Articles by Jenny McFarlane

Jenny is the Senior Digital Editor and joined the team in 2021, working across Ideal Home, Real Homes, Homes & Gardens, Livingetc and Gardeningetc. After a year stint in-house on the Real Homes team, she joined the Ideal Home team in November 2023.

Jenny kickstarted her career on women's and lifestyle titles such as InStyle, Red, Handbag.com, SUITCASE, and LUXE City Guides, both in-house and freelance. Five years later she headed up the content strategy for interiors brands Good Homes, Grand Designs, and ICON.

Her obsession with interior design began way back when Jenny was, at the tender age of 9, glued to BBC’s Changing Rooms. A passion was ignited and she went on to study textiles and design at university. Since getting on the property ladder, her love for interior design and gardening has taken on a new lease of life. I love collecting and salvaging unique items (much to her other half's despair) but sniffing out stylish home bargains is her one true love. She loves crafting, although hardly gets the chance with her little ladies keeping her permanently on her toes.

IDEAL HOME TRUTHS

Where’s your happy place?
We regularly head up to the North Antrim coast to my in-laws' house with uninterrupted views of the coastline. It's the perfect place to cosy up by the fire with a hot toddy and when the Irish weather permits, I love exploring the area's famed beauty spots to blow the cobwebs well and truly off.

What’s your home addiction?
I love making my home a little haven and creating a stylish and comfortable set-up. This includes finding unique pieces and collecting wall art that reminds me of home (Ireland), places I've visited, and things that inspire me or make me feel happy, alongside photos of my favourite humans and postcards from here, there, and everywhere.

What is your next home project?
We've been busy renovating and updating our 1860s semi, room by room, and have just got planning permission to create an open-plan kitchen/living/dining space which we can't wait to get started on!

Jenny McFarlane

Latest articles by Jenny McFarlane

I've selected the best heated clothes airers and drying pods that dry clothes fast, so you can save time and money

I'm using Monty Don's simple hydrangea trick for bigger and better blooms this summer – these are the varieties to try it on this March

I'm blocking weeds before they sprout by using this old newspaper trick in my garden borders – it's a super easy, expert-backed method to stop them in their tracks

This simple yet annoying laundry drying mistake could be ruining your clothes – laundry experts reveal the clever tweaks to prevent it

I'm beating weeds to it by adding this flowering ground cover plant to my borders now – experts say it's so effective at stopping them in their tracks

We tested the best ironing boards in 2026 to easily de-crease your laundry pile

5 bad housekeeping habits I'm breaking up with this year – these small changes have made a huge difference in managing daily clutter

Minky's clever moisture absorber finally tackled window condensation and mustiness in my bedroom – and it's only £25

This common airflow mistake could be causing damp patches behind your furniture, experts warn

I was sick of chargers and cables cluttering our kitchen until I installed this clever hidden charging drawer

I asked the experts where to put your dehumidifier for the best results and they recommended these 5 places

I battle window condensation daily in our Victorian home – and this compact Debenhams dehumidifier is finally helping

How to declutter when guilt and overwhelm are holding you back, according to experts

5 simple ways to tell if your dehumidifier is actually doing its job according to experts – and what to do if it's not

Post and everyday clutter were slowly taking over our kitchen until I set up this simple family command centre

I stopped trying to do big house resets and started using a tidy-up timer instead – now my kids want to help me too!

Your dehumidifier isn't always the answer in winter, experts warn – this is when not to use yours in the coldest months

I'm so glad we added these practical details in our utility room reno – they're everyday upgrades that have made laundry far more manageable

I've just discovered wheelie bin compactors – and they're a Christmas rubbish game-changer

The one spot that makes a dehumidifier better at stopping window condensation – experts reveal the ideal setup

I've selected the top dehumidifiers for banishing damp and drying laundry fast – tried and tested by the Ideal Home team

This £30 stair basket has quietly fixed the clutter that always builds up on our stairs – it's made such a big difference

I've selected the best steam irons for powerful crease removal – 6 of the top models tried and tested on real laundry

'These little hotspots are touched constantly but rarely cleaned' – the one cleaning job people forget before guests arrive (and why it matters in flu season)

Ruth Langsford's clever bauble storage trolley makes decorating (and packing away) so much easier – and there's £60 off it right now