
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.
Latest articles by Sarah Handley
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Fan, misting fan or portable air conditioner? I’m a hot sleeper who has tried all threeThis is how I'd rank them
By Sarah Handley
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How to make portable air conditioner window seals look more attractive4 easy ways to make them look better from both inside and out
By Sarah Handley
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Does your landlord have to fit air con if you ask for it? This is where you stand legallyIs your rented home stiflingly hot in summer?
By Sarah Handley
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Can fitting air conditioning boost your home’s value? This is what the experts sayDone well, adding air conditioning could make your home more desirable to potential buyers
By Sarah Handley
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3 things I think everyone should know before buying an air coolerFrom someone who's just tried their first one
By Sarah Handley
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I've always sworn by this hot weather hack, but this is what I'm now doing insteadThe prolonged summer heat means I need to adapt my go-to cooling measures
By Sarah Handley
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When will plug-in solar panels be available to buy in the UK? What we know so farUpdates to legislation that is currently blocking the sale of plug-in solar panels are set to come into force at the end of August
By Sarah Handley
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Households in the UK set for £45 reduction in electricity bills later this yearThis is everything we know so far
By Sarah Handley
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My neighbour and I both have gravel driveways, but hers always looks neater than mineI've discovered her secret
By Sarah Handley
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This Devola portable air conditioner is easy to use and suitable for small spacesAnd better still, it’s back in stock
By Sarah Handley
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My kitchen diner was feeling stuffy, so I swapped a light bulb for this viral £15 ceiling fanIt took seconds to fit and is surprisingly effective
By Sarah Handley
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Is air conditioning really going to be banned in the UK? This is what the experts sayThis is the truth behind the rumours, and how you can ensure yours does fall foul of the rules
By Sarah Handley
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How much more are you paying to run a portable AC now the price cap has gone up?I've done the sums
By Sarah Handley
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No air con? Try these 5 tricks to supercharge your fan's cooling power in the heatwaveTry these tips of your fan feels like it's just blowing hot air
By Sarah Handley
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The best portable air conditioners to pre-order or bookmark when they come back into stockThe tried and tested models worth waiting for
By Sarah Handley
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Meaco's new sell-out portable air conditioner is a gamechanger for hot summer nightsI got my hands on the sell-out Meaco Cirro portable air conditioner, and it’s super quiet mode means it's ideal for hot bedrooms
By Sarah Handley
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Meaco's ultra-quiet portable air conditioner is coming back into stock this week, so act fastIt's already sold out once this summer, so be quick if you want to snap it up
By Sarah Handley
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Where to find portable ACs and fans still in stock – the only places you can buy cooling devices ASAP to see you through the heatwaveWe've tracked down all the places you can still buy a portable AC, plus tips to keep you cool while you wait for delivery
By Sarah Handley
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This Dreo portable air conditioner has been an utter gamechanger in my home officeIt'd definitely be suitable for a bedroom up to 20m2 too
By Sarah Handley
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If you want a stylish and whisper-quiet fan, this Duux smart fan gets my voteIt really could not be simpler to use, too
By Sarah Handley
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I've had fitted air con for 12 months — this is how much I've actually used itIf you're debating installing air conditioning, read this first
By Sarah Handley
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Is underfloor heating going to be banned in the UK?This is what the experts told me about the rumours
By Sarah Handley
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I’ve tried both a £180 and £50 fan — this is how they really compareIs the expensive one really better?
By Sarah Handley
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Are portable air conditioners really worth it?I review them for a living and these are the pros and cons everyone should consider before buying
By Sarah Handley
