
Holly Reaney
Holly is one of Ideal Home’s content editors. She started my career in 2018 as a feature writer and sub-editor for Ideal Home’s sister brand Period Living magazine, and writes a wide range of interiors and renovation content ranging from features about designing the perfect kitchen to choosing the right windows for a period home.
Expanding her role, Holly also regularly contribute to Country Homes & Interiors magazine – interviewing leading designers and researching the latest home and garden updates – in addition to pieces on the Ideal Home website. She'a also written features for websites including Homes & Gardens, Real Homes and Gardeningetc.
A keen gardener, Holly has been faced with the challenges of gardening in a rental property leading to a vast array of potted plants – ranging from fruit trees to pretty annuals – and an ever-growing collection of houseplants.
IDEAL HOME TRUTHS
Where’s your happy place?
I’m at my happiest when I’m in nature. I love hiking – especially in the Lake District – there’s something so peaceful about the scenery and I love spotting all the wildlife. I have also recently taken up paddleboarding which is the perfect way to decompress after a busy day.
What’s your home addiction?
Houseplants! I’m running out of surfaces but that doesn’t seem to stop me from buying them. I love to hunt the clearance shelves and rescue unloved plants – there’s something so satisfying about nursing them back to health and watching them thrive.
What is your next home project?
Our current home is a rental so we’re limited in terms of home projects, however, this hasn’t stopped me from putting my stamp on it. I’ve recently been trying my hand at upcycling furniture – I’ve found some beautiful pieces on Ebay and have loved sanding them back and painting them to suit our scheme.
Latest articles by Holly Reaney
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6 beautiful plants that stop weeds from taking over your garden bedsEvergreen beauties and pollinator favourites that will save you hours of weeding
By Holly Reaney
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What to do with an orchid in April – the essential task you must do nowIt's a simple thing to add to your to-do list
By Holly Reaney
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8 wildflowers that thrive in the shade and will transform your outdoor space into a glorious cottage gardenDon't let a dark garden ruin your cottage garden dreams
By Holly Reaney
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Can I put a trellis on my neighbour's fence? The legal rules you must follow before adding a trellis to a boundary fence or risk breaking the lawWhat you need to know
By Holly Reaney
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I used this savvy trick to create my dream rose garden for £20 – now is the time to act to add these romantic blooms to your outdoor space on a budgetI can't wait to see it flourish this summer
By Holly Reaney
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Habitat just dropped the prettiest frilly plant pots – I'm picking up several to complement my cottage-style gardenBring the scallop trend to the garden
By Holly Reaney
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3 things I use to make sure that my house is always guest-ready and I never need to do a fast tidy-up before visitors arriveThese buys have been a lifesaver when hosting
By Holly Reaney
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How to create a fairytale cottage garden – 6 ways to make your garden look like it fell out of a storybookThe secret to adding English cottage garden charm to your outdoor space
By Holly Reaney
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Building an ensuite can add value – but do you have the space? These are the minimum measurements you need to squeeze one inHow small is too small for a bathroom?
By Holly Reaney
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Tapestries are making a comeback – how to embrace this trend without it feeling datedThis medieval classic is getting a modern reinvention
By Holly Reaney
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This kitchen is a masterclass in zoning an open-plan spaceThe homeowners reinvented their kitchen to create a space that honoured the Victorian-Edwardian home’s heritage while still making it work for their family
By Holly Reaney
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Designers are swapping ensuite bathroom doors for curtains to make a space look instantly more expensive – and it's more practical than you thinkGive your ensuite a glamorous update with this easy DIY swap
By Holly Reaney
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5 things that people who have tiny bedrooms should always have to turn a pokey box room into a stylish retreatThese must-haves will transform any bijoux bedroom
By Holly Reaney
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The destructive pest sneaking into your home on secondhand furniture – this is how to check you're not bringing it in with your latest eBay findThis cosmetic flaw could be a sign of something much more serious
By Holly Reaney
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Pattern headboards are making a comeback – how to embrace the trend without making your bedroom look datedThis maximalist trend is taking over bedroom design
By Holly Reaney
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Clever design techniques brought heritage charm to this kitchen extensionThis homeowner set out to design a kitchen that restored the period charm to this 1920s lodge
By Holly Reaney
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How to easily extend your dining table for Christmas without buying a new one – this purchase from a DIY store will change everythingWondering how to fit everyone around the Christmas dinner table?
By Holly Reaney
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This petite kitchen comes into its own during the festive seasonCelebrating the original character of this 17th-century cottage, Belle Daughtry’s kitchen is made for Christmastime
By Holly Reaney
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How to create a temporary guest bedroom that still feels welcoming over ChristmasConverting a home office, living room or snug into a guest bedroom in advance of hosting over Christmas? These are the things you must do
By Holly Reaney
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5 things you should always put in a guest bedroom – small touches that will make a difference this ChristmasNow it's the perfect time to update your guest bedroom before your family arrives
By Holly Reaney
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2026 is the year to supersize your headboard – 5 ways to make the oversized trend work in your bedroomGo big or go home
By Holly Reaney
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The 5 things people with always warm homes have – beat the chill and stock up on these essentialsQuick fixes that you could add in under an hour
By Holly Reaney
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5 ways to stop your Christmas tree from dropping its needles straight away – this is where you're going wrongBattling with a Christmas tree that won't stop dropping needles? Here are potential causes and what to do to stop it
By Holly Reaney
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5 things that people with a tidy home always have – these essential products and routines helped me realise the tidy home of my dreamsI've spent the last year asking my friends and family for their must-have tips (and products)
By Holly Reaney
