Glimpse inside the UK’s most beautiful homes — created by everyday homeowners

This awards ceremony showcases the very best UK interiors and most were DIY (Picture: Darren Chung) We’ve all heard of food envy: that moment when the waiter brings over your table’s order and you instantly regret your choice. But what about home envy? You’ve probably experienced your fair share of it on social media, which can feel like an overwhelming pool of gorgeous interiors. But once we get over the jealousy, stunning homes can become a source of inspiration. Espeically when you learn they’re fully functioning spaces that people actually live in – not just sets dressed up for the pictures. That’s the core concept behind the uFurnish Home Awards, in partnership with Metro, which showcases the best of design in real homes across the country. Sure, some of the homeowners have a background in interior design, but others are squeezing in renovation projects around full-time jobs, childcare, or both. Many have learnt the tricks of the trade on the job (with a little help from YouTube), just like the rest of us. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. Over the past year we’ve been documenting their realistic journeys to help readers cut through the social media noise. Ready to start your homebuying journey? You can access completely fee-free mortgage advice with London & Country (L&C) Mortgages, a partner of Metro. Customers benefit from: – Award winning service from the UK’s leading mortgage broker – Expert advisors on hand 7 days a week – Access to 1000s of mortgage deals from across the market Unlike many mortgage brokers, L&C won’t charge you a fee for their advice. Find out how much you could borrow online Mortgage service provided by London & Country Mortgages (L&C), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (registered number: 143002). The FCA does not regulate most Buy to Let mortgages. Your home or property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. From kitchens to bedrooms to bathrooms, the uFurnish Awards platform the best of the best (Picture: Darren Chung) Taking place on October 19 at the Kimpton Fitzroy Hotel, the awards champion the most beautiful UK homes, from categories such as Best Before and After Transformation to Best on a Budget. Below, you’ll find the full list of finalists announced, plus a snapshot of the homes that made the cut to get your own creative juices flowing. Best Before and After Transformation (sponsored by Wayfair) Alana Miller From taking down four walls to designing a unique U-shaped kitchen, Alana never played it safe with this head-to-toe renovation. The moody paintwork, using Farrow & Balls’ Reduced Green, alongside the feature wallpaper mural on the ceiling depicting a traditional Roman scene, makes for a truly unique and grounded space. Alana transformed the space from boring and white to exciting and gothic (Pictures: uFurnish) Alana says that the ‘most satisfying’ element of the transformation is the floor, which she sourced entirely for free off facebook marketplace. ‘We laid it by hand over six months of patient DIY work,’ she explains. ‘Now, it’s a room the whole family lives in – a proper gathering space for cooking, eating and spending time together.’ Best Bathroom (sponsored by Easy Bathrooms) Emily Murray Combining soft whites, wooden furniture and gold accents, Emily’s bathroom is a sunlight-drenched paradise. The blend of pastels creates a calm space (Picture: uFurnish) Exploring textures and light was important for Emily (Picture: uFurnish) The mum-of-two renovated, what she calls, the ‘dirty flat roof’ on the second floor of their South East London home into a stunning skylight, allowing for cloud watching while taking a bath. ‘It’s rather more pink than my husband was expecting,’ she jokes, admitting that the bathroom was originally meant to be for her two teenage boys. ‘It’s too good for them, so I’m claiming it!’ she says. ‘They can wee in the garden.’ Best DIY Creation (sponsored by Ryobi) Bradley Dreha Bradley created a trendy dining nook totally by hand, showing any reno is possible if you put your mind to it. ‘What started as a simple idea quickly evolved into a detailed, hands-on transformation where I pushed my creativity and skills to the limit,’ he said. Bradley completed the transformation himself from start to finish (Pictures: uFurnish) ‘I reimagined the space from the ground up, beginning with the ceiling, installing panelling using tiles and moulding strips, followed by carefully wallpapering it to create a bold, cohesive look.’ He didn’t stop at the arch. Bradley actually hand built the booth seating, using two flat-back storage benches as a base, and upholstering them himself too. ‘I intentionally created the bench as an accessible DIY “hack” to inspire others,’ he says. ’I’m committed to showing that impactful design can be both personal and achievable ‘ Best Bedroom Sandra Sundén Using mixed paint from previous projects, Sandra has managed to create a dreamy, relaxing haven on a real budget. Sandra used lots of artistic techniques to spice up her room (Pictures: uFurnish) She added the cane webbing to her wardrobe, saying ‘some texture and interest was needed’, so she taught herself the technique. The green lamp, which ties in perfectly with the natural colour scape of the room, was hand crafted from a table runner from her wedding. ‘I also made the headboard from scratch which I feel grounds the room,’ she recalls, explaining the wall behind the bed is only single skin, so her handiwork isn’t just beautiful to look at. ‘It protects our poor heads from the cold.’ The headboard is a standout feature (Picture: uFurnish) Best on a Budget (sponsored by Airtasker) Teri Muncey Teri did the impossible and renovated her room for just £39. ‘I came up with a much more budget and renter-friendly solution to headboard panelling which works perfectly behind my bed and creates a real feature wall,’ she says. ‘It involves barely any paint, just some of the left over wall colour mixed with a darker paint. Teri said she would not have done the task without a laser level (Pictures: uFurnish) ‘The shelf finishes it off perfectly and makes the bead board look even more real. The best thing is the faux panels can easily be changed with no messy removal, you just paint over the top.’ She used leftover paint (but said you can buy a £2 tube of acrylic), a laser level she already owned (£12 from B&Q), a £12 plank of wood, £10 Ebay brackets and a £3 paintbrush, bringing the total to £39. Best Use of Colour (sponsored by Dulux) Anouska Lancaster Anouska Lancaster is an award-winning interior designer best known for starring in the Channel 4 series Renovation Nation which followed the jaw dropping restoration of her Cornwall home. The colour expert actually won the Best Bathroom and Best Dining Room at the 2025 awards. ‘Years ago, when I moved, I couldn’t afford to put a new kitchen in, so I completely painted it. It started as an orange oak. I coated it in acrylic eggshell, then picked out a fuchsia pink I like,’ she tells Metro. Anouska’s home is a blend of feminine shades and patterns (Picture: uFurnish) ‘I couldn’t afford a hood for the hob, so I created the look of a stipe running down the wall. Everyone would just be wowed by the colour and wouldn’t take any notice of the actual fabric of the kitchen.’ She recommends starting with what art you like, to figure out what design direction you want to go in for a particular room. ‘You can figure out what colours and patterns you’re drawn to, and move backwards,’ she explains. ‘Your home should be about what calls to you, and what you love.’ uFurnish Home Awards Finalists Best Bathroom Nick Toteda’s bathroom (Picture: David Sandison) Angela, McGill Drew, Muntz Emily, Murray Katie, Brown Nick, Toteda Best Bedroom Emily, Kowalewska Emily, Murray Laura, Gibson Rachel, Edmonds Sandra, Sundén Best Before and After Transformation Abbie, Downey Alana, Miller Anna, King Emily, Barratt Jasmine, Gurney Best Use of Colour Laura Hall’s home (Picture: Laura Hall) Anouska, Lancaster Daniel, Bland Evelyn, Lindley Lara, Bezzina Laura, Hall Best DIY Creation Ben, Irurzun Bradley, Dreha Emily, Barratt Olivia, Munro Shelley, Probert Best Entertaining Space Karen, Gadd Kerry, Davison Nick, Grant Stacey, Hawkes Suzy, Broome Best First Impressions Daniel Bland’s home (Picture: Martin Pope) Anouska, Lancaster Daniel, Bland Hanna, Tosney Marie, Nolan Suzy, Broome Best Furniture Retailer Alexander Ellis Furniture Village Furniturebox Still & Bloom Swift Direct Blinds Best Garden Alia, Razzaq Donna, Iliffe-pollard Helen, McLean Nichola, Ruben Pandora, Maxton Best Hallway Candice, Guy Estelle Bilson Lara, Bezzina Lexie, Carducci Molly, Spencer Best Home Natasha Landers’ home (Picture: Justin Griffiths-Williams) Anouska, Lancaster Charlene, Bonnici Jade, Fish Maxine, Austin Natasha, Landers Best Home Office Marie, Springthorpe Maxine, Austin Nick, Grant Tamzin, McGillen Victoria, Caroline Best Interior Content Creator Anna, King Jade, Watkins Louise, Horton Maxine, Austin Vicky, Burton Best Kitchen Alana, Miller Chloe, Shepherd Kimberley-Jade, Agate Paloma, Quinn Mills Peter, Irvine Best Living Room Avalana Simpson’s home (Picture: Joel Goodman) Avalana, Simpson Claire, Champion Natasha, Landers Richard, Banahan Shivli, Marothia Best Nursery or Children’s Room Astrid, Dolan Jade, Watkins Lisa, Weaver Tamzin, McGillen Vicky, Burton Best on a Budget Anna, King Ben, Irurzun Nicky, Neeve Orima, Kamalu Teri, Muncey Best Seasonal Styling Lou Crane’s home (Picture: Darren Robinson Photography) Estelle, Bilson Janice, Bristow Lou, Crane Pandora, Maxton Sarah, Twigg Doyle Deals of the Day Wuka launches the UK’s first period-proof swimwear for heavy flows Bridgerton fans are rushing to buy these new Netflix-inspired perfumes now £12 off The affordable summer wardrobe update you'll wear from rooftop drinks to beach holidays The £7.99 lip balm beauty fans love for glossy, hydrated lips just dropped four new shades This Keskine hydrogel mask could fix your summer skin Arrow MORE: I spent £10,000 to build a mini Greece in my back garden Arrow MORE: The UK’s fourth heatwave is coming — these are the best portable air conditioners in stock Arrow MORE: I’m an expert on colour — this is why we need powder blue in our homes right now The Key Sign up for must-read property stories, DIY hacks and tips for buying a home.