Garden centre giant Dobbies has partnered with Alzheimer’s Research UK to raise £10,000 for vital research by curating and selling a Sensory Garden Bulb collection.
Most gardeners will know that autumn is the best time to plant your spring bulbs, and if you want a garden that is bursting with colour, while contributing to a great cause, this charity collaboration has arrived just in time.
The sensory garden bulb collection is £15 from Dobbies and features tulips, alliums and narcissus. These garden favourites are popular since they brighten any garden ideas with ease. And now, Dobbies and Alzheimer’s research have revealed another reason why these blooms are so special.
Dobbies Signature Collection
Spring Sensory Garden for Alzheimer’s Research Uk
Retailing at £15 per pack of 15, £5 from every sale goes straight to Alzheimer’s Research UK to fund vital research into the disease.
An estimated 982,000 people are living with Alzheimer’s in the UK, according to the Alzheimer’s Society. The UK’s biggest killer, one in three people born in the UK will develop dementia in their lifetime.
Dobbies and Alzheimer’s Research UK’s goal of £10,000 will fund up to 278 hours of scientists’ lab time to help find a cure. Since 1 March this year, Dobbies has raised £30,000 for Alzheimer’s Research UK via events, charity walks and in-store donations.
Alongside fundraising to find a cure for dementia, Dobbies and Alzheimer’s Research UK have partnered to show how gardening can have a positive impact on brain health. The Sensory Garden 15 Bulbs Collection has been carefully picked to help engage the senses and provide positive stimulation.
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Sensory garden ideas can serve as a therapeutic space for all, containing plants and objects that appeal to our senses and make us happy. Sensory plants are incredibly helpful for those with dementia as their colour, touch, and scent can help calm and ground, and even encourage the recollection of memories, according to NHS Forests.
The Sensory Garden Bulb Collection contains the striking Allium Purple Rain that engages the senses of sight and touch; Narcissus Bridal Crown, known for its bright and scented blooms; Tulip Blushing Apeldoorn, with its colourful bobbing flowers; and Tulip Purple Rain, adding a bold and dramatic finish to displays. These stunning blooms are also best planted in September, which is also World Alzheimer’s Month.
‘If nothing changes, one in two of us will be directly affected by dementia – either by caring for someone with the condition, developing it ourselves, or both. At Alzheimer’s Research UK, we’re committed to finding a cure for dementia, and Dobbies is helping us achieve this by raising vital funds for research,’ says Paul Glazier, Head of Corporate Partnerships at Alzheimer’s Research UK.
‘This beautiful bulb collection is doing just that, with money from each pack being donated to our cause. Gardening is also a great way to show our brains some love and potentially reduce our risk of developing dementia. Being active in the garden, learning new skills, connecting with others and planting these bulbs are great ways to show our brain some love while supporting life-changing dementia research.
‘We’re incredibly grateful to Dobbies for standing with us, and we want to say thank you to everyone who buys a pack. We hope the bulbs bring colour and joy to gardens across the country.’
The Sensory Garden Bulb Collection is available to buy in-store and online now.
WESTWOOD FOX
Westwood Fox Leather Gardening Gloves
Wearing gardening gloves will help protect your hands from some irritants found in spring bulbs such as Narcissus.
Crocus
Bulb Planting Auger – Long
A bulb planter means you can plant bulbs from standing without kneeling or crouching. It’s also handy to use if you have heavy or dense soil.
Spear & Jackson
Spear & Jackson 4813bp Traditional Stainless Long Handled Bulb Planter
This bulb planter has imperical and metric measurements so you can accurately see how far down you have planted.
The Sensory Garden Bulb Collection is available to buy in-store and online now.
One of the debates when mulling over buying a pizza oven is the six (or more) months of the year when a British back garden isn’t the ideal place for hosting an outdoor cooking event.
That’s where the appeal of the Ooni Volt comes in, which is an the electric pizza oven that you can use all winter long indoors. While the original Volt came out in 2023, its now undergone a redesign with a slimmed down footprint and a more affordable RRP to compete with the best pizza ovens on the market.
Kitted out with ‘Pizza Intelligence’ programs, this new and improved oven has a huge range of temperatures for proving your dough and firing up your pizzas.
Ooni
Volt 12
The original indoor oven from Ooni, the Volt proved very popular with its release in 2023.
So what’s different here? The first thing I noticed was the new smaller size. Where the original Volt was pretty ungainly, this 2.0 version is 30% slimmer and according to the brand, ‘can fit in a standard kitchen cupboard when not in use’. You can still fire up 13-inch pizzas with it, but it’ll take up far less space on your kitchen worktop.
It also features a sleeker look, with contrast colours, a more refined digital interface and a viewing window that’s much larger, so you can watch how your pizza is getting on.
(Image credit: Ooni)
But what will be most exciting to home pizza chefs is the new ‘Pizza Intelligence’ presets, which allow you to try out Neopolitan, Thin & Crispy and Pan Pizzas at the touch of a button.
Once you’ve selected one of these settings, the oven will automatically adjust the temperature of the oven for you, as well as ‘balance heat between the top and base heating elements’ and ‘minimise temperature fluctuations and cold spots’, according to Ooni.
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(Image credit: Future/Ooni)
There’s a huge range of temperatures with this oven too, from 20 to 450°C. You can use the lowest setting for proving your pizza dough or other breads and then fire up to the highest temperature quickly (in 20 minutes according to Ooni) in order to get the heat you need for a crispy base.
As someone who has tried the orignal Volt, I recognise the need for a lot of these tweaks to the design. While I love using my oven to host winter time pizza parties, storing such a large indoor oven is sometimes a headache and the interface could be a lot more intuitive for beginners.
Using my original Volt 12 to host a winter-time pizza party.
(Image credit: Future)
One of the only kickers with the Volt 2.0 is that it can only be used indoors, so when the sun does shine, your pizza party chef will be running those pizzas through to your guests outside.
What do you make of this new and improved indoor oven?
There’s something instantly inviting about a home with art on the walls. Blank walls might feel clean, but they can also feel unfinished. Adding artwork gives your space personality, warmth, and a sense of story — and one of the easiest, most versatile ways to do this is with canvas prints.
Unlike traditional framed prints or posters, canvas prints have a timeless quality. They’re bold without being fussy, professional without being stuffy, and endlessly customisable. Whether you’re drawn to family photos, dramatic landscapes, or abstract designs, canvas prints can transform an ordinary wall into something meaningful and eye-catching. But like any element of home décor, the secret lies in how you curate and display them.
In this article, we’ll explore how to choose, arrange, and style canvas prints so your walls feel like a true reflection of you.
Why Choose Canvas Prints?
Canvas art prints by Desenio bridge the gap between fine art and casual décor. They don’t require glass frames or complicated mounting, so they instantly feel lighter and less formal than framed artworks. Because of the texture of the canvas itself, the colours and details take on a soft, painterly quality, even if the image is a photograph.
They’re also practical. Canvas is durable, easy to clean, and less prone to glare than glass. That makes canvas prints suitable for all sorts of spaces, from bright living rooms to narrow hallways and even kitchens.
But perhaps their biggest appeal is their personalisation. Many companies now offer easy uploading of your own photos, so you can transform everything from wedding pictures to holiday snaps into large-scale art. That personal connection is what sets canvas apart — it feels like your story, not just a generic decoration picked off the shelf.
Choosing the Right Images
When curating canvas prints, the first step is deciding what you want to showcase. For many people, family memories are an obvious choice — those stairwells, bedrooms, or hallways often come alive with high-quality images that bring back happy moments, whether it’s a favourite holiday, your child’s laugh, or even a candid shot that captures your family’s personality. Travel photography is another popular option. Sunsets, city skylines, or wild landscapes deserve to be more than just phone wallpaper, and when enlarged onto canvas they become striking conversation starters.
If your tastes lean more towards a modern aesthetic, abstract art works beautifully. Bold shapes, brushstrokes, or splashes of colour can tie a whole palette together in a room. On the other hand, black-and-white photography has an enduring appeal; chic and classic, it complements both minimal and industrial interiors. Nature-inspired images and botanicals are equally effective, bringing a sense of calm with leafy greens, soft florals, or beachy blues. And for something a little more graphic, typography and quotes make a great choice — whether it’s a motivational phrase, a favourite poem, or even your child’s handwriting turned into art.
Ultimately, the key is to think about what makes you smile or pause. Artwork doesn’t need to be expensive to be meaningful — if it reflects you, it’s worth displaying.
Matching Canvas Prints to Your Décor
The best art complements its surroundings. Think of canvas prints as another design layer, like rugs or cushions. One of the simplest ways to make everything feel cohesive is to aim for color harmony
Colour harmony: Pull colours from your existing décor. A print with hints of sage green will tie in beautifully with your green velvet sofa or leafy plants. Or, if your room leans towards cool blues, choosing prints that echo those tones will create a soothing, unified effect.
Style match: Minimalist interiors suit clean lines and monochrome canvases, while rustic or boho spaces pair well with warm-toned landscapes or vintage-style prints.
Texture contrast: If your room is sleek and glossy, a matte-textured canvas adds warmth. If it’s already cosy, a bright, glossy abstract might add energy.
Don’t be afraid of contrast though; sometimes the most striking interiors happen when you place a bold modern canvas in a traditional room, or a soft botanical in an industrial loft. The key is keeping at least a touch of color harmony so the room feels balanced rather than chaotic.
Playing with Size and Scale
One of the joys of canvas prints is their flexibility. They come in a huge range of sizes, from tiny 20cm squares to giant wall-spanning panels, and choosing the right size depends on the space and the effect you want.
A single oversized canvas above a sofa or bed creates instant impact, acting as a dramatic focal point and even serving as a modern alternative to a headboard or mantelpiece painting. Smaller canvases, by contrast, work well as accents in kitchens, bathrooms, or alcoves, where a subtle touch of art is enough to lift the space without overwhelming it.
If you prefer variety, a gallery wall of canvases in different sizes is a great option, especially in hallways, staircases, and living rooms, where you can play with arrangement and storytelling. Whatever size you choose, it’s important to leave a little breathing room around each piece so the wall feels enhanced rather than cluttered.
Where to Hang Canvas Prints
Canvas prints are surprisingly versatile and can be displayed almost anywhere in the home. In living rooms, they shine when hung above the sofa, fireplace, or console table, adding warmth and personality to a central gathering space. In dining rooms, a single large canvas helps create intimacy, making meals feel more inviting.
Bedrooms benefit from calming scenes above the bed or smaller prints grouped above a dressing table, while hallways and staircases are perfect for series of canvases that tell a story or form a visual journey. Even bathrooms can play host to humidity-resistant canvases, giving these functional spaces a decorative touch. And if you’re working from home, a carefully chosen print in a home office — whether a motivational quote or a serene landscape — can provide daily inspiration.
Arranging a Gallery Wall
Gallery walls are the holy grail of curated art displays and canvas prints are perfect for them. The texture and frameless edges mean you can mix and match without worrying about clashing frames. To make yours work, start by choosing a theme. It could be a colour palette such as neutrals, black-and-white, or jewel tones, or a subject like family, travel, or abstract art. Laying the canvases out on the floor first is a great way to experiment before committing to nails in the wall.
It often helps to build your arrangement around a central piece — perhaps your biggest or boldest print — then balance smaller canvases around it. Even if the sizes vary, keeping the spacing consistent creates a sense of order. Mixing portrait, landscape, and square canvases can add personality and interest, so don’t be afraid of variety. The goal is balance, not perfection.
Making Walls Tell Your Story
Curating canvas prints in your home isn’t about following trends or getting it “perfect.” It’s about creating walls that tell your story — the people you love, the places you’ve been, the colours and shapes that make you feel at home.
Whether you hang one oversized statement piece, build a gallery wall of memories, or scatter small canvases around your home for little bursts of joy, these prints will bring personality and warmth to every room.
So don’t leave your walls blank. Start with one image that makes you smile, and build from there. Before long, you’ll have a home that feels not just decorated, but alive with your memories and style.
Vacuums, air purifiers, floor cleaners, fans, stain removers; there really isn’t anything Shark can’t do. This iconic brand offers appliances for every cleaning conundrum and has become a household name as a result. Now, they’re adding another to that list.
This week, Shark – the cleaning wizards that they are – has announced the upcoming launch of the Shark Stainforce Spot Cleaner HX100UKT, a lightweight, cordless spot cleaner and integrated cleaning caddy that’ll help you tackle everyday spills and stains as soon as they crop up. You simply need to grab the caddy, spray the dedicated cleaning solution, and watch the magic happen… no huge carpet cleaner required.
My insider sources have confirmed that the Shark Stainforce will be officially available to buy on September 10th, but you can sign up via a waitlist here, so you’ll be the first to be notified as soon as it’s available. I’d urge you to do this, too, as new Shark products have a tendency to sell out fast – especially when they’re this good.
But the new Shark StainForce offers something these other models don’t. It’s completely cordless, compact, and incredibly easy to grab and go when you need to get rid of stains on your carpet or clean your sofa before it’s ruined.
In fact, it weighs just 1.4kg and comes with its own cleaning caddy, complete with different attachments and a space for Shark’s powerful stain-busting (and pet-friendly) cleaning solution. Plus, it’ll clean itself when you’re done.
(Image credit: Shark)
Talking about the new model, James Kitto, Northern Europe Managing Director at SharkNinja says, ‘Stains and spills can occur unexpectedly, whether you have kids, pets or you’re getting ready to host guests – we all know dealing with them can be a stressful task.’
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He adds, ‘Shark StainForce is a truly innovative product: a cordless stain cleaner with dual-chemical activation, stain-grabbing suction and grab-and-go convenience. It’s designed to help consumers feel more in control, ready to tackle any stain.’
However, it is worth noting that you can’t use the new Shark StainForce Cordless Spot Cleaner on wool, so you’ll have to find another way to clean your wool carpets if you have them in your home.
(Image credit: Shark)
Nevertheless, I’ve been lucky enough to receive an early press sample of the StainForce, and I can honestly say that I’m a little bit obsessed. I’ve basically used it in every room in my house since it arrived on my doorstep – and I’ve only had it for a day. However, I’ll be writing up a full review of it soon, so I won’t give too much away just yet.
I would encourage anyone interested to sign up for the waitlist, though (even if you don’t end up buying it as soon as it launches), as I do think it’s going to sell out pretty quickly.
By signing up for updates now, you should also be eligible for an exclusive discount on the new model. And although it’s already a respectable price at just £169.99, there’s no denying that we all love getting money off.
But if you want something a little cheaper to clean your rugs or rid your home of stubborn stains, you could check out these alternatives.
Shark StainStriker Stain & Spot Cleaner PX200UK
Currently on sale, this corded Shark spot cleaner comes very highly reviewed and is perfect for carpets, rugs, staircases and more. The high-pressure spray penetrates deep into carpet and upholstery fibres, and there’s no pre-treatment required.
BISSELL Little Green Carpet Cleaner
I haven’t tested this spot cleaner yet as it’s relatively new, but it’s definitely on my list. I love the retro aesthetic, and its compact size means it’s extremely portable, too. You also can’t go wrong for under £100.
Tower AquaJet Plus Spot Pro Carpet Cleaner
Again, I haven’t tested this one – but it does have almost 150 reviews on Argos with an overall score of 4.4. It has a 4m power cord and carry handle for ease, and is an impressive price for something that can make such a big difference.
So, will you be snapping up Shark’s new StainForce Spot Cleaner?
Vacuums, air purifiers, floor cleaners, fans, stain removers; there really isn’t anything Shark can’t do. This iconic brand offers appliances for every cleaning conundrum and has become a household name as a result. Now, they’re adding another to that list.
This week, Shark – the cleaning wizards that they are – has announced the upcoming launch of the Shark Stainforce Spot Cleaner HX100UKT, a lightweight, cordless spot cleaner and integrated cleaning caddy that’ll help you tackle everyday spills and stains as soon as they crop up. You simply need to grab the caddy, spray the dedicated cleaning solution, and watch the magic happen… no huge carpet cleaner required.
My insider sources have confirmed that the Shark Stainforce will be officially available to buy on September 11th, but you can sign up via a waitlist here, so you’ll be the first to be notified as soon as it’s available. I’d urge you to do this, too, as new Shark products have a tendency to sell out fast – especially when they’re this good.
But the new Shark StainForce offers something these other models don’t. It’s completely cordless, compact, and incredibly easy to grab and go when you need to get rid of stains on your carpet or clean your sofa before it’s ruined.
In fact, it weighs just 1.4kg and comes with its own cleaning caddy, complete with different attachments and a space for Shark’s powerful stain-busting (and pet-friendly) cleaning solution. Plus, it’ll clean itself when you’re done.
(Image credit: Shark)
Talking about the new model, James Kitto, Northern Europe Managing Director at SharkNinja says, ‘Stains and spills can occur unexpectedly, whether you have kids, pets or you’re getting ready to host guests – we all know dealing with them can be a stressful task.’
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He adds, ‘Shark StainForce is a truly innovative product: a cordless stain cleaner with dual-chemical activation, stain-grabbing suction and grab-and-go convenience. It’s designed to help consumers feel more in control, ready to tackle any stain.’
However, it is worth noting that you can’t use the new Shark StainForce Cordless Spot Cleaner on wool, so you’ll have to find another way to clean your wool carpets if you have them in your home.
(Image credit: Shark)
Nevertheless, I’ve been lucky enough to receive an early press sample of the StainForce, and I can honestly say that I’m a little bit obsessed. I’ve basically used it in every room in my house since it arrived on my doorstep – and I’ve only had it for a day. However, I’ll be writing up a full review of it soon, so I won’t give too much away just yet.
I would encourage anyone interested to sign up for the waitlist, though (even if you don’t end up buying it as soon as it launches), as I do think it’s going to sell out pretty quickly.
By signing up for updates now, you should also be eligible for an exclusive discount on the new model. And although it’s already a respectable price at just £169.99, there’s no denying that we all love getting money off.
But if you want something a little cheaper to clean your rugs or rid your home of stubborn stains, you could check out these alternatives.
Shark StainStriker Stain & Spot Cleaner PX200UK
Currently on sale, this corded Shark spot cleaner comes very highly reviewed and is perfect for carpets, rugs, staircases and more. The high-pressure spray penetrates deep into carpet and upholstery fibres, and there’s no pre-treatment required.
BISSELL Little Green Carpet Cleaner
I haven’t tested this spot cleaner yet as it’s relatively new, but it’s definitely on my list. I love the retro aesthetic, and its compact size means it’s extremely portable, too. You also can’t go wrong for under £100.
Tower AquaJet Plus Spot Pro Carpet Cleaner
Again, I haven’t tested this one – but it does have almost 150 reviews on Argos with an overall score of 4.4. It has a 4m power cord and carry handle for ease, and is an impressive price for something that can make such a big difference.
So, will you be snapping up Shark’s new StainForce Spot Cleaner?
Amazon has launched its first ever Second Chance Deal Days, which means you can shop high-quality returned and refurbished items at a fraction of the original cost – and these are the best home deals I’ve spotted.
When I want an Amazon deal, I typically wait for their Amazon Prime Day sales to snap up a bargain. But having launched today (3 September) and running until 9 September, the Second Chance Deal Days are another excellent opportunity to get a discount deal on some of the best products on the market.
But, these deals are a little more hidden than Amazon’s typical sales, so I’ve put together a guide for making the most out of this secret side of Amazon. From some of the best coffee machines to the best air fryers, here are a few of the best deals you can snap up during Amazon’s Second Chance Deal Days.
Lumie
Lumie Sunrise Alarm
The Lumie Sunrise Alarm is a team favourite and is renowned for helping you wake up feeling fresh and ready for the day. It’s normally £49.99 on Amazon.
Tower
Tower T17088 Vortx 9l Dual Basket Air Fryer
Usually priced at £119, this dual-basket air fryer is already a good price, but for under £40, it’s a fantastic deal. It has two large 4.5L baskets, making it a great choice for families and it comes with 10 pre-set cooking functions.
De’Longhi
De’longhi Magnifica S, Automatic Bean to Cup Coffee Machine
This machine retails for £300 at Argos, so to get one for just £160 is an amazing deal. Our review praised how delicious its milk-based drinks were as well as how easy it is to use. Plus, it looks great.
When shopping for Amazon returned or refurbished items, look for a tab that says ‘Save With Used’ when adding items to your trolley. This appears on the right-hand side of a laptop screen. Or if you’re using a mobile, scroll past the ‘buy now’ button to a heading called ‘Other sellers on Amazon’.
The first of its kind sale offers customers up to 50% off recommended retail prices on returned and refurbished items from brands such as Shark, De’Longhi and Tower. This discount is applied to your basket when you check out, so I’d recommend checking what discount has been applied before you buy.
The De’Longhi Magnifica S Automatic Bean to Cup Coffee Machine
(Image credit: Future)
Amazon reports that last year, customers in the UK saved more than £110 million by shopping for returned and refurbished items from the site. The retail giant also says that two-thirds of Brits are now buying second-hand due to convenience and concerns of cost-of-living and the environment.
‘We’ve seen that once customers experience the value and quality of these products, they become confident second-chance shoppers, saving money along the way and helping to extend product lifecycles,’ says John Boumphrey, Amazon UK Country Manager.
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‘Our dedicated teams check every returned product. Customers can be assured that any used product they buy meets our quality standards and comes with Amazon’s customer service and return policies.’
Currently, Amazon sells returned and refurbished products through two main channels: Amazon Resale and Amazon Renewed. Items sold via Amazon Resale go through a thorough inspection process and come with descriptions such as ‘Like New’, ‘Very Good’, ‘Good’, or ‘Acceptable’.
Amazon Renewed offers refurbished products sold by Amazon’s qualified selling partners. Each undergoes professional inspection, testing and cleaning and must meet Amazon Renewed’s requirements before being offered at competitive prices.