A space that feels calm, tranquil and relaxed is a description that many of us would put at the top of the wish list when describing our dream bathroom. And there are a few styles that capture this serene, spa-like aesthetic quite so well as the Scandi style bathroom ideas.

Characterised by clean lines, minimalist design, and the use of natural materials, Scandi-style bathrooms embrace simplicity and functionality, with a natural warmth and colour at their heart. And no Scandi bathroom would be complete without the inclusion of wood somewhere in the scheme, whether timber panelling used liberally throughout or subtle accents of wood picked out more sparingly on furniture and accessories.

Whether planning a bathroom renovation or simply refreshing a tired scheme, incorporating a few core elements and Scandi bathroom style is an easy look to recreate. Keep things pared-back and understated, and it’s hard to go wrong…these are the key ingredients you’ll need.

1. Sleek fittings

Clean lines and a pared-back aesthetic are core elements of any Scandi scheme, so when it comes to bathroom fixtures and fittings, simplicity is key. Minimalist, free-standing baths in curved or angular designs take centre stage, alongside shapely counter-top basins and functional fittings in warm brushed metals or contrasting matt black.

2. Streamlined storage

Keeping surfaces clear and clutter-free is a must, with only a few thoughtfully-chosen pieces out on display. Floating vanities and wall-hung fittings provide ample storage for toiletries and towels and keep floors clear to enhance the sense of space. Or choose sleek fitted furniture that can also conceal unsightly plumbing work.

3. Natural light

Using bright whites and reflective surfaces in small or dark bathrooms can be a great way to compensate for a lack of natural light. Keep windows bare or go for light-filtering sheers to maximise what natural light there is.

4. Spacious shower

The shower takes top priority in any Scandi bathroom, and should be as large and spacious as the room allows. Large-format, colour-matched tiles on walls and floors create a seamless look and will give an enhanced sense of space.

5. Natural wood

Wood is at the heart of Scandinavian design, including for bathroom schemes. From sauna-style, tongue-and-groove panelling and simple plywood cladding, to wood-effect tiles that offer a more durable and waterproof finish, wood brings natural colour and warmth to the bathroom, preventing it from looking and feeling too clinical.

6. Warm accents

Bringing in warm colours and tactile textures helps soften the mood without sacrificing the calm Scandi aesthetic. Plants and greenery will also add life and natural colour to the room.

Get the look

I'm a hot sleeper at the best of times, and, like many of us, I really struggle to get a good night's rest during heatwaves, especially living in the UK.

In Britain, high temperatures don't just mean heat; they also mean humidity, and high evening humidity makes it hard for the body to cool down enough for sleep.

As Ideal Home's Sleep Editor, I've tracked down all the best duvets for summer, but when the mercury soars to above 30°C, even they can be Far. Too. Hot.

However, I do have one secret weapon up my sleeve when temperatures skyrocket, and that's Shades of Cool London's Dohar.

What is a dohar? It's a piece of bedding that's very uncommon in the UK. Probably because, up until recently, British bedding concerns have been far more focused on staying warm in bed, not dealing with extreme heat.

But things are changing, and if last week was anything to go by, we may all soon be looking for duvet alternatives and cool bedding materials to see us through the summer nights.

Temperatures of 30°C plus have been rare in the UK, but other parts of the world have been navigating daily life in hot temperatures for millennia, and there's a lot we can learn.

The dohar is a much-prized cooling solution in South Asia, most notably in India and Bangladesh, where it's credited as first being woven.

This was the bedding that Indian royalty – the Maharaji – used in their palaces, and according to Shades of Cool London's founder, Angel Skillman, it's a fabric dubbed 'woven wind' in its country of origin.

It's a poetic title, and having now tested this fabric through two years of British heatwaves, I can testify that it's also a very accurate description.

Essentially, the dohar is a lightweight summer blanket. But it's not anything like your average British blanket. Instead, it's made from super-fine mulmul cotton, which is a little like muslin, but *far* softer, smoother, and airier than any muslin I've encountered in the UK.

Mulmul fabric is then triple-layered to create the dohar, and this layering is the key to how well it handles hot, humid British heatwaves. Not surprisingly, because it was originally the Indian go-to for sleeping well in monsoon season – a time when the moisture content in the air is extremely high.

I've found that the mulmul layer next to the skin is perfect for wicking away moisture and stickiness, whilst the other two layers create air pockets that are brilliant at regulating temperature. That means there's no going to sleep boiling, but then waking up at 3 am feeling a chill.

And as someone who always sleeps with the powerful Meaco Sefte Fan circulating air during a heatwave, I've found a dohar also handles a fan's breeze well. The airflow can still penetrate the open weave fabric, but without the breeze feeling *too* cold against the skin.

I've tested numerous options for sleeping cooler on hot nights, from sleeping without covers to bedding down under just a flat linen sheet, such as this Piglet in Bed option, and testing cooling blankets, such as this Bedsure design. And although all have their time and place, the dohar remains the one sleep solution I find myself reaching for again and again.

It's definitely the option I sleep coolest under, as well as the option that keeps my temperature the most stable throughout the night, and that temperature regulation results in a deeper sleep, with less waking up because I'm too hot or too cold.

As of writing, the dohar is still difficult to source in the UK. Shades of Cool London and a few Etsy sellers that have in-stock dohars are the only places I've found to shop. However, as British summers look set to get hotter, I think this is a heatwave must-have that's going to catapult in popularity.

The irony is that, as Angel points out, 'production of mulmul cotton and the dohar suffered under British colonial rule, with efforts to suppress local weaving due to competition with industrially manufactured fabrics.' However, thankfully, skilled makers have kept this ancient fabric alive, and I, for one, am very grateful for that.

And not just for heatwave navigation. If you're a menopausal woman experiencing hot flushes, this is a fabric you *need* in your life. Shades of Cool London also stocks kids dohars, which are perfect for keeping little ones cool in the heat.

Ultimately, I think the dohar is the perfect example of how sustainable, indigenous knowledge is going to be central in helping us all navigate the climate changes we have ahead. We have a lot to learn about cooling things down, but that knowledge is out there and waiting to be applied.

As one of Ideal Home’s favourite brands, and winner of the Living Room Retailer of the Year in the 2026 Ideal Home Awards, it makes perfect sense for us to collaborate with Furniture Village and launch our very own style-forward range of sofas.

We wanted to create a truly versatile collection, with a sofa to suit any style of interior, from modern country retreats to smart new-builds and everything in between. Style credentials were an all-important factor when developing the range, but that doesn’t mean sacrificing longevity and practicality. All four of the designs in our newly-launched collection are built to last – just as you’d expect from the commitment to quality that Furniture Village is so well-known for. We’re excited to finally reveal the four designs, now available in-store and online.

Channel a contemporary edge: Gemini

First up we have Gemini, our quiet luxe showstopper. With its clean lines and modern silhouette, this sofa also boasts a smart feature to take comfort to the next level. At the touch of a button Gemini’s soft and inviting seats glide out to extend the seat depth and create the ultimate lounging spot.

Style it with...

Celebrate classic form: Cotswold

Bringing luxury country-house vibes, the Cotswold sofa takes a country aesthetic and elevates it, thanks to design details like the buttoned scroll arms and turned wood legs. It will instantly add elegance to any room, and comes with coordinating scatter cushions plus a matching snuggler, armchair and footstool, which means you can create the perfect combination to suit your space.

Style it with...

Go for glam: Sienna

Designed to inject contemporary glamour into a room, the Sienna has a refined design that features a higher back and curved arms for an effortlessly sophisticated look.

There’s a huge range of upholstery options to choose from – we love bold shades like the deep blue of Hudson Ocean for a touch of understated drama and decadence, especially when you match it to your walls for a colour-drenched space. For more pared-back schemes, there are gorgeously rich neutrals, such as Hudson Mink or Bella Barley White.

Style it with...

Choose timeless style: Brondby

Versatile and hard-working, the Brondby combines smart, good looks with hard-wearing upholstery options, and a compact design that makes it the ideal solution for smaller spaces. With two corner options, two- and three-seater designs and a footstool that doubles as storage, the Brondby works hard to help you make the most of every inch. This sofa range has been designed with real homes in mind, balancing style and practicality to create beautiful furniture for everyday moments.

Style it with...

Check out the full Ideal Home collection at Furniture Village. Which is your favourite?

No matter the trends, blue has consistently been the world’s favourite colour as it’s a shade that evokes feelings of calm and serenity. That’s why decorating with this particular colour is so popular – and if you’re considering painting your walls or accents in your home blue, these are the most popular Farrow & Ball blue paint shades that are worth knowing about.

Farrow & Ball is the authority in the world of paint, colour and interiors – not to mention it’s one of the most popular paint brands, if not the most popular. So turning to some of its most popular paint colours for your blue living room or bedroom ideas wouldn’t go amiss.

I know I started off by saying that blue is the world’s go-to colour at all times, but 2026 especially is all about all things blue – it’s one of the biggest colour trends of the year and it’s not going anywhere anytime soon, especially considering its timeless quality. So without further ado, these are the two blue shades that Farrow & Ball customers have been loving.

1. Hague Blue

Last year, Hague Blue was one of Farrow & Ball’s bestselling shades. So it’s no surprise that it’s still one of the brand’s most popular blues.

‘Hague Blue is a popular deep, rich navy with green undertones,’ says Michael Rolland, managing director and paint expert at The Paint Shed, a Farrow & Ball stockist. ‘It has a kind of velvety, glamorous touch that makes it feel particularly intimate.’

He adds, ‘You’ll often see it used on woodwork like cabinetry, and on exterior doors – particularly in its gloss finish. Worked against contrasting oranges, greens, and whites, this colour is renowned for helping accents pop.’

2. Lulworth Blue

Soft shades of blue have been especially popular this year, as well as last year when the blue trend was already coming into its own. I myself painted my doors and skirting boards in a light sky blue shade (Lick’s Blue 08, available at B&Q) last year. So if that’s the look you’re after, Farrow & Ball’s popular Lulworth Blue is the one for you.

‘Farrow & Ball’s Lulworth Blue is one of their most loved blues,’ Michael says. ‘It’s a soft mid-blue that’s favoured for its gentleness. This shade was inspired by the sea at Lulworth Cove in Dorset, so it has a kind of easy maritime, oceanic feel, reminiscent of long, sleepy summer days. It’s loved for bringing that feeling of ease home.’

And if you’re a fan of colour drenching - as we here at Ideal Home are - then this is the perfect colour to cover all your walls and other surfaces with.

‘Lulworth Blue is a popular shade for colour drenching – it’s versatile, simple and takes the pressure out of decision-making. It works really well when used across a whole space, especially paired with crisp whites to really lean into that maritime feel. For that reason, it’s often used in bathrooms with white finishes and in bedrooms with white bedding, where it keeps things feeling fresh, calm, and pulled together,’ Michael explains.

Which Farrow & Ball blue is the winner for you? Is it the soft and bright Lulworth Blue or the moody and sophisticated Hague Blue?

If you’re hosting guests this summer, a comfortable sofa bed is a must-have to ensure happy, relaxed guests and right now, IKEA’s stylish LANDSKRONA sofa bed is £500 off.

IKEA is holding one of its biggest-ever summer sales, slashing prices on up to 500 outdoor and home essentials. But it is the inclusion of some of the best sofa beds that caught our eye. While sofa beds can be high-ticket items, they are an essential if you’re a household that frequently hosts.

So, if you’ve been looking to upgrade your guest bedroom ideas, it may be wise to make the most of the IKEA summer sale. Here’s everything you need to know about the LANDSKRONA sofa bed.

Having spotted the LANDSKRONA Sofa Bed was reduced from £1,199 to £699, I immediately spoke to Ideal Home’s Sleep Editor and sofa bed expert Amy Lockwood to see if this was a good deal. Having tested countless IKEA sofa beds, she’s found the Swedish brand produces sofa beds that offer a great mix of style, comfort, and affordability.

'Having spent the past five years testing some of the best sofa beds on the market, I've found that IKEA sofa beds are always great value for money. The fact that this sofa bed offers a double sleeping area - so it can sleep two guests at a time comfortably - and it has hidden storage makes it a great buy in my book,’ she told me.

The LANDSKRONA 3-seater sofa bed is made with thick grain leather on the exposed surfaces and treated fabric elsewhere. The hidden storage Amy mentions is underneath the seat, and is perfect for storing extra bed linen, duvets and pillows when not in use.

IKEA states the sofa is firm and comfortable to sit on, while its built-in slats enhance sleeping comfort once pulled out. The sofa bed comes with a 10-year guarantee, and you have to buy the legs separately.

This is not the only IKEA sofa bed to catch our attention. The recent PS collection £550 sofa bed nailed its brief of ‘playful functionality’, serving up an effortlessly stylish design. Alternatively, the Habitat Kota Sofa Bed is an affordable, yet stylish design home editors love, with Amy even going as far as to say: ‘it's hard to find a better value three-seater sofa bed than the Kota.’

IKEA Summer Sale is running until Sunday, 12 July, so don't hesitate to snag a great deal now. Alternatively, I’ve rounded up a few more stylish sofa beds for under £500 you can shop online.

IKEA sofa beds are a great value for money, even when not on sale. If you’re looking for a bed that will house extra guests and look good, too (without costing a bomb), the LANDSKRONA is a great choice.

Russell Hobbs is quite a beloved British kitchen appliance brand, but I wouldn’t say it’s one that’s made much of a mark on the coffee machine scene. However, the Russell Hobbs Café Genie is an interesting new launch that could compete for a spot on our list of best coffee machines.

Its RRP of £229.99 puts it firmly at the more affordable end of the scale, and yet, some of the features listed, like a touchscreen menu of drinks, are usually seen in pricier models. So I was keen to put it to the test, to see whether the features on offer could deliver.

In a nutshell

The Russell Hobbs Café Genie has a lot going for it. It’s a manual espresso machine that also offers the convenience of pods, as well as automatic milk steaming. The paired back menu of seven drinks is accessed via the straightforward touchscreen control panel and it’s very simple to use.

Milk is automatically steamed and textured, but no matter which drink you select, it’ll always be bubbly, so if you’re looking for glossy microfoams, you’ll need to look elsewhere. Similarly, while espresso is adequate, it doesn’t produce the well rounded flavour or robust crema that espresso aficionados will be seeking.

That said, this is a good value machine that makes drinks fast and packs in convenient features for busy people. So if you’re not a coffee snob and you want an easy-to-use machine for drinkable milky coffees, it’s a great option.

Who tested this coffee machine?

Unboxing the product

The first thing I noticed when I removed it from the box is that it’s quite a plasticky appliance. The portafilter doesn’t have much weight to it, and the tamper is very basic. However, other features like the intuitive touchscreen make up for some of the cheaper elements. And at this pricepoint, you really shouldn’t expect all the bells and whistles.

The colour is subtle and will suit plenty of kitchen styles. I like that when it’s switched off, the touchscreen is black and there’s no cluttered control panel, so it does look quite neat and streamlined. The on/off switch is tucked away at the side of the machine.

The included accessories are simple and easy to get to grips with. There’s nothing complicated or overwhelming, which is good, because the instruction manual is pretty basic.

If you’re buying this to use the Nespresso pod capabilities, make sure you stock up before it arrives because you don’t get any trial samples included in the box.

Impact on a kitchen worktop

The height of the coffee machine makes it ideal for sliding underneath wall mounted kitchen cupboards. However, when considering where you’ll put it, it’s worth noting that the water tank is at the back. It has to be lifted upwards to be removed, so you’ll need space to do that.

Alternatively, you could add water through the top opening using a jug if you have the space under your cabinets to get to it with a jug of water.

The footprint isn’t too big and when you slide it to the back of the worktop, it feels tucked back and leaves plenty of usable space in front. It’s certainly not one of the coffee machines that feels imposing on the kitchen worktop.

First impressions

Setting up was very straightforward. The manual offers up a list of all the parts that you should wash before using. And once these are all clean, dried, and correctly positioned back on the machine, you simply need to dispense water without any coffee grounds, to get the machine primed and ready to go.

I hit the double espresso button about five times, to make sure I’d run plenty of hot water through the system before using it for the first time. This ensures any dust from manufacturing is washed through.

Unlike some other coffee machines, this one doesn’t come with a water filter, nor is there an option to install one. The instructions state that a clean/ descale cycle will be prompted after 200 uses.

If you live in a hard water area, you may want to use water from a water filter jug, to reduce the build up of scale and help prolong the life of the machine.

The milk dispenser has a handy clean function that’ll run water through the milk nozzle to clean it, which means you can pop it in the fridge between uses.

On the whole, the touchscreen interface is very straightforward, displaying all the available drinks, for quick and easy selection. However, for any other menu functions, you ‘ll need to keep the manual to hand, as you’ll be required to press and hold various buttons or combinations of buttons.

That said, there’s no adjustment for things like temperature, strength, or volume of milky drinks. The main thing that can be adjusted is the volume of espresso dispensed.

It’s fast to heat up when first switched on. If you switch it on without the milk container in place, it’ll only warm up to dispense espresso, and that takes on average 30 seconds.

Meanwhile, if the milk container is in position when you switch it on, the process of heating up takes about 60 seconds. And then it allows you to select milky coffees from the menu.

The ‘Morning Rush’ test

I timed myself making two milky coffees back-to-back using ground coffee. I timed the whole process, from turning on the machine, to having two cappuccinos ready. It took four minutes 20 seconds.

Adding coffee grounds, tamping them down as well as removing the used grounds before making the second cup, took a big chunk of the time. So out of interest, I also timed the same process using Nespresso pods. This time it took three minutes and 10 seconds.

User experience

For me, one of the biggest surprises with this coffee machine was how fast it makes drinks (if you don’t include the time it takes to add the coffee grounds or top up the milk dispenser). From selecting a drink on the menu, to the drink being served and ready to go, is under a minute for almost all drinks on the menu.

The fastest milky drink was a cortado which was ready in just 30 seconds. While the slowest was a latte, which still only took 60 seconds. But it’s worth noting that a lot of the drinks on the menu are quite short coffees.

Thankfully, for lovers of longer, milkier coffees, the latte it dispenses is a decent mug full. And while you can adjust the volume of espresso that’s automatically dispensed, there’s no option to tweak the milk volumes in the various drink recipes.

Milk can be dispensed independent of coffee by pressing and holding the latte button. This is handy if you want to top up a drink with extra milk or create your own drink altogether.

The issue I had when dispensing milk, was that just before milk starts to come out, a quick blast of water comes out of the portafilter area, which, if there’s no portafilter in position, can mean you get bits of stray coffee grounds in your cup. But if you leave the portafilter in position it's not an issue.

Drink temperatures vary depending on the drink. A double espresso comes out at roughly 75C and the frothed milk is around 53C. So it follows that the temperature of milky drinks depends on the ratio of milk to coffee.

A drink with very little milk, like a macchiato, was quite hot, mine averaged 75C. Whereas a milky latte was one of the coolest drinks, measuring around 58C. And it’s worth noting that there are no settings you can adjust to change these temperatures.

The milk dispenser sits quite low, meaning it won’t reach into taller cups. A standard mug is about the tallest cup you can dispense milk into. Most travel cups and taller glasses are too tall.

The vibration of the machine during brewing has a tendency to move some cups, so I did have to pay attention, particularly when using lighter and smaller cups.

Some coffee machines I review seem to magically go through water at a rate that far surpasses the number of coffees you’re making. So I really liked the fact that the water tank wasn’t always running low. Water seemed to last a reasonable amount of time. On the flip side, filling it up is quick and easy.

I expected the machine to switch itself off after a certain period of time, but instead it goes into a low power mode, where the touchscreen display is dimmed. When it’s in this mode, you have to press one of the coffee buttons to wake it up. To switch it off properly, you’ll need to press the on/off button at the side.

How noisy is it?

At around 66dB, pouring an espresso is pretty quiet and unlikely to annoy anyone. The milk steamer is the louder process. This hit a maximum of 85dB on my noise meter, but averaged 74dB.

So while milk steaming is louder than extracting the espresso, it’s still not what you would call noisy. Plus when you take into account that all drinks are ready in 60 seconds or less, any noise created is only for a very short time and won’t be an issue for most households.

What's the coffee like?

During the review I used Exhale Organic Dark(ish) Roast whole beans. This is my regular brand of coffee and the tasting notes, according to the brand, are caramel, stone fruits, red grapes and cola. It’s said to be ideal for espresso and gives a chocolatey, nutty flavour.

I used a separate grinder to grind my coffee beans as needed. The espresso from this machine was drinkable and pleasant, though a tad more bitter and less fruity than it is when I use my usual Sage coffee machine.

The espresso crema was often a bit bubbly rather than thick and silky. I’d say the flavour will satisfy people looking for a decent espresso, but who aren’t reaching for perfection. And if you’re primarily having it in milky coffees, the nuances become less noticeable anyway.

Since there’s also a portafilter designed for Nespresso pods, I made coffee using pods as well. I’m not a huge fan of the flavour of Nespresso pod coffee. But what I would say is that the Nespresso portafilter is a great additional feature that does a good job of extracting the espresso. It's perfect if you’re time poor and want the option to make pod coffee on those busier weekday mornings.

Thermal stability

To check the thermal stability of the coffee machine, I made five single espressos back-to-back. The idea is to check whether the drinks get progressively hotter and if so, by how much.

The first one was 72C, the fifth one was, impressively, only a little warmer at 74.5C. So it wasn’t a massive jump in temperature, which was a good result.

The ‘Wet Paint’ test

When assessing a coffee machine’s ability to steam milk, we’re looking at whether it can produce the silky microfoam that’s perfect for latte art. This is often described as looking like wet paint.

This automatic milk frother makes bubbly milk rather than a thick glossy microfoam. And that’s the case whether you’re making a cappuccino, latte, or flat white. And there’s no ability to adjust the foam level.

What's it like to clean?

The matte plastic finish of the coffee machine doesn’t show fingerprints or small water stains, so on the whole, it stays looking quite clean and you can get away with a quick daily wipe after use.

The drip tray is very small, but I didn’t find this to be an issue. It rarely needed emptying as, unlike some other coffee machines that funnel water from internal components into the drip tray, this one is purely there to catch any drips from the portafilter or cup.

I like having the option to rinse through the milk spout after use. Simply by twisting the control dial into clean mode and selecting clean on the touchscreen, it’ll automatically rinse out the milk spout so that you can pop the milk tank back into the fridge without any gunky milk building up and causing blockages.

I was slightly frustrated that when removing coffee grounds from the portafilter, it wasn’t possible to dislodge a fully formed puck of coffee straight into my food waste caddy. When I did try this, the whole metal filter basket would fall out. So instead, I had to scrape the coffee grounds out with a spoon after each use.

The drip tray and the filter baskets can go in the dishwasher, but everything else has to be washed by hand.

Descaling

A full descale cycle takes about 45 minutes from start to finish. Thankfully it’s not a very hands-on process. Other than filling the water tank with water and descaler at the start, all you need to do is stay close in case your waste water vessel gets too full and needs emptying.

Then halfway through, you have to reset everything, this time with plain water in the water tank. And start it again, to complete the process a second time but without the descaler. All-in-all it’s simple and automated, but not super quick.

The machine should prompt you to run one of these cycles every 200 uses. So how frequently you need to do it really does depend on how much you use the coffee machine.

How does it compare to similar machines?

The Lavazza A Modo Mio Desea is an Ideal Home favourite that’s similarly priced. It’s a sturdy pod machine with a built-in milk frother. And it’s a great alternative option if you don’t intend to use ground coffee. There’s no preset drinks menu, but it’s easy to create your favourite drink nevertheless.

If you like the idea of a more hands-on approach, the Sage Bambino is an excellent beginner espresso machine. It’ll set you back an additional £100, but is capable of delivering a well-rounded tasty espresso, and you get to froth your own milk and create your coffee just how you like it.

Should you buy the Russell Hobbs Café Genie Espresso Machine?

I think at this price point, the Cafe Genie really sets itself apart with features like the automatic milk steaming and touchscreen drinks menu, as well as the option to switch between ground coffee and pods. It nicely straddles the line between espresso machines, pod machines, and automatic coffee machines.

The compromises are that there aren’t many adjustable settings. Milk is bubbly and frothy, it can’t create barista quality microfoams, but that’s the case with the majority of automatic milk frothers.

While it doesn’t produce the best quality espresso I’ve ever had, it’s decent enough to please most people. In conclusion, if you’re looking for a reasonably priced coffee machine that packs in the features, it’s absolutely worth considering this one.

The term 'south-facing' holds a huge amount of prestige when it comes to our homes. 'It has a south-facing garden' is brandished around by eager estate agents while we dream of lazy afternoons spent languishing under the sun - but as this week's heatwave has shown us, this old adage might not hold much value anymore in 2026.

A south-facing kitchen is viewed just as highly as our outdoor spaces - as the heart of the home, a bright, light-filled kitchen might be just enough for you to say 'we'll take it'.

I can see the allure; natural light is imperative to our wellbeing and when house hunting, you only see a home at one time of day, in a single season, so it's important to understand the direction a room faces. However, a south-facing kitchen might not be quite as elusive as it once was.

Here's why you shouldn't rule out a west, east, or even north-facing kitchen - and why you shouldn't jump when you hear south.

When dreaming of my ultimate kitchen, sun-dappled morning light and sunny evenings with French doors thrown open come immediately to mind. A dark, dreary cooking space is not, on the other hand, what comes to mind. And it feels like the aforementioned dream is one that has become closely associated with the term 'south-facing'.

In the UK, a south-facing kitchen feels like a way to guarantee some much-needed vitamin D even in the depths of winter, but it isn't the only solution.

'A south-facing kitchen is often treated as the gold standard, but it’s far from the be-all and end-all,' explains Tom Howley, Creative Design Director at the eponymous kitchen brand.

While a south-facing kitchen increases the chance of natural light throughout the winter months, in the summer it becomes a greenhouse.

'Although a kitchen bathed in sunlight can look beautiful and create a lovely setting for evening entertaining, it isn't everyone's preference. Kitchens naturally hold heat due to the appliances and cooking that take place within them, so a north-facing kitchen that stays cooler throughout the day can be just as appealing,' Al Bruce, founder of Olive & Barr, explains.

'While it brings plenty of natural light, that can also mean glare, overheating in summer, and fading of materials over time,' Tom adds.

How to maximise light in non-south facing kitchens

A south-facing kitchen certainly guarantees more sunlight overall, but this also has some serious downsides. And in a room with a different orientation, it's possible to maximise light so that you still get the benefits of a sun-filled room.

'The reality is that the ‘best’ kitchen orientation depends on how the space is used – an east-facing kitchen can be wonderful for morning light, while a west-facing one may be ideal for evening cooking and entertaining,' Al continues.

In short, it's not about the specific orientation of the room, but rather how you design the kitchen to maximise light where needed. Colour also plays a huge part, and there are many ways to incorporate paint shades to make the most of a south-facing kitchen.

'Ultimately, it comes down to how you use the room and what matters most to you. Once you've worked that out, you can make the most of the natural light available and create a kitchen that works for your lifestyle,' Al continues.

If you prefer a cosy space, leaning into task lighting in corners of the kitchen will add an ambient glow. For more of a natural stream of light, you'll want to focus on window treatments that avoid covering the top third of the window, as this is where the majority of sunlight comes through. A cafe curtain is the perfect choice for this as it leaves the top half of the window open.

Planning a kitchen layout around windows will also help them to remain a focus in a north, east or west facing kitchen. A sink beneath a window will make the most of a view, while adding French doors to the back of a kitchen will enhance the amount of light that enters.

'If you have a darker kitchen, the focus should be on creating warmth and balance rather than trying to replicate a sun-drenched room. Layered lighting is key: combine ceiling lights with under-cabinet ones and feature pendants to avoid shadowy corners,' Tom adds.

You can't replicate the true appearance of natural light, and cold-toned bulbs will make a kitchen look unwelcoming, so instead, aim for warmth and glow.

Ultimately, as Tom Howley explains, 'A well-designed north-facing kitchen can feel just as stylish and practical as a south-facing one – and often more cocooning and sophisticated.'

It's all about how you design a space to maximise light. You can make the best of any situation. If you're on the hunt for ways to cool down your south-facing kitchen during this heatwave, our live guide to the last remaining in-stock fans and ACs is the place to start.

I know what you might be thinking - red in a bathroom? Really? It's a bold and seemingly shocking bathroom colour scheme, but hear me out, the risk will pay off.

Most bathrooms fall victim to an all-white look. In a room where practicality, cleanliness and relaxation comes first, opting for neutral colours has long been the obvious choice.

However, as we make our homes more colourful than ever before, we learn that colour has powerful properties for improving wellbeing, and our bathrooms shouldn't be left out.

Red is one of the biggest colour trends for 2026, and a bathroom might be the best place to try it out.

The unexpected red colour theory was how I first came across using this bold shade within the home. The practice involves using the colour sparingly as a pop of colour, whether on a window frame or even just through a table lamp.

This is particularly effective in living rooms, kitchens and bedrooms as a larger room benefits from unexpected touches that add a point of difference to a design. However, in a bathroom, decorative touches are less common, so you can afford to go bold with the overall colour scheme.

'Red is experiencing a resurgence in interior design. Not only in its softer, muted, earthy tones but also in its electric shades. Used in the right way, a pop of red can add instant vibrancy and personality to a scheme. Equally, drenching a space can have spectacular effect,' explains John Law, creative director of interiors at Woodhouse & Law.

'Be it in the form of a feature bath tub, or vanity, or a rich drenching treatment over walls and ceilings to create a cocooning feel,' he adds.

In 2026, bathroom trends are focussed around creating a wash space that feels like an extension of our living areas, so the more colour, texture and warmth the better.

When it comes to using red in a bathroom, texture is everything. We're seeing a resurgence in gloss paint finishes and it's especially effective in a small bathroom to reflect light and make it feel larger.

Ideal Home's Editor-in-Chief, Heather Young, has used a dramatic coral-red shade in her downstairs cloakroom in a matte finish, but the contrast of the curtain fabric adds plenty of dimension to the design.

'Combining reds in a gloss or lacquered finish with more textural, matte finishes adds depth to a scheme as well as a sense of fun,' John adds.

If you're not ready to go all in on red, you're in luck - it's a versatile shade that works so well with other bright colours.

'Don’t be afraid to use red with pink! People tend to think it’s a total faux pas but in fact it can really lift a pink scheme and avoid a saccharine look,' interior designer, Laura Stephens, adds.

Red also works exceptionally well with pale blue, and it's a clever way of adding light back into a look if you don't have an abundance of natural light in your bathroom.

Shop the look

There is so much to gain from indulging in colour in a bathroom - you'll leave every bath soak and speedy morning shower feeling creative and inspired.

As a 46-year-old perimenopausal woman who's already prone to overheating in bed, I put the Silentnight Restore Cooling Copper Mattress Topper to the test during a heatwave to see how it compares to the best mattress toppers and best cooling mattress toppers on the market.

In a nutshell

As I mentioned, as a woman in her mid-forties, I'm increasingly prone to overheating in bed, so according to Silentnight's product description, I'm the exact audience the Silentnight Restore Cooling Copper Topper is aimed at.

The main USP of this product is its cooling powers. Silentnight says it's 'ideal for overheaters', and that its 'cool sensation fabric helps to banish night sweats and hot flushes'. That's paired with its eye-catching copper-infused yarn, which the brand says is 'naturally anti-bacterial, kind to sensitive skin, and keeps sheets fresh and hygenic'.

It promises a lot, and I found it *almost* delivers on those promises. I certainly agree with the 'cool sensation fabric' part. This topper felt instantly cool to the touch when I lay down on it – even through a fitted sheet – and it certainly made getting into bed a lot more appealing when my family and I tested it during a heatwave when temperatures in my part of the UK reached 35C plus.

Did it stay cool all night? I still felt hot and clammy when I woke up in the morning, so I'd say not. However, I was still impressed by how cool it felt as I drifted off to sleep, as were my hot-blooded husband and two sons when they were given a go.

It's also fairly reasonably priced, at approximately £49.99 for a double, depending on where you shop, and it can be machine-washed (as long as you have a drum big enough for the size you purchase).

At 2.5cm deep, it's thin, so it doesn't offer much cushioning or support, but if you have the space to store it ready for the next summer heatwave, its instant blast of coolness did bring some welcome relief to this hot sleeper.

Specifications

• RRP: Single £44.99 / Double £49.99 /Kingsize £54.99 / Super-king £59.99
• Sizes: single / double / king / super-king
• Depth: 2.5cm
• Construction: cover 38% Polyethylene, 62% Polyester. The percentage of copper in the topper is 17% copper-infused yarn. Filling 100% polyester
• Care instructions: machine washable at 40 degrees and can be tumble dried on a cool heat
• Manufacturer sleep trial: no

Attaching the topper to the bed

I tested the Silentnight Restore Cooling Copper Topper in a super king-size, and unlike some of the heavier memory foam toppers I've tested recently, this mostly polyester topper was light enough to carry upstairs easily.

Fortunately, there wasn’t an off-gassing smell as many foam toppers have, and because it's simply folded into its packaging rather than vacuum-packed, it was ready to get onto the bed straight away.

To attach it to the mattress, I found that there were four fairly thick elastic corner straps in each corner.

Although it was a bit awkward to lift the corner of my mattress to hook them under, I found these really useful because they meant the topper didn’t move around when I was making the bed or when my husband and I were getting in and out of bed.

Comfort

The first thing that struck me about this topper was how stylish it looked. The orange and white patterned cover with orange piped edge made it look more like a well-designed quilted throw than a mattress toppers. It was almost a shame to cover it up under a sheet!

The surface of the fabric feels smooth and shiny to the touch, and once my fitted sheet was in place, I did discover that this was a bit of a downside. I found the fitted sheet kept sliding around on top of the topper and on some occasions slipping off. It may be more a reflection of my sheet than the topper, but it hasn’t happened before with any of the previous toppers I've tested.

Measuring just 2.5cm deep and filled with soft polyester rather than a denser foam or memory foam, this topper is considerably less deep than most mattress toppers I’ve tested, which tend to start at around 5cm in depth.

It also didn't offer that much support or cushioning. Instead it felt a little like adding a thin duvet to the top of our bed. However, it did deliver some gentle cushioning for my joints, something which I felt the benefits of on my shoulder and hip as I predominately sleep on my side.

Temperature regulation

However, what this topper doesn't deliver in cushioning, it aims to make up for in temperature regulation.

Silentnight says that the Restore Cooling Copper Mattress Topper is 'perfect for over-heaters and restless sleepers,' offering 'cooling relief and all the natural health benefits of copper'. 'Made with innovative cool fabrics,' the brand says it's 'the perfect solution for menopausal night sweats'.

As a 46-year-old woman, I'm no stranger to overheating in bed, and as I've mentioned, I also tested this topper during a heatwave, so I was eager to see if it could help me to stay cool in bed.

Silentnight says that the topper is constructed with 17% copper-infused yarn, which, according to my research, should keep me cool by utilising the metal’s natural properties to wick away excess body heat.

The impact of this was immediately clear when I touched the topper, as it felt cool to the touch when I placed my hands on it and when I lay on it.

My hot-blooded husband and sons all loved how cool it felt to lay on too, especially during the heatwave when it provided an instant feeling of coolness. So much so that I struggled to drag them off of it! I was surprised that even with a cotton bedsheet on the coolness of the topper could still be felt.

This feeling of coolness when I first got into bed was extremely beneficial when getting to sleep. When my youngest son slept on it during a heatwave, he also fell asleep quickly.

However, I still woke up in the morning feeling hot and clammy, which does make me question how long-term the cooling impact is.

I tended to find that instant coolness wore off during the night and the topper gradually warmed up to match my body temperature. But, the cooling effects when I first got into bed were still welcome, and definitely helped me to drift off quicker on hot nights.

Care instructions

You can machine wash this topper at 40 degrees, and it’s also compatible with being tumble dried on cool.

However, the ease with which you'll be able to do this depends on the size of the topper you own, because it is quite bulky. As the care label mentions: ‘for best results we recommend the use of a large capacity washing machine’.

This advice is spot on because when I tried to fit the super king-size topper into my standard washing machine, I couldn’t. A single or double would have fitted, but it's worth bearing in mind if, like me, you opt for a larger size.

Sleep trial

Unlike a lot of other mattress toppers we've tested, Silentnight doesn't offer a sleep trial on its bedding products.

That's a shame, because it can be tricky to know how bedding performs without the opportunity to test it out at home.

In contrast, Simba offers a generous 200-night sleep trial on all of its toppers, and brands such as Woolroom and Panda offer 30 nights.

Value for money

Whilst there's no sleep trial to test out this topper before you commit to keeping it, the one plus point is that it is very competitively priced.

As of writing, the Silentnight Restore Cooling Copper Topper costs £44.99 for a single and £49.99 for a double, which, in the world of mattress toppers, is very reasonably priced.

For comparison, the best memory foam topper we've tested (which is also one of the most affordable) – Panda's Bamboo Mattress Topper – costs £99.95 for a single.

It also did the job in cooling my family and me down when we first got into bed, and although I didn't find that cooling lasted throughout the night, I still appreciated the help in drifting off to sleep in the first place.

Would I buy it again? If I had the space to store it when the weather was colder (I probably won't appreciate that chill-factor when I get into bed in the winter!), then yes, I do think it's worth the money for helping me to fall asleep quicker.

But if I were looking for cushioning as well as cooling properties, I'd probably up my budget and consider the highly breathable (yet equally cosy in winter) Woolroom Deluxe Wool Mattress Topper or the more supportive Simba Hybrid Topper instead.

How I tested

My sleep stats:

• Sleep position: back or side
• Tension preference: firm
• Sleep problems: lower back pain and/or neck pain and occasional overheating
• Height & weight: 5"5 and 9.5 stones

In order to test out this mattress topper, my husband and I slept on it for two weeks in our own home on top of our usual mattress. I assessed how easy the Silentnight Restore Cooling Copper Topper was to attach to the bed, how comfortable it was when sleeping on my back and side, and whether it offered good temperature regulation. I also took into account how easy it was to care for and any sleep trials on offer, as well as its value for money.

Small appliances, like kettles and toasters, always seem like quick need-not-want purchases, but why is this the case when they live on our worktops year round?

It pays off to spend some time researching the best kettles and the best toasters that will make those small daily habits run seamlessly, and choosing the right colour for a kettle and toaster comes into that decision.

But what colour should you go for? From classic stainless steel options to retro-inspired pastel hues, these are the shades people always run to for their small appliances, with the latest kitchen trends in mind.

Over the last few years, we've seen more and more colours appear within kitchen appliances. It signifies a larger shift in our homes as we embrace playful colour expression even more, and enjoy the wellbeing benefits that a colourful home provides.

While our cabinets and walls got the memo a while ago, it naturally took a little longer for appliances to catch up. Large appliances, like our ovens, fridges and microwaves are typically in stainless steel, so small appliances followed suit.

'Stainless steel is a consistent, timeless seller in kettles and toasters as it is most compatible with a lot of kitchens,' explains Saul Davies, Buying Director at Salter. However, as appliances themselves got more ambitious (from slushie machines to air fryers), so did the colours of them.

When it comes to kettle and toaster colours, pastel shades have reigned supreme as the alternative option to stainless steel.

'Creams or warm neutrals still perform well as they tend to soften kitchens and are not harsh against fixtures such as brass, silver or gold. We are seeing a demand in pastel or brighter, bolder colours which are mainly shopped by style-led consumers. Our Retro is range we have seen huge success with pink being one of our best-selling colours,' Saul adds.

Cream, pale blue, pink and green shades have been the classic choice for a kettle and toaster, and particularly suit heritage Shaker kitchens where you want to avoid too much stainless steel.

However, in 2026, neutral hues that offer something different to white and cream are rising in popularity.

Softer neutrals, such as beige and earthy green hues, offer a new perspective on kettle and toaster shades. If cream feels too stark for your kitchen, a more subdued shade might be best.

'Sage and olive green is our fastest growing colour and is highly popular over the last 12 months. It is seen to the consumer as a new neutral addition that adds colour without being too risky,' explains Saul.

This is also reflected in Smeg's new matte Moonlight collection - a matte, beige version of their famous retro kettle style that has a much more contemporary look.

'Inspired by the growing popularity of softer, nature-led palettes, the shade brings warmth and tranquillity to the kitchen while complementing the brand's iconic design,' says Niamh Griffiths, senior marketing executive (SDA) at Smeg.

'The muted neutral tone reflects a broader interiors shift towards calm, wellness-inspired spaces and understated luxury, making it an ideal choice for consumers looking to create a kitchen that feels both timeless and contemporary,' she adds.

In 2026, sleek stainless steel kettles are remaining a popular and timeless choice, but as we look towards colour to shape our interiors, reflecting these careful choices in our small appliances is just as important.

Shop kettles and toasters

In 2026, sleek stainless steel kettles are remaining a popular and timeless choice, but as we look towards colour to shape our interiors, reflecting these careful choices in our small appliances is just as important.

Last year, I moved from a two-bedroom flat to a tiny 22 sqm studio – and in order to make it work, I had to get rid of some pieces of furniture as my new compact space simply wouldn’t be able to accommodate them. Below, I’ve rounded up the things I got rid of when I downsized – and the small space-friendly items I got instead to replace them with or at least help me live without them.

Full disclaimer – the two-bedroom flat had to accommodate two people, while I live by myself in my studio flat. So half of the stuff in my previous home wasn’t actually mine anyway. But I still had to downsize in order to make my studio look and feel bigger than it is, since it is very, very small. And to be honest, I don’t miss the things I got rid of.

1. Work desk

I used to dream of having a proper designated work space at home with a desk that I could comfortably WFH at. But since I only work remotely from home two days a week, it’s not something I need anymore – and even when I had a desk in my previous flat, I rarely ever used it anyway. So that was a no-brainer for me.

Instead, I use my dining table as a makeshift home work station, and I’ve had no issues with it. I prefer working from the office anyway.

2. Chest of drawers

There is simply no space for a standalone chest of drawers in my flat so I couldn’t keep that one either. I do, however, have a wardrobe and I use every inch of it – quite literally.

I find that there’s often a lot of wasted space at the bottom part of most wardrobes, mine included. So I invested in these stackable storage baskets from Amazon and placed them inside my wardrobe to utilise the bottom part of it to its full potential. I think it’s a great small bedroom storage idea.

3. Shoe cabinet

Since I don’t have a hallway in my flat, I also don’t really have a designated space for shoe storage ideas. My storage shoe bench therefore had to go. So where do all my shoes go?

This is where my wardrobe comes in yet again – I told you that I managed to utilise every last inch of that piece of furniture. But until you open it, you’d never know it contains and hides so much. The inside of the wardrobe doors is where the majority of my shoes live thanks to this handy over-the-door shoe organiser from Amazon.

Some of the bulkier boots and special occasion shoes I don’t wear often are stored inside my electric ottoman bed - it’s the Camden model from Simba - which is a lifesaver as it stores so much of my stuff, especially all the big and seasonal things. I can’t recommend ottoman beds like this one enough.

4. Armchair

I used to have a really pretty red rocking accent chair in my previous narrow living room. But sadly, I had to sell it as yet again, there was no space for it. In fact, there was barely enough space for my modular sofa and I had to reconfigure it in order for it to fit, turning the middle section of my King Living 1977 sofa into an armchair facing the sofa.

But since I live on my own, this is more than enough living room seating for me.

5. Bookcase

In my last flat, I used to have a large bookcase that displayed all of my books and some decor, as well as cabinets which housed my magazine collection and several boardgames. All of that had to go.

Instead, my magazines live in this sideboard from Habitat which fits perfectly in my bay window – and it took me forever to find one that had just the right measurements and the right look.

But instead of the bookcase, I used three of these pine wood shelves from B&Q to cover a whole wall with what appears as one continuous shelf across the entire length of it. I also painted it the same white as the shelves so that it blends into the wall a little bit. And this is where I put all of my books with some of the decor, as well as my board games.

Some of the other miscellaneous items and my never-ending supply of the best scented candles - that’s what happens when it’s part of your job to test home fragrance - now live on top of my wardrobe inside storage baskets. I’m a big fan of storage baskets as a stylish yet effective storage solution.

The products that made my downsizing possible

Moving house is always a great opportunity to declutter and reassess what you actually need and want to keep. And downsizing is a slightly more extreme version of that.

With temperatures soaring to record-breaking heights, it’s safe to say that this is a heatwave like no other. And, I don’t know about you, but I’m doing everything in my power to cool my home and make day-to-day life feel a little more bearable in these conditions.

It seems impossible to find portable air conditioners and fans that are still in stock, so experts are urging us to take matters into our own hands. From opening your loft hatch to keeping windows and blinds shut, you’ve likely heard of the common tricks designed to cool your home for free.

But, it’s ‘cool down corners’ that experts are swearing by this summer.

What is a cool down corner?

As the name suggests, cool down corners are a designated area within your home that can help you through the heatwave.

‘A cool down corner is a small, intentionally designed area in the home that helps people physically and mentally relax and cool down during hot weather,’ explains Julia Bilotta, creative stylist at Sofology. ‘It’s a space set up to feel lighter, calmer and more comfortable when temperatures rise – often using shade, airflow, soft seating and cooling materials.’

Cooling your home through styling choices is a clever trick that won’t disrupt your existing schemes. While AC units and fans can provide instant relief, they’re often loud and unsightly, and can be an expensive investment for a short period of time.

‘UK homes are generally built to trap heat and help us stay warm during our cold winter months, so they really aren’t well equipped to deal with heatwaves. However, because heatwaves in the UK tend to be short-lived, most people aren't going to redesign their entire home or invest in expensive cooling systems for a few weeks of hot weather each year,’ agrees Chloe Barrow, interior expert at Laura James. ‘Cool down corners are the perfect middle ground, so you can create an area of the home that’s designed just for these unbearably hot days.’

Plus, styling your own cool down corner means you can adjust the look and feel of the space to meet your needs. Staying shaded will likely be top priority at the moment, but these areas can also provide a moment of calm during the heat of the day.

‘Think of it as your own personal sanctuary, a quiet nook where you can step away from the heat and genuinely decompress,’ explains Kate Palmer, creative director at The Painted Furniture Company. ‘It doesn't need to be a whole room or a grand design project. A corner of a bedroom, a shaded alcove, or even a tucked-away spot in a hallway can work beautifully.’

How to make your own

Like everything in the home, the way you choose to style a cool down corner comes down to personal preference. However, there are a few tips and tricks to remember if you want your space to do what it says on the tin and actually help to cool you down.

1. Pick your position

You could style multiple cool down corners across your home, or just have one larger space where everyone can retreat. Either way, it’s crucial to get your placement right. ‘You’ll ideally want to choose the coolest room in the house, which is usually the one that receives the least amount of direct sunlight,’ suggests Chloe. ‘If you don’t have a space like this in your home, a corner away from the window in a north-facing room is likely the best choice.’

‘Ground floor corners tend to hold less heat than upstairs rooms, so a shaded spot in a sitting room or hallway is ideal,’ adds Kate. This is a useful trick to remember if you’re struggling to pinpoint exactly where it feels coolest in your home.

2. Consider airflow

Airflow is important to ensure that your cool down corner actually stays cool during some of the hottest days. ‘This may involve switching up your furniture layout to help improve airflow and make the space feel more open and breathable. Rather than pushing sofas against the walls, consider bringing seating inward, creating an unrestrained convivial space for anybody seeking cool comfort indoors,’ advises Julia.

‘Ensure any windows in that room have blackout curtains or blinds. This is the most effective way to prevent heat from entering, and is a much better option than attempting to cool the room down after it’s already hot. You’ll want to keep these closed all day,’ adds Chloe. However, once the temperatures have dropped slightly in the evening or early morning, you can open all windows to create a cooling cross-breeze.

3. Prioritise natural materials

‘A cosy armchair might seem like a natural choice for a corner, but I’d actually recommend going for a chair with an open frame or mesh back as this is going to allow better airflow than a heavily upholstered armchair,’ says Chloe. ‘Of course, you can add soft furnishings to make it more comfortable, but natural fabrics, such as cotton and linen, will feel much cooler against the skin than heavier synthetic materials.’

‘If you already have luxuriously rich upholstery, you may want to retire some of your cushions and most throws. Paring back as much of the layering in your cool down corner will help to create a more breathable space,’ adds Julia. This will achieve the same effect, without the need to buy new items.

4. Add finishing touches

‘A cool down corner works best when it feels visually calm, so keep the space uncluttered. A simple chair or daybed, a side table for a cold drink, and perhaps a plant or two is really all you need,’ says Kate.

However, if you can get your hands on one, consider adding a fan to your corner for an extra chill. ‘The most effective choice is opting for a fan with cooling capabilities, but this can be an expensive investment. If you’re on a budget, I’d recommend buying a side table that is the same height as the fan and sits in front of it. This way, when you’re ready to go to your cool down corner, simply grab a bowl of ice from the freezer and pop it on the side table in front of the fan. Switch the fan on, and you’ve got your own DIY air-conditioning,’ says Chloe.

5. Build your habits

Styling a cooling corner is one thing, but actually using it is another. So make sure to build it into your daily routine during summer months. ‘Try to retreat to it at the same time each day, ideally during the hottest window of the afternoon between around 1pm and 4pm. Leave your phone elsewhere if you can,’ says Kate.

‘The more consistently you use it, the more your body and mind will respond to it as a genuine signal to slow down and cool off. That association is really where the benefit lies,’ she adds.

Shop the essentials

Not sure where to start? These are the must-have buys I'm snapping up for my cool down corner.

Ninja's most stylish colourway, Stone Gold, is having a serious moment right now with the extension of the sellout colour across a huge range of bestselling products. From the Swirl to compact, small-kitchen friendly best Ninja air fryers, the kitchen giant has really outdone itself with this effortlessly luxurious shade.

First released this time last year, this gorgeous neutral shade went seriously viral on TikTok. I was watching out for more stock of the Ninja Dual Zone in this exact colour for months and months until it finally reappeared in October.

If you were one of the lucky few who picked up that stylish colour way back then, or if you just love the look of the range now, then you can finally shop Ninja's other bestsellers in it too, including brand new products thanks to these exclusives that debuted just for Amazon Prime Day. Here's a look at what's available.

Since working on Ideal Home, I've seen Ninja release many special-edition colours to coincide with Prime Day and Black Friday. The most memorable include the range with copper accents which is now a permanent fixture on Amazon due to its popularity.

There's even more colour choice on offer for Ninja's most fun kitchen buys – notably the Slushi and the Creami, which got a pastel make over last year as well as two-tone options inspired by frozen drinks and desserts.

It's not clear yet whether this beige colour will become a permanent addition to Ninja's colourway line up or whether it's only available during Amazon's sales events so if this is the shade for you, I'd recommend snapping it up fast!

Usually, a living room is the best place in the home to engage in some leisure time. But with the June heatwave having reached almost unbearable temperatures this week, if your living room is hot and stuffy, I can imagine you’re avoiding it. However, experts have revealed five tips to cool your living room without air conditioning, so you can enjoy it all summer long.

Sadly, the best portable air conditioners are selling out fast, and while air coolers make an excellent alternative, it’s a good idea to learn some handy tips to cool a home without relying on an AC unit.

So, I reached out to the experts to find out how to turn your living room ideas into a cooler space during a heatwave. This is what they said.

1. Check your furniture placement

First things first, you should consider where your sofa and bulky furniture items, such as armchairs, are positioned in your living room. Because a lesser-known furniture trick is that by moving your furniture away from walls and windows, you can improve airflow, which contributes to cooling.

‘One of the biggest mistakes I see is placing large furniture directly in front of windows or too close to natural light sources,' Ellie Brown, Interior Designer at Oak&More, explains.

‘Natural light is important, but so is airflow. During warmer weather, blocking the movement of air around windows can make rooms feel noticeably stuffier. Many homeowners place sofas directly in front of bay windows because it feels like the most practical use of space. But allowing light and air to move freely through the room often creates a much more comfortable environment.’

2. Turn off appliances

‘Obviously, we've all still got households to run during a heatwave, but appliances like tumble dryers, dishwashers, ovens and even gaming PCs generate extra heat, which can really add up, especially in smaller homes or flats,’ says Angus Struthers, Managing Director at BOXT.

‘It's worth avoiding these kinds of heat-producing appliances during the hottest part of the afternoon, especially in smaller homes or flats where heat builds up quickly.’

In a living room, there are plenty of appliances that can cause excess heat in your home. From TVs to stereo systems, consoles, smart home devices, and even lighting. To prevent overheating and save money on your energy bills, ensure all your living room appliances are unplugged when not in use.

3. Block the heat at the window

If you have a south-facing living room, you’ll probably already be aware of using thermal curtains and blinds to block out heat and sun glare. During a heatwave, it is a good idea to keep your curtains drawn during the hottest part of the day to keep heat out. Using blackout or thermal curtains does this job more effectively.

‘For me, this is always the first step: stop the heat getting in. I keep blinds or curtains closed on any windows getting direct sun during the day. Something like Duette blinds works really well because of the honeycomb design as it traps air and acts as an extra layer of insulation at the window, which helps keep rooms noticeably cooler,’ says Simon Browne, product expert at Luxaflex.

4. Consider fan placement

Even if you have one of the best fans at your disposal, if you position it wrong, all you will do is blow hot air around your living room.

‘With hotter days, many households also rely more heavily on fans. While fans are far cheaper to run than air conditioning, their placement still matters. A fan placed near an open window during the hottest part of the day can actually pull warm air inside, making the room feel hotter. Positioning fans to circulate cooler air in the evening or directing airflow across your body rather than the whole room can keep you comfortable without unnecessary energy use,’ says Stuart Middleton, consumer energy expert at So Energy.

You can also place a frozen bottle of water or a bowl of ice in front of your fan to create your own air conditioning effect. As the air is blown over the ice, it evaporates, cooling the air around it.

5. Check windows and doors are sealed properly

Lastly, if your living room is constantly getting too hot, despite your best efforts, you should check to see whether heat can enter through any window or door seals.

‘If a room never seems to stay cool, even after you’ve kept external windows and doors shut, it’s worth checking the actual windows and doors. Old windows, warped doors, failed seals, or poor glazing can all let warm air in. A well-fitted window or external door should help control the temperature indoors. If there are draughts in winter, there’s a good chance heat is getting in during summer too,’ says Darren Coates, windows, doors and roofing expert at SolarFrame.

Air conditioning alternatives

If you haven't been able to get your hands on a portable AC, these tips can help cool your living, making it a more comfortable area of the home this summer.

If you're planning on entertaining in the summer heat, then you might be wondering how you can incorporate some kind of cooling drink or dessert into your hosting plans. Right now at Costco, you can buy two Ninja bestsellers that would make it a lot easier: the Slushi (for £219.99, down from £299.99) and the Creami Swirl & Scoop (also £219.99, down from £349.99).

I've reviewed both of these viral buys, and I can confirm that they add such a fun element to having people over for drinks or dinner, with the chance for your guests to pour their own frozen drinks or create their own sweet treats for dessert.

Here's how you can get your hands on these products for these super low prices, as well as alternative places to shop if you don't want to sign up for a Costco membership.

I've seen plenty of Costco deals floating around online but I've never had one make me want to invest in a membership as much as these super-low Ninja prices. So I did some investigating into how you can acquire a membership and the requirements you need to meet.

There are two tiers to Costco membership that allows you in shop in their warehouses: Gold Star and Business. To qualify, you have to follow a pretty stringent list of requirements, which you can view on the Costco website.

If you, like me, don't qualify under any of these terms, then all is not lost. You can still purchase an all-online membership for £42 a year for which there is no entry requirements. It does mean you won't be able to see the inside of an actual Costco store, however (another dream dashed for me).

But you will be able to take advantage of these sensational Ninja prices and shop a huge variety of other Costco products across the year, too.

If you'd rather not add another subscription onto your plate, then that's understandable. Right now, there's a host of places you can find top-rated Ninja products on sale thanks to Amazon Prime Day, which is running until midnight on the 26th of June, as well as counter sales from rival retailers slashing their prices.

I'd strongly recommend checking out the sales ongoing at Ninja itself, as well as John Lewis and Currys.

The Slushi and the Swirl are easily the two most fun appliances I've ever tested and they will provide endless summer entertainment if you decide to install one in your home.

And Costco membership or not, now's a great time to shop for something that can help you through the heatwave whilst also providing joy on the weekends!

There aren't many unofficial national holidays that I adhere to, but I'm making an exception for National Picky Bits Day, which falls this Saturday, 27th June.

And it's come at the perfect time - the heat across the UK has risen to unprecedented levels, so much so that turning on an oven or boiling water to cook dinner would feel like a torture method. So, picky bits it is.

I don't often need an excuse to indulge in a picky bits dinner with all of my favourite picnic-esque items, but summer is the ultimate reason. Whether you're prepping a weeknight supper for children or hosting alfresco on the weekend, opting for small dishes is the simplest solution and also means that everyone is guaranteed to find something they like.

The right crockery will upgrade any picky bits dinner, whether it's simple chopped carrots or fancy M&S charcuterie nibbles - having a few serving dishes and nibble bowls in your kitchen will make any quick dinner feel like a special event.

I've pulled together some of my favourite host-ware that I love using for Friday night dinners alone and for events when I want to wow guests. Splatterware is my favourite method for adding colour and pattern to a tablescape, and it remains timeless for summers to come - here are 12 of the best picks to shop now.

Want to get your whole kitchen prepped for all of the summer hosting events? These unexpected Amazon kitchen picks are guaranteed to come in handy.

As Ideal Home's Sleep Editor, I've been fortunate enough to test all sorts of products aimed at improving sleep, and, with temperature such a key component of a good night's rest, that means I've tested a *lot* of cooling solutions.

From the best fans to the best portable air conditioners, I've tried out several expensive cooling products that I wouldn't have been able to afford were they not test samples.

However, despite currently having a brand new £500 portable air con unit on test, and even though my south-facing dormer bedroom reached a sweltering 35°C last night, I'm still choosing to ditch the air con and use an under £10 solution to stay cool in bed instead. Here's why.

First up, it's worth pointing out that choosing to leave the air con unit unplugged is a personal decision. When it comes to whether a portable air conditioning unit is worth it, we all have different circumstances, and for many people, an air con unit might be the best solution to prevent dangerous overheating.

The UK is currently facing extreme temperatures, and if the climate crisis is allowed to worsen, heatwaves are going to become more common, so it's little wonder air con units have virtually sold out this June. (Ideal Home's live blog has the latest updates on in-stock air con and cooling fans, by the way).

But in my case, I've tried battling heatwaves with the air con unit, and I've tried staying cool in bed without, and I've decided some good old-school low-technology solutions are the way forward. With the bonus being that they're also a *lot* more affordable and energy-efficient.

So why am I not an air con convert, even when a portable unit has become *the* must-have product of the moment? A few reasons.

First, even the best portable air conditioners are difficult to vent properly. They're not like the air conditioning unit you'll likely have experienced in a hotel room or on holiday.

In order to vent the heat from a portable air conditioner, you have to put the venting hose out of an external window, and it's then very tricky to seal the window so that hot air can't simply flow back inside at the same rate you're expelling it.

Amazon has all sorts of air con venting kits available, as do many specialist air con manufacturers, but having tested pretty much every solution out there (other than cutting a vent-hose-shaped hole in my double-glazed window), none of them has actually sealed the gaps around the window 100% succesfully.

And I have fairly standard windows; those with more unusual designs, such as a hinged loft window, will have an even trickier time venting successfully.

Second, every portable air conditioning unit I've tested has been *very* noisy. Yes, some are quieter than others, but whilst you can avoid cheaper units that sound like a truck's engine running in your bedroom, even the most expensive (and therefore quietest) options I've tested are still way too loud for me to comfortably sleep next to.

The common solution is to run the air conditioner for a few hours before bed and then turn it off when you want to sleep. However, part of the reason so many of us are struggling with overheated homes in the first place is that a lot of British homes are badly insulated, and I've always found that after an hour or so of the air con being switched off, my room will quickly reheat, and I'll wake up boiling again.

Third, for at least 50 weeks of the year, I don't actually need air conditioning. Yes, it's hot and uncomfortable for a few days in the summer (in this case, an extremely uncomfortable week), and certain people definitely need extra help to cool down and regulate their body temperature. But, an air con unit is big, *heavy* and bulky to move, and my small home really doesn't have anywhere to store it for the eleven months of the year it wouldn't be in use.

And lastly, a portable air conditioning unit uses a staggering amount of energy. Ideal Home's cooling expert, Sarah Handley, tells me that 'portable air conditioners can use anywhere between 780-2600W, which, based on the July 2026 energy price cap, means they can cost between 20p and 68p per hour to run'.

And that's only the personal cost of running an air conditioning unit. That high energy usage is also worsening the global environmental problems that are causing the extreme heat in the first place. So, where I can avoid adding to those problems, I'll do my best to find less energy-intensive solutions.

All in all, I now have three go-to solutions for surviving hot and humid heatwave nights, and the first, and arguably the most effective solution of the hundreds of cooling products I've tested, is also the most low-budget.

What is it? An under £10 ice pack. And yes, I know, it's a disappointingly dull answer. Unlike an air con unit, it doesn't come with a clever app to download whilst you sweat, or an LED display to tell you just how hot you are, but... it works.

I pop a couple of these ice packs in a freezer bag and then a pillowcase and add them to my bed in extreme hot weather. You can use a bag of frozen peas, of course, but I find they tend to defrost a *lot* quicker and leave you with puddles of water. These gel packs freeze much quicker and stay frozen for much longer. Mine stays icy cold all through the night, even in hot temperatures.

Second, I've accepted that I may have to camp out downstairs at night during a heatwave. Heat rises, and my first floor becomes stifling hot in the evening. My ground floor stays cooler, so I camp out on a good air bed in my living room for a few nights when it's most sweltering.

I might even invest in one of the best sofa beds or best chair beds to make a downstairs campout more comfortable. This won't work for everyone, I realise, but for me, a few nights on my ground floor is a lot simpler than the air con battle I'd need to embark on to cool things enough to sleep upstairs.

Third, and this is definitely the most expensive solution, I've invested in a very good fan, and it makes a *huge* difference.

In the UK, our biggest issue with cooling down is humidity. When it's hot *and* humid, sweat stays on the skin, making it difficult for the body to cool itself down. A breeze, whether through an open window during the cooler parts of the day or night, or from a fan, dries this sweat, making the body feel instantly cooler.

I recommend investing in a fan with a DC motor. These are generally super quiet (none of that horrendous whirring you have to endure with a cheaper AC fan), extremely powerful, and very energy efficient. Unlike an air conditioning unit's average 780-2600 watts per hour, many energy-efficient DC fans use well under 10 watts per hour.

I've rounded up some of my top-rated recommendations below, and, if you're considering air con but on the fence, or you know that air con is way out of your budget, I thoroughly recommend these as an alternative.

A fan doesn't actively cool the air, but the breeze it creates cools your body, and personally, I've been amazed at the difference they've made to my comfort levels.

Plus, you can always do the double whammy and sit a bowl of ice, or an ice pack in front of your fan to cool down the air as it blows at you as well. Compared to faffing around with an air con venting hose, getting more hot and bothered by the minute, I find it's the best solution for me right now.

As Ideal Home's Sleep Editor I've spent the past five years testing the best bedding, mattresses, and bed linen on the market.

And during the past five summers I've tested more cooling bedding products and ways to stay cool in bed than I can count.

Some have worked, most haven't, but faced with this week's 35°C heatwave and a south-facing dormer bedroom, there's only one thing that's actually helped me cool down enough to sleep.

Don't get me wrong. Opting for cooling bedding materials definitely helps me to sleep a *lot* cooler.

Before I understood the impact of different fibres, I used to sleep on a memory foam mattress and under a microfibre duvet filled with polyester. As a hot sleeper anyway, and as a woman whose temperature fluctuates every month, I hadn't realised just how much those synthetic fibres were making me overheat and subsequently, disturbing my sleep.

Switching to a pocket spring mattress filled with natural materials and swapping to a breathable wool duvet has been a game-changer.

(I now sleep on the Hypnos Pillow Top Select mattress, and I always recommend the Woolroom Deluxe Wool Duvet to anyone looking to swap to a wool duvet, but there are cheaper options available – my guide to the best duvets has more info.)

Those natural fibres offer such great breathability compared to polyester, which many experts dub a hidden sleep thief. Pair a wool-filled mattress with a wool-filled duvet and top it with breathable cotton or linen bedding, and I now sleep at the perfect temperature at least eleven months of the year.

However, the recent heatwaves that the UK has encountered are a different story. This is extreme heat, and it's not a temperature that my south-facing dormer bedroom is equipped to deal with.

I've tried cooling pillows, cooling sheets, cooling pads, and, having been lucky enough to test out many of the best fans on the market, I also have a top-of-the-range £150+ Duux Whisper Flex fan that genuinely works miracles most summers by keeping me cool at night.

After testing numerous options for Ideal Home's buying guide, I even own one of the best portable air conditioning units.

And yet, despite air con flying out of stock this year – our live blog is keeping you updated on where to find an in-stock air con unit or a fan if you're considering shopping – before I reach for this £500 air con unit, I find again and again that every time we have to endure a heatwave, I choose a £15 solution to beat the heat and get a cooler sleep instead.

What is it? The humble air bed, one of which you can buy at Amazon, Argos, or any of the camping stores for well under £20.

The reason for this choice is that heat rises, so the top floor of my home – and the level that most of us in two-storey houses have our bedrooms on – is always *much* hotter than the ground floor.

I still take all the steps to cool down a bedroom – from keeping the blackout blinds closed all day to creating a cross-breeze when the outside temperatures are cooler than inside – and they do help, but nothing makes it cool enough to sleep well up there when outside temperatures top 35°C.

Instead, rather than battle endlessly to cool down the top floor of my home with an air conditioning unit that's noisy, expensive to run, heavy to move, and whose energy use is making the climate crisis (and resultant heatwaves) worse, I've accepted that in heatwave weather I move downstairs to sleep, and camp out on an air bed in my significantly cooler living room.

Of course, this solution doesn't work for everyone. I live in a two-storey house, so I have a downstairs. Many of us don't. I don't have a large family, so there aren't five of us all camped out in my small living room. And I'm still limber enough to get on and off an air bed, which isn't the case for everyone.

However, if you too are struggling with the heat on your top floor this week, I definitely recommend this option if you can. Plus, whilst fans and air con are almost sold out, the best air beds are (currently) still in plentiful stock.

To make things more comfortable, you can now get double-height air beds that make getting in and out of bed easier, plus camping bed bases, and even folding mattresses you could stash under the stairs if you have more space than I do.

I've rounded up some of the best options I've found below, and many – especially if you shop for an air bed on Amazon and you're an Amazon Prime member – can be delivered with super-fast delivery. (Although we should be mindful that any orders currently mean delivery drivers have to face the heat of the day to deliver.)

Plus, if all else fails, you could always sleep on the sofa for a few nights.

In fact, now that heatwaves are becoming more frequent, I'm even considering swapping my sofa for one of the best sofa beds or best chair beds so that hot-weather living room camp-outs can be even more comfortable.

The ability to make frozen sweet treats at home, either for pudding or to wow your guests, is something that really comes into its own in the summer months.

A question that I've been discussing a lot with friends and family who are looking to purchase something similar is whether they should opt for one of Ninja's bestselling viral best ice cream makers or an appliance that can whip up slushies and soft serve instead.

The two leading examples of this are the Ninja Swirl and the Cuisinart Frost Fusion – both of which I've used extensively at home. Here's what each of these machines can achieve and which one you should opt for to get the most for your money.

1. Functionality and preparation

It's really important to look at the different settings on offer with whichever sweet treat maker has caught your eye. The original Ninja Creami has less going for it than the Deluxe version which in turn is not quite as capable as the newer Swirl. But the kicker with all of them? Your ice cream or soft serve mix will always require pre-freezing.

Ninja doesn't have an ice-cream maker (yet) that doesn't require you to prepare materials in advance. It does have the Slushi, but that's drinks-limited.

The Cuisinart Frost Fusion is a hugely popular alternative that can whip up frozen desserts on the same day – in our tests we found it could take as little as 30 minutes. Below I've outlined the exact functionality differences between these bestsellers as well as the crucial pre-freezing times required.

There's plenty to weigh up with these speficiations laid out. The Cuisinart is the best option if you want to skip the faff of pre-freezing but the results won't be as firm as you can expect with Ninja's ice-cream alternatives – obviously the day spent in the freezer will do a lot to help your ingredients.

2. Fun factor

If you're considering buying one of these ice-cream makers, chances are you'll want to use it to impress your guests this summer. And while all of them have fun factor, some have more interactive features than others.

As someone who has tested all of the appliances listed above, the Swirl and the Cuisinart Frost Fusion are the most entertaining thanks to their soft serve dispensers if you want ice cream. Or if you're more interested in frozen drinks, the Slushi is far and away the machine you want.

If you've ever paid a visit to Pizza Hut's Ice Cream Factory, you'll know the thrill of trying to master the flow of ice cream and with these two, you can try that at home. Just bear in mind it does take a bit of practice!

The Cuisinart has the fun of dispensing soft serve with the benefit of doubling up as a slushie machine too, so it's arguably the better all-rounder. But for me, you can't beat Ninja when it comes to quality.

3. Price

These appliances are of course not an essential addition to a kitchen, but they're worth their weight in gold on a hot weekend if you're entertaining. My Slushi machine was hardly out of use last summer.

All of them are pretty pricey, but the best value option is Cuisinart's Frost Fusion considering how many functions it has. Ninja's offerings are pricier, yes, but the have the better quality overall and I can see all of the ones I've tested going the distance in my kitchen.

Sales periods help to bring the price of these machines down significantly. Right now, Amazon Prime Day sales offer a good summer window to snag a discount and Black Friday will be an even better time, as these appliances will be less in demand.

The UK has just celebrated the summer solstice, the day with the most daylight hours of the year, and on top of that, many parts of the country are currently experiencing a heatwave with temperatures predicted to soar to 36°C to 40°C.

That's a *lot* of heat and light, and whilst we don't want to wish away the summer weather, there's no denying that when it comes to how to sleep better, a bedroom that's too hot and too bright can play havoc with a good night's rest.

Little wonder then that savvy Dunelm shoppers have been quietly snapping up a £6.50 solution that transforms a hot, bright bedroom into a blissfully cool, dark oasis.

In many parts of the UK, the sun will rise before 5am during the remainder of June, and when the weather is as hot as it is right now, that means four whole hours of blazing hot sun shining into your bedroom pre-9am.

Curtains and blinds help, of course, but they can still let plenty of heat and light into the room, and with experts keen to point out that blocking light from a room is one of *the* best ways to keep a bedroom cool during a heatwave, it's no surprise that many of us are looking for additional solutions.

The Dunelm Blackout Temporary Pleated Blind is just that. This pleated paper blind is no-drill and can be trimmed to size and stuck to a bedroom window in a jiffy. And, if you have a tiny bit more to spend, but want one delivered faster, Amazon has a similar no-drill pleated blackout blind for £11.99.

Super quick and easy to install, they're the perfect solution if you're looking for a temporary fix to the excess heat, and equally useful if you rent and want to avoid a permanent blind, or aren't yet confident in your DIY skills.

No wonder Dunelm shoppers can't stop raving about them. 'Worth every penny,' says one 5-star reviewer on the Dunelm website, 'they block the light and heat out really well and are easy to trim to size. I am genuinely really impressed by them. They are a bargain too.'

'Absolutely perfect to block out the morning sun and such an amazing price,' says another happy owner. 'These honestly work so well,' shares another reviewer, 'brilliant at keeping the bedroom dark and cooler.'

And as Dreams sleep expert and author of the Good Sleep Guide, Sammy Margo explains, a dark bedroom is exactly what's needed to combat the high temperatures of this week.

In a heatwave, 'the best way to prevent your bedroom from turning into a greenhouse is by blocking out direct sunlight during the day,' advises Sammy. 'You can use blackout curtains or blinds to help keep the heat at bay and reduce overall room temperature.'

'Keeping windows closed during the hottest parts of the day and only opening them once the air cools in the evening can also make a noticeable difference,' adds Sammy.

And whilst Dunelm shoppers might be applauding the performance of the Dunelm Blackout Temporary Pleated Blind, it isn't the only option on the market. I've rounded up a few quick delivery options below that will help you to darken your bedroom and beat the heat this week.

Alternatives

Payday is finally on the horizon, and while I've been successfully resisting my wishlist of home items all month, I think it might finally be time to treat myself to something new for my kitchen. It's also the Amazon Prime Day sale, which is just the incentive I needed to trawl through some of the retailer's very best homeware picks.

You would be surprised at what you can find on Amazon - while there are small, affordable brands, there are also big name brands that you can shop - and there's often good deals to be found.

Whether you want to upgrade some of your kitchen essentials or treat yourself to a few fun pieces of crockery for alfresco dining, you don't have to spend a fortune. I'm personally on the hunt for some colourful kitchen pieces for hosting - so I have my eye on the Big Love napkins and the Bon Appetit bowl which will be perfect for summer dinner parties.

I couldn't believe just how many pretty buys there were on Amazon - you might be surprised too.

Looking to spruce up your bathroom next? These affordable Amazon bathroom picks will breathe new life into a space.

It’s the first official heatwave of this summer – and it’s starting with a bang! I don’t know about your local weather forecast, but in London the temperature is set to climb as high as 36 degrees. Needless to say, it’s too hot to be burning candles – but if you still want your space to smell lovely, there are other ways to scent a home in a heatwave that won’t add to the heat.

I love the best scented candles as much as the next person - if not more - but there comes a point when anything with a flame emitting heat just won’t do. But don’t worry as there are plenty of ways to make a home smell nice without getting any candles involved – these are the 4 ways that I’m relying on during this heatwave and for all the future heatwaves of this summer.

1. Invest in an electric diffuser

I’ve had my Atomiser Connect from Aromatherapy Associates for a few years now and absolutely love it. But there are plenty of electronic diffusers on the market to choose from.

You’ll need a little 10ml bottle - or two, as the Atomiser Connect, for example, can hold two different bottles - of the essential oil of your choice which you eithr insert inside the diffuser or add a few drops of into the water tank. I’m really enjoying the scent of a geranium essential oil that’s in my Atomiser right now. But there are plenty of fragrances to choose from, below are some of my favourites.

One of the benefits of electric diffusers is that they provide quite a strong fragrance as they run on pure essential oils and can therefore fragrance a big room fairly quickly as well.

2. Spritz some room spray

There’s actually something very refreshing about spritzing a beautiful room spray around your home. Although tomato scented candles are one of the best ways to make your home smell like summer, during the heatwave, I’d recommend switching to a tomato scented home spray like this one from Malin+Goetz, available at Cult Beauty for the best price.

I’m currently using a new launch from Aromatherapy Associates, which is their Revive Morning Mood Mist, available at John Lewis. As the name suggests, it’s designed to be sprayed in the morning and energise you for the day ahead. But it can really be used all day long, and it’s perfect for the summer with its citrusy and herbal notes of grapefruit, rosemary and juniper berry.

3. Use natural scented cleaning products

These days, you can even scent your home simply by cleaning it – well, as long as you’re using natural cleaning products with fragrant essential oils. I personally own the Kinfill kitchen cleaner, available at Healf – I love the design of the spray bottle.

But most of the Ideal Home team is obsessed with Purdy & Figg and many of the editors swear by the brand. And you can get a whole starter kit with three different essential oils included on Amazon right now.

4. Opt for a reed diffuser

The beauty of the best reed diffusers is that once you set it down in your desired spot, you really don’t have to worry about it or do anything else. It does its own thing of fragrancing your home with no help needed and no additional heat required. The only thing you might want to do to maximise the strength of the fragrance is to turn the reeds over every couple of weeks.

If you like the idea of a tomato-scented summer as much as I do, I highly recommend Jo Malone’s Green Tomato Vine diffuser from its limited Veggies Edition which comes in a glazed green ceramic vessel.

How are you making sure your home still smells lovely during the heatwave?

This year's summer Amazon Prime Day event (running from the 23rd to 26th of June) is in full swing, and if you want to shop in the savviest way possible, there's a new price-checking tool you need to know about.

For years, one of my top tips as Ideal Home's Kitchen Appliances Editor, who has been working Prime Days as a deal hunter for over five years now, was to use a price checking tool such as CamelCamelCamel to check that you're not being hoodwinked over a 'deal'. Often brands will artificially inflate the price of a product prior to a sales event to then bring it down to its normal RRP to create the illusion of a great deal.

Here's how using this new in-built price checking tool can prevent you from getting a bad deal on one of the best air fryers or coffee machines and help you find a worthwhile one instead.

You can find this new price-checking tool, which was officially rolled out in the UK in May 2026, next to where you see the price of the item you're looking for on Amazon. When you click onto it to see the price history, a pop-up window opens with Rufus, the platform's in-built AI tool.

Within the Rufus pop-up you can see a range of information on the product's price, as well as how it relates to the given RRP. Though this is useful information, I would also suggest going one step further and check Amazon's given RRP against what's listed on the brand page.

When shopping one of the best Ninja air fryers, for example, I would always suggest cross referencing with the brand's own site for a better understanding of prices.

While the tool defaults to a one-month view, it has 6-month and 12-month scope available too which will ultimately be even more useful for assessing how good the discount really is. If the price of the item currently is nowhere near what the lowest price over the last year has been, it's likely that there's been price-inflating taking place.

I check prices on products that I've reviewed every day to see if there's a deal worth writing about, so I have quite a good sense of the general price of different bestsellers, like Ninja's Foodi Max Dual Zone air fryer.

As I write this, the day before Prime Day begins, it's currently sitting at £129.99 via Amazon, which gives you £20 off the usual RRP. But if you click into the year view of the price history, you'll see that in November (during Black Friday), there was a much bigger price drop with the air fryer for sale for under £100. That means that it may well be worth waiting on this one rather than pouncing right now.

In all likelihood, the best deals of this summer will drop during Prime Day itself and during counter-sales run by the likes of AO, Currys and John Lewis. Below you can find the kitchen appliances I think you should bookmark if you're in the market to upgrade your hosting and entertaining game.

Whatever you end up perusing this Prime Day, remember that doing your due diligence will help no end to help you bag an actually good deal. Happy bargain hunting!

As a perimenopausal 46-year-old mum, I struggle with overheating in bed at the best of times, let alone during a heatwave that's seen temperatures in my area reach 30C plus.

Our home doesn’t have air-con, so my kids are often too hot to sleep during the summer, too. As such, staying cool in bed becomes a real battle during hot weather.

As a result, when I came across the Silentnight Restore Cooling Lightweight Blanket for under £40 on Amazon, I hoped it would be the solution I needed to keep us all cool.

Described by Silentnight as ‘cool to the touch for instant heat relief' and helping 'to regulate body temperature’, it sounded like *exactly* what I needed to beat overheating once and for all.

And, unlike many cooling bedding products I've tested in the past few years, I wasn't disappointed when I unpacked it.

The first thing I noticed when I picked up this blanket was how cold it felt to the touch. One side in particular felt noticeably colder than any other bedding in our house, and its coolness was something that both of my sons immediately commented on.

Sleeping under it the first night of warm weather, I felt instantly cooler. Initially, I missed the weight of my regular duvet, but if, like me and my children, you don’t like the idea of sleeping with no covers at all, this hot-weather duvet alternative offers a perfect in-between solution.

I fell asleep quickly, and I didn’t wake up in the night due to overheating. Plus, in the morning, I didn’t feel sweaty or clammy at all like I sometimes do.

Whether that’s down to the innovative composition of the blanket or the fact that it’s thinner than my usual duvet, I can’t be sure, but my children both noticed that when they slept under this blanket, they felt cooler than when they slept under an empty duvet cover like they usually do when it’s hot.

Possibly the biggest test came from my youngest son, who is the clammiest sleeper I know and always wakes up sweaty! He loved falling asleep under this and slept soundly. When he woke up in the morning, he felt a lot cooler and less clammy than usual.

In fact, the one night I tested this blanket pre-heatwave I had to swap it for my usual quilt because I felt too cold!

And it seems I'm not alone in being impressed by the blanket's cooling powers. One reviewer of the Silentnight Restore Cooling Blanket on the Argos website says, 'what is this wizardry? I bought this for the summer, and I literally can't believe the difference it made to my sleep. How it works, I have no idea, but it remains cool constantly – it's literally like magic. I can definitely recommend this cooling blanket.'

'Surprised how effective this lightweight cooling blanket was,' says another owner. 'I’m at “that age” where I get so hot in the night... my duvet is too hot, but I still need something on me to sleep; this blanket really helped and really worked! It’s lightweight but feels enough weight on you; it’s definitely cooling and quite cool to the touch. I slept so much better.'

Another big bonus is that the Restore blanket is machine washable at 40C, and I've found it fits in the washing machine easily and dries quickly on the line (the care label says it can be tumble dried on low, but I haven't needed to test that in this heat!). It looks as good as new after being washed and didn’t lose its shape at all.

The only downside is that it only comes in one size. On a double bed, it was just big enough to cover two people, although there wasn’t much extra space at the edges if either of us moved around.

Personally, I'd definitely recommend The Silentnight Restore Cooling Blanket for keeping cool on warm nights, as well as for anyone who struggles with hormonal temperature changes during the night.

That said, it's not the only option out there. I've rounded up a few alternatives below, all of which can help you beat the heat on hot, hot summer nights.

If you’re reading this, then lusting after KitchenAid appliances is something we probably have in common: gorgeous looks and great design are a win-win for any style-conscious kitchen. Naturally, KitchenAid’s first foray into the world of bean-to-cup coffee machines was no exception – the £1,500 KitchenAid KF8 won our admiration (and a four and half star review) back in 2025.

Now, in 2026, the brand has now unveiled the more affordable members of its automatic bean-to-cup family. And in this review we’re going to be looking at the most upmarket model in the new trio, the £899 KF4.

In a nutshell

The big news here for many buyers is that KitchenAid has shrunk the size of these machines down – it claims that they’re 25% smaller than the previous models. In practice, the machines are roughly 6.5cm slimmer, so far easier to squeeze on a busy countertop. In truth, I haven’t seen any fully automatic bean-to-cup machines which are quite so slender.

The new range includes the £699 KF2, £749 KF3 and the £899 KF4 which I have for review here. Naturally, the KF4 is the most feature packed of the group. It doubles the KF3’s two user profiles to four. It adds five extra drink recipes. It also includes a rather more elegant plastic milk carafe in the box: by contrast, the KF3 simply dangles a tube into your preferred milk receptacle while the KF2 makes do with a manual steam wand.

Who tested this machine?

Unboxing

The KF4 comes clad in several separate protective panels of moulded wood pulp. Sensibly, KitchenAid wraps the whole package in a polypropylene sling with handles, so you can just lift the entire machine out of the box easily without worrying about dropping it.

As usual, several little strips of blue adhesive tape hold the various parts in place during transit, and protective transparent plastic sheets are adhered to the touchscreen and between the water tank and the machine’s rear to prevent scratching. Some of the packaging – the wood pulp, for instance – is recyclable with home recycling, but the plastic sheets and tape may need to be taken to a specific plastic bag recycling collection depending on your local area’s recycling facilities.

Open up the KF4’s box, and the user manual and quick start guide are placed just inside the box’s top flap, directly on top of the machine. Alongside, there’s a QR code offering to help you ‘Get Started’. Point your phone at the code and you’re transported to KitchenAid’s website where a very basic tutorial helps you to get familiarised with the machine. If you’re the kind of person who likes to familiarise yourself with the user manual before rifling through the packaging, it’s a good way to start.

The instructions could be better, however. The website instructions feel like a bit of an afterthought; the thick user manual is actually just a few pages of text instructions repeated in a multitude of languages – hardly what I’d call an Owner’s Manual – and the quick start guide is nothing more than an annotated diagram of the machine and its touchscreen interface. It would have made far more sense to combine the information from both into one concise pamphlet.

Thankfully, the touchscreen also does its bit to lead users through the set up process. It, too, could be more detailed – it’s not as clear as the full colour animations on Sage’s machines, for example – but it’s informative enough to get most buyers started. There’s definitely room for improvement here, though. Oddly, there’s no mention of using the water hardness tester at all, and the little on-screen diagrams are too small to be really helpful.

Impact on a kitchen worktop

This is where KitchenAid’s new models will win a lot of friends. At 36cm tall, it’s a tiny bit shorter than many of the bean-to-cup machines I’ve seen recently, and this is because of the integrated bean hopper – it doesn’t protrude from the top like some rivals.

At 19cm wide, however, it’s dramatically thinner than any machine I’ve reviewed in recent memory. The De’Longhi Rivelia (which we've reviewed) is the closest model I can think of, but that’s 24.5cm wide due to its side-mounted water tank. If you’ve been wishing you could accommodate a fully automatic model but just didn’t have the space, it’s a major selling point.

The downside of the KF4’s design, as you may have gleaned already, is that the water tank is positioned at the rear. Bean-to-cup machines often opt for side mounted water tanks that either slide forwards for easy removal, or unclip to the side. The KF4’s needs to be lifted up by about a centimetre and removed to the rear – you’ll need to leave room around it to make for easy refilling. You can open the lid (which isn’t removable) and just pour water in, but you may not want to risk this if you have mains sockets behind the machine. And if there are cupboards above, you’ll struggle.

First impressions

The KF4 feels well built. Like most bean-to-cup machines, it’s predominantly plastic, but those plastics feel solid and all the attachments feel robust enough to instil confidence. There isn’t the thin, hollow feeling which I’ve noticed on some sub-£1,000 machines.

It’s all been sensibly designed, too. The spouts slide up and down smoothly and provide up to 14cm of cup clearance. The drip tray slides out to reveal the grounds bin, and this separates into multiple parts for easy cleaning. The 1.8-litre water tank slots firmly onto the rear. The 250g bean hopper is hidden neatly under the top panel – the centre of this pulls away to reveal the bean hopper and the single dose chute. The rubber seal on the underside of the removable panel helps keep your coffee beans fresh, too, which is a nice touch.

A single water filter is provided in the box, and this screws into place in the tank. Replacements cost a fairly steep £15 each on KitchenAid’s website, but were just under £10 at the time of writing. However, don’t make my mistake of initially trying to install the water filter by hand: the narrow tank makes this nigh-on impossible. KitchenAid supply a coffee scoop in the box, and the odd-looking attachment at the other end is designed to fit over the top of the water filter and screw it into place.

The milk carafe design simply connects via a tube. One added benefit is that if you can’t find the carafe – or it breaks – you can just jam the tube directly into a milk bottle or jug. As long as the tube is intact, and it’s submerged in milk, it’ll work just fine.

The only issue with the carafe is the loose lid. I’d have liked to see the lid actually click into place – or secure in place with a rubber seal and interference fit. Make the mistake of grabbing it by the lid and it just comes off without any effort. Try carrying it by the lid and you’ll get a nasty surprise. It’s a poor design choice.

User experience

Hit the power button on the machine’s right hand side and the machine thrums into action. After the initial setup process has directed you to rinse the water tank and install the water filter, the machine pulls through four shots of coffee to prime and clean the machine. These need to be poured down the sink, so my advice is to use some old beans you have lying around rather than wasting good coffee.

Once the machine is warmed up and ready to go, you can swipe to scroll through the machine’s various recipes. Tapping an icon reveals a settings menu which provides options to adjust drink temperature, coffee and milk volumes and drink strength. Some drinks recipes give you the option to pour two drinks simultaneously: pop two cups under the spouts and the machine will pour two shots back to back and add milk to each.

There are four user profiles, too. These allow you to save specific drinks recipes to your user page. Tap the touch sensitive user button on the front panel and you can access your saved drinks without scrolling through the main menu at all.

Noise test

The KF4’s Quiet Mark certification is more than justified. It’s still noisy compared to the quiet splutter of a filter coffee machine, granted, but the loudest sound emanating from the KF4 was an average of 63dBA during grinding. Brewing was remarkably quiet at 50dbA and steaming was mostly around 55dBA apart from a brief splutter of 63dBA as the machine started to slurp milk.

For reference, this is a little bit quieter overall than the De’Longhi Rivelia and Philips LatteGo 5500, and only a tad louder than the two Jura models – the C8 and J10 – which passed through my test kitchen in recent months. If silence (or at least relative quietness) is golden in your kitchen, then the KF4 puts in a good show.

Coffee quality

The KF4 pours great coffee from the first prod of its touchscreen. I tried all of the major drinks from espresso to macchiato and latte to flat white, and they were all consistently well extracted. The over-ice drinks – the iced coffee and iced espresso – are brewed cooler (around 55c) and it’s left to you to add your own ice.

By default, it’ll pour a 40ml espresso while most of the longer milk-based coffee recipes seem to target a small cup size of around 120ml, so bear in mind that you’ll need to up the volumes to fill larger cups or mugs.

The milk frothing works well. It doesn’t create the thick, silken gloss of a carefully wielded manual steam wand, but it’s very good. The froth has a tight, creamy texture, and it’s much thicker and more long-lasting than the light, bubbly froth which you’ll get from some mid-range models, such as the Philips LatteGo 5500.

It’s a shame that the froth levels aren’t adjustable – for recipes such as the macchiato, where you just want a dollop of froth popped on top, it doesn’t quite fit the bill. What it can do, however, is create a flat warm milk or a frothed milk (and both of these hot milk options are on the menu for the non-coffee drinkers in the audience). For recipes such as the cappuccino, the KF4 uses its frothy setting; for a flat white, it pours plain steamed milk, so there’s only a thin layer of froth on top.

For those who want to dial in every coffee to perfection, there’s a good amount of adjustability. You can adjust the various options for each drink and save those settings to your user profile.

One interesting addition is the Body setting. This speeds or slows the extraction time, and you can use this in tandem with the dosage and volume settings to tweak the flavour of beans to your preferences. It works really well, too. There was the slightest hint of bitterness to the espresso with the strength set to maximum – dialling it down to the light body setting gave both a juicier, more fruity shot and dialled back the bitterness nicely.

There are only 5 settings for the grinder (the dial is hidden behind the KF4’s side panel), but it didn’t really need any adjusting for my medium roast beans. And in any case, the lack of extreme adjustments means that users are less likely to create undrinkably bitter or sour shots. I’d personally prefer more adjustability for dialling in different coffees, but most people probably won’t be too bothered. Rivals such as the De’Longhi Rivelia offer 13 steps of grind adjustment which gives a little more latitude for fine tuning.

Temperature consistency is good. The first drinks out of the machine were very slightly cooler than subsequent ones, but that’s not unusual as any coffee machine takes a little time for all the parts to warm up. In fact, the temperature stability is better controlled than some bean-to-cup machines I’ve tested recently. The first drinks came through around 68C and subsequent cups settled between 70c and 72c depending on the recipe and the ratio of milk to coffee. As the machine heats milk to around 65c – the perfect temperature to prevent scorching the milk – it’s the volume of hot coffee added which bumps temperatures up to and beyond 70C.

If you are in a rush, then you can get a couple of coffees poured in under five minutes. Once you’ve waited for the initial rinse, each milk-based drink at default size (40ml coffee, 80ml milk) takes around a minute and a half. You can tap the main drinks icon to pour two simultaneously though. Pop a couple of cups side by side, and it’ll brew two shots back to back and then add milk to both cups. This takes just under 3 minutes for the standard sized cappuccinos and flat whites.

What's it like to clean?

The KF4 rinses and warms up automatically the first time you turn it on, and this takes just under a minute and a half. Turn it on again a little later – while the machine is still warm – and it’ll prompt you to rinse but not force you to do so. A word to the wise: this can’t always be skipped. Ignore the prompts to clean the machine or milk system and you may find you’re forced to do both in succession next time you turn it on.

The milk carafe cleaning is elegant. Simply disconnect the tube from the carafe and plug it into a hole in the drip tray. This then blasts out any residue in the milk system for around a minute, while you simply have to clean the carafe in the sink with a bit of warm soapy water. Unlike rival designs which use more complex carafe designs, such as De’Longhi’s LatteCrema system, there are precious few nooks and crannies for milk residue to get stuck in.

Drips do tend to accumulate on the metal drip tray, but there’s nothing you can’t clean up with a damp cloth.

In terms of internal cleaning, KitchenAid recommends using a cleaning tablet after every 200 cups of coffee. Two are supplied in the box, and the KF4 will prompt you to carry out the process when it’s needed – or you can manually trigger it in the settings menu.

The water filter is designed to be replaced every 2 months or after every 50 litres of water used. Descaling is required in anything from 6 weeks to 2 months depending on water hardness. If you replace the filter regularly – or just use filtered water from a jug – descaling shouldn’t be required as often.

Bear in mind, however, that the initial setup process seems to bypass the water hardness testing if you opt to install the supplied water filter. This means that the machine is set to the worst case Very High water hardness setting which will prompt more regular cleaning and descaling. My advice would be to manually carry out the water hardness test and input the relevant information for your area – there’s a tester in the box, so you may as well use it.

How does it compare to competitors?

At this kind of price point, I normally have two recommendations – the Jura C8 or the De’Longhi Rivelia. Both retail for around £650 at the time of writing. For faff-free simplicity, I’m a big fan of the Jura. It makes good coffee and the milk steaming is very good, too. It’s not for everyone, though, as it lacks a lot of features compared to either the KitchenAid KF4 or the De’Longhi Rivelia. The C8 only has a handful of recipes, no hot water dispensing and while it makes good coffee, it lacks the adjustability to eke as much flavour from as wide a range of coffees as the Rivelia.

And this is where the KitchenAid KF4 comes in. In short, I think it’s markedly better than the Jura C8 and marginally a better all-rounder than the Rivelia. Given that it costs £899, that’s probably to be expected. In terms of coffee quality, both the KitchenAid and De’Longhi machines are capable of making a very mean espresso and an excellent milk-based coffee. Where the KF4 marches ahead, however, is looks and convenience: the slender footprint, simple carafe design and better touchscreen and controls all lean in favour of the KF4.

Should you buy the KitchenAid KF4?

I had high hopes for the KitchenAid KF4, so it’s impressive to see it deliver the goods in such confident fashion. The narrow footprint is perfect for smaller kitchens, and the fact that it’s relatively quiet, highly adjustable and makes such consistently tasty coffee is enough to convince me that it’s worth the relatively high asking price. There are cheaper rivals out there if you can accommodate a larger machine, but if you want great coffee without the bulk, it’s a great buy.

Bathrooms often fall to the bottom of the renovation agenda. Whether it's that money has run out or you're lacking inspiration for this very practical space, it often ends up as a bit of a blank canvas. However, bathrooms deserve joy and colour too, so these tricks to add character to your space without needing to open a tin of paint will provide plenty of inspiration.

While paint is a powerful tool, it can be a faff to repaint a bathroom or an expense if you need to call in professionals. Luckily, there are many ways you can incorporate some of the very best bathroom colour schemes and latest bathroom trends without needing to even touch a paintbrush.

Whether you have a weekend to spare or just an evening, these three tips will inspire you to be creative with your bathroom design.

1. Switch out a shower curtain

If you have a shower over a bath then you're in luck, because this is an incredibly easy way to switch up the entire look and feel of a bathroom.

Shower curtain ideas are a handy way to make a practical and essential purchase feel a little bit more exciting. You can choose a fun pattern that has hints of colours you want to incorporate into the design, as seen above, or you could choose a block colour.

The perks of colourful shower curtains are that they don't age as fast as a pure white curtain will, meaning they will last for longer.

2. Trial click-fit tiles

If you don't want to repaint, then it's unlikely that you want to retile either, but there are some modern adaptations that mean that new tiles or flooring aren't as far away as you might think.

'Colour does not always need to come from a paintbrush or a full re-tile. In a bathroom, the floor can be a wonderfully expressive place to begin, especially if the existing tiles are perfectly serviceable but no longer quite you,' explains Grazzie Wilson, head of creative at Ca’ Pietra.

'Minerale is designed to be laid over suitable existing tiles, with click-no-stick technology that means no adhesive, no grout and no waiting around for everything to dry before the bathroom feels usable again. For a small space, that makes a huge difference,' she adds.

This clever technology means you don't have to rip up floors to get a new look, and there are also peel and stick options via Amazon, like this checkerboard style, for a more affordable alternative.

3. Add plenty of art

Art is always a focus elsewhere in your home, but bathrooms often don't get treated with the same creative freedom. Experimenting with colour through art allows you to try different colour palettes without overspending, particularly if you choose a print.

'Hanging artwork creates a strong focal point and detracts the eye from areas which you may not be able to change, this will give your bathroom a quick update that won't break the bank. One large print in the middle of a wall will look great, but even better if you have space to hang two or three prints together, in a colour that complements the rest of the room,' explains Sarah Weare, co-founder of Beach House Art.
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'Our top art prints for bathroom are watery, fluid shapes of seaweed or coral - for a more nautical feel try beachy shells, knot art prints or beach photography - choose something that makes you smile and feel happy. The bathroom is where we start and end each day,' she adds.

A kitchen can be just as difficult to update without needing to undergo a proper renovation project - these tips for adding colour to a kitchen without painting will provide an inspiring weekend DIY task.

It's hot outside and predicted to get hotter, and whilst many of us might enjoy the sunshine during the day, most of us are less keen on the sticky, humid nights that go hand-in-hand with a UK heatwave.

I sleep warm anyway, and, whilst I've already invested in one of the best duvets for hot sleepers, on nights like these, even the most breathable duvet can still be far too warm.

Personally, I think there's nothing worse than tossing and turning in a sweaty bed when the mercury soars, which is why I've made it my mission to track down the best duvet alternatives for hot weather.

As I've learned during the past five years as Ideal Home's Sleep Editor, when it comes to how to stay cool in bed, it's all about choosing cooling bedding materials, and the experts agree that these are your best bets if you're looking to swap out your duvet for a cooler sleep this summer.

1. Cotton throw

First up, cotton. Whether you opt to sleep under a simple flat cotton sheet during the sky-high temperatures, or a slightly thicker cotton throw, this natural fabric is the ideal duvet alternative for hot summer nights.

'A cotton throw is such a good swap for a duvet when the nights get warm,' agrees Molly Freshwater, co-founder of bedding brand Secret Linen Store. 'Cotton is breathable, soft, and naturally good at soaking up any overnight warmth or moisture.' And that's exactly what we need in the UK, when high temperatures tend to mean sticky, humid, moisture-filled nights.

'Because most cotton throws have a looser weave than a duvet cover, they let air move around you rather than trapping it,' explains Molly. 'You still get that comforting “I’m covered” feeling, just without the heat. Bliss when the temperature doesn’t drop outside and the open window doesn’t help one bit.'

'A cotton throw or even a flat cotton sheet is an excellent alternative to a duvet in hot weather,' agrees Charlotte Hill, technical manager for homeware at Marks & Spencer.

'Cotton is naturally breathable and lightweight, helping air to circulate and preventing heat from becoming trapped overnight. For many customers, it offers just enough coverage without the weight or warmth of a traditional duvet.'

2. Flat linen sheet

Next up, and probably one of the most breathable options I've tried, is linen. Again, either in the form of a flat linen sheet or a more weighty linen throw.

'A linen throw or flat linen sheet is my personal favourite for hot weather,' agrees Molly. 'it's the fabric I always come back to, and for good reason. The fibres are super clever, so they wick moisture away quickly and let air flow beautifully.'

'Linen feels cool the moment you get into bed and stays that way,' explains Molly. 'A flat sheet is the lightest option; a linen throw gives a little more weight without adding warmth. Linen also has the bonus of looking amazing. If someone asks me what I use at home in summer, it’s always always 100% linen.'

'Linen is a particularly strong choice for warmer nights,' agrees Charlotte at M&S. 'Its fibres are highly breathable and naturally temperature-regulating, meaning it feels cool against the skin while helping to dissipate heat. Linen is also very effective at wicking away moisture, making it ideal for those who tend to overheat. A linen throw or flat sheet can provide a relaxed, airy layer that still feels premium and comfortable.'

After testing every bedding material under the sun during the past five years, it's certainly now become the only fabric I choose for hot nights. And it's genius fibres somehow also work brilliantly to keep me cosy without overheating in winter, so although the best linen bedding is expensive to buy, I do think it's a great long-term investment, as it isn't a material that's just for hot weather.

3. Muslin throw

Muslin is another useful warm-weather option. 'A muslin throw is a great option for hot weather, especially for those looking for something ultra-lightweight,' agrees Charlotte at M&S.

'Typically made from loosely woven cotton, muslin allows for maximum airflow and creates a soft, lightweight feel,' explains Charlotte. 'It’s ideal for the warmest nights where a customer still wants a light layer for comfort, without adding any noticeable warmth.'

'Muslin's open-weave structure promotes continuous ventilation and heat dissipation during sleep, making it a great alternative to duvets during hot weather,' agrees Dony Wang, senior director of product development at bedding brand Bedsure.

'A muslin throw can be a lovely, very lightweight option because muslin is loosely woven and airy, agrees Molly, 'soft, breathable, and great if you want the lightest possible layer.'

In fact, muslin is increasingly growing in popularity as a summer bedding fabric, with brands such as Simba launching muslin bedding sets, and even a muslin dressing gown that's perfect for hot weather.

4. Cooling blanket

Whilst all of our experts suggestions so far have been for natural fibres, such as cotton or linen, there are also synthetic options which have been designed to offer a cooler sleep, such as cooling blankets.

'Unlike a traditional duvet, which is designed to trap warmth, a cooling blanket helps draw excess heat away from the body, creating a cooler and more comfortable sleep environment,' explains Dony. They're designed with 'fibres that feel cool to the touch, and help transfer body heat away from the skin more efficiently than many conventional bedding materials.'

These can be a good option if you're someone who struggles to sleep without a certain amount of weight on top of them, as all the options we've tested at Ideal Home tend to be more weighty than a cotton, linen, or muslin throw.

'Delivering a noticeably cooler sensation on contact, a cooling blanket also helps wick moisture away from the skin,' says Dony, 'promoting a drier, fresher sleep environment throughout the night.'

Whichever duvet alternative you opt for, all of these options will deliver a cool and breathable sleep compared to your standard duvet, which is exactly what's needed in this hot weather.

Farrow & Ball doesn’t only make some of the best paint for your walls, but it’s also a popular go-to for front door paint colours. And if you’re thinking of giving your front door a makeover and make it stand out from the rest on your street, then why not take inspiration from the most popular Farrow & Ball front door colours of 2026?

This is the perfect time of year to give some thought to new front door colour ideas and seriously elevate the look of your home’s entrance. Giving your front door a fresh lick of paint in a sophisticated shade is one of the best and easiest ways to make your front door look expensive. Just make sure to stick to either the exterior eggshell or full gloss finish when shopping for front door paint at Farrow & Ball.

I’ve asked Michael Rolland, managing director and paint expert at The Paint Shed, one of Farrow & Ball stockists, for the most popular front door colours from the famous paint brand – and these are the 3 he shared with me.

1. Bold reds

Even though the very classic primary red is a front door colour going out of style this year, alternative shades of red are thriving. Farrow & Ball reds included.

‘Red is warm, energetic and attention-grabbing – it’s also the colour of love,’ Michael at The Paint Shed says. ‘For that reason, it is great for giving the impression that “this is more than a house, it’s a home”. Farrow & Ball's Romesco is a popular colour at the moment, which suggests these kinds of homeowners have a fashionable, passionate and perhaps even a slightly fiery side.’

2. Deep blues

Blues of all shades are generally one of the biggest colour trends of 2026. And when it comes to front door ideas specifically, deep, dark blues are the ones that people are favouring, whether that’s navy or royal blue.

‘A royal blue front door exudes elegance and a touch of regality. Shades like Farrow & Ball's Blue Maize nod to iconic doors, such as that from the Notting Hill film. These blues are timeless, bold and a great colour choice, complementing period properties by combining the classic with a modern punch. These colour doors are usually found on Victorian homes in the UK,’ Michael explains.

3. Earthy greens

Green has been one of the most popular colour choices for front doors for a few years now. And it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. Earthier shades of green are currently the go-tos, whether that’s sage green, olive or a dark, smoky shade like Farrow & Ball’s Green Smoke.

‘A sage green like Farrow & Ball's Ball Green suggests owners value a slower, more relaxed pace of life. Its soft, cottage-like vibe brings a sense of calm, as green’s natural associations suggest freshness and balance. This colour gently lifts your mood and enhances happiness,’ Michael says.

What colour are you going to be painting your front door this year?

The Y2K revival charged back into fashion during lockdown and has shown absolutely no signs of slowing down since. And the latest outdated trend to become cool again? Turquoise. Although experts say this hue never actually goes out of fashion, provided you know how to style it well.

Blue was always destined to be one of the biggest colour trends of 2026, but I never expected that particular hue to be turquoise. But I’ve been seeing this bold, summery shade everywhere, from the racks of my favourite clothes stores, to the homes of my favourite influencers online.

This retro colourway is perfect for the summer months. It’s striking and refreshing, while offering some early 2000s nostalgia. Here’s how you can make it work in your home in 2026.

Why is turquoise trending?

If you’ve been seeking new blue bedroom ideas or blue living room ideas, turquoise is the curveball shade you should consider if you’re looking for a paint shade that packs a punch (and delivers on nostalgia). You probably remember turquoise’s last reign of popularity back in the 2000’s, but it actually has its roots in mid-century design.

‘The trend for turquoise dates back to as early as the 1950s, where a bathroom drenched in the shade was a common sight, as tiles, basins, sinks and baths were all blocked in colour. The shade was also common for kitchen appliances and accessories to add a pop of colour to more muted backdrops,’ explains Donna Taylor, colour and design manager at Johnstone’s Paint.

‘Last in the limelight in the late 2000s, the hue plays on nostalgia trends for Millennials and older Gen Z who are looking to decorate their first homes, with a 100% increase in Pinterest searches for turquoise colour inspiration in the last month alone.

‘This nostalgia movement, paired with the ongoing popularity of maximalism, has put turquoise back at the top of the wish list for those looking to redecorate this summer. The colour carries a playfulness and packs personality with its warm tone that blends blue and green to reach a vibrant middle ground,' Donna continues.

‘The Y2K movement is seeing people reflect on the 2000s and bringing back old trends. Capturing the essence of revisiting your inner child, turquoise is a fun, vibrant shade, and that’s why people love it!’

How to style turquoise in 2026

If your inner child is itching to add a splash of colour to your home, we say go for it. Turquoise will not look dated if you style it via a 2026 lens. Period. For this, it works best as an accent colour. You can even use it as your own ‘red thread’, adding pops of the colour throughout your home for a cohesive look.

‘Today, we're seeing turquoise used in ever more sophisticated and versatile ways. From colour drenching to feature walls and painted furniture, to using as an accent to rooms painted in warm colours like gold, clay red and pink shades,’ says Marianne Shillingford, creative director and colour expert at Dulux.

‘And for those looking to make more of a statement, turquoise can also be paired with sunny yellows, like Pale Citrus, or orange tones, such as Copper Blush, to create a vibrant, summer holiday-inspired palette.’

Donna agrees, again stating that turquoise performs well as an accent colour in modern homes. However, she does say it pairs well with lighter blues and cool pinks, such as Johnstone's Pink Cadillac (£18, Argos).

‘Turquoise often works well as an accent rather than the main colour in a room. This could be a feature wall, or to brighten up furniture like coffee tables, bookshelves or sideboards to add some personality,’ she says.

‘If you’re not sure how turquoise will fit into your home, start with some cushions and a throw to get used to it at first, before you start getting the brushes ready.’

Shop the turquoise trend

I personally think the turquoise trend is perfect for summer, bringing holiday vibes to the comfort of your own home. And by carefully using it as an accent colour in your home, you’ll extend its lifespan long after the holiday season ends.

Smeg's retro kettle and toaster have become something of a homeware icon. You'll find Smeg's instantly recognisable small appliances on the worktops of the most stylish of kitchens, and we've even given the kettle one of the best kettle top spots - it's a beautiful design that is just as easy to use.

And while the current colours of Smeg's small appliances are timeless, a new trend-focused tone has entered the scene and with it comes a fresh perspective. The retro style has always leaned more traditional, but Smeg's new Moonlight collection has a contemporary look to blend into sleek, minimalist kitchens.

Moonlight, the new matte colourway from Smeg, is 'designed to bring softness, warmth and balance into the home,' says the brand. It reflects a growing trend towards neutral shades, away from classic white or cream, and calmer palettes in our homes.

Typically, small appliances put practicality first. Often in stainless steel or black plastic, aesthetics weren't high on the agenda. Smeg started to change this with their retro kettle and toaster which came in a variety of vintage-themed colours, from cream to pink and blue.

While this has allowed us to be playful with appliances and use them to add to an overall kitchen colour scheme, the statement shades didn't offer much scope for people who favour a more understated design.

The texture also differs from the classic shiny small appliances from Smeg - it has a smooth matte finish which is perfect for hiding fingerprints and allowing your small appliances to sit subtly in the background of your kitchen.

'Smeg's kettle and toaster range is already the height of refined luxury, but this new sophisticated neutral shade is tailor-made for anyone who wants to add a warm colour to their kitchen without committing to a bold colour,' explains Molly Cleary, Ideal Home's Kitchen Appliances Editor.

'The matte finish is not only bang-on-trend but has the benefit of being easier to keep looking clean too. As someone with a white Smeg toaster, I can tell you it needs a lot of maintenance to keep looking fresh. I'm very tempted to invest in a kettle in Moonlight and make them mix and match instead for those reasons!' she adds.

If you love the shape and overall design of the Smeg appliances but haven't found a colour to suit your kitchen then the Moonlight collection is one to try - particularly if you want a fuss-free option that escapes fingerprints.

Shop the Moonlight collection

If you're a Smeg fan like we are on the Ideal Home team, these discontinued Smeg appliances straight from their HQ will inspire your dream retro kitchen.

My Simba Simbatex Cool Mattress review puts the much-loved sleep brand's new Amazon-exclusive mattress to the test to see how it performs compared to the best mattresses on the market.

In a nutshell

First things first, this is a very affordable mattress. It's sold exclusively on Amazon, rather than on Simba's own website, which, to my mind, suggests the brand is aiming to deliver a budget-friendly option that suits shoppers with an under-£500 budget.

A double of the Simba Simbatex Cool Mattress costs £399 and a king-size £429 as of writing, which is about as affordable as you can go and still get a decent mattress.

And all in all, I do think this new launch is one of the best budget mattresses out there, other than a few niggles. Especially because, even though this mattress is sold through Amazon, Simba is still honouring its usual 200-night sleep trial, which means you can test this mattress out at home to see if it suits your sleeping style before you have to commit to keeping it.

As a back and side sleeper, I found its medium-firm foam sleep surface very comfortable, and enjoyed its light cushioning around my shoulder and hip. My husband and I share a bed with our toddler most nights, and we also really appreciated its motion isolation, which meant we didn't notice when one of us in the bed tossed or turned. And, it has a nice amount of bounce to say it lacks springs.

On the downside, I didn't feel it really lived up to its name in the cool stakes. It didn't cause us to overheat, but it definitely wasn't as cooling and breathable as I would have liked either. And its edge support was lacking, which meant my leg could slip out of bed when I was pushed to the edge by our star-fishing toddler!

However, if you're not a hot sleeper and there aren't three of you crammed into one bed, I'd definitely recommend this mattress for most sleepers. If you're on a budget and are searching for a king-size mattress for less than £500, I think this is a great choice that you won't be left unimpressed with.

Simba Simbatex Cool Mattress Review

Specifications

• Type: Foam
• Construction materials: Breathable cover, graphite-infused Simbatex cooling foam, foam support layer, zoned CertiPUR foam base
• Sizes: Single, Small Double, Double, King, Super King
• Tensions available: Medium-firm
• Height: 23cm
• Side handles: Yes
• Flip or rotate: Rotate
• Manufacturers sleep trial: 200 nights

1. Comfort

Having finally managed to nail my sleep setup – the perfect combination of a medium-firm mattress, a thick mattress topper, and some sumptuous pillows – I've been snoozing well for a few years. Despite my toddler getting in with us every night and my husband turning into a breathing radiator past the hour of 10 o'clock!

As such, I have to admit I was slightly apprehensive about changing my sleep setup to test the Simbatex Cool mattress. However, I worried for no reason – luckily, I instantly clicked with this mattress from the first night I slept on it.

It's crafted from three main layers in total. There's a Simbatex foam layer, and below this, you'll find a wedge of foam support, above the final layer, which is zoned CentiPUR foam.

I'm mostly a back and side sleeper, and I found this mattress to be instantly comfortable. It's a true medium-firm feel, and I found it lightly cushioned me at the pressure points of my shoulders and hip, where I need it most. It also kept my spine well-aligned in both positions.

I never suffered from any aches while sleeping on this mattress, not even once. The same goes for my husband, who was initially annoyed that I was changing our much-loved mattress, but now knows he overreacted a little and had nothing to worry about.

As this mattress is foam only, that means there are no springs inside, and we were initially concerned that might mean a lack of support, especially for my husband, who is heavier than I am. However, he sleeps on his back and side, but mostly his side, and he also found this mattress ultra-comfortable from day dot.

2. Motion isolation

As an all-foam mattress with no springs in sight, the motion isolation of this mattress is impressive.

I share a bed with my husband, and very often our toddler, and when my husband moved off the bed, I barely felt it. And the same goes for him, as he rarely felt me tossing and turning at night.

Even with our toddler in tow, the motion isolation proved to be very impressive, especially for the affordable price tag.

3. Responsiveness

I was also super impressed by the responsiveness of this mattress. I found its cushioning cradled my pressure points perfectly, but unlike some memory foam mattresses I've tested, it doesn't feel so foamy that you can't roll around or get out of bed with ease.

It was easy to move around on, and even more fun for my toddler to bounce on top of! I never struggled to switch positions on this mattress, although when I pressed my hand on it, it did leave a visible print for a few minutes.

4. Temperature regulation

Since this mattress is specifically called 'cool', I had high hopes that it would give us some sort of relief in the heatwave we were baking in during testing. I put it to the test during one of the hottest Mays on record, with the temperatures where I live reaching 32C.

Our bedroom is very warm, so most nights from around April, we need to sleep with a fan on, regardless of whether it's 15C or 30C outside. And perhaps we were expecting too much, but on nights when we didn't sleep with a fan on, we were both still very warm and sweaty.

That said, it didn't actively cause me to overheat like some budget memory foam mattresses I've tested. It just didn't keep us that cool either.

Simba uses its trademark graphite-infused foam in the top layer, and according to the brand, that Simbatex foam also offers five times more airflow than standard memory foam, so I don't doubt this mattress is more breathable than many cheap foam options.

From its name, I guess I just expected it to be a little cooler to the touch. My husband, as a hot sleeper, has a cooling pillow which is impressively cold when you lay your head on it.

Overall, if you're a hot sleeper, this mattress may not be as cooling as you'd hope. A natural fill mattress such as the Hypnos Pillow Top Select is definitely your best bet there, but if you're looking for an under £500 mattress that won't actively overheat you, the Simbatex Cool did 'okay' for temperature regulation. Not brilliant, but definitely not awful either.

5. Edge support

When I unboxed this mattress, I didn't have high hopes for its edge support, mostly because the mattress is slightly rounded at the edges and doesn't feature an edge trim, as more expensive mattresses generally do.

One of the main USPs of this mattress is also its affordability, and having put numerous budget mattresses through their paces, the one area they do all tend to scrimp on is edge support.

As you can see, the mattress sinks quite a lot at the edge when I'm sat on it, and – as a parent who is regularly joined in bed by our toddler – I found this a bit of an issue when sleeping too.

During the night, if my toddler fancied sleeping in the starfish position and I found myself at the very edge of the mattress, I found that my leg would slip off the mattress and onto the floor. This was only when I was pushed to the very, very edge, though.

6. Sleep trial

As this mattress is sold via Amazon rather than direct from Simba, I was really pleasantly surprised to find out it still comes with Simba's usual 200-night sleep trial.

That's important because it can be tricky to tell if a mattress is really going to suit you when you're buying online, so it really helps to take some of the risk out of the purchase.

7. Ease of care

Similarly, considering this is a purse-friendly mattress, I was pleasantly surprised to discover it still comes with a removable cover that unzips for easy cleaning.

You can add a mattress protector to any mattress, of course, but, personally, I think that the removable cover is a total game-changer, as I like to wash all of my bedding, pillow protectors, and everything else I sleep on, a good few times a year. Especially since my dog sometimes comes up on our bed while we watch TV in the evenings.

Once unzipped and removed from the mattress, the washing instructions say to wash the cover at 40C; you just can't tumble dry. This makes the job of cleaning your mattress a breeze, plus it is easy to unzip and fit back onto the mattress.

It also comes with sturdy side handles – again, something many under-£500 mattresses lack – and they make rotating the mattress every few months a dream. It's not that heavy either, plus there's no need to flip this mattress, so it's very easy to care for.

8. Delivery

When it comes to the Simbatex Cool mattress delivery process, you get free shipping, and this can be as fast as three days. You have the option to also buy service add-ons, which include unpacking (£5) or unpack and recycle (£20), in which they will take your old mattress and recycle it.

You will be contacted by a carrier to choose a delivery date that suits you. I chose a day I knew I would be working from home. Unfortunately, I also received a text the day before this, alerting me that my delivery was en route, but this turned out to be a glitch in the system.

I was assured by my contact that this was wrong and it would still arrive the next day. However, unlike a normal order from Simba's own website, I couldn't use any online tracking capabilities, which did make things a little more stressful.

On the delivery day, I did receive a tracking text with a link that gave me a more specific timeframe for delivery, and it informed me I needed to be home to sign for the mattress.

The mattress arrived rolled, although not boxed. And unlike a normal Simba delivery, which is delivered to your room of choice, I needed to get it into our bedroom myself.

I received a king-size mattress, which is heavy, so I wouldn't have been able to lift it on my own, but luckily I had help on hand.

This mattress did initially have a strong chemical smell after being unwrapped. This lingered for around a day. It wasn't unbearable, and rest assured, my bedroom air purifier didn't flag it, but I did leave the windows open whilst it was offgassing.

The plastic that this mattress was protected in was labelled as '4 LDPE', which is recyclable. This does depend on your local authority, though, as in some places you can leave it kerbside with the rest of your recycling, while in other areas, it may need to go to your local supermarket.

9. Third-party reviews

The only way to buy one of these mattresses is via Amazon. Since it's a pretty new product, there aren't a huge number of reviews yet – 24, as of writing, to be exact.

Overall, it's given a 4.5 out of 5 star rating, and shoppers rave about how supportive it is, plus mention it being budget-friendly and noticeably cooling. I agree with the support and purse-friendly pricing, but I can't relate to the cooling comments, unfortunately, and my husband agrees.

Some shoppers complained about the chemical smell after unwrapping their mattress, which I can definitely relate to, as this does linger for a day or so.

10. Value for money

Starting at only £349 for a single size, I think this mattress is a true steal. The most you'll pay for one of these mattresses is £479, and that's for a super king size.

In comparison with our best-rated mattress, which is the Simba Hybrid, you'll be saving 50%. This mattress comes in at £999 for a king-size (when it's not on sale).

I do think the Simbatex Cool feels like a cheaper mattress when compared directly to the Simba Hybrid, but then, it is. And you still get a lot of the bonuses of a 'normal' Simba mattress, such as the cooler graphite-infused foam and 200-night sleep trial.

Even our best-rated affordable mattress, which is the DreamCloud Hybrid, is still £599 for a king-size. So, overall, if you're looking for an under £500 mattress, I think the Simbatex Cool is a very good option.

11. Environmental impact

This mattress perhaps doesn't scream green in the same way as Simba's more expensive range, but it is made in the UK, meaning it won't travel far to get from production to your doorstep. It also has CertiPur-approved foams inside – these are certified for safe sleep, meaning these foams have been tested for environmental, health and safety properties.

How I tested

My sleep stats:

Sleep position: Back/side
Tension preference: Medium-firm
Sleep problems: None

In putting the Simbatex Cool Mattress through Ideal Home's mattress testing process, I considered the eleven factors that we deem vital to any mattress purchase.

I tested the mattress for comfort, motion isolation, responsiveness, temperature regulation, and edge support. This means that my husband and I, (plus quite frequently my 2.5-year-old and dog!) slept on the mattress for a month before I wrote my review.

I also took into consideration ease of care, any sleep trials available, the delivery process, its value for money, and, where possible, researched the mattress's environmental impact and any third-party customer reviews – to see if they aligned or were at odds with my own experience – before writing my own review and giving this mattress a star rating.

Sage green is one of the most popular paint shades for a bedroom, and with its soft, calming tones, it’s easy to see why. This classic colourway has earned a reputation for being a ‘safe’ choice, but it's a classic for a reason. Millie Mackintosh’s sage green bedroom is proof that this timeless paint shade can be both calm and characterful.

Sage green is one of the best shades of green for a bedroom. It’s calming and grounding - exactly what you’d hope to achieve when creating a sleep environment. But due to the popularity of this green bedroom idea, many now avoid the safe choice, for fear that it comes across as boring.

If Millie Mackintosh’s bedroom proves anything, it’s that safe doesn’t equal boring. Opting for a soft sage shade and matching Chinoiserie wallpaper, Millie’s bedroom is the perfect balance of comfort and character.

Millie Mackintosh's sage green bedroom

I love the opportunity to have a snoop into celebrity homes, and Millie Mackintosh’s was definitely a treat for the eyes, as the Made in Chelsea star is not scared to embrace colour. Millie frequently shares glimpses of her homelife and motherhood via TikTok and Instagram, and it was here that I spotted her stunning green bedroom.

‘Green has been an incredibly popular choice in interiors for a few years now, and it’s definitely not going anywhere. What we’re seeing is a shift towards more nuanced, sophisticated tones, like earthy, muted greens and warmer, nature-inspired shades, so the colour still feels fresh but also timeless. Millie’s bedroom is a great example of how green can feel both calming and elevated,’ explains Victoria Robinson, style and trend expert at Hillarys.

‘What I particularly like about her space is how layered it feels. The combination of painted walls with wallpaper adds depth and interest, which is key when working with a single colour family. It stops the room from feeling flat and instead creates a really cocooning, considered look which is perfect for a bedroom.’

Millie’s bedroom has been colour-drenched in the soft sage, which gives a cocooning feel that’s perfect for relaxing. I’m also a fan of the freshness of the tone, which maintains an airy look. Green remains one of the biggest colour trends of 2026, but Millie’s bedroom looks more timeless than trendy.

‘The soft chalky sage green used in Millie’s bedroom is a particularly timeless choice. Botanical greens such as Dulux Heritage’s Sage Green and Waxed Khaki have a wonderfully grounding quality, helping spaces feel relaxed, restorative and supportive of our wellbeing. They also sit right in the middle of the visual spectrum, which is part of what makes them so balanced, versatile and easy to live with in our homes,’ says Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director and Colour Expert at Dulux.

‘What I love most about this room is how naturally it brings the outdoors in. The soft sage green decorated with delicate Chinoiserie patterns creates a calm, restful space that's full of character while still feeling light and relaxed. The Chinoiserie effect and colour work beautifully together because they complement each other so stylishly. The pale sage green and delicate floral pattern create a look that feels tranquil, elegant and full of character.’

How to get the look

Here, sage green’s reputation as a ‘safe’ shade works in your favour. It is considered safe because it is so easy to use, and the end result is always so beautiful.

‘This bedroom is a wonderful reminder that a calming, neutral backdrop doesn't have to mean white, grey or beige. Green can work in much the same way, bringing a sense of peace and relaxation while adding more depth and personality to a space,’ says Marianne.

‘Green is one of the easiest colours to live with because it feels so familiar and reassuring. This room shows how this colour and pattern can be layered together in a way that feels uncluttered, inviting, characterful and restful, proving that embracing a little more colour doesn't have to come at the expense of calm.’

The key to achieving a bedroom such as Millie’s is to ensure that your paint shades, wallpapers or furnishing match and at the very least complement each other.

‘The wallpaper and paint work well together here because they sit within the same tonal palette. That said, achieving this balance can be tricky. If the undertones don’t quite match, it can clash rather than complement. The easiest way to get it right is to choose shades that have a similar base, for example, pairing warm greens with other warm greens, and always test samples in the space before committing,’ explains Victoria.

‘If I had one note, it would be to ensure there’s enough contrast to keep the scheme feeling dynamic. When everything sits very closely in tone, you risk losing definition, so bringing in different textures or slightly lighter and darker accents can really help.’

Shop sage green

Millie Mackintosh’s bedroom is proof that sage green is more than a safe option. When used well, it can create a calming sleep space that is packed with character and style.

Everyone has that annoying design flaw in their kitchen, whether it's a poorly planned corner cupboard or a floorplan that doesn't work for everyday life. Mine is my kitchen sink - admittedly, it wasn't me who designed it, but I'm officially over having a soaking wet sink caddy that drips onto the worktop.

I've tried a number of different methods over the years, and despite washing up carefully, there is always a pool of water around my sink. While I thought I would have to continue laying a tea towel under my washing up liquid bottle for the foreseeable, this sink stone from Amazon has changed the game.

I had never heard of this nifty gadget until recently, but it's ridiculously simple and effective. Here's why this £18 sink tray might be the best thing you buy for your kitchen all year.

Not only is the pool of dirty dishwater around my sink incredibly gross, it's also damaging my worktop. The laminate is beginning to peel and on a stone surface, this would be an even bigger and more expensive issue to fix.

Putting a tea towel down has prevented the water from reaching my air fryer, but it has increased how quickly I go through towels in my household.

The fix, it seems, is simple. This sink tray is made from diatomite stone which is a natural, highly porous sedimentary rock that is commonly used for bathroom mats but is less frequently seen in kitchens.

The stone absorbs and evaporates water within about 60 seconds, meaning that any drips from hand soap or from a dish brush will be gone in an instant.

Not only does the stone surface evaporate water, but it's also antibacterial and odor-resistant. An issue that I had found with my tea towel method is that after a few days of water, it smelled bad and was pretty unsanitary.

The great design feature of this Amazon choice is that it has four round feet that you add onto the bottom, which means that there is airflow beneath the mat to prevent mildew. And if it does get stained, you can simply buff it with some sandpaper to refresh its surface.

Aside from the practical benefits of a stone sink caddy, it also looks super sleek next to a sink. Most caddies are either metal or black plastic, which can look unsightly on your surface. The neutral stone has a much more subtle appearance and means your soaps are much easier to access.

Shop other alternatives

Sometimes the smallest, quick buys are the ones that end up changing how you use your space. Over the weekend, I'm trying out some of these affordable ways to add colour to my kitchen without repainting for a rejuvenated look.

Developing new habits, even when it comes to something like saving money by eating more leftovers, is all about incremental changes. That's a lesson I've learned in the last few weeks with my adoption of Lakeland's inexpensive Freeze Pods (which will set you back £8 via Lakeland).

My problem with freezing leftovers has historically been with portion sizes. If I have a batchload of chilli, for example, I rarely have enough food containers to break it down into lunch and dinner sized portions and sometimes have to put the whole amount into one container. That makes it a real struggle to properly siphon off a share for a single person.

Enter: these nifty Freeze Pods, which not only provide the perfect lunch or dinner sized portion (depending if you use the 2 or 3 sectioned version) but are also ready to be used in your oven or even the best air fryer for reheating. Here are three reasons I'm telling everyone I know to buy a set.

1. They're easy to use

The thing that makes the use of these Freeze Pods so seamless is the silicone material. As with using a silicone ice cube tray over a plastic one, it so much easier to pop the contents of a singular pod out without disturbing the other two than it would be with a harder material.

The 3-segmented version contains space for 250 gram portions, which I've found ideal for lunches. I've been pairing leftover pasta with a side salad for a summertime lunch.

I've found the Freeze Pod with two sections is better suited to dinners, with the square size owing itself to full meals like a lasagne. Though the base is made of silicone, the pod has a hard plastic top, which means you can stack the two together neatly within your freezer.

2. They're cooking safe

These pods are microwave, oven and air fryer safe – music to my ears! While I love my microwaveable stainless steel food containers for food prep and storing leftovers in the fridge they can only be used in the microwave for 2 minutes at a time. So if you want to defrost something heavier, the Freeze Pod is a much better choice.

If you're serving lunch for two or three people, you could put the entire Freeze Pod into the microwave too. That means you only need to portion food out once in the entire cooking process and any time you can save on the washing up is a big win for me.

I'm not the only one who loves the versatility of these handy pods. On Lakeland's website you can find that both of these products currently have a 4.5 out of 5 star rating with customers praising the quality and value of each.

One reviewer nicely summed up why they work for them, saying 'Great sizing and even better for popping out blocks to wrap and stack in the freezer. The larger ones are perfect for individual lasagnes, cottage pies etc. The smaller ones are perfect for portions of rice, mash, beans and any other side you want to freeze. I absolutely love them.'

3. They're affordable

I've written before about my enthusiasm for Lego lunches, which rely on these modular-style freeze pods in order to create leftovers that are varied rather than boring.

Up until Lakeland released these Freeze Pods, the other alternatives on the market for this kind of food container were very pricey indeed. In the US the brand Souper Cubes (which you can buy in the UK via Amazon) is very popular, with its huge range of materials, sizes and colours and John Lewis has a range made in collaboration with chef Deliciously Ella too.

In my mind Lakeland's pods are your best bet if you prioritise affordability and quality, but I've listed some alternative shapes below in case they suit you better.

It might seem counterintuitive at first to splash out money on containers to help you meal prep, especially if your aim is to limit your spending on lunches and dinners, but I've found it's the right products that can make all the difference. Could you see the benefit of Freeze Pods for your kitchen?

When thinking of summer home fragrance, you’re likely picturing (or smelling rather) citrus or tropical floral scents. But the best way to really make your home smell like summer is going for something that smells authentically of classic summer produce and a summer garden, like a tomato-scented candle, one of these years' breakout scent candle trends.

This once niche and hard-to-find home fragrance is suddenly everywhere – which means there are plenty of the best scented candles to choose from across different price points, brands and aesthetics. Because let’s be honest, we all want our candles (and the best reed diffusers for that matter) to be aesthetically pleasing and make our home look more stylish.

I’ve been a longtime fan of tomato leaf and tomato vine fragrance, I even own a tomato leaf perfume. As I’m writing this, I actually have the Green Tomato Vine candle from Jo Malone burning on my coffee table, and it’s heavenly. I have the Townhouse version of the candle, but I also really like it in the limited Veggies Edition green glazed ceramic vessel available now for this summer only, which I’ve also included in my round-up below.

'Green Tomato Leaf has been part of Jo Malone London’s home repertoire since 2014, a good decade before this burgeoning scent movement, "tomato girl summer" or even Tiktok trends themselves,' says Emma South, fragrance and lifestyle expert at Jo Malone London. 'So when Celine Roux, global head of product development, was working on the latest limited edition Veggie range - all about the joys of growing your own - it made perfect sense to include it. For a limited time, we see the candle encased in the glossiest green glaze, a coveted keepsake vessel for years to come.'

Top tomato scented candle picks

Why are tomato scented candles so popular?

As already mentioned, only a couple of years ago, tomato candles would have been difficult to come by. But that’s no longer the case as it’s one of the biggest home fragrance trends right now. So what’s changed?

‘The popularity of tomato leaf reflects a wider shift towards more natural, botanical fragrances,’ says Mathew Thomas, creative director at Osmology. ‘Consumers are increasingly looking for scents that feel authentic and evocative rather than traditionally sweet or floral. Tomato leaf captures the unmistakable aroma of a greenhouse or garden after watering; fresh, green, and slightly earthy.’

Why should you get a tomato scented candle?

With the arrival of summer, tomato leaf and tomato vine are the best home fragrances to capture the spirit of the season.

'This is a scent that exudes the pure vitality of summer, whilst offering a different angle from sparkling citrus fruits or solar florals. It is the pinnacle of prioritising seasonality whether that is on the plate, on the skin or in the home,' Emma at Jo Malone London says. 

Mathew at Osmology agrees, ‘We love its ability to evoke long summer days, flourishing kitchen gardens and the simple pleasure of being outdoors. It pairs beautifully with open windows, fresh flowers, and lighter interiors, making it a wonderful choice for creating a relaxed summer atmosphere.'

So invite the smell of summer into your home with one of these beautifully green, refreshing, herbal yet slightly sweet tomato scented candles!

Haven’t you heard? Lidl is launching a £14.99 ice cream maker, and it’s arriving right on time for the latest bout of hot weather set to hit the UK.

The best ice cream makers enable you to whip up delicious, cooling and even healthy ice-creams and sorbets from the comfort of your own kitchen. Back in December, a new generation of ice cream makers sparked by the now cult Ninja Creami and Slushi's popularity led kitchen experts to agree that ice cream makers were the ‘it’ appliance set to take over from air fryers.

While some ice-cream makers such as the Cuisinart Frost Fusion offer no pre-freezing, they are fairly pricey appliances. Even the Ninja Creami which requires you to freeze the ingredients 24 hours before will set you back £170 at Ninja. What Lidl is offering is an affordable introduction to the world of ice cream makers. Here’s everything you need to know.

At first glance, the Lidl Silvercrest Ice Cream Maker looks very similar to Lakeland’s digital ice cream maker, which is also one of the most affordable models on the market at £44.99. Landing in stores on Sunday (21 June) is arriving bang on time for the latest heatwave.

The Silvercrest Ice Cream Maker is a small, compact appliance, meaning it will not dominate space on your kitchen worktop. This is ideal for small kitchens, where space is limited, and chunkier appliances such as the cult Ninja Creami take up too much space.

The ice cream maker can make up to one litre of ice cream or sorbet, and comes with a small booklet of recipe suggestions to get you started. To use, simply pre-freeze the bowl, then add your desired ingredients through the opening in the lid. This can even be done when the machine is in use.

The beater and lid can be washed in the dishwasher, making clean up easy, and the ice cream container has practical handles for ease of use. Lidl has not listed the machine’s dimensions. Lakeland’s digital ice cream maker also has a one-litre capacity, and our review found the container took up a larger chunk of their freezer drawer, so you should bear this in mind.

To use the ice cream maker, you will need to pre-freeze the included bowl. Again, Lidl hasn’t stated online how long this process will take, but for similar models, this is around 12-hours.

While I haven’t tested Lidl’s ice-cream maker, based on the price, we can expect it to be a fairly basic model. However, I don't think this is a bad thing for those who want to try out an ice cream maker without spending a fortune.

If you are looking for a superior ice cream maker that has multiple functions here are three more models we’ve tried and tested.

An ice cream maker is a perfect summer appliance, helping to keep you cool and offer a sweet treat, too. Would you try Lidl’s or have you got your sights set on a higher-end appliance?

Farrow & Ball's paint shades have become famous in their own right. Many of the instantly recognisable shade names have heritage roots and have been firm favourites for many years now, but there are a few new entries that are becoming just as popular - Scallop being one of them.

The soft, pale pink hue is quickly taking the reins from Farrow & Balls' Setting Plaster and Sulking Room Pink, and its perfect home is in our kitchens.

Light pink shades have recently become somewhat of a neutral, used for drenching walls and cabinetry in a kitchen to add warmth and a subtle wash of colour. I've asked the experts exactly how to use this new shade in a kitchen and how to style it for a stylish and inviting cooking space.

'Farrow & Ball's Scallop is popular because it’s the perfect neutral – subtle, warm, creamy, and ideal for a base,' explains Michael Rolland, paint expert and managing director at The Paint Shed.

Scallop comes into its own in a kitchen. Light, bright, and inviting is always the aim for a cooking space, and scallop bounces light around the room for a spacious atmosphere regardless of the size of your kitchen.

'Scallop is the perfect neutral for a kitchen colour scheme, especially one with plenty of light. Colour-drenched, this ballet-slipper pink brings cohesion to a kitchen, especially when used alongside gentle, easygoing shades and prints,' Michael adds.

We often see kitchens drenched in pale pink, and Scallop is the perfect shade to try this look out with. If you've felt unsure about trying out pink, opting for a pale shade will ease you in.

'Scallop is incredibly versatile. It can be used as the main event and flooded over walls, but it can be just as powerful as an added detail. On doors, window frames, or wooden furniture, it provides the perfect touch of the genteel,' Michael adds.

Using Scallop on kitchen walls will create warmth while allowing you to keep cabinets more neutral, creating a balanced look that is spacious, light enhancing yet still visually interesting.

Pale pink hues like Scallop are really easy to pair with a number of different shades. Neutral colour palettes are an obvious choice, while tonal shades of burgundy and red will be right on trend for 2026.

'If you’re looking for something less earthy than the perennially popular, Scallop delivers in spades, it’s gentle enough to read overly pink and dirty enough not to co me across to saccharine. See it as a pink-flecked neutral,' explains Paddy O’Donnell, Farrow & Ball's global brand ambassador.

'As with many pinks, it loves being paired with stronger colours such as browns (think Broccoli Brown), Khaki greens (Dibber) or dirty grey-ish blues like de Nimes. This pale pink happily marries with colour families but if you ant something pale and soft, try with the simplest All White for a delicious fresh look or for something bolder, team with the burnt orange Marmelo as an accent,' he recommends.

How to style Scallop in a kitchen

As Paddy explained, there are so many complementary colours to pair with Scallop, depending on your taste and intended look. Cream and brass accessories will look especially bright next to Scallop, whereas richer colours will create a more dramatic effect.

Farrow & Ball has a mastermind ability to create the 'it' shades that feature in the most stylish homes - these 3 Farrow & Ball colours that are best used in small kitchens will provide plenty of inspiration for your next project.

Nutribullet just unveiled its first ever ice cream maker and it looks to be the ideal solution for those battling for space in small kitchens. Yep the shiny, new Nutribullet Chill, which is available to preorder now via the brand's website for £199.99, is the perfect compromise if you're looking for a sweet treat maker that won't overrun your worktops.

Its design upends what we've seen from the most popular ice cream makers of the last few years, including the Ninja Creami (which we've reviewed), by adopting build that's more like a Nutribullet blender than anything else.

This not only makes the Chill look streamlined and ready to pop into a cupboard when not in use, but also solves what I'd argue is the most pressing problem that Ninja Creami fans have: it's not an easy machine to clean. Here's how the Nutribullet Chill aims to solve that.

This ice cream maker, like most out there, requires pre-freezing. That means you'll need to prep your ingredients in the included tubs the night before you want to make ice cream and then freeze them. Most ice cream makers of this type require 24 hours of waiting time unless you want to opt for something like the Cuisinart Frost Fusion, which we recently reviewed, and allows you to make soft serve in under 30 minutes.

Like the ever-popular Ninja Creami, the Chill also uses a rotating blade to cut through your mix and creamify it in order to create a dessert-like consistency. The big difference with the Chill, however, is that the blade is stored within a countertop-friendly base.

This is very good news for those looking to save space in their kitchen. The Ninja Creami is, whilst incredibly impressive in its performance, a very difficult appliance to store on a kitchen countertop as it's very tall. At almost 43 centimetres in height, it didn't fit under my kitchen cupboards. Compare that to the base of the Chill, which is 27cm tall (without the tub attached) and you can see which would be best if you're short on worktop space.

Another issue that long-time fans of the Creami often have is that the blade can be hard to clean, as it's contained within the upper unit of the appliance. Nutribullet aim to solve this with the Chill by making the blade element totally removable and dishwasher-safe. The parts pop out the top of the base in order to be cleaned, as you can see below.

With purchase of the Chill, you'll receive the appliance itself alongside two 450g tubs and matching lids for whipping up whatever kind of sweet treat you like. As with the Creami, a big part of the allure with this machine is that you have complete control over your ice cream ingredients – a must if you have dietary requirements or you want to make healthier family-friendly puddings.

If I'm being fussy, I would say that I'd love this new Nutribullet to also feature a Slush mode – but appliances that can make ice cream and slush are rarer to find. If that's exactly what you're looking for you might want to hold out until the release of the much anticipated Dualit Ice Cream Maker instead.

With more hot weather on the way, I can guarantee you that a frozen-treat maker like this will fast become your favourite kitchen appliance if you choose to take the plunge. You'll get more use out of yours than you'd think!

Alternatives

How early is too early to start celebrating Halloween? 10 years ago, I’m sure the general consensus would have been that it is way too early to start celebrating Halloween pre-October. But times have changed, and George Home’s new ‘Summerween’ collection is proof of that.

This spooky, kooky and downright summery home decor trend hasn’t come out of nowhere, as George Home has reported shoppers are searching for Halloween decor as early as August. In response, they dropped a 36-piece collection you can shop online right now.

I’ll admit, the Ideal Home office is a little less convinced about the Summerween trend. On the one hand, the upcoming Summer Solstice is the perfect excuse to display whimsical decor. On the other hand, spooky decorations in highlighter pink shades aren't exactly what you'd call classically tasteful. So, I asked interior design experts how to decorate for Summerween tastefully, and this is what they said.

Summerween at George Home

As you can see, the George Home Summerween collection is a glitter bomb of bold colour, disco balls and statement prints. It’s perfectly in line with the popular disco pumpkin and Pinkoween trends that have been incredibly popular over the last couple of years.

It’s fun and a little tongue-in-cheek, but not exactly what I would call chic. And while great fun to deck your home out with for a party, it’s not exactly decor I’d want adorning my home every day.

‘New search data shows interest in ‘Summerween’ has surged by 200% in the past month, with a further 50% increase week on week. That shift suggests it’s moving beyond being a bit of an internet in-joke and into something people are actually bringing into their homes,’ says Victoria Robinson, trend expert at Hillarys.

‘From a trend perspective, I think it’s a fun one, but like a lot of social media-led trends, it can easily tip into feeling gimmicky if you go too literal with it. Bright orange pumpkins and heavy Halloween décor can feel out of place in summer if they’re not styled carefully.’

How to style the Summerween trend tastefully

According to the experts, the key to tasteful Summerween decor is opting for softer colours and going by the principle that less is more.

‘I enjoy the idea of taking familiar autumnal motifs and reimagining them through a lighter, more playful summer lens. The key is balance. When done well, it feels whimsical and creative rather than kitsch or overly themed,’ says Kunal Trehan, interior designer and founder of Touched Interiors.

‘Swap traditional orange and black for softer combinations such as terracotta, coral, dusty peach, sage green, sand and cream. This creates a more elevated seasonal look. Decorate with woven lanterns, rattan accessories, driftwood, ceramic pumpkins and dried florals rather than plastic decorations. The result feels far more sophisticated.’

Forget gaudy, in-your-face decor such as bright orange pumpkins. Instead, incorporate a pumpkin hue into your existing decor with items such as the M&S x William Morris at Home Pure Cotton Wild Tulip Bedding Set (£70), which uses moody orange tones for a whimsical effect. Or, an orange velvet cushion (£18, Dunelm) can add a pop of autumnal colour to a sofa.

‘Texture also plays a big role. Natural materials like linen tablecloths, woven accessories and rustic ceramics help ground the look and stop it from feeling overly themed. You can then layer in gentle nods to Halloween, things like candlelight, atmospheric lighting or understated motifs, rather than anything too costume-like,’ adds Victoria.

‘It works particularly well outdoors. We’re seeing a big shift towards people making better use of their gardens and outdoor spaces, and Summerween lends itself perfectly to that, things like relaxed tablescaping, soft lighting, and layered textiles that create a slightly moody but still summery feel.’

‘The most successful Summerween interiors don't look like Halloween arrived early. Instead, they capture the mood and magic of the season while remaining stylish, relaxed and appropriate for summer living,’ concludes Kunal.

The choice is yours. Will you go bold with George Home, or opt for something a little more subtle?

Gingham is having a moment. This interior trend started in the fashion world, but in the past few years, the playful checked fabric has become big news for bedrooms, too.

Gingham bedding is now all over the high street, and it's a bedding trend that shows no signs of waning anytime soon.

In fact, this is a bedroom trend that's rapidly growing, with interior stylists and decor experts saying that gingham is fast becoming one of this year's most popular children's bedroom ideas.

Yep, gingham is no longer just for the bed. In playrooms and bedrooms alike, the checks are now taking to the walls, and I personally think it's a great look if you're considering decorating or redecorating your kids' bedroom.

Whether you're pondering girls' bedroom ideas, boys' bedroom ideas, or looking to create a gender neutral nursery, as Sophie Habboo and Jamie Laing recently demonstrated in an Instagram post that shared their newly decorated nursery, gingham – and, in particular, gingham wallpaper – is a look that just *works*.

The gingham kids' bedroom trend is also a look that can work for all ages, and, as our style experts are about to explain, this anti-trend style has timeless longevity.

Is gingham one of this year's fastest growing kids' bedroom trends?

'As seen in Sophie Habboo’s baby nursery, gingham wallpaper is becoming an increasingly popular nursery choice,' says Mike Allison, nursery furniture expert at Silver Cross.

'This year, we've seen a significant rise in the popularity of gingham wallpaper alongside a growing demand for gingham textiles and soft furnishings,' agrees Lauren Kavanagh, art director at wallpaper brand Hovia

'We’re definitely seeing gingham used more and more in nurseries and children’s rooms,' confirms Jessica Hanley, founder and CEO of bedding and interiors brand Piglet in Bed.

'It feels like part of a wider shift away from overly themed, childlike spaces, towards rooms that are calmer and more versatile in the long run,' says Jessica. 'Spaces that grown-ups love just as much as kids do.'

Why is gingham such a good look for a kid's bedroom?

Clearly, newlyweds Sophie and Jamie are sold on the playful checks, but why is it that gingham works *so* well in kids' bedrooms?

'Gingham strikes a balance between playful and timeless,' explains Jessica. 'It feels familiar, nostalgic and comforting, yet structured and grown-up enough to work well beyond the early years.'

'It's a timeless pattern that feels both nostalgic and fresh, making it a versatile choice for modern nurseries and children's bedrooms,' agrees Laura.

'This style is simple, calming and incredibly nostalgic, often evoking memories of the past,' agrees Mike. 'Plus, it's particularly suited to nature-inspired or gender-neutral nursery themes.'

'There’s something inherently joyful and slightly whimsical about gingham,' adds Jessica, 'it's a pattern that’s been loved for generations. It also brings colour and character to a room without ever feeling over the top.'

How to style the look

And, of course, that leads us on to how to style the look. This is a trend that you can make as bold or muted as you like by playing with colour, scale, and the pieces you pair with your gingham walls.

If you're looking to create a more muted look, then 'Sophie’s nursery is a great success,' say interior stylists Laurie Davidson and Aurélien Farjon of the @stylemakerspresent. 'She has definitely achieved the serene and timeless feel she was after through a lovely Scandi scheme with muted tones, light wood furniture accents.'

'I particularly like the playful mix of patterns Sophie has used,' says Laurie, 'from the gingham on the wallpaper, chequerboard on the rug, zigzag on the curtains, and stripes on the rocking horse.'

'Muted shades, such as sage green or pale blue, paired with bold patterns, checkered rugs and striped storage units, create a cosy, nostalgic feel without disrupting the calming ambience of the room,' agrees Mike.

'Soft, muted colours such as beige, sage green, dusty blue and blush pink create a calming scheme that can grow with your child,' agrees Laura, but if you're happy to go bolder, 'butter yellow offers a cheerful, on-trend alternative.'

'I used our Piglet in Bed Dusty Blue Gingham wallpaper in my little boy’s bedroom,' says Jessica, 'paired with our playful illustrated Mushrooms wallpaper. It’s transformed the room into a beautiful space we both love spending time in.'

And don't forget that the scale of check you opt for can also affect the room's mood.

'There are lots of options around with different scales of pattern,' says Aurélien, 'you could go for a very small scale like Sophie, giving a subtle and discreet pattern, or you could opt for the larger scale option for a bolder and more impactful look.'

If you're using a brighter colour, then Laura says that 'a medium-scale gingham check is often the easiest to work with, as smaller checks can feel busy on large wall surfaces. For a more contemporary feel, opt for a larger-scale pattern.'

Then, 'pair gingham wallpaper with complementary blocks of colour through bedding and soft furnishings,' says Laura. 'Stripes and delicate floral prints also work beautifully alongside gingham, helping to create a layered, cottage-inspired look.'

'For bedding, either echo the wallpaper colour for a soft, tonal look, or contrast with complementary shades,' advises Jessica, 'for example, soft green with blush pink, or dusty blue with buttery yellow. Keep everything else quite simple and natural: linen, rattan, light or dark wood, and subtle detailing in the furniture keep the space feeling balanced.'

Or, 'to complete the scheme, consider incorporating vintage or vintage-inspired furniture,' suggests Laura. 'Pieces such as wardrobes and chests of drawers add character, especially when updated with soft paint colours or new hardware for a fresh, modern finish.'

However you style it, I think gingham is *the* choice for a stylish kids' bedroom in 2026. Are you tempted to give checks a try?

My bathroom is one of the most neglected rooms in my home. Storage and practicality came first, and somehow the pretty extras I always wanted to add just never quite happened. However, now is the time to change that, so I've hunted down some of the chicest bathroom accessories on a budget to zhuzh up my wash space.

It's easy to see why decorating a bathroom falls to the bottom of the to-do list - it's rarely seen by guests, and you don't spend much time in there. However, adding some decorative touches will go a long way in making a bathroom feel like a more inviting destination in your home, rather than a forgotten room. It also might shock you that you can source many items on Amazon from the comfort of your sofa with next-day delivery.

You don't need to spend a lot of money or undergo a renovation to make this happen, either. Small touches like towels, shower curtains and storage trays all make a huge difference to how a bathroom looks and feels. In a bid to stick to a budget, I've hunted out some of the very best bathroom finds on Amazon that just might shock you.

From top brands like Christy and Neom to Amazon brands that look far more expensive than they are, these picks will make a bathroom feel brand new. Plus with the Amazon Prime Day sale kicking off next week, now is the time to snap up some bargains.

Looking to add more colour to your wash room? These bathroom colour schemes will offer you plenty of inspiration for any taste, whether bold or pared-back.

In the last few years, lamps and lighting in general have become incredibly popular. While interior designers and other interior experts have always known about the power of lighting, recently, most people have discovered how the ambiance of a room can be changed with the right (or wrong) lighting. Layered lighting schemes are where it’s at and the 5-7 lighting rule is the expert-approved tool to help you achieve it in your home.

Layered lighting is not only the biggest lighting trend of the moment, it’s also a timeless lighting idea for bedrooms, living rooms and other rooms, creating a cosy and inviting space. ‘One of the most common lighting mistakes is relying on a single central fitting to illuminate an entire room,’ explains Jo Plant, chief creative officer at Pooky. ‘Layered lighting creates a much warmer, more inviting environment and allows you to adapt the mood of a space throughout the day. At Pooky, we’re strong advocates of layered lighting and would recommend this approach to anyone looking to create a comfortable, well-designed home.’

And the 5-7 lighting rule is an easy template to apply and follow when creating a layered lighting scheme in most rooms, working especially well for living room lighting ideas and in bedrooms, too. ‘It’s important to consider the scale of the space,’ says Mara Rypacek Miller, founder of Industville.

‘Smaller rooms, such as cloakrooms, are generally not suited to more than two to three light sources as the result would be too bright and cluttered. Instead, the 5-7 rule works best in social and relaxing settings such as living rooms, bedrooms and open-plan areas, where a cosy and inviting atmosphere is desired.’

What’s the 5-7 lighting rule?

The 5-7 lighting rule is very simple. In essence, it dictates that every room should have between five and seven sources of light from various lamps and light fixtures. And it encourages to stop relying solely on the ‘big light’.

‘The 5-7 rule is a simple yet effective approach that focuses on creating a lighting scheme that feels balanced and atmospheric rather than overly dependent on one dominant central light,’ explains Julian Page, head of design at BHS. ‘In practice, this means making sure that each room has between five and seven different light sources which are of varying strengths, heights, designs, and placements.’

This approach is great both for creating a lovely atmosphere and for practicality as it offers more flexibility. ‘Layer lighting throughout the space using a combination of ambient, task and accent lighting. This might include ceiling lights, table lamps, floor lamps, wall lights and decorative lighting, all working together to create depth, atmosphere and flexibility, allowing you to switch between brighter functional lighting and a softer, more atmospheric glow depending on the occasion,’ Jo at Pooky says.

My top picks for a layered lighting scheme

‘It’s less about hitting a specific number and more about ensuring that a room has a balanced mix of ambient, task and accent lighting to create warmth, depth and character,’ Jo at Pooky says. Even in smaller spaces that don’t require as many as five to seven sources of light, a layered lighting scheme is desirable, just with fewer lamps.

The 5-7 lighting rule is a great guide to getting your home’s lighting right. And with time, you won’t even have to think about the rule – it will become intuitive.

Leaving a pan to soak is not something I enjoy. Not only does it extend washing up time but it makes my whole sink area unsightly and kind of gross, which is something I'm always trying to avoid.

So when I saw the chatter online about Fairy's Skip the Soak spray (£3.86 at Amazon) I was intrigued but also healthily skeptical. I've tried a whole host of cookware cleaning products that never quite cut the mustard, with my bank account suffering the consequence.

After giving this spray a whirl I have to say I'm a convert. Not only is it fabulous for saving you the mess of leaving baking trays and pans to soak, it also works on those awfully-hard-to-clean air fryer trays and on surfaces too, for a little added bonus. You can even use it before you pop things into the diswasher if you feel like they need a helping hand. Here's how I've used it to keep my sink area ship-shape all the time.

The way this spray works is simple: if you think that a pan or tray is about to cause you trouble when washing up or in the dishwasher, then scrape any excess food into the bin and spray this directly onto the surface.

It's important you don't rinse whatever you need to clean first as this spray won't work so well with water added into the mix. This is a mistake I made at first, but you really want this spray as concentrated as possible.

A few days after I picked this spray up I made the mistake of getting distracted while putting my treasured Le Creuset Round Cast Iron Casserole on the hob to pre-heat. A few minutes later and my pan was looking seriously worse for wear.

Luckily these burn marks are just cosmetic and the enamel surface wasn't affected, but I was still anxious to get them off once I'd finished cooking. I made my pasta as carefully as I could around the marks and left the pan to totally cool. This step, which requires a little patience, is essential with any pan to protect the surface and keep it working in your kitchen as effectively as possible.

Once cool, I liberally applied the spray to the areas I knew would cause me the most aggravation when scrubbing. Remember, you don't want to rinse before you apply – just get rid of any food you can scrape away.

I got on with my other cleaning tasks and returned to the burnt-on pan a few minutes later. In my impatience (before I had time to snap a picture!) I tried to scrape away the worst affected part with my sponge and was amazed to find it came right away with no effort at all.

So far, so impressed. I then proceeded to wash the pan as normal, armed with my trusty Scrub Mommy (£7.49 at Amazon)and found that those dark burnt on sections came off with very minimal effort.

There was a very small speck that still wouldn't budge even with a scrub, so I had to call in reinforcements which in my house is always (always!) my Magic Sponge (£3.99 for 10 via Amazon).

Once I knew that this spray actually worked, I set about tackling a task that I always seem to be just getting around to: deep cleaning my air fryer. I'm a strong believer in scrubbing my air fryer trays every time I use it, but the grime builds up so easily even if you miss one cleaning session.

It's for the purposes of research that I expose myself with evidence of the gross air fryer basket below.

While I was waiting for the spray to work its magic, I did notice the quite strong smell coming from the sink with the trays in it. So if you're sensitive to strong cleaning smells, it might be best to vacate the kitchen for a few minutes before rinsing the spray off.

After rinsing the first round of spray off, my air fryer tray was looking in much better shape. The worst areas, including the middle section and the parts around the rubber inserts, did still need some TLC with the Scrub Mommy but the bulk of the dried-on grime was banished. Next time around I'm going to leave the spray on for even longer to see if it can affect those worst-affected parts too.

If it's not already obvious, this reasonably priced spray is my new kitchen saviour and I'm plotting exactly what I can use it on next. After reading Amazon's reviews of it (where it has a 4.6/5 star rating from over 300 reviews to date), I've been inspired to try it out on my oven too. Can you see yourself getting use out of this spray for your cookware or air fryer?

One of the main pitfalls of summer is the sudden surge of flies that plague homes, gardens and particularly kitchens. If you’re fed up of seeing these buzzing pests trying to get a look in on your fruit bowl, Lidl has just dropped a £4.99 solution.

No one wants to see flies - which are typically vinegar flies - swarming around their fruit bowl. They’re unhygienic and annoying, making it a no-brainer that we all want to know how to get rid of flies during summer.

Landing in stores on Sunday (21 June), Lidl’s Silvercrest Green Fruit Basket - 2 Piece Set (£4.99) can be used to protect both your fruit and plates of food from flies. Here’s why.

Unfortunately, your fruit bowl is one of the biggest attractants (aside from your food waste bin) for flies. When fruit begins to overripe, its natural sugars start to ferment, which releases a pungent smell which flies love.

Because of this, it’s advisable to say goodbye to your fruit bowl for good and store fruit in the fridge over summer. However, there are ways around this. For example, I use Lakeland’s £9.99 StayFresh sheets in my fruit bowl, and they absorb ageing ethylene gases to slow the ripening process. Or, Lidl’s new fruit basket provides a physical barrier to stop flies from reaching your fruit.

Simple yet effective, the Silvercrest Fruit Basket is made up of a basket and lid, crafted with wire mesh to create a breathable yet impenetrable barrier for flies and wasps. The lid can also be used as a food cover, making it ideal for protecting dishes when dining al fresco or protecting desserts at BBQs.

The bowl is large enough to hold a variety of fruits, while its attractive mint green colourway is an excellent way to add a pop of colour to your kitchen ideas.

While this is a good barrier against flies, the fruit bowl won’t get rid of flies. The best way to reduce the amount of flies in your home is to practice cleanliness, not leaving food out, emptying food waste bins regularly and cleaning your food waste bin.

You can also use scent deterrents such as cucumber to get rid of flies, or you can make your own repellent with dish soap, water and strong-smelling essential oils such as peppermint, lavender, cloves, lemongrass and eucalyptus.

However, fruit bowls such as these ones can be a great extra layer of protection against flies and wasps. What do you say?

Next's Palma sofa bed has been one of the brand's bestselling overnight hosting solutions for a while now, and it's easy to see why.

Stylish, multifunctional, and reasonably priced, it's little wonder this fold-out bed gives many of the best sofa beds on the market a run for their money.

However, Next just upped the ante even further by adding *hidden storage* to this popular buy. To my mind, that makes this space-saving sofa bed even more of a game-changer for a small home.

The Palma sofa bed is already a great option if you want to host overnight guests but don't have much floor space.

It's a fold-out design, which means it concertinas up into a two-seater sofa in seat form, but, once extended, creates a double-bed-sized sleeping area. And the two-seater model's compact footprint means it works well in a small living room or home office.

However, when I bought my first sofa bed, the one thing I hadn't factored in was how much space the extra guest bedding would take up in my home.

Most sofa beds require a good mattress topper to make them more comfortable, and these can be bulky to store. Plus, there's the extra guest duvet, pillows, and bed linen that need to be stashed somewhere.

That's why the new Palma storage sofa bed is such a dream for a small home. Unlike the original Next Palma Sofa Bed, which has stylish wooden legs beneath the seat, this new version features a hidden storage drawer at its base.

This drawer provides the ideal storage space for all your guests' bedding – both whilst they're staying with you, and once they've gone home.

As of writing, this new launch comes in two colourways. A boucle fabric in a light 'natural' shade, and a deep 'forest green' colourway in a jumbo chenille cord.

Both make a stylish addition to any home and look set to follow in the popularity of the original Palma sofa bed, which gets rave reviews from Next shoppers.

'We moved into a two-bedroom flat, but the second bedroom is quite tiny,' shares one reviewer of the standard Palma sofa bed on the Next website. 'We didn't want a full bed to take up the entire space all the time, so got this Next sofa bed to roll out when we have guests. It looks really premium and lush!'

'Excellent quality product,' says a second reviewer. 'Looks lovely. Like all sofa beds... firm to sit on and firm to lie on, but it is still comfortable. Very impressed with how easy it was to construct (only needed to add the legs) and the speed of delivery. Well done Next!'

And that £599 price point is definitely another big tick in the new Palma storage sofa bed's favour.

Whilst it's still an investment, as someone who's spent the past five years testing the best sofa beds and best chair beds on the market, I can assure you it's actually a very reasonable price compared to similar options. I've included a few alternatives below so you can compare.

Shop alternatives

Very often when I speak to interior pros and ask them about trends, their response is that they don’t follow (or really care) about trends. In recent years, trends have developed something of a bad rep, especially since individualistic homes that reflect your personality and interests has been (ironically) one of the biggest trends. But there are other interior experts that still believe trends have good things to offer – as long as you know how to use them.

When it comes to home decor trends, there’s a middle ground between condemning them altogether and following them to the point of your home becoming something of a fashion victim. And it’s this middle ground that’s the sweet spot which allows you to take inspiration from the trends while staying true to your personal likes and your style.

‘The word trend always seems to carry quite a negative connotation, and I think that's such a shame,’ says Tash Bradley, director of interior design at Lick. ‘The reason trends are so powerful is that they get us thinking.’

Jo Lane, founder of online interior design service See Your Place, continues, ‘It can be really easy to get stuck in a rut, stick to your tried and tested interior style, and dismiss interior trends as faddy and fleeting. But I think new trends can be really inspiring and help you to think about your own space differently.’

How to use trends like a pro

The best thing about trends, whether it’s a colour trend or a new feature like a bobbin finish or scalloped trims, is that it shows the style in question in a whole new light.

‘They introduce us to colours, materials and ideas that perhaps we hadn't considered before. Perhaps you've suddenly discovered a beautiful burgundy, olive green or butter yellow because designers and brands are showcasing it in clever ways,’ Tash at Lick says.

But rather than adopting every new trend that becomes popular, a better approach is to start by observing how you feel about the new look and whether it actually appeals to you and your style, as well as whether it fits in with your taste.

‘Trends help us work out what we genuinely love and what we don't,’ Tash says and continues using the example of colour trends. ‘Colour is incredibly personal. If you fall in love with a colour that happens to be trending, then that's very different from choosing it simply because everyone else is.’

She shares her trick designed to help you see how you feel about a colour trend, ‘One of my favourite tricks when a colour starts appearing everywhere is to wear it before you decorate with it. Whether that's a jumper, a shirt, a pair of trousers or even an accessory, live with that colour for a little while and see how it makes you feel. I always say to my clients: if you're happy wearing it, you're usually happy living with it.’

And once you’ve decided that you genuinely like a trend, the best way to approach it is by putting your own spin on it. ‘If you want to incorporate new trends into your own interiors, I think the best way is to take them as a starting point, not literally copy and paste,’ Jo at See Your Place advises.

The on-trend pieces I’ve embraced in my home

‘Ultimately, the homes that stand the test of time aren't the ones that ignored trends completely. They're the homes that borrowed inspiration from them and then interpreted them in a way that felt personal to the people living there,’ Tash concludes.

Last year, I moved into a 22 sqm studio flat which I regularly refer to as ‘my shoebox’. Since it’s so tiny, I have to be very careful with everything I bring into the space, from the colours I incorporate to the furniture I invest in. So keeping that in mind, this is what I did in my studio to make it feel bigger than it is.

A few months ago, I revealed how I faked a living room in my studio and created the ultimate small ‘living room’ in my space – it truly doesn’t get much smaller than this. And some of the things and tools on this list below are exactly what’s allowed me to create a ‘living area’ that’s to an extent separate from my ‘sleeping area’.

It’s certainly a small space but since I currently live alone (and I’m pretty small myself), I’ve made it work for me. This is how.

1. Zoning

As already mentioned, I’ve created different ‘areas’ within my flat - which can also be referred to as zones - that serve different purposes. That’s how I’ve been able to fake a ‘living room’ in my space. But I also have a little dining nook and a sleeping zone.

The way that I’ve achieved this is by strategically arranging furniture - like the middle section of my modular sofa turned into a chair facing the sofa and the back of it separating the living area from the dining one - and by placing a rug down. Rugs are great tools for zoning a space like an open-plan living room.

2. Sticking with white walls

In all honesty, my decision to keep the walls white was both strategic and out of laziness. Since one of the walls was covered in the most horrendous black (!) wallpaper, I already had to paint that one and didn’t particularly fancy doing any more of that. As it’s a studio, it’s a continuous space without separation so I’d have to repaint it in its entirety.

The white walls, painted in Dulux’s White Mist, available at Amazon, beautifully reflect the natural light that the flat receives, owing to its big south-facing windows, and visually expands it. And given the south orientation, the White Mist paint shade with a slight grey undertone is the best white paint for it.

3. Eliminating black where possible

When I moved into the flat, the doors and skirting boards were painted matt black. Why anyone would do that in such a small space, I really don’t know. Luckily, I was allowed to repaint them even though I’m renting. After much deliberation, I went with Lick’s Blue 08, available at B&Q, which is a light sky blue shade with a warm undertone.

The one piece of furniture that came with the place was a wardrobe, which was - you guessed it - also black. I’ve been really loving this year’s burl wood furniture trend, so to get rid of that big black box in the middle of my flat, I decided to cover it with a burl wood-finish vinyl I got from eBay.

But there is still some black left in the space, namely in the kitchen and bathroom, as the floor and some of the splashback tiles are black.

4. Opting for a light colour scheme

Speaking of colour, as I already mentioned I’ve kept the walls white and the doors and skirting boards are now a soft blue. But the colours throughout the flat are light with lots of neutrals mixed together.

I’ve incorporated a few pops of colour - mostly deep red and earthy terracotta - through accessories and smaller pieces like my Addison Ross wireless bobbin lamp in cherry and my coffee table (which is actually a side table) from La Redoute in deep orange.

5. Utilising vertical space

Whether it's small bedroom or small living room storage, the number one advice from interior experts is to utilise your walls as vertical space is often forgotten about. By doing this, you avoid cluttering the room in question on ground level and the variation in height also brings depth to the space.

I recently (finally!) installed some shelves on my walls and I couldn’t be happier with them. I covered one entire wall with a continuous shelf near the ceiling which I’d painted in the same white as the walls. It now displays all my books and a few decorative objects. And above my dining table, I put up this wall shelf from H&M Home to hold some of my mugs and glassware. Again, I’m very fortunate that my landlord allows me to drill into the walls.

6. Leaving some negative space

When it comes to a small space, it’s important to avoid cluttering and overcrowding it as that’s how it ends up looking even smaller than it is. Instead, leaving some empty - also referred to as negative - space is key to let the space and the pieces of furniture in it breathe. And that’s exactly what I’ve been aiming to do in my studio.

7. Adding curved shapes

Curved and more organic shapes are not only one of the biggest home decor trends. They also make for a great addition to a small space as they look softer than angular designs, giving the illusion of flowing into the space.

That’s exactly why my round dining table which I got on Facebook Marketplace works so well in my studio. And the gently curved edges of my 1977 sofa from King Living further add to it.

8. Getting furniture that fits perfectly

Speaking of my dining table - which also doubles as my work space on the two days of the week I work from home - I chose this particular one very carefully because the measurements had to be perfect. There’s a very small nook next to my kitchen that was just perfect to squeeze a little dining table in – but a few inches too big and it would look awkward and would only accentuate how tiny the space is.

The same thing applies to my Habitat sideboard which fits perfectly in my bay window. It took me months to find one that wasn’t super expensive, wasn’t too high to block the window (and the light) or too big (or too small), while also providing enough storage space for my magazine collection.

9. Including hidden storage

Which brings me on to my last point – closed storage that hides clutter. As much as I love my vertical open storage - my open shelving - a small space needs its fair share of closed storage for a sleek look.

My sideboard provides that, as does my wardrobe. But the piece of furniture that hides most of my actual clutter and miscellaneous items is my Simba ottoman bed – having one of those has been a gamechanger, I don’t know what I’d do without it.

Get the look

Do you have any tips for making a small space look and feel bigger than its actual square metres?

It's official - we can't get enough of colour in kitchens. Every playful shade has its place, whether butter yellow, sky blue, or primary red, but figuring out how to incorporate these kitchen trends can be tricky.

While painted cabinets and walls will drench a space in a particular shade, it will require a weekend spent DIYing or calling in a professional to help. If it's not in the budget and time doesn't allow for painting, these easy and speedy tips for adding colour to a kitchen will add plenty of joy to a space with limited investment.

Whether you have an hour spare to move decor around or a weekend to try a DIY hack, you can put the paintbrush down and try these tips instead.

1. Keep crockery on display

One of the simplest ways to introduce a new kitchen colour scheme is by showcasing everyday pieces of kitchenware - it's a clever decor trick that doubles up as practical storage.

Open shelving in lieu of wall cabinets acts as a focal point in your design and is a useful spot for storing everyday cooking items that you need to reach for.

'Ceramics, fresh flowers, coloured glassware, and artisanal cookware displayed on open shelving or worktops are an effortless way to introduce seasonal colour. Rich greens, earthy terracottas, or buttery yellows can soften the room and create a layered, lived-in feel,' explains Tom Howley, creative design director at Tom Howley.

The beauty of this is that you can make use of things you already own, and also add decorative touches that you collect along the way, whether on holidays or at antique markets.

2. Use removable coverings

While perfect for rental kitchens, removeable surface coverings and faux tiles are also handy for adding colour without committing.

Whether you want to try out a particular colour palette without it being permanent, or you just don't want to call in tradespeople, adhesive worktops and tiles are a great way to trial a look and incorporate colour.

There are so many more to choose from now, too. Colourful tile stickers can be used along an entire span of wall as a backsplash or in a smaller area to freshen up a scheme on a budget.

These pink peel and stick tiles from Amazon are a handy hack for adding colour and come in at under £35.

3. Layer rugs and textiles

Just because a kitchen is a practical space, it doesn't mean you can't include lots of soft furnishings. Textiles not only add warmth to a kitchen, but they are also a simple way to add colour to a cooking space without turning to a tin of paint.

'Bar stools upholstered in luxurious fabrics, patterned runners, or Roman blinds offer an opportunity to add depth and contrast. These softer furnishings bring in colour and can be updated over time, making them an ideal choice for homeowners who like to refresh their interiors without major changes,' Tom Howley adds.

Rugs are an easy way to incorporate a new colour into the design or pull out an existing one within the scheme. Layering rugs beneath a dining table or adding a runner between cabinets will bring a design to life.

Searching for specific colour inspiration? The edible kitchen colour trend will tap into food-inspired palettes that look stylish in 2026.

The lake house aesthetic is trending on Pinterest right now, and if you want to shop this luxe, nautical-inspired trend, Next is offering some of the best options.

Take it from us, Pinterest is one of the best places to find the latest home decor trends. And as we see coastal gardens fall back into fashion, it’s no surprise that the elevated lake house trend has also popped up on our radar.

Defined by nature-inspired colour palettes, mixed, natural materials and nautical-themed finishing touches, this trend is both homely and perfect for summer. And if you’re looking to embrace the trend, here are six pieces from Next’s latest homeware collections that I think nail it.

The lake house aesthetic is a trend centred on tranquillity. With wellness culture booming, including the increased popularity of spa gardens, it makes sense that we also want the inside of our homes to feel like a luxury retreat.

Taking inspiration from traditional lake houses and holiday homes, this trend is about recreating the same sense of serenity you feel when on a holiday. So, expect to see lots of calming blue tones, natural wood finishes and of course, a few coastal stripes as well. This trend is also focused on comfort, so you should expect to see a few comfy seating ideas, too.

The first piece from Next to catch my eye was their Blue Coastal Ceramic Vase (£28), which, adorned with leaves and birds, has a stunning vintage look. If you’re looking for more inspo, here are my top six picks from Next that I think nail the lake house aesthetic trend.

The lake house aesthetic is ideal for anyone looking to create a sense of serenity at home this summer. Which piece caught your eye?