Bradley Dreha, a Liverpool-based interior designer, stylist and content creator, took part in series 6 of BBC One’s Interior Design Masters. One of his recent design projects was very close to home – his mum and dad’s, in fact. And it became a finalist in the Best DIY Creation category at the recent uFurnish.com Home Awards 2026. Bradley tells us how he gave them a glam, boutique hotel-inspired dining space complete with a custom-made cocktail station – without spending a fortune.
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What prompted the project?
The space was really crying out for a makeover, and I always felt it had so much potential. I’ve always said that we needed some form of booth seating to make better use of the back wall.
What did you do?
I brought the wall forward to create an arched alcove, then used flat-pack benches to construct the booth seating, a simple DIY hack that not only gave us the seating we wanted, but also provided some much-needed additional storage. I upholstered the benches myself using a Missoni-inspired fabric and added LED strip lighting underneath the arch to create an atmospheric glow and the boutique-hotel feel I wanted to achieve.
What else did you DIY?
I created a cocktail station by giving a plain white flat-pack side unit a makeover, painting it a bright yellow and adding detail with fluted wood moulding strips, then finished it with a worktop made from a piece of MDF covered in marble-effect vinyl wrap. I even painted the gold-leaf artwork myself, helping to tie all of the colours throughout the space together. I also wanted to make the ceiling a feature rather than leave it as an afterthought. It was originally textured, which gave me the idea to cover it with ceiling panels, moulding strips and wallpaper. I see the ceiling as the fifth wall of a room, so I wanted to make the most of it. Throughout the space, I used arched panelling alongside a striped and palm-tree mural that I painted myself, and added arched mirrors to echo the shape of the panelling.
What inspired your ideas?
I take a lot of inspiration from commercial design and really enjoy creating spaces that feel designed for people to enjoy, especially when entertaining. One of my dreams would be to design a restaurant or bar one day, somewhere where everyone can experience and enjoy the space.
How easy was it on a small budget?
A big part of the project was showing that you don’t need a huge budget to create something characterful. I love sharing accessible DIYs and wanted the space to encourage people to see that they can achieve a high-end look themselves if they put their mind to it. Even the tiles behind the seating are peel-and-stick, showing that you can get the look for less.
Can you share any more money-saving tips?
Another affordable hack was the wall light I added above the cocktail station using rechargeable light bulbs. It saves the need for installation and is so easy to do, making it a simple way to add atmosphere without having to call an electrician. I’m all for mood lighting, I think it can make or break a room.
And a DIY tip you’d happily pass on?
If you’re covering something in vinyl, as I did with the worktop for the cocktail station, the heat from a lighter flame really helps to smooth out the creases.
Are your parents pleased with the transformation?
They are! It honestly feels like we’re sitting in a cocktail bar or restaurant, which I love.
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