Linda Clayton
Linda Clayton is a professionally trained journalist, and has specialised in product design, interiors and fitness for more than two decades. Linda has written for a wide range of publications, from the Daily Telegraph and Guardian to Homes & Gardens and Livingetc. She has been freelancing for Ideal Home Magazine since 2008, covering design trends, home makeovers, product reviews and much more.
Linda trained at Cardiff School of Journalism, Media and Culture, where she received a First Class bachelor’s degree in Journalism, and Post Graduate Diploma in Magazine Studies. She has won awards for technical features in the interiors trade press and has sat on Design Awards judging panels for Designer Magazine, Homes & Gardens and, most recently, Real Homes.
Ideal Home Truths
Where’s your happy place?
In a beer garden with family and four-legged friends after a very long walk on Dartmoor, preferably with the sun shining.
What’s your home addiction?
In this job, there are many, many temptations but I’m very partial to a pretty tile and near obsessed with lighting. I get particularly giddy when I discover a lamp or pendant that looks designer but without the price tag to match. Pooky, House Of and Mullan Lighting are excellent sources.
What is your next home project?
To finish our fourth major renovation – just the master bedroom and upstairs landing to go – and hopefully down tools for a few months before it’s time to redecorate all over again. Or move.
Latest articles by Linda Clayton
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Breakfast bar ideas to make your kitchen as flexible as you need it to be
Pull up a stool, we’ve got all the inspiration you need…
By Linda Clayton
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Smart peninsula kitchen ideas to help you plan a functional cooking space
Whatever the shape or size of your kitchen, peninsula designs tick all the boxes
By Linda Clayton
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Rustic bathroom ideas for a laidback bathing space
The rustic aesthetic guarantees a relaxed bathroom with all the rugged, rural feels
By Linda Clayton
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How to declutter your kitchen - 10 tricks for clearing up your cooking domain
Experience the satisfaction of chaos-free cupboards, organised drawers and orderly larders with the experts’ top tips
By Linda Clayton
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How to save on a new bathroom – 10 savvy moves to avoid sinking your reno budget
Discover smart ways to save the pennies and stay on budget when planning your next bathroom refit
By Linda Clayton
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Bathroom tile mistakes – 10 common tiling missteps and how to avoid them
Don’t even look at a single tile until you’ve read this expert guide
By Linda Clayton
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10 ways to make your bathroom look more luxurious, according to design experts
Make your bathroom feel as indulgent as a 5* hotel without sacrificing your family holiday this year!
By Linda Clayton
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10 design mistakes making your bathroom feel smaller - quick fixes to make it look better instantly
Give your small bathroom a big personality with these clever, and totally doable, spatial design solutions
By Linda Clayton
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I’ve renovated six bathrooms and these are the seven key lessons I’ve learnt along the way
From ensuring your tub empties in a timely manner to avoiding black eyes at bedtime, here’s my tried-and-tested tips for bathroom reno success
By Linda Clayton
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Industrial kitchen ideas – 10 ways to make this popular style look fresh and modern
Mixing modern moments with vintage elements, these covetable kitchens never get old
By Linda Clayton
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The kitchen island trends dominating 2024 - the liveable looks we predict will become new classics
Smart storage, luxe materials and fluted moments are all on the horizon
By Linda Clayton
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5 colours that will instantly make your kitchen feel cosy
Discover the hottest ways to get all the cosy feels from your next kitchen reno
By Linda Clayton
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Kitchen colour trends - 10 bold new shades to embrace in 2024
Discover the hottest new ways to get colourful in the kitchen this year…
By Linda Clayton
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Kitchen storage trends – the stylish ways to organise your kitchen
Discover the latest ways to keep your kitchen neatly organised and looking great…
By Linda Clayton
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Planning bathroom lighting – our expert guide to achieving lighting perfection
Transform your bathroom into a spa-like sanctuary with step-by-step assistance from design pros
By Linda Clayton
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I’ve renovated four kitchens and these are the eight key lessons I've learnt along the way
From layout dry-runs to running out of cash, here are the right and wrong ways to plan a new kitchen
By Linda Clayton
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Bathroom lighting trends – our top 10 ways to do bathroom lighting in 2024
Lean into the latest lighting trends and put your bathroom in the style spotlight
By Linda Clayton
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How to style a display cabinet – 10 steps to shelf success
Fed up with dull displays that attract more dust than likes? Up your #shelfie game and learn how to style a display cabinet from the pros
By Linda Clayton
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How to decorate small living spaces for Christmas – 10 ways to decorate diminutive homes
Don't cancel Christmas, we've got 10 expert-approved ideas for bringing festive cheer into the smallest of homes
By Linda Clayton
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The common Christmas tree decorating mistakes you should always avoid
Step away from the decs, do not touch the tinsel, at least until you’ve checked out our top Christmas tree clangers
By Linda Clayton
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The best Christmas tree alternatives for small spaces that will work in the tiniest of rooms
Make like a tree, and leave the pine needle trails outside with our top 10 Christmas tree alternatives that won’t overcrowd this Christmas
By Linda Clayton
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10 style-savvy ways to decorate a small living room for Christmas
Size isn’t everything; discover smart ways to get Christmas-cosy in your living room without compromising on comfort or joy
By Linda Clayton
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7 kitchen lighting mistakes to avoid at all costs
Give your kitchen a glow up without getting caught out by these common pitfalls with the help of our experts
By Linda Clayton
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Bathroom plant ideas – 10 genius ways to add houseplants to the smallest room
Anyone can pop a plant or two in the bathroom, but for truly clever and creative bathroom plant ideas, we’ve got top advice from green-fingered experts
By Linda Clayton