In search of a new home fragrance to scent the air within your four walls? Whether it’s a candle or a reed diffuser that you are after, we can help. The Ideal Home team have been testing a huge range of home fragrance buys for months on end, to determine which ones are worth the expense – and where best to place the ones we love.

Because home fragrance is an undeniably important part of your decor, these are the top buys that we loved whilst testing in our own homes. We’ve listed a range of products in this guide, from the best candles to some room sprays plus fragrance oils to use in an essential oil diffuser. Otherwise, you’ll find plenty of reed diffuser recommendations here, too.

How to choose a home fragrance?

First thing’s first: what type of home fragrance should you go for? This can be tricky to decide, so we’re here to simplify your decision. You can, of course, buy a matching candle and room spray, for example, or the same candle and reed diffuser fragrance for the best of both worlds.

Choose a candle if you want to add light whilst making your home smell nice, and if you have somewhere in mind to place it that’s safe and out of the way from potential curious hands (or paws).

Reed diffusers are great because they do the job for you, with very little effort required other than the infrequent turning of reeds.

Opt for a room spray if you want something that you can completely control – these are particularly handy for a quick spray just before guests arrive. Or, to mask unwanted odours fast.

Last but definitely not least, fragrance oils are great for emitting smell throughout a long period of time, kind of like a candle but a lot safer. You need to mix a few drops with water and add this to your essential oil diffuser – for a very calming and lovely smelling ambience.

Let’s get to it then…

13 best home fragrance buys

1. Rituals The Ritual of Sakura Mini Fragrance Sticks

A fragrant reed diffuser for year-round use

Image credit: Rituals

Size: 70ml

This fragrant reed diffuser ought to wow your senses and uplift a room. It’s nice and small, too, so as not to be obtrusive on if on show. We say to place this reed diffuser in a hallway, toilet or even a spacious living room. When to use it? It’s pretty much a year-round winner, meaning that you can use it spring, summer, autumn or winter.

Sweet yet creamy thanks to cherry blossom and rice milk notes, this powerful reed diffuser smells elegant yet delicate. There’s no need to turn the reeds of this diffuser as frequent as others, since it always manages to flood a room, no matter how small or large

Housed inside a white recyclable glass vessel that’s ribbed and tall in height, this diffuser is easy to hide but also looks the part when on show. Refills are available, so that you can buy an entire bottle of fragrance and fill your vessel up as and when it’s necessary.

2. Skandinavisk Lempi Candle

A floral, sweet and subtle home fragrance for spring and summer

Size: 65g, 200g

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

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

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

3. Orphic Living Black Tea, Patchouli, Peppercorn Scented Reed Diffuser

The best powerful reed diffuser

Image credit: Orphic Living

Size: 150ml

This unique blend from small Bath business Orphic Living offers a powerful fragrance – and it adds both warmth and style to a room that might need it. In fact, it’s perfect for placing in your hallway, to flood each and every room in your home with fragrance. Otherwise, it’s perfectly suitable for a bathroom or bedroom and you’ll definitely want to pop it on show thanks to its lux looking amber glass bottle.

Scented to be spicy with notes of leather, tobacco, amber and musk, this reed diffuser is definitely best for the colder months of autumn and winter. Its bold blend is best suited for smaller rooms and it has woody base notes to warm your rooms.

You can buy the same fragrance in a candle and room spray to match. Plus, the reeds that come with are made from rattan. This reed diffuser makes a lovely gift idea, plus it arrives in completely plastic-free packaging. Flip the reeds every 2-3 days, or when you believe it’s needed, to emit fragrance.

Buy now: Orphic Living Black Tea, Patchouli, Peppercorn Scented Reed Diffuser, £18, Etsy

4. Slab Lab Scented Candle Fog

A creamy and warm home fragrance

Size: 240g

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

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

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

Buy now: Slab Lab Scented Candle Fog, £25, Trouva

5. Sunday of London III. Rooftop Garden Botanical Candle

The best fresh fragrance for bathrooms

Image credit: Sunday of London

Size: 180ml

Bring the outdoors in with help from this gorgeously fragranced candle from Sunday of London. This fresh candle ought to refresh any room once lit, even a windowless bathroom, plus its calming fragrance definitely adds a sense of tranquillity to your home. We say to light it in a bathroom or kitchen, but really it works anywhere.

Scented with fragrance oils only, this candle is a mix of bergamot, basil, thyme, lavender and ylang ylang. Aromatherapy grade oils ensure it’s powerful enough to make a statement, plus it’s not even the slightest bit overpowering, just impressive. It smells luxurious and best of all: natural. It’s made using creamy coconut wax that’s GMO-free, with a 100% pure cotton wick. No synthetic smelling fragrances here!

Made in small batches with zero palm oil used in production, this candle has an impressive 40-hour burn time. We can vouch for the fact it burns clean, too, and it has a handy screw-on lid for when not in use, to prevent dusting. Poured inside an amber glass jar, it’s definitely aesthetically pleasing enough to show off on your bathroom side or kitchen island.

Buy now: Sunday of London III. Rooftop Garden Botanical Candle, £26, Trouva

6. The White Company Fireside Diffuser

The best reed diffuser for autumn and winter

Image credit: The White Company

Size: 150ml

The White Company’s bestselling Fireside diffuser deserves pride of place in your home during autumn and winter. Why? Its scent mimics that of a burning fireplace, with a teeny hint of chocolate for warmth – and comfort. Place this inside a cosy room such as a living room or bedroom and thank us later.

With scent notes of smoked woods, fresh birch and rich patchouli mixed with creamy vanilla and a dash of amber, this unique blend will definitely turn noses. Plus, we found that it immediately scents a room. Pop it in the centre of your space for the best outcome.

Poured inside a classic The White Company diffuser vessel, this woody fragrance not only looks the part but it smells the part, too. It comes with rattan reed sticks that you can use as many of as you like, dependant on your room size. This reed diffuser is said to last for 3 months, making it perfect for use from October to December.

Buy now: Fireside Diffuser, £21.60, The White Company

7. Witchy The Moon Tarot Candle

 A powerful candle for autumn and winter

Image credit: Witchy

Size: 215g

Witchy’s The Moon candle is essentially the scent of wintertime – but in candle form. Plus, it’s made in small batches by a small business and is sustainable and cruelty-free. It even has a wooden wick and it’s decorated with 2 ethical crystals.

This candle smells undeniably great even before it’s lit. Once you do light it, though, you’ll want to wait until it has melted slightly to remove the crystals as the candle melts even more. It has scent notes of ginger, cinnamon and vanilla, it might sound like a classic though rest assured it will flood your entire room with its to-die-for scent. It burns fast but evenly, and it gives off an almost immediate scent. Incredible.

Decorated with crystals and poured inside a premium glassware vessel, this soy candle is made using perfume grade fragrance with an FSC-certified wooden wick. Apparently, it can burn for a whopping 50 hours inside your home. It also makes a lovely gift idea.

Buy now: Witchy The Moon Tarot Candle, £26, Etsy

8. Botanica by Air Wick Room Spray Fresh Pineapple and Tunisian Rosemary

The best room spray for banishing odours

Image credit: Botanica by Air Wick

Size: 236ml

This subtle odour neutralising spray is perfect for all-around use – a few sprays of this and your home will smell as fresh as… fresh pineapple and Tunisian rosemary. You can also use it on your upholstery.This spray is infused with natural essential oils to offer a fresh (and green-smelling) scent. It’s subtle yet still manages to banish nasty odours with just a few presses on the trigger.

The bottle this home fragrance is inside is made from 99.9 per cent recycled plastic, while the trigger is made of 35 per cent recycled plastic. The scent itself is free from propellants and dyes, and Air Wick by Botanica are currently collaborating with WWF to fight wildflower habitats with each purchase.

9. ESPA Restorative Candle

A fresh yet floral home fragrance for bedrooms or living rooms

Image credit: ESPA

Size: 200g

ESPA’s Restorative Candle is uplifting, powerful and elegantly housed in a white glass vessel. It’s best suited for larger rooms thanks to its floral yet sweet natural scent, so we say to place it in a spacious bedroom or large living room.

With floral notes of rose geranium and palmarosa, and sweet notes of orange blossom and lavender, it’s definitely one to light in spring or summertime.

This ESPA candle is housed in a lovely and elegant looking glass jar, complete with a metal lid to pop the candle on when burning. It’s made of 100% natural wax, and it’s suitable for vegetarians.

10. Airwick Essential Mist Kit Balancing Peony & Jasmine

A hassle-free solution to home fragrance

Image credit: Airwick

This fuss-free essential mist kit comes with a diffuser and a fragrance (of your choice). Simply open the bottom of your diffuser and pop your fragrance inside, and then switch it on. Choose between three intensities – low, medium and high – depending on your room size. The first switch is low, and this means the device will power up every 17 minutes, for just 4 seconds. The medium option makes this diffuser turn on every 12 minutes, for 5 seconds, while the highest intensity will have it working every 10 minutes, for a total of 6 seconds. You can easily hide this diffuser behind some books, or even a candle or just tuck it away in a hallway or bathroom. They are pretty much great for anywhere at home since they are portable, too. We say to select one fragrance and buy two or three, to dot around your home. This way your home will smell the same, everywhere, and all of the time, without you worrying about a thing.

This scent, Balancing Peony & Jasmine, is a great choice for spring and summer, as it aims to bring the outdoors in and make your home smell as fresh as… fresh flowers!

This essential mist kit is perfect for pet owners as it works to scent your home all day long. It releases scent into the air, to flood and fill a room, while it’s also safe to use around pets and children alike. One fragrance refill should last you 45 days on average, while the machines come in your choice of black or white, to fit in with your home decor. The idea is that you buy the diffuser once, and then buy more refills of each fragrance so you can switch things up depending on the season.

11. Made by Zen Purity Range Scented Essential Oil, Sleep

The best home fragrance for your essential oil diffuser

Size: 15ml

If you are yet to invest in an essential oil diffuser, then we suggest doing so ASAP. It’s the only way you can use this fragrance oil – just a few drops in some water will flood your bedroom with a subtle yet calming smell.

Made by Zen’s fragrance oils are made of pure essential oils, and in the case of their Sleep oil, it’s lavender, mandarin, patchouli, sage and sandalwood. A fresh combination that will subtly give your bedroom a relaxing and soothing smell (and feel).

This fragrance oil may be only 15ml, but this should last you a good while – a little goes a long way. You could also add this fragrance oil to dried flowers or potpourri – though we suggest using it with a diffuser, such as the Ellia Adore or The White Company’s Electronic Diffuser.

Buy now: Made by Zen Sleep Purity Range Scented Essential Oil, £9.99, Amazon

12. Floral Street Lady Emma Reed Diffuser

The best home fragrance for your toilet or bathroom 

Image credit: Floral Street

Size: 100ml

This lovely Floral Street reed diffuser is a fab buy for a toilet or bathroom – or if you love a fresh scent. It would equally make a lovely addition to a orangery or conservatory, as its fresh leafy fragrance will help bring the outside in.

Lady Emma smells of a mix of fresh leaves, green apple and Bulgarian rose oil, so it’s safe to say it’s one for spring and summer months.

This reed diffuser is completely vegan and also cruelty-free, while it arrives in gorgeous recyclable packaging that ought to wow you (and your giftee). It’s housed in a pink glossy glass vessel, to add a pop of colour somewhere that needs it.

Buy now: Floral Street Lady Emma Diffuser, £35, Selfridges

13. The White Company Geranium Leaf Candle

The best uplifting home fragrance

Size: 210g

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

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

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

What is the best home fragrance?

There’s not really a definite answer when it comes to the best home fragrance. This depends on the time of year, and the type of home fragrance you want. We will say, though, that right now our all-around favourite home fragrance has to be Rituals’ The Ritual of Sakura Fragrance Sticks.

For winter, we love the warmth that Orphic Living’s Black Tea, Patchouli, Peppercorn Scented Reed Diffuser brings to a room. It’s woody and spicy, and best of all: it comes in plastic-free packaging.

For spring, we love Sunday of London’s III. Rooftop Garden Botanical Candle. It’s perfectly fresh and you will definitely want to light it whilst spring cleaning. Oh, and it’s made using creamy coconut wax with zero synthetic fragrances.

For summer our favourite home fragrance is definitely Skandinavisk’s Lempi Candle that’s subtly floral and looks as good as it smells. It’s poured inside a recycled glass vessel and made from Swedish rapeseed wax.

For autumn it’s The White Company’s Fireside Diffuser. It’s incredibly powerful and its woody scent mimics that of a roaring fireplace. It brings all the warmth and autumnal vibes.

The post Best home fragrance – 13 luxury buys for 2022 appeared first on Ideal Home.

If you love freshly-brewed espresso each and every day, the best bean-to-cup coffee machines will keep you topped up on delicious drinks. With in-built bean grinders and either automatic or manual milk steaming, these barista-ready machines can be used to make all manner of hot drinks. That includes americano, flat white, and even latte macchiatto.

Featuring well-known brands such as De’Longhi and Sage, as well as some lesser-known models from Cuisinart, Beko and Dualit, our best bean-to-cup coffee machine has an option for every budget. Many of the best coffee machines are available for around £100, but at the more premium end of the coffee machine spectrum, a bean-to-cup is a seasonal investment that will see you through pumpkin spice season and back into iced latte mode. Because they often come with milk wands of even automatic milk dispensers, bean-to-cup coffee machines also make tasty mochas and cappuccinos with the touch of a button. All you need is a sprinkle of cocoa powder to finish it off!

While it wouldn’t be quite right to describe any bean-to-cup coffee machine as cheap, we have made an effort to review some of the more affordable options on the market alongside premium models that make great gifting. Our top 10 features machines that come in at £250, right through to models that cost well over £1,000!

Why should I buy the best bean-to-cup coffee machine?

While we’ve been in the grips of pod coffee machines when it comes to convenience and easy cleaning, people are increasingly turning to bean-to-cup machines to work on their latte art or simply find a more sustainable way of making a morning brew. You can empty out your coffee grounds into your food waste without any worries about single-use plastic, and there are even ways to use them in the garden to make your plants happy!

Another great advantage of bean-to-cups is the freedom they bring to your brew. You can experiment with all different types of beans, and even try out a coffee bean subscription, to make the most of the freshly ground goodness you’ll be drinking every morning.

And it’s not just the controls that make the difference – the cleaning is easier, too. Instead of wiping and rinsing after every drink, you just need to empty it from time to time and refill the beans and water containers as required.

After thoroughly testing these models, we had just one concern: some are just too good. That sounds like a nice problem to have, but the ease with which you can make latte after latte means there is a risk of descending deeper into caffeine addiction. Proceed with caution. Or sometimes detox with decaffeinated beans.

Best bean-to-cup coffee machines

1. De’Longhi Dinamica Plus ECAM370

Best bean-to-cup coffee machine overall

Milk wand: No, adjustable dispenser
Water capacity: 1.8 litres
Pressure: 19 bar
Reasons to buy:
• Can be controlled remotely
• Quality milk frother
• Sensitive bean grinder
• Adjust to your own preferences

Reasons to avoid:
• The milk container needs to be cleaned regularly

With modes for cappuccino, flat white, and even latte macchiato, the De’Longhi Dinamica Plus ECAM370 is a premium coffee machine that delivers on automatic systems with hands-free brewing. The menu allows you to adjust the drinks to different sizes and aromas, and you can completely customize the coffee-to-milk ratio by making a preset just for you.

The water tank sits at the front of the machine, and so does the grounds container. Both are very easy to access, and the bean dispenser sits at the top back which makes pouring easy. You’ll need to clean the milk dispenser after every use, but all this requires is switching the dial to the self-clean mode.

If quality espresso is your top priority, you’ll love the automatic grinding, which is sensitive for different types of beans. You can also pour grounds into a different dispenser for making decaff without emptying out the bean container. It’s an expensive machine, but you’ll often find it on sale, and it ticked every box in our testing.

Ideal Home rating 5 out of 5 stars

Read our full De’Longhi Dinamica Plus ECAM370 review

2. Cuisinart Veloce

Best bean-to-cup coffee machine for automatic brewing

Milk wand: No, milk is automatic
Water capacity: 1.25 litres
Pressure: 15 bar
Reasons to buy:
• A smart machine that offers a full menu of drink options
• Very good value
• Easy to top up water

Reasons to avoid: 
• You need to clean the milk wand after every latte or cappuccino

The Cuisinart Veloce makes some of the more high-end bean-to-cup features relatively accessible. It’s by no means cheap, but you do get all the perks of a digital display and complete coffee menu. We enjoyed saving our custom drink preferences onto the menu, which made for easy coffee rounds.

It’s got a small water tank, but on the plus side it’s front-facing and incredibly easy to remove and refill. The same can be said for emptying the coffee grounds, and the display comes up with instructions and prompts to stay on top of maintenance.

We found that the machine needed adjusting before we got that perfect espresso. It required grind adjustments, which can be done at the top of the machine where you keep your coffee beans. The milk wand can be inserted into the side container via a rubber tube, and this makes fully adjustable lattes or cappuccinos completely hands-free. You can even choose your froth level and the temperature of your drink.

The milk wand needs to be placed in a cup of water after each use, after which it will run a quick self-clean. If you plan on making long coffees and americanos though, the self-clean is fully automatic.

Ideal Home rating 4.5 out of 5 stars

Read our full Cuisinart Veloce coffee machine review

3. Gastroback Design Espresso Barista Pro

Best bean-to-cup machine coffee shop style

Milk wand: Yes, manual
Water capacity: 2.8 litre
Pressure: 15 bar
Reasons to buy:
• Easy to use and clean
• Fully adjustable settings
• Barista-style design

Reasons to avoid:
• No water level indicator

The Gastroback Design Espresso Barista Pro has a more classic coffee machine style, allowing you to grind and tamp your own beans before adding to the espresso machine insert. Then, froth up some milk using the attached milk wand. It’s got 30 grind settings on the bean grinder, which is more than some actual coffee grinders, and because it’s see-through you’ll always know if it needs topping up.

The display is appealing, with black panels and a stainless steel frame. The Gastroback Design Espresso Barista Pro also has a very generous water tank, meaning even caffeine addicts won’t need to top up regularly. That said, it has no reminder to top up the tank, and because it’s at the back you may find that you run out unexpectedly.

We found that the coffee grinds can get a little messy after tamping, so regular wiping will be necessary. It does make you feel like a proper barista to do this all yourself though, as opposed to some of the bean-to-cup coffee machines in our guide which simply require you to press a button.

Ideal Home rating 4.5 out of 5 stars

4. De’Longhi PrimaDonna Soul

Best premium bean-to-cup coffee machine

Milk wand: Yes, automatic
Water capacity: 2.2 litre
Pressure: 19 bar
Reasons to buy: 
• App-controlled
• 21 coffee settings to choose from
• Excellent milk frothing

Reasons to avoid:
• That price tag

If you’re going to buy a coffee machine that costs over £1,000, it had better be perfect. Well, we scored this one a smooth 100% for its smart design and flawless operation. We were able to make drinks from the next room using the app (tip: don’t forget to leave a mug on the tray if you plan on doing this) and it offers a whopping 21 presets for just about any coffee drink you could wish to make. This includes cortado, flat white, espresso and even just babyccino for little ones.

The machine guides you through setup using the touch-screen controls. It allows you to flick through the settings and choose coffee-shop quality drinks that are made in an instant. The 19-bar pressure creates some dreamy coffee, with frothy crema that stays long after your first sip. You can choose your coffee strength, and as for the LatteCrema dispenser, cleaning is straightforward because it runs an automatic steam cleaning setting after each use.

The De’Longhi PrimaDonna Soul is very large, so be prepared to dedicate a decent portion of your kitchen to it. Once it’s there though, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.

Ideal Home rating 5 out of 5 stars

5. Beko CEG5311

Best bean-to-cup coffee machine on a budget

Milk wand: Yes
Water capacity: 1.6 litre
Pressure: 15 bar
Reasons to buy:
• It’s a great alternative to much more expensive models
• Slimline

Reasons to avoid:
• Its milk wand is not fully automatic

Sometimes you’re testing a group of products and realise that two are very similar to each other. What’s even more interesting: sometimes they’re priced very differently. So it was with the Beko and the Dualit. Both machines have a narrow footprint (the Beko is 24cm) and use a 19-bar pressure pump to make deep, full-bodied coffee. They both have touch controls on the top, with simple icons to select your drink.

Out of the box, the coffee was a bit mild, but there’s a dial to adjust the grinder. Once the grind was finer, coffee was tastier with a better crema. Meanwhile the froth from the steam wand was excellent. Features are very similar to the Dualit: touch controls on the top select from a limited drinks menu, the coffee dispenser slides upwards to accommodate mugs, and it self-cleans when turned on or off.

Like the Dualit, you can adjust the grind but not the length of coffee shots: instead, if you want a longer drink you top it up with hot water from the wand. And again its pre-brewing system wets the dose of coffee for a richer extraction, releasing oils to maximise aroma and depth.

We found the light-up touch controls on the top hard to see in bright sunlight from the skylight above. But that was our only niggle: this coffee maker is hard to fault in terms of bangs (beans?) for the buck. If you don’t want to spend a fortune, or take up too much worktop space, buy the Beko.

Ideal Home rating: 5 out of 5 stars

6. Gaggia Anima Prestige

Best mid-priced bean-to-cup coffee machine

Milk wand: Yes, dispenser
Water capacity: 1.8 litre
Pressure: 15 bar
Reasons to buy:
• Sleek controls
• Compact dimensions

Reasons to avoid:
• Feels cramped when you add the milk frother

The Gaggia’s setup was comical as we followed the instructions, switched it on and it self-cleaned… before having attached the milk frother (this came on a later page). A jet of hot water spluttered out and we dived for the power button.

But after this hiccup, setup went fine and we were left with an impressive compact machine. It’s a similar size to the Dualit or Beko, taking up most of the depth of a worktop but only 22cm wide, but features are more automated. Instead of using a steam wand to heat or froth milk manually, you attach a reservoir of milk.

The machine feels roomy if you only want an espresso or espresso lungo. Add the milk frother, for cappuccino or latte, and it’s suddenly cramped. But it works well. When you press the button for a milky coffee, you’re prompted to slide out a spout from the milk pot. Milk is automatically frothed and dispensed, then the coffee shot is added afterwards. The milk jug works well and you can stow it in the fridge when not in use.

The machine cleans itself when you turn it on and off, and after each cuppa. A small amount of water comes out and lands in the drip tray, assuming there’s no cup in the way. The drip tray is well designed. Firstly, it extends under the whole machine, for a bigger capacity (empty it less often). Secondly, the bin for coffee grinds slides out at the same time, encouraging you to empty both.

There are just four choices of drink, with no manual controls: espresso, espresso lungo, cappuccino and caffe latte. They tasted great, the espressos flavoursome with a good crema and just the right level of bitterness, the milky coffees delicious and moreish.

But with a machine at this price, more options would have been good.

If a steam wand is too much hassle but you don’t want the expense, or worktop space, of a premium machine, this mid-priced model is well worth considering.

Ideal Home rating: 4 out of 5 stars

7. Miele CM5300 Bean-to-Cup Coffee Machine

Best bean-to-cup machine for a small office

Milk wand: Yes, automatic
Water capacity: 1.3 litre
Pressure: 15 bar
Reasons to buy:
• Smart design
• Supreme control
• Can do pots as well as mugs

Reasons to avoid:
• It needs regular emptying and water refills

At 24cm, the Miele isn’t wide but it feels more imposing. It has a neat, contemporary design. It achieves the clean lines thanks to a rubber tube that you attach to the side of the nozzle whenever you want to froth milk. The double nozzle dispenses either single or double coffees, so you can make two drinks at once (or just make a giant coffee). There’s a central dispenser for hot water to make long coffees.

The display is easy to read and gives you supreme levels of control, to adjust grinder, coffee quantity, brewing temperature, pre-brewing, portion sizes. You can even tell it your water hardness. And there’s the option to use a dose of pre-ground coffee instead of beans. You can make everything from ristretto to caffe latte to a coffee pot. The entire front head slides up a long way, to accommodate not just mugs but coffee pots of up to 750ml. You can also create two user profiles, with menus of your favourite drinks.

The coffee was superb. It made an outstanding lungo from a single shot: tasty with a sturdy crema, you get a lot from a single dose.

Your cleaning burden is low because it thoroughly cleans itself every time it turns on or off. Thanks to its long menu of drinks and ease of use, we could see this being a firm favourite in a small office or co-working space, or the kitchen of someone who has everything. Your architect would definitely approve of the machine’s good looks.

Ideal Home rating 4.5 out of 5 stars

8. Dualit Bean to Go Coffee Machine

Best slimline bean-to-cup coffee maker

Milk wand: Yes
Water capacity: 1.2 litre
Pressure: 19 bar
Reasons to buy:
• Makes an impressive flat white and cappuccino
• Five grind levels
• Adjustable dispenser

Reasons to avoid:
• It’s similar to the less expensive Beko

Dualit’s first bean-to-cup coffee machine proves that they don’t have to take up lots of worktop space. Its 18cm wide footprint doesn’t impose much, even in smaller kitchens where space is at a premium.

There are five levels of grind and three modes: quick (no pre-brewing), standard (which moistens the grounds before extracting for a fuller flavour) and eco (no light and the machine automatically shuts off sooner). The coffee dispenser slides upwards 3cm to accommodate mugs.

Press the touch controls on the top to select a style of coffee. Its espressos, lungos and double shots were very good: perhaps not quite as tasty as pricier machines on test, but good enough. If you weren’t doing a comparison, you wouldn’t complain.

Unusually you can only use coffee beans, there’s no option to add a scoop of ground coffee directly into the machine. The machine also serves up hot water and steam from a wand, so you can heat or froth milk. It made impressive flat whites and cappuccinos.

The coffee-making side of the machine cleans itself but you’ll need to wipe the wand down after each use. It alerts you when the grinds bin is full. The drip tray needs emptying regularly too, thanks to the small footprint. Some bean-to-cup machines do even more of the work for you, but the Dualit is smaller and more affordable. The only major thing going against it is that the Beko is almost identical and costs even less.

Ideal Home rating: 4 out of 5 stars

9. Krups EA907D40

Best high end bean-to-cup coffee machine

Milk wand: Yes
Water capacity: 1.7 litre
Pressure: 15 bar
Reasons to buy:
• 17 drink options
• Advanced self-cleaning

Reasons to avoid:
• An expensive choice

The Krups isn’t cheap but you feel like you get lots for your money because it’s gadget-packed. That means you can make better, and fancier, coffees with even less effort than budget machines. And it looks so cool, guests will marvel as it does its thing.

There are nice premium touches, for example it comes with an attractive pair of glass coffee cups. Its party trick is being the first bean-to-cup machine with a self-cleaning steam wand. This motorised marvel descends into your cup of milk to froth it. Then the machine adds coffee shots on top. It’s amazing and actually reduces effort and cuts the cleaning burden.

You pop your cup, containing the right amount of milk, in one place and the machine does it all. You won’t need to clean a milk jug, you won’t even need to wipe the wand.

There are 17 automated programmes, all of them conveyed simply on the colour touch screen. You can tailor them and the machine remembers your preference for next time. There are also eight user profiles for personalised recipes, so you can design your own perfect coffee. You can adjust the grind level and temperature. You can also use single doses of ground coffee.

The milky coffees, including cappuccino and latte, are effortless and delicious. In fact, they’re moreish: this machine is so good that you could find yourself drinking too many. Our only criticism is that the grinder is noisy, the back of the machine even shakes as it grinds.

The cleaning burden is minimal. Everything is automatic but you’re in control. The steam nozzle cleaning happens internally and doesn’t make a mess. The drip tray is large enough that it doesn’t need emptying too often, despite the self-cleaning. The Krups isn’t cheap, but you feel you’ve got something very special.

Ideal Home rating: 5 out of 5 stars

10. Sage The Barista Pro SES878BSS coffee machine

Best bean-to-cup coffee machine for wannabe baristas

Milk wand: Yes
Water capacity: 2 litres
Pressure: 15 bar
Reasons to buy: 
• Allows you to take control of the Barista process
• Smart control panel
• Steam wand is very powerful

Reasons to avoid:
• It’s a bit of work

Some coffee lovers want a machine to do all the work and dispense the perfect drink. Others enjoy and take pride in the process of making coffee. The Sage is more for the latter audience. This isn’t an effortless bean-to-cup machine, it’s more like a grinder and coffee machine combined. Everything you need in one unit, but you are the barista.

First up: the grinder. Weirdly it senses when you put the portafilter under it, then it automatically dispenses a dose of freshly ground coffee. You tamp the grounds and then use the supplied razor to ensure the perfect quantity. The instructions teach you a lot about how to judge what needs adjusting, in which direction. For example, we made the grinds coarser (it goes from 0-30, we dialled it up from 15 to 20). And the portafilter seemed too full, but after tamping we realised that the dose of ground coffee was perfect.

Then you attach the portafilter to make your coffee, telling the machine whether it’s one or two shots. And finally there’s the steam wand for frothing milk plus a separate hot water tap.

The controls are easy to use and the coffees tasted delicious but it’s a large machine (35cm wide) and doesn’t save you much effort. Cleaning is a chore too: you need to empty the portafilter each time, wipe the steam wand and probably wipe up spilled coffee grounds.

We felt the Sage missed the point of a bean-to-cup machine, but it does make good coffees. Plus, some people enjoy being more part of the process: one of our testers fell in love with this machine.

Ideal Home rating 4 out of 5 stars

11. De’Longhi Maestosa

Best luxe bean-to-cup coffee machine

Milk wand: Yes, automatic
Water capacity: 2.1 litres
Pressure: 19 bar
Reasons to buy:
• Smart connectivity
• Multiple bean options

Reasons to avoid:
• That immense price tag

It was always going to be hard to justify such an expensive coffee maker. You could buy a decent second-hand car for less. But the De’Longhi at least does much more than rival bean-to-cup machines.

First, unusually, it has dual bean hoppers so you can have two preferred types of coffee bean (caffeinated and decaf? everyday and specialty? breakfast and after dinner? yours and theirs?) plus you can dose it with a measure of ground coffee for a third way. The machine also makes tea and has dual water heaters at two different temperatures, so there’s no compromise.

The De’Longhi has a five-inch colour touch screen and Bluetooth, connecting it to a smartphone app where you can tailor personal recipes. The screen works brilliantly: tap on a drink and hit the plus sign to tailor its length, aroma (dose), temperature, froth. The dispenser slides up and down, so you can also make a carafe of between 250 and 750ml.

The milk container is an insulated pot that you plug in when requested. Impressively a milk nozzle pivots from the front and ends up just in front of the coffee spouts, so once it’s in place you can just press a button to make a latte, cappuccino or similar. After making a cuppa it asks whether you want it to self-clean the milk nozzle.

Alternatively, attach the Mix Carafe for cold coffees, cocktails and more. You can add small ice cubes and sugar to make blended cold coffees. Or add the choco stirrer attachment for an impressive hot chocolate: on-screen instructions talk you through everything.

We found it easy to use and never needed the manual, despite the complexity, but it is pricey and multiple accessories means stuff to store. It’s a boxy design that takes up lots of worktop depth and 29cm width. The results are impressive but ultimately we felt that the pricey De’Longhi was over the top. That said, if you love the idea of blended cold coffees and money’s no object then you won’t be disappointed by this luxe machine.

Ideal Home rating 3.5 out of 5 stars

How to buy the best bean-to-cup coffee machine for you

How much should I spend on a bean-to-cup coffee machine?

The bean-to-cup coffee machines tested here start from a compelling £250 and you can certainly get great machines for under £600. Above that, sense-check whether the machine actually does more or makes things easier. Sometimes you’re paying for the design or the brand.

It’s a lot of money, but to look at it another way, it’s £1-2 a day for a year. Not bad if you’re weighing it up against buying a fancy coffee on the way to work every morning.

Too much for your budget? Check out Best pod coffee machines

image credit: Sage

How do I clean my bean-to-cup coffee machine?

There’s no such thing as a free lunch and there’s no such thing as a coffee machine that doesn’t need cleaning. But there are machines that need cleaning less. All machines here except the Sage automatically dose themselves with ground coffee and then deposit the used grounds in a bin, so you’ll need to empty the bin regularly. You’ll also need to empty the drip tray – the water from self-cleaning ends up in it. Beyond that, you’ll want to give the machine a proper clean once a week to ensure it’s hygienic and tastes great.

Are there any downsides to bean-to-cup machines?

Aside from having to clean the things, other caveats are worktop space (they tend to use much of the depth of a worktop, but the width varies) and cost. And finally, note the above concern about some being too good: so easy to use that you can drink frothy but highly caffeinated drinks all day long. Note that the milk frothers are great for making soothing hot chocolates, too…

The post Best bean-to-cup coffee machines 2022: from De’Longhi, Sage, and more appeared first on Ideal Home.

Classic black and white is a tried and trusted colour combination that has endless appeal, so it’s no surprise that it’s one of the most popular colour choices for kitchens. Black and white kitchen ideas can lend themselves to most settings, from traditional and country-style kitchen-diners, to edgy industrial kitchens or more modern, contemporary set-ups.

When it comes to black and white kitchen ideas, if you go for an entirely monochrome scheme, make one shade dominant rather than giving each equal prominence. A predominantly white kitchen colour scheme with accents of black can look chic and modern, but don’t overlook the elegance of a dark scheme with white used as the secondary colour.

Black and white kitchen ideas

A monochrome scheme can be quite bold, so will usually benefit from some form of texture and a mix of finishes to prevent it from feeling too stark. Mix gloss and matt surfaces, opaque and dense, to build up layers, add extra interest and soften any harshness.

Bringing in accent colours is another way of adding interest to a black and white kitchen. Whether you opt for bright primaries and bold tones to make a monochrome palette pop, or calm neutrals and muted pastels to add softness. Monochrome also works well with all tones of timber, natural stone and luxe marble.

1. Create balance with equal helpings of black and white

Image credit: Future PLC

While black kitchen cabinets might be overpowering in a small kitchen, in an open-plan space, there is enough surrounding white wall space to balance out the effect.

Finish is a key consideration when deciding on kitchen cabinets. A high-shine gloss finish on white cabinetry works well in most kitchens, making the space feel bigger and brighter. But a black gloss finish used over a large area can have the reverse effect and feel quite dated, so is best avoided.

Opt for matt black door fronts or textured wood finishes in ebony, which feel tactile and look warmer than a black high-gloss finish. Counter black cabinets with natural surfaces, from marble and stone worktops to natural timber flooring.

2. Go for gold with a statement feature

Image credit: Future PLC/Jo Henderson

Stylewise, it’s hard to go wrong with a classic, all-white kitchen idea, but introducing black into the mix can take it up another level. The addition of a black marble-topped island adds wow to a simple white kitchen and gives the space a striking focal point.

The mix of old and new is key here, with sleek, white cabinetry in contrast to the vintage island with its aged black paintwork. Gold accent details help pull the scheme together too, from old gold-finish drawer pulls and cabinet handles to polished gold bar stools and a stunning vintage brass cooker hood.

3. Lighten the look with a run of glazed cabinets

Image credit: IKEA

Make black the grounding force in an open-plan kitchen with all-black cabinets along one wall teamed with a central island. Dark tones can help to draw in a room and make it feel cosier, which is great for larger spaces or open-plan layouts that can sometime feel a bit too open and lofty.

Counter dark cabinet doors by introducing a row of glass-fronted display units on the upper level. Painting the insides white will lighten the look and draw the eye upwards so that the kitchen feels less top-heavy. White interiors will also create a brighter backdrop for items on display.

4. Use black as an accent in a country kitchen

Image credit: Future PLC/Colin Poole

Black and white kitchen ideas can veer towards the more modern, monochrome look. But there’s no reason why you can’t use this classic colour combination in more of a rustic setting too.

Warm shades of white, ivory and off-white suit a country setting perfectly and feel less-harsh than solid black, especially in low-ceilinged spaces and rooms without much natural light. Team warm white kitchen cabinets with black granite worktops to add definition and edge. Worktops offer an easy way to add colour to an all-white kitchen.

Working in natural tones will also bring more colour and warmth to a black and white scheme. Introduce timber accents on worktops and trims or try country-style flagstones to add colour underfoot.

5. Make a standout floor the star

Image credit: Future PLC/Ben Anders

When it comes to cabinetry, white is often the colour of choice in a small kitchen as it will reflect light, make walls recede and increase the sense of space. But don’t rule black out of the equation completely when it comes to small kitchen ideas.

Making the floor the focal point is a trick that can make small kitchens feel bigger and more spacious too. Geometric floor tiles are a chic way of bringing black and white into a scheme and a small-scale, all-over pattern will create the illusion of depth in a small kitchen or tight space and make it feel larger than it actually is.

6. Mix it up with black, white and naturals

Image credit: Future PLC/Dominic Blackmore

Give an off-white kitchen added focus by introducing black as an accent colour. Pepper your scheme with accessories, from black dinnerware and serving dishes to kitchen textiles and storage baskets. Then work in warm naturals and tactile textures to add softness, from wooden chopping boards and baskets to copper pans, rustic ceramics and glassware.

Add a playful touch by painting a chalkboard panel above a splash back. It’ll make a bold backdrop for a decorative display of kitchenware plus a handy spot for the family to chalk up reminders.

7. Fashion a retro vibe with playful patterns

Image credit: Carpetright

Black and white schemes can feel flat and lifeless without any kind of pattern, texture or colour to bring relief. Tiles offer the perfect opportunity for introducing a splash of pattern into a plain kitchen, whether as a splash back, tiled floor or both.

Mixing the size and scale of patterns is a tried and trusted trick that designers often use, contrasting a large-scale pattern with a small, all-over design to play with scale. A larger format tile as a splash back looks striking teamed with simple white kitchen units. And replacing wall units with a long run of shelving allows the design to be shown off to full effect.

8. Go halves with a black and white kitchen

Image credit: Future PLC/Lizzie Orme

There’s no doubt that wall units do have their uses (in terms of storage and hiding away clutter), but losing cupboards in favour of open shelving is a great way of making a small kitchen feel more spacious.

Black base units with plenty of white wall space above creates more of a balanced scheme that will make a small kitchen feel lighter and brighter. And having a curated collection of kitchenware on display will give the space more character than wall to wall units.

Bring warmth to a black and white scheme by bringing in rustic elements, from exposed brickwork on a chimney breast, to weathered timber shelving, woodgrain worktops and antique-style patterned floor tiles.

9. Double up with a two tone kitchen

Image credit: Mereway

Black kitchen or white? If you can’t decide between the two, then compromise with a two tone kitchen. The latest kitchen trend lets you incorporate bolder tones with calmer shades, so you can enjoy the benefits of both.

Two tone kitchen ideas can mean a half-and-half split, with one colour on base units and a second on wall units. Or dividing the kitchen up into distinct blocks of colour is another way of achieving the two-tone look. Try it with a freestanding island in a matt black finish against white units or consider a bank of black floor-to-ceiling cabinets as an accent feature in an all-white scheme.

Marble work surfaces and back splashes are a stylish way of marrying up a black and white scheme, with a luxurious dark-veined surface that ties in both colours.

10. Perk up plain cabinets with powder pink

Image credit: Life Kitchens

Worried that a black and white kitchen might look too clinical? Introducing a contrast colour into the mix is the perfect way of getting around this. Avoid bright primary shades which can feel too stark and instead go for chalky pastels or muted neutrals to add a softer look.

Reserve your accent colour for a statement piece. Highlight a central kitchen island by choosing a perky shade of powder pink or pick out the paintwork on a display cabinet in a rosy hue. Kitchen stools are another way of working in an accent colour, whether lacquered, painted or upholstered in your chosen shade.

What colours go with a black and white kitchen?

Black and white can be classed as neutrals, so pretty much any other colour will work with them. But in a kitchen, it really depends on the look you’re trying to create.

Bright primary colours, like red, yellow and blue are a bold choice in a kitchen and can feel quite stark, so use these colours sparingly and in a contemporary setting for best results.

Muted shades sit well with black and white, whether that’s soft greens, duck egg, chalky pinks and mellow mustard, as do true neutrals such as taupe, beige, mushroom and shades of grey.

How do you soften a black and white kitchen?

One of the downsides of a black and white kitchen is that they can feel a bit cold and clinical if not done carefully. One of the ways around this is to bring in a mix of textures and tactile materials that will soften the harshness.

Natural materials will help to soften a black and white kitchen visually, used on work tops, splash backs, tiles, flooring and accessories. Think weathered timber and blonde woods, marble, granite and quartz work tops in warming tones or kitchen flooring in rustic flag stones, slate or tactile wood-effect vinyl.

If you’re going for an entirely black-and-white scheme, make one shade dominant rather than giving each equal prominence. A predominantly white scheme has fresh appeal, but don’t overlook the elegance of a dark scheme with hints of white.

Alternatively stick to accessories for a softer finish. Monochrome works with all tones of timber, as well as greys and pure shades, such as emerald green.

Matching shades of white across different surfaces can be tricky. For example, a wallpaper with a white background may look more like cream next to a white table, so try to keep them apart, using black accessories as punctuation.

A monochrome scheme can be bold and will usually benefit from some texture and a mix of surface finishes. Gloss and matt, opaque and dense build up layers to add extra interest and soften any harshness.

The post Black and white kitchen ideas for monochrome schemes appeared first on Ideal Home.

Household energy bills have begun to soar, an increase driven by gas prices hitting a record high as the world emerged from lockdown in 2021. Understanding how to lower a gas bill is becoming a critical housekeeping skill that we all need to learn.

It pays to understand how to save energy at home. Not only will this help you save money, but you’ll also be playing a part in reducing the use of fossil fuels and the impacts of climate change.

How to reduce a gas bill

According to Ofgem, households on default tariffs paying by direct debit will see an increase of £139 from £1,138 to £1277 per year on electricity and gas bills, while prepayment customers will see an increase of £153 from £1,156 to £1309.

Take a look at our list of top ideas you can implement in your home to help with energy conservation.

Image credit: Future PLC

1. Review your energy bills

Unfortunately, switching energy providers to find a cheaper energy deal is pretty much a thing of the past since OfGem increased the energy price cap by £139 a year at the start of October 2021, with further increases expected in April 2022.

New research by Energy Saving Trust has found that energy bills could rise by £240 in 2022 for a typical three-bedroom, gas-heated home. However, while any savings are likely to be minimal, it is still worth considering how to switch energy suppliers and contacting your supplier to make sure you’re on the best tariff for your home’s energy usage and comparing it with competitor providers – especially if you’re about to come out of a fixed-rate tariff contract.

2. Don’t leave appliances on standby

There are lots of appliances that draw power even when they are on standby. Figures published by British Gas suggest that UK households waste an average of £30 a year powering appliances that they’re not even using. Whereas Energy Saving Trust believes you can save even more.

‘If you make sure that everything is switched off at the wall when you’ve finished with it you could save around £40 a year on your energy bills and 50 kg of CO2,’ says Brian Horne, Senior Insights & Analytics Consultant at Energy Saving Trust. ‘That’s the equivalent to driving 180 miles from Manchester to Newcastle,’ he says.

‘This sneaky energy usage is known as vampire power,’ says Andrew Collinge, Heating Product Manager at BestHeating. ‘To combat this, you could invest in a standby saver, which is a simple solution to help you navigate the minefield of energy wastage. Plug all your appliances into a standby saver and then programme it to respond to a single remote control. It will also automatically cut the power to an appliance when it realises it has gone into standby mode.’

3. Keep heating systems maintained

Another way to lower your gas bill is a yearly service by a Gas Safe Registered engineer. This will ensure your boiler is working at maximum capacity. During a service, the engineer will check, clean and replace parts and catch any potential problems before the system breaks down.

‘Keeping a system maintained doesn’t just help lower a gas bill, it will keep it both safe and working efficiently,’ says Andrew Collinge. ‘An efficient boiler uses less energy to heat a house, which means regular services can help keep energy costs lower.’

Martyn Bridges, Head of Technical Communication and Product Management at Worcester Bosch agrees: ‘It’s especially important to book in regular boiler services following a summer of infrequent use. Not having your boiler serviced could lead to faults, higher energy bills, and your warranty ending early.’

Image credit: Future PLC

4. Replace an old boiler to reduce your gas bill

If your boiler is more than 12-15 years old, is expensive to run and is breaking down regularly, it might be time to consider a replacement boiler. ‘On average, over half of our annual household energy bills come from heating our homes,’ says Victoria Billings, Director of Marketing at Worcester Bosch. That’s why having an efficient and cost-effective heating system is vital, both for lowering your gas bill and for the environment.

‘While a new boiler can be expensive (usually upwards of £1,000), they are a good investment as a newer model will significantly cut your bills,’ says Andrew Collinge. Heating company Vaillant agrees, stating a 30 per cent reduction in bills for homeowners who invest in one of its energy-efficient boilers.

‘Modern boilers are all condensing boilers, which have a large heat exchanger. This means more heat is recovered and cooler gases are sent up the flue, making it more efficient,’ explains Andrew Collinge. ‘To put it into numbers, new A-rated boilers (any boiler over a 90 per cent efficiency) can give you 90p or more worth of heat for every £1 you put in.’

‘In contrast, this is 60-80p for every £1 in older models. Replacing your old boiler also has benefits for the environment. This is because a more efficient boiler will use less fuel to heat your house, reducing your carbon footprint,’ he says.

5. Turn down the water temperature

You should have the option on your boiler to lower the temperature of the hot water that comes out of your taps and shower heads. If you’re finding the water that comes out of it too hot to touch, you’re likely to be wasting gas and money, so try turning it down a few degrees until you reach the optimum temperature.

6. Invest in a smart thermostat

A smart thermostat allows you to operate your heating system remotely via an app on your mobile phone or tablet. Some will save your daily routine and work out the best usage for you, others will alter your settings depending on the weather. ‘Some smart thermostats can also adjust the temperature of your boiler output to make sure it’s always operating at optimum efficiency,’ says Brian Horne.

Sam Jump, Product Manager at Wunda Group even recommends teaming a smart thermostat with smart thermostatic radiator valves so you can remotely control exactly what rooms in your house are heated. ‘When utilised properly, it’s one of the cheapest and most convenient ways to improve energy ratings in your home, cutting heating bills and reducing CO2 emissions,’ says Sam.

7. Lower your thermostat to reduce your gas bill

Image credit: Future PLC

According to Moneysavingexpert.com, for each degree you cut the thermostat you can expect to cut your energy bills by around four per cent. That’s about £65 a year on average for a typical home.

‘The World Health Organisation says that 18 degrees is enough for healthy adults, with slightly higher temperatures needed for the very old or young. So consider popping on a jumper at home and seeing what temperature your household is comfortable at,’ says Will Lynn at Moneysavingexpert.com.

Martyn Bridges agrees: ‘If you’re wondering about the most efficient way to heat your home, it’s best to tailor it to your lifestyle. Of course, due to the government’s current pandemic advice, we are all currently at home for the majority of our day. So think about keeping your home at a comfortable temperature for you and your family, but remember that you can wear layers too to save cash in the long run,’ he says.

8. Make sure your home is well insulated

None of the changes above will lower your gas bill if your home is old, draughty and leaky. Which is why insulating your home can significantly help reduce household energy bills. ‘Good insulation is key to making your home more energy efficient,’ says Brian Horne. ‘If you can maximise the thermal performance of your roof, walls, floor, windows and doors, that will give you the best possible foundation for becoming a low-energy household.’

‘When it comes to insulating your house, your roof should be the first place you look to,’ says Andrew Collinge. ‘This is because a roof can be responsible for more than 35 per cent of heat lost in a house. Roof insulation is the cheapest and quickest way to stop heat escaping. And the material used for this purpose can even be installed by keen DIYers,’ he explains.

Around a third of heat in an insulated home is lost through the walls according to the Energy Saving Trust. ‘Most homes in the UK have either solid walls that can be insulated from the inside or outside, or cavity walls, which have a gap that can be filled with insulation,’ says Brian Horne.

To reduce your gas bill, he advises installing floor insulation too. ‘If you have a newer home, it will most likely have solid concrete floors, onto which you can add a layer of rigid insulation, whereas older homes with suspended timber floors can be insulated by fitting a layer of mineral wool under the floorboards,’ says Brian Horne.

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