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I’m over black coffee machines – De’Longhi just dropped its newest bean-to-cup machine in this summer’s prettiest kitchen appliance colour

I’m over black coffee machines – De’Longhi just dropped its newest bean-to-cup machine in this summer’s prettiest kitchen appliance colour

by | Jul 16, 2026 | Design Inspiration

De’Longhi, the Italian coffee machine brand behind so many well-loved machines, have unveiled a more compact and affordable version of one of its bean-to-cup bestsellers – the Rivelia.

The brand new Rivelia Start, which is available now from De’Longhi for £599.99, is a very enticing prospect to me as Ideal Home’s Kitchen Appliances Editor. Until today, I thought that its more expensive counterpart was the best bean-to-cup machine for most people after our 5 star review. But somehow, this slimmed-down model looks to have even more going for it and might just knock it off its perch. Not to mention it’s available in a gorgeous green colour, which is one of the prettiest kitchen appliance colourways I’ve seen this summer.

Here’s how the new machine compares to its predecessor and why it’s the dream machine for small kitchens.

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Let’s go back to basics and dig into why was the OG Rivelia such a hit. As stated in our expert Home Economist’s review back in 2024 it’s a coffee machine with a lot going for it. Helen, our revieiwer, described it as ‘quite possibly the best designed, nicest looking, and best performing automatic bean-to-cup coffee machine I’ve ever reviewed’ – and she’s tested plenty for us since 2022.

One of the most loved features was the dual bean hopper design. That means you can switch easily between two blends or levels of caffeine. If you enjoy a decaf in the afternoons, it’s a great thing to have. Even though the Rivelia Start cost £100 less, it’s retained this standout feature.

DeLonghi Rivelia start

(Image credit: De’Longhi)

The milk frothing system, made possible by the LatteCrema Hot attachment (which is included) that makes such delectable hot drinks with the Rivelia is present within the Start too. There are 10 café-quality drinks on offer, ‘from a velvety Flat White to a classic Espresso’ according to De’Longhi along with the ability to ‘enjoy standard-setting hot and cold creations back-to-back’.

If you want to enjoy cold drinks, like I did when I tested the phenomenal Eletta Ultra, you’ll have to invest in De’Longhi’s LatteCrema Cool Tech system separately. This will set you back £99.99 via the brand’s website. If you’re an iced latte lover, I would say this is well worth it as it provides you with a huge upgrade over just adding cold milk to your coffee. It cold froths milk perfectly so you can enjoy proper iced cappuccinos all day long and serve them up to guests.

There’s also a Cold Brew setting, which will be welcome news for those who love the taste of this smooth chilled coffee drink and a treat in the ongoing heatwaves.

DeLonghi Rivelia start

(Image credit: De’Longhi)

Compared to the Rivelia, the Start has a pared-down user interface. Rather than an interactive touchscreen, it has a panel featuring touch-sensitive illustrated buttons of each type of drink available. For most, this probably won’t be much of a factor – especially with the benefit of saving £100.

For me, the colours available with the Rivelia Start are a huge draw. Two shades are available so far, the Jade Green and Umber Brown, with more to follow in the full line-up in September.

If you’re looking for a do-it-all bean-to-cup machine that will totally wow your guests, the Rivelia Start is a phenomenal value option for this price. Within a few touches of the machine’s interface, you can have a café-worthy coffee in front of you every morning. What’s not to like?!

I’m over black coffee machines – De’Longhi just dropped its newest bean-to-cup machine in this summer’s prettiest kitchen appliance colour

I’m faking a high-end fridge water dispenser with this genius £9 IKEA buy – it’ll make the summer heatwave bearable

by | Jul 14, 2026 | Design Inspiration

One of the most practical ways to cool down during the summer heat is simply with a cool glass of water – but what if you could upgrade yours to a spa-like experience without spending more than £10?

That’s what you get with IKEA‘s new KLIPPKAKTUS water dispenser (£9), which has so many clever design features to make staying hydrated a treat rather than a chore.

I’m on a mission to organise my fridge to perfection when I move into my new flat in a few weeks, and this water dispenser is being added straight to my basket in the same order as these fridge organisers. Here’s why.

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A fridge with an in-built water or ice dispenser is obviously the pinnacle for staying refreshed at home but they’re usually pretty pricey and if you, like me, are a renter you won’t be able to install one even if you wanted to.

That’s where this clever IKEA buy comes into its own. Not only is it the perfect size to slot onto your fridge shelf but its also equipped with a healthy capacity for keeping you hydrated all day – 4 litres is more than enough to see you through a day.

IKEA water dispenser

(Image credit: IKEA)

You don’t need to fill this dispenser straight from the tap every time you refill it. You can save the faff thanks to the smart pull-back opening at the front of the dispenser, which also gives you access to the in-built filter.

This filter is what gives you the ability to serve up spa-like infused water, flavoured with lemon, lime or mint, without any off-putting floating bits in it too. If you pop those into the filter compartment, you’ll get all of the benefits of your detox drink without the texture.

IKEA water dispenser

(Image credit: IKEA)

The tap element has more than one use, too. It’s the classic kind you’d find on a mason-jar type dispenser, which means that you can control the flow of water without much effort. According to IKEA, ‘if you want a lot of beverage to flow out, just push down on it, and if you want just a little, turn it 180° and push down until you’re satisfied.’

So far, from 89 user reviews, this KLIPPKAKTUS dispenser has a 4 out of 5 star rating from customers, with some even commenting they use it more than their built-in version, thanks to its easy-clean nature.

One reviewer comments ‘My water dispenser on my fridge was under the door shelf, and I found it got really grubby, so we decided to try this. It’s amazing – easily topped up, rarely leaks, and the size is just perfect. Love the little filter option as well, where you can add lime or cucumber to flavour your water a little.’

IKEA water dispenser

(Image credit: IKEA)

Having a steady flow of perfectly chilled water during the recent heatwaves certainly seems to have won a lot of IKEA fans over to this affordable buy. Below I’ve found some other Ideal Home approved fridge organisers that can help you stay hydrated during this hot summer and help you keep things tidy.

Here’s to a more organised fridge that keeps you drinking more water this summer!
I’m over black coffee machines – De’Longhi just dropped its newest bean-to-cup machine in this summer’s prettiest kitchen appliance colour

Finally! The Ninja Slushi Twist is available to buy in the UK – it’s Ninja’s most outlandish buy yet, but guests will absolutely love it

by | Jul 8, 2026 | Design Inspiration

Ninja‘s newest Slushi machine has finally landed on UK shores, just in time for the rising temperatures that have us all longing for a cooling refreshment.

The Ninja Slushi Twist, which is available from today for £419.99 (via Ninja) takes the success of one of its bestselling launches of the past few years and doubles it, with twice the amount of drinks and flavours available to your guests this summer if you choose to buy it. And the best part of all? You can mix them with the help of the machine to make the half and half drink of your dreams!

Yep, this ‘dual-vessel frozen drinks maker’ gives you the chance to slush two different drinks, all in the same impressively narrow timeframe that I’ve been wowed by with the original Ninja Slushi during my trials of it. Here’s all of the added functionality you get with this buy that offers twice the fun for your kitchen.

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The biggest sell with the Ninja Slushi Twist is that you can cater to everyone that comes over to your house for a summer soiree. With the two separate mixing cylinders, you can provide alcoholic and non-alcoholic slushies side by side, as well as different types of drinks altogether. So if someone wants a frozen milkshake while you’re sipping on a frosé, it’s all possible.

I reckon the fact you can twist together two different flavours of Slush will be hugely popular too – something that was previously only possible if you were picking up a frozen drink at the cinema or the beach.

The combining process works thanks to one very clever feature: a spinning drip tray at the bottom of the machine. This creates that swirled-together effect that makes your two-flavour drink look so tasty. If you only want to dispense one drink at a time, then that’s possible too, thanks to the split-handlebar at the very top of both vessels.

As with of all its appliances, Ninja has engineered a catchily-named program to help users get the best from this buy, which is called the Dual SlushAssist. This program will sense the ingredients in each vessel and then apply the settings that relate to whichever function you pick.

Ninja Slushi twist machine

(Image credit: Ninja)

As someone who has hosted with the OG Slushi before, another marked improvement with the Twist is that it has an upped capacity. It can serve up 10x 260ml in one go, which is plenty enough for a crowd before you’ll need to head inside to refill the machine.

So, if you’re looking for a buy that will make hosting an absolute dream and help you cater to all tastes when it comes to drinks, the Slushi Twist might just be the thing you’re looking for to cool off with this summer!

Alternative Ninja Slushis

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IKEA just launched a compact new multicooker way under £100 made for even the smallest of kitchens – and it promises perfect rice every time

IKEA just launched a compact new multicooker way under £100 made for even the smallest of kitchens – and it promises perfect rice every time

by | Jul 8, 2026 | Design Inspiration

IKEA‘s newest must-have kitchen buy, the TILLREDA multicooker (available now for £85) is just the thing you need to crack cooking perfectly fluffy rice at home.

With 14 presets, including slow cooker and baking modes, there is a huge amount of functionality packed into this compact little multicooker for its under £100 price tag. If you want to make your small kitchen more capable, you’ll want to take a look at all of its functions. Here’s what it can do.

The full list of functions is as follows: Manual mode, Keep warm, Slow cook, Rice, Fry/Sauté, Steam, Bake, Boil, Yoghurt, Soup, Stew, Porridge, Oatmeal, Bread rise.

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So as well as the ability to use it as a ‘chuck all of the ingredients in and set it off’ cooker, you can also use the inner pot as a stand-in hob spot and sear ingredients from the high heat. This is something I found immensely useful when I tested Ninja’s PossibleCooker with a rice mode – which is by far the most impressive multi-mode cooker I’ve tried.

IKEA multicooker

(Image credit: IKEA)

If you love simple all-in-one meals, then the ability to saute protein before you add the rest of your ingredients can elevate a recipe by many multitudes. It’s also great if you have limited hob access or if your hob (like mine) emits less heat than you might like it to.

I’ve found lots of people turn to a multicooker like this one when they’re without a kitchen for some period of time – say, undergoing a renovation – because it’s the closest appliance to having a little mini kitchen wrapped up in one.

IKEA multicooker

(Image credit: IKEA)

As far as the size of this appliance is concerned, it’s small stature will be hugely popular with those with more cramped kitchens. At just 21.5cm tall, including for the profile of its slimline lid, this can be placed under a countertop and in even the tightest of corners to add a whole new dimension to your kitchen. For context, the Ninja PossibleCooker that I am a huge fan of is quite a bit taller at 28cm in height and has a bigger capacity more fit for a family.

With the mini size of this IKEA version combined with its varied function set, I reckon it’s perfect for 1 to 2 people most of time.

Another benefit of this mini cooker is that it comes with a steamer attachment that slots right into the main bowl so that you can get the most out of that steaming function.

IKEA multicooker

(Image credit: IKEA)

The interface of the TILLREDA looks simple too. It features a small LED screen upon which you can dial through all of the different modes, set your timer and temperature of your cooking program.

This multicooker is brand new on IKEA’s website, so there aren’t any user reviews from the UK available yet to judge it on. I’m hoping we can get our hands on it to put it through our stringent testing process to see how it performs. But from a first look, it seems like an excellent buy if you’re short on space but want to max out on cooking functionality.

I’m over black coffee machines – De’Longhi just dropped its newest bean-to-cup machine in this summer’s prettiest kitchen appliance colour

Aldi’s just dropped a premium ice cream maker, and it’s more than £100 cheaper than the cult Ninja Creami – be quick, it’s going to sell out fast

by | Jul 7, 2026 | Design Inspiration

If there’s one thing that all this hot weather calls for, it’s a delicious tub of homemade ice cream. And no, you don’t need the Ninja Creami (£169.99, Argos) to do this, as Aldi has just dropped a similar alternative for just £69.99.

Over the past few years, the best ice-creams have become the ‘it’ appliance of any kitchen, even overtaking air fryers in terms of viral popularity. But they can be expensive appliances – until now, at least.

Landing in stores on 16 July, the Aldi Premium Ice Cream Maker is dropping as part of the supermarket’s latest Modern Kitchen range. Here’s everything we know about this star buy so far.

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Having been writing about Aldi for a few years now, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t waiting for Aldi to drop an ice-cream maker. Yes, there may have been an Aldi ice cream maker to hit the shelves before, but I’ve been on the lookout a slightly fancier gadget.

And my prayers have been answered, as their new premium ice cream maker is a dead ringer for the Ninja Creami.

More than £100 cheaper than the Ninja Creami Deluxe (£249.99, Ninja), the Aldi Premium Ice Cream Maker allows you to create delicious homemade ice cream, sorbet, milkshake and even frozen cocktails. It’s easy to operate with a self-cleaning function, has an adjustable blade and dishwasher-safe accessories, making clean-up an equally easy job.

There’s not much detail on how the machine operates, however it does look as though it will be easy to use via a simple dial, and we predict that, like the Creami, you’ll need to freeze your ice-cream mixture first. With a Ninja Creami, this is around 24 hours, so bear in mind that you might need to account for some freezing time when preparing your frozen treats.

Aldi premium ice cream maker on pink background

(Image credit: Aldi)

‘Of all of the Ninja Creami rivals that have been released recently, including the cleverly designed NutriBullet Chill and Russell Hobbs’ version, this ice cream maker from Aldi is by far the cheapest,’ says Molly Cleary, Kitchen Appliances Editor at Ideal Home.

‘At £69.99, if it works well, it’s a total bargain. It has the same ‘slot in and mix’ design of the Creami and looks like it’s aiming for similar functionality with the ability to whip up ice cream, milkshakes, sorbets and other sweet treats. After testing the Ninja Creami Deluxe, I can safely say that this type of appliance is one you’ll have a lot of fun with, and though I haven’t got my hands on Aldi’s version yet, I’m sure it’s about to be a hit with those looking to spend a little less!’

Due to the fact that it is under £70, I’m inclined to believe that it won’t be quite as good as the original. However, if you want to try an ice cream maker or have a tighter budget, it’s a good starting point and worth a try.

However, we do think this ice cream maker will sell out like soft serve on a hot day. So, if you can’t track one down, here are a few more affordable options you can shop online.

With 2026 on track for a scorcher of a summer, what better way to cool down than with a delicious, homemade ice cream?

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