Country Homes & Interiors

3 days ago | idealhome.co.uk | Sarah Handley

I have hated my conservatory for more than a decade, and have spent thousands of pounds in the hope of resolving the issues that plague me. Now, if I was to add a conservatory today, there would be lots of options available to help negate the problems faced by older conservatories — like solar control glass, a solid roof and better insulation. But alas, when I bought my house, I inherited a conservatory that had none of that.

4 days ago | idealhome.co.uk | Kayleigh Dray

On the hunt for plants to make your patio smell nice? We get it; when the sun’s out and the air is fresh, there really is little better than stepping onto a terrace filled with the scent of summer. Still, it's unlikely that will happen without at least a little help from you; just as you might learn how to make a garden smell nice, so, too, must you do the same for your patio. The best way to do this on a patio is with container garden ideas, packed with fragrant plants.

5 days ago | idealhome.co.uk | Kayleigh Dray

Admit it: we say ‘dead hedge’, you think ‘gardening mishap’ – but nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, if you’re trying to find a beautifully rustic garden fence idea for your garden, the humble dead hedge could be the perfect fit. Perfect for those smaller spaces where even the very best hedging plants and garden screening ideas might prove overwhelming, a dead hedge makes great use of pruned branches and plant cuttings to create a barrier with some serious oomph. Better still?

5 days ago | idealhome.co.uk | Louise O'Bryan |Andrea Childs

Living in a place you've loved on holidays means a rethink of your accommodation – your usual rental probably won't cut it as a family home, but you still want the charm and character that has brought you back year after year. The solution? Look for a property you love, then make it right for your new life. That's the approach taken by Brooke Copp-Barton and her husband, when they moved to Whitstable in Kent with their family.

6 days ago | idealhome.co.uk | Kezia Reynolds

Blueberry has become a standout colour this year thanks to social media. But if you’re thinking about styling this popular colour at home, there are three shades you need to avoid pairing with it, according to experts. Soft blueberry blue has become a key colour trend this year and part of the 2025 colour palette as we’ve gone crazy for the colour, whether that's on our nails, our matcha order or as part of our home decor.