Indholdsfortegnelse for February 2025 i Ideal Home

I’m suddenly super impatient to get going on some decorating projects after a marked drop in my motivation levels towards the end of last year. There’s plenty on my list, from snagging jobs to full room makeovers, but before I’m allowing myself to focus on these, there’s something critical I really need to tackle first. Clutter. Seriously, how does it accumulate so quickly?! I yearn for clear, organised spaces, but sometimes it feels like I’m chasing an impossible dream. “ Sometimes a clutter-free home feels like chasing an impossible dream ” My husband’s answer to having a good sort out is to chuck stuff up in the loft (‘out of sight, out of mind’ is his approach), but that’s now bursting at the seams and we need to schedule time…

While classic grey sofas have been the mainstay of the high street for the last few years, the influence of the recent dopamine decorating trend is undeniable as bold stripes are taking over. Look in the major high street stores and you’ll see striped upholstery everywhere: sofas at John Lewis, armchairs at Dunelm and a raft of upholstered designs at Made and Sofa.com. ‘Striped upholstery has surged in popularity due to its versatility and timeless appeal,’ says Alex Stubbs, interior stylist at Flitch. ‘Its ability to fit seamlessly into various design styles, from classic to contemporary, makes it a favoured choice for homeowners looking to add both visual interest and a sense of order to their living spaces.’ As micro trends go, this is one of the easier ones to…

Kitchen Inject colour alongside practicality for character WHERE TO BUY Hallway Make a neat and tidy first impression WHERE TO BUY Living room Include decorative details, tactile materials and welcoming colours WHERE TO BUY Bathroom Pick luxe materials and clever design WHERE TO BUY Bedroom Choose practical but pretty pieces with cosy finishes WHERE TO BUY…

1 EXPERIMENT WITH NEW PLANTS Bring some new houseplants into your home, whether it’s a leafy monstera, some trailing hanging varieties or a terrarium or two. Play around with different types, sizes and styles, and bring a lush feel to your rooms this season. 2 PAINT A SQUIGGLE BORDER We’ve seen curves, waves, scallops and squiggles take hold of homeware in a big way, so why not transfer those patterns onto your walls? Paint a fun freehand squiggle line in place of a border, picture rail or even around a door or window frame to add a playful touch to any room. PAINT CHEAT SHEET 3 Upgrade your exterior with a house sign – Yester Home has a great selection in slate, enamel, wood, granite or solid cast metal or…

HOME NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Derya Berber, a full-time mum, her husband, Reshid, a surgeon, sons Kerem, 10, and Erdem, seven, and cats Skip and Wotsit. THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom, three-bathroom, three-storey semi-detached Edwardian house in Nottingham, which they moved into in December 2020. THE LAYOUT Stepping through the front door and porch into the large entrance hall, the living room is on the left at the front of the house, with the kitchen/breakfast room and dining area to the rear. The downstairs loo and utility room are adjacent to the kitchen. Upstairs is the family bathroom, and the boys’ bedrooms at the back of the house. One of them has an en suite; the main bedroom is at the front. On the second floor there is a large guest…

BEFORE YOU BUY ■ Multi-cookers combine the abilities of different appliances, such as a slow cooker or a rice cooker, into one do-it-all unit. Their functions include (but are not limited to) slow cooking, air frying, pressure cooking, sautéing, roasting, grilling, baking, dehydrating, reheating, toasting, cooking rice and making yogurt. ■ Models that feature both pressure cooking and air frying functionality will allow you to roast meat and veggies to perfection (by pressure cooking them first, then air frying for a crispy finish). ■ As they can do so much, the scope of their functionality is led by you. After buying, take the time to read the instructions thoroughly and check on the brand’s website to see if it offers any step-by-step recipes to follow. The more you familiarise yourself…

Compared to a living room or bedroom, a bathroom is one of the more expensive rooms in the home to revamp, not least because they require more specialists such as plumbers and tilers to get the job done. We asked a team of experts for their top tips on coming in (or under) budget. 1 CHOOSE SECOND-HAND There’s no shame in making use of other people’s unwanted bathroom fittings when renovating. In fact, it’s kinder for the planet, as well as being a brilliant budget bathroom idea. Tanya Steinhauser, co-creative director at Festival Of Thrift recommends looking on local selling sites, where you’ll often get items offered for free and don’t have to add in the cost of delivery or collection. 2 SHOP THE SALES With so much competition in…

Clearing out your home can give you some much-needed space. But rather than ditching unwanted furniture at the tip, why not turn it into an extra bit of income? Whether it’s in tip-top condition or needs someone to work their upcycling magic, you can always guarantee that someone out there will pay for your unused furniture if you know what you’re doing. Prepare your furniture for selling While buyers can give or take chipped paint or a wobbly table (as long as you were honest about these features in the first place), they won’t appreciate second-hand furniture that’s covered in dust or mould or missing a door. So, it’s important to prepare your second-hand furniture for selling before you really get started. Margaret Larson from Sustainable Furniture explains, ‘It is…

Many believe gardens to be dull, barren spaces during the winter, devoid of colour and greenery, with a pallid palette that matches the weather. But there are plenty of ways to bring life and colour to your outdoor space – you just need to know how. YOU WILL NEED ■ Iris ‘Frozen Planet’, £7.99 for 20, Crocus ■ Azalea ‘Dwarf Lilac’, £12.99 for a H12cm plant, Thompson & Morgan ■ Prunus subhirtella autumnalis ‘Rosea’ cherry blossom, £239.99 for a tree in a 25ltr pot, Hopes Grove Nurseries ADD WINTER-FLOWERING NATIVES ‘The first way to add colour to a drab and dreary winter garden is to plant some colourful winter flowers,’ says Craig Wilson, co-founder, director and in-house gardening expert at Gardener’s Dream. ‘These plants can withstand colder temperatures…

STYLE STATEMENT Timeless pattern While some wallpaper trends don’t last, there are designs that have such classic appeal that they look as relevant in homes today as they did when first launched. Lemieux Et Cie is a curated collection by designer Christiane Lemieux, inspired by historical wallpaper remnants from all over the world. Available from Beautiful Walls, the standout designs for us are the watercolour-effect maze-inspired Painterly Labyrinth (shown here) in an inky navy, and Zora Waves, a stylised take on ocean waves. IH LOVES... Natural lamps Mason medium wooden lamp in Nut Brown, £369, Neptune What to do this month... LISTEN We know that midlife can be a transformative time, but hearing Davina McCall chat with her celeb and expert guests makes you realise you’re not alone in facing…

What the experts say... Designers and stylists share their views ‘Yellow reacts with light to bring warmth and positivity. Pair it with greens, creams and whites to evoke a fresh, outdoors feel or go for a bold colour clash of brights with other primary reds and blues.’ SOPHIE SMITH, FOUNDER, ZHOOSH PAINTS ‘Using multiple shades of warm yellows in a double drenching approach will create a layered look that provides an interesting base. It allows for the introduction of additional pops of colour with furnishings, accessories or painted furniture.’ RUTH MOTTERSHEAD, CREATIVE DIRECTOR, LITTLE GREENE ‘Yellow surroundings, research tells us, boost serotonin levels and provide a sense of excitement and wellbeing. Paint your own yellow canvas to hang in a hallway to recreate this sunny aesthetic.’ LUCY STEELE, PAINT AND…

MEET THE EXPERTS JEN NASH, HEAD OF DESIGN AT MAGNET ‘It’s great to see trend colours and designs becoming more accessible thanks to lower price points.’ ROSALIND LANG, SALES DESIGNER AT TOM HOWLEY’S CHELTENHAM SHOWROOM ‘Compared with 2024, there’s a stronger focus on sustainability, craftsmanship and longevity in kitchens.’ DEBRA HUTT, SPOKESPERSON AT WREN KITCHENS ‘As we move into 2025, I’m excited about those wow elements that can really make a kitchen special.’ Looking to upgrade your kitchen this year but in need of a little direction? Your kitchen can say so much about you and your home, but kitchen planning can seem daunting, especially with so many new and exciting developments. We asked three kitchen experts to share insider secrets and style predictions for our kitchens into 2025 and…

FRAGRANT FAVE Forest diffuser, £38, Piglet in Bed BOLD FRAME Lomax round mirror, £168, Sanctuary Bathrooms HIGH RISER Dove matt Black high rise mixer tap, £119.99, Bathroom Mountain QUICK DRY Crossmore Black towel radiator, £249, UK Radiators STORAGE SAVIOUR Natural slouchy basket, £55, Braided Rug Company GREEN GODDESS Artificial string of pearls plant, £60, Sweetpea & Willow TOP TUB MPRO Grande freestanding bath, from £2,499, Crosswater SLEEK SHAPE GoodHome Levanna tall matt Black mixer tap, £95, B&Q STATEMENT PIECE Black round mirror, £40, B&M SEASONAL SCENT Fallen acorn diffuser, £16, Habitat x Morris & Co. COMPACT SIZE Seagrass basket, £18, Cotswold Company FAB FOLIAGE Artificial hanging plant, £12.99, Homesense HOT TOUCH Flomasta Black towel radiator, £52.99, Screwfix SUPER SOAKER Note double-ended freestanding bath, from £1,600, Roper Rhodes…

HOME NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Laura Barfield, a freelance fashion and interior designer, lives here with her husband, Dan, and sons Oakley, five, and Marlowe, two. THE PROPERTY A three-bedroom, late Victorian end-of-terrace house in Surrey. THE LAYOUT A narrow entrance hall leads straight into the open-plan area, home to the snug and kitchen, plus utility room. A door to the immediate right takes you into the living room and a staircase further along the corridor leads to the upstairs bathroom and bedrooms, across two floors. From the kitchen, double doors lead into the conservatory (with dining area) and garden. When Laura and Dan had their first child, they decided to swap big city life for something more peaceful. Top of their wish list were a commutable area with good…

A renovation project has so many moving parts that getting all your proverbial ducks in a row before you start work can ensure the whole process runs as smoothly as possible. With a little forward planning and a degree of knowledge about how your kind of project runs, you should easily be able to avoid any issues, and finish on time and on budget. 1 CHECK THE NEED FOR PLANNING PERMISSION The very first thing you need to consider when planning an extension is whether or not you are going to need planning permission for it – if you fail to check this right at the start of the project you could run into all kinds of issues before building work even gets underway. While many extensions can be built…

BEFORE YOU BUY ■ A higher wattage doesn’t necessarily make a blender better. The build of the machine, from the jug to the blade design, can make a big difference to its performance. The majority of modern jug blenders have four blades, sometimes with additional mini blades nestled around the stack. They’re usually angled too, which helps them whip up pieces from the bottom of the jug, creating a vortex to drag blender contents down from the top. ■ Basic models tend to have just a few speeds while more feature-packed blenders will have several. All will probably feature a pulse option for quick bursts of speed. Depending on the model, you may find programmes for blitzing soup, crushing ice or making frozen desserts. Some even have dedicated cleaning programmes…

Discover the CHEAPEST time to run your washing machine on page 142, as well how to CLEAN your sofa bed on page 143; read all about the fees involved in MOVING HOME on page 144; then turn to page 145 for all the advice you need to give a small bedroom a DECLUTTER; skip to page 149 for the LOWDOWN on how to sell your stuff online; and finally flip back to page 147 for the latest tech to help improve your AIR QUALITY at home...…

Small sleeping spaces are not unusual but there are plenty of ways to make the most of them. And knowing how best to organise a small bedroom can really make the difference. We’ve consulted a number of experts to find out their top tips, from how to store stuff to choosing furniture that will maximise a tiny space. Jenny Wilkins, founder of Rejig Organising and member of the Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers (APDO), says, ‘Organising a small room can be challenging, but with a few clever strategies, you can create a functional and tidy environment.’ Keep clutter to a minimum When you have a small bedroom on your hands, the worst thing you can do is overwhelm it with stuff – you’ll end up with a cluttered-looking space…

■ PREPARE YOUR POTS First, gather together all your containers and pots and assess them. Recycle any that have split due to frost or suffered other damage. Broken terracotta and ceramics can be recycled as crocks. Then give all your pots a brush and wash down, using a mild solution of warm water and washing-up liquid, adding a capful of household bleach to kill germs. ■ PLANT UP A COLOURFUL WINTER CONTAINER Use a winter container to add colour to your outdoor space. Gardener Sarah Raven loves to plant a perennial wallflower, Erysimum Winter Orchid, in February. ‘It’s renowned for flowering from spring right through the summer and it’s often one of the first plants to come into full bloom,’ she says. The scented flowers emerge as a coppery orange,…

“‘Slow offers a reupholstery service (not just for its own products) which is run out of its workshops in Yorkshire” Slow & steady wins the race New sofa company Slow aims to create sustainable furniture with a timeless appeal using a zero-waste approach. Each piece is built using non-toxic materials, with FSC beech frames and fillings of natural latex over chemically treated foam. There are seven styles to choose from, in a variety of sizes and fabrics, in over 70 colourways. Prices start from £1,600 for an armchair and £1,950 for a two-seater sofa. GOODS THAT DO GOOD Launched by Liz Warner, former CEO of Comic Relief, Different Kind sources products created by ethical producers and independent artisans from all over the world. Focused on gifting, the site offers beautiful…

Word on the street is that spa bathrooms are set to be one of the biggest interiors trends this year, no doubt driven by our ever-increasing understanding of how big a part our homes play in how we feel. Our drive to optimise our spaces to boost our sense of wellbeing is moving into the bathroom, with a desire to create a space from which we can escape the stresses of day-to-day life. If you popped over to my house, I definitely don’t think anyone would describe my bathroom as a ‘spa-style’ retreat. While there’s nothing majorly wrong with it (hence it being very low on our renovation to-do list), it’s pretty functional, and isn’t going to set the world alight when it comes to bathroom design! It’s a pretty…

Clutter around your home may add character, but it can also have a negative effect on your mental health. Having a mindful approach to decluttering will help turn an overwhelming task into a self-care ritual. A great way to start tackling the overflow of ‘stuff’ is with a checklist, but adopting an intentional mindset will help you let a lot more of the clutter go. ‘It’s one thing to want a minimal and tidy home, it’s another thing to feel emotionally able to create it,’ explains mindfulness coach Kate Greenslade (onlinemindfulnesscoach.com). ‘Because our feelings influence our behaviour, emotions can get in the way of having a “good clear out”. It might feel uncomfortable to throw away things we’ve had for years.’ Start by getting into the right headspace. ‘Mindfulness is…

STYLE DIRECTION“Add depth to a scheme with stripes and florals on vases, cushions and rugs alongside geometric patterns"HEATHER YOUNG, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF FOCAL POINT A woven block-patterned fabric in a bold colourway makes a feature of a window. With such a strong graphic pattern, avoid extra fussy details – a simple Roman blind shows off the design perfectly GO FOR BOLD Use a bright checked wallpaper on one wall for a fun feature that brings vibrancy to a neutral dining room – keep the rest of the décor pared back MAKE IT MODERN Checks are not just for traditional homes; choose fabric, wallpaper and tiles with bold, large-scaled check designs for a wonderfully modern feel. Also consider the style of check; gingham, with its varying tones of one colour, has a soft…

Design a feature wall A ledge creates a dado-like divide – and the opportunity to use different colours. A trio of complementary shades turns panelling from a basic backdrop into the main design event in a room. Give it a twist… Use tones of one shade for an ombre effect graduating from dark to light up the wall. Get airy stairs with slats Replace traditional stair panels with vertical battens for a contemporary feature that allows light to move through the house. Matching stair treads keeps the look cohesive. Give it a twist… Swap this dark and dramatic look for a cheerful rainbow of colour across the slats. Create a panel gallery Adding verticals to horizontal panelling creates frames along the wall. Perfect for showcasing a bold wallpaper, framed photos…

1. COLOUR PALETTE Boho style is all about having free rein to choose your own colour scheme. However, some colours naturally work well with this relaxed style. Sunset yellows and pinks, Moroccan brights and nature-inspired shades all lend themselves to this very individual aesthetic. For a similar wall colour, try Pink 04, £45 for 2.5ltr, Lick 2. NATURAL MATERIALS One of the most important elements of boho style is the natural materials it champions. Whether it’s furniture or accessories, opt for pieces in wood and wicker, cane, rattan and stone, all in a rustic or textured style. Woven baskets, cowhide rugs, leather footstools and matte ceramics will all help complement the look. For similar woven baskets and vase, try La Redoute 3. TACTILE ACCESSORIES Bohemian design was originally inspired by…

I f you’re thinking about buying fitted wardrobes, the first consideration is usually the cost because, compared to freestanding designs, they’re almost always more expensive as they will be custom built. Also, pricing can be vague – you can get a ballpark figure, but it isn’t until the designers have your requirements and room dimensions that they can tailor (and price) your ideal wardrobe set-up. Despite the extra cost, there are plenty of benefits to having a fitted wardrobe. ‘From maximising every inch of space, customisation for the most efficient storage solutions and seamless integration into the rest of your bedroom design, high-quality fitted wardrobes are worth every penny,’ says Josie Medved, design manager at Symphony. ‘They can also increase the value of your property, as they are built to…

HOME NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Karen Clough lives here with her husband Joe and their children, Luna and Iris, and Pebbles the cat. THE PROJECT To convert a spare bedroom on the first floor to create a generous-sized en-suite bathroom leading off the main bedroom. TOTAL COST £4,000 “We now have our very own GROWN-UP SANCTUARY that has lots of LUXURY elements” After a long day, Karen and Joe Clough longed for a space to unwind in. They decided to play with their home’s layout to create an en-suite bathroom leading off from their main bedroom. The previous owners of their five-bed property had altered the house in the 1990s and on the first floor there was a separate living space with its own kitchen and lounge. ‘When we bought…

When puzzling over how to design a kitchen with narrow proportions, it’s easy to focus all your attention on the practicalities. But while plotting ample storage and an ergonomic flow between cooker, sink and prep areas is important, it’s often those space-boosting design tweaks that lead to the most successful small kitchens. ‘I often recommend creating a focal point at the end of the room, perhaps with a small table, shallow display unit or a piece of statement artwork. This can work to bring the look together and distract unwanted attention away from any spatial restrictions,’ says Kasia Piorko, founder of Kate Feather. 1 USE NARROW-DEPTH CABINETS In seriously narrow kitchens, a double galley layout using full-depth units on both sides will leave the middle walkway compromised. ‘My top tip…

BEFORE YOU BUY ■ There are two main types of heated airer: heated drying pods and heated drying racks. Heated drying racks feature heated bars over which you drape your damp laundry. The laundry-drying process is a little more labour intensive with a heated drying rack as you might need to readjust longer items to give all sections a turn next to the heated bars. In our tests, the turnaround from wet to dry washing was between six and ten hours. ■ Heated drying pods use a high-powered fan that circulates the hot air within the zippable cover to dry washing quickly – in our tests, this took roughly three hours. The disadvantages of this sort of drying pod are the noise of the fan (heated drying racks are silent)…

It’s no secret that if you live in a built-up area of the country, the air quality won’t be as good as in the countryside. You need just look at the fact that seven of the UK’s major cities – Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bristol, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and London – have all enforced Low Emission Zones in recent years. However, not many realise that the air you breathe in your home is also most likely filled with low-level toxins, too. Tech is keeping up, though, with at-home monitors keeping track of the various contaminants available, as well as purifiers that catch the gases and extract them, releasing clean air in their place. What exactly are the indoor pollutants? There are oodles of ways that clean air can be compromised in your…

It’s fairly well known that some houseplants purify indoor air. In fact, a study by the University of Birmingham* revealed that in some conditions, introducing five houseplants to a small, poorly ventilated room could reduce nitrogen dioxide – a common pollutant – by as much as 20%. Plants with large leaves absorb more carbon dioxide and release oxygen into the atmosphere, while moderating humidity levels in your home to help lower levels of pathogens such as fungal spores, bacteria and viruses. Furthermore, plants can help to improve mental health and boost immunity levels while adding natural decoration, too. So if you’d like to choose houseplants that reduce airborne pollutants, read on… PEACE LILY (SPATHIPHYLLUM WALLISII) Deservedly popular, the peace lily may help to keep bacteria and mould spores at bay…

YOU WILL NEED ● Some empty decorative tins ● A roll of magnetic tape (try Amazon) ● Scissors ● Florists’ oasis (optional) Most mini tins have a removable lid, which is easy to discard. Make sure you clean the inside of the tin thoroughly, too. Next, cut a self-adhesive magnetic strip to size and stick it on the back of your tin. Arrange a few of them on your fridge door to hold pens or pencils, bottle openers or bag clips. Or fill with a small block of florists’ oasis, wrapped in a piece of plastic to protect the inside of the tin, and add a few flowers.…

Chicken stuffed with herbs and ricotta SERVES 4 READY IN 1 HR 30 MINS, PLUS RESTING ● 100g ricotta ● A few sprigs of mint ● 1 small bunch of coriander ● 1 large chicken ● Olive oil, for drizzling FOR THE SAUCE ● 1tbsp olive oil ● 1 shallot, diced ● 300g wild mushrooms, chopped ● 15g butter ● 300ml veal jus ● 50ml white wine ● 50ml double cream ● A few sprigs of tarragon 1 Preheat the oven to 200C /Gas 6. 2 Pop the ricotta and herbs into a food processor and blitz until smooth. Transfer to a piping bag and snip the end off. 3 Use your fingers to release the skin over the chicken breasts and create a pouch, then pipe the cheese and…

The Great British Bake Off finalist and author lives in south London with her fiancé, BBC presenter James Stewart, and their Maltipoo, Milo WHERE’S YOUR HAPPY PLACE AT HOME? The kitchen, but it is also the place that gives me stress and anxiety. We’ve got a sofa in that room because I spend 98% of my time in there. If James is away for work, I won’t even go in the living room. I’ll spend all my time in the kitchen, either baking or at the table working. In the morning, I’ll do admin and prepare for whatever task I’ve got in the afternoon. The easiest bit is the baking, which I can do with my eyes closed! WHAT’S YOUR HOMEWARE ADDICTION? James would go nuts if I buy any…