
Katie Sims
Katie has been writing freelance since early 2022, specialising in all things homes and gardens. She started out writing e-commerce content for several of Future’s interior titles, including Real Homes, Gardeningetc, Livingetc, and Homes and Gardens.
Since then she’s been a regular contributor on Ideal Home’s digital team, covering news topics, how-to guides, and product reviews. She also writes for woman&home.
After graduating with an English Literature and History degree, Katie qualified with a Masters in Media and Journalism from Newcastle University in 2021, and hopes to continue producing engaging digital content in the future.
Latest articles by Katie Sims
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4 places in a garden you should never use leftover coffee grounds – gardening experts warn that they'll do more harm than good
The spots to swerve using this popular gardening hack
By Katie Sims
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Worried your neighbour is attracting rats? What you can legally do
Discover what steps you can take if your neighbour's habits are causing a rodent issue
By Katie Sims
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Hoover's new vacuum is one of the cheapest models on the market — and after testing, I can also say it's one of the most powerful
At £199, I didn't expect Hoover's upright model to pack such a punch
By Katie Sims
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Bedroom wall decor ideas – 20 ways to express your style and elevate your bedroom’s walls
Don’t neglect your bedroom walls – decorate them in ways that won’t disrupt the relaxing look and feel of the space instead
By Katie Sims
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How to get wrinkles out of clothes without an iron – 5 alternative methods that will get your clothes crease-free
Creased clothes don't always need an iron - try these hacks instead
By Katie Sims
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Should you clean before a cleaner? 5 things you should do before they arrive
If you want to get the most out of a professional clean, preparation is key
By Katie Sims
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Bosch’s brand-new vacuum is the most powerful model I’ve ever tested — but it comes at a cost that won’t suit quick and easy carpet cleaning
The Bosch Unlimited 10 ProPower kicks a powerful punch, but it comes at a price
By Katie Sims
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How to remove weeds from a patio in 6 easy steps – from hand weeding to natural solutions
Rid your patio of unwanted plants with the help of our expert tips
By Katie Sims
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These are the five places you should never plant roses, according to gardening pros
Avoid these areas if you want beautiful blooms from your roses this summer
By Katie Sims
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What is the best way to hang festoon lights in the garden? Experts unanimously agree on this foolproof method
These two essentials will keep your festoon lights secure all summer long
By Katie Sims
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How to get rid of old electric toothbrushes – 4 creative ways to reuse them around the home and recycle them
If your electric toothbrush is due for an upgrade, this is how to repurpose and recycle the old one
By Katie Sims
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3 colours to avoid when painting window frames – experts say they might draw the eye, but not in a good way
These are the colours to avoid if you want to transform your window frames from drab to dazzling
By Katie Sims
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This potato hack for removing rust on garden furniture is getting rave reviews – cleaning experts say 'it’s a great natural alternative'
Can a potato really remove rust from garden furniture? Here's what you need to know
By Katie Sims
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I've been using IKEA's 7-piece stainless steel cookware set for three weeks - it's completely upgraded my cookware game
For under £100, IKEA's 7-Piece Cookware set is a bargain. But is it worth investing in? I tested it to find out
By Katie Sims
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Can neighbours complain about outside lights? Experts urge you to check your garden lighting if you want to keep the peace
If your garden lights are a nuisance, the neighbours can take action
By Katie Sims
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Have you been painting your fence wrong? 8 common fence painting mistakes that will lead to a streaky and patchy finish
Wondering why your fence's last paint job didn't turn out like you hoped? Here's why
By Katie Sims
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How to fix a leaky gutter – expert advice on what you'll need to get your gutters working properly again
7 steps to stop water dripping from your gutters
By Katie Sims
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How to remove algae from garden walls in five steps – and the cleaning product experts rave about for tackling it fast
Experts share their top tips for getting garden walls algae-free
By Katie Sims
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6 areas you need to declutter before putting your house on the market for a fast and easy sale, according to experts
Your step-by-step guide to getting your house ready to sell
By Katie Sims
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Can I paint over old paint on a front door? Experts reveal when it's OK to skip this step
If you're repainting your front door this spring, here's what you should be doing with the old paint first
By Katie Sims
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The home maintenance tasks to tick off your list this April – the jobs to prioritise this month, according to experts
This is the month to finally tackle them
By Katie Sims
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Dyson’s new release has revolutionised the handheld vacuum cleaner — it has the power of a full-size model without the hefty price tag
We put the Dyson Car+Boat to the test to see if it's worth the premium price tag
By Katie Sims
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I tried Dualit's new bean-to-cup coffee machine - it proved exactly why this is one of the best British kitchen appliance brands
Plus it's cheaper than other bean-to-cup machines, too
By Katie Sims
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How to maximise hanging space in a wardrobe — 7 savvy hacks that will put dead space to good use
Get the most out of your wardrobe's hanging space with these expert tips
By Katie Sims