Wednesday, April 14, 2021

Ideal Home

Ideal Home


Experts warn against trying the viral Fabulosa radiator dusting hack - calling it 'dangerous'

Posted: 14 Apr 2021 09:40 AM PDT

Experts and cleaning fans are warning against trying the Fabulosa radiator dusting hack that has gone viral on TikTok after one homeowner was left with burn injuries after trying it at home.

Related: Your ultimate 2021 cleaning calendar! One big job to tackle for every month to keep busy

The popular cleaning hack shared by one fan @cleaningwithcharl on TikTok is supposedly a neat way to dust the inside of your radiator. The tip uses Fabulosa Shock Can Air Freshener & Sanitiser to spray dust trapped between the grills of the radiator whilst also fragrancing the room.

However, this supposedly handy hack ended in disaster for one cleaning fan. According to a report by The Sun a homeowner was left with burn injuries and £6,000 worth of damage to her home after trying the radiator cleaning hack. The homeowner says that the cleaning spray exploded into a ‘fireball’, shattering the living room windows.

how to clean a radiator 3

Image credit: David Parmiter

The Fabulosa Shock safety label does state, 'Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources.' A radiator is a significant source of heat in the home so flammable sprays should be used carefully around it.

The homeowner told The Sun that she had turned the radiator off prior to cleaning it, yet the flammable spray still ignited. It is possible that this was because the radiator hadn’t fully cooled down.

We contacted Fabulosa for a comment on the accident, they replied: ‘Our customer's health and safety is of utmost importance to us and we take any reported incidents seriously. We have contacted the customers concerned so we can investigate.

Fabulosa-radiator-dusting-hack-1

Image credit: Fabulosa

Fabulosa and its packaging is fully compliant with all safety regulations on how to safely use them and any associated risks. In line with this, our Shock Can states quite clearly that it is extremely flammable and it should therefore be kept away from heat and all sources of ignition.’

Here at Ideal Home, we are big fans of Fabulosa. Not only does it clean your home like a dream, but it also smells incredible, all for less than £2. However, it is very important that you always read the label before using a cleaning product and follow the instructions, especially before trying a cleaning hack.

Related: Plumbers are warning against the cleaning hack that could be damaging your toilet

If you are looking for an easy way for how to clean a radiator, we would recommend simply using a damp microfibre cloth. You can use a thin wire brush or a tumble dryer sheet to tackle any dust trapped in tricky spots.

The post Experts warn against trying the viral Fabulosa radiator dusting hack - calling it 'dangerous' appeared first on Ideal Home.

Country utility room ideas to create a classic laundry room to love

Posted: 14 Apr 2021 07:11 AM PDT

Country style and utility rooms go hand in hand. Are you looking for country utility room ideas? You’ve come to the right place. A simple approach with good storage and quality features are key to pulling this classic utility room look.

From the units to the blinds and accessories and everything in between, every detail counts when it comes to this timeless style.

No matter how you use your space, or how much you have to store, take a look at our ideas that to help give your uninspiring utility room a ‘country chic’ makeover Downton Abbey’s Mrs Carson would be proud of.

Want more on utility rooms? Check out our utility room channel for all your needs

Country utility room ideas

1. Embrace the colours of nature

country utility room idea with green

Image credit: Garden Trading

Keep the look understated but undeniably country with a coat of glorious forest green on the walls. The serene yet striking shade pairs beautifully with natural wooden cabinets and worktops to create a grounding country vibe. Choose classic white enamel storage caddies and fittings to keep the look clean and effortlessly coordinated.

2. Dress the decor with ticking stripes

navy blue utility room

Image credit: Ben Robertson

Nothing says country-style quite like a classic ticking stripe. Use this faithful pattern to furnish your utility room to give the space an air of sophistication. Match the dominant colour of the pattern to your kitchen cabinet colour to keep the look cohesive. For on-trend navy choose brass fixtures and fittings to enhance the richness of the scheme.

3. Add stylish shutters

country utility room with shutters

Image credit: Garden Trading

Shutters for dressing windows is the epitome of fine country-style. Smart wooden shutters are ideal for creating scullery chic. Keep the look understand yet smart by painting the shutters, cabinets and walls in a gradient scale of the same colour – keep the walls in the lightest shade, then choose a colour few shades darker for both the cabinets and the shutters. This painting scheme will help to add depth to the look, without having to use bold colours.

4. Decorate white goods with flower prints

utility room with flower stickers on the washing machine

Image credit: Sussie Bell

Give bulky white goods a touch of country-style with the help of simple stickers. The blank canvas of white is the ideal place to add a decorative motif to soften the hardness of appliances. Team the look with floral print fabrics for under-cabinet curtains and textile accessories, to uniform the look. Make a skirt to pretty up the sink and provide hidden storage.

5. Use open shelves for boots and shoes

Country utility room with shoe rack

Image credit: Jon Day

Use your utility room as the place to clean and store footwear as soon as they are removed. Leave just-cleaned shoes to air or dry on a sturdy trolley before you return them to storage. A small pair of steps doubles as a place to prop your foot when cleaning shoes.

6. Add flowers

country utility room with flowers with red blind

Image credit: Jon Day

Create an area where you can indulge your love of fresh flowers and arrange them beautifully.  Fit shelves above the sink for storing flower room essentials such as scissors, string, gloves and glass stem vases, and display your country-style arrangements in pretty enamel jugs nearby.

Use the colourful blooms to inspire the decor. Add interest with a bright blind in a graphic floral print to inject a vibrant touch to enhance an otherwise neutral colour scheme.

7. Fit a ceramic utility butler sink

Country utility room sink

Image credit: David Brittain

A country-style utility room isn’t complete without a traditional butler sink – best set into a chunky wooden work surface. These deep ceramic sinks are hard-wearing and large enough to cope with any utility room cleaning task. Combine with vintage-style kitchen mixer taps for a pleasing finish.

Make this signature sink the star of the show by dressing it to perfection. A decorative textile fashioned into curtains to conceal the storage below the worktops helps to frame the sink area. A few simple decorative objects, such as a vase of fresh lavender and a vintage-style enamel sign can help to add a perfect finishing touch.

8. Hide away ironing boards in an armoire

Image credit: Jon Day

Keep ironing boards, brooms and vacuum cleaners out of sight in a dedicated cupboard. Choose a slim, classic country armoire to make essential storage feel more sophisticated. Hang up the feather duster and dustpan and brush on characterful wall hooks independently of the freestanding furniture piece.

9. Put up plentiful shelving

 utility room shelving for linens and cleaning products

Image credit: Dominic Blackmore

Organise your washing space with painted open shelves for folded linen and detergents. Paint basic wooden shelves in a classic cream to achieve a simple country look. The colour will provide a calming backdrop for natural linens, enamel storage caddies and attractive bottled laundry products.

10. Choose classic pigeon holes for storage

Pigeonhole shelving

image credit Ben Robertson/Future Plc

Use stylish pigeon hole shelving to make storing household sundries all the more chic. The fashionable storage units come in a variety of different sizes, from countertop to larger wall-mounted designs  to suit all utility rooms. For a totally uniformed look you can even label each one to make it clear exactly what goes where.

11. Fashion a display area

Display shelves utility room storage ideas

Image credit: Mark Scott

One of the most pleasing qualities of having a dedicated utility space is that you can show off the finer details. With chic storage solutions such as glass Kilner jars, porcelain bottles and enamelware why hide it all away behind closed doors. Use open shelving to house beautifully decanted cleaning products and simple decorative accessories. Fit the shelving above the sink so that you can keep everything you need to hand.

Larger items such as boxes of washing powder can be stowed away in classic enamel containers or cupboards nearby.

12. Opt for a built-in utility cupboard

country utility room

Image credit: David Brittain

Create a laundry area with a built-in cupboard to make best use of the space, painted in creamy shades of buttermilk. This one has an extending shelf to act as a worktop.

13. Conceal appliances with a curtain

utility room washing machine curtain

image credit: Tim Young

Make a simple curtain to hide unattractive appliances or unorganised storage under a counter top. Sew a curtain with a narrow casing at the top and thread on to a net curtain wire or café rod. Not only will this idea instantly hide a bulky electrical appliance, it will also help to add a decorative touch through a thoughtful patterned fabric.

14. Incorporate a pet bed

utility room pet bed

Image credit: Mark Scott

A combination of built-in open shelving and drawers turns the smallest cubby hole into a utility area with space for a pet bed beneath. Working with a small space? Read: Small utility room ideas to organise compact laundry rooms and tiny kitchen areas

15. Tile a utility splashback with glazed brick tiles

Country utility room with butler sink

Image credit: Dominic Blackmore

Tile the splashback above the sink in your utility space with glazed brick tiles for a classic country look. Combine with white walls, a marble worktop and a traditional-style mixer tap. A wooden shelf, fitted just above the tiles, finishes the look and provides a handy place to display decorative pieces, and beautifully packaged laundry and cleaning products.

16. Use an over-the-door rack for cleaning brushes

Neutral Utility Room with Vintage-style Cleaning Accessories

Image credit: Mark Scott for Country Homes & Interiors

Make the most of vertical storage options such as over-door racks and country style hooks. These simple solutions are easy to fit and add instant extra storage in your utility room – and they make a great place to hang items such as teacloths, feather dusters and brushes, too.

When it comes to cleaning must-haves such as mops, bins or a dustpan and brush, even these practical items can add utility-chic if you opt for vintage-style accessories in cream enamel or rustic wood.

17. Build in fitted boot room storage

Traditional Utility Room with Painted Cupboards

Image credit: David Cleveland for Homes & Gardens

Design your utility space to include storage for boots and shoes. Fit wooden shelving and paint it in a subtle shade, such as understated sage green, to match the cabinetry. Alternatively, use a rustic metal rack or even wooden steps to prop up footwear by the garden door. Combine painted units with a wood-panelled splashback and stone flooring for classic boot-room style.

18.  Fit an extending wall rack to dry laundry indoors

extending drying rack

Image credit: Garden Trading

No country utility room is complete without a wall-mounted extending rack for those days when the weather does not allow clothes to be dried outside. Position a wall rack near the washing machine and sink for ease of use. If you have space for shelving, add storage boxes above, or fit an enamel wardrobe rail in an alcove for hanging up garments.

View now: Extending Clothes Drying, £145, Garden Trading

Related: Drying rack ideas to dry clothes indoors in kitchens, utility rooms and more

19. Hide clutter with a café curtain

Small utility room ideas with curtains

Image credit: Trevor Richards

Hang a country-style café curtain beneath the length of a worktop or console table to hide kitchenware, cleaning products or appliances from view. Choose fabric in fresh colours, such as striking florals or fresh stripes, and sew a simple curtain that will add instant zing to your utility room. Hang the curtain using a tension rod that fits the width of the open shelving unit.

20. Choose neutral, country-style cabinetry

Country Utility Room with Boot and Coat Storage

Image credit: David Merewether

Decorate in a neutral colour scheme for a timeless look in your utility room. Choose Shaker-style cabinetry – allowing plenty of space for appliances – and hardwearing stone flooring for a look that's pretty and practical. Use country-style enamel containers for washing powder and to sort laundry. Add a peg rail for coats above a wooden chest or sideboard for plenty of storage.

See more country ideas: Country kitchen ideas – the latest rustic designs that suit both rural and urban settings

21. Show off shabby-chic storage

vintage style enamel utility room storage

Image credit: Lizzie Orme

Make washday a pleasure with a dedicated utility area for laundry. Store and display ironing water, soaps, cleaning liquids and wooden dolly pegs in attractive bottles and practical glass kilner jars.

Introduce even a few of these ideas, and the results might just might light work of those chores that need doing.

How can I make my utility room look nice?

You can make your utility room look nice by adopting a country-style approach. The humble yet hard-working utility room is often over-looked when it comes to decorating. Yes, you need to create a dedicated space that is well organised but practical doesn’t have to be dull. A vintage country-style look is a great style choice as it takes the room back to its roots. A scullery was a kitchen overflow for large, busy houses so had to be spic- span efficient.

The post Country utility room ideas to create a classic laundry room to love appeared first on Ideal Home.

Utility room shelving ideas – organise your laundry room supplies with chic shelf solutions

Posted: 14 Apr 2021 05:10 AM PDT

If ever there is a room where shelving is super important, it’s the utility room.The clue is in the name – you want to be able to UTILISE everything easily, and shelves ensure that everything is within easy reach.

These most practical of spaces need to be organised and also safe – which is why it’s better to have detergents and cleaning products safe and away from little ones and pets, either up high or behind closed (and child-locked) doors.

Get your beautility on point with more of our utility room ideas

Most things, however, can be popped on shelves. If you hate clutter, you might prefer to use baskets or tins on shelves. That way, items are hidden, but still accessible.

Utility room shelving ideas

Bespoke shelving is worth investigating if your utility room is small or an awkward shape, as it will help you get the most out of a space. It needn’t be prohibitively expensive either – a local carpenter may be able to create a simple carcase with adjustable levels for less than the price of an off-the-shelf shelving system.

That said, a simple piece of wood mounted on two brackets is likely to be the most budget-friendly way to introduce shelving. Keep it the same colour as the wall if you want to keep your scheme simple and spacious. Or choose shelving in bright colours or an industrial mix of wood and metal if you’d prefer your shelving to be a feature.

Read on for more of our practical and pretty utility room shelving ideas.

1. Build a multifunctional shelving unit

Utility room shelving ideas

Image credit: IKEA

Create a space that offers multifunctional usage. IKEA is a great place to look for utility room shelving components that offer different uses but be adapted to work on the same frame. This smart laundry room features wall-mounted rails that can be used for all your laundry room needs – from simple shelving, clothes airers and larger baskets.

Savvy shelving solutions allow you to make the space completely bespoke, tailored for your own needs – depending how you plan to use the space. It’s also an affordable way to build bespoke shelving.

2. Fill one wall with stacked shelves

utility room shelving idea

Image credit: Mark Bolton/ Future Plc

Ensure you have a place for everything by filling an entire wall with useful shelving. If you’re going to the effort of putting shelving up you will benefit from making them fill just one wall to keep the look neat, while providing maximum storage. When filled with vases and decorative objects the shelves fashion a thoughtful display/feature wall.

3. Pigeon hole essentials

Pigeonhole shelving

image credit Ben Robertson/Future Plc

Use stylish pigeon hole shelving to make storing household sundries all the more chic. The fashionable storage units come in a variety of different sizes, from countertop to larger wall-mounted designs  to suit all utility rooms. For a totally uniformed look you can even label each one to make it clear exactly what goes where.

4. Utilise space under the stairs with floating shelves

utility room storage idea under stairs

Image credit: Lizzie Orme

Place shelving in an under-stairs cupboard to provide a compact utility room solution. Simple floating shelves are adequate enough to house cleaning cupboard essentials and storage baskets. Ensure they are securely fixed in place and be mindful not to overload the shelves with heavy quantities of products.

5. Choose matching baskets in different shapes and sizes

Utlity-room-shelving-ideas

Image credit: Jo Henderson; Styling: Gemma Gear

Find a corner in your home for a touch of laundry loveliness. Woven jute and coir baskets work beautifully in this open laundry area to store towels, throws and linens in an array of neutral tones. Label with swing tags to keep everything super organised.

6. Place slim shelves behind the sink

Utlity-room-shelving-ideas-rails-behind-the-sink

Image credit: Mark Scott

Your sink is likely one of the busiest areas of your utility room. If you’re always using it for jobs like hand washing laundry/cleaning pets and children(!) it makes sense to have the things you need just a stretched arm away.

A slim rack like this can squeeze behind any sink, and rails stop any taller bottles from falling out.

7. Install shelves on brackets for cute country style

Utlity-room-shelving-ideas-open

Image credit: Dominic Blackmore

These slim shelves on rustic brackets enhance the look of this stunning space, and are a super-affordable storage addition.

Related: Country utility room ideas to create a classic laundry room to love

8. Keep items organised in tins

Utlity-room-shelving-ideas-tins

Image credit: Dominic Blackmore

If carefully curated displays aren’t in your wheelhouse, don’t fret. A set of enamel tins in the same colour will look coordinated and smart, while keeping your laundry room essentials in check.

9. Build a bespoke solution

Utlity-room-shelving-ideas-bespoke

Image credit: Polly Eltes

Aah the dream! This lucky family has a commissioned a made-to-measure, wall-to-wall shelving solution. Notches allow the shelves to be moved up of down so the cubbyholes can be adapted to just the right size.

This helps to make everything more organised and its placing deliberate. It also helps to accommodate taller items like wellies or a laundry basket when needed.

Related: Utility room storage ideas that are practical yet stylish

10. Take the door off standard units

Utlity-room-shelving-ideas-unit

image credit: Colin Poole

When your budget won’t stretch to bespoke, head to your local DIY ‘shed’ and pick up a standard kitchen cupboard carcass. There’s no need for a door, as now you can just grab items and get on with whatever you’re doing.

It’s a really affordable idea that looks smart – especially when you don’t overdo it, cramming things on. This clever homeowner’s display is pitch perfect.

11. Choose a vertical unit to make more of space

utility room shelving unit

Image credit: Simon Whitmore

A tall unit of shelves is ideal to make the most of space, a particularly good small utility room idea where space is premium. A sturdy metal storage unit provides a good base for stacking cleaning essentials safely.

12. Style a vintage ‘shelfie’

vintage style enamel utility room storage

Image credit: Lizzie Orme

Choose retro style jars and containers to complete the look. Empty household and laundry essentials into labelled tins and boxes on shabby chic shelves to keep the look neat, tidy and streamlined – worthy of a laundry room shelfie.

13. Make a little shelving go a long way

Utlity-room-shelving-ideas-little

Image credit: David Lovatti

Bare walls can make a room seem much bigger, so you may be wary of adding too many shelves. Popping a couple in the corner still gives you a pretty little display area, without overwhelming the space.

14. Use crates to collate items

Utlity-room-shelving-ideas-crate

Image credit: Nick Pope

Let’s be honest, most of your utility room is going to be used to store very practical and not very pretty things like your ironing board and handheld vac. And that’s fine. But, take a crate or two – either attaching them to the wall or just resting it on the worktop – and this rustic shelving can be used to ‘frame’ and display a small collection of attractive items like plants. Gorgeous!

Try this! Smart ways to decorate with crates

Always beware of how much weight your shelves can hold. Check the manufacturer’s guidelines if you are buying shelving and be very careful if you’re making your own.

The post Utility room shelving ideas – organise your laundry room supplies with chic shelf solutions appeared first on Ideal Home.

Explore Prue Leith's bold yellow kitchen bursting with clever storage ideas

Posted: 14 Apr 2021 04:00 AM PDT

Great British Bake Off judge Prue Leith is well known for her love of all things bright and beautiful, as well as whipping up gastranomical delights. So when she decided to combine the two and create a new kitchen full of colour, it was always going to be a success.

Check out our kitchen ideas page for more inspiration

Having been named as the new ambassador for Omega Kitchens, it looks as though Prue took great pleasure in picking out the perfect shade of cabinetry for her new house. The design is cheery, fun and vibrant – everything we’d expect from this fabulous TV chef.

Ready to take a look around? Let’s see whether Prue Leith’s kitchen is what you’d imagine…

Prue Leith’s kitchen

Image credit: Omega Kitchens

We weren’t kidding when we told you Prue’s new kitchen was colourful, and that explosion of bright yellow with accents of green immediately makes you feel energised.

‘One of the most important points for me is how colour can make you feel,’ says Prue. ‘And as we spend more time in our homes it has become more vital than ever to ensure the home is a positive space for everyone – colour plays a huge part in that.’

This sunny yellow is definitely a joyful shade, but we wonder how long it took Prue to choose it, being there are 22 paint colours across 19 door styles at Omega Kitchens – giving 400 painted colour and door combinations! When combined with its range of 12 cabinet colours this gives a choice of more than 5,000 colour combinations, so you can easily make your kitchen just as unique as Prue’s.

‘It was tough to decide on the final colour, I must admit, as there was so much choice,’ says Prue, ‘but the style, design and quality complement it perfectly.’

Space & storage

Image credit: Omega Kitchens

We’d imagine Prue has quite a collection of kitchen tools to house, so storage would be a major factor in her design. As well as the large island with its roomy pan drawers, she also has a bank of cabinetry with a large wall cupboard, more drawers and open shelving to display all those vital ingredients.

The cabinetry bank is in white, which makes a subtle background for the more zingy-coloured island unit, and incorporates another worktop space. This is the spot where Prue keeps her smaller appliances, making them easy to use, rather than having to get them in and out of a cupboard each time she wants them.

Appliances

Image credit: Omega Kitchens

The island unit houses some of Prue’s larger appliances, such as her hob, and we spotted a Miele oven – nothing but the best for this professional chef.

On the other side of the island, you’ll also see a few hanging rails where Prue keeps all her scissors, whisks and other kitchen tools – it’s a clever kitchen storage idea to keep them all to hand so you can see what you’ve got, rather than rummaging in drawers.

Kitchen dining

Image credit: Omega Kitchens

Having a table and chairs in her kitchen means Prue can chat to guests while she cooks, or simply take a seat herself. The wood table offers warmth to the scheme, while brightly coloured yellow and green chairs tie in with the colour scheme.

Fixtures & fittings

Image credit: Omega Kitchens

Prue chose taps in a sleek black, which keep the kitchen feeling modern and works as a contrast to the sunny yellow cabinetry. More open shelving creates a spot for vases and vessels, along with a row of hooks from which Prue can hang her mug collection.

‘I've always had a love for colour in my own style and in my home, so working with Omega to showcase the wonderful colour range they offer is really exciting,’ says Prue. ‘Especially having cooked in my own Omega kitchens over the past 25 years.’

Related: How to plan a kitchen – your step-by-step guide to the perfect space

What do you think of Prue’s kitchen? Would you be brave enough to go for zingy yellow cabinetry?

The post Explore Prue Leith's bold yellow kitchen bursting with clever storage ideas appeared first on Ideal Home.

Roost episode 6: WIN Fiskars garden tools, plus green living room decor and kitchen worktop materials

Posted: 14 Apr 2021 12:00 AM PDT

roost episode 6 - marble kitchen worktop in navy contemporary kitchen - Credit Future

Image credit: Future PLC

Roost episode 6 is here and it’s time to take in all the home inspo, including green living room ideas and the best materials for kitchen worktops. Whether you opt for wood or stone, concrete or composite it's important to find a surface that will not only suit the look of your new kitchen, but is also fit for purpose.

And, for UK viewers, four lucky winners have the chance to win a Fiskars garden tool bundle, including: a PowerGear telescopic tree pruner, an ergonomic garden fork, an X-Series PowerGear Bypass lopper, Xact standing bulb planter and recycled scissors in this week's competition.

Entering couldn’t be simpler – all you have to do is watch and then answer the question below.

Watch Roost Episode 6

So what exactly is in Roost episode 6?

Green kitchens have been a big trend for a while and we have an enduring love affair with the colour. We walk you through decorating with green in your living room, showing you how versatile this colour is, and how a few simple ideas when using it can go a long way.

Find out how to introduce green furniture to maximum effect, how to mix different green tones and we bust the blue and green colour pairing myth. 

Related: Green bedroom ideas – from olive to emerald, explore the decorating schemes that can create a luxe retreat

dining table with yellow and green chairs - MATTHEW WILLIAMS

Image credit: Matthew Williams

Next up, we uncover kitchen worktop ideas at the stunning Martin Moore Notting Hill Showroom so you know just what will work for your family’s needs.

As choosing a worktop is a crucial part of kitchen design, you’ll need to be completely honest about how you and your family will use it. 

Are you likely to take the time to look after it or do you want a low-maintenance option? Are you likely to put hot pans directly onto the worktop? Do you have young children that could give it a good bashing?

Once you have examined this and have found out each materials’ various properties in the show, you’ll be well equipped to decide what’ll work best.

Related: What not to do when choosing a new kitchen – the 9 common mistakes to avoid

So, put your feet up and get ready to be inspired by Roost episode 6:

In the sixth episode of Roost, we’re giving away four Fiskars garden tool bundles worth £263. All you need to do to enter is watch the episode and fill in the form below.

 

The post Roost episode 6: WIN Fiskars garden tools, plus green living room decor and kitchen worktop materials appeared first on Ideal Home.

Rightmove reveals houses are selling within days in the UKs new property hotspot

Posted: 13 Apr 2021 11:00 PM PDT

New data from Rightmove have revealed that Newquay in Cornwall has become the latest property hotspot for sellers.

Related: Rightmove reveals a proven selling tactic to help sell your house quickly

The cornish town more well-known for surfing than its property market has become a sweet spot for sellers. Houses in the area are selling like hotcakes with 82 per cent of all properties put up for sale this year already sold subject to contract.

New property hotspot – Newquay

Newquay, Cornwall

Image credit: Getty/ R A Kearton

The sales figures released by Rightmove show that eight out of every ten homes put up for sale this year are sold subject to contract (SSTC). Agents have reported widespread stock shortages due to the frenzied pace of the market in Newquay and many other areas of the UK.

The most in-demand areas are almost all in beautiful countryside locations in Cornwall, Devon, Sussex, and other areas in Western and Northern England. Next in the top ten to Newquay is Newton-Le-Willows in Merseyside, where just under 82 per cent of properties are SSTC. It is closely followed by Plymstock in Devon with 81 per cent currently SSTC.

Other areas outside of city centres in the top ten buyer markets include the more expensive locations of Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire where average asking prices are over £1 million, and Sunbury-on-Thames with average asking prices over £500,000.

By contrast, city centres are still moving much more slowly, with Birmingham city centre the top buyer's market, where only 18 per cent of properties are sold subject to contract. In Liverpool city centre, only 22 per cent of properties are marked SSTC.

house for sale in Newquay, Cornwall

Image credit: Rightmove

The start of restrictions easing has increased activity in what was already an incredibly busy housing market. All areas of the top ten hottest seller markets have seen asking prices hit records since the market reopened in May 2020, with seven of the 10 hitting a price record this year.

Demand for properties is dramatically increased. Although the number of properties coming up for sale in March was 51 per cent higher than the previous month, demand is still higher than the supply available in many areas, including Newquay.

‘The stock shortage is the worst I've seen in thirty years and there's just seemingly endless demand,’ says Bradley Start, Partner at Start & Co Estate Agents in Newquay. ‘We're getting requests for viewings within minutes of a property going on Rightmove and many properties are going to best and final offers due to the competition, something that usually we would only see a few times a year.’

Step-inside-this-Hamptons-inspired-seaside-apartment-near-Whitby-living

Image credit: Colin Poole

‘It's a mix of locals moving, people buying holiday homes and those relocating completely, which is leading to more out-of-town buyers than we would normally see.’

In this year alone Rightmove has surpassed its record for the most visits to the site in one day 20 times. The latest record was set last Wednesday, 7th April . Over 9.3 million people visited the property search website.

Areas around the North and South West are the stand-out seller's markets right now, and places in Cornwall and Devon are continuing the trend of a desire to move to the seaside and countryside,’ says Tim Bannister, Rightmove’s Director of Property Data.

Related: This is how long it will actually take you to sell your house post-lockdown

‘Suburbs are also faring well as some people move further out from the centre of cities. Both sale and rental properties in city centres have been suffering over the past year as the usual appeal to live there has temporarily been taken away, leading to more stock than usual being available. But we may see these start to shift more quickly over the next few months as lockdown restrictions continue to be removed.’

It’s good news for sellers, but buyers better get their skates on if they want to find their dream home in the current market.

The post Rightmove reveals houses are selling within days in the UKs new property hotspot appeared first on Ideal Home.

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