Barkers Lane, Bedford, MK41

For a very cool, very bright home, look no further than this 1930s semi, with spacious open-plan living, three bedrooms, a delightful garden and a multi-car driveway, in family-friendly Goldington.

Seeing transformation from traditional to trendy over the last five years, the house has been redecorated, refitted and reconfigured, yet retains character. Owned by two designers, it’s no wonder the property is so stylish, with bold colours and bespoke details. What drew them to this house was the level of natural light. Sunshine streams in through wide box bay windows to the front, and there are French doors at the back for even more brightness. The owners have also added dimmer switches to set the ultimate ambience. By opening up the living areas, not only can light travel, but there’s now a layout far better suited to modern family life.

The new layout is perfect for dinner parties and family meals alike, with cooking and eating in the same space, and enough room for a table. For keeping guests cosy on colder nights, there’s an eco multi-fuel burner on a terrazzo tiled hearth, and the French doors can be opened for bringing in breeze on warm days. The owners replaced the boiler in 2023, and have installed a Nest system.

The kitchen is fitted with matte black cabinetry made from recycled plastic, topped with grey quartz surfaces. Clever storage options allow for tidy sides, there are tall pantry cupboards too, and an understairs cupboard in the hall will hide the hoover. Integrated appliances include an induction hob, a steam oven, a fridge/freezer, a dishwasher and a washing machine. The steam oven has been handy for baking bread, and the dishwasher makes clear-up much quicker.

Whether with family or friends, the lounge is ideal for relaxing together in front of the TV, socialising on sofas, or spreading toys out on the floor. The downstairs flooring is hardwearing engineered wood, and the bedrooms and the staircase have been recarpeted.

Heading up the staircase, the landing branches off into the three bedrooms and the bathroom, with a hatch to the part-boarded loft. The primary bedroom has particularly generous proportions, and another box bay window to the front for lots of light. Both the primary and third bedrooms have lovely outlooks over allotments, while the second bedroom looks out on the garden.

The garden is a fantastic size, facing west for sun later into the evenings. There’s a full-width patio for sitting outside on sofas, and a lawn area for play equipment and running around. Mature planting out here includes bluebells, a bushy rosemary and a black lace elder. The side fencing has been recently replaced, and there’s a gate between front and back. The side portion of the garden is currently used for storage, but could well be additional parking alongside the gravelled driveway, or a courtyard, secluded between the house and the neighbour’s garage. With plans to start a family at the time of purchase, and having since welcomed a little one, the owners knew the garden in particular would be a real benefit.

Moving out of London, the owners also appreciated the local area. Priory Country Park, Fenlake Meadows and Bedford Valley Park are amazing for getting out in fresh air, and lakes and the River Great Ouse are on the doorstep. There’s a school at the end of the road, a bus stop into town just steps away, and supermarkets within a 10-minute walk. Only half an hour’s walk away are Bedford’s popular parks and the Victorian Embankment, with the town centre a little further for a wide array of amenities, independent shops, plenty of pubs, and an eclectic mix of restaurants, with big Italian influence found in Bedford. Bedford also has a mainline station into London St Pancras, onto Gatwick for holidays, and ending in Brighton. After a long day’s work, a holiday or a weekend away, you could be coming home to this fabulous house here at Barkers Lane.