Small homes can be a challenge, with so much to fit in and with little space to play with. When it comes to planning a small space or home, you need to think big about your small living room ideas and small kitchen ideas, as our three experts, an architect, an interiors stylist and a creative director, know.

‘The average size of our homes has shrunk over the past 50 years,' says John, ‘which is even more evident if you live in a new-build home. Ironically, while room proportions have reduced, our homes are under more pressure to deliver than ever.'

Lisa agrees: ‘Homes now need to work for everything – working, relaxing, entertaining and storage, with the kitchen now the heart of the home, rather than a separate back room – people want spaces that feel connected but still function properly.'

Think 'flexible'

‘The right furniture makes a huge difference to a small space,' says John. ‘Where possible, consider how pieces can have multiple uses, such as a coffee table arrangement in cubes that double up as a footstool, side table or extra seating for guests.' The best storage coffee tables are also a smart investment.

Alexandra says, ‘Extendable dining tables are a great addition to a small space, especially if you like to entertain. Pair it with a bench that sits under the table for a compact look that is practical. In the bedroom, ottoman beds with storage underneath offer maximum space.'

Stay on top of clutter

‘A small home with clutter feels overwhelming,' says Lisa. ‘Everything needs a place, ideally hidden. I get help with this myself. I've used professional declutterers just to stay on top of things.'

Alexandra adds, ‘It's amazing how much we hold onto without even realising it.' John agrees: ‘It's so important to manage clutter in small spaces. Choose pieces that are practical as well as beautiful so you can display items with pride.'

Use architectural features

‘Panelling can be really effective in small spaces; it gives you the opportunity to create walls of storage in a space without it looking like a joinery showroom,' says John. ‘For example, creating a cavity 30cm in depth across a room and panelling the facade with hidden doors can provide a huge amount of storage.'

Alexandra likes to use the space under the stairs, ‘either for a compact desk or built-in storage.'

‘The orientation of doors is also an important consideration. In older properties, it's common for the door not to open against the wall but into a room, which can cut the room in two and make furniture placement tricky. Rehanging a door is a relatively quick fix and can make a huge difference,' says John.

‘Sliding doors or pocket doors are useful when space is tight,' says Lisa, ‘particularly to avoid door clashes, but they are expensive, I tend to use them carefully'.

Lisa adds, ‘Sometimes adding a wall actually improves the layout, as it gives you more usable areas for storage. Open plan can still work in a small home, but if you lose too many walls, you lose places to put things, and the space feels more cluttered.'

Balance high and low

‘Ideally, you want to keep as much off the floor as possible, while not overwhelming the walls with storage so they feel cluttered,' says Alexandra. ‘The simple answer is to “trade-off” between the two, choosing one or two “anchor walls” for height and keeping the rest storage-free.'

Lisa agrees: ‘There's always a balance. Empty walls can feel spacious, but if you don't have enough storage, clutter will take over elsewhere. Very high storage often looks good, but doesn't tend to get used. I would prioritise easily accessible, well-designed storage. If you can design storage on both sides of a wall, that's when the space really starts to work hard.'

Get the lighting right

‘The right lighting can make or break any interior. Universal rules apply in that all spaces should have layers of light to add depth to the scheme,' says John.

‘Lighting a small room is less about adding more lights and more about the right mix in the right place so the space feels open and intentional,' says Alexandra. ‘A simple pendant is great as a base, then add functional lights, such as a desk lamp or bedside lamp. Finally, add accent lights, such as wall lights or table lamps. Rechargeable lamps make a great addition and have the benefit of flexibility, as they can be moved anywhere around your home depending on the need.'

Add clever touches

‘Mirrors are a great way to bounce light around a room, but many people are scared to go big, says Alexandra. ‘Bigger is better as small can make the walls feel as if they are closing in.'

‘When thinking about colour, don't just default to white,' says John. ‘Taking one colour over the walls and ceilings will help blur boundaries, but the same colour will look different across a vertical and horizontal plane. So you might need tints to ensure it looks similar on a ceiling and wall, for example.'

John adds, ‘In small spaces with high ceilings, try introducing picture rails and using two colours to avoid a towering effect. Whatever you do, don't default to a neutral as a safe bet. Surely it's better to live in a space that's full of colour, if that's your vibe, than to deny yourself living in a space you love.'

Need to know... easy wins for making more of your space

John Law of Woodhouse & Law shares his expert tips

• Think laterally and vertically. Consider the volume of the space as a whole. Inside seating, beds and niches.
• Be bold and creative. Don't default to neutrals as a safe bet. Even the smallest space should reflect your character.
• Be ruthless with clutter. Focus on the pieces that you really cherish.
• Think outside the box. If your kitchen is tiny, a washing machine can go on the first floor. Add a bookcase to your bathroom.

Small space essentials

With the UK on track for it's hottest summer on record, it's no wonder that cooling products are selling out all over the place.

But while the best portable air conditioners are sold out and unlikely to be restocked over the rest of the summer, people are having to turn to alternative solutions like air coolers to keep comfortable when it gets hot.

So I followed the advice of my Ideal Home teammate Jenny and have been trying out an air cooler for the first time. I opted for the Morphy Richards Flexi Freeze 1l Rechargeable Travel & Desk Top Mini Personal Air Cooler, which is more of a personal cooler than a unit that can impact the whole room. Perfect for my first foray into the world of air coolers.

And after trying it for a couple of weeks, during a significantly warmer-than-average July, I wanted to share my experience so that, if you are thinking of investing in one, you have a clear understanding of how it works and the results it will achieve.

1. It doesn't release a mist, despite having a water tank

Before I dug a bit deeper into their differences, I thought air coolers and misting fans worked in the same way. After all, both have water tanks.

However, while a misting fan releases a fine mist to help cool the air, my air cooler doesn't. Instead it has a honeycomb shaped cooling pad filter that absorbs water from the tank. The cooler then draws warm air in through the filter, which causes the water to evaporate and cool the air, which is then pushed out the front of the fan.

For the sake of my frizz-prone hair, and the fact that you need to be in relatively close proximity to the personal air cooler to feel it's benefits, I wasn't too disappointed not to be misted at close range.

2. It doesn't have the cooling power of a portable air conditioner

I've been a bit spoiled when it comes to cooling power, after testing both portable and fitted air conditioning units in my home. So my expectations are high when an appliance claims to offer a cooling function.

I'll admit I was expecting the cooling power of the air cooler to be more intense and instantaneous, akin to a portable air conditioner. But once I understood more about how air coolers work, I realise that my expectation was a little misguided.

Portable air conditioners contain refrigerants that rapidly and drastically cool the air they draw in, which means their can achieve really chilly temperatures and effectively lower the ambient temperature of an entire room.

Air coolers, on the other hand, don't contain any refrigerants, and so aren't capable of achieving the same level of cool.

However, air coolers do have the edge over portable air conditioners when it comes to noise level and where they can be positioned. The Morphy Richards air cooler I've been testing is much quieter than even the ultra quiet portable air conditioners I've used, which may mean they are a more suitable option for those with any noise sensitivities.

Another bonus is that air coolers don't need to be vented out a window like portable air conditioners, which means you have much more flexibility over where you use them in your home. My little portable air cooler was also super each to move around, and especially up and down stairs due to it's compact proportions.

3. Water alone won't create the best cooling effect

Playing with my air cooler, I tried lots of different options to see how I could achieve the best cooling effect.

Just using cold tap water meant that I could tell little difference between the fan mode and cooling mode. Chilling the water in the fridge before topping up the air cooler had a better result, but the best result for me was adding ice cubes to chilled water.

It doesn't generate an Arctic blast by any stretch, but when combined with a decent fan speed, it does create a comfortable cool breeze that does take the edge off in a hot room. And in a heatwave, that can be worth it's weight in gold.

Shop in-stock air coolers

Screen printer Hannah Carvell is one of Ideal Home's new Open House contributors, sharing her thoughts on colourful home design for a creative family to live in. See the rest of her articles here.

We moved to the countryside with two dogs and a cat. Somewhere along the way we acquired chickens, ducks, geese and endless conversations about goats. I never expected animals to change what home meant to me but somehow they have.

I'll admit it, we're a family with very little self-control when it comes to animals. When we swapped our Victorian townhouse for a cottage in the Somerset countryside, we already had two dogs and a cat, so it's not as though we arrived pet-free.

But having a bit of land, working from home and a daughter who adores animals has proved to be a dangerous combination. Add in two parents who are hopeless at saying no and, well... our family has continued to grow.

First came Pickle. After one of the hardest years we've ever had, my husband losing his job, selling our home, moving schools and starting life somewhere completely new we all felt a little shell-shocked.

Bringing home a tiny Chihuahua puppy felt like injecting a little bit of joy into a year that had felt anything but joyful. We found him online, smiling in his photo, the last puppy left in the litter and reduced because he was so tiny and had come out smooth coated compared to his hairy parents and siblings.

We told ourselves that a Chihuahua doesn't really count as a whole third dog. More of a half-dog. That's still the story we're sticking to anyway.

Not long afterwards came a small flock of rescue hens, followed by a rather handsome black cockerel who needed a new home.

During those final months before we moved, when life felt particularly uncertain, we'd promised our daughter that once we had our own little bit of countryside she'd hatch a goose egg in an incubator and raise a gosling (we had lived by a river in the town and feeding the geese had become a daily ritual that she was sad to leave behind).

It sounded simple enough. It wasn’t. Goose eggs are notoriously difficult to hatch. It took three attempts, twelve eggs and a lot of patience before one tiny gosling finally appeared, watching her hatch was pure magic though. We named her Tama, and my daughter hand-reared her beneath a heat lamp until she was ready for life outdoors.

Of course Tama needed a best friend, so we found ourselves driving to a local poultry farm with a goose riding on my daughter's lap to choose a duckling. Together they picked the tiniest, wonkiest duck they could find, who was named Side Duck.

One of the most rewarding parts of our little menagerie has been rescuing ex-commercial hens through the British Hen Welfare Trust. You collect them having never seen grass or sky before, they have never experienced sun or rain. They're often missing feathers, their combs are pale, their nails are overgrown and they smell strongly of the lives they've left behind.

Over a few weeks, something lovely happens. Their feathers grow back. Their bright red combs return. They discover dust baths, sunshine and scratching around in flower beds. They start greeting you every morning as though you've been away for months, and watching them discover freedom for the first time never gets old.

People always ask if they lay eggs. They do. Beautiful big eggs, just like you'd buy in the supermarket, although naturally we couldn't stop there.

We now have hens laying blue eggs, green eggs and tiny white ones because apparently colourful egg baskets became another thing I never knew I needed (and had seen on instagram and could not resist trying to replicate).

The latest additions? Two fluffy goslings that definitely weren't on the shopping list after a visit to the Bath & West Show. But who can really say no to fluffy goslings?

Living with animals isn't quite the idyllic countryside fantasy Instagram would have you believe. There are no lie-ins. Ever. The dogs expect breakfast at seven o'clock sharp. The chickens need letting out every morning before being tucked safely back into bed every evening.

More often than not, someone remembers halfway through a television programme that nobody has shut the hens away, resulting in one of us sprinting across the garden in our slippers through sideways rain muttering, "The chickens!”.

Cleaning out coops isn't particularly glamorous either. It's perfectly pleasant on a sunny July morning. Less so in February when you're ankle-deep in Somerset mud and the hens have taken their annual winter break from laying.

Then there's the fox. Anyone who keeps chickens will know the heartbreak that comes with trying to balance giving them a proper free-range life while also keeping them safe.

We've learnt difficult lessons over the past couple of years, particularly during cub season, when even having the dogs in the garden isn't always enough, and sometimes, despite your best efforts, nature reminds you who's really in charge.

The children have learnt about loss as well as responsibility, and while those conversations are never easy, they're all part of living closely with animals. The funny moments, thankfully, far outweigh the sad ones.

One of our rescue hens insists on laying her eggs in the dog's bed. Chica, who my daughter hand-reared from a day-old chick, still wanders into the kitchen whenever she gets the chance and helps herself to a chocolate brioche from the bread bin before anyone notices. My husband despairs. The rest of us laugh.

Our current family debate revolves around goats or my husband will say how about piglets.

I'm firmly trying to be the sensible one, largely because the weekend cleaning duties mysteriously seem to fall to me, but living in the countryside has definitely shifted everyone's idea of what counts as a reasonable number of animals.

Every year there is the temptation to let a couple of the Weston Super Mare Beach donkeys come and live in our field for they’re winter break.

If you'd told me a few years ago that I'd happily spend my evenings putting chickens to bed, discussing goose feed over dinner or planning holidays around finding someone willing to look after our ever-expanding collection of pets, I'd have laughed.

But somewhere along the way, without really noticing, all these animals became part of what home feels like. They've given our children responsibility, routine and countless memories they'll hopefully look back on one day with enormous affection. They've filled difficult years with laughter, purpose and fresh starts.

Our house isn't perfect. It's noisy, muddy, often has chicken poo on the floor and there's almost always someone or something asking for food. But it's full of life and feels like home.

Did you know that you can water some plants with coffee? It’s a weird one, but it makes sense when you look at the science behind it.

We know that a few plants love coffee grounds, but watering plants with coffee is a different approach to simply mixing the grounds into your compost or mulch. I don’t mean water with pure coffee – that’s a little bit too far – but you can dilute leftover coffee with water and feed it to your acid-loving plants in moderation, with a small number of benefits.

‘While used coffee grounds have their place in the garden, liquid coffee should be used much more cautiously,’ says Andrew Jackson, award-winning garden writer, designer and creator of The New Build Manifesto. ‘Most plants simply don’t need it, and too much can alter soil chemistry or inhibit growth. If you do want to experiment, only use heavily diluted, black coffee occasionally and only on acid-loving plants.’

Here’s a list of plants you can water with coffee, with a few additional tips from the experts.

Acid-loving plant essentials

1. Camellias

I didn’t expect to see camellias on a list of plants you can water with coffee, but it actually makes a lot of sense given their origins. They're acid-loving plants that glean a few benefits from the properties coffee has to offer.

‘These woodland shrubs thrive in acidic, humus-rich soils,’ says Andrew. ‘A very occasional application of diluted coffee may provide a small nutrient boost alongside organic matter.’

Of course, coffee isn’t a substitute for other fertilisers and composts, and Andrew says you should always focus on improving the soil with leaf mould or ericaceous compost first. Levington Peat Free Ericaceous Compost from Amazon, for example, will provide your camellia with the conditions it needs to flower well.

‘Coffee should only ever be an occasional supplement, not a replacement for good soil preparation,’ Andrews adds.

2. Rhododendrons

Rhododendrons are another woodland plant that thrives in acidic soils, so they're suited to occasional watering with coffee, too.

‘Coffee grounds are best for acid-loving plants like rhododendrons and azaleas, as they prefer slightly more acidic soil,’ says Jo McGarry, luxury garden design expert from Caragh Nurseries.

‘If you've got leftover black coffee, you can use that too, but let it cool completely and dilute it with water first. I'd avoid using coffee with milk or sugar in the garden because it can attract pests and encourage mould.’

There are a few other ways to use coffee grounds in the garden, too, from composting to keeping pests at bay.

3. Blueberries

If you’ve ever learned how to grow blueberries, you’ll probably remember that they’re an acid-loving crop – so it makes sense that you can water them with coffee.

‘Blueberries thrive in acidic soil, and watering with coffee can help to maintain an acidic soil pH while providing the plant with a small boost of nitrogen,’ says Richard Barker, horticultural expert at LBS Horticulture.

‘Only water blueberries with coffee weekly or once every two weeks, as the high acidity can begin to harm the plant over time. Do not give blueberries undiluted coffee, as it needs to be watered down to a 1:1 or 1:2 ratio of water.’

There are other, arguably more effective, ways to maintain a healthy pH for your blueberries, though.

‘If you’re growing blueberries in containers, continue using ericaceous compost and rainwater wherever possible,’ says Andrew. ‘These will have a much greater impact than coffee.’

4. Hydrangeas

It’s semi-common knowledge that you can keep a hydrangea blue or red according to the acidity of the soil, so it makes sense that some hydrangeas already tolerate soils with a lower pH – and that’s exactly what watering with coffee can achieve. Just don’t expect huge results.

‘Hydrangeas growing in naturally acidic soil can benefit from the occasional application of diluted coffee, as they prefer a lower soil pH,’ says Andrew. ‘However, coffee alone won’t dramatically change flower colour, so don’t rely on it to turn pink flowers blue.’

Andrew recommends using one part cooled black coffee to four or five parts water, no more than once a month during active growth.

5. Roses

We recently talked about the benefits of coffee grounds for roses, and although you shouldn't water them with coffee directly, you can actually make your own feed using leftover grounds and water.

'Make your DIY liquid fertiliser by steeping two cups of used coffee grounds in five gallons of water overnight, and then straining to remove any solid particles,' says Lucie Bradley, gardening and greenhouse expert at Easy Garden Irrigation. You'd then dilute this concentrate with water, using a ratio of 1:1.

'Your coffee ‘tea’ will mainly provide nitrogen and trace amounts of potassium and phosphorus, but your roses also need additional phosphorus and potassium, plus iron and calcium, to thrive, so it should only be used alongside other feeds to ensure your roses receive the full range of nutrients they require,' says Lucie.

Miracle-Gro Premium Rose & Shrub Continuous Release Plant Food, which you can buy from Amazon, can be used between March and September to give your roses the nutrients they need to thrive.

So, you can water plants with coffee – but only if they're acid-loving, and you water black coffee right down!

If there's one culinary topic that's bound to divide opinion, it's how to make perfect rice. While I thought I was tied to my faithful plug-in rice cooker for life, Joseph Joseph's microwave version (for £26) just switched my allegiances completely.

I've been vociferous in my love for my handy, compact rice cooker from Lakeland, which turns out grains with the ideal level of bite with minimal effort. My big complaint with it, however, is that it takes 40 minutes to complete its task, which can get in the way of a quick dinner.

Joseph Joseph's genius cooker, by comparison, which fits neatly inside your microwave (and cupboards) with a range of clever design features, took just 10 minutes to cook fluffy rice. If you don't want to invest in another appliance for your kitchen, this is a wonderful low-effort buy.

I admit I was skeptical about this gadget at first. I've seen enough memes about the 'art' of microwave cookbooks to know that this isn't an appliance famed for its culinary delights.

But I was willing to give it a go if it meant I could gain some more worktop and cupboard space back. As a full-time tester of kitchen appliances, my cooking area can go from calm to chaotic very fast.

I've tried a few of Joseph Joseph's kitchen gadgets but this bested all of my expectations. It's compact (obviously enough to fit into a microwave) and has features that allow you to measure and wash your rice as well as cook it without any extra washing up.

You have an inner and outer pot here, with the former doubling as a colander for you to wash your rice in (an essential to avoid the grains clumping together). A measuring cup is included with this cooker too, which I'd recommend using so that you can easily follow the cooking instructions in the included booklet.

My favourite part of it all might just be the rice paddle. This is used to lock the pot together when you pop it into the microwave and fluffs up your cooked rice a treat too.

This gadget is so easy to use. It's foolproof! For a serving for two people I used half a cup of rice, which I measured out then washed in the sink. The colander has a thin pop out handle so you don't have to fiddle getting it out of the main pot to take it to the sink.

For this amount of rice, eight to ten minutes of microwave cooking is required. I duly followed those timings, as well as the recommendation to let the rice stand for five additional minutes while I prepared the rest of my meal.

I left the pot locked with the spoon while it stood and after the allotted time, opened it up to find fluffy rice ready to go. It was such a speedy and foolproof process – quicker than my rice cooker and less effort than my traditional hob method (which involves waiting for it to boil from cold and then popping on a lid).

I'm a total convert to this method. Not only was it quick and easy but it means I don't have another appliance to plug in or maintain. The parts can go through the dishwasher too.

It turns out I'm pretty late to the party on this incredibly handy gadget, with it having racked up 151 reviews to accumulate a 4.5 star rating on the brand's website. Other impressed reviewers have remarked on how consistent it is for 'perfect rice every time'.

This isn't the only microwave-cooking buy that Joseph Joseph have designed. I've also discovered they have a highly-rated 4-piece stackable set too, which claims to be able to help you cook an entire meal in a microwave.

So perhaps I was wrong in my assumptions about microwave cooking after all. If it's this easy, I'll take as much of it as I can get!

When it comes to decorating, every room has its own unique plus points and challenges, and that's where a little interior design know-how can make all the difference to a successful decor scheme.

When it comes to my small bedroom, like many of us, my particular design challenges are all about maximizing space; both creating literal space via clever storage ideas and conjuring visual space to make my bedroom look and feel as large as it can.

Luckily, when it comes to small bedroom ideas, interior designers have plenty of clever tricks up their sleeves, and there's one particular trick that utilises a decorating trend you may have thought you couldn't incorporate into a small bedroom: wall panelling ideas.

This is the secret tongue-and-groove formula that interior designers use to create the illusion of more space in a bijou bedroom.

How panelling can make a small bedroom look bigger

In a small bedroom, it's understandable to be wary of adding anything to the walls that can take up extra space, so you'd be forgiven for thinking that bedroom wall panelling ideas were reserved only for those with plenty of square meterage to play with.

However, as Katerina Tchevytchalova, founder of interior design studio K’Arte Design, explains, 'when used thoughtfully, panelling can actually make a small bedroom feel larger rather than smaller.'

And as our experts reveal, this is especially true if you choose to panel the wall directly behind your bed.

'The bed is naturally the room's focal point, so highlighting this wall creates a sense of intention and visual order, making the space feel calmer and less cluttered,' explains Katerina.

'Panelling can be a great way to add architectural interest to a small bedroom without introducing visual clutter,' agrees Carina Raymond, founder of interior design studio Studio Raymond.

'A well-designed panelled wall behind the bed creates a focal point that naturally draws the eye forward, helping the room feel more intentional and considered,' explains Carina.

'Rather than making the space feel busy, it can actually bring a sense of order and structure, which often makes a smaller room feel larger and more refined.'

However, the key to using tongue-and-groove panelling to make a small bedroom look bigger isn't simply down to where you put the panelling in the room.

Yes, all our interior experts agree that creating a feature wall behind the bed is the best placement for panelling in a small bedroom, but there are also some other tricks to consider if you really want to maximise the visual effect.

Firstly, 'consider what type of panelling you are using,' says Lara Clarke, founder of interior design studio Lara Clarke Interiors. 'Vertical tongue and groove can draw the eye upwards to make the space seem higher.'

'Vertical panelling can be particularly effective, as it naturally draws the eye upwards and helps create the illusion of higher ceilings,' agrees Carina.

'I’d also take the panelling all the way to the ceiling to maximise the sense of height of the room,' adds Katerina.

Next, consider the style of panelling you opt for. 'I would avoid overly ornate or heavily detailed panelling in a small bedroom,' says Carina. 'Instead, opt for simpler profiles that add texture without overwhelming the space.'

'Keep the panelling profile simple,' agrees Katerina. 'Clean lines are generally more effective than highly ornate mouldings in compact spaces.

So, to maximise the sense of space in a small bedroom, we want vertical panels with a simple, clean-lined profile and to extend the panelling all the way to the ceiling.

But there is also another panelling trick the designers have up their sleeves, which can create even more visual space in the room.

'Colour drenching is one of my favourite techniques for making a room feel larger and more cohesive,' says Carina, and it's a great trick to pair with a panelled feature wall in a small bedroom.

'Painting the panelling in the same colour as the surrounding walls allows the eye to move seamlessly around the room without interruption,' explains Carina.

'Rather than highlighting where the walls begin and end, it softens the boundaries of the space and creates a more enveloping feel.'

'Colour drenching is one of the most effective ways to visually expand a compact room,' agrees Katerina.

'Painting the panelling the same colour as the surrounding walls allows it to add texture without creating harsh visual breaks. A seamless colour palette softens the edges of the room, helping the walls recede and making the space feel larger.

Plus, as Carina points out, 'the beauty of panelling is that even when it's painted the same colour as the walls, the shadows and subtle changes in depth still provide plenty of interest and character.'

I don't know about you, but I'm certainly now convinced that panelling is the way forward in my small bedroom.

And, thanks to our design experts' top tips, I now know exactly how to ensure this design choice adds visual space, rather than reducing it.

Choosing a playroom colour scheme that will engage your little one just the right amount can be a tricky task – so why not take notes from a colour expert like Lick’s Tash Bradley who has both professional and personal experience with this very task? If you ask me, that’s the perfect source of inspiration for an engaging playroom colour scheme.

When thinking about who to ask for any colour-related playroom ideas, Tash Bradley was my first port of call. As a trained colour psychologist and the director of interior design at paint brand Lick, Tash is no stranger to designing homes and creating the perfect colour palettes for all kinds of rooms as she has done during more than 5000 colour consultations with her clients.

Last year, one of her clients was a little closer to home than most as she designed and created a beautiful playroom for her two-year-old son Zac, complete with great colour and paint ideas. ‘Designing Zac's playroom was one of my favourite rooms to work on. Whenever I'm designing a room, I always start with the feeling I want to create. I think about the memories I want us to make in that space and, in this case, what Zac naturally gravitates towards,’ Tash says.

The playroom colour scheme

Even with playrooms, it’s important to work with the room itself and its particular dimensions, quirks and lighting. ‘It was north-facing, so naturally it didn't get a huge amount of light, especially during the winter months. Rather than fighting that, I wanted to create a space that felt bright, warm and uplifting,’ Tash says.

On the walls, she started with a neutral base of Lick White 05, available at B&Q, which allows the colourful toys to pop against it. It also has warm yellow undertones that balance out the lack of light in the room. ‘The walls, cupboards and woodwork are all painted in White 05, which is one of my favourite warm whites. It has those lovely yellow undertones that bounce light around the room and stop it ever feeling cold,’ Tash explains.

But from there, things got more colourful – although the colour choices strike the perfect balance between calm and playful. ‘I chose Blue 15 for the ceiling because it's a soft, warm blue that instantly creates the feeling of looking up at the sky. Blue has a shorter wavelength of light, so it naturally helps a ceiling feel higher and the room feel more open.’

‘Because I wanted to bring in that playful energy, I painted the windowsill in Red 03. It's a small detail, but it creates a lovely focal point and nods back to those playful primary colours without overwhelming the space,’ Tash says.

Get the look

On top of creating this beautiful space only last year, Tash is currently in the process of designing a second playroom for her son as the family is moving into a new house later this year, leaving London for the Somerset countryside. This is what Tash has got in store for this next project.

The next playroom

‘For the new house, I'm definitely keeping that same philosophy of creating a room that feels joyful and sparks creativity, but I think this time I'll be a little braver. I love the idea of introducing more colour through painted furniture, playful joinery or even colour-blocking, rather than relying solely on the walls,’ Tash says.

Furniture and stylish toy storage make for the perfect opportunity to incorporate some fun colours into the play space aside from the walls.

Just like with children’s bedrooms, introducing a theme to your little one’s playroom is also a great way to make it all the more magical. And that’s exactly what Tash is planning.

‘One of his favourite books at the moment is Mouse on the River, and every time we read it, I'm drawn to this beautiful palette of soft blues and greens that runs throughout the illustrations. It feels so calm, nostalgic and connected to nature. As the house is in the countryside, and his playroom overlooks the garden and all the trees, it just feels like the perfect starting point,’ Tash explains.

To bring this reference to life, Tash is looking to the colour wheel and a bit of colour theory which she’s, of course, very familiar with. ‘I'll almost certainly keep a painted ceiling because I love the personality it brings, and I'll continue to layer those playful primary colours throughout the room. I'm leaning towards a really soft analogous colour palette, using shades like Blue 18, Blue 03 and a beautiful soft rich olive green. Those colours all sit next to each other on the colour wheel, so they create this wonderfully harmonious, calming backdrop that's still full of personality.’

‘Then, because every room needs a little surprise, I want to bring in an unexpected accent of a rich burnt orange through furniture or accessories. It'll add warmth, energy and that playful touch that every playroom deserves.’

Get the look

Tash concludes with how every playroom should feel, ‘The aim isn't to create a space that feels loud or overstimulating, but one that feels imaginative, energetic and full of happiness. Ultimately, a great playroom should inspire creativity while still feeling calm enough that both children and adults genuinely enjoy spending time there.’

Forget chemicals and copper tape and beer traps aplenty; did you know that birds will get rid of slugs in a garden?

Yes, we all know that slugs are one of the biggest frustrations for gardeners, capable of stripping hostas, dahlias and young vegetable seedlings in a matter of days. While there are plenty of ways to get rid of slugs, though, not everyone wants to rely on pellets or spend evenings picking them off by hand.

Instead, encouraging natural predators into your garden can provide an effective, wildlife-friendly way to reduce slug numbers. Especially as several familiar garden birds feed on slugs and snails as part of their diet anyway.

Helping to create a healthier garden ecosystem while supporting local wildlife? It sounds like the perfect solution to a very sluggy problem (particularly if you tend to grow the plants that slugs love). So, how to go about doing it like a pro?

Attracting birds that will get rid of slugs for you

The key to attracting birds that will get rid of slugs in a garden is making your outdoor space somewhere these birds want to visit regularly. From leaving leaf litter to planting the right shrubs, a few simple changes can help attract birds that will happily do some of the hard work for you.

1. Encourage slug-eating birds to visit

Not all garden birds eat slugs, but several common species are known to snack on them while foraging.

Charlotte Ambrose, one of the Wildlife Experts at the RSPB, says, ‘There are quite a few garden birds that will eat snails and slugs. Song thrushes are probably the one most well-known for eating snails, although like blackbirds they do eat both snails and slugs. Smaller garden birds such as wrens and dunnocks may also help keep snail numbers down in your garden, as both are known to eat small snails (although not a top choice).’

While it is important to note that birds alone won’t eliminate every slug, attracting species that naturally feed on them can help keep populations at more manageable levels over time.

Garden bird essentials

2. Make your garden a natural feeding ground

Rather than keeping your garden overly tidy, leave areas where birds can forage for insects and molluscs.

Charlotte explains that ‘all these species have similar foraging styles, rummaging through leaf litter and turning leaves over in search of a wide range of insects as well as molluscs.

Instead of raking up leaves and disposing of them, make leaf litter piles, and plant wildlife-friendly plants like holly, spindle and common dogwood to encourage them to visit your gardens all year round.’

As well as picking up something like a red-barked dogwood from Crocus, then, remember that leaf litter piles create valuable habitat for wildlife while giving birds somewhere to search for food. The trick is to make your garden attractive throughout the seasons.

3. Provide food, water and use a citrus fruit trap

Alongside wildlife-friendly planting, offering birds the basics will encourage them to spend more time in your garden.

Richard Green, bird feeding specialist at Kennedy Wild Bird Food & Pet Supplies, says, ‘Start by making sure you have the essentials, like food, water, and shelter. Planting berry-producing shrubs such as hawthorn, ivy, and cotoneaster is a simple way to encourage visits year-round, even during colder months. And adding a birdbath or shallow water source helps birds stay hydrated and cool, especially in warm weather.’

We quite like this pebble bird bath from Crocus if you fancy something different!

Try these berry producing plants

Richard also recommends a simple trick that can help birds find slugs more easily.

‘Using citrus-fruit traps is a fantastic, natural alternative for pest control in the garden. Cutting an orange or grapefruit in half and placing the halves throughout your garden can serve a dual purpose,’ he says.

‘Birds are drawn to the fruit, and slugs are attracted to the leftover rinds. Once the slugs gather, the birds will return to eat them, creating an effective and eco-friendly way to manage pests.’

FAQs

Combined with wildlife-friendly planting and a reliable source of food and water, encouraging slug-eating birds into your garden is one of the simplest ways to let nature deal with this particularly pesky problem for you (this writer swears by it, quite frankly).

Of course, it won’t replace other methods entirely (a little copper tape can go a long way). That being said, it can reduce the number of slugs reaching your prized plants. And, even better, it will do so while making your garden a richer habitat for wildlife, making it a real win-win approach!

I'll let you into one of my best kept secrets - a towel refresh is one of the fastest (and most budget-friendly) ways to update a bathroom scheme. And M&S' trusty towels are the most effective ways to achieve it.

It can be hard to know how to refresh a bathroom without undergoing a full renovation project, and if you're in a rented home, this is made even more challenging by uninspiring bathroom designs that you can't change.

So, often the extent of a bathroom update is left to the small things we can change. Bath mats and bathroom storage ideas can add some much-needed character to a space, but the best towels are my favourite way to inject colour and personality in one fell swoop.

M&S has some of the most stylish towels I've seen in a long while, which has inspired me to update my own this summer. With guests staying in the upcoming month, it's the perfect time to hit buy on these picks.

Interiors trends are always reflected in small ways through towel designs, so it's a great way to try out a trend without investing too much time or effort.

Frills have been seen in so many different formats in 2026. Whether on the bottom of a sofa for a kitsch living room look or on a cafe curtain to add flair to a window, frills are a small touch that add a vintage-inspired look to any interior.

M&S' selection of trend-inspired towels doesn't stop there either. This cream blanket stitch towel adds subtle interest to the edge, creating a look that is a little bit different to your normal plain towel.

Colourful, checkerboard-patterned towels have been a big trend in 2026, but I'm leaning towards more pared-back styles with small embroidered details for the next season.

I'm predicting that this spotty embroidered towel will also be a huge hit for autumn. It comes in so many colours to suit any bathroom colour scheme, and I'm personally eyeing up the white and blue colourway to match my coastal countryside aesthetic.

Not only are they bang on trend, but these towels are also great value for the quality. These picks are all pure cotton and start as low as £6 for a hand towel and go up to £30 for a bath sheet, so you don't have to break the bank to purchase a full set.

Shop M&S towels

Looking for a bigger bathroom project? Colourful shower trays are showing that 70s style is set to be back in a big way, but if you can't invest in a full colourful bathroom overhaul, there's always the option to go big with your towels or bath mat.

Rebekah had a clear vision for her home's renovation: to transform a run of smaller, disconnected rooms into a generous kitchen, dining and living space with improved flow and doors opening directly out to the garden.

A space where cooking, entertaining and relaxing could all happen at once, without losing the 1970s character she fell for in the first place.

‘I wanted to create a space where friends and family could gather while I was making dinner,' she says. ‘A room that felt relaxed, social and full of life.'

Shortly after moving in, the couple discovered a host of unexpected issues. Unsafe electrics and plenty of botched DIY jobs meant plans to extend were put on hold while essential repairs took priority. ‘It wasn't what we expected,' she admits.

‘But having to live here for five years before starting the renovation did help us to understand what did and didn't work about the house.'

What the couple did love about the house were the original 1970s features, including the walnut staircase and the large garden. But they didn't like the cramped ground-floor layout, which felt cut off from the outdoor space. ‘We had this lovely big garden, but it just wasn't connected to the house at all,' says Rebekah.

An architect helped with planning, and the couple hired a local builder who kept costs down by doing much of the work himself. Feeling overwhelmed by the design decisions, Rebekah brought in interior designer Natalie Johnson of Bower Interior Design.

‘Natalie made every decision feel stress-free,' she says. ‘She helped me work out what I actually wanted and stopped me from feeling overwhelmed by it all.'

Natalie's design focused on how the family would be using their kitchen every day, so that the new room was both functional and practical. ‘The flow works so well in here now, and there are no clutter hot spots,' says Rebekah.

‘We love how Natalie used the structure of the new extension to create cosy corners in the open-plan layout, which gives us a clear separation between cooking and relaxing areas at different times of the day.'

The finished kitchen extension is now the social heart of the home. The oven sits in the island, freeing up worktop space and allowing Rebekah to cook while staying part of the conversation.

‘When we're hosting, friends say it's like watching a cookery programme,' she laughs. ‘Before, entertaining was stressful. Now it feels effortless.'

Get the look

Even though we’re still in the middle of summer and most of us are bracing for another heatwave ahead of next week, my email inbox is already filling with autumn lookbooks. I got an early look at the upcoming collections from the likes of John Lewis, Habitat, Very and Dunelm – and there is a clear autumn 2026 colour palette all of them have in common.

As Ideal Home’s Room Decor Editor, it’s part of my job to identify new home decor and colour trends. While there are usually commonalities I can spot across different collections, the lookbooks that have landed in my inbox thus far and the collections I’ve seen IRL have had a very similar look - colour-loving Scandi meets 70s with pattern aplenty - as well as a consistent colour scheme. So much so that I wouldn’t blame anyone for thinking all the images here came from the same brand and the same collection.

The 6 main colours that are sure to make their way into your (and my) home come this September are light blue, burgundy, rust, caramel, dark green and yellow. If you’re thinking that you’ve been seeing these colour trends for the past couple of seasons already, you’re not wrong – this is really the first time that home decor trends are not rapidly changing with every single season, but rather they’re being evolved and built upon. And that’s exactly what I’m predicting for autumn 2026.

What’s the autumn 2026 colour palette?

• Light blue – blue’s been one of the biggest colour trends of this year and it’s not going anywhere. But for autumn, soft, powdery blues are being favoured over other shades.
• Burgundy – deep cherry red and burgundy have been trending ever since the start of last year. This year, we’ve been seeing them paired with soft blues which is how brands are using them for autumn 2026, too. But a combination of burgundy and dark green is also super chic.

• Rust – earthy terracotta shades just make sense for the autumn season. So I’m not at all surprised to see them represented so prominently. But it’s also a colour trend that’s been favoured for a few seasons now. For a cosy, earthy colour scheme, pair it with brown and caramel.
• Caramel – brown is another major colour trend that’s not going anywhere anytime soon. But while dark chocolate brown is still a thing, I’ve been seeing lighter caramel shades pop up so much more across the new collections. And I’m here for it.

• Dark green – is there ever a time when green is not a thing?! I don’t think so. This autumn, dark, earthy moss and olive green shades are taking over, being paired with everything from caramel to rust and even yellow.
• Yellow – butter yellow is another colour trend that shows no signs of slowing down, even for autumn 2026. It's paired with soft blues, as well as different shades of brown. But aside from buttery shades, deeper ochre tones are also popping up and they look great with everything from blues to greens.

Even though most of the autumn 2026 collections are not fully launching till next month, a few pieces from the John Lewis and Dunelm autumn ranges are already dropping here and there. And if you’re into any of these shades or even the entire colour palette, you can invest in pieces available now. Here are some of my top picks to get the look now.

Get the autumn 2026 look

If this is what this autumn has in store for us, I’m genuinely excited. I will mourn the end of the summer, but cosy season has its charm, too.

Lakeland has released a brand new all-in-one pan, the Tri-Pan Only Pan Pro (£84.99), which is a dead ringer for my favourite ever pan – the Titanium Always Pan Pro (£170) by Our Place.

As Ideal Home's Kitchen Appliances Editor I've had the happy task of trialling dozens of pans over the years but none has topped Our Place's Titanium offering after a five-star review. Lakeland's version, which is a 'hybrid stainless steel pan with ceramic non-stick coating', claims to have the same versatility but with a price-tag that's exactly half of the chef-approved Always Pan.

Here's a closer look at the two to see how they measure up.

Last year Lakeland's take on the Our Place Always Pan, the 8-in-1 Only Pan, prompted a sell out on the brand's website. Naturally, we had to get our hands on it to see how it measured up to its more expensive lookalike.

Our expert reviewer and home economist Helen McCue awarded it 4.5 stars out of 5 after testing it, saying that it was a 'great choice for fuss-free cooking'. Now Lakeland has taken that bestselling formula and worked its magic on a stainless steel version, a material that's favoured by professional chefs.

It's clear that Lakeland has taken inspiration from the marketing of the Our Place Always Pan Pro, which is touted as 'virtually indestructible'. After having this pricey pan in my kitchen now for over a year, I agree with those bold claims. it still looks as good as the day it arrived after more than a few cooking mishaps and a turn through the dishwasher every day.

That's the kind of durability that Lakeland is seeking to emulate with their new do-it-all pan which is 'built with three layers of stainless steel and aluminium to offer superior strength', according to the brand. 'Outstanding scratch resistance' is another feature worth shouting about – I've learned the ability to use metal utensils with peace of mind with the Always Pan Pro is a real game changer.

The deep shape of the Lakeland pan is a versatile design feature which is supposed to unlock those aforementioned 'ten ways to cook'. With it, Lakeland says you can bake, grill, roast, pan-fry, boil, sauté, steam, stir-fry, simmer and braise. As its oven-safe up to 200°C, it should be great for finishing dishes off in high heat.

Lakeland's pan also comes with two accessories to make it more multi-faceted: a stainless steel steamer basket and a silicone turner. The included lid is also very similar to Our Place's, with a domed lid that helps to trap in moisture for steaming.

Our review of this multi-functional pan from Lakeland is currently underway so that we can let you know how it performs but the Our Place Pro has certainly set a very high benchmark. Can you see a place for this type of multi-functional pan in your home?

Content creator Lucy Kalice is one of Ideal Home's Open House contributors, sharing her thoughts on cleaning, home decor and making the most of small spaces. See the rest of her articles here.

Last week was a big day in our household, it was the first time I’d picked up a rake and did some gardening…ever! After two years of staring out the back doors to dull grey fences, dried grass and enough weeds to qualify as a nature reserve, we’ve caved. We’ve finally started our garden makeover!

I’d always said the garden was my husband’s domain, he was loving taking care of the grass each year and two years ago he even built a bar at the back. But after going on quite a few trips this year, the garden had been neglected and was in a really bad state. Even the garden furniture doesn’t have any cushions so I’ve been sitting on the base of it with just a towel as a pillow…not the most comfortable or glamorous.

So last weekend we decided to start our garden transformation. We spent all weekend de-weeding, watering and seeding the grass and tidying it all up. And we have big big plans about what we want to do with it – I’m envisioning a pinterest-perfect garden with new painted fences, new furniture and some colourful plants and trees.

We have a long way to go but I’m confident we can sort it way before the end of summer (that’s if the weather keeps playing ball!).

Now we don’t have a big garden so my initial thought was how long would the de-weeding and tidying take? The answer: hours. The first lesson I learnt is that gardening is not a quick job, it’s a labour of love.

But what I quickly realised was how therapeutic and enjoyable it was. We all know it’s good to spend time outdoors and in nature, but this was a real mood-booster and gave me a huge sense of accomplishment when it was all done.

One of the nicest things was that it was time spent away from my phone and without distraction. I will admit that I am guilty of doom-scrolling and checking my phone even when there’s no notification there (I think we all are).

So to spend hours doing something productive and away from my phone was refreshing. And as someone who doesn’t love bugs, hates spiders and doesn’t really enjoy getting dirty, I really surprised myself with how much I enjoyed it.

However, that’s not to say it was easy. First of all, who was going to tell me that gardening is a workout??? If I’d have known I would’ve been out there sooner! It’s physically demanding – raking the lawn and pulling up the weeds was making me break a sweat as if i’d just spent an hour in the gym.

It’s also a great way to top up your tan and get some vitamin D, especially with all this glorious weather we’ve been having in the UK!

But there was one downside, the next day I woke up and my back was in agony. Hours spent hunched over chopping plants and pulling weeds will do that to you apparently and now I understand why people have those kneeling pads *reminder to self I must buy one*.

The garden is looking a lot tidier now and I’m sure I will learn a lot more throughout our garden transformation but one things for sure, gardening is good for the mind and body and is a hobby for all!

Now that I've been working from home for more than six years, a period which has included some of the hottest days on record, I like to think I've nailed my process for keeping my home cool.

While I have fitted air conditioning in my living room, and a portable air conditioner and a brilliant fan I can use where I need to, I'm also a big believer in more passive (and energy efficient) cooling methods, like solar control, cross ventilation and night flushing.

However, there's one method I've sworn by over the years — keeping all windows closed during the hottest part of the day (as well as blinds and curtains) — that has felt less effective in my home in the most recent and prolonged heatwave.

While this method has undoubtedly been effective when we've had the odd hot days, preventing the worst of the heat from entering my home, the length and intensity of the most recent hot spell has been one of the most extreme I've experienced.

When I'd kept the windows and blinds shut, especially upstairs, the build up of heat felt far more noticeable to me than ever before. If I needed to go upstairs for anything, I would get to about the ninth step before my head would enter a stifling blanket of heat. Something about entering that environment head first made it seem all the more acute.

Then at night, when the temperature cooled slightly outside, I would open all of the windows to get some cross ventilation going, but the heat didn't seem to escape. I'd even point fans out of the open windows to help give the night flushing a helping hand, but it still remained far too hot to sleep upstairs. Fortunately, I have a comfortable air bed (this Silentnight king sized air bed, £57.99 at Amazon that is also the top pick in our best air beds guide) that means I can decamp to the living room for a cooler night's sleep.

After the first couple of days of the heatwave, and the accumulation of heat, I decided to leave the upstairs windows open (but curtains mostly closed, with a small gap in the centre) to see how much of a difference it made. And interestingly, it definitely made the stifling blanket of heat considerably less oppressive as I headed up the stairs.

Admittedly, it was still very warm (and in most cases, when temperatures exceed 30°C, there's only some much you can do before you need to resort to active cooling measures like fans and air conditioning to create a cooler environment), but it didn't feel any warmer than before, when I'd had the windows closed.

And granted, if my home was oriented in a different way, and I had rooms that were naturally shaded and cool despite the heat outside, then keeping the windows closed would be essential to maintain that coolness for as long as possible. However, my home's orientation and position in a little sun trap mean that it seemingly feels the full effects of the sun from the moment it rises until it sets.

By leaving the upstairs windows open, and this may have been due to a bit more of a breeze outside, it felt like the night flushing was more effective too (although I did end up sleeping with two fans — one blowing on me, and one blowing out of the window).

While having the upstairs windows open may have been a bit of a placebo in terms of its effectiveness, managing solar gain by keeping my blackout curtains closed whenever the sun is out is still an absolute no-brainer for me. Upstairs curtains will be closed for most of the day, and I'm tactical about when I close my kitchen curtains so that I can still enjoy the daylight, but just keep the worst of the heat gain at bay.

Shop my summer gamechangers

Many of us have accepted that mosquitoes are just an annoying, biting side effect of summer, but what if I told you that this doesn’t have to be the case? Did you know there are actually certain features you can add to your garden to make it mosquito repellent?

During this time of year, I’m always looking for ways to get rid of mosquitoes. But recently I’ve been considering the preventive measures we can use to keep these blood-thirsty pests at bay.

Using scents mosquitoes hate is one effective way to deter mosquitoes, but garden experts are taking it one step further. They’ve revealed five features to turn your outside space into a mosquito repellent garden.

1. Plant mosquito-repelling plants

If you want to lean into scent deterrents, ensuring you have strongly scented plants such as lavender (£7.99, Thompson & Morgan), lemon balm (£2.99, Thompson & Morgan) and rosemary (£7.99, Crocus) is a must. Mosquitoes have highly sensitive scent receptors, and certain strong smells can overwhelm and confuse them, leading them to avoid that area.

‘Combining different plants that naturally discourage mosquitoes while also attracting their predators is a simple and effective way to make your garden less inviting to these unwanted visitors,’ explains Amber Tunney, Plant Buyer at Cherry Lane Garden Centres.

‘Mosquitoes tend to avoid strongly scented plants, particularly when their leaves are brushed or crushed. Varieties such as lavender, lemon balm, basil, rosemary and mint can all help create a fragrant barrier while also adding colour, texture and useful herbs to the garden.

‘A great way to make the most of these plants is to group them in pots or borders around patios, decking and outdoor dining areas, where their scent is most likely to be released as people move around.’

2. Use a fan

You should also consider using one of the best fans when hosting outdoors. Not only will this help you stay cool on hot summer evenings, but the strong breeze makes it harder for mosquitoes to fly (they’re small, weak fliers) and can interrupt their ability to follow scent.

‘A fan positioned at table height directed across the seating area is one of the most underrated mosquito deterrents available. Mosquitoes are weak fliers and cannot navigate in airflow above one mile per hour. A small desk fan or oscillating garden fan creates a permanent barrier around where you are sitting that no insect repellent can match for consistency. Position it low so it disrupts the air at the height mosquitoes fly rather than above head level where it has no effect,’ says Mosh Latifi, Co-Owner, EcoCare Pest Management.

3. Embrace wildlife gardens

An excellent way to deter and get rid of mosquitoes is by having a wildlife-friendly garden. Wildlife gardens house predators such as bats, birds and frogs, which eat mosquitoes.

‘Many garden-friendly animals are natural mosquito predators, including bats, frogs, dragonflies and house martins. By creating a wildlife-friendly garden with native flowering plants, bird nesting boxes, bat boxes or a pond with moving water, you can encourage these helpful species to visit and naturally keep mosquito numbers down,’ says Amber.

Mosh agrees, emphasising the benefits of attracting bats to your garden.

‘A single bat can consume up to 3,000 insects in a single night, mosquitoes included. Fixing a bat box to a north or east-facing wall or tree at least four metres high costs under £20 and attracts common pipistrelle bats that will actively reduce the insect population in your garden each evening. It takes a season for bats to discover and adopt a box, but it is one of the few genuinely long-term natural solutions available,’ he says.

4. Consider your garden lighting

Interestingly, your garden lighting ideas can impact the insects you attract to your outdoor space, as mosquitoes are attracted to cool-toned lights.

‘The lights you choose for your garden can either attract or deter insects. Mosquitoes are drawn to cool-toned lights, which they see more easily, especially during the evening hours,’ says Melissa Quinney, Gardening Expert at Cabin Master.

‘For a less inviting atmosphere, opt for warm-toned, yellow lights (with a colour temperature between 2,200K and 2,700K). These are much less visible to insects and will help keep your outdoor space less buggy.’

5. Remove standing water

One of the most important things you can do is remove standing water from your garden. If you want to keep mosquitoes away from your bird bath, adding a solar fountain (like this £9.99 Amazon fountain) is a great way to keep water moving.

‘One of the most important things you can do is eliminate places where mosquitoes can breed. They only need very small amounts of standing water, so it's worth regularly checking items such as buckets, watering cans, children's toys, plant saucers and bird baths,’ says Amber

‘If you have features like bird baths, it's a good idea to refresh the water every two to three days. This helps prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs while still providing a safe source of water for visiting wildlife.’

We can’t promise that these ideas will get rid of all mosquitoes from your garden forever, but by making your garden a less desirable environment for mosquitoes, you will see a reduction in numbers.

Thanks to the constant barrage of dirty plates, washing-up sponges and soap bottles, it often feels impossible to maintain a tidy, clean kitchen sink area. And as I can’t look at this area without my stress levels rising significantly, I often ignore it and pretend the clutter doesn’t exist… which just makes things even worse.

Admittedly, I’ve taken steps to be like the people with tidy under-the-sink cupboards over the past few months, and this has made a huge difference to my once-messy kitchen. But while I’ve tackled the space underneath my sink, the area above and around it still needs work.

So, in an effort to keep my sink area as tidy and as clean as possible, I’ve asked my most organised friends, family and colleagues what they use to restore order and keep everything from soap scum to limescale at bay. This is what they said.

1. Clever storage

Smart storage is key to a consistently tidy home, and the good news is that kitchen sink storage comes in so many different shapes and forms. For example, a sink organiser like this Joseph Joseph Stainless-Steel Sink Organiser (£29.99 at Amazon) has space for your washing-up liquid, scrubbing brush, and your sponges.

Keeping these smaller items together by the sink is ideal for keeping this (admittedly very ugly) clutter from spreading out across your entire kitchen. However, if space is really limited, you can also utilise the sink itself by opting for something like this NiHome Extendable Over Sink Kitchen Organiser (£11.99 at Amazon), which sits on top of the sink for extra storage.

Then, you have storage in the under-the-sink cupboard, which is your best friend if you want to remove as many items from the sink area itself. By rehoming this visible clutter, you’ll make the space look (and feel) bigger. Not to mention that it’ll be so much easier to clean and tidy.

2. An expandable sink drainer

If you don’t have a dishwasher, your sink area probably takes a beating while washing up - especially as small draining boards just aren’t big enough to deal with the number of plates, bowls, and mugs we use daily. That’s why people with tidy sink areas make the most of expandable sink drainers.

This is something everyone needs to maintain tidy kitchen worktops, as these expandable dish drainers can work with your washing-up needs rather than against them. And if you only have a couple of glasses and pieces of cutlery to wash up, you can keep it small. If you have lots to wash up, you can make it bigger.

This will stop your soggy, wet kitchenware from migrating across the rest of your worktops, which can make things look messy and cause water pooling. If you opt for one like this Argos Home Expandable Dish Rack (£28 at Argos), it also has a drip tray and spout to ensure all excess water makes its way back into the sink.

3. A sink cover

I’ve been on the hunt for handy clutter-busters for a small galley kitchen, and sink covers have come up time and time again. These products do exactly what they say on the tin: they cover your sink, hiding what’s underneath.

This can help you if you’re in a pinch and trying to tidy before guests arrive, but don’t want to waste water on washing up a few bits. You can use something like this Tomorotec Roll Up Sink Cover (£12.99 at Amazon) to cover any to-be-washed items, and it even doubles up as a drying rack when you need it, too.

In fact, the beauty of sink covers is that they can be dual-purpose - and you could even just buy a chopping board to hide sink clutter while also creating more worktop space for more practical kitchen tasks. Just be warned that you’ll still need to do the washing-up eventually.

4. Pretty bottle alternatives

You should never underestimate the power of decanting when you’re trying to keep a space tidy and clean. That’s because the packaging of the many products you use in and around a kitchen sink area - including washing-up liquid and hand soap - is probably making your space look messy.

Visually, they’re often very different sizes, colours, and shapes, which can instantly add clutter to your space. But decanting them into pretty, matching bottles can instantly rein in this clutter and add visual intrigue to your sink area. Especially if you opt for sleek, stylish bottles like this MaisoNovo Hand and Dish Soap Dispenser Kitchen Set (£30 at Amazon).

If you choose refillable cleaning products like this Miniml Washing Up Liquid Refill 5L (£15.99 at Miniml), you can also buy in bulk without having to buy countless bottles which will go straight in the bin. So, it’s an eco-friendly win, too.

5. A regular cleaning routine

It’s all well and good keeping a kitchen sink area tidy, but you also need to keep it clean if you want it to be something you’re proud of. And it may sound silly, but putting your sink ‘to bed’ as part of your closing shift cleaning routine is always a good idea.

This involves washing up any straggling cutlery or mugs, wiping the sink and draining board down to remove any standing water, and scooping out any food stuck in the drain. I’d also suggest using these EcoZone Drain Cleaning Sticks (£9.99 at Amazon) once a month to clean a kitchen sink drain.

If you need to remove any limescale or banish soap scum, it’s also well worth cleaning with white vinegar to allow this naturally acidic cleaner to break down the grime. Just be warned that you can’t use white vinegar on natural stone sinks as this could cause damage.

So, I guess having a tidy (and clean) kitchen sink area isn't that hard after all...

Kitchen trends have been inspiring us all year long as we update our cooking spaces or undergo full renovations, but figuring out which 2026 kitchen trends offer longevity can be tricky. In a space as large and costly as a kitchen, you want to ensure that your design choices aren't passing fads, which is why I'm here to assess which trends have staying power.

The halfway point of the year is a great time to reflect on the trends that are showing dominance in real-life kitchen ideas, versus the trend predictions that have quietly petered out.

These three kitchen trends have consistently appeared in the most beautifully designed homes that I've seen in the last 7 months, proving that they're worth investing in for 2027.

1. Earthy colour palettes

The most stylish cooking spaces I've seen this year all have one thing in common; an earthy kitchen colour scheme. Whether it's green, yellow, terracotta or even off-white, the muted undertones of these shades create an inviting atmosphere that will remain a trend well into 2027.

In 2026, we saw many emerging trends focused on creating a lived-in, welcoming atmosphere in a kitchen, and this down-to-earth nature will sustain itself into next year.

'When you're investing in a new kitchen, it's worth choosing colours you'll love for years to come rather than following a trend that might quickly date. Soft, earthy shades like mushroom, greige, olive green and warm neutrals are all great options because they're easy to live with and work with different worktops, flooring and finishes,' explains Ntola Obazee, brand director, Kutchenhaus.

2. Pattern play

Pattern play feels like a trend that is inspired by the eclectic, farmhouse interiors that have risen in popularity in 2026. And while it's a specific look that won't be for everyone, I predict it will have longevity.

Delft tiles are a classic style that have recently come back into fashion, thanks to the ability to add character into a kitchen design. Traditionally, motifs took on a countryside aesthetic with thatched houses, windmills and farmers, but there are now increasingly modern iterations that can be personalised with any motifs that suit your home and lifestyle.

3. Curated pantries

Pantries are getting bigger and better as every year goes by, so it's safe to say that this is a 2026 trend that is going to evolve even more in 2027.

While a traditional double-door pantry is still considered a wishlist item, pantries that operate as separate rooms are what the most stylish homeowners are choosing. Conservatory-esque spaces with glass doors introduce an interesting visual element, breaking up banks of cabinetry and allowing the inside of the pantry to become a design feature in its own right.

'A well-designed kitchen is one of the most valuable investments you can make in your home, and features such as a walk-in pantry can significantly increase both functionality and appeal,' explains Tom Howley, creative design director at the eponymous kitchen company. 'Buyers are increasingly drawn to kitchens that feel considered and well planned, and practical additions like this signal quality, longevity and intelligent design.'

Kitchen trends slowly evolve each year, but there are always a few which drop off the radar completely. These three trends all take inspiration from traditional styles, showing that classic always comes back around.

Interior designer Natalie Jahangiry is one of Ideal Home's new Open House contributors, sharing her thoughts on decorating a home to suit a busy family life while sticking to your aesthetic values, too. See the rest of her articles here.

What inspires you? In a digital era where we're almost overwhelmed with ideas online, I often find the best inspiration in everyday life. So when I first came across Margate House, a beautiful boutique stay on the Kent coast, I knew I had to visit.

And if you read my previous article, you'll know I did exactly that. I left feeling hugely inspired. As I wrote at the time: 'In my eyes, design is something deeply personal, and no matter how beautiful the inspiration, it's difficult to see yourself reflected through someone else's vision. That was until now.'

After visiting Margate House, I came home bursting with ideas for our bedroom… however, my aim is never to copy the look exactly. I'm a firm believer that copying leaves little room for personality.

Instead, I wanted to take small nods to the design, colour palette and styling techniques and reinterpret them in a way that reflected Tom and I as a couple. So out came the paint brushes, and into decorating mode I dove.

Space planning

When we design rooms for our Design and Refine clients, we almost always start with space planning, so that's exactly where I began here. First things first (and this may be a little controversial), I moved the bed from the centre of the chimney breast so it's now sitting beneath the window… eeek, I know!

I can already hear the "you'll catch a head chill in winter" comments, but the new layout made the room feel so much more spacious and functional. I also reminded myself of something important… it's my house, and I get to break the rules if I want to. Besides, American interior design shows seem to feature a bed beneath a window a lot, so it can't be all bad!

Sometimes good space planning is about challenging those traditional room layout rules and finding what works best for the space you actually have. And after all, if we don’t like it we can move it back, but so far so good.

Colour palette, panelling and paint techniques

COAT's collaboration with Margate House meant I could bring a little piece of the hotel home with me. As I always tell clients, colour looks completely different depending on the natural light in a room, so I tested samples in various areas of our north-facing bedroom before settling on Love Lane, a dusky pink with a real depth and warmth to it.

Now onto how to use that colour in our room. Margate House itself uses several clever paint techniques throughout the property, including colour capping, painting the woodwork darker and colour drenching.

Colour drenching has always been one of my favourite decorating tricks (it also makes it a lot easier to do when you are painting the room yourself!), and after seeing the living spaces in Margate House wrapped in Love Lane from head to toe it convinced me I wanted that same cocooning feel in our bedroom. So that’s what I went for. Yes… ceilings as well, back breaking work, but worth it.

When it came to panelling, the hotel features more traditional heritage style box panelling, but I opted for a slightly more modern slatted panelling style instead. While I love classic panelling, slats feel more in keeping with our home's overall look and feel.

Natural textures, handmade furniture and mixed woods

One of the things that struck me most at Margate House was the layering of texture and tone. Warm woods sit alongside brass, wool, linen and marble, creating spaces that feel like a home with pieces that have been collected over time, rather than a curated hotel space.

Every room is full of handmade details, unique furniture and thoughtful contrasts, so I wanted to bring that same sense of character into our bedroom. To help achieve that, I turned to Swoon, one of my favourite furniture brands.

I've been a fan of Swoon for as long as I can remember having my own space to decorate. In fact, I even had some of their pieces during my full-blown 'Millennial Grey' phase, and I'm pleased to say they've more than stood the test of time. What I've always loved about the brand is its approach to craftsmanship.

Rather than mass producing furniture, Swoon works closely with family run factories to create pieces in small batches, with some designs made in runs of as few as four. That focus on quality over quantity, detail and considered design felt perfectly aligned with the ethos of Margate House, making it an easy choice when selecting furniture for our bedroom concept.

First up was a bobbin mirror… of course! I chose the Walton Mirror, an elongated arched floor mirror that echoes other arches we have throughout the house and complements the tone of our existing bed. To introduce contrast in the woods, I added a walnut chest of drawers, with the Newham drawers providing the perfect balance against the lighter wood tones.

Every bedroom deserves a chair (and not just one to throw clothes onto), so I added the Braga Chair, featuring beautiful handwoven Danish cord as another nod to the handcrafted details throughout the hotel itself. I finished the scheme with the Marbella Table Lamp, which subtly references the marble accents I loved at Margate House.

I also found a bobbin style mirror for my dressing table on Vinted and painted it red to match the wardrobes, proving you don't always need to buy new to create a bespoke look.

Adding personality through art

Artwork plays a huge role throughout the boutique hotel, with quirky pieces adding personality to every room. Rather than directly copying the style, I looked to Margate itself for inspiration. It's such a creative, colourful place that finding artwork I loved wasn't difficult.

One shop in particular stood out: Margo in Margate, an Irish artist renowned for her relentless creativity and vibrant artworks, creating a series of original pieces based on vintage charm and vivid colors inspired by her youth culture.

I chose a piece that tied beautifully into the room's palette, and it's now proudly taking centre stage in the middle of the chimney breast wall.

Layering pattern underfoot

A vintage rug in the hotel's private dining space was the first flooring piece that caught my eye. Coming from a half-Iranian household, rugs have always played an important role in our home and heritage, so I wanted something that captured that timeless Persian carpet feel while still being practical enough for everyday life.

I found exactly that with Ruggable's Adeline Antique Red Rug, which combines a beautiful patterned design, with a washable, kid (and cat) friendly finish.

At the same time, we updated the main carpet throughout our hallway and continued it into our bedroom. We chose Tapi's Firefly Herringbone Carpet in Beige Chevron, which works brilliantly for our busy household with two children and two cats. Would I love a luxurious pure wool carpet? Absolutely, but for me, durability matters so much.

Modern polypropylene carpets have come a long way and offer the softness and appearance of wool, while being far easier to clean and maintain.. a must for family life and all the spillages that has to offer.

Layering for a boutique hotel feel

The luxurious curtains throughout Margate House were another detail I couldn't stop thinking about. I've become a big fan of layered window treatments and wanted to bring that same hotel inspired feel into our bedroom. I chose pink velvet curtains as the main feature, and they complement the wall colour beautifully.

To help with the practical challenge of having the bed beneath the window, I layered these with a sheer cotton voile from H&M behind. Paired with our shutters, the overall effect feels soft, elegant and wonderfully luxurious, while still being incredibly practical.

Giving built-ins a bespoke feel

One of the things we loved when we moved into our home was the wall of built-in IKEA wardrobes in our bedroom. And you may have spotted from a previous article I wrote, I love an IKEA upcycle.

Originally blue, I'd previously painted them the same colour as the walls, but this time I wanted to give them a more considered makeover. Following a recommendation from Laura at @houseprojectuk, I added beaded moulding trim to the middle section of the doors, before painting them in COAT's Wilderness Hill in an eggshell finish for durability.

To finish the look, I added the new range of Scroll handles in Dark Brushed Brass from Hendel & Hendel, which instantly elevated the overall look. I absolutely love the finished design and it’s a great way to make IKEA feel custom!

The pieces that tell our story

While we were in Margate I picked up several vintage finds, including a beautiful hand-stitched throw and a few prints that helped bring the room together.

Those collected pieces are what make a space feel personal. Margate House is full of unique little trinkets and characterful details, so I followed the same approach at home by gathering meaningful items from around our house.

Books, travel finds, family memorabilia and handmade artwork from the girls all found a place somewhere in the room. They're the pieces that tell our story, and for me, that's what makes a bedroom feel truly special. Oh and don’t forget plants (we love a plant).

Making it your own

Of course, I could have bought the same artwork, made a wavy headboard, copied styling and recreated the boutique hotel look. But that's never really the point. The beauty of inspiration is taking elements you love and adapting them to suit your space, lifestyle and personality.

For me, Margate House provided the perfect starting point, but the finished room still feels unmistakably ours and is in keeping with the rest of our house. It doesn’t feel like a Pinterest post, it feels like a lived in and loved space to relax and enjoy.

So take inspiration wherever you find it, but don't forget to make it your own. That's what transforms a beautiful room into a home.

The perfect tableware set is as functional as it is pretty. And it's these two categories in which Our Place's simply delectable range of plates, bowls and dinnerware essentials excel. And right now, they're the subject of a mega-sale from the retailer with picks available from £26.99 (via Our Place).

These sets not only nest together in the most pleasing and stackable way, but they're simply the best looking on the market, in my opinion. As Ideal Home's Kitchen Appliances Editor I often have a host of weird and wonderful items on test in my home but the most complimented of all is my dinnerware set from Our Place.

Here's why it's such a crowdpleaser at a dinner party and why I'm praying this isn't the end of the brand's excellent tableware offering.

Both generations of Our Place's tableware are currently on sale and as I've tried both, I can confidently say the quality is equal across the ranges.

The first pieces I owned have now mostly been discontinued, apart from the range's Side Bowls in Spice (which are now £30, down from £40). I've had them in my kitchen since 2022, which shows you just how long they last. All 12 of them have survived without a single chip.

The next tableware set I tried from Our Place was the brand's release of the colourway Sage in 2024.

This is where the brand starting to take stacking to the next level, which you can see in all of the sets that are currently on sale. All of the dinner plates in this collection can neatly stack on top of the dinner bowls, as well as on top of the brand's serveware salad bowls.

This was also where Our Place expanded into tableware of all sizes. Its mini range provides the perfect receptacles for sauce dipping, little dessert servings or for olives or various tapas at home.

If you're in the market to completely switch out your tableware, you can't do better than Our Place's offering. It's safe to say I'm absolutely obsessed with it (and have spent my own money investing in it). Can you see the appeal of these stackable sets?

Even though there are hundreds and thousands of paint shades on the market for us to choose from, there are those few that are such crowd pleasers that they make their way into most homes. And I’ve been noticing one particular shade being used consistently across some of the most stylish homes – and that’s the Little Greene Masquerade paint colour.

Soft, plaster-style pinks have been one of the biggest paint and colour trends of this year, taking on the role of a slightly more interesting and earthy neutral. And while most people are familiar with Setting Plaster, Farrow & Ball’s most popular neutral shade and one of its bestselling colours, not everyone has heard of Little Greene’s Masquerade. And yet, it’s becoming just as popular and iconic.

‘With its delicate, powder-like hue, Masquerade has become a much-loved Little Greene shade because it has a rare ability to feel both timeless and contemporary,’ says Ruth Mottershead, creative director at Little Greene, of this incredibly versatile paint colour. ‘Its soft, natural undertones create a sense of warmth and comfort without becoming overly sweet.’

Even our Ideal Home editors couldn’t resist the charm of Masquerade. Our Digital Editor, Rebecca Knight painted her living room pink using this very shade, taking inspiration from Zoe Ball’s kitchen and living room painted in Masquerade. And she couldn’t be happier with the result.

‘I was hunting around for the perfect plaster pink that felt warm but not too girly. A lot of the plaster pinks I sampled felt too washed out in my south-facing living room. However, I decided to give Masquerade a try when I stumbled upon a picture of Zoe Ball's newly renovated living room.’

‘It instantly warmed up the living room, which now feels like a hug when you sit in it. I'd call it a bold neutral – it's a statement on its own, but it works with so many other colours and makes them really pop. It made the colours of my green sofa and yellow rug look so much richer. It's become one of the most complimented rooms in my house, everyone asks what the paint colour is,’ Rebecca says.

What’s so special about Little Greene’s Masquerade

So why is everybody going crazy over this light pink paint colour? For starters, it’s a very versatile colour as already mentioned so it’s not only appealing to many different styles and aesthetics, but it’s also one of the best pink paints for pretty much any room – whether it’s north or south-facing or whether you’re painting your bedroom or are after a stylish pink living room idea like our Digital Editor, Rebecca.

‘It feels just as at home creating a calm and restful bedroom as it does adding elegance and atmosphere to more decorative spaces. This versatility reflects a wider shift we are seeing towards warmer, more soothing mid tones and neutrals. Today’s neutrals extend far beyond traditional off-whites and beiges; people are embracing colours with depth and personality - softer greens, rich browns and delicate muted pinks - shades that create a sense of calm while adding character to interiors,’ Ruth at Little Greene explains.

But in addition to that, Masquerade is part of a colour palette of three different colours - Masquerade, Masquerade Mid and Masquerade Light - each just a shade away from the other. ‘Masquerade Light and Masquerade - Mid are created using the same pigments in different strengths, allowing you to build a harmonious scheme with subtle variation and movement,’ Ruth says.

Rebecca adds, ‘I tried Masquerade and Masquerade - Mid, a slightly lighter variation. We decided to be brave and go for the bolder true colour. I think those mid shades are the best part about masquerade – if I was to redo the white parts of my living room I'd use one of the mid shades.’

This is beautifully demonstrated in the bedroom of this Enfield family home which Ideal Home’s toured. As pictured above, the bedroom’s walls are painted in Little Greene’s Masquerade, while the low ceiling is covered in Masquerade Light to visually lift it up.

How to use Little Greene’s Masquerade in your home

Since Masquerade is such a versatile shade that works in pretty much any space, the world is truly your oyster when decorating with it. But if you’re wondering what other shades pair well with it - other than the softer shades of the colour - then Ruth from Little Greene has some tips.

Create drama

For maximum impact, you can pair Masquerade with a bolder colour like deep, dark red or burgundy. That’s exactly what Ideal Home’s Editor-in-Chief, Heather Young opted for in her home office (pictured above). She paired Masquerade - Mid on the walls with a bookcase feature covered in Little Greene’s Arras shade.

‘For a bolder approach, Masquerade works beautifully alongside deeper, more dramatic tones. Shades such as Tuscan Red or Bronze Red create striking contrast and bring depth and richness to a space,’ Ruth says.

Go for a tonal scheme

Little Greene has been a pioneer of the double drenching paint technique, which is an evolved take on the colour drenching trend. And Masquerade lends itself perfectly to a double drenched colour scheme.

‘Using varying strengths of the same colour through a double drenching approach creates a cohesive yet engaging interior. Pair the delicate, powder-like hue of Masquerade on walls with the softer rosy tones of Blush on the ceiling to create a layered and enveloping feel,’ Ruth explains.

Ruth concludes, ‘Masquerade works particularly well where you want to create a sense of comfort and tranquillity.’

In my humble opinion, mosquitoes are easily one of the worst things about summer. If they’ve been plaguing your patio this summer, and like me, you’ve ended up with a few nasty bites, here are five scents they hate and will keep them at bay, according to pest experts.

If you want to get rid of mosquitoes and stop them from coming back, a scent deterrent can be an excellent, chemical-free method that won’t harm your family, pets or plants.

Mosquitoes have a highly sensitive sense of ‘smell’ which they use to find hosts, breeding sites and nectar. But they find some scents overwhelming and confusing, which in turn deters them from the area, leaving you mosquito-free!

1. Citronella

Of course citronella is first on the list. Citronella candles (like Argos Home’s Scalloped Terracotta-Effect Citronella Candle, £15) are famed for their abilities to keep flies and mosquitoes at bay, as their strong scent prevents mosquitoes from finding their hosts.

‘Citronella is another popular natural mosquito repellent. It contains compounds such as citronellal, geraniol and citronellol, which help to mask the scents mosquitoes use to locate people,’ says Daniel Steward, managing director at Shield Pest Control.

‘Citronella can be applied directly to the skin in the form of sprays or lotions to provide short-term protection. It is also commonly available as candles and essential oil diffusers, which release the scent into the surrounding air to help reduce mosquito activity around patios, gardens and outdoor seating areas. While citronella can be effective, it works best in calm conditions, as wind quickly disperses the scent.’

2. Clove

Clove is also a scent that flies hate, and is great for deterring mosquitoes - as well as making your home or patio smell great in the process.

‘Clove oil [available on Amazon] contains eugenol, a compound used in professional pest products in diluted form, and is one of the most potent natural mosquito repellents available. Studies have shown it provides effective repellence for up to three hours when applied topically in a carrier oil. As a garden scent, adding a few drops to an outdoor oil burner near your seating area significantly reduces mosquito activity. The scent is strong so a little goes a long way,’ explains Mosh Latifi, Co-Owner, EcoCare Pest Management.

3. Lemon eucalyptus

The experts swear by lemon eucalyptus (£4.99, Amazon) as a powerful scent deterrent against mosquitoes. Its strong odour interferes with a mosquito’s sense of smell and makes it harder for them to detect us, humans.

‘Lemon eucalyptus' is one of the most effective natural mosquito deterrents, providing around four to six hours of protection, depending on the concentration. It contains an active ingredient called PMD, which interferes with mosquitoes' odour receptors, making it more difficult for them to detect human scent,’ says Daniel.

‘The most effective way to use lemon eucalyptus is by applying a commercial repellent containing PMD to exposed skin. Some products can also be applied to clothing, provided the label states this is safe. It is an excellent option for activities such as camping, gardening and spending evenings outdoors, when mosquitoes are often most active.’

4. Lavender

Lavender (£7.99, Crocus) is a superhero plant that will not only make your patio smell gorgeous, but deters a range of pests too. Wasps and flies also dislike the smell of lavender, whereas helpful pollinators such as bees love it - it’s a win-win choice for a garden.

You can even plant lavender in July, if you give it a little extra help settling into your garden.

‘Lavender contains linalool and linalool oxide, both of which are natural insect repellents. Mosquitoes find the scent deeply unpleasant and will avoid areas where it is concentrated. Planted lavender near a patio provides ongoing passive deterrence throughout summer, and crushed lavender flowers rubbed on pulse points provide short-term personal repellent effect. It is not as potent as citronella, but as part of a layered approach it adds meaningful protection,’ says Mosh.

4. Peppermint

Last but not least is peppermint (£9.99, Amazon). While you and I may enjoy its fresh peppery scent, mosquitoes can’t stand it and will automatically avoid an area with a strong peppermint scent.

‘Peppermint contains the strong-smelling compounds menthol and menthone, which can interfere with mosquitoes' ability to locate people,’ says Daniel.

‘Peppermint can be used in homemade sprays when properly diluted, or you can purchase commercial peppermint-based repellents and essential oil diffusers. It can also be used as a fabric spray on outdoor cushions or camping equipment, helping to keep mosquitoes at bay during time spent outside. As with other essential oils, peppermint provides relatively short-lived protection and should be reapplied regularly if used on the skin.’

If you’re sick and tired of painful mosquito bites this summer, try one of these scents to keep them at bay.

Pets make a house feel like a home, and many of us wouldn't be able to face a kitchen without a little four-legged friend running around looking for scraps. But while we understand the importance of having a pet, we haven't always designed our homes with them in mind.

When going through a kitchen renovation, we think carefully about how the design meets the needs of every member of the family, so why aren't we considering our beloved pets, too?

While pet rooms are on the rise, dedicating an entire room to our furry friends isn't always possible, so I've asked kitchen pros how we can include smaller pet-friendly design features in our cooking spaces, utility rooms and boot rooms. Here's what they had to say.

1. Find a permanent place for their bed

'The modern kitchen is being reimagined to accommodate four-legged companions with subtle sophistication,' explains Tom Howley, creative design director of the eponymous kitchen company.

Integrated pet nooks are one of the simplest ways you can incorporate your pet into your kitchen design, and it's a great way to make use of awkward gaps in a layout. By removing cabinetry, you can create a ledge for a pet bed so that it's kept out of the way from the floor area, and it creates a dedicated cosy spot for your pet to curl up and sleep.

2. Consider plumbing

When you care for a pet, there are lots of small daily tasks that come with it. A well-designed home is all about making everyday life run smoothly, which is why it's worth considering how to design a pet space that functions well.

Interior designer, Fenella Jane, shows in an Instagram reel how she has included a pull-out brass pot tap in her boot room, just above the area where her dog's bowl sits. It's a small design feature that makes a huge difference, cutting out the everyday friction of running to and from the kitchen sink.

3. Work in a pet shower

Positioning a pet zone near your garden or back door is the most practical solution for ensuring that the rest of your kitchen stays free from muddy paws.

A pet shower makes this even more achievable - you can keep your pet contained within a dedicated zone to wash them before letting them through to the rest of the house. Whether you opt for a larger sink to bathe your pup in or a walk-in shower, which is great for larger dogs, opt for tiled surfaces for a splash-zone-ready space that you won't need to be precious about.

4. Don't forget storage

There's a lot of random paraphernalia that comes with being a pet owner, whether it's food, treats, medication, bowls or leashes. So just as you would design a pantry with clever storage in mind, organising a pet zone with handy drawers will make the space more functional.

'Well-designed pet spaces create a calmer, more organised environment for everyone in the household. From a practical perspective, they help contain the inevitable paraphernalia that comes with pet ownership, whether that's bedding, leads, toys or feeding stations,' explains interior designer, Laura Stephens.

'When these spaces are thoughtfully designed, they remove the tension between functionality and aesthetics, allowing owners to enjoy a home that works beautifully for every member of the household,' she adds.

5. Choose durable materials

'The common thread is that these pet spaces are becoming far more integrated into the overall design scheme,' says Laura Stephens. This is why when you're designing a pet area, you want it to be cohesive with the rest of your home, especially your kitchen.

Practical surfaces, like tiled surfaces, wipe-clean stone and laminate are essential in a pet-friendly space. Porous marble surfaces will only cause more stress, so put functionality first. When it comes to creating design cohesion, focus on colour palettes and cabinetry styles to tie the two areas together.

'Elevated pet-dining areas clad in the same stone or timber as the kitchen worktops bring a sense of cohesion, whilst personalised touches – like cabinetry engraved with a pet’s name – add charm,' recommends Tom Howley.

Shop pet room accessories

Creating a pet zone isn't just about designing an aesthetic place for your pooch, it's about creating a home that works for every single member of your family - big or small. Think about how your daily life operates with your pet before you start designing, so you can figure out what your area needs.

Home decorator and content creator Leah Hodson is one of Ideal Home's new Open House contributors, sharing her thoughts on overhauling a home with clever DIY and decorating tricks. See the rest of her articles here.

I secretly love a bathroom renovation, one of the few rooms where I get to sit back and let the contractors do their work! Bathrooms are an everyday essential that need to be both beautiful and functional – all the while being cosy at the same time too!

Having done bathroom renovations twice (in my previous house and our current one), here are a couple tips on how I’m designing and sourcing my en-suite.

Tiles

Tiles can be costly, but spending wisely and checking second hand market places can help keep the prices down. I previously bought 10m2 of mosaic travertine tiles for only £30. This time around, I didn’t have much luck on the second hand shopping front, but I’ve found cheap clearance tiles on Johnson Tiles outlet store which I’ll be using in the shower.

They can also be a fun way to add texture and colour to your bathroom. I’m adding that splash of bold colour by using pink marble tiles called ‘Capri Sunset’ from Mandarin Stone for the rest of the bathroom floor.

My secret to a considered bathroom design is grey grout, or coloured grout. White grout makes tiles look dated and they stain so easily. I love using grey grout as it hides limescale stains very well!

Bathroom fittings

Taps and shower fixtures are one area where I’ve tried to save money in the past, and it’s a decision I’ve come to regret. They’re frequently used in the bathroom, so investing in a better quality fitting pays off in the long run when it comes to upkeep and looking as good as it does, years after installation.

Even though our en-suite ceiling height is only 2 metres, having an overhead shower was a non-negotiable for me. Thankfully, Roper Rhodes have a ceiling mounted shower head that is perfect for my en-suite! Their other bathroom fittings are also beautifully designed and high quality that’s made to last!

For the first time, I’m opting for a concealed shower system. I’ve always avoided them because of an unfounded fear of leaks hidden behind the wall, choosing exposed shower systems instead.

But after years of cleaning tirelessly, and constantly battling limescale in all those hard-to-reach spots, I’ve finally been won over. A concealed system not only looks more streamlined, but should also make keeping the bathroom clean that little bit easier.

Lighting

When my electrician told us he’s going to charge us for every point, I was stressed! Did you know every downlight is considered a point? Me neither! Tip: It’s always worth checking how many points are included in your renovation!

I tried keeping the number of points low, however, I still ended up with seven points! My en-suite is a long room with one tiny window at one end of the room, next to the shower, so alternative light options are essential. I’ve opted for three equally spaced downlights, above the shower, toilet and the vanity, to evenly light up the space.

I would’ve liked wall lights, but I am lacking in wall space so I opted for a light up wall mirror from Roper Rhodes that also de-mists! What I’m most excited about the mirror is that it has a motion sensor so no more jumpscares or turning on the wrong light in the middle of the night!

After renovating two bathrooms, I’ve realised that the best decisions aren’t always the trendiest or the cheapest – they’re the ones that make everyday life easier, with a side of bougie. Renovating is often a process of trial and error, and whilst I wouldn't change the lessons I've learnt along the way, I'm hoping this time I've found the sweet spot between what is practical and what looks beautiful too.

Companion planting is the practice of planting different plants in proximity to each other to help them grow and thrive. In light of this year’s heatwaves and the likelihood that future summers will be even hotter, shade companion planting is the clever method gardeners are turning to to ensure their plants stay protected from the hot sun.

When you think of companion planting ideas, you’re likely thinking of combinations that stop pests from destroying your garden. But with shade companion planting, these combinations consist of using hardier, taller plants to provide shade for delicate, smaller plants - and it’s one of the best ways to help heat-proof your garden.

‘One of the simplest ways to create a more resilient garden is to think about plants as a community rather than as individuals. In nature, taller trees and shrubs naturally create sheltered microclimates beneath their canopies, protecting smaller plants from the hottest afternoon sun, reducing water loss and helping the soil retain moisture. We can borrow the same principle in our own gardens,’ explains Andrew Jackson, award-winning garden writer, designer and creator of The New Build Manifesto.

Here are five combinations you can put to practice in your garden.

1. Verbena bonariensis, geraniums and heucheras

If you love cottage gardens, Andrew recommends using this planting scheme to achieve a whimsical, romantic border that remains resilient in hotter gardens. Use plants like verbena bonariensis, bronze fennel and ornamental grasses at the back, pot astrantia, hardy geraniums and foxgloves in the middle and have heucheras, alchemilla and epimedium in the front, he advises.

‘The tall, airy plants filter sunlight rather than blocking it completely, reducing heat stress while allowing enough light through for flowering plants beneath. The layered planting also helps keep the soil cooler and slows evaporation, meaning plants need less watering during dry spells,’ says Andrew.

Where to buy verbena bonariensis, geraniums and heucheras

• Verbena bonariensis, £7.99, Crocus
• Geranium 'Border Supreme' F2 - Seeds, £4.49, Thompson & Morgan
• Heuchera 'Eternal Flame', £13.99, Thompson & Morgan

2. Culver’s root and lily turf

Another beautiful combination you should consider is Culver’s root and lily turf. This striking combination of one of the best plants for clay soil and one of the best ornamental grasses for shade makes a resilient yet colourful display.

‘Culver’s Root is the ideal architectural plant for sunny garden borders, as these low-maintenance, hardy herbaceous perennials thrive in sunny borders, growing in dense clumps up to two metres high and with a spread of around one metre. To take advantage of the shade that this perennial provides, growing Lilyturf at its base will provide this small, grass-like evergreen,’ says Lucie Bradley, gardens and greenhouse expert at Easy Gardens Irrigation.

‘The partial shade-attracting ground cover protects from direct sunlight that this sun-sensitive plant prefers to protect its foliage from being bleached by strong sun rays. With both Culver’s Root and Lilyturf enjoying the same consistently moist, well-draining soil, they can be grown easily together. These two plants also complement each other in other ways, including the timing of their blooms, with the tall ‘candelabra’ style spikes of the Culver’s root appearing in mid to late summer, closely followed by the vibrant, smaller spikes of dense, bead- like flowers which appear from late summer into autumn.’

Where to buy Culver’s root and lily turf

• Veronicastrum virginicum 'Fascination', £12.99, Crocus
• Liriope muscari, £12.99, Crocus

3. Olive trees, lavender, creeping thyme

Climate-resistant planting schemes will inevitably embrace Mediterranean garden ideas. Mediterranean plants are well equipped to deal with hot, dry, poor conditions, making this one of the easiest planting combinations you can follow.

Andrew recommends planting a multi-stem olive tree or Amelanchier lamarckii at the back of your border, with either salvias, nepeta or lavender in the middle and creeping thyme, oregano or low-growing sedums.

‘Although Mediterranean plants enjoy sunshine, even they benefit from cooler root conditions. The light canopy of a small tree creates welcome shade during the hottest part of the day, while aromatic groundcover plants act as a living mulch, reducing soil temperatures and locking in moisture,’ he says.

Where to buy olive trees, lavender, creeping thyme

• Olea Europaea- Olive Trees - Half standards - Established Plants Approx 100 cm Tall, £32.99, B&Q
• Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote', £7.99, Crocus
• Creeping Phlox Collection, £8.99, Thompson & Morgan

4. Foxgloves and aquilegia

Foxgloves are tall and low-maintenance, making them a great choice as a shade companion plant. Plus, with grandma gardens making a comeback this summer, they’re perfectly on-trend, too.

‘Foxgloves are not only popular to include in your garden as they provide striking vertical height, with tall spires of tubular bell-shaped blooms which are magnets to beneficial pollinators whilst also being low maintenance and pest resilient, but their height also makes them ideal companion plants for other plants which are more sensitive to the sun,’ says Lucie.

‘When in full flower, from May to July, their vertical height can be used to naturally shade plants such as Aquilegia, which prefer dappled shade and usually stand between 60 to 90cm in height. With flowers appearing from mid-May until June, their blooms will overlap and make for a perfect, long-lasting display in a cottage garden. Whilst the shallow roots of the foxglove won’t compete for space with the deep taproots of aquilegia, ensuring they both can access moisture without competing, and they both prefer moist, humus-rich soil, making them ideal companion plants.’

Where to buy foxgloves and aquilegia

• Foxglove 'Dalmatian Mixed', £7.99, Thompson & Morgan
• Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata 'Ruby Port', £9.99, Crocus

5. Birch trees, hydrangeas and tiarella

If you thought you had to say goodbye to hydrangeas because of the heat, think again. This planting scheme is perfect for creating a woodland edge in your garden, helping it stay cooler.

Andrew says to plant birch trees or serviceberry trees at the edge of your border. Then, you can plant hydrangeas, ferns and Japanese anemones in the middle, followed by hostas, tiarella or pulmonaria at the front - simply choose a combo you like!

‘These plants naturally grow along woodland edges where they receive morning sun and afternoon shade. The open canopy of birch or amelanchier provides dappled light without creating heavy shade, allowing moisture-loving plants to thrive while protecting them from scorching temperatures,’ adds Andrew.

Where to buy birch trees, hydrangeas and tiarella

• Betula alba Pendula - Silver Birch - Circa 220-250cm Tall, was £89.99, now £59.99 at Gardening Express
• Hydrangea paniculata 'Vanille Fraise', £11.99, Thompson & Morgan
• Tiarella 'Pink Skyrocket', £10.99, Crocus

‘As our summers become warmer, gardening is becoming less about finding plants that tolerate full sun and more about designing gardens that create their own favourable conditions. Layering plants by height to provide gentle shade is an easy technique that improves plant health, reduces watering and produces borders that feel softer, more natural and more resilient over time,’ Andrew concludes.

With so many combinations to try, shade companion planting is like a shortcut to a stunning yet climate-resilient garden.

Amanda Jones is one of Ideal Home's new Open House contributors, sharing her thoughts on sustainable living and decorating a home in way that is good for the environment. See the rest of her articles here.

I love art, and I’ve bought some fabulous vintage pieces over the years. I buy art instinctively, and until recently, like lots of people, I’ve not thought too much about the artist, why they paint, or how they live their lives.

I go with my gut when choosing art. I never look at what’s trending, I just buy purely based on how a painting makes me feel, and colour is a massive draw to me. I’m a bit partial to a female portrait, much to my family’s despair, who do not share my enthusiasm. Last year I was asked not to bring anymore ‘strange women’ into the house, but to be honest, I’m not sure how much longer I can hold out, I LOVE female portraits.

I quite like an old frame too, one with bits missing, a bit of gilt, or one that someone painted many years ago, and that’s now a bit faded and chipped. Many of my paintings don’t even have frames, they are just propped up against the wall or piece of furniture, or strategically placed to hide a plug socket (another thing that irritates my family).

Most of my art is old oil paintings. I love the texture of oils, and that they don’t fade from the sun that streams through our windows. I don’t just hang art on my walls, I also have a huge vintage map of Great Britian and Ireland on my wall, it’s an old school chart, snapped up at a bargain price. The more colourful and quirkier something is, the more I love it.

For my 50^th birthday my friend bought me a beautiful painting of Venice, it’s one of my favourite cities. That painting was the start of a small collection of Venice paintings, I’ve bought over the years. They are now grouped together on my dining room wall. All from different eras, different styles, and different frames, but work together so well.

I mainly buy from small sellers in person, at vintage fairs or online. One of my favourite sellers is my good friend Julia, who sells art on her Instagram Antikquity and she also has a shop in Nottinghamshire. In her shop you’ll find some very eclectic and interesting art works.

Whilst I can appreciate art, and the skill of the artist, I had thought very little about the artist, why they paint, or how they manage to make a living through their art. That changed last year when my daughter Mia, returned from university.

After going to see a David Hockney exhibition, she was inspired to start painting again. She loved painting so much, she decided to set up her art business, Art By Mia Jones, over on Instagram. Over the past year Mia has sold original oils and sent hundreds of prints across the world.

For a new artist, just starting out, she has done very well. That said, this last year has been hard, a steep learning curve. I don’t think Mia realised how difficult it would be to create art, run a business, and promote yourself on social media. As I’ve watched all her highs, and lows over the last year, it has given me a deep appreciation for artists, especially those just starting out.

Although I’ve mainly bought vintage art in the past, I also know there are many wonderfully talented artists out there, so I’ve made a pledge, after seeing how hard my own daughter has worked, to try and support more of them.

This year I’ve not only bought some of my own daughters’ paintings, but I’ve also supported other artists too. I’ve bought a painting from Fiona Cumberpatch and a screenprint from Hannah Carvell, a fellow Open House writer. Both pieces have added another layer to my home, another part of my story.

If you love art and interiors, please consider supporting some of the independent artists out there. Let’s avoid the mass produced, AI generated prints, and focus more on individual artists. Whether it’s buying a small print, or commissioning a larger piece of art, the artist will be very appreciative of your custom.

If you can’t afford to buy anything right now, engaging in their social media platforms, liking and sharing their content, is another way you can help them.

After many years of buying vintage paintings, I’m now starting to view things a little differently, yes, I will continue to buy second-hand, but I will also be seeking out beautiful, interesting art, directly from living, breathing artists. Art really can enhance our homes and bring us much joy, let’s in turn support the amazing artists and creatives out there.

While most people focus on tidying and organising the rooms they use (and see) on a daily basis, the reality is that the areas you use less typically need more attention. And the one area we all forget to declutter? The garage.

Of course, most people don’t want to spend their summer decluttering the garage. But with the kids off school, some free time on your hands and the warmer weather keeping things dry, professional organisers say that now is the perfect time to do it. Especially as your garage has probably become a dumping ground.

As Kate Dufton, Professional Organiser and Declutter at Ace Your Space, explains, ‘Garages become the home's unofficial storage unit, much like the loft. Before you know it, the space feels overwhelming and becomes somewhere you avoid altogether.’ So, follow these easy steps to reclaim your garage once and for all.

1. Start with a vision

Today, garages have so many uses, from storing summer essentials like tents and bikes to even a spare freezer. But as Shannon Murphy, Professional Organiser and Founder of Simpl Living Co, warns, ‘Garages are often one of the most cluttered areas of the home because they become a dumping ground for broken items, things people plan to sell and possessions they're undecided about.’

But since a garage has so many uses, it’s important to make a plan before you start decluttering it this summer. The best way to do this is to figure out what you want to use the garage for. Is it simply a place to store the car? If so, you’ll need to get rid of anything unrelated to your vehicle. Or does it need to offer more?

Kate advises, ‘Think about exactly what needs to live in the garage - tools, gardening equipment, decorating supplies, camping gear or sports equipment. Having a clear vision will help you make better decisions about what stays and keep you motivated throughout the project.’

2. Choose your method

There are countless decluttering methods out there, as decluttering is a very personal activity that needs to be tailored to how you work best. And if you prefer to tick things off your list in a single sitting, Shannon says that emptying everything and starting from scratch is your best bet - especially in the summer when you have more time on your hands.

‘Choose a dry day and remove everything from the garage. Seeing the space empty and grouping similar items together makes it much easier to decide what to keep,’ she says. However, if you struggle with decision fatigue and clutter overwhelm, this method might not work for you.

In this instance, Hester Van Hien, a Home Decluttering and Organising Consultant from Tidylicious, suggests breaking the task into chunks instead. She advises, ‘This makes it easier to see the wood for the trees, and it can be a good warm-up for the actual decluttering. Start in one corner, and pull things out and organise everything by type or category.’

3. Utilise proper storage

The garage is one of the many places we’re all forgetting to declutter, but there’s often a reason for that - and that’s because we often don’t have the proper storage in place to keep things neat and tidy. That’s why, when decluttering your garage this summer, it’s well worth investing in effective storage to help you maintain this order in the long run.

Kate says, ‘Racking is essential in a garage to maximise the vertical space and keep your belongings off the floor. Use plastic containers on the shelves to store items, keeping them accessible and protected. If you have lots of tools or gardening equipment, consider investing in some wall-mounted storage so you can see everything at a glance and access it quickly.’

She adds, ‘Bikes also work well on wall-mounted hooks, freeing up floor space. And if you have a lot of sports equipment, use hooks and storage boxes to keep it organised.’ Thankfully, these storage solutions don’t have to cost a fortune - but they will make a big impact.

4. Label everything

Labelling can make or break a newly decluttered garage, as it adds an extra layer of organisation that will help you keep things neat and tidy in the long run. And Kate even goes as far as to say, ‘This bit is crucial.’

Shannon agrees, saying, ‘Rather than opening every box looking for one item, label each container or keep a contents list, so you know exactly what's inside.’ This goes for the rest of your household, too, so you won’t have any family members rummaging through the boxes and messing with your system.

This should also prevent the accidental purchase of any duplicates, too, as you’ll know exactly what you already have, so you don’t buy any more or waste your money. Just make sure you go through these boxes every to ensure you definitely still want and need the items inside them.

So, will you be decluttering your garage this summer?

Choosing paint colours for your home can be both fun and daunting. On one hand, you can truly put your stamp on your space and decorate it to your taste. But at the same time, the choice of paint colours is overwhelming – which is why many people choose a shade they later on end up regretting. I asked interior and paint experts what popular paint colours people regret going for most often.

The 4 popular paint ideas the experts came back with are a mix of expected and surprising shades. And while that doesn’t mean you should avoid these colours at all costs, it is recommended to be careful and considerate when using them in your home.

But this goes for any colour you choose for your home, whether it’s a timeless classic or a current colour trend. And the only way you can prevent later disappointment or falling out of love with your wall colours is by opting for those that you genuinely love and that work in your space.

‘We tend to find customers regret their colour choices when the decision was led by what was trending at the time, rather than something that truly reflects their personal style,’ says Cari Bateman, senior designer at Neville Johnson. ‘Be mindful of whether you're drawn to a colour because it's particularly trendy at that moment, or if it has longevity. It's also important to consider how your paint choice suits the room you are designing, how it complements any existing furniture or decor.’

Catherine Sanders, head of creative at Earthborn, shares her top tip on how to be sure about a paint colour ahead of covering your walls with it. ‘The safest approach is to test colours in the actual room before committing. Look at them in the morning, afternoon and evening, and consider the flooring, furniture, curtains and lighting. A colour that works with the room will always last longer than one chosen simply because it is fashionable.’

1. White

We’re starting off with perhaps the most surprising colour on the list – the (supposedly) timeless white. ‘Colours people regret are often the simplest, such as the wrong shade of white,’ Cari at Neville Johnson says.

It’s not necessarily all white in general as Cari hints at – but one room’s best white paint shade is different to another. And it’s largely based on the direction that room is facing and what kind of light it receives based on that.

But more often than not, it’s the cool white shades like brilliant white with blue and/or grey undertones that people most often regret, rather than the warm off-whites like Farrow & Ball's Wimborne White which are a safer bet.

‘White is probably the paint colour people regret most,’ says Anna Hill, brand director and colour consultant at Fenwick & Tilbrook. ‘It's been hugely popular for years but often leaves the room feeling cold or clinical rather than calm and inviting. I think that's because we all buy into the aspirational aesthetic of crisp, minimalist interiors, but in reality, our homes aren't like that.’

2. Lilac

Meanwhile, I wasn’t surprised to see a shade like lilac on the list of colours people most often regret. Despite some brands trying to make it a home decor trend, it’s a divisive colour at the best of times. And it’s very difficult to make it work in UK homes due to the kind of natural light (or lack thereof) they receive throughout the year.

‘The resurgence of lilac is a popular shade I would avoid. When used thoughtfully it can be beautiful, but so many homes in the UK have east or north facing spaces that really don't lend themselves well to pale purple shades, as they end up looking cold and grey for most of the day,’ Anna at Fenwick & Tilbrook explains.

3. Blue

Blue is not only the world’s favourite colour. It’s also one of the biggest colour trends of 2026. So I was somewhat taken aback to hear people are often unhappy with their blue-painted walls. But it turns out that it’s a similar case as with white, in that it’s often the shade of blue that people get wrong and therefore end up regretting.

‘In terms of colours that people seem to regret most, I’d say blue,’ says Jo Lane, founder and designer at online interior design service See Your Place. ‘Funnily enough, it’s one of the most popular colours in interiors, but you need to know exactly which shade to use in your room, depending on the type of light you get in your space. It can easily read too cold, too saturated or too dark, so in my experience it’s the hardest colour to get right.’

In order to avoid this very situation when I was looking for the best blue shade for my home, I was picking solely between light, soft blues with warm undertones. Eventually, I landed on Lick's Blue 08, available at B&Q.

4. Bright bold shades

I know that ‘bright bold shades’ is not one colour per se. But this really applies to all highly saturated, often primary shades of colours which were trending at the height of the dopamine decorating trend. But as a collectibe, it's one we’re now slowly falling out of love with, in favour of more mature, elevated and earthier shades.

‘I would be cautious with very bright, trend-led colours across large areas – they can quickly become overwhelming on every wall. These colours are often better used on furniture, shelving, a door or a small feature area,’ Catherine at Earthborn says.

However, there are exceptions to this, of course. And if a bright, bold colour - or lilac - makes you happy and you absolutely love it, then go for it. Farrow & Ball's Charlotte Locks bright orange shade is a bold statement, yet many people go crazy for it. And Richard E. Grant's hot pink snug, painted in Little Greene's Leather, isn't everyone's cup of tea, but it is his.

Do you have any past (or present) paint colour regrets?

I don’t know about you, but my fridge gets very full over the summer months, packed with picky bits, BBQ essentials, and fresh fruit and veg for those hot-weather meals. But while I’ve generally been a ‘shove it where there’s space’ kind of fridge organiser, experts say I’ve been doing it all wrong - especially in the midst of a heatwave.

Of course, many of the most common fridge organising rules revolve around cross-contamination and bacteria. But as AO's refrigeration expert, Jade Golding-Gault, explains, ‘As temperatures rise, your fridge must work harder to maintain a consistent temperature and keep food cool. Many people don’t realise that fridge temperatures are not consistent throughout and can differ per shelf.’

Because of this, you may need to reassess your summer fridge organisation and start moving things around to maximise freshness and minimise food waste. This is easy enough to do, though.

1. Make the most of the salad drawer

One of the biggest food organisation myths is that it doesn’t matter where you store items in a refrigerator, but that simply isn’t true. Most fridges are designed with designated areas for certain foods, especially fresh fruits and vegetables.

Jade says these need to go in the salad drawer during the summer months. She explains, ‘It may seem obvious, but the salad drawer is a crucial area of your fridge. These compartments are designed to maintain the right humidity levels, helping produce stay crisp and reducing food waste.’

If you don’t have enough space in your salad drawers for everything, there are ways to fake it so you can store food to make it last longer. These StayFresh Produce Keepers (£12.99 at Lakeland) are designed to do just that and can be placed on any shelf if you really don’t have any space. Just be warned that the temperature won’t be as stable.

2. Move your milk (if you can)

Whether you prefer cow’s milk, oat milk, soy milk or even pea milk in your morning cuppa, there’s a high chance that you pop your milk in the door of your fridge - and for good reason, too. It seems like the most logical place to put it, given the bottle's shape and size and the space available in the fridge.

But experts say that storing your milk in the fridge door can cause it to spoil more quickly in the summer. Chris Grundy, Senior Product Manager for Cooling at Haier, says, ‘Despite the built-in bottle shelf, the fridge door is actually the warmest part of the appliance because it's opened so frequently. For maximum freshness, milk should be stored on a middle shelf instead.’

However, I appreciate that this isn’t always possible, as many milk bottles and cartons are just too large to fit on a shelf. I’d also advise against storing it on its side, as this is a recipe for disastrous leaks. So, if you really can’t store it on a shelf, make sure you limit how long you keep a fridge door open.

3. Try not to overfill it

The key to a fridge full of fresh food is airflow and organising it so it’s never packed too tightly. And this is even more important during the summer, when temperature fluctuations already threaten your food's freshness.

Chris warns, ‘Overfilling the fridge is a common mistake. Cold air needs room to circulate, so leaving a little space between items helps maintain an even temperature throughout the appliance.’ And this is where fridge organisers like this selection of Dunelm fridge organisers can help you do that, as you can move and stack them in a way that allows for this airflow.

Ideally, you should aim to keep your fridge around 75% full, leaving 25% for cold air to circulate and maintain cooler temperatures. Doing this can also save you money in the long run, but if you’re really struggling for space, you could also try freezing more items in bags like these Amazon 1 Litre Freezer Bags (£1.74 at Amazon).

4. Unpack food as soon as you can

Temperature changes in a fridge become even more dangerous when the food inside is already starting to thaw. That’s why one of the biggest summer fridge organisation tips you shouldn’t ignore is to load up your fridge immediately after a food shop.

This should prevent your food from getting too warm - especially during a heatwave - and I swear by my Trolley Bags for Shopping Trolley (£24.95 at Amazon) for getting food out of the supermarket, into the car, and then into my fridge quickly and efficiently.

You should also take care when storing any cooked food, too. And Chris advises, ‘If you've cooked food, allow it to cool before refrigerating it, as placing hot dishes straight into the fridge raises the internal temperature.’ This can then have a knock-on effect on the other food in the fridge.

5. Adjust the temperature, if needed

While it’s not technically an organisation tip, knowing what temperature a fridge should be set at is even more important during the warmer months of the year, as this - combined with poor organisation - can wreak havoc on your food. Plus, some fridges can struggle in the heat without you realising.

James Cooper, Senior Product Manager for Refrigeration at Hotpoint, says, ‘Your fridge should be between 3 and 5°C, but during a heatwave, older models can fluctuate by 5-7°C throughout the day. If your fridge is too warm, food will start to go off, smell bad, or could even develop mould.’

He adds, ‘To ensure food stays fresh, your appliance needs to be able to maintain consistent temperatures – especially when the weather turns warmer.’ So, it’s worth understanding what the numbers on your fridge dial actually mean and maybe even investing in a standalone thermometer like this Salter Fridge Freezer Thermometer (£9 at Amazon).

So, take some time this week to re-organise your fridge for summer! Your food (and your wallet) will thank you for it.

When choosing a kitchen colour scheme, it's often challenging to strike the right balance between trendy and timeless. Seeking inspiration from the latest kitchen trends is a sure-fire way to curate a beautiful scheme, but what if your chosen shade doesn't stand the test of time?

I've spoken to kitchen pros on the best ways to combine style and longevity, by understanding what the most future-proof kitchen colours are in 2026.

Timeless doesn't mean you have to play it safe — these three colour schemes will inspire a fresh new look that will also last.

1. Soft, earthy hues

Green has always been a popular kitchen colour scheme, but variations of the shade come in and out of trend. To ensure that the colour is future-proof rather than a fleeting moment, opting for an earthy undertone will help to ground the space.

'When you're investing in a new kitchen, it's worth choosing colours you'll love for years to come rather than following a trend that might quickly date. Soft, earthy shades like mushroom, greige, olive green and warm neutrals are all great options because they're easy to live with and work with different worktops, flooring and finishes,' explains Ntola Obazee, brand director, Kutchenhaus.

'These timeless colours give you the flexibility to update your kitchen look over time without replacing the cabinetry. Swapping out handles, pendant lighting, or even bar stools can give the space a whole new feel,' Ntola adds.

2. Pale pink

Pale pink once felt like an 'out there' choice for a kitchen, but it's quickly become its own form of neutral. Once reserved for bedrooms, the soft nature of this shade acts as an alternative to cream while adding a bit more of a playful touch.

'Pink continues to be a popular choice for kitchens, proving that it is far from a passing trend. According to our recent market research, consumers continue to gravitate towards pale pink shades as a sophisticated alternative to traditional neutrals such as beige and grey. These softer tones provide the same sense of versatility while introducing a subtle warmth and individuality that helps create a more inviting living space,' says Tom Howley, creative design director at the eponymous kitchen brand.

3. Warm neutrals

A simple way to future-proof your kitchen is to opt for a neutral colour scheme that offers a simple but effective look.

'Choosing lighter kitchen shades, such as creams, whites, or muted pastels, can help reflect light around the room rather than absorb it, as darker kitchen colours often do. These lighter hues create a timeless and airy aesthetic, making them ideal for smaller or dimly lit spaces where maximising natural light is essential,' explains Massimo Buster Minale, founder and creative director of Buster + Punch.

With a more neutral colour scheme, the visual interest will come from the smaller touches, such as hardware, lighting and decorative touches.

'It's important to introduce contrast through different textures and finishes, as an all-light colour scheme can sometimes feel sterile or lacking in depth. Adding elements like knurled textures and metallic finishes completes the overall design,' Massimo adds.

If a kitchen renovation isn't on the cards then there are still ways to incorporate colour into your kitchen scheme - these tricks to adding colour without repainting will get you started.

One of my biggest bugbears when it comes to my driveway is how easily it can go from looking nice and neat to an absolute mess.

I have a part tarmac and part gravel driveway, and it does have it's positives in that it provides an additional off-road parking space, is good for security, and is inexpensive to replenish when it needs it. But the gravel goes everywhere. Whenever it's parked on, the gravel moves around, and I feel like I'm constantly sweeping loose gravel from the public path back on to the driveway to keep things looking neat.

But after spotting my neighbour's new gravel driveway, that doesn't seem to move a muscle even when it's parked on, I was curious as to hers seemed so much lower maintenance than mine. So she told me her secret — gravel grids.

While my gravel sits on top of a weed membrane, like this heavy duty version from Amazon (£25 for 50m), it has no method of containment. Combine that with the fact my driveway is sloped, if it's not a parked car it's foot traffic across the gravel that makes it move around. It's a bit of a downside of this particular driveway material.

Conversely, my neighbour's gravel sits neatly in a gravel grid, meaning it doesn't move around, even when she's driving over it. There's also enough gravel on her driveway that you can't see the grid, so on the face of it, it' just looks like a beautiful, and tidy, driveway. My dream.

Gravel grids work by interlocking grids that form a sort of egg-box structure. Once they are installed, you apply the gravel over the top and manoeuvre it into the holes made by the grid. This prevents the gravel from moving around, keeping it in place. If you use enough gravel, the grids are invisible.

Once finished, the driveway is strong enough to be walked and driven on, and the gravel will stay put.

While I'd previously looked into resurfacing my driveway (I love the look of a resin driveway, but it's not the most affordable option). So now I'm in research mode as to how much it would cost to install something like this on my own driveway.

First I'll get quotes from local driveway companies, then I'll look into how feasible it would be to do on a DIY basis. But as I'd need to remove all of the existing gravel, ensure the base is level before installing a new weed membrane, the gravel grids (which may need to be cut to size), and then the gravel, it may be best that I leave it to a professional.

Home decorator and content creator Grace H is one of Ideal Home's new Open House contributors, sharing her thoughts on colourful home design, mixing vintage pieces with new and making personality-filled spaces. See the rest of her articles here.

Designing a bathroom from scratch is one of the most rewarding yet challenging things you can do – not to mention costing an absolute fortune if, like me, you have expensive tastes without the bank balance to back them up.

Our bathroom is teeny-tiny (less than 2m x 2m), and during the renovation, I made a few... controversial design choices. Everyone warned me against my decisions, but by thinking outside the box, we created our dream space. If you're currently planning a remodel, I hope our deep dive inspires you to trust your gut, even when everyone else thinks you've lost it.

1. The great tile rebellion

The default setting for most bathrooms is tiles everywhere. But after inheriting a sterile, cold room with floor-to-ceiling white tiles, I knew I wanted something different. I wanted something softer, warmer, and less... well, "bathroomy."

Initially, I pictured tongue-and-groove panelling on the lower half of the walls with wallpaper on top. However, my other half quickly vetoed the wallpaper, worrying that poor ventilation in such a small space would cause it to peel. After a brief sulk, I moved on to Plan B: a full, dramatic colour drench.

When I pitched the panelling idea to friends and family, the skepticism flooded in. Because we have a shower over the bath, everyone was convinced the wood would get wet, warp, and be ruined in a flash. My secret weapon? A vintage-inspired, wrap-around shower curtain. I reasoned that it would contain the water, while a good extractor fan would handle the humidity.

My dad was entirely unconvinced, uttering the fateful words:

“I’m telling you now, you’ll regret it.”

Do you know what? I don't.

2. The shower curtain logic

My theory worked perfectly. A year and a half later, the tongue-and-groove is still in mint condition. We installed a Victorian-style, wrap-around shower pole suspended from the ceiling. On the outside sits a decorative, waterproof striped curtain to add character and charm; on the inside, two liners keep the water in the bath.

It doesn’t feel claustrophobic at all, and no, the curtain doesn’t cling to you while you wash. It’s actually incredibly spacious, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

2. Re-thinking the storage formula

The obvious way to add storage to a small bathroom is to install a vanity unit to hide away ugly toiletries. That was our original plan, and we even had a custom unit made. But once it was in the room, it looked incredibly chunky and made the space feel half its size. (The failed vanity has since found a second life as a bar cart downstairs!)

Instead, we decided to build a bespoke cabinet to sit on the ledge running along the sink and toilet wall. But this presented a new problem: if a massive cupboard was occupying the wall, where would the shower head go?

Showers don’t have to be wall-mounted

Back on went my thinking cap. I started researching ceiling-mounted shower heads and found they are surprisingly easy to source. After a quick explanation and some random scribbles on scrap paper, my brother-in-law extraordinaire – who was fitting the bathroom for us – made it a reality. Leaving the wall free of shower plumbing meant my storage dreams could finally come true.

Sinks matter

With storage sorted, we could keep the sink super simple. We chose a period-inspired pedestal sink with an integrated towel rail to keep things neat. Getting rid of a boxy floor unit meant you could see more of the floor, creating the optical illusion of a much larger room.

3. The pink bath of my dreams

Once the shower situation was resolved, I finally realised my childhood dream of owning a freestanding bath. It’s not the obvious choice for a tiny room, and because I wanted it painted in a bold pop of colour, the naysayers returned. I was told it was a terrible idea and that the paint would chip instantly.

By this point, you might notice a theme: I didn't listen. Today, there isn’t a single chip or flake of paint in sight. It looks just as vibrant as the day it was painted.

4. Making a small bathroom even smaller

In a move that defied all logic, we actually brought our walls inward to hide a concealed toilet cistern. We also squared off the external window wall to allow for a deeper windowsill. My dad’s voice was ringing in my ears once again: “Who makes a small bathroom even smaller?!”

But I knew in my gut it would look more streamlined. Zero regrets! We now have two highly usable ledges (the windowsill and the ledge running across the toilet wall) that weren’t there before. They are the perfect perch for everyday essentials like toothbrushes and room spray, and even the occasional bunch of fresh flowers.

5. Saving on walls, splurging on floors

Because we saved so much money by skipping wall tiles, we had room left in the budget to spend on the floor. It was love at first sight when I found our statement floor tiles online, and the entire colour scheme of the bathroom ended up being based around them.

If you’re reading this and thinking you need to reign in your own design ideas to play it safe, take a second look at your plans. You might just find that the conventional choices are the crazy ones after all. The Moral of the Story

Trust your gut and don't be afraid to deviate from the standard manual. So many people made me question whether I was delusional or whether my ideas were even physically possible. It turns out they were – I just wasn't doing things the conventional way.

Traditionally, children’s playrooms have been contained in dedicated rooms in the majority of family homes. But things are changing and modern families embrace alternative approaches – so should you have a playroom? Or is it no longer a necessity or even the go-to approach?

I asked three interior designers to see what their top recommendations when it comes to separate playroom ideas would be – and what most parents choose to go for these days. It turns out that separate playrooms are becoming increasingly rare as families choose to create play corners and areas within shared spaces like a family living room.

Like most things, even dedicated playrooms have their pros and cons – and the interior experts shed a light on both to help you decide whether a playroom is the right choice for you and your family. Or should you adopt an alternative approach?

Pros of a dedicated playroom

Children have a lot of toys and they can get pretty messy, especially without the right toy storage ideas. Having a separate playroom can contain all of their toys and mess within that one room without spilling into the other areas of your home.

‘A dedicated space for clutter and toys where the children can feel comfortable to relax and play without potentially damaging any other areas in the house is a huge plus,’ says Francesca Leat, owner, director and head designer at Francesca Leat Interiors.

Emma Deterding, founder and creative director at Kelling Designs, agrees, ‘The joy of having a playroom is that it gives children a safe, stimulating environment to explore and play independently and it helps contain toys, arts and crafts from the rest of your home.’

Cons of a dedicated playroom

On the flip side, the downsides of a playroom are that they can accumulate unnecessary mess and clutter and they can make it more difficult for parents to keep an eye on younger children.

In fact, many children prefer to play in closer proximity to their parents and other adults that are around so that alone can make the idea of a dedicated playroom somewhat redundant.

‘A separate room can be underused if the kids like to stay close to their parents. And as children grow, the room often needs repurposing. It can also encourage an accumulation of toys that often aren't cleared out, making organisation more of a challenge,’ Emma at Kelling Designs explains.

Francesca Leat adds, ‘One of the cons would be that it may result in seeing less of your children from time to time or if you have younger children it can be challenging to keep an eye on them. Playrooms as standalone spaces perhaps work better for older or teenage children as somewhere to watch TV or focus on arts and crafts.’

What’s the best alternative to a playroom?

Of course, not every home has a spare room that can be dedicated to a playroom. But Jo Lane, founder of online interior design service See Your Place, finds that this isn’t necessarily the number one reason why most parents these days choose to forgo a traditional playroom in favour of a play area in a shared room like an open-plan living room or even the kitchen.

‘Most families tend to opt for a play area within a living room space rather than a separate playroom. This isn’t always driven by space limitations – often people do have two or three separate reception rooms, but make a conscious choice to incorporate play within their most used lounge room.'

'This is because children naturally tend to want to spend time with their adult carers in whichever space the adults are in and play alongside them. And more people seem to favour creating two separate spaces for the whole family to relax in together at different times of the day,’ she explains.

Emma at Kelling Designs also recommends incorporating a play area into shared space of the home, ‘There can be pressure to create a whole dedicated room, but I advise creating a play space instead if space allows.'

'Creating a play area in a family space or even using flexible furniture that can transition between play and everyday life can work really well. This is what we're seeing more often in modern family homes, especially as homes become more compact.'

'It's also a great way to keep children in sight while maintaining a balanced home that works for the entire family.’

But in order to pull this off, you’ll need to incorporate great storage, especially hidden toy storage ideas, and multifunctional pieces of furniture that also look good in a shared family space, much like these.

My top picks for a play area

Are you team dedicated playrooms? Or are you also leaning towards creating a play area within a shared living space?

Summer brings with it a whole host of things to love – long, lazy evenings in the garden which, with any luck, might be in bloom, maybe a trip to the seaside, ice lollies galore..

That said, they are also some downsides to summer – the hot sticky nights that can disrupt a good sleep, buzzing creatures everywhere and, in some cases, the damage hot weather can do to our homes. Tarmac driveways are a good case in point here. While they have much to offer homeowners looking for a low-maintenance and affordable option, they do not always perform so well in a heatwave, with melting being one particular problem.

If this is something that is worrying you, or that you have already started experiencing during the recent scorching temperatures, help is at hand.

Why do tarmac driveways melt in summer?

As driveway materials go, tarmac has to be one of the least needy, yet they are not infallible, and you might start to see signs of driveway damage. Fluctuations in temperature can cause cracks to appear and, if the base wasn't constructed correctly, they can also buckle under the weight of very heavy vehicles.

If you have ever driven abroad, you may well have noticed your tyres sticking to the tarmac on the road a little, or noticed shiny melting patches – but what causes this?

'Tarmac driveways are made up with bitumen that tends to soften in high temperatures,' explains Daniel Wickham, owner of First Impression Driveways. 'This becomes more likely if the tarmac surface is either old, badly laid or sees heavy usage – all while being in direct sunlight.'

What are the signs of a melting driveway?

It doesn't matter whether you have a block paved driveway or a tarmac design, with any summer driveway damage, spotting and fixing the issue as soon as you can is key to ensuring it doesn't cause you too much of a headache.

Given that tarmac tends to soften once temperatures hit around 50°C, you might assume that this won't be a problem here in the UK. However, dark materials absorb heat readily and many driveways sit in direct sunlight – plus ground temperatures are higher than air meaning it is not unrealistic in extreme heat, that a tarmac drive could reach this figure.

"The big red flags are soft patches, tire marks, scuffing, indentations, or when the surface starts to look uneven or distorted," warns Daniel Wickham.

What can you do to prevent a tarmac driveway from melting?

Just as you can prepare your driveway for winter, so too are there steps you can take to make sure it doesn't suffer too much in the summer heat.

Eamonn Turley, a car and road trip specialist at Road Smiles, has some tips on protecting a tarmac drive from the heat. 'Keeping up with regular maintenance – such as sealing when required – protects the bitumen from oxidation and UV degradation which accelerates softening overtime. Proper driveway drainage is important too, since standing water increases the breakdown of the surface between hot days.'

'The issues can be avoided by building the driveway from the start with above standard techniques, using appropriate materials for your driveway and the volume of traffic you expect,' adds Daniel Wickham. 'During extreme heat, it also helps to avoid placing undue stress on the surface, like turning wheels when not moving and leaving heavy vehicles in one spot too long.

'Of course you could always install a brand new tarmac driveway with better quality asphalt materials and have it installed by a good contractor – that would definitely improve how well it lasts through hot spells,' adds Daniel.

What should you do if your tarmac driveway melts?

If your driveway has begun to shows signs of softening in the heat, there are several steps you should take to address the issue.

According to Eamonn Turley, a considered approach is best, rather than rushing in trying to put the problem right. 'When a driveway has softened or become 'sticky', I wouldn't recommend fixing it right away. It's better for traffic to be kept low until the weather cools.

'Since damaged tarmac becomes weaker when heated, driving or turning wheels on already-damaged tarmac can easily cause additional problems,' continues Eamonn. 'When temperatures decrease, an expert can be brought in to evaluate what needs to be done to fix the area. In some cases driveway resurfacing might be required, while in others, the sub-base might need to be repaired or rebuilt.'

Finally, Eamonn has some words of reassurance for worried owners of tarmac driveways. 'Temporary softening due to a heat spell doesn't mean total failure. That said, if cars continue to park or manoeuvre on the soft spots, those areas may begin to develop rutting and scuffing, which will likely stay when temperatures return to normal.'

FAQs

Do resin driveways melt in high temperatures?

There are not many disadvantages of resin driveways – they offer great stability, come in a huge range of design options and, in the case of resin bound driveways, which are permeable, won't require planning permission. But how do they respond under extreme heat?

The good news here is that, provided you have specified a UV-stable resin system, melting should not be an issue. That said, experts agree that in very hot weather, the surface may become a touch more pliable, meaning minor scuffing could occur when tyres are turned on it.

It is worth looking at all the options before deciding on a driveway material. Check out the pros and cons of gravel driveways as part of your research – they are an excellent, affordable choice that also happen to look beautiful.

If you’re hoping to fill the shady gaps in your garden but still want the drought-tolerant benefits of sun-loving Mediterranean plants, you can have the best of both worlds. You’ll just need a list of the best plants for dry shade to hand.

It’s safe to say that drought-tolerant plants are becoming more popular by the year, but since most of them thrive in full sun, they generally aren't so compatible with shaded areas of the garden. That’s a problem for north-facing gardens, or those that sit in the shadow of taller trees and hedges – but thankfully, there’s a string of plants that are hardy enough to tolerate shade and dry soils.

Here’s a list of the best plants for dry shade, recommended by the experts, to give you some planting inspiration.

1. Lily turf

Lily turf (Liriope muscari) usually flowers from August all the way through to the autumn, so it’s worth planting ready-grown plants now, like these big blue lily turf plants from Gardening Express (or just after things cool down from the heatwave) for instant impact.

As luck would have it, it’s one of the best plants for dry shade – so it’s perfect for filling in those trickier gaps in the garden. It's also a brilliant drought-tolerant plant for pots if you're cultivating a container garden.

‘Liriope is great for a dry, shaded area as it has thick, tuberous roots that can draw up the minimal moisture available,’ explains Richard Barker, horticultural expert at LBS Horticulture. ‘Once established, it is very drought-resistant and can bounce back from dry spells that would kill other plants. However, if grown in shade, it may produce fewer flower spikes.’

Where to buy lily turf:

• Crocus: Buy big blue lily turf in 9cm or 2-litre pots.
• B&Q: Or, start growing white-flowered Liriope muscari 'Monroe White'.

2. Common polypody fern

There’s a long list of low-maintenance ferns that thrive in shade, and several of them can tolerate dry soils, too. The common polypody, an evergreen fern, is a plant I spotted in the pocket woodland garden at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show, and it’s also a recommendation of RHS award-winning garden designer Zoe Claymore’s for dry shade.

‘Fern-wise, Polypodium vulgare and Drypoteris affinis are some of the best native ferns that cope with dry shade,’ she says. ‘I used them in my RHS Chelsea garden on the recommendation of the National Collection holder.’

Where to buy ferns:

• Crocus: Order pots of common polypody fern.
• Thompson & Morgan: Drypoteris affinis is another recommendation of Zoe's for dry shade.

3. Barrenwort

When you’re browsing for the best plants for dry shade, you’ll want to make sure the root system can handle both conditions. LBS Horticulture’s Richard tells me that barrenwort can do just that.

‘Barrenwort is considered to be one of the best plants to grow in dry shade and can even thrive directly underneath trees,’ he says. ‘This is because once the plant is established, its tough, fibrous roots are able to compete for moisture underneath large trees. It also has large, waxy leaves that naturally lose less water from evaporation.’

Barrenwort is a beautiful flowering groundcover plant (it’s affectionately known as fairy wings!), and it becomes really drought-tolerant once it’s established. I’ve got my eye on the butter-yellow blooms of Epimedium × versicolor 'Sulphureum', which you can order from Crocus (although it won’t flower until next spring now).

Where to buy barrenwort:

• Thompson & Morgan: Barrenwort 'Lilafee' produces striking purple flowers.
• Crocus: Barrenwort 'Amber Queen' is on my wishlist, too.

4. Japanese spurge

If you’re looking for an ultra-hardy evergreen shrub that thrives in dry shade, Japanese spurge (Pachysandra) is one of the best choices. Its low-growing, glossy green foliage makes it one of the best groundcover plants for preventing weeds, too.

‘Another dry shade plant that has been successful is Pachysandra,’ agrees Zoe.

Pachysandra terminalis, which you can order from Crocus, provides shaded garden borders with colour and texture all year round.

5. Bear's breech

I'd never heard of bear's breeches (Acanthus mollis) before Zoe recommended it to me for dry shade, but it's on my list now. The ornamental flower stalks are stunning, and they're at their peak now until the end of summer, so it's the perfect time to add the plants to your garden – especially if you're wondering what to plant in July (just wait until the heatwave is over!).

'Acanthus 'Rue Ledan' produces really beautiful white flowers,' says Zoe. I've put it in some free-draining gardens in dry shade with success, and the foliage is a good contrast.'

Where to buy bear's breeches:

• Gardening Express: I love the look of Acanthus mollis 'White Water'.
• Dobies: Another beautiful Acanthus mollis plant for architectural borders.

These plants give you the best of both worlds: drought-tolerance and the ability to cope with shade.

Our big paddling pool only comes out a handful of times each summer, but whenever it does, the ending is always the same. Once the girls have finished splashing around, we usually cover it for a while, but because we don't treat it with chemicals, we then need to empty it after a couple of days, which usually ends up as one giant puddle on our grass.

I'd never actually questioned it before, but after another spell of hot, dry weather and the constant threat of hosepipe bans, it made me think of how much perfectly usable water I was wasting, as well as the fact that I was wrecking my lawn in the process, which is why I was struggling to revive it all the time.

It turns out that as long as the water is clean and hasn't been treated with chlorine and other chemicals, gardening experts say there are plenty of ways to reuse paddling pool water around the garden instead of letting it drain away. So before I empty ours again, these are the tips I'll be stealing.

1. Give your borders a long drink

Instead of sending all that water across one patch of grass, the experts I spoke to say it's far better to spread it around the garden, particularly on established planting.

'People don't always realise how much water is sitting in a paddling pool, so it makes sense to use it elsewhere in the garden rather than just emptying it away,' says Jo McGarry, luxury garden design expert at Caragh Nurseries. 'If it's only been used for paddling and doesn't contain lots of chemicals, it's ideal for watering trees, shrubs and flower beds.'

Richard Barker, horticultural expert at LBS Horticulture, also recommends using it on ornamental plants and lawns, explaining that established plants have much stronger root systems than young plants.

Lucie Bradley, gardening expert at Easy Garden Irrigation, agrees that established plants are the safest bet. 'I wouldn't recommend it for watering fruits and vegetables as it is likely to contain traces of soaps, sunscreens, sweat and oil,' she explains. 'But I would highly recommend it for keeping established perennials, shrubs, trees and lawns hydrated.'

She also advises watering deeply at the base of plants rather than over the leaves to encourage healthier roots.

Padding pool watering essentials

2. Rescue your patio pots

Container plants are often the first to suffer during a hot spell because they dry out much faster than borders, making them an ideal place to use leftover pool water.

'Patio pots and hanging baskets are another great place to use it because they dry out much more quickly than plants growing in the ground,' says Jo. 'A really good soak with leftover pool water can help keep them looking their best during a hot spell.'

Jo also recommends pouring any remaining water onto your compost heap if it's becoming dry. 'Compost needs moisture to break down properly, so it's an easy way to put every last drop to good use.'

If you regularly fill a large paddling pool over summer like us, Jo suggests investing in a small submersible pump like Gardena's submersible pump, £59.99 at Amazon. 'It makes moving the water around the garden much easier than carrying watering cans back and forth, especially if you've got a larger garden.'

3. Store it in a water butt

If you've still got water left after watering the garden, why not save it for another day?

'The water from a paddling pool can be siphoned into existing water butts to ensure you have a good reserve during dry weather or for use during a hosepipe ban,' says Richard.

He advises only storing clean water that's free from chlorine, soaps and dirt, adding that it's worth filtering it through a sieve first to catch grass and other debris before pouring it into the butt. If you're using a submersible water pump, like this Amazon pick, to drain your pool, you could add this pump filter, £7.99 at Amazon, to strain it all out.

Lucie adds that this is especially worthwhile considering many family paddling pools hold several hundred litres of water, meaning there's often far more than you can immediately use around the garden.

Shop water butts

4. Help wildlife through hot weather

Clean paddling pool water can also be put to good use, helping wildlife stay hydrated. Richard says it's suitable for topping up bird baths, provided it's free from dirt, sunscreen, soap and chemicals. 'If the water appears dirty or has an oily film, this should not be used as it can ruin birds' feathers and make them more vulnerable to predators.'

Lucie also recommends using it to create shallow drinking stations for bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects, adding that involving children in transferring the water is a brilliant way to teach them about both wildlife and saving water.

Shop wildlife hydration essentials

5. Use it for cleaning jobs around the garden

Your plants aren't the only things that can benefit. Instead of reaching for the hose, Richards suggests using leftover paddling pool water to clean garden furniture, decking, wheelie bins and even wash the car using a bucket.

Lucie points out that hosepipes and pressure washers can use around 1000 litres of water an hour when cleaning patios or cars, so reusing water you've already paid for is a much more efficient option.

Where not to reuse paddling pool water

All three of the experts agree that you should avoid paddling pool water on fruit, vegetables or young plants if there's any chance it contains sunscreen, soaps or other contaminants.

If the pool has been treated with chlorine, Richard recommends leaving the water uncovered in the sun for around 24 hours before using it so the chlorine has time to dissipate.

So the next time I drag the paddling pool out (i.e. this weekend), I'll probably still end up with a soggy lawn where the kids are splashing around, but after speaking to the experts, I certainly won't be pulling the plug quite so quickly.

With hosepipe bans becoming an increasingly familiar part of summer, it feels like an easy way to water your garden during one!

Pattern is often used in abundance elsewhere in the home, so why isn't it as common in a bathroom? Well, decorating a bathroom is more complex than other areas due to the wet, humid environment impacting materials that can be used, so creating a pattern-packed space requires a bit more planning.

In 2026, bathroom trends are all about using colour and pattern to create a space that feels more akin to the lived-in rooms elsewhere in our homes. A wash space can still be practical and relaxing with colour and pattern, and actually, this often helps to create a space that inspires you from morning 'til night.

There's an art to using pattern effectively in a bathroom, and layering it will create a premium look that feels carefully curated. Here's how you can achieve it.

'I like pattern to earn its keep. In a bathroom, it can do far more than decorate a surface; it can pull attention towards the best part of the room or make an awkward layout feel much more purposeful,' explains Lesley Taylor, interior designer and founder of Baked Tiles.

Bathrooms are often small rooms, and the inclination can be to opt for neutral colour palettes and plain surfaces to enhance the sense of space. The consensus is that often pattern needs to be used in larger spaces so that it doesn't look too cluttered or busy, but you can avoid this by playing with scale in a bathroom.

Similarly, drenching a space in just one pattern can actually create a look that feels too clinical and considered, rather than a naturally lived-in look.

So, how do you go about layering different patterns in a bathroom?

'Pattern layering does not have to mean putting two decorative prints next to one another and hoping they get along,' says Grazzie Wilson, head of creative at Ca’ Pietra.

'Some of the most interesting bathrooms build pattern in less obvious ways, perhaps a floral or geometric tile on the wall with the movement of marble underfoot, or a checkerboard floor against a wall tile with an uneven glaze. One gives you a clear motif, while the other brings a softer kind of variation, so the room has plenty going on without becoming exhausting,' she adds.

As Grazzie explains, the trick is to pair patterns together that you wouldn't initially think would match. It's important to find a common thread between the patterns, such as a bathroom colour scheme, and then play with smaller and larger scale prints to prevent a cluttered look.

While you ought to be careful with soft materials in a bathroom, utilising patterned linens through an undersink curtain, a hand towel or a roman blind gives you more opportunities to layer different patterns.

On a larger scale, tiles will be the ultimate solution for bringing in distinct patterns on a floor-to-ceiling scale, while also protecting your walls. There is so much potential to be creative with even the most simplest of subway tiles, too.

As Grazzie explains, 'We tend to think first about what is printed on a tile, but the laying pattern matters just as much. A plain rectangular tile laid in stripes, a herringbone or a basketweave can sit brilliantly alongside something more decorative because it adds detail through structure rather than another competing image.'

While bathroom floors and walls can look particularly effective when decked out in contrasting patterned tiles, you don't need to layer pattern on every surface to still get the look.

'I would also resist making every pattern equally busy. You still get plenty of character, but the bathroom does not feel as though every surface is trying to tell the same joke,' Lesley concludes.

Shop the look

Don't be too precious about choosing patterns to pair together. As Grazzie explains, 'The bathroom should not look as though every tile came from the same collection. It is far more personal when there is a slight surprise in the mix.'

The more unexpected, the better.

I know it sounds crazy to be talking about autumn in the middle of summer – especially given the heat we’ve been having across the UK lately. But Dunelm’s autumn 2026 collection of homewares is already dropping online. And the best pieces famously sell out even before the start of the new season – so to avoid disappointment, these are my 12 top picks available now I recommend snapping up fast.

Last week, I got an early first look at the new Dunelm autumn/winter collection ahead of its launch. I was able to see, feel and try some of the best bits of the range in person and I made a mental note - and also took pictures - of my favourite pieces. Many of these, as well as the newly debuted Dunelm x Yinka Ilori collaboration, have now been added to the new-in section of the website for eager shoppers like myself to peruse and bag asap.

Dunelm named chocolate brown as its colour of the season, confirming that the brown colour trend of the last few seasons is not going anywhere anytime soon. But earthy shades of green, terracotta and deep purple are also running throughout the collection, beautifully coming together in designs like this multi check tablecloth and matching napkins, both available now.

Some of my favourite pieces could also be described as budget-friendly alternatives for high-end pieces – whether it’s the Lavina tiled coffee table which has Soho Home written all over it, or these splatter-design enamel bowls that look so much like these ones from Toast. But they cost a fraction of the price, of course.

My top picks

Even though these pieces are from Dunelm’s autumn collection, that doesn’t mean you can’t start using them now – whether it’s by decorating your walls with some beautiful yet affordable art or adding some always needed storage to your bedroom or lounge with a storage stool.

What piece (or pieces) do you have your eye on?

It may not feel like it, especially considering the temperatures, but July is one of the most productive months in the gardening calendar – especially if you’re keen to expand your planting without spending a fortune. Because, yes, there are no less than five perennials to propagate in July if you want free plants aplenty!

Yes, we all know that propagation is the MVP in our gardening arsenals. It basically means that, rather than buying new plants every time you want to fill a gap in a border or refresh a tired-looking patch, you can just... well, just multiply the favourites you already have growing.

A single healthy plant can provide the starting point for several new additions, helping you create a fuller garden while saving money and reducing waste. And high summer? Why, it just so happens to be one of the easiest times to try your hand at taking cuttings.

Five perennials to propagate in July

So many perennials are putting on strong growth at this point in the year, which means that those stems are at the perfect stage to develop roots before the colder months arrive. With a few basic supplies and the right aftercare, even beginner gardeners can successfully grow their own plants for next year.

‘Summer cuttings will root quickly and grow into beautiful plants for next year,’ says Morris Hankinson, director of Hopes Grove Nurseries.

‘It’s a great way to ensure you can replace any plants that suffer in winter, while also filling gaps in your borders with strong, home-grown stock.’

With that in mind, then, here are five reliable perennials to propagate in July, along with Morris’s expert advice on how to get them started. (Just take care to avoid any obvious propagation mistakes when you get to work).

1. Clematis

Clematis is one of the most rewarding climbers to propagate in summer, especially if you already have a healthy, established plant in your garden. If you fancy it, Morris recommends selecting a strong, non-flowering stem and taking a cutting carefully.

‘Choose a healthy stem and, with sharp secateurs (these Kimura bypass secateurs, £24.99 at Amazon, are our top buy), cut between leaf joints. Remove lower leaves and dip the cut end of the stem in rooting powder. It’s very easy to root,’ he says.

Shop propagation essentials

Once prepared, the cutting should be planted into a pot of moist compost (like Westland Gro-Sure cutting compost, £8.85 at Amazon). To maintain humidity, cover it with a transparent plastic bag and place it somewhere warm and bright, but out of direct sunlight. ‘The plastic cover helps keep moisture in until the cutting has rooted well,’ adds Morris.

Be patient here, as clematis can take a little time. Once established, though, the reward is a vigorous climber that can transform fences, arches and pergolas. Win!

2. Salvia

Salvia is a cottage garden staple, loved for its spires of purple, blue or pink flowers that attract bees and butterflies. And it is one of the best plants to grow from cuttings, so long as you target non-flowering shoots.

Morris explains: ‘Softwood cuttings can be taken from non-flowering shoots. Remove the lower leaves and place them into a gritty, moist compost. Keep these shaded and moist until rooted.’

The key here is balance, as too much sun can scorch delicate cuttings, while too little moisture will slow root development. A light, airy compost mix like Gro-Sure Westland Seed & Cutting Compost Bale helps prevent rot and encourages healthy root formation.

‘Summer cuttings will root quickly and grow into beautiful plants for next year,’ he adds, making salvia one of the most satisfying perennials to propagate at this time of year.

3. Lavender

Lavender is one of the easiest and most reliable plants to propagate in July, especially if you already have a bushy plant.

Morris suggests selecting side shoots that aren’t flowering. ‘Choose non-flowering side shoots and pull away from the plant with a small piece of older wood attached. Plant into a gritty mix of moist compost,’ he says.

Unlike some other perennials, lavender rarely needs rooting hormone and thrives in a warm position with excellent drainage. ‘Lavender roots easily in a warm position and usually doesn’t need rooting powder,’ adds Morris.

This is a particularly useful method if your lavender plants are getting woody or sparse, as propagation allows you to refresh your planting stock every few years.

4. Penstemon

Penstemons are brilliant long-flowering perennials, but the frost can and will make short work of them. ‘Sometimes they can suffer in long, cold winters, so propagating is a good way to ensure you can replace any damaged plants the following year,’ Morris explains.

Semi-ripe cuttings, Morris says, are the key to success here. ‘Take 5–10cm semi-ripe cuttings from healthy stems on the plant. Remove the lower leaves and place around the edge of a pot filled with a moist, gritty mix of compost,’ he says.

Positioning the cuttings around the edge of the pot helps improve airflow and rooting success. Keep them sheltered but not overly warm, and ensure compost stays lightly moist.

5. Hardy geranium

Fun fact: hardy geraniums are one of the most forgiving and productive perennials you can grow, and they multiply easily through division or cuttings. Or, as Morris puts it, they can ‘easily be propagated by dividing larger clumps after flowering, or by taking young shoots as cuttings. Hardy geraniums grow well and soon flourish again.'

Basically, a little propagation now and you will have the ideal filler plant for stuffing awkward gaps in borders or expanding existing drifts of colour. Plus, once established, geraniums quickly settle back into growth, rewarding even beginner gardeners with reliable, long-lasting colour.

FAQs

Whichever way you look at it, propagating perennials in July is one of the most cost-effective and satisfying gardening tasks of the summer. All it takes is a little patience, a clean pair of secateurs, the correct conditions, and a handful of cuttings to turn into a flourishing border by next year.

And when all of that is promised for free? Well, then the little effort it takes is more than worth it. Good luck!

Colour is reigning supreme in bathrooms as of late, but being brave with bold colours might be a step too far for many of us. Neutral bathroom colour schemes have long been the popular choice for a wash space, creating a serene atmosphere to relax in. However, colour has powerful benefits to our wellbeing, and utilising it in a small room is a great way to experiment.

A low-contrast colour scheme is the perfect solution to bridging the gap between a colourful interior and a more pared-back ambience. Rather than opting for pops of colour that have a distinct variation from lighter shades in the space, a low contrast design is all about choosing colours that are more similar in tone.

Here's how to try it in your bathroom.

The great thing about this bathroom trend is that it can be adapted to suit any taste. If you prefer a neutral scheme, you can opt for a low contrast neutral palette that has plenty of depth while sticking to a pared-back look.

Alternatively, you can use a low-contrast colour variation to achieve a bolder look, by choosing tones within the same brighter colour family.

'The appeal of low contrast colour schemes, especially in bathrooms, is that they create visual layers instead of physical ones,' explains Michael Rolland, managing director of The Paint Shed.

'As bathrooms usually boast fewer furniture items, textiles and other decor elements, they can seem a bit bare to a keen decorating eye. Layering tones in this space, by using varying shades on the doors, the trims, maybe even the different walls and the ceiling, creates a more interesting and appealing environment,' he adds.

You don't want to decorate a bathroom like the other rooms in your home. Having too many decorative objects on show or an abundance of soft furnishings just creates clutter in a bathroom, and often the materials aren't well suited to a wet and humid environment.

So, to achieve the same level of depth, interest and expression, you need to get creative by using colour. A palette that is inspired by tonal variations creates a design that has dimension, without it feeling difficult to decide on complementary colours to pair together.

'A low contrast colour scheme transforms and adds depth to one of the more functional spaces of a home. Popular colour schemes for bathrooms include earthy browns and beiges, which you can recreate with shades like Farrow & Ball's Scallop, Little Greene's Split Pink, and Madeleine,' Michael adds.

A low contrast colour scheme is particularly effective in a neutral bathroom. Cream and white shades are popular in spaces like this but also tricky to make interesting, so opting for tonal variations such as linen, mushroom and taupe shades create a much more interesting look.

Equally, this colour theory is a handy way to make a statement colour scheme work. If you're drawn to bold shades of red, for example, but you don't know what to pair it with, then choosing paler pink hues or terracotta accessories will tie the colourful look together.

Shop the look

Want to take a low-contrast tonal colour scheme one step further? These colourful shower trays are a fabulous way to bring colour into every corner of your bathroom.

Kim and her husband Stewart weren't looking to move to this quiet north London suburb, but during a serendipitous route diversion, they felt so impressed by the area that they began their search there.

And when they spotted their dream house - a four-bedroom Edwardian semi - for sale soon afterwards, they knew it had the potential to be their forever home.

‘Having our hearts set on Walthamstow, we put offers in on many properties and were outbid by up to £100,000 over the asking price. We'd widened our search to Leyton and Highams Park, also in east London, but to no avail. One weekend, while driving to the Midlands, we were redirected off the North Circular through leafy Enfield.

'Having never been there before, we spent the remainder of the journey researching what the transport links into central London were like, and what properties were available in our budget. Much to our delight, we immediately found a house that caught our eye.'

‘The previous owners had lived here for 36 years and lovingly restored the house to its Edwardian roots. When we moved in, they had painted every room a neutral off-white so it was a blank canvas for us. We set about transforming our living room, the middle room and guest bedroom first.'

'I spent time on Pinterest and Instagram for inspiration, knowing that I wanted to be more daring with colour and texture this time round - I'd always played it safe in previous homes. After ordering countless wallpaper and paint samples, I created moodboards and a spreadsheet of products and prices before making a final decision.'

‘I'd describe it as playful, but traditional. We're not afraid to experiment with colour and texture, but it's about striking the right balance to complement the age and elegance of the house. While I love a good trend, we've also been keen to invest in pieces that will last through many years.'

‘Plans are underway to redo our en-suite bathroom and to redecorate the middle room.

'The previous owners used it as a snug, but for us, having three small children means it works best as a playroom. I'd love to try colour drenching in here, as we did in the living room, in a deep terracotta colour with splashes of colour from the kids' framed artwork.

'Long-term, we'd love to save up to rework the kitchen-diner, and move the utility elsewhere to make the most of the garden views and natural light.'

Take the tour of Kim and Stewart's colourful home

Living room

‘This is my favourite room – it's our sanctuary after the kids have gone to bed. The previous owners had it as a formal dining room, but we decided to convert it back to a space for relaxing.'

Kitchen diner

‘From busy breakfasts to lingering suppers, we spend most of our time here. Our plan is to open it up to the garden with an kitchen extension one day.'

'The cabinets were sage green when we moved in, with the island in this attractive dark charcoal. So we decided to colour match the shade to use on all of the units, creating a more cohesive feel.’

Main bedroom

‘It would've been fun to go for a darker tone on the ceiling, but, because it is slightly lower with no coving, we kept it light.'

‘I've always wanted a dressing table, but struggled to find one in mango wood to match the bedside tables. In the end I opted for this console table with a large mirror to complete the look.'

Nursery

‘This scheme took a while to come together but it's probably my favourite. I picked the wallpaper first, which inspired the paint colours; these work well with the original fireplace tiles.'

Caleb & Rae's bedroom

‘Taking our cue from the wallpaper, we settled on plaster-pink walls and dark green for the woodwork.'

Guest bedroom

‘This room in the loft conversion is one of the few spaces that I haven't painted pink! It gets a lot of sunlight, so we went a little cooler here with the scheme.'

Get Kim's colourful look

Focus on... Colour drenching

If you’re looking to add a punch of colour to your space, then this advice will help you get started

• PICK A TONE Painting walls, ceiling and woodwork the same colour creates a polished look, blurring the lines where walls and ceiling meet. A light shade across your whole space can make a room feel larger and brighter, while darker tones create cosy, cocooning spaces.
• THE FIFTH WALL No longer ignored and destined to be painted white, the ceiling is now a design element in its own right. Paint it, along with any cornicing, the same colour as the walls for a cohesive design-led look.
• COLOUR CAPPING Create a gradient effect using two to three paints in increasingly darker shades of the same colour, starting at the floor and ‘capping' at the ceiling.
• SELECT A FINISH Some brands have created multi-surface paints, for example, Farrow & Ball's Dead Flat range, for a seamless flow.

Follow Kim's progress @our_london_edwardian

There are plenty of affordable ice cream makers hitting the shelves right now, including Aldi's Ambiano Ice Cream Machine for £69.99 and Lidl's Silvercrest version, the Premium Freezy, for the same price.

Though these ice cream machines are unbelievably cheap, as Ideal Home's Kitchen Appliances Editor, I'd recommend spending a fraction more on an easier-to-store alternative that I've tested: Cuisinart's genius FreezeWand (£79.99 via Amazon).

As well as still being wallet-friendly, this is one of the best ice cream makers I've tested for a small kitchen and works like a charm for making sorbets, ice cream and a range of other frozen treats. Here's why I think it's the sweet-treat-buy to beat for most kitchens, including Aldi's budget Ninja Creami alternative.

The ice cream makers recently released by supermarkets with middle aisles we love to peruse are both modelled on Ninja's viral sensation and bestseller the Ninja Creami, which we reviewed way back in 2023. While the Ninja Creami's design has been a huge hit, it's an appliance that takes up a lot of space on a worktop. Even the most dedicated at-home ice cream enthusiast might struggle to give up the space it needs in a kitchen.

That's why I was so impressed by Cuisinart's FreezeWand design, which is perfect for compact spaces. It consists of a stick fitted with a blade that neatly fits into three 240ml pots to churn up your ice cream creation. These pots, which you use to pre-freeze your ingredients, also neatly stack together either in your freezer or in storage – another big benefit of this buy over bulkier alternatives.

When packed down, the FreezeWand measures up at just 30.5cm in height, which makes it supremely convenient for storing. Compare that to the Ninja Creami and lookalikes, which each need around 40cm of worktop clearance at all times (even to store) and there's a clear winner for cosier kitchens.

The functionality on Cuisinart's alternative is impressive too. It can churn up ice cream (and work in mix-in extras like chocolate chips) and sorbet as well as offering settings to make milkshakes and slushies.

The limiting factor to the original Cuisinart wand is the smaller size of the pots to freeze ingredients in. For a family of four, say, a 240ml pot of ice cream definitely isn't going to cut it for an after dinner treat.

If you're interested in mixing up bigger portions of ice cream regularly, that's where the brand's bigger FreezeWand XL comes in (available from Amazon for £99.99). It has the same clever foldaway design but with a larger capacity. Each of its pots can hold 470ml which is extremely similar to the capacity of the Creami pots.

In all of my tests of the Cuisinart FreezeWand I was really impressed with the resulting ice cream and sorbet it created and found the mix-in element worked well too.

If you do have the space, perhaps thanks to a dreamy appliance garage, to host an upright ice-cream maker, then these are the ones I'd recommend. Top marks go to the Ninja Swirl, in particular, which is probably the most fun I've ever had reviewing an appliance.

Which of these would fit best into your kitchen?

Strategist and content creator Francesca Swan is one of Ideal Home's new Open House contributors, sharing her thoughts on the concept of 'Everything' and what makes a home special to you. See the rest of her articles here.

As our renovation finally winds up, I’ve got a LOT of decisions to make and, in truth, I’m overwhelmed and losing my confidence.

My fatigued, yet over-active ADHD brain is tying me in knots – an unhelpful, yet familiar feeling. My go-to method of unpicking said knots is panic buying and snap decisions. Cue multiple time-consuming returns and a redecorating job in the kitchen.

That aside, thankfully life is a little calmer now, creating the bandwidth to start som very overdue deep therapy. It’s challenging work, but also brilliantly rewarding.

I’m getting to know myself, learning to be more open, connect more honestly and better understand my feelings and experiences. In turn, it’s changing how I see the world.

You’d be forgiven for wondering how this is relevant to our Ideal Home universe. However, this personal epiphany has already rippled through my last column on renovation lessons, where I was more brutally honest than ever been before.

That was difficult. I agonise over what people think of me and what to share. Now I feel more able to put this self-doubt aside, and share the full, unfiltered truth about my renovation and design experiences and who I am.

Call it Francesca 2.0 and gird your loins. Let us hope you all find my truth-dumps enjoyable, interesting, and/or useful. I would quite like to keep this gig!

Anyway, now the topic in hand…

I’ve been thinking a lot about my style lately. Can I define and use it to keep my home feeling true to me?

“How do you describe your style?” is a frequent conversation on Instagram. Some people have one neat sentence, whilst others, like me, struggle to find the right words.

I had zero idea when decorating our final rental. I simply cut and paste what I saw in the homes of a few zeitgeisty idols.

That can work, yet the risk is not reflecting your true personality or values. Sure enough, that apartment looked fine, but was generic with no sense of meaningful connection, belonging or joy – that essential intuition I now call my Everything feeling.

There’s a questionable collection of cityscape pictures still gathering dust in our storage – tell me you decorated in the 2010s without telling me you decorated in the 2010s. We lived with them for five years, but they were bought to fill a space and had no meaning.

Then late the other night, my mind noisily reshuffling my to-do list and fingers itching to shop for things we definitely didn’t need, I had a blindingly obvious, head-in-hands realisation. Although my interior style is hard to pin down, it always starts with my Everything pieces that feel innately true to me and make sure my home does too.

Pulling it back to this calmed and focused me.

Yet what is the difference between discovering a true Everything piece and the fleeting, dopamine-fuelled rush of a well-styled “must-have” mirror to match the cushion you’ve also just impulse bought?

It might be a forever piece. Or you might find yourself waiting untold hours for DPD to collect the return. We’ve all been there. Nothing is an exact science, and we don’t always get it right first time.

However, these countless red flags told me I’d lost my way and needed a big step back to properly understand what is important to my style and how I make decisions. I needed an anchor to ground me against panic buys and procrastination.

The goal is to confidently and intentionally fill our homes with personal, inspiring, value led things create an Everything connection with our mind, body and heart

Great. But how?

Pay attention and notice more

I recently visited the wonderful Modo Art Gallery, devoted purely to the remarkable David Hockney – without question my favourite artist since childhood.

Until then, I’d not fully absorbed his recent passing. Not only the loss of this irreplaceable visionary, but also what his work means to me. Viewing “Beneath the Surface: Swimming Pool Exhibition”, was the opportunity I needed.

Hockney’s central philosophy was encouraging people to look more carefully at the world around them, and to see and think differently.

What happens when you slow down, pause and pay attention? When you look longer and properly experience the world? When you go deeper beyond what you think you see and know?

I then stumbled on an interesting exercise in being present. Simply pick an object and describe it in purely sensory terms: what you see, feel, smell, hear or taste, without including any wider meaning. It’s tougher than it sounds.

Drinking a cup of coffee, for instance. You can see the steam rising from the dark

brown, slightly translucent liquid. The smell is rich and layered, with chocolate, fruit and something more earthy. The taste is warmly bitter, yet sweet, changing and lingering in your mouth.

It’s a shift in thinking and experiencing, but once you get the hang of it, surprisingly rewarding and rather fun.

Combining this with Hockney’s own words – “the world is far richer, more interesting, and more beautiful than we often allow ourselves to notice” – was a timely wake-up call.

We live in a world with myriad conflicting, often unhelpful things constantly competing for our attention. Social media. Too much choice. Awful news updates incessantly shouting from our phones.

Digital has huge value, but also huge downfalls. It cannot capture light, smell, touch – the beautiful, physical experiences of the world.

It can be overwhelming. We unconsciously start to shut down, blocking out all the noise. Ever feel like you’re on autopilot and an observer in your own life? Yep, me too.

It’s easy to unintentionally stop noticing the things that matter and are fundamental to our sense of self and well-being.

Relaxing outside, enjoying the gently warm late evening sunshine, rays of soft green dappled light filtered through the leaves of an ancient oak tree. The sculptural curves and vibrant colours of a vase won in a furious eBay bidding war.

When we stop noticing beauty and lose sight of what’s important in our world, we can lose confidence creating our homes. Instead, we copy. Follow trends. Buy impulsively. Decorate reactively. But does this reflect us or create our Everything feeling? Not to mention stand the test of time.

If we slow down to intentionally become more present and curious, we can properly capture things we’ve overlooked before.

Why do we repeatedly choose and love certain things? How does that knowledge inform our personal design language and help our homes feel more meaningful, coherent and individual?

By consciously grounding ourselves, we rein in our reactive autopilot and allow our inspiration and confidence to flourish. We can purposefully create from our heart and soul for lasting style and a home that truly feels like us.

My lightbulb moment

In the name of research, I applied this thinking to the Everything pieces in my home to understand what they reveal about me and the design of our apartment.

The findings have been liberating, useful and surprisingly eye-opening – valuable insights to inform my thinking and decision-making as I finish the apartment, but also hugely important for my life in general.

The biggest realisation wasn't about my style. It was about my values.

The pieces that I love aren't connected by a colour palette or design era. They're connected by meaning. They reflect my beliefs, curiosities and how I want to experience the world.

Suddenly things made much more sense.

So, with no further ado, welcome to my personal Everything pieces hall of fame.

Books, magazines and art

Our home is jam-packed with books, magazines and art and my collections will continue to grow.

My Vogue magazine coffee table. Exhibition posters we've loved for years. Pictures of my icons – Joan Didion, Patti Smith and David Bowie. My library, displayed as art in its own right.

They're permanent reminders there's always something new to learn, ideas to explore and perspectives to consider and gentle daily nudges towards thought and inspiration.

There's so much in this world I haven't yet seen and don't know. I want to keep discovering, experiencing as much as possible and constantly feeding my curiosity.

Natural materials

Marble. Wood. Linen. Jute. Limewash. Plants. These trigger something deep within me. They subtly, almost primevally make me feel calmer, more present and emotionally grounded, reminding me of my connection to something bigger and more permanent than myself.

I instinctively knew I wanted a lot of marble in our apartment. I’m fascinated by the age old process of metamorphism that creates this incredibly resilient yet endlessly beautiful material, with its infinite richness of coloured veining and texture.

Our kitchen, bathrooms, hallway, cloakroom and living room all celebrate and remind me of that.

One-of-a-kind pieces

My Everything pieces all tell a story.

The £10 chair bought on Facebook Marketplace 13 years ago, squirrelled away in storage until I finally found a place for it. Now reupholstered in Pierre Frey fabric – a bargain eBay find – it’s an incredible one-off that is also a sentimental snapshot of our life together. It makes me smile and feel grateful.

I love pre-loved objects, imbibed with experiences and memories I can't see but know are there. My brutalist-inspired scrolled metal kitchen chairs never fail to spark momentary glimmers of their rich, mysterious history - what they’ve seen and where they’ve been.

I also adore the thrill of the hunt and a good bargain, not least because I’m on a permanent budget. My brand new Arteriors metal chandelier was bought for a tiny fraction of the retail price and is a constant source of slightly smug pride.

I always shop my home first. The huge live-edge oak desk, made for my old office by an independent maker, didn’t fit when we moved and was relegated to storage. Then inspiration struck. Cut down slightly, painted a contrasting colour…et voila, the perfect forever dining table

Practical game-changing essentials

Everything pieces don't have to be decorative. Some are purely practical.

Reformer Pilates has genuinely changed my life, helping me find my way back to myself. Having a gym with a reformer is probably my greatest luxury.

I absolutely worship that machine. I talk to her as we work out together. Before and after every session, I clean and check her over. I know it's a bit weird, but she was an investment, she's beautifully engineered and she deserves to be looked after.

This slightly obsessive care doesn't end there. I'm incredibly particular about the features in our home.

They're not living things, but they're still precious to me. Caring for them properly shows respect – both for my surroundings and myself – whilst also helping them last longer.

There is a balance. Things are also meant to be used. Just light the Le Labo candle, Francesca. It's been four years already.

My Everything guidelines

Through these pieces, a pattern of my values emerges and tells the story of my design.

A constant, curious and open-minded quest for knowledge, discovery and new ways of doing things.

I'm deeply conscious of sustainability and waste, which is why we've found a use for every centimetre of the offcut marble from our kitchen.

Individuality and the unusual also matter. I love creating unexpected and intriguing conversations between objects that shouldn’t work together, yet somehow do.

Front of mind connection, respect and love for the people in my life, where I live and the experiences that have shaped me.

Then perhaps the biggest lightbulb moment of all... My Everything feeling is fundamentally about things that make me notice, think and feel.

Given my recent diagnosis of combined ADHD, it makes perfect sense. My hyper-active brain is constantly seeking stimulation, ideas and newness. Learning this has been one of the most positive and empowering moments of my life.

My mind needs feeding, but also space to rest. My Everything pieces give me both, stimulating my curiosity whilst simultaneously grounding me. I now truly understand why they're so important to me.

"The Everything Test"

So what does all this mean for you?

It boils down to one question: How do your values, beliefs and personality come to life through your style?

Enter stage left, “The Everything Test”. A simple, yet effective method I’ve coined and hope you’ll enjoy.

Start by walking slowly around your home and noticing things properly. Select the special pieces that instinctively draw you. Spend time using all your senses to describe them and why they matter.

Ask yourself:

What does it make me feel?

Why do I own this?

What story does it tell?

Would I choose it again?

What does it reveal about me?

Don’t think too much about the objects themselves. Pay attention to the answers.

Patterns, similarities and differences will become clear around them. Stories and memories. Colours. Shapes. Materials. Texture and smell. Where they came from and why you cherish them.

Those patterns become your personal design language – a flexible framework to more confidently make better decisions that are true to you, now and for years to come.

Designing intentionally

Creating a lasting and unique interior style isn't something we simply choose. The instinct behind what we love is ultimately deeply value-led.

We uncover it by paying closer attention to what matters to us, understanding why and allowing this knowledge to shape our homes.

Paradoxically, understanding your design language and principles behind what you love doesn’t restrict you. It frees you to experiment more confidently, safe in the knowledge you’re likely to create a cohesive and personal home that stands the test of time.

"Do I like this?" is replaced by a simpler and easier question to answer; "Does this belong in my story?"

This idea reaches further than interiors. It is a choice to live intentionally and curiously. To be present and actively connect with experiences, rather than passively observing.

Never forget the best things in life are wonderfully, tangibly real.

The smoothly worn surface of a wooden table beneath your fingertips. The changing tones of a linen bedsheet in the afternoon light. The smell of a wood fire on a rainy day. The weight of your favourite mug. The reassuring softness of the chair you've loved for fifteen years. The marble whose story began millions of years before yours.

They already surround you. Just pause and and notice them properly.

When you’re already mourning the lack of holiday sunshine, an all-inclusive buffet and someone else cleaning for you, the last thing you want is to return home to a messy, disorganised house. That’s why it’s well worth taking some time to declutter and tidy certain areas of your home before you go on holiday to ensure a seamless, stress-free return.

There are many things to declutter in July, whether you’re going on holiday or not, but there’s no denying that it’s even more important if you’re heading off on an adventure during the summer holidays. And if you set aside just half an hour in between packing, you can pre-emptively keep overwhelm to a minimum when you get home.

But if you’re worried about fitting in a decluttering session in between your packing sessions, I’ve asked professional organisers to share the items you definitely should declutter before you go on holiday. They’re only small tasks, but they’ll have a big impact.

1. Your hallway

Your hallway is the first thing you’ll see when you get home after a holiday, and that first impression sets the tone for the rest of your day - and even the rest of your week. To combat this, take some time to organise your hallway before you jet off on your summer holidays.

Shannon Murphy, Professional Organiser and Founder of Simpl Living Co, echoes this, saying, ‘There's nothing nicer than coming home from holiday to an uncluttered hallway where you have space to bring in suitcases without immediately feeling overwhelmed.’ So, take some time to tidy up any loose shoes, store keys somewhere safe, or finally return that parcel.

It may be that you need to take inspiration from the things that people with tidy hallways always have, in which case I’d recommend investing in affordable shoe storage like this Karee 3 Shelf Shoe Storage Rack (£19 at Argos) and proper storage to house those ugly-but-practical items that don’t have a permanent home.

2. Your fridge

I’ve been on a mission to give my fridge some TLC recently, and I’ve lost count of the number of Fridge Storage Boxes (£2 at Dunelm) that I’ve bought to finally restore order. But even if your fridge is just as organised, you still have to declutter your fridge before you go on holiday.

Kate Dufton, Professional Organiser and Declutter at Ace Your Space, explains, ‘Fridges are often forgotten about in the pre-holiday rush, but it’s worth spending just 15 mins to remove any expired food and give the fridge a quick clean. Any food that will go out of date before you return can always be passed on to family or friends to prevent food waste. It’ll save you from any unpleasant smells with plenty of room for the big shop on your return.’

Decluttering and organising your fridge shouldn’t take long, but there's no point in binning food if you’re not going to empty your bins before going on holiday, too. I’d suggest leaving this task until the last minute, so you don’t accidentally leave any food in there.

3. Your worktops and surfaces

As Kate says, ‘Nobody wants to come home from holiday only to be greeted by clutter,’ and this clutter often congregates on surfaces like your kitchen worktops, bedside tables, window sills and more. This is even more common in the run-up to your holiday as you rifle through your drawers and cupboards to find holiday essentials.

But if you can spare ten minutes, it’s well worth clearing the clutter from these areas, getting rid of anything you no longer need and putting everything else back in its rightful home. And if you want to maintain these tidy worktops for as long as possible, utilising all of the space in your cupboards with these Kitchen Cupboard Organisers (£7 at Amazon) can work wonders.

Kate explains, ‘Clearing kitchen worktops and other everyday surfaces before you leave means you'll walk back into a home that feels calm and welcoming, helping you hold onto that holiday feeling for a little longer.’ And who doesn’t want that?

4. Your laundry area

Those piles of post-holiday laundry are equal parts terrifying and satisfying, but you probably don't want to add even more to your plate if you don't have to. That’s why your laundry area is another one of the areas to declutter before you go on holiday.

Hester Van Hien, a Home Decluttering and Organising Consultant from Tidylicious, says, ‘Try to have your laundry basket as empty as possible before going on holiday – and ideally your clean laundry put away in your wardrobe – so that you will only need to deal with your holiday laundry when you return home.’

I swear by this Joseph Joseph Tota 90-litre Laundry Separation Basket (£115 at Amazon) to keep my laundry in check. But if you want to keep that holiday feeling going, Hester also says it’s well worth changing your bed linen before you go on holiday so you can come home to fresh, crisp bedding when you get home.

5. Your paperwork

Whether you need to send a birthday card, pay bills, or book that doctor’s appointment, you should also tick this off your to-do list before you go on holiday. That’s because this paperwork can quickly add up, and leaving it until you get back can add both physical and emotional clutter to your life.

Shannon echoes this, saying, ‘Deal with paperwork before you leave, especially if you're going away for an extended period; deal with any bills or paperwork beforehand so you're not returning to unnecessary stress, emails or demanding letters.’

It might also be worth setting up a family command centre to keep track of this paperwork or any important documents - especially if you have kids or you simply struggle to keep on top of your schedule. Using a calendar like this Magnetic Fridge Whiteboard Calendar (£12.95) can also help with that.

By decluttering these things before going on holiday, all you need to worry about is enjoying yourself! I'm not jealous at all...

Home decorator Ammarah Hasham is one of Ideal Home's new Open House contributors, sharing her thoughts infusing her rental house with plenty of personality. See the rest of her articles here.

"Keep the flowers. Pass me the stripes." That was me. For years.

Floral handbags? Absolutely not! (They’re still waiting outside my wardrobe). Ten years ago, I’d have admired a room wrapped in roses before returning home relieved it wasn’t mine.

I liked my interiors with a touch of rebellion. Still do. Sharp silhouettes. Bold colours. Clean lines. Everything else was figured out the messy way, one decorating disaster at a time. Patterned blooms, to me, felt a little too... well-behaved.

I’d convinced myself that people who decorated with florals were simply wired differently.

They had matching china.

Their delicate teapots wore tea cosies.

There was always a loaf of sourdough proving on the kitchen counter, and somehow it always rose. Then, I did the unthinkable. At least in my crisp-lined world.

I soft-launched florals into my life. Not with dainty roses or ditsy blooms. This wasn’t your traditional floral. Not the tea cosy type. The way I can best describe is that it felt as though exotic chinoiserie and regal botanicals had a very stylish baby.

The wallpaper that I fell for was Imperial Orange by Graham & Brown. It was floral with attitude. That’s what I wanted.

One botanical project led to another. Then, another. Before I knew it, I felt bold enough to buy a chair, flowers and all.

The wallpaper made me trust my own taste. Normally, I would have done it the other way round. A small piece of furniture first to test the waters before committing to a floral room. But, I guess, inspiration has a mind of its own. When it arrives, it doesn’t ask for directions. And, who was I to argue?

The Graham & Green button-back Suzani chair had been sitting on one of my Pinterest board for years. The only thing standing in its way was me.

A completely unnecessary amount of resistance.I didn’t stop there. One floral chair soon turned into two. Another Graham and Green chair followed. One I was absolutely willing to eat cereal for dinner to bring it home.

The funny thing is, I still wasn't drawn to traditional ditsy florals. Mine had to be oversized, bold and graphic. An entire bedroom got wallpapered in lemons. Well… lemons and pink vines. Lemons aren't technically flower but I’m counting them.

The citrus grove became the happiest room in the house. I turned the colour dial all the way up by pairing bold botanicals with my old faithful: checkerboard. Pattern clashing was at its happiest and so was I.

And then things really escalated… Flower power reached my master bedroom. Minimalists, I think you might want to look away.

It was all about pattern on pattern on pattern. This time I wasn’t experimenting with florals. I was embracing them wholeheartedly and knew exactly how I wanted the place to feel…A joyful cocoon of colour, pattern and florals.

I wrapped the room in oversized floral patterns and repeated the motifs across the bedding, cushions, and accessories. They were no longer an accent. I let them take over the room and if the decorating rulebook thinks it's all a bit much I'd simply ask, "Dear Rulebook, will you be sleeping here?".

That's the beauty of experimenting with your home. Sometimes, you surprise yourself. Sometimes, it introduces you to a version of your style you never knew existed.

Turns out, I really am that rebel who fell for roses. The question is: what have you ruled out that deserves another look?

I'd spotted this affordable ceiling fan all over my Instagram feed, and was intrigued by the fact that it could be connected to an existing light fitting without needing to call an electrician. So I knew I had to give it a go in my own home, but I'll be honest, I wasn't convinced it was going to be any good considering it cost just £15.

I'm always looking for ways to keep my south-east facing home cool, especially when a heatwave hits. I've relied on the best fans and portable air conditioners, but sometimes, floor-standing appliances aren't always appropriate, and you might not want to clutter surfaces with a desk fan. That's where ceiling fans can come into their own. But while some ceiling fans will require professional installation, that's not always the case.

With minimal assembly needed, this £15 Kouamor ceiling fan from Amazon is essentially installed like a lightbulb, and once in place offers three different wind speeds, as well as different light tones and brightness levels.

So how did I get on with it in my home? Set up was quite easy. I simply needed to push the fan blades into the base (I had to use a bit of force to ensure they were seated properly, and fortunately Up and Down was written on the blades so I knew I was fitting them the right way up), and slot the lamp holder to the lamp body.

Once that was done, I just removed the existing light bulb and lampshade in my kitchen diner (making sure the power was off), and attached the ceiling fan. If you are thinking of buying one, make sure you check the type of light fitting you have. B22 is your standard bayonet fitting, while E27 is your standard screw fitting. If you do find you have the wrong one and can't or don't want to send it back, you can buy either a B22 to E27 adapter or E27 to B22 adapter from Amazon for around £5 for a pack of two.

Once I'd attached the ceiling fan, I flipped on the light switch and then used the remote control to select my desired setting.

The light it gives off is a decent brightness, and I liked that I could choose between cool, neutral or warm light, and select the brightness level I wanted. I often work from my dining room table, so the natural light function was ideal.

Turning the fan mode on, I was initially a bit concerned as it seemed a little wobbly (my fitting is at the end of a cable, not fitted into the actual ceiling) but after a couple of seconds it stabilised and created a lovely downwards breeze. I felt most of the effects sitting directly beneath it, or at least close by, and while I could hear a gentle whirring sound, it wasn't distractingly noisy.

The remote is easy to get to grips with too, although there is a button with a moon and star, that despite pressing it, I have no idea what it actually does.

Alternatives

Home decorator Lara Winter is one of Ideal Home's Open House contributors, sharing her thoughts on revamping a 200 year old cottage to make it right for modern family life. See the rest of her articles here.

When we moved into our cottage ten years ago, we had exactly the kind of problem we'd spent years hoping for.

We'd bought our dream home.

The only issue was that we'd spent almost all our money buying it.

At the time, my husband and I were moving out of a shared house and into a cottage that felt impossibly grown-up. I was heavily pregnant with our son, and between solicitors, surveys and preparing for a new arrival, furniture wasn't exactly top of the priority list.

What made it worse was that we'd viewed the cottage fully furnished.

The previous owners had beautiful furniture. Large furniture. Proper grown-up furniture. The sort of furniture that made every room feel finished and perfectly at home in the cottage.

Then they moved out.

And we moved in with our IKEA table.

To be fair, it had served us perfectly well in our previous home. But in the cottage it suddenly looked tiny. The rooms felt bigger. The ceilings felt higher. The house we'd fallen in love with somehow felt slightly emptier than we'd imagined.

I still remember one of our neighbours, a lovely older lady, coming round shortly after we moved in. She took one look at our dining table sitting in the middle of the room and laughed.

"Oh dear," she said. "You'll need a bigger table."

She was absolutely right.

I remember feeling slightly disappointed by the mismatch. Not because I expected everything to look perfect, but because I'd spent so long dreaming about the cottage that I'd never really thought about what it would look like on moving day. In my imagination, the dream house and the dream interiors had arrived together.

In reality, we got the house first.

Then our son arrived.

As it turns out, newborn babies are remarkably uninterested in interior design. They don't care whether your dining chairs match, whether your furniture suits the room or whether the house feels finished. They mostly care about sleeping, eating and ensuring that nobody else gets much sleep either.

For a while, everything stayed exactly as it was.

Looking back, I think that's the stage nobody talks about enough. We often see the before and after. The empty room and the beautiful reveal. The dramatic transformation and the finished space. What we rarely see is the awkward middle bit.

The room with the temporary table that somehow stays for years. The inherited cabinet you're not quite sure about. The lamp that's only there because you already owned it. The years when a house is still becoming itself.

Eventually, little by little, things began to change.

I started thrifting. We replaced the tiny dining table with one that actually suited the room. I painted old cabinets and transformed second-hand finds into pieces that felt more personal. Some projects worked brilliantly. Others looked considerably better in my imagination.

But over time, the cottage slowly started catching up with the vision I'd had when we first moved in.

Not because we suddenly spent a fortune furnishing it, but because we added things gradually. One piece at a time. One project at a time. One lucky second-hand find at a time.

Looking back now, I'm actually glad it happened that way.

Every room tells the story of those years. The painted furniture. The thrifted pieces. The marketplace finds that somehow turned out to be exactly what we needed. None of it arrived overnight, and perhaps that's exactly what makes it feel like ours.

These days, social media can make it seem as though homes appear fully formed the moment the keys are handed over. But in reality, most homes evolve slowly. Life gets in the way. Budgets are limited. Priorities shift.

Sometimes the dream house comes first and the furniture follows years later.

And thankfully, we did eventually buy a bigger table.

Fast-growing flower seeds are one of the easiest ways to bring a fresh burst of colour to your garden before summer comes to an end. While spring is traditionally the busiest growing season, there are still plenty of flower seeds you can sow in July for blooms in a few short weeks.

As the name suggests, fast-growing flower seeds are those that you can plant in July to go from sowing to flowering in as little as six to eight weeks. This makes them ideal for filling gaps left by fading early summer or giving tired containers a late-season lift.

'It’s all about choosing flowers that grow quickly enough to bloom before the weather turns,' explains garden design expert, Jo McGarry from Caragh Nurseries. Luckily, there are several fast-growing varieties that are quick to germinate, easy to grow and capable of producing colourful blooms before autumn arrives.

1. Nasturtiums

'Nasturtiums are a strong choice for fast colour and foliage as they grow quickly in warm soil, cope with poorer ground, and can be grown in containers, hanging baskets, borders or as ground cover,' says Jo.

She says shorter or dwarf types are the best for July sowing. 'They don’t need to put on as much growth before blooming.'

Richard Barker, horticultural expert at LBS Horticulture, also recommends nasturtiums for a quick colour display. 'They usually germinate within seven to fourteen days, with some potentially sprouting in as little as five days,' he explains. 'After they have sprouted, plants will mature quickly and produce flowers after eight to ten weeks.'

Nasturtiums can be sown directly where you want them to flower, and a later sowing can ensure that you have flowers up until the first frosts. They also make great companion plants paired with vegetables for pest-control.

Where to buy nasturtiums:

• Thompson & Morgan: Sow these Nasturtium 'Alaska Mix' seeds, £1.69 to produce vibrant, multi-coloured blooms.
• Suttons: For a single pop of colour, try these Nasturtium 'Orange Troika' seeds, £2.49.

2. Calendula

Calendula - widely known as pot marigolds - is a reliable choice if you want to bring a splash of colour to a tired garden border.

'Calendula can germinate within a week or two after sowing, and should flower within six to eight weeks,' says Richard. 'The seeds can be sown direct where plants are to flower and need little attention aside from keeping the soil moist.'

As well as flowering quickly, calendula is a resilient choice for summer sowing. Morris Hankinson, managing director of Hopes Grove Nurseries, notes it's particularly useful in warmer weather. 'It's notably drought-tolerant once established, and will self-seed for next year too,' he says.

Where to buy calendula:

• Dobies: These Calendula 'Playtime Mixed' F1 offer a mix of single, semi-double and double blooms for just 89p.
• Thompson & Morgan: These Calendula officinalis 'Neon' seeds, £1.69 reward glowing orange, double flowers edged in burgundy.

3. Sweet alyssum

'Sweet alyssum is one of the quickest flowers to sow in July, with blooms appearing in as little as 45 days,' says Jo.

It works well at the front of borders, in pots and as soft ground cover where summer planting is starting to fade.

'Sweet alyssum is great for filling gaps in quickly; they spread to around 10 inches and bring a honeyed scent to the garden, making it useful for refreshing patio pots and softening the edges of beds,' adds Jo.

Where to buy sweet alyssum:

• Dobies: Alyssum 'Carpet Of Snow', £1.29 are great for borders and containers, and can flower in as little as six weeks from sowing.
• Mr Fothergills: Or try these RHS Alyssum Violet Queen, £3.49 for 1500 seeds for a vibrant pop of colour.

4. French marigolds

Often hailed as a superhero flower, few flowers deliver as much cheerful colour for so little effort as marigolds.

They germinate quickly, with some seeds sprouting within five days of planting, making them a great choice if you're looking for a quick burst of colour before the end of summer. Just be sure to stay on top of deadheading as the blooms fade, which will keep them flowering for longer.

'They usually take around six to eight weeks to produce flowers if growing from seed, with French marigolds growing faster,' says Richard. 'Planting in full sun can help to encourage the plant to produce plenty of flowers.'

Where to buy French marigolds:

• Amazon: Marigold French ‘Summer Loving Mix’, £1.99 create large, bold blooms that remain vibrant for an extended period.
• Dobies: Or try these deep orange- coloured French Marigold Seeds - Tiger Eyes, £1.19

5. Zinnias

If you're willing to wait a little longer for your reward, zinnias are one of the most impressive fast-growing flower seeds to sow in July. While they typically take around eight to ten weeks to flower, they make up for it with their bold, jewel-like blooms and long flowering season.

'Expect a slightly longer wait than some other quick growers, but zinnias reward it with some of the most vivid, long-lasting colour of any July sowing,' says Morris.

Particularly suited to borders and raised garden beds, zinnias continue producing flowers over long periods. 'They can be sown outdoors directly into the soil where you want them to grow, and picking flowers regularly keeps more coming,' adds Richard.

Where to buy zinnias:

• Thompson & Morgan: These Zinnia forecast seeds, £3.99 will flower into an eye-catching array of purple, pink, orange, salmon, yellow and cream shades.
• Suttons: For a softer look, try these Zinnia 'Peaches and Cream', £3.49.

6. Cosmos

If you're looking for maximum impact from a late-summer sowing, growing cosmos is hard to beat. They might not be the fastest flower on this list, but they're prized for producing masses of delicate blooms over a long season.

'Cosmos are exceptional value for a July sowing because they flower over a long period, giving the best return for a late start,' says Morris. 'They can produce their first blooms in seven to ten weeks, then keep flowering right through to the first frosts.'

They're also easy to grow from seed and will continue producing flowers well into autumn if you deadhead cosmos regularly.

Where to buy cosmos:

• Stocks & Green: Cosmos 'Double Dutch Rose' Seeds, £2.49 are easy to grow and fast-growing so ideal for late summer blooming.
• Amazon: Or try Fothergill's Cosmos Sensation Mixed Flower Seeds, £1.49

What are the most important tips for sowing flower seeds in July?

According to Morris Hankinson of Hopes Groves Nurseries, managing heat and moisture is the key challenge when sowing fast-growing flower seeds in July. 'Sow in the evening to give seeds a cool overnight period to take up moisture before the heat of the day returns,' he recommends. 'Keep the soil surface covered with a light layer of compost or fine mulch to prevent the top few centimetres from drying out and crusting over, as this can stop germination altogether.'

Richard Barker, horticultural expert at LBS Horticulture, adds that while most fast-growing flowers need plenty of sunshine to bloom well, newly emerged seedlings can struggle during hot spells. 'You'll need to provide them with dappled shade in the hottest part of the day to prevent them from bolting or wilting,' he says. There are several easy ways to shade plants in hot weather without having to move them if they're already in the ground.

If your garden is lacking colour, there's still time to sow these fast-growing flower seeds and enjoy flowers before summer is over.

Committed home renovators David and Andrew Harrison-Colley (better known on Instagram as The Home Boys) are part of Ideal Home's new Open House contributors, sharing their thoughts on making a home together and living through the tricky parts. See the rest of their articles here.

There’s a stack of bricks at the bottom of our garden that has been waiting, very patiently, for the best part of three years. We walk past it most days. For a long time it was just there – a slightly accusatory pile, the physical embodiment of a job we kept promising to get to and never quite did.

This summer, finally, the bricks are getting their moment. And it turns out that slightly mad decision we made three years ago – the one everyone raised an eyebrow at - was one of the best we’ve made.

The maddest thing we ever did (and the best)

When we took down the old carpenter’s workshop to make way for the extension, we had thousands of perfectly good traditional Suffolk bricks on our hands. The easiest thing – the thing a normal person with a skip and a deadline would do – was to get rid of them.

Instead, we sat in the garden over numerous weeks and cleaned every single one by hand.

Bolster chisel in one hand, brick in the other, chipping away decades of old mortar until we had neat, reusable stacks. It was slow, dusty, knuckle-scraping work, and there were definitely moments we questioned our life choices (a recurring theme around here).

But reclaimed brick has something you simply can’t buy new. It’s weathered, varied in tone, soft at the edges – every one slightly different. New bricks look new. These look like they belong. And crucially, they cost us nothing but time, which suited a renovation that has eaten money in every other direction.

Finishing what we started

First on the list was the retaining wall we started – and abandoned – three years ago. We’d built the structural base from breeze blocks, always intending to face it in our reclaimed bricks, and then life (and the inside of the house) got in the way. It sat there half-finished and quietly judging us ever since.

Facing it has been deeply satisfying. The breeze-block bones of the new retaining wall we also started 3 years ago have disappeared behind a skin of old brick, and a wall that read as “building site” now reads as “always been here.” Same structure, completely different feeling. It’s remarkable what a brick facing does.

The only job left is the top. We’re after some coping stones to cap the wall - partly the finishing flourish, partly to stop water sitting on the brick over winter – and, true to form, we’re holding out for the right reclaimed ones rather than settling for something too crisp and new.

If past form is anything to go by, that hunt could take a while, but we’d rather wait than get it nearly right.

Edging the lawn (the mow-over trick)

The job we’re most pleased with, though, is the simplest: edging the lawn in brick.

Our lawn has always been a slightly apologetic shape – mown, but never really defined. So we’ve been running a flush brick edge around it, set level with the grass so the mower can ride straight over the top. No more strimming a fiddly edge by hand, no more lawn creeping into the borders. A small detail that completely changes how intentional the whole garden feels.

The method is more forgiving than it looks. We dig out a shallow trench, lay a sub-base of compacted hardcore, then a bedding layer cement. The bricks go on top, laid flat, tapped down with a rubber mallet and checked constantly with a spirit level.

We run a length of timber along each side as a guide rail to keep everything dead straight – easily the cheapest and most useful tool in the whole job. As we go, we deliberately shuffle the tones so no single stretch ends up too matchy matchy. With reclaimed brick, that variation is the whole point, but it looks best mixed rather than clustered.

The steps (and the patio we couldn’t wait for)

From there we built a set of brick-and-sleeper steps to tie the levels together – timber sleeper risers with reclaimed brick treads, picking up the same materials so the whole garden speaks one language.

They’re the kind of job that looks like nothing on a sketch and makes an enormous difference in person: suddenly the change in level feels designed rather than accidental, and the bricks carry the eye from the wall down to the lawn.

And here’s where we’ve slightly betrayed our own “one project at a time” rule. The west-facing spot we’ve been saving for a patio was too tempting in this weather, and one of us (no names, but it wasn’t the cautious one) decided we may as well start. So we have.

The same reclaimed bricks are now going down as a patio too – which we’ll cover properly in the next piece, once it actually looks like something rather than a trench, a string line and a lot of optimism.

If you’re working with reclaimed brick

• Clean as you go. Chipping mortar off in batches is far less soul-destroying than facing the whole pile at once. A bolster chisel and a club hammer is all you really need.
• Save – or order – more than you think. Reclaimed brick varies and you’ll lose some to breakages. Far better a surplus than running short mid-row with nothing to match.
• Bed on a sand and cement mix, not soil. A proper sub-base and a sharp sand/cement layer is the difference between an edge that stays put and one that sinks the first wet winter.
• Use a timber guide rail. A straight length of timber down each side keeps your lines honest far better than your eye will.
• Mix the tones deliberately. Shuffle light and dark, pink and grey, as you lay. Clustering happens by accident; blending takes a few extra seconds.

The long game

There’s a particular satisfaction in this stage that the inside of the house rarely gave us. Indoor jobs were slow and incremental – a whole weekend on one corner of a room. Out here, a trench becomes a wall, a scrappy lawn edge becomes a crisp line, and you can stand back at the end of the day and actually see it.

But the best bit is quieter than that. It’s standing in the garden, looking at bricks that came out of a building we knocked down three years ago, now laid into walls and edges and (soon) a patio – and realising the slightly mad version of us who refused to throw them away knew exactly what they were doing.

They look like they’ve always been here. In a way, they have.

Lakeland’s £19.99 3-in-1 Mini Vacuum Cleaner was released last year and was so popular that it sold out almost instantly. Then, it sold out again and again. But while stock levels are arguably more stable than they were a year ago, this bargain appliance is still one of Lakeland’s bestsellers.

And as Ideal Home’s Vacuums Expert, it’s my job to test vacuums of all shapes and sizes - with most of them hovering around the £300 mark. But while it’s fair to say that Lakeland’s £20 mini vacuum doesn’t offer the same level of power as the best handheld vacuum cleaners, this small-but-mighty appliance has still become one of my most-used appliances at home. Especially for quick spills.

It impressed me when I reviewed it last year, and since then I’ve recommended it to all my family and friends as the bargain buy they need in their homes. But if you’re still weighing up whether to add one to your cleaning line-up, these are three things I’ve learned about Lakeland’s hugely popular mini vacuum over the past year.

1. It’s ideal for the kitchen

Since buying it, I’ve used Lakeland’s 3-in-1 Mini Vacuum Cleaner in every room of my house and in the car. In fact, I even influenced my sister to buy one specifically for her car so she could suck up the crumbs my messy nephews leave in their wake. Me personally, though? I primarily use mine in the kitchen.

I don’t have any kids in the house, but I am constantly on a mission to be like the people with tidy kitchen worktops, so I’m religiously tidying and cleaning my kitchen sides. And with the 3-in-1 sucking, air dusting and blowing functionalities, the mini vacuum is ideal for larger debris like porridge oats or smaller debris and dust that gets caught in between tiles and appliances. I’ve even used it to blast away cobwebs found in the many nooks and crannies in my kitchen.

I also have the Lakeland Mini Countertop Vacuum, which I tend to use for coffee-machine-related spills, but I find that the larger handheld vacuum’s versatility makes it ideal for quick cleaning on the go. The 0.2L dust canister is also a bit like Mary Poppins’ handbag and holds way more than you’d think, and it’s small enough to fit in a kitchen drawer, which is a major win.

2. The tools are handier than you think

I should note that the power of the Lakeland 3-in-1 vacuum doesn’t compete with bigger handheld models - and certainly not with full-size vacuum cleaners. It won’t tackle floors or upholstery, and it doesn’t offer enough suction or blowing power to tackle trickier, stubborn messes. However, the tools are a major plus point.

When I first bought the £20 vacuum, I did wonder how often I’d use some of the tools, but I’ve actually used them way more than I thought. Especially as there are five to choose from: a crevice nozzle, a crevice nozzle brush, and three blowing/suction nozzles. And all of these can be used by quickly clicking onto the end of the vacuum.

I’ve used these nozzles to blow debris out of my laptop keyboard, dust my plantation shutters, and even had my neighbour borrow the vacuum once to pump up an air bed for her daughter’s sleepover. Because of this, I really do think it’s one of those tools that you can get out when you’re stuck with most dilemmas.

3. Charging can be quite inconsistent

If you couldn’t already tell, I have a lot of love for Lakeland’s 3-in-1 Mini Vacuum and genuinely think that it’s a steal at just £20. But I also have to acknowledge that it is a very cheap appliance, and that often comes with some sacrifices and limitations. For me, this has come in the form of charging inconsistencies.

When I first bought the mini vacuum, I found that the advertised 15-minute run time (which is already very generous for a handheld vacuum) was accurate. The 2.5-hour charge time was also correct. And while I don’t know if it’s due to the USB charging cable or the battery itself, those numbers have started to dwindle as the year has gone by.

This is something reviewers have noted on the Lakeland website, too, as they’ve found that the battery life and charging time have become inconsistent with frequent use. Personally, I don’t find this to be too much of an issue as I’ve simply gotten into the habit of charging immediately after each use, but it does make me wonder how much longer it’ll last. For £20, though, it’s lasted well so far.

Alternatives to consider

I couldn't recommend this mini vacuum more!

Having an outdoor space that you can escape to is wonderful, even if you’ve only the smallest of plots. A compact patio has lots to offer compared to a very big garden. Everything you need is close to hand; looking after a smaller space is easier and less time-consuming than maintaining a large garden, and small patio ideas can often feel cosier and more private than a very open or overlooked outdoor space.

If lack of space is a problem, there are lots of clever visual tricks that you can use to make a compact patio feel a bit bigger. Limiting the colour palette can be a good starting point, whether wall colour, furniture or flooring, as too many colours confuse the eye and can make a small space feel chaotic. The same goes with choice of planting too. Keeping to two or three colours that are repeated throughout containers, raised beds, and borders can create a more cohesive, natural scheme that feels less muddled than lots of clashing colours.

1. Raised structures

Using vertical space effectively can make a small patio feel bigger. A raised structure, such as a pergola or arch, draws the eye upwards so that attention is diverted from the lack of floor space. Decorate with solar lanterns and festoon strings to create extra visual interest.

2. Streamlined furniture

Try not to overcrowd a small patio with furniture. Keep to a few well-chosen pieces of small space garden furniture or a matching set, rather than a mismatched collection of chairs and tables. It will give the space a more cohesive feel.

Woven garden furniture is lightweight and easy to rearrange if needed, and looks less bulky than hefty wooden furniture.

3. Thoughtful flooring

Choice of flooring is key when it comes to a small patio. Large-format paving with fewer grout lines creates the illusion of space, while floor tiles laid diagonally can make the floor area appear wider. Use an outdoor rug as an anchor point for garden furniture – it helps draw the eye in so the items feel intentionally placed.

4. Multi-level planting

Avoid having too many pots at ground level and make use of vertical space instead. Fix trellises to fences to train climbing plants up, together with wall-hung planters and hanging baskets for growing trailing flowers. Use tiered stands to arrange pots and planters at different levels.

5. Space-saving storage

Be savvy with your set-up so you can incorporate all the essentials you require. Save room with folding or stackable pieces that can be put away when not needed and utilise wall space with hooks and hanging rails, wall-hung cubbies and trellises to hang things on.

6. Reflective surfaces

Paler colours on walls and flooring can help to bounce light around so that the space feels brighter and more open. Hanging an outdoor mirror also gives the illusion of extra garden space. (Be careful not to position it in direct sunlight or where it could affect birds.)

Get the look

A pocket-sized patio doesn't have to be a pain point, but can become a little garden jewel box, or a tiny oasis for you to relax and unwind.