Ideal Homeの May 2026 の目次

“Any of the projects on my list are achievable with the right planning ” What’s on the cards for your home this month? It’s GCSE time for my twins and as a result my calendar is actually pretty clear for once. I’m hoping this means I can utilise the bank holidays to successfully complete a room makeover without disrupting any revision schedules. Inspired by the before and after spaces in this issue – Interior Design Masters winner John Cooper’s living room is a highlight (see page 100) – I have a few projects in my sights. Our tiny utility room (never decorated since it was installed over three years ago), a colour change in the living room (black to caramel, although I’m still on the fence about this) and I’ve…

STYLE DIRECTION“A bold rug adds pattern without fuss; keep the colour palette tight with soft caramel and sky blue to create a quietly modern feel"HEATHER YOUNG, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF STYLE DIRECTION“Adding organic textures and plants softens the feel of the bold geometric floor and keeps this kitchen feeling welcoming"GINEVRA BENEDETTI, DEPUTY EDITOR CHOOSE A SIMPLE PALETTE A lower-contrast colour palette – using soft pastels such as blush, powder blue and pale mint, together with warm neutrals – will make strong geometric patterns feel relaxed and calm, rather than graphic and energised, so you can enjoy the pattern without it dominating the space. BALANCE WITH NATURAL MATERIALS Layer your scheme with a mix of slubby linens and soft wool upholstery, pale wood cabinetry, matt ceramics and woven lighting and rugs; together these will work…

Paint a panel of cosy colour White or pale walls make sense where space is tight, but can look cold. A strip of colour around the bed creates a snug corner without compromising the airy feel. Give it a twist… Instead of a scalloped edge, try points, zigzags or waves. Customise a basic cabinet Use masking tape to mark off the lines of a roof and doorway to turn a simple wall-hung unit into a colourful house. Give it a twist… Hang three cupboards in a row, painted in different colours, to create a ‘street’ of storage along one wall. Create a peg-rail dressing area Peg rail strips, or multiple rails hung end-to-end, make a great alternative to a wardrobe for younger children. Stack two or three at evenly spaced…

MEET THE EXPERTS MICHELLE HALFORD, INTERIOR STYLIST AND DESIGNER AT THE DESIGN CHASER AND AUTHOR OF THE QUIET HOME (£27, MITCHELL BEAZLEY) ‘A light-filled home feels both calming and quietly energising’ LARA CLARKE, FOUNDER OF LARA CLARKE INTERIORS ‘A light and bright home makes you feel instantly calm and restored’ SOPHIE ALLPORT, ARTIST AND CO-FOUNDER OF SOPHIE ALLPORT ‘There’s something uplifting about spaces that feel airy and full of light. They often make me feel calmer and more inspired to be creative’ Ever walked into a space and found yourself feeling instantly calmed? We bet such an interior made the most of light, creating a bright, welcoming space that aligned with the natural world, simple living and general feel-good vibes. But how do you go about planning such a space,…

HOME NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Jules O’Carroll, co-founder of fabric and wallpaper company Parker & Jules, with her husband Dero, who works in tech, and their children, Lyra and Oscar, plus Figgie, the Cavalier King Charles spaniel. THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom Edwardian terrace in west London. 1 ‘Cosy up a media room’ ‘The house has a double reception, and we wanted to give this smaller room a purpose. We decided to turn it into a cosy space for retreating to watch TV. Because it’s at the back of the house, it’s darker than the front room, so we played to this with a jewel-box look.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES Sofa, price on request, Susan Osbourne; in Lulu in Hunter, £185m, Parker & Jules 2 ‘Create a timeless look’ ‘We wanted…

HOME NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Rebekah Whiteley lives here with her husband Craig, their daughters Amelie, 14, and Autumn, 11, labrador Bertie and gerbils Kiki and Toto. THE PROJECT To transform a run of smaller, disconnected rooms into a generous kitchen, dining and living space with improved flow and doors opening directly out to the garden. TOTAL COST £60,000 Rebekah Whiteley had a clear vision for her home’s renovation: to create a kitchen extension where cooking, entertaining and relaxing could all happen at once, without losing the 1970s character she fell for in the first place. ‘I wanted to create a space where friends and family could gather while I was making dinner,’ she says. ‘A room that felt relaxed, social and full of life.’ Shortly after moving in, the couple…

Shopping second-hand is an excellent way to transform your bathroom on a budget. It isn’t just accessories that you can pick up second-hand – it’s possible to find entire sanitaryware sets, fittings and even your flooring from second-hand shops, reclamation yards and of course, the internet. Whether you have a small bathroom that you want to make shine or a space where an overhaul is needed, these tips for second-hand shopping for a bathroom will help you enjoy the thrill of the chase and save some pennies. 1 SOURCE A VINTAGE VANITY Often, bathroom cabinets can be quite clinical, but adding warmth through an antique cupboard repurposed as a vanity unit will help warm up the scheme. You can easily find these in reclamation yards, antique shops or even on…

"While an air purifier can happily work away in the background, you do need to clean the machine and filter to maintain its efficiency"GINEVRA BENEDETTI, DEPUTY EDITOR BEFORE YOU BUY ■ An air purifier works by using a fan to draw air into the purifying unit, passing through filters that remove particulates. The cleaned air is then discharged back into the room. A decent air purifier can be a good way to improve indoor air quality, especially for those with allergies. ■ Almost all air purifiers come with a manufacturer’s recommendation for the maximum room size they’ll work in, usually measured in square metres. It’s essential to buy an air purifier that matches the size of the space or it will struggle to purify the air adequately. Work out the…

Scammers are getting more and more sophisticated and anyone can get caught out. Around £629million was stolen in the first half of 2025* in the UK. From deepfakes to WhatsApp and pension scams – scammers are never too far away. But knowing what to look out for can potentially protect your financial security. Our money columnist, Kalpana Fitzpatrick, shares how to spot a scam and what to do if you fall victim to one. WhatsApp scams Scammers will often catch you out by impersonating a relative, friend or business on WhatsApp. They play on trust and urgency and you have likely had a text pretending to be someone you know. The script for these messages is always similar. They start with something like ‘hi mum/dad’, then claim this is their…

1 EAT AL FRESCO Sunnier evenings are finally here, and there is no better time to start dining outside. Whether you rustle up a quick meal for your family, or pull out all the stops with a dinner party for friends, eating outside is guaranteed to bring you closer together. 2 REARRANGE THE LOUNGE If you’re tired of your living room, it’s time to rework the layout. Try moving a sofa away from the wall to create an airy feel, or face an armchair towards the window to enjoy the morning sunshine. 3 CREATE SOME ART For family fun, encourage your kids to pick up a paintbrush and get creative. Or, have a go at framing favourite wallpaper off-cuts.…

Black bean burgers MAKES 6 READY IN 25 MINS ● 400g tin black beans, drained, and carefully dried in a tea towel ● 1 garlic clove, grated ● 1/2 red onion, chopped ● 1tbsp flax meal ● 3tbsp water ● 125g breadcrumbs ● 200g cooked brown rice ● 1 red chilli, chopped ● 1tsp cajun seasoning ● 2tbsp cornflour ● 1tbsp chopped coriander ● 1tbsp barbecue sauce ● Oil, for frying FOR THE SUMMER HOT SAUCE ● 100g chillies, chopped ● 1 medium onion, chopped ● 2 garlic cloves, chopped ● 200g tomatoes, chopped ● 2tsp tomato purée ● 150ml apple cider vinegar ● 2tbsp lime juice (about 1/2 lime) ● 1tbsp maple syrup ● 1tbsp vegetable oil 1 Add all the burger ingredients to a food processor and pulse…

‘In small spaces, what you leave out is as important as what you include,’ says garden designer Kathryn Cox (kathryncoxgardendesign.uk). ‘Soft furnishings can create a cluttered feel, so I built a floating Siberian larch bench into the wall instead. The garden path curves around to the seating area, which is framed with vertical-led perennials. It’s a peaceful space for my client.’…

‘We wanted decking in a natural wood so it would maximise the view of the plants,’ says homeowner Emma Rengasamy. The decking flows into gravel to keep the space clear of weeds and free from puddles, while creating a Mediterranean look. ‘The gravel is lined with shrubs and Stipa tenuissima,’ Emma says. ‘It’s a great self-seeder that softens the harder textures.’…

‘We entertain a lot, so I wanted a sociable space,’ says homeowner Sandy Hemmings. ‘The bar is where the last sliver of sun hits. It feels enclosed, which protects the sound when people get lively! And you step up from there to the dining space. The metal pergolas that frame the dining table and bar feel funky. I hope in time they’ll be covered with plants that pop against the black fencing.’…

THE PALETTE…

‘Our garden is coastal, so we struggled with planting and only knew a few varieties that would flourish here,’ says homeowner Caroline Whittingham. But, with the help of garden designer Roger Hines (habitat-architecture.co.uk), the space has become full of life. A vertical living wall is the focal point, with a top-down irrigation system. ‘The change has been truly incredible.’…

COLLAB ALERT Hillarys x Jonathan Adler Jonathan Adler has got his hands on Hillarys window dressings, and boy are we pleased about it! ‘Window dressings are where the eye rests, and I want the eye to rest somewhere fabulous,’ says Jonathan, and we are totally on board. Together they have created a compilation of 25 fabrics across four colourways, featuring Jonathan’s revered designs, including bold stripes, graphic checquerboards, sculptural cubes, serpentine snakes and ink-drop splatters. Each design has the power to inspire a room scheme, creating a flamboyant focal point while being completely liveable. IH LOVES... embroidery Helious and Aperion embroidered cushions, £32 each, Made What to do this month… READ Bookmark The Nature of Decorating by Jenny Rose-Innes (£35, Quadrille), ready for its launch on 16 April. It’s filled…

WHERE TO BUY My shelves are perfect for concealed storage baskets…

1. PATTERN MIX Relaxed, eclectic and free-spirited, boho style is defined by its ‘no rules’ approach. Mix patterns and textures, combining colourful ikats, two-tone weaves, vibrant embroidery, crochet and macramé for a multi-layered look. Give living rooms an anchor point with a woven rug at the centre, tactile cushions and throws draped on sofas and armchairs, and tapestries hung on the wall. Ikat velvet floor cushion, £44.99, rucomfy 2. NATURAL MATERIALS Incorporating natural elements into a boho scheme is a must. Choose upholstery and soft furnishings in washed linen and cotton, slubby wool and bouclé that feel good to touch and comfy to rest against. Combine textures and materials to add visual contrast, from smooth wood, stone and marble to more tactile rattan. Eos Smoke Oak faux travertine coffee table,…

HOME NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Ben Hillman with his wife Gaby, and their two young daughters. THE PROJECT Converting an existing loft room into a main bedroom en suite, in a semi-detached 1930s house in West Sussex. TOTAL COST £5,050 Ben and Gaby Hillman had always planned to convert their home’s existing loft space into their en-suite bedroom, but with a whole house to renovate and extend, the project was pushed down to the bottom of the list. Once savings were in place, they were ready to start. ‘The loft room was a multi-room, but with no real purpose – the girls would play up here, I had my office and we stored stuff,’ says Ben, a presenter on Channel 4’s A Place in the Sun and an interior designer from…

Know your rights when it comes to GARDEN PRIVACY – page 139 has all the details; looking to buy a new AIR PURIFIER? don’t miss our buying guide on page 140; or if a stylish CHAIR BED is down as your next big purchase, turn to page 142 for our favourites; page 144 has the low-down on SMART SECURITY; then skip to page 145 to find out how to avoid financial SCAMS; and finally, if your KITCHEN PANTRY is a cluttered mess, check out page 147 now...…

"If your chair bed isn’t the most comfortable to sleep on, invest in a mattress topper to add an extra layer of cushioning" GINEVRA BENEDETTI, DEPUTY EDITOR BEFORE YOU BUY ■ Chair beds range from 90cm wide to around 130cm wide. Because of their narrower frames, only one person can sleep on a chair bed, unlike sofa beds, which usually have room for two. ■ Much like sofa beds, there are two types of chair beds to choose from: click-clack and pull-out models. In the first type, the backrest and seat fold flat to become the sleeping surface, while a pull-out design is more traditional – remove the seat cushion and pull out the folding bed frame with its own mattress. ■ Click-clack chair beds often look more…

An organised pantry can make life run so much smoother than a disordered food cupboard. For a pantry to fulfil its potential, a good declutter, followed by the implementation of smart storage solutions, ensures everything is at hand when you need it. Start by thinking about how you like to shop (daily, weekly, monthly and so on) and consider how much space you might need for all the goods you plan to store. Empty your pantry and have a good look at the shelves to work out the very best place to store everything. Aim to keep your most frequently used items at eye or chest level, then follow up with a few of the following storage solutions to make the most of the space. Tiered storage stands Using tiered,…

YOU WILL NEED Gardeners Dream White clover grass seed, £39.99 for 1kg, B&Q Top soil, £4 for 25ltr, Wickes Hozelock rectangular oscillating sprinkler plus, £28.55, Amazon For a wilder, more eco-friendly take on a traditional lawn this year, consider a swap to clover. While some might do their level best to weed it out of their existing lawns (clover is a wildflower, not a weed), others celebrate the fact that it’s a great low-maintenance lawn alternative, and also provides many benefits for bees and other wildlife, too. If that sounds like something you want to get on board with, there’s a big time window for sowing clover seed – and now’s the perfect time to start. WHAT IS IT As previously mentioned, clover is a wildflower that grows quickly and…

“Schplendid’s Lifetime Guarantee looks after your sofa’s frame, springs and upholstery for life” Conscious comfort From the mind that launched Sofa.com and Pooky, Schplendid is Rohan Blacker’s new sofa company, and it’s doing things differently. The brand is on a mission to reduce waste, stop overconsumption and keep landfills free from furniture. Each sofa is made from high-quality, natural materials and designed to last a lifetime. Featuring FSC-hardwood frames and layers of coconut husk and sheep’s wool, comfort is key without compromising the planet. HERITAGE AT HOME The National Trust has made the leap into kitchens as part of its latest partnership with fitted furniture manufacturer, Symphony. The kitchens are inspired by eight National Trust sites, and have been designed with sustainability in mind. With ethically sourced wood, eco-friendly paints…

The TV personality and Britain’s Got Talent judge lives in Surrey with her husband, their two children, two dogs and two cats WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE TIME OF THE DAY AT HOME? It depends on the season. In the winter, I like it just after we’ve had a family dinner. There are just three of us at home at the moment, because my eldest is at university. Nine times out of ten, my youngest heads straight upstairs to chat to friends, so my husband Chris and I sit in front of the fire at about 6pm and watch something. I don’t usually watch TV that early, but it’s a nice thing to do in the winter. In the summer, the four of us hang out in the garden together until nine…

‘My client wanted an outdoor kitchen, so we positioned it in a previously unused corner,’ says garden designer Joanna Archer (joannaarchergardendesign.com). ‘The pale granite worktop pairs with the oak for softness, and the small canopy was a cosy addition to catch falling prickly leaves. There’s a stillness and tranquility about this garden, which is why we kept the colour scheme cohesive. A crab apple espalier adds year-round interest.’…

‘I always see gardens with seating right next to the house and wonder why it’s been put there,’ says garden designer Katerina Kantalis (katerinakantalis.co.uk). ‘Homes often have a space inside that allows you to sit close to the garden, so I prefer to position outdoor seating away from the house,’ she says. ‘In this space, the very back of the garden is the sunniest spot, so I positioned an existing sofa set there.’…

When homeowner Diana Irving noticed that some plants were struggling to grow in her garden’s north-east facing section, she transformed the space. ‘Instead of fighting a losing battle, I replaced the beds there with a summer house,’ she explains. ‘Built with sustainable hardwood, it stands up perfectly in all weathers. I escape to it with a coffee in winter, or gather there with friends in summer.’…

‘A water feature was top of my clients’ wish list, so we incorporated it into the journey of the space,’ says garden designer Raine Clarke-Wills (rainegardendesign.co.uk). ‘Whenever they walk alongside it as they move through their garden, the sound of flowing water brings peace. It ties in beautifully with the calmness of the Acer tree that borders it.’…

THE PALETTE…

Sara Mungeam had a clear idea when designing her own garden: ‘I wanted an organic, simple, neutral palette, using textured materials,’ she says. The patio is laid with durable, eco-friendly clay pavers, with ample seating, a dining area and a barbecue. ‘Our kitchen-diner opens out onto the garden, so it’s a special environment for entertaining. The summers feel magical now.’…

THE PALETTE…

‘We wanted a garden for entertaining, but we also wanted privacy,’ explains homeowner Philippa Beaumont. ‘There’s a snug seating zone at the end of the garden and it feels like a journey to get there, even though it’s just a few paces away,’ she adds. But the good-sized tree ferns are the main statement here, adding effortless privacy and dappled shade.…

‘I knew I wanted an outside room that felt spacious, with exotic plants and seating that would transport us somewhere far away,’ says homeowner and designer Emily Crowley-Wroe. ‘I wanted horizontal slatted fence panels for a contemporary look and placed bright furniture in front, with a bright turquoise dining set, a hanging chair and an outdoor rug to create a defined area in my second seating spot. The atmosphere is wonderful.’…

I’m water-resistant so perfect for outdoor use too…

What the experts say... Designers and stylists share their views ‘Deep reds are particularly important, not least because they coordinate so effortlessly with the warmer stone colours that continue to replace greys and the extended cooler neutral palette.’ ANDY GREENALL, HEAD OF DESIGN, PAINT & PAPER LIBRARY ‘Burgundy, like red, is an ‘advancing colour’ – it appears to come towards you – which is why it’s so successful at creating a sense of depth when used against cooler, receding colours and neutrals. A pop of warm red on a kitchen island, dining chairs, doors or accessories can transform a space from ordinary to something special.’ FRED HORLOCK, DESIGN DIRECTOR, NEPTUNE ‘Warm red is a comforting shade that creates an elegant backdrop in any room because it is deeply grounding. It…

1 GET SET UP OUTDOORS Make the most of your outdoor space now that the warmer weather is here. Arrange the seating area around an anchor point, such as a rug, coffee table or fire pit, to create a more sociable vibe. Add strategically-positioned planting to screen seating with mini olive or bay trees potted up in large planters. 2 PAINT A CEILING CANOPY Define a dining space with a painted panel that extends across the ceiling to create a canopy effect. It’s a clever way of zoning the space in an open-plan area, and using a darker colour helps to create a contrasting backdrop that will accentuate the furniture set against it. PAINT CHEAT SHEET 3 Spruce up shabby garden furniture with a cheery coat of paint - do it…

HOME NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Samantha Silver, a beauty editor and content creator, lives here with her husband, Nick, and two children. THE PROJECT A new guest bathroom as part of a loft extension and whole house refurbishment in north-west London. TOTAL COST £5,000 when Samantha and her family bought their house in March 2024, it was a blank canvas with plenty of challenges. ‘In October, we started refurbishing it. We did a two-storey extension, first floor and loft – and we lived in the house during the eight-month build!’ she says. A major focus was creating a layout that worked for their family. The previous owners had three children’s bedrooms on the first floor and the main in the loft. ‘We have two children and wanted to be on…

Creating a homely and welcoming kitchen has never been more important than it is now, with more of us using our cooking zones as dual-purpose rooms for living and hosting, which is where the ‘soft kitchen’ trend comes into play. The soft kitchen is an ode to a comfortable cooking space that encourages your family to sit, stay and socialise while you’re cooking – turning a practical family space into the convivial heart of your home. ‘The rise of soft kitchens signals a shift in how people want to live. The kitchen is no longer a standalone workspace; it is part of the social fabric of the home,’ explains Richard Davonport, managing director of Davonport. But finding ways to make decor feel softer, more tactile and warm can be a…

■ GIVE FENCES, FURNITURE AND BUILDINGS A REFRESH Make the most of sunnier days by updating a wooden shed, fence, furniture or decking with a fresh coat of paint. Look for an exterior paint that also offers protection from the elements to ensure your wood looks good for years to come. ■ HARDEN OFF PLANTS Before you pop any indoor-sown plants outdoors, you’ll need to harden them off first. This means moving them outside to acclimatise gradually and helps to avoid transplant shock. ‘Start by leaving them outside in your garden during the day, then bring them back inside at night,’ says Graham Smith MCIHort, head of horticulture at Creation Horticulture. ‘Continue this for seven to ten days before planting them outdoors.’ Garden must-haves As the weather warms up, keep…

With summer just around the corner, your thoughts will have no doubt turned to your garden with al fresco dining and hosting all possible once again. Whether you have a large garden, a small patio or a tiny balcony, every outdoor space needs the right garden furniture to make it comfortable and functional for your use. Admittedly, it might feel a little early to be investing in new garden furniture – chances are it’s probably raining as you read this – but we are finding that the best garden furniture tends to sell out early every year, so if you don’t make your choices now, the pool of available options you will have to choose from will become smaller. We’ve tried and tested a wide variety of different types of…

YOU WILL NEED ● Old terracotta pots ● Washing up liquid ● Eggshell paint ● Paintbrush ● Sheet of newspaper ● Thick rope Choose a few spare large pots from your garden – make sure they’re wide enough to cover the plates you plan to use them on. Rinse out any mud or dirt, then give them a thorough wash in warm, soapy water. Paint the outside of the pots using an eggshell paint in a colour of your choice. Put them on the sheet of newspaper and leave to dry. Once dry, flip them over and paint the underside. Leave to dry completely. Next, create an easy-to-grab rope handle by slipping a short length of rope through the hole in the base of the pot, tying a large knot…

THE PALETTE…

‘The garden is in a rural spot, so my client wanted the space to feel natural, yet be suited for contemporary living,’ explains garden designer Colm Joseph (colmjoseph.co.uk). ‘The main seating area is placed within the garden on pavers that complement the tones of the brickwork on the converted barn. But the majority of the space is soft landscaping, with naturalistic planting to frame the area.’…

‘Here, the owners wanted to combine nature with traditional elements, so we reused a lot of features from the original garden, such as the stone raised bed and some of the planting,’ explains designer Nick Woodhouse (woodhouseandlaw.co.uk). ‘We created a relaxed seating area at the end of the garden, with herringbone clay pavers to mimic a rug effect,’ he adds. ‘The water feature sits among the planting, breaking up the sounds of the city.’…

‘We weren’t using the back of the garden for anything, so I wanted to brighten it up,’ explains homeowner Malou Savelkoul. ‘We used blue and brass panelling, and a curved floor to soften the space.’ There's a mix of built-in and free-standing seating, while the pop of blue ties in with their interior scheme and creates a Mediterranean feel here. ‘It’s our little oasis in the city,’ she says.…

THE PALETTE…

THE PALETTE…