Top Stories
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‘Window stacking’ is the method experts recommend to keep your home cool this monthPrep and heat-proof your home
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I asked experts how to weatherproof a pergola – these are the 6 upgrades they recommendedYou'll be able to use it whatever the weather
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5 tips I'm following to keep my kitchen cool this summer – and they don't require a fan or ACThis is the only expert advice you need
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This £20 M&S cooling sheet is selling out fast – and having tested it, I can see whySnap it up before the next wave of hot weather hits
Gardens
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B&Q's stylish hedge bed is the perfect shortcut to turn your garden into a private sanctuaryEnjoy the peace of your garden in style
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3 drought-tolerant herbs to plant in July for easy, fragrant harvests all summer longThese herbs thrive in heatwaves
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Aldi's solar-powered table lamps are how I'm giving my tiny garden a cafe-chic refresh for under £5 this summerThey're the perfect match for a bistro set
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What I’m planting during the July heatwaves for pretty blooms and quick harvests that can tolerate the heatThe 5 plants on my list
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5 drought-tolerant flowering plants that are quietly replacing hydrangeas in 2026 – they’ll make your garden look gorgeous even during a heatwaveThe showy alternatives you can add to your garden
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'Deep watering' is the expert-approved method that will help your plants cope and flourish during the July heatwaveYour garden will keep thriving even in hot weather
What To Buy
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Primark has just dropped a new quiet luxury homeware collection – 6 under £30 buys to make your home look more expensiveThe subtle design features will instantly upgrade your space
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I’ve tracked down the top places to buy the best garden furniture so that you don’t have toThese are my go-to brands and retailers to shop outdoor furniture
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Best cooling mattress toppers to combat overheating – tried and testedThe best cooling mattress toppers for a cooler and more breathable sleep – tried and tested options from Simba, Panda, Emma, Silentnight, and more
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Ideal Home's Certified Experts have spent over 15,500 hours testing products so you can trust their in-depth knowledge and adviceNo-nonsense product advice direct from our team of in-the-know experts
Room Decor
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How to create a kids’ play area in an open-plan living room – 4 interior designers reveal their top 5 tips on how to make it workFrom zoning to toy storage, here's everything the pros want you to know
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6 pieces from Primark’s latest home collection that are perfect for moody minimalists – these stylish buys will make your home look luxe effortlesslySay hello to minimalism's 'edgier' sibling
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Hidden pantries are the secret to chic kitchen storage – here's how to create an inconspicuous pantryKeeping storage hidden from plain sight is the shortcut to a stylish kitchen design
House Manual
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I avoided skirting boards in my lime-plastered spare room and used this rustic alternative insteadSkirting boards aren't for every house or room, so we opted for something different
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Shark just dropped a ‘fun-sized’ carpet cleaner that’s perfect for smaller homesNo huge storage space required!
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VAX just added a self-cleaning carpet cleaner to its lineup – and I tested it out in my homeIt (almost) gets top marks from me
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6 kitchen cleaning jobs to complete before the July heatwave – you’ll be thanking yourself for doing these easy tasks when the heat hitsWhile the temperature is a little cooler, it's time to get ahead on these easy tasks
HOMES DISCOUNT CODES
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Boots discount codes - for July 2026SPONSORED Take a look at our Boots discount codes hand-tested by our saving experts.
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Aspire Store discount codes for July 2026SPONSORED Choose from our Aspire Store discount codes and promo codes, hand-tested by our experts.
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Swift Direct Blinds discount codes - for July 2026SPONSORED Use one of our Swift Direct Blinds discount codes hand-tested by our saving experts.
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Lakeland discount codes - for July 2026SPONSORED Choose from our Lakeland discount codes and promo codes, hand-tested by our experts.
Renovation
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Thought your garage was too small for conversion?According to the experts, there are lots of ways to transform even tiny spaces into useful new additions
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Experts reveal the best places to put air conditioning in a housePlus the spots to avoid to get the most out of your investment
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These two easy solutions prevent my glazed patio doors from making my home overheatThese affordable tricks mean my house stays nice and cool in the summer, without compromising on garden views
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Air conditioning doesn't have to be an eye-sore — experts reveal how to get a more stylish finishDo you have to sacrifice style in the name of comfort this summer? Not necessarily
Ideal Homes
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'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
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A dated Georgian cottage gets a modern-country updateCream tones and rustic pieces keep it sumptuous but simple
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A dreamy pastel coloured seaside home on the Dorset coastA bold move to the Dorset coast saw this family completely transform their dated 1980s house into their ideal home
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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
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I avoided skirting boards in my lime-plastered spare room and used this rustic alternative instead
Skirting boards aren't for every house or room, so we opted for something different
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I saved over £500 by reupholstering my dream footstool myself - here's how I used secondhand finds to make it happenA professionally upholstered footstool can set you back hundreds, but I made mine for around £100
More From Ideal Home
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This is the one gadget I'm buying before the next heatwave sells it outIt's essential for helping turn my fan into an air conditioner
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Ninja's brilliant new coffee machine just dropped in the most stylish green colourwayStraight on the wishlist
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We try De'Longhi's latest superstar bean-to-cup coffee machineThis bean-to-cup coffee machine could curb your habit of buying iced lattes forever.
