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

4 things that people with tidy kitchen cupboards always have – easy (and affordable) ways to instantly double your storage

I’ve spent months testing the best mops – these are my top picks, from budget to battery-powered models

This £6.99 Amazon bestseller is the key to keeping your fridge odour, mould and moisture-free – and it’ll keep your food fresher for longer

Dunelm’s storage options are better than ever – and I’m adding these space-saving clothes organisers to my basket before they sell out

This new VAX vacuum proves that corded is cool again – I haven’t had to pick up my cordless in weeks

I’m not surprised Dunelm’s new fridge organisers are selling out so quickly – they’ll tidy your fridge and keep your food fresher for longer

Sorry, cordless vacuums – this is why I’m encouraging all of my friends and family to invest in a corded vacuum this year

5 things that people with a tidy bathroom always have – low-effort upgrades to make your small space work smarter and not harder

I never know if I’m decluttering too much or too little – so, I asked professional organisers how often I should really be decluttering my home

How to tell how much suction a vacuum cleaner has – and how to determine if it’s powerful enough for your home

5 things that people with a tidy bedroom always have – create a calm and clutter-free sleeping space with minimal effort (and money)

Sort Your Life Out’s Iwan Carrington shares how you can clean your entire home while fitting it around your lifestyle – it’s the perfect way to avoid overwhelm

This new robot vacuum cleaner will make your home smell like a spa – it’s the hands-free hero you didn’t know you needed

I live in a damp Victorian home – this is the 10-minute ‘opening shift’ routine I swear by to keep my house condensation-free

I’ve tested both corded and cordless Shark vacuums – this is the option I’d choose for power and convenience

Are robot vacuum cleaners worth it? Everything you need to know about this year’s ‘it’ floorcare appliance

5 things that people with a tidy hallway always have – easy and affordable ways to fake a clutter-free entryway to be proud of

This is the 10-minute job I always do when putting my Christmas decorations away – experts say it’s the best way to prevent festive re-cluttering

This is how much it really costs to run an oil-filled radiator – and 5 ways to make that price even cheaper

I’m flipping the script on how I clean in 2026 – why I’m vowing to clean less this year (and why you should too)

5 things that people with a tidy kitchen always have – fuss-free ways to fake a clutter-free cooking space with minimal effort

I’m giving my home a post-Christmas reset – this is everything I’m doing to clear clutter and set my house up for success in 2026

Can’t get to the shops? This is the only product you need to tackle Christmas stains – and it’s already under your sink

I don’t have time to tidy my entire home before guests arrive – so, I’ve used the 5/7 decluttering method to fake a clutter-free home this Christmas

4 things that people with a tidy living room always have – and how to fake a calm, clutter-free home with minimal effort