Lauren Bradbury
Lauren Bradbury started writing for Ideal Home's House Manual section back in 2023 as a freelance writer, writing about everything you need to make a house a home - from cleaning tips and DIY hacks to energy-saving guides and decluttering methods. After building up a wealth of information on the practical side of running a home, she joined the team permanently as Content Editor for House Manual in January 2025.
When she's not writing how-to guides and handy features, Lauren is constantly updating many of our home appliance buying guides and is now the Ideal Home Certified Expert in Training on Vacuums, having spent over 110 hours testing different vacuum models - as well as the latest releases in the world of dehumidifiers, electric heaters, air purifiers, and more. In doing this, Lauren is able to assess everything a consumer may want to know about the essential household products that make life so much easier.
Before joining the Ideal Home team, Lauren graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in English and Creative Writing from the University of Chichester. She then dipped her toe into the world of content writing, primarily focusing on home content. After years of agency work, she decided to take the plunge and become a full-time freelancer for online publications, including Real Homes and Ideal Home. It was during this time that she also took an interest in transforming her bland Victorian terrace into a cosy home with the help of affordable DIYs and considered styling.
Ideal Home Truths
Where’s your happy place?
My happy place is sitting in my living room with my dog by my side. Myself and my husband have painted the walls around five times since we moved in, but we have finally settled on a sage green colour that has turned it into the cosy space I was really hoping for.
What’s your home addiction?
I just can’t get enough of candles and reed diffusers. Every room in my house smells different, which means I’m hit with a new smell everywhere I walk. For some reason, this just puts a smile on my face and really awakens my senses - especially when I’m working from home.
What is your next home project?
Since moving into my home in 2020, I’ve tried to avoid any major renovations, but my bathroom is in need of some serious TLC. Like many Victorian properties, the bathroom is on the ground floor and is extremely hard to ignore. So, I’m hoping to transform the old, white bathroom into a bright oasis that still acknowledges its Victorian roots.
Latest articles by Lauren Bradbury
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I’m a lazy cleaner, but the best vacuum mops offer twice the clean with half the effort – and after testing, these are my top 3 picksI'm a little obsessed with vacuum mops, and these three have won me over more than most
By Lauren Bradbury
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I’ve searched high and low for the best shoe storage under £50 – these are my top 20 picks for a tidy and organised hallwayCurb clutter and banish muddy footprints
By Lauren Bradbury
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6 clever kitchen organisers I’m snapping up to get ahead of my Christmas food shopSo I can spend less time tidying and more time celebrating
By Lauren Bradbury
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Amazon’s £30 gadget is the only condensation-buster you need this autumnIt’ll keep your windows dry and your home damp-free
By Lauren Bradbury
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This bedroom storage mistake is creating a breeding ground for damp and mould – what to do about itIt's even more dangerous in autumn
By Lauren Bradbury
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How to vacuum your home quickly and efficiently – the proper techniques for a professional-grade clean every timeThink you know how to vacuum? Think again
By Lauren Bradbury
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3 things that people with clean floors always have during muddy season – the autumn essentials you needTackle those soggy shoes and mucky paws
By Lauren Bradbury
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Joseph Joseph just gave their cult cleaning range a tiny home update – it’s a must-have for homes with limited storage spaceGoodbye cleaning clutter!
By Lauren Bradbury
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How to clean a robot vacuum cleaner to keep it in tip-top shape – the tasks you need to do every week and every monthThis 5-minute cleaning routine you need to know
By Lauren Bradbury
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These festive storage baskets will curb clutter and organise your home this ChristmasThe 6 whimsical buys I’m snapping up
By Lauren Bradbury
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This £7 Argos shoe rack is the clever addition your hallway needs this autumn – the stackable design makes it perfect for smaller spacesIt's a must-have for tidying muddy shoes
By Lauren Bradbury
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6 clever Christmas storage solutions to protect and organise your decorations – the affordable buys I’m snapping upThey're must-haves for your trees, baubles and wreaths
By Lauren Bradbury
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This clever Argos coat rack is now 20% off – and its bonus storage space makes it ideal for smaller hallwaysIt'll keep soggy coats and wet bags tidy this autumn
By Lauren Bradbury
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I tried three skirting board cleaning tools to see which would *actually* leave them dust-freeThey didn't all get into the nooks and crannies
By Lauren Bradbury
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This £16 shoe organiser kept my hallway spotless last Christmas – and I've used it every day since to curb shoe clutterNow everyone I know has bought one, too
By Lauren Bradbury
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Everyone needs a handheld vacuum, and these are the 6 best tried-and-tested models to have on your radarFor speedy cleans, awkward corners and a crumb-free car
By Lauren Bradbury
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6 genius buys I’m snapping up to autumn-proof my tiny hallwayThey’ll curb clutter and stop muddy shoes in their tracks
By Lauren Bradbury
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Is a robot vacuum worth it in a small house? Yes, but you could be wasting your money if you overlook these 5 thingsHow to use this hands-free appliance in a space-savvy way
By Lauren Bradbury
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This £10 Argos shoe rack is perfect for keeping muddy boots and wet jackets tidy this autumnIts slim design means it’ll suit narrow hallways, too
By Lauren Bradbury
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My top-rated eufy robot vacuum just got an upgradeOn paper, it's better, but I'm sticking with the original
By Lauren Bradbury
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I’m a vacuum expert, and these are the best cordless vacuum cleaners you can buy for grab-and-go cleaningMy top-rated dust busters from Shark, Dyson, Gtech and more
By Lauren Bradbury
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I’ve spent over 500 hours testing vacuum cleaners – these are my top picks for carpets, hard floors, pets and moreThese are the 9 best vacuums out of the 100 that have been tested
By Lauren Bradbury
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I finally bought a dishwasher, but my glasses kept coming out cloudy – this forgotten quick fix left them sparklingIt's cheap and easy, too
By Lauren Bradbury
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This £30 Lakeland shoe rack is perfect for keeping muddy shoes tidy this autumnAnd its folding design means it’ll suit smaller spaces, too
By Lauren Bradbury
