"I saw this couple that bought a boat and lived in London and renovated it. They had the most amazing life because they were living a city life but with half the bills, basically."
Rising utility costs continue to be a pain for the average U.S. renter. Energy-efficient rental features that help lower these costs like LED lighting, good insulation, and smart thermostats are becoming a baseline for renters.
Add a cheerful touch to your home with this Faux Peony Bundle from Pottery Barn. You don't need gardening skills, just set it out and enjoy. Each bundle has five blooms in bright spring colors, perfect for indoor spaces. Farmers' Market Herb Live Wreath & Garland Add a pop of color and flair to your front door a fresh look with this decorative wreath from Williams Sonoma.
Rajinder Singh Pander, of Windsor, Berkshire, had been served an enforcement notice by Hounslow Council requiring him to demolish the unsafe building - but he ignored the order and continued to rent out the property on Worthing Road, Heston, west London. A young family, including a child, lived there for two years in "cramped and substandard living conditions, giving rise to serious concerns about their health and wellbeing", according to Hounslow Council.
The global average building utilization rate dramatically jumped in 2025 to 53%, the highest since before the pandemic, validating the effectiveness of hybrid strategies in driving more in-office activity, according to CBRE. Utilization rates were 38% in 2024 and 35% in 2023, compared to the 65% that most respondents to CBRE's global workplace occupancy benchmarking program identified as their target.
Emily Lilburn, 21, says colour-changing lightbulbs and battery operated candles helped her make three bland and bare uni rooms colourful and cosy. "I never have the big light on," she says. "Instead I use lamps with 5 colour-changing light bulbs. I go for deep orange or warm red and it looks so much cosier." Emily says patterned bedding is a must.
Being creative, Bridgette knew that while she wasn't allowed to paint the honey-colored cabinetry in her apartment's kitchen, that wasn't going to stop her from making the room unique. It's far easier to return walls to their original color than paint cabinets, so she did just that by drenching the room in a terracotta color to blend the cabinet color while accentuating the richness. (Plus, she can easily paint it back when she moves out.)
While earth tones are still popular, many clients have been gravitating toward bolder colors for walls and trim. Sometimes, even ceilings are being painted a complementary color as opposed to white. Painted cabinets are still the most popular finishes for kitchens and vanities - many of these are also bolder colors; dark and rich blues and greens have been popular. Things like built-in bookcases and entertainment centers often blend seamlessly into the surrounding trim color.
