Vanessa Richmond
Vanessa Richmond started her journalism career in 1998 thinking that she wanted to be the editor of Vogue. She got as far as being Chief Sub-editor at Red magazine before realising that home is where her heart is… and so she joined the Ideal Home family in 2006 and stayed for 15 years. Over that time, she was Chief Sub-editor and columnist, Associate Editor and then became Editor in 2015. A year later, she took Style at Home under her wing, too, and then, in 2018, became editor of a third title, Country Homes & Interiors. Over the years, she has seen Ideal Home develop and transform into the digital powerhouse it is today, while staying true to its 100-year-old ethos of trusted expertise and authoritative journalism. In 2021, Vanessa decided it was time for a midlife reboot, moved from London to Norfolk and retrained as a secondary English teacher. Journalism is her side hustle now, but why have one career you love when you can have two? Apart from writing for Ideal Home and idealhome.co.uk, Vanessa has also written for Scandi at Home and undertaken commercial projects. She lives in Norwich with her old mum (‘Ma Richmond’) and their disabled rescue cat, Willo the Wisp.
Ideal Home truths
Where’s your happy place?
In my home office. Before moving to Norwich, I worked at the kitchen table and packed everything away at the end of the day, but here there’s more space. The house has a big wooden building in the back garden – calling it a shed doesn’t do it justice because it has a loft and sliding glass doors, we call it ‘the cabin’. I have my desk there, plus a kettle and fridge, and a sofa so I can sit soft for a bit if I want to. It has nice rugs and the walls are covered with pictures. It does double duty as a playroom for my nieces when they come to stay – their extensive Lego collection is stored there – but otherwise it’s all mine. Sometimes I tell Ma Richmond I have lessons to plan, but actually I’m down there drinking wine and listening to music. I think she knows.
What’s your home addiction?
Baskets. Whenever I see one I like, I buy it. Every room in the house has at least one. I put loo rolls in them, slippers, soft toys in my nieces’ rooms, balls of knitting wool, random stuff I like to use while watching telly (like nail varnish and the iPad). I used to think it was impossible to have too many baskets, but it is. I have a basket containing unused baskets!
What is your next home project?
Gah, there are so many it’s hard to prioritise. Probably painting the hallway. There’s a stripey runner up the stairs, so I’ll pick colours from that – probably a creamy colour for the walls and off-black for the woodwork. Plus an amazing chandelier. I’ve got my eye on an amazing one at Pooky.
Latest articles by Vanessa Richmond
-
How to give your home a September reset - get the house (and kids) ready for back-to-school season
Train the kids in these systems and strategies to make Monday to Friday more manageable
By Vanessa Richmond
-
Planning permission for an extension – do you actually need it?
Getting the space you need could be simpler than you think…
By Vanessa Richmond
-
How to help a child go to sleep – design choices that will make bedtime easier
Create a bedroom scheme that supports relaxation and rest
By Vanessa Richmond
-
How to fit blackout blinds – Expert advice on how to measure and install them in a bedroom or living room
DIY your way to a darker room and better night's sleep
By Vanessa Richmond
-
5 essential oils wellbeing experts swear by for a better night's sleep - and how to use them properly
Breathe your way to a solid eight hours
By Vanessa Richmond
-
What are sleep colours? How to use these special shades in your home to help you shut off at night
If you’re struggling to get a solid eight hours a night, it’s time to rethink your decor
By Vanessa Richmond
-
Experts reveal 6 genius tricks for organising bedding
Get that explosion of mismatched sheets and pillowcases sorted once and for all
By Vanessa Richmond
-
Experts reveal 7 simple tricks for organising a desk to boost productivity
We asked a dream team of organisational ninjas for their secret systems for desk organisation
By Vanessa Richmond
-
How colour experts decorate with neutrals – 10 gorgeous ways to use this muted colour palette
If you think neutrals are boring, you’re doing them wrong…
By Vanessa Richmond
-
Revealed – the 7 colour rules interior designers swear by
The tried and tested rules for colour perfection
By Vanessa Richmond
-
Should your woodwork match your wall colour? What you might be doing wrong...
Never considered anything other than white trim? Your mind is about to be blown…
By Vanessa Richmond
-
7 mindful ways to clean your home - don't stress about chores, turn them into therapy
Experts share the proven ways you can turn cleaning into selfcare
By Vanessa Richmond
-
9 mindful ways to declutter your home - turn a stressful chore into a calming, reflective ritual
Tackle your next decluttering session with this mindful approach and feel the benefits
By Vanessa Richmond
-
How to make cleaning a habit - tricks experts use to make maintaining a clean home easier
Get it right and you’ll never have to do a ‘big clean’ again
By Vanessa Richmond
-
The benefits of faux plants – the well-being and practical perks of using artificial house plants
Faux houseplants can be controversial, but they do hold some benefits that are worth considering
By Vanessa Richmond
-
8 things in the kitchen that are causing you stress and how to fix them, according to experts
Kitchens should function to make life easier, so make sure yours is snag-free
By Vanessa Richmond
-
Biophilic design ideas - clever ways to bring nature into your home for a calming space
Immerse yourself in the healing, calming power of nature by blurring the lines between indoors and out
By Vanessa Richmond
-
8 things in your living room making you feel stressed and how to fix them fast
Get wise to the sneaky stressors that are spoiling your chill and redesign your space for premium downtime
By Vanessa Richmond
-
9 simple living room layout fixes to make you feel happier and your space flow better
Simple ways to make your living room work and flow better for a more inviting and soothing space
By Vanessa Richmond
-
How to use 'happy triggers' in your home decor - surround yourself with joy and give your mood an instant lift
Identify the things that push your buttons in a good way and surround yourself with joy!
By Vanessa Richmond
-
Meditation room ideas - create a calm, peaceful and beautiful space in your home
Struggling to find your inner peace? Create your perfect headspace with these ideas from the experts
By Vanessa Richmond
-
Experts reveal home decorating mistakes that can subconsciously stress you out and impact your happiness
Could your living space be bringing you down? Check this list of 10 ways your home could be messing with your head…
By Vanessa Richmond
-
Best bedding materials for menopause and night sweats - take back control of your sleep
Take control of your sleep quality and safeguard your mental health with our experts’ advice and top product recommendations
By Vanessa Richmond
-
The benefits of natural light and simple ways to boost the amount of daylight in your home
Discover why – and how – you should boost natural light levels for your physical and mental health
By Vanessa Richmond