Kate Garraway’s micropond is proof that you don’t need an abundance of space to create valuable habitat for wildlife. In fact, it’s the small, garden-friendly idea that wildlife experts swear by if you want to improve your garden’s ecosystem.

One of the biggest garden trends of the year has been turning your outside space into a flourishing wildlife garden, supporting birds, bees, butterflies, and even frogs and insects as we embrace more natural features.

From this, the micro pond trend is an easy way for people with small gardens, patios or even balconies to embrace the naturalistic trend. And if you were stuck for inspiration, Kate Garraway’s garden is actually a good place to look.

Sharing glimpses of her home life on Instagram, journalist and broadcaster Kate Garraway has also shared videos of the progress of her garden pond – recently revealing it now had frogspawn (a sign of a successful garden pond!).

But what struck me about Kate’s pond was its size, or lack thereof. Nestled amongst the shrubbery of her garden, Kate’s small pond is completed with two wooden ramps to allow frogs and other wildlife easy access to the pond. The pond looks similar to this Amazon preformed pond (£32.95), and is a perfect example of how even a small area of your garden can work to support wildlife.

‘Even a tiny pond can provide a really valuable habitat, especially when you don’t have any other standing water in your garden for wildlife. Microponds, especially those with wildlife-loving plants, can attract an array of insects, pollinators, and birds for drinking and bathing. While larger ponds tend to be better for toads and dragonflies, a micropond is a valuable addition to any garden,’ says James Ewens, wildlife expert at Green Feathers.

‘I see microponds as a mini wildlife hotspot. While you can’t really recreate a wetland ecosystem in a small space, you can create something really beneficial without all the expensive and extensive upkeep of a built-in pond.’

Why is Kate Garraway a good example to follow?

‘Kate mentions that she has frogs visiting the pond in her garden, which is likely because she has the pond in what looks to be a shaded area of her garden. This helps to keep the water cool and can stop the growth of algae. The pond is also sheltered by other plants, helping to keep small animals and amphibians safe from predators,’ says Lucy Taylor, a wildlife expert from Vine House Farm.

As Lucy points out, the fact that Kate’s pond has attracted wildlife to her garden is a successful example to follow. James says it is the placement of her pond that is particularly good.

‘The pond is also tucked away in shrubbery, which makes it even more wildlife-friendly, providing shelter and food for birds, pollinators and insects by mimicking their natural environment,’ he says.

‘The measure of success of a mini pond isn’t solely whether it lures your favourite wildlife, either. It’s whether it has the basic conditions for wildlife to thrive – like clean water, suitable plants, cover and space and access in and out. Kate’s pond is ideal in that it doesn’t have stones or branches blocking the entry and exit points for wildlife – it gives them a safe way out.’

What are the benefits of a micropond?

If you’ve been considering garden pond ideas, but are short on space, a micropond can actually be very beneficial to your garden. And it requires minimal stress on your part – you can even make a micropond in a bucket.

‘A lot of smaller gardens can lack a water source, and a network of several smaller ponds across a neighbourhood means that small animals can safely travel between habitats. Creating a pond does not necessarily mean that you need to dig up the ground, as you can easily build a pond using old tubs or buckets. Water will attract a wider range of species than any other garden feature, and unlike more formal garden water features, wildlife ponds do not require as much maintenance,’ explains Lucy.

Plus, once your pond is established, you’ll even notice fewer pests in your garden.

‘Mini ponds are also a little corridor for wildlife in urban and suburban areas, helping little creatures move safely between green spaces, providing a stepping stone for them,’ says James.

‘They’re also a natural pest control, something you might not even consider at first. A healthy mini pond attracts predators like frogs and beetles that do some pest control for you, managing pests in your garden like those pesky slugs.’

What you need

Adding a small pond to your garden can make a big difference to local wildlife. Give it a try this autumn, and you’ll soon reap the rewards.

We are slowly moving from summer to autumn, which means our interiors are naturally becoming cosier, warmer and nostalgic, with more and more vintage decor popping up in our homes.

With this shift, it’s no surprise that Grandma Chic is set to be one of the biggest trends of AW26. The trend is all about embracing tactile textures, chintzy patterns and creating a sense of lived-in warmth through pre-loved pieces and vintage decor ideas.

While many classic accessories are experiencing a revival as part of this trend, there is only one that’s truly caught my eye: fringed lighting. That’s right, tassels and fringe have officially made a comeback. These decorative details were a mainstay of Art Deco and mid-century design ideas, adding a sense of interest and luxury to our homes.

But, with the return of Grandma Chic comes the resurgence of vintage decor, and Urban Outfitters is bringing the trend to the high street, with the launch of three stylish tasseled table lamps.

Urban Outfitters has always delivered when it comes to lighting. In fact, Ideal Home’s Room Decor Editor, Sara Hesikova, even went as far as to name the brand her go-to when buying stylish lamps this time last year. And the launch of these tassel lamps proves that the brand is still on its A-game.

I first came across the lamps when browsing the Urban Outfitters site, and was instantly enamoured with the umbrella silhouette and hanging fringed detailing. But, the brand’s ability to effortlessly bring this vintage lighting trend into the 21st century is what really has me hooked.

Each lamp shade is made from a rich velour fabric, with contrast colour details to help the boning stand out. This, paired with the fringed trim and hanging tassels, make the lamps feel like an elevated approach to a classic design staple.

The light yellow colourway feels most true to tradition, offering a soft golden glow that would instantly warm any hallway or living room. But, the burgundy option is great for those of us who prefer a pop of colour.

Deep red motifs are all the rage this autumn, and the unexpected red theory is always a winner if you want to make your space feel considered. Whether you place it on your bedside unit or on the kitchen worktop, the lamp’s rich red speaks for itself and will instantly elevate your scheme.

However, my personal favourite is the leopard print option. It’s unlike anything I’ve seen before, offering a playful and modern day approach to this old school lighting option.

Love it or hate it, animal print is having a real moment in interiors right now, and while this Urban Outfitters lamp combines two quite kitsch ideas, I think it feels very tasteful. The chocolate brown fringing offsets the animal print nicely, and I can just imagine it as the finishing touch on top of a bar cart, or as a statement bedside lamp.

And if you weren’t already sold on these chic lighting ideas, the lamps are currently on offer. With prices ranging from £67–£80 for a limited time, I wouldn’t wait if you’re hoping to get your hands on one of these tasseled treasures. I predict they’ll sell quick.

Shop alternatives

With the Urban Outfitter’s lamps predicted to sell fast, here are some more fringed lighting ideas that might catch your eye.

Interior designers are recommending the ‘curved rug rule’ to break up harsh lines and improve flow in your room.

When you consider buying a rug, I’ll bet you think about how the colour will work with your bedroom or living room ideas, how plush it feels underfoot, and, of course, its size. But do you consider the shape of it? Or how the shape you choose will impact the overall look and feel of a room.

Interior design experts have revealed that when a room is full of boxy lines – such as windows, your coffee table or TV stand – the curved rug rule comes into play, and you should opt for a curvy or round rug to create contrast and stop a room from feeling too rigid.

What is the curved rug rule?

Here at Ideal Home, we do love a rug rule to help bring the aesthetics of a room together, and the curved rug rule does exactly that. It’s a simple principle. If you have too many harsh lines in a room, a curved rug will help soften it.

‘Circular and curved rugs are an excellent alternative to traditional rectangular rugs. Curved rugs work particularly well in rooms with a lot of sharp edges, where they intercept sharp lines and add a softer, more relaxed feel. They also work particularly well beneath round furniture, such as coffee or dining tables, where the rug mirrors the shape of the furniture to create a unified design,’ explains Lizzie Mosley, Creative Director at Hug Rug.

‘Circular rugs can create an elegant centrepiece to a room by creating a focal point which furniture can be styled around. For a bold statement piece, look at rugs with bright, vibrant colours or expressive patterns to naturally draw the eye in.’

You can also opt for a rectangular rug that features a curvy or circular design to add some visual depth to the space. For example, John Lewis’ Pure Wool Scallop Rug (from £70), gives the illusion of a curve whilst retaining a traditional rectangular shape.

How to style a curved rug

If you think a curved rug will work with the contours of your home, the good news is that there are many easy ways to style one. If you plan to introduce a curved rug to your dining room or seating area, you need to ensure that you can fit the legs of your chairs/ furniture on the rug for a cohesive look.

‘Scale first. Get the front legs of every piece of seating onto it; otherwise, the furniture and the rug read as two separate things. Under a round table, allow roughly 60 to 70cm past the table edge so chairs stay on the rug when they’re pulled out,’ says Lisa Hensby, founder and Creative Director of Lisa Hensby Design & Build Studio.

‘Then keep the rest calm. Let the rug be the curve. One or two soft-edged shapes nearby, a round coffee table or a curved-back chair, and stop there, or the room starts to feel like it’s melting. Go plain or subtly textured rather than heavily patterned, because the shape is already doing the work.’

Shop curvy rugs

If you feel like your bedroom, living room or dining room looks too sharp, you may benefit from the curved rug rule. It’s a simple change, but one that will make your space look softer instantly.