Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2025 i Ideal Home

I’ve had quite a few friends ask me for advice on how to decorate their homes recently, and it’s made me realise that the worry about ‘getting it wrong’ is what’s stopping so many of us getting started. My message? There is no ‘right’ and ‘wrong’! What you love might be completely different to what makes me happy, but we wouldn’t all want to wear matching outfits, and the same thing is true of our homes. “We don’t wear matching outfits, and the same is true for our homes” We’re influenced by so many factors – places we’ve visited, the homes we grew up in, our reaction to different colours – and the fact that every home is completely unique is the thing I love most about my job. I…

PATTERN PLAY Forget the rule that says to stick to one bold pattern in a scheme. Instead, mix and match classic Indienne-inspired prints on upholstery, walls and the floor, using a bold red stripe on the sofa as a graphic contrast STYLE DIRECTION“Mix it up by upholstering contemporary chairs in traditional-style botanical fabric designs"HEATHER YOUNG, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF SIZING UP Create visual drama by going large with your pattern choice; an oversized, nature-inspired wall mural, with trailing organic motifs, will actually make your room feel larger, so it’s perfect for smaller spaces such as hallways SET THE SCENE If you don’t want all-over pattern, use a bold mural on a single wall, painting the other walls in a co-ordinating shade. Bring a sense of nature into a room with a watercolour-painted forest…

Conceal utility supplies Elevate budget cabinet carcasses with cottage-core pencil-pleat curtains hung on wire fixed to eyelet hooks or a slim, fixed rod. Choose washable cotton or, for a softer look, linen. Give it a twist… Hang it lower, so items you need to grab are accessible from the top shelves, but those below are hidden. Create a café curtain A sheer, half-height curtain is a simple way to boost privacy without blocking light or fresh air. French-style linen is classic; voile and nets are thinner and lighter, therefore better for sprung tension rods. Give it a twist… Curtain clips make them easier to remove and wash, especially if your rod is screwed in place. Screen off an alcove This idea is a great way to conceal a home office…

I'm great for adding ambience while you dine outside…

Team me up with a matching folding table, too…

HOME NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Arleana Pugh, along with husband Nicholas, and their nine-month-old daughter Gladys. THE PROJECT Reconfigure and update the main bathroom in a detached four-bedroom 1960s property in Shropshire. TOTAL COST £17,000 Looking at Arleana and Nicholas Pugh’s stylish bathroom, it’s hard to imagine it was ever unappealing. ‘It was honestly the ugliest bathroom I’ve ever seen,’ says Arleana. ‘It was your typical 1960s peach three-piece suite, with a green shag-pile carpet and a stained ceiling.’ The entire house required complete remodelling, so in addition to building a two-storey extension, Arleana and Nicholas also decided to reconfigure the bathroom. By removing a large cupboard housing the water tank (which was relocated to the attic), they gained space to create their dream bathroom. ‘We wanted it to be…

Boiling water taps are one of the most convenient fittings you’ll ever install in your kitchen, offering instant access to hot water at the turn of a handle. ‘With an instant hot tap, you only use the water you need,’ says Tom Burke, product development manager at House Of Rohl. ‘Unless you carefully measure the water you boil in a kettle, there is a natural tendency to overfill it, which is wasteful of water and energy.’ But not all boiling water taps are made the same – read on for the lowdown. 1 HOW DO THEY WORK? Operation varies between models, but most boiling water taps require a two-step process to dispense boiling water, such as pressing and turning a lever simultaneously, or holding a button down. With any boiling water…

We’ve all been there – turning out an entire cupboard just to find that missing pillowcase or hand towel. Disorganised storage can quickly become a shambles when things are thrown in haphazardly, or items are pulled out in a hurry. So when it comes to linen and towels, having a space to keep everything in one spot makes more sense. Ideally you need a place you can dedicate solely to linen, whether that’s a utility area, a few shelves, an underbed drawer or a cupboard. ‘An antique cupboard could make the perfect linen store,’ says Joanna Baumard, co-founder of Purlfrost. ‘To hide linens, try window film in a delicate design such as lace. The intricate detailing lends itself nicely to the setting.’ Once you’ve picked your area, it’s time organise…

There’s nothing worse than forking out for a load of new plants and seeing them die off because they’ve been placed in the wrong position. But how do you find out what the right place for each plant is? ‘Sun mapping helps in planning a garden by identifying the best spots for plants based on their sunlight needs,’ explains Mairi Devlin, head of garden and outdoor at B&Q. ‘For example, a tomato plant requires at least eight hours of sunlight a day, while hydrangeas tolerate partial shade and often benefit from morning sun with afternoon shade.’ ‘Sun mapping informs the gardener which plants are suitable for a given area by showing the amount of sun it receives throughout the day and, importantly, the seasons,’ advises garden designer Marlene Lento. Doing…

1 SNATCH AN HOUR OUTSIDE With the weather warming up, now’s your chance to absorb some vitamin D while catching a bit of quiet ‘me time’. Read a book or a magazine, browse your favourite online store, or simply close your eyes and daydream… 2 CLEAN UP BEFORE BED ‘Starting your day with a dirty kitchen is the worst,’ says our editor-in-chief Heather Young. ‘I’m being really strict with myself about making sure the washing up is done and the kitchen is tidy before I go to bed, to make the morning routine a little less painful!’ 3 REPOSITION YOUR DESK If you work from home, you may be doing it all wrong. ‘If you can, place your desk or workspace by an open window so that you have direct…

Mackerel niçoise salad SERVES 2 READY IN 35 MINS ● 4 mackerel fillets, skin on (about 150g each), pin-boned ● 1tbsp extra virgin olive oil ● 250g Jersey Royal (or Pink Fir) potatoes ● 2 large eggs ● 80g green beans, trimmed and halved ● 1 Little Gem lettuce, trimmed and leaves separated ● 1/4 radicchio, leaves separated and roughly torn ● 8 cherry tomatoes, halved ● 8 Kalamata olives, pitted FOR THE DRESSING ● 1/2tsp wholegrain mustard ● 1/2tsp Dijon mustard ● 2tsp baby capers ● 2tbsp white wine vinegar ● 4tbsp extra virgin olive oil ● 1tbsp flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped 1 Lay the mackerel fillets flesh side up on a tray, season with salt and pepper and trickle over the extra virgin olive oil. Place in the…

You’ll have heard of the expression ‘size doesn’t matter’ and while you may (or may not) agree when it refers to a house and the rooms within, a garden is a different beast altogether. Gardens by their very nature aren’t restricted by height – the sky above is literally their ceiling – so they should never feel confined by their square footage. With some clever planning, planting and framing, you can make a tiny plot serve a wide range of functions without feeling too crowded. To help you eke every inch out of your outdoor space, we’ve spoken to a wide range of garden experts who deal with décor, landscaping and gardening. They, along with our own Ideal Home experts, have helped us produce this brilliant booklet, which is packed…

Grow a living screen Looking to add a sense of privacy to your garden without disrupting the natural environment? Planting is the answer. ‘Hedging or trellis-climbing plants offer a greener, softer alternative to fencing that provides privacy while enhancing biodiversity,’ says Zoe Goff, product manager at Richard Burbidge. Be sure to regularly prune and mulch your plants to maintain their condition, and give seasonal trimming a go. This ensures a pretty approach to privacy that lasts year-round. Place a selection of potted plants in front of your fence panels to soften the hard border. SELECT YOUR STYLE ■ ‘Depending on the aesthetic of the garden, there are various types of screens or fences you can use,’ says Clair Albone, senior category manager of gardens at Wickes. For seamless style, timber…

IN THIS SECTION Learn how to DECORATE your small garden while making it look spacious; find out how best to ZONE different areas for different uses; get TIPS on how to add some SHADE to your space; discover the best DINING SETS for small gardens, and lots more... 1 CREATE A CLUTTER-FREE ZONE Comfort is key when hosting guests in your garden. But, if space is limited, some furnishings can make the area feel cramped. Use folding chairs to create a relaxed lounging area – perfect for entertaining – and complete the look with draped festoon lighting and a firepit. All these elements can be tidied away with ease after your guests leave, leaving the space feeling pristine. 2 STICK TO A COLOUR THEME When decorating your garden, carrying one…

NEED TO KNOW Summer lovin’ It’s that time of year when we start to invest in the garden and make space for relaxing and entertaining. If you’re in the market for new outdoor furniture for either lounging or dining, The Cotswold Company has some beautifully crafted collections that would look just as at home in a conservatory or an indoor dining room. The Aldsworth bench (shown here), would make the perfect spot to enjoy your morning coffee, but we’re also coveting the Winsley rattan dining set, for comfy long lunches, and the vintage-inspired Bayside deck chairs for catching some rays. IH LOVES... Petal silhouettes Scalloped coupe, £5; scalloped wine glass, £4, both Primark What to do this month... READ With 10 simple rules for small-space designs, interior designer Sofie Hepworth…

While stripes have long been a timeless motif, the rising influence of maximalist styles coupled with the recent trend for primary colours has transformed how we use them in the home. Whether you emulate the look through a ready-made wallpaper design, or opt to paint the walls yourself, imperfect and unique paint stripes are in. With this trend comes a fresh and playful energy – think bold colours, big brush strokes and a fluid sense of movement that turns a typically uniform pattern into an abstract feature. ‘A stripe is a classic pattern, but the imperfect nature of hand-painted stripes lends a modern twist,’ says Shelley Cochrane, accessories buyer at Furniture Village. ‘Bold paint stripes evoke a sense of dynamism and freshness at a time when people are seeking unique…

MEET THE EXPERTS TASH BRADLEY, LICK’S DIRECTOR OF INTERIOR DESIGN AND COLOUR PSYCHOLOGIST ‘Colour psychology helps people understand the emotional impact of colour, making them more assured in their selections.’ SOPHIE ROBINSON, INTERIOR DESIGNER, PRESENTER AND COLOUR LOVER ‘I love to see confidence with colour; someone who’s really gone for it with conviction.’ SARAH O’SULLIVAN, LEAD DESIGNER AT JOHN LEWIS ‘The best interiors reflect the people who live in them, and colour is one of the most joyful ways to express that.’ Our love affair with colour seems to be showing no sign of ending – in fact, it’s getting stronger as we find ourselves ditching cool greys for warmer tones, drenching our rooms in colour from top to bottom, and adding flashes of ‘accent’ shades. But what if your…

1 ORGANISE YOUR HALLWAY Often a dumping ground for coats, keys and shoes, your hallway can do with a little tidy up now and then. Spend a bit of time making sure less sightly items are hidden away, and that the space is as attractive and fragrant as it is functional with a vase of flowers, scent diffuser or incense sticks. 2 SET A SPRING TABLE Is there anything more pretty than a table set with vases of fresh flowers and a colourful floral tablecloth? Choose your colour palette first, then lay crockery in equally colourful patterns – stripes and spots always work well when teamed with florals. FABRIC CHEAT SHEET 3 Add a trim around the base of an armchair to give it a new look in minutes! Just use…

HOME NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Donya Briggs, who works in channel sales, lives here with husband Chris, a firefighter and their children, Jude, nine, Beatrice, four and Jesse, two. THE PROPERTY A seven-bedroom Victorian house, built in 1890, in Newton Abbot. It was bought by the couple in 2019. With three young children, Donya needed more space for her family and started to look for a larger property. She wanted a home in a rural setting but still close to the local town. WHAT DREW YOU TO THIS PROPERTY? ‘We viewed over a dozen properties in South Devon; however, this one completely surprised us. We fell in love with the grand proportions and beautiful period features. It’s situated in a conservation area overlooking woodlands – the peaceful setting was exactly…

Just because your bathroom is a little tight on space, you shouldn’t have to forgo the feeling of luxury you’d get from a more spacious interior. ‘With some clever planning and smart design decisions, a small bathroom can feel spacious and offer everything your household needs,’ says Jonathan Phillips, category lead for plumbing and heating at MKM. We’ve asked several bathroom experts for their failsafe tips on how to eke out the most space in a small bathroom. Here’s what they shared… 1 INCORPORATE A WALL-MOUNTED LOO AND BASIN ‘One of the easiest ways you can create the feeling of extra space in your bathroom is to raise the furniture off the floor,’ says Lucy Henderson, head designer at My Bespoke Room. ‘Choose a wall-mounted sink and loo to create the…

■ SNIP OFF & SPRAY YOUR ROSES June is the perfect time to deadhead roses. This is a quick and easy job, which stimulates the growth of new blooms and extends the flowering season. Make sure you snip the old flower off at the base of the bloom – this will encourage the plant to send new shoots from the leaves near the top of the bush, producing smaller flowers. Don’t forget to spray your roses, too, to ensure they remain healthy throughout the drier months. ■ PROTECT RIPENING FRUIT Birds and other species will be seeking out fruit and seeds to snack on, so protect your produce. Mesh netting is a great non-chemical solution to deter pests and allow your fruit to ripen. But remember to wait until the…

Planning your garden with fragrance adds an extra dimension – in daytime, as you brush past aromatic foliage, and as darkness falls, when heady perfumes scent the air. Whatever the size of your outdoor space, adding fragrant plants will have a positive effect on your well-being. Pleasant scents can improve our mood and help our well-being. A recent scientific study published on Sciencedirect.com* found that of all five senses, smell has the power to improve brain function. When we inhale, aroma molecules trigger a response from the most evolutionary ancient part of the brain, the hippocampus. This is the part that stores all our memories and emotional responses to stimulation. DECIDE WHAT YOU WANT ‘Do you want a calming or stimulating space? Or both?’ says Mark Emery, training and education…

“B Corps are reassessed every three years to retain their certification” White goes green We’ve long been fans of The White Company – no brand comes close to creating a look that combines timeless style with modern living. So we were delighted to discover that it has been a certified B Corp for over a year now, meaning it goes that extra step to ensure high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency. To achieve B Corp certification, companies are assessed on a wide selection of criteria, spanning from the effects on communities and biodiversity, to ethical marketing and data security. SUSTAINABILITY ON THE VERTICAL While many wallpaper brands make their designs using sustainably sourced material, genuine eco-friendly wallpaper is thin on the ground. Thankfully, Scandinavian wallpaper brand…

BEFORE YOU BUY ■ There are two types of ice cream makers available. There are self-freeze compressor models, which freeze the contents while churning the mix. Then there are those that you need to pre-freeze for between 12 and 24 hours, either the bowl or the bowl and contents. As the former need to house a compressor and motor, they tend to be larger in size, while the latter require you to plan ahead. ■ Prices vary hugely, from around the £50 mark for a basic model to large all-in-one appliances that cost several hundred. Deciding which to plump for often comes down to how much you’ll use it. Consider whether you’re happy to plan ahead or keep a bowl in your freezer. Also, think about how much storage space…

IN THIS SECTION Find out how to ADD HEIGHT to your small plot with a pergola; discover the different ways you can add extra PRIVACY to your garden; read about the types of DECKING you can install; discover how a PAVED PATIO can transform your outdoor space, and much more... 1 ZONE A NARROW GARDEN While it can be difficult to create a sense of structure in a small outdoor space, sectioning a slim lawn into zones is a great way to add visual interest and depth. For a pretty yet practical approach, try making a raised seating nook that protrudes onto the grass. Or add depth by splitting up the lawn with paved stepping stones. 2 ADD HEIGHT WITH A PERGOLA Small gardens benefit from added height to open…

IN THIS SECTION Read our expert advice on GROWING YOUR OWN in a small space; discover skills like REWILDING and vertical gardening; find out how to make the most of your OUTDOOR space; check out the best raised PLANTERS, and much more... 1 REWILD AN AREA IN THE GARDEN If you’d like your garden to start taking care of itself, it’s time to try rewilding – a process that restores natural habitats so that wildlife can thrive. Let nature take over a small area and hold off from cutting grass or tidying the plants. The result is a self-sustaining, diverse and eye-catching area where you can enjoy the buzz of nature. 2 GROW PLANTS IN RAISED BEDS In a small garden, giving your plants the love they deserve can be…

I’m made of UK seaweed, that’s been pressed and turned into a pretty print…

What the experts say... Designers and stylists share their views ‘The tone of cinnamon can shift depending on the type of light in the room, so it’s important to test the colour in different lighting to ensure it enhances the space the way you want it to.’ FRANCESCA WEZEL, FOUNDER, FRANCESCA’S PAINTS ‘Cinnamon browns fit with most colour palettes, but particularly neutral ones. The timeless colour brings a warming appeal that grounds the space and adds a sense of calm and sophistication. Darker tones exude feelings of relaxation and can create a cocooning effect, whereas lighter tones open up a space, creating a welcoming atmosphere.’ BAILEY OATES, COLOUR EXPERT, EARTHBORN ‘The depth and richness of earthy shades continue to dominate our palettes, with gentle mid-browns taking centre stage. Think golden…

Hard flooring comes in a wide range of materials and finishes, which affect how it looks and feels underfoot. There’s also a huge choice in colour and pattern, so you can go bold and bright or more subtle and natural when it comes to design. Some materials tend to work better in certain rooms, while others are suitable for all spaces – especially if they have water-resistant properties. In short, the choices are vast, so it pays to be clued up on each option before you take the plunge. We’ve listed the pros and cons of the main types to help you decide. IN ASSOCIATION WITH 1 BEST FOR LIVING SPACES SOLID WOOD Solid timber flooring is a classic choice, offering a timeless look that suits both traditional and modern…

1. SELECT A SINK Having running water so you can rinse fruit and veg or wash your hands means you won’t have to keep going back and forth inside. When it comes to the sink, choose a durable option, such as stainless steel, which can withstand all weathers and, if possible, locate it on an outside wall so plumbing can be routed to it. The shelves shown here come without a sink, but are ready to simply be fitted to a tap for outdoor use. 2. HAVE HERBS TO HAND Keeping bits you’ll use to cook with close by is key to a well-functioning outdoor kitchen, especially for items such as herbs, rubs and spices. Use an outdoor wall or fence to hold a small shelving unit or hanging planters,…

KITCHEN NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Hannah and Matthew Cowie live here with their son, Cooper, who is 2. THE PROJECT Create a spacious open plan kitchen-diner with a storage island and doors to the garden plus utility room and toilet TOTAL COST £95,000 Hannah and Matthew moved into their house in November 2019, just a few months before the pandemic began. Hannah says the house was ‘grimy and falling apart’ with ‘holes in the walls, white mould under the peeling wallpaper and incorrectly placed plumbing’ – the downstairs toilet waste emptied into the rainwater drainage system. The layout was a typical 1930s one – a galley kitchen and separate dining room – with a small, plastic-roofed lean-to conservatory tacked on. The couple couldn’t afford a refurbished house of this size…

If you want to boost your home’s usable square meterage, using the space underneath the roof is a great way to do it – and dormer windows could make a compact conversion feasible. In its simplest terms, a dormer window is a vertical window that projects from the slope of a roof, and has its own roof. This type of window can be used to bring light into a converted loft – while a rooflight could do the same, the benefit of a dormer is that it creates additional headroom and boosts the usable floor area of a room in the roof. There are different types of dormer window, and the variations mostly come down to the shape of the dormer’s roof. The most common is the gable-fronted dormer window,…

Now’s the time to get some seasonal MAINTENANCE done on your home – page 136 has all the jobs you can tackle now; discover ways to SOUNDPROOF your garden for a peaceful summer on page 137; if you’re a first time buyer, find out how to SAVE FOR A HOUSE on page 138; turn to page 139 to expand the functionalities of your VOICE ASSISTANTS at home; and page 141 might just inspire you to bring some ORDER to your linen cupboard...…

More homes than not own a voice assistant now – it could be on a smart speaker or a smartphone, a TV or even a coffee machine. But how much these assistants are used varies wildly. Most people probably won’t go further than asking for the weather forecast or setting timers. Others might have adopted them into a smart home ecosystem, controlling lighting, cameras and thermostats throughout their homes. But each voice assistant has a wide range of additional functionality – here are just a few tricks that the main three (Google, Alexa and Siri) can do that you can try out at home… Amazon’s Alexa The oh-so handy Birthday Tracker function makes Alexa the ultimate organisational tool. Add details with ‘Alexa, ask birthday tracker to add Emma’s birthday’. Then…

BEFORE YOU BUY ■ Pizza ovens are generally wood-fired, gas or electric. Wood-fired models will give your pizza that signature smoky flavour, but like charcoal barbecues, there is a certain amount of prep and skill involved in getting a wood-fired oven going. If convenience is more your bag, gas or electric are quicker to light and less faff. You need to get the temperature of your oven to peak somewhere between 400 and 500C, and the better your oven maintains this temperature, the more pizzas you can produce from one ‘firing’. ■ As a rule, a wood-fired oven is the most affordable option and, as a fuel, wood is cheaper than gas. However, electric ovens – more fuel-efficient again – also have the convenience of being operable indoors and out,…

YOU WILL NEED ● An old pallet ● Claw hammer ● Cup hooks ● S-hooks Give an old pallet a new lease of life by hanging it on your garden wall or fence. Remove a few panel sections using a claw hammer to create handy shelves. Fill your new storage unit with helpful tools and gardening essentials that you might need close to hand. Screwing in cup hooks and adding S-hooks will give you even more storage opportunities for garden bits and bobs. Don’t forget to include a few decorative elements to ensure it looks good while proving its practicality.…

The former tennis pro, Strictly star and mum-of-three lives in Surrey. This autumn, she sets off on a theatre tour to share moments from her career WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU FIRST WALK THROUGH YOUR DOOR? I take off my coat and make a cup of tea. If it’s late, I make my hot water bottle. I do this pretty much every night, other than in the summer, when it’s hot. It’s comforting. I can’t really sleep without it. WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE TIME OF THE DAY AT HOME? When I’ve had a good day, it’s not too late, and it’s tea and cake time. I like that period of time before cooking dinner when I relax by reading or I might catch up on a few emails. WHERE’S YOUR…

GO FOR DECKING ■ Decking is a low-maintenance and functional way to extend your outdoor living space. Even if you have a small garden, a compact deck can provide a dedicated space for dining or lounging. CHOOSE MATERIALS ■ Wood decking is a popular choice, but it absorbs moisture, whereas a composite finish is more durable. However, wood is easier to repair. ‘The durability of a good quality hardwood that’s had a good-quality preservative applied every two years, compared to the durability of composite decking, is similar,’ says Gareth Gazey of Gazey Architects. CONSIDER FUNCTION ■ Decking is a multifunctional landscaping option, so consider what you want your decking to achieve. For example, will it be used to create zones in the garden or to level out uneven ground? Walking…

GROW YOUR OWN ■ ‘Vegetables can be grown in all sizes of garden – including patios and balconies – especially now there are many varieties available for smaller garden spaces,’ says Morris Hankinson, director of Hopes Grove Nurseries. ‘Grow what you enjoy rather than just trying to grow anything – this means you will be using your space to grow vegetables that you will actually use when harvested.’ THINK VERTICALLY ■ ‘Where space is limited, many vegetables can be grown up a trellis, such as squash and beans, plus fruit such as tomatoes, cucumbers and melons,’ says Morris. PICK A VARIETY ■ ‘Salads, herbs, carrots, potatoes, kale... there is so much that can be grown in containers,’ says Morris. ‘So there’s no need to feel limited if you have a…

PICK A LOCATION ■ When deciding where to place your outdoor dining area, think about how many people are likely to use the space both on a daily basis, and during larger social events. This should help you determine where will make the most practical location. BE INSPIRED BY NATURE ■ ‘The surroundings of your garden are the perfect backdrop,’ says Reilly Gray, co-founder of Suns Lifestyle. So let this inspire your decor choices and pick tableware that works in harmony with your garden. MAKE IT COUNT ■ When hosting, prepare for a stress-free evening. ‘For a seamless experience, focus on convenience, comfort and ambience,’ advises Sam Stevens, garden design expert at Pergolux UK. Set the scene with cosy lighting and seating to help guests feel settled, and prepare drinks…