Design fails and DIY mishaps are something many of us face, but what's the biggest home improvement mistake to avoid?
'What upsets me is when people spend decent money on a project which isn't designed properly from the beginning. That's one of the biggest mistakes I've seen people make over the years,' architect and Amazing Spaces presenter George Clarke tells House Beautiful UK. 'There's nothing more expensive than messing up building and DIY projects.'
Before you tackle a remodel, it's important to prepare and plan — especially if you want your project to succeed from the get-go. 'The most annoying thing in my career is seeing people not spend time sketching to get it right,' adds George. 'The more decisions you make up front, the more chance you have of your project being a success.'
Remote working has made many of us crave bright, fresh spaces. It's amazing to think that, up until last year, our homes were simply places to escape the woes of a long day. Over the past 12 months, however, they have become so much more.
'It's so important to have an escape at home,' says George, explaining the importance of creating your own retreat. 'Now that we're at home more, it's so important to create different zones in your house. I've seen people do it in very simple ways — it might be a very simple change in paint colour or putting up some fabrics.'
From the genius disappearing bathroom in Wales to the futuristic rotating home, Amazing Spaces has seen some extraordinary small builds over the years. But, with the 10th series in the works, what is George's most memorable project to date?
'The most memorable project is my 1970s caravan from series one,' George tells us, explaining that it's his family's pride and joy.
It might have cost just £300, but the caravan has been a 'recharge retreat' that's lasted George and his family almost 10 years. 'Even though it's not in my house, I couldn't imagine a better recharge retreat for me personally. There's no technology in there, it's simple, affordable and beautifully designed. My kids love that caravan more than any other hotel I've taken them to. It goes backs to basics. It's been life-changing for us.'
George Clarke has teamed up with belVita to help us Reclaim Our Space. For more information, visit here.
Like this article? Sign up to our newsletter to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox.
Love what you’re reading? Enjoy House Beautiful magazine delivered straight to your door every month with Free UK delivery. Buy direct from the publisher for the lowest price and never miss an issue!
Floor cushions: 11 styles to help you lounge comfortably
Perfect for lounging, these linen floor cushions from Etsy will bring a touch of comfort into your home. Choose from rust orange, olive green and calming grey.
This jute and cotton floor cushion is bang on trend. Use as additional seating or a foot stool.
Cosy up at home with Garden Trading's large navy floor cushion. Woven from cotton and featuring a stripe pattern, it makes creating your own relaxing retreat easier.
Social seating just got more colourful thanks to this pastel-hued floor cushion from Homescapes. Made from 100 per cent cotton, it's available in a whole range of mood-lifting hues, including yellow, lime green and orange.
Generously filled with plump and durable polyester for lasting fullness, this on-trend floor cushion is fitted with a handle so that it can be hung up when not in use.
This boho-style floor cushion – made with a hard-wearing fabric and filled with organic buckwheat — has been designed to ease feelings of anxiety and stress. We also love the beautiful geometric pattern in a mix of stunning colours.
Add a touch of luxury to your living space with this blush pink velour floor cushion. It's the perfect spot for someone to perch if you run out of chairs. If it's not quite right for you, pick up the mustard hue instead.
This fun carnival-inspired floor cushion is great for kids. Ideal for a playroom or bedroom, it has a handle for easy portability and storage.
Extra Large Ticking Stripe Indoor Floor Cushion
Made from 100 per cent sustainable cotton with a water-repellent coating, this large indoor floor cushion boasts a beautiful stripe design and comfortable padding for lounging.
If you're looking for a grey floor cushion, then make sure to snap up this woven style from Cox & Cox. Large enough for an extra seat, it also works well as a footrest or for placing coffee table books.
Add personality and style to your interiors with this blue and white Moroccan-style cushion. Created with tiles in mind, this floor cushion is sure to jazz up an empty floor space.
