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News and Tips

Get £15 off your Made.com order with this secret discount code

October 24, 2021 by Louie Alma Photography No Comments

Get £15 off your Made.com order with this secret discount code

Buying something from sought-after furniture brand Made.com? You’re probably searching for a Made discount code, then. If that’s the case, then you’ve landed in just the right place. In fact, you’ll be pleased to hear that we’ve found not one, but three brilliant Made discount codes for you to use along with your order. Not only to score a bargain ahead of Black Friday 2021, but to cut the price of your new purchase by up to £50.

Whether it’s a new sofa that you need, a bedside lamp that you’re eyeing up or perhaps it’s a gift for someone? We’ve got you sorted. Now’s the time to upgrade your furniture or update your home decor. Just in time for the cold weather, and spending more time indoors!

Related: Made sale – the Ideal Home edit

You’ve got until the 24th of October to use this discount code. So, you’d better start adding to your trolley pronto. Not sure what to use this Made discount code on? We’ve popped our 5 favourite buys below, all of which can be used with one of the codes below. Don’t miss out!


Made discount codes

Made discount codes
For £15 off orders over £150, use the code MADEGREAT15.
For £30 off an order surplus of £300, use the code MADEFAB30.
For £50 off when spending £500+, use the code MADECHIC50.

Shop now


What to buy from Made?

Here are our 5 top Made buys, all over £150 so that you can use your Made discount code and save money.

1. Arles Large Arch Leaning Floor Mirror

Arles Large Arch Leaning Floor Mirror in bedroom

Image credit: Made

Use this statement-worthy mirror to make your space appear larger than it is – or to check out your outfit each morning. Lean it against any plain wall and let it do its magic. A simple way to spruce up a plain corner or space, plus it works well in a minimalist decor scheme, mostly thanks to its clean lines and sleek matte finish.  The mirror itself sits inside a very thin – yet striking – frame.

This leaning mirror measures a sizeable 170cm high, and it makes a great addition to a bedroom or hallway. Not only that, but it’s a smart buy for any room that’s a little darker than you’d like. Why? This large mirror ought to reflect lots of light into your space. It also proves to be great for talking those all-important Instagram outfit selfies in.

Buy now: Arles Large Arch Leaning Floor Mirror, £299 £284 at Made using the code MADEGREAT15

2. Haru Large Double Sofa Bed

Haru Large Double Sofa Bed in yellow

Image credit: Made

Made’s Haru sofa bed is popular and for good reason – it’s a pinnacle of style and function. It even comes in a range of colourways and fabrics, but our favourite has to be Butterscotch Yellow. Sitting on four black feet, this sofa bed unfolds to become a sizeable sleeping solution. It’s perfect for popping in a spare bedroom or in the kids’ room.

The Haru comes with the two button-detailed pillows included, and these can also be used for guests to lay their heads – or just for decoration. It’s quite low down when unfolded, just something to bear in mind, although it’s perfectly fit for occasional use here and there.

Buy now: Haru Sofa Bed, £379 £349 at Made using the code MADEFAB30

Don’t miss our best sofa beds roundup for more stylish suggestions

3. Ankhara Bedside Table

Ankhara Bedside Table beside bed with plant and rug

Image credit: Made

A set of new bedside tables can instantly refresh your bedroom – or a spare bedroom, or the kids’ bedroom. It’s important that your bedside tables are both stylish and space-savvy, so with this in mind we suggest the Ankhara bedside tables. They boast a spacious drawer for carrying your clutter and hiding it away, and atop you can pop anything from a bedside lamp to your current read and a couple more bits.

Made using a combination of rattan and oak, this curved bedside table sits softly inside a bedroom. With gold accents including a drawer handle, it screams (whispers) luxury.

Buy now: Ankhara Bedside Table, £169 £154 at Made using the code MADEGREAT15

Shopping edit – stylish bedside tables for a bedroom update

4. Teo Overreach Floor Lamp

Teo Overreach Floor Lamp

Image credit: Made

A simple way to ready your living room for darker nights, this floor lamp can illuminate your space and add ambience when you didn’t even know you needed it. Place it in the corner of your room to arch over your furniture and set the mood.

With an off-white fabric shade to bring a welcoming vibe, this lamp stems from a black metal arched frame. With antique brass accents, too. This floor lamp will easily slide into any space, whether your living room is modern, minimalist or mid-century modern. Versatile.

Buy now: Teo Overreach Floor Lamp, £169 £154 at Made using the code MADEGREAT15

5. Helgar Large Quad Sheepskin Rug

Helgar Large Quad Sheepskin Rug in white on living room floor under a grey armchair

Image credit: Made

Whether it’s a new rug for your living room floor to sit underneath your coffee table, something soft for a nursery or it’s for the bottom of your bed, the Helgar from Made is a beauty. It comes in Soft Taupe, Sandstone or Ivory, and it will undoubtedly bring the cosy level in your home from 0 to 100.

Thick and cosy, this Made rug is made out of four separate sheep skins, plus it’s pretty sizeable. It measures 170cm wide by 105cm deep. When we say that it’s soft enough to sleep on, we’re not lying. Your pet will probably tell you that…

Buy now: Helgar Large Quad Sheepskin Rug, £199 £184 at Made with the code MADEGREAT15

Shop more beautiful rugs in our best rugs shopping edit


What else to buy at Made?

Carry on shopping and click through to browse whatever you are after at Made. And don’t forget that discount code!

  • Shop MADE sofas
  • Shop MADE chairs
  • Shop MADE tables
  • Shop MADE storage
  • Shop MADE beds
  • Shop MADE textiles
  • Shop MADE home decor
  • Shop MADE garden buys
  • Shop MADE kitchen buys
  • Shop MADE lifestyle buys

The post Get £15 off your Made.com order with this secret discount code appeared first on Ideal Home.

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News and Tips

Best steam cleaners 2021 – reviews of the 10 top steam mops

October 24, 2021 by Louie Alma Photography No Comments

Best steam cleaners 2021 – reviews of the 10 top steam mops

Looking for the best steam cleaner? We’ve reviewed the top ten steam mops from Bissell, Shark, Vax, Black and Decker, Polti, and Kärcher. Steam cleaners come with attachments to clean wall tiles, shower screens, sinks, and (of course) your floors. Much like the best vacuum cleaners, they’re only getting smarter, and the latest models come with convertible designs to get into even the tightest corners in your home.

Many people use the best steam cleaners to keep marks and stains at bay, but another big advantage of owning a steam mop is the way they kill germs. Steam cleaners kill 99.9% of bacteria, which makes them perfect for bathrooms and kitchen use. What’s more, they do it without any nasty chemicals, just the power of the stream.

What is the best steam cleaner in 2021?

Caramel has voted the Vax Steam Fresh Combi S86-SF-C as the best steam cleaner in 2021. Alternatively, if you want something a little more versatile, then the Polti Vaporetto Smart 100_B also comes (very) highly recommended. Read on to check out the full reviews.

Best steam cleaners

1. Vax Steam Fresh Combi S86-SF-C

Best steam cleaner overall

Vax Steam Fresh Combi S86-SF-C Steam Mop

Capacity: 460ml
Dimensions: H: 116cm W: 31cm D: 30cm
Weight: 3.7kg
Power: 1600 watts
Reasons to buy: Onboard tools, handy triangular brush
Reasons to avoid: Small fill hole

This upright steam mop has a triangular floorhead as well as the floorhead, two cloths and carpet glider. You can pop the head off to reveal a medium-sized triangular brush perfect for scrubbing.

This is a traditional upright steam cleaner with a pop-out handheld in the middle for use with detail tools: squeegee with cloth cover for upholstery, concentrator, scraper and four different brushes. Unusually, there’s onboard storage for six tools on the back of the upright. There’s also a mesh bag for the others and lugs for storing the 8m cord.

The 460ml tank pops off for easy filling. There’s also a 200ml detergent tank and a bottle of detergent included. We used this with the floorhead and carpet glider to clean the tide marks on an old, colourful rug. It worked to great effect and we only needed to switch to the brush a few times.

It’s ready to use in less than 30 seconds and when you take your finger off the steam trigger it stops 2 seconds later. Steam is variable and powerful on the top setting. We also liked the fact that it can stand up independently when you need to pause cleaning.

Ideal Home’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Read our full Vax Steam Fresh Combi S86-SF-C review

2. Polti Vaporetto Smart 100_B

Best powerful steam cleaner

Capacity: 2 litres
Dimensions:
H 52.4 x W32.4 x D32.4 cm
Weight: 
5 kg
Power: 
1500 watts
Reasons to buy: Large water tank, can clean under low-lying furniture
Reasons to avoid: Pricey

The Polti Vaporetto Smart 100_B has a large 2 litre water tank that feeds the boiler, but you can pop out the tank at any time for a refill without waiting for it to cool down or even disrupting cleaning.

The body boasts variable steam control and an anti-calc collector. You can stow the cleaning head and two-part tube when not in use, or to pause, and there’s onboard storage for tools. It comes with a squeegee with cloth cover for cleaning upholstery, plus concentrator, scraper and two sizes of nylon brush.

The floorhead is an unusual shape: neither triangular nor a rectangle. It comes with a floor glider and one cleaning pad. The floorhead is slim to fit under furniture and has a small brush on the back so you can reverse slightly to scrub stains. It also features a small tank for optional detergent.

Steam took over one minute to heat up and then can stop and start instantly with a press of the trigger. It’s powerful: the lowest setting is similar to the steam offered by most steam mops, the highest setting is much stronger.

We loved using the Polti. The controls are excellent, the design is practical and it feels weightless in the hand, so much so that you can lift it to clean tiled walls, windows, curtains and more.

Ideal Home’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Read our full Polti Vaporetto Smart 100_B

3. Black & Decker 10-in-1 Steam Mop FSMH13E10

Best lightweight steam cleaner

Capacity: 350 ml
Dimensions:
H: 115cm W: 30cm D: 15cm
Weight: 
1.9kg
Power: 
1300 watts
Reasons to buy: Lightweight and easy to store
Reasons to avoid: Short cord

The design of the Black & Decker 10-in-1 Steam Mop FSMH13E10 is immensely lightweight. It has a great selection of tools and manoeuvrability is easy. It’s also one of the best options in terms of storage, so if you’re short on space, look no further.

The Black & Decker 10-in-1 Steam Mop FSMH13E10 took just 12 seconds to heat up and start cleaning. You can’t choose different steam levels, so controls are a simple on and off. While it’s great on floors, we did find that tile and wood took a while to dry after use.

The middle pops out and converts to a handheld. It made quick work of lifting grime from upholstery, tiled walls and more. At this price, it’s a great buy and does more than most steam cleaners.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Read our full Black & Decker 10-in-1 Steam Mop FSMH13E10

4. Bissell PowerFresh SlimSteam 2234E

Best steam cleaner for speedy cleaning

Bissell PowerFresh SlimSteam 2234E

Capacity: 300 ml
Dimensions:
H: 110cm W: 35cm D: 26cm
Weight: 
4.74 kg
Power: 
1500 watts
Reasons to buy: Wall mount for convenient storage
Reasons to avoid: Handheld function is awkward to use

Pretty much all convertible steam mops have a handheld that pops out of the middle of the upright cleaner. This, however, is designed more like the best cordless vacuum cleaners. You hold the handheld and then add tubes below to clean floors. As a result, it’s nippy but top-heavy. It won’t stand up by itself then and there’s no carpet glider.

We liked the design and how easy it was to convert back and forth. We loved the plastic tray that clips to the underside and holds all four supplied tools (concentrator, scraper and two shapes of brush). If your steam cleaning is a mix of floors and fiddly smaller things then the Bissell is hard to beat because your tools are always on board and converting is a doddle.

There are a great many other thoughtful design touches. The fill hole for the 300ml tank is a good size and it comes with a jug. There’s a Velcro strap for stowing the 7.6m cord. There’s also a mesh bag for if you buy additional tools or don’t want to store them on board.

Cleaning is versatile and the two steam levels are good enough for all uses. It’s not the most powerful steam on test and yet it’s the cleaner we’d pick up and use again and again.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Read our full Bissell PowerFresh SlimSteam 2234E

5. Shark Klik n’Flip Automatic Steam Pocket Mop

Best powerful steam mop

Best-steam-cleaners-Shark

Capacity: 380ml
Dimensions:
61 x 46 x 42 cm
Weight:
2.8kg
Power:
1200 watts
Reasons to buy: Two-year warranty, quick heating time, lots of accessories
Reasons to avoid: Big floor pad isn’t great on tough corners

Uniquely, the Shark’s floorhead and cleaning pad are double-sided, giving you twice the surface area for more cleaning. It comes with a second cleaning pad, too. It’s only designed for cleaning floors, so there are no accessories except a filling jug. We like the way this clips to the pole, so you always have it to hand. There’s space to coil the 8m power cable too.

There are two steam levels: a button on the front of the body of the cleaner cycles between these and off. It heats up in under 30 seconds.

On the main side of the pad, you steam clean as normal. The pad is big and rectangular, ideal for cleaning large areas fast. Flip the floorhead back on itself to use the other side, then push the whole machine down to get a powerful steam blast that sprays directly forwards onto the floor.

After use, squeeze two tabs together on the body of the cleaner and the floorhead comes open, so the cleaning pad falls off into the laundry basket with no need to touch it.

If you only want a steam cleaner to clean floors, this is powerful and the double-sided floorhead and two cleaning pads mean it can tackle large homes with ease. Check out the best shark vacuums for more options.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

6. Hoover Steam Capsule 2 in 1 CA2IN1D

Best value steam cleaner

Hoover Steam Capsule 2 in 1 CA2IN1D review

Capacity: 350ml
Dimensions:
H: 117cm W: 31cm D: 18cm
Weight:
3.5kg
Power:
1700 watts
Reasons to buy: Ergonomic, self-standing
Reasons to avoid: Heavy to steer

The Hoover Steam Capsule 2 in 1 CA2IN1D is an all-rounder. It’s got a design that many in search of the best steam mop will gravitate towards. Our first impression was that it’s an annoyance to assemble it, as you’ll need a screwdriver. It does look great though, and the handle is very ergonomic.

It comes with a steam hose and a number of accessories, such as brushes and cloths. There isn’t any on-board storage, but the power cord is long, at 7 metres.

You can pop out the handheld from the back of the Hoover Steam Capsule, and there are three levels of steam controls to choose from. It’s possible to pop off the steam head, leaving a scrubby triangular brush which is amazing at picking up stubborn areas of dirt and grime.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars 

Read our full Hoover Steam Capsule 2 in 1 CA2IN1D review

7. Kärcher SC 2 Upright EasyFix

Best steam mop for hard floors

Karcher SC2 Upright Easyfix Steam Cleaner

Capacity: 400ml
Dimensions:
H: 119cm W: 17cm D: 31cm
Weight:
2.5kg
Power:
1600 watts
Reasons to buy: Great on hard floors, slim and nifty design
Reasons to avoid: No carpet glider

The Kärcher SC 2 Upright EasyFix is powerful and easy to control. It doesn’t come with carpet attachments, but its ‘stick’-style design is reminiscent of a cordless vacuum cleaner, which is very pleasing for those who love the convenience. You can even clip away the cord so it doesn’t get stuck underfoot.

In terms of attachments, it’s a little minimal. It just comes with one microfiber pad for the floorhead and a descaling cartridge. There is no spare for when the pad is in the wash, and nothing for carpets either.

On hard floors it was very effective, with strong steam that lifts dirt with ease. There’s also a descaling cartridge to tackle limescale in tap water: the machine alerts you when it’s time to replace it.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Read our full Kärcher SC 2 Upright EasyFix review

8. Thane H2O HD

Best folding steam cleaner

Best-steam-cleaners-mops-Thane

Capacity: 450 ml
Dimensions:
125cm (H) x 32cm (W) x 28cm (D)
Weight:
3.4 kg
Power:
1500 watts
Reasons to buy: Can fold away nicely, long power cord
Reasons to avoid:

This upright steam cleaner boasts a “why didn’t I think of that” design which folds in half for easy storage in smaller cupboards. Simply squeeze the circles on both sides to fold it. And you can wrap the 6m cord around lugs for storage, even when it’s folded. The curvy green and black design, with colourful lights, is attractive too.

Assembling it for first use requires a screwdriver to attach the triangular floorhead, which comes with one cloth and a carpet glider. After that, it stays on and you pop out the middle bit if you want to convert to handheld cleaning. The fill hole on the 450ml tank is very small but there’s no funnel.

The Thane boasts three steam levels but all switches are on the front of the handheld, so you have to reach down to turn it on or off, or change setting. As an upright, you must use the floorhead. The concentrator nozzle and two brushes attach directly to the handheld.

There’s also a 30-inch extension hose to which you can connect the window squeegee (with cloths to adapt it for garments and upholstery) or duster attachment. The latter was our favourite tool thanks to its “coral” cover with fat, absorbent cloth fingers that pick up dust brilliantly.

Startup takes around 30 seconds but after that it’s quick and responsive. Aside from a few niggles, we liked the design and it cleaned floors and more well.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

9. Kärcher SC5 Easyfix

Best canister steam cleaner

best-steam-cleaners-Karcher-5

Capacity: 2 litres
Dimensions:
43.90 x 30.10 x 30.50 cm
Weight:
6 kg
Power:
2200 watts
Reasons to buy: Removes extremely stubborn dirt, works on carpet, 6m cord
Reasons to avoid: You have to wait for it to heat up

This premium, cylinder-style steam cleaner is a completely different animal from a steam mop. It does an outstanding job of cleaning so much more than floors and it can keep cleaning for hours. It has a 6m cord and a large 1.5 litre water tank and the water is then pumped into a pressurised steam tank. This means you can refill the machine at any time, even when it’s in use, without pausing your cleaning.

The only downside of its constant, powerful steam is that you must wait 3 minutes for it to come up to temperature initially. Tools and onboard storage are superb. The 2m hose can be extended with one or both sections of lance, for cleaning floors and high-up or hard-to-reach places.

Then you can attach various tools. There’s a large, rectangular floor head which comes with two Velcro cloths and a clip-on carpet glider. This steam cleaner also has a large square brush with cloth and large round brush – with space on the Kärcher to stow.

But there’s more! Lift a flap on the cleaner’s body and you’ll also find a small, round brush for detailed cleaning and a concentrator nozzle. Outstanding selection of steam cleaning tools and storage. The only thing it’s missing that we care about is a window squeegee. However, Kärcher offers a wide selection of accessories if you care about this or other tools.

Cleaning was outstanding – the floor head is much more than a floor head. It’s on a lightweight lance, so we found ourselves instinctively lifting it up and cleaning the bathroom’s tiled walls, right up to the ceiling. This took two minutes and the room has never been so clean. You could do the same with a mattress. This is steam cleaning in 3D.

Steam is highly controllable, with a trigger under your finger and a dial on the body. The top setting didn’t seem OTT but dialling it back to its lowest setting was very impressive. Wooden floors were treated gently and were left nearly dry. The Karcher steam cleaner’s tools are equally impressive. We had to dial it back to avoid the bathroom becoming a steam room.

Ideal Home’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars 

10. Bissell Vac & Steam

Best vacuum and steam cleaner combi

Best-steam-cleaners-mops-Bissell-Vac-n-Steam

Capacity: 380 ml
Dimensions:
28 x 23 x 118cm
Weight:
4.8kg
Power:
1600 watts
Reasons to buy: Easy to fill water tank, 3-year-guarantee
Reasons to avoid: No handheld cleaning tools

The first rule of mopping or steam cleaning is that you vacuum first. You lift as much dust and hair as possible dry, then use water to lift the remaining grime. It therefore makes sense to have a machine that does both.

This Bissell does double duty, with a cyclonic vacuum cleaner followed by a steam mop. There are no handheld cleaning tools, it’s just for floors. It’s heavy (4.4kg) but does the job of two appliances.

Vacuuming is straightforward: stiff brushes help lift dirt but there’s no rotating brush bar. For steam cleaning you just need to fill the 380ml tank and add the fabric pad (it comes with two, one plain and one with lines to scrub dirt, each with a pocket for adding an optional fragrance disc). There’s no carpet glider because it’s really designed for hard floors.

The cyclonic vacuum is bagless, with a 950ml dust container. There are two steam levels and it takes just under 30 seconds to heat up. There’s an anti calc filter and lugs to store the 7.6m cable when not in use.

You can use each feature independently but the Bissell Vac & Steam is at its best when you use both at once to save time. You can whizz round the house at double speed if dirt isn’t too ingrained.

The Bissell is a jack of all trades, master of none. But it comes quite close to mastering both jobs. If you want to vacuum and mop every time it’s well worth your consideration.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Black Friday steam cleaner deals

 

Last year we saw some amazing Black Friday steam cleaner deals on brands like Bissell, Hoover, Vax, Black and Decker, Polti, and Kärcher. While many steam cleaners are available for under £100, some of the most expensive models on the market received some of the biggest discounts. The Polti Vaporetto Smart 100_B received a £50 discount, and we’re expecting more of the same great deals on some, if not all, of the best steam cleaners in our guide.

The best places to look for Black Friday steam cleaner deals would be Amazon, Argos, Curry’s, and (if you want their steam cleaner) Shark.

How we test our steam cleaners

Best-steam-cleaners-mops-B-and-D-lifestyle

Image credit: Black & Decker

Our tester Caramel has decades of experience of reviewing technology products, writing for, among others, The Evening Standard, The Express, The Guardian, The Independent, The Mail on Sunday, The Sunday Mirror, The Telegraph and The Sunday Times. She’s long been part of the Ideal Home family, and knows exactly what you’re looking for in a good steam cleaner. And when it comes to steamers, she’s an expert, having tried out the best clothing steamers for this year too.

With two teenage children and a pet dog to clean up after, Caramel has been able to give each steam cleaner a rigorous test at home over several weeks. She’s looked at every aspect of each cleaner, taking into account its ability to clean, to manoeuvre (taking into account its weight and the reach of its cable), the tools that come with it and therefore its versatility, and how easy it is to control.

How much should I spend on a steam cleaner?

The most straightforward steam mops start at £50, but up to £150 is average for a convertible upright. These are steam mops that double as smaller, handheld cleaners. Budget upwards of £300 for a cylinder model with much more steam power.

What are the different types of steam cleaner?

Best-steam-cleaners-mops-Dupray-upholstery

Image credit: Dupray

Steam mop

If you only want to steam clean floors, consider a simple machine that doesn’t convert to a handheld. It will be light, easy to manoeuvre and you won’t have to store fiddly tools that you’ve no intention of using.

Convertible steam cleaner

A.k.a. 2-in-1 cleaners, these are upright steam mops where the steam generator can pop out from the middle to be used as a smaller, handheld cleaner. They come with various tools for steam cleaning smaller stuff.

Cylinder steam cleaner

For the ultimate in powerful, long-lasting steam, get a cylinder cleaner. They generate a constant flow of strong steam that make light work of anything. But they take up more cupboard space.

What else should I look for in a steam cleaner?

best-steam-cleaners-Vax (6)

Image credit: Vax

1. Variable steam

If you have wooden floors, avoid models that don’t let you adjust the level of steam. You’ll want to dial back steam to its lowest setting to avoid damaging them. A good steam cleaner can use a small amount of steam, then pick up the moisture with the floorcloth, so the floor is left nearly dry. If in doubt, check with your flooring supplier in case they advise against steam cleaning.

2. Powerful steam

At top whack, powerful steam is great for loosening stubborn grime. For example, you can bring old oven grills back to life or finally get bathroom taps squeaky clean.

3. Steam cleaner tools

Convertibles and cylinders come with smaller tools as well as a floorhead. Expect brushes for scrubbing and a concentrator nozzle for a precise, powerful jet of steam. A mid-sized cleaning head with cloth is great for furniture and a squeegee is handy if you want to clean windows. If a steam cleaner comes with lots of tools, bonus points if it also comes with a way to store them.

4. Steam cleaner cord length

This may matter, depending on where your power sockets are. We found a 4m cord was too short to reach our bathroom.

The post Best steam cleaners 2021 – reviews of the 10 top steam mops appeared first on Ideal Home.

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News and Tips

Primark has launched a new £40 bar cart – it’s almost identical to one at Very, but £89 cheaper!

October 24, 2021 by Louie Alma Photography No Comments

Primark has launched a new £40 bar cart – it’s almost identical to one at Very, but £89 cheaper!

If you’ve been looking to add a drinks trolley to your living room but were unable to justify the expense, you need to add the new Primark bar cart to your shopping list this week.

The latest version of Primark bar cart is currently available in stores, and a dupe for one of our favourite Very bar carts, but £80 cheaper.

No longer just a luxury, bar carts have become an essential part of many living room ideas. If you are in the market for a new drinks trolley both the Primark and the Very version are brilliant options. Especially with the holiday season around the corner.

Primark drinks trolley

Image credit: Primark

This Primark bar cart looks very similar to the Very bar cart with its Art Deco style and oval shape. It features two shelves for bottles and glasses, and castors so it can be wheeled around easily.

We also like its smoky glass colour, which mixed with the gold-look frame makes a luxurious combo. Plus, if you look closely, you’ll see a built-in rack under the tabletop, a smart living room storage idea for your best wine glasses.

However, where this cart truly wins us over is the £40 price tag – pretty and affordable you say?! That’s a whopping £89 less than the Very version, however, there are some other differences between the two carts.

Very drinks trolley

Image credit: Very

Very’s stunning Aruba drinks trolley is just as much a statement-making. The extra price tag offers a more luxe and glossy finish, with two rails under the glass to hang your drinks glasses.

It doesn’t have the perk of being on castors either so it can be moved around, however, that isn’t a bad thing if you’re looking for a sturdy drinks station.

Aruba drinks trolley, was £199, now £129, Very.co.uk
The Very design features a clear glass top shelf and mirrored bottom shelf to add to the sparkling art deco effect. On the plus side, the trolley is all currently on sale with £70 off, and delivery before Christmas is guaranteed.

View Deal

So, if you’re going to be doing some hosting over the winter months, now’s the time to invest in a trolley to keep your favourite tipples to hand.

To get your hands on the Primark version you will need to go in-store, but you should be able to find it in one of the following stores; London Oxford Street; Manchester Market Street; Birmingham High Street; Liverpool; Newcastle; Bristol; Coventry and Glasgow Argyle St.

However, call ahead to avoid disappointment, and be quick! We predict the new Primark bar cart will disappear faster than a gin and tonic on a Friday afternoon.

Last year’s Primark bar cart

primark bar cart

Last year’s £35 bar cart is still available to purchase in-store. It features a gorgeous gold design that wouldn’t look out of place at a Great Gatsby party.

The two mirrored shelves are the perfect place to store your favourite drinks and tipples and stir/shake up a few martinis. While a new glass rack provides the ideal place to hang your most stylish glassware.

Primark bar cart

With built-in wheels and lovely gold handles, this cart can easily be wheeled over to your guests when cocktail hour hits. However, we can guarantee this bar cart will elicit more compliments than your cocktail-making skills.

The post Primark has launched a new £40 bar cart – it’s almost identical to one at Very, but £89 cheaper! appeared first on Ideal Home.

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News and Tips

Easy up-cycling and landlord-friendly hacks gives this rental a stylish new look

October 24, 2021 by Louie Alma Photography No Comments

Easy up-cycling and landlord-friendly hacks gives this rental a stylish new look

Rental house with grey and neutral decor, grey sofa
Photographer Katie Jane Watson/Future PLC

The minute this house-hunter stepped through the door of her new rental property, it was love at first sight. The numerous period features really appealed; the wooden floors, the hallway tiles, the big bathroom with roll top bath and the chrome fireplace, and though the kitchen was small, the rest of the house was spacious rooms so it was a real find.

‘In general I don’t think it’s so easy to find a rental property of this quality. You normally have to be willing to compromise,’ she says, ‘So I was fortunate, as these houses usually come up to buy rather than rent.’

This dream rental home offers a neutral look for timeless appeal.

Living Room

Rental house with original features, arched mirror, inset shelves

Photography: Katie Jane Watson/Future PLC

The landlord got the carpets cleaned in advance, and although the decor was in fairly good condition, the walls needed a spruce up, and he agreed that our renter could decorate straight away – leading to the grey living room idea.

‘I started with the living room and decided to paint the walls grey, though this shade is slightly cooler that I expected, but I couldn’t go and look at any colours as the shops were closed, so I just had to look online and hope for the best.’

The white paintwork had turned a yellowy colour and was chipped, but she had some leftover masonry paint from works outside, which she used in the living room to refresh the woodwork. ‘I thought, if it’s good enough for outside it must be hard wearing enough for indoors, and I like the modern look of the matt finish.’

Kitchen

Rental house with small white painted kitchen

Photography Katie Jane Watson/Future PLC

One of the non-negotiables when looking for her rental was that the kitchen and bathroom were a blank canvas. So no green baths or brightly coloured mosaic tiles, as wall colours can be changed but kitchen cabinets or fixed furniture can’t be.

Luckily the kitchen was a simple, all-white design, which could be simply refreshed with a fresh coat of paint. ‘I stuck white self-adhesive vinyl on the inside glass of the wall cabinets to make them look a bit tidier.’

‘There’s loads of hidden kitchen storage for my pots and pans behind this roll top door. Changing the handles, which came from Amazon, from stainless steel to gold has added a touch of luxury.’

Dining

Photography Katie Jane Watson/Future PLC

Over the summer the dining room was tackled. First the black and coffee coloured walls were painted white and the fireplace was white-washed. ‘It had been a bright red brick colour which I wanted to tone down and make more rustic looking.’

Rental house with built-in seating, wooden dining table, wooden high shelf

Photography Katie Jane Watson/Future PLC

Even with the sofa against the wall, the space looked quite bare so a DIY wall panelling idea was added. ‘To be honest I winged it; we were at B&Q and I asked them to cut some MDF for me.’

‘I hadn’t measured it for size so when we got it home it was too long. We re-cut it and simply used gorilla glue and a nails to fix it to the wall.’

Dining

Rental house with traditional style kitchen dresser and wooden kitchen table

Photography Katie Jane Watson/Future PLC

A traditional painted dresser in the dining area make for great hidden storage as well as for display items.

Our renter recommend keeping your eye on local selling sites, especially if want a particular piece of furniture, as that’s often where you’ll often find good deals. ‘I picked up the table for £20, and then complimented it with Tolix-style chairs for only £25 each from ebay.’

Bedroom

Rental house with neutral bedroom and wreath decoration

Photography Katie Jane Watson/Future PLC

Our renter loves to mix beige and greys with lots of texture as it makes a neutral bedroom colour scheme more interesting. These tables were a Facebook market place bargain; £20 for both. The wall decoration is simply pampas grass glued to a plastic hoop.

Rental house, bedroom with panelled wardrobes

Photography Katie Jane Watson/Future PLC

The wardrobe panels were originally green glass, so they were painted using a primer first and then a white eggshell finish was painted on top. The Bentwood chair, found in a charity shop was sanded and waxed.

Bathroom

Rental house, bathroom with roll top bath and small wooden shelf

Photography Katie Jane Watson/Future PLC

The only thing the bathroom required was to paint the floor, which needs doing regularly to keep it looking clean and fresh. ‘It’s such a treat having a roll-top bath and it’s an unusual but luxurious feature to have in a rental. The grey rug is from H&M and works perfectly as a bathmat.

Guest Bedroom

Rental house, small bedroom with colour blocked walls and wooden bed

Photography Katie Jane Watson/Future PLC

For the guest bedroom a colour blocking bedroom paint idea was used. ‘People make it look really easy but I just couldn’t get the lines straight. I put the tape on and used a spirit level but then realised the walls weren’t straight, so eventually I did it by eye.

Being in one place for seven years is a long time for renting, and people ask me why I spend money decorating someone else’s house, but it’s a source of pride for me as well as a hobby, and it’s important to make where I live feel like my home. In truth, other than paint, I try not to spend a lot of money on things I can’t take with me when I leave!’

The post Easy up-cycling and landlord-friendly hacks gives this rental a stylish new look appeared first on Ideal Home.

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