Innehållsförteckning för September 2025 från Ideal Home

Family legend has it I learned to walk on bare joists because the floorboards were in the process of being replaced at the time. Having grown up in houses that would definitely be classed as ‘doer-uppers’, it seems pretty likely that’s why I’ve always been drawn to homes that have potential (ie need a lot of work!). I’ve been trying to tally up the number of renovation projects I’ve tackled. It includes three new kitchens, four bathroom transformations, and countless hours stripping wallpaper, painting walls and woodwork and rejigging rooms. Despite taking on some pretty big projects over the years, one of the big ones – an extension – isn’t on my list. “I've always been drawn to homes that have potential (ie need a lot of work!)” When we…

What the experts say... Designers and stylists share their views ‘Opting for the paler end of this versatile colour gives you a subtle green that can be used generously. A slightly darker shade still provides that clean and polished look, but with a little more depth to create a slightly more contemporary feel.’ SOPHIE SMITH, FOUNDER, ZHOOSH PAINTS ‘If you want a calming atmosphere, opt for pistachio to bring a zen-like quality to any space. This shade is soft enough to work as a neutral, but its slight colourful tint brings a sense of interest and works well as a backdrop for many other colours.’ DOMINIC MYLAND, CEO, MYLANDS ‘Aside from its abundance of wellness properties, pistachio green is a versatile and welcoming colour, and contrasts beautifully with many other…

1 MIX AND MATCH STRIPES The call for stripes is going nowhere and you can add your own twist by running them in different ways on a wall or two. Paint or wallpaper with a contrasting design – either stripes that go vertical on one half of the wall and horizontal at the top, or even stripes in different widths for a striking, modern look. 2 ADD TACTILE FURNITURE There’s no better way to create a cosy setting than with an upholstered armchair or sofa to snuggle up on. Adding a single piece like this loveseat, designed to resemble 1950s pilots armchairs, has a striped cotton rug fabric that instantly makes a room feel more homely. PAINT CHEAT SHEET 3 Tidy up your front door area by de-weeding, sweeping paths…

More than just a place to sit, a sofa is often the focal point of your living room and the anchor around which all other furniture is arranged. But while the standard two or three-seater is endlessly popular, it’s definitely worth expanding your search to take in all the other options available. What you might have previously thought was unsuitable could be the perfect fit for your living room. With so many styles, shapes, and sizes to choose from, we’ve asked a host of experts to identify what they reckon are the top nine most popular sofa types, outline their key characteristics and what makes them good – or not-so-good. 1 CHESTERFIELD Recognised by its elegant, deep buttoned upholstery, rolled arms and level-height back and arms, a Chesterfield sofa is…

BEFORE YOU BUY ■ Durability and quality should come from a sofa’s bones – a sturdy frame is essential to ensure long-term stability and strength. A solid hardwood frame is the backbone of a robust sofa, while sofas with kiln-dried wood frames, such as beech or oak, tend to last the longest. Check for sturdy joints, too. Well-crafted sofas have dowels, screws and brackets – not just glue. These show care in construction and indicate a higher build quality. ■ Make sure the sofa comes with a frame warranty of at least 10 years, giving you peace of mind that your investment is built to last. It’s also worth checking the repair policy, too, in case of any issues. You want to spend your hard-earned money on furniture that’s built…

“We’ve created our DREAM HOME. All those hours spent planning every DETAIL have really paid off and we love it – it’s such a JOYFUL space” HOME NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Vicky Payne, a creative consultant, lives here with her husband Gareth, their son Leo, six, daughter Olive, one, plus dachshund Bumble and Moose the cat. THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom Edwardian house in Leigh-on-Sea. THE LAYOUT As you enter the hallway, the living room is through the first door to the right, and straight ahead opens out into the new kitchen/dining room extension, which also has a living area and doors out to the garden. On the first floor are three bedrooms, a dressing room, bathroom and study. On the second floor is the loft bedroom and en-suite bathroom. Longing…

HOME NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Karen Moseley lives here with her husband, Phil, and their two children, Evie and Sonny. THE PROJECT Connecting a separate WC and small bathroom in a detached 1950s house in West Bridgford, Nottingham. TOTAL COST £10,000 They say you live and you learn, and that certainly applied to Karen and Phil Moseley’s bathroom renovation. In their previous home, the small bathroom was never quite right for their growing family. So as soon as they moved in, Karen was armed and ready with a wish list of what she wanted. The couple planned to transform the whole house, but as the water tank and boiler sat in the bathroom, and they needed to install a whole new heating system, they chose to start their renovation journey…

Designing a kitchen is never easy, and deciding whether to have a breakfast bar or a kitchen island can be fraught with confusion. Neither is better than the other, they just suit different circumstances. Here’s what you should be thinking about… 1 CONSIDER YOUR NEEDS ‘Both kitchen islands and breakfast bars can transform how a space looks and functions – it all comes down to how the kitchen is used on a daily basis,’ explains Josie Medved, design manager at Symphony Group. Before deciding, you’ll need to assess what you want to achieve with your kitchen layout. Do you need a sociable space for a growing family? If you have a separate dining room, do you need the extra storage that an island provides, or is it best to leave…

If you have dependents, then you will want to know they will cope financially should you pass away. It’s not something we like to think about, but it’s always a good idea to have a plan in place to protect loved ones. Our expert Kalpana Fitzpatrick looks at how life insurance works. What is life insurance? This is an insurance product that will pay your beneficiaries a lump sum upon your death. You pay a monthly premium, and if you pass away, your beneficiaries are paid a tax-free sum. How much they get and when will depend on the type of policy and level of cover. Types of policies There are many different life insurance policies, so buy one that meets your needs. Term life insurance provides cover for a…

■ HAVE AN AFTER-SUMMER TIDY Your garden will have been busy during the summer, but now it’s time to get it ready for winter. Give your barbecue or pizza oven one last hurrah before cleaning it and tidying it away in your shed or garage. Wipe down garden furniture and consider investing in furniture covers if you don’t have them. ■ PRUNE YOUR HEDGES Both box and yew can be trimmed in September, once the main growing period is over. ‘When pruning hedges, it’s very important to check there are no nesting birds,’ advises Nicola Bradley from The Lost Gardens of Heligan. ‘It’s an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act to damage or disturb a nest while it’s being built or used, so waiting until September to prune is…

Herbs are brilliant garden plants, but they are also easy to grow indoors, making it possible to have fresh herbs all winter. For most herbs, especially Mediterranean types, like sage and thyme, you need a sunny windowsill with at least four to six hours of sun a day. Basil prefers semi-shade, as do chives, parsley and mint. Herbs also need warmth – 18-24C and no less than 10C at night – and good drainage, so use pots with holes and a peat-free multipurpose compost mixed with grit. Keep the soil just moist, don’t overwater them, and feed with liquid seaweed every few weeks during spring and summer. Regular harvesting will encourage them to produce tasty new leaves. BASIL A pungent herb, which loves warmth but not bright sun, basil can…

“YesColours products are vegan, made with low-VOC formulas and delivered in 100% recyclable packaging” Paint with purpose While YesColours has long prided itself on its commitment to using sustainable raw materials and reducing post-use waste, it has recently become B Corp certified. In other words, the brand has taken extra steps to champion an eco-conscious approach to using colour in the home. B Corp certification is a third-party confirmation that companies like YesColours really do care for the planet. Through ethical sourcing and a mission to reduce paint waste at landfill, the brand has met high standards of social and environmental performance. CLEAN AND GREEN A family run business committed to sustainability, Kaldewei has created completely recyclable and earth-conscious bathroom products for over 100 years. Plastic-free with a luxe look,…

SURPRISE IN STORE Modern nostalgia Retro for some, timeless for others, one thing is for sure: this trend has thankfully had countless revivals. Whether you were there the first time or not, Dunelm has created a modern collection for this autumn that has enough design classics to keep us all coming back. The Finn Sherpa chair (shown above) will update any space, while the blue glass side table (there’s a coffee table, too) will add a shot of colour that pops against a rose-tinted backdrop. Browse the store to stock up on cushions, vases, candleholders and artwork to bring more of this relaxed, vibrant trend. IH LOVES... Fish shapes Albertino mini fish jug, £10, Oliver Bonas W hat to do this month... READ In her newly published book, The Vintage…

Cheat at tiles Use terracotta tile-effect wallpaper to give an island or bar a crafted Mediterranean aesthetic. For even more character, choose a design that contrasts with the top. Give it a twist… Elevate the effect by using a terrazzo-effect paper instead. Turn swatches into artwork Choose six traditional wallpapers in different colourways and frame them. As long as the frames and mounts are identical, they will work together as a group. Hang in a uniform grid or row. Give it a twist… Choose wallpapers in different patterns but one colourway. Perk up the back of an alcove This is the perfect way to use a wallpaper you love but are afraid to have for a whole wall or room. Try a darker colour than the walls to make the…

1. ZONE WITH PAINT When children are sharing a bedroom it can help to distinguish their sleep, play and work areas – and paint is an easy way to create distinct zones. To personalise their own individual desk or bed areas you could paint anything on the walls, from large colour-blocked areas to fun murals, adding personality in an affordable way. Walls in Theo Blue matt emulsion, £45 for 2.5ltr, Claybrook Studio 2. BUILT-IN FURNITURE Room sharing often means that space is tight and storage can suffer, which is why bespoke furniture can be a game-changer. Utilising areas underneath and over the beds, as well as any nooks and crannies, means that every inch of space can be put to good use – and you can build a bed to…

Choosing new seating for our living rooms should be a joyful affair, shouldn’t it? Yet it can be a deceptively hard task. That showroom excitement can quickly dissipate when your new sofa arrives and you find that it swamps the room, or it doesn’t feel as comfy as you expected, or – worst of all – you can’t even manage to fit it in through the door. ‘Changing a sofa after you’ve bought it and it’s been delivered is a big hassle, so it’s best to give some serious thought to the style, feel and size that you need before purchasing,’ advises Patricia Gibbons, head of buying at Sofa.com. So Patricia, along with several more experts in the world of sofas, has shared her advice on things to look for…

BEFORE YOU BUY ■ A sofa bed offers a great multifunctional solution for a living room, guest bedroom, or home office. And with many designs to choose from, there’s something to suit everyone. Pull-out sofa beds have a concertina bed frame and folded mattress hidden under removable seat cushions for a classic look, while in a click-clack design the sofa seat and backrest fold flat and lock into position to become the sleeping surface. ■ There is also a range of sizes, so it’s important to think about how much space a sofa bed will take up. Ideally, you want enough room to be able to walk comfortably around it and get at all sides, even when it’s extended. An easy way to get an idea of scale is to…

HOME NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Siri Ayers, who works for the Norwegian embassy, lives here. THE PROPERTY A two-bedroom lower floor Victorian mansion flat on the seafront in Deal, Kent. 1 “I display my favourite items” ‘Seeking a sea change after a stressful stint in London, I settled on Deal, and this lower ground-floor flat on the promenade was perfect. I reworked the layout, adding thoughtful storage and internal glass doors to funnel light.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES Fire surround in Elephant’s Breath estate emulsion, £57.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Vintage Ercol chairs, £450 for two, Will and Yates. Raku globes (on shelves), from £60; Moon vase, £90, all Sarah Bryan Design “I maximised the SENSE OF SPACE by bringing LIGHT in wherever I could and using REFLECTIVE surfaces”…

1 RECLAIM UNUSED SPACE ‘A side-return extension stretches your home into the alleyway at the side of your house and is very typical on Victorian or other types of period properties,’ says Rob Wood, managing director of Simply Extend. It’s often a small extension, but it can have a huge impact on the look and feel of your home. Make sure you consider the impact that this extension may have on your neighbours, and remember to look into party wall agreements and permitted development rights, if necessary. 2 KEEP YOUR CONSERVATORY COSY Conservatories are usually extremely uninsulated, which is why they fluctuate in temperature so much. Heating them will be different in every home, whether you opt for portable plug-in heaters or fixed radiators. Whichever option you choose, get clued…

HOME NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Richard John Andrews, an architect, his wife, Kristina, a make-up artist, and their dog, Baloo. THE PROJECT An extension and garden studio within a two-bedroom Victorian terrace in north-east London. TOTAL COST £97,500 For even the most DIY-savvy, building an extension by yourself is a step too far – unless you’re Richard and Kristina Andrews. The couple bought their Victorian terrace, then a five-bedroom house of multiple occupancy, with a view to extend and modernise throughout. Taking on the work by themselves was just another layer added to the challenge. Of course, it helps that Richard is an architect. After drawing up plans for the build, he decided that he would see the process through to further his understanding of what makes a project work.…

If you have creaky FLOORBOARDS and they’re hidden under carpet, turn to page 204 to find out how to FIX them; if it’s raining out, our list of ingenious ways to dry your LAUNDRY indoors is on page 205; plan ahead and check out our LIFE INSURANCE explainer on page 206; then turn to page 207 to find out ways to DECLUTTER your tech; and speaking of clutter, clear your hallway of that too, with help from our EXPERT ADVICE on page 209...…

1 POTTER IN THE GARDEN Take advantage of the last rays of summer sunshine now before they’re gone again for another year. Pottering can be anything you want it to be, whether that’s gardening, wiping down your furniture, or clearing cobwebs… nothing too strenuous. Then settle down with a nice cuppa when you’re done. 2 BAKE A CAKE Whether you’re a regular baker or an occasional cupcake maker, there’s nothing as rewarding as whipping up something tasty and filling the house with the smell of baked goods. Choose an unfussy recipe, then reap the reward when you’re done. 3 REFRESH A GALLERY WALL If you’re a fan of art or photographs, you’ll likely have some sort of gallery wall in your home. Set aside a little time to swap the…

SENSORY INDULGENCE Contrast cool marble furniture, smooth, polished wood surfaces and butter-soft velvet fabrics to give a neutral living room a relaxed luxe feel. STYLE DIRECTION “Keep the colour palette neutral and layer up a mix of materials and textures to draw you in and add depth” HEATHER YOUNG, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF WEAVE THROUGH Wicker storage baskets and handwoven rattan chairs break up the solid wood surfaces in this modern country-style kitchen, which, along with the sheer linen café curtain, gives the space a softer feel. START WITH A NEUTRAL BASE If you want the mix of textures to be the hero in your scheme, keep the bones of the room neutral. Try choosing a chalky off-white for the walls, add warmth with a soft taupe for both the walls and ceiling,…

WHERE TO BUY…

WHERE TO BUY…

Many people focus on the style, shape and comfort of a sofa when they’re looking for a new one, giving little thought to the fabric it’s covered in. While looks and loungeability are important, the wrong fabric will make your sofa age quicker than it should, so it becomes tired, tatty and in need of a refresh much sooner than you’d expect. And as a sofa is likely to be one of the most expensive purchases you’ll make for your home, it’s worth getting the fabric right as well. From durability and stain resistance to colour and pattern, understanding the different elements involved in choosing sofa upholstery will ensure that your living room is functional and looks stylish for years to come. 1 CONSIDER YOUR BUDGET Of course, certain materials…

MEET THE EXPERTS BECKY RACKSTRAW, DIRECTOR, PROTEK ‘Although the exterior of your home may seem like the last thing on the ‘to do’ list, it needn’t take long and can be a budget project.’ LINDA WEBB, HOMESTAGER, REFRESH AND IMPRESS ‘First impressions can make all the difference, the first 10 seconds being the most crucial.’ SARAH WALKER, ESTATE AGENT, WALKER HALL ‘The best look comes from simple things done well. A clean path, a well-painted front door, soft lighting, a splash of greenery.’ First impressions count, we all know that, but we often forget about the outside of our beautifully styled interiors. Time to think kerbside, with help from our team of professionals: an estate agent, a homestager and a paint expert. APPEAL FROM THE KERB ‘Creating the ultimate in…

HOME NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Leoma Harper, interior designer and influencer, lives here, with her husband and three children, plus their two cats Pip and Mila and Alba the cockapoo. THE PROPERTY A five-bedroom house near Hampton Court, south-west London, thought to have been built around 1817. After eight years living in this period home, bringing up two children here and with a third just born, interior designer Leoma Harper felt it was time to transform the layout and create more space. ‘We had updated a lot of the décor when we first moved in, added back the missing ceiling roses and unblocked the fireplaces. We also replaced flooring throughout, knocked through walls and replaced the full heating system. But I always felt the kitchen wasn’t quite right,’ Leoma says.…

KITCHEN NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Sophie and George Green, and their three children. THE PROJECT To create a colourful, open-plan kitchen and dining room in their Georgian townhouse in London as part of a full house renovation. TOTAL COST £50,000 It took Sophie Green and her family two years to move just 50 metres when they bought their end-of-terrace townhouse. ‘We were renting on the same street,’ says Sophie. ‘The purchase took a long time. It had been an Airbnb, and it was tired. The kitchen, on the lower ground floor, felt disconnected; small and dark.’ Sophie and her husband George have three children under 14, so they focused on making their new home ‘fun and sunny.’ ‘These houses are beautiful, but they have a tendency to be gloomy, so…

While many people choose between adding a rear or side extension to their home, a wraparound extension is an alternative and a neat combination of the two. This type of addition is designed to fit around the outside of a property, forming an L shape. Hugging the building on two sides, it can boost space and transform an old-fashioned layout into one that’s better suited to the way we live in our homes today. It can make use of redundant outdoor space at the side of a house, as well as some of the area at the rear, and a good design will increase the size of a home without compromising the garden. ‘Wraparound extensions often feature on city houses,’ says Ben Ridley, founder of Architecture for London. ‘This is…

If your home needs new windows, or you’re extending your property, you might find yourself torn between two of the most popular window frame materials: uPVC and aluminium. Both materials are widely available and, if you’re replacing old glazing, windows made with either frame can deliver the additional benefits of a warmer home and lower bills. But even though both materials are sound choices for your home, there are significant differences between the two, from cost to lifespan, and it’s important to weigh these up to make the best choice for your home. We’ve set them head-to-head to help you decide which one would be right for you. 1 THE COST Typically, you will pay more if you opt for aluminium frames rather than uPVC, whether you pick them for…

Channelling coastal and country vibes, cladding your home’s exterior is a popular and affordable way to update the exterior of your home. It can cover render or brickwork, elevate an understated façade or help an extension blend in with the rest of the house. However, the benefits don’t stop there. It can help your home stand up against the elements, something that’s particularly valuable in the case of exposed or coastal properties. It also bolsters a property’s insulation. ‘Cladding your home’s exterior adds another cavity to the exterior of your home, so it helps with noise insulation and improves the building’s thermal properties,’ says Simon Cresswell, director of The Gutter & Cladding Company. ‘The visual appeal of cladding is one of its main attractions. It allows you to revitalise the…

Thanks to their clutter-free appearance and sleek lines, wet rooms are fast becoming the go-to style for homeowners undertaking a bathroom redesign. ‘In the past two or three years, wet rooms have become increasingly popular, not just because they look neat and are modern, but due to their functional benefits for those who have mobility issues or for people who want to future-proof their homes,’ explains Farook Member, director and home improvement expert at QS Supplies. Here are the essential points to consider when transforming an existing bathroom into a brand new wet room. 1 PLAN THE LAYOUT CAREFULLY ‘A thoughtful layout is key to the success of the space,’ says Hayley Bowman, design manager at Frontline Bathrooms. ‘It’s important to keep the space open and avoid cramming in too…

With back-to-school only around the corner and winter following soon after, your hallway is at risk of going from being tidy all summer to a mess of school bags, as well as shoes, coats and scarves. It’s easy to get stuck in the trap of leaving everything where you need it. ‘A common problem is that the hallway becomes the space where you store all the odds and ends you otherwise don’t know what to do with,’ explains professional declutterer Vicky Silverthorn. ‘After years of tossing in endless bits and bobs, you might have ended up with a cluttered space that does nothing but stress you out. Starting with a heavy-duty decluttering session will get things organised, do wonders for the look and feel of your hallway and help decrease…

YOU WILL NEED ■ HotBin mini 100 litre compost bin, £190, HotBin Composting■ Compost aerator/turner, £24.95, Original Organics■ Farmarkvast bin with lid for organic waste, £5, Ikea Let us introduce you to the secret weapon devoted gardeners use to keep their plants thriving. It transforms kitchen leftovers and grass trimmings into rich, crumbly brown compost in just 30 days. Unlike cold composting, hot composting involves closely following a recipe and method, and does require time and diligence. However, new hot composting bins are taking the effort out of the process, to make producing high-quality compost at home as easy as possible. ‘The main benefit of hot composting is the speed at which waste becomes compost,’ explains Mark Robinson, director of Original Organics. ‘In contrast, a traditional composting bin can take…

S ummer’s over, but you’re still stuck in slow mode, and the first week back at school is going to be a shock to the system – for everyone. Getting the kids out the door on time with everything they need for a successful day can feel like a military operation. However, adding some simple rules to your household can have it running (almost) like clockwork. From storage and organisation systems for making the morning routine speedier and less traumatic, to a streamlined hallway and a dedicated homework hub, our experts are ready to school you on great solutions… 1 SET UP A SELF-SERVE BREAKFAST STATION Abi Macdonald, professional organiser at The Home Sort has these suggestions for reorganising your kitchen to optimise early morning efficiency: ‘Montessori teachings encourage children…

YOU WILL NEED ● An old rattan basket ● Old newspaper ● Stanley knife ● Light cable ● (Optional) multipurpose paint in the colour of your choice (we used Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch Spray Paint in Matt Black, £10.99 for 400ml, Amazon) ● Lightbulb If you have a rattan basket with a broken handle or it has seen better days, give it a new lease of life as a stylish pendant shade. Start by laying down some old newspaper, then remove any basket handles using the knife. Make a hole in the centre of the base, big enough for your cable to pass through. Spray paint the basket (or leave unpainted!). Feed the cable through, hang it from the ceiling and position the bulb.…

Lemon sole à la meunière SERVES 1 READY IN 16 MINS ● 1 fillet of lemon sole, skinned and trimmed ● 2tbsp plain flour ● 1tbsp sunflower oil ● 50g unsalted butter ● Squeeze of lemon juice, plus wedges to serve ● 1tbsp capers ● 2tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley leaves 1 Remove the sole fillet from the refrigerator and pat dry. On a plate, season the flour with salt and pepper. Dip each side of the sole into the flour and shake off any excess. 2 Heat the oil in a frying pan over a medium heat and cook the sole for 2 mins on each side. Turn off the heat. Transfer the sole to a warm plate and cover with foil to keep it warm. 3 Wipe out the…

The author, TV presenter and mum-of-two, 56, lives in Chester, Cheshire WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE TIME OF THE DAY AT HOME? What I call the golden hour. We’ve got a view from our house of the River Dee, and in summer, around 7pm, the light suddenly turns a delicious, beautiful colour. At that time, I love walking down to the river or going for a stroll in the garden. I’m definitely a water person. I’ve lived by the sea before and always thought the sea was more interesting, but until you live by a river, you don’t realise how much they change - the flow, the colour, the foliage. WHERE’S YOUR HAPPY PLACE? My bedroom. Sleep is my addiction. Our house is Georgian with a high bedroom ceiling, and the window…