Ideal Homes
From chocolate box cottages in the Cotswolds to super-sleek modern homes in the capital, we go behind the front door of houses up and down the country, and find out how the owners and renters created their dream homes, whatever their style and budget
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Homes
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‘We wanted to keep the spirit of this 1930s house alive’
Taking on a period architect-designed property in need of plenty of loving care and a ton of modernisation didn’t phase this home owner one bit
By Stephanie Smith
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You would never know that this cool seaside house was once a pebbledash eyesore
It has been transformed inside and out
By Louise O'Bryan
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‘Our bathroom went from drab to fab – the new peach and blue colour scheme looks super-smart'
Discover how this home owner transformed a dull, outdated bathroom into a vibrant and stylish sanctuary
By Marisha Taylor
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This stylish and spacious four-bedroom house was once 'little more than a shack'
Now it's been extended upwards to become a fantastic family home
By Karen Darlow
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‘We wanted to completely rejig the layout to make it feel more balanced and practical for family living'
It took vision to create an elegant family home from a neglected house with an awkward layout, but the owners knew where to start
By Janet McMeekin
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This once cold and compact kitchen has been transformed into a bright open-plan space that works for the whole family
'We used to avoid spending time in the kitchen, now it's our favourite room'
By Holly Reaney
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Feast your eyes on Ideal Home's Best Home 2024 winner
Once a neglected property, this house has been completely transformed into a stunning family home and the worthy winner of Best Home 2024 in our Reader Awards
By Ginevra Benedetti
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'I wanted to create a warm and colourful home for my family to enjoy and remember'
Vibrant wallpaper, texture and colour are at the heart of this stunning family home
By Jane Crittenden
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A new downstairs layout allowed this dated cottage to become a spacious home filled with rich pattern and texture
And now it's more stylish and welcoming than ever
By Janet McMeekin
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Would you swap homes with your parents? This homeowner did, and gave her childhood home a full makeover
After buying her childhood home from her parents, see how this homeowner has put her own personal stamp on the place
By Karen Wilson
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These homeowners took their time renovating this West Sussex Victorian property with stunning results
'We've adopted a relaxed approach, living in the house as we discover what changes we want to make'
By Alice Roberton
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A smart reno turned this disjointed house into a dream home
The warren of rooms is now spacious and full of style
By Marisha Taylor
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Take a tour of this light and bright Scandi-style family kitchen, packed with smart storage and neat design features
This homeowner had a clear idea what she wanted from her kitchen with, Scandi -style white cabinets and wooden furniture top of her list
By Ali Lovett
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Saturated colours and a daring renovation have transformed this 200-year-old cottage
The new look makes the whole house feel bigger
By Alison Davidson
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This kitchen has been turned from dark and dated to romantic and cosy with a clever colour scheme and design tricks
Wall cabinets and dark worktops were holding this space back from its full potential
By Rebecca Knight
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With this thatched cottage 'all practical thinking went out the window, and my heart won!’'
An all-white French farmhouse scheme enhances the beautiful original features of this home
By Alice Roberton
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'We swapped a beige, bland living room for a luxe, colourful look – and all on a budget of under £2,500'
See how these home owners transformed a tired living room into this warm and relaxing space
By Karen Wilson
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‘We decorated by using colour to influence how we feel in each space.'
Check out this luxurious, well- thought-out family home, packed with stunning design features and striking artwork
By Marisha Taylor
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Opening up the side return has transformed this kitchen into a stylish place to entertain
A natural colour palette has added a sense of space to this serene kitchen
By Rachel Christie
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This luxurious en suite is packed with charming rustic details including a bathtub that took 6 people to lift
Space was taken from a walk-in wardrobe to create this stunning bathroom with views of the surrounding countryside
By Ali Lovett
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This all-white coastal house sparkles at Christmas – it has a perfect 'mix of modern and coastal elements'
This is how it's both calming and cosy all year round
By Sara Emslie
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'Simple ideas often make the most impact' – this home demonstrates how less really can be more
This homeowner opted for simplicity when decorating her 400-year-old cottage for Christmas
By Maggie Colvin
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The worthy winner of 2024's Ideal Home's Reader Home Best Room Makeover award
A south-facing extension and a sunshine-yellow kitchen is perfect for family life
By Ginevra Benedetti
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‘You don’t need a big house to have fun with the design'
The interior designer owner of this country cottage shares her revamp secrets
By Karen Darlow
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‘People can be a bit afraid of using wallpaper for a kitchen, but I love seeing pattern'
This home is a masterclass in how to make festive decorations work with a room's wallpaper and fabric designs
By Karen Darlow
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'I love to have vintage baubles and lots of candles all around the house'
These homeowners have blended vintage and modern pieces to achieve a unique look
By Alison Davidson
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This Hampshire home blends mid-century design with Georgian elegance
And it's full of style tricks to steal for the festive season
By Janet McMeekin


