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The iconic Big Green Egg has just received its first colour update in 50 years – its sophisticated new look is perfect for a modern garden

The iconic Big Green Egg has just received its first colour update in 50 years – its sophisticated new look is perfect for a modern garden

by | Sep 24, 2026 | Design Inspiration

When you think of premium BBQs, the first image that comes to mind is undoubtedly the Big Green Egg. Its round shape and British Racing Green colourway have become synonymous with quality cooking. But the time has come to change your perception, as Big Green Egg have just dropped a brand new colourway – The Onyx.

Big Green Egg is one of the best BBQs you can buy and is highly favoured by chefs and celebrities due to its superior cooking abilities. And this is the first time a new colourway has been announced in the brand’s 50-year history.

The Big Onyx Egg gives the iconic egg a sleek black update and is designed to blend seamlessly into contemporary gardens. Here’s everything you need to know.

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Big Onyx Egg on patio.

(Image credit: Big Green Egg)

Launching today (24 September), the Big Onyx Egg is available in large size and to Big Green Egg members only. It is free to sign up for the membership scheme.

Inspired by the precious stone, Onyx, the ceramic outer shell features a deep, dark glaze, with the faintest hint of green shining beneath the surface. Inside, customers should be familiar with what they see.

The most important things to know about these egg BBQs are that they deliver precise temperature control, are incredibly versatile to use and are suitable for roasting, baking, slow cooking, smoking and even rotisserie. It’s these features, as well as the incredibly high-quality materials used to craft them, that make Big Green Egg BBQs so popular amongst professionals and one of the best charcoal BBQs on the market.

‘The decision to add a colour to the world’s most famous green was not one we took lightly. The Onyx came from listening to our customers, who wanted an EGG that could sit naturally within the more contemporary outdoor spaces they were creating. It took us time to get the finish right, but we knew we had it when we could still see that subtle trace of green in the sunlight. The Onyx may look different, but underneath it is the same EGG our customers have trusted for generations,’ comments Dan Gerstacov, CEO of Big Green Egg.

Big Onyx Egg in outdoor kitchen.

(Image credit: Big Green Egg)

However, despite the colourway being the most obvious change, the Big Onyx Egg has had two upgrades to be aware of. The Quick Lights Kit means you can light the coals from below, via the Draft Door, for faster ignition and better heat distribution. It also has a Dual Zone System that makes it easier to switch between cooking modes or use multiple modes simultaneously. For example, you could roast a chicken on one side of the dome and grill vegetables on the other.

There’s no denying that large Big Green Eggs can be expensive, retailing for £1,495, and the Big Onyx Egg is expected to be no different. If it’s a little out of your budget, here are a few cheaper alternatives we recommend.

Alternatives

Are you a fan of the latest Onyx colourway, or do you remain loyal to the iconic green egg.

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Dunelm has the perfect kitchen island for a country kitchen for just £250

Dunelm has the perfect kitchen island for a country kitchen for just £250

by | Sep 23, 2026 | Design Inspiration

As we head further into autumn, my focus has certainly shifted from getting out of the house, to updating the inside of my home. I’m preparing for cosy evenings spent hunkering down, and my kitchen is where I want to make some improvements.

Kitchens are the heart of the home, so creating a warm and inviting environment is essential to making a cooking space feel like a hub that the whole family can gather in during the winter months.

Kitchen island ideas are the perfect way to achieve this, but it’s hard to add one in without breaking the bank or calling in a professional. Luckily, Dunelm holds the answer in its Francis compact kitchen island – a classic Shaker island for just £249. Here’s why you should consider it.

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Many people think that a kitchen island is something that you build into your kitchen when you’re designing the whole space, but there are so many freestanding styles on the high street that allow you reap the rewards for less.

Perhaps you realised after living in a space for a while that you’d benefit from an extra work surface or a seating zone, in which case adding a freestanding island to the centre of a kitchen will work well.

However, some freestanding islands can still come with a serious price tag, so when I saw this style from Dunelm, I was shocked to see that it’s under £300.

It’s compact, but this makes it perfect for small kitchens and it adds storage without taking up the entire room.

Country-style kitchen with cream cabinets and wooden accents, red island and bold rug

(Image credit: Future PLC / Rachael Smith)

The Francis compact kitchen island from Dunelm has so many great features, but the Shaker design is what first caught my eye. If you already have traditional Shaker cabinetry then continuing the look with an island will make it look like it’s built in.

It comes in two colours – navy and off-white, so you can either match it to your current scheme or opt for a two-tone look. The brass handles make it look so much more high-end than the price tag suggests, too.

country kitchen with a freestanding island, stone floor tiles, cream units and range cooker

(Image credit: Future/ Brent Darby)

While kitchen islands are handy for creating an additional work surface, they are also crucial for extra storage.

The lower shelf on the Francis island is great for larger pieces of kitchenware like mixing bowls, or even small appliances like a stand mixer, which isn’t used all of the time.

While the drawers provide a handy spot for cutlery, it’s the wine rack that makes this affordable kitchen island look much more premium. With space for 6 bottles, it creates a real focal point in your kitchen, rather than simply being a practical zone.

Shop freestanding kitchen islands

Finding genuinely stylish and affordable solutions for small kitchens is no small feat, and now is the time to invest as we start to make the most of our cooking spaces this autumn.

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Habitat x Morris & Co have just nailed this year’s biggest headboard trend – and for a pretty amazing price, too

Habitat x Morris & Co have just nailed this year’s biggest headboard trend – and for a pretty amazing price, too

by | Sep 23, 2026 | Design Inspiration

Upholstered headboards are a timeless interior design choice, yet there’s no denying 2026 has truly been their moment to shine. And the latest offering to catch our attention is the Habitat x Morris & Co Hyacinth Double Headboard, which, at £200, is one of the most affordable headboards I’ve seen that will give your bed a timeless, designer look.

Having now worked at Ideal Home for more than two years, September is eagerly marked in my calendar as the arrival time of the Habitat x Morris & Co autumn collection. And the one thing this collaboration does consistently well is nail (and sometimes help set) the biggest bedroom trends.

Fans of the iconic Arts & Crafts designer don’t want to miss out on this statement headboard. Its stunning design will add some romantic charm to your bedroom – and I bet it will never go out of style, either.

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Personally, I see September as the perfect opportunity to reset my life, and one way I like to do this is to update my sleep space. I’ve already recently raved about the Habitat x Morris & Co bedspread which is the perfect transitional layer to add to your bed as the temperature starts to drop.

But having spotted this statement headboard, I’m about to push those shopping plans to a whole bedroom revamp; honestly, I’ve not seen anything this stylish for that price. The headboard is elegantly curved with rich pink cord piping for a stylish finish. The upholstered headboard trend goes hand in hand with curvy designs, and the trend is focused on creating an environment that is both comforting and elevated.

The pattern itself is taken from Morris & Co’s Hyacinth wallpaper, which was designed by John Henry Dearle between 1900 and 1912. Its block-printed pattern shows a sprawling floral display with twisting foliage and rich colours of green, blue, pink and orange.

The 2026 Habitat version has been reimagined slightly bolder. Set against a navy backdrop, it features bolder reds, greens and blues whilst retaining the romantic charm of the original.

If this Hyacinth headboard is too bold for you, consider the Habitat x William Morris Apple Double Headboard – Cream (£200). This intricate floral and fruit print is stunningly sophisticated, in a soft green and cream colourway.

This headboard is inspired by the Apple wallpaper, which was designed by William Morris in 1877. The pattern combines apples and acanthus leaves against a backdrop of foliage. While the original has a small splatter of orange hues, the Habitat version lacks it. However, I do prefer this take if you’re looking to create a more relaxing sleep space.

The headboards are available in a double or king size. The double measures at W153, H127 cm, while the king is W168, H127 cm. The boards come with a 1-year manufacturer’s guarantee.

If you love the Habitat x Morris & Co headboard but are not due for an upgrade, no fear, as here are a few of their new bedding sets that will look gorgeous in your bedroom this autumn.

If you are due for a new headboard idea, or this one has simply caught your eye, I don’t think you’ll regret the purchase. It will make a beautiful statement in any room.

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Simba has just slashed the price of its top-rated mattress – it’s the ‘Goldilocks of mattresses’

Simba has just slashed the price of its top-rated mattress – it’s the ‘Goldilocks of mattresses’

by | Sep 23, 2026 | Design Inspiration

At Ideal Home, our team of professional mattress testers have slept on over 150 different types. However, one mattress always emerges as the top-rated every time we retest it: the Simba Hybrid mattress. Right now it’s also on sale with 25% knocked off the price tag in the Simba September sale.

Simba produces some of the best mattresses on the market; we’ve given rave reviews to the Simba Hybrid Luxe and the more affordable Simba Hybrid Essential. However, the Simba Hybrid Mattress retains the top spot as the best mattress overall due to its value for money, comfort levels and temperature regulation. Our reviewer went as far as to call it the ‘Goldilocks of mattresses’, giving it a perfect 5 out of 5-star rating.

Right now, this crowd-pleasing mattress is even better value, with the price for a double mattress dropped from £899 to £674.25.

The Hybrid mattress isn’t the only product Simba has dropped the price on. They are having a sitewide sale on some of their bestsellers. If you are looking to refresh your bed for cosy season, now is the time to pounce, as there is up to 30% off everything.

The Simba Hybrid mattress being tested at home in a bedroom

(Image credit: Future / Amy Lockwood)

There are usually a couple of Simba sales a year, but these are some of the lowest prices we’ve seen at Simba in 2026. Now that the weather is starting to change and get colder, duvet season has commenced. If your bedroom needs a little TLC, these are the other star buys on offer to snap up in the September sale while you can.

The sale currently runs for the rest of this week and next, ending on the 1st October subject to availability. If you’re bed is due and upgrade, this is the payday to make the investment.

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I never thought bulb planters were worth the hype, but this £6 buy makes planting so easy

I never thought bulb planters were worth the hype, but this £6 buy makes planting so easy

by | Sep 23, 2026 | Design Inspiration

Ever used a bulb planter? I’ve always wondered if they’re really a necessary garden tool – and then I used the Kent & Stowe hand bulb planter.

It’s designed for larger bulbs like daffodils, and since the cheerful spring flowers were on my list of spring bulbs to plant in September, I decided to give it a whirl. After a scorching summer, my garden borders are particularly dry right now – but the bulb planter’s design made planting a breeze.

Here’s what I love about the Kent & Stowe hand bulb planter, which is just £6.13 at Amazon – and why it’s convinced me that bulb planters really are worth adding to your garden tool collection.

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The Kent & Stowe hand bulb planter has a serrated edge, so it’s easy enough to insert into the soil – even if yours, like mine, is hard and heat-baked after all the heatwaves. You’ll just need to twist it a bit on tougher earth.

There’s also, of course, a handy measurement scale on the side – four inches, which guides a consistent planting depth (and learning how to plant bulbs properly is really important if you want them to grow and flower well).

Once you’ve pushed the Kent & Stowe hand bulb planter into the soil at the required depth (I had to double-check how deep I should plant daffodil bulbs!), you simply twist the tool and pull the core of earth from the ground. It tasks a bit of wiggling if your soil is particularly dry and compacted, but it’s so much easier than digging the hole with a hand trowel.

Then, you simply pop the bulb in the bottom of the hole (you can use some bulb starter beforehand like Empathy Bulb Starter Biofertiliser from Amazon to encourage strong root growth), and empty the soil within the bulb planter over the planting hole to fill it back in. All in all, it’s a satisfying process – and it really is as simple as it sounds. For reference, I planted Narcissus ‘Bridal Crown’ bulbs, which you can order from Thompson & Morgan.

The Kent & Stowe hand bulb planter is also a durable tool. It’s traditionally styled, and as sturdy as it is nice to look at. The metal part is made from carbon steel, and the handle is crafted from beautiful FSC-certified ash wood. It’s no wonder it has a 10-year guarantee.

At 23cm long, the bulb planter is bigger than I expected – but since it’s designed for larger bulbs, it makes sense. If you’ll be planting your daffodil bulbs together, it’s handy for making multiple larger holes in one area.

Bulb planting kit

The Kent & Stowe Hand Bulb Planter has completely transformed the way I plant spring bulbs. It’s affordable, durable and so easy to use.

Next has just dropped the cutest robin bedding in time for the colder months

Next has just dropped the cutest robin bedding in time for the colder months

by | Sep 23, 2026 | Design Inspiration

I know we’re only at the end of September, but I have just spotted the bedding set that is going to see me through the winter months: Next’s Sateen Robins Christmas Duvet Cover and Pillowcase (from £55).

Next is one of the best places to buy bedding, particularly colourful and patterned bedding. If you want your bedroom ideas to stay on trend, Next is one of the brands I recommend for personality-packed bedding.

But one thing Next absolutely nails is their seasonal bedding sets, and this sateen set, complete with festive red bows and detailed robin foliage, is just the right amount of festive. In fact, I’d be tempted to use it all winter long.

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If this year’s bedding trends have proved anything, it’s that nature-inspired colour palettes and floral prints are having a huge comeback, and with this bedding set featuring a border of bushy green foliage, it’s perfectly on trend for the new season.

Last year, Next dropped a fleecy robin bedding set, and it’s safe to say we were all charmed by its good looks. Made with a soft, fleecy material, it was perfect for snuggling up on cold winter evenings. This year, Next has given robin bedding a luxury spin.

This set is made from sateen. Sateen bedding has a luxuriously smooth, silky finish, which often makes getting into bed feel like getting into bed at a posh hotel. Alongside its luxury feel, this bedding set has beautiful red bows along the edge of the duvet cover and pillowcases. While I am tired of the bow trend, I do think this makes for a striking and thoughtful finishing touch.

Natural 200TC Sateen Robins Christmas Duvet Cover And Pillowcase

(Image credit: Next)

The robins themselves can be spotted in pairs or individually nestled amongst branches of festive mistletoe. If you’re a fan of attracting robins to your garden (and honestly, who isn’t?)This is a lovely way to continue the charm into your bedroom. Given that the set is largely white, the set isn’t too loud either.

If you really want to nail the luxury hotel feel, there are a couple of extra things you can do to make your bed feel even comfier this autumn and winter. Alongside your sateen robin set, investing one of the best mattress toppers offers an additional layer of cushioning for a bed that’s even comfier. Our best-rated topper, the Simba Hybrid Mattress Topper, is currently reduced from £349 to £296.65.

Similarly, the Simba Hybrid Pillow is also 25% off right now. If your pillows are looking a little worse for wear, I’d recommend using this deal to give them an upgrade.

Alternatively, if it’s just bedding you’re after, here are a few more of Next’s seasonal sets that have caught my eye.

Christmas has definitely landed early at Next. But this robin bedding set has convinced me to welcome the festive season early to my bedroom, too.

How to Make Open-Plan Living Spaces Feel More Comfortable

How to Make Open-Plan Living Spaces Feel More Comfortable

by | Sep 22, 2026 | Design Inspiration

Open-plan living is a popular design choice for homeowners and professionals due to the space, natural light, and flexibility it provides. While there are clear benefits to open-plan living, it can also be challenging to create comfort in large, open spaces, which can leave the space feeling cold and impersonal. With this in mind, this post will explore a few strategies that make open-plan living spaces feel more comfortable.

Table of Contents

Defining Zones for Comfort & Function

First, you should define “zones” within the space. Furniture arrangement and spatial zoning can add both intimacy and function, helping to create a more comfortable and practical space. You can use rugs, shelving, and plants to create visual boundaries while still maintaining the open feel. It is also important to consider traffic flow by leaving clear pathways that will make the space easy to navigate and avoid overcrowding the space. 

Layering Materials for Warmth & Acoustics

You can also layer different materials to create a warmer feel. Mixing soft furnishings, textiles, and natural materials makes the space feel cozy, warm, and aesthetically pleasing. Throws, cushions, and curtains can also provide a tactile appeal that adds personality. It is also worth using acoustic walls and ceilings to enhance both comfort and sound quality in the living space.

Lighting Solutions for Inviting Spaces

Lighting is a powerful tool when it comes to interior design and can make or break the space. In an open-plan area, layered lighting can create atmosphere and functionality, so experiment with ambient, task, and accent lighting to create different layers. You can also use dimmer switches, lamps, and pendant lights to create mood. Natural light is another important consideration and can make the room feel bigger, brighter, and airier – you can maximize natural light by avoiding blocking the windows, using light colors, and strategic placement of mirrors.

Personal Touches & Professional Insights

Open plan living can feel cold and sterile, which is why personal touches are key. Add artwork, personal photos, souvenirs, and personal belongings to make the space feel like your own and add visual interest. This allows you to benefit from the flexibility of open-plan design for entertaining or relaxing. Small seasonal changes, such as changing the window treatment, adding blankets in the colder months, and updating the decor can help keep the space fresh and fit-for-purpose all year round.

Give Each Zone a Focal Point

A seating area feels more settled when the sofa and chairs face something deliberate, such as a fireplace, view, bookcase or piece of art. In a kitchen–living space, turn the sofa away from the working end of the room where possible. This helps the living area feel like a place to relax, even when the kitchen is in view.

Use Colour To Connect The Space

An open-plan room benefits from a colour palette that carries through each zone without making them identical. For example, dusty blue kitchen cabinetry could be picked up in a patterned living-room rug, while warm wood or a rust accent appears in both the dining and seating areas. This would give readers a practical way to add warmth and cohesion.

Plan For What You See From The Sofa

Visual clutter can make it harder to relax when the kitchen, dining table and living area are all visible at once. Suggest closed storage for everyday items, a place for post and bags, and a way to keep work equipment out of sight after hours. Even choosing the sofa’s position with these sightlines in mind can make a difference.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in an Open-Plan Room

  • Pushing every piece of furniture against the walls: Bring the sofa and chairs closer together to create a more inviting seating area. Leave enough room to walk comfortably around them.
  • Choosing a rug that’s too small: Pick one large enough for at least the front legs of the sofa and chairs to sit on it. This helps the seating area feel like one defined zone.
  • Relying on ceiling lights alone: Add table lamps, floor lamps and task lighting so you can light each part of the room separately.
  • Placing the TV where daylight causes glare: Check how sunlight falls across the room at different times of day before deciding where the screen should go.

Evolving Your Open-Plan Space

One of the advantages of open-plan living is that the room can change as your needs do. A dining table might become a place for homework during the week, while the seating area needs more room when friends visit. If the space isn’t working quite as you hoped, try moving the furniture before making bigger changes. Turning a sofa, shifting a rug or adding a lamp can make a zone feel more comfortable.

Pay attention to how you use the room throughout the day. Is there a clear route through it when someone is cooking? Does the seating area feel relaxing in the evening? Can you keep everyday clutter out of sight? The answers will help you decide what to adjust.

A comfortable open-plan space doesn’t have to look perfectly styled or stay arranged the same way forever. Give each activity a place, carry a few colours and materials through the room, and make changes as your routines evolve.

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Solar Panels and Interior Design: What to Think About Before You Go Solar

Solar Panels and Interior Design: What to Think About Before You Go Solar

by | Sep 22, 2026 | Design Inspiration

Most articles about home solar focus on the roof and stop there. Understandable, since that’s where the panels sit, but it leaves out a question that matters just as much to anyone who cares about how their home actually looks and feels day to day: what changes inside the house once you make the switch. If you’re weighing up solar as part of a wider move towards a more sustainable home, it’s worth thinking through the interior side before the installers arrive, not after.

Table of Contents

The Inverter Needs a Home Too

Every solar installation includes an inverter, the unit that converts the energy your panels generate into something your home can actually use, and it needs to live somewhere. Too often that somewhere ends up being the most visible wall in the utility room or garage, purely because it was the easiest place to run the cabling. A bit of planning at the design stage, working out where that unit can sit tucked away in a cupboard or utility space rather than mounted at eye level, saves you from staring at a grey plastic box every time you go looking for the washing powder.

Battery Storage Changes Your Floor Plan

If you’re pairing panels with a home battery, which more UK homeowners are doing as electricity prices stay unpredictable, you’re adding another piece of equipment that needs proper space. Batteries generate a small amount of heat and need ventilation, which rules out simply squeezing one into an already-tight airing cupboard. Homeowners renovating a home office or converting a garage often find this is the moment to finally sort out a proper utility zone, since the battery gives them a reason to plan the space properly rather than let it stay a dumping ground.

“People plan the panels and completely forget about the box on the wall,” said Andrew Hoesly, who runs operations for solar company SolarTech. “The equipment inside the house is what homeowners actually see every day, long after they’ve stopped noticing the panels on the roof. It’s worth five minutes of planning to make sure it doesn’t end up somewhere awkward.”

Roof Lines and Kerb Appeal

For anyone renovating a period property or working within a conservation area, panel placement is as much a design decision as a technical one. Discreet, low-profile panels laid flush to the roofline read very differently from an obviously bolted-on array, and the difference matters if you’re trying to preserve a period exterior while updating what’s happening beneath it. It’s the same principle that applies to home improvement projects generally: the best updates tend to be the ones that don’t announce themselves.

None of this should put you off. It’s simply worth treating solar as part of the whole-home plan rather than a separate project that happens to your roof. A little forethought about where the equipment lives, and how the panels sit against your roofline, is the difference between a system that blends into a well-designed home and one that always looks like it was added on afterwards.

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How to Choose the Right Mattress for Tiny House Living

How to Choose the Right Mattress for Tiny House Living

by | Sep 22, 2026 | Design Inspiration

Living in a tiny house changes how you think about almost everything, and your mattress is no exception. You’re working with limited square footage, tighter layouts, and furniture that often has to do double duty. In places with compact coastal homes and relaxed design trends, like Huntington Beach, practical comfort matters even more. A mattress in a small home can’t just feel good for one night. It needs to fit your space, your sleep habits, and your daily routine without creating a bulky headache.

Table of Contents

Shop locally when fit and feel are hard to judge online

Buying a mattress online can be convenient, but tiny house layouts make in-person testing especially useful. You’re not just evaluating softness. You’re checking dimensions, profile, edge support, and whether the mattress suits a compact setup.

If you’re comparing options in Southern California, visiting a Huntington Beach mattress store can help you test different constructions and talk through sizing for smaller homes. That local context matters when humidity, coastal temperatures, and compact modern living all play into mattress performance.

A knowledgeable showroom team can also help you figure out whether a custom size, low-profile design, or specific support system makes more sense than a generic boxed mattress. For tiny homes, practical guidance often beats flashy ad copy.

Why mattress choice matters more in a tiny house

In a standard home, a mattress can be just another bedroom purchase. In a tiny house, it becomes part of your floor plan. It affects storage, movement, airflow, and even how open your interior feels.

A mattress that’s too tall can make loft access awkward. One that’s too wide can crowd built-in shelves or block a walking path. If your bed converts into seating, the wrong model can turn a clever layout into a daily wrestling match.

Comfort still counts, obviously. You’re not trying to “minimalism” your way into back pain. But in a compact home, comfort and function need to work together. That means thinking beyond softness or firmness and looking at size, weight, and how the mattress behaves in a small-space setup.

Start with your exact floor plan, not mattress marketing

Mattress shopping gets weird fast once you enter the land of “cooling layers,” “zoned support,” and names that sound like sci-fi upgrades. Before any of that, measure your actual sleeping area carefully.

Check the platform length and width, but also note ceiling height, wall clearance, and any corners the mattress has to pass through during delivery. In lofted tiny homes, a mattress may need to bend or compress enough to get upstairs. That detail can save you from a dramatic stairway standoff.

If your home includes built-ins, folding frames, or under-bed drawers, measure around those features too. Even a difference of two inches can affect whether storage opens properly or whether bedding constantly snags on surrounding surfaces.

Pick the right mattress size for compact living

Bigger doesn’t always mean better when every square foot has a job. In many tiny homes, a full or queen works best, but the ideal size depends on how you use the surrounding space.

A twin or twin XL can work well for solo sleepers, daybeds, or convertible living areas. A full gives you more room without swallowing the entire room. A queen is common for couples, though it can dominate smaller layouts if the sleeping area isn’t designed carefully.

Custom sizes can also make sense in tiny houses, especially in lofts or trailers with unusual dimensions. If your layout includes curved walls or niche sleeping platforms, standard options may waste usable space. Choosing a mattress that fits the structure cleanly can make the whole interior feel more intentional.

Think about mattress height, weight, and mobility

Tiny house owners often focus on footprint and forget vertical bulk. Mattress height can affect how easy it is to sit up in bed, change sheets, or avoid knocking into a low ceiling every morning.

Lower-profile mattresses tend to work better in lofts, bunk areas, or rooms with minimal clearance. They can also make a small space look less crowded. That doesn’t mean you need to sleep on something flat and sad. Many quality models offer strong support in slimmer profiles.

Weight matters too. Heavier mattresses can be difficult to lift for cleaning, storage access, or seasonal ventilation. If your bed platform opens or your mattress needs to move occasionally, choose a model you can realistically handle. Your future self, halfway through a deep clean, will appreciate the favor.

Material choices can affect comfort, airflow, and maintenance

The best mattress material for a tiny house often depends on climate, ventilation, and how often the space is occupied. Memory foam, latex, innerspring, and hybrid models all behave differently.

Foam mattresses are popular because they’re often lighter and easier to maneuver. They can also work well in lofts where flexibility helps during setup. Latex tends to offer durability and responsiveness, with better natural airflow than some dense foams. Hybrids can deliver strong support, but they’re often heavier and thicker.

Moisture control matters in smaller homes, especially in coastal or humid areas. Limited airflow can lead to trapped heat or dampness. Breathable materials, slatted bed bases, and regular airing out can help prevent mildew and keep your sleep setup from turning into a science experiment.

Don’t ignore bedding, foundations, and long-term upkeep

A mattress doesn’t work alone. In a tiny house, the bed base, bedding, and maintenance plan all shape how comfortable the setup stays over time.

Use a supportive foundation that allows airflow, especially if the mattress sits on a loft platform or enclosed base. Solid plywood without ventilation can trap moisture underneath. Slats usually perform better if they’re spaced correctly for your mattress type.

Choose bedding that fits the mattress depth neatly. Oversized blankets and bulky sheets can overwhelm a small sleep area and make storage harder. Washable covers are useful if your tiny house doubles as a travel setup, guest space, or full-time home with pets.

Rotate the mattress as recommended, clean underneath regularly, and check for condensation in colder months. Small-space living rewards routines that prevent bigger problems later.

Final thoughts on making a smart tiny house mattress choice

A good tiny house mattress should support your body, fit your layout, and hold up under everyday use. That mix takes more thought than grabbing the first mattress with decent reviews and a dramatic discount banner.

Measure carefully, think about airflow and weight, and be honest about how you sleep. If your bed area serves multiple functions, prioritize flexibility along with comfort. A mattress in a tiny house isn’t just a place to sleep. It’s part of how your whole home works.

Get that choice right, and your small space feels calmer, more functional, and a lot easier to live in. That’s a strong return on a purchase you’ll notice every single night.

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M&S has opened its Christmas shop – and this is the Scandi-inspired Christmas decoration all our editors are obsessed with

M&S has opened its Christmas shop – and this is the Scandi-inspired Christmas decoration all our editors are obsessed with

by | Sep 22, 2026 | Design Inspiration

Last week, M&S fully opened its Christmas shop, revealing one of the best Christmas decor collections of this festive season. I’ve been swooning over many of the new launches, some of which I’d already spotted at the brand’s Christmas showcase earlier this month – but the one ‘it’ buy that all the Ideal Home editors are obsessed with (myself included) are the £15 M&S paper striped star room decorations.

According to Marks & Spencer’s recent survey, 30% of people plan to decorate more than usual this year. And if you, too, fall into that category, the M&S Christmas shop has some truly spectacular – and XL-sized – Christmas decor ideas to adorn your abode with this festive season.

The sellout super-sized M&S Christmas bows that went viral last year are back again for another year. The brand also turned some of its foodhall bestsellers into adorable Christmas baubles – and people are going crazy for the cookies decs. But if you like a bit of Scandi-inspired flair, these M&S paper stars are for you.

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Marks &amp;amp; Spencer's Christmas press show for 2026 with three decorated Christmas trees and two large paper star decorations hung from the ceiling

(Image credit: Future/Sara Hesikova)

Last year, paper stars were already one of the biggest Christmas decor trends. But this year, it’s all about the striped ones which we got a sneak peek of last Christmas with Habitat’s striped paper Christmas stars which were extremely popular with shoppers. And I predict the same fate for these super stylish ones from M&S.

An off-white door decorated with a large red striped Christmas paper star from M&amp;amp;S and a smaller white star with cut-outs, also from M&amp;amp;S

(Image credit: M&S)

They’re perfect for decorating everything from walls and staircase ideas to doors and windows, equipped with a toggle-adjustable mesh ribbon matching the star to hang it with. There’s only one question remaining – do you go red or green? Personally, I’m leaning towards the red version. Meanwhile our Digital Editor, Rebecca Knight is adding the green one to basket to go with her pink-painted living room that also features a green sofa and accessories.

But if they manage to sell out before you get there in time, I’ve found some alternative striped paper Christmas stars to decorate your home with instead.

Alternative striped Christmas paper stars

Which striped paper Christmas star are you going for?