Top Stories
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Meaco's ultra-quiet portable air conditioner is coming back into stock, so act fastIt's already sold out once this summer
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Aldi's £5 solar-powered table lamps are how I'm giving my tiny garden a cafe-chic refreshThey're the perfect match for a bistro set
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The cordless patio cleaner I'd recommend to anyone fed up with stubborn weedsIt's my new favourite weeding tool
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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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5 drought-tolerant roses to add to your garden for an English cottage garden that can withstand summer heatwavesClimate-resilient planting doesn't have to mean saying goodbye to your favourite flowers
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2 reasons why your lavender plant is turning brown in the July heatwave and what you can do to fix itWhy this sun-loving plant isn't happy right now
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Sorry dahlias, this low-maintenance, drought-tough flower is stealing the show this summerThe colourful blooms are real crowd-pleasers
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5 garden jobs you should never do in a heatwave, according to experts – or risk ruining your gardenDon't do it...
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This drought-tolerant flowering plant is the star of my mum's garden border every summerIt’s tall, pretty and butterfly-friendly
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A creative, DIY method helped this couple make over their featureless gardenFrom bland and barren to beautiful and packed with blooms
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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'Barely-there-blue' is the bedroom colour of summer 2026It's cooling, restful, and exactly what this hot weather calls for
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3 design tips to fix any wasted storage space in a kitchenLosing items at the back of a cupboard will be a frustration of the past
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These are the scents that can help you sleep better in the heatwaveThey have a 'cooling effect on the body and mind', according to the experts
House Manual
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No air con? Try these 5 tricks to supercharge your fan's cooling power in the heatwaveTry these tips of your fan feels like it's just blowing hot air
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If you're wondering whether air coolers actually work, my gym convinced me they doA sweaty workout was the ultimate cooling test
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Tidying guru Marie Kondo shares the decluttering mistake we’re all makingAnd her foolproof hacks to banish clutter once and for all
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I tested Dyson's Hot+Cool heater fan and it's the only heater and fan combo you'll need all year-roundSmall in size, big on comfort...
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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How to spot driveway damage this summer4 red flags to look out for and how to fix them
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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
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 insteadSkirting 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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The Ninja Dual Zone air fryer is incredibly powerful, but as a Kitchens Editor there's one thing you need to know before cooking with itTo ensure you get the best from it
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This modular playroom sofa is the buy that parents say ‘has been one of our best ever purchases’It comes with removable, machine-washable covers and can be built into anything from a car to a house
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Finally! The Ninja Slushi Twist is available to buy in the UK – it's Ninja's most outlandish appliance yetBut guests will absolutely love it
