
Holly Cockburn
Holly is a Content Editor at Ideal Home and has been working at the brand since June 2023. Prior to this, she was Features Editor at Top Ten Reviews where she focussed on practical, how-to home and garden advice. Holly graduated with a bachelor's degree in English Literature from The University of Birmingham in 2020, and immediately joined the editorial team at Howdens where her love for writing about interiors blossomed. When she’s not reading or writing, you can find her exploring the best London bars and brunch spots, or planning the next budget-friendly city break.
Ideal Home Truths
Where is your happy place?
My happy place is curling up with a book or reality TV on the chaise section of the sofa in my West London flat, right next to the sash window. The living room is south facing so this spot feels like I'm sunbathing, even in the winter months. When I need a break from the city, I love relaxing at my parent's house in the Bedfordshire countryside. The view of uninterrupted fields and an alpaca farm right from my bed never get old, especially on a slow morning with a coffee.
What’s your home addiction?
My ever-expanding book collection is both a blessing and a curse. My favourite books take pride of place on the built-in shelves in my living room, and they're now sprawling out into every corner of the flat. I can't walk into a bookshop without adding to my TBR list, so I'm constantly looking for clever storage solutions to show them off. Currently, I'm on the lookout for pastel Scandi-inspired storage crates to stack books in, as well as a floating shelf for the wall.
What is your next home project?
I'm a Facebook Marketplace fiend, and I've managed to kit out almost my entire flat on a budget. After being inspired by my mum's recent mid-century dressing table and boudoir chair purchase, I'm determined to find the perfect pair for my own bedroom. I've got the Pinterest boards planned perfectly, now I just need to keep refreshing resale sites until my ideal vintage find appears.
Latest articles by Holly Cockburn
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3 hosting mistakes to avoid this Christmas so that your kitchen stays organised and stylish – plus, the 3 tips to follow instead
It will make any event run smoothly
By Holly Cockburn
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3 chefs share the clever kitchen gadgets they can’t live without - they’d make the best gifts for foodies and they start from £10
They're going on my personal Christmas wishlist
By Holly Cockburn
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3 ways to add flair to your kitchen without redesigning it – it's the secret to your space working for you
And you can do it all before Christmas
By Holly Cockburn
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I don't normally shop the Black Friday sales, but I'm making an exception for this rechargeable lamp that all of our editors own
I'll take one in every colour
By Holly Cockburn
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Kitchens deserve a day-to-night transition too – these 3 tricks will inspire practical daily living as well as an elegant space to host in
It's the secret to a versatile kitchen
By Holly Cockburn
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This Christmas garland hack goes viral every year - it’s the perfect way to give your kitchen a low-effort but very effective festive makeover
It's so affordable and takes less than 10 minutes
By Holly Cockburn
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Herb organisers are the kitchen secret that no one is talking about - it stops my herbs from dying every week
My meals are about to get a serious upgrade
By Holly Cockburn
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I grew up with this genius 2-in-1 Joseph Joseph bread bin – it's so clever I'm now buying one for my own kitchen
It's the everyday kitchenware that pays to get right
By Holly Cockburn
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M&S is helping me cheat my way to a stunning Christmas table display with this £45 flower kit - it's an instant tablescape in a box
Why overcomplicate a festive table scheme?
By Holly Cockburn
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3 tips for hosting in a kitchen with no dining space - easy ways to create a sociable space for entertaining
A closed-plan layout can still be a convival spot
By Holly Cockburn
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3 hosting tips that will get your kitchen guest-ready in less than 15 minutes - you'll want to have these in your repertoire this season
It's the small details that make a big difference
By Holly Cockburn
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I asked the Farrow & Ball experts about the best paint colours for updating a kitchen this winter - these are the 3 that came up
They're 3 of the top trending colours for the season
By Holly Cockburn
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'Pattern splicing' is set to be a big kitchen trend in 2026 – this design trick makes decorating with pattern so much easier
It's a simple method that has a big impact
By Holly Cockburn
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I've just ordered so much from Dunelm's The Edited Life collection – it's an affordable way to create a Scandi-inspired kitchen
Even your practical picks can be pretty
By Holly Cockburn
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This is the best kitchen layout for hosting – but these easy 3 tips will make any other layout more sociable too
Make your kitchen work hard for you
By Holly Cockburn
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Kitchens deserve Christmas trees too – these 4 ideas will inspire a simple yet festive cooking space
It's the ultimate way to create a merry atmosphere
By Holly Cockburn
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Warm minimalism is the 2026 kitchen trend I'm adopting right now – it's a lived-in approach to a pared-back design
It's proof that minimal doesn't have to mean boring
By Holly Cockburn
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The 'Ralph Lauren' Christmas trend puts a fresh spin on an old faithful - this festive scheme is perfect for tablescapes
Tartan will never go out of style
By Holly Cockburn
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Emma Willis' pale pink kitchen has an unexpected twist - take a tour of this anti-trend two-tone colour palette
This combination might make grey popular again
By Holly Cockburn
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I'm a maximalist but I would never choose this style for my bathroom lighting - here's why
Trust me on this one
By Holly Cockburn
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I just saved £410 on kitting out my kitchen by shopping the Argos Black Friday sale - these buys will make winter cooking so much simpler
I couldn't believe the price of the Kitchenaid Stand Mixer
By Holly Cockburn
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The cosy kitchen table trend is how I'm adding more charm to the heart of my home this winter – 5 ways to get the look
It will make casual dinners feel so much more special
By Holly Cockburn
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Open plan kitchens aren't always the best layout – these 5 design tips will make an open space feel more defined
These design considerations will make your kitchen work harder
By Holly Cockburn
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The Traitors Castle has embraced this luxe kitchen island trend - it's a simple way of making your kitchen look much more expensive
It's perfect for party season
By Holly Cockburn
