Top Stories
-
4 things that people with a tidy living room always have – and how to fake a calm, clutter-free home with minimal effort
Easy ways to organise a chaotic space
-
I asked organising and cleaning pros how to get a home guest-ready for Christmas in one hour – it’s entirely possible
Don't spend the whole break cleaning
-
I'm not surprised this is the most popular sofa bed of 2025 – stylish *and* practical, it's Ideal Home readers' clear favourite
All the best-dressed homes have this one
-
Have no choice but to use your tumble dryer over the festive period? I use these tricks to keep the cost as low as possible
Methods I swear by to keep costs down
Gardens
-
The 5-7-9 rule could squirrel-proof your bird feeder – here's what the numbers mean
'It makes a big difference both to the wellbeing of birds'
-
This one houseplant can help get rid of dust in your home – it's one of the most low-maintenance and hardest plants to kill
A dustbusting plant that’s virtually unkillable? It sounds too good to be true, so I decided to give it a try…
-
Don’t bin your pine needles this winter – 3 ways to reuse dropped Christmas tree needles in your garden
Christmas tree shedding quicker than you can say, 'O Tanenbaum'? Here's how to put those pine needles to good use
-
Your Christmas lights could be causing a harmful ‘false dawn' effect for birds
3 crucial tips from wildlife experts
-
How to make a Christmas dinner for birds – the festive treats wildlife experts are adding to their bird feeder on the big day
The do's and don'ts of festive bird feeding
-
Don't let your houseplants dry out while you're away at Christmas! These simple tips will keep them hydrated and healthy
Take care of your houseplants while you're away over the holidays with our expert-approved care and watering advice
What To Buy
-
Aldi's new £100 robot vacuum also sweeps and mops – it's a time-saving must-have for spotless floors
Save on time and money
-
I asked bedding experts what the best sheet material for a good night's sleep is – the fabrics to buy, and one to avoid
Cotton, linen, bamboo, and silk sheets are all high on our experts' list
-
Best cooling mattress toppers to combat overheating – tried and tested
The best cooling mattress toppers for a cooler and more breathable sleep – tried and tested options from Simba, Panda, Emma, Silentnight, and more
-
Meet Ideal Home's Certified Experts - they've spent over 1,000 hours testing everything from appliances to mattresses so you can shop wisely
No-nonsense product advice direct from our team of in-the-know experts
Room Decor
-
It’s no longer about ‘bookshelf wealth’ or ‘shelfies’ – according to John Lewis, ‘shelf esteem’ is the new it trend which is all about the shelf itself
Does your home have enough ‘shelf esteem’? The 2025 John Lewis report introduces a new decor trend
-
These are the sofa trends that are set to go out of style in 2026 – and I think some might surprise you
Experts reveal the living room seating looks that are best left in 2025
-
This £1,000,000 bed just made my jaw drop – I've never seen a mattress like this before
Would you buy a black or gingham-checked mattress?
House Manual
-
I swapped my Dyson V8 Absolute for the Dyson V11 Advanced – it’s the upgrade my carpets desperately needed
I was already a part of the Dyson fan club, but now I'm obsessed
-
'We’re a hairy household,’ Vicky Pattison reveals the vacuum she uses to keep her home spotless – she says it tackles everything from hair extensions to dog fur
*Spoiler* It's our best-rated vacuum cleaner
-
Can’t get to the shops? This is the only product you need to tackle Christmas stains – and it’s already under your sink
No chemicals required!
-
3 ways to use Christmas tree needles around your home to make your house cleaner and smell fresher
Your tree needles are not destined for the bin
HOMES DISCOUNT CODES
-
Pro Breeze discount codes - in December 2025
SPONSORED Choose from our Pro Breeze discount codes and promo codes, hand-tested by our experts.
-
Shark Discount Codes - in December 2025
SPONSORED Use our verified Shark discount codes and save on industry-leading vacuums and floor cleaners.
-
George at Asda promo codes - for December 2025
SPONSORED Choose from our George at Asda discount codes and promo codes, hand-tested by our experts.
-
Garden Trading discount codes - in December 2025
SPONSORED Use these Garden Trading discount codes to save on garden furniture, outdoor lighting, and garden decor.
Renovation
-
What are sustainable drainage systems?
They're not just a necessity — they can also protect your home as well as improve its kerb appeal, say the experts
-
Can I move a drain as part of an extension project?
Experts reveal when you will and won't need permission and how you get it
-
Don't let drains put a stop to your extension plans
Take note of the 6 things experts want you to know in order to ensure a smooth-running project
-
8 ways to get driveway drainage spot on
Bad driveway drainage can totally ruin the look of a house - here's how to get it right without compromising on kerb appeal
Ideal Homes
-
'The restoration of the cottage has been well worth the journey'
A sensitive renovation and neutral colour palette have accentuated the character of this pretty Cotswold cottage
-
A dated Georgian cottage gets a modern-country update
Cream tones and rustic pieces keep it sumptuous but simple
-
A dreamy pastel coloured seaside home on the Dorset coast
A bold move to the Dorset coast saw this family completely transform their dated 1980s house into their ideal home
-
This tiny Cotswold cottage makes the most of every inch with a tailored, high-end look
‘I could see the cottage’s potential, and I knew I could make the layout work'
DIY
-
This is how to paint IKEA furniture like a pro – experts reveal all the tools, techniques and processes essential to making your DIY project a success
It's all you need to transform your flatpack furniture beyond recognition with little more than paint
-
I wish I’d known this one thing before painting my walls – it would have stopped dark borders ruining my room renovation
Learn from my mistake by following this expert advice on how to avoid it
More From Ideal Home
-
I'm not surprised this was the most popular all-in-one pan of 2025 - stylish and multi-tasking, I've lost track of how many times it's sold out
The piece of cookware Ideal Home readers couldn't stop clicking on
-
All is quiet around this festive country home
Christmas is a magical time of year in a remote hamlet in the Yorkshire Dales, and this stone farmhouse feels even more cosy when surrounded by a frosty, wintry landscape
-
I'm an interior designer, and these are the secrets behind how I style my three-bed home for Christmas
Step inside interior designer Briony Ace's modern barn conversion at her favourite time of year
