in through gaps around windows, floors and doors. Ventilation has to be designed in instead, and in many new-builds and larger extensions that means mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, usually shortened to MVHR.
Because MVHR relies on ducts running to almost every room, it has to be planned alongside the layout, the lighting and the ceilings. This guide explains how it works and where each part goes, so you can plan for it before the plasterboard goes up.
Table of Contents
How MVHR Works
An MVHR system runs continuously. It extracts stale, humid air from the rooms that produce moisture and supplies fresh air to the rooms you live and sleep in.
Air is extracted from the kitchen, bathrooms, toilets and utility room.
Fresh air is supplied to the living room, dining room and bedrooms.
Both air streams pass through a heat exchanger in the central unit, where heat from the outgoing air warms the incoming fresh air.
Filters in the unit catch pollutants such as pollen and dust before the fresh air reaches your rooms.
Many systems can also bypass the heat exchanger in warm weather, so the fresh air coming in stays cool rather than being warmed.
Why New-Builds Often Need It
Ventilation in England is covered by Part F of the Building Regulations, and its guidance is set out in Approved Document F. It says natural ventilation is not suitable for highly airtight homes: those with a design air permeability below 5 m³/(h·m²) at 50Pa, or an as-built result below 3 m³/(h·m²). Every new home has an air pressure test, so the result is measured, not assumed.
Continuous mechanical extract ventilation and MVHR can be used in any home. One practical difference for interiors is that a home with MVHR does not need background ventilators, the trickle vents usually fitted in window frames.
What Changes If You Are Building an Extension
An extension brings its own ventilation requirements. Under Approved Document F, a new habitable room needs a source of ventilation, such as a background ventilator or an extension of an existing ducted system. A new kitchen, bathroom or utility room needs extract ventilation.
If your house already has MVHR, extending the system into the new rooms is often the neatest answer, but it has to be planned while the structure is still open. Larger energy-efficiency renovations can also bring MVHR into play: where several major measures are added, the guidance says a continuous mechanical extract or MVHR system should be installed.
Where Everything Goes
The unit. The central unit is often located in the loft. Wherever it goes, Approved Document F asks for reasonable access for maintenance such as replacing filters, so avoid a spot that can only be reached by moving stored boxes or crawling across joists.
The ductwork. Ducts run from the unit to each room, typically through ceiling voids. Keeping the runs inside the insulated part of the house avoids having to insulate them. The guidance favours rigid ducting, with flexible sections kept to short end connections of no more than 1.5 metres, so allow enough depth in ceilings and boxing for rigid runs.
The terminals. Each room gets a supply or extract terminal in the ceiling or wall. Plan their positions with your lighting layout so they sit neatly between downlights rather than wherever the duct happens to finish.
The drain. Many MVHR units need a condensate drain, depending on the model, which affects where the unit can sit in relation to your plumbing. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for the unit you choose.
The earlier an installer sees the drawings, the more choice you have over where all of this goes. If you are planning a new-build or extension in the capital, a company that handles MVHR installation in London, such as JP Air Conditioning, can plan the unit position and vent placement as part of the project rather than fitting around finished ceilings.
Commissioning and Handover
A system that has been fitted is not finished until it has been commissioned. Approved Document F says the airflow must be measured at each terminal with a calibrated instrument and the system balanced to the design rates. The results go on a commissioning sheet, which is sent to building control within 5 days for a new home, or within 30 days for other work.
At handover you should receive clear, non-technical instructions on operating and maintaining the system, plus a copy of the completed commissioning sheet. A new home also comes with a Home User Guide that includes a section on ventilation. Keep all three, because you will need them when the system is serviced.
Living With MVHR
MVHR needs regular maintenance so the fans keep running correctly and the filters stay clean. Note when the filters were last changed, and do not switch the system off to save energy, because it is designed to run continuously.
Planned at the design stage, MVHR is barely noticed once the home is finished: a few discreet ceiling terminals, a unit tucked away in the loft, and fresh, filtered air in every room.
M&S just dropped a brand-new outdoor Christmas tree, and it’s a far cry from the traditional foliage trees we know and love.
The 2-metre Cascade Outdoor Christmas Tree is a beautiful modern substitute: for just £45, you get a tall frame of micro lights, shaped like a classic Christmas tree, which twinkle after dark. It’s a magical alternative to buying a real Christmas tree – and you don’t even need to decorate it.
Here’s a little bit more about the M&S 2m Cascade Outdoor Christmas tree, and why just one could turn your garden into a festive wonderland.
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M&S’s new outdoor Christmas tree is budget-friendly and perfect for front and back gardens.
The M&S 2m Cascade Outdoor Christmas Tree is a staple for front and back gardens over the festive season – and since it’s already strung with micro lights, there’s no need to learn how to light outdoor trees for Christmas.
Standing at two metres tall, it’s a real sight to behold: the string lights cascade down in a traditional pine tree shape, outlining three signature branches. It’s so pretty after dark, transforming your garden into a magical winter wonderland.
In fact, the warm white LED lights make it a truly cosy garden lighting idea. It’s a festive sight for guests and passers-by in the front garden, and enchanting in the back garden. If budget allows, two or three would look magical in a line – but one centrepiece tree would look equally as striking.
(Image credit: M&S)
The tree is secured in the ground by a central stake and outer pegs, so it’s a brilliant lawn idea for Christmas. It would look beautiful in a larger garden border, too – but you’d need to make sure the soil is hard enough to provide a stable foundation for the tree.
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What really strikes me about the M&S Cascade Outdoor Christmas Tree is the price. For such a tall, modern structure, it’s just £45, which is a steal considering its look and outdoor durability. It’s a brilliant timesaver if you’re not a big fan of Christmas decorating, and perfect for nailing that outdoor Christmassy feel after dark (and turning your home into a hot topic among neighbours!).
Tom Kerridge’s bestselling kitchenware collection with M&S has a new addition – one which I predict is going to be very popular with meal preppers. If you’re in the business of getting ready for the week ahead by bulk cooking then you’ll love the new Set of Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls (£35 via M&S) which have been tested by the celebrity chef himself.
The bowls, which feature silicone bases to prevent slipping and have handy inner measurement markings, have more than a passing resemblance to HexClad’s £99 version which I use three times a day at home.
Here’s why a set of stainless steel bowls like this are as invaluable as the best saucepan sets for the business of prepping food and the differences between the high street and the high end version.
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This stackable set features three bowls: 1, 2.5 and 4.5 litres in capacity. The largest features a handle for easy pouring while each one has inner markings and a non-slip base.
Hexclad Vacuum Seal Stainless Steel Mixing and Storage Bowls
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The USP of this HexClad set is the phenomenally clever vacuum seal lids – I’ve kept food that would have otherwise gone off for days longer in my fridge thanks to this clever trio.
Before I tried HexClad’s set, I was skeptical about what I would use a trio of stainless steel mixing bowls for. I already have a Mason Cash bowl that I like for baking and a set of stainless steel lunchboxes from Black + Blum that I swear by for storing leftovers.
As it turns out, there are lots of things they come in very handy for. I’ve recently got into baking bread and these bowls are perfect for allowing my sourdough to prove as well as for storing pizza dough before I’m ready to fire them. I also love using them for making sauces, as the stainless steel surface can be used with a whisk or a fork without worry of tainting the surface.
(Image credit: M&S)
This Tom Kerridge set has a feature over the HexClad version that bakers in particular will find very handy – an easy-grip handle that’ll allow you manoeuvre the bowl while you mix things by hand. Each one also has a rolled edge which makes the transfer of ingredients much easier too.
The inner markings on these M&S bowls also come in very handy for all sorts of baking and cooking jobs. When I’ve been mixing bread before and adding a certain amount of water it allows me to skip using a measuring bowl altogether and just to fill up to the marked line.
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(Image credit: M&S)
The one big advantage the HexClad version has over this M&S lookalike is the vacuum seal technology in the lids. This works by pushing down on the lids over the bowls and using the date-setting dial to keep whatever is inside fresher for far longer than usual. While using this system I’ve kept things in my fridge for days longer than they would ordinarily last.
Tom Kerridge’s set doesn’t feature lids at all – making them more mixing bowls than mixing and storage vessels like the HexClad ones – but they do also come in at a fraction of the price, so perhaps that’s to be expected.
Either of these bowl sets would make a fantastic buy for anyone gearing up the biggest meal prep time of the year – Christmas Day – but their lifespan will go on after that too. I’d be very surprised if these bowls didn’t earn themselves a full-time job in any kitchen with their multi-use designs!
Hurricane Isaias was the first major hurricane to hit our area since we moved here 6.5 years ago. We followed our county’s mandatory evacuation orders and drove many hours away to an unaffected part of Florida (Ocala). As we hunkered down at an Airbnb with our friends, kids, and pets, we watched as the hurricane became a Category 3 and turned towards our area back home. Luckily, our house and most of our neighborhood sustained only minor damage, relatively speaking. A few trees down, a scratch in the painted top piece of our fence (can see the tree leaning on it below?), and a LOT of leaves and sticks to clean up.
Overall, we felt very grateful and very lucky. Also, if you want to know how many times Jennifur meowed in the car during our little road trip, the answer is 15 or so, and then she curled up and slept just like Penny.
But luck wasn’t the only factor. When we moved here, we prioritized making hurricane-ready improvements to our house. Some were big and costly, but others were things we were able to check off in an afternoon. We’ll do a separate post about all of our hurricane prep tips, so this is more about home improvements you might want to consider before next hurricane season rolls around. We also have to acknowledge that all the things on this list are absolutely a privilege to be able to afford and we’re very grateful that over time we could save up and execute these to safeguard our house.
6 Ways We Got Our Home Hurricane-Ready
It bears mentioning that our house is at least 36 years or so old (the county says it was built in 1991 but all of the original windows inexplicably said 1984 when we bought it). And yes, those original windows were all in tact when we bought our house in 2020. Which definitely says something about how homes here just seem to be built for storms – even when those aforementioned windows were single pane. The fact that none of them had been replaced in many decades of hurricanes impressed us. I point this out just to show you that we didn’t think of our house as the straw house from the three little pigs to begin with. It had already demonstrated durability through many decades of hurricanes. So making these further improvements just gave us even more peace of mind, lowered our homeowner’s insurance, and made it less stressful to evacuate during a storm like Isaias.
I’m going to order these from biggest (in terms of scale, cost, and time) to smallest, because we tried to prioritize the most impactful actions first. And that starts with the biggest of all: choosing the house itself!
Buying a less vulnerable house
Upgrading to impact-rated doors & windows
Getting a whole-house generator
Adding hurricane ties
Choosing outdoor furniture wisely
Setting up security cameras
Like I said, some are bigger investments than others, but all felt extremely worthwhile when a storm came barreling our way!
1. Buying A Less Vulnerable House
Hurricanes were top of mind for us when hunting for our Florida house (obligatory before photo below). Hurricanes aren’t strictly a Florida phenomenon – think Sandy in New England, Helene in Western NC, and storms like Irene that did a number on our Virginia neighborhood in 2011 (we lost power for something like 2 weeks! Which also happened to me after another hurricane that hit VA when I was in college). All of that is to say that we had experience with hurricanes previous to living in Florida, so when we were researching potential neighborhoods, we definitely considered how they might fare in a bad storm – particularly with storm surge / flooding which often does some of the most damage in a hurricane.
In fact, water is the #1 cause of death in a hurricane, whether from coastal storm surge, overflowing rivers, or heavy rain flooding. So buying in a location that wasn’t prone to flooding has always been a top consideration for us in our house hunts (both in Virginia and when we were house hunting here). Luckily, websites like FEMA and the First Street Foundation make it easy to look up the flood risk of any address. You can also activate map layers on Realtor.com and Zillow that show a property’s risk for flooding, fire, and other environmental hazards.
Ultimately, we picked a home with zero flood risk according to these sites. Of course, that’s just a calculation, not a guarantee (and climate change makes everything less certain). But even with our own eyeballs, we could see that our location had some great safeguards. It’s protected by 30-ft high dunes on the beach (seen below after Isaias). And our home is a few blocks away, just beyond the tallest hill in our neighborhood. So our house is at a very high elevation with relation to storm surge. For Hurricane Isaias they warned about 7 feet of storm surge, but it only clocked in at about 5 feet. Once again, this dune is over 30′ high and our house is even more elevated behind an even taller hill in our neighborhood.
But obviously, picking a home involves A LOT of important factors beyond flood risk. And if you’re not planning to move anytime soon, how do you make the most of the home you already have? Well… that takes us to all of the improvements we made after we moved.
2. Upgrading To Impact-Rated Windows & Doors
The biggest hurricane-ready improvement we made to our home was replacing all of our windows and doors with impact-rated ones. These are specially constructed and installed to withstand both high-velocity winds and flying debris. A broken window is bad enough on its own, but getting one during a hurricane also increases the chances your roof will come off because of the wind and sudden pressure change inside the house. So these greatly reduce the risk of that happening during a storm.
This upgrade was BY FAR the most costly and time-consuming thing we did. Impact-rated windows can cost 2 or 3 times as much as regular windows, and the installation is more involved too. Ours ended up taking nearly 3 months (we ran into other issues, like rot under the siding) and cost tens of thousands of dollars. It was a tough pill to swallow for a result that looks & functions mostly the same as it did when we started, but we knew it was one of the best things we could do to protect our home and all of the meaningful things that we keep within its walls. Of course people and pets get a few day’s notice to evacuate, but our hurricane safe windows and doors make us feel like the art that our kids painted and all of the things we filled this house with have the best chance of being all good for the long haul.
These windows and doors have pretty amazing stats. They’re designed to withstand sustained wind speeds of 150-180+ mph (covering up to Category 5 hurricane conditions). They literally test them by firing giant pieces of lumber at them at a wildly high speed with tons of force (they call it “missile testing”). They can crack if hit extremely hard, but are designed to not breach, meaning water shouldn’t enter the house, even if a tree branch comes flying into the pane. They’re also designed to withstand some insane pressure changes (up to +90 / -130 PSF) which can often come with strong hurricanes.
There are alternatives to replacing your windows (like window shutters, plywood, or even “hurricane fabric“), but we decided they weren’t as ideal for our family of our specific house. Plus we wanted something that protected us year-round without the effort, time, or warning needed for those other methods. We’ve actually had more Tornado Warnings here than hurricane issues, and those don’t often give you enough warning to board up your windows!
While expensive, upgrading our doors and windows also helped our insurance policy. I won’t say it saved us tons of money, but it did save us about 10% and keep our insurance policy from spiking or getting dropped entirely, which is a real concern these days in Florida.
3. Getting A Whole House Generator
The next most costly upgrade on this list is getting a whole-house generator. After experiencing several multi-day hurricane-related power outages in Virginia, we decided a generator was a must-have in Florida. Prolonged power outages aren’t necessarily “damaging,” but they can be inconvenient (no lights or Internet), uncomfortable (no A/C or hot water), and even costly (lost food, flooring damage from the fridge melting out onto the floor, etc).
We opted to have a whole-house Generac generator professionally installed versus buying a portable one from the store. Yes, it was much more expensive (about $8K installed), but it had some big long-term advantages to us:
It’s automatic: When power goes out – even briefly during a normal thunderstorm – it automatically clicks on right away. It also switches back over to the utility power automatically when electricity is restored.
There’s no setup: Since it’s permanently installed and hardwired to our main breaker, we don’t have to mess with wires, plugs, gasoline, or other fuel lines. We also don’t have to lug some big piece of equipment out of our (non-existent) garage.
It’s constantly fueled: It’s hooked up to our natural gas utility line, so we don’t need to worry about refilling gas or propane tanks before a storm comes. It wouldn’t work if the hurricane takes out our gas line, but that’s low risk since it’s buried very deeply underground.
There’s no decision-making: Since we picked a generator large enough to power our whole house, we don’t have to prioritize what gets power and what doesn’t. Portable generators may only power a couple of appliances (like the fridge) or require fuel rationing, which might be hard to do during extended outages. It even keeps the pool running so it won’t get all green, which can happen during periods of extended power outtage since it can’t filter itself.
It’s safer: Sadly, one of the main causes of death after a hurricane is carbon monoxide poisoning due to improper generator use. Ours is outside, and since we barely* have to interact with it, there’s very few ways we could mess it up.
*Generac recommends turning it off to cool for 30 minutes after 24 hours of use, so we did go outside and press a couple of buttons each day after we returned from our evacuation until the power was restored.
All that said, I’ll be honest: our generator has been kind of a headache over the years. We had some issues with improper installation, challenges with the annual maintenance company, and some hiccups reconnecting it during our recent renovation. So if you’d asked me a month ago, I’d have given you a lukewarm review. But now? After 4 days without power from Hurricane Isaias? I’ll sing its praises ALL DAY. Not only did we keep some normalcy in our house during an otherwise stressful time, we became a place for friends and neighbors to come and charge their phones, get on our Wi-Fi, and enjoy some A/C.
4. Adding Hurricane Ties
Hurricane ties (also called hurricane clips or straps) are metal connectors that essentially lock your roof to your walls, making it harder for high winds to rip off your roof. I know, that sounds scary, right? Maybe it’ll be helpful to know that it’s usually an issue with much stronger hurricanes than we’ve had in the last 6.5 years here – so that’s not common at all. In fact there’s zero evidence that our house has ever lost its roof in 36 years of being here. And our neighbors who lived here for 70 years have never even had a broken window, let alone any roof issues. But back to hurricane ties: they became standard building code in Florida in 2002, but older homes (like ours) can be pretty easily retrofitted with them. We paid a local contractor about $900 to install ours to ensure that they met code. And then they were inspected in order to lower our homeowner’s insurance. Very worth it! Highly recommend.
We don’t have attic space under most of our roof, so some of the added ties are visible on the exterior under our roofline (seen above, painted). But when we had the siding redone on a portion of our home during our our recent renovation, they were able to install them to be hidden. Here’s a pic of them before the siding went up.
We added the hurricane ties around the same time we got new windows & doors. That’s because our insurance required us to submit an updated Wind Mitigation Report to get credit for the windows. As I mentioned, this requires a special inspection, so before paying for that, we asked the inspector for tips on other things we could do to improve our report. He suggested these straps and even pointed us to a qualified handyman who could install them.
We’re planning to have the rest of our siding replaced in the coming months, so we’ll be able to get those hidden hurricane straps everywhere soon!
5. Choosing Outdoor Furniture Wisely
We’ve also considered hurricane prep when choosing some of our outdoor furniture. Outdoor items can become dangerous flying objects in high winds, so before any big storm, we move and/or secure all of our outdoor furniture. BUT, since we don’t have a garage or big shed to store them in, we’ve prioritized furniture that folds, stacks, or otherwise is easy to arrange to be a compact and secure grouping in a corner of the fence that shelters it from a lot of the higher wind gusts.
For example, we picked stacking outdoor dining chairs (similar linked) for the table above and on our upstairs deck. Also, these wicker lounge chairs by the pool collapse to be virtually flat. See them leaned up atop the upside-down table below? These features make it easy to condense everything into one, heavy mass that’s less likely to blow around. I’m also a big fan of bungee cords to hold things together so they’re locked in place.
Basically, whenever we buy outdoor items, we make sure we have a plan for what will happen to them in a hurricane.
6. Setting Up Security Cameras
Hurricane Isaias was the first time we’ve had to evacuate for a storm, so it was helpful to have ways to keep an eye on things from afar. We added Ring cameras years ago for general security and monitoring purposes, but they were a big sanity-saver during Isaias. Being able to keep watch for damage, debris, and general storm progress made leaving a lot easier. And thanks to our generator, they all stayed connected the whole time (thanks generator)!
We luckily didn’t experience any damage during Isaias – apart from a scratched fence board from the fallen tree shown above. And knowing that, thanks to these cameras (and reports from helpful neighbors) made the drive back after the storm much less stressful. Thank goodness for no bad surprises waiting for us at home.
Beyond cameras, some other smart devices came in handy too. We knew our leak sensorsunder sinks and major appliances would alert us to issues like a thawing fridge. And our windows & door alarmsconfirmed that they didn’t blow open. Even our generator has an app that tells us if it’s operating correctly, which was really nice to know.
Sure, none of these things actively prevent hurricane damage, but they gave us much-needed peace of mind during our evacuation. Also, three cheers for our fence, which turned out to be ridiculously strong. Imagine how much that giant pine weighted?! And it leaned against it for days before a pro could come get it off for us.
Like we said at the start, some of these hurricane-readiness improvements were bigger & much more costly than others. That’s one reason we’ve added them over time, as budget has allowed. Thankfully, Mother Nature was patient with us, and our area didn’t get hit with any major storms in that time. And now we feel as ready as we can be for future storms – and are hopeful even more advancements over time will pop up, and maybe we can add those on too.
What we know for sure is that the things listed in this post made it easier, faster, and less nerve-racking for us to evacuate when we were told to. And we’re very thankful that it was a no-brainer to prioritize the safety of people & pets and evacuate without a second thought, because we’d already done a lot to protect our home. It made driving away a little easier – and coming home a lot sweeter.
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As a former professional product namer, I’ve named everything from cheeseburgers to cell phones. And you might think… she also probably wants to name my baby. Well, you’d be right. I LOVE brainstorming name ideas, researching meanings, and test-driving name pairings. I also get the sometimes daunting pressure of it all. It can be stressful, and there are tons of factors to consider, endless options to sift through, and somehow even more opinions. Hint: do not ask everyone you know for their opinions – it can make it so much harder.
So while this post won’t give you the perfect baby name (I’ve already written tons of baby name lists), it will give you the tools to find the right one for yourself.
Think of picking a baby name in two stages:
Building a list
Narrowing it down
I like to think of these two parts of the process as distinct, because it allows me to gather ideas without too much analysis or judgment at first. Kind of like how most professional authors recommend writing a very bad first draft of a book just to get it out instead of getting caught up on perfecting every word in the first chapter. There will be plenty of time for refining things in the second step, so just let your mind wander and cast the net far and wide at first.
Building A List Of Baby Name Ideas
There are no bad ideas during the first stage. Just think of it as brainstorming or gathering inspiration. Keeping a “the more, the merrier” mindset helps because you never know what random idea will grow on you, spark a different thought, or maybe work as a middle name or nickname. Here are some other things to keep in mind:
Take your time. You’ve got almost 9 months, right? Don’t cram your brainstorming into a weekend.
Keep it handy. Use something like Google Docs or the Notes app on your phone so you can access it anywhere. You never know when you’ll encounter a new idea.
Don’t fret about order. You can organize, alphabetize, or categorize later. For now, adding new names to the bottom of one long list is fine!
But how do you actually gather names for this list? Well, here are some great ways to build your baby name list:
Identify A Style
You probably already have a sense of what kinds of baby names you’re drawn to. Use these as launch points on Google or in baby name books. Styles include:
If you’re uncertain about what style you’re drawn to, look up a few of your favorite names so far and see if they fall on any lists, like “Hipster Baby Names” or “Top 10 Ranking Baby Names of the Year.” Those lists might have additional names you like.
Find Meaningful Sources
Some parents find confidence in their name choice when it has personal significance or family connection. Those might include:
Family names from earlier generations (get inspiration from your family tree!)
Character names from favorite books, movies, shows, etc
Aspirational attributes (you know, names like Hope, Faith, Joy, etc)
If any of these types of meaningful names sound promising to you, do some research to add similar names to your list – look up family trees, browse favorite books, scour maps, look up popular names from a certain geographic location, etc.
Utilize Naming Tools
Of course there are traditional sources for lists of baby name ideas that you can use to round out your personal list. These include:
Lastly, you can try super-specific search terms in Google to flush out certain types of names you want to see more of. You can try things like “Boy Names that Start With C” or “Names In Rock Song Lyrics.”
Narrowing Down Your Baby Name List
Ok, so you’ve made a big list of potential names… now what? Here are my tips for paring down your baby name ideas and zeroing in on your top options.
Check For Undesirables
One of the quickest ways to whittle down a baby name list is to identify “deal killers.” Some of these come down to personal preference, but knowing the potential negative outcomes or associations with a name is an easy way to nix it from your list. They include:
Undesirable Initials
Will your child’s initials spell something unwanted? Initials like PEE, DUH, or ICK might make you want to avoid that outcome.
Sounds Like Something Else
Sometimes a name on paper looks great but sounds strange when you say it aloud. Test it out by speaking the name you’re considering out loud, paired with last name, middle name, and even nicknames! You want to avoid an embarrassing situation like comedian Amy Schumer (who changed her baby’s name after realizing it sounded like “Genital”).
Popularity
If you care about uniqueness, it’s always smart to cross-reference the Social Security Administration’s list of top baby names in the United States to avoid trendy names that rank highly or are rising. We really didn’t want our kids to have super common names due to my husband John always being “John P” in a sea of other Johns, so by using the SS list of names we were able to avoid that (both of our kids are the only ones with their name in their grade).
Negative Associations
Consider Googling a name to see how it appears in pop culture, politics, history, etc. Make sure you’re comfortable with any existing figures or characters who share that name. Especially for unique names, these may be the primary associations that others may have with your child’s name.
The Assumed Gender Association
Understanding the potential gender associations of a name can be a smart thing to reflect on and decide whether you care at all or not in the least. We knew a woman named Justin who started every work call with someone new telling them “yes, I’m a female named Justin” and always said she wished she was “just a Justine to avoid spending years of her life explaining her name.” We actually love a gender-neutral baby name (that’s a whole list of our favorites), so it can also be smart to identify if you prefer names that work for both boys and girls, and hunt for that category on some online lists too.
Consider Practicality
Names also serve many functional purposes, and your child will be the one to benefit (or suffer) from keeping real-world applications in mind.
Longevity
Does this name suit a child, teen, AND adult? Because you aren’t just naming a baby – you’re naming a person who will (presumably) use this name for resumes, business cards, and other grown-up scenarios.
Pronunctiation
Do you care if the name is easy to say? Some people want it to be obvious, but others don’t mind a name that is unusual and therefore might require an explanation for how to pronounce it.
Spelling
Similarly, do you care if the name is easy to spell? Some people want to use the most common spelling or the most phonetic spelling of a name, while others love some flair with an unusual spelling. Just figuring out what you prefer can help direct you towards a name you love more than all the rest.
Flexibility
Does the name have existing or potential nicknames? Are you comfortable with those being used? Nicknames can also alleviate some of the issues above. For example, if the full name is tricky to spell or pronounce (Margueritte), but the nickname is simple (Maggie), you might feel like it’s the perfect balance.
Family Fit
Think about how potential names mesh with existing names and nicknames in the household (parents, siblings, even pets!). Will similar-sounding names cause confusion (like someone calling “Annie” across the house while someone else thinks their brother “Danny” is being summoned?). Or maybe you intentionally want alliterative names (each of the children starts with L, for example)?
Think Rhythm & Flow
Saying names out loud is a great way to narrow your list. Humans are naturally drawn to names with rhythm or flow to them, so here are some general “best practices” that you can conform with or completely throw out the window. Your choice!
Unequal Syllables
There’s a general “rule” that first, middle, and last names sound great with an unequal numbers of syllables – like 3-1-2 or 1-2-4, instead of 2-2-2. So if you have a long last name, you might want to focus on one-syllable first names (or vice versa if your last name is short). Again, rules are meant to be broken, so feel free to disregard this completely if you love a name that follows a different format.
Separation From Last Name
Some people try to avoid first names that end with the same sound that the last name starts with (ex: Jack Kraus) because it can be sort of a tongue twister to enunciate the end of the first name when it runs into the same sound. I knew a Mary Sass who hated that she sounded like Mary’s Ass (true story). And no matter how much you love the name Eden, if your last name is Ham, do you want your child’s full name to sound like “eatin’ ham?” Maybe you do, It’s just another thing to consider. Be sure to say the full name out loud a bunch of times just to be sure you like what it sounds like when it blurs together.
Mix It Up
Names with lots of matching sounds, letters, or alliteration might feel overly “sing-songy” or cutesy (think characters like Amelia Bedelia). So look for full names that mix hard & soft sounds and don’t rhyme. You may also want to avoid ending with the same letters/sound that you last name ends with (ex: Madison Peterson). Someone once told us they loved the name Paterson for a girl but we said Paterson Petersik out loud and we all laughed.
Test It Out
We also encourage you to test out potential baby names before you put one on a birth certificate. Here are some popular ways to “test drive” a baby name:
The Shout Test
Picture yelling this name up the stairs or down the hall to get your child’s attention. Is it natural and easy for you to say? Will it get confused with other names in the household? (John had trouble growing up because his name sounded very similar to “Mom” and his dad’s name “Tom.”)
The Crowd Test
Picture calling this name out in a crowd (say you get separated from your child at the zoo). Is it easy to say loudly? Will it be easy for your child to identify it as their name of does it sound weirdly similar to something else that might be said loudly in public pretty often? As a person named Sherry I will tell you that my heart stopped a few times in grade school when a teacher said “You should all be SHARING with the class” because I thought she was interrupting herself to yell at me for talking. But I survived.
The Classroom Test
Picture a teacher calling your child’s name on the first day of school. Will it invite any snickering or teasing from other kids (ex: your child goes by Frank, but the teacher has their given name of “Frances” on the roll sheet). We know someone who thought about this and just named their kid the-nickname-version of their name instead of the full name.
The Starbucks Test
Picture giving this name to a coffee shop barista. This is a good scenario to consider how strangers hear a name.
The Writing Test
Write the full name out on paper. How does it look to your eye? Do you worry it’s too long or maybe too difficult for a toddler who’s learning to write? Do you like how it will look on name tags, jerseys, lunch labels, and more?
The Conversation Test
Put potential names into everyday conversation for a day or two, using them as placeholders whenever you refer to the baby (“Maeve just kicked!“) or even imagine future conversations about your child (“Freddy has a big exam tomorrow“). See if some names feel more natural than others.
None of these tests are meant to be “pass” or “fail,” since no name will be 100% perfect in all scenarios. But they can give you some helpful insights as to which names you like most and what you actually care about (and don’t at all).
Other Naming Considerations
In addition to all of these ways to create & narrow down your baby name list, here are some other things to remember during this exciting time.
Include A Partner
If you have a partner, you likely want to collaborate to make them feel included. Talk about what feels like the easiest way to pick a name together. Do you want to keep separate lists and cross-reference later? Work through every decision together? Or maybe you get the final say on the first name, and they pick the middle name? Just talking this through can make you feel like the best team who can land on the best name that you both love. And if you’re single, you might want to consult with a close friend or family member to bounce ideas off someone else so you don’t feel like you’re doing this in a vacuum. Just be warned that asking too many people for their opinions can quickly spoil soooo many names you love.
Maybe Don’t Finalize It
Some parents find it easier to wait until they meet their baby to make a final selection. You never know if seeing your child’s face will make one name a clear winner over others. We had a name for our daughter that we were heavily leaning towards, but we agreed if she was born with a head of dark hair we’d name her Jane. She was bald, so the original name (which was a family name) is what we went with. But it felt nice to just say “we don’t have to be 100% sure going into this birth. It can be totally fine to bring a few top contenders into the delivery room and just meet your little one to see what fits.
Invite Feedback Carefully
As I’ve hinted at a few times, involving others in your naming decision is up to you, but remember that everyone has different preferences, associations, and instincts. And they may feel bolder about sharing those opinions with you when that name is still hypothetical (and not attached to your actual baby). So if you’re not prepared to hear every one of your cousins nitpick your favorite monikers, maybe keep him out of the loop for now.
Don’t Stress
There are plenty of important decisions to worry about during a pregnancy, but don’t make picking a name one of them. There are THOUSANDS of great names out there, and you’re bound to find plenty that you like. No name checks every single box, so don’t fret about perfection and enjoy the process.
More Baby Name Ideas
We’ve given you LOTS to think about, but not many actual names. That’s where these posts come in. Be sure to check these out as your adding names to you list. And yes, some of the pet ones may come in handy!
*This post contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.
Looking for a fresh way to introduce colour into your home? Lilac and lemon might not be the first combination that springs to mind, but these two cheerful shades work surprisingly well together. One is soft, calming and romantic, while the other is sunny, uplifting and full of energy. Together, they create a colour scheme that feels playful yet sophisticated, bringing a welcome sense of freshness to contemporary interiors.
There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about lilac and lemon, too. The combination brings to mind seaside sticks of rock, striped parasols, spring flowers and pastel-coloured sweets. Yet, when paired with natural materials, contemporary furniture and thoughtfully chosen accessories, it can feel thoroughly modern.
The beauty of decorating with lilac and lemon is that you don’t need to commit to a complete room makeover. A few carefully chosen cushions, decorative ceramics, pieces of artwork or colourful lampshades can be enough to transform a neutral space.
Whether you love soft pastel interiors or prefer a bolder approach to colour, here’s how to make lilac and lemon work beautifully in your home, along with ten stylish home accessories to help you achieve the look.
Table of Contents
Why Do Lilac and Lemon Work So Well Together?
At first glance, lilac and lemon might seem like an unusual pairing. However, there’s a good reason these colours complement one another so effectively.
Purple and yellow sit opposite each other on the colour wheel, making them complementary colours. This means they naturally create contrast when used together. While stronger versions of purple and yellow can produce a dramatic, high-energy combination, their softer counterparts offer a much gentler interpretation.
Lilac, with its subtle blue and pink undertones, brings a sense of calm and softness. Lemon yellow introduces warmth, brightness and optimism, preventing the overall scheme from feeling too cool or subdued.
The key is choosing shades that work harmoniously together. For a relaxed, understated interior, try chalky lilac with pale lemon yellow. Lavender and buttery yellow create a warmer, slightly more nostalgic look, while dusty lilac paired with muted citrus tones feels sophisticated and contemporary.
If you prefer something more expressive, stronger violet accents combined with brighter lemon yellow can create a confident, colourful interior.
It’s also worth remembering that colours can look quite different depending on the natural light in a room. North-facing rooms may make lilac appear cooler, while warm afternoon sunlight can bring out its pinker undertones. Yellow can also vary considerably, from soft buttery shades to sharper, almost acidic lemon tones.
Before committing to larger decorative changes, experiment with colour samples and accessories in different parts of the room.
Start With a Neutral Background
One of the easiest ways to decorate with lilac and lemon is to introduce them against a neutral backdrop.
Warm white walls, cream upholstery and natural timber furniture provide an ideal foundation, allowing the colours to stand out without overwhelming the space. Soft beige, oatmeal and pale greige can also work particularly well, giving the pastel shades a more grounded, grown-up appearance.
Natural materials are especially useful for balancing this combination. Oak furniture, woven baskets, rattan accessories, linen upholstery and textured rugs all introduce warmth and help prevent the scheme from feeling overly sugary.
You don’t necessarily need equal quantities of both colours, either. In fact, the most successful interiors often use one shade more prominently, with the other appearing in smaller decorative accents.
For example, a predominantly neutral living room could feature a lilac armchair, a couple of lemon yellow cushions and a colourful print incorporating both shades. Alternatively, a sunny yellow room might benefit from a few soft lavender accessories to temper its brightness. The important thing is creating a sense of balance rather than trying to match everything perfectly.
Try a Woven Accessory in Both Colours
BINTI Lavender and Yellow Bread Basket, The Basket Room
BINTI lavender and yellow bread basket, The Basket Room
A lovely example of how the two colours can work together is this BINTI woven bread basket from The Basket Room.
Traditionally handmade by a small weaving group in Kenya, the basket combines lavender and yellow in a beautifully textured design.
Although intended for serving bread, rolls or fruit, it’s equally useful for keeping smaller household items organised. Try it on a bedside table for jewellery and watches, on a hallway console for everyday essentials, or as a decorative accessory on an open kitchen shelf. The woven construction adds a natural element that helps balance the pastel colours.
The living room is an excellent place to experiment with this colour combination, particularly if you already have neutral furniture.
A cream, beige or light grey sofa can provide the perfect starting point. Add a couple of lemon yellow cushions, introduce a lilac throw and finish with decorative accessories that repeat the colours elsewhere in the room.
For a more noticeable statement, consider a lavender upholstered armchair or a soft yellow accent chair. Both can introduce personality without requiring you to replace your main furniture.
Artwork is another effective way to bring the colours together. An abstract print containing yellow and purple can establish the palette, giving you a starting point for choosing cushions, vases and other accessories.
Try repeating each colour in two or three places around the room. This creates a visual connection between different areas and makes the scheme feel intentional rather than accidental.
Add Colour Through Artwork
Colourful artwork is also an excellent starting point for creating a gallery wall, particularly when you want to bring several complementary shades together.
Atelier Art No. 2 Print, Desenio
Atelier art no 2 print, Desenio
If you’re unsure how to combine lilac and lemon successfully, artwork that already features both colours is a useful starting point.
The Atelier Art No. 2 print from Desenio features abstract purple and yellow shapes against a pale background, creating a playful contemporary design. It would look particularly effective above a neutral sofa, on a gallery wall or as part of a colourful home office scheme. Choose a simple frame to keep the look modern, or introduce natural oak to complement the softer shades.
Available in different sizes and finishes, with prices originally starting at £15.95 from Desenio.
Introduce Decorative Lilac Glassware
Lilac Glass Bud Vase, Talking Tables
Lilac glass bud vase, Talking Tables
Small decorative accessories are an easy way to experiment with colour, particularly when you don’t want to make permanent changes.
This lilac glass bud vase from Talking Tables has a delicate, translucent finish that makes it ideal for adding a subtle hint of purple to a shelf, mantelpiece or coffee table.
Fill it with a few yellow flowers to bring both colours together naturally, or display it alongside other glass accessories in complementary shades. Bud vases are particularly effective when grouped in different heights and shapes, creating a relaxed arrangement that doesn’t feel overly formal.
Use Lilac and Lemon to Brighten a Kitchen or Dining Room
Lilac and lemon can be especially appealing in kitchens and dining rooms, where their fresh, cheerful qualities feel perfectly at home.
A neutral kitchen with white or cream cabinets can be transformed with a few colourful accessories. Try displaying a bowl of fresh lemons on the worktop, hanging a botanical print on the wall or introducing lilac ceramics on open shelving.
There’s no need to replace your existing kitchen accessories. A colourful tea towel, decorative bowl or small vase can be enough to make a difference.
For dining tables, the combination offers plenty of possibilities. Start with a simple white or natural linen tablecloth, then introduce lilac glassware, lemon yellow napkins and a few small floral arrangements. Pale yellow candles in purple holders can create an attractive contrast, particularly when combined with clear glass and natural timber.
For a relaxed summer table, try mixing the colours with fresh greenery and woven placemats. In cooler months, warmer yellow tones and deeper lavender accessories can give the scheme a cosier feel.
Create a Colourful Table Display
Lilac Glass Bubble Dinner Candle Holder, The Wisteria Tree
Lilac glass bubble dinner candle holder, The Wisteria Tree
This playful lilac glass candle holder from The Wisteria Tree is a lovely way to introduce both colour and sculptural interest. Its rounded bubble design gives it a contemporary appearance, while the pastel finish keeps the overall effect soft.
Try pairing it with pale yellow dinner candles, a simple linen table runner and a few small vases of flowers for a fresh dining table arrangement. It would also look attractive on a mantelpiece or sideboard, either on its own or grouped with other decorative objects.
Botanical artwork offers a slightly more traditional interpretation of the lilac and lemon colour palette.
This vintage-style lemon print from Ink & Drop features a classic botanical design that would make a cheerful addition to a kitchen, breakfast room or hallway. It would work beautifully alongside lavender-coloured accessories, natural oak furniture and simple cream walls.
The traditional illustration also introduces an interesting contrast when displayed in a contemporary interior, helping to create a more individual, collected look.
Available framed or unframed in various sizes, with prices originally starting at £14.50 from Ink & Drop.
Create a Calm, Colourful Bedroom
Although yellow is often associated with energetic, uplifting interiors, softer lemon shades can work surprisingly well in bedrooms when balanced with calming lilac.
For a restful scheme, start with warm white or pale neutral walls and introduce lilac through bedding, curtains or an upholstered headboard. Then add small touches of lemon yellow through cushions, artwork or bedside accessories.
The trick is to avoid using too much bright yellow in a room intended for relaxation. Pale buttery tones are generally easier to live with, particularly when combined with muted lavender and soft natural fabrics.
Texture can make a big difference, too. Layering different textures, from soft linen to velvet and cosy throws, can help pastel bedrooms feel more inviting and individual. Try cotton bedding with a linen throw, introduce a tactile rug and consider velvet accessories for a little extra richness. These varied surfaces help create a welcoming bedroom that feels comfortable rather than overly coordinated.
Update Your Lighting With Lilac Velvet
Ophelie Lilac Velvet Cylinder Lampshade, Ruma
Ophelie lilac velvet cylinder lampshade, Ruma
Changing a lampshade is one of the simplest ways to introduce a new accent colour.
The Ophelie lilac velvet cylinder lampshade from Ruma has a soft, tactile finish that adds both colour and texture. Its understated cylindrical shape makes it suitable for contemporary interiors, while the velvet gives it a slightly luxurious quality.
Try it on a simple ceramic or wooden lamp base beside a bed, or use it to introduce a gentle splash of colour to a living room side table. Pairing it with pale yellow accessories and warm neutral furnishings would create a particularly attractive combination.
Available in different sizes, with prices originally starting at £25 from Ruma.
Add Playful Colour to Hallways and Bathrooms
Smaller spaces are ideal for experimenting with more unusual colour combinations. Hallways, cloakrooms and bathrooms often have relatively little furniture, which means a colourful accessory can make a surprisingly strong impression.
In a hallway, consider introducing lilac through a decorative mirror, framed artwork or a small table lamp. A yellow vase or bowl on a console table can provide a complementary accent. Bathrooms are equally well suited to this approach. White tiles and neutral sanitaryware provide a useful backdrop for lilac towels, a colourful bath mat or pale yellow accessories.
If you want to take the scheme further, consider a lilac-painted vanity unit or a section of pale yellow wall tiles. However, there’s no need to commit to permanent changes when smaller accessories can create a similar effect.
Make a Statement With a Lilac Mirror
Lilac Squiggly Mirror, Rose & Grey
Lilac squiggly mirror, Rose & Grey
A statement mirror can introduce colour, shape and personality to an otherwise neutral space. This lilac squiggly mirror from Rose & Grey features an oval reflective surface surrounded by an irregular, wavy frame. Its playful design would work particularly well in a hallway, bedroom or dressing area, where it could provide an eye-catching decorative feature.
Pair it with a pale yellow vase or small piece of artwork to create a coordinated lilac and lemon arrangement. Originally priced at £62 from Rose & Grey.
Refresh Your Bathroom With Lilac Textiles
Lilac Cotton Bath Mat, Homescapes Online
Lilac cotton bath mat, Homescapes Online
If your bathroom is predominantly white, introducing a colourful bath mat can instantly make the space feel more welcoming.
This lilac cotton bath mat from Homescapes Online features a tufted zigzag design with a decorative pom-pom edge. Made from 100% cotton, it adds texture as well as a gentle splash of colour.
Combine it with soft yellow towels, a small vase of flowers or simple pastel accessories for a fresh bathroom scheme that doesn’t require any decorating work.
Lilac and lemon isn’t just a combination for indoor spaces. It can also work beautifully in gardens, on patios and across smaller balconies. In fact, the colours have a natural connection to the outdoors, particularly when combined with purple flowering plants and greenery in containers.
Lavender, purple salvias, alliums and other lilac-toned flowers can provide a lovely backdrop for yellow cushions, outdoor tableware and decorative accessories.
If you have natural rattan or timber garden furniture, try introducing a few lemon yellow cushions and a lilac tablecloth or outdoor-friendly decorative accessories.
For a more colourful look, combine the shades with striped parasols, patterned textiles and terracotta planters. The result can feel wonderfully relaxed and summery, with a subtle Mediterranean influence.
Brighten Outdoor Seating With Lemon Yellow
Lemon Meringue Outdoor Cushion, The Outdoor Edit
Lemon meringue outdoor cushion, The Outdoor Edit
A colourful cushion is one of the easiest ways to refresh garden furniture. This lemon meringue outdoor cushion from The Outdoor Edit features a cheerful sorbet yellow shade and a playful scalloped trim. Part of the Moments of Joy collection, it’s designed for indoor and outdoor use, with a shower-resistant finish.
It would look particularly attractive on natural rattan seating, a cream outdoor sofa or a simple wooden garden bench. For a lilac and lemon scheme, combine it with lavender-coloured cushions or place it against a backdrop of purple-flowering plants.
Lighting is often overlooked when introducing colour into a room, but lampshades and pendant fittings can make a noticeable decorative difference.
A pale yellow ceiling shade can add a cheerful focal point to a neutral room, while a lilac table lamp or lampshade provides a softer accent at a lower level. This approach works particularly well in rooms where you want to introduce colour without painting walls or investing in large pieces of furniture.
Consider the position of the lighting, too. A colourful pendant shade above a dining table can help establish the room’s palette, while a decorative table lamp can create a more subtle effect. Bear in mind that coloured shades may also influence the appearance of the light they emit, depending on their material and lining.
Add a Splash of Lemon Overhead
Lucia Lemon Lightshade, B&Q
Lucia lemon lightshade, B&Q
If you’re looking for a simple way to make a more noticeable colour statement, this Lucia lemon lightshade from B&Q is worth considering.
The domed design offers a contemporary interpretation of a pendant light, while its bright lemon finish adds an uplifting splash of colour. Designed as an easy-fit shade for a compatible existing ceiling fitting, it can provide the appearance of a pendant without requiring a completely new light installation.
Try it above a dining table, in a home office or as a cheerful addition to a neutral bedroom. Pairing it with smaller lilac accessories would help establish the colour scheme without making the room feel overly coordinated.
Originally priced at £16 for the 30cm shade from B&Q.
What Other Colours Go With Lilac and Lemon?
Although lilac and lemon work beautifully together, introducing a third colour can help create a more layered, individual interior. The best choice depends on whether you want the finished scheme to feel fresh and airy, warm and inviting, or more dramatic.
Warm white and cream: These are among the easiest colours to combine with lilac and lemon. They provide a light, neutral foundation that allows both shades to shine.
Sage green: A particularly attractive option for botanical-inspired interiors. Sage green introduces a natural quality and works beautifully with lavender tones, lemon yellow and timber furniture.
Soft pink: For a romantic pastel scheme, add small touches of blush pink. Keep the overall palette balanced with warm neutrals to avoid an overly sweet effect.
Terracotta: Earthy orange-brown tones can provide an interesting contrast to cooler lilac shades. Terracotta planters, ceramics and textiles also work well with yellow accents.
Pale blue: Combining lilac, lemon and powder blue creates a fresh, playful palette with a nostalgic quality. It’s particularly appealing in light-filled rooms.
Chocolate brown: If you’d prefer a more sophisticated interpretation, introduce dark brown furniture, timber finishes or rich brown textiles. These deeper tones help ground the pastels and provide welcome contrast.
There’s no need to include several additional colours. Often, one carefully chosen supporting shade is enough to bring the whole scheme together.
How to Stop Lilac and Lemon Looking Too Sweet
One potential concern when decorating with pastel colours is that the finished room might look overly sugary or reminiscent of a child’s bedroom. Fortunately, there are several ways to make lilac and lemon feel more sophisticated.
Balance Pastels With Natural Materials
Timber, stone, rattan and linen all provide a useful contrast to delicate colours. A lilac glass vase looks particularly attractive on a natural oak sideboard, while lemon yellow cushions can bring warmth to a neutral linen sofa.
Introduce Different Textures
Mix smooth glass with matt ceramics, soft velvet with woven fabrics, and polished surfaces with more rustic finishes. These contrasts add visual interest and prevent the room from feeling flat or overly coordinated.
Choose Contemporary Furniture
Clean-lined sofas, simple wooden tables and understated storage furniture can help keep a pastel scheme looking modern. Colourful accessories will often stand out more effectively against relatively simple furniture.
Add a Few Darker Accents
Small amounts of chocolate brown, charcoal, dark timber or black can provide definition. A dark picture frame, sculptural lamp base or piece of furniture can help anchor the lighter colours.
Don’t Match Everything
A room where every lilac accessory is exactly the same shade can feel a little artificial. Instead, try combining lavender, dusty lilac and soft violet with buttery yellow and sharper lemon accents. The subtle variations create depth and make the scheme feel more relaxed.
Leave Some Breathing Space
You don’t need colour on every surface. Neutral walls, simple curtains and uncluttered shelves allow the lilac and lemon accents to stand out, making the overall effect feel more considered.
Easy Ways to Try Lilac and Lemon Without Redecorating
If you like the idea of this colour combination but aren’t ready to commit to larger changes, start small.
A few inexpensive accessories can make a surprising difference, particularly in a room that already has a neutral colour scheme. Try adding a lilac vase filled with yellow flowers to a coffee table, introducing a colourful print above a sideboard or switching your existing cushion covers for pastel alternatives.
You could also create a small decorative arrangement using objects you already own. Group a yellow ceramic bowl with a lavender candle holder and a simple glass vase, varying the heights and textures to create an interesting display.
For a seasonal refresh, change table linens, decorative cushions or flowers rather than investing in entirely new furniture. It’s also worth experimenting with the proportions of each colour. You might discover that you prefer a predominantly lilac scheme with just a few yellow highlights, or that lemon yellow works better as the main accent in your home.
The most successful colour combinations are usually those that develop naturally, reflecting your personal taste rather than following a strict formula.
A Fresh Way to Bring Colour Into Your Home
Lilac and lemon might seem like an unexpected combination, but that’s part of its appeal. The softness of lilac provides a lovely contrast to the cheerful warmth of yellow, creating interiors that feel fresh, uplifting and full of personality.
Whether you prefer a calm contemporary living room, a colourful dining table or a sunny garden seating area, there are plenty of ways to incorporate these complementary shades.
And the best part? You don’t need a large budget or a complete decorating overhaul to try the look. Start with a few accessories you love, experiment with different shades and textures, and let the colours develop naturally within your existing interior.
With the right balance, lilac and lemon can feel playful without being childish, colourful without being overwhelming, and fresh without losing that all-important sense of comfort.
Product prices and details were correct when selected, but are subject to change. Check individual retailers for current availability.
There’s nothing so important as sleep, and sometimes it seems there’s nothing so elusive. Sleep helps to regulate and repair all your physical and mental functions, and poor quality sleep can be as damaging as no sleep at all. While there can be many reasons for not being able to fall or stay asleep, one of the most important first steps is creating the right conditions. Trying to sleep in a room that’s too hot, cold, noisy, bright or distracting can be challenging, and can result in poor-quality slumber.
Creating your own ‘sleep sanctuary’ at home is an invitation to slow down, switch off and prioritise rest in a world that rarely pauses. Turn your bedroom into a personal retreat, layered with soothing tones, tactile textures and thoughtful details that promote deep relaxation and better sleep. Indulge every sense with soft, tactile bedding, ambient lighting, calming scents and a general feeling of being cocooned. A good mattress that suits your height, weight and sleeping style is a must, as is good-quality bed linen.
Table of Contents
Extra firm hybrid mattress, OTTY
Extra firm hybrid mattress, OTTY
Introducing the OTTY Firm, rated 8/10 on one side and 9/10 on the other. Tailored for those seeking orthopedic-grade firmness, this firm hybrid mattress features larger and thicker encapsulated pocket springs. Premium bamboo and charcoal-infused memory foam offers a host of health benefits, including temperature regulation, moisture-wicking properties, and antibacterial features to combat odours. Prices start at £524.99, available from OTTY.
Petra pink linen bedding bundle, Chalk Pink
Petra pink linen bedding bundle, Chalk Pink
This complete bundle is all you need to dress your bed in pure linen bedding. Each set includes a linen duvet cover and two pillowcases in Petra Pink and a classic Still White linen, deep fitted sheet. Prices start at £300 for a double set, available from Chalk Pink.
Sleep pillow mist, Haus Gio
Sleep pillow mist, Haus Gio
Scented with a blend of lavender, orange and bergamot, this sleep mist is designed to help you relax and rest soundly. Natural ingredients help calm your mind and promote a restful, long and comfortable sleep. £9.99, available from Haus Gio.
Sleep collection blended oil set, The Range
Sleep collection blended oil set, Tenovus Cancer Care
Unwind and relax with this collection of ready to use, blended essential oils. The set contains 4 x 10ml bottles with a dropper tool lid, helping to apply just the right amount of oil for each use. The scents you’ll discover in this set are: Nightfall – Lavender & Vertiver, Restore – Calming Chamomile, Starry Sky – Lavender & Patchouli, Unwind – Rose Geranium. £14.99, available from The Range.
Scenario cotton pillowcases, La Redoute
Scenario cotton pillowcases, La Redoute
Pillowcase in ultra soft, smooth and silky 100% cotton percale and 200 thread count. Available in a range of colours and two styles, standard and square. Sold separately. £14.99 each, available from La Redoute.
Green muslin striped duvet cover, Oliver Bonas
Scenario cotton pillowcases, La Redoute
Made from a soft and luxurious high quality cotton muslin, this bedlinen set (above and main image) features a warm cream and green stripe pattern on the front with a natural coloured reverse, and includes a duvet cover and two matching pillowcases. Available in double or king sizes, prices start at £75 from Oliver Bonas.
IKEA has just dropped a new artificial Christmas tree for under £100, and standing at nearly 8ft tall, I’m calling it one of the best festive bargains of the year.
There’s no denying that the very best artificial Christmas trees often come with an expensive price tag – especially if you want a tree that looks exactly like the real deal (bar the dropped needles). But IKEA’s VINTERFINT Artificial Christmas Tree has landed in the UK and has proved that a quality tree doesn’t have to break the bank.
Vinterfint Artificial Christmas Tree – In/outdoor Green 240 Cm
This week, I’ve been on the hunt for affordable Christmas trees. Already I’ve spotted B&Q’s Black Friday Christmas tree deal, where their 7ft Valais tree is just £50. And now, IKEA’s VINTERFINT tree has become available in the UK, and it’s an even better deal.
The VINTERFINT tree is suitable for use both indoors and outdoors. It stands at 240cm, making it nearly a whopping 8ft tall, which makes its £99 price tag all the more impressive. Now, IKEA hasn’t revealed how many branch tips this has, so you won’t be able to tell how realistic it looks until you see it in person, but the images and reviews are reassuring of its quality.
‘Some of the best artificial Christmas trees can cost several £100s. So seeing a tree that looks as realistic as this IKEA one does – at least in the images – selling for just £99 is refreshing. And the fact that it’s nearly 8ft tall, while most trees that are pricier than this one measure 6ft or 7ft, is another perk of this budget-friendly tree. And based on the reviews, the existing customers are very happy with it, which speaks volumes,’ commented Sara Hesikova, Ideal Home’s Room Decor Editor and resident Christmas tree expert.
(Image credit: IKEA)
As Sara mentions, this tree has already racked up great reviews online, with customers praising the quality and price.
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‘First time getting a fake tree, and I must say it looks almost the same as a real xmas tree. It’s very sturdy and easy to assemble; I can’t believe it was just £100. We saw many more fake xmas trees in other shops around London, but we liked this one the most,’ said one.
‘This is a beautiful authentic-looking Swedish-style tree! Showcases ornaments and looks great with the ball lights,’ said another.
The VINTERFINT tree is available for delivery and in-store. However, If you’re unable to get your hands on one, here are a few more budget trees we recommend.
B&Q
7ft Valais Natural effect Hinged Full Artificial Christmas tree – Green
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I can’t belive this tree is only £50. This Specialbuy is part of B&Q’s Black Friday sale event, so when it’s gone, it’s gone. Be quick, if you want to get your hands on one.
Habitat
7ft Pre lit Blue Oscar With Pine Cone Christmas Tree
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Reviews say this tree look incredibly realistic in real life. Considering it has 1528 branch tips combining 3D and flat needles, I belive it.
You don’t need to spend hundreds on an artificial Christmas tree this year. IKEA’s affordable VINTERFINT tree is perfect for celebrating the festivities.
There were three things I didn’t expect when I first saw 2026’s John Lewis Christmas advert: 1. a toy dog telling Kristin Scott Thomas to ‘lighten up, Grandma ‘, 2. Kristin Scott Thomas as the chicest grandma ever, 3. to find myself lusting after a ‘grandma’s house’.
It’s been 20 years since the original John Lewis advert that had us all balling was launched. To celebrate the milestone, every stop has been pulled out to make this year’s advert feel fresh, new and compelling, even pulling in their first celebrity stars and getting Sam Fender on board to record a cover of The Rolling Stones’ ‘You Can’t Always Get What You Want’. However, what I couldn’t take my eyes off was the plush home of Grandma Gloria (played by Kristin Scott Thomas).
The advert centres around a Grandma going on a journey with a Fisher-Price Snoopy dog toy she was gifted as a child, in order to track down the perfect gift for her grandkids. The advert starts with the family coming over to Grandma’s house for Christmas; the grandkids run past her without a hug and break in and rampage through her very chic study that she’d locked up.
Latest Videos FromIdeal Home
Gloria and Pickles | John Lewis & Partners | Christmas Ad 2026 – YouTube
When her attempts to connect with them via a toy dog, ‘Pickles’ that she loved as a child are met with a bored look, she gives up on working out what gift they’d like and plans to give the kids money for Christmas, saying, ‘it’s what they want’.
That is until Pickles intervenes and takes her on a Christmas light, disco ball and tuk-tuk-filled montage to find a gift. Of course they wind up at John Lewis, but it’s not to buy one singular perfect gift; instead, she gives her study a makeover, picking up bean bags, disco balls and streamers to transform it into a ‘gran-cave’ where she and the kids can play, connect and make memories.
(Image credit: John Lewis)
When you have a star like Dame Kristin Scott Thomas playing the grandma, you’re going to expect her to have a stylish home. Still, I instantly started taking notes on the earthy and glamorous 70s colour palette that looked just as chic paired with Scandi-inspired armchairs as it did transformed into the ‘gran cave’ with disco balls and gold streamers. I’ll go as far as to say this is one of the most lustworthy homes we’ve ever seen in a John Lewis advert.
(Image credit: John Lewis)
The whole home was put together using John Lewis furniture and home accessories, which embraced a grown-up, colourful Scandinavian aesthetic for its Autumn/Winter collection. This advert is a masterclass in how to mix the Scandi-inspired furniture with jewel-toned soft furnishings to curate a warm and cosy home.
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If you’re currently lusting after the home in the advert, here are the key pieces that were used so you can recreate the look yourself.
Get the luxe granny look
John Lewis
John Lewis Grayson Storage Coffee Table, Dark
John Lewis
John Lewis Bordered Velvet Cushion, Sienna
John Lewis
John Lewis the Curator Frosted Orange Bauble, Multi
John Lewis
John Lewis Small Disco Ball Decoration
John Lewis
John Lewis St. Petersburg Pre-Lit Christmas Tree, 7ft, Green
John Lewis
John Lewis Soren Office Chair, Ivory/natural, Ivory/natural
John Lewis
John Lewis Cupid Bar Cabinet, Walnut Burl
Audio-Technica
Audio-Technica At-Lp120xusb Usb Conversion Turntable, Silver
