<![CDATA[ Latest from Ideal Home ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk Fri, 24 Apr 2026 09:45:00 +0000 en <![CDATA[ My north-west garden is in shade most of the day, but B&Q's garden expert helped me create a hanging basket that will still thrive with these 5 top tips ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/garden/garden-advice/tips-north-west-garden-hanging-basket Nb9jkhmzQw9WmpSR8s99Hb Fri, 24 Apr 2026 09:45:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ We thought the summerhouse would be the easy bit of building our forever home – but *spoiler alert* that was definitely not the case ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/open-house/francesca-swan-how-our-summerhouse-became-the-most-difficult-part-of-our-reno 4syi3dfnFh4dpUGYfnucp6 Fri, 24 Apr 2026 08:30:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ If you have a tiny garden, this is the easy-to-grow veg that thrives in small spaces – all you need is an old compost sack ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/garden/garden-advice/why-tiny-gardens-should-grow-potatoes yyZkZC7ziKSsUFM2f2Dm3J Fri, 24 Apr 2026 06:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ I’m a gardening editor and I’m waving goodbye to my lawn – Here’s why and what we're doing instead ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/garden/garden-advice/waving-goodbye-to-my-lawn k4mfvUJMEmrqopnw9d6jEX Thu, 23 Apr 2026 15:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Peak tree pollen season has arrived in the UK – how to keep your home’s air quality levels stable amidst the Met Office’s warnings ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/air-quality/tree-pollen-air-quality-tips iDXqNgzqCgWfurqRYn2MTA Thu, 23 Apr 2026 14:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Kitchen bins shouldn't be an afterthought – 12 best kitchen bins that will help you recycle better in 2026, chosen by a picky editor ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/collection/all-rooms/kitchen/kitchen-bins-shopping-edit KVgxMSqZ3EUU2oRyMVo4FS Thu, 23 Apr 2026 13:40:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Home Truths: Amanda Holden shares her homeware addiction and the one bad habit she just can’t quit ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/all-rooms/home-truths-amanda-holden dk5pLiXxmfmQPzwqmj7YMi Thu, 23 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Thu, 23 Apr 2026 13:52:03 +0000 <![CDATA[ Do pillowcases need to match your duvet cover? The experts all agree on this approach for a well-styled bed ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/all-rooms/bedding/should-pillowcases-match-duvet-cover wDa6x6onVw4Tubq3rLNFij Thu, 23 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ What to do with star jasmine in April – these 4 tasks will boost flowering and growth for the summer ahead ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/garden/garden-advice/what-to-do-with-star-jasmine-in-april RD6GKnx8o4JJHCkZcTyGXj Thu, 23 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ How I throw a garden party – without spending too much or rushing out to buy everything new ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/open-house/ammarah-hasham-how-to-throw-a-garden-party-with-things-you-already-own sNh3UKDATsMpUHVigEmK3i Thu, 23 Apr 2026 08:30:00 +0000 Thu, 23 Apr 2026 08:59:45 +0000 <![CDATA[ All of the most organised food preppers have switched from glass food containers to stainless steel – I tried them to see if they're any good, and yes, they are microwave safe ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/all-rooms/cookware/switching-from-glass-food-containers-to-stainless-steel P3R6yLBUEwTRcEJSnq6JxE Thu, 23 Apr 2026 07:00:00 +0000 Thu, 23 Apr 2026 13:46:10 +0000 <![CDATA[ Sorry, garden sheds, IKEA's sleek space-saving garden cabinet is a must-have for tiny gardens and will hold all your tools ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/garden/garden-tools/ikea-kolbjorn-cabinet 7ruYcJmzbZUagbqgavDa9D Thu, 23 Apr 2026 06:00:00 +0000 Fri, 24 Apr 2026 09:41:01 +0000 <![CDATA[ 5 scents ants hate, and how to use them to stop these pests plaguing your home and garden this summer ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/cleaning/scents-ants-hate CLBpFzNqXbkvUqKwsvmdP9 Wed, 22 Apr 2026 15:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ 6 things people with a spotless patio always have to keep their outdoor space clean and weed-free all summer long ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/garden/garden-advice/things-people-with-a-spotless-patio-always-have dYUpx5Mm6U8ix8p3SkSvqC Wed, 22 Apr 2026 14:00:00 +0000 Thu, 23 Apr 2026 13:35:51 +0000 <![CDATA[ Goodbye dish racks, this new space-saving trend is the ultimate alternative to keep worktops organised and clutter-free in a kitchen ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/all-rooms/kitchen/over-the-sink-dish-rack-trend v9dM8LWSURzJqGmRpsN52L Wed, 22 Apr 2026 11:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ I’m obsessed with Soho Home garden furniture but can’t afford its high prices – so I found 7 budget alternatives for some of its most stylish pieces ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/garden/outdoor-living/soho-home-budget-outdoor-furniture-alternatives mC8vkAthE6TMoERk9iCBLH Wed, 22 Apr 2026 10:10:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Dark blue walls and big opinions – why designing my 8-year-old son’s room challenged me more than I expected ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/open-house/lara-winter-designing-my-sons-room XrGnS2WTRR4vankAnqJhe4 Wed, 22 Apr 2026 08:30:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Ninja's EverClad range is bound to be a sellout thanks to its stainless steel, non-toxic features – it's here to rival bestselling picks from HexClad and Made In ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/all-rooms/cookware/ninja-everclad-stainless-steel-cookware-launch VKcAKeeJWuqk7bpfEYvnKg Wed, 22 Apr 2026 08:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ 4 climbing roses that guarantee a beautiful, fragrant screen of blooms for summer privacy ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/garden/garden-advice/best-climbing-roses-for-privacy RaSDvQkQc2ujraRPpN3djC Wed, 22 Apr 2026 07:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Aldi has updated its stunning £50 mosaic solar water feature for 2026 – its sunny new design will transform your garden into a Mediterranean oasis ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/garden/outdoor-living/aldi-solar-water-feature-2026-upgrade mrroT96Rk5oxkcEfdzdTx7 Wed, 22 Apr 2026 06:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ What to do with tomato plants in April – 5 vital tasks experts say to do now for a bountiful harvest and juicy, tasty produce ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/garden/garden-advice/what-to-do-with-tomato-plants-in-april kEZpzmmS2Vn9Ldc738jovY Tue, 21 Apr 2026 16:30:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ How we test steam cleaners and mops at Ideal Home – the exact review process we follow and what we look for in a 5-star model ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/floorcare/how-we-test-steam-cleaners-and-mops ydynBhcFNPY9SkT5ieLDHc Tue, 21 Apr 2026 15:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Plug-in solar panels could soon be available — but should you buy a plug-in kit or would a rooftop installation be better? I asked the experts how the two systems differ ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/plug-in-solar-panels-vs-rooftop-solar-panels 9GAvydZnh5je5E7pReJD3Y Tue, 21 Apr 2026 13:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ IKEA’s £5 food waste bin makes following new recycling rules easy and stylish – this odour-proof bin is also perfect for tiny spaces ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/cleaning/ikea-farmarkvast-food-waste-bin DE5cWxNrxM7XSmGguXfHc Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ How to fertilise your peonies in April – garden experts share their top feeding tips for bigger, better blooms ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/garden/garden-advice/how-to-fertilise-peonies-in-april 2Aj8CtB5uHs9aJezKbdQ66 Tue, 21 Apr 2026 11:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Experts say this Scandi sleep hack is the key to a better night's sleep – especially with a heatwave on the horizon ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/all-rooms/bedding/scandi-sleep-hack-april-heatwave cfpxv4Kr99fVzG6rzW7RBm Tue, 21 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ The rooms we use the most and why they weren’t the ones we expected – how the reality of a renovation has quietly reshaped our plan for our home ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/open-house/the-home-boys-the-unexpected-rooms-we-use-the-most G2yFXW4Esim9kBNQkU8sGk Tue, 21 Apr 2026 08:30:00 +0000 Tue, 21 Apr 2026 16:21:17 +0000 <![CDATA[ My sparkling floors always get so many compliments – these are the two appliances I have to thank for that (and which one I think is better) ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/floorcare/steam-mop-vs-vacuum-mop VaEQMmACAH6NnQPH6yd8Sg Tue, 21 Apr 2026 08:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ I asked 4 interior designers what makes an entrance look and feel unwelcoming – these are the 6 things they all agreed on ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/all-rooms/hallway/experts-say-what-makes-an-entrance-feel-unwelcoming AyyUc2SBKRcdUJXFYaYmYE Tue, 21 Apr 2026 07:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Aldi’s cult Kamado BBQ is returning to stores, and it’s more than £1,200 cheaper than Big Green Egg – it even beats Lidl on price ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/garden/outdoor-living/aldi-kamado-egg-bbq-may-2026 LUaYujrHQMtrsFdNugR6m4 Tue, 21 Apr 2026 06:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Things you can no longer recycle when decluttering due to new bin rules in England – and what to do with them instead ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/storage-organisation-decluttering/things-you-can-no-longer-recycle-when-decluttering x4WsTFTTTrT2fXLGLeQrUb Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:00:00 +0000 Fri, 24 Apr 2026 10:02:34 +0000 <![CDATA[ 4 beautiful ways to add Eastern elegance to your home – how to style chinoiserie and glossy accessories with timeless appeal ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/all-rooms/eastern-elegance-looks-that-last 2aQ1XkQrw9HVEuo9X7GnVC Mon, 20 Apr 2026 14:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Experts are warning homeowners to think before they spray when spring cleaning this month – your favourite houseplant could be paying the price ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/cleaning/warning-not-to-use-cleaning-products-near-houseplants qW2BT5pkwEE2HSoDD3qTvg Mon, 20 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ I wish I had a bigger hallway — is a porch the answer? I asked the pros for the 3 best ways to achieve more space in this part of my home ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/extensions/ways-to-a-bigger-hallway Q2YkkVuinL2jfmU5fyiaZB Mon, 20 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ I’m a storage-obsessed editor who hates how ugly storage baskets can be – these are the pretty-but-practical alternatives to add to your home ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/collection/house-manual/storage-organisation-decluttering/pretty-but-practical-storage-baskets-collection-2026 35S733U64bdMjh4vBmSZnk Mon, 20 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Slowing down and making do – how I'm embracing a home that evolves slowly and imperfectly ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/open-house/hannah-carvell-slowing-down-and-making-do mhx7rVTvuk9k5G8fy2shFM Mon, 20 Apr 2026 08:30:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ I’ve spent hours searching for the best parasols – these are the 20 I'd recommend for shading a garden in style, from striped styles to tilting ones ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/collection/garden/outdoor-living/best-parasols PYLQH6Ax8rNmZagaBcGzL4 Mon, 20 Apr 2026 08:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ 3 tell-tale signs that your lawn is compacted and needs aerating now to guarantee lush green grass when summer arrives ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/garden/garden-advice/how-to-tell-if-your-lawn-is-compacted MWUcNKJwg9fjjp3rErYvb7 Mon, 20 Apr 2026 07:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Gardeners with dogs warned of hidden danger in gardens that can be fatal – what you need to do to keep your dog safe ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/garden/garden-advice/compost-toxic-to-dogs-warning 4S4b8UJwY7yCq7GFqb2fMk Mon, 20 Apr 2026 06:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ These milk steaming mistakes are standing in the way of you unlocking barista-level coffee at home – our experts have fixes for all of them ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/all-rooms/coffee/milk-steaming-mistakes uXJ2Jxi5dWPaJ8M8QSc2oF Sun, 19 Apr 2026 13:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Plug-in solar panels will soon be available in the UK — this is everything we know about how they work ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/what-are-plug-in-solar-panels qnjwQzWT24uAnRgY35MhGJ Sun, 19 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Thu, 23 Apr 2026 08:22:49 +0000 <![CDATA[ Amanda Holden has just convinced me that chandeliers can look amazing in a garden – this bold take on outdoor lighting looks magical ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/garden/outdoor-living/amanda-holden-garden-chandeliers BTQZWQwMsDnShwxJkkZg3X Sun, 19 Apr 2026 11:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ IKEA's stylish yet subtle solar lights gave my garden borders a glow up – they've made my front garden feel welcoming again ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/garden/outdoor-living/ikea-solivinden-led-solar-powered-stake-lights jt8SfiDizZKsfYXLfk2zN5 Sun, 19 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0000 Mon, 20 Apr 2026 11:25:40 +0000 <![CDATA[ The unexpected colourful chair theory is the easiest way to revamp a kitchen this spring – this is how to get the look ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/all-rooms/kitchen/unexpected-colourful-chair-theory fBMYfuiuDoPNLkXTojjZ8j Sun, 19 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Loaf has a space-saving £195 solution for hosting overnight guests, and it's one of the most stylish spare bed alternatives I've seen ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/all-rooms/bedroom/loaf-sleepover-floor-cushion tMzoufENjPqc5NAYRP59mN Sun, 19 Apr 2026 07:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Wild birds will flock to your garden if you start leaving out this £7 Amazon buy – it looks adorable too ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/garden/garden-advice/nesting-material-holders-for-birds Cxwc8HogegKXZSomggwVrL Sun, 19 Apr 2026 06:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ QVC just dropped a colourful, 70s-style garden furniture range – I’ve seen the pieces IRL and these are my top 9 picks, including a £140 sunlounger that looks so stylish ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/garden/outdoor-living/qvc-studio-70-garden-furniture-collection-top-picks JuKSzo4HfK2ut7HL8uPgVh Sat, 18 Apr 2026 13:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ April is peak slug and snail season – here's how to protect your plants before it's too late with these simple expert tips ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/garden/garden-advice/how-to-protect-plants-from-slugs-and-snails-in-april 6mhaVEBFB3PJiNgRCvGRzL Sat, 18 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Argos is selling the chicest scalloped potting table – it’s perfect for showing off potted plants in a tiny garden ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/garden/garden-tools/argos-home-green-scallop-potting-table RxuZ5nEDboq5X5VEuhs2n3 Sat, 18 Apr 2026 11:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ I'm a picky kitchen editor with strong opinions about appliances – this is why I'd buy the ProCook kettle and toaster again after owning them for 2 years ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/all-rooms/small-appliances/procook-kettle-and-toaster-two-years-on k4c7yGdjMwBdSL8ywTTaYR Sat, 18 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0000