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Curated Modern Home Decor
I never realised airers could be pretty until I spotted this colourful one from the Brabantia x Yinka Ilori collaboration – it turns everyday items into works of art

I never realised airers could be pretty until I spotted this colourful one from the Brabantia x Yinka Ilori collaboration – it turns everyday items into works of art

by | Sep 21, 2026 | Design Inspiration

When you think about the everyday items in your home – your bin, ironing board or clothes airer, for example – do you ever consider them to be beautiful?

I’ll wager you barely even notice such household items, let alone consider them beautiful. Yinka Ilori OBE’s new collaboration with Brabantia is here to change that. The collection, titled ‘There is Magic in Joy ’, takes the best kitchen bins or even the best airers and turns them into works of art.

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Yinka to discuss his latest bold and colourful collection (the Yinka Ilori x Dunelm collection impressing the Ideal Home team in the summer). After discussing the importance of colour and joyfulness in his work, I was convinced every area of your home should add joy to your life.

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British-Nigerian artist and designer Yinka Ilori is well known for his use of bold colour and intricate detailing within his designs. He’s a master of creating a kaleidoscope of colour, and the most recent Brabantia collection is no exception.

The collection includes statement bins, a bold, colourful airer, and ironing board and lunchbox accessories. Yellow and pink feature heavily throughout the designs, with Yinka even telling me they’re two of his favourite colours to work with.

‘I was really interested in seeing how you could reimagine an everyday object into something that is a ritual that we do daily. But how can that ritual become a ritual of joy?’ Yinka told me.

‘And I think having slogans and artworks on things that we use daily within our home, I think, can really kind of shape our day, our moods, and really kind of change the way we look at kitchen utensils and kitchen objects within the home space.’

Yinka Ilori x Brabantia collection against blue background.

(Image credit: Brabantia)

What struck me as someone who has a small home and a really small kitchen was that this latest Brabantia collection contained items that look like pieces of decor, rather than functional items. For example, I don’t have a tumble dryer, so my bog-standard grey clothes horse is on show the majority of the time in my home. Since seeing the HangOn Drying Rack (£99) in person, I like the idea of my clothes horse adding colour to my space, rather than looking unsightly.

‘I thought there’s something quite playful about the drying rack because of all the kinds of block colours. I mean, for me, I might put my socks in the yellow section, and I might put my t-shirts in the purple section. So I think there’s also something quite playful that kids might find interesting about, you know, an object that we see daily,’ Yinka added.

‘People shouldn’t be nervous by color. For me, it’s just like doctors saying to you, you know, you need vitamin D from the sun, right? You know, for your skin, it’s good for your body. It brings you joy. It’s the same thing as, you know, as if you are around colour and around affirmation, it will uplift your mood and change your home space.’

So as we head into winter, and Vitamin D starts to wane, consider finding yours in colourful and joyful home decor. I saw that the Yink Ilori x Brabantia collection is a good place to start.

Stacey Solomon says this is ‘THE best steamer ever’ and she can’t believe it’s 40% off on Amazon right now – run, don’t walk while it’s still in stock

Stacey Solomon says this is ‘THE best steamer ever’ and she can’t believe it’s 40% off on Amazon right now – run, don’t walk while it’s still in stock

by | Jun 3, 2026 | Design Inspiration

If there’s one cleaning and laundry recommendation Stacey Solomon’s Instagram followers always pay attention to, it’s the products she uses herself. And according to Stacey, there’s one appliance that’s become so indispensable she has practically ditched her iron altogether.

Sharing the Sundu Portable 2-in-2 travel steamer iron from Amazon, on her Instagram, Stacey described it as ‘THE best steamer ever,’ adding that: ‘I never use my iron anymore and take it EVERYWHERE with me.’ So, if you’ve been searching for the best steam iron alternative for tackling quick creases, this compact gadget could be it.

Even better, the celebrity organiser spotted the handheld steamer with a hefty 40% discount on Amazon, making it a bargain at £29.98. ‘I just went to find the link for all of you asking, and it’s 40% off. I don’t know how long it’ll last as it sells out EVERY time I share it, but OMG 40% off is INSANE,’ she told followers.

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Stacey Solomon is no stranger to handy home gadgets and hacks, including her genius wardrobe storage ideas and laundry room essentials. But yesterday was the first time she shared her latest steamer obsession.

And it’s easy to see why the compact gadget has become a staple in Stacey’s household. As a busy parent juggling school runs and busy morning routines, I’m always looking for products that tackle inevitable last-minute clothing emergencies.

Whether it’s smoothing out last-minute uniform creases without having to wrestle a full-sized ironing board out of storage, or tackling lightweight summer fabrics like linen, cotton and silks now firmly back in rotation, a quick blast can help freshen up crumpled outfits in seconds.

White storage unit with cabinets and hanging rail against white wall, with plants and objects in green, yellow, pink, and white

(Image credit: Future PLC/Colin Poole)

The Sundu combines both a clothes steamer and a travel iron in one compact appliance, allowing you to steam garments vertically or use it horizontally for more stubborn creases. It heats up in 15 seconds and offers four different modes, including a dry ironing setting and three steam levels. And the ceramic soleplate is designed to be suitable for a wide range of fabrics, including silk, cotton, linen and wool.

While full-sized steam irons certainly have their place, it’s the portability of this handheld model that caught my attention. Weighing less than a kilogram and designed to fit neatly into luggage, it’s a grab-and-go appliance that is great for taking on holiday, for tackling creases in your summer wardrobe, whether it’s a crinkled dress straight from a packing cube or refreshing a shirt.

Handheld clothes steamer being used to steam button-up shirt

(Image credit: Beldray)

The 100 ml water tank offers up to 20 minutes of continuous steaming, which should be plenty for holiday outfits and quick touch-ups. And unlike other travel steamers that arrive with little more than the appliance itself, this one comes with a handy anti-scald glove, an insulated base if you’re using it as a travel iron, measuring cup and storage bag, making it a really practical option for home and away.

One of the things I think everyone should know before buying a clothes steamer is that it’s not designed to replace a full-size iron if you’re tackling an entire family’s laundry pile. But for quick outfit fixes, school uniforms, holiday packing and refreshing summer clothes in a hurry, Stacey’s go-to steamer looks like a really useful addition to your utility cupboard.

At 40% off, it’s also a deal that feels too good to miss. But do hurry, as Stacey has already said that some of the colourways have sold out already!

Of course, if your budget stretches a little further, I’ve tested several brilliant clothes steamers in my own home that are worth considering too, especially if you steam clothes regularly. Cue my top three.

Alternative clothes steamers I rate

If you haven’t bought a clothes steamer for your home yet, I’d seriously recommend one. And maybe Stacey Solomon’s favourite could be yours too!

I Thought I Was Done with Ironing, Until This Brilliant 2-in-1 Find Changed My Mind

I Thought I Was Done with Ironing, Until This Brilliant 2-in-1 Find Changed My Mind

by | Jan 28, 2026 | Design Inspiration, Style

We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

I’ve been on both sides of the ironing vs. steaming debate, and I believe that both methods have their flaws. In my experience, irons give clothes a crisp finish in less time, but the tangle-prone cables make them more of a pain to use. Steamers are gentler on delicate fabrics, but take more time to smooth out wrinkles. I actually gave up on both for a while because I was convinced neither one was a fit for my routine. That is, until I tried the Panasonic Cordless Lightweight Steam/Dry Iron.

The Steam/Dry Iron turned out to be the all-in-one solution I’d been missing — and it’s surprisingly well-suited to small-space living. And after using it for the past month and change, I can confidently say it’s made me a regular ironer/steamer again. Here’s why. 

What Is the Panasonic Cordless Lightweight Steam/Dry Iron? 

Weighing only 26.5 ounces, it’s the lightest steam iron Panasonic has ever made. It’s also cordless, comes with a handy carrying case, and heats up in 50 seconds on the accompanying power base (that plugs into a standard electrical outlet). The power base features a built-in cord compartment to make setup and storage easy. So already it solves some of my biggest gripes with traditional irons. It offers smooth, 360-degree movement without tethering you to a restrictive cord, and the iron’s portability also makes it uniquely suited to use beyond the house. Take it with you to quilting and craft classes, check it in your luggage while traveling — it goes where most irons and steamers can’t. 

In terms of ironing and steaming ability, the Panasonic Steam/Dry Iron gives you the best of both. Its nonstick, U-shaped soleplate gives you the smooth glide of an iron, complete with a precision tip to tackle corners, collars, and seams, while its vertical steam and powershot functions offer the wrinkle-releasing powers of a steamer — all without staining or damaging fabrics. 

Why I Love the Panasonic Cordless Lightweight Steam/Dry Iron

As someone who owns a traditional corded iron and a steamer, I can honestly say that Panasonic’s steam iron replaces both. For starters, it’s way easier to use: I plug in the power base, choose my heat setting, and the iron is ready to go in seconds. I use it on one of these tabletop ironing boards (small apartment problems), and because the iron itself isn’t restricted by a cord, I can glide it freely up and down pieces of clothing without fussing. One thing I noticed, though, is that the iron has a slightly rounded bottom that keeps it from standing upright on its own, so I need to set it on its power base between pieces. It took some getting used to, but it’s worth doing for the iron’s long-lasting heat. 

Most important, though, is how effectively the Panasonic steam iron smooths out creases and wrinkles — even on my mostly air-dried clothing. Its U-shaped plate lives up to its nonstick claims, gliding over fabrics without snagging or leaving scuffs or water stains. And while I’m admittedly not as careful as I should be with my clothes, the iron’s three heat settings make it hard to mess up. The iron’s power shot function is a huge help for stubborn creases on more rigid fabrics, and when it comes to pieces too delicate to press, the iron’s vertical steam bursts do the trick.  

While my old iron and steamer used to sit in a tangled heap on my closet shelf, the steam iron’s compact carrying case tucks away neatly for a clean, clutter-free look. I don’t have to worry about any residual water spilling out either, because the iron sits securely on its base. So if you’re looking for a wrinkle-smoothing solution that’s effective and space-efficient, I’d say the Panasonic Cordless Lightweight Steam/Dry Iron is worth looking into! 

George Home is selling a heated airer for less than Lidl – at £25, it’s the lowest price I’ve ever seen for this winter laundry essential

George Home is selling a heated airer for less than Lidl – at £25, it’s the lowest price I’ve ever seen for this winter laundry essential

by | Nov 25, 2025 | Design Inspiration

It’s this time of year when a heated airer really comes into its own, drying clothes quickly and efficiently, while it is too cold to dry them outside. And if you’re looking for an affordable option, George Home’s Silver Heated Winged Clothes Airer is currently £25, down from £40.

A heated airer is a handy bit of kit, but with a wide variety of models ranging in quality and price, it can be tricky to find the best deal. Aside from checking to see if any of the best heated airers are on sale, I also scour the middle aisles of Lidl and Aldi to hunt down a bargain.

Lidl is currently selling a heated airer for £29.99, and normally I’d argue you won’t find a better deal – that is, until I spotted George Home’s airer, which also has received some pretty good reviews.

If you’re wondering how long a heated airer takes to dry clothes, essentially whether they are worth it or not, the answer is just four to eight hours on average. Anyone who’s dealt with laundry taking closer to four days to dry on a standard airer in winter will know this is a great time.

Considering an energy-hungry tumble dryer can still take over an hour to dry clothes, a heated airer is a good investment to make. While it takes longer to dry clothes, heated airers are cheaper to run than a tumble dryer.

George Home’s Silver Heated Winged Airer is made from aluminium and weighs just 5kg, making it lightweight and easily transportable for your home. It also folds for easy storage.

Its foldable nature comes down to its large wings, which also expand the surface area for drying clothes when opened. When the wings are open, the airer is 54 x 147 x 94 cm in size, meaning it can happily handle a standard load of washing. Plus, it comes with a 100-day warranty.

Silver Heated Winged Clothes Airer

The Silver Heated Winged Clothes Airer (was £40, now £25).

(Image credit: George Home)

By contrast, Lidl’s heated airer looks very similar. It has the same dimensions as George Home’s airer, so I can assume it holds a similar load size. While George Home has not shared information about how much weight their airer can hold, Lidl has. The Lidl airer has a drying space of 12m and can hold up to 15kg of laundry. As George Home’s airer is the same size, I predict it can hold a similar amount of washing.

Lidl’s heated airer also costs just 7p per hour (according to the October Ofgem price cap), meaning it won’t make too much of a dent in your energy bills to use. By contrast, George Home does not have this information available, but some reviews do comment that it is affordable to run.

‘Very practical, works efficiently, doesn’t use much electricity, heats clothes dry quickly, very impressed, and use all year round. Amazing!’ said one.

‘Had this for several months, best thing ever, works best if you dry things flat and rotate often, but a saviour when the weather’s wet and cold,’ said another.

If you can’t choose between the two, here are three recommended heated airers, tried and tested by the Ideal Home team.

While I’m normally pretty loyal to my local Lidl middle aisle, this time I will be heading to George Home. What about you?