Articles by 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.

Lauren Bradbury

Latest articles by Lauren Bradbury

I spend my days testing vacuum cleaners – this is the brand I’d choose if I were torn between Dyson or Henry

I used the 3-30 cleaning method to ‘fake’ a spring clean of my home – it was so effective that I completed my to-do list days ahead of schedule

5 things people with a tidy under-the-stairs cupboard always have – banish clutter and maximise storage in this small-but-mighty space

5 things people with tidy clothes always have in their drawers and wardrobes – ditch the ‘floordrobe’ and restore order to your clothes storage

I test vacuums for a living, and these are the 6 handheld models I’d recommend for quick cleans in the home (and the car!)

I tested the best air purifiers against dust, cooking smells and smoke – these are the 6 I’d pick for a healthy home this winter

I’ve streamlined my spring cleaning routine with these game-changing essentials – must-have tools and products that have cut my cleaning time in half

As a robot vacuum cleaner convert, this is my one piece of advice for anyone buying their first robot vacuum this spring

I finally got my hands on Dyson’s first-ever ‘desktop’ air purifier – it proves size doesn’t matter when you’ve got the tech to back it up

My dog and I have spent months testing the best vacuums for pet hair – these are the top models that got my (and Barney’s) approval

The best carpet cleaners for professional-looking results at home – my top picks as Ideal Home’s Floorcare Expert

How we test carpet cleaners – the exact review process we follow and the key features we look for in a 5-star model

IKEA’s stylish side table is hiding a clever secret – it’s a must-have if you want a clean and healthy home this spring

Yes, your birth month has a decluttering style – this is how to use your personality traits to your advantage (and avoid clutter overwhelm!)

I tested Dyson’s newest (and most hygienic) hard floor cleaner – but this is why I’m sticking with their older model

I was one of the first to try out the Shark EveryMess – this is the good, the bad, and the ugly you need to know before you buy

How to remove stains from carpet – a foolproof guide to banish red wine, coffee, grease stains and more

I’ve made clutter invisible by adding this £25 game-changer to my home – and it still keeps the essentials nearby when I need them

Yes, small homes can have a utility – and Dunelm’s clever new storage solution lets you fake one in any room of your house

How to grow raspberries and save a fortune on high-quality fruit

I underestimated how much selling my house would set me back – but experts say that doing this one thing can drastically cut moving costs

Finally! Dyson is releasing an affordable wet floor cleaner that won’t break the bank – and it’ll be more manoeuvrable than ever

4 things people with a tidy home office always have – work from home essentials to boost productivity and banish clutter

I’m a Cleaning and Floorcare Editor, and these are the best steam cleaners and mops you can buy for whole-home cleaning

Every small home dweller I know uses this bargain buy to double their storage – I have at least one in every room!