Earlier this week, I was scrolling through Next’s new-in section and stumbled across the just-released Next Addison modular sofa – and I was instantly impressed with the look and price point. When I say I’m obsessed with modular sofas, I’m not exaggerating – I’m modular sofas’ number one fan. So when it comes to modular sofas, I know my stuff – especially since I’ve tried over 100 of them at this point (in all fairness, it’s part of my job) and own one myself.

When searching for the best of the best modular sofas, I’m by no means easily impressed. My standards are high, given the number of sofas I’ve tried. And yet, this is not the first time I fell in love with a modular sofa from Next – last year, Next launched the Crosby modular storage sofa, and it’s become one of my all-time favourite sectionals and storage sofas.

‘A modular design offers greater flexibility, allowing customers to configure the sofa to suit their individual room layouts and making it a better fit for a variety of UK homes,’ says Next Home’s spokesperson.

Modular sofas are now bigger than a fleeting sofa trend – it’s a versatile and flexible living room seating solution that future-proofs your lounge and a category that many brands, including Next, are expanding, given its popularity.

So what’s so special about Next’s new Addison modular sofa? For starters, the sleek, curved-style sofa looks like a designer piece. And yet, it’s an affordable design – take the three-piece configuration as pictured above which will set you back £1848.

The Addison is available in two colourways and upholstery finishes – either a forest green twill or off-white oyster chenille. They’re smart colour choices to start with as green and cream/off-white are among the most popular sofa colours across the board. And it covers the bases of both a neutral and a colour without it being too bold either.

Full disclaimer, as the sofa has just dropped, I haven’t been able to test it out yet. But you best believe I will be trying it the first chance I get, hopefully soon.

On the Ideal Home team, we spend so much time hunting through the very best new products, so when we all collectively agree that a product has an ingenious design, then you know it's good.

Rechargeable lamps have gotten bigger and better over the last few years and are now mainstays in our kitchens and living rooms thanks to their versatility. The new Highclere rechargeable lamp from Next is putting every other rechargeable lamp to shame - and it's finally back in stock.

Designed to sit on a bookshelf, this clever rechargeable lamp looks like a marble bookend while the chic brass lamp shade and base sits out on a right angle. Here's why you should snap this up for your living room lighting ideas before it inevitably sells out again.

We're all about finding practical additions to our homes that are also pretty. Lighting is one of those areas where it is important to strike the right balance.

While rechargeable lamps offer a lot of versatility in terms of being able to move them around a room unrestricted by plug sockets, a shelf is where they often fall short. Unless you're positioning a lamp on the bottom shelf of a built-in bookshelf, it can be difficult to find a shelf that is high enough for a lamp.

Additionally, placing a lamp within the shelf will illuminate the area immediately on the shelf, rather than extending the light into the room.

This Next Highclere Lamp went out of stock a while back, and we've been carefully watching to see when it would return. As interior designer, Olivia Caplan explains above, the lamp slots perfectly next to books on a shelf, and is handily rechargeable which removes the need for wiring.

I love the appearance of wall sconces on built-in shelving, but adding these in needs to take place in the initial design period so that an electrician can wire them through the back of the shelves. This Next lamp is the perfect retrofit solution - you can slot it in where required and change the format of your shelf decor over time, too.

When this lamp was first released, it went out of stock super quickly. In the comments of Olivia's Instagram reel, many people have clearly been eagerly awaiting it's return, so you won't want to wait around before buying.

I've searched high and low for similar styles, but it seems like this Next lamp is one of the first of it's kind, particularly on the high street.

Rechargeable lamps are perfect for any corner of a living room, on a shelf or not - these alternatives from Next will look just as sweet in your space.

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As alfresco evenings become our norm, outdoor lighting is just as essential. Pooky's new release of outdoor lighting is one to watch, with colourful lanterns that will perfectly decorate any tablescape.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Shop alternatives

If you love a summer party that drifts late into the evening, outdoor lighting is a must. I think I've just found the ultimate garden light no summer hosting fan should be without at Next: the New Garden White Lima Portable Rechargeable Light.

This clever little rechargeable outdoor light might not look like much on its own, but it makes transitioning from sheltering under a parasol during the day to lingering outside in the dusk over a bottle of wine so much easier.

The Lima portable rechargeable light, priced at £49, looks like an ordinary white doughnut lamp. However, it uses magnets to snap apart in the middle and fasten around the pole of any of the best parasols. It effectively turns your garden umbrella into a supersized floor lamp, ideal for lighting up a dining table or an outdoor seating area.

The Lima isn't the only light solution that has tackled the issue of illuminating underneath a garden parasol at night, but it is certainly one of the chicest. It's curved, discreet design blends neatly into the parasol and can be turned on with a remote control from where you're sitting.

The Lima light requires no installation; it simply uses a built-in magnet for easy attachment to a parasol or to garden railings. It also has an impressive battery life, delivering 20 hours of continuous lighting from one charge.

Using the remote control, you can control the intensity and colours of light to set the mood for your outdoor gathering. You can choose between three intensity levels and warmths, along with red, green and blue light options.

When it comes to garden lighting ideas, layering types of light like you would indoors is often forgotten, but it's just as important. You still need to think about ambient lighting to set the general mood. This can be done via festoon lights or with globe lights dotted around a patio. Then you need to consider accent lighting to highlight features in the garden, such as sculptural plants lit with an uplight, or a beautiful overhanging tree branch wrapped in micro fairylights.

Finally, you need something like the Lima or a cheaper option, such as this £14 Amazon parasol light, to operate as task lighting over a dining table or a seating area. This type of lighting allows you to see what you're doing while entertaining outside in the evening.

What I particularly love about using something like the Lima as a task lighting solution is that it doesn't take up any additional surface or floor space as a recharge table lamp, making it ideal for small garden ideas. However, if you prefer your task light to look more decorative, rechargeable table lamps like these £85 from Pooky, available in a range of trending colours, will elevate your next garden party.

Here are a couple of other clever lighting solutions I've spotted to light up a garden parasol this summer.

Get ready to light up your garden and continue the party into the night this summer.

The lake house aesthetic is trending on Pinterest right now, and if you want to shop this luxe, nautical-inspired trend, Next is offering some of the best options.

Take it from us, Pinterest is one of the best places to find the latest home decor trends. And as we see coastal gardens fall back into fashion, it’s no surprise that the elevated lake house trend has also popped up on our radar.

Defined by nature-inspired colour palettes, mixed, natural materials and nautical-themed finishing touches, this trend is both homely and perfect for summer. And if you’re looking to embrace the trend, here are six pieces from Next’s latest homeware collections that I think nail it.

The lake house aesthetic is a trend centred on tranquillity. With wellness culture booming, including the increased popularity of spa gardens, it makes sense that we also want the inside of our homes to feel like a luxury retreat.

Taking inspiration from traditional lake houses and holiday homes, this trend is about recreating the same sense of serenity you feel when on a holiday. So, expect to see lots of calming blue tones, natural wood finishes and of course, a few coastal stripes as well. This trend is also focused on comfort, so you should expect to see a few comfy seating ideas, too.

The first piece from Next to catch my eye was their Blue Coastal Ceramic Vase (£28), which, adorned with leaves and birds, has a stunning vintage look. If you’re looking for more inspo, here are my top six picks from Next that I think nail the lake house aesthetic trend.

The lake house aesthetic is ideal for anyone looking to create a sense of serenity at home this summer. Which piece caught your eye?

If you've been following this year's Interior Design Masters on the BBC, you won't have missed that earlier this week, Lia Gold was crowned the winner and won a contract to design a homeware collection with Next.

Lia Gold's joyful collection with Next dropped yesterday, and I was able to see the full collection in person on launch day. Seeing homeware you can typically only buy online in person as soon as it goes on sale - sometimes even before - is one of the perks of my job. It means I can find out firsthand if something really does look as good IRL as it does on screen, and in this case, I'm happy to report it looks better.

I'm a huge fan of Interior Design Masters, rarely missing an episode, so I was intrigued to see what this year's winning collaboration would look like. While I was surprised not to see Lia's signature florals from the show in the collection, I think the unexpected direction made me like it even more. Lia leaned into her Scottish Italian roots to create a bright and sunny range of homeware that was the jolt of colour I needed to see during this rainy week.

The standout stars are, hands down, the fire engine red chilli ceramic plant pot and the tomato vase. Playful and vibrant, I was impressed with the quality and detail in these pieces when I saw them IRL.

The collection sticks to a tight colour palette of green, red and blue, making these pieces easier to mix into an existing room scheme. These are the 9-star pieces of the collection that impressed me the most when I saw them in person.

Take this as your sign to add a little Italian charm to your home this summer.

Last night, Lia Gold was named the winner of Interior Design Masters series 7. This year, the ultimate prize for the winner was the chance to design a homeware collection with Next. I got an early look at Lia’s Next range available to shop now – and it’s not what I expected.

Throughout this series, Lia has become known for her love of florals, botanicals and her biophilic design ideas – both as prints and patterns, as well as in their physical form as every space she’s designed (including her own home) features a dried flower display. And yet, there are no flowers in sight in the Lia Gold x Next range, despite my previous expectations of flowers galore.

Instead, Lia chose to focus on her Italian heritage and her love of food when designing this 26-piece collection, which includes everything from tableware to bedroom and living room lighting - and with the M&S lamp sale currently on, I'm very much thinking about lighting right now - and an array of soft furnishings, with prices starting at just £16.

‘I felt like there's quite a lot of florals out there and I’ve learned where to rein the florals in as we progressed on the show,’ Lia explained when I caught up with her this week. ‘And I really wanted to experiment with my other love - and I guess inspiration - which came from food. My Italian heritage started to play quite a big role in the collection.’

Lia goes on to explain that the Next collection also references the first challenge the contestants were faced with in this season of the BBC show, which was to transform a beach hut – this is where Lia really leaned into her Italian background, and she felt it was ‘a really important design in terms of the story’.

What to expect from the range

Aside from her passion for florals and botanicals, Lia has also become known for being very good at designing spaces where people would love to gather – usually involving a dining table or a kitchen island. So it’s no surprise that beautiful tableware and decor that can be used for tablescaping are a big part of her collection for Next.

‘I am Scottish Italian, and I always say the Scots bring the party and Italians bring the food,’ Lia says. ‘Growing up we always had big parties and big dinners, that was just really normal. People coming together around a table was something I grew up with and it always brought me so much joy. So fostering a space where people want to gather is something that's very key in all of my designs.’

In the collection, you can find everything from tomatoes and chilli peppers to pasta shapes and even some slogan designs in Italian here and there – all of which is very different from the last Interior Design Masters winner, John Cooper's collection for John Lewis.

But there are also larger, thicker stripes (which are currently a big home decor trend) seen on the likes of bed linen and cushions, as well as gingham and olive leaf motifs that run throughout the collection, all within a very cohesive colour palette of red, blue, green and white – a very Mediterranean colour scheme.

‘I used to go to Italy every year to see my nonna in Naples. She's the one that taught me how important family is and how important food is. I love hosting, I host all the time. And the collection at Next is such an amazing opportunity to do lots of tableware and tablescaping items. And I really wanted to make a collection that people could pick and choose pieces from, but be really inspired to cook as well,’ she says.

Lia’s top picks from the collection

I asked Lia to share her top three picks from the range – she gave me four, and I've added a couple on top.

With Lia’s interior design studio and supper club set to launch soon, I can’t wait to see what else she has in store – a collection of cookware is apparently high up on her wish/to-do list. ‘I really want to design a range of cookware. I think pots and pans are so boring but you use them every day. So I would like to experiment with the shapes of pots and pans.’ Watch this space!

I’m becoming known around the office for my love of well-designed storage seating, whether that’s a storage sofa, a stool, an ottoman or a chair. So imagine my excitement when I came across Next’s Clemmie storage accent chair.

As Ideal Home’s Room Decor Editor and someone that lives in a very compact space, clever storage solutions are something I’m very passionate about. Whether that’s well-designed storage sofas, small living room-friendly coffee tables or storage armchairs like the Next Clemmie.

Available in two different colourways - a cream boucle selling for £375 or sage green weave retailing for £350 - the chair is designed with sphere-shaped legs in light wood and a removable seat which reveals hidden internal storage. The shape of the chair is very chic and uncomplicated, and will look right at home in any style of living room – it’s the most versatile piece of furniture I’ve seen in a while.

Recently, Next has been killing it with great small living room ideas – I still can’t get over the Next Crosby modular storage sofa, which remains one of my favourite storage and modular sofas I've tried. And the brand is now branching out into storage accent chairs, too – and frankly, Next doesn’t have a whole lot of competition in this field.

And yet, we all need plenty of storage space in our homes, especially when it comes to living room storage ideas.

‘The simple truth is that, no matter the size of our homes, you can never have enough smart storage,’ confirms Rohan Blacker, founder of sustainable sofa brand Schplendid. ’Whether you have a family home bursting at the seams or are lucky enough to have a generously proportioned living space, keeping clutter at bay is key to making the room feel calmer and easier to live with.’

Even though I’ve said that it’s difficult to find a storage armchair that’s as impressive as Next’s Clemmie, if you’re after some alternatives, these are the 3 that also get my stamp of approval.

Are you planning on investing in a clever storage armchair like the Next Clemmie?

Luxurious homeware accessories are about the materials; they're simple and elegant in design, but carry a sense of weight with metal and marble detailing. That perfectly sums up Next's new N. Premium home decor accessories.

Next launched its N. Premium homeware range last year, focusing on gorgeous pieces of furniture that embraced wood finishes, marble and brass detailing. It delivered Soho Home furniture looks, but at a fraction of the price, with most of the furniture costing between £300 and £1,000. However, that is still a steep price to pay if you're looking to add a little luxury to your home on a budget.

Fortunately, Next has slowly been adding more homeware accessories to its range, offering the opportunity to level up your home for under £100.

I was allowed to get hands-on with the home decor at Next's spring-summer 2026 showcase. These are the 9 picks that caught my eye IRL for their expensive look and reasonable price tag.

The new home decor accessories are heavy on the marble and oozes minimalist luxury. Which piece will you be snapping up for your home?

I love a statement table lamp, and I think I might just have found the best one of the season - if not the year - at Next. I spied the £85 Isac table lamp from the N. Premium range at Next's latest spring summer showcase, and I honestly can’t stop thinking about.

This unique living room lighting idea caught my eye because of its sculptural shape – a shape and design that I’ve never seen on a lamp before. In fact, the table lamp doesn’t look like a lamp at all, but rather an abstract sculpture or a vase with an organic silhouette. Only once it lights up from within does it become clear that it’s a lamp.

The textured ceramic lamp is available in a black and white colourway – but in my opinion, the black version looks far more elevated than the other.

It certainly doesn’t look like a classic Next lamp – no offence to Next by any means. But I think you’d agree that Next is known for more traditional styles of lamps – many of which are very stylish and even in line with the latest home decor trends. But the Isac lamp design looks more like something thought up in the studio of a designer brand.

So it’s perhaps no surprise that the Isac lamp is part of the N. Premium collection. Next’s N. Premium range was first introduced at the start of last year. As the name suggests, it’s the brand’s more luxurious and premium line of products that look and feel expensive.

While the price points are slightly higher than what you might expect from the ‘regular Next’, given the high-end finish of the pieces, they are actually very affordable for what they are. That includes the Isac table lamp, which looks a lot more expensive than its £85 price tag.

Sculptural shapes are one of the biggest lighting trends of 2026 so this Next lamp feels very relevant – but given its uniqueness, I’d be just as impressed by it any other season. In fact, artistic, sculptural and organic shapes on anything are very popular at the minute – and Next has clearly taken note as there were a few other pieces at the press preview I spotted that fit the bill, with the below being some of my favourites. The new Next Clemmie storage armchair is an honourable mention that wasn't included at the preview but it's one I'm currently obsessed with.

What are your thoughts on sculptural, organic shapes like the N. Premium Isac table lamp in your home – yay or nay?

It’s at times like these that I truly regret not having my own garden. I just stumbled upon the most charming outdoor lights and if I didn’t share my garden with five other flats, I’d be buying the Next natural pebble outdoor solar lights right now. Especially since the small size is sold out already – and I fear the medium size might soon follow suit.

If you’re looking for garden lighting ideas to add to your outdoor space this year, these Next pebble lights would be my top recommendation. Selling for £25 a pop for the medium size (the only size currently available), the lights boast an organic, pebble-like shape that looks absolutely natural and believable and will easily blend in with the natural environment of your garden.

But it’s not just the shape that makes the light look so much like an actual stone – it’s also the speckled finish and light grey colour that truly makes the light look pebble-like. Especially when the light is switched off during the day. And what’s even better is that they’re solar lights which means they absorb sunlight during the day and then in the evening and at night, they use that energy to glow once you turn them on.

As already mentioned, one of the sizes is already sold out – and existing customers have only good things to say about this outdoor light. One reviewer wrote, ‘Quality as expected and lights every night even if there wasn't much sunlight.’ While another said, ‘This is gorgeous, can’t wait to use it in the garden when we get some sun.’

But if you’re not quick enough to bag the Next pebble light before it inevitably sells out, these are a few other places where to buy outdoor lights that are similar to the Next ones, whether that’s because they’re shaped like pebbles or with the speckled, stone-like finish.

Alternatives

If you prefer a warmer look from your solar lights The White Company has also launched a gorgeous selection of wicker solar lights. Get your garden ready for long lazy summer evenings.

Finally, we have got ourselves some sunshine this week, at last! The return of the sun and overall warmer weather has me thinking about outdoor spaces a lot more and how to make them stylish. And while browsing Next’s new outdoor furniture arrivals, I came across a piece that caught my eye – the Next Alvor garden swivel chair.

Swivel chairs are coming for your garden this year as I predict they will be one of the biggest garden furniture trends. And this particular design is one of the best garden chairs I’ve seen in a while.

Last year, living room swivel chairs were trending, and I developed a little bit of an obsession with them – to the point that I tried 40 different swivel chairs from various brands and retailers in order to find the best one(s). Incidentally, I still really love the Next Otis swivel accent chair, which I sadly have no space for in my home, but I always recommend it because it looks super stylish and is reasonably priced.

So it’s only fitting that my new garden swivel chair crush should come from Next, too. Featuring a rattan curved tub chair-style frame, the new style has a very sleek, modern design and is equipped with a seat cushion upholstered in showerproof cream boucle fabric designed for the outdoors.

‘Swivel chairs are real statement pieces in any outdoor space, and we do expect them to be a key garden furniture trend this year,’ says Danielle Le Vaillant, head of photography and film at Cox & Cox, a homeware and furniture brand offering a range of garden swivel chairs, too.

‘We’ve definitely seen a noticeable increase in interest in swivel chairs within our outdoor ranges this season, and they are proving very popular with customers. They’re a great option for those who want a little relaxing movement from a seat, but with more stability and easier access than a hanging chair, which makes them appealing to a wide range of customers.’

And if you are into the outdoor swivel chair trend, here are a few best garden furniture alternatives to the Next style for you in case these work better for your garden and are more to your liking.

Are you going to be adding a garden swivel chair to your outdoor space this year?

Next is selling statement Easter egg trees, and it’s safe to say it has divided the Ideal Home office. So we want you to help us settle the debate: are Easter trees a playful addition to Easter decorating ideas, or is it a step too far?

Next always has its finger on the pulse when it comes to nailing the year’s biggest home decor trends. Its recent decorator collection is one of the chicest homeware ranges you can shop right now, while its new stylish banquette seating is further proof that it can produce well-made, on-trend furniture.

This is why we were a little surprised to spot the Easter Trees. While Next is known for its variety of homeware, with some quirky playful additions (looking at you, highland cow swivel chair), these trees are truly proving themselves ‘Marmite’ among the Ideal Home team.

'They're fun'

I’ll preface by saying that I’ve never decorated my home for Easter, or any season other than Christmas. I have a small home, and the idea of changing my home decor every few months when short on space is silly. But, this doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate a fun, quirky, seasonal product when I see one.

And that’s exactly what my first thought was when I saw Next’s Easter trees: ‘they’re fun.’ Arriving in a stylish striped pot, the little trees are adorned with spring flowers and colourful eggs. Yes, it’s very kitsch, but don’t our homes deserve a little more whimsy in 2026?

This isn’t something that will make your home look more expensive or stylish. But what it will do is add some colour to your home, along with a quirky nod to the festivities. We all rush to decorate our Christmas trees when December rolls around, so why not now?

Plus, it's a little different to normal spring decor. As someone who’s a little sick of the same pastel florals floating around every spring, I like that the egg tree is something I’ve not seen before. I’m saying yes to fun decor.

'Save your money'

I am someone who decorates my home for every holiday. I love an autumnal wreath, a Christmas tree, and I'll always go all out with a floral display for Easter. However, I draw the line at investing in an Easter tree.

I've never been a fan of the Easter tree trend; it feels a little too much like the sad, tacky little brother of the Christmas tree. Instead, I prefer Easter to have its own decorating identity, with indoor planters overflowing with daffodils, colourful vases filled with tulips, and luxury Easter eggs on display in the kitchen.

Now, I would say that if anyone was going to convince me to invest in the Easter trees trend, it would be these guys from Next. They do look quite charming with their pastel colourways. Still, it feels like a waste of money to invest £30 in a tree covered in faux flowers when the real deal is in such abundance for a couple of quid at this time of year.

Personally, instead of spending £30 on a decoration you will only use for a couple of weeks, I would opt for this beautiful £24 Multicolour Floral Twist Handle Ceramic Vase from Next. It can be styled for Easter and will still look great the rest of the year. You can fill it up with bunches of £3 tulips, and if you're craving the tree effect, pick up two or three thin branches from the garden or park, dot them through the flowers, and hang them with little egg decorations like these from John Lewis. The result will be a striking display that is personal to your home.

Are you a fan of this playful trend?

Next has just launched a new ottoman bed as part of its 2026 bedroom collection, and this space-saving design has instantly caught the attention of the Ideal Home team.

Why? Because it nails pretty much every one of this year's hottest bed trends in one.

A scalloped headboard? Check. On-trend striped upholstery? Check. Soft sage green colourway? Check. The Next Emmett Stripe Wren Scallop Headboard Bed has it all. *And* it's also an ottoman storage bed, which means it can pretty much double the storage space in a small bedroom.

Ideal Home's Decor Editor, Sara Hesikova, first saw this bed in person at the Next press show earlier this year, and she assures me it's even nicer in person.

If you're pondering where to buy a bed this year, then, along with Habitat's new Ruxley Storage Bed Frame, I think this is one design that should definitely be on your radar, especially if you're looking for a bed that will earn its place in your small bedroom ideas.

If your bedroom is bijou, then an ottoman bed is always a good investment. These are beds designed so that the base and the mattress can be lifted up to reveal a large storage space underneath.

The main benefit of an ottoman bed over a standard bed frame or divan bed base is that the hidden cavity under the bed means you get a *lot* of extra storage space – perfect for those of us with small bedrooms who would otherwise lack enough wardrobe or drawer space to stash our essentials.

And whilst there are some things you shouldn't store under the bed and of course you will need to keep your new ottoman bed tidy, personally, I think a storage ottoman is the ideal place to stow extra bedding, such as a summer duvet or spare bedding sets.

However, ottoman beds can often be a little too practical and... basic... in appearance for my liking. Something the Next Wren Ottoman Bed is definitely not.

This year's bedroom trends are all about using the bed to create a soft and cocooning environment, and that's exactly what this bed's gently curved, scalloped headboard achieves.

The look is softened further by its padded upholstery with those on-trend sage green stripes. It even nails the nostalgic resurgence of valance-skirted beds with its draped fabric base.

It's not the only bed with a scalloped headboard I've come across this year, if you're pondering where to buy a headboard there are plenty of sculptural shapes hitting down in 2026, but it is one of the few ottoman beds I've seen in this style.

And that means this bed nails the Holy Grail of pretty *and* practical, something that makes its £625 price tag a lot easier to justify.

Shop alternatives

Next has just launched a new colourway in its bestselling Palma sofa bed, and I think this gorgeous shade is exactly what 2026 calls for.

Whether it's bedding trends or colour trends, this year, earthy tones are in. As are deep reds, and the new Next Soft Twill Rust Brown Palma Double Sofa Bed combines the best of both with its beautiful rust-red upholstery.

Plus, this sculptural sofa bed with its eye-catching curved backrest is only £499, which, in terms of the best sofa beds on the market, is a bargain indeed.

I thought Next's Palma sofa bed was a great buy when it first launched, in a white boucle upholstery. However, I have to admit, white isn't the most practical choice for seating, let alone a piece of furniture guests will be sleeping on, so it's great to see it reimagined in a more practical colourway.

Luckily, this is one of those occasions where practicality doesn't mean any loss of style points, as this rust-red colour is big news in interiors this year, reflecting a return to shades that are inspired by nature.

It's perhaps no surprise then that this sofa bed has already amassed a fan club, with Next shoppers rating it an average of 5 out of 5 stars, and considering its mix of space-saving practicality, stylish good looks, and affordable price tag, it's easy to see why.

'Bought for spare room/office and very happy I chose this one,' says one 5-star reviewer of the Palma sofa bed on the Next website. 'It is so nice, lovely colour, very sturdy, and is quite chic looking. Very happy customer!'.

In fact, the Palma sofa bed now comes in a range of ten colourways, with easy-to-style, grey, navy, and olive green upholstery options, as well as more unusual black and white striped and even a faux fur cow print option!

Plus, this sofa bed isn't all about looks. Like most click-clack sofa beds, it will likely need the addition of one of the best mattress toppers to make it a more comfortable guest bed, but Next shoppers are still impressed by its build quality and functionality, as well as its compact space-saving design.

'Bought this for my son’s loft bedroom, so had to be compact to fit up the loft stairs,' shares one happy owner. 'Perfect size and great quality fabric. Easy to convert to a bed. Looks stylish. The bed is fine for occasional use.'

'Looks as good as in the photos,' says another 5-star reviewer. 'Really easy to put together, cleverly designed pocket to house the legs, which easily screwed in... very sturdy... very comfy.'

And also a very good price. I've rounded up three of my tried-and-tested alternative options below, but as you'll see, the Next Palma sofa bed gives them all a run for their money in terms of style, practicality, and affordablity.

Shop alternatives

All in all, I still think the Next Palma sofa bed is a great buy. And now it's available in this new on-trend colourway, there's even more reason to shop.

If you have a small kitchen, the banquette seating trend was made for you, quite literally. And, if you’re looking for a cheat code to nail the chic bistro trend, I’d argue all you need is Next’s Chenille Stripe Slate Blue Aldridge Storage Dining Bench (£899).

This small kitchen idea is no new seating arrangement and is typically seen in cafes and restaurants. But bench seating translates beautifully into small dining spaces, and Next is proving that it can also contribute to a timeless interior style, too.

As well as providing extra handy storage, the Aldridge Storage Dining Bench looks incredibly chic, too. Decked out in soft blue and white stripes, it is giving strong Nancy Meyers vibes and taps into the coastal trend that is currently staging a comeback this season.

Next’s current spring/ summer collection has been one of its best to date, filled with dozens of designer-look items. But this storage dining bench stopped me mid-scroll as I browsed the latest designs - it just looks that good.

Kitchen storage ideas can be hard to come by in small spaces, which is why investing in banquette-style seating is a good idea to hide some extra storage in the base. This handy dining bench has a large storage compartment in its belly, helping to maximise the functionality of your kitchen and dining space. Meanwhile, its curved shape, high back and timeless striped print can give an elegant French bistro look to your kitchen.

'Next is a great place to go if you're looking for banquette seating or a dining bench with built-in storage - they have a few different styles on offer. And this one is one of the most stylish ones. The striped upholstery is not only super chic but also very on trend. And as it comes with matching back cushions, it looks much more inviting than most dining room seating,’ says Sara Hesikova, Ideal Home’s Room Decor Editor.

The matching back cushions are also key to making the bench look as cosy as it is fashionable. After all, you don’t want to spend mealtimes uncomfortable and unrelaxed due to poor seating.

'Kitchen trends for 2026 are all about creating cosy, inviting spaces that people want to linger in, and banquettes really add to this atmosphere. Particularly for small spaces, banquette seating allows you to squeeze a dining area into an awkward spot and provides handy storage for small appliances without cluttering your cupboards,’ adds Holly Cockburn, Ideal Home’s Kitchens Editor.

If you’re looking to update your kitchen seating arrangements, this storage bench is an excellent choice - as is the rest of Next’s new spring range. I’ve rounded up a few of my favourite new kitchen designs from the retailer.

Bench seating is the smart approach to modern dining. And it doesn’t get much more stylish and practical than this one

Next just dropped a new collection that is making me excited for spring – as if I needed any more reasons to wish for winter to be finally over. But since the Next ‘Decorator’ range for spring/summer 2026 is already available to shop now - and selling quickly - you can bring a little dose of sunshine into your home, even though the weather outside is not quite on the same page.

Last week, I got to see the range IRL – and I can confirm that it looks and feels just as good in person as it does in pictures online. If not, even better.

Named the Decorator range, this Next range is inspired by a traditional country aesthetic but made very pretty and chic, spanning everything from tableware to accessories, soft furnishings and even furniture. It’s all tied together by a cohesive, spring-ready colour scheme of soft pinks, greens and blues with bolder accents of deep cherry red. It's these bold pops of colour which really elevate it and are very much in line with the unexpected red theory.

But what really stood out about the collection and the way Next also styled it is the mixing and matching of different prints – stripes against florals and wiggle prints with the addition of twisted motifs and bobbin features. But thanks to the cohesive colour palette, it all harmoniously worked together and looked very high-end, reminiscent of brands like OKA, known for its patterned homewares. But Next has managed to bring the style and even the attention to detail through hand-painted patterns at a much lower price point. And these would be my top picks.

In the last year or so, Next's homeware is going from strength to strength and it looks super high-end which I love to see. From the launch of the N.Premium range to the Pooky-esque Next lighting and now the Decorator collection, I'm loving what Next has to offer and can't wait to see what the retailer has in store for us next...

Listen up, Next has quietly dropped a collection of beautiful, pastel tableware, and the Pink Confetti Cloche Cake Glass Stand (£42) is by far the star of the show.

For a long time, Next has been one of my favourite places to shop for the biggest and best home decor trends. It’s largely affordable and stylish, delivering many designer-look items for any budget and occasion.

And right now, its latest tableware drops are the items you don’t want to miss. Beautifully designed and elegant, this cake stand will turn any bake into a winning showstopper. And, given that it has already sold out once, you’ll have to be quick if you want to get your hands on one.

I first spotted the confetti cake stand when researching the dessert trolley trend, the latest hosting craze we’re expecting to see everywhere in 2026. The cake stand is the perfect centre-piece for a whimsical tablescape or artfully curated sideboard.

What sets this cake stand apart from others I’ve seen is its striking pink confetti glass pattern. Confetti glass is timeless and will always look chic, so I'd say investing in this stand is a pretty safe bet.

Not only is this vintage-looking piece a unique and stylish addition to your kitchen ideas, but it’s a useful one, too. The glass cloche will help keep your cakes and bakes fresher for longer in a more glamorous fashion than an old tin. It will also help protect your desserts from little fingers, sneezes and other mishaps that can occur when hosting.

Having already sold out once, the confetti glass cake stand already has a handful of glowing reviews to vouch for its quality.

‘Very pretty item, looks lovely when set out on tables when visitors call. Cake is covered and stays fresh,’ said one.

‘This is a lovely cake stand and cover (cloche), it looks so pretty and fresh on my worktop. It's of great quality, and that can be felt in the weight. Bit heavy to lift the lid for me (66yrs), but I use both hands, tilt, put my hand under, then lift. I love it and would highly recommend it,’ said another.

If baking is a passion of yours, or something you're looking to explore more in 2026, this confetti glass cake stand is the perfect treat to elevate your bakes. But before you check out, I would recommend browsing some of the rest of Next’s tableware - it’s too good to miss…

Based on its history, I expect the Next Pink Confetti Cloche Cake Glass Stand to sell out again. So if you like what you see, snap it up while you can.

We may only be a few weeks into 2026, but forget bow motifs, this year croissant-themed home decor is a big trend for the year. The latest to hop on this food-themed train is Next with their charming Natural Croissant Tufted Brushed Duvet Cover And Pillowcase Set (from £40).

Food-themed decor is predicted to be a big home decor trend, and croissants are already taking off in 2026. But while most brands have opted for soft pastel colour palettes of pink and blue, Next is catering to more minimalist tastes.

This brushed cotton bedding set features a pretty tufted coffee and croissant print in neutral shades that create a cosy and inviting look. Here’s why I think it’s a great way to embrace the trend.

As much as I appreciate fresh, white bedding, I do believe that printed and colourful bedding sets are an excellent way to show off your personality without making any permanent changes. It’s a great opportunity to try out different microtrends, styles, patterns and colours without spending a fortune, and without requiring a tool kit to fix if you don’t like the result. Not to mention, the best places to buy bedding all have a range of bold prints and colours to choose from if you’re feeling adventurous.

So, if you’ve been left charmed by the croissant homeware trend, investing in a bedding set is an easy, non-permanent way to embrace it. And Next is my favourite.

With soft, white tufted croissants and coffee cups on a beige brushed cotton backdrop, this neutral bedding set is subtle yet not boring. It’s made from 100% brushed cotton, so you can expect it to feel extra cosy, especially during the winter months. The only issue I have with brushed cotton is that it can make it more difficult to get out of bed on chilly mornings!

Croissant-themed homeware is trending: ‘Because it bridges high design and warm, comforting aesthetics,' says Stuart Murray, interior design expert and founder of Retrovintage. 'Soft, scalloped curves echo classic mid‑century silhouettes, so the form already feels familiar rather than gimmicky. The palette sits in the butter yellow to cream and caramel family, which also slips straight into the toasted neutrals many homes are using now. It dovetails with café‑core and the growth of coffee corners at home.'

‘What drives its popularity is a cluster of current behaviours converging at once. The ‘little treat’ mindset makes small, design‑led objects feel justifiable, and croissant pieces sit at a friendly price point across retailers. Social platforms reward recognisable, photogenic shapes, so croissant candles and pillows spread fast, a pattern echoed in recent search interest and in Pinterest’s playful kitchen forecasts.’

As well as bedding, I’ve also seen croissant plates, cushions and even a doorstop (also courtesy of Next). Here are a few more ways to embrace the trend.

If coffee and croissants are part of your morning ritual, this is the duvet set for you.

One thing I keep noticing this January is the emergence of the stylish draught excluder, with brands like Next leading the charge when it comes to giving this home-energy-saving hack a modern makeover. And listen, if it’s pretty and going to save me money in the long run, you can count me in.

When the temperatures drop, we see more and more of the old school energy-saving pieces of decor making a comeback. But in 2026, draught excluders look as pretty as they do functional.

I’ve been on the hunt for ways to save energy at home, and a humble draught excluder is an affordable method that works. But with retailers like Next proving they can be pretty, too, I’ve rounded up my favourites just for you.

My favourite pretty draught excluders right now come from Next. With soft, faux fur and neutral colourways, Scandi-style draught excluders look incredibly cosy. And given that I’m applying William Morris's ‘beautiful and useful’ quote to my home in 2026, I want all the home items I buy this year to be pretty and useful.

Draught excluders can easily look bulky and ugly, and if you’re putting one to good use, you will see it constantly around your home. Honestly, the last thing I want to see is a large pile of sagging fabric cluttering up my doorways.

But not only do the Next draught excluders look pretty, but they work well, too. One review states the Oyster Aspen Faux Fur Draught Excluder Doorstop (£18) : ‘Looks exactly like it does in the photo. It’s the perfect length for my door & keeps the draft out.’

‘According to The Energy Saving Trust, draught-proofing your doors, windows and floors could save up to £85 annually on your energy bills,’ says Jo Trotman, Sales and Marketing Manager at The Residence Collection.

‘At their core, draught excluders act as a physical barrier tо prevent the uncontrolled movement оf air. Warm air іs less dense and rises, while cold air іs denser and sinks. In an unsealed room, cold air ‘pushes’ its way under doors оr through window gaps, creating a current (a draught).

By filling the air gap with a dense material (like foam, brush strips, оr weighted fabric), you stop the ‘air exchange’ between a heated room and a cold hallway оr the outdoors.

Draught excluders are affordable, with different shapes and sizes, and new designs available on the market, making it a truly easy way to keep a home warm during winter. While they’re not a permanent solution, they do make a difference. Just make sure you insulate your home if heat loss is a consistent problem.

If you’re looking for extra ways to keep the heat in and the cold out, I’ve rounded up a few more of my favourite stylish draught excluder designs.

Draught excluders are a fuss-free way to save on your energy bills, and the right choice can be a stylish addition to your home, too.

If you haven’t already upgraded your bedding in time for the colder months, I have the perfect option for you. Next’s Supersoft 100% Brushed Cotton Duvet Cover Bow Tie Edge and Pillowcase Set (from £35) is beautifully on-trend and stylish - and most importantly, will keep you cosy all winter.

Brushed cotton bedding is some of the best bedding you can buy during winter, due to its ability to trap warm air during the colder months and its wonderfully cosy feel. There are some gorgeous brushed cotton bedding sets around at the moment, but Next's brushed cotton bow bedding is one of the best I’ve seen.

Not only will it keep you toasty, but its bow embellishments will make your bedroom ideas that little bit chicer.

Available in white and pink colourways, this bed set is subtly chic. The edges of the duvet covers and pillowcases are adorned with large, brushed cotton bows, which turn an otherwise plain duvet cover set into a stylish design choice.

Not to mention that bows have been a huge trend for the past few years, in both fashion and interiors, as we’ve remained charmed by their elegant, feminine look.

The cotton is brushed on both sides of the duvet cover for added comfort and cosiness, and the set is made from 100% cotton. The reviews are predominantly positive, with many mentioning that the set feels incredibly soft. However, a few do mention that the set can shed.

‘The fabric is extremely soft and warm, the fit on the duvet cover is excellent, and the buttons are a great fit. Even though the cover was understandably creased from being folded in the packaging, I found it smoothed out really well without ironing. A great purchase,’ said one.

‘Excellent value for money - washes and dries well. Some pilling on the pillowcases - would recommend changing it and washing again after a week being on the bed. Very comfortable, cosy and warm to sleep in - to the point you don't want to get out of bed,’ said another.

Right now, Next has hoards of stunning brushed sets to keep you warm and cosy this winter. Here are a few more of my favourites.

If you're looking for a cosy yet stylish bedding set, this Next brushed cotton bow set is a great option that won’t break the bank.

The outside temperature has dropped recently, and if you're beginning to notice a chill when you climb into bed at night, you may well want this ingenious Next duvet cover on your radar.

Not only does Next's Quilted Patchwork 2.5 Tog Duvet Cover and Pillowcase Set look pretty, but as its name suggests, it also promises to add an extra 2.5 togs of warmth to the bed.

What's a tog? More on that in a second, but suffice to say it's the equivalent of upgrading your current duvet into one of the best duvets for winter, without having to splash out extra cash on a new duvet, or store a bulky winter duvet during the summer months.

As Ideal Home's Sleep Editor, I'm no stranger to where to buy bedding, but I've never seen a duvet cover quite like this before, and I think it's an ingenious idea.

There are other ways you can make your bed feel warmer in winter, such as adding a fluffy brushed cotton duvet cover or fitted sheet to take the chill off the bed, or popping one of the best electric blankets over your mattress. However, none of these work in quite the same way as this clever patchwork duvet cover.

A duvet tog is a measurement that shows how well a duvet insulates heat and therefore how warm it will keep you during the night. Duvet tog ratings range from 1 tog to 15 tog, with higher numbers offering more warmth.

When it comes to what tog duvet to buy, most of us opt for a 10.5 or 13.5 tog for winter. But there are always extra cold nights when even the warmest duvet doesn't quite cut it, and this 2.5 tog duvet cover is a great way to bump up a duvet's warmth level another few notches.

As one 5-star reviewer on the Next website shares, 'we already have 10.5 tog and 4.5 tog quilts which are both fine in winter and summer, but sometimes you just need something in between, so we opted for this 2.5 tog cover... it works perfectly!'

Another happy 5-star reviewer explains, 'I did not realise that I'd ordered a 2.5 tog duvet cover, but I'm so glad I did. It's been the nicest duvet cover I have ever bought. It looks lovely and feels comforting to sleep with. Even my husband said he'd had the best night's sleep.'

'Looks so good on the bed,' says a third happy owner, 'we bought this same quilt cover last year too and have just bought another, so it’s on the bed all winter through. Washes well... warm... under fabric soft and nice feel on the skin. Really like this quilt cover, best we’ve had.'

Plus, as multiple owners point out, this duvet cover doesn't just have to be for winter.

'I'm also looking forward to using it on those seldom very hot days just on its own,' says one Next reviewer. 'Can't wait to try it in the summer without a duvet as I think it will be just the right amount of warmth in the summer months,' agrees another.

And, of course, you could also use it simply as a quilt on top of your regular duvet cover. I'm seeing patchwork quilts all over the high street at the moment, and I'm predicting this nostalgic look will be one of 2026's biggest bedding trends. However, most are *much* more expensive than the Next Quilted Patchwork Duvet Cover and Pillowcase Set's £55 starting point.

I've included some quilt options below for comparison, but if you want to get ahead of the curve on the patchwork quilt trend, I think this Next bargain buy is well worth snapping up ahead of the cold winter weather.

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One of the redeeming features of chilly weather is that it allows you to snuggle up in warm, cosy bedding, and I’ve just found the cutest set at Next. Their White Christmas Robin Fleece Duvet Cover and Pillowcase Set (£50) is easily the most adorable set I’ve seen all winter, and it will keep you warm well into 2026.

If you’ve been wondering where to buy bedding this winter, I’d recommend keeping Next on your radar as the brand has dropped a huge range of stunning wintery designs. Plus, with many made from warm, fluffy fleece material, it feels like perfect timing since the temperatures have plummeted.

But the design I’m most taken with is easily the robins. A homage to the UK’s favourite bird (according to the RSPB), this bedding set is the perfect gift for yourself this winter.

Robins, also affectionately known as the gardener's friend, are a welcome and delightful sight on a dreary winter’s day. It’s easy to see why so many of us want to know how to attract robins to our gardens, but I say: why stop there?

Next’s White Christmas Fleece Duvet Cover and Pillowcase Set introduces this cheerful bird to your bedroom ideas in the most charming way. The bedding set could easily pass as a canvas, as it depicts little embroidered robins making footprints in the snowy white fleece material. This gives the bedding set a 3D element that makes it a standout in my opinion.

I’m also very intrigued by the fleece material used to make the bedding set. I’m no stranger to using brushed cotton bedding or fluffy bedding - Dunelm’s cult Teddy Duvet Cover and Pillow Case Set in Cream (£22) is currently on my bed- to keep warm during the winter. And I have to say, I believe fleece bedding will do the job just as effectively. After all, it's always a trusty fleece I reach for when bracing the cold.

Next describes the soft, fluffy fleece material they use as feeling like being ‘wrapped in a warm hug on a chilly evening.’ Although the set currently only has one review, it is a five-star rating.

‘I bought this new xmas bedding and it's the best. It is the warmest and most snuggly teddy duvet and pillow case. It also looks so Christmasy,’ it says.

To save you the hassle, I’ve reviewed the reviews of Next’s other fleece bedding sets, and one thing seems to ring true - it’s soft, snuggly and warm.

‘Superb. Beautiful design, super soft and snuggly, washes well. Love it,’ said one, commenting on the Red Check Fleece Duvet Cover and Pillowcase Set (from £25).

'This is a lovely, soft and comfortable duvet cover, and my daughter loves it. Washes well. Keeps you warm and snug on the colder nights,' another said of the Natural Bertie and Moose Christmas Fleece Duvet Cover and Pillowcase Set (From £25).

Amongst the beautiful styles, the robins are without doubt my favourite. However, the rest of the collection is too good to miss, so I’ve rounded up a few more styles to shop.

Investing in some decent fleece bedding will not only keep you warm this winter, but put a smile on your face, too, every time you look at the gaggle of robins hopping over your bedspread.

'It's packed with personality, but it's not perfect,' says Rockett St George co-founder, Lucy St George, of her London house. 'It's filled with things that spark joy.' A tortoise side table in the living room and a kitchen ceiling painted gold are just a few of the characterful touches that are both unexpected but not surprising, from one half of the bold and quirky interiors emporium that is Rockett St George.

Lucy and Jane Rockett launched Rockett St George fifteen years ago, and last year they expanded the brand on the high street with a partnership with Next. Lucy's home, which she moved into in 2023, is filled with a mix of vintage finds and pieces from this collaboration, making it the perfect poster child for the unapologetic rock and roll interiors brand.

'I have a connection with everything,' says Lucy of her eclectic home. 'Whether it's products that I've had for years, or whether it's part of the new collaboration with Next, they all have a feel-good factor.'

Lucy's current home, despite having that signature Rockett St George look, marks an evolution in her style, as she's abandoned the moody black walls that adorned her last home. 'My last house, I absolutely renovated it from top to bottom, and it was a homage to the colour black,' she explains.

'The bones of the house were completely different, and the vibe of the house is very different. So this house for me is entering a new era, and I feel that the products and all the things that I hold dear are the showstoppers rather than the background. So I've kept the palette quite neutral,' she explains.

'I absolutely still love dark interiors, not to say that I won't go there again,' she adds. 'But, I'm definitely entering more of a colourful era.'

'You'll see there are lots of accents of pink and green,' explains Lucy. 'I've injected that colour through plants and through accessories.'

'The pink accent is something that I've added through throws, candles, cushions, and bath mats,' she says. 'I've got a pink thread that runs through everything from my lovely pink sofa to the accents.'

Living room

That pink thread starts with her beautiful living room ideas and the pink velvet sofa, which she's paired with the gorgeous black bamboo print armchair and footstool from the Rockett St George collection at Next.

'It is just such a gorgeous colour,' says Lucy of the golden-toned chair. 'I think that's one of the showstoppers of the collection.'

However, it's not the only showstopper in the living room. Lucy has paired a see-through coffee table with a glorious Rockett St George gold tortoise side table. And let's not ignore the stone cherub in the room. 'A friend of mine is an antique dealer, and he gave it to me at the Ardingly Antique fair, which was quite a large present to carry across a muddy field and take home with me.'

'It raised a few eyebrows when I walked in, my girls were like, OK, where are you going to put that?'

Dining area

It's not the only unusual second-hand piece you'll find in Lucy's home. A vintage back seat of a coach has been transformed into bench seating that goes with the dining table in the dining area.

On the wooden sideboard is also a horse with lights in its hooves. 'That was a housewarming gift from my mum many years ago. And I was like, I obviously need a horse with light-up hoofs in my life. I've probably had it for about 15 years or 20 years. It's just so unique and I love it,' says Lucy.

In the dining room, like with other rooms in the house, more is more when it comes to the floor and table lamps. 'I would say have as many pools as light as possible so you can create real style spots in your home,' says Lucy.

'Have a small light, curate your accessories, with a plant or a cabinet, and having a pool of light at night will just create a little beautiful vignette of loveliness.'

Kitchen

The kitchen is the perfect example of how to create style spots that transforms what is quite an ordinary white kitchen into something spectacular. The show stopper is the gold ceiling, which was created using a rich gold paint from Mylands that was originally developed for film and television.

'It's got such a beautiful feeling when at night I light the candles and I've got friends over with a glass of wine. It's all glowy and beautiful,' says Lucy.

Bedrooms

The pink thread continues into the bedrooms in the soft furnishings. These two rooms make a striking case for how pattern quilts and bedding can be used as the centrepiece of your bedroom ideas.

Leopard print bedding is a marmite trend right now; however, Lucy has made the Rockett St George scalloped edge quilt look edge and cool by keeping the foundation of the room simple with black furniture, black and white walls and simple tie top pink curtains.

Bathroom

The bathroom is home to a few more unexpected details, including a hot pink lace curtain behind a black freestanding bath. It shouldn't work, but it does.

Its success lies in that pink thread that is running through all of Lucy's home, which makes the space feel cohesive when paired with the green bathroom vanity cabinets.

Get the look

Many of the gems in Lucy's home are from the Rockett St George range at Next. Below are some of the beauitful items showcased around her house.

The beauty of Lucy's home championing the items and keeping the house itself paired back is that she can easily change things around to keep up with her maximalist style . 'I'm a maximalist and clutter is a constant battle of maximalist,' she confesses. 'The solution is curation, and I move my house around a lot. It does morph and change.'

However, this willingness to move things around is the secret to the striking look of her home. She's not afraid for her home to not look perfect, and her top piece of interior advice to others is: 'Test and try things out, see how they feel for a few days. Try to just be brave with your interiors and space.'

In September, Next went viral for its super cute (and super Christmassy) gingerbread tree skirt. If you missed out on the chance to add the decoration to your basket, don’t worry, as I’ve just found a perfect alternative – a £35 snowy tree skirt from Next.

The original Next gingerbread tree skirt depicted a row of painted houses, designed to look like decorated gingerbread biscuits, and it took social media by storm, selling out almost instantly. While we were hoping it would come back in stock before Christmas, a spokesperson for Next has confirmed that the viral design will not be restocked.

However, I spotted that alongside the viral gingerbread design, Next are offering a snowy version of the tree skirt. It’s just as adorable as its viral sibling, also featuring a row of houses, intricately adorned with cut-out windows, snowflakes, and mini Christmas trees. It's the perfect way to hide the base of one of the best artificial Christmas trees in festive style.

With a muted colour palette of white, blue and taupe, this wooden Christmas village will work perfectly in minimal or Scandi-style Christmas schemes, or even as a way to offset a more colourful scheme.

Plus, the soft string of warm lights shining through the windows will draw the eye down and show that you have really considered every little decorative detail, from the top to the bottom of your tree.

Priced at just £35, the tree skirt is made from a sturdy wood, preventing any wear and tear that might come with reusing an item like this each year. The string of fairy lights come included too, already attached to the back of the skirt to give off a golden glow from windows. All you have to do is buy the batteries. Then, when the new year begins, simply fold the skirt in on itself and stash away for next year.

It’s 180cm long, and 27cm high, so the skirt might not be long enough to wrap all around the base of your tree. But, it can look just as effective when placed at the front of your base, surrounded with presents. Try pairing it with complementary baubles, warm fairy lights and subtle wrapping paper for a cohesive approach to Christmas.

If you want to get your hands on this simple yet effective tree skirt in time for Christmas, be quick. With the gingerbread version completely sold out and not restocking, we won’t be surprised if this snowy skirt is next to fly off the shelves.

Shop alternatives

Next's gingerbread version might be out of stock for good, but there are plenty of options that give off a similar look and feel. So, if you prefer the sold out design, why not add one of these to your basket?

Next is one of my favourite places to secure on-trend homeware and fashion, but right now, their take on the year’s most ‘marmite’ has me obsessed - I’ve never seen a brand do leopard print so well.

Whether you love it or hate it, leopard print has been a huge home decor trend, as well as strutting down the runways this year. From leopard print bedding to glittery gold leopard print coupes (£18 at Next), the animal print revival has been unescapable.

I’ll admit, I’m a big fan of leopard print, but I appreciate that it’s not for everyone. However, give me just five minutes, as these six Next leopard print buys prove that this somewhat gaudy trend can look super stylish.

Next features leopard print in every way possible. From the smallest accent as a photo frame (£7.50) to one of the best swivel chairs I’ve seen - the Opulent Velvet Leopard Print Emilie Swivel Accent Chair (£425).

The range is so expansive that there truly is something for everyone, wherever they are on their pattern journey. I’ve even spotted a leopard print pedal bin (£75) nestled in Next’s vast inventory.

Leopard print has a retro, ‘70s style that I love, and for me, it is associated with fashion icons such as Kate Moss and even Jackie Kennedy. Having never really left popular culture, I’d argue that leopard print is a timeless print.

Working with patterns can feel intimidating; however, if you're following the rules of Shania Twain, leopard print is a neutral. If you’re looking to introduce a pop of the print to a neutral space, I’d recommend Next’s Velvet Faux Leopard Print Fringe Cushion (£24). A statement cushion can help you experiment with bolder patterns and colours without making any permanent changes.

On the whole, Next’s leopard print range is opulent and luxurious. Whether you love or hate this animal-print trend, I’m sure you’ll spot something you like.

Sitting on sofas, trying and testing them out has become something of my specialty. But having sat on over 200 sofas to date and counting, it means that I don’t get impressed by a sofa all that easily. But after coming across the new Next Crosby modular storage sofa at the brand’s autumn/winter 2025 press preview earlier this month, I was obsessed.

The choice of sofas on the market seems almost endless, but there are not that many unique and original designs out there. I’ve pretty much seen and sat on it all. But once in a while, there is a brand or a particular best sofa design that stands out, whether that’s the John Lewis Pleat sofa or the King Living Delta 5 which offers hidden storage and curved, modular design.

And the latest sofa that’s managed to grab my attention to the point that I’d consider investing in it myself if I didn’t already own my dream sofa is Next’s versatile Crosby sofa.

What impressed me was that it’s modular and it comes with hidden storage within, while also being super comfortable to sit and lounge on – it’s the combination of all of these features that sold me on this design which is now one of the best modular sofas I’ve come across. I’m not 100% sure why but most storage sofas and sofa beds I’ve tried in the past haven’t been particularly comfortable so I was very pleasantly surprised.

To access the storage, all you need to do is remove the seat cushion and lift the top of the base – there is a handle that allows you to do that very comfortably. And voila!

Prices start at £399 for a single armless module, while the matching footstool (which also comes with internal storage) starts at £275, depending on the upholstery option you decide to go for. There are only three to choose from at the moment - rust brown velvet and brushed weave in light olive green or a cream colourway called oyster - which is very limited but I’m hoping the upholstery choice will expand with time, especially if the sofa proves popular with customers.

But you can create configurations as small or large as your living space allows. And there is a multibuy discount, saving you 10% when buying two or more pieces priced at £150 or more – and that’s across several different selected sofas, rugs, chairs, beds, mattresses and other furniture.

And since opting for a high quality frame with a decent warranty (ideally at least 10 years) is a part of choosing a sofa that will last, I was also really glad to learn that this sofa comes with a 15-year structural guarantee.

This sofa just keeps on ticking all the right boxes! But if you can't fit a full storage sofa into your space, Next's new Clemmie storage armchair is also one I'd recommend.

October is nearly upon us, which means that it's prime time for planning Halloween decor. And if you’re a little stuck for ideas, may I suggest Next’s Halloween decorations - it’s some of the chicest I’ve seen this year.

My biggest struggle with Halloween decorating ideas is finding items that look good enough for me to actually want them in my home, but retaining enough spookiness to be worthy of spooky season.

But scrolling through Next’s Halloween offerings, I have to say I was impressed. From gorgeous glass pumpkins to opulent-looking diffusers, Next’s Halloween decor has to be the best I’ve seen all autumn. These are my top picks.

My standout from the collection is, without fail, the glass pumpkin decor, which reflects a wider home decor trend I’ve been seeing all over social media at the moment.

Next’s Orange/ Red Confetti Glass Pumpkin Ornament (£15) is a gorgeous take on traditional pumpkin decor, and it's so pretty that I say it deserves a spot outside of spooky season. Confetti glass is one of those trends that will never go out of style, thanks to its ability to make a piece look both playful and more expensive - which is no easy feat.

Also on the menu is Brown/Natural Confetti Glass Pumpkin Ornament (£28), which is a larger size and available in a pretty, neutral brown and cream glass. I love how well the muted tones work together and would say it’s an excellent choice for more neutral room layouts.

If you want to combine your Halloween decor with your lighting ideas, may I suggest the Berry Pink Pumpkin Feature Light (£28) is easily the prettiest light-up pumpkin I have ever seen. Made with mercury glass, this stunning light is filled with clusters of LED lights to create a gorgeous and cosy ambient glow.

‘Glass pumpkins bring a modern twist to traditional autumn styling,' says Stuart Murray, founder of Retrovintage. 'The smooth shine of the glass against a rough wooden table or soft fabric runner creates a balance that feels cosy and refined. It’s this contrast that makes them so eye-catching without looking overdone.'

'I think this look will stick around because people are increasingly mixing rustic charm with artisanal accents. It’s not just seasonal décor, it’s a crafted piece you can bring out year after year.'

My top picks

If, like me, you’re fed up with consistently tacky Halloween decorations, Next’s spooky decor is a wonderful alternative. It is proof that Halloween can look stylish.

Judging by the storm currently raging outside my office window, summer is officially over and autumn has begun. And, as Ideal Home's Sleep Editor, I know that this change in seasons means that the savvy amongst us are already prepping and planning for the festive hosting season ahead.

In particular, that means considering how our homes are going to sleep the extra friends and family that may visit over the Christmas period. And this year, it seems that Next shoppers are leading the way in their organisational efforts. Why? Because Next customers are busy snapping up the brand's Palma sofa bed. And at just £475 for this stylish seating that doubles as a sleeping space for two, it's easy to see why.

The Palma sofa bed comes in two designs. There's the two-seater Palma sofa bed that starts at £475 and offers a double-bed-sized sleeping area, or the single-seater Palma chair bed that costs £350 and provides a sleeping space for one.

Both are similar in design to two other hosting solutions that I regularly recommend in Ideal Home's guide to the best sofa beds and best chair beds, namely the Habitat Roma Sofa Bed and MADE's Haru Sofa Bed.

All feature a 'click-clack' style of design where the seat and backrest unfold and lay flat to become the sleeping area, and come in a good range of upholstery options, including on-trend boucle and luxurious-looking velvets.

The Palma sofa bed's main point of difference is its curved backrest, which, in my opinion, gives it some extra style points compared to its competition.

The two-seater Palma sofa bed also offers a good-sized sleeping area. Although Habitat's Roma sofa bed is the more affordable option, with prices for the Habitat Roma Double Sofa Bed starting at £300 compared to the Palma sofa bed's £475 price tag, the Roma maxes out at a 121cm width.

That's smaller than your average double bed, which measures 135cm in width. In comparison, the Next Palma sofa bed is bang on 136cm wide. If you're hosting a couple, that's 15cm extra wiggle room they'll definitely appreciate.

Alternatively, the MADE Haru Large Sofa Bed does offer even more space with a 143cm width, but it also costs more, coming in at £550 for the larger size.

To my mind, that makes the Palma sofa bed great value for the money, as well as being a space-saving and stylish addition to the home. And it seems I'm not alone in thinking so.

'The sofa is comfortable, conveniently space-saving, easy to open out into a bed and to fold back up again,' shares one 5-star reviewer of the Palma on the Next website. 'Fabulous,' says another. 'I want another one when funds allow.'

Plus, according to Next shoppers, the Palma is the ideal solution for last-minute hosting.

'I am really pleased with this sofa bed,' says one reviewer. 'It looks like a stylish sofa and folds out to a normal side double bed. Really pleased we invested in this. Will suit my family when they stay at Christmas.'

'Researched in a hurry due to sudden additional guests arriving over Xmas,' says another reviewer who bought the sofa bed last year. 'I am so glad that I was persuaded by reading all the good reviews. No regrets at all. Converting it from a sofa to a bed is very straightforward and quick. It looks great too!'

'Brilliant design,' says a third. 'I was looking for a spare single fold-out bed which could serve as an attractive seat, on short notice of a family visit, and this is perfect. It’s also very well made and comfortable as a seat. Ordered mid-week and delivered on the following Monday. Family arriving this afternoon!'

In fact, the only negatives I can see are related to the sofa bed's comfort in bed form. A few reviewers note that the sofa bed is quite firm for sleeping on, which is similar to how I found the Habitat Roma and MADE Haru when I tested them in store. However, thankfully, that's nothing that the addition of a good mattress topper can't solve.

'You will need a good mattress topper, but other than that, it fits the bill perfectly,' shares one reviewer. 'The sofa is comfy to sit on, but when converted to a bed, it is a little firm for my liking,' says another. 'As a result, I purchased a mattress topper.'

That does mean you'll need to factor the cost of a mattress topper into your purchase, but I've rounded up three of the best value mattress toppers I've tested below. And even with the addition of some extra cushioning, I still think the Palma sofa bed's under £500 price tag makes it a great value buy.

Just like every September, brands and retailers are starting to drop their collections of Christmas decor – but this year, they’re already selling out of some of their key products. Next’s Christmas shop is one of them – but thus far, it’s still brimming with Next’s large Christmas decorations that combine aesthetics with functionality.

Even though it’s only September, it seems that this year, everybody’s jumping on the Christmas prep bandwagon a little earlier than usual, searching and shopping for Christmas decor ideas. Maybe it’s the sudden turn of weather from warm and summery to autumnal and chilly literally on the 1st September.

Last year, one of the biggest (no pun intended) Christmas decor trends were XL-sized ornaments and decorations like large bows. Next was clearly taking notes as its current Christmas offering is full of large festive decorations, many of which are not only pretty to look at but are also practical – whether it’s a festive door stop, a draught excluder or bow-shaped cushion that’s already sold out in one of the two colourways.

And this is something I love to see – products with a purpose that also look good, the perfect mix! These are my top picks from the XL-sized Christmas offering.

My top picks

Which of these are you thinking of decorating your home with this festive season?

If you've been mourning the loss of Laura Ashley stand-alone stores from the high street, prepare yourself for some exciting news! Laura Ashley is opening its first freestanding, bricks-and-mortar store this month.

The brand is opening the store on 26th September at Lakeside Retail Park, just outside of London. It might not be the full high street comeback we hoped for, but it is finally a place to shop for Laura Ashley home, décor and fashion collections altogether in person, outside of a Next store.

Timeless is one of the best ways to describe Laura Ashley, which was launched in 1952. Despite being famed for its iconic floral and romantic prints, Laura Ashley was an unfortunate victim of the pandemic, closing all its standalone stores in 2020. It partnered with Next to continue selling online and in-store, but this will be the first free-standing store in five years.

The new store will span nearly 10,000 sq ft and be set up as an 'immersive environment'. What that means to you and me is that it will be bursting with inspiration for your home. The brand has promised that the new store will feature an extensive Sofa Shop experience, as well as a design hub packed with made-to-measure fabrics, wallpaper, and paint collections.

In-store, you'll also find the Laura Ashley Interior Design Service to help you bring all your ideas together to curate the perfect room. This is the part I'm personally most excited about, as I grew up with first-hand experience of the value this service provides.

My mum used the Laura Ashley interior design service back in the 90s to decorate our family living room, and the sofa and curtain combo still looks timeless and elegant in the 2020s.

While you can currently find Laura Ashley 'stores' within Next across the UK, it's due to Marquee Brands acquiring Laura Ashley earlier this year that they have been able to open this new stand-alone flagship Laura Ashley store.

'Laura Ashley stores have always been destinations of inspiration, where consumers could explore and immerse themselves in the brand's world of design,' said Rachael Terrace, Chief Commercial & Growth Officer of Marquee Brands.

'In partnership with NEXT, a leading retail partner for the brand, we are proud to reintroduce this experience in a refreshed retail concept. This opening represents a significant milestone in Laura Ashley's return to the UK retail market.'

The opening coincides with what would have been the real Laura Ashley's 100th birthday.

To celebrate the occasion, Laura Ashley is going all out with several new product launches throughout the year, including a special edition candle made with Freckleface called Vintage 100, inspired by the Laura Ashley bramble logo and the OG Laura's favourite flower, the English rose.

Will you be making a trip to the new Laura Ashley store later this year?

Are you feeling festive yet? We are here at Ideal Home as it is now the time of year when brands open their Christmas shops, and Next Home’s Christmas Shop is the latest to open and tease an unusual Christmas colour trend with its range of monochrome decorations.

Every year, a new Christmas decorating idea sweeps in and takes the interiors world by storm. Last year, nostalgic decor dominated the Christmas trends, and while we’re still seeing nostalgia again this year, the monochrome Christmas colour trend is a refreshing and elegant trend that Next is championing this year with its black and white striped bows and monochrome baubles.

Why is monochrome trending for Christmas?

‘After a year of visual noise, people want calm, not chaos. One colour story gives instant polish and that quiet luxury glow. And no, it will not feel flat. Christmas is naturally loaded with texture,’ comments Maria Ramirez, founder and lead designer at BB Interiors.

‘Pine needles, glass baubles, velvet ribbons, paper, sparkle and candlelight. The tree is already doing the heavy lifting, so a single palette reads chic rather than skimpy. It also photographs beautifully and is easy to reuse year after year. Consider it style with staying power.’

I have to say I’m really enjoying the glitz and glamour of a monochrome Christmas tree, and it reflects a wider shift to more luxe styles. In Pinterest’s most recent Trend Report, they predicted Art Deco styles would dominate the autumn and winter as we seek to elevate everyday items.

Of course, black and white Christmas decor isn’t exactly a new idea. Just last year, Amanda Holden wowed us with her black bows, for example. What this trend does reflect is a desire for decor that looks sleek, luxurious and expensive.

‘This minimalist and sophisticated trend is all about the art of hosting and is very much inspired by the ‘influencer home’,’ explains John Rastall, Head of Home at DFS.

‘Monochromatic style need not be boring, especially at Christmas. The key to unlocking both luxury and light-hearted fun in this look is layering a smoky and sultry palette of monochromatic neutrals with plenty of tonal textures.

‘Walls in chalky off-whites set a quietly luxurious mood, while bouclé chairs, a marble top table and plenty of sculptural silhouettes set the scene for a sophisticated soiree. The festive magic of this look is led by the tablescape, where clusters of bows, glass ornaments, and carefully placed lamps and candles level up the look. Coupled with a tasteful take on tinsel, the resulting scheme is a considered aesthetic, designed to dazzle.’

The best of the rest

Next isn't the only brand teasing this new colourway as a bit breakout trend. Here are some of the other brands getting on board with the monochrome christmas decorating trend.

Do you agree the monochrome Christmas decor trend is elegant and chic? Or, will you firmly standard by your colourful fairy lights.

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?

Since moving into a flat with an original fireplace, I have been obsessed with the idea of adding two wall lights to flank the chimney breast. However, I'm not obsessed enough to start rewiring my living room, so thank god for rechargeable wall lights, and I've just found the best selection at Next Home.

Rechargeable wall lights make these simple living room lighting ideas easier to achieve, as they can be placed where other fixed wall lights can't. They usually have a magnetic base so you can lift the whole light down to charge it, or a bulb you can pop out. However, for a long time, stylish rechargeable wall lights under £80 were hard to come by.

While the ranges of the best wireless table lamps exploded on the high street last year, it took a little while for the wall-light versions to catch up with the likes of designer-favourite lighting brand Pooky. In the last few months, I've noticed Dusk, Dunelm, and John Lewis all catching up; however, Next Home has one of the best options I've seen.

I wasn't surprised to see Next Home leading the charge with expensive-looking rechargeable wall lights, as it released one of the first brands on the high street to launch a designer-looking wireless table lamp, The Hector which is £48 at Next.

This lamp has been turned into the Hector wall light, £45 at Next. It is currently sitting very high on my wish list, alongside a glorious collection of mid-century and art deco-inspired wall lights.

Honestly, I don't know how I'll choose just one.

Alternative wireless wall lights

I'm still narrowing down which rechargeable wall light I'm going to choose for my home. Do you have a favourite?

Next has just launched their Mix and Match lighting collection, and it’s a game-changer if you're looking for unique and customisable homeware that will give your home quirky, individual charm.

When it comes to the biggest lighting trends, Next always has its fingers on the pulse, producing some of the prettiest lighting options of the season. And now, launching today, you can pick out your own designer look lamp base and shade.

The collection is very similar to the cult Pooky mix-and-match lamps, and I'd argue looks just as good despite the difference in price. Take, for example, Brass Table Lamp Base (£32) is a dead ringer for Pooky's goff table lamp £165). Both are striking and have clear similarities, but Next's version is £100 cheaper.

The Next Mix and Match collection is also a great example of how to make lighting look expensive. Take the Red Filton Table Lamp Base £70) for example. Drenched in trendy cherry red, it also has a highly lacquered look, which you would expect from an Addison Ross table lamp. I’d choose to pair this stunning base with the Red Stripes Pleated Lamp Shades (£18), which adds a playful splash of colour.

With 25 distinct lamp bases to choose from and 55 diverse shades, you get an almost limitless choice. But I’ve rounded up my six top picks that will suit every taste.

With over 6,500 different variations, you can rest assured that it is unlikely someone will have the same lamp as you. This gives the collection a more personal feel as you can choose exactly what suits you.

I’d also argue this gives the collection more longevity. In an era where trends come and go at breakneck speed, this collection focuses on what you, the customer, wants. Because of this, I’d say this collection has the potential to quickly become a timeless staple of lighting ideas.

It’s quite apparent how excited I am for this new collection. There truly is something for everyone, and I’d love to hear what designs you’d pair together in the comments down below.

Stop what you’re doing and listen up because Next’s outdoor lighting is too good not to share with you, and the Smoke Grey Solar LED Outdoor Light Up Sphere is my top pick.

Outdoor lighting is one of the easiest ways to elevate the look of your garden, creating the perfect ambience, whatever your mood. So, I absolutely love it when my garden lighting ideas can be done on a budget. Because of this, I’m always on the lookout for designer-look buys at my favourite high street stores.

I’m not at all surprised at the quality of Next’s outdoor lighting. I was seriously impressed when I spotted their SS25 lighting range in May, which looked far more expensive than the price tag. Then, there’s the brand’s stunning outdoor table lamp, which gives designer brand Pooky a run for its money.

Next’s outdoor lighting combines sophisticated style with a touch of whimsy. Most evident of this is the smoke grey light-up sphere. With a dark, smoky shell and warm golden firefly lights inside, this lamp looks like a magical crystal ball in the best possible way.

This light has a run time of six hours and takes eight hours to charge, meaning it will last through a whole evening. The small size (26.5cm x 25cm) is just £20, and I’m sure you’ll agree it looks far more expensive than it is. The medium size (36cm x 35cm) is £38 and currently out of stock. So, if you want one, you’ll have to be quick, as I’m sure the smaller size will follow suit.

Here are a few of the other highlights I spotted.

I have been left completely charmed by Next’s designer-look outdoor lamps. Do you have a favourite?

As Ideal Home’s news writer, it’s my job to track down the most stylish and affordable home buys to elevate your space, and one of the best parts of this job is getting a sneak preview of upcoming brands collectons - and I have to say Next’s designer-look lighting has knocked it out the park.

The best lighting trends all have one thing in common: they look expensive. From the ambience they create in a space to quirky shapes and sleek styles, the best lighting ideas can make a room look even better.

Attending the Next Home spring/ summer preview recently, the one thing that stood out to me was how good their new lighting ranges looked. So I’ve rounded up my top picks, so you can snap up these super stylish picks.

I’d known for a while that Next’s lighting options were good. Having spotted the rattan table lamp previously, it had been sitting in my basket for a while. But spotting it IRL at the show, it convinced me to hit check out.

Not only do these lamps look great online, but I can vouch that they look just as good in person, and feel both well-made and high quality. Even better, there’s something for everyone.

I went home unable to stop thinking about the Natural Tyra Table Lamp (£60) whose rustic design is perfect for achieving a prairie style.

What is your favourite from the range?

One of the big perks of my job is getting to see the best of the spring and summer homeware collections, before most other people. This week, I was treated to an in-person highlights reel of Next Home at their Spring/Summer preview show, and these are the pieces I'd recommend buying before anyone else.

Next has always had a mind-blowing collection of homeware; it has a vast range of stunning brands, so it's easy to overlook its own-brand range. However, after seeing its spring and summer, you'd be making a big mistake by overlooking its new table lamps, home accessories and outdoor furniture. It's ticking every home decor trend and quite a few garden trends too.

I went home unable to stop thinking about the Brass Tate Floor Lamp. It is an understated but stylish lamp included in the recent Glassette x Next Home edit curated by hosting and homeware guru Laura Jackson.

You'll find there are a few lamps in my roundup. I'll admit I am a little obsessed with finding a statement table lamp to brighten up my living room lighting ideas at the moment. However, as someone who has expensive taste in lighting, I was impressed by the designer looks of the Next options.

It wasn't just the lighting that had cool designer-look vibes. These are the other pieces I'm expecting to see all over social media very soon. So make sure you buy them before anyone else, so you can say 'I had it first'.

What to buy

All the pieces are available to shop right not, so don't miss out. Did any of them catch your eye?

Rechargeable lighting has been a growing trend inside the home over the last few years, and Next’s Natural Rattan effect Solar Outdoor Table Lamp (£25) proves the trend is growing outdoors, too.

Last summer saw the first expansion of the outdoor wireless lamp trend with Pooky, Homebase and Habitat all offering wireless outdoor safe options. This year, the trend is once again off to a booming start with new solar-powered lamp styles, meaning no plugs are required.

Next is offering an illuminating twist on these garden lighting ideas with the rattan solar table lamp, which I honestly believe is going to be one of the best-looking outdoor table lamps around this summer.

The table lamp is beautifully designed, perfectly on trend and functional, so you can continue to use your outdoor space long into those dark summer nights. Oh, and it comes in a floor lamp version too.

There are two rattan lamps on offer - a table lamp and a floor lamp (£55), and at first glance, it’s easy to see why they both have five-star ratings. Designed in a sleek rattan-effect, the result is a beautiful rustic look.

Rattan is a garden furniture staple (you only have to look at the best rattan garden furniture), so it's also an interior favourite for wireless lamps in 2025. We've seen M&S and M&S launching stunning rattan lamps this year, so it's great to have an option that's outdoor-friendly.

The Next rattan effect solar table lamp shares the iconic shape of the Pooky Scoon Rechargeable Table Lamp (£74). But for almost £50 less I think the Next rattan effect solar lamp is an effective budget alternative.

It has a charge time of six hours and a run time of eight to 10 hours, and can even be battery operated when the sun is not shining (with two batteries included with the lamp). It's just 36m high, too, making it a great choice to sit on any outdoor coffee tables without taking up too much space.

By contrast, the much larger rattan effect floor lamp is ideal for illuminating your patio ideas. Standing at 145cm tall, this lamp will certainly make a statement. In fact, at first glance, you’d assume this lamp was designed for your living room.

Like the table lamp, it has a charge time of six hours and stays lit for eight to 10 hours. It can also be powered by AA batteries. I’d recommend styling this lamp alongside a statement outdoor chair or comfy coffee table to create a cosy outdoor reading spot.

I’m completely obsessed with the Next lamps, and they will be in my basket on payday. They’re fun, stylish and blend seamlessly with any garden furniture. What do you think?

Shop solar lighting

If the Next lamp isn't to your taste, I'm shocked, but I understand. So here are a few more of my favourite solar lights to brighten up an outdoor space.

I’m completely obsessed with the Next lamps, and they will be in my basket on payday. They’re fun, stylish and blend seamlessly with any garden furniture. What do you think?

If you thought quiet luxury was on its way out, think again. Over the last year, the trend towards homeware that looks and feels expensive, but in an understated way, has only grown. Next has brought the home decor trend to the high street with the new N.Premium Homeware range.

You might recognise the N.Premium tag from the Next clothing range which focuses on well-made and timeless pieces, so I was very intrigued when I learnt that Next was giving homeware the same treatment. The new range launched earlier this month and doesn't disappoint, filled with minimaluxe furniture, tactile cushions and some truly stunning bedding.

The capsule collection is a little more expensive than the standard Next range, but it doesn't have the designer price tag you'd expect from its appearance. Plus, after seeing the range in person, I can confirm that it also feels expensive.

I had the opportunity to chat with the Next designers about the new pieces and test the quality of the range to find the hidden gems I'm most excited about.

What to shop

These are just the highlights that caught my eye. There are so many other stunning pieces in this new capsule collection. Some of the trinket dishes and frames start at just £20, so there is something for everyone looking to add a touch of luxury to their home.

Will you be adding a touch of luxury to your home?

Wondering 'Does Next do Black Friday?' Well, you've come to the right place. In a bid to help you plan your shopping wisely, we're bringing you all of the top Black Friday deals as well as focussing on the most popular homeware retailers' sales. This way, you can figure out exactly where to put your money, and when the best time is to hit 'buy'.

Next homeware is a firm favourite on the Ideal Home team and seeing as the brand is known for their huge Boxing Day sale, you might be wondering if they're equally as committed to Black Friday, too.

Whether you want to stock up on Christmas decorations for less or want to make a saving on one of the best sofas, there's so much for you to get your hands on. And if you can save money, then even better.

Does Next do Black Friday?

Although Black Friday isn't officially until the 29th November 2024, most retailers have launched their sales early this year. Some by weeks and some at the very start of November. Despite some high street stores still holding out for the official Friday start date, we thought it was suspicious that Next hadn't yet launched any discounts, and we were right.

Next are tapping out of Black Friday deals this year - we're gutted that we won't be able to get hold of any bargains ahead of Christmas but this does mean that the Boxing Day sale will be bigger and better than ever.

Black Friday is the perfect time to treat yourself to something you've had your eye on for a while and also well-positioned for Christmas shopping, however sometimes the discounts aren't as substantial as you'd hope. By Next sitting this Black Friday out, we're hoping this means we'll be rewarded by big discounts after Christmas.

Does Next do Boxing Day sales?

Next is well-known for attracting bargain hunters come the 26th December and tales on the Ideal Home desk from pre-online shopping days confirm that the Next Boxing Day sale was a huge affair. For a long time, the Next Boxing Day sale would result in lines snaking around retail parks and 5am starts to be the first in the door, however, things have been a little different in recent years.

In 2021, Next decided to close its doors on Boxing Day to give staff a break from the chaos and instead took the Boxing Day sale online. In previous years the sale began online on the 26th of December and started in-store on the 27th of December, so we can expect a similar structure for 2024.

This means you can enjoy Boxing Day from the comfort of your sofa (a tin of Quality Street is essential), prep your basket online and be ready on the morning of the 27th to start shopping. It's the perfect solution for shoppers and Next staff.

Our favourite Next Home picks

While the Next sale hasn't yet started, there's no harm in getting your basket prepped just in case. It's famously a mad rush to score the biggest bargains on the day itself, so having an idea of what you like beforehand will make it a less stressful experience.

All that's left to do is browse through the website to your heart's content, or get in line in-store on the 27th.

Geometric patterns, especially check, have been making waves this season and iconic interior designer Nina Campbell’s latest collaboration with Next proves the trend is here to stay.

Nina Campbell is one of the world's most influential and renowned interior designers with an iconic client list to match. Nina Campbell is already known for combining colour and pattern and this new collection is no different, but it was the check accent chair and matching footstool that caught our attention.

Checks have been popping up on the best sofas, accent chairs and even footstools this year. But if you were worried that geometric patterns might just be a flash-in-the-pan micro-trend, think again.

Next X Nina Campbell

Inspired by Nina’s wit and style the collection draws from both contemporary and traditional styles which gives the collection as a whole a classic feel.

The collection is filled with bold, but not overpowering statement patterns on rugs, soft furnishings and furniture. The stand-out star is the bracken print Walton Accent Chair along with a matching Walton Footstool, the pair has a soft neutral check print that would suit any living room.

Whether you call it check or gingham this pattern is one that seems to never go out of style. If you need further evidence just take a look at the sell-out M&S kirsten lamp with its painted check base or the cult gingham Piglet in Bed bedding sets.

The Walton Chair retails at £450 and the footstool costs £150. For an accent chair it is at the higher end of high-street price tags, but for that price, you are getting a designer-approved look and Next quality.

‘I really wanted to create products that had dual purposes, to accommodate those living in rented spaces who still want to have beautiful things that add personality and bring that property to life,' Nina Campbell OBE, said speaking about the collection.

'The range caters for the practicalities of the everyday, with extra hidden storage and dimensions that are versatile. The use of high quality materials means products stand the test of time and will move with you and your family through generations to come.

The Walton Chair is not the only piece of on-trend furniture in the collection. Nina also has a gorgeous green bracken print which is calming and fresh- ideal for biophilic inspired spaces.

And there are also a number of striped sofas to choose from. The Oakfield by Nina Campbell sofa (£1,450) is available in both green and natural check, as well as red and blue Wilby tartan.

However, if it is the check look you're after and you can't quite stretch to these Next pieces, here are a few other pieces you can snap up.

Alternatives

Jasper Conran is UK designer royalty and his home collection, Jasper Conran London, available at Next, is a testament to why he continues to be a go-to for effortlessly stylish homeware.

The aim of the range is to offer contemporary designs across timeless pieces of furniture, soft furnishings, lighting and kitchenware – and it hits the brief perfectly. Designed by Jasper in his London studio, the collection adds modern elegance to every home.

Jasper has injected each piece with his signature minimalist designs and playful use of colour. Take the Bray Dining Chairs, priced at £399 for the pair. The elegant, design has been crafted in five colours, including a vibrant red and a green. It's a striking piece, sure to become a timeless classic that will take pride of place in your home for years to come.

The Bamburgh sofa, another wishlist item from the collection, with its mid-century shape and wooden tapered legs. It's available in a wide range of fabrics and colours, so you can customise the piece to fit your decor.

The beauty of the range is that the classic silhouettes make them the ideal canvas for adding your own personality with pattern and colour. The new paper-cut tufted cushion in black and white, for example, is an easy way to add texture and pattern in one simple move.

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For Autumn/Winter, the range has been expanded to include stunning candles and room diffusers that will instantly elevate a console table or coffee table. Both are housed in elegant tinted glass vessels, with a splash of colour in true Jasper Conran style.

The range includes five gorgeous scents: Damask rose, grapefruit and amber, jasmine and neroli, orange and patchouli, and veviter and cardamom. Whether you prefer floral notes, a vibrant fruity hit, or a decadent scent, there is something for every taste.

The full collection is available to browse online; alternatively, you can see the range up close in select Next stores.

Elegant, simple and effortless, this range should be on your list when planning your next home makeover.

Made.com's bestseller, the Haru sofa bed is finally back in stock at Next after a long and gruelling wait and it's safe to say that we're pretty pumped about it. You don't want to miss out this time around.

If you haven't been in the know, high street giant Next bought Made.com in November last year after the online furniture retailer went into administration. 

When Made.com initially stopped taking orders, one of the first worries that sprung to mind was whether we'd ever see the beloved Haru hit the shelves again, especially as it stood as our pick up of one the best sofa beds. As a pleasant surprise, that day has finally arrived.

Made.com's Haru sofa bed is back

Made.com is back in business on the Next website, having released a 'small selection of our favourite pieces' and to no surprise, the Haru has made a return as the 'seating style sensation we've all been waiting for.'

Many of our editors on the Ideal Home team were quick to flag the Haru's comeback, and for good reason – it's easily a favourite in many of our homes. The Haru Sofa Bed is available in a selection of different colours, ranging from £325 to £499 depending on whatever size you opt for.

Amy Lockwood, Ideal Home's Decor Editor, reviews sofas for a living and she'll be the first to vouch for the Haru sofa bed as a pretty solid addition to any room, especially if you're looking to fill an awkward space.

'Finding a sofa bed that looks good, is comfortable, and doesn't break the bank can be a tricky business. That’s why the Haru is such a popular option. It has a relatively low price point, and stylish luxe-look velvet upholstery, and whilst it may not be the very best sofa bed we’ve tested in terms of comfort, both the sitting and sleep experiences are perfectly acceptable,' she explains.

Amy adds, 'The Haru sofa bed's click-clack design also makes it a super simple task to transition this sofa bed from seating to sleeping, with hidden pockets disguised by the coordinating scatter cushions opening to reveal hinged legs, and the backrest and seat easily unfolding to create the sleeping surface.'

'The lack of arms and medium-firm cushioning mean it might not quite cut the mustard for everyday use, but as occasional seating, it makes a great accent chair.'

She thinks it would work particularly well as a sofa idea for small living rooms, as well as being a great solution for impromptu sleepovers in a kids' bedroom or playroom.

Alternatively, if you're after a more affordable alternative, we suggest having a look at Habitat's Roma sofabed as a Haru dupe as not only is it more budget-friendly but also sports a very similar look.

We love Habitat's Roma boucle sofabed in cream as it's bang on the money in keeping with the boucle furniture trend that was predicted to keep a top spot in this year's living room trends.

Overall, the Haru sofa bed is neat, stylish, and super practical. It ticks all the right boxes, going from accent chair hero to handy guest bed in no time.

Will you be finally getting your hands on one this time around?