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This £4 supermarket buy has made my kitchen bin smell like a spa retreat – I’m not lying, it genuinely smells divine

This £4 supermarket buy has made my kitchen bin smell like a spa retreat – I’m not lying, it genuinely smells divine

by | Aug 11, 2026 | Design Inspiration

This summer, I’ve been testing out Febreze’s new Bin Fresheners (£5.99, Amazon), and I’m not lying when I say my bin actually smells good?! They’ve been brilliant at banishing bad smells from my kitchen bins.

In hot weather, it doesn’t take long until rubbish starts to smell and fruit flies flock to your home as a result. While we all should be cleaning a kitchen bin regularly during summer, sometimes this isn’t enough to stop the pong.

So, any product that promises to stop my bin from smelling, I’m more than willing to try. And I was genuinely left impressed with Febreze’s new Bin Fresheners. My bin has never smelled so good.

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When I moved into my flat last year, I swapped out a standard plastic waste bin for Habitat’s 55 Litre Twin Compartment Pedal Bin (£70) as its space-saving design was better suited to my small kitchen. It’s proved incredibly easy to clean, and I’ve noticed fewer smells leak through than a kitchen bin.

However, during this year’s heat waves, I have noticed bad smells when I open the lid. So, when I got my hands on the Febreze Bin Fresheners, I was excited to try them. They’re incredibly easy to use. You simply clean and dry the lid, insert the fragrance capsule into the holder and stick it to the lid via its adhesive liner.

And from that moment onwards, there genuinely is a big difference between how my bin smelt before and after. I’d opted for the Outdoor Fresh scent, and every time I opened my bin it smelt almost spa-like. And no, that’s not a sentence I ever thought I’d write.

Febreze bin freshener on a kitchen bin.

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Kezia Reynolds)

The fragrance pods last up to 45 days in a row, and in my experience, mask smells for that entire time. Febreze claims the fresheners fight up to 99% of common bin odours. I’m inclined to agree.

Having tested the fresheners out on my regular waste bin, I’m planning to pick up more pods and apply one to my food waste bin. I currently use the bicarbonate of soda hack to stop my food waste bin from smelling, but Febreze’s pods have proved more effective in my experience with my general waste bin.

Of course, you shouldn’t replace good bin hygiene with fragrance. Febreze’s pods are not designed to clean your bin, simply to mask poor smells. However, I have also noticed a reduction in flies this year compared to last year in my kitchen. Flies are attracted to decomposing food and rubbish, so your bin is a hotspot for attracting them. But while my bin now smells great to me, it’s less attractive for flies.

This handy little cleaning buy has earned a permanent place on my list of best cleaning products. It’s managed to make the inside of my kitchen bin smell like a spa retreat, and that is something short of a miracle.

Let There Be Light: Top 10 Ceiling Lights For Your Home

Let There Be Light: Top 10 Ceiling Lights For Your Home

by | Aug 11, 2026 | Design Inspiration, Lighting

The right lighting is an essential ingredient in getting the look and feel of your room right. It also has to be practical – there’s no point having atmospheric mood lighting in a kitchen, if you can’t see to cook! We’re big fans of statement lighting such as desk and table lights, but sometimes only a ceiling light will do. Overhead lighting provides uniform illumination across the whole room, and gives an uncluttered feel. It can also be controlled by the use of a dimmer switch, so you can turn the lights up or down to suit. Even though it’s not as visible as a table lamp, it’s still important to choose the right ceiling light to complement your space. Here are ten of our favourites.

1. 5 orb glass pendant light, Click Style

5 orb glass pendant light, Click Style

This unusual white glass orb five light pendant ceiling light, with a black metal frame and warm gold accent detailing, will make a great focal point. Designed as a modern statement pendant for contemporary homes, it delivers light where you need it to dining areas, living rooms and kitchens. £295, available from Click Style.

2. Small fluted glass ceiling light, Butler and Rose

Small fluted glass ceiling light, Butler and Rose

This compact little light is great for lower ceilings and smaller rooms, and brings a mid-century modern look to your ceiling. The fluted glass adds visual interest, refracting light to create an even glow throughout the room, so it looks good whether it’s switched on or not. £65, available from Drench.

3. Jayden round ceiling light, Rowen

Jayden round ceiling light, Rowen

This modern, futuristic pendant light looks like it’s come from the Starship Enterprise! The sleek, circular gold frame is suspended by fine wires for a ‘floating’ look. Ideal for contemporary interiors, this is a statement piece with the wow factor. £299, available from Rowen.

4. Terracotta dawn flush mount ceiling light, Studio Haran

Terracotta dawn flush mount ceiling light, Studio Haran

If you’re a details person, you’ll love this beautifully finished light, made from slip-cast ceramic with a hand-turned oak detail. Each is carefully handcrafted by a team of woodworkers and ceramicists. Available in different colourways, it costs £299 from Studio Haran.

5. Quinn ceiling light, Cult Furniture

Quinn ceiling light, Cult Furniture

If you love to use natural materials in your home, then this simple light, made from travertine stone and walnut-stained wood, may appeal. The curved silhouette helps echo the natural feel. £89, available from Cult Furniture.

6. Amber honey glass pendant light, Click Style

Amber honey glass pendant light, Click Style

This glass pendant light (above and main image), with its soft amber coloured shade, is adjustable and dimmable, making it really versatile. Downplay the look with a single unit, or line several up together for maximum impact. £115 each, available from Click Style.

7. Glass disc ceiling light, Rockett St George

Glass disc ceiling light, Rockett St George

This show stopper of a light reminds us of a very refined disco ball! The ribbed glass discs wrap all the way around to form a globe, creating a sculptural statement that feels a little bit magical. Bold and glamorous, it will instantly elevate your space. £425, available from Rockett St George.

8. Reflect flush ceiling light, Pooky

Reflect flush ceiling light, Pooky

Shaped like a golden cymbal, the Reflect flush light adds a little elegance with a hint of drama. Hand-hammered brass gives it a dappled finish, catching the light just so and adding warmth even when switched off. £19, available from Pooky.

9. Isaac glass pendant light, Laura Ashley

Isaac glass pendant light, Laura Ashley

This simple, classic pendant light will appeal to traditionalists and lovers of contemporary decor alike. It would look great in an industrial-style setting, set against bare brickwork. The antique brass finish and cone-shaped clear glass shade contribute to a sleek outline that won’t take over the interior. £50, available from dar lighting.

10. Verso pendant light, Tom Raffield

Verso pendant light, Tom Raffield

This asymmetrical, wooden work of art is more than a mere light! The curved shape mimics the swooping motion of falling leaves in the wind. It’s made from one continuous length of sustainably sourced timber that soars around an exposed bulb to cast a blend of light and shadow across the room. £175, available from Tom Raffield.

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Habitat just launched a ‘pillow’ sofa bed for £235, and I think this soft and squishy look is about to become the next big trend

Habitat just launched a ‘pillow’ sofa bed for £235, and I think this soft and squishy look is about to become the next big trend

by | Aug 11, 2026 | Design Inspiration

If you’re in the market for a sofa bed, I think Habitat is *the* place to shop right now. Especially if you want a budget-friendly design that’s perfect for smaller homes.

The brand has just launched a brand new collection of sofa and chair beds, and there’s one design in particular that has really caught my eye.

Habitat’s new ‘Pillow’ sofa bed costs just £235, and I think its soft and squishy look sums up one of the year’s biggest furniture trends.

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As Ideal Home’s Sleep Editor, I’ve spent the past five years testing the best sofa beds and best chair beds on the market, and in the past year, I’ve noticed a growing trend.

This year, ‘pillow‘ furniture is having a moment, and thanks to its soft, squishy, and cocooning vibes, I think it’s a look that’s here to stay.

I first noticed this trend in the bedroom. This year’s bedroom trends are all about turning the sleep space into a restful retreat; a look achieved with tactile fabrics, nurturing colours, and furniture with soft, curvaceous, and ‘pillowy’ shapes.

Darlings of Chelsea Lyndhurst bed

(Image credit: Darlings of Chelsea)

It began with headboard trends. At the start of 2026, clean lines and hard edges were very clearly on their way out, and soft, padded, and pillowy bed trends were on the way in.

The idea was to create a sleep space that felt cocooning, restful, and like somewhere you wanted to curl up and ‘nest’ for a while.

Now, the look has reached the world of sofa beds, and I think Habitat’s new launch nails it perfectly.

Habitat Pillow Chair Bed

(Image credit: Habitat)

The aptly named Pillow chair bed looks exactly like you might expect. It’s an elevated version of Habitat’s bestselling Roma chair bed, but this new Pillow version has softer corners designed to resemble a pillow.

It’s a small detail, yes. But it’s often the small details that elevate a piece of furniture from run-of-the-mill to understated-luxe, and I think it’s definitely a hosting solution to have on your radar as a result.

And not least, because at £295 for the single chair bed, and £365 for the double, this new overnight hosting solution is a stylish option that is also far more affordable than it looks.

I’ve rounded up some of the alternatives on the market below, and as you’ll see, Habitat’s options are by *far* the most budget-friendly.

Habitat is often the first brand to adapt designer looks for the high street, and I think its new Pillow chair bed will quickly become another trendsetter.

I expect plenty more pillowy shapes to emerge on the high street in the last half of 2026 and beyond, but will they be as well-priced as this Habitat option? I doubt it.

So, if you’re looking for a small-space hosting solution that wins in the comfort, style, *and* budget-friendly stakes, I certainly think this chair bed is it.

This new armchair from Habitat’s autumn 2026 collection looks designer – but it’s under £300, so snap it up while you can

This new armchair from Habitat’s autumn 2026 collection looks designer – but it’s under £300, so snap it up while you can

by | Aug 11, 2026 | Design Inspiration

Even though it’s still the middle of the summer and temperatures are regularly climbing above 30°C, Habitat just dropped its autumn collection. Several pieces from the range are already trending, including the new Habitat Drape armchair.

The Habitat autumn/winter 2026 lookbook was released at the end of last month, confirming the trending autumn colour palette I’ve been seeing across a few different collections. But when I first laid eyes on the designer-style Drape armchair, I was expecting a price tag well over £500. So I was pleasantly surprised by the £275 price point.

Given the high-end look of this accent chair paired with the affordable price point, I’m sure it’s going to fly off the shelves very soon – especially since it’s already trending on the Habitat website. So if you like the look of this stylish chair, better snap it up now while you still can.

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In many ways, the sculptural Habitat Drape armchair reminds me of the H&M Home chrome lounge chair which I named my favourite accent chair last year. The Drape chair has a similar curvaceous shape with exposed legs ‘draped’ with cushioning done in textured upholstery. But while H&M’s chair featured a then-trending chrome frame, Habitat’s chair comes with a solid oak wood frame instead.

Habitat Drape fabric armchair in a room with off-white limewash walls and a totem-style table lamp on a built-in table

(Image credit: Habitat)

For autumn and winter 2026, Habitat’s collection is leaning into a layered and textured look that feels cosy and comfortable. ‘For autumn/winter 2026, our design studio explores expressive, layered interiors that feel intentional and considered,’ says Nina Findley, director of product at Habitat. ‘The collection balances comfort and warmth with individuality, craftsmanship and purposeful design.’

I haven’t been able to test the Drape armchair IRL as of yet but I hope I’ll get to try it soon as the brand also praises its high comfort.

Alternatives

But while we’re on the topic of new-in Habitat armchairs, I also spotted a couple more designs that I think are worth investing in.

Which Habitat armchair speaks to you?

Octopus Energy is urging customers to avoid using electricity during the solar eclipse – what you need to know

Octopus Energy is urging customers to avoid using electricity during the solar eclipse – what you need to know

by | Aug 11, 2026 | Design Inspiration

Customers of Octopus Energy will be rewarded with free electricity if they cut down their energy usage during the upcoming solar eclipse.

On Wednesday 12 August, people across the UK will see an almost total eclipse for the first time this century. But this historical event is also a prime opportunity to save energy and money at home.

If you’re looking to save on your energy bills, Octopus Energy is asking customers to cut back on electricity between 6 pm and 8 pm – when the eclipse is at its darkest and earn free electricity the following weekend. Here’s how it works.

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What is Octopus Energy’s Eclipse Power Down Sessions?

During the eclipse, the moon will cover part of the sun and will temporarily wipe out a portion of the nation’s solar energy generation. With the eclipse predicted to begin around 6 pm (the exact time depends on where you are in the country), Octopus says this is when energy demand peaks.

Smart meter on a desk next to a laptop and a plant

(Image credit: Getty Images)

So, instead of sticking a wash on, switching on the TV or even the kettle when you get home from work on Wednesday, Octopus customers should avoid using electrical appliances during the 6 pm to 8 pm window. Instead, why not go see the eclipse? Using a pair of solar glasses, of course.

The idea is that by using less electricity, customers can help take the strain off The National Grid. In return, Octopus is offering a free hour of electricity the following Sunday when demand is less. The company will monitor your usage via your smart meter, and if you’ve used less electricity than you normally would, you’ll unlock your free hour.

A kitchen with an exposed brick wall and copper lighting fixtures on the wall

(Image credit: Future PLC/Davit Parmiter)

To take part in Octopus Energy Eclipse Power Down Sessions should sign up online via their rewards sign-up portal.

‘Many of us will be looking up at the sky on Wednesday evening to experience this once-in-a-generation event. But as the Sun disappears, so will some of Britain’s solar generation, just as demand peaks,’ commented Rebecca Dibb-Simkin, Chief Customer Officer at Octopus Energy.

‘By shifting everyday tasks like the washing machine or dishwasher until later, households can help reduce the need for gas power stations – and earn rewards for doing their bit.’

If you’re worried about paying your energy bills, there are other methods to save money, too. Assess energy-guzzling habits such as leaving appliances on standby and ditch them, try using smart plugs and consider fixing your tariff if you haven’t done so already.