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Next has dropped the prettiest laundry hamper I’ve ever seen

Next has dropped the prettiest laundry hamper I’ve ever seen

by | Oct 11, 2026 | Design Inspiration

Laundry hampers are a practical household buy that I usually want to find ways to hide rather than show off. Let’s face it, an overflowing laundry basket doesn’t add anything to a bedroom or bathroom scheme! However, Next’s latest design has completely changed my mind.

The Next Pink stripe hamper is one of the most stylish laundry hampers I ever did see. In fact, at first glance, I’m not sure I’d even guess it was one.

With its structured shape, pink and white stripe upholstery and pretty brass-effect handle on the lid, it looks far more like a chic upholstered stool or a decorative storage solution than somewhere to stash dirty socks. It’s the perfect home buy, and here’s why.

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Stripes have been everywhere in interiors recently, and I love how Next has used them to turn something as ordinary as a laundry hamper into a feature you might actually want on display, which is especially useful if you have a lack of storage space to contend with in a bedroom or bathroom.

The upholstered finish makes it feel much more like a piece of furniture, while the brass-effect handle is a small detail that seems to make it look considerably more expensive.

And it isn’t all style over substance either. At 55cm high and 35cm wide and deep, it gives you a decent amount og space for clothes without taking up an enormous amount of floor space, which is useful if you have a small bathroom or bedroom. It’s also surprisingly lightweight, so you could carry it up and down stairs easily.

Next striped laundry hamper with frill

(Image credit: Next)

What really sold it to me was that there’s no reason you have to use it for laundry. It looks so much like an upholstered storage stool that I could see it working in any room as a secret clutter buster.

It could be filled with throws and blankets in the living room, used to stash toys in a playroom or to hide random clutter when you’ve got someone popping over in 10 minutes. I’ve actually been using it in my daughter’s bedroom, where her cuddly toy collection is out of control.

next striped frill laundry hamper in a bedroom with rocking chair

(Image credit: Future/Jenny McFarlane)

There’s also a striped laundry bag option that’s a little more budget-friendly if you prefer a flexible style, but for me, the structured hamper is the standout. Its furniture-like design means you could move it around the house and give it a completely different purpose.

At £65, it’s not the most budget-friendly hamper you can buy. I’d probably opt for something a little more affordable if you think you’ll most likely hide it in a cupboard. If, like me, though, you love a bit of practical, pretty-looking storage that contributes to the room rather than detracting from it, the price feels a little more worth it.

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Whether you want to use it to conceal a week’s worth of washing, your child’s toy collection, blankets in the landing or random living room storage idea for clutter, this is the laundry hamper I am happy to have hiding in plain sight.

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This clever Argos coat rack is now 20% off – and its bonus storage space makes it ideal for smaller hallways

This clever Argos coat rack is now 20% off – and its bonus storage space makes it ideal for smaller hallways

by | Oct 11, 2026 | Design Inspiration

I put it off as long as I could, but I’ve finally given in and brought my coats down from the loft. And just like I couldn’t ignore the colder mornings and torrential downpours, there’s no denying my hallway is now paying the price. So, to keep things tidy, I’m snapping up the Argos Home Hallway Wall Shelf & Coat Rack with Storage Boxes (£52 at Argos, or £41.60 with code COSY20)

Yes, right now I’m on a mission to autumn-proof my narrow hallway, as muddy shoes, wet coats, and messy bags have left my entryway feeling (and looking) worse for wear. And although I’ve already enlisted shoe storage ideas for smaller spaces to organise my muddy shoes, my coats still don’t have a proper home.

That’s why I’ve decided it’s time to stop flinging my jackets and coats over the bannister and invest in a proper storage solution that’ll keep coats tidy and give them space to dry. Not only does this Argos coat rack fit the bill, but it also comes with bonus storage every small hallway needs.

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As far as coat racks go, the Argos Hallway Wall Shelf & Coat Rack is definitely one of the prettier options on the market. Especially when you consider that old-school freestanding coat racks aren’t always feasible in a small hallway with limited floor space, and drill-in coat hooks rarely offer anything besides practicality.

But this one strikes a happy medium: cosy yet convenient, with a wall-mounted design that helps you create order in a small room by using vertical space. This means you’re not encroaching on the walkway, but still adding storage that becomes even more important during the autumn and winter months.

Autumnal hallway with sage green wall panelling and an autumnal wreath, and the white front door open next to an olive tree

(Image credit: Future PLC/Colin Poole)

The three double hooks technically offer space for six coats or bags – more than enough for every member of the family to have one each – but there’s nothing stopping you from layering them and adding more if you need to.

Just remember that if you want to keep the coats dry and prevent damp in your home, it’s best to organise your coat hooks properly and give them some breathing space.

But the pièce de résistance, in my eyes, is that this coat rack also comes with oodles of extra storage space, thanks to the three included storage boxes and the shelf above. This means you can store everything from your car keys to your post, hats, scarves, and other essentials, and use the top shelf for the all-important decor.

hallway with a storage bench covered in cushions and throws, next to boots on the floor and on a boot rack

(Image credit: Future PLC)

In my home, these storage boxes will work perfectly to store my dog’s leads, harnesses and poo bags so they don’t clutter up the rest of the house – and they’re always right by the door so I can grab my coat and doggy essentials just as I’m leaving.

And since many of the best storage baskets cost up to £30 individually, having them included with this coat rack is music to my ears. Plus, the beauty of a rack with hooks like this is that you can also use it in various rooms of the house.

Admittedly, its natural place is in the hallway, but you could also use it to hang towels and dressing gowns to organise a bathroom, or even in a bedroom for extra storage.

But if you need hallway storage and this isn’t quite what you’re after, I’ve popped some alternatives below, too.

So, don’t let your coats clutter your hallway this autumn!

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Can you complain about bad smells coming from your neighbour’s property? Yes – everything you need to know, according to legal pros

Can you complain about bad smells coming from your neighbour’s property? Yes – everything you need to know, according to legal pros

by | Oct 9, 2026 | Design Inspiration

Forgive me for being a little crass, but do your neighbours stink? And I mean, really stink?

If you’re nodding your head, do you know what legal rights you have if bad smells are coming from your neighbour’s property, do you know what legal rights you have?

There are many home and garden features that cause neighbour disputes. From overhanging gutters to fallen fences, there are plenty of physical things that can cause friction between neighbours. But what if the issue is a little more sensitive?

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Bad smells are never pleasant, and if they’re coming from your neighbour’s home, it can feel inescapable, too. So, I spoke to legal experts about when smells become a nuisance, and what you can do if said bad smells are affecting your day-to-day life.

Can you complain about bad smells coming from your neighbour’s property?

I’ll admit I’m unfortunately speaking from experience. Having lived in a flat where one of my neighbours was particularly stinky, I was never sure if I could complain or not. Despite the fact that I was practically holding my breath every time I walked past their door, it felt rude to say anything – and I wasn’t sure if it was the sort of thing that warranted a complaint anyway.

However, it turns out you can complain to your landlord or even council about bad smells. But there are a few considerations to take into account.

A three-bedroom 1930s semi near Watford in Hertfordshire, home of Charlie and Paul Galsworthy and their children, exterior view.

(Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles)

‘The specific ‘smell’ category of statutory nuisance under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 applies only to industrial, trade or business premises, not private homes. The council can still act under other categories that do apply to homes: fumes or gases emitted from a private dwelling; premises in a state prejudicial to health or a nuisance; accumulations or deposits that are prejudicial to health or a nuisance; and animals kept in a place or manner that is prejudicial to health or a nuisance,’ explains Yulia Barnes, managing partner of Barnes Law.

‘If your neighbour is a tenant, complaining to their landlord can be very effective. Most tenancy agreements contain nuisance clauses, giving the landlord leverage to require the problem to be addressed. Social housing landlords also have their own anti-social behaviour procedures. Where a rented home has serious damp, mould or sanitation problems, the council can also inspect it and take enforcement action against the landlord under the Housing Act 2004. When you complain, explain what steps you have already taken, such as speaking to your neighbour, and share your smell diary.

‘If the council decides not to act, you can bring a statutory nuisance complaint directly to the magistrates’ court yourself, or make a civil claim in private nuisance for an injunction or damages. Take legal advice before starting either route.’

What smells can you complain about?

There’s no list of the sort of stink you can complain about, but there are some scents that are worthy of complaint. You should also be keeping a diary if you notice poor smells, recording what they smelt like and when you smelt them.

‘The council can potentially take action if the smell is considered a statutory nuisance. This may apply to persistent or serious odours caused by things such as waste, animals, smoke, or poor conditions. The council can investigate the complaint and, if necessary, require the person responsible to take steps to reduce or stop the smell,’ says Jack Malnick, founder of Sell House Fast.

Row of terraced red brick houses.

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Simon Whitmore)

It has to be considered a statutory nuisance for the council to uphold your complaint. But renters can complain to their landlord about other smells.

‘If you own or rent your home, you may be able to bring your own civil claim for private nuisance. The test is whether the smell substantially and unreasonably interferes with your use or enjoyment of your home, considering the character of the area and the frequency and intensity of the smell. A fleeting whiff is unlikely to qualify; a persistent, overpowering odour that stops you opening windows or enjoying your garden may well do so,’ says Yulia.

‘Cooking smells will rarely meet either threshold unless extreme and persistent. One exception is where a home is used to run a food business, such as an unregistered commercial kitchen. The property may then count as business premises, bringing the smell within the council’s statutory nuisance powers.’

How to speak your neighbour about bad smells

Of course, the last thing you want to do is fall out with your neighbour, and before you lodge a complaint, the right course of action is to have an open conversation about the smells. I know this can be awkward, so I asked our experts exactly how we should go about this conversation.

‘As with all neighbour problems, the best way to resolve them is to start by speaking to your neighbour in person, politely and calmly. The owner may not be aware of any issue due to what people often call ‘nose blindness’, or they could be working their way to sorting it, so it is best to approach the conversation politely,’ says Jack.

Four bedroom 1970's semi detached house with extension on the side.

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Oliver Gordon)

Julia also says it’s worth trying to work out what the bad smells are, such as bad drains, before speaking to your neighbour.

If the smell seems to come from drains, bear in mind that shared sewers are usually the responsibility of your local water company, which you can contact directly,’ she says.

‘If talking does not help, contact your council’s environmental health team. Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, councils must take reasonably practicable steps to investigate statutory nuisance complaints from people living in their area. Also check your lease or title deeds for nuisance clauses or covenants. If you share a landlord with your neighbour, you will usually need to ask the landlord or management company to enforce these terms, and some leases require you to cover the costs.

‘Freehold covenants can sometimes be enforced between neighbours, but only where you have the benefit of the covenant, so take advice. If the smell affects your health, see your GP and keep a record of symptoms.’

Bad smells are both awkward to talk about and unpleasant to encounter. But if you stay calm and speak to your neighbours, it should be easy to resolve.

Paul Hollywood’s cat has divided the internet after getting on the kitchen counters – and he told us he hates the habit, too

Paul Hollywood’s cat has divided the internet after getting on the kitchen counters – and he told us he hates the habit, too

by | Oct 7, 2026 | Design Inspiration

Any cat owner will agree that cats are fairly adventurous creatures. And paired with often blatant disregard for your wishes, this means no surface is off-limits in your home – including your kitchen counters.

Celebrities are no exception to this rule, including Paul Hollywood who, in a recent Instagram post, showed how his cat also liked to explore his kitchen counters and sink. When designing your kitchen ideas or choosing a kitchen colour scheme, the last thing on your mind is whether your moggy will like it, too.

And if your cat does love your kitchen layout, should we be stopping them? I asked experts whether we should be letting our feline friends up on our kitchen worktops, and this is what they said.

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In a video where Paul gave fans a tutorial for his chocolate orange banana bread, it was his cat that stole the attention of viewers. Up on the counter, playing near the sink, it was all any commenter seemed to talk about. And the comments were pretty divided.

‘Okay, even Paul Hollywood’s cats hop on the counter. 😅 Cat parents will get it,’ said one.

‘Big fan but so unsanitary for me. Sorry, not sorry,’ said another.

Ideal Home can reveal that Paul himself is not a fan of his cats using jumping up on his worktops. In an Interview with Ideal Home’s Kitchen Editor, Holly Cockburn, he explained it was one of his pet peeves in a kitchen.

‘I am constantly putting them back down on the floor because they’re constantly jumping up on the side. I can’t stand it. I’m just down, down. So, yeah, cats on the side, and I’m guilty of it, and when I see them, they get down,’ he said.

Ginger cat sat next to kitchen sink.

Paul has good reason to dislike this habit. In short, it can contribute to bad hygiene, which in any kitchen is less than ideal.

‘While Paul Hollywood’s cat made a charming guest appearance on his kitchen side, feline paws on kitchen surfaces are a firm ‘no’ from a hygiene perspective. With cats using litter trays, their paws can carry bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella and transferring these onto surfaces where human food is prepared poses a health risk. However, understanding why your cat scales the worktop in the first place makes it much easier to redirect them safely,’ says Dr Suzanne Moyes, in-house vet at Burgess Pet Care.

But unfortunately for cat owners, your kitchen counters are very attractive to cats.

‘Height-seeking behaviour is completely natural. Being up high makes cats feel safe, provides extra vertical territory, and lets them survey their ‘realm’, or in Paul’s case, the bakes on the kitchen side! Worktops are also loaded with enticing smells, making them prime real estate for a curious pet,’ adds Dr Suzanne.

What to do if your cats keep getting on your kitchen worktops

‘To keep kitchen surfaces clean and safe for all in the home, pet owners should first try removing all feline temptation. Keep counters completely clear of food scraps, crumbs and standing water in sinks, making the space as uninteresting as possible to a curious cat,’ says Nicola Bryden, a vet at the online veterinary pharmacy VetMedi.co.uk.

Insolent assertive cat walks on kitchen counter to get into belfast sink.

‘Cats love high vantage points because height gives them a sense of security and allows them to observe their surroundings. To keep your kitchen counters from being their favoured spot – and to maintain a clean and hygienic kitchen – provide an alternative high perch away from cooking areas. You can set up a cat tree, window perch or even a high stool nearby so they can watch you cook at eye level without stepping onto food prep areas.’

As well as keeping your counters ‘boring’ and unattractive to your cats, you also need to ensure you clean your kitchen regularly, sanitising your surfaces before and after you cook or prepare food. It’s also worth moving litter trays away from your kitchen.

It’s always nice to know that celebrities are human beings, too, and that cats really do humble the best of us. However, in this case, you do need to stick to your guns and keep your cats off your kitchen worktops.

This £16 shoe organiser kept my hallway spotless last Christmas – and I’ve used it every day since to curb shoe clutter

This £16 shoe organiser kept my hallway spotless last Christmas – and I’ve used it every day since to curb shoe clutter

by | Oct 7, 2026 | Design Inspiration

Last year, I hosted Christmas at home, which is no small feat in a tiny two-bed terrace. But any small-home dweller with an aversion to clutter and a stubborn streak will know the biggest problems can often be solved with the simplest storage solutions. That’s why I bought the Storivo Shoe Organiser Box (£15.99 at Amazon).

I initially raved about this shoe organiser box in early December last year, before I’d used it to host up to 15 people in my home over the festive period. But since using it over Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and almost every day since, I can confidently say that it’s some of the best money I’ve ever spent. And it’s received so many compliments over the past year.

Thankfully, I’m passing the hosting reins onto someone else this Christmas. But that’s not the only thing I’ve passed on, as almost everyone who visited my home last year has since invested in the Storivo Shoe Organiser Box to tackle shoe clutter themselves. Especially now it’s even cheaper!

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Unlike many other shoe storage ideas for small spaces, this clever solution uses a foldable box design instead of a shoe rack or cabinet, which are often bulky and permanent. This space-savvy design lets you use it as a temporary solution to keep shoes tidy when you have guests.

It’s a simple design, but it works. And this Amazon shoe box has 16 slots for a pair of average-sized shoes (I found larger sizes and chunkier trainers needed one slot each), plus a zippable lid and side handles, so you can move it quickly if you want to keep the hallway tidy.

Cream Amazon shoe storage box with brown leather handles

(Image credit: Future/Lauren Bradbury)

In fact, once all my guests had arrived and safely stored their shoes last Christmas, I zipped the whole thing up and stashed it in a cupboard to keep as much usable socialising space as possible.

And although I initially folded it down after the festive period, I quickly realised how much I missed it and brought it back out. So, it works as a more permanent shoe storage solution too.

Amazon shoe storage box filled with shoes

(Image credit: Future PLC/Lauren Bradbury)

I’d be lying if I said that this was a pretty shoe storage option, but when it comes to keeping my home clutter-free – especially when I’m autumn-proofing my tiny hallway – I always err on the side of practical rather than pretty.

After all, the main objective in any small space is to stay on top of the mess so it doesn’t overpower the tinier footprint. And so I don’t trip over piles of shoes every day.

The good news is that other shoe storage alternatives are available if you don’t like the look of this Amazon shoe box, though. They’ll all curb the clutter this Christmas, and some are even more affordable.

Don’t let shoe clutter ruin your Christmas. Get ahead of the game like I did!