Dunelm has been on fire when it comes to pumping out stylish new homeware, but its latest collaboration, partnering with British-Nigerian artist and designer Yinka Ilori MBE might just be the brand’s most colourful and vibrant yet. The limited-edition Dunelm x Yinka Ilori collection includes 40 pieces of furniture and homeware and I got a preview of the range IRL.

Living up to his nickname, the ‘architect of joy’, Yinka and his range is filled with bold patterns and joyful, summer-ready colours. He takes over the baton from the ‘queen of colour’, interior designer Sophie Robinson, who previously collaborated with Dunelm on three separate homeware collections.

With prices starting at just £9 for a hand towel, the Yinka Ilori collection has a distinct colour scheme of bold orange, pink and green with hints of blue, seen both on the soft furnishings like rugs, bed linen and cushions, as well as furniture like the Biscuit pine side tables which are among my favourite pieces – and it’s this cohesive colour palette that holds the new collection together.

But within that colour scheme, Yinka delivers a few different bold patterns, both geometric and floral ones. The vibrant colours are set against a neutral base, either in the form of a striking sculptural armchair or the boucle ottoman bed.

Both the choice of colours and patterns are very true to Yinka’s style and what he’s become known for. The references are inspired by the designer’s multicultural background and upbringing in north London, as well as the diverse communities of Leicester, Dunelm’s home city.

‘Growing up in a working-class environment, community was everything for my family,’ Yinka says. ‘It was how we shared stories and how we built things off the ground together, as a collective. There were similarities with this and Dunelm’s beginnings as a market stall – how they sought community.’

This is particularly evident in the background of the net floral pattern seen on this cotton duvet cover and pillowcase set. Inspired by a traditional curtain design, the print design incorporates the national flowers of some of the countries whose cultures have contributed to Leicester’s textile industry boom.

But it was actually the collection’s furniture that impressed me. Most of the pieces of furniture have a mid-century modern spin to them, with on-trend chrome furniture detailing seen throughout the range.

My top Dunelm x Yinka Ilori picks

I love a good collaboration – and this one, along with the Next x Lia Gold range, has both caught my attention this summer. The range is limited edition and filled with amazing pieces at budget-friendly prices, so I don’t expect the pieces to hang around for long. So if you see something you like, I recommend snapping it up while you can.

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

I’ll admit, garden storage is one area where I have never considered aesthetics before. That is, until Dunelm launched the new Malta Rattan Effect Garden Storage Box with Wheels (£179), which is not only one of the best-looking garden storage boxes I’ve spotted, but one that will help keep a small garden looking spotless.

One thing people with tidy gardens always have is access to the best garden storage ideas. Having somewhere to stash outdoor cushions, throws, and even toys can be a game-changer when it comes to keeping your garden clutter-free.

A handy garden storage box is always a good idea for storing these miscellaneous items, and Dunelm’s Malta rattan-effect box not only has a huge capacity, but it's so pretty that it won't be an eyesore in your garden like other storage boxes.

The Malta Rattan Effect Garden Storage Box with Wheels is not just a pretty face, as its dimensions of H 70cm x W 124cm x D 66cm prove it is large enough to hold everything from the best garden cushions to a garden parasol.

It also has an inner bag on the inside of the box to hold smaller items, so they don't get lost. I’m also a fan of the inner liner of the box, which can zip up to provide extra protection for the items inside. It has a weatherproof build, designed for outdoor use, so you shouldn’t have to worry about your belongings getting wet or damaged, and its wheels make it incredibly easy to move the box without strain.

But what I like most about this box, handiness aside, is how pretty it is. Rattan is a hugely popular choice of material for some of the best garden furniture, but this year, I’m seeing it more and more in our garden accessories.

This week, Aldi dropped a pair of stunning rattan planters, while Graden Trading is selling the most stylish rattan water butt I’ve ever seen. Rattan is a natural-looking material, meaning it is great for blending in with the natural colours, textures and plants of your garden. So, this means this storage box will blend seamlessly with the colours of your garden.

As well as the stylish storage box, the Malta range also extends to a stunning 4 seater rattan conversation set (£329), a rattan garden sofa (£329) and a reclining garden chair (£199). All use the same weave and colourway of rattan for a cohesive look.

'This storage box is great, well worth the money, great size and the waterproof linings inside with a zip which you can take out wheels with breaks, it’s just great,’ said one review about the storage box.

‘Great value storage box that looks good too. Generous capacity and fairly easy to assemble, although it took longer than suggested. Useful zip-up insert to keep contents dry,’ said another.

Alternatively, here are a few more attractive garden storage boxes that you can shop online.

Good garden storage is a must for a functional, tidy garden. It’s an added bonus when it looks as pretty as this one.

Is there anything better than a sale? I'm a self-confessed bargain hunter, but unfortunately, one that still has high standards with what I like to invest in for myself at home, which is why I was giddy to see that Dunelm's Summer Sale has started. And it's bigger than you'd believe.

While pouring through the pages of kitchenware in the Dunelm sale, I noticed that there were some seriously good finds hidden in there. I've been a fan of The Edited Life collection from Dunelm for a while now and while it's already well priced, the aesthetically pleasing range is even more affordable.

Some of my favourite brands are in there too, from Joseph Joseph's thoughtfully engineered kitchen gadgets to Kilner jars, which already feature on every shelf in my kitchen. I've narrowed it down to 24 of my favourite items that I think are worth adding to your basket, and will be sure to make a welcome addition to your kitchen ideas.

The Edited Life

The Edited Life is one of my favourite collections that Dunelm makes. The colour palette is soft and muted, so even the most practical pieces of kitchenware are aesthetically pleasing. I've never known a measuring jug to be quite so pretty, and despite being functional, these pieces would look just as good displayed on open shelving.

Joseph Joseph

Joseph Joseph makes some of my favourite gadgets that are built to fix all of the niggly problems in your kitchen. I always love finding Joseph Joseph on sale as they stick to similar styles, so you can gradually upgrade kitchenware over time when you find them reduced in price.

I've used many Joseph Joseph products over the years and always come back to their storage systems. The cupboard store organiser is a game-changer for making the most of every inch of space within a cupboard and I'd highly recommend investing while the Dunelm sale lasts.

Kilner

A sale is the perfect time to upgrade things like kitchen storage solutions - practical purchases that are a little bit more attractive when on sale. Kilner jars will last forever and reduce the amount of plastic in your home - I have my eye on the Sourdough Starter Kit so I can make fresh bread all summer long.

Looking for inspiration for the other rooms in your home? The Dunelm storage ottoman that saved my bedroom from clutter is also in the sale.

Like many others in the UK, I live in a small home with limited storage - and since my entryway is the tiniest (but busiest) area of my house, it’s full of clutter. But while I’ve tried to find a handy shoe storage solution, I’ve always come up short as they’re just a bit too obvious. So, you can imagine my excitement when I came across the new Rowan Shoe Storage Cabinet (£179 at Dunelm).

Sure, I know that one of the most important things people with tidy hallways always have is shoe storage, but I’m someone who likes things to be both practical and pretty. And while wire shoe racks and wooden shoe shelves are certainly practical, they’re rarely ever pretty and can become a hallway eyesore instead.

The Dunelm Rowan Shoe Storage Unit doesn’t look like any regular shoe storage, though, and you’d never guess that this stylish unit is hiding space for up to 15 pairs of shoes. It’s a game-changer if you want to curb hallway clutter and make a good first impression on your guests - and I’m adding it straight to my basket!

At first glance, the Dunelm Rowan Shoe Storage Cabinet looks like a relatively normal (albeit incredibly chic) piece of furniture. The oak effect makes it look sturdy and strong, and the slatted door design is bold and modern.

But hidden behind those doors are four shelves for your shoes - as well as the fifth shelf at the bottom, which can be used to store the shoes you use every day, or house some aesthetic storage baskets to keep practical clutter like post, keys, and parcels out of sight. It's truly one of the most practical yet stylish shoe storage solutions out there.

According to Dunelm, all five shelves hold up to 15 shoes up to size 10, so every family member can dump their shoes in the cabinet instead of by the front door for everyone to trip over. And as the cabinet has raised legs and is just 36cm deep, it can also serve as a great shoe storage idea for small spaces.

But what I love most about this shoe storage cabinet is that it perfectly blends practicality and style. It can serve as a must-have storage addition to a hallway without compromising on aesthetics - and the design lends itself to any home decor style. And that’s pretty rare.

You can even use the top of the unit as a makeshift hallway console table, adding anything you like - from a trinket tray like this Habitat Harlequin Blue Trinket Tray (£8 at Habitat) for your keys to some greenery like this Green Artificial Foliage Arrangement in Lydford Vase (£65 at Next). It really is so versatile.

Dunelm has only just dropped this new storage unit, but already the rave reviews are coming in thick and fast. One customer wrote, ‘Looks great and was easy to build, holds plenty of shoes and is a solid piece of storage.’ Another wrote, ‘It’s really smart and space-saving for a small hallway.’

However, one customer did note that the legs are made from a slightly different material, but for £179 I still think you’re getting a bargain - especially when shoe storage units from some brands can cost you over £500.

But if you love the Dunelm Rowan Shoe Storage Unit but have a slightly tighter budget, I’ve also found three alternatives that will still help you with your hallway storage ideas. Say goodbye to shoe clutter for good!

Will you be snapping up this space-saving shoe storage solution?

My Dunelm Hotel Bamboo Anti-Wrinkle Pillow review puts this unusual-looking pillow through its paces to see if it can really deliver a wrinkle-free sleep, and to see how it compares to the best pillows Ideal Home has tested.

In a nutshell

The first thing you're likely to notice about this pillow is its *very* unusual shape. This is not a traditional rectangular pillow in any sense, but there’s a reason for this.

Dunelm says that its unconventional shape is intended to ‘cradle your face without creasing skin to help minimise sleep lines’. The brand also claims that it ‘keeps creams and oils on your face and not on your pillowcase’ and helps to ‘protect hair and lashes.’

Pair its odd shape with a silky soft bamboo-viscose cover that Dunelm says is ‘smooth and gentle on your skin and hair,’ and you have a pillow that boasts of its 'anti-wrinkle' properties.

As a 46-year-old mother of two, I’m very familiar with a bit of face creasing, and not just at nighttime! So I was intrigued to find out if this innovative shaped pillow would not only feel gentle on my skin and hair but also offer anti-wrinkle benefits, and feel comfortable to sleep on.

Overall, I was fairly impressed. Whilst I haven’t seen an immediate impact on my wrinkles, it’s reduced the usual creasing that I often wake up with on my face. It also keeps my hair smoother than my usual pillow, and I wake up without looking like I’ve been dragged through a hedge backwards!

The main downside was that I found it tricky to keep my head within the 'cradle' of the pillows' arms throughout the night, but if you're a less wriggly sleeper than me, you might have more success!

Specifications

• Best for: anti-wrinkling
• Materials: cover: 100% viscose derived from bamboo, inner: 100% polyester
• Dimensions: 45cm x 35cm x 25cm
• Care instructions: outer cover can be washed at 40 degrees
• Manufacturer sleep trial: n/a

Comfort

As I've mentioned, the first thing you're likely to notice about this pillow is its unusual shape. It resembles a starfish of sorts (minus a few limbs), and it's certainly the most oddly shaped pillow I've tested.

This unconventional shape is intended to ‘cradle your face without creasing skin to help minimise sleep lines.’ And, luckily, it comes with a pillowcase included, as there's no chance you'd get a normal rectangular pillowcase onto this pillow!

The pillowcase itself also contributes to the anti-wrinkle mission. It's made from 100% viscose ‘derived from bamboo’, and I found it felt incredibly soft to the touch, almost like silk.

Inside the cover, the pillow itself feels soft and springy, with good bounce back when squashed or pushed.

I’m a fussy pillow person; my pillow can’t be too hard, so some of the brick-like memory foam ones I’ve tested previously are too rigid for my preference, and they can’t be so soft that they don’t offer enough support for my neck and spine.

Overall, I'd say this pillow has a medium-firm feel that I felt comfortable with, but otherwise this pillow is like nothing I’ve ever tried before!

I’m usually a side sleeper, although I sometimes sleep on my back, and I usually prefer a mid-height pillow with a medium level of firmness.

When I first lay on this pillow, my initial thoughts were that the cover felt incredibly soft and smooth on my skin, but it definitely took me a moment to work out exactly how I should be lying on it!

On my back, it felt very different from my usual pillow; higher and also with a smaller surface area. I could feel the ‘arms’ on either side of my head, too, which I didn't mind, but I think could be a red flag if you suffer from any level of claustrophobia!

When I rolled onto my side, I found the unusual shape cupped my head nicely, allowing my face to fit through the gaps in the arms and my arm to nestle under what I’m going to call the arms of the pillow. This also meant that my nightly moisturiser wasn’t rubbed off.

Overall, I found it offered me enough support to keep my neck and spine in alignment when I went to sleep on my side, with the added benefit of making sure my face wasn’t squashed.

However, I could feel the ‘arms’ pressing against my chin and forehead, though when lying on my side, which I didn’t love. Plus, on some of the nights that I slept on this pillow, I woke up to find that my face had moved from the original position, and I was either off the pillow completely or had my face squashed into it like my normal pillow. Whether that’s a reflection of me being a wriggly sleeper or the pillow itself, I’m not sure!

Overall, though, I found this pillow offered a good combination of comfort and support, and it didn’t let my head sink too far down towards the mattress.

Anti-wrinkle powers

One of the unique selling points of this pillow is that Dunelm describes it as an ‘anti-wrinkle’ pillow. Apparently, this is achieved by a combination of factors, such as the ‘ergonomic’ design which ‘cradles your face without creasing skin to help minimise sleep lines,’ and helps to ‘keep creams and oils on your face and not on your pillowcase’, plus the silky pillowcase that ‘helps protect hair and lashes’.

This pillow definitely felt softer and smoother on my face than my existing embossed cotton pillowcase, from which I often wake up with an imprint on my skin! And, on the mornings that I woke up on my side with my face still in the correct position between the ‘arms’ of the pillow, I did notice that my face didn’t have as many sleep lines and indents as it usually does.

However, I couldn't guarantee my head would remain in the 'right' position all night long, so on those nights I moved in my sleep, I still had a smushed face the pillow couldn't help.

Overall, my existing wrinkles definitely didn’t vanish overnight, but at 46, I wasn’t expecting miracles! However, I think that over a longer period of time, this reduction in ‘sleep lines’ and skin creasing when sleeping on it might well be more beneficial to my skin than my usual pillow.

I also liked that I could apply moisturiser before bed without it being absorbed by the pillow. The 'hole' in the pillow meant my creams absorbed into my face instead of the fabric. And as far as I’m concerned, that's definitely a good thing!

Temperature regulation

Although the pillowcase of the Dunelm Hotel Bamboo Anti-Wrinkle Pillow is made of silky viscose bamboo, which is cool to the touch, the inside of the pillow is filled with polyester, so I was a bit concerned it might make me feel hot during the night.

However, during testing, I found this pillow felt instantly cool and refreshing when I lay on it, and I didn’t wake up in the night with a sweaty neck and head like I sometimes do on my usual pillow.

My hair wasn’t damp or tangled when I woke up, like it sometimes is on my normal cotton pillowcase, either, suggesting that the fabric may, as Dunelm says, be ‘smooth and gentle on your skin and hair.’

My sons, who regularly turn their pillow over to find the cool side when getting to sleep, also loved the temperature regulation of this pillow and said it felt very cool to the touch. That said, after the initial novelty of testing it out, neither of them wanted to spend the whole night sleeping on it.

Ease of care

The Dunelm Hotel Touch of Bamboo Anti-Wrinkle pillowcase is machine washable but not suitable for ironing. It can be tumble-dried on a low heat.

The cover has a zip down the back, which makes it easy to remove, and I found it washed and dried well in my washing machine.

The only downside is that the unusual shape of the pillow and pillowcase makes it a bit fiddly and time-consuming to get the pillowcase back on after washing, so you’ll need to allow additional time for this.

Sleep trial

There's no sleep trial available on this pillow, so that does mean that once you've unboxed it it's non-returnable.

However, most of us aren't too far away from a Dunelm store, so there is the option to go test it out in person before you shop.

Value for money

Costing just £25, the Dunelm Hotel Touch of Bamboo Anti-Wrinkle Pillow is very affordable and much cheaper than many other pillows I’ve tested.

In fact, I was surprised by how affordable it is, considering how much more work must go into manufacturing its unusual shape than a standard rectangular pillow, and I thought its silky bamboo viscose cover also looked simple but luxurious.

Would I buy it again? I'm not sure. I thought its arms were clever, and the theory was good, but in practice, I found it hard to keep my head aligned in its 'cradle' all night to get the benefit of 'uncreased' skin.

It has definitely convinced me to invest in one of the best silk pillowcases, so I continue to enjoy the smoothing benefits of a non-cotton pillowcase, though!

How I tested

In order to test out this pillow, I slept on it for two weeks on my own bed to assess its comfort, temperature regulation, and those anti-wrinkle claims. I also assessed its ease of care, any sleep trials available, and how it compares to similar products on the market to see if it offered good value for money.

If you're like me and have a bedroom that's more bijou than bountiful, then you may have given up on the dream of having a dressing table in your boudoir.

After all, a dedicated dressing table is only an option if you have the luxury of a spacious sleep setup, right? Those of us with small bedrooms have to make do with balancing on the edge of the bed to get ready in the morning.... don't we?

Not so, as it turns out. At least not if you shop at Dunelm right now. I've just discovered that the brand has launched a fantastic range of compact dressing tables, and even better, prices start at just £89.

My favourite *has* to be the Dunelm Frankie Striped Compact Dressing Table Set with Mirror and Stool. It's super stylish, super compact, comes with a hidden mirror and a very designer-looking upholstered storage chair included, *and* it's (relatively) affordable.

Little wonder that means it's already sold out numerous times in its various colourways, but it's currently back in stock in the rust stripe upholstery and ready to be snapped up, if you're quick.

However, if stripes aren't your thing, there are also plenty more great slimline and small footprint dressing tables available at Dunelm right now, including pretty fluted designs and natural wood options. I've rounded up my top picks below.

Shop Dunelm's small dressing tables

I've scoured the high street in my hunt for a small dressing table, and whilst some retailers have the odd option (I'll add some of my favourites below) I haven't found anywhere that has the same range of options as Dunelm.

It seems the retailer is going all in on small space design this year, and as someone with a tiny bedroom, that's certainly music to my ears!

Shop alternatives

Small garden owners, listen up! Dunelm is selling a stylish folding egg chair that is both easy to store and space-saving - and right now, it’s £75 off.

If you’ve been looking for the best garden furniture to add to your small garden, patio or courtyard, Dunelm’s Sydney Garden Chair is a great choice. It’s not only incredibly practical for small spaces, but it’s one of the chicest chairs we’ve seen this year.

Dunelm frequently impresses us with its stylish egg chairs - just look at the Santorini egg chair as an example. Now, we have our sights set on the Sydney chair, which proves that garden furniture can cater to small spaces without compromising on good looks.

Foldable egg chairs are a great choice for small spaces and can be found at a number of retailers. The Outsunny Egg Chair, £158.99, B&Q and the Leaper foldable, £127.50, Debenhams are just two stylish examples. Recently, B&M’s folding egg chairs caught our attention due to their space-saving capacity, and now, having seen Dunelm’s version, I’m arguing it is the better choice.

The Dunelm Sydney Rope Folding Egg Chair is one of the most stylish egg chairs I’ve seen for a while. And while it is reduced from £199 to £124, it is one of the most affordable chairs I’ve seen as well.

It has been crafted with a sleek rattan-effect material and beige base for a cohesive look. I’m a particular fan of its rattan panels that are a more stylish take on the classic egg chair shape. Also included is the plush beige seat, which is perfect for relaxing in.

The chair does come in ‘flat-pack’ format, so you will have to put it together. However, when the seat is up, it easily folds away for easy storage. Despite the chair being fairly new, it’s already racking up positive reviews online.

‘Great item, solid construction, simple in the most part to set up, took about 40 mins on my own, including unboxing. Cushions and chairs are well-made, & easy to remove if you want to store them away. Very happy with my purchase!’ said one.

‘Absolutely love this rope egg chair. Arrived on time and packaged well. Minimal assembly required although it does need two people, purely for the weight. The chair itself is very comfortable and cushions are very good quality. A little bit different in style to the usual egg chairs which is why I purchased it and would definitely recommend,’ said another.

Dunelm’s Sydney chair is not their only impressive piece of garden furniture either. Here are a few more styles I’m loving from the retailer right now.

If you have a small garden, patio or courtyard a foldable egg chair is a must. This bargain chair not only looks great, but can be quickly stashed away to make room when not in use.

If you want to elevate your garden lighting set-up beyond a string of festoon lights or a row of stake lamps, Dunelm's rattan outdoor hanging lights are just the thing to turn an ordinary garden patio or deck into a luxe outdoor living room.

The trend for pendant garden lights took off last year, but this year it's become more versatile and affordable battery-powered and solar pendant lights, like Dunelm's lights landing in stores this summer.

The collection includes two distinct shapes, making it easy to tailor the look to your space. There’s a more traditional empire-style lamp, priced at £15, alongside a contemporary round design priced at £22.

These lamps are completely fuss-free. If you’ve ever been put off by outdoor lighting that feels too permanent, these offer a far more flexible alternative. With its hook-on approach, you can easily move them around, switch up your styling, or take them down entirely when the seasons change – no drilling or long-term decisions required.

'Hanging garden lights are making a big comeback for summer 2026,' particularly styles that create an atmospheric effect,' says Julia Barnes, Product Director at ValueLights, who also sells a stylish outdoor pendant light for £55, that is solar powered and comes with a 3-meter cable to hang it around your garden.

However, it's the material that also sets these pendant outdoor lamps apart. Rattan lamps have been a massive trend indoors over the last year, so it only makes sense that this material is making its way outdoors, where it's already a fan favourite for the best garden furniture.

Both lights cast a warm, gentle glow that instantly makes an outdoor setting feel more inviting – ideal for everything from relaxed evenings outdoors to hosting friends as the sun sets. The woven finish introduces a layered quality that makes gardens feel styled, while still keeping everything relaxed and easy. It’s this balance between polished and informal that gives outdoor spaces that sought-after “expensive” feel.

Keep things relaxed and layered when styling an outdoor rattan pendant light Try hanging them from tree branches for an organic, effortless feel, or along a fence to create a calming background. They work particularly well nestled among greenery, where the woven rattan creates a gentle light through the surrounding foliage.

Julia adds: 'There’s a clear demand for natural materials that bring warmth and texture into both indoor and outdoor spaces. As people invest more in their gardens, rattan lighting offers that relaxed, organic look that feels both timeless and on-trend.'

'Rattan hanging lights are a great way to instantly elevate an outdoor space. They diffuse light beautifully, creating a warm, ambient glow that’s perfect for entertaining or relaxing in the evening. They’re also versatile, working just as well in modern gardens as they do in more rustic or bohemian settings.'

The overall effect is a garden that feels warm, inviting, and thoughtfully put together, and, most importantly, far more expensive than it actually is.

Spring is one of the best seasons for cooking seasonally - fruit tastes sweet again and there's ample colour in our food, which is inspiring me to hunker down in my kitchen and spend more time hosting at home. However, this poses a fresh issue in my life; my kitchen needs a facelift.

It feels tired and uninspiring after the winter months so I'm looking for ways to freshen up the appearance of my space and the quality of my kitchenware without eating into my 'fun budget' - luckily, the Dunelm spring sale has the answer.

The sun has shone an unforgiving light on the scratches on my kitchen cabinets and floors, which is why this Rust-Oleum paint and peel-and-stick floor tiles caught my eye for an affordable weekend DIY project. Updating some of my most-used kitchenware is also giving my kitchen a fresh look, and the sale has great discounts on Smeg and decorative art pieces.

Whether you need an update on some of your kitchen sink essentials or you're looking for paint to refresh your kitchen ideas, the Dunelm spring sale is the best place to start.

What are you eyeing up in the Dunelm sale?

Who else here hates doing laundry? I’ll raise my hand. Unfortunately, doing laundry is about as certain as death and taxes, which is why we’re always on the lookout for laundry solutions that make the job easier. And I’ve just spotted a good one - Dunelm’s Collapsible Wall Large Laundry Basket (£8).

An organised utility room is a key ingredient in making your laundry routine run smoothly. Dunelm’s latest space-saving solution allows you to organise and sort laundry loads, no matter how much or little space you have.

Utilising your home’s vertical space, I think this collapsible laundry basket is a clever design that will make laundry easy. If you’re short on space and time, here’s why I think it could be a game-changer for you.

The main thing I don’t like about doing laundry is how much space it takes up. I have a small flat, and sometimes sorting, folding and separating clothes can feel like it takes up so much space. While the best heated airers or best dehumidifiers are excellent at speeding up the drying process, I’m also keen to find something that makes organising laundry easier.

Of course, the cult Joseph Joseph Laundry Basket (was £110, now £77 at Argos), which is a favourite amongst the Ideal Home team, allows you to separate your clothes. It has a huge capacity of 90 litres to allow you to sort large amounts of laundry, without losing floor space.

The Dunelm Collapsible Wall Laundry Basket takes this one step further. Perfect for tiny spaces, it doesn’t take up any floor space and folds flat against the wall when not in use. It is 34cm L x 25cm W x 48cm D, making it a suitable size to hold a large load of laundry.

At £8, it’s also a fantastic price, and vastly cheaper than the Joseph Joseph model. The laundry basket fixes onto your wall with its built-in hanging hole. You could also use adhesives such as Command Strips if you’re renting.

The basket is a great choice for busy households. Why not invest in a few to keep around your house? For example, in the bathroom it can be used to collect dirty towels, while in the kitchen it can collect cleaning clothes and tea towels. Reviews also mention that it makes separating different clothes and items easier.

‘This has been a great addition to our kitchen. We’ve attached it to the side of a cupboard and use it to keep our whites separate before washing. It’s really sturdy, and the adhesive hooks are proving strong at the moment,’ said one.

If, like me, you’ve been left impressed by the clever design of this basket, you should check out these similar designs.

If you want to make your laundry routine easier, a space-saving solution like this one can save you both time and effort. It’s a win-win.

Spring is officially here and with it, the al fresco dining and hosting season is just around the corner. So this is the perfect time to get your outdoor space ready – and if your dining set is in need of an update, the new Dunelm Amazonia cube garden dining set would be my top recommendation. Especially if you’re short on space, as this cube dining set is one of the best space-saving solutions I’ve seen this season.

I first came across the Dunelm Amazonia range last week when giving our guide to the best garden furniture a seasonal overhaul – I was impressed with the chic, boho-style Amazonia corner sofa set, which is already sold out in the natural colourway.

Then over the weekend, I spotted the matching dining set, perfect for small garden ideas, all over my Instagram and TikTok. So I predict it won’t be long before it sells out, too.

Selling for £649, the set includes a dining table with four dining chairs that perfectly slot within the table when not in use so they don’t take up any extra space. But that’s not all. Most cube dining sets can offer that but this dining set comes with four extra stools, each of which slots underneath one of the dining chairs – so even though this design takes up very little space, it can seat 8 people altogether. Don’t tell me you’re not impressed – because I sure am!

I’m also a big fan of the look of the dining set, made with a beige-coloured steel frame with woven rope detailing seen both on the dining chairs and the table underneath the glass tabletop. The curved edges of the design, a huge garden furniture trend this year, make it more elevated and perfect for small spaces.

‘Curved frames, rounded edges and cocooning shapes bring a slightly grander presence while still maintaining the effortless, relaxed feel,’ says John Rastall, head of home at DFS.

Even though the coordinating corner sofa set is currently out of stock, if you’re after a matching moment, Dunelm also offers the Amazonia 4-seater conversation set which is still available.

Dunelm is always one of my go-tos when it comes to garden furniture ideas – whether it’s a statement colourful piece like Dunelm’s Sophie Robinson collab or a budget-friendly bistro set. And even though the Amazonia dining set is brand new, it already has one five-star review from a very happy customer. And I’m sure there will be more soon.

Alternatives

If you want a garden filled with joy and colour this summer, you’ve landed on the right page as I bring news of the latest Dunelm x Sophie Robinson collection, which is packed with colourful garden buys to brighten your outdoor space.

The third Sophie Robinson x Dunelm collaboration is now available to shop both in-store and online. As you would expect, it uses swathes of vibrant colour and intricate patterns to embody the interior designer's maximalist style.

While there is something on sale for every room of the house, it is Sophie's latest drop of garden buys to upgrade your outdoor seating ideas that has me excited. I’ve rounded up my top six picks that I think are perfect for adding instant colour to your garden this spring.

This year’s garden trends have a focus on celebrating colour. Whether that’s bedding plants that add instant colour to your garden, or choosing colourful garden furniture, we’re seeing plenty of innovative ways to make our outdoor spaces look vibrant.

Sophie’s latest collection incorporates rich tapestry detailing, ceramic lanterns, and intricate geometric patterns inspired by a recent trip to Morocco.

‘My newest collection with Dunelm is inspired by the rich design heritage of Marrakech, drawing on those gorgeous sun-baked colours intertwined with flamboyant florals that I’m known for, that for me epitomise British summertime. The outdoor edit is all about creating a vibrant, sociable setting, with everything you need to layer up an opulent, personality-packed tablescape,’ says Sophie.

See for yourself with my top six picks that prove Sophie remains the ‘Queen of Colour’ even when it comes to the garden.

I’m a big fan of the emphasis on colour within our garden ideas this year. The Sophie Robinson x Dunelm collection is one of the easiest ways to make your garden look effortlessly vibrant on a budget. Which piece is your favourite?

As the owner of a very small master bedroom, I need all the clever bedroom storage tricks I can get my hands on. I do have a small wardrobe in the main bedroom, but other than two bedside tables, that's about all the small bedroom storage ideas I really have space for.

And my storage woes aren't helped by the fact that my dormer bedroom has a very low-sloping ceiling. This means that a low platform bed works best in the room, but the downside of my low-slung bed is that I lose that vital underbed storage area.

Or so I thought, because, thankfully, the £14 Dunelm Stripe Underbed Storage Bag has just changed that. And even better, this savvy storage hero is *cute*.

Dunelm has a fantastic range of storage options in-store and online this season, but this stylish striped storage bag is definitely one of my favourites. And it's one of the most affordable. How often does *that* combination happen?!

It comes in three different colours – yellow, mushroom, and olive – and personally, I love that sunshine yellow stripe. It brings a smile to my face whenever I look at it, and personally, I'd be more than happy having it out on display rather than tucked under my bed. It's too pretty not to enjoy regularly!

However, unlike other storage options I've tried under my bed – such as regular plastic stacking boxes, which are too tall – it does actually fit under my bed if I want it to!

It has a fairly shallow height anyway (although there's still plenty of room for stashing clothes or bedding), and because this bag is made from fabric, that means it's also a little squishable, so it's perfect for squeezing under my low-framed bed. Woo hoo!

I also love the fact that it's zipped rather than having a lid I need to take off, as that means I don't have to pull the bag all the way out from under the bed to rummage inside it.

And it seems I'm not alone in rating this storage option highly. As one 5-star reviewer on the Dunelm website says, 'very happy with these underbed storage bags. They hold a lot more than a similar plastic storage box... look really great, have a double zip for easy access, and are of very good quality. I'm planning on buying more as there's always lots to store!'

'Stylish and good quality,' says another happy owner, 'really pleased with them. Changing from an ottoman bed to an open frame, where underbed storage will be visible, but I don't mind with these. Lovely colour.'

'I really love this item!' raves a third 5-star reviewer, 'great value and quality. It looks really smart, makes my room look so much tidier.'

And of course, they don't have to be used under the bed. 'I bought three in different colours to store bedding, curtains, and cushions,' says one Dunelm shopper. 'All in different colours so as to find each easily, and all stacked up neatly in the airing cupboard.'

Plus, if stripes or the trio of colours on offer aren't your thing, there are plenty more options to choose from. I've rounded up some of my top picks below.

Shop alternatives

All in all, I think this £14 bargain is well worth its price thanks to the fact it's made my bedroom look so much tidier.

And now I've seen how well it works, like many Dunelm shoppers have mentioned, I'm definitely considering stocking up on more!

I spied Dunelm's Frankie Striped Compact Dressing Table Set with Mirror and Stool priced at £399 back in December when it sold out in a matter of days. I've been waiting ever since for it to come back into stock, and it's finally landed in two new on-trend striped colourways.

If, like me, you've been looking for a glamorous dressing table that is small bedroom compatible, you'll probably have come across Urban Outfitters Jane Vanity and Chair. The chic upholstered dressing table, which includes a neat nesting chair and a flip-up mirror top, is a staple of some of the most stylish bedrooms on social media. It might have a history of selling out, but the £899 price tag has always put me off investing.

Then, along came Dunelm's version; it delivered the same savvy space-saving design and glamorous upholstered finish for under £400. Not to mention it actually hides twice as much storage as the Urban Outfitters version.

The Dunelm compact dressing table was originally launched only in olive green velvet. This sold out before Christmas and has yet to be restocked (Dunelm has said it will be coming back in May).

However, Dunelm has also reintroduced the dressing table in a range of new colours, including a pretty olive green stripe, a caramel boucle stripe, and ivory boucle. If you are a fan of the Beatrice snuggle chair, then you'll adore the striped versions.

This is one of the best dressing table ideas I've come across for a tiny bedroom. It looks like a round side table with upholstered sides and a wooden top when not in use. When it's time to get ready, the dressing table chair pulls out, and the top flips up to reveal a mirror and a hidden space for beauty products.

The best part about this dressing table is the chair. It has a proper back and a hidden compartment under the chair seat for storing a hair dryer, your straighters and other beauty tools.

The Dunelm compact dressing table is made out of polyester and plywood. In contrast, the more expensive Urban Outfitters version is made out of mango wood and has a more rounded shape. Otherwise, they look incredibly similar.

The Dunelm version is a cracking price for a table and chair in one double-whammy. As I said, I've already seen the olive green version sell out, and the striped ones are proving popular, so I'd snap one up while you can.

Alternative small space dressing tables

If you're looking for a space-saving dressing table but are not sure about the Dunelm one, here are three others I've had my eye on.

Is it time to upgrade your getting-ready station?

Storage has always been an issue in my bedroom. Yes, I probably own way too many bags and hair tools, but after stepping on another plug last weekend, I decided enough was enough - I needed more storage.

I'm a girl who likes stuff, but one who also inhabits a very small bedroom where the chest of drawers doubles up as a dressing table, and my singular wardrobe has to house my clothes and bags, so it's safe to say the room is bursting at the seams. No more furniture would fit in the room, so when I saw this faux linen ottoman from Dunelm for £35, I knew it was the bedroom storage idea I needed.

I've long dreamt of upholstering my own ottoman one day, but in the meantime, I wanted a stylish storage box that would easily sit at the end of my bed.

I was immediately wowed when I saw this Dunelm ottoman. A lot of affordable, pop-up storage boxes come in uninspiring colours and materials, whereas this new striped faux linen material is similar to what I would've chosen to upholster an ottoman myself.

You can expect to pay hundreds for an ottoman, so for just £35 I knew it was worth giving a go. It arrived flatpack, which made it really easy to bring inside, and upon opening, all I had to do was pop up the base, slot the bottom of the ottoman in and put the lid on.

For £35, I'm amazed by the quality. It sits a little lower than I would have liked and if my bed was accessible from both sides, I would invest in another ottoman to have them sit side by side.

Despite it being faux linen, I only realised this upon looking back at the product description as it feels thick and high-quality. The lid is padded and has a great weight to it, so it's sturdy and doesn't easily move around.

The ottoman is available in three different colourways - blue, terracotta and olive. I opted for blue to match the rest of the space which has a cottage-style scheme with lots of blue and cream block prints and wooden furniture.

I had my eye on a few different storage benches, going for upwards of £150, but they were all actually way too big for my space.

For smaller bedrooms this Dunelm ottoman is the perfect route to go down - you could double up two ottomans to span the width of a king size bed or opt for just one if you need it to tuck neatly into a corner, like I did.

Shop more storage ottomans

Spring is the perfect season to start upgrading your interiors. Ahead of getting my wardrobe switched over to my spring and summer clothes, reorganising my belongings and levelling up storage has made the space so much easier to navigate.

Dunelm is always one of my go-to stores for stylish and affordable home storage, and I think this year the brand's collection is better than ever.

There's one particular £4 bedroom storage buy that I've had my eye on since I first spied it on the brand's website back in January. The only problem: the stylish yet budget-friendly The Edited Life Felt Bedside Pocket Organiser keeps selling out just as quickly as it comes back into stock.

I've tried to buy this clever storage solution three times already and missed out each time. But I won't gatekeep, because it's *finally* back online and in stock, and I think this super affordable buy is well worth snapping up before it disappears yet again.

It may look simple, but this is a clever (and affordable) solution for banishing bedside mess and creating a calm, clutter-free bedroom.

If you're anything like me, then you'll know that any surface in the home can quickly become a clutter magnet if you're not careful, and, in my case at least, nowhere is this more apparent than my bedside tables.

I feel like I tidy them up at least once a day, and yet in no time at all, they seem to accumulate a roster of new items. The latest book I'm reading, my eyemask, jewellery, you name it, this 'clutter' seems to gravitate to my bedside table and then... stay there.

The result isn't quite the calming and artfully styled bedside set-up that I'm always aiming for.

But as any good home organisation expert will tell you, bedroom clutter only exists when your bedroom storage ideas aren't quite on point. And that's exactly the problem the Dunelm Bedside Pocket Organiser sets out to rectify.

This felt organiser sits neatly between your mattress and your bedframe, and a range of different-sized pockets provide space for your phone, reading glasses, medication, or the bedroom TV remote.

It's very unobtrusive, and the perfect solution for storing all those everyday essentials (that would otherwise gather on my bedside table) out of sight.

Those Dunelm shoppers who managed to nab this organiser the first time it hit the shelves have already rated it 5 out of 5-stars, saying it's 'exactly as the picture; easy to use and saves clutter on the bedside table... does the job perfectly.'

There are similar options on the market, such as the £6.99 Esteopt Felt Bedside Storage Bag or the £16.99 Kikkerland Boiled Wool Bedside Pocket, both available from Amazon, but, to my mind at least, none of them are quite as stylish as this Dunelm option.

Like a lot of the brand's The Edited Life storage collection, it's made from thick-cut felt in an off-white neutral colourway, and I think it's the perfect combination of style, practicality, and affordability.

In fact, I'm tempted by the whole of the Edited Life storage collection, especially the felted collection, which I think looks far more expensive than its price tag might suggest.

Shop alternatives

However, it's the ingenious Bedside Pocket Organiser that's really caught my eye, and judging by how quickly it keeps selling out, I'm not the only one who's impressed!

Dunelm is nailing it in the furniture department right now, but I think I've just found the MVP in the new collection. If you like the Soho Home look, but not the price tag, then you'll want to listen up. The beautiful Amina Chenille Ball Foot Tub Chair at Dunelm looks almost identical to Soho Home's Blair Tub Armchair with one crucial difference: the price.

If you're wondering where to buy an armchair on a budget at the moment, Dunelm has some great options. The Dunelm green chenille armchair is priced at just £165, serving champagne looks for lemonade money. I can see it styled up as an accent chair in a living room, or as an elegant perch as part of your hallway ideas. Its deep, rounded seat oozes comfort and quality.

With so many similarities to Soho Home's Blair Tub Armchair, which comes wrapped in velvet instead and costs £995, I couldn't help but shout about this mega find. And I've not even got to the best part yet. The Dunelm chair comes in 3 colourways — an olive green in chenille, a neutral beige in chenille and a velvet option that's tan with a unique zebra print back.

There aren't many differences in style between these two chairs. While their price tags differ massively — we're talking £862, to be exact — the main difference is in quality. As you'd expect, the Soho Home chair is wrapped in luxury, thanks to its birch wood feet and frame, its feather and down cushion fillings and the brass effect finish. The Dunelm version looks high quality, but underneath its layers, you'll find a mix of plywood and rubberwood, with polyester and foam cushions.

These chairs also differ in height, with the Soho Home chair sitting at 85.4cm tall and the Dunelm version at 75cm. In my opinion, it is the ball feet of the Dunelm tub chair that make it appear more expensive.

The Dunelm version comes in 3 colours and 2 fabric options, so if green velvet didn't take your fancy, then there are other choices. The Soho Home option also comes in three other colourways, including rust, lichen or mustard — all in velvet.

With mostly good reviews, bar one, the Dunelm tub chair has impressed shoppers. 'Gorgeous tub lounge chair, perfect for small corners. Not suitable if you are tall as it’s definitely smaller than I anticipated' claims one reviewer, which should urge you to measure your space before purchasing. Most shoppers say it's chic and soft, but one person did find something negative — the zebra-print option arrives slightly darker in colour than it appears on the site.

This tub chair is a stylish way to fill a corner. Whether that's in your bedroom by a bay window, a living room for an extra seat for guests, a hallway as somewhere to slip your shoes on or even a home office for typing all day. It's the perfect small-space saviour.

If paired with a small side table and a battery-powered lamp, it'll create the perfect cosy corner — for unwinding with a book or for your clothes to live on (in style, albeit!).

We predicted 2026's living room trends, and it should come as no surprise that low-profile furniture was right up there. This is a seriously simple way to give this space a new lease of life, while investing in something that's bang-on trend.

Globe lights were a huge breakout garden trend in 2025, and I'm pleased to report that they're back for 2026, and the best I’ve seen this year is easily Dunelm’s Solar Ball Mood Light (£40).

Last year, the outdoor globe lamp trend took over garden lighting ideas. The globe light trend had originated indoors as a way to add depth and colour variations to a room. Outdoors, they became equally popular due to the gorgeous glow they cast across patios and garden borders.

Outdoor globe lights come in a mix of styles, with some offering a range of different colours for a party vibe, and others doubling up as architectural features in the garden during the day. The Dunelm version falls into the latter category with a speckled finish that makes it look like a sculpture during the day, and it's already selling out fast.

I love a globe light, and have done so ever since I picked up Habitat’s Calliban Globe Light in orange (£20) for my flat. They omit a beautiful, cosy glow, while the spherical shape makes this style of light look effortlessly stylish and retro.

In the garden, this translates to a soft, diffused glow, with a look that comes straight from an enchanted garden. And while they have a magical look, they suit modern gardens just as much as cottagecore gardens due to their contemporary, curved shape. In short, these lights suit any outdoor space.

Dunelm’s solar ball mood light is available in two different sizes to add a gentle glow to your garden. It has a smooth, speckled appearance, which makes the overall globe look like marble. Unfortunately, the £30 25cm light is already sold out, so you’ll have to act fast if you want to get your hands on the 30cm £40 light.

I'd recommend styling it on a patio, next to your outdoor seating or tucked next to a planter or border filled with ornamental grasses or ferns to cast that magical glow.

Julia Barnes, product director at ValueLights says that they're predicting outdoor globe lights as a big trend again for 2026. ‘Globe outdoor mood lights have become one of the standout trends as we approach spring and more time outdoors. This style of lighting can instantly elevate a garden or patio without feeling too formal,' she explains.

'Their soft, diffused glow creates a welcoming atmosphere that works beautifully for relaxed evenings with friends and family. For styling, we’re loving them paired with natural textures like rattan seating and neutral linens to keep the look modern, yet warm,’ says

‘This style of lighting is far more practical than the typical fairy light option as it provides more focused lighting. As many take to their gardens and hope to host al fresco this year, these lights will help make the most of the better weather and time outdoors.’

I have also rounded up a few more outdoor globe lights you can shop online now.

If you want your garden lighting to look considered, welcoming and atmospheric, it can be a good idea to invest in statement lighting options, such as a solar ball lamp.

Laundry is not on anyone’s list of favourite household chores. I feel confident to bet money that not many of us enjoy completing this never-ending task. So, while on the hunt to make this essential cleaning job more bearable, I came across Dunelm’s Collapsible Wheeled Laundry Basket with Handles (£14), and I think it is a laundry game-changer.

Don’t get me wrong, I know it’s just a laundry basket, but anyone with an organised utility room will recognise the merits of Dunelm’s latest special buy.

With wheels for ease of use and a collapsible frame to make storage even easier, I think this affordable laundry basket could revolutionise your laundry routine. Here’s why.

Because doing laundry can be so unbearable, there are plenty of nifty products and ideas that make the process easier. From investing in one of the best heated airers to help loads dry fast, to following the 30-minute laundry rule to ensure clothes smell fresh, I love stumbling across a new way to make the job easier.

It’s also no secret that plenty of Ideal Home Editors love the cult Joseph Joseph Laundry Basket due to how easy it is to sort clothes. Now I think Dunelm’s collapsible laundry basket with wheels should join this hall of fame for handy laundry buys. The first feature to really catch my attention was its handy wheels. I don’t know about you, but lugging heavy loads of washing around the house always feels like a trip hazard - especially when you can see over the mountain of clothes in front of you.

With 360° rotating wheels, you’re less worried about where you’re putting your feet, making the task smoother and easier, and alot lighter than carrying the basket. It’s also a great feature for those of us with more limited mobility.

Secondly, its collapsible frame makes it a great clutter buster for small home dwellers. As someone who lives in a small flat, when my laundry basket is out, it feels like it takes up a ridiculous amount of space. By having a basket that can be folded and stashed away, you can help reduce the amount of visual clutter on show.

The laundry basket was designed with convenience in mind, and I’d say it nails the brief. However, it is a special buy, so we can assume that when it’s gone, it’s gone. So, I’ve tracked down a few more similar models.

If you’re someone who hates doing laundry or struggles lugging large loads around, a basket like this can be incredibly helpful.

While I’ve always dreamed of a huge house with a separate utility room, the reality is that I - like many others - live in a relatively small house with limited space. So, you can imagine my excitement when I spotted that Dunelm had released a clever new storage solution to help you fake a utility room even when you don’t have one. Say hello to the Olney Utility Cabinet, £499 at Dunelm.

The tiny utility trend is still alive and kicking, but unless you have a cupboard or, better yet, an entire room that’s completely empty, most people don’t have the space to store all of their utility essentials. I’m talking about those items you need to clean your home, wash (and dry) your clothes, and maintain the day-to-day running of your house.

Personally, I shove mine in any available free space or cupboard, which means that everything becomes a jumbled, unmanageable mess. But our favourite retailer has solved my problems and released the Olney Utility Cabinet, combating clutter and faking space that I’ve desperately needed for so long. And maybe you have, too.

Dunelm has become my go-to for small and tidy home essentials over the past few months. I’ve already raved about their impressive fridge organisers, and I’ve bought many of the new clothes organisers to finally tidy up my bedroom. But none of these game-changing products can help you fake a room quite like the Olney Utility Cabinet can.

Although it looks just like a regular (albeit very stylish) cabinet from the outside, the inside is a treasure trove of storage space for those ugly-but-practical items people would typically put in a utility room. This includes your vacuum cleaner, cleaning tools and products, your iron and ironing board, and even your spare towels or blankets.

That’s because the Olney Utility Cabinet comes equipped with multiple shelves for the items of your choosing, a bottom drawer, and racks and hooks on the doors. It really is convenience in cupboard form, and can be added to any room without looking out of place.

To make the most of this utility space, I’d suggest buying plastic storage baskets like these Stacking Storage Baskets (£3 at Dunelm) for your cleaning products so they can be wiped clean if there are any spills or leaks. But if you plan on storing towels or other non-liquid items, this set of 2 Fabric Storage Boxes (£18 at Dunelm) can make the inside space look even more stylish and organised.

And while this product is a new addition to the Dunelm family, the Olney Utility Cabinet has already scored 5-star reviews across the board. One happy customer raved, ‘This is a fantastic, spacious and sturdy cupboard that provides ample space. It looks pleasing to the eye, and I couldn’t be happier with it!’

Another customer noted that it took two of them about three hours to build it, though, so just be warned that there will be a fair bit of assembly - but being able to fake a utility room even when you don’t have one will be well worth it. Dunelm hasn’t stopped at a fake utility room, though.

If you want to add even more hidden-but-handy storage to your house, the home of homes has also just released the Lynton Kitchen Larder Unit, £549.99 at Dunelm. This will allow you to fake your very own pantry, and make the most of the built-in shelves for all of your food items and dishware essentials.

Alternatively, if you want to embrace the things that people with a tidy home office always have, you could invest in the Olney Hideaway Desk, £549 at Dunelm - which, as you can tell by the name, hides a handy desk with oodles of storage behind its doors.

Alternative utility cupboards

I'll race you to the checkout...

A couple of weeks ago, I was lucky enough to get an IRL preview of Dunelm’s collection of homeware for this spring and summer. And I’m happy to report that my two favourite pieces from the new range - the Dunelm Harmon side table and the matching Harmon coffee table - were just released online and are available to buy. At last!

Even though I got my hands-on experience with these pieces only two weeks ago, I’ve in fact been waiting for them to drop for a couple of months now, ever since seeing it in Dunelm’s spring/summer 2026 lookbook at the end of last year.

So what’s so special about this side table and coffee table? For one, they both come with hidden storage (and I don't understand why anyone'd buy a coffee table without storage these days), which makes them the perfect small living room ideas – all you need to do is lift the tabletop to reveal plenty of internal storage. But the big crowd-pleasing feature is that they double up as a chessboard too. They don't come with the chess pieces but you can buy those quite inexpensively – like these £4 chess pieces from Amazon.

The practicality of the storage paired with the super stylish chequerboard design on the tabletop which turns into stripes along the sides is just chef’s kiss. The chequerboard looks super chic but it also lends itself perfectly to a game of chess or draughts, no extra chess board needed.

The fact that both the side table and the coffee table are made from wood, with the chequers made with differently coloured woods (a combination of mango wood and pine), is what elevates this design and makes it elegant and grown-up, rather than childish.

But I suspect that these pieces won’t be available for long as they are so unique and budget-friendly – the side table is selling for just £149, while the coffee table retails for £379. They just have that ‘viral’ factor and I predict they will soon be among the brand’s bestsellers, especially the side table – I reckon that one will go out of stock first, as even the smallest of spaces can fit it in and it’s under £150.

One of my other top picks from the collection, the £449 Dunelm Pondus coffee table made with cherry marble and mango wood, is already sold out – so trust me when I say the Harmon range won’t hang around for long. Better get yours while you can if you want one.

Dunelm has been killing it lately pretty much with every drop from its new collection, whether it’s the clever, sellout Dunelm fridge organisers or the innovative, rechargeable lighting range which I was also introduced to at the press showcase. And now the Harmon side and coffee tables! I love to see it.

This week I had the pleasure of perusing the new Dunelm spring/summer 2026 range at the brand’s press preview. And while some of the collection’s key pieces have not been released yet, the new Dunelm FlexiCell rechargeable lighting is live – and it was one of the highlights of the new offering.

As soon as I spotted the new lighting range at the showcase, I squealed – that’s how excited I get by nice lamps. Wireless lamps are getting more popular by the minute, and they’re not just a big lighting trend but also a practical solution for illuminating every corner of your home without the restriction of plug sockets.

The reason why I was instantly super enthusiastic about these rechargeable table lamps is the interchangeable lampshades. You can easily change the look of your lamp if you get tired of it – with a boucle, rattan and pleated fabric shade designs available, and prices starting at just £6.

The £28 Louis base also comes in three different finishes - gold, matt black and neutral sandstone - featuring a touch dimmable function and a removable battery that you can take out and charge. The same battery can be used across all FlexiCell lamps and it lasts up to 24 hours after a four-hour charge. Or there is also the option to use the lamp as a regular mains-powered one if you’re tired of having to regularly charge it and/or it’s placed near a socket anyway.

The FlexiCell collection also includes the Louis wall lights that work exactly in the same way as the table lamps, as well as the Chester floor lamp – it’s not every day that you see a rechargeable floor lamp. They’re still something of a rare breed, but I think we’re going to see them a lot more now since they make such an excellent living room lighting idea.

The Chester floor lamp doesn’t come with the option of interchangeable lampshades, instead it comes with a coordinating metal shade. But the way it works is exactly the same as the FlexiCell Louis range. There’s also a matching rechargeable FlexiCell Chester table lamp if you wanted to go for that one instead or match your table lamp to your floor lamp.

Dunelm’s spring/summer 2026 offering has already been a gift that keeps on giving, filled with everything from stylish underbed storage to budget-friendly, clever fridge organisers. Now you can add this unique, innovative lighting to your Dunelm shopping basket.

I'm doing my best to tidy my home and keep it organised in 2026, but this can feel impossible when you live in a small, compact home with limited storage. And as my goal this year is to open my wardrobe without something falling on my head, it didn't take me long to fill my basket with Dunelm's clothes storage and organisers before they all sell out.

After all, one of the things that people with tidy bedrooms always have is smart storage solutions - and if I want to put my plan into action, I need to have the right products and tools by my side to help me organise my wardrobe (and keep it organised!)

Dunelm's clothes storage and organisers are definitely up for the task, though. This new range comes with everything you could possibly need to keep your folded and hanging clothes neat and tidy - and even your shoes and bags, too. These are my top picks.

Recently, Dunelm has been blowing the Ideal Home team away with their handy and space-saving new additions - and I’ve already raved about their genius new fridge organisers.

There are even the dishwasher bags that we didn’t know we needed until Dunelm brought them to our attention, and we realised exactly what we were missing. But as I’m currently on a mission to calm the chaos of my wardrobe and overflowing drawers, it’s these clothes organisers that have really caught my eye.

My favourite Dunelm clothes organisers

Alternative clothes organisers

If Dunelm just hasn't quite hit the mark for you and your clothes storage needs, here are some alternative options to consider.

Once you've stocked up on your new clothes organisers, it's well worth taking a look at Dunelm's new pasta jug, too. You don't need a microwave or a hob, and our Kitchens Editor can't get enough of it!

As Ideal Home's Kitchen Appliances Editor I'm usually scrutinising the latest and greatest cooking buys that you need to plug in or charge up or use on your hob. That's not the case with Dunelm's new Pasta Cooking Jug (£7 via Dunelm), which is low effort in every sense – all you need to do here is pop your pasta in and add boiling water with none of the best cookware in sight.

This very affordable and somewhat niche kitchen gadget is just one of the gems in Dunelm's new-in section (more on that later,) and I have a feeling its undemanding design might just be a hit with shoppers overloaded with tech in their kitchens. Here's how this affordable no-cook jug works.

A good pot of pesto pasta is my go-to meal when I'm cooking a quick dinner for one, and with this jug, I could make things even lazier. All that's required is to add boiling water and pop the lid on, before straining out the water through the holes in the top of the jug once cooked.

There's one obvious downside to using this jug over the conventional saucepan on the hob method – it's going to take much longer for your pasta to cook. While most pasta can be cooked within a 10-minute window, you're looking at a minimum of 15 minutes for this no-heat, passive method.

It looks like it holds a good amount of pasta, so if you're short on hob space or want to cook dinner for your family while you get on with other things without worrying about leaving your hob on, you can.

This is a shiny new addition to Dunelm's cooking section, which means it hasn't been reviewed by users yet, and I, for one, can't wait to see what shoppers make of it. It's not the only slightly strange gem added to the retailer's kitchen storefront lately, either – there are other not-to-be-missed products you didn't know you needed.

Will you be stopping by Dunelm's new-in section to pick up any of these gadgets?

This year, I’ve made it my mission to keep on top of my home’s organisation. And while I’ve definitely made some positive changes so far, my fridge has always been a nightmare. It’s small, cluttered, and I can guarantee that something will fall out of it every time I open the door. That’s why I ran to add Dunelm’s new fridge organisers to my basket before they sell out.

Yes, something I’ve learned recently is that one of the things people with a tidy kitchen always have is smart storage. And while you can have the motivation and the drive to organise a fridge, you can’t actually do it without having the right tools at your disposal.

Enter: the one and only Dunelm. This retailer’s new collection of fridge organisers includes everything you could possibly need to maintain a tidy fridge - from fruit and veg containers designed to make them last longer to wine holders (which is a must-have purchase, obviously). These are my top picks.

Dunelm has really stepped up its storage game over the past few months, offering everything from fridge organisers to general food storage options and even toy storage.

And while I definitely have my eye on this stunning Woven Paper Trunk (£25 at Dunelm) to give my spare blankets a tidy home when they're not in use, it's the fridge storage that really stands out - especially as it's so affordable!

My favourite Dunelm fridge organisers

Once you've stocked up on your new fridge organisers, it's well worth taking some time to clean your fridge, too. And this Amazon bestseller is the best way to do just that.

For many of us, a dishwasher is something we wouldn’t want to live without, but I’ll be the first to admit that they can be less than perfect. If you frequently find your dishwasher eats up and consequently loses lids, bottle caps and small utensils, Dunlem has launched a pack of two dishwasher bags (£12) to stop this.

The key to a great working kitchen is effective kitchen storage ideas, and this applies to every area of the room, including your dishwasher. And an effective setup always reduces your cleaning and cooking time, leaving more time to enjoy the best bits - eating and hosting.

If you’re fed up with losing small items or them becoming damaged in a dishwasher, and don’t want to go to the hassle of handwashing them, a dishwasher bag could be the solution. They're fuss-free, effective and affordable, which is why I think they’re worth investing in.

I know what you’re about to say - what about the cutlery holder? And yes, while perfect for your knives and forks, these compartments are often not as great a fit for small utensils such as tin openers, mixer equipment, lunchbox lids and scissors (at least not in dishwashers I’ve owned).

It’s a big dishwasher mistake to leave unsecured items in your dishwasher, as not only can this damage the machine, but it can also damage your utensils, too. This is where Dunlem’s dishwasher bags come in.

New to Dunelm, these dishwasher bags are crafted from durable silicone. With a clever button design, all you need to do is fold the bag to fix it in place. You can either use both bags to fashion one large pouch or you can use them as two small pouches, based on your needs. They fold both vertically and horizontally, too.

The flexible nature of the silicone means that it can easily hold a range of different items from baby bottle parts, reusable straws and small kitchen tools, with no more fishing around in the bottom of the dishwasher after the cycle has finished.

What’s more, they are of course dishwasher safe, too, so you can clean them in your machine as needed. I’d argue that these handy bags contribute to the correct way to load a dishwasher, as they protect your appliance, as well as making your life easier when the cycle finishes.

At £12 for a pack of two, I also think they are great value for money. Silicone is typically a durable material, so you can expect it to be long-lasting, too.

Dunelm’s dishwasher bags are the sort of product you don’t know you need until you clasp eyes on them. But if anything helps lessen the drudgery of dirty dishes, I’m on board!

The January sales are offering up all sorts of bargains right now, but if the cold weather has had you feeling the chill at night, there's one deal in particular you'll want on your radar.

Yes, Dunelm has finally added its cult Teddy Bear bedding to its winter sale, and if you're looking for a way to stay cosy at bedtime, this is it.

The Dunelm Teddy Duvet Cover and Pillowcase Set, as well as the Teddy Bear Fitted Sheet, are now 30% off, with prices starting from just £3.25.

The brand's fleecy bedding is a bestseller every year, with the snuggly duvet sets often selling out as soon as they launch in autumn, and if you've ever laid your hands on one, you'll understand why.

This bedding is *soft*. And *cuddly*. It truly does live up to its 'Teddy Bear' name, as this is a material you immediately want to snuggle up next to.

'So soft!!' agrees one 5-star reviewer of the Teddy Duvet Cover and Pillowcase Set. 'Very pleased with this.'

'Bought for my daughter as she loves to be snuggly,' says another happy owner, 'very soft and fluffy'.

Dunelm's winter sale launched earlier this year, but the Teddy Bear bedding was only added to it this past weekend. Now that it is, expect it to start selling out fast.

In fact, multiple sizes and colour options are already out of stock, but there are still enough colourways that you should be able to get your hands on the size you need, if you're quick.

And it isn't only the Teddy Bear sheets and duvet covers on sale. The Dunelm Teddy Mattress Topper is also reduced. I put it to the test for our best mattress topper guide last year, and found its fleecy fabric made my bed much toastier.

If you're a hot sleeper who is prone to overheating in bed, then it may not be the right choice, but if you're a cold sleeper and struggle to stay warm enough at night, this super-cosy bedding is for you.

'I would definitely buy these again,' shares one 5-star reviewer of Dunelm's Teddy Bear bedding sets. 'Fantastic quality, and warm and snuggly. Perfect for these freezing nights.'

'Wish I had bought two,' sums up another happy owner. If you want to get your hands on your own Teddy Bear bedding, I recommend snapping up some of these fluffy sleep buys quickly, before they sell out!

Dunelm proves that a cast-iron casserole cooking pot doesn’t have to cost a fortune. The brand is offering its own label 3-litre shallow cast iron casserole dish for under £40 and a 5.2 litre, larger pot for just over £40. When the big brands like Le Creuset cost over £100, it’s reasonable to question whether these budget versions are up to scratch.

I don’t like paying over the odds for a brand name, but equally, budget cookware that doesn’t stand the test of time is a false economy. It’s not always easy to get it right, and while I can’t tell you whether this cookware will last you for 40 years, I can tell you if it’s up to the job of everyday cooking and can compete with the best cast iron cookware.

In this review, I tried out both the large cast iron pot as well as the shallow version from Dunelm. On the whole, I think they offer good value for money. But read on if you want to know exactly how they performed when I cooked a variety of different meals on my gas hob and in the oven.

In a nutshell

The Dunelm 5.2 litre cast iron casserole dish and the Dunelm 3 litre shallow cast iron casserole dish are available to buy separately, but I’m reviewing them together here. They are both very affordably priced in comparison to the bigger brands. However, you do need to like orange, as that’s the only colourway on offer.

Both come with two integrated handles, making them easy to carry from oven to table. Having said that, the smaller capacity, wide and shallow dish has much bigger and better handles than the larger version.

Cast-iron casserole dishes are by their nature bulky and heavy, and these two are no exception. The benefit, though, is that enamel-coated cast iron cookware is loved for its ability to hold heat as well as being strong and sturdy.

They’re oven safe up to 260 °C and suitable for all hob types. For this review, I tried them on a gas hob, and they worked well for sauteeing vegetables and simmering sauces and curries. In the oven, I used them to slow-cook curry, bake a cauliflower cheese, and even bake a loaf of bread.

Overall, while each has a slightly different function in terms of the style of recipe you might use it for, both are versatile and work well for dishes that start on the hob and finish in the oven. This is the cookware you need for efficient one-pot recipes.

While they aren’t dishwasher safe, they are easy enough to clean. My main complaint is with how they were packaged for delivery. So if you can collect in-store, I’d advise doing that to avoid receiving them damaged.

Product specs

• Materials: enamel-coated cast iron
• Metal utensil safe? no
• Dishwasher safe? no
• Pan capacity: 5.2 litre and 3 litre
• Pan diameter: 26cm and 30.5cm
• RRP: £42 and £38

About the reviewer

Unboxing and first impressions

Both these pots were delivered to me in one big box. When it arrived on my doorstep, the bottom of the box was bulging so much it looked like it could give way at any moment. So I didn’t risk moving it far, and instead opened it cautiously by the front door.

Once I’d opened the top of the box and removed the packing paper, I was presented with both pots and both lids leaning against each other in the base of the box, with just flimsy plastic bags to protect them from rubbing against each other during transit.

It turned out that one of the metal lid handles had indeed dented, and I’m surprised there wasn’t more damage because the packaging was simply not fit for purpose. To avoid disappointment, I would advise anyone buying this cookware to order it for collection in-store if you can.

All that aside, my first impressions of the two pots is that they appear to be sturdy. As with all cast iron cookware, they are weighty and somewhat bulky, but that’s no surprise. It’s par for the course with cast iron cookware.

The bold orange coloured enamel is reminiscent of vintage Le Creuset cookware and is a love-it or hate-it colour. The wide shallow pot has large handles that make it really easy to manoeuvre with oven gloves on, whereas the handles on the bigger pot are much smaller and not quite so ergonomic.

Both pots are oven safe up to 260C and both are suitable for all hob types. Neither is dishwasher safe though, which in my experience is fairly standard for cast iron cookware.

Cooking in the Dunelm cast iron cookware

Shallow 3 litre cooking pot

A bean bake has become one of my new weeknight staples. It’s one of those dishes that you can throw anything into, it turns out different every time, but it's easy and relatively healthy so it’s a win in my book.

For this one I popped the dish on the hob and heated it to medium heat. Despite being thick and weighty, it doesn’t take too long to heat up. Then I used sauteed onion, before adding mushrooms and diced peppers.

There wasn’t any issue with sticking, just some browning on the base of the dish, but this de-glazes as soon as liquid is added. Once the vegetables were cooked, I added tinned tomatoes, chickpeas, and butter beans as well as pesto for a punch of flavour.

I topped it with a mixture of cheeses and oven-cooked it for 20 mins at 180C. I was grateful for the large handles when taking it in and out of the oven. The bake turned out just as I hoped, the cheese was melted and golden, and the dish kept it warm, which was handy when my husband got stuck in traffic and arrived home later than expected.

There was enough for six portions, which in my two-person household meant we were eating it for a few days. But if you have a big family, this dish will easily have the capacity to cater for lots of hungry mouths in one sitting.

On a quest for a new recipe to liven up my week, I stumbled upon Jamie Oliver's Sri Lankan style monkfish curry, and since the recipe called for a large casserole pan, I decided to give it a go. It was pretty simple, to begin with, I fried the onion, ginger, garlic and curry leaves.

Next, I added the spices, followed by chopped fresh tomatoes and coconut milk. I allowed it to simmer until the tomatoes had broken down and the flavours had begun to develop. I did this part in the morning and left the sauce sitting in the casserole dish for the day, with the lid on, ready to reheat later.

At dinner, I gently reheated the sauce, then soon after adding the fish, I turned the hob off. The casserole dish retained the heat so the fish cooked gently from the residual heat in the pan. Leaving the lid on was also crucial so that the warm steam stayed in, helping to cook the fish. It worked really well and the fish cooked beautifully, remaining soft and flaky.

There was plenty of turmeric in this recipe, and in the past I’ve seen it stain the enamel on the inside of a cast iron dish. But even though I left the curry sitting in the dish all day, on this occasion, there was no staining.

I don’t know about you, but when it comes to a good cauliflower cheese, I want plenty of the cheesy golden topping. So when I was asked to contribute a cauliflower cheese for an upcoming family roast dinner, I decided to make it in this wide shallow pot, to maximise the surface area of that cheesy goodness.

To keep the washing up to a minimum, I also made the cheese sauce in the pot. I heated the pot gently on the hob and made my sauce by making a roux, then adding milk and whisking it to avoid lumps while it cooked through.

Once I’d added cauliflower florets and coated them in the sauce, I topped it with grated cheese and cooked it in the oven for 20 minutes at 180C. The next day I was able to pop the lid on top to take it to my family gathering and it was ready to go straight back into the oven to be reheated. And most importantly, there was plenty of the cheesy golden topping to go round.

It looked great on the table as a serving dish, the caveat being that it’s not small, so on a crowded table, it did seem to take up a disproportionately large chunk of the available space.

5.2 litre cooking pot

In my opinion, lots of curries benefit from a long, slow cook to allow the spices and flavours to develop as the sauce slowly thickens and becomes rich and flavourful. Chicken madras is a favourite in our house, and I like to make a big batch and keep individual portions in the freezer.

I started my curry on the hob by heating oil and frying spices, before adding onions and chillies and cooking until softened. Then I added my diced chicken thighs, sealing and lightly browning the edges.

Like in the shallow pot, there were no issues with sticking when I fried the onion and chicken. There was some browning on the enamel, and it came away when the liquid was added.

Once I’d added the rest of my ingredients and liquid, I popped it in the oven at 140 °C to cook low and slow for three hours. I just checked on it and gave it a stir every hour or so. By the end, it had reduced and thickened to become a warming, tasty curry. The large dish was easily big enough to cook this six-portion batch size.

I normally use one of the best multi-cookers to make my Moroccan-style chickpea stew because the dried chickpeas cook much faster in a pressure cooker. However, since I was trying out this casserole pot, it made sense to cook it in the pot in the oven instead.

I used the pot to fry onions before adding garlic, spices, and tomato puree. After a few minutes, I added the dried chickpeas, tinned tomatoes and stock. I put the lid on and placed it in my preheated oven at 160 °C, but I didn’t really know how long it was going to take to cook.

During cooking, I checked it roughly every hour and I had to add at least a mug of water every time I checked it. Obviously, the chickpeas were rehydrating, which is where some of the liquid was going, but it was also apparent from the steamy oven that the lid allows quite a lot of moisture to escape, too. This is something to keep in mind if you want a pot with a lid that locks in moisture.

My Initial guess was that the chickpeas would need a couple of hours, but in the end, I left the stew cooking for four hours before taking it out and stirring in a bag of spinach and a generous dollop of yoghurt. In this instance, pressure cooking would have been faster, used much less energy, and been more hands-off, but in the end, it tasted the same, and the cast-iron pot did its job.

I’ve reviewed a few cast-iron pots recently, and I always like to bake a loaf of sourdough in the larger pots. It’s one of the main things I personally would use a big cast-iron pot for. It’s also a good test of how the pot copes with very high temperature cooking.

I add the pot to a cold oven and let it heat up with the oven to 240 °C. Once it’s been preheating for 45 minutes to an hour, I add my loaf, replace the lid and put it back in the oven. Then after 20 minutes, I remove the lid and bake it for a further 20 minutes.

My first attempt was a wholemeal loaf; it’s only the second time I’ve made a wholemeal loaf of sourdough, and while it was perfectly delicious, it didn’t rise quite how I expected. So I tried again with my usual sourdough recipe.

This attempt was better; it still seemed to spread out sideways instead of rising up in the way I wanted it to. This could be to do with the pot; perhaps the loose lid didn’t lock in the steam as well as other pots I’ve tried. But equally, sourdough can be a mystery, and often you never quite know which of the many variables is the cause of the end result; it’s part of what makes sourdough baking an endless quest for perfection!

Cleaning

As I’ve already mentioned, these pots are not dishwasher safe. But luckily, they never required an excessive amount of elbow grease to get them clean. Even baked-on food lifted easily after a very short soak in warm soapy water. And thankfully, nothing stained the cream coloured enamel on the inside, not even the madras or the monkfish curry.

It’s worth pointing out that like all enamelled cast iron pots, they are heavy and bulky so manoeuvring them around the sink is a more cumbersome job than an ordinary stainless steel pan. And you do have to be gentle with them, the enamel can chip if you don’t treat it with care.

Storage

The bright orange colour will certainly provide a statement pop of colour if you plan to leave these pots on display in your kitchen. Otherwise, you’ll have to give up a good chunk of a kitchen cupboard to house them out of sight. And because they are weighty, I'd think twice about storing them on a rickety or overhead shelf.

How do they compare

I recently tried this set from Salter, a big pot and a shallow cast iron pot bundled together for under £80 RRP and even less in seasonal sales. So if you’re looking to buy both and you want exceptional value for money, I highly recommend checking out this set. They also performed really well, but the capacity of the pots is slightly smaller than the Dunelm ones.

Another favourite of mine, and indeed the one I have in my own kitchen, is this 3 Piece Cast Iron Stacking Set from M&S. I love the matte black appearance, which is very different to the shiny bright orange of the Dunelm cookware. But most important to me and to anyone with limited storage space is the stackable design. The set includes a big pot, a shallow pot, and even a griddle pan that all neatly stack together inside the largest pot. It works out slightly more expensive at £100, but with the griddle pan included as well as the space-saving design, to me it’s worth it every penny.

Should you buy the Dunelm Cast Iron Cookware?

As I’ve mentioned, my main grumble with this cookware lies in how it was packaged for delivery. So if you can collect it in store to avoid damage during transit, then both of these pieces are affordable with a roomy capacity that makes them ideal for larger households.

The price makes them a great option if you’re on a budget, likewise if this is your first foray into the world of cast iron cookware. You can try out a decent cast iron casserole dish without having to invest heavily into a big brand, the only caveat is you have to like orange.

Hosting season is on the horizon, and if you have guests staying over the Christmas period, you may well want one of Dunelm's latest launches on your radar.

The brand has just released its popular scented pillow protectors in a new festive fragrance, and at only £8, the Christmas Tree Scented Pillow Protector Pair is the ideal way to make a bed smell good or a guest bedroom smell nice.

This new fragrance joins two other Christmas favourites, the Dunelm Gingerbread Scented Pillow Protector Pair and the Dunelm Candy Cane Scented Pillow Protector Pair, in the brand's bedding range.

Plus, there are also Dunelm's original scented pillow protectors to choose from, the popular Fogarty Eucalyptus Scented Pillow Protectors and Fogarty Lavender Scented Pillow Protectors.

As the brand says, these festive additions to the range are 'perfect for guest rooms, winter bedding or as a gift' and are designed to bring 'a hint of Christmas magic to your sleep space'.

Whether you opt for the Christmas Tree, Gingerbread, or Candy Cane scent, the Christmassy fragrance is infused into the pillow protector fabric and designed to last up to 20 washes.

And, whilst they're not the thickest of protectors – they're more like an extra pillowcase than a quilted design – the extra layer will also do the trick to keep your pillows fresh and clean – especially important for guest bedding.

Dunelm shoppers certainly seem to be impressed by the brand's two original Eucalyptus and Lavender fragrances, with one 5-star reviewer saying, 'Not overly scented but you can definitely smell them, makes the bed smell clean and fresh. Wish they did a mattress protector too!'

'Smells fresh and lasts for a decent number of washes,' says another 5-star reviewer. 'The eucalyptus smell is so soothing,' shares another happy owner, 'love, love, love it!!! I just go to bed hugging my pillows. I have used it for over 2 weeks now. I hope it lasts.'

On that note, some reviewers do mention the scent not lasting as long as they'd like. I imagine that depends on how often you wash your bedding and how strongly scented any fabric conditioner you use is, but it's worth bearing in mind that other ways of scenting your home could be longer-lasting.

One reviewer also notes that they may not be the best choice for the most sensitive noses, saying that the 'smell is really strong' on the eucalyptus protectors, so it may be worth considering if your guests are sensitive to strong smells before using them in a guest bedroom.

Alternatively, there are plenty of other tricks people with great-smelling guest rooms always use, plus I've rounded up three other ways to make a bedroom smell nice below.

Shop alternatives

Are you ready for Christmas hosting? Not quite? Don’t worry, because Dunelm is having a huge sale on last-minute Christmas essentials, so you can ensure the day runs smoothly.

Even after your Christmas tree has gone up and the house looks beautifully decorated, there are still a few essentials that are easily overlooked and forgotten about. From brushed cotton bedding to keep your guests toasty to a showstopping cake stand for the big finish at lunch, it can feel like there’s always something we need to pick up during the festive season.

Right now, Dunelm is offering up to 50% off selected Christmas and winter essentials, and these are the six I think are worth your time. But with decorations quickly selling out at similar retailers, you'll have to act fast if any of these buys catch your eye.

My top pick from the sale has to be the Dorma Luxuriously Soft 100% Brushed Cotton Duvet Cover & Pillowcase Set (Was £40, now £20 for a double). One of the best hosting tips is obviously keeping your guests in comfort, which is why this cosy set should be added to your guest bedroom ideas.

Available in olive green, bright red, navy, teal and classic white, there is a colourway for every taste. Brushed cotton bedding is famed for being soft and cosy; the material’s texture removes the ‘chill factor’ of flatter materials such as sateen. And the reviews echo this sentiment.

‘Dorma did it again, their brushed cotton duvet set is delicious, heavy, warm and cosy. It actually improves with washing, becoming softer and snugglier. Love the zip fastenings,’ said one.

‘Very very pleased, excellent quality and oh so warm - just what you need for winter nights,’ said another.

Christmas is an expensive time of year, so if you are still looking for hosting essentials, checking the sales is a great way to shop.

In my opinion, this year Dunelm has nailed affordable autumn bedding better than any other retailer on the high street, and this £10 brushed cotton bedding set is the ultimate proof.

As Ideal Home's Sleep Editor, I've learnt a thing or two about where to buy bedding, and let me tell you, this bedding set was a serious bargain at full price, let alone now it's reduced to half price.

Why do I think this bedding set is such a bargain? Firstly, it's made of brushed cotton, a super snuggly material with a fluffy texture that takes the chill off the bedsheets on a cold night.

Brushed cotton bedding is always my go-to in the winter months, and Dunelm has one of the most affordable brushed cotton bedding collections on the high street this year.

Second, this bedding set embodies this year's biggest bedding trends – gingham checks – as made popular by the Piglet in Bed gingham bedding that has taken Instagram by storm.

And, it nails the gingham trend in a way that's perfect for this time of year. I'm not a huge fan of Christmas bedding, but this duvet and pillowcase set is the perfect nod to seasonal decor whilst not being *so* festive that you can't use it all winter long.

Third, its price. As I mentioned, in my opinion, this bedding was already great value at full price. But now it's reduced to *half* price. That means a single duvet cover and pillowcase set is just £10, a double duvet cover and two pillowcases £12.50, and a king-size just £15!

It's such a good deal it already has the Ideal Home team 'adding to basket'.

'I've been on the look out for a new brushed cotton bedding set,' says Ideal Home's Editor, Rebecca Knight, 'and I honestly thought this Dunelm set was from a much more expensive retailer when I first saw it online.'

'It was the Spiced Pear colourway that immediately caught my eye, as the yellow undertone to the green and the small gingham pattern looked more sophisticated and punchy than your standard green bedding.'

'Plus, I've had Dunelm brushed cotton bedding in the past,' shares Rebecca, 'and it's so soft and cosy for winter. So for less than £15 to refresh my bed for winter, I couldn't say no.'

And it seems we're not alone in thinking Dunelm's Maeva bedding set is a great buy.

'Love my new bedding!' says one happy owner of the on-trend duvet set who gave the bedding a 5-star review on the brand's website. 'Lovely warm colour. Beautiful quality and very cosy. Excellent price for the quality.'

'Amazing quality, colouring, texture,' says another happy shopper. '10/10. Going to order more colours!'

This isn't the only autumnal gingham bedding on the market – I've rounded up two alternative options below – but it is *easily* the best value I've come across. I couldn't believe the price when I saw how much it's now discounted by – 'it costs how much?!' has been the response of everyone I've shared this bargain with, and rightly so!

It's certainly my top recommendation for an affordable autumn update to the bedroom.

Shop alternatives

We all know and love Dunelm's stunning and arguably iconic range of snuggle chairs. But, what If I told you that I’ve just discovered the best one yet - the William Morris Strawberry Thief Print Velvet Snuggle Chair (£799).

You’ll probably already be aware of the Dunelm snuggle chair after their striking Beatrice Snuggle Chair took the internet by storm. Meanwhile, William Morris prints have had a huge revival this year (not that his work has ever gone out of style), with a great variety of places around to buy William Morris homeware from.

While not exactly a brand-new item, the Dunelm William Morris chair is bang on trend right now. Pairing two icons, could this be the ‘it’ chair for autumn?

For a long time, the Dunelm Snuggle Chair was one of the best armchairs we’d ever laid eyes on. The bold and beautiful original chair frequently sells out, and the William Morris chair is a lesser-known design compared to the Beatrice, but is arguably a better fit for traditional homes.

William Morris prints are everywhere this year, with gorgeous homeware collections cropping up at high street brands such as Habitat and M&S. The timeless style suits any home, making it a popular choice for shoppers.

Having spotted the chair at Dunelm, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. Also available in Woodlands Weeds print and Blackthorn print, there are three different patterns to suit your preferences.

My favourite of the three designs has to be the Strawberry Thief print. One of William Morris’ most popular designs, it was created in 18981 after Morris witnessed a thrush taking strawberries from his garden at Kelmscott Manor. It’s an incredibly intricate design carefully embodying nature’s charm.

On the snuggle chair, this pattern works beautifully. It has oak feet for sturdy support and a touch of natural elegance, while the classic shape of the snuggle chair leans well into William Morris’ style.

Reviews do mention that the underside of the cushion is black and lacks the design, with one expressing disappointment considering how expensive the chair is. At £799, this snuggle chair is considerably more expensive than the standard Beatrice chair (which is £399), but if you love William Morris design, the chair is a statement piece you can invest in.

Not only that, Dunelm is also selling William Morris print sofas in the same pattern for £999, which I’d argue is not a bad price for a sofa.

Alternatively, Dunelm is also stocking the following William Morris homeware.

What do you think about the Dunelm William Morris Snuggle Chair? Can you picture it in your home?

If there’s one way to decorate your home for spooky season, it’s with Wednesday-inspired home decor. Every year, my autumn home decor collection gets bigger and bigger, and I’m always on the lookout for new Halloween-inspired items that feel classy and gothic.

So, when the new season of Wednesday was released on Netflix, I instantly began searching for Halloween decorating ideas to create that atmospheric, dark, and moody vibe in a stylish way.

It’s never too early for Halloween decorations, especially with this trend. Gone are the days of artificial spider webs and cutesy ghosts; this seasonal home decor style feels more serious and sophisticated, making it perfect for those of us who want to achieve that Halloween style without looking tacky.

In classic Tim Burton style, the Wednesday aesthetic is all about the perfect balance between spooky and whimsical, which is simple to replicate in your own home - if you know where to look.

Think bold, black and white contrast, mature, vintage details, and hints of purple ambience. The Wednesday look might seem complicated to achieve with its traditional, Victorian accents, but by switching out a few mellow decor pieces for those that make a statement, you’ll be able to embrace Halloween in a classy way throughout your entire home.

Primark Wednesday Decor

The Primark collection has some stunning pieces at an affordable price point. With primarily monochrome home accessories, it’s a perfect nod to the classy, melancholic colour palette of Tim Burton’s Wednesday.

Dunelm Wednesday Decor

Dunlem’s Halloween edit is simply a must. It’s quirky. It’s classy. The perfect balance that just screams Wednesday. The pieces are simply adorable – in typical Enid-meets-Wednesday style. You won’t be able to resist.

Next Wednesday Decor

The Halloween range from Next is where spooky season meets sophistication. Their modernised pieces mean nostalgic Halloween decor looks good in every home, without feeling tacky.

So, whether you go all out for Halloween like me or prefer a subtle, classy nod here or there, channelling Wednesday has never been simpler. This spooky season, I’ll be channelling my inner Wednesday in every room of the house - care to join me?

There are certain things that we can rely on every year to mark the changing of the seasons.

In the transition from summer into autumn, that's that familiar chill in the air, the leaves on the trees turning brown, school restarting, and Dunelm restocking its cult Teddy Bear Cuddle cushions.

Yes, the bestselling Teddy Bear High Back Cuddle Cushion is back in stock, and if last year is anything to go by, it's worth snapping up fast before it sells out.

This distinctive cushion has become a much-loved favourite with Dunelm customers, with the pillow amassing over 300 5-star reviews since its launch.

Soft and snuggly, I popped into my local Dunelm store recently and, trust me, after touching this cushion in person, it's *very* difficult to then leave without it.

As Ideal Home's Sleep Editor, I'm no stranger to testing soft fabrics for our where to buy bedding guide, but the Teddy Bear collection's recycled polyester fleece is genuinely some of the softest fabric I've ever touched.

Add to its teddy bear texture the fact that this cushion is designed with padded arms that do indeed 'cuddle' you when you sit up in bed or on the sofa and lean back and... *swoon*.

Unlike the original lower-backed Teddy Bear Cuddle Cushion that has been a core part of Dunelm's Teddy Bear bedding collection for years now, this newer, higher-backed version is, in my opinion, far more versatile.

When I went into a store recently to test out Dunelm's bedding recycling service, I happened across both of these cushions, and side-by-side, it's easy to see that the higher-backed pillow offers much more back support.

Considering the higher-backed version only costs £5 more than the original lower-backed design, I think that makes it a great value buy. No wonder a member of staff told me they were flying out of the store as fast as they got stock in!

You can use it in bed to sit up and read or watch TV (it even comes with a handy side pocket for stashing the TV remote), add it to the sofa to pad your back, or add it to a kids' bedroom so you have some back support for bedtime story reading.

As some of its five-star reviewers share, it's a pillow that offers many multifunctional uses.

'Fantastic buy,' says one reviewer. 'Really comfortable when reading in bed and significantly reduces strain on headboard slats. The arms are the perfect height, and I love the pocket. Makes you feel warm without overheating.'

'Bought for my grandson who loves it to play on his tablet and read,' says another. 'His mum also uses it as it is great for her to feed baby. The arms are a great support and very comfortable.'

Happy owners are also impressed by its comfort. 'Lovely,' shares one purchaser, 'extremely soft and comfortable and well made, ideal for sitting in bed reading or watching TV, I've purchased three of them!'

'Feels like being hugged by a teddy bear!' says another. 'I'm just after another one as me, my husband and my 7-year-old son are always fighting for it as everyone loves sitting in it.'

And who doesn't want to be hugged by a teddy bear in bed at night or on the sofa after a long day? Sounds pretty ideal to me!

As Ideal Home’s Sleep Editor, I test a *lot* of bedding for work. There are far worse ways to spend your time, but one of the downsides of this is that my home is forever crammed with far more duvets, pillows, and bed linen than it can reasonably hold.

Despite regular donations to friends, family, neighbours, charity organisations – even the postman on occasion – as it turns out, there’s only so much partially-used bedding you can give away to a good home. And as you’ll know if you’ve ever been at a loss for what to do with an old duvet, repurposing old bedding is far easier said than done because most of these items, sadly, aren’t easily recyclable.

That’s why I was so overjoyed when Dunelm launched its Textile Takeback scheme. This fantastic initiative is available in 175 Dunelm stores, and accepts any home textiles, from bedding and cushions, to throws and blankets, as well as unwanted clothing. Items are then sorted into those that can be donated, reused, or recycled into new products.

The Textile Takeback scheme has now been running for a while, but it’s still going strong, and as I’d just finished testing a new roster of bedding for our guides to the best duvets and best pillows, I decided to put the recycling initiative to the test to see how easy it was to use.

How does Dunelm's Textile Takeback scheme work?

Dunelm says there are three easy steps to recycling your old textiles in store. To take advantage of the Dunelm Textile Takeback scheme simply:

1. Wrap or bag your pre-loved textiles.

2. Drop them off at a participating store.

3. They’ll be sorted by what can be re-used or recycled.

I'd include an additional step, which is 'find all of the excess home textiles you have stashed into every available storage space of your home and then pile them onto your bed to create a bedding mountain.'

What I think is especially positive about the Textile Takeback scheme is that the home textiles you donate don't need to have originally been bought at Dunelm, they can be from any brand and in any condition. They just need to be clean and bagged.

As Dunelm explains, 'just remember, we can only accept clean, bagged textiles, but it's fine if they're ripped or torn.'

Bedding mountain step achieved, I set to work bagging up all of my textiles into bin bags, and popped them into the car to drive to my local Dunelm.

Admittedly, this process is easier with access to a vehicle. Had I not had a car I could use, I would have had to make multiple journeys on foot, or not waited until my bedding storage woes were at such a crisis point.

I was even luckier that my local Dunelm is on a retail park, which meant I could park the car close to the store, ready to carry in my bedding haul for recycling.

I initially went to the customer service desk to ask a member of staff where I should drop off the textiles, thinking I would probably need to hand them over at the checkout, but they directed me to a drop-off point at the back of the store, which I promptly set off to find, bin bags in tow.

When I found the textile drop-off point, the process really couldn't be simpler. The drop-off point is basically a giant green postbox with an opening you simply drop your textiles through.

There's a QR code you can scan to get more information on what happens to the textiles you've recycled, but you don't need to use that.

As the text on the drop-off point clearly explains, you can simply drop your textiles in through the slot and they'll then be collected and rehomed, reused, recycled, or made into something new.

There was plenty of room for my three bin bags' worth of home textiles, but a staff member in the store did tell me the collection points fill up fast. And little wonder when there are so few places you can donate bedding in this way.

Dunelm's own data says the Textile Takeback scheme 'currently collects approximately 100 tonnes of unwanted textiles for reuse or recycling each month.' That's a huge amount of bedding and textiles diverted from landfill and responsibly repurposed.

I dropped my bedding in through the open slot, and the process was complete. And as Dunelm says, each item dropped off in this way 'helps towards a more circular and sustainable future', which is great news for the environment.

From a customer's point of view, it's also an incredibly easy way to dispose of old bedding, past-their-best cushions, throws, or any kind of home textiles and clothing, responsibly. If you're looking for an easy way to declutter your home, this is it.

Compared to the difficulties I've had in finding other ways to donate bedding and responsibly recycle household items like this in the past, I was honestly blown away by how easy Dunelm's Textile Takeback scheme was to use, and I'll most definitely be using it again. I've already recommended it to three people since my visit this week!

In fact, as far as I'm concerned, there's only one downside to the Textile Takeback scheme. In taking my old bedding into my local Dunelm store, I naturally had to wander through said Dunelm store... and in the process I found three more things I wanted to buy!

Obviously, this drawback can be mitigated with some self-restraint, but should you be wondering what caught my eye, these are the items I had to restrain myself from heading to the checkout with.

FAQs

Does Dunelm still take old duvets?

Yes, Dunelm does still take old duvets in-store. I took two old duvets into my local Dunelm store recently, and the brand's Textile Takeback scheme couldn't have been easier to use.

Can you take old bedding back to Dunelm?

Yes, Dunelm is one of the few places I've found that accepts all types of old bedding. The brand then rehomes, reuses, or recycles these items.

You just need to double-check that your nearest Dunelm store is one of the 175 stores across the country that offer the Textile Takeback service.

Currently, the only stores that don't accept old bedding are the Bracknell, Camarthen, Crawley, Feltham, Jersey, Kidderminster, Llanelli, Loughborough, Scarborough, Westfield, and Yeovil branches.

Who doesn’t love a bank holiday, and an added homeware sale makes the long weekend feel even better at Ideal Home HQ. I’ve spent this week looking for the best deals, and Dunelm’s Bank Holiday Sale is not one to miss - especially their discounted Beatrice Chair Bed.

Dunelm’s Beatrice collection is arguably the brand’s most popular print, and has garnered a cult following after the launch of the iconic Beatrice Snuggle Chair a few years ago, with its bold stripey design. Since then, the collection has expanded to everything from pet beds to lamp shades.

Dunelm’s bank holiday is on from now until 1 September. I’d recommend checking out the Beatrice Chair Bed on offer as it is currently reduced by £100, making it £499, a stylish and now much more affordable addition to your guest bedroom ideas.

The best sofa beds should be both comfortable and make the most of the available space. While I have not tested the Beatrice Chair Bed, I have sat on the original snuggle chair, which is on the firm side, it is comfortable enough to curl up with a book. The pull-out sofa mechanism has all the makings of a comfortable sofa bed with a dedicated mini mattress, and can always be improved with the best mattress topper.

However, the best part about this sofa bed is its looks. The stripes are one of those timeless trends, so you don’t have to worry about this chair ever going out of fashion.

I’m not the only one impressed, as reviews state the chair is high-quality and well-made, praising the gorgeous cream and green design.

‘These are great, beds are slightly thinner singles, but the seats are great snugglers. I bought 3. The chairs feel like good quality seats, material is easy to wipe, they look good and are fab functionally. They are heavy as expected but manageable with two average people. Easy to pull out and return. Great purchase,' said one.

Not only that, but the larger Beatrice Stripe Sofa Bed is also currently £100 off at £699 right now. This is an ideal choice over the chair bed if you are more likely to have couples come to stay.

If you still haven’t had your Beatrice fix, or perhaps you don’t need to invest in new furniture, I have rounded up a few of my favourite Beatrice pieces so you can introduce the gorgeous stripey pattern to your home.

What are you picking up in the Dunelm bank holiday sale?

2025 has undoubtedly been the year of stripes, and one of the best places to find stripey homeware is at Dunelm, more specifically, their Beatrice print.

Since the launch of the cult Beatrice Snuggle Chair a few years ago, the brand has constantly sold out this stunning design. With bold stripes and stylish colourways on offer, it’s easy to see why this pattern has been a huge success.

Stripes have a timeless appeal, which is why the Beatrice pattern has such longevity. From bold stripes to pinstripes, there is something for everyone, which is why it’s been so popular.

‘The Beatrice Snuggle Chair has fast become an iconic customer favourite for Dunelm, loved for its comfort and instant style appeal, adding a pop of personality to any living space,' says Dunelm. 'Building on its success, we’ve introduced the Beatrice II for Autumn/Winter 2025, featuring refined proportions for a luxurious, interior design feel, and an updated arm with an authentic British roll seam, and customers have been loving this evolution.'

'We expect the popularity of stripes will only continue to grow as people experiment with colour combinations and patterns in the home,' they continue. ‘Customer favourites include the bold Olive stripe and the pared-back Folkstone stripe. '

Now the range expands to lighting, homeware and even more furniture. So, I rounded up my favourite picks.

Are you as taken with this stunning print as we are?

I don’t know anyone who isn’t a fan of Dunelm and their on-trend (yet affordable) homeware, but have you heard of ‘the hidden side of Dunelm’ where shopper can pick their favourite products for an even cheaper price.

You can always rely on Dunelm to stay up to date with the year’s best home decor trends, and now it’s even easier to snag a bargain if you click on Dunelm’s Return Outlet.

At Dunelm's Return Outlet, you can pick up returned or ex-display items for a discounted price, and these are the bargains on sale right now.

What's on sale right now?

These are the offers currently on sale at Dunelm's Return Outlet.

In a TikTok post, user @gabby_kingg asked users to share their best homeware stores, stating not to mention ‘the hidden side of Dunelm.’ This prompted users to question what this ‘hidden side’ was.

Now it sounds a little sinister, but the post was referring to the Returns Outlet, and lots of users were happy to learn this new information.

While you are not guaranteed to track down the exact item you want in the Returns Outlet, you can expect to find plenty of furniture, upholstery and lighting options. You don’t have to worry about items being up to standard either. Dunelm has an expert team that checks over each item to ensure they are in perfect condition.

As someone who’s just moved house, I’m eying up this stunning Luna Small Fluted Sideboard, which is £206.10 in the Returns Outlet compared to £229 new.

If you’re furnishing a home or simply looking to upgrade, you’ll already know homeware can quickly add up, which is why it’s always a good idea to save the pennies where you can.

What have you noticed in Dunelm’s Return Outlet?

Dunelm just dropped the second installment of its collaboration with designer Sophie Robinson, following the huge success of the first range which was the number one bestselling collection in its new Westfield White City store. Among many other gorgeous and wildly colourful pieces - in keeping with Sophie’s signature style - the drop includes a very stylish Sophie Robinson ceramic table lamp with a design that rivals that of a Pooky lamp double the price.

I’ve been thinking about this lamp and wanting to talk about it for the past few months, ever since being first introduced to the new Sophie Robinson x Dunelm range back in May. It makes for a great bedroom lighting idea that will adorn the bedside table with its statement, sculptural design and bold colours, both of which are big lighting trends of 2025.

What struck me first upon seeing the £75 Dunelm x Sophie Robinson lamp is its similarity to the Pooky Stucco table lamp that’s selling for £140 – that’s almost twice as the Dunelm lamp and yet it’s quite a bit smaller and the price doesn’t even include the lampshade.

Why should you invest in this lamp?

Who doesn’t love getting a designer-style piece for less? I sure do, especially when it’s designed by a highly respected designer like Sophie Robinson for a more budget-friendly brand like Dunelm.

It’s available in two colourways - one called ‘jade’ which comes with a dark green base and a yellow and light pink patterned lampshade and the other called ‘cobalt’ with a dark blue base and pink and purple chequered shade - but the green one is the winner for me personally.

‘This season, we’ve centred on richer greens, burgundy and orange shades to create a warmer, cosier colour palette that tells the brain it’s hibernating time,’ Sophie says, referencing the autumn/winter-centric colour scheme of the newly launched range compared to the first installment of the Dunelm x Sophie Robinson collection.

But perhaps the most notable feature of the lamp - which also makes it so alike to the Pooky design - is the textured ceramic base that looks like it’s been covered in individual plant leaves or flower petals all over its surface.

‘I love layering different patterns and textures to make the bedroom feel like a nest – cosy and inviting,’ Sophie adds.

More of my top picks

With several of the new styles already being out of stock, I recommend snapping one of these lamps asap if it’s caught your eye. Otherwise, you might regret it later!

As a mum of three, no matter how many storage hacks I try, my kids’ stuff seems to multiply overnight – soft toys, tiny socks, mysterious plastic bits... it’s like a toy shop exploded in our house.

I’ve long been on the hunt for toy storage ideas that fit into their bedrooms without being a massively oppressive or expensive storage system, and hallelujah: I’ve finally found a game-changing storage solution that's helped me to conquer toy chaos and fits into a small children's room perfectly.

It's this Striped Underbed Storage Bag from Dunelm, and I couldn’t believe the price when I saw it. Yep, it only costs £14, and it's proving ideal for keeping my kids' bedrooms tidy and adding extra storage to their rooms.

This storage solution is seriously affordable, and as a bit of a sceptic, I was slightly dubious about what the quality would be like as a result. But when the sunny little storage bag landed on my doorstep, I was immediately impressed.

It’s a roomy 76 × 46 × 20 cm but still slips neatly under most beds, and the storage bag is seriously heavy-duty. It’s made from a blend of cotton, polyester, and breathable viscose. The zip on it is robust enough to withstand having items crammed into it – believe me, I’ve lived to tell the tale – and there are handles on the side to make dragging it out from under the bed easy.

Plus, I love the egg-yolk yellow stripe design. It'll fit perfectly into most children’s rooms, and it's gender neutral. The design won’t be something they grow out of the moment they stop calling you “Mummy” and start calling you “Bruh”.

The bag is ideal for storing loads of items, but especially perfect for bedding and clothes. It beats a plastic box hands down when it comes to how to store a duvet correctly. That's because this bag is breathable, which prevents mould from building up in your stored fabrics.

Yes, a word of warning if you utilise the space under your bed for storage. Cramming stuff under your bed with no airflow should be avoided if you want to avoid mould in your mattress or even your bed frame – ottoman beds can become mouldy, too, without adequate ventilation and the proper storage materials. This bag will help prevent this from happening under your kids' beds.

Plus, this is storage your kids will actually like and *want* to use too. My kids love these storage bags – when told to tidy their room, they can drag them out and fill them with teddies and Beyblades and then slide them back under their beds using the reinforced handles.

I always try to opt for products that my kids can use independently. I aim for a day when they can do most jobs without me intervening.

Well, a parent can dream... but at least they can manage these bags without help. The fastenings are easy to use for little fingers. No tricky clip locks or places to get hands trapped.

The storage bag is also surprisingly roomy. I filled one of these storage bags full of kids' wetsuits, beach shoes, beach towels, DryRobes, and all the other unexpected kit that my kids need for the beach. I kept filling and filling and was able to squash the air out a bit to slide it under the bed.

What's more, I love the fact that if or when this storage bag isn’t full, it takes up less space under the bed than a rigid plastic container.

When it’s not in use, the storage bag folds down really small, so you can scale up and down easily. This is great for houses that have limited storage space or if you don’t want to have to find storage for empty storage boxes (surely a modern-day problem we’ve all encountered?).

The final seal of approval? After ordering one of the Striped Underbed Storage Bags and being thoroughly impressed, I went out and bought four more for other bedrooms in my house.

There are multiple colour options to choose from, so each room can have its colour-coded storage (if you're that way inclined!).

I’ve now chucked out all the plastic under-bed storage I used to use, which has had lids snap and wheels get jammed with dust. I’m a total convert to this super affordable storage solution – and I bet you will be too.

Earlier this week, Dunelm introduced its autumn/winter 2025 collection at a press preview. But this actually wasn’t the first time I came upon the new Dunelm Elements Finn accent chair. In fact, it was a couple of months ago at a Dunelm breakfast where I got to test it out and where everyone attending was obsessed with this chair – myself included. And it’s finally available to shop now!

It’s the perfect piece for dopamine decorating schemes or even a more pared-back room as a statement piece, set to become available in more colours in due course. But at the moment, Dunelm’s selling the Finn chair in cherry red and sage green shades. The former is my favourite, and the one I predict is going to be the bestseller in no time. And I’ve been right about this kind of thing before, just saying.

So what’s the appeal of the Finn chair, you might be wondering. Apart from its obvious stylish look with a textured boucle finish, I was most struck by how comfy it was to sit and lounge on – so much so, I didn’t want to get up when testing it out. And the fact that it’s only £169 makes it even more appealing to add to one’s basket.

The low, deep shape with a metal frame is inspired by furniture and home decor designs from the 70s and 80s but with added playful, modern twists, such as the on-trend colour choices.

What else impressed me

But, of course, there was so much more that caught my eye at the Dunelm press showcase, with the whole autumn/winter 2025 offering of furniture and home accessories being on display. So apart from the Finn chair, these are the six other pieces that I can honestly say impressed me for one reason or another – and they’re all available to buy now, too.

Here at Ideal Home, Dunelm is one of our go-to brands for stylish but reasonably priced furniture and home accessories. And once again, the brand didn’t disappoint – and just wait to see what else they’ve got in the pipeline for the rest of the autumn/winter season.

In the meantime, which piece (or pieces) are you considering investing in?

Dunelm has a huge summer sale on right now, and I know how intimidating a big sale can be to navigate. So to help you make sense of the best value buys, I've dug through it to find the highest-rated garden furniture pieces in the Dunelm sale that come recommended by other shoppers.

Dunelm has produced some of the best garden furniture this year, with many of Dunelm’s garden furniture pieces looking more expensive than their price tag, even when they're not on sale.

Whether you like bold colours or sleek rattan, there’s something for everyone - and I’ve rounded up six products that shoppers can’t seem to get enough of.

There’s no surprise the stunning Santorini egg chair has made an appearance but I also think Manhattan Small Corner Sofa Set is worth your attention.

Currently £230.30 down from £329, this set is great value for money and a perfect example of Dunelm’s expensive looking garden furniture. It also has the five star reviews to prove it. Despite ‘small’ being in the name this sofa set is large enough to seat four to five adults comfortably. It consists of two double sofas, thick cotton cushions and a sleek grey finish that works with any garden seating ideas.

‘Lovely corner sofa, the cushions are so thick and chunky, making them really comfortable, nice colour for outdoors and easy to wipe clean, pretty sure they are waterproof but we keep it under a gazebo. Bit fiddly putting it together, one part was hard to line up, but between two of us we managed. Wish I'd purchased it sooner,’ said one review.

Here is the full round up of what garden furniture to shop in the Dunelm sale now.

Have you been tempted by the sale? Which buy is your favourite?

I have an east-facing bedroom, and in the UK, dawn is around 4 am throughout June. For me, that's *early*, and it means I wake up way before I've had enough sleep during the summer months.

To beat the all-day yawning that ensues as a result, I've been scouring the high street for blackout blinds I can install quickly, easily, and affordably, and I've just found a solution that reviewers with similar woes to mine are raving about.

The best part? Dunelm's Temporary Blackout Blind is not only super easy to fit, but it also costs just £5.

Unlike a regular blackout roller blind, this budget-friendly design requires no drilling or holes in the wall, so there's no stress of figuring out how to fit a blackout blind.

Instead, the temporary blackout solution is made of pleated paper, which can be cut to size to suit any window. Then it's simply a case of peeling the backing off the sticky strip at the top of the blind and sticking it to the window frame.

That makes it perfect for someone like me who isn't as confident as they could be with a drillset, or for those of us who rent and need a blackout solution that won't risk our rental deposit by making holes in the wall.

Plus, it's the ideal speedy solution for any of us who need a fast blackout solution to get sleep patterns back on track asap during the summer months. And did I mention it's only £5?!

'The blinds are amazing, easy to cut to size, easy to fit, and absolutely block out the light,' says one 5-star reviewer on the Dunelm website. 'They are made of paper but are genius for short-term use.'

'Had up for a few weeks now to stop bright mornings from waking me,' says another reviewer, 'would recommend; especially for the price.'

'Probably the best £5 I’ve ever spent!' raves another happy shopper. 'I can’t tell you how much easier I am sleeping because of them.'

Like me, owners are also finding a wide range of uses for this super affordable blackout solution.

'This blind was bought so I could move into my house before my ordered blinds were fitted,' shares one reviewer. 'Waiting 17 weeks for shutters to be made for our brand new house seemed a nightmare until I found these,' echoes another.

Whilst others have found the blind to be a simple temporary solution to help little ones sleep better during the lighter mornings.

'Purchased for when my grandson stays over during the summer', shares one happy customer. 'Great blind, easy to install, for baby’s bedroom during summer months,' says another.

A couple of reviewers do mention that the blinds can be fiddly to roll up in the morning, and another raises the question of why the clips (that hold the blind up when it's not in use) are white rather than black to match the blind itself. A very good point!

A third mentions the downside of using an adhesive to hold a blind up, saying that when the Dunelm Blackout Temporary Pleated Blind was removed, it left residue on the window frame that needed to be removed with white spirit.

However, personally, I've reached a stage of tiredness where those minor niggles are compromises I'm very willing to accept in order to get more some zzz's! Like one reviewer says, investing a fiver to get a couple more hours' sleep every morning seems like a very good deal to me!

Dunelm has given its cult Beatrice Snuggle Chair a fresh new makeover - and it’s wavy design is embracing one of the biggest emerging upholstery trends.

The Beatrice wiggle stripe snuggle chair is a fresh new twist on the classic Dunelm Stripe Snuggle chair, which frequently sells out. For a long time, the snuggle chair has been one of the best living room seating ideas on the market to pair with the best sofas.

If you’ve been looking to give your living room an update, this chair should be up for your consideration, especially considering abstract stripes are one of the hottest emerging home decor trends of the year.

In case you hadn’t realised, stripes have been everywhere this year. From stripe drenching to the huge striped upholstery trend, I haven’t been able to avoid this timeless pattern (not that I’m complaining).

It could be argued that the Dunelm Beatrice Snuggle Chair is the OG of the striped upholstery trend, after becoming a best seller last year. So, it makes sense, Dunelm is leading the trend in a fresh direction with its abstract stripe pattern.

Abstract stripes - such as the ones you see on the woven stripe snuggle chair - are a micro-trend that’s been making waves this spring. Opting for wiggles, wonky lines, and even zig-zags offers a playful alternative to the classic vertical and horizontal stripes we know and love.

But you don’t have to be brave with your interiors to try out this new trend. Dunelm’s wavy snuggle chair is designed in a soft moss green and pastel pink. These colours complement each other perfectly, and green is a surprisingly neutral shade that works with all colour schemes.

The wavy striped design is a great way to introduce pattern and texture to a space without dominating it. This chair would blend well with earthy brown rooms and can even complement patterned wallpaper. It’s a versatile buy, that’s for sure.

The Beatrice Wiggle Moss Woven Stripe Snuggle Chair has also received some great reviews, with buyers a fan of it’s comfortable seat and fabulous colours.

‘Love, love, love this chair. Gorgeous design and very roomy and comfy. Very eye-catching and definitely a statement piece. Super easy to assemble as only needed the feet screwing on. Have received many compliments,’ said one.

Snuggle chairs are larger than a standard armchair, making this a great choice if you’re looking to create a cosy atmosphere. I have been eyeing up this chair to create a cosy reading corner.

Alternatives

What do you think about Dunelm’s new snuggle chair update? Do you prefer its fresh new look or are you standing by the original?

The approach of summer means the revival of everyone’s favourite garden furniture trend - the humble egg chair. This year, shoppers have been going crazy for Dunelm’s Santorini Egg Chair (£249) - but we think that we’ve found a budget alternative that’s just as good. Introducing the QVC Oslo Collapsing Hanging Egg Chair…

QVC is an underrated website, with the Ideal Home team frequently impressed by it’s bargain buys. And now the time has come to select the best garden furniture deals, we think it’s only fair to throw QVC’s hat into the ring.

The Oslo collapsing hanging egg chair in soft sage green is currently on sale for £199.80 (down from £240) making it one of the cheapest garden egg chairs on the market at the moment. Here’s how it compares to the viral Dunelm Santorini egg chair.

It’s true the Oslo collapsing hanging chair isn’t as bright as the Santorini chair in soft Jade. The Santorini chair is available in blue and white shades, terracotta hues and a vibrant multi-coloured red, teal and yellow - making it perfect for your boho garden ideas.

While the Oslo chair is available in more muted sage, natural and grey, I think it is perfect if you’re aiming for a more peaceful look. For many of us, gardens act as a place to relax, so it’s always worth opting for a calming hue when selecting your garden furniture.

The Oslo chair combines sleek design with comfort, including a plush inner cushion to sit on. Plus, it’s curved design means the chair holds you like a cocoon, providing ultimate comfort. It’s also collapsible, making it easy to store and well-designed for small garden ideas.

The Santorini chair is certainly a bolder choice, and I’d recommend it if you want to introduce more colour to your outdoor space. Combined with a rattan weave, the chair easily makes you feel like you’re on a sunny holiday. It’s easy to see why the chair is so popular -it truly is a thing of beauty, and with weather-resistant materials, it will bring colour on the greyest of days.

But I do think QVC’s Oslo chair is also an excellent choice - especially if you’re looking for an affordable yet quality item. Like the Santorini chair, it has a steel, powder-coated frame making it weather-resistant, but I think it’s collapsable element sets it apart from Dunelm in terms of practicality.

Must-have egg chair accessories

Having selected your perfect egg chair, you'll want the perfect set-up to keep you lounging all summer long.

When choosing which is the best option for your garden seating ideas it boils down to personal preference - go to Dunelm for a bold statement but if you’re looking for relaxing comfort, the Oslo chair is your guy. I personally can’t choose between them - what do you think?

This Dunelm 2000W Contemporary Round 9 Fin Oil Filled Radiator review puts this oil-filled radiator to the test to see if it has the power to heat a home in the middle of winter without driving up energy bills.

After testing, I think it's one of the best oil-filled radiators you can buy today. Especially if you’re on a budget.

In a nutshell

The 2000W Contemporary Round 9 Fin Oil Filled Radiator may not have come from a big-name oil-filled radiator brand, but it can certainly compete with the big dogs. Offering a stylish and compact design, three heat settings, a thermostat and castor wheels for everyday portability, it can successfully act as an additional heater or replace your radiators when you want to save energy and keep your heating off.

As I unboxed the product, it was clear to see that it’s not the prettiest type of heater you can buy - especially compared to some of the best electric heaters - but in terms of oil-filled heaters (which are generally quite unattractive), it’s certainly not the ugliest.

Plus, the heat output was impressive no matter which room I tested it in, successfully heating up a space that had had the radiators turned off the night before (in the middle of winter) and keeping a larger living space at a constant temperature throughout the day.

And while the controls do take a little bit of getting used to, by the second or third use it had just become part of my everyday appliance routine.

2000W Contemporary Round 9 Fin Oil Filled Radiator product specs

• Energy use: 2000W
• Temperature settings: 3 heat settings (800W, 1200W, or 2000W)
• Dimensions: H 65.5cm x W 43cm x D 13.5cm
• Weight: 6kg
• Thermostat: Yes
• Timer: No
• Auto tip over shut off: Yes
• RRP: £59

Unboxing, setting up and first impressions

The Dunelm 2000W Contemporary Round 9 Fin Oil Filled Radiator was delivered extremely quickly, and as someone who receives a lot of parcels every week, I didn’t have to do any guesswork as to what this particular parcel was. The branding and the product name were clear as day on the packaging - which was, unfortunately, slightly damaged (but not so much that it damaged the product inside).

From the box alone, I was impressed. It was incredibly light and extremely slim - something I was eager to see after recently testing the very slim AENO Premium Eco Smart Panel Heater just a few weeks earlier. Not only that, but it was also encased in minimal packaging. In fact, aside from the main delivery box and a smaller box for the castor feet and the wheel plates, there was no other packaging present. So, it scored major eco points from me.

The only thing I will say is that the oil-filled radiator comes without the feet on it, which means it’s impossible to stand it upright while you’re getting the smaller box of components out of the main box. This is something I learned the hard way when the whole thing fell on my foot and left a very nasty bruise on my foot (and my ego). However, it didn’t take me long to pop the feet - albeit with the help of my husband.

To do this, all we had to do was turn the oil-filled radiator upside down and attach the castors to the wheel plates using the domed nuts which are supplied. You then have to tighten them with a spanner, which, annoyingly, isn’t supplied.

While it wasn’t difficult, I will say that it’s perhaps a two-person job if you want to get the assembly done and dusted quickly and efficiently. So, this is something to consider if you’re buying it solo or are buying it for elderly relatives.

Design

By all intents and purposes, oil-filled radiators aren’t pretty. They’re often very big and clunky, and the obvious fins make them impossible to hide. In fact, I typically tend to lean more towards the modern, digital oil-filled radiators like the Pro Breeze 2000W Digital Oil-Free Radiator with Eco Mode as the fins aren’t as prominent, and it looks a bit more like one of the best electric heaters instead.

However, I do have to say that this Dunelm oil-filled radiator is more stylish than most. The contemporary look adds some curves to what are often very harsh and brutal appliances, and the black colourway I tested adds a sense of sophistication to the overall look. It’s also available in grey and cream - but I do think that Dunelm would benefit from having a white colourway as well.

I also LOVED the fact that this Dunelm oil-filled radiator comes with cord storage on the side. This makes it so easy to store and move around the home, and means you can tuck it away without tripping on the cord or stepping on the plug when it’s not in use.

Ease of use

The controls of oil-filled radiators tend to fall into one of two categories; digital and manual. And while you’d assume that digital controls are easier, almost every oil-filled radiator on the market is confusing when it comes to the controls - and the Dunelm 2000W Contemporary Round 9 Fin Oil Filled Radiator is no different.

In total, there are two dials on this model - the main heat setting switch (with 0 indicating that it’s turned off, Ⅰ indicating low heat, Ⅱ indicating medium heat, and Ⅲ indicating high heat), and the temperature thermostat - and both require a simple turn clockwise to turn the oil-filled radiator on and to crank up the thermostat. A red light will then turn on.

However, there are no numbers on the thermostat or any indication of what temperature you want to turn it to. Instead, the only way to control the temperature of this particular model is to turn the thermostat anti-clockwise until the red light extinguishes. It will then maintain that temperature until you want to turn it off completely.

But without any numbers on the dial, I had no indicator of what temperature the thermostat was at during testing - and as someone who always runs cold, I felt as though I probably kept it up higher than it needed to. In fact, one day my husband came home and complained that it was sweltering hot in the living room.

So, I would appreciate a little indicator of temperature. And while it wasn’t rocket science to work out how to use it, I do wish oil-filled radiators (as a whole) would make the user experience a little easier.

Performance

To measure the performance of the Dunelm oil-filled radiator, I wanted to see how well it would fare in a very cold room. So, the night before I planned to use it for the first time I turned the radiators off in my home office and shut the door so the heat from other rooms wouldn’t waft over.

By morning, my office was freezing cold (for my liking, anyway) and had dropped to around 14℃, so I turned the oil-filled radiator on and waited for the magic to happen.

I know some oil-filled radiators can be noisy, so I was pleasantly surprised to see/hear that this one was relatively quiet. It was also extremely quick to heat up. And just ten minutes after I’d turned it on, it was already too hot to touch.

Because of this, it wasn’t too long before it had greeted the whole room, and it was about 45 minutes before I felt comfortable enough to turn the thermostat down to where it would maintain this temperature. During this time, I didn’t ever feel the need to turn my radiators back on.

However, I like to test products on multiple occasions and in multiple rooms to get a better judgment on them, so I continued to use it over the next two weeks in my living room and even in the bedroom. For my small home - where no room is bigger than 3.5mx3.5m, it was more than enough to take the chill off the space when the central heating was on. Especially as you can increase and decrease the heat output to suit you throughout the day.

The only thing I will say is that the electrical cord is quite short, and although the instruction manual told me to keep it as far away from furniture and soft furnishings as possible, the short lead proved to be a little too short - even in my small home. So, I do feel as though those with larger homes may struggle with the positioning, which may ultimately affect the heat output. After all, the closer you are to it, the more you get to make the most of it.

However, the cord storage on the side of the oil-filled radiator was a nice touch, and allowed me to tuck the whole thing away when I was finished and wanted to roll it out of sight on the castor wheels.

Energy use

Ultimately, the cost to run an oil-filled radiator depends on the wattage of the model you have and the current price of electricity. At the time of writing and according to the current energy price cap, the Dunelm 2000W Contemporary Round 9 Fin Oil Filled Radiator cost me 50p per hour to run.

This is similar to the claims made by Dunelm that this particular model should cost around 45p per hour. And while it’s not the cheapest electric heater to run, it’s certainly not the most expensive, either.

Plus, a major perk of the oil-filled radiator vs ceramic heater debate is that oil-filled radiators will turn themselves off when the desired temperature has been reached - or at least maintain a constant temperature. This means that it doesn’t waste energy when you don’t need it, which can save you some pennies in the long run.

How does it rate online?

The Dunelm 2000W Contemporary Round 9 Fin Oil Filled Radiator rates extremely highly online, and at the time of writing, it has over 150 reviews with an average score of 4.4 stars out of 5. Customers praise how quickly the oil-filled radiator heats up, how quickly it can heat smaller areas of the home, how cheap it is to run, and the fact that it’s easily transportable.

However, some have criticised the overall size of the Dunelm oil-filled radiator and stated that it’s not as suitable for larger spaces as it is for smaller ones.

How does it compare to similar models?

In terms of appearance, the Dunelm Contemporary Round 9 Fin Oil Filled Radiator is most similar to the VonHaus 6 Fin 800W Oil Filled Radiator, which offers the similar black colourway and the very obvious fins. However, that’s where the similarities end. For starters, the Dunelm oil-filled radiator offers more power (with a max power of 2000W instead of the VonHaus’s 800W), more temperature settings (three instead of the VonHaus’s one), and fins (nine fins instead of the VonHaus’s six).

However, the VonHaus offering does trump the Dunelm oil-filled radiator in terms of price. Although the Dunelm model is still relatively affordable at just £59, that’s fairly expensive compared to the VonHaus’s £29.99.

In terms of performance, the Dunelm oil-filled radiator is very similar to the Pro Breeze 2500W Oil Filled Radiator with 11 Fins - but there’s no doubt that the Pro Breeze does offer more in terms of power and performance. The Pro Breeze features 11 fins, 2500W of power, three temperature settings, and a timer (which the Dunelm oil-filled radiator doesn’t have).

The Pro Breeze is bigger and chunkier than the Dunelm oil-filled radiator, but the Dunelm oil-filled radiator is cheaper than the Pro Breeze model - so if you’re happy to sacrifice a little bit of power for a cheaper price and a smaller size that can easily be tucked away when you’re done, then the Dunelm model could be a better option for you.

Should you buy the Dunelm 2000W Contemporary Round 9 Fin Oil Filled Radiator?

If you’re looking for an affordable oil-filled radiator that won’t break the bank but will help you to beat the chill, then I do recommend the Dunelm oil-filled radiator. The range of colourways means you can tie it into your home decor and the castor wheels allow you to move it out of the way when you’re not in use, and the overall heating power was impressive.

If you’re looking for something with more advanced technology and features, however, this model might not be for you. It’s very basic and uncomplicated when you get used to it, but those who want a timer or more detailed temperature control won’t get what they want.

So, it’s best to weigh up what exactly you want from an oil-filled radiator before you part with your cash.

How we tested

You can find more information on how we test products at Ideal Home here. For this review, the Dunelm 2000W Contemporary Round 9 Fin Oil Filled Radiator was tested by Lauren, Ideal Home’s Content Editor for the House Manual section. She tested this oil-filled radiator over two weeks in her small Victorian terrace in Kent.

Throughout testing (conveniently completed during the colder months of January and February), Lauren assessed everything from how easy it was to assemble to its heat output, overall design, heating controls, and how much it cost to run.

As well as following our specific and detailed testing guidelines, she aimed to use this Dunelm oil-filled radiator as naturally as possible to understand how the everyday customer would use the product. In doing so, she could easily assess the perks and potential pitfalls that customers would encounter if they were to buy it themselves.

At the end of the testing process, Lauren assessed all of the information at her disposal and her own experience of the product to determine whether she thought the Dunelm oil-filled radiator was worth the price tag. With this information in tow, she could also give it a score out of 5.

Although Lauren was sent this oil-filled radiator to review for Ideal Home, this did not impact her fair and impartial review process. She has shared her own experiences with the Dunelm 2000W Contemporary Round 9 Fin Oil Filled Radiator.

I put Dunelm's bestselling Teddy Bear Topper to the test to see how it performed in comparison to the best mattress toppers on the market.

In a nutshell

Just like all of Dunelm's bestselling Teddy Bear bedding collection, the fleecy Dunelm Teddy Mattress Topper feels super soft and snuggly to the touch.

It's also very affordable, with prices starting from just £18 for the single and £22 for a double mattress size.

However, this topper is only around 1-2cm deep, so it doesn't add much in terms of cushioning or support, and I found it didn't make much difference to the overall feel of my bed.

What it does do is add an extra layer of cosiness, which makes it a budget-friendly addition to the bed when cold weather hits – especially if you choose to sleep directly on top of it, which you can, because it's machine-washable and dries super-fast.

Because it's made of fleecy recycled polyester it reflects your body heat back towards you, making the bed feel a little bit warmer on cold winter nights – a plus point for cold sleepers, although hot sleepers may find they overheat.

All in all, it won't transform the feel of your bed, but it's a very affordable way to add some extra warmth and cosiness to your sleep set-up in winter.

Dunelm Teddy Mattress Topper review

Specifications

• RRP: £18 / £22 / £25 / 30
• Sizes: single / double / king / super-king
• Depth: 1-2cm
• Construction: 100% recycled polyester
• Care instructions: machine washable at 40°c, line dry or tumble dry on a low heat setting
• Manufacturer sleep trial: no

Attaching the topper to the bed

The Dunelm Teddy Mattress Topper has wide elasticated straps underneath each corner, which make it very easy to hook over the corners of your mattress and attach. Those straps also seemed pretty secure; during testing, I didn't find the topper sprang off.

However, I did find that the topper itself scrimped on size. I tested a double, and it just reached the edges of my double mattress. But, during the night I found my body weight meant the topper edges no longer reached the mattress edge. This left an uncomfortable ridge at the topper edges, so I'd advise sizing up to avoid that happening.

Comfort

The Dunelm Teddy Mattress Topper is super soft and fluffy. It's named well because the minute you touch it you immediately want to pick it up and snuggle it like you would the softest teddy bear, or snuggle into it which is more appropriate in this case.

Kids will love how it feels, and this grown-up loved how it felt too. When I added it to the bed it immediately made me want to climb in and get cosy.

However, I was a little confused about whether I was meant to sleep directly on it or not. Usually, a mattress topper goes underneath your bottom sheet. But mattress toppers don't usually feel this snuggly, and putting a sheet over it seemed a bit of a shame.

In the end, I tried it both ways and preferred it without the sheet. The topper is machine washable at 40°c (which most toppers aren't) so it shouldn't be a problem sleeping directly on it.

That said, snuggliness aside, this topper doesn't really offer a lot else. It's only 1-2cm deep and it's made from 100% polyester, so although it adds a smidgeon of padding to the bed, it doesn't offer any proper cushioning or support.

It isn't a topper that's going to transform how your bed feels. You need a deeper or more structured topper, like the supportive Simba Hybrid Topper, the cushioned Panda Topper, or the firmer IKEA NISSHOLME Topper for that.

What it will do is add an indulgent snuggliness to the bed, and some extra warmth – more on that next.

Temperature regulation

This topper is made from recycled polyester, and synthetic materials generally aren't very breathable. When they're used in bedding that means they don't regulate temperature very well, instead they reflect body heat back towards the sleeper.

That's exactly what I found happened when sleeping on top of the Dunelm Teddy Mattress Topper. I was much warmer than usual the minute I added this topper to my bed.

If you're a cold sleeper, this could be a big bonus, as it makes this topper brilliantly cosy on cold winter nights.

However, if you're a hot sleeper (like me) you may find yourself waking up hot and sticky due to that lack of breathability. One of the best cooling mattress toppers this is not. If that's what you're looking for the wool-filled Woolroom Deluxe Wool Mattress Topper is a much better bet. That offers the same level of cosiness in winter, but great breathability and temperature regulation in the summer too.

Care instructions

One of the big bonuses of the Dunelm Teddy Mattress Topper is that, unlike many mattress toppers, it can be machine washed at 40°c and either line dried or tunble dried on a low setting. Because it's 100% polyester I also found it dried super fast.

This could make it a good choice for a kids bed, and also means you can sleep directly on top of this topper (without a sheet in between) to make the most of its super soft fleecy finish.

Sleep trial

There's no sleep trial available on the Dunelm Teddy Mattress Topper, but Dunelm stores are fairly widespread so you should be able to go in and handle one in-store to see if you like the feel of it.

And that's really all you need to know, because beyond its cuddly texture and the fact it makes for a warmer sleep, there isn't a lot else this topper brings to the bed.

Verdict

This topper won't transform the feel of your bed. It's only 1-2cm thick so it doesn't add enough cushioning or support to soften up a firm mattress that much and it won't ease any aches or pains.

However, it is super soft and cuddly and feels lovely to snuggle into. Plus, its fleecy texture took the chill off the sheets and kept me really warm during the night. It's also very affordable and easy to care for.

Personally, I wouldn't want to use it in summer, as it would cause me to overheat, but if you're looking for a way to take the chill off your bed in winter, (and you don't want to add one of the best electric blankets), this topper is super snuggly and cosy.

Plus, you get to go to sleep feeling like you're snuggled into a giant fluffy teddy bear. And what could be better than that?!

You might think it strange that one of my favourite additions to my kitchen is my bin, especially since my role as Ideal Home's Kitchen Appliances Editor lets me test out the shiniest gadgets around.

That's a testament to how much of a game-changer the Joseph Joseph Totem Bin is, a product that among other cult classics from the brand, has gone viral on TikTok and Instagram in recent years.

After owning it now for two years, I have only positive things to say about the Totem bin, which is the best kitchen bin idea if you want something functional and stylish. But the thought of replacing it, thanks to its £179.00 price tag, is not too appealing. That's why, when I saw this astonishingly similar Dunelm bin, I was racing to find out more about it. Here's a look at both bins.

The affordable Dunelm alternative to Joseph Joseph

I've already told you about my devotion to my Joseph Joseph bin, but it seems that this Dunelm verison is amassing a following of its own, with glowing user reviews at the time of writing.

With a 4.6 star average rating, customers who have invested in this bin are clearly big fans. Reviews cite that the bin 'looks stylish' and 'moves easily on wheels', with three distinct sections for sorting recycling into.

It also has a generous capacity of 57 litres, which should be enough to tide you over until next bin day.

If you're weighing up the Joseph Joseph bin vs this Dunelm one, there are a few differences to take into account. The first is that while the Dunelm one has a bottom drawer which leans toward you, the Joseph Joseph pick has an entirely separate box for recycling, which pulls the entire way out.

The Totem also features an additional 3-litre caddy, which sits at the top of your bin to take all of the food waste that you don't want contaminating the rest of your rubbish.

Along with the caddy, the Joseph Joseph bin has two separate compartments, while the Dunelm version has two containers, but the top one is divided into two – an ideal for sorting recycling.

Finally, the Dunelm bin is situated on wheels so that you can move it around your kitchen if needs be, while the Joseph Joseph bin doesn't.

Though their respective prices are pretty different, there are plenty of shared features with these bins. Speaking from experience, those removable inner buckets (which both have) are invaluable for transporting your rubbish outside and to make regular cleaning easier. The fact that both have odour control filters will also be a godsend for banishing bad bin smells.

The real choice then, is which one will suit your kitchen best. If it's aesthetics you value over anything, then bear in mind that while the Joseph Joseph splurge is available in four different colourways, you can only pick up the bargain Dunelm version in stainless steel.

Regardless of which one you pick, I reckon managing your rubbish at home is about to get a lot easier.

If you're craving lighter nights and warmer temperatures, TV presenter Holly Willoughby’s latest collaboration with Dunelm is a homage to the upcoming spring months — and prices start at just £14.

Launching online and in stores across the country today, the new range is an extension of the Dancing on Ice presenter’s previous Holly Willoughby bedding collab with the homeware giant.

Featuring floral motifs and botanicals, this latest edit of bedding and homeware has a focus on fresh spring colours across soft, luxurious fabrics — perfect for a fresh, airy bedroom idea for the upcoming season.

The collection features luxe bedding sets, soft cushions, wallpapers and curtains, all decked out in elegant floral designs. The colours are brighter than her previous Dunelm collection, with rich green hues and botanical prints.

The patterns are detailed, feminine and elegant, and can add fresh biophilic design ideas to your room. The range is determined to blur the lines between indoors and outdoors, which is important for creating a calm space.

‘The new collection I have been working on with Dunelm aims to bring nature into the home – creating a calming atmosphere. The soft, natural tones are inspired by the world around us, and I’m really excited to be releasing a collection that people can add to their homes to truly unwind and feel at peace,’ says Holly.

The soft pastel colourways of Holly’s homeware make it a great fit for any neutral bedroom. The chosen patterns add a pop of visual texture, while the rich greens within the floral motifs add more colour to the room — perfect if you looking to experiment with your decor but not make any permanent changes.

‘The range perfectly reflects the beauty of spring and summer and is a true celebration of style and elegance — we’re so excited to see our customers embrace it in their homes,’ adds Emma Anthony, Head of Design at Dunelm.

Holly's top picks:

In celebration of the most recent collaboration, Holly has shared her personal favourite pieces from the collection — which will you be adding to your basket?

To paraphrase The Devil Wear’s Prada, we know florals in spring are by no means groundbreaking, but what Holly Willoughby has achieved with her Dunelm collection is a soft elegant touch that certainly prepares a room for the new season.