I’ve been using this heated throw every evening to avoid putting my central heating on, and it’s currently on sale

by Furnishly | Sep 23, 2025 | Design Inspiration

I’m not sure about you, but in my house, there’s an unwritten rule that says the central heating shouldn’t be turned on until October.

However, this September, the evenings have been cold, and this week they’re set to get colder still.

Luckily, I’ve found a solution that’s been keeping me cosy on the sofa and in bed every evening, and it’s in the form of the Dreamland Luxury Heated Throw. The even better news is that this bestselling throw is currently on sale at both John Lewis and Amazon.

I always find September can be a tricky month, warmth-wise. Temperatures tend to fluctuate, and one minute you’re googling the best electric blankets and wondering whether to switch to your winter duvet, and the next the sun is back and you’re digging out the shorts you packed away at the end of summer.

In my opinion, a heated throw is the perfect solution to these shoulder months. Add one to the sofa and it’s an easy way to get warm and cosy if you start to feel a bit chilly in the evening without the need to turn on the heating and heat the whole house unnecessarily.

If you work from home, a heated throw is also the perfect solution for wrapping around you in the home office.

In my time as Ideal Home’s Sleep Editor, I’ve tested a whole host of heated throws, and this Dreamland model is one of the best of the bunch.

Its velvety fabric is super soft and snuggly, it has multiple heat settings for getting the temperature just right, and it heats up incredibly fast. It also comes with an auto-shut off timer, so if the warmth makes you sleepy, there’s no risk of falling asleep and leaving it on all night.

Because of that, I’ve found it’s rarely on sale during the autumn months, so it’s well worth snapping up whilst there are discounts on some of its colourways. Plus, I’m not alone in being won over by its cosiness.

‘One of the best things I’ve bought,’ says one reviewer of the Dreamland Luxury Heated Throw on the John Lewis website. ‘Perfect solution for when I’m cold and don’t want to put the heating on. Heats up very quickly.’

‘I bought this initially with hesitation as I was unsure how effective it would be to keep me warm. I have been utterly surprised at the quality and how quickly it warms up,’ shares another reviewer. ‘The timer is a bonus, and the material is lovely and soft. I have now purchased another two for other members of the family.’

‘This is a really sought-after product and I now know why,’ shares a third happy owner. ‘Perfect for when I am working from home at my desk and I do not want to put the heating on for the whole house. I have also got these as gifts for my friends and family.’

Which reminds me, Christmas isn’t far off. If you’re looking to get started on present buying, then I agree this heated throw makes the ideal gift. Whether you buy the Dreamland Luxury Heated Throw at John Lewis, or opt for one of the colourways of the Dreamland Luxury Heated Throw on sale at Amazon right now, what better time to get shopping than when you can save some money!

I’m a bedding expert, and I know uni mattresses are always terrible – this is the sleep hack I wish all students knew

by Furnishly | Sep 13, 2025 | Design Inspiration

Freshers week is all about a fresh start – new life, new city and, very often, a new-found appreciation of how much you miss your bed at home.

Let’s be honest, rarely has someone opened the door to their new uni bedroom and said “wow, that mattress looks incredibly comfortable”.

Mattresses in student halls are generally chosen for function and affordability, and even if you’re in a private rental, I’d be willing to bet your landlord has not secured you a high-end mattress to doze away on.

As a bedding expert, I’m here to tell you that this is why you need some of the best mattress toppers on your radar. They’re the secret student hack you need to get to know.

I remember when I had my first night in my bed during my second year at uni. I’d already weathered a smaller-than-single mattress on a wooden plank in first-year halls (this isn’t to scare anyone – I went to uni a few millennia ago and hear uni halls have drastically improved since). But this mattress in my second-year rental was a hard no.

I couldn’t just feel the mattress springs; I could see them. I definitely wish that when I went to uni, mattress toppers had been ‘a thing’ like they are now.

Why mattress toppers are a secret student hack

What is a mattress topper, you may be wondering? It’s a thick, cushioned layer that you put on top of your mattress, and had I had one all those years ago, it would have helped to mask those uncomfortable springs.

A topper is usually made from foam or quilted padding, and sometimes even contains its own springs. As well as smoothing out some of the lumps and bumps in your sleep surface, they’re designed to add comfort to your sleep setup.

Firmer mattress toppers, like the IKEA NISSEHOLM mattress topper, will help to tweak a mattress surface that feels too soft, but most are designed to soften up a sleep surface. If you’re waking up with aches and pains, chances are your mattress is too hard – a mattress topper will add some welcome extra cushioning.

The best cooling mattress toppers can even help you regulate your temperature better, if you pick the right one (look for natural fibres, like the wool-filled Woolroom Deluxe Wool Mattress Topper, if your budget allows). This means it could stop you from overheating if you’re prone to getting hot and sticky at night.

Mostly, a mattress topper is a budget-friendly way to upgrade the comfort of your existing mattress and save you the expense of buying a whole new one.

And as a bonus, a mattress topper will also stop you from wondering about the cleanliness of the mattress you’re sleeping on every night. (If you haven’t already invested in one of the best mattress protectors, then trust me, you should).

My recommendations

As a sleep-product reviewer, I’ve road-tested a lot of mattress toppers. Below, I’ve rounded up three mattress toppers that I think are perfect for students – comfortable *and* budget-friendly.

Getting a good night’s sleep is essential at uni. After all, good sleep is important for transferring new information into long-term memory.

And sure, there are lots of reasons you might not be sleeping at uni… and they may not all be related to a bad mattress! But don’t let one of those reasons be a rubbish mattress keeping you up all night.

I’m not saying a mattress topper will convert a third into a first, but… every little helps, right?

I used to think leopard print bedding was tacky, but these chic styling tips have changed my mind

by Furnishly | Sep 4, 2025 | Design Inspiration

I’m not ashamed to say that I love leopard print. Leopard print skirts, bags, jackets, mini skirts and trousers, I have it all, as well as a collection of more and more animal-printed homeware for my flat. But one leopard print trend I’m a little unsure about is leopard print bedding – and I’ve been seeing it everywhere this season.

When selecting the best bedding for my home, I’ve always stayed on a more neutral colour palette – you can’t beat crisp, white bed sheets, right? But right now, all my favourite brands are offering up leopard print bedding as part of their autumn/ winter collection, and I can’t decide whether I love it or hate it.

I’m a firm defender of the Shania Twain belief that ‘leopard print is a neutral’, and that leopard print is timeless, so do I give this bold pattern a try? Or is leopard print bedding a tacky trend destined to fall out of fashion?

Is leopard print bedding tacky?

Leopard print has always been a fierce home decor trend, made popular by fashion icons such as Jackie Kennedy and Audrey Hepburn. But when it comes to bedding, I’ve always associated leopard print bedding with an Austin Powers film, which is a little less groovy.

In 2025, maximalism is having its moment, and in the process, we’ve seen a revival of patterned bedding sets, including floral bedding and, of course, Habitat’s best-selling William Morris collaboration. Patterned bedding is an easy way to add colour and personality to your bedroom ideas, and given that leopard print has become symbolic of attitude and confident energy, perhaps it’s only right that leopard print bedding is having its moment, too.

‘It’s iconic. Leopard print has attitude. It makes a statement without saying a word. In interiors, it offers a perfect balance of wildness and sophistication. It works with almost every colour palette, from rich jewel tones to soft neutrals. And while trends come and go, leopard has the rare ability to feel fresh, familiar, and fearless all at once,’ says Sarah and Liz Hellmers, creative directors of independent homeware retailer and interior design studio Lathams, both in favour of the leopard print bedding trend.

‘Used in textiles for centuries, this bold pattern has graced the homes of royals, rebels & tastemakers alike. It brings instant character, drama and warmth, without ever feeling dated. That’s the magic of leopard, it evolves with the times but never fades from style.’

I’m inclined to agree. One thing I’ve always loved about this print is that it is a little brash and gaudy, which in turn makes it playful and fun to work with. If leopard print bedding is tacky, then embracing the ‘tackiness’ becomes a confident and powerful style statement.

Of course, leopard print can also be styled to be sophisticated and classic. Leaning into how well it works with neutral tones, you can use leopard print bedding to create a cosy, considered space.

‘The palette of this print works with most colour schemes, especially earthy tones or vibrant hues. I’d recommend grounding it with solid colours – as seen on the catwalk – think chocolate or burgundy accent pillows or a cobalt blue rug,’ says Annabelle Sacher, trends expert at MediaVision.

‘Layering in contrasting textures, such as a plush velvet or chunky knit throw, will inject sophistication and depth. To keep the look on trend vs. kitsch, allow leopard print bedding to be the hero piece by keeping the rest of the room pared back and free from competing patterns or clutter.’

Shop leopard print bedding

When I first saw leopard print bedding in stores, I thought it was a spotted step too far. But the more I look at it, the more I’m being won over. I’ve always been a fan of its bold and brash attitude and agree that when styled with cosy materials and warm tones, it can make a bedroom look more inviting.

Now I just need to convince my partner…

Dunelm’s £30 cult cuddle cushion is back in stock and selling fast – ‘it’s the softest fabric I’ve ever touched’

by Furnishly | Sep 2, 2025 | Design Inspiration

There are certain things that we can rely on every year to mark the changing of the seasons.

In the transition from summer into autumn, that’s that familiar chill in the air, the leaves on the trees turning brown, school restarting, and Dunelm restocking its cult Teddy Bear Cuddle cushions.

Yes, the bestselling Teddy Bear High Back Cuddle Cushion is back in stock, and if last year is anything to go by, it’s worth snapping up fast before it sells out.

This distinctive cushion has become a much-loved favourite with Dunelm customers, with the pillow amassing over 300 5-star reviews since its launch.

Soft and snuggly, I popped into my local Dunelm store recently and, trust me, after touching this cushion in person, it’s *very* difficult to then leave without it.

As Ideal Home’s Sleep Editor, I’m no stranger to testing soft fabrics for our where to buy bedding guide, but the Teddy Bear collection’s recycled polyester fleece is genuinely some of the softest fabric I’ve ever touched.

Add to its teddy bear texture the fact that this cushion is designed with padded arms that do indeed ‘cuddle’ you when you sit up in bed or on the sofa and lean back and… *swoon*.

Unlike the original lower-backed Teddy Bear Cuddle Cushion that has been a core part of Dunelm’s Teddy Bear bedding collection for years now, this newer, higher-backed version is, in my opinion, far more versatile.

When I went into a store recently to test out Dunelm’s bedding recycling service, I happened across both of these cushions, and side-by-side, it’s easy to see that the higher-backed pillow offers much more back support.

Considering the higher-backed version only costs £5 more than the original lower-backed design, I think that makes it a great value buy. No wonder a member of staff told me they were flying out of the store as fast as they got stock in!

You can use it in bed to sit up and read or watch TV (it even comes with a handy side pocket for stashing the TV remote), add it to the sofa to pad your back, or add it to a kids’ bedroom so you have some back support for bedtime story reading.

As some of its five-star reviewers share, it’s a pillow that offers many multifunctional uses.

‘Fantastic buy,’ says one reviewer. ‘Really comfortable when reading in bed and significantly reduces strain on headboard slats. The arms are the perfect height, and I love the pocket. Makes you feel warm without overheating.’

‘Bought for my grandson who loves it to play on his tablet and read,’ says another. ‘His mum also uses it as it is great for her to feed baby. The arms are a great support and very comfortable.’

Happy owners are also impressed by its comfort. ‘Lovely,’ shares one purchaser, ‘extremely soft and comfortable and well made, ideal for sitting in bed reading or watching TV, I’ve purchased three of them!’

‘Feels like being hugged by a teddy bear!’ says another. ‘I’m just after another one as me, my husband and my 7-year-old son are always fighting for it as everyone loves sitting in it.’

And who doesn’t want to be hugged by a teddy bear in bed at night or on the sofa after a long day? Sounds pretty ideal to me!

Which version of this cult classic would you opt for – the original low back or the newer high-backed Teddy Bear pillow?

I tried Dunelm’s bedding recycling service and can’t believe how easy it makes getting rid of old duvets and pillows

by Furnishly | Aug 31, 2025 | Design Inspiration

As Ideal Home’s Sleep Editor, I test a *lot* of bedding for work. There are far worse ways to spend your time, but one of the downsides of this is that my home is forever crammed with far more duvets, pillows, and bed linen than it can reasonably hold.

Despite regular donations to friends, family, neighbours, charity organisations – even the postman on occasion – as it turns out, there’s only so much partially-used bedding you can give away to a good home. And as you’ll know if you’ve ever been at a loss for what to do with an old duvet, repurposing old bedding is far easier said than done because most of these items, sadly, aren’t easily recyclable.

That’s why I was so overjoyed when Dunelm launched its Textile Takeback scheme. This fantastic initiative is available in 175 Dunelm stores, and accepts any home textiles, from bedding and cushions, to throws and blankets, as well as unwanted clothing. Items are then sorted into those that can be donated, reused, or recycled into new products.

The Textile Takeback scheme has now been running for a while, but it’s still going strong, and as I’d just finished testing a new roster of bedding for our guides to the best duvets and best pillows, I decided to put the recycling initiative to the test to see how easy it was to use.

How does Dunelm’s Textile Takeback scheme work?

Dunelm says there are three easy steps to recycling your old textiles in store. To take advantage of the Dunelm Textile Takeback scheme simply:

1. Wrap or bag your pre-loved textiles.

2. Drop them off at a participating store.

3. They’ll be sorted by what can be re-used or recycled.

I’d include an additional step, which is ‘find all of the excess home textiles you have stashed into every available storage space of your home and then pile them onto your bed to create a bedding mountain.’

What I think is especially positive about the Textile Takeback scheme is that the home textiles you donate don’t need to have originally been bought at Dunelm, they can be from any brand and in any condition. They just need to be clean and bagged.

As Dunelm explains, ‘just remember, we can only accept clean, bagged textiles, but it’s fine if they’re ripped or torn.’

Bedding mountain step achieved, I set to work bagging up all of my textiles into bin bags, and popped them into the car to drive to my local Dunelm.

Admittedly, this process is easier with access to a vehicle. Had I not had a car I could use, I would have had to make multiple journeys on foot, or not waited until my bedding storage woes were at such a crisis point.

I was even luckier that my local Dunelm is on a retail park, which meant I could park the car close to the store, ready to carry in my bedding haul for recycling.

I initially went to the customer service desk to ask a member of staff where I should drop off the textiles, thinking I would probably need to hand them over at the checkout, but they directed me to a drop-off point at the back of the store, which I promptly set off to find, bin bags in tow.

When I found the textile drop-off point, the process really couldn’t be simpler. The drop-off point is basically a giant green postbox with an opening you simply drop your textiles through.

There’s a QR code you can scan to get more information on what happens to the textiles you’ve recycled, but you don’t need to use that.

As the text on the drop-off point clearly explains, you can simply drop your textiles in through the slot and they’ll then be collected and rehomed, reused, recycled, or made into something new.

There was plenty of room for my three bin bags’ worth of home textiles, but a staff member in the store did tell me the collection points fill up fast. And little wonder when there are so few places you can donate bedding in this way.

Dunelm’s own data says the Textile Takeback scheme ‘currently collects approximately 100 tonnes of unwanted textiles for reuse or recycling each month.’ That’s a huge amount of bedding and textiles diverted from landfill and responsibly repurposed.

I dropped my bedding in through the open slot, and the process was complete. And as Dunelm says, each item dropped off in this way ‘helps towards a more circular and sustainable future’, which is great news for the environment.

From a customer’s point of view, it’s also an incredibly easy way to dispose of old bedding, past-their-best cushions, throws, or any kind of home textiles and clothing, responsibly. If you’re looking for an easy way to declutter your home, this is it.

Compared to the difficulties I’ve had in finding other ways to donate bedding and responsibly recycle household items like this in the past, I was honestly blown away by how easy Dunelm’s Textile Takeback scheme was to use, and I’ll most definitely be using it again. I’ve already recommended it to three people since my visit this week!

In fact, as far as I’m concerned, there’s only one downside to the Textile Takeback scheme. In taking my old bedding into my local Dunelm store, I naturally had to wander through said Dunelm store… and in the process I found three more things I wanted to buy!

Obviously, this drawback can be mitigated with some self-restraint, but should you be wondering what caught my eye, these are the items I had to restrain myself from heading to the checkout with.

FAQs

Does Dunelm still take old duvets?

Yes, Dunelm does still take old duvets in-store. I took two old duvets into my local Dunelm store recently, and the brand’s Textile Takeback scheme couldn’t have been easier to use.

Can you take old bedding back to Dunelm?

Yes, Dunelm is one of the few places I’ve found that accepts all types of old bedding. The brand then rehomes, reuses, or recycles these items.

You just need to double-check that your nearest Dunelm store is one of the 175 stores across the country that offer the Textile Takeback service.

Currently, the only stores that don’t accept old bedding are the Bracknell, Camarthen, Crawley, Feltham, Jersey, Kidderminster, Llanelli, Loughborough, Scarborough, Westfield, and Yeovil branches.