Innholdsfortegnelse for August 2025 i Ideal Home

After last year’s disappointing washout summer, there was one home project firmly at the top of my bucket list: a covered outdoor living space. I was so frustrated that I’d put so much hard work into the garden, and then I couldn’t get to enjoy it properly thanks to wet weather, that I wanted to take out an insurance policy against the Great British summer. I spent months stalking various spaces on social media, quietly drawing up plans for one of my own. Amazingly, we actually managed to get it done in time, albeit still a work in progress. “I've taken out an insurance policy against the Great British summer” Central to my plan was a new pergola (definitely an investment, but one I expect to pay off big time).…

FEELING FRUITY Update upholstery for summer with striped fabric in a juicy mix of colours, and pair with weather-worn floorboards and chalky painted panelling to add to the holiday vibe STYLE DIRECTION“Choose wide stripes to give ice cream shades a playful, contemporary feel, keeping the rest of the scheme plain and pared back"HEATHER YOUNG, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF SOFT SCOOP Blending gentle curves and organic silhouettes with soft mint, pink and vanilla tones creates a beautifully restful scheme. Use contrasting natural materials such as bouclé, stone and natural wood to add tactile interest to the mellow palette LAYER WITH TEXTURE Whether it’s a cool marble table, tactile bouclé chairs, a panelled wall or a headboard made from grained walnut, including a mix of natural textures in a sugary sweet ice cream palette will…

Make a slipcover Upgrade a wood or plain-upholstered headboard with a fitted cover. With calm, neutral walls and flooring, you can pick a busy pattern that lifts your spirits. Give it a twist… Make it French country-style in loose linen with side ties. Choose a storage star A storage headboard teamed with a divan bed is the ideal solution for a narrow bedroom where there’s little space for bedside tables. Drill holes for lamp cables so they’re hidden behind. Give it a twist… Paint the insides of the shelves in a contrasting colour. Paint a panel of bold colour Give your bed a bold backdrop with a painted faux headboard. For a formal, hotel-inspired effect, fix wall lamps in each top corner. Give it a twist… Paint a wide border…

1 STYLE AN AL FRESCO LOUNGE AREA Be inspired by Moroccan courtyards and dress your outdoor space with tasselled throws, ikat and kilim cushions and tufted rugs for an exotic vibe. A few pouffes, lanterns and plants add to the theme, and if you want some shade, string some fabric (or a linen sheet) overhead. 2 PAINT OLD FURNITURE Give your outdoor table and chairs a new lease of life with a lick of paint. This table has been painted an off-white, which works well with monochrome dinnerware and a burnt orange runner – but you could also go bold and bright to change it up entirely. PAINT CHEAT SHEET 3 Refresh exterior woodwork with Osmo’s sustainable range of tinted oils and waxes. You can even get them colour matched…

KITCHEN NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Rachel Grimmer, her husband and their three children. THE PROJECT To harmoniously link a traditional Grade II-listed farmhouse with a newly built kitchen housed in an adjoining outbuilding. TOTAL COST £50,000 Having lived with a small galley kitchen for years, when the chance came to upgrade, Rachel Grimmer knew she wanted to create something light-filled and spacious that would act as a hub for family and friends to spend time in. ‘Essentially, it had to have lots of places for sitting and hanging out,’ says Rachel. ‘I’ve got a big extended family and we like to socialise together as often as we can.’ She kept this in mind as she set about planning the new space, to be housed in an outbuilding that was linked…

Selling your home or want to get it valued? Turn to page 134 to find out what to TIDY for a great first impression; read how to file a CAR INSURANCE claim on page 135 so you’re prepared should the worst happen; learn how to start up a SAVINGS FUND for emergencies on page 136; and, if you’re still on the fence about SMART HOME TECH, our guide on page 138 will help; finally, follow page 139’s checklist to get your UTILITY ROOM tidy, once and for all.…

BEFORE YOU BUY ■ A lawnmower can make light work of the majority of your overgrown lawn, but a strimmer is handy for dealing with the awkward-to-reach areas. With this in mind, the ergonomics of the machine are important. Adjustable handles and angles can be helpful when strimming in tight spaces and can keep you in the correct posture while you work. ■ You need to consider the size of your outdoor space when purchasing a strimmer. The cutting width of a strimmer refers to the diameter of the cutting head – and the bigger the width, the more the machine can clear in one go. Typically, cutting width spans from 20cm to 35cm in standard models, with pro models reaching up to 42cm. In most cases, day-to-day use for…

“EarthKind products are handmade in Britain using energy from renewable sources, like solar and hydro power” Sweet dreams Looking to upgrade your bedding? EarthKind makes duvets and pillows with a difference. Its products are produced from 100% recycled feathers and down, sourced from bedding saved from landfill. Each duvet is made with fillings that are washed, treated and sterilised before being repackaged into cotton cases for a cosy and eco-conscious finish. This has led EarthKind to achieve the Zero Waste to Landfill certification, which verifies its commitment to diverting waste from landfill, so you can rest easy while sleeping sustainably. SUSTAINABLE SEATING Forest is known for its responsible approach to outdoor furniture, fencing and sheds – and the company’s latest collection of benches and love seats is no different. Not…

NEED TO KNOW Simple pleasures Eating outdoors or in your conservatory is one of life’s little luxuries, made all the more special when you’ve set the scene to share with family and friends. Keeping simplicity in mind, look out for garden furniture and tableware that has a crafted, organic feel. Graham and Green’s summer range is just right, using raw, natural materials and taking inspiration from the shapes, colours and patterns found in our own gardens. The etched Peony glasses, each in a different hue, will add joy to your table, while the petal-esque rim of the Evora tableware brings the romance. IH LOVES... Classic stripes Mary Berry at Home 12-piece dinner set in Green, £100, Next 'What to do this month... READ Who better to give decorating advice than…

Drenching is a tried and tested way to style your home and, so far in 2025, we’ve seen it all, from bold, saturated shades to delicate, pretty pastels and calming neutrals. But the latest spin on the trend offers a more pared-back approach. ‘Wood drenching, like colour drenching, sees wood used as the main material across walls, ceilings, floors and furniture to create a really cohesive and impactful look,’ explains Emma Deterding, founder and creative director at Kelling Designs. What’s more, immersing yourself, and your room, in natural materials is sure to create a grounded and peaceful feel. ‘Wood drenching evokes a warm ambience that introduces the beauty of nature indoors. It works particularly well in living rooms and bedrooms, where calm and comforting environments are key,’ confirms Rachal Hutcheson,…

MEET THE EXPERTS ALEX BRIDGMAN, CEO OF BRIDGMAN ‘Today’s space is less showroom, more curated sanctuary, with furniture that works for all seasons.’ RACHEL BINKS, IN-HOUSE STYLIST AT HILLARYS ‘With the right styling, a conservatory can go from simple sun room to year-round retreat that’s equally functional and fabulous.’ SELINA LAKE, AUTHOR AND INTERIOR/GARDEN STYLIST ‘My favourite use is as a classic dining room – there is something lovely about having a garden view.’ The conservatory today is no longer simply a place to sit on a sunny day (often with the blinds down as it’s too hot). With a fresh approach to practical design solutions and the need for a hardworking home, it can become so much more. Unsure where to start remodelling your conservatory? We asked a blinds…

1. NATURAL TEXTURES Coastal style doesn’t have to mean novelty ornaments and seaside clichés. Instead, evoke the ambience of the shoreline with rustic materials, such as jute, wood, rattan and bamboo. Even lining a wall with softly weathered boards can add that beach-side feel to your bathroom without being too literal. For light-wood wall panels, try Vox Motivo in Antique Wood, £68 for a pack of four, The Panel Company 2. PATTERNED TOWELS For subtle coastal motifs, a selection of printed towels is ideal. Seashells, waves and starfish, for example, will all evoke memories of the sea, while stripes are a common theme. Opt for different designs and tie them all together with the same colourway, such sea blue. Nautical towels, from £4 for a hand towel, George Home 3.…

HOME NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Lisa Brass, founder of Design Vintage, lives here with her daughter, Tilly, and Spanish waterdog, Marley, with grown-up sons, James and Barney, visiting regularly. THE PROPERTY A five-bedroom Georgian beach house in West Wittering, West Sussex. 1 “Find relaxed, sunny spots” ‘There is a variety of seating areas throughout the garden, each with its own feel. I recently added a covered lounge decking area in a peaceful corner that’s especially nice in the evening. With relaxed bamboo seating and ambient lighting, it’s perfect for a quiet drink and a slower pace as the day winds down.’ 2 “Exposed beams add interest” ‘This room was originally a dark yellow, with a plasterboard ceiling. Georgian houses often have high ceilings upstairs, whereas the ground floor is much…

HOME NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Charlie Simmonds and her fiancé, James Tomkins. THE PROJECT Modernising and reconfiguring the layout of a small, leaky bathroom in a four-bedroom Victorian terrace in south-west London. TOTAL COST £12,000 For first-time buyers Charlie Simmonds and her fiancé James, this terraced house in Tooting, where Charlie has lived for six years, was exactly the home they’d hoped for. ‘We were lucky as the previous owners had already converted the loft,’ says Charlie. ‘The house only needed light renovations rather than anything structural, and we made updating the leaky main bathroom our priority.’ This compact space on the first floor is just over one and a half metres wide and two metres long and was lined wall-to-ceiling with cracked dark brown tiles. ‘Light is a big…

For years the triangle layout, where your preparation, cooking and washing-up areas are laid out to form an imaginary triangle, has been the main method for designing a successful kitchen. However, there is now a new zoning technique taking the culinary space by storm. With four essential zones to consider within a modern kitchen, this fresh approach ensures that you have everything covered for a functional room that meets the needs of modern life. So what are the four zones? We asked the experts. 1 COOKING AREA This is the best place to start when planning a layout. First, think about the kind of oven you need and determine whether it’ll be placed on the floor, or built into cabinetry. Then think about what surrounds an oven. ‘Do you need…

Clever storage ideas are essential for a smooth-running home, including in the utility room. This room has two main uses: storage (for both the home and garden) and washing, usually clothes or outdoor equipment. ‘A well-designed utility room can be the secret weapon for any busy home,’ says Tori Summers, director of design and innovation at Howdens. ‘These spaces contain the clutter of our everyday life, and if they’re also an entry point to the main house, they act as a barrier between the outdoors and our inner sanctuary, keeping dirt and debris contained.’ However, you don’t want your utility room to become a dumping ground. There are many ways to keep everything you store there neat, tidy and accessible. Think about how you use the space, what you only…

Whether you’re struggling to keep your garden plants alive or heading off on holiday and worried you’ll come home to dry, crusty blooms, drip watering can help. This handy irrigation system for plants will make gardening easier than ever and even stop weeds from invading your garden. WHAT IS IT? Instead of watering your plants from above using a watering can or a sprinkler system, your plants are watered from ground level or lower using tubes that release drips of water directly onto the soil. Sean Lade, managing director at Easy Garden Irrigation, explains: ‘Drip watering – also called drip irrigation – is an incredibly efficient way to water plants by delivering the water directly to the roots through a network of pipes, valves, tubing and emitters. By targeting specific…

1 THROW YOUR WINDOWS OPEN FOR A MOOD BOOST Leaving the windows open while completing household chores is great for helping you revitalise. Fresh air can enhance your mood and mental clarity. And, of course, it does wonders for improving air quality and reducing mould and moisture problems in the home. 2 USE MIRRORS TO ENHANCE NATURAL LIGHT Looking for a quick way to add more light to your space? Try hanging a mirror. According to the NHS*, natural light can boost serotonin levels and encourage a positive mindset. 3 ATTRACT BUTTERFLIES TO THE GARDEN Make your garden welcoming for butterflies with a puddling pool, so they can feed on vital nutrients. Simply mix soil and water together in a shallow container and leave it in an area that gets…

YOU WILL NEED ● Old lightweight window boxes ● Alphabet stencil ● Marker pen ● Window box fixings ● Screws ● Rawl plugs ● Drill Start by labelling each box so you can see what the contents are in a flash. Mark out the word on each box clearly using a stencil (or draw freehand) with marker. Next, fix the box to the wall. Depending on the surface you’re fixing them to – a brick or shed wall – you may need to drill a hole and fix a rawl plug to ensure a strong hold. When secure, hang the box or basket from the wall and fill with your cleaning products and anything else you might need.…

Crispy fried Manchego salad SERVES 4READY IN 30 MINS ● 150g rocket ● 2 oranges (or blood oranges, when in season), segmented ● 250g Manchego cheese, cut into cubes ● 2tbsp plain flour ● 1 egg, beaten ● 100g panko breadcrumbs ● 300ml olive oil, for deep-frying ● 1tbsp honey ● 1tsp Dijon mustard ● juice of 1/2 lemon ● 3-4tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 Put the rocket and orange segments in a large serving bowl. 2 Dust the Manchego cubes in flour. Dip in the beaten egg, then coat all over in panko breadcrumbs. 3 Heat the olive oil in a small, deep pan to 170C (use an instant-read thermometer for an accurate reading). Fry the cubes of Manchego cheese a few at a time until golden and…

The Morning Live presenter, Strictly Come Dancing star and doctor lives in Glasgow with her husband Sandesh, and children Aarish and Ellora WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU FIRST WALK THROUGH THE DOOR? Take my shoes off on the porch, scream at the children to put their shoes in the shoe cupboard, give the dog a cuddle and go straight into the kitchen to put on the kettle. I tend to drink lukewarm water. In Ayurveda culture, the idea is that if you drink water at a similar temperature to you internally, it’s better for the gut. WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE TIME OF THE DAY AT HOME? The evening. Once the kids are in bed at 8.30pm, the kitchen’s clean and everything’s tidy. I always have a candle lit, and I…

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What the experts say... Designers and stylists share their views ‘Introducing sunny yellow to your garden walls will transform the space with an uplifting, vibrant and inviting feel. A quick and simple way to make an impact and add personality, you can turn even the most neglected corner into a joyful focal point.’ HELEN ASHMORE, HEAD OF DESIGN, LAURA ASHLEY ‘Sage green is a classic. It has an elegant silver-grey hue with an ageless feel. Used in the garden, it feels like it belongs and has been there forever, creating a seamless vista with the surroundings.’ CAROLINE THORNBOROUGH, DESIGN DIRECTOR, THORNDOWN PAINTS ‘Inject zesty appeal with vibrant citrus hues and pops of pink, juxtaposed against the abundant greens of plants and hedges. Feel the sunshine every day with vibrant ochre…

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Showers have been plenty of people’s favourite way to get clean fast for a while now. They also take up less space than a bath and use less water, making them even more practical. That said, there is a lot that can go wrong when designing your bathroom and installing a shower. Getting your shower controls in the right spot is key to a refreshing bathroom experience. But what should you consider when placing them? Here’s what the experts think. 1 NAIL YOUR LOCATION The ideal spot for your controls is just outside the direct stream of water, but within easy reach when you’re standing under it. ‘This means you won’t get wet when turning on the water and allows you to adjust the temperature before you get in,’ explains Shamila…

■ NURTURE CONTAINER PLANTS You should still be liquid-feeding plants in containers, but stop once they finish flowering and enter their dormant state. ‘Regularly water container plants, daily in hot weather, adding a liquid fertiliser such as tomato feed every other week to encourage healthy growth and flowering,’ advises Dobbies’ resident gardening expert and horticultural director Marcus Eyles. ‘Remove spent flowers to encourage more to grow.’ ■ LOOK AFTER YOUR LAWN Any lawn is a lot more likely to dry out as temperatures rise so keep an eye on how you’re mowing. ‘For a formal lawn, regular mowing is best, but reduce the cutting height in hot weather to stop it drying out,’ says Marcus. If the ground beneath the grass has dried out, spike it with a garden fork…

BEFORE YOU BUY ■ There are many different types of lawnmower, and deciding which one to go for will depends on the size and needs of your garden. A petrol lawnmower is a good choice for its powerful cutting ability and long lifespan. However, if you’re looking for one that’s almost as dynamic but doesn’t give off fumes, a mains powered electric mower might suit you better. For a more portable approach that doesn’t rely on extension leads or external sockets, you could consider a battery powered lawnmower – but the time you have to use it will be limited by how long its charge lasts. ■ Besides different types of power, you can also pick between a collection or a mulching lawnmower. A collection mower gathers the cuttings into…

Coming back to your home after a holiday away can be a tricky transition – especially if you left in chaos after last-minute packing and a frantic search for a missing passport. But plan ahead and you can make the return a little less of a bumpy landing. We asked experts – including the Ideal Home team – for the pre-holiday jobs and routines they put in place, from cleaning and organising to booking a grocery delivery, which help them keep their relaxed holiday vibe for as long as possible once they come home. 1 CLEAN THE HOUSE Doing the housework may not seem like the most fun holiday prep, but you’ll thank yourself for it when you return to a clean and gleaming home! ‘I clean my house from…

The phrase ‘life admin’ covers so many areas that it can be difficult to know where to start. And it can sometimes feel like staying on top of our to-do list is almost impossible. Certain times of the year intensify the problem – the transition to a new season, when suddenly finding an outfit to wear becomes even more of a challenge. Maybe there’s a change of family or personal routine, such as a new job or the kids going to school, which means the home organisation tips that were working for us just aren’t cutting it anymore. To help you get on top of things, we’ve asked experts in three key areas – life coaching and planning, wardrobe and styling, and cleaning and organisation – for their tips and…