British TV presenter AJ Odudu – born Onatejiro Odudu – is known for bringing a fresh perspective and plenty of personality to our screens, so it’s no surprise that she approached the renovation of her fixer-upper in much the same way. The 32-year-old transformed an unloved split-level Victorian flat in southeast London, restoring period features while giving the space a modern twist. Today, it’s a light-filled home peppered with creative design features and bright pops of colour.

Blackburn-born AJ picked up the keys to her three-bed, one-bath flat in the summer of 2019. Beyond the front door, the property needed some serious TLC. Sharing a snap of herself on the front porch, the presenter revealed to her followers that her renovation plans included extensive rewiring and new lighting schemes to brighten the space, along with the installation of new sash windows, an integrated kitchen, floors, radiators and a new boiler.

The original communal entrance to AJ’s building was a small, drab space. Cluttered with mops and a neighbour’s bike, it was crying out for a refresh. White emulsion and gloss paint lighten and brighten the walls and doorway, while a couple of simple wall hooks mount the bike to the wall, saving on space. Underfoot, geometric vinyl flooring bought for just £50 ($57) adds character and a splash of colour. 

AJ's aesthetic is all about playful splashes of colour and the doorway to her flat is no exception. Here,she’s replaced lacklustre grey tiling with a bargain graphic vinyl alternative, paired with a typographic doormat to welcome in visitors. Monochrome chequerboard tiles carry the bold scheme through into the stylish hallway.

The dingy living room had heaps of potential but was in dire need of a facelift. AJ installed new double-glazed sash windows and rewired the room, adding more spotlights to brighten the space. AJ’s initial plan was to expose the original bricks on the chimney breast but discontented with the final look, she sourced textured tiles to place over them instead. She plans to install a gas stove fireplace at a later date for the colder months.

AJ’s revamped living space showcases her love of graphic lines and eye-popping hues against a canvas of brilliant white. From the plush velvet sofa in midnight blue to the pendant lighting, copper detailing and painterly rug, it's an indulgent space where she can kick back and relax. A three-panel mirror reflects the light from the new windows, while the twin shelved alcoves either side of the chimney display books, pot plants and assorted treasures.

AJ planned to swap out this gloomy slate-coloured wall for a feature wall hung with her favourite pieces of wall art. In its original state, the dark, gloomy paint was sucking all the light out of the space and making the area feel cramped and enclosed.

 The reimagined zone feels much bigger, showcasing a vibrant orange two-seater sofa against a crisp white backdrop. Black and white photography adorns AJ's glamorous gallery wall. By sticking to monochrome images, AJ has created a strong and cohesive visual theme. Light wood flooring and a gold-framed drinks trolley complete the look.

AJ planned to create an integrated kitchen on one side of the room, so that she could have a dining area for entertaining friends on the other. That meant moving the gas meter and bringing the wall forward, along with installing new hardwood flooring, sash windows and a boiler. The old cabinets had to be ripped out and the space was rewired to create additional plug sockets.

From the minimal kitchen units to the Apollo Slab Tech worktops in ‘Marmo Bianco’, everything about AJ’s finished kitchen is crisp and modern. The cabinetry delivers plenty of storage space and houses a large combined fridge-freezer. A roomy Butler & Rose white ceramic Belfast sink adds character to the pared-back, contemporary design.

No beige carpets to see here. True to form, AJ chose a plush burnt orange runner to adorn her revamped staircase, which contrasts beautifully with the dramatic black hue of the banister and the white wooden spindles. The final effect? Loud, vibrant and more than a bit rock ‘n’ roll.

Goodbye moss green textured wallpaper and worn brown carpet, hello uplifting orange runner, metallic radiator and playful wall art, ready to be hung. What was once an unloved corner on the landing now has bags of personality thanks to an injection of hot colour and characterful additions like this typographic neon sign.

Upstairs, the bedroom was a blank canvas in need of a complete design overhaul along with a new radiator. AJ’s vision was to “fill the space with pot plants and make a cosy sleeping spot.” The alcove offered plenty of scope for additional storage space too.

Now completely transformed, AJ is delighted: “What a difference inbuilt shelves, a lick of white paint, a storage bed and loads of plants make", she said. The palette of green and white is crisp and fresh, while the textured headboard of her bed provides an eye-catching focal point. Mottled ceramics and rattan baskets complete the natural, clean aesthetic.

This unassuming corner has been made over with a stylish rattan chair, faux sheepskin rug, potted plans and more of AJ’s favourite typographic wall art. Cosy and bathed in light, it's the perfect space for curling up with a book. 

A dressing area was high on AJ’s renovation wish list from the get-go. Now she has one – and it’s a beauty. The presenter ripped out the old built-in wardrobes, replacing them with minimal white storage units with sliding doors – the ultimate space-saver. The intrusive ceiling fan has been swapped out for spotlights that open up the previously dark space.

Welcome to AJ’s work zone. This little room had no plug sockets, a light too big for the low ceiling and a radiator too high for the window. AJ changed all that by installing spotlights, downsizing the radiator and giving the room a light-enhancing paint job. A mid-century modern-style shelving unit from John Lewis completes the look.

What was once a tired cupboard space located off the landing with yellowing fittings and paint-splashed boards is now AJ’s shoe wardrobe of dreams, with seven layers of floating storage shelves. “I asked my builder to make a load of shelves and my electrician to install a sensor light and voila, my shoe-drobe was born!” explained the presenter.

To begin with, the bathroom was a mould-speckled room with dated fittings, decked out in a sickly shade of yellow. AJ ripped out the whole bathroom and decided to move the toilet from one side of the room to the opposite corner. She planned to add a vanity cupboard with a sunken sink and underfloor heating to keep the space warm throughout the winter.

From naffroom… to bathroom. Today, the redesigned washroom space is spotless (other than the cheeky monochrome polka dot tiles, that is) with white-on-white fittings, clean lines and AJ’s signature tongue-in-cheek details, such as the first aid kit and graphic wall art. 

AJ replaced the old wetroom-style shower unit and added a shower over the bath. She replaced the old floor and wall tiles with new ones from Topps Tiles and added a ledge to the crumbling window frame. Her pot plants love the new space just as much as she does.

At first, the walled garden was a square of shrubland filled with weeds and rubble, flanked by overgrown bushes on one side. AJ wanted to transform the urban jungle into a low-maintenance garden with an alfresco dining space that she could enjoy come rain or shine. 

AJ revealed to her Instagram followers that it took just five days to transform her outdoor space with the help of a landscape gardener. The site was cleared of weeds, shrubs and debris to make way for artificial grass with a patio surround, bamboo fencing and a pergola.

This corner of the garden was a mass of nettles. Now it’s an inviting patio made for outdoor lounging, filled with natural rattan textures and bordered by an extended bamboo wall for extra privacy. 

We've reached the final stop on AJ's property tour. Safe to say, the presenter can add interior design to her long list of skills. Could a career change be on the cards?