Kayleigh Dray
Kayleigh Dray joined the Ideal Home team in May 2023, and it feels like a role for which she’s been preparing her entire life. After all, her first ever job was working at a busy local garden centre, before she became a property writer for Fine & Country Estate Agents – a job which helped fund her degree in English Literature & Creative Writing at Royal Holloway, University of London.
She kicked off her career in magazines with an eye-opening internship at Cosmopolitan – and was able to impress her editor so much that she kept her on as a news writer. Kayleigh then went on to become part of the digital editorial team at Closer, before a successful seven-year stint at Stylist, where she took command as the site’s editor (and editor-at-large).
Nowadays, she can be found freelancing for a myriad titles about film and TV, but it’s her part time role at Ideal Home that allows her the chance to wax lyrical about her true love: gardening. She has just set to work on giving her own scrubby backyard a woodland-inspired makeover – and there’s been whispers of a vegetable plot, too!
Ideal Home Truths
Where’s your happy place?
My happy place is my tiny kitchen, as it’s the first room we put our own stamp on when we moved in. I love the clean white walls and turquoise tiles, and I’m obviously a big fan of the windowsill filled with herb pots and flowering fruit plants, too. There’s still work to be done, but I can’t help but feel proud of how pretty and functional this dinky little room has become.
What’s your home addiction?
I'm obsessed with buying plants – it’s actually been said I have a serious plant problem by more than one person. Whether it’s the time I “accidentally” signed up to a monthly plant subscription service and filled my home with leafy beauties, or the time I woke up frighteningly early to make sure I got my mitts on a coveted climbing hydrangea at our local community plant sale (hey, it’s for charity!), there’s a reason my husband now insists on a One In, One Out policy.
What is your next home project?
This house was bought at auction as a definite fixer-upper, and has been a work in progress ever since. Downstairs is almost sorted (almost), so next it’s the turn of upstairs, and particularly the so-called nursery, as the baby is still camping out in our bedroom…
Latest articles by Kayleigh Dray
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What is a moon garden? How to recreate the dreamy planting trend at home
The moon garden is a VBD at the moment, and experts say it's easy to create your own
By Kayleigh Dray
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8 easy things to declutter before 2024 if you want to start the new year in a calm space
Start the new year as you mean to go on with this list of easy things to declutter
By Kayleigh Dray
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You've been hanging your Christmas tree lights all wrong – this viral TikTok hack is the secret to a twinkling masterpiece
Fancy a merrier and brighter display? Try this Christmas tree lights
By Kayleigh Dray
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The 8 best hedging plants, for anyone who wants to steer clear of box hedge
Box isn't counted among the best hedging plants for a reason, you know...
By Kayleigh Dray
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Katie Piper's glam Christmas tree uses this smart faux foliage technique for a stunning maximalist look
Katie Piper's glam Christmas tree is festive goals, quite frankly
By Kayleigh Dray
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Nigella Lawson's cosy winter garden nails this genius Scandi trend – and experts say it's easy to recreate at home
Anyone else obsessed with Nigella Lawson's cosy winter garden scene?
By Kayleigh Dray
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What's in season? The best fruit and vegetables to grow in December
Five-a-day fans, here's our pick of what to grow and sow in December for a bumper winter crop
By Kayleigh Dray
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5 mistakes experts say to avoid when squeezing a Christmas tree into a small space
Say hello to the mistakes you’re making if your Christmas tree is in a small room
By Kayleigh Dray
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Want a delicious festive feast? Here's how to make your Christmas herb garden work harder than ever
Because Christmas herbs can make or break a roast dinner
By Kayleigh Dray
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You should never walk on grass when it’s frosty – experts agree it's a major lawncare mistake
Keen to avoid frost damage to your lawn? Here's what you need to remember
By Kayleigh Dray
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How to prepare raised beds for winter – from planting cover crops to repurposing your autumn leaves
Keen to learn how to prepare raised beds for winter? Here's what the gardening experts have to say
By Kayleigh Dray
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Will snow kill your garden plants? Here's Monty Don's hot take on snow damage
Parts of the UK are bracing for snow and wintry showers – but will it kill your garden plants?
By Kayleigh Dray
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7 hot chocolate station ideas – create a Wonka-worthy hot chocolate bar to cosy up at this Christmas
Because nothing says Christmas like an extra-special mug of hot chocolate, quite frankly
By Kayleigh Dray
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7 easy ways to protect your bird feeder from rats and squirrels this winter
Feed the birds this winter, and the birds only
By Kayleigh Dray
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Where to buy Christmas lights – the best places for stunning indoor and outdoor lights
Ring in the holidays with your very own festive lightshow! Here's our pick of where to buy Christmas lights
By Kayleigh Dray
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The best Christmas scents – candles and diffusers to make your home smell like a winter wonderland
Start festive scentscaping with our pick of the best Christmas scents
By Kayleigh Dray
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How to grow paperwhite daffodils using Monty Don's top tips for gorgeous Christmas blooms
Paperwhite daffodils are the most gorgeous indoor flower – and so festive, too! Trust Monty Don to show us the way...
By Kayleigh Dray
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How to grow garlic – a simple guide to grow this easy vegetable in an allotment or garden
Learn how to grow garlic and keep vampires at bay forevermore
By Kayleigh Dray
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22 winter flowers to plant now if you want colourful blooms for Christmas
These bright winter flowers won't mind the cold
By Kayleigh Dray
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Why everyone is so into the Christmas light-up house trend this year
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...
By Kayleigh Dray
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How to grow onions from onion sets for a fantastically flavourful crop
Keen to learn how to grow onions? Look this way for our expert guide to planting onion sets...
By Kayleigh Dray
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When to plant onion sets if you want delicious onions on tap
Not sure when to plant onion sets? We've got you covered with our expert guide
By Kayleigh Dray
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The best reusable advent calendars – stylish, affordable and timeless designs that will last
Transform your Christmas countdown with our pick of the best reusable advent calendars (including Mrs Hinch's favourite!)
By Kayleigh Dray
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Monty Don is ditching a winter greenhouse essential this year – and you should, too
If it's good enough for Monty Don, it's good enough for us...
By Kayleigh Dray