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HOMES & INTERIORS


12 cleaning hacks for a sparkling Christmas
From gleaming cutlery to fresh-smelling garlands, these quick wins from the Queen of Clean are a lifesaver. By Sam Wylie-Harris. Sparkle, shine and save time with these savvy shortcuts (Alamy/PA) Can you feel it? The Christmas lights are on, window displays have been given the wow factor, and magical displays are drawing us closer to the big day – with feel-good festive fixes topping the to-do list. Especially if you’re setting the stage for holiday hosting, decking the halls


10 stylish gift suggestions for interior enthusiasts
From chic abodes to cottagecore, these decorative items will elevate the everyday, says Sam Wylie-Harris. Christmas is the perfect time to tuck a home gift under the tree (Alamy/PA) Some of the best buys are for sprucing up your space, and gifting is the perfect opportunity to style up the season with something for the home. Especially if you’re not sure what to buy a loved one; but you’re confident a interiors-based gift will give great aesthetic pleasure if it channels comf


5 trending festive themes for Christmas decor
From ‘nonna holiday’ to nutcrackercore and gothmas, here’s what’s shaping the holiday season. By Sam Wylie-Harris. Deck the halls and showcase your festive flair with these seasonal schemes (Meri Meri/PA) One of the wonders of Christmas is putting up the decorations… and foraging for those sentimental trinkets, glitzy trimmings, garlands and twinkling lights galore. But what if you’re rethinking your Christmas aesthetic; fancy a shift in style and theme, and have your heart s


Festive kitchen makeover ideas to get ‘Christmas ready’
It’s not too soon to start thinking about entertaining on the big day, says Sam Wylie-Harris. Kit out your kitchen with these quickie makeovers and festive finishing touches (Alamy/PA) With the festive season fast approaching, it’s time to get your skates on if a stylish kitchen refresh is on the cards. Especially if you’re hosting, and entertaining family and friends over the holidays – with a focus on seating everyone comfortably and choosing decor as twinkly as the tree. N


Biggest bathroom trends to get on board with now
Spa-style bathroom decor echoes a sense of luxury, says Sam Wylie-Harris. From bathroom sprawl to sustainability, these designs will inspire a makeover (Almay/PA) When it comes to wellbeing and projects around the home, the bathroom is one of the best places to start. After all, setting the scene for some me time, pampering ourselves with some favourite smellies to reduce stress, and boosting one’s overall mood is top of the sensory checklist… especially if you’re hankering a


All I want for Christmas is my dream home…
Housebuilder sets late October deadline for buyers to reserve and be in by Christmas Barratt David Wilson Redrow South Wales (BDWR) This October, Barratt David Wilson Redrow South Wales (BDWR) is reminding house-hunters that there’s still time to secure a new home and be settled in by Christmas. With a reservation deadline of 24 October 2025, BDWR South Wales has available homes within a range of plots across South Wales — from Swansea to Cardiff and Newport. Buyers who act q


9 ways to deck out your haunted house
After-dark decor to crown fright night celebrations and spooky soirées. By Sam Wylie-Harris. These Halloween-themed decorations and homewares look spooktacular (Matalan/PA) It’s one of the most anticipated dates in the fancy dress diary, and if you’re into dressing up, Halloween celebrations (October 31) are a real scream. And for a dose of devilish decorative drama, a flurry of eerie furnishings, thrilling tablescapes and themed feature walls make frighteningly good backdrop


Dress your front door with a warm autumn display
Wreaths, pots and pumpkins can make a difference. Celebrate autumn with festive decor (British Garden Centres/PA) If your front door area looks lacklustre, it’s time to warm it up with some welcoming autumn colours in rich burnt oranges, deep red accents, soft seedheads and textured foliage. “The trick is choosing plants that provide colour, texture and structure, all while celebrating the richness of the season,” says Julian Palphramand, head of plants at British Garden Cent


9 autumnal homewares to celebrate the season
From gallery walls geared to the countryside, to snuggly soft furnishings, it’s all about feel-good vibes, says Sam Wylie-Harris. Cosy finds for the cooler months (Direct.asda/PA) With a nip in the air, dappled sunlight, and leaves starting to turn a brilliant burnt orange, crimson and gold, it’s Mother Nature’s way of telling us it’s time to cosy up. And what better way to start prepping your space for pumpkin spice lattes on the sofa, autumnal tablescapes and comfort food t


7 of the best autumn books for the keen gardener
Leaf through some of this season’s finest offerings. (Timber Press/Cool Springs Press/Frances Lincoln/PA) As the weather starts to close in, if you’ve finished raking the leaves, cutting your hedge, and weeding and mulching your borders, put your feet up with an autumn gardening book to offer inspiration for the seasons ahead. Whether you’re looking for terrific planting combinations, some mouth-watering recipes utilising your own home-grown produce, or creating a vintage par
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