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She Put a Dollar Tree Dish Rack in Her Entryway, and Now I Want to Copy Her

She Put a Dollar Tree Dish Rack in Her Entryway, and Now I Want to Copy Her

by | Oct 21, 2026 | Design Inspiration, Style

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Every fall, I struggle to find a good spot in my entryway for my wet, muddy boots. Whenever I get back to my apartment my boots are usually drenched from the rain or snow, and then leave puddles by the front door.

So as the weather starts to cool down, I’ve been searching for a solution. Luckily for me, I recently came across an entryway storage hack that uses a Dollar Tree dish rack (of all things!) to store damp boots.

Why Everyone Should Put a Dish Rack in Their Entryway

In this video, content creator Emma Villaneda demonstrates how to use a Dollar Tree dish rack to store wet boots by the front door. Her hack is super-simple: She takes the Essentials Plastic Dish Rack along with its liner bin (placed underneath), sets them in her entryway, and places her boots in them. The plastic liner bin catches all the water without making a mess on her floors.

The Essentials Plastic Dish Rack is available in white and black and costs just $1.50. Its compact size (13.8 inches long, 11.8 inches wide, and 4.03 inches tall) makes it perfect for a small entryway, and it holds about two to three pairs of boots. This hack is so smart because it repurposes an incredibly budget-friendly kitchen item into a tray that keeps wet boots off your floors. Additionally, it’s super-easy to clean. All you have to do is remove the liner bin and wipe away or wash the residual water. Plus, when it’s time to sweep or mop, you can just pick up the whole rack at once rather than moving individual muddy shoes that leave grime everywhere.

More Ways to Use This Dollar Tree Dish Rack

Furthermore, in addition to corralling damp footwear in the entryway, you can place this Dollar Tree dish rack on your bathroom counter to catch dripping soap and shampoo bottles and hold damp bathroom tools like sponges or loofahs.

While this $1.50 dish rack is available only at Dollar Tree, a basic plastic dish drying rack from Walmart or Amazon will achieve the exact same result for just a few dollars more. This hack is so simple and affordable — what’s not to love?

This is the best type of hedging to feed wildlife, create shade and reduce pollution in your garden – and experts say it thrives in UK soils

This is the best type of hedging to feed wildlife, create shade and reduce pollution in your garden – and experts say it thrives in UK soils

by | Oct 21, 2026 | Design Inspiration




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Making wildlife-friendly choices for your garden is one of the best ways to create a sustainable, flourishing outdoor space, and experts have told Ideal Home that choosing native hedging offers many benefits for your garden and the wildlife that visits.

Wildlife gardens and outdoor spaces focused on sustainable practices have been major garden trends for 2026. From planting bird-feeding plants to introducing a micropond for insects and frogs, we’ve seen plenty of popular methods for channelling these trends.

But rather than adding a few wildlife-friendly features, experts want you to consider every area of your garden, particularly the structural foundation that is your hedge.

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Why should you choose native hedging?

When referring to ‘native hedging ’, I mean hedging materials that are native to the UK, such as hawthorn or hazel. These types of hedges are largely considered some of the best hedging plants, as not only are they well-suited to the UK’s climate, but they often shelter and feed wildlife, too.

Redwing eating berries from holly bush.

‘Hedges of all sorts are proven to reduce air pollution in urban areas. They trap larger particulates, which are then washed away. Of course, they also absorb CO2 – a clever trick for a fence! They also help prevent flooding; their root systems improve soil health and its ability to hold volumes of water,’ comments Nick Mann, environmentalist and founder of Somerset B Corp Habitat Aid.

‘Something you might have noticed after last summer is that well-established and managed hedges provide deep shade and cooler spaces for wildlife. For many animal species, the temperatures we’re now seeing in summer are life-threatening. Hedges also provide protected corridors for movement for these animals. One of the problems they have is that habitats are so fragmented; hedges can join them up.

‘Native hedges in particular are fantastic for wildlife. They’re like a super diverse thicket on the edge of woodland – a different habitat than elsewhere in the garden. Blossom, nuts, berries, food plants for moth and butterfly larvae, ideal for small nesting birds and hibernating amphibia. You can forage sloes, haws, berries, and nuts too, of course, or damsons, bullace, pears and crab apples.’

As Nick mentions, your hedging also provides a corridor for wildlife. You may already be aware of the benefits of a hedgehog highway, which allows hedgehogs to pass freely between gardens, keeping them off the road. Not to mention that native hedging also makes up many of the plants you can plant in October to help birds survive winter.

Which hedging should you choose?

If you’re looking to lay a hedge in your garden, hawthorn (£94.99, B&Q) is one of the best choices for you and the wildlife that visits your garden.

Bue tit on a hawthorn branch.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

‘Dense, thorny hedges like hawthorn provide birds with a secure place to build a nest where they will be safe from predators. The leaf litter produced by hedges is also a great source of shelter for wildlife, as it can offer a safe overwintering place for insects or small animals. Hedges act as natural windbreaks, lowering the wind speed and creating a safe sheltering area for fragile insects like butterflies,’ says Richard Barker, horticultural expert and commercial director of LBS Horticulture.

Hawthorn is also fast-growing, making it a good choice if you’re looking to establish your plant quickly. Holly (£10.99, B&Q) and hazel (£5.99, Hedging Direct) are also solid choices, with holly providing year-round cover and hazel producing nuts and berries.

‘We recommend a well-managed mixed native hedge. Avoid Blackthorn for a garden hedge, as it suckers so aggressively, but mix other native hedge species in small groups,’ recommends Nick.

‘Most native hedge mixes are based on Hawthorn, which has a number of virtues. It’s fast-growing, spiky and will be covered in blossom in April/May and decorative red haws in autumn. Like all native hedge species, it’s fantastic for wildlife.

‘Other plants bring their own attractions. Myrobalan for early blossom, Dogwood for autumn colour. Buckthorn as a food plant for Brimstone butterflies, Honeysuckle for Hawk moths.’

How to lay native hedging

If you do choose a native hedge for your garden, our experts also recommend using traditional hedging laying practices to install it.

Freshly cut, woven and crafted hazel hedge.

‘Traditional hedge laying can help to create a dense fence that can last for years if cared for correctly. Using this technique also prevents hedging shrubs from turning into a line of trees with open gaps at the bottom, with the lower thicket providing additional cover for wildlife,’ explains Richard..

‘If you are attempting to lay a hedge yourself it is best to try doing so on a small section first, and only do so during the dormant season (between October and March). You should also only attempt to lay hedges that have a few years of growth, as this ensures that the stems are thick and high enough to work with. However, if you lack experience, are dealing with a complex hedge or need a long-lasting barrier, it is better to hire a professional.’

However, if you’re not confident in your ability, it is always best to speak to a trusted professional for advice.

Shop native hedging

If you’re landscaping a garden, consider using native hedging for your hedgrows. The local wildlife will thank you for it.

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A Dark and Dreary Balcony Transformed Into a Second Living Room

A Dark and Dreary Balcony Transformed Into a Second Living Room

by | Oct 21, 2026 | Design Inspiration, Style

The Plants Help Make the Balcony Private and Comfortable

“It took us about a month to complete the patio, as we had a lot to buy. The project cost was relatively high, as we did not spend any time at thrift stores, garage sales, or estate sales,” Jessica explains. It cost them roughly $708 to transform the space.

“There is so much I love about the finished patio. I love that we were able to hide the air conditioning unit behind the white paneling,” Jessica says. “Having so many plants makes the space feel private and natural. I love having a comfortable place outside to eat breakfast in the morning and enjoy some wine at the end of the night.”

Ninja’s sellout alternative to an air fryer is finally back in stock – here’s why you’ll want to snap up the 2-in-1 appliance asap

Ninja’s sellout alternative to an air fryer is finally back in stock – here’s why you’ll want to snap up the 2-in-1 appliance asap

by | Oct 21, 2026 | Design Inspiration




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Ninja‘s first ever air fryer microwave is now back in stock, available for £359.99 via the brand’s website, after selling out completely shortly after it was first released.

If you’re looking to save worktop space by combining the convenience one of the best air fryers with the reheating powers of a microwave then the Ninja Crispi will absolutely tick your boxes – it earned 4.5 stars in our recent Ninja Crispi air fryer microwave review after being put through its paces by our expert Home Economist Helen McCue.

Not every microwave air fryer combo is made equal – some of the early iterations we tried out here at Ideal Home were not worth the money spent on them – but the Crispi Ninja has finally cracked the code. Here’s a closer look at why this hybrid buy was a sellout success the first time around.

One of the things that impressed our reviewer Helen most about the Ninja Crispi was that it managed to harness the power of one of the best Ninja air fryers without compromising on microwave ability. In fact, it combines the best of both worlds with its FusionCrisp setting which allows you to use the two modes in conjunction to seriously speed up meal times. According to Helen, this hybrid setting is where this appliance ‘really shines’.

Another thing that stands out about the Crispi is that it’s easy to use with controls that don’t take a learning curve to figure out. If you’ve used any Ninja appliance before you’ll know that user experience is always prioritised over complication.

Testing the Ninja Crispi microwave air fryer combo

Cooking a lasagne in the Ninja Crispi 3-in-1.

(Image credit: Future)

The news of the release of the Ninja Crispi was very well received here in the UK, where kitchens tend to be smaller and multi-functionality is always appreciated. Though this combi model isn’t exactly small, it will allow you to condense two spots on your worktop into one, freeing up valuable space.

If you’re a fan of a streamlined, tidy kitchen, there will be plenty of appeal in this fairly sleek product.

If you’re interested in investing in the Crispi to simplify your appliance set up then I’d recommend acting sooner rather than later – this is certain to be a second time sellout!

M&S’s Christmas lighting is so good, I’m not surprised it’s already selling out – 6 gorgeous festive lights to buy now or regret later

M&S’s Christmas lighting is so good, I’m not surprised it’s already selling out – 6 gorgeous festive lights to buy now or regret later

by | Oct 21, 2026 | Design Inspiration




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Christmas comes earlier every year, but for once I’m not complaining, as M&S’s festive lighting is so good, I predict it will sell out long before the big day arrives.

I can appreciate it’s only October, but now is the time to start considering the year’s Christmas trends – especially when the best decorations always sell out early. And one of the best producers of festive decor is M&S, who have already graced us with the return of their XL bows, tinsel tree skirt and gorgeous light-up candles.

But it is their Christmas lighting that I have to say is worth investing in now. I’ve already fallen in love with the brand’s new twig trees, and this led me down the rabbit hole of the best M&S Christmas lights. Here are my top six picks.

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100 LED Light Up Confetti Garland

M&S’s 100 LED Light Up Confetti Garland is my top pick. Just look at that sparkle!

(Image credit: M&S)

Having trawled through the M&S website, my top pick is the 100 LED Light Up Confetti Garland (£12). This five-star-rated product is made up of 100 warm white LED lights, as well as glittering confetti and beads that help reflect light – whether that’s from your LED or when it catches the sun in the daytime.

It’s a simple design but one that would suit any Christmas decorating style. I’d hang them from a fireplace mantel, or around a bookshelf or dresser to enjoy a festive sparkle that reaches every corner of your home. You could even place them in a mason jar and use them as part of your table decor for dinner parties.

What I love about these lights is that they are not explicitly festive, so you could use them as decor for any party.

‘These are lovely. I wanted them to cheer me up now the dark evenings and mornings have arrived,’ says one review, summing up my sentiments.

The M&S Christmas shop is selling fast, so if anything has caught your eye, it’s wise to check out sooner rather than later.