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Argos Home has dropped a sleek recycling bag, and it’s perfect for small spaces

Argos Home has dropped a sleek recycling bag, and it’s perfect for small spaces

by | Oct 3, 2026 | Design Inspiration

Argos Home have just dropped a discreet new recycling bag (£8), and I’ve decided it’s one of the best waste disposal options for small kitchens.

Since the introduction of the Simpler Recycling Rules, I’ve personally been investigating for Ideal Home how we can make the recycling process more streamlined at home, especially if you have a small kitchen to contend with.

What I’ve found is that opting for space-saving recycling designs really does make a difference to the process and this is why the recycling bag caught my eye. If you’re someone who doesn’t want recycling receptacles on show 24/7, I think the Argos bag is a perfect fit for you. Here’s why.

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I can appreciate that discussing something as mundane as recycling is a little dull. But stay with me, as it is part of everyday life, and what Argos is offering is a recycling vessel that can be stashed out of sight when not in use. It’s perfect for people who don’t want their bins on show – or even, in the case of Lauren Goodger, someone who doesn’t like bins full stop.

The Argos Home Recycling Bag pops up in minutes and folds completely flat when not in use. Under the new rules, waste is separated into four categories; this bag has four handy four compartments meaning you can separate waste as you go, making trips to your outdoor recycling bins all the more easier.

I have a built-in recycling section in my bin (Habitat’s 60 Litre Twin Compartment Kitchen Pedal Bin, £70). It’s proved to be one of the best kitchen bins for my small flat, taking up little space and doing away with the need for a separate recycling bin. However, it only has one compartment for recycling, so when I take the bins out, I have to sort through it – which can feel a little gross.

Argos Home recycling bag in kitchen.

(Image credit: Argos Home)

The biggest strength of the Argos recycling bag is that you can separate your waste as you go, placing plastics in one section, cardboard in another and so on. If you hate sorting recycling, this bag is such a handy and affordable solution.

Plus, right now Argos is offering an extra 20% off the bin with the code COSY20, making it even more affordable. I also think the plain black colourway makes the bag look more discreet. It won’t stand out in your kitchen, making it a more attractive option compared to standard recycling bins.

Alternatively, Argos has a few more attractive options to shop online. Here are a few more recycling solutions we recommend.

While recycling isn’t exactly the most glamourous of jobs, it is an essential task. So why not make your life easier?

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This £2 buy could help keep spiders out this autumn – and you probably already have it at home

This £2 buy could help keep spiders out this autumn – and you probably already have it at home

by | Oct 2, 2026 | Design Inspiration

Autumn is officially in full swing, and while most people love the falling leaves and cooler weather, the change of seasons also means that spider activity is at its peak. If, like me, you’re desperately searching for a way to keep eight-legged critters out of your home, experts are recommending a simple hack using one secret ingredient that you probably already have in the back of your cupboard.

There are many methods that you can try to get rid of spiders in your home, but this latest hack focuses on creating a deterrent at entry-points in your home to stop spiders from gaining access in the first place. And it’s as simple as using a stick of chalk to draw a spider barrier – here’s all you need to know.

How can chalk deter spiders?

Chalk is an effective home remedy to get rid of pests, like ants. And it turns out that spiders don’t like it either. ‘Spiders have chemoreceptors on their feet that detect surface chemistry as they walk. Chalk, which is calcium carbonate, creates a dry, alkaline surface that is deeply unpleasant for spiders to traverse,’ explains Mosh Latifi, co-owner of EcoCare Pest Management.

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‘The texture of chalk also disrupts the grip of spiders’ tarsal claws, which they use to navigate surfaces confidently. The combination of chemical irritation and physical discomfort makes spiders reluctant to cross a chalk line, even if they can clearly detect a space beyond it,’ adds Mosh.

With this in mind, experts are urging us to draw chalk barriers around entry points to the home to help reduce the presence of spiders. To do this effectively, it’s important to identify where spiders are entering our homes from.

A garden facing patio doors leading into the home

(Image credit: Future PLC / David Giles)

‘The most useful places to draw a chalk barrier are around likely external entry points, such as door thresholds, window frames and small gaps where spiders may be getting inside,’ explains Emily Green, home maintenance expert at Howarth Timber. But chalk can also be effective when used inside the home too.

‘Indoors, chalk can be used around windowsills, doorways and gaps around frames, where it should remain undisturbed for longer,’ says Emily. ‘But test the chalk on a discreet area first as it can mark some surfaces.’

With autumn marking the start of spider season, early October is the ideal time to put your barriers in place to see a drop in spider activity. ‘Draw your barriers now, in early October, which is peak spider mating season when males are actively moving around and looking for a way indoors. A dry day will give the best result as chalk on damp stone or wood is less effective and degrades more quickly,’ says Mosh.

It’s also worth noting that, in order for the chalk barrier to do its job, you have to keep them in good condition. ‘Chalk barriers degrade with moisture, foot traffic and cleaning, so it needs to be refreshed regularly to remain effective,’ says Mosh. ‘It might not make spiders permanently avoid an area but, if consistently maintained, it creates a meaningful deterrent.’

Are chalk barriers effective?

There’s no denying that spiders hate chalk, and while a barrier can deter them from entering your home, it might not work for every spider. ‘Chalk is often suggested as a simple way to deter spiders because the dry, powdery surface may make an area less appealing for them to cross. However, I would think of it as an extra deterrent rather than your main line of defence,’ says Emily.

A spider on beige tiles

(Image credit: Getty Images / PATSTOCK)

Chalk will work well to reduce spider numbers somewhat, but it might not be enough to keep them out entirely. If you don’t want to take any risks, then it’s worth also addressing the things that make your home inviting for spiders. This includes reducing bright lights in the evening, managing humidity and moisture in your home, and being mindful of clutter.

Try a layered approach

In fact, it’s often thought that chalk works best as a layered approach, alongside shutting windows and implementing scents that spiders hate. Spiders are likely to view open windows as an open invitation into your home. So, as well as securing your windowsills with chalk barriers, it may also be worth implementing a spider curfew, just in case. And spray scents like eucalyptus or peppermint around entryways for extra defence.

‘Combine chalk with peppermint oil spray along the same entry points and make sure any visible gaps in door frames or window seals are physically sealed,’ suggests Mosh. ‘The chalk will deter spiders from crossing, the peppermint oil makes the area unpleasant to approach, and sealing gaps removes the entry point entirely. Each method reinforces the other.’

Dunelm’s rotating shoe storage is 30% off – and its clever design doubles your hallway storage

Dunelm’s rotating shoe storage is 30% off – and its clever design doubles your hallway storage

by | Oct 2, 2026 | Design Inspiration

If shoes cluttering up your hallway has become the bane of your existence, then I have some good news. Dunelms’ Ria Rotating Shoe Storage is currently 30% off and perfect for small spaces.

If you have a small hallway, I’m sure you’re well aware that a build-up of spare shoes can quickly make your space look cramped and chaotic – and in some cases dangerous! If you want to reduce the amount of trip hazards as you come through the front, it’s worth learning the clever tricks people with tidy hallways always do.

One thing is for sure: good shoe storage. And if you’re short on space, the rotating feature of the Ria shoe storage makes it a solid option. Here’s why.

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There are plenty of amazing shoe storage solutions for small spaces, including Lakeland’s new space-saving rack and the Amazon shoe boxes (£15.99) that the Ideal Home swear by.

But I’ll admit I’d not seen rotating shoe storage before. Recently, I coveted Dunelm’s Ria Rotating Bookshelf, and having spotted the same design was available in the form of shoe storage, I was instantly intrigued.

Reduced from £199 to £139.50, this space-saving storage solution has four shelves that rotate around an inner console, so you can access the pair you need while keeping four on show at all times. The idea is that you can keep multiple pairs of shoes out of sight at one time.

Ria rotating shoe storage by front door.

(Image credit: Dunelm)

Its stylish design means it’s storage you won’t mind having on show, and at 113.5cm, it won’t take up much room either. You could even place a key tray on top and use it as a side table in your hallway, too.

‘This item came bigger than expected but lovely quality! It weighs a ton ! Very pleased -probably should have had it constructed by delivery drivers as they take packaging away. Our lovely lady who does managed it and every part was there but not a job for a novice!’ says one review.

Another review points out it is ‘too complicated’ to build, so if you are a DIY novice, it’s probably worth getting some help putting it together.

More shoe storage buys

If DIY really isn’t your thing, here are a few more stylish shoe storage options you can shop online – and don’t take much effort to assemble.

Would you invest in the Dunelm Ria Rotating Shoe Storage?

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Spray this 1 scent around to keep spiders out of your home this autumn – and make it smell like a posh spa

Spray this 1 scent around to keep spiders out of your home this autumn – and make it smell like a posh spa

by | Sep 30, 2026 | Design Inspiration

While I hate to break it to you, it is spider season in the UK, and if you’re looking for ways to stop these creepy crawlies entering your home, pest experts are recommending an all-natural, chemical-free method – that will also make your house smell gorgeous.

While spiders native to the UK won’t do you any danger, there’s no shame in admitting that many of us are afraid of them and therefore don’t want to share our homes with them. So, there’s no harm in looking for human ways to keep spiders out of a house.

One effective method is using a scent spiders hate. In particular, eucalyptus. Pest experts have revealed how you can use this to turn this relaxing scent into a powerful deterrent this autumn.

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Why don’t spiders like eucalyptus?

While spiders don’t ‘smell’ in the same sense we do, they do rely on their sense of smell to help navigate, and the strong scent of eucalyptus interrupts this.

Room with traditional panelled wall painted light green, a wooden console table and wood flooring, with basket and plants and small group of accessories.

(Image credit: Future PLC)

‘Spiders are highly sensitive to strong scents, and eucalyptus is one they tend to find overwhelming. Eucalyptus has a sharp, medicinal smell. Spiders effectively ‘taste’ and ‘smell’ their surroundings through receptors on their legs, so they rely heavily on chemical cues to navigate and find food. A powerful scent like eucalyptus can interfere with those senses and make an area feel unwelcoming, encouraging them to settle elsewhere,’ explains Dan Steward, Managing Director at Shield Pest Control.

If you want to harness the power of eucalyptus to keep spiders out of your home (and make it smell good in the process, your best bet is making a spray. To do this, you’ll need a spray bottle (£3.99, Amazon), water and of course, eucalyptus essential oil (£9.99, Amazon).

‘The most effective method is diluting 15 to 20 drops of eucalyptus essential oil in a spray bottle of water and applying it along skirting boards, window frames, door frames and any corners where spiders are regularly seen. Refresh every week or two as the scent fades,’ says Mosh Latifi, Co-Owner of EcoCare Pest Management.

‘Fresh eucalyptus branches placed in vases near entry points provide a gentler, longer-lasting ambient deterrent. Eucalyptus oil diffused in rooms where spiders are active is also effective and requires no direct application to surfaces.’

Is this a good method to deter spiders?

If you want to keep spiders out of your home, this is one of the most affordable methods you can use. Of course, you’ll also want to assess the things attracting spiders to your home, but experts say eucalyptus works as a great preventative method.

Dark blue and natural basket with eucalyptus on a wooden floor.

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Polly Eltes)

‘Eucalyptus can be a useful, low-cost and chemical-free deterrent, and it’s a good option for anyone wanting to avoid harsher products. That said, it’s best thought of as one part of a wider approach rather than a complete solution. Scent-based deterrents help make a home less inviting, but they won’t seal the gaps spiders are getting through, so they work best alongside practical steps such as sealing small gaps around windows and doors, reducing clutter and damp, and regularly removing webs and egg sacs,’ adds Dan.

You could also introduce a spider curfew, whereby you close all the windows and doors post 7 pm to help reduce the amount of spiders entering your home via these entrances. I must also point out that the main draw of using eucalyptus is its fresh scent.

‘Eucalyptus has a clean, fresh, spa-like quality that many people find genuinely pleasant at home. Unlike white vinegar, which is highly effective but pungent, eucalyptus is something people actively choose to diffuse for its own sake. Using it as a spider deterrent is essentially a free benefit on top of something that already improves the atmosphere in a room,’ concludes Mosh.

Deter spiders from your home

A quick, easy hack that gets rid of spiders and makes your home smell like a spa in the process? Sign us up!

This £30 Lakeland shoe rack is perfect for keeping muddy shoes tidy this autumn

This £30 Lakeland shoe rack is perfect for keeping muddy shoes tidy this autumn

by | Sep 28, 2026 | Design Inspiration

I’m a huge fan of autumn. I love the changing leaves, the slight chill in the air, and long dog walks with a hot coffee in hand. But one thing I hate? Muddy shoes cluttering my hallway. That’s why I’ve been on the hunt for a shoe rack to get ahead of the mess, and the new Lakeland Multi Shoe Rack (£29.99 at Lakeland) fits the bill perfectly.

I’m currently on a mission to follow in the footsteps of people with consistently tidy hallways, and I’ve known my entryway has been missing some proper shoe storage for a while now. My husband and I have got into the bad habit of leaving our wet, muddy shoes on the doormat inside the house, and that makes our tiny space look even more cluttered.

But without a lot of space – or budget – to buy a huge shoe cabinet, I’ve had to look for a more effective shoe storage idea for small spaces, and this new Lakeland drop is both space-savvy and affordable.

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When I spotted this shoe rack, I knew it wouldn’t be a conscious design addition to my hallway. After all, it’s not the most aesthetic shoe rack I’ve ever come across – but pretty shoe storage often comes at a much heftier price.

But this Lakeland alternative is practical and affordable, and sometimes that’s all you need to transform your hallway from a cluttered, muddy mess into something to be proud of. Especially since this £30 solution fits 8 to twelve pairs of shoes and can be configured to suit your space.

White hallway with a white wooden door and a storage rack and bench

(Image credit: Future PLC/Colin Poole)

Yes, with a clever design feature that I’ve never seen before, this shoe rack can be assembled in two different ways. You can use it in a longer, wider two-tier formation, or fold it into a taller, narrower 4-tier formation.

This means that you can fit it around the other items already taking up space in your hallway, from coat racks and console tables to more permanent features like radiators.

For example, I know the 4-tier formation would be better in my house because the radiator limits the available wall space, and I know from speaking to experts that utilising vertical space is key in smaller spaces.

hallway with a storage bench and wellington boot storage next to it

(Image credit: Future PLC)

But having the option to switch it up also lets you use this shoe rack in other rooms and areas of your home. You could add another to your under-the-stairs cupboard, or opt for the lower-slung configuration at the bottom of your wardrobe to organise the shoes you wear regularly but don’t use enough to keep downstairs by the door.

With muddy season already underway, the wipe-clean material also means that you can simply wipe away the grime your shoes leave behind, keeping your hallway spotless.

And for just £29.99, how can you argue with that?

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I’m definitely snapping up Lakeland’s new £30 shoe rack to get ahead of the mess this autumn.

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