Heated cushions aren’t exactly a new idea, but if you’re trying to stay cosy without immediately reaching for the central heating, then now may be the time to run to Lidl’s middle aisle.

The Sensiplast Heated Electric Cushion costs £16, making it a much more affordable option than some of the pricier heated cushions on the market, like the Stoov our Renovations Editor Sarah swears by when working from home.

Rather than warming the whole room, you can use it to add a little extra heat exactly where you need it – whether that’s behind your back, across your lap or under a blanket. After all, it won’t be long before Martin Lewis is reminding us to heat the person, not the room.

The Lidl heated cushion

The cushion has six heat settings, so you can adjust the temperature to suit you, while an automatic switch-off kicks in after 90 minutes. The detachable control unit also makes it easier to remove the electrical components when it’s time to wash the cover.

And speaking of the cover, it’s made from a soft, fluffy 100% polyester and can be popped in the washing machine at 30°C. Measuring 40cm x 30cm, it’s compact enough to sit comfortably on a sofa or armchair without taking over.

It’s worth noting that this isn’t a cordless heated cushion, so you’ll need to have it plugged in while you’re using it. The 2.8m cable should give you plenty of flexibility, even if your nearest socket isn’t right next to the sofa.

We also haven’t tested this product so can’t speak to how effective it is in practice. That said, there’s a three-year warranty included, for a little extra peace of mind. Plus, if you’re a Lidl Plus member, there’s also 10% off the £16 price in store while stocks last.

Just imagine: it’s a cold winter’s evening, your dinner is cooking, and your curtains are drawn. Every lamp you own is switched on, and your current TV fix is paused, waiting for you to sit. Your electric cushion is switched on to warm. You sit down and feel the warmth oozing up your back. Your feet are snuggly thanks to slippers, and the rest of your body is warmed under your throw. You’re feeling smug because your heating isn’t even on and you’re even spending £££s.

This find won’t be in store for long, so buy yours now before the cold snap hits and you regret it later.

Aldi is selling a Premium Capsule Coffee Machine for under £35 and, sorry Nespresso, it’s perfect for getting your caffeine fix on a budget.

The best coffee machines are no longer exclusive to your local coffee shop, with many coffee lovers now integrating these appliances into their kitchens. But with models often costing upwards of £100, they can be expensive.

If you’re looking for a budget coffee machine that also lets you make delicious coffee at home (curbing your takeaway coffee habit), here’s why this Aldi Specialbuy is one you don’t want to miss.

This isn’t the first affordable coffee machine Aldi has dropped. Previously, we’ve seen a stunning retro espresso machine, which even included a milk frothing wand. However, if you’re more of a coffee novice, or simply prefer a simpler set-up, their latest capsule machine might be a better choice.

Available in stores now, Aldi says its new capsule machine lets you achieve ‘barista-style coffee’ at the touch of a button. Compatible with Nespresso Vertuo pods, it has a 650ml water tank and heats quickly, meaning all you have to do is add your pod, press start, and wait for delicious coffee to be dispensed.

‘If you want to experiment with making your own coffee at home, Aldi’s new pod machine is the most cost-effective way I can think of to make a start. At £34.99, it’s a total bargain, but it also emulates recent Nespresso machines with its sleek good looks. It won’t hit the mark for coffee aficionados, obviously, but if you want to see whether buying a coffee machine will be worth it for you, this is an excellent gateway purchase,’ commented Molly Cleary, Ideal Home’s Kitchen Editor and in-house coffee expert.

Aldi compares it to Nespresso’s Vertuo Pop (£99, Amazon), a compact, easy-to-use machine that is perfect for beginners. Our review praised its compact size, which makes it a great choice for offices and small kitchens. As with all the best pod coffee machines, it makes quality coffee easy to achieve, without much effort. But with a 600ml water tank, our reviewer found it could only make two cups of coffee. As the Aldi machine is 650ml, don’t expect it to cater to the whole family either.

At £34.99, the Aldi machine is expected to be a little basic, so if you consider yourself a bit of a barista, you may want to consider investing in a better model. The Aldi capsule coffee machine is only available in-store, so it sells out or is not stocked at your local store. I’ve found a few more affordable pod machines you can shop for online.

Would you be willing to try Aldi’s coffee machine or are you a bit of a coffee snob?

It may only be the start of October, but my hallway is already working overtime. The damp mornings and drop in temperatures mean my soggy shoes and my (many) coats are cluttering up my entryway, and the narrow space desperately needs some organisation. And as I’m on a tight budget, the Living and Home 4 Tier Shoe Rack with Coat Hanger (£10 at Argos) naturally caught my eye.

I write about storage and organisation enough to know that people with consistently tidy hallways always have some shoe and coat storage. However, I’ve just moved house and am pretty strapped for money and space in my new, narrow hallway, so buying two separate items, a shoe rack and a coat rack, doesn’t really make sense to me.

That’s why I’ve been looking for a small-space-friendly shoe storage solution that offers the best of both worlds and keeps my coats tidy, dry, and within reach when I need them, too. And I think Argos has nailed it.

Of course, the elephant in the room is that this shoe-and-coat-rack combo isn’t a thing of beauty like the many aesthetic shoe racks on the market. But in a hallway, I always think it’s better to favour practicality over prettiness.

Functional pieces like the Living and Home 4 Tier Shoe Rack with Coat Hanger are typically designed to solve the problems we all face in small, cluttered hallways, and they’re often much cheaper because they don’t have extra bells and whistles.

After all, for just £10, this clever Argos storage solution has four tiers for your shoes – or even your handbag and storage baskets – and then eight double hooks for you to hang coats, hats, bags, and keys.

In my home, the hooks are also perfect for hanging my dog’s harness and leads, so I can just grab them on the way out the door.

If you have a few more people in your home and want to add an extra tier, you can also buy the slightly larger Living and Home 5 Tier Shoe Rack with Coat Hanger (£11 at Argos) for an extra pound.

Or if the black colourway is the issue, you can buy the exact same four-tier setup in white for £11, too. And, in my eyes, this is a bargain price for a storage solution that’ll disappear into the background – especially as you should be able to wipe clean the metal frame if your muddy shoes or wet coat dirty it up.

The beauty of simple-but-effective storage racks like this is that they’re also incredibly versatile and can be used in so many different areas of your home. You could use it to tidy up your under-the-stairs cupboard, or even pop it in a spare room to organise those excess coats, accessories and shoes that don’t quite fit in your main wardrobe.

But it’s worth noting that this shoe-and-coat-rack combo is new to Argos, so I can’t comment on its sturdiness or ease of assembly. So, if you’d rather buy an alternative with impressive reviews, I’ve popped some below.

Shop budget shoe-and-coat rack storage

Who says small hallways can’t be organised?