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Cori is a freelance writer who covers interior design, gardening and houseplant care, DIYs, and trending style topics. She writes for publications like Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and Better Homes & Gardens. When she’s not working on the next story, you’ll find her enjoying a…read more
This time of year, we all need all the freezer space we can get, as festive food shops are quick to hog the entire space. Before you bring that frozen turkey home, experts have revealed a clever hack that uses aluminium foil to remove excess ice from your freezer.
Freezers can quickly become iced up, limiting storage space and reducing the efficiency of the appliance. There are a number of reasons why ice builds up in a freezer, and if you’ve found this has happened to you, the aluminium foil hack is a good way to defrost a freezer.
The simple hack uses a roll of aluminium foil and a bowl of hot water to gently melt the excess ice in your freezer and defrost a freezer quickly. Here’s how it works.
If you’re struggling to organise your freezer, trying this hack first can help give you more space.
(Image credit: Future PLC/Chris Snook)
First, switch your appliance off before putting a layer of aluminium foil over the interior of your freezer. Then, place a bowl of boiling water inside the centre of your freezer and shut the door. The hack uses the foil’s heat conductivity to help melt the ice, and after 10 minutes, the ice should be loosened enough for you to remove it.
‘This can be a good method to use as the foil will act as a heat conductor, and it will help to distribute heat and steam from the water to make the ice melt faster than if the hot water was used by itself,’ says Steve Larkin, a kitchen expert from Kitchen Door Hub.
This hack is great if you want to defrost a freezer fast. However, Steve warns you should never use the foil itself to try and scrape the ice away.
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Fiona Walker Arnott)
‘This is because using it to scrape ice risks damaging freezer components or scratching the inner plastic lining of the freezer. When the inner lining of the freezer is compromised, this can allow moisture to build up between layers and potentially cause more issues related to a buildup of ice in the future,’ he says.
You should also remove the foil after finishing the hack, as while it may seem like a time-saving way to stop ice from building back up, it can have a detrimental effect.
‘Lining shelves or walls with foil to “make the next defrost easier” is a bad idea because it can obstruct airflow, trap condensation, and leave edges that nick door gaskets or the liner. The better approach is to defrost when frost reaches about 1/4 inch, keep door openings brief, check the door seal, and store food covered so moisture doesn’t migrate into the cavity,’ says Viktor Velikov, Director of ELSERVE.
After you have used aluminium foil to remove excess ice from your freezer, it’s worth investing in some handy storage solutions to make the Christmas prep even easier. This is what we recommend.
Souper Cubes
Souper Cubes – 2-Pack
I use Souper Cubes and swear by them for meal prep. They’re excellent for freezing individual portions of soups, stock, stews and even gravy.
Pyrex
Pyrex Bake, Cook & Store Glass Dish Set, 3 Piece
These stackable dishes can handle your oven and your freezer, making them a great choice for easy batch cooking.
Bigingjia
Bigingjia Large Silicone Soup Freezer Tray With Lid
These trays are an affordible alternative to Souper Cubes. I haven’t tried them myself, but reviews say they make storing food in the freezer easier.
No one likes the effort of defrosting a freezer, so give this hack ago and see if it could save you a little effort this festive season.
KitchenAid has unveiled a new monochrome colour scheme for its bestselling Artisan stand mixer: Porcelain White. The announcement of this pared-back shade comes alongside a shiny new studded ceramic bowl, making this pair the ultimate kitchen buy for anyone with a pristine white kitchen.
It’s no secret (and has been proved by our in-house testing protocol) that KitchenAid produces some of the best stand mixers out there, and where the brand really excels is in forward-thinking design. And seeing as Pantone’s colour of the year has just been controversially announced as the very white Cloud Dancer, you could say KitchenAid is ahead of the curve.
KitchenAid
Artisan in Monochrome White
Described as a ‘light, bright duo’ by KitchenAid, this new all-white release might just signify a move back to minimalist kitchen schemes.
KitchenAid
Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine
Our expert reviewer loved this machine when she tried it calling it ‘sturdy and well-built’. It’s had a Porcelain make over too.
KitchenAid
Variable Temperature Kettle
I’ve had KitchenAid’s Artisan kettle on my wishlist ever since I used it in the Ideal Home test kitchen. This is the snazzy new version.
KitchenAid is branding this mono-white mixer as one that ‘captures the calm of clean design’. And its rejection of colour is bound to reignite debates around whether all white kitchens are back in vogue – we didn’t quite have that on our bingo card for paint trends for 2026.
Away from the monochrome look, I think the star of this particular KitchenAid is its studded bowl. The brand has been getting more innovative with this element of their mixers in the last few years – the Evergreen series with the walnut bowl was one of my favourite product releases of 2024.
(Image credit: KitchenAid)
The KitchenAid Artisan is a true workhorse mixer, I learnt as much during my KitchenAid Artisan standmixer review, but this all-white version is not the one you’ll want to pick up if you’re more of a messy baker. I can’t imagine this ultra clean-look version will be replacing the colourful pastel Artisan mixers that adorn The Great British Bake Off’s tent any time soon, either.
(Image credit: KitchenAid)
If you still favour a white kitchen colour scheme over any other, this mixer will tick all of your boxes. It’s a minimalist dream!
When he’s not presenting on BBC Radio 1 or hosting his podcast, it turns out Jamie Laing is keeping up with the season’s biggest Christmas trends. After making progress on his home renovation throughout the year, the former Made in Chelsea star revealed his Christmas tree for 2025 last week, and, in my opinion, it’s a perfect take on the festive trend I’ve been seeing everywhere.
I’m sure you already know that the Ralph Lauren Christmas trend is one to watch this festive season. It’s a true classic that has really come into its own this Christmas. Combining plaid patterns, natural materials and rich colours, this trend is perfect for creating a nostalgic moment of calm amongst the usual Christmas chaos. And this year, Jamie Laing has put his own twist on the traditional style with his impressive Christmas tree display.
‘Jamie’s tree embraces a traditional look, a style closely influenced by brands like Ralph Lauren, whose Christmas aesthetic blends classic nostalgia with effortless comfort,’ says James Mellan-Matulewicz, CEO and Creative Director at Bobbi Beck. ‘This tree captures that mood perfectly, embodying the traditional charm and warmth that define this season’s most sought-after style.’
And Whinnie Williams, Interior Designer and Trends Forecaster for Balsam Hill, agrees. ‘Just like the Ralph Lauren Christmas aesthetic, which has found favour this year, Jamie’s tree leans into traditional festive colours, with a timeless feel that hinges on sophisticated material choices and natural elements,’ she says.
In principle, the tree is simple. There are no baubles, no tinsel, and no kitsch characters. With only a few twinkling lights dotted between the fir branches, Jamie’s decor solely consists of plush red bows, tactile pinecones and red berry sprigs.
(Image credit: Future PLC)
It might sound like a pared-back approach to Christmas, but Jamie and Sophie’s tree still delivers a wow-factor. Each decoration is layered in a way that not only hits the Ralph Lauren spot, but also touches on some of the other big trends of the year – like XL Christmas bows and nostalgic decor, achieved through the natural textures of pinecones and berries.
‘Incorporating natural elements like pine cones, berries, or twigs creates a rustic style that, when paired with soft fabrics like velvet-style bows, creates a look that really stands out,’ says Chloe Barrow, Interior Expert at Laura James. ‘The pairing also creates a subtle connection to the outdoors, which is great for giving indoor Christmas trees more life.’ Especially if you’ve opted for an artificial Christmas tree this year!
Not only is the tree on trend and simply stunning, but it’s also a look that is super easy to recreate. ‘The key is to keep the eye moving,’ says Whinnie. ‘Tuck some decorations deeper into the branches, then build outwards, adding more pieces and finishing with smaller details to fill every gap and create a gloriously abundant look.’
(Image credit: Future PLC)
Thanks to the traditional nature of this trend, you don’t need to splash out on grand ornaments, either. Red and green baubles of years gone by should do the trick when paired alongside natural textures and festive bows (which are easy to make yourself). ‘Opt for a wide, velvety red ribbon and tie it into bows around the tree for an elegant finish,’ suggests James. ‘And layer in generous clusters of berries and sprigs of greenery at varying depths.’
And don’t forget the tree skirt to top it all off. Jamie’s is easy to miss at first glance, but he has opted for a beautiful back-lit option, similar to this one at QVC.
‘If you’re worried about natural elements lasting the full season, go faux,’ advises Whinnie. Most of the time, faux decs can look just as effective as the real deal. Here’s a few to add to your basket if you want to create your own Ralph Lauren-esque Christmas display.
Very
Set of 3 Red Berry Christmas Tree Picks
John Lewis
John Lewis Heirloom Splendour Velvet Bow Tree Decoration, Red
Dunelm
Pinecone Ball Hanging Decoration
H&M Home
6-Pack Pine Cone Christmas Decorations – Gold-Coloured
Cox & Cox
Six Flocked Glass Baubles – Forest Mix
Pottery Barn
Plaid Bow Clip – Medium
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If you’re looking for an affordable, super simple but super effective way of turning your garden into a winter wonderland this season, I’ve found just the thing: LED net lights.
Yes, these Ollny Net Lights are just £20 at Amazon, and they’re taking reviewers by storm. If you’re wondering how to light outdoor trees for Christmas, they’re an absolute no-brainer – you simply throw them over whichever tree or shrub you want to decorate, and the job’s done.
The job, might I add, is a magical one: the results are gorgeous, especially on a tree or hedge. You can use the lights over fences and other outdoor features, too. Here’s everything you need to know.
Ollny
Outdoor Net Lights
Ollny’s LED net lights are sold as 3m by 2m lengths, so they’re the perfect size for a hedge or small tree. They’re available in three colours – warm white, cool white and multi-coloured – but the warm white is my favourite (that’s what I always go for when I buy outdoor lighting, though!).
The LEDs are arranged on diamond-shaped netting, so wherever you hang them, you’ll get a nice, even distribution of lights. In fact, reviewers say they look ‘very impressive’ once they’re up, and celebrate how easy they are to set up in the first place. You’ll just need to roll them up carefully when you pack them away for the year so they don’t tangle in the box (but the same goes for most Christmas lights!).
It really is just a case of throwing or draping them over a tree or hedge, giving them a little adjustment, and enjoying the display. It saves all that time carefully winding fairy lights around a tree, only to step away and realise you’ve laid them wrong.
(Image credit: Getty Images / Prava)
At £20, I didn’t think the lights would be customisable – but you can toggle between eight lighting modes (including fades and flashes) and four different brightness levels to adjust the lighting to whatever atmosphere you’re aiming to create.
I’m always a little cautious about using Christmas lights on plants in case of burns, but these ones are safe because they’re LEDs. They’re also weatherproof, with an IP67 rating, so you can be sure they’ll survive any snow and rain we see over the coming months.
They can even be used indoors – Ollny says the net lights are ‘perfect for porches, windows, walls, and bedrooms or embellishing Christmas trees, hedges, fences, gazebos, and gardens,’ so they really are an all-rounder. I remember hanging similar lights on the wall of my university house’s living room, and all six of us vouched for the magical feel they brought to the space (they had a twinkle option, too!).
The only downside is that they’re mains-powered, so chances are, you’ll need to find a suitable outdoor extension lead – but they do come with a timer and a memory function, so you can set the lights to come on at specific times of the day and avoid energy wastage.
CORST
6x2m Christmas Net Lights
Outdoor net lights with a longer length for larger trees and spaces.
CCILAND
1.5m X 1.5m Garden Net Lights Warm White
A shorter section of net lights, perfect for a small tree or hedge.
LightsGo
Net Christmas Fairy Lights Waterproof
Multi-coloured net lights for a touch of nostalgia.
At just £19.99, Ollny’s outdoor LED net lights are a no-brainer. They’ll transform your garden into a twinkling Christmas grotto in the blink of an eye, and they take the guesswork out of manually decorating a tree or hedge with lights.
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