Faking a clean house in its entirety isn’t always an option, nor necessary. In fact, sometimes just focusing on the hosting hub will do, and simply doing a surface-level cleaning of a living room can provide the illusion that your home is a spotless oasis – even when other rooms look a little less presentable. This is our list of the top fake cleans you can do to get your living room in shape, fast....

Or perhaps their numbers mean your driveway and vehicles are getting covered in droppings? And while their cooing can be pleasant, you might have discovered that a large group of pigeons can be noisy, and the sound of their wings loud as they startle and fly off. So, if occasional visitors have become a large and disruptive presence, this is how to get rid of pigeons humanely. How to get rid of pigeons There are good reasons why pigeons flock to a location....

There are also plenty of appealing ruffled, double and bi-colored blooms, perfect for pepping up garden color. One real bonus of these tall flowering bulbs is that with their upright stems and leaves they take up little room in a pot or border. Providing long-lasting color from summer to fall, try planting bulbs amongst other herbaceous perennials to give garden beds a boost or plant bulbs in pots and planters for a patio display....

‘It’s not just a vase of freshly picked blooms or a conventional display of everlasting flowers stuck into florist’s foam,’ says Andréa Childs, Editor of Country Homes & Interiors magazine. ‘From flower clouds suspended above a dining table to DIY living spring wreaths, creating exciting and innovative displays is a way to channel our creativity in simple, mindful ways that help to bring calm to our senses and harmony to our home....

No longer solely targeted at renters looking to boost beige walls, recent improvements in the design and durability of peel and stick tiles are increasing their appeal for homeowners wanting a simpler task than laying and grouting tiles, too. While there are plenty of excellent reasons to check out the peel and stick tile trend, what happens when you fancy a change? Or need to remove them before moving on from a rental?...

For this step-by-step guide to removing wall tiles, we asked tile and DIY experts for their top tips to increase your chances of success; with old, cracked or uneven tiles off, you can then learn how to grout tiles after tiling a wall and create a slick new look. ‘Removing tiles is an easy job but there are a few tools and tricks that will ensure the job goes smoothly,’ says Anna Forden, head of buying at Walls & Floors (opens in new tab)....

If you are looking at building a deck, it’s worth knowing that it should be stained right away, whilst existing decks should be treated every year or two, and certainly at the earliest signs of wear and tear. Knowing how to stain a deck properly will not only prolong its life, but it will help make outdoor entertaining a relaxing and stress-free way to enjoy the summer months. Below, we have expert tips and tricks on the best way to complete the task....

Hair is by far the worst bathtub drain-clogging offender, alongside soap build-up and residue from bath oils and conditioner, so this isn’t as off-putting a job as unclogging a toilet. However, if your bath has drained slowly ever since it was first installed, the issue is likely to be down to the gradient of the pipework beneath or a more serious sewerage issue, which is when you’ll need to call in a professional....

While the best pillows are (unsurprisingly) often crafted with side and back sleepers in mind, I have still slept reasonably well over recent years. However, I was intrigued when I heard that sleeping without a pillow may help me sleep better. Inevitably, the concept of giving up my pillow came with its reservations. While it may not have been designed with me in mind, it still seemed to serve me well (especially upon hearing my alarm clock, when it seemed remarkably comfy)....

Whether you have a dedicated room for working in or are looking to integrate a workstation into a multi-functional living space, Ikea has an array of flexible home office solutions from self-assembly modular shelving and cabinet systems that can be configured in endless layouts, to portable freestanding pieces. Here we’ve rounded up a host of home office ideas featuring Ikea products and clever Ikea furniture hacks to help get you inspired, plus Ikea designers offer their tips and share their favorite Ikea room ideas....

Essentially a branched light suspended from the ceiling, a chandelier can take many forms and use different material combinations, sizes and shapes, making it possible to complement any living room ideas with one of these ceiling lights. Our collection includes chandeliers for rooms of all sizes and styles and we’ve asked interior designers to talk about their selections, too. Living room chandelier ideas Be inspired to include a chandelier in your living room lighting ideas....

Whether you’re seeking to create a sleek, mid-century interior design or update your living room ideas with a few iconic mid-century pieces, we’ve rounded up some beautiful schemes and advice from the experts to get you inspired. Mid-century modern living room ideas Looking to create a mid-century modern living room? Spanning the decade between the Thirties and the Seventies, with roots in earlier design movements such as the Bauhaus, the midcentury-modern movement championed the principle of purity in design and sought to push the boundaries with innovative use of materials and technologies....

With peak home-buying season well underway, learning about home staging has never been more important. Whether your buyers are looking for their first home or are seasoned homeowners, studies have shown that minimalist home staging increases the chance of a quick sale and that 40% of buyers would be willing to offer above the asking price for a neutrally designed home. We’ve asked interior designers with years of experience staging homes for sale for their top tips for ensuring a quick sale....

THE PROPERTY The existing property was modern which can sometimes lean slightly cold so the goal was to warm the space and infuse personality. This look takes its lead from loft-style living making it ideally suited to large open-plan apartments flooded with natural light and modern urban boltholes with an inherently minimalist feel. ‘What caught my eye was the location including the wrap-around views of the San Francisco bay and Alcatraz Island,’ says the interior design team at JDP Interiors....

The sweet flesh of pumpkin and winter squash is the perfect foil for punchy Asian ingredients, as in wonderfully smooth soup brightened by lemongrass, ginger and chilli, or paired with lamb and sesame in a simple backed one-pot meal. They also makes a surprisingly good match for fresh rainbow trout in the form of a sweet-and-sour salsa, adds depth to classic ricotta gnocchi or provides an excellent and delicious vessel for a bubbling fondue....

Hoping to put some modern rustic ideas to work in your own bedroom? We’ve selected the essential aspects of rustic decor – these practical, expert-approved tips and ideas will ensure your home reflects the chic and modern aesthetic while still maintaining a warm, snug and understated appeal. Rustic bedroom ideas Whether you live in a rural home – or just love the rustic look – your bedroom ideas are the soothing heart of your decorating scheme....

Far from an old wives’ tale, experts claim that letting an outside faucet drip throughout the winter months could be the very thing that saves you from frozen pipes and hours of painstaking defrosting or repair work. Here, we have broken down why leaving outside faucets dripping can help prevent frozen faucets and cracked pipes. Should I let my outdoor faucet drip to prevent it from freezing? Leaving an outdoor faucet dripping in winter can prevent freezing throughout winter; according to the experts at PlumbNation (opens in new tab), running water is a lot less likely to freeze than stagnant: ‘One way to avoid frozen pipes is to run your taps for short intervals....

Plastic shower curtains that hindered due to their skin-sticking nature years ago may have given you the thought of never wanting to have one ever again. However, thankfully, they have evolved – and there are some stylish options available that will enhance your shower experience and not bring back bad memories. Shower curtain ideas We’ve sourced 10 shower curtain ideas that will not only do the job they’re designed for, but will add texture and color to your walk-in shower ideas....

A compact, hardworking island unit will boost the functionality of your kitchen by offering extra space for storage and cooking. Dining and socializing can be incorporated too, with a built-in perch, booth or breakfast bar for afternoon coffee or catching up on a spot of work at home. Then there are the style plus points too: a statement kitchen island in a different color will add wow factor, and remember, you won’t bust the budget for a luxe countertop material you’ve had your eye on, if it’s for a small kitchen....

Not simply something to help you get from A to B, due to the size and, usually, the positioning, a staircase should be seen as a whole room all of its own. Staircase ideas come in all manner of different shapes, sizes, materials and styles. Many traditional designs in period properties are often crafted from stone or wood, featuring intricate and ornate detailing, with more contemporary stair designs focusing on an adventurous use of material, shape and color....