Sarah Handley

Sarah is Ideal Home’s Renovation and Home Energy Editor and looks after subjects such as how to add more space to your home, what permissions you might need, and the costs you need to consider, as well as how you can make your home more energy efficient.

After Sarah graduated from University of Wales Aberystwyth, with a degree in English and Creative Writing, she entered the world of publishing in 2007, working as a writer and digital editor on a range of titles including Homebuilding & Renovating (where she was digital editor for three and a half years), Real Homes, Gardeningetc, GoodtoKnow, The Money Edit and more.

Sarah has worked with the Ideal Home team since November 2021, where she looked after all of the home finance content, before taking up the mantle of Section Editor for Renovation in September 2024. Sarah is slowly renovating her home and has so far ticked a kitchen revamp, new windows and external doors, and a garden makeover, off her list.

When not focusing on renovating, Sarah can be found getting opinionated about a movie or learning British Sign Language.

IDEAL HOME TRUTHS

Where’s your happy place? Home is my happy place. My house is filled with finds that remind me of experiences I’ve had, places I’ve been or people that I love, so it feels like a warm hug every time I step through the front door.

What’s your home addiction? I love the unexpected when it comes to decor, so I’m obsessed with quirky and eclectic finds that spark both joy and conversation. This could be anything from wall art and knick-knacks to lamps and soft furnishings. If they’re amusing too - all the better.

What’s your next home project? I’m constantly adding to my list of home improvements, but the top priorities are to decorate my bathroom (I’m keen on Valspar’s Emperor Butterfly for the walls)  and change the awful black and grey flecked carpet on my stairs and landing (which I have been saying I’ll do for years, but this year I’ll definitely get round to it). Longer term, I am also really keen to replace the roof on my conservatory to make the space more usable year round.