Top Stories
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The most relaxing living rooms always includes these 5 design features, according to interior designersMake your room a calm, cosy retreat
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Martin and Shirlie Kemp have just proved pumpkin archways are the ‘it’ feature of any autumn gardenWho else is now excited for autumn?
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Alan Titchmarsh says every garden needs this drought-tolerant plant to keep borders vibrant and colourfulEven through hot, dry spells
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6 plants that can keep foxes out of your garden this summer, according to experts – deter uninvited guestsHumane solutions for a fox-free zone
Gardens
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7 reasons your agapanthus isn't flowering and what you can do about itHow to ensure it blooms next year
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6 plants that can keep foxes out of your garden this summer, according to experts
Humane deterrents to help keep unwanted visitors under control
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5 heatwave-proof evergreen plants to keep your garden colourful in every seasonThey'll stop your garden from feeling bare in the colder months
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Alan Titchmarsh says every garden needs this drought-tolerant plant to keep borders vibrant and colourful
Even through hot, dry spells
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Thinking of adding a plunge pool to a small garden? Here are 4 things worth knowing firstThe compact pool trend taking over small gardens (and what it actually costs)
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Yes, it’s only August, but this clever Aldi buy has convinced me to start planning for my winter gardenAugust is a transitional month, which means, like it or not, it's time to start thinking about the cooler months ahead
What To Buy
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Primark has just dropped a new quiet luxury homeware collection – 6 under £30 buys to make your home look more expensiveThe subtle design features will instantly upgrade your space
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I’ve tracked down the top places to buy the best garden furniture so that you don’t have toThese are my go-to brands and retailers to shop outdoor furniture
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Best cooling mattress toppers to combat overheating – tried and testedThe best cooling mattress toppers for a cooler and more breathable sleep – tried and tested options from Simba, Panda, Emma, Silentnight, and more
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Ideal Home's Certified Experts have spent over 15,500 hours testing products so you can trust their in-depth knowledge and adviceNo-nonsense product advice direct from our team of in-the-know experts
Room Decor
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Clara Amfo shares the Habitat stacking stool she uses to add colour to her home – ‘these are definite standout pieces’It's a great choice if you have a small space, too
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Clodagh McKenna's clever use of dried lavender has transformed her kitchen into something out of a fairytaleThis will be the hallmark of your rustic kitchen inspiration
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This £30 Argos trolley is the perfect small kitchen storage solutionThis simple trolley is both practical and timeless in style
House Manual
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I thought I’d wasted my money on a robot vacuum until I realised I’d been skipping this vital stepExperts say it’s necessary for a reliable and consistent clean every time
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7 simple ways to make your portable air conditioner more efficient and avoid wasting energySummer's not over yet, so boost your cooling efficiency with these tips
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With one click, I turned Miele’s new cordless vacuum cleaner into a mop for my filthy floors – but is this 3-in-1 appliance worth the hefty price tag?The Miele Triflex HX3 Aqua isn't a regular vacuum
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I keep my curtains closed in a heatwave, but my home never feels cave likeThis is how I’ve found the balance between temperature regulation and light ingress
HOMES DISCOUNT CODES
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I Love Wallpaper discount codes - for August 2026SPONSORED Choose from our I Love Wallpaper discount codes hand-tested by our saving experts.
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SharkNinja discount codes - in August 2026SPONSORED Save with our SharkNinja discount codes and promos. Every code is hand-verified by our savings experts.
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Dunelm discount codes - for August 2026SPONSORED Choose from our Dunelm discount codes and promo codes, hand-tested by our experts.
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Furniture Village discount codes - for August 2026SPONSORED Redesign your living space with one of our Furniture Village discount codes and maximise your savings on corner sofas, dining sets, and oak bed frames.
Renovation
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Air con scams are all over social media right now – how to identify and avoid one this summerExperts reveal warning signs to look out for when shopping for an AC
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Wait, heat pumps can really cool down houses as well as providing heat?Experts explain how they could be a better option than air con
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Does your landlord have to fit air con if you ask for it? This is where you stand legallyIs your rented home stiflingly hot in summer?
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Can fitting air conditioning boost your home’s value? This is what the experts sayDone well, adding air conditioning could make your home more desirable to potential buyers
Ideal Homes
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'The restoration of the cottage has been well worth the journey'A sensitive renovation and neutral colour palette have accentuated the character of this pretty Cotswold cottage
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A dated Georgian cottage gets a modern-country updateCream tones and rustic pieces keep it sumptuous but simple
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A dreamy pastel coloured seaside home on the Dorset coastA bold move to the Dorset coast saw this family completely transform their dated 1980s house into their ideal home
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This tiny Cotswold cottage makes the most of every inch with a tailored, high-end look‘I could see the cottage’s potential, and I knew I could make the layout work'
DIY
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I avoided skirting boards in my lime-plastered spare room and used this rustic alternative insteadSkirting boards aren't for every house or room, so we opted for something different
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I saved over £500 by reupholstering my dream footstool myself - here's how I used secondhand finds to make it happenA professionally upholstered footstool can set you back hundreds, but I made mine for around £100
More From Ideal Home
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Before you spend £170 on the Always Pan Pro, here's what happened when I cooked 12 different foods in Lakeland's £85 lookalike insteadThis pan offers plenty of functionality at an affordable price
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My mum gifted me this £30 kitchen appliance when I left for university seven years ago, and I still use it all the time – it’s the only appliance a fresher needsForget air fryers; this appliance is best for meal prep and whipping up dinners that taste like home
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This is the £29 Dunelm kitchen set that uni students (and their parents) are rushing to snap upI wish I'd had one when I left for halls
