As an interiors journalist for 25 years, Linda Clayton has worked on a wide array of consumer titles, including Homes & Gardens, Livingetc, Country Homes & Interiors and Real Homes. She has been freelancing for Ideal Home Magazine since 2008, covering design trends, home makeovers, product reviews and much more.
She graduated from Cardiff University with a First Class Journalism degree and Postgraduate Diploma in Magazine Journalism. She is also the proud recipient of the BMA’s Bathroom Journalist of the Year Award 2010! She has also sat on Design Awards judging panels for Designer Magazine, Homes & Gardens and, most recently, Real Homes.
Now working from her home in Devon–her fourth major DIY renovation project–Linda writes on a wide range of subjects, including product reviews, designer interviews and case studies. She can also be found pounding the pavements and exhibition halls of London, Paris, Cologne and Milan in search of the latest design trends and innovations.
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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Living room alcove ideas – 10 clever ways to unlock the full potential of these tricky spacesTransform those awkward nooks in your living room into a stylish feature
By Linda Clayton
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Should you tile all the walls in a small bathroom? Experts share the do’s and don’tsAre you wondering if tiling every wall is genius or mad?
By Linda Clayton
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Tiled kitchen island ideas – discover how to do island tiles with styleTile your way to a standout kitchen island and leave boring cabinets for dust
By Linda Clayton
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Split-level kitchen island ideas – 10 ways to make a practical two-tier design work for you Split-level kitchen island ideas – 10 ways to make a practical two-tier design work for youGet inspired by these multi-level marvels and unleash the full potential of your next island design
By Linda Clayton
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How to clean your home fast – an 8-step hit-list to get your home sparkling in record timeForget scrubbing for days, get your speed freak on and get on with your life
By Linda Clayton
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Smart peninsula kitchen ideas to help you plan a functional cooking spaceWhatever 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 spaceThe 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 domainExperience 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 budgetDiscover 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 themDon’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 expertsMake 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 instantlyGive 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 wayFrom 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 modernMixing modern moments with vintage elements, these covetable kitchens never get old
By Linda Clayton
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5 colours that will instantly make your kitchen feel cosyDiscover the hottest ways to get all the cosy feels from your next kitchen reno
By Linda Clayton
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Planning bathroom lighting – our expert guide to achieving lighting perfectionTransform 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 wayFrom 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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How to style a display cabinet – 10 steps to shelf successFed 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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The common Christmas tree decorating mistakes you should always avoidStep 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 roomsMake 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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7 kitchen lighting mistakes to avoid at all costsGive 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 roomAnyone 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
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Kitchen plant ideas – the best houseplants and how to style them in a kitchenCreate a foliage-filled cooking space and enjoy a fresh, uplifting kitchen environment
By Linda Clayton
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7 common bathroom lighting mistakes, and how you can avoid themDiscover how to dodge common bathroom lighting blunders and what to do instead
By Linda Clayton

