Guides

Honest guides to every part of your home

Properly researched, plain-English advice on what good looks like, what it should cost, and how to brief a professional, so you can spend with confidence.

Our guides cover the main interiors projects UK homeowners take on: kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, fitted storage, painting and decorating, and interior design. Each one explains what good looks like, gives indicative cost ranges for budgeting, and shows you how to brief a professional so quotes are comparable. They are written from research rather than sales copy, because the aim is fewer expensive mistakes and a home you are genuinely happy with. When you are ready, we can introduce you, free and with no obligation, to a vetted professional suited to your project and area.

Browse by project

Kitchens What a good kitchen really costs, how to brief a fitter, and where it pays to spend. Read the guide
Bathrooms Layouts that work, materials that last, and how to get comparable quotes. Read the guide
Flooring Engineered wood, LVT, tiles and carpet compared honestly for each room. Read the guide
Fitted wardrobes & storage Wardrobes, media units and storage that earn their keep, fitted or freestanding. Read the guide
Painting & decorating Colour, light and finish without the guesswork, and when to call a pro. Read the guide
Interior design When hiring a designer pays off, what to expect, and what it should cost. Read the guide

Comparison guides

Independent, side-by-side answers to the choices homeowners agonise over.

Kitchen worktop materials compared Laminate, wood, granite, quartz and porcelain: costs, heat, maintenance and which to choose. Read the comparison
Quartz vs granite worktops Cost, heat resistance, sealing and which premium worktop suits your kitchen. Read the comparison
What a kitchen quote should include The itemised checklist that makes quotes comparable and avoids surprises. Read the comparison
How much deposit to pay a kitchen fitter What is normal, staged payments, and how to pay so you are protected. Read the comparison
If your fitter goes bust mid-job Calm, step-by-step steps to protect your money and finish the kitchen. Read the comparison
What a bathroom quote should include The itemised checklist, including the waterproofing and soil-pipe costs that hide. Read the comparison
How much deposit to pay a bathroom fitter What is normal, staging payments to a wet-trade job, and how to pay safely. Read the comparison
Engineered wood vs laminate flooring Real costs, lifespan, refinishing and which suits which room. Read the comparison
Solid hardwood vs engineered wood Cost, lifespan, refinishing and which is right for underfloor heating. Read the comparison
What is engineered wood flooring? What it actually is, how it is made, what it costs and where it belongs. Read the comparison
Fitted vs built-in vs freestanding wardrobes What each actually means, what it costs, and which is right for your room. Read the comparison
How to brief an interior designer What a good brief includes, so your quotes are accurate and comparable. Read the comparison
Questions to ask an interior designer The questions that reveal fit, fees and process before you commit. Read the comparison
Is it worth hiring an interior designer? When a designer pays for itself, what it costs, and the cheaper alternatives. Read the comparison

Costs and data

Original, independent cost research and tools to help you budget for where you live.

Cost calculator Pick your project, level and region for an indicative 2026 price range. Open the calculator
Is my quote fair? Enter your quote and region to see where it sits against typical prices. Check a quote
UK interiors costs by region How much more you pay in London vs the North, and why labour drives the gap. See the data

Hiring well

How to choose a professional with confidence, whatever the trade.

How to find a good tradesperson The checks that separate a safe choice from a risky one, step by step. Read the guide
Red flags in a quote The warning signs in a quote that tell you to slow down or walk away. Read the guide
How we vet professionals The exact checks we run before introducing anyone. See how it works
Home interiors glossary Every kitchen, bathroom, flooring and decorating term explained in plain English. Read the glossary

Find a vetted pro

Tell us about your project and area. Add a rough budget if you like, as it helps us match a professional at the right level, so you do not waste time on firms that are too cheap or too expensive. Free and no obligation.

🔒 We never sell your details to a list of firms. One vetted introduction, matched to your project and budget.

Free and no obligation. Trusted Interiors is an independent information service; we match you to a vetted professional suited to your project and budget. If you choose to work with them we may receive a referral fee, but our guides and reviews are never paid placements. See how we vet professionals. This is general information, not professional design, building or financial advice.

Find a vetted pro