Friday, July 30, 2021

Ideal Home

Ideal Home


Tefal Actifry Genius XL 2in1 review: the air fryer for unbeatable chips 

Posted: 30 Jul 2021 08:10 AM PDT

This Tefal Actifry Genius XL is the result of two weeks of testing. I use the best air fryers for just about everything, from the bacon for my brunches to the chips for my dinners, so each and every one that I test is thoroughly used before I write up my thoughts. 

My first impression of the Tefal Actifry Genius XL was that it really is very large. I had just finished reviewing the Instant Vortex Mini Air Fryer, so to move onto a circular, space-age-looking air fryer was a shift. It does not have a tray, so oil and juices don't drip away from food. This means that your food is more likely to have plenty of flavour, but it also lacks the low-fat appeal of a basket fryer. 

Ideal Home's rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Reasons to buy

  • Fries are amazing
  • You can do a lot with it
  • Self-stirring
  • Consistent results
  • Instant cooking

Reasons to avoid

  • Very bulky
  • The paddle can get in the way
  • Awkward shape

Tefal YV970840 Actifry Genius XL 2in1

This air fryer is unconventional, but its spinning paddle is perfect for hands-free cooking. With no pre-heat needed and a super handy viewing panel, while it's not perfect for every home, the Tefal Actifry Genius XL 2in1 does much more than air fry. 

Tefal YV970840 Actifry Genius XL 2in1

Image credit: Tefal

Tefal Actifry Genius XL 2in1 specs:

  • Material: Plastic
  • Colour: Black
  • Capacity: 1.7kg
  • Modes: 9
  • Weight: 5.1kg
  • Power: 1300 watts
  • Size: 48.9 x 38 x 29.5 centimetres

First impressions

Unboxing

Image credit: Ideal Home

The Tefal Actifry Genius XL 2in1 looks like no air fryer I've ever tried. It has curved sides, and a handy viewing window that allows you to watch your food as it cooks. The control panel sticks out of the top of the machine and is touch-operated. 

The controls are a little confusing, you can toggle between the upper layer and the lower layer, and pick from one of nine settings: chips, breaded items such as nuggets, desserts, nachos, fish and meat, chicken legs, stir fry, 'world foods' (very ambiguous) and pie. This automatically picks a temperature (from 90 degrees to 210) and time (which goes up to 60 minutes) for you, so all you need to do is press 'go'. 

Tefal Actifry Genius XL

Image credit: Ideal Home

Cooking chips in the Tefal Actifry Genius XL 2in1

The Tefal Actifry Genius XL 2in1 is well-known for making delicious chips. How? Well, the lever in the main pan slowly turns throughout the cooking cycle, keeping your chips continually moving and cooking evenly. 

Chips in the Tefal Actifry Genius XL

Image credit: Ideal Home

You just use the green spoon to measure out your oil, which I then poured on top of the potato wedges, before sprinkling on some paprika seasoning and starting the cycle. 

The end result was very crispy chips, with deliciously even coating and a well-cooked exterior. They were finished in 20 minutes, which is slightly less than the chip setting estimated. 

Completed chips

Image credit: Ideal Home

Cooking meals in the Tefal Actifry Genius XL 2in1

My favourite air fryer, the Ninja DualZone, has two zones for simultaneous cooking. This allows you to cook two elements of your meal simultaneously, which is great for keeping different flavours, textures and cooking styles in your dish. It's also very handy for different cooking times, because you can sync easily. 

Cauliflower in the Tefal Actifry Genius XL

Image credit: Ideal Home

The Tefal Actifry Genius XL 2in1 has a similar idea, with the option of cooking in the bottom of the air fryer first, and then choosing a different setting for the top level of the fryer for your protein. If you want to cook both on the same cycle, it's also possible to just add the top layer above your lever and get cooking. I did this when making buffalo cauliflower (one of my favourite dishes) by adding curly fries on top.

Tefal Actifry Genius XL

Image credit: Ideal Home

The paddle kept my cauliflower moving constantly, which resulted in delicious and evenly-cooked cauliflower. I did miss the drawer element of a regular air fryer though, because cauliflower gives off some moisture which was unable to drip away in cooking. 

Anything else? 

Cooking bacon in the Tefal Actifry Genius XL

Image credit: Ideal Home

I wasn't crazy about the shape of the cooking surfaces for certain types of meat. When cooking bacon for example, I had to form a strange lattice shape and then go in and adjust once the slices had shrunk slightly to make sure they all cooked evenly. If you want to cook steak in this air fryer, I think you would struggle to fit it into the doughnut-shaped cooking surface. 

Cleaning the Tefal Actifry Genius XL 2in1

Attachments are very easy to remove and clean by hand. The bottom pan even has a flip-out handle that makes pouring crumbs away very easy. You can also place them at the top shelf of the dishwasher, but because they're so large I recommend just cleaning by hand. It won't take long. 

Should you buy the Tefal Actifry Genius XL 2in1? 

Tefal YV970840 Actifry Genius XL 2in1

Image credit: Tefal

There's so much you can do with this air fryer. Aside from chips and proteins, the paddle would be great for stir fry or fried rice. Even just some roasted veggies would come out amazingly. And while I didn't try it with roast potatoes, if my chips are anything to go by, I'm sure they'd be amazing. 

You do trade off some of the other perks of air fryers when you buy the Tefal Actifry Genius XL 2in1 though. For one, it’s quite large, so it won't slot neatly onto your kitchen counter. Another thing is the lack of basket, because fat won't drip away from your meals as it cooks, which means the low-fat element of air frying is dimmed slightly. Not entirely though, because these chips really did come out amazing with just one tablespoon of oil. I even felt like they could've used a little less oil. 

I'm not totally sold on the shape, because it makes it hard to cook some of my air fryer favourites such as bacon and toasted sandwiches. If you want an air fryer that will allow you to experiment with different cuisines and cooking modes completely hands-free though, it's a good pick. 

About this review, and our reviewer

Millie Fender heads up all things small appliances at Ideal Home. There's nothing she loves more than testing out the latest and greatest cooking gadgets, for indoor and outdoor use, from toasters to air fryers. She reviewed the Tefal Actifry Genius XL 2in1 from her own kitchen, testing it rigorously for two weeks before writing this review. Tefal loaned Millie the Tefal Actifry Genius XL 2in1 for the sake of this review, and she returned it after publication. 

Millie lives in South London and is constantly squeezing more appliances into her modest kitchen. If it makes it onto the kitchen counters full time, you know an appliance is worth the hype.

The post Tefal Actifry Genius XL 2in1 review: the air fryer for unbeatable chips  appeared first on Ideal Home.

Best candles – 10 top tried and tested buys for the home

Posted: 30 Jul 2021 07:00 AM PDT

Buying a new candle to burn at home? We’re here with our list of the best candles you can buy – tried and tested by Ideal Home. From brands including The White Company and Skandinavisk, DUSK, Yankee and more. Whether you are after a sweet candle for your living room, an ozonic candle for your bathroom or a herbal candle for your hallway, it’s all here.

Related: Best home fragrance – from reed diffusers to candles, room sprays and more

Candles are an easy way to mask home smells, whether that be from cooking or a wet dog walk. The majority of candles you buy are also safe to use around pets, just be sure to light them away from children. Don’t forget to keep your wick trimmed – for the cleanest possible burn – and to burn your candle evenly every time. This means no lighting for five minutes and blowing out, to prevent tunnelling. You should light your candle until an entire level of wax has melted, and then you can blow it out. Ideally, you should never light a candle for longer than 3 hours at a time.

Related: Best reed diffusers – our favourite buys for the home

Whatever your smell preference, we’ve tried and loved a bunch of candles on the market right now, so that you don’t have to drag yourself to the shops. From the best Amazon candle to our favourite spicy candle, it’s all below.

What is the best candle you can buy?

For this time of year, we suggest lighting Skandinavisk’s Lempi Candle in your home. It’s sweet yet subtle, with notes of peonies and roses. It gives off a sweet yet floral smell, which reminds us of the summer vibes we are longing for right now.

The best candles for your home

1. Skaninavisk Lempi Candle, 200g

Skandinavisk Lempi Candle

Best floral candle

We’re not usually fans of sweet candles as they are often quite overpowering, but this one from Skandinavisk, their Lempi Scented Candle, is lovely and subtle. It comes inside a decorative glass jar, complete with a wooden lid, making it ideal for Skandi-style, boho or modern homes.

This sweet candle has notes of peony and rose, as well as strawberries and mosses. It’s definitely not too sweet, that’s for sure. It’d be a great burn for spring or summer days and evenings.

This vegan-friendly Sweedish candle is made from rapeseed wax while the glass vessel is made from 30 per cent recycled materials. It has a cotton wick, too.

2. The White Company Geranium Leaf Candle

Best herbal candle

The White Company Geranium Leaf Candle

 

This Geranium Leaf Candle is a herbal option if you are searching for something uplifting. We suggest popping this candle in a living room or hallway – just make sure it’s an airy or large space as it’s is quite powerful. It’s poured inside a ceramic vessel and comes with a matching lid – to stop the candle from getting dusty when it’s not lit.

With initial notes of geranium, peppermint and Sicilian orange, the immediate scent we get from this candle, before and after lighting, is peppermint with a hint of lavender. There’s no doubt that it’s uplifting, which is why we suggest popping it in a living room if this room is used a lot by you and the kids. Or, in a hallway to flood all of your rooms with scent.

This candle has a burn time of 40 hours – impressive! – and it’s filled in the UK using high-quality wax for a long, clean and even burn.

3.  Yankee Candle of the Year 2021, Discovery, 623g

Best fruity candle

best home fragrance

This large candle is perfect for lighting in a hallway, to flood each and every room in your home with its impressively strong yet sweet scent.

Yankee’s new Discovery candle, which is their candle of the year for 2021, has fruity base notes of starfruit, passion fruit and mango, as well as a vibrant addition of ginger and a subtle vanilla scent for warmth and balance. It’s uplifting for sure, and while it is sweet it’s definitely not overpowering.

This large candle has an impressive burn time of 110 hours. It has been poured inside a glass vessel that’s decorated with pink and yellow patterns, and it comes with a lid to prevent dusting.

4. Slab Lab Scented Candle Fog, 240g

Best luxury candle

Slab Lab Scented Candle Fog

A unique blend of fragrance, this Slab Lab candle is made using coconut and rapeseed wax, while we think it’s the perfect burn for last summer, early autumn. For when the evenings begin to get chilly and you choose to retreat inside.

Boasting a strong scent even before being lit, this candle boasts notes of chamomile, clover honey and bergamot, mixed with English lavender and freesia. Topped with fragrant vanilla and tonka bean. It’s sweet yet warm and definitely unique.

Hand-poured into a grey glass vessel, with plain white labelling, this rapeseed wax candle is GMO-free and plant-based. It also has a long burn time of 40-45 hours, while the lack of tunnelling is impressive, to say the least.

5. The White Company Seychelles Signature Candle, 140g

 Best ozonic candle

The White Company Seychelles Signature Candle

This bestselling candle from The White Company is our top pick if you want a ozonic candle to burn in a bathroom. Whether that be for your en-suite, a downstairs bathroom or a family bathroom, that is. Its subtle smell will banish any odours, while it’s never too overpowering – even if placed inside a windowless bathroom.

With ozonic notes of bergamot, fresh coconut, green jasmine, amber and warm vanilla, this candle has a soothing affect. It has a clean scent that will not only make your bathroom smell fresh, but it’s also a lovely scent to burn in a bedroom or hallway. We would perhaps steer clear of popping it in a living room, as it works best in smaller spaces.

This candle comes inside a lovely white box, making it ready to gift, if need be. It’s made using high quality mineral wax and filled in the UK, while it sits inside a classic, elegant The White Company glass vessel.

6. This Works Black Spice & Cedar Scented Candle, 65g/220g

Best spicy candle

This Works Black Spice & Cedar Scented Candle

This limited edition candle from This Works is here if you prefer something spicy over sweet or floral. It’s packaged inside a glass vessel which arrives in a beautifully designed floral box.

With warming notes of black spice and cedarwood, this candle can definitely bring something different to the table. It even has base notes of orange to make it slightly sweet. Definitely one for late summer and autumn, we think.

This hand-blended candle is a limited edition blend by Alexandra Palmowski M.A. RCA – it won’t be around for long. It has an impressive burn time of 40 hours.

7.  Stoneglow Flower & Lemon Scented Candle, 180g

Best citrus candle

Stoneglow Flower & Lemon Scented Candle

If you are a citrus fan, then this Stoneglow candle is made for you. It’d be lovely in a kitchen due to its fresh scent, and it’s poured inside a frosted glass vessel that features a stand-out floral design. Essentially, it smells as good as it looks.

This refreshing candle has immediate notes of citrus – lemon and patchouli to be exact – which is why we consider it to be just right for a kitchen. It has floral base notes of jasmine and lavender, as well as spicy nutmeg. The base is quite woody, but overall, from the first whiff of this candle, you will smell citrus with a hint of something floral.

With a burn time of 35 hours, this Stoneglow candle is an affordable alternative to others they sell. Rest assured what it lacks in price it does not lack in scent. It’s also made right here, in the UK.

8. Botanica by Air Wick Candle Fresh Pineapple & Tunisian Rosemary, 205g

Best affordable candle

 

Botanica by Air Wick Candle Fresh Pineapple & Tunisian Rosemary

Part of AirWick’s Botanica range, this candle is infused with natural essential oils. It’s well-scented to fragrance a small room, and it’s impressively odour-reducing so makes a great addition to a hallway or a kitchen.

With 5 scents to choose from, Fresh Pineapple & Tunisian Rosemary is our favourite with citrusy yet herbal notes.

This candle comes inside a jar complete with a lid, and it has an impressive burn time of up to 40 hours. Although its packaging isn’t as luxurious as we would hope, it is recyclable. Also, Botanica by Air Wick is partnering with WWF for the restoration of wildflower habitats in the UK.

9. DUSK Allure Candle, Amber & Sandalwood, 660g

Best large candle

Allure Candle - Amber & Sandalwood - Medium

If you prefer woody scents that are warm and better lit on chilly days, then this DUSK candle is the one for you. It has two wicks to release scent fast, and it’s poured into a glass jar that boasts minimal labelling – to blend in seamlessly with your decor.

With top notes of juniper and cedarwood, this autumnal candle also has middle notes of sandalwood and patchouli. You’ll also be able to smell a hint of vanilla, Tonka and amber.

This large candle is ideal for large spaces – in the middle of a dining table or coffee table, or in a large bedroom. It’s pretty basic in design, but it smells great.

10. Yankee Candle Scented Candle Clean Cotton, 623g

Best Amazon candle

Yankee Candle Scented Candle Clean Cotton

Image credit: Yankee Candle

This Yankee Candle is loved by Amazon reviewers – nearly 30,000 of them, to be exact – and it’s easy to understand why. Although it is made using paraffin wax, like all other Yankee candles are, it does give off a powerful, fresh scent that you’d love to smell in any room of your home. From your kitchen to your bathroom, bedroom or even hallway. It also has room-filling capabilities, so rest assured it will flood your home with scent.

It has top notes of sun-dried cotton, combined with green notes of white flowers and a hint of lemon. It’s safe to say that this freshly scented candle isn’t too overpowering, so if you tend to steer clear of headache-inducing scents, this one is nice and subtle.

Poured inside a large jar with a burn time of a whopping 150 hours, this 623g candle is also a bargain. It comes with a lid, to keep dust away from the wick, and the wick itself is a 100% natural fibre cotton wick, for a clean burn.


Why choose a candle over a reed diffuser or room spray?

Candles, as well as smelling lovely, also have the ability to create a calm atmosphere. They also look great on display. Choosing a candle over a reed diffuser or room spray is all down to personal preference. A candle will take longer than a reed diffuser to release scent, and it needs to be lit and blown out by you in order to work. Whilst a reed diffuser sits there and does the work itself, with only the need to occasionally flip the reeds. You can’t control how much scent is released with a candle, but you can with reed diffusers and room sprays.

The post Best candles – 10 top tried and tested buys for the home appeared first on Ideal Home.

Nursery ideas – inspiration for decorating a nursery for your new arrival

Posted: 29 Jul 2021 11:00 PM PDT

Whether you’ve got months or weeks until your new bundle of joy comes home for the first time you’ll be keen to get your nursery ideas completed in time for their arrival.

As will all children’s room ideas, a baby’s bedroom is a space in the house where you can cut loose and indulge your sense of fun when decorating a nursery. Although at first, all newborns tend to do it sleep, it won’t be long until they see it as a play space that will spark children's imaginations, too.

Nursery ideas

From brightly patterned wallpaper to soothing neutral colour palettes, there are plenty of nursery decorating ideas for every budget. And, when your little one gets a bit older we’ve got plenty of inspiration for transforming a baby’s room into toddler territory with our inspiring gallery of nursery ideas.

1. Go for an alternative colour scheme

Warm chocolate coloured nursery with wall stickers

Image credit: Stickers4Walls

Pink, blue, grey or yellow is probably the most popular nursery colour choices so these warming shades of chocolate and creme makes a delicious nursery idea. On closer inspection, you’ll find the backdrop is the neutral tone (even the woodland wallpaper is black and white) and warm colour is introduced with cute polka dot removable wall stickers and soft-furnishings. It makes a colour change super easy at a later date as your child develops.

2. Welcome warmth with wooden furniture

White nursery with wooden cot and bookshelf with yellow rug

Image credit: Future PLC/ Jamie Mason

Timeless, natural wood furniture instantly warms the space in a nursery to make it inviting. The complementary natural tones also mean you don’t necessarily need a full nursery range from the place. This cot, bookshelf and feeding chair are obviously not a set yet fuse well together with a touch of individual character. Colourful felt pompom decorations and a zingy yellow rug add a fun rainbow theme to the mix.

3. Opt for a feature cot bed

Grey nursery with navy blue cot

Image credit: Future PLC/ Rachael Smith

Classic nursery furniture is a safe choice by why not make a statement but choosing a coloured cot or toddler bed instead? A block colour will make a refreshing change and become the focal point of the nursery scheme.

The injection of colour may help with children’s bedroom ideas when the nursery becomes a toddler room later.

4. Feature a blackout blind

Grey nursery with cloud motif blind

Image credit: Blinds2go

Installing a blackout blind in the baby’s room is a nursery idea you will thank us for. Controlling day-light to darkness will encourage a sleep schedule parents dreams are made of. And don’t be put off by the name ‘blackout’ as the front fabric of the blind can be as pretty or bright as you like. This adorable cloud print window dressing makes a soothing addition to this cool grey nursery, complete with matching mobile.

5. Personalise with accessories

dusky pink nursery with toys on alcove shelves and mantelpiece

Image credit: Future PLC/ Chris Nook

Add interest to a bland nursery scheme with toys and personalised accessories. Style up monotone alcove shelves with colourful vintage books and tactile storage baskets and have fun on a mantelpiece with an array of ‘named’ toys and artwork.

A soft toy animal head is a ‘tongue-in-cheek’ friendly face to complete the mix and match the vintage vibe.

6. Stimulate senses with mobiles

Pale grey nursery with book shelves

Image credit: Future PLC/ Katie Lee

Soothing or stimulating cot mobiles are a, heartwarmingly, staple nursery idea. Benefits include visual stimulation, sleep routine familiarity and motor skill development. Their decorative uses are also super valuable by adding colour, texture and style to a nursery room theme.

Don’t restrict them to above the cot either; hang various mobiles that complement each other to ceilings, bookshelves and down curtain lengths for a whimsical and attractive look.

7. Add in a peg rail to organise clothes

Nursery with peg rail and cloud shaped shelving

Image credit: Future PLC/ Colin Poole

Any new mum will tell you that getting your little one ready for a day out can be a nightmare. You’ve managed to wrestle them into their closest clean t-shirt, only to discover that it is a PJ top. Install a peg rail on the nursery wall at your height, away from little fingers, where you can coordinate their outfits in advance and have them close to hand when it’s time to get ready.

8. Include a comfy chair and blanket

White and grey nursery with grey armchair

Image credit: Future PLC

It’s likely that in your child’s first year you’ll be spending as much time sleeping in their nursery as they do. A comfy chair is an absolute must for perching on as you read your little one a bed time story, or for bouncing them up and down in when they cry through the night. Choose a comfy large armchair that you would be happy to sleep in and breast feed in, trust us you won’t regret this nursery addition.

9. Create a colourful feature wall

Blue nursery with animal print wallpaper

Image credit: Future PLC/ Lizzie Orme

It’s tempting to want to create a paradise of cream and sheepskin rugs when you have a little one on the way. However, don’t shy away from the brighter colours which your baby will be drawn too. Stimulate your babies senses with walls painted in primary colours – red, yellow and blue. Create a feature wall with brightly coloured wallpaper idea like this animal one which can double as a learning aid.

10. Incorporate plenty of storage

Nursery storage unit with spotted fabric baskets

Image credit: Future PLC/ Olly Gordon

Babies usually come with lots of things, from nappies to baby wipes. Keep everything in its designated place with plenty of built in storage in your new nursery. Drawers are perfect for storing your supply of nappies and cotton wool pads. However, be careful about using drawers anywhere little fingers can get caught, instead consider a fabric box slotted into a shelf.

11. Think tactile and textures

nursery with cactus print wallpaper ceiling and mustard fabric canopy over cot

Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles

From the silky mustard hanging bed canopy to the potato sack effect toy storage unit and seagrass-style runner, playing with texture in this room really helps to lift this space. A tasseled wall hanging and a rattan style lampshade add to the effect.

12. Paint the walls a neutral grey

Grey nursery decorating idea with two tone walls

Image credit: Future PLC/ Rachael Smith

Yellows, blues or pink bedroom ideas are usually the go-to colours for a nursery, but why not consider a grey-and-white colour scheme instead? This combination is not only timeless, but can be customised by adding extras, such as painted stars, which can be changed as your child gets older.

13. Choose coordination

Grey nursery with star print wallpaper and yellow armchair

Image credit: Future PLC/ Colin Poole

Ensure that the furniture in your children's room lasts a long time by picking neutral-coloured matching items, including a bed, wardrobe and chest of drawers. A wooden set in painted cream can be adapted to any colour scheme, from bright colours for toddlers to cooler hues for pre-teens.

14. Welcome privacy

Nursery with wire toy storage unit and retro grey locker

Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles

Try something a bit different and go for window shutter ideas instead of curtains in your child's bedroom. They can be cleaned easily, ensuring a germ-free environment, as well as being available in a range of colours and styles that will suit all schemes – why not let them pick their own colour once they grow up?

15. Wow with a wonder wall

Nursery with fabric wall hanging map of the world

Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles

Wall stickers are a cheap and easy way to update a kid's room. There are hundreds of designs available, from Disney characters to aeroplanes and farmyard animals, all of which can be easily applied to the wall without any fuss. Why not create an interactive wall map? Perfect as your child grows and learns.

16. Line toys up on a shelf

Nursery with wall of shelves for toys

Image credit: Future PLC/ Paul Raeside

Make a display of books, teddies or dolls on a set of shelves lined up horizontally on one wall with this imaginative toy storage idea. This is a great way of keeping toys off the floor, yet still to hand when your child wants to get one down.

17. Play with pattern

Blue nursery with bird print wallpaper and white wooden crib

Image credit: Future PLC/ Dan Duchars

If you're eager to add interest to your child's room but want to avoid a strong theme, choose a toning colour palette in subtle shades of the same colour. In this nursery, a seagull-patterned wallpaper and painted tongue-and-groove wall panelling ideas create a timeless nautical look that is so on-trend.

18. Paint walls pink and yellow

Nursery with yellow and pink painted walls

Image credit: Future PLC/ Douglas Gibb

If you’re torn between pink and the more traditionally neutral shade of yellow, why not choose them both? Use two shades of paint to create a bold geometric design on the wall, rather than investing in wallpaper. Simply use masking tape to achieve a clean sharp line when creating the diagonal line. This is a great idea if you want to add a splash of colour to the nursery, but are waiting until the birth for the gender reveal.

How do you make a good nursery?

A nursery needs to be a safe, calm and inviting environment for your baby. Include a cot with bars, a changing table with ‘easy reach’ toiletries and supplies, suitable storage and, if there is a room, a comfortable feeding chair. Create a gentle night-time glow with soothing night lights.

When should I start decorating my nursery?

Although your baby will most probably sleep in your bedroom for the first six months to a year, it’s a good idea to have the nursery decorated before they arrive as newborns keep parents very busy.

Look for nursery ideas and inspiration first. Paint and paper the room with non-toxic materials with a view for it to dry and air with plenty of time to spare. Install bulky furniture before you get to the tired and uncomfortable stage. Don’t forget to factor in delivery times..

How do I choose a nursery theme?

Take advantage of the fact that nursery ideas can be chosen, at this stage, by only you. It won’t be long before your little one develops interests and will soon be begging for the latest superhero or Disney character decor. So, think about what makes you smile; destinations, animals, artwork or even a favourite character you had as a child.

Blend your chosen nursery theme into a neutral backdrop that can be updated and adapted later. Go for baby-friendly colours that either calm or stimulate. Then, introduce the theme via soft furnishings, toys, storage baskets and accessories.

The post Nursery ideas – inspiration for decorating a nursery for your new arrival appeared first on Ideal Home.

Aldi is selling a compact desk that folds away and it's the perfect WFH space-saver

Posted: 29 Jul 2021 11:00 PM PDT

If you’re like us, you probably have a range of office paraphernalia taking up valuable space in your home. Months ago, we gave in and bought laptop stands and office chairs as working from home became a long-term arrangement.

Now Aldi is selling the Compact Living Desk, a genius desk that folds away onto the wall. It’s a great small home office idea available to order online now. At just £59.99, it’s already got Aldi fans talking.

Aldi Compact Living Desk

Image credit: Aldi

Designers at Aldi thought inside the box and came up with this dedicated space to work on without having a messy desk on display. It comes with shelving and a chalkboard that can conveniently fold away, taking up no space at all.

If you’re currently working at the kitchen table or so close to your bed in your bedroom you wonder how you get anything done, this could be a brilliant solution. Although IRL working is kickstarting across the country, a more flexible approach to working will definitely continue.

So Aldi’s home office essential will come in handy for those needing home office storage ideas and really don’t want bulky desks cluttering up their homes.

aldi compact desk folded away

Image credit: Aldi

The Aldi Compact Living Desk Solution is an online exclusive, so no mad dash to the shop needed. Packing away notepads and work files at the end of the day really helps us switch off from work mode when we don’t have the physical distinction between work and home.

We can’t get over the design, and love the chalkboard for jotting down reminders. If you’re interested, shop the Aldi Compact Living Desk Solution now – as with all Specialbuys, it won’t hang around for long.

Aldi lovers are calling it an ‘ingenious small space solution’, with one saying, ‘as soon as I saw this I knew I had to get one.’ Our favourite thing about it is that when it’s not in use, it takes up zero floor space.

Rooms begin to feel cluttered when a lot of the floor area is covered. Will you be picking one up?

The post Aldi is selling a compact desk that folds away and it's the perfect WFH space-saver appeared first on Ideal Home.

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