Author: Adam Kershaw

Posted on

Top Interior Trends of 2022/23

Hopewell Interior Trends 2022 and 2023.

Whether you’re a landlord, homeowner, or tenant, interior design has a big part to play in making your space feel like your own. From attracting potential tenants, impressing your new neighbours at your housewarming party or looking for ways to make your rental feel more like home. We have a breakdown of the current interior trends, as well as a forecast of what we suspect will be on-trend in 2023 to help you plan ahead. 

More is more

In recent years the ‘less is more’ minimalist style has been overwhelming the interior design industry. But the people have said: “enough is enough”.

After living in lockdown, this year has seen an explosion in the maximalist approach. Where people are reclaiming their space, now there are no limits to what you include in your design.

Since spending more time at home, people began understanding the need to have more things in one space, creating multifunction spaces, and beginning to incorporate these into their layout. This maximalist approach allows people to have their comforts and practical items in one place whilst styling around them. 

We have seen an increase in shelves and storage units being introduced into shared spaces, the introduction of broader and bolder colour pallets, and mixing and matching patterns and materials. In short – forget the rules and do what your heart desires. 

Consider your space 

As mentioned, the introduction of multi-functional spaces recently overtook the interior design priorities, becoming an essential part of people’s lives during the pandemic. Working from home caused us to adapt and use the room around us and use space more flexibly. Due to this, people began introducing collapsible desks, room dividers and extra storage spaces to help adapt to working in their usual living spaces. 

Now we are returning to the office, and working from home is something we have an option to do, it’s the perfect time to plan a multi-functional space you feel comfortable in. Take time to design a space which works with the rest of your decor and that you are happy to step into when hard work comes knocking. 

Be aware of your current space and consider how storage can be introduced. Look into shelves that work with your current flow or ottomans and storage boxes that can have dual purposes. You may also consider introducing soft furnishings such as rugs to help separate areas and give them their own personalities.

Self-spaces 

Self-spaces have become important to people across the globe. As people began to dedicate space in their homes to accommodate them working from home, they also decided to dedicate a room to take care of themselves and introduced ‘self-spaces’. These areas are designed to help you escape from the noise and give you a chance to spend time on some self-care. 

These spaces are entirely up to you to design, as it should be a space where you feel most comfortable. So whether that looks like pink and whites, soft furnishings and fairy lights, or dark greens, filled with plants and wall art, make it your own vibe and create a space where you can unwind and relax. 

Sustainable 

It’s 2022, and we’re taking a step in the right direction by moving more and more towards sustainable living. This has been reflected in our homes as the biophilic design takes over the world of interior design and social media. People are using plants to create a natural space where you really feel at one with nature. Introducing raw materials like softwoods and an earthy colour palette helps bring the look together. 

Another sustainable trend we’ve been seeing a lot of is upcycling and reusing old objects and furniture rather than contributing to the old-minded throw-away culture. Whether you own something that could use a new lease of life, or you need a new item and vote for a trip to the charity or second-hand shop rather than ordering it online. It all counts towards the sustainability of the planet. 

Loud and Proud 

As we move into 2023, we expect to see more bold and statement pieces in home design. As seen this year, there has been a lot of use of bold retro ’70s colours thrown into the mix. Interiors are becoming bolder and more adventurous with vibrant primary and pastel colours in colour-block designs, paired with clashing patterns. Although this has been growing in popularity in bedrooms, we see it making a huge move even into shared spaces. Colourful kitchens, painted doors and floors will be at the top of the list in 2023. Add bold details like mood lights and statement mirrors to complete your design and put your mark on the space.

Stay up-todate!
For more on interior trends and design inspo, follow us on our socials @hopewellbristol 

Posted on

Property Jargon Busters: Top 12 terms you should know!

Property

Are you looking to rent or become a landlord and are having difficulty understanding the property expert jargon? If you’re finding yourselves overwhelmed or confused by the terminology, and are struggling to move forward with your move or purchase, then take a look at our jargon breakdown for some helpful information on some keywords. 

Property Jargon Busters: Top 12 terms you should know! 1

HMO 

This initialism stands for ‘House in Multiple Occupation’ and is sometimes  referred to as a ‘House Share’. This is when three or more people, who are not from the same household, live in one property and share facilities such as kitchens, bathrooms and communal areas. 

HMOs are popular amongst University students and can also be regularly occupied by young professionals looking for somewhere cost-effective to live after leaving home or University.

PCM and PW

PCM stands for ‘Per Calendar Month’. This can be in reference to rent, which will be paid to the landlord or Letting agent monthly. This is the most standard practice when it comes to rent payments, bills and other contractual obligations. Similar to this, you may also have come across PW which means ‘Per Week’. 

STC 

While house hunting you may have come across STC, but what does this mean? Once the property owner has accepted an offer , the property will be moved to the sold ‘subject to contact’ status, meaning that the property owner is awaiting legally binding contracts to be signed and returned by the potential buyer. At this stage, the property will be close to being removed from the market. However, if for any reason the contracts cannot be completed, the sale will fall through and the property may go back to the market, allowing other potential buyers to view the property and make an offer. 

Assured shorthold tenancy

An Assured Shorthold Tenancy (or AST) is an agreement between a tenant and landlord in which the tenant is given security of tenure for an agreed length of time, usually 6-12 months. Since being introduced by the Housing Act in 1988, it is now a default and applies to most tenancy agreements in England and Wales used by Private Landlords and Letting Agents. 

A key feature of an AST agreement is that using sections 21 of the Housing Act 1988, Landlords can evict tenants without reason; However this may be changing soon due to government changes to the private rented sector. 

Short Lets 

You may have seen on our own website or through our social media, that we often use the term Short Lets. This is an abbreviation for ‘Short Term Lettings’ and can refer to any property we have available to rent for as little as one day, to one month. If you think of Airbnb, where you might go to search for weekend breaks or city escapes, these will most likely be Short Term Lets. 

Long Lets

Long Lets is an abbreviation for ‘Long Term Lettings’ and quite literally is for people who are looking to rent for a longer term. Our Long Term Lettings will be properties that we are offered on either 6 or 12-month AST contracts. If you are looking for somewhere to live permanently, then these are the properties you will want to search for. 

Mid Term 

Although other letting agents offer Medium Term Lettings which can be contracts of three to eight months, our ‘Mid Term’ Lets are a bit different here at Hopewell. With our Medium or ‘Mid Term’ Lettings, we offer fully furnished properties that are available to rent on a month-by-month basis, with all bills included in the price. 

These properties offer more flexible terms and are perfect for people who need temporary accommodation either between homes, for ongoing home renovations, or are visiting the area for a longer period and would prefer not to live out of a hotel. 

To Let 

When a new property comes onto the rental market, it will be listed with the ‘To Let’ status. This means the property is available for viewings and to accept offers. 

Let Agreed 

Once a property has an offer accepted, the agent will change the property listing to a ‘Let Agreed’ status. Similar to STC, the property is close to being removed from the market, but it hasn’t received all the necessary documents to finalise the tenancy. If the documents and contracts needed to finalise the tenancy aren’t received by the agent, then the property could be reverted back to the ‘To Let’ status, opening it up to new viewings and offers. 

If you see a property you like and it is under ‘Let Agreed’, it might still be worth saving the property. If the tenancy is finalised, the property will then become unavailable, as it will have been removed from the market. 

Property Manager 

Property Managers deal with the day to day of properties within our short or long term portfolios. Our team of expert property managers are here to help our tenants and landlords with whatever issues or questions the property may incur. When you stay in a ‘Managed Property’, all correspondence regarding the property will go through our Property Managers and they will be your first port of call. From listing the property, arranging viewings, and managing cleaning and repairs, our Property Managers are here to ensure both landlords and tenants have the best experience possible. 

Landlord 

A landlord is a person who owns the property and allows others to use it in exchange for payment. If you are looking to rent and are going through an agency, then the likelihood of you meeting your landlord during the renting process is slim. However, if your property is not managed by the agency you have rented through, then your landlord will be your first port of call when something needs addressing in or with your property. 

If your property is managed by your letting agent, then all communication between the landlord and tenant will go through the agency, meaning you will contact your Property Manager for any faults, fixes, or queries you may have. 

Tenant

A tenant is a person who rents and occupies a property that is owned by a landlord. 

Is there still some property jargon we haven’t quite cleared up for you? Feel free to tweet us @hopewellbristol and we’ll be happy to help! 



Posted on

Top 5 Things To Know About Bristol

Top 5 Things To Know About Bristol 2
View over Bristol Harbourside during balloon fest

Are you new to living in Bristol? Or are you looking to relocate to the city? There are many wonderful things to know about Bristol – which we’re sure even the born and bred Bristolians won’t know! All of which are great reasons to want to make the big move. See why people love living in this part of the South-West and why they end up staying for life. 

Location

Firstly, it’s undeniable that Bristol is in a great location. Close to Cardiff, Bath, Swindon and just 120 miles from London. Positioned on the M4 corridor, Bristol has terrific travel links by both car and train. Whether you’re a professional or a student, there are many benefits to being located in Bristol, and easy travel access can bring beneficial opportunities.

Being the largest city in the South West and home to two Universities – The University of Bristol and UWE – this often makes Bristol a hub for many events and activities, from festivals and parades, to corporate events. There is always something going on for everyone. 

Work 

Named one of the happiest places to work in the UK, Bristol is said to be a big city with a small-town community. The working culture in Bristol has been influenced by the modern hybrid working styles popular in London, which have grown nationwide in recent years. With multiple coworking spaces and many companies now offering hybrid opportunities, it offers more comfort and flexibility for employees, which can improve their overall wellbeing. 

Bristol is also a huge hub of creative industries, with them being one of the key building blocks of Bristol’s modern economy. This could play a big part in Bristol being such a happy place to work, as people in creative positions claim to be the happiest at work! 

Sustainable 

If you’re an eco-warrior and love all things green, then Bristol might just be the perfect fit for you! In recent years, Bristol has been crowned the greenest city in the UK, scoring the highest for recycling and air quality and awarded the Green Capital Award in 2015. Bristol has long been a centre of alternative living and was ranked as the vegan capital of the world, according to Chef’s Pencil. 

Bristol is a Fairtrade city, trading fairly with nearly five million workers in 58 developing countries. It was also the UK’s first cycling city, being the first to receive government funding, pledging to double the number of people biking on its streets over three years. 

Culture

Bristol is a bustling multicultural city, which embraces multiple different cultures, religions and values. In 2019, Bristol has named the best place to live for under 26’s outside of London, after being recognised for being ranked highly for many factors from mental health and wellbeing to music events, sports facilities, and even 4G strength. It has also been named the kindest city in the UK, and the most artistic city in the UK. 

History 

Bristol is an interesting place and always has something wonderful going on, which is well reflected in the city’s history! For example, did you know that from 2012 – to 2021, the city had its own currency? And until 1840 Bristol had its time zone which ran 10 minutes behind London. 

As well as these, the city holds many other wonderful historic facts. The dark fruity drink Ribena was invented in Bristol in 1933 by a University of Bristol scientist, which grew in popularity during the war as an alternative source of vitamin C. Bristol Zoo, which is due to move from its famous location, is the fifth oldest zoo in the world! And the first-ever bungee jump took place on the 1st of April in 1979, from the Clifton Suspension Bridge. 

Top 5 Things To Know About Bristol 3

Looking to make the move to the big city? Visit our website to see how we can help you find your perfect property. Or contact our team at hello@hopewell.co.uk for more info! 

Posted on

5 Tips on Settling Into Your New Home

5 Tips on Settling Into Your New Home 4
  • 5 Tips on Settling Into Your New Home 5

1. Get Unpacked Early, Even The Niggly Bits! 

We’ve all been there – you get your new keys and move all the boxes and large items into your new house or apartment. And once the big bits are in place, the sofa’s positioned, and the TV’s on, all you want to do is call it a day and order your first takeaway in your new home. Next thing you know, it’s three months later. And you’re still rummaging through half-empty boxes in search of the tin opener or that half-burnt-out Yankee candle – which you know would go perfectly on the bathroom windowsill. 

The best way to feel settled into a new place is to give everything a home and put it in its place as soon as possible. This way you can get in after a long day and won’t be met with chaos and mess. Instead, you’ll feel comfortable being in an organised and tidy space. 

Don’t worry about giving all of your items their forever homes straight away. Put them away now and reorganise another day.

2. Style Your New Space 

The next step is to add a touch of personality to your space. This might mean mixing it up and replacing some items you brought with you from your previous home. As you probably know or will learn, each property has its own personality, and it’s good to decorate in line with this. You might find yourself playing around with different positionings of items or decorations as you discover the space more. Don’t be afraid to recycle or donate old furniture in favour of new items. And it can always be worthwhile perusing local charity shops and pre-loved stores for some upcycled items. 

When it comes to more permanent decorations (e.g. painting or picture nails), most landlords won’t allow this. However, it can be worth speaking to them to see if any compromises can be made. 

3. Get To Know Your Neighbours 

Whether you’re moving into a new apartment or a house, a great way to settle in is to get to know your new neighbours. It may sound old-fashioned, but it’s worth getting to know people you’ll be seeing regularly and who know the area. Getting to know your neighbours and establishing a point of contact can also be helpful to both parties should any future issues arise. 

So, if you haven’t already – go ahead! Post a card, crack open a bottle of red and have a dinner party with your new BFFs.  

 4. Get To Know The Area

As mentioned, getting to know your new area can also play a big part in helping you settle into your new home. Aside from introducing yourself to your new neighbours, it’s good to try out the local watering holes and eateries. Not only can these be great spots for you to meet more people, but finding your new favourite local can help you start setting roots and feel more at home. 

Social media can also be a great way to learn more about your local community. Looking for a community group to join can help you learn about new events and activities in the area and point you in the direction of some new clubs/classes for your favourite hobbies. Or even help you discover a new one!  

5. Get Involved In The Local Community 

Once you have researched the local community and any events or activities it holds, go ahead and attend one. Maybe the local pub holds a weekly quiz? A party in the park? Or maybe you’ve found an art class that you’ve always wanted to do, but never got around to. Whether it’s a club, a gym or a local event, getting involved and familiarising yourself with the area and people within it will help make you feel at home. 

5 Tips on Settling Into Your New Home 6

If you’re living in Bristol or looking to move to the area, then make sure to follow us on Instagram to keep up-to-date on events, offers and all things Bristol!