Top Stories
-

As a Gardens Editor, this is the beautiful shrub I recommend to anyone with a damp garden –and it's really low-maintenance
It thrives in wet, clay soil
-

6 old-fashioned plants making a big comeback in 2026 – expect bold colour and beautiful blooms to dominate gardens this year
Show these grandma-style plants some love
-

Habitat has just launched a stylish new £299 sofa bed – and with its hip 1950s vibe, I predict this retro design will sell fast
Habitat is bringing retro back, and I'm here for it
-

I’m on a mission to make my home happier in 2026 – 5 science-backed things psychologists and interior designers told me to do
Your home environment impacts your mental well-being
Ideal Home Experts
Sign up to our newsletter for style inspiration, real homes, project and garden advice and shopping know-how
Gardens
-

Ninja just dropped its first ever gas BBQ in the UK – if you're looking for an all-in-one outdoor cooking system, you need to see this
This gas BBQ is seriously impressive
By Molly Cleary
-

What is the bento garden trend? Create a ‘lunchbox’ garden with these planting and landscaping tips
It’s ideal for small gardens
By Sophie King
-

5 things people with tidy garden sheds always have – easy upgrades for an organised space in time for spring
Here are the foundations for a tidy shed
By Kezia Reynolds
-

7 things you should feed birds in a garden – and the best time of year to serve each type
Top picks for every season
By Sophie King
-

Step aside, hydrangeas, there is a chic new ‘it’ plant for 2026, and it’s the perfect low-effort way to add impact to a garden
We're celebrating the year of the cabbage
By Kezia Reynolds
-

As a Gardens Editor, this is the beautiful shrub I recommend to anyone with a damp garden
It thrives in wet, clay soil
By Sophie King
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
-

3 clever tile layouts and combinations that will give your bathroom an original and stylish refresh (and still look good five years on)
3 clever tile layouts and combinations that will give your bathroom an original and stylish refresh (and still look good five years on)
By Rebecca Knight
-

I saw Next’s spring-ready ‘Decorator’ collection IRL – and I can confirm that it looks and feels just as expensive in person as it does in pictures, if not more
This pretty, pattern-filled range looks designer – and these are the 6 pieces that I predict will sell out first
By Sara Hesikova
-

I'm a kitchen editor, and these are the 12 pieces I would buy for an English country kitchen – affordable picks with a modern twist
Classic buys with on-trend twists
By Holly Cockburn
House Manual
-

Behind every tidy home is a clever organiser doing all the heavy lifting – this £10 buy will make your home look instantly neater
Give your shelving the 'wow' factor
By Kezia Reynolds
-

Stacey Solomon has shared the bargain buy she uses to dry bedding when it’s raining outside – no tumble dryer required!
And it's PERFECT for smaller homes
By Lauren Bradbury
-

I refused to let my cluttered galley kitchen stress me out – this is how I doubled my storage and restored order in a small space
I won't let a lack of kitchen storage beat me...
By Lauren Bradbury
-

I’m a firm believer that storage solutions should be as pretty as they are practical – I think these fabric hooks from Oliver Bonas will convince you, too
Say it with me: 'storage solutions should be pretty!'
By Kezia Reynolds
HOMES DISCOUNT CODES
-

Pro Breeze discount codes - in February 2026
SPONSORED Choose from our Pro Breeze discount codes and promo codes, hand-tested by our experts.
-

Pagazzi discount codes for February 2026
SPONSORED Choose from our Pagazzi discount codes and promo codes, hand-tested by our experts.
-

Aspire Store discount codes for February 2026
SPONSORED Choose from our Aspire Store discount codes and promo codes, hand-tested by our experts.
-

Garden Trading discount codes - in February 2026
SPONSORED Use these Garden Trading discount codes to save on garden furniture, outdoor lighting, and garden decor.
Renovation
-

Will double glazing old windows strip them of their character and charm?
I asked the pros whether there was a way to do it sympathetically instead
By Natasha Brinsmead
-

If you spot any of these warning signs during heavy rain, then water could be getting into your home, and you’ll need to act fast
Keep your eyes peeled for signs of water ingress
By Sarah Handley
-

What is solar control glass? This is what the experts say
Could it be key to preventing your home overheating in summer?
By Amy Reeves
-

Is it worth replacing a bad extension with something better?
As someone who inherited a bad extension, I asked the pros whether it's ever worth improving one or if it's better to just start over
By Natasha Brinsmead
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
-

I limewashed my walls for the first time, and now I'm hooked – here’s 5 things I learnt from the process
It wasn’t as easy as regular painting, but I’m absolutely smitten
By Linda Clayton
-

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
By Holly Walsh
More From Ideal Home
-

We've found 3 of the best woks for stir-fries
Make stir-fries in a jiffy with the best wok
By Millie Fender
-

Is KitchenAid's colour of the year 2026 'anti-trend' or 'dated'? Settle our debate
KitchenAid has announced 'spearmint' as the colour of the year for 2026, and it's divided the opinions on the Ideal Home team
By Rebecca Knight
-

I've tested dozens of pans as a home economist – this Le Creuset set is the one that's made me want to transition to non-toxic stainless steel for good
Turns out cooking without non-stick coatings is a breeze with the right cookware set
By Helen McCue







