Ideal Home |
- How to cut the cost of home insurance – without losing cover
- How much does a garden designer cost? Experts reveal all
- Exchanging contracts - what this actually means when buying a house
- Interior designer reveals the mistake we're all making when buying bedroom furniture
- Amazon Prime Day home deals for 2022 – your ultimate guide
- Louise Roe reveals her secret for creating a stylish outdoor space on a budget
| How to cut the cost of home insurance – without losing cover Posted: 18 Jun 2022 04:00 AM PDT With the cost of everything from putting food on your plate to fueling your car rising, the last thing you'll want to do is spend a penny more than you need on your home insurance. However, scrimp on your home insurance too much and there's a risk it doesn't do the job you need. You could find that you do not get the payouts you expect, or worse that claims are rejected altogether. Getting a good deal on your home insurance isn't about getting the cheapest price or shelling out for the most comprehensive plan; it's about finding the best value and choosing a policy that suits you and your home. GoCompare's home insurance expert, Ceri McMillan, says: ‘To get the right level of home insurance cover at the best price for you, it's important to shop around. Policies can vary widely in price, and also in terms of the cover they provide. ‘Ultimately, the most important thing is making sure your policy offers the right level of cover for you. So, read policy documents carefully before making your decision.’ From shopping around to advice calculating the value of your possessions, find out how to cut your home insurance bill without sacrificing the cover you need.  Image credit: Future Plc/Dominic Blackmore 1. Buy combined home insurance, but only if you own your homeHome insurance is actually made up of two policies: buildings insurance to cover the structure of your home and contents insurance to protect everything in it. It's usually cheaper to buy both policies in a combined plan with the same insurer but always compare it against the cost of two policies to be sure. ‘If you own your own home you'll need both, so consider buying a combined buildings and contents policy,’ suggests Sarah Poulter, media relations manager at Aviva. ‘But, if you rent, you would only need contents insurance.’ This is because it is your landlord, as the owner of the property, that is responsible for the structure of the property and buying adequate buildings insurance. 2. Shop around every time you renewIt's quick and easy to renew your home insurance with the same provider each year. However, even if it was the best deal a few years ago, it's unlikely it still is. So next time your policy comes up for renewal shop around on a comparison site, such as our sister brand, GoCompare, before you agree to another year with your current insurer. Once you've purchased your policy, make a note in your diary a month or so before it’s due to renew to ensure you have plenty of time to shop around once again. Jessica Willcock, home insurance expert at Confused.com says: ‘Historically, data has shown that shopping around about three weeks before your renewal date could save you the most money.’ 3. Choose the right level of cover for youSarah Poulter says: ‘It's important to choose a product that best fits your needs. Many insurers offer tiers of cover and you may find that a lower tier is suitable.’ While a five star, bells and whistles policy might give you peace of mind, it won't give you value for money if the additional benefits it offers aren't relevant for you. There's no point, for example, paying for extra cover in the garden, if your garden is basically the kids' football pitch and there's nothing more than old flower pots and junk in the shed.  Image credit: Future Plc 4. Take care valuing your possessionsTry and ensure you calculate the value of your possessions so you don't end up buying cover you don't need. Jessica Willcock says: ‘Overestimating this by a significant amount could mean you’re paying more, as insurers will see this as being a more expensive claim. But if you don’t need £40,000 worth of cover, don’t add it, and you might see your price reduced.’ 5. Don't confuse the rebuild cost of your home with its valueIf your home is damaged beyond repair, in a fire for example, your home insurance will cover the cost of rebuilding it. For this reason your insurer will request a rebuild cost figure for your house, however it's important not to confuse this with its current market value, which will be higher. Willcock says: ‘These are not the same thing, and matching the rebuild cost to the value of your home could see your price increase, as insurers will base the rebuild claim on this.’ Few of us will know how to accurately estimate this figure, however there are online calculators that can help such as this one from the Association of British Insurers. 6. Choose a higher excess levelThe excess is the amount you need to pay towards any claim. Sarah Poulter says: ‘Most home insurance policies have a standard excess if you make a claim, but you can choose to pay a higher excess to lower your premium. Just check you could afford to pay for it if you needed to make a claim.’ 7. Check if your home is in a flood risk areaIf you live in a flood risk area ask potential insurers if they are signed up to the Flood Re scheme, suggests Sarah Poulter. This scheme makes home insurance more affordable for people who have homes with a higher risk of flooding. ‘Some insurers are not part of the scheme and premiums may be higher for people living in high-risk areas, or they may exclude flood cover altogether, so it's important to check.’ 8. Work on your no claims discountIt seems counter-intuitive not to claim on your home insurance, it's the reason you bought it after all. However, just like your car insurer, your home insurer will usually offer a no-claims discount. The more years you can go without claiming, the bigger the discount you'll get and it shouldn't usually matter if you switch insurers either. This means it's worth thinking twice before putting in smaller claims, where you can easily afford the cost of repair, and keeping your insurance for bigger, more costly disasters. 9. Improve your home's securityUpgrading your home's security will not only reduce the risk of a burglary, it may also lower your insurance bill. Jessica Willcock says: ‘Any burglary deterrents could ultimately mean you are less likely to have a break in and make a claim.’  Image credit: Future Plc/Chris Snook 10. Stay on top of your property maintenanceJust as you want to minimise the risk of a break-in and losing possessions, if you want to reduce the risk of claiming it's also important to take care of your property itself. This includes insulating your pipes (so they don't burst in a cold winter), unblocking your gutters and removing tall trees. In fact, insurers may not pay out for claims if they think the property hasn't been properly maintained. 11. Think carefully about add-onsWhen you take out your home insurance, think carefully about adding bolt-on cover to your policy such as accidental damage, for an extra fee. It could be worth its weight in gold if you like red wine and pale carpets but, if accidents are few and far between, or you've a slush fund that could cover any emergencies, it may be an unnecessary expense. Also think carefully about whether you need personal possessions to be covered away from – your phone, for example. 12. Don't double upIf your possessions are covered by your home insurance, don't fall into the trap of buying additional cover when you buy new items. Sarah Poulter says: ‘You may be asked if you want to take out insurance when you're buying a new sofa, carpet or mobile phone, so make sure you aren't already covered by your home insurance, especially if you have cover for accidental damage.’ 13. Look at multi-product discounts‘Some insurers will offer you a discount, if you have more than one product with them, for example home, motor, travel and even health insurance,’ says Sarah Poulter. Buying all your insurance from one provider isn't necessarily the cheapest option, nonetheless it's worth taking advantage of these discounts if you're happy with the insurance company in question and are the sort of person that likes to keep everything in one place.  Image credit: Future Plc/Simon Whitmore 14. Pay for your insurance in one goYour home insurance can cost you several hundred pounds and so you may well be tempted to spread the cost of your insurance over the year by paying monthly. However, while some insurers will permit you to pay monthly, you are effectively borrowing from your insurer when you do this. As such interest will be charged so you will pay more overall as a result. 15. Know the limits of your policyWhen you buy home insurance it's vital to check your most valuable – and precious – possessions are covered. Sarah Poulter says: ‘Contents policies usually have a single-item limit, often between £1,000 and £2,000.’ This is the maximum the insurance company will pay out for any one thing. ‘Insurers will usually state that any items above this limit should be listed separately on the policy, to ensure that the items are covered.’ You'll usually have to pay more to ensure these items are properly insured, but this is one area where you don't want to scrimp – especially if items have sentimental value too. The post How to cut the cost of home insurance – without losing cover appeared first on Ideal Home. |
| How much does a garden designer cost? Experts reveal all Posted: 18 Jun 2022 12:00 AM PDT If you need help to make the most of your outside space, asking a garden designer to bring your ideas to life could be the best investment you'll make. If you're wondering how much does a garden designer cost, taking this major step is easier than ever; many garden design professionals offer flexible services offering targeted advice focussing on what homeowners really want to see in their garden ideas. ‘Garden design is no longer the sole preserve of the wealthy and landed, “ordinary” people can have even a small garden professionally designed,’ says Juliet Sargeant, who is the owner of Juliet Sargeant Gardens & Landscapes, a member of the Society of Garden Designers (SGD) and a recent RHS Chelsea Gold Medal winner for her Blue Peter 'Discover Soil' garden.  Image credit: Future Publishing Ltd / Polly Eltes What does a garden designer do?A garden designer will pull together all your ideas, from the latest garden trends to your favourite plants, and help you source everything you need to complete the look you want, including helping you to choose the best garden furniture for your scheme. ‘Designers will oversee the project from concept to completion, removing the stresses of the build from the client,’ says garden designer James Beadnall, owner of James Beadnall Garden Design. ‘They come up with functional and aesthetically-beautiful solutions for the space before creating masterplans and construction details for landscapers to work from. ‘If you want them to, they will source materials, landscape teams, and plants, and also manage the build. They will also carry out regular site visits to make sure everything is going to plan.’  Image credit: Future Publishing Ltd / Dominic Blackmore How much does a garden designer cost?In the UK, the average cost paid for a garden design is £1,950, according to Fiona Jenkins, garden expert at household jobs comparison site, MyJobQuote. The price range, however, is wide. To hire a garden designer to plan out, in detail, a new or renovated garden could cost from £600 to £4,500. This will vary around the country; generally speaking, it's more expensive to hire a garden designer in London and the South East than in the North of England, Scotland, or Wales. Phil Hirst, owner of Phil Hirst Garden Design, says that designers calculate their fees in two very different ways; either as a percentage, typically between eight percent and 20 percent of the overall expected budget for the garden, or base their fees on an hourly rate. Bear in mind that according to MyJobQuote, garden designers tend to charge from £60 to £200 an hour. Most people with more modest gardens tend to favour the hourly rate option, professionals say, so they can keep a close eye on how much their garden design will cost.  Image credit: Jacksons Fencing 1. Planning and design stage‘Budget on an approximate cost of £30 to £150 per sqm for the whole design to be put into practice, from design to execution,’ says Fiona. If you're looking for easy garden ideas your design will potentially cost less, as there will be fewer features. For example, creating and finishing a 10sqm garden should cost between £3,000 and £15,000, but this price could double if you wanted to spend on high-quality planting, premium landscaping materials such as limestone or York stone, and expensive features such as outdoor kitchens.  Image credit: Bond Landscape Design Limited 2. Landscaping and structuresWhen your garden design is completed, you will need to consider garden landscaping costs in detail. If you're concerned about how much your garden design will cost, this is where you can make savings, by working with your designer and contractor/s to find the best value for money materials. These might include timber and stone, and structures such as fences and pergolas, substituting expensive for economical options if necessary. You will also need to add in labour costs; experienced landscapers typically charge about £150 to £200 per day, according to MyJobQuote. 3. Available accessThere may be additional costs to pay if your garden is tricky to access; for example, if items such as furniture and fencing have to be craned into place rather than carried down a path. The extra time it takes and the hire of any equipment will need to be taken into account. 4. Waste disposalMost contractors will dispose of debris in the most economical and environmentally-friendly way possible. However, if there is a lot of waste to remove, skips will be needed. Hire prices vary around the UK, but MyJobQuote suggests for example, that a two to three-yard 'mini skip' which will take approximately 30 bin bags, costs between £60-£130 for a week's hire.  Image credit: Jacksons Fencing Is garden design expensive?It doesn't have to be. Garden designer, vlogger and BBC1 Garden Rescue TV presenter Lee Burkhill, known as 'Garden Ninja', says his own garden designs start at £1,000, increasing in cost based on size and complexity: ‘Once the quote has been given for the design this is then fixed, so no surprises. Even on the tightest budgets, professional garden design can save you bags of money and avoid many costly mistakes.’ His tip for keeping the cost of garden design in check is to employ a garden designer based on the amount of time they will spend on your job, rather than paying them a percentage of the overall budget: ‘This often saves you money, rather than a one-size-fits-all percentage of the overall cost.’ How can I reduce the cost of garden design?There are a number of ways you can save money on professional garden design. One option is to hire a garden designer for a partial or limited design service. This might involve, for example, getting help with designing the layout of your garden, or choosing plants, landscaping materials and built-in elements such as bench seating, but not with the actual construction or installation.  Image credit: Future Publishing Ltd / Annaick Guitteny Stick to a budgetPart of the satisfaction of designing a garden for a client is sticking to a budget, says Andrew Duff, vice-chairman at SGD. ‘If you had a certain figure in mind, for example, £5,000, and you said, "I want to spend this, what can you do?" there are certainly designers that would be happy to work to that. And whatever the budget, a line is still a line, you might be looking at the difference [in cost] between lawn and gravel, or York stone, but the line is still there. The design has been made.’ To reduce the number of hours your garden designer might spend researching ideas, he advises creating a digital – such as Pinterest – or physical, such as a mood-board or scrapbook, resource of your own to share with your professional, collating images of gardens, plants and garden features you like.  Image credit: Future Publishing Ltd / Nigel Rigden General guidanceIf you already have a good idea how to plan a garden and just want expert advice on a certain aspect such as planting for a tricky spot, or creative ideas on how to deal with challenges such as privacy, you could ask a garden designer for a one-off consultation. For example, Lee Burkhill charges £200 for his 60-minute Remote Garden Consultancy Service. Source your own plantsYou can always ask a designer to simply create a scheme, then source your own plants; you may even decide not to fill all of the garden at once. However, you should always consider long-term plant growth and maintenance, so you will need to discuss this with your designer first. ‘On a very basic level a maintenance schedule is produced for the client,’ says James. ‘This classifies all the plants in the garden and explains when to do what with each of them. This is very useful for clients wanting to tend to their own garden or for them to hand over to their gardener.’  Image credit: Future Publishing Ltd / Dominic Blackmore Use technology and free garden design servicesIf you're planning a major garden design project and sourcing a lot of plants or materials such as hard landscaping from a particular garden centre or specialist supplier, ask if the company offers any free design services to keep costs down. Is it worth getting a garden designer?Andrew says definitely yes: ‘The thing about a garden designer is that they know how to get the best out of you; a good designer will look in your head and bring your ideas to life. That's the precise job of a garden designer.’ Does a garden designer add value?British house buyers would be willing to spend an extra £15,000 to buy a house with a well-designed garden, found a survey undertaken by SGD and property portal Zoopla. This survey also found that around three-quarters of homeowners either already have or would consider spending money on their garden to increase the value of their property, with 40 percent saying they would consider employing a professional garden designer to help create their perfect garden. ‘Nowadays more people understand the value of having their garden professionally designed,’ says SGD member Cleve West. ‘Many see it as a long-term investment.’  Image credit: Future Publishing Ltd / Robert Sanderson What are the benefits of a garden designer?They bring vision and discipline, which go hand in hand in garden design, whether you're looking for neat and tidy front garden ideas to maximise kerb appeal or tackling several acres of untamed wilderness. When should you not have a garden designer?If you are worried about how much a professional garden designer will cost, or you want the satisfaction of designing your own garden, there's no reason why you can't do it yourself. You will need a strong visual eye and sound plant knowledge, plus an understanding of the way the physical aspects of your garden will perform; so you will need to consider factors such as the type of soil, drainage and orientation. ‘You can actually do it yourself, but if you engage a garden designer, you're often paying for years of experience and where they've learnt through their mistakes,’ says Andrew. ‘They know what works as well as what can go wrong.’ Written by Jayne Dowle The post How much does a garden designer cost? Experts reveal all appeared first on Ideal Home. |
| Exchanging contracts - what this actually means when buying a house Posted: 17 Jun 2022 04:00 AM PDT Exchanging contracts is a crucial milestone in the home buying and selling process. Until contracts have been exchanged, both buyer and seller can each walk away from the sale and nothing is guaranteed. Here we explain what's involved and the things you can do to ensure you're able to exchange contracts as quickly and easily as possible. What does exchanging contracts mean?The exchange of contracts is the point at which the sale of a house becomes legally binding, both to the buyer and the seller. In order for the sale to proceed both the buyer and the seller need to sign copies of an identical contract and the buyer needs to pay a deposit – typically 10% of the purchase price. This is separate to the mortgage deposit. Nick Owens a property partner at Keystone Law explains: ‘The seller's solicitor prepares the contract which is usually a very simple two sides of A4 document which includes standard terms (details of the buyer and seller, the details of the property and the agreed price and deposit) and conditions.’ In addition to the standard terms the contract may also include any 'chattels' that have been included in the sale, for example furniture or white goods. Once the contract has been signed, solicitors representing each party then read copies of the contract over the phone to each other in a recorded conversation before posting the signed copies to each other.  Image credit: Future Plc/Simon Whitmore At what point in the process do you exchange contracts?Before contracts can be exchanged, you (and your solicitor) need to be sure that you are happy to buy the property at the price that has been agreed. This means it cannot happen until the necessary searches and surveys have taken place and any questions or queries that may have arisen as a result have been resolved. Kate Hathaway, a property solicitor at Keystone Law adds: ‘The buyer will also need to have received their mortgage offer before exchange of contracts.’ This will provide the necessary evidence that you've got the money to buy your new home. You'll also need to have bought buildings insurance for your new home and have agreed what fixtures and fittings are to be included in the sale. A completion date should also be agreed. According to Halifax, it typically takes between eight and 12 weeks to go from offer acceptance to exchange of contracts. However, just how long it takes you will depend on the results of the searches and the building survey. If any problems arise, these can take time to resolve. The length of your chain can also make a difference, the shorter it is, or if your process is chain-free, the less complicated it is likely to be and the faster you can hopefully exchange. Can a buyer or seller drop out after contracts have been exchanged?Once contracts have been exchanged the buyer is legally bound to buy the property and the seller is legally bound to sell it. This means that if either party were to pull out, it would be considered a breach of contract and there would be significant financial penalties. The buyer would lose their deposit and may have to pay interest on the outstanding balance of the completion funds. The seller, meanwhile, would become liable for the costs that the buyer has incurred so far. This is why it's vital all parties must be certain that they want to go ahead, before they sign the contract. Even though the seller doesn't have as much to lose by backing out at this stage, it's worth pointing out that it is incredibly unusual for sales to collapse after contracts have been exchanged.  Image credit: Future Plc What happens after exchanging contracts?After contracts have been exchanged, there is still a fair amount of work that needs to be done before the transaction can complete. That said, it's less fraught because the difficult work has been done and you should at least have the confidence that your move will go ahead as planned. Nick Owens says: ‘Once contracts are exchanged, the solicitors swap their clients’ signed parts of the contract and the buyer and the seller then sign transfer deeds to transfer the ownership of the property in readiness for completion. The buyer’s solicitor will collect the money from the buyer and his mortgage company (if applicable) that they need for completion and will carry out final checks and prepare the stamp duty land tax return.’ It’s a busy time for the buyer and seller too who will need to start preparing for the move in earnest, for example packing and arranging removals. It's also a good idea to contact utility providers and arrange mail redirection ahead of the big day too. Can you exchange contracts without a completion date?The completion date needs to be included in the contract and unfortunately for those seeking flexibility, you can't exchange without it. All parties involved in the sale need to agree on the completion date, which is usually scheduled for a few weeks after exchange. This allows both buyer and seller the necessary time to pack up and arrange their move. Can you exchange contracts and complete on the same day?Completion is the final stage in the home buying process. All payments are made and the title documents are transferred to the new owner. The seller vacates the property and the buyer can finally move into their new home. If you are in a real hurry, or it's been such a stressful experience building up to exchange, you may want to wrap things up as quickly as possible by exchanging contracts and completing on the same day. However, while it is possible to exchange contracts and complete on the same day, Daniel Knott, mortgage adviser at Active Financial, points out that it may only add to your stress. ‘There are a lot of different parties within a chain and therefore a lot of moving parts to all work for completion to occur. If there are any issues throughout the chain, this could be delayed. This can be inconvenient and costly if you have booked removal vans, taken time off work or redirected your mail.’ Kate Hathaway takes a similar view. ‘The risk of not having time between exchange and completion is a lack of certainty in the transaction — until contracts are exchanged either party could walk away from the transaction at any point without penalty. An exchange of contracts provides the certainty to all parties that completion will occur on a specific day.’  Image credit: Future Plc/Alexander James Is the fee for exchanging contracts included in the solicitor's fees?Yes. Your solicitor's bill will be made up of two parts – a fee for their services (including exchange of contracts) and disbursements. Disbursements are additional legal costs charged by third parties, for example searches, fraud checks, stamp duty and bank transfers. Tips for exchanging contracts as quickly as possibleDaniel Knott says it's a good idea to keep talking to your solicitor. ‘It's essential you work together with your conveyancing solicitor. A good solicitor will tell you the individual who will be looking after you and your purchase or sale. This means you'll know exactly where to direct your queries or concerns.’ ‘The biggest stress is usually uncertainty, this is especially true for first-time buyers who haven't experienced the process before. Communication with your conveyancing solicitor will ensure you understand what's already been done, what stage you're at currently and what is still to come. Kate Hathaway, also recommends that buyers act quickly and get everything they need to do done as soon as possible. ‘Although there is some financial risk involved, get your mortgage application in, your solicitor instructed and your survey commissioned as soon as possible. This will help you flush out any issues as soon as you can.’ She adds that you might also want to try and avoid being in a chain, if it is at all possible. ‘A chain will only ever move as quickly as the slowest link and it can be difficult getting information further down the chain.’ The post Exchanging contracts - what this actually means when buying a house appeared first on Ideal Home. |
| Interior designer reveals the mistake we're all making when buying bedroom furniture Posted: 17 Jun 2022 12:00 AM PDT Interior designer Nate Berkus has revealed a common bedroom furniture mistake that often trips us up. According to the designer and TV personality, matching bedside tables and lamps aren’t always the way to go. The best bedroom ideas come from playing the long game and gradually bringing together a mix of pieces old and new, says Nate.  Image credit: Nate Berkus x Beautyrest Bedroom furniture mistake‘One of the most common mistakes is buying furniture sets that all look the same,’ says Nate Berkus. ‘It's so much more interesting to assemble your bedroom furniture piece by piece and not have everything matching. ‘I'm all about bringing in vintage pieces and things that have patina and character, which helps infuse personality into your home,’ Nate adds. There’s a lot of pressure to get our homes finished, but you don’t have to do everything at once. By being a little bit more resourceful and looking for second-hand pieces on Facebook Marketplace, at car boots, or in vintage shops, you’re guaranteed to get a more interesting mix.  Image credit: Future PLC/James French Even though it’s more time-consuming, this may turn out to be cheaper than buying new, particularly if you manage to get items for free. Nate’s ‘piece by piece’ approach is a lot harder than just adding lots of furniture to your virtual cart, but it’ll result in a unique space that you love being in. There are lots of clever bedroom design tips for better sleep, but we can’t think of a better one than building a room that tells your story and makes you feel relaxed. A rattan bedroom chair can be repurposed as a bedside table, or perhaps some old leather suitcases would be more your style. You could look out for an old-fashioned wooden valet stand instead of having The Chair that ends up piled high with clothes. Handy if you’re looking for small bedroom ideas that will keep things streamlined.  Image credit: Future PLC/Colin Poole Or you can just look around your home and see if furniture can be brought in from elsewhere and given a new purpose. Symmetry can be nice in a bedroom, but we agree with Nate things can get a little matchy-matchy if we’re not careful. Nate Berkus has collaborated with Beautyrest to create a sleep collection with an innovative design that’s thoughtful and sustainable. The post Interior designer reveals the mistake we're all making when buying bedroom furniture appeared first on Ideal Home. |
| Amazon Prime Day home deals for 2022 – your ultimate guide Posted: 16 Jun 2022 03:00 AM PDT  Amazon Prime Day is on the horizon, and it's time to start making a note of the kind of deals you want to snap up. Last year saw Amazon offer impressive prices on both essentials and splurge pieces, meaning that regardless of what you're looking for, there's bound to be a deal for you. From mattresses to small appliances, there's a saving to be made across brands such as Shark, Simba, Nespresso and more. Amazon Prime Day will take place on the 12th and the 13th of July this year, so it's worth holding off on any purchases that are likely to be discounted. You can get a sneak peek by heading to look at Amazon deals that are already live. That's especially true if it's an item that might cost you a fair amount, so you can prioritise that cash for something else. As far as tactics for the day itself are concerned, it's worthwhile to bookmark anything you really want, and check back on the day itself to make sure you're getting a good price. Scroll through to find worthwhile deals that are already live before the big day, if you just can't wait to start shopping. Amazon deals – quick linksHead straight to the deals live on Amazon now by using the links below.
Amazon Prime Day last year – what happened?Amazon Prime Day last year fell on the 21st and 22nd of June last year, and we saw everything from cheap smart speakers (the Echo Dot was only £24.99) to bargain robot vacuums, some pretty incredible discounts on luxury mattresses such as Emma and Simba, and coffee machines deals aplenty. Among the most popular of deals was definitely household bulk buys, to name a few, we saw a 110-pack of Finish All-in-One Max Dishwasher Tablets selling fast, as well as a 54-pack of Andrex Toilet Rolls. We think it’s safe to say that Amazon Prime Day 2021 was a success in all departments. When is Prime Day this year?Prime Day 2022 shouldn’t be too far away now, and while we aren’t exactly sure of when it will be, we can assume it’s likely to be in mid-July. We’ll be sure to keep you updated with the exact dates as soon as we know, so you can feel prepared. What to buy during Amazon Prime Day?MattressesAmazon Prime day mattress deals were impressive in 2021’s sale event – the Emma was on sale, as was the Simba, and both for cheap prices, too. Deals also went way beyond just cheap mattresses – it was the prime (see what we did there?) time to buy pillows, mattress toppers.. you get the idea. See what’s still on sale… Related: the best mattresses to buy in 2022  Slumberdown Anti Allergy White Pillows 2 Pack |  Sweetnight Pillows Pack of 2 |
Kitchen buysIt would be a smart idea to spend some money on your kitchen during the Amazon Prime Day sales. During Prime Day last year, we spotted everything from cookware to bestselling appliances and more, all on sale for cheap prices. This includes Nespresso coffee machines, a Ninja blender, the Instant Pot and lots of air fryers. Here’s what’s still discounted…  Russell Hobbs 24361 Inspire Electric Fast Boil Kettle |  Nespresso XN903840 Vertuo Plus Special Edition |  Tower T17021 Manual Air Fryer |  Cuisinart Precision Stand Mixer |  Swan Stealth Smart Grill |  Dualit Classic 2 Slice Vario Toaster |
VacuumsPrime Day also makes a pretty great time to buy a new vacuum cleaner, and the last event brought lots of impressive deals to light. The popular Numatic Henry vacuum was on sale, and there were plenty of Shark vacuums discounted, too. Not to mention robot vacuums were being sold for super cheap prices, and handheld models had their prices slashed, such as the Shark Cordless Vacuum. See Amazon vacuum deals below… Related: the best vacuum cleaners to buy in 2021  Vax ONEPWR Blade 3 |  Oudekay Handheld Vacuum Cleaner | See our page for Amazon Prime Day vacuum deals this year– as they come in What is Amazon Prime Day?For two days only, once a year, Amazon slash its prices during an event called Amazon Prime Day. This event is for Prime members only, hence the name, while it’s a great opportunity to buy anything from a mattress to a vacuum cleaner or an appliance, on sale. In other words, it’s an ideal time to save some money. And who can resist a bargain? Not us, that’s for sure. Is Amazon Prime Day better than Black Friday?Yes and no. It definitely depends on what you want to buy. Black Friday can’t really be compared to Amazon Prime Day as Black Friday is celebrated by almost every retailer out there, so if what you are looking to buy is sold at Amazon then we would say go for it during Amazon Prime Day. Why? This event should fall before Black Friday as it has done in the past, so it makes complete sense if you can score a deal earlier, then why not? Also, Amazon Prime Day shouldn’t be as hectic as Black Friday is, and during Amazon Prime Day you need only check the price of what you want to buy on one website, as oppose to checking across several sites. All in all, Amazon Prime Day is easier to find a great deal and it’s before Black Friday, so we would say try and score a deal then. If not, then wait for Black Friday… How do I access Amazon Prime Day deals?To get your mitts on the deals come Prime Day, you’ll need to sign up for an Amazon Prime account. Already have one? Brilliant. Never had one? It’s still good news, as you’ll be eligible for a free trial. We don’t suggest starting this free trial until the date of Amazon Prime Day 2021 is announced, as it’s only free for 30 days. With this membership, you will get access to all of the Amazon Prime Day deals as they arrive on-site, and you’ll also get free next-day delivery so you can enjoy your bargains straightaway. Because who wants to wait around for their goodies to arrive? Even better? Prime memberships come with access to Prime Video, Prime Reading, Amazon Music and so much more. If you are a student, a Prime membership is a reduced price. Also, if someone in your household already has Amazon Prime, you can now be added to their account and enjoy the same benefits. Kids can be added, too. What is a Lightning deal?Lightning Deals are what Amazon Prime Day is all about. An item will go on sale at a discount for a limited time (usually for a few hours, max) or until a certain number have been sold. On any Lightning deal, you’ll see a timer counting down how long you have to claim the deal and a percentage bar that shows how many of that particular item has already been purchased or are in a customer’s basket. When stocks are really low, you might be added to a Waitlist. This means that if a shopper has the item in their basket but doesn’t go through to checkout, you might still have a chance to grab it. You’ll need to be quick, though! Amazon Prime Day tips – 3 things you need to know1. Write a listBefore you start shopping during Amazon Prime Day, write a list of what you actually want, and stick to it! It's all too easy to be distracted by – and waste money on – reduced-price items that, in reality, you'll barely ever use. Make a note of what you are after a few weeks or a month or so before the event and check out their prices ahead of Prime Day. Write these prices down and compare them on the day to check you are actually getting a good deal. 2. Do your research'Wow – a 4K, 46inch TV reduced to £80! I've not heard of the brand but surely I'd be MAD not to buy it?!' OK, so maybe that's a slight exaggeration, but you should always ask yourself why the item is so cheap. If the picture or sound quality of that £80 TV is so poor it's unwatchable, you'll only have to replace it with something more expensive down the line, and all the while you could have missed out on a really good deal on a really good set. Check the reviews of whatever you are buying too if you need more in-depth information. 3. Use the Amazon app’s Watch-a-Deal featureDownload the Amazon app and you can also take advantage of the ‘Watch-A-Deal’ feature. This sends an alert whenever an item you want goes on offer. To get alerted when your deals start, open the app, go to the menu and select Settings, then tap Notifications. Turn on Watched and Waitlisted deals. Next, go into Today’s Deals and add any Upcoming Deals that you’re interested in to your Waitlist. Now as soon as a deal starts, a notification will pop up on your phone screen, so you don’t miss it. Good luck, and remember – it’s only a bargain if you really need it! The post Amazon Prime Day home deals for 2022 – your ultimate guide appeared first on Ideal Home. |
| Louise Roe reveals her secret for creating a stylish outdoor space on a budget Posted: 16 Jun 2022 12:00 AM PDT As the weather gets warmer and the days get longer. we’re spending more time outdoors than ever. But while there are garden ideas aplenty, many of them require a lot of work or cost a pretty penny. TV presenter and interiors influencer, Louise Roe, has exclusively shared with us how she styles her outdoor space to perfection – without having to take out a mortgage. Her favourite trick? Inspired by the relaxed vibes of Provence, she uses vintage and pre-loved items to create a beautifully Bohemian space on a budget. Louise Roe’s stylish outdoor space secret
So, how does the style guru make her outdoor space into something special without the price tag? ‘With vintage,’ Louise Roe said to us. ‘We often use vintage for indoors but never consider it for the garden. I love finding old rugs, vintage bamboo tables and chairs and crockery, to give it a more timeless feel. I set up searches on e-Bay when I get obsessed with styles and items. Plus, I actually love the thrill of things coming up unexpectedly!’ ‘Adding these one of a kind pre-loved pieces can really make a smaller space feel special. And it's a great way to make the area your own.’
Choosing vintage pieces means you’re guaranteed to have a unique look in your outdoor space. Plus, it doesn’t matter if you have acres of lawn to play with or a tiny balcony – there’s something to fit both large and small garden ideas. ‘A bistro set is a lovely way to create a sweet Brasserie moment in a limited space,’ suggests Louise. ‘They usually fold away, so can be very practical. Little rattan lanterns are a nice touch in smaller spaces, too, and I love a hanging plant!’
It’s not just style and budget garden ideas that looking for secondhand pieces bring, however. By purchasing a pre-loved item you’re being eco-conscious and helping the environment. Louise Roe has partnered with eBay to create an edit of her favourite garden products to buy this summer. There are so many vintage outdoor pieces out there – and some seriously stylish one on the edit – but unless you have ample storage, our tip is to make sure you’re buying something that will work indoors as well as out. After all, the British summer only lasts so long! The post Louise Roe reveals her secret for creating a stylish outdoor space on a budget appeared first on Ideal Home. |
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