Yes Jonathan, it’s really annoying. They won’t do any amendments to the layout despite it being impractical and dangerous in parts (cupboards directly behind doors that swing back etc) So do you think the light worktop in the bottom picture or the grey worktop in the top picture? I’m just worried about the overall feeling being dark as it’s not a bright room (neighbours brick wall 1m from window!) I really prefer the light one, but I can’t convince myself it won’t look weird with the white tiles...

I think painting the wall behind the bed head, the same colour as the darker plum shade on bedspread, would help pull the room together and make it cosier. Then changing the lampshades to a pale plum, the same as secondary bedspread colour. Then a single painting or mirror with a gilt frame.

@ Matthew - personally I would change the window cills as well as this is a relatively easy fix and makes a big difference; are your windows PVC or wood? Painting the porch overhang would make a big difference as well and perhaps a future option is to build a porch with sloped roof, which will also help the house look less "brutal" :-) I would consider using a colour to the paint rather than white and if you are replacing the windows then move away from white to make the house more inviting. This would also involve painting the soffit boards on the eaves, but again I think the effect would be a good one. Using a natural wood for the slats is an option but it all depends upon how much you have to spend as hardwood would be best. You could consider using a composite material for this as there are some great options available these days.

Yes I think the tv wall could be a different, bolder shade. Navy (of course), deep green or a blend of the two like F&B Inchyra Blue. You get the idea in Marina’s mock up of that wall. I have painted over wallpaper in the past as I was too lazy to strip the paper off. It was okay! Don’t forget you can add more colour with accessories. It is your home so choose colours you love. E D - off course I tidied up! However I realise I left a bottle of orange squash on the side - I really need to get a life lol! :-)