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
Explore Homes
Homes
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This house hadn’t been touched for over 20 years, but a colourful makeover has brought it perfectly up-do-date
The patterned carpets, dated wallpaper and dreary colours had to go!
By Lindsay Blair
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This renovated Edwardian villa is full of vintage finds
But the revamp works perfectly for family life, too
By Sara Emslie
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This house ditched dazzling brights for earthy neutrals to create a relaxed and calming home
Bright colours in every room and a poor layout was stopping the house looking its best.
By Stephanie Smith
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Enjoy always-perfect paint with Crown Paints
By Ideal Home
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Mixing old and new units has created a stylish two-tone kitchen-diner on a budget
Combining traditional units with a modern extension has been a delicate balance for this home owner
By Stephanie Smith
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This glamorous Cotswolds cottage is filled with genius space-saving designs that look incredible
It's country cottage meets hotel chic
By Karen Darlow
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This Victorian cottage is a lesson in pale perfection
Delicate shades allow the period features of this pretty home take centre stage
By Pippa Blenkinsop
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This house is full of second-hand finds – the home owners call it cost-of-living chic!
An eye for savvy vintage sourcing combined with graphic design prowess has created an eclectic family home packed with quirkiness and sociable spaces
By Louise O'Bryan
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An upside-down floor plan turned this tiny commercial property into a bright and stylish home
A handful of big renovation risks paid off to create this stunning tiny home
By Ali Lovett
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This awkward room was turned into a luxurious family bathroom thanks to these clever layout tricks
Classic style in a practical space was key to the design this family bathroom
By Ali Lovett
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A black kitchen can still look light and spacious as this stunning open-plan space proves
A bright and welcoming family space was created by merging a kitchen and dining room
By Sean O'Connell
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'When you’re sat here, you wouldn’t want to be anywhere else in the world’
Inspired by a beautiful seaside location and the St Ives sunlight, Paul and Helen created a bright and airy kitchen that is brimming with coastal charm
By Holly Reaney
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This personality-packed home is instantly welcoming
Take a tour of this home filled with colour, character and brilliantly clever storage solutions
By Ginevra Benedetti
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This short-term rental became a forever home
What was intended as a temporary move became permanent when the owners fell for the charm of this 16th-century home
By Annabelle Grundy
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Secondhand eBay finds were the key to giving this living room an instant farmhouse style glow-up
Some smart secondhand buys have had a transformative power
By Laurie Davidson
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This Edwardian house renovation seamlessly mixes old and new to create a unique family home
It took 11 years, but this house has been turned into this families dream home at last
By Katie Sims
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This small cottage was totally transformed with smart decorating and space-saving tricks
A small home packed with style and character
By Ali Lovett
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The sensitive renovation of this Tudor house revealed exciting discoveries
Bringing this historic merchant's house back to life has uncovered its fascinating history
By Alice Roberton
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It took two hits to get just right, but the homeowner took plenty of time and did this house reno in two stages
Starting with a quick-fix makeover initially, this homeowner went all-out to create a statement home second time around
By Lisa Moses
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This bathroom has been given an elegant transformation inspired by a local National Trust house
Inspired by a local National Trust house and a hotel spa, this bathroom is a luxe take on arts and crafts style
By Karen Wilson
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Forget the decor, this living room got a serious storage makeover
Forget the decor, this living room got a serious storage makeover
By Laurie Davidson
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An unusual room layout meant this house was overlooked – until now
This family saw its untapped potential and created a beautiful home in this former gatehouse
By Sara Emslie
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Soothing neutrals, wood tones and greenery have put the heart and soul back into this rental flat’
An earthy palette of soothing neutrals, wood tones and charcoal details – plus a few interior design tricks – has infused warmth and cosiness into this East London new build
By Jane Crittenden
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'There's beauty in every corner' - take a tour of this colour-filled home
Abi Adie has created a colourful home that's full of brave choices, playful decorating techniques and lots of personality
By Alison Gibb
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This Kent family home uses a pastel palette to soften the modern new-build
How they added character to a contemporary space
By Katie Sims
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'Neutrals have a calming effect' – this light-filled farmhouse is a masterclass in how to use them to create a timeless haven
A palette of natural shades and displays of fresh flowers create a tranquil country retreat
By Naomi Jones
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Filling this neglected Edwardian cottage with dark colours, rich patterns and second-hand finds has given it back its character
These homeowners have brought personality back to their period home
By Lisa Moses