Articles by Holly Cockburn - Page 2

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.

Holly Cockburn

Latest articles by Holly Cockburn

Kitchens deserve Christmas trees too – these 4 ideas will inspire a simple yet festive cooking space

Warm minimalism is the 2026 kitchen trend I'm adopting right now – it's a lived-in approach to a pared-back design

The 'Ralph Lauren' Christmas trend puts a fresh spin on an old faithful - this festive scheme is perfect for tablescapes

Emma Willis' pale pink kitchen has an unexpected twist - take a tour of this anti-trend two-tone colour palette

I'm a maximalist but I would never choose this style for my bathroom lighting - here's why

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

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

Open plan kitchens aren't always the best layout – these 5 design tips will make an open space feel more defined

The Traitors Castle has embraced this luxe kitchen island trend - it's a simple way of making your kitchen look much more expensive

3 colours that will brighten up your kitchen this winter – and the accessories I'd use to introduce them without picking up a paint brush

3 design tricks for making your kitchen look bigger and brighter in the winter months – as recommended by kitchen experts

This is how I make my kitchen worktops work harder – 3 simple tricks that will get rid of any dead space

Victoria Beckham's dark and moody London kitchen is how to get a bold colour scheme right - it's inviting, not dreary

Wall-hung dish racks are the secret to keeping your kitchen clutter-free – I'd never buy a regular dish rack again

Kitchen wall lights are the missing piece to a stylish space – and now, you don’t even need to call in an electrician

3 of the best places to position lights in a galley kitchen – turn a dark, narrow kitchen into a warm, well-lit hub

This year's fashion 'it' brand has a new homeware collection – it embodies the best autumn trends

An 'eat-in' area is the cosy kitchen feature I can't get enough of - it's perfect for creating a sociable small kitchen

Victoria Beckham's anti-trend kitchen embraces modern gloss in a big way - this is how to make it work in a family home

It's officially roast season – these handy Joseph Joseph will make cooking a Sunday roast fuss-free

This one simple design trick will maximise natural light in a bathroom – it's interior designer-approved

This is my big kitchen lighting ick, and interior designers agree it's an impractical choice – what you should buy instead

I've scoured the shops for the best bathroom lighting so you don't have to – this is where to buy trend-led styles and practical picks

Design experts all agree, these are the three kitchen colours that have no place in 2026 - the shades we're leaving behind

Farrow & Ball's new paint finish is their best kept secret for kitchens - it's their most durable yet