As one of Ideal Home’s favourite brands, and winner of the Living Room Retailer of the Year in the 2026 Ideal Home Awards, it makes perfect sense for us to collaborate with Furniture Village and launch our very own style-forward range of sofas.

We wanted to create a truly versatile collection, with a sofa to suit any style of interior, from modern country retreats to smart new-builds and everything in between. Style credentials were an all-important factor when developing the range, but that doesn’t mean sacrificing longevity and practicality. All four of the designs in our newly-launched collection are built to last – just as you’d expect from the commitment to quality that Furniture Village is so well-known for. We’re excited to finally reveal the four designs, now available in-store and online.

Channel a contemporary edge: Gemini

First up we have Gemini, our quiet luxe showstopper. With its clean lines and modern silhouette, this sofa also boasts a smart feature to take comfort to the next level. At the touch of a button Gemini’s soft and inviting seats glide out to extend the seat depth and create the ultimate lounging spot.

Style it with…

Furniture Village

Saxham Coffee Table

Furniture Village

Basker Wood Table Lamp

Furniture Village

Ivor Cushion

Celebrate classic form: Cotswold

Bringing luxury country-house vibes, the Cotswold sofa takes a country aesthetic and elevates it, thanks to design details like the buttoned scroll arms and turned wood legs. It will instantly add elegance to any room, and comes with coordinating scatter cushions plus a matching snuggler, armchair and footstool, which means you can create the perfect combination to suit your space.

Style it with…

Furniture Village

Stratford Coffee Table

Furniture Village

Laura Ashley Elizabeth Table Lamp

Furniture Village

Tufti Large Cushion

Go for glam: Sienna

Designed to inject contemporary glamour into a room, the Sienna has a refined design that features a higher back and curved arms for an effortlessly sophisticated look.

There’s a huge range of upholstery options to choose from – we love bold shades like the deep blue of Hudson Ocean for a touch of understated drama and decadence, especially when you match it to your walls for a colour-drenched space. For more pared-back schemes, there are gorgeously rich neutrals, such as Hudson Mink or Bella Barley White.

Style it with…

Furniture Village

Xena Coffee Table

Furniture Village

Telesto Table Lamp

Furniture Village

Torcello Large Cushion

Choose timeless style: Brondby

Versatile and hard-working, the Brondby combines smart, good looks with hard-wearing upholstery options, and a compact design that makes it the ideal solution for smaller spaces. With two corner options, two- and three-seater designs and a footstool that doubles as storage, the Brondby works hard to help you make the most of every inch. This sofa range has been designed with real homes in mind, balancing style and practicality to create beautiful furniture for everyday moments.

Style it with…

Furniture Village

Alba Copper Table Lamp

Furniture Village

Stockholm Coffee Table

Furniture Village

Jorvik Cushion

Check out the full Ideal Home collection at Furniture Village. Which is your favourite?

If you’re hosting guests this summer, a comfortable sofa bed is a must-have to ensure happy, relaxed guests and right now, IKEA’s stylish LANDSKRONA sofa bed is £500 off.

IKEA is holding one of its biggest-ever summer sales, slashing prices on up to 500 outdoor and home essentials. But it is the inclusion of some of the best sofa beds that caught our eye. While sofa beds can be high-ticket items, they are an essential if you’re a household that frequently hosts.

So, if you’ve been looking to upgrade your guest bedroom ideas, it may be wise to make the most of the IKEA summer sale. Here’s everything you need to know about the LANDSKRONA sofa bed.

IKEA

Landskrona 3-Seat Sofa-Bed – Grann/bomstad Golden-Brown/wood

Having spotted the LANDSKRONA Sofa Bed was reduced from £1,199 to £699, I immediately spoke to Ideal Home’s Sleep Editor and sofa bed expert Amy Lockwood to see if this was a good deal. Having tested countless IKEA sofa beds, she’s found the Swedish brand produces sofa beds that offer a great mix of style, comfort, and affordability.

‘Having spent the past five years testing some of the best sofa beds on the market, I’ve found that IKEA sofa beds are always great value for money. The fact that this sofa bed offers a double sleeping area – so it can sleep two guests at a time comfortably – and it has hidden storage makes it a great buy in my book,’ she told me.

The LANDSKRONA 3-seater sofa bed is made with thick grain leather on the exposed surfaces and treated fabric elsewhere. The hidden storage Amy mentions is underneath the seat, and is perfect for storing extra bed linen, duvets and pillows when not in use.

IKEA states the sofa is firm and comfortable to sit on, while its built-in slats enhance sleeping comfort once pulled out. The sofa bed comes with a 10-year guarantee, and you have to buy the legs separately.

This is not the only IKEA sofa bed to catch our attention. The recent PS collection £550 sofa bed nailed its brief of ‘playful functionality’, serving up an effortlessly stylish design. Alternatively, the Habitat Kota Sofa Bed is an affordable, yet stylish design home editors love, with Amy even going as far as to say: ‘it’s hard to find a better value three-seater sofa bed than the Kota.’

IKEA Summer Sale is running until Sunday, 12 July, so don’t hesitate to snag a great deal now. Alternatively, I’ve rounded up a few more stylish sofa beds for under £500 you can shop online.

Habitat

Habitat Kota 3 Seater Velvet Clic Clac Sofa Bed – Green

Our best-rated affordable sofa bed, it’s hard to beat the Habitat Kota on price. It’s both stylish and comfortable, clicking into a small double bed.

Dunelm

Margot Chenille Clic Clac Storage Sofa Bed

This stunning sofa also offers loads of underseat storage, making it a great choice if you’re limited on space. I’m also a huge fan of its sleek, nazy colourway which makes it look so expensive.

DUSK

Hudson Click Clack Sofa Bed – Terracotta

Dusk is seriously underrated for its affordable, yet stylish home and furniture. Reviews say it is easy to put together and looks great, too.

IKEA sofa beds are a great value for money, even when not on sale. If you’re looking for a bed that will house extra guests and look good, too (without costing a bomb), the LANDSKRONA is a great choice.

I’m writing this intro on Saturday morning, June 27th. Barely half an hour has passed since the heat melted me out of bed. I turned on my computer a few minutes ago, and even though it’s doing nothing more demanding than running a text editor, the cooling fan is spinning as if I were rendering 8K video. Even my morning coffee feels warmer than usual. Thank goodness there’s no dress code at home! The thermometer in my room reads 28.5°C. Converted to Fahrenheit, it sounds even scarier: 83.3 degrees! Here in Prague, today or tomorrow is expected to bring the highest temperature ever recorded since measurements began in 1775.

Istria is Croatia’s heart-shaped peninsula where Mediterranean charm meets centuries of history, world-class gastronomy and some of Europe’s most beautiful coastal landscapes. In a short distance, you pass from turquoise coastal waters to rolling vineyards, olive groves and hilltop towns rising above the forests.

The region has a distinct identity shaped by centuries of Roman, Venetian and Austro-Hungarian influence. These layers of history are visible everywhere, from ancient ruins and medieval churches to elegant Venetian architecture overlooking the sea.

Unlike many destinations shaped by mass tourism, Istria retains an authenticity that rewards slow exploration. Every village has its own story, every meal reflects local traditions and every road reveals a new panorama of vineyards, forests or sparkling coastline.

From the colourful streets of Rovinj to the ancient stone houses of Vodnjan, the fishing heritage of Fažana, the truffle-rich forests around Buzet and the medieval hilltop beauty of Motovun, Istria offers an unforgettable journey through one of the Adriatic’s most captivating destinations.

Bale

I arrive at the airport in Pula, after my Jet2 flight, and a short drive inland brings me to Bale one of Istria’s best-preserved medieval towns. This is going to be my base for a few days and I’m immediately struck by its quiet sloping stone streets – narrow alleyways reveal hidden courtyards, galleries and traditional homes built from local stone.

The historic centre is dominated by the Soardo-Bembo Palace sitting in a square opposite the imposing town hall. Bale has become a haven for artists and creatives, and hosts cultural events and exhibitions throughout the year. It’s the last night of a craft fair and the streets are lined with artisan stalls and there’s traditional music in the main square.

Rovinj

Rising dramatically from the Adriatic shoreline, Rovinj’s old town is a maze of narrow cobbled streets, colourful facades and charming squares. At its highest point stands the Church of St. Euphemia, whose bell tower dominates the skyline and offers spectacular views of the surrounding islands and coastline.

The waterfront promenade comes alive in the evenings as people gather at cafés and restaurants to watch the sunset. Fishing boats bob gently in the harbour while locals and tourists mingle among art galleries and boutique shops.

Just south of the old town lies Golden Cape Forest Park, known locally as Zlatni Rt. Shaded by pine trees, cypress groves and Mediterranean vegetation, an e-bike is the perfect way to explore its network of paths. The route takes me past rocky coves and crystal-clear swimming spots and I finally succumb to a cooling dip.

Fažana

Just a short drive north of Rovinj lies Fažana, a charming fishing village that’s retained its authentic maritime character. The waterfront is lined with traditional fishing boats, seafood restaurants and palm trees swaying in the sea breeze.

Stroll through the compact old town, enjoy fresh seafood caught daily by local fishermen or board a boat to explore the nearby islands of Brijuni. Busy during the day, it comes into its own when the day trippers have left, and you can quietly enjoy the glorious sunsets.

Vodnjan

A few kilometres inland, the town of Vodnjan reveals another side of Istria. Known for its well-preserved medieval architecture and rich cultural heritage, it’s well worth exploring. Its narrow stone streets wind through a historic centre filled with colourful buildings, hidden courtyards and centuries-old churches.

One of these is the Church of St. Blaise, home to a remarkable collection of sacred relics including mummified saints.  These “Mummies of Vodnjan,” have lasted for centuries without artificial embalming. They’re remarkably intact and, combined with the church’s impressive collection of relics and religious treasures, this something you don’t see every day.

Just outside the town is the Kažun theme park, a collection of traditional Istrian dry stone huts. These were used by farmers for shelter and in the surrounding area there are roughly 3.000 surviving kažun. The countryside here is home to thousands of olive trees, many of them centuries old. The soil and micro climate means that the olive oil is of exceptional quality, renowned for its vibrant green colour, peppery finish and complex aromas

A good place for tasting is Chiavalon, a family-run olive estate that has become one of Croatia’s most celebrated producers of premium extra virgin olive oil. Warming a tiny glass of it in my hands sends the delightful aromas into my nose. Then a small sip and draw air gently through my mouth. This technique reveals many layers of flavour, and I’m surprised I can spot the difference between every blend.

Buzet

For food lovers, however, olive oil is only half the story. Istria is equally renowned for its truffles, particularly the highly prized white truffle that grows in the forests of the Mirna River Valley. At the centre of this gastronomic heritage stands Buzet, often called the “City of Truffles.”

The town sits proudly high on a hill overlooking dense forests where truffle hunters and their trained dogs search for these elusive delicacies. Nearby, in the tiny village of Paladini, at Karlić Truffles, I set out with my guide Armin Hadzic into the woods. Suddenly, his dog Gica stops to paw at the earth, and he quickly rushes over to reveal a black summer truffle hidden just below the surface.

We find a few more and then return home, where the freshly unearthed truffles become the stars of an unforgettable tasting. Simple dishes allow their earthy aroma to shine – bread and local cheeses, followed by scrambled eggs, all with generous shavings of truffle. They find both black and white truffles, depending on the season, attracting chefs and food enthusiasts from around the world.

Motovun

A short drive from Buzet brings me to Motovun, one of Istria’s most iconic hilltop towns. Perched high above the Mirna Valley, it appears almost frozen in time. Encircled by medieval walls, the town commands breath-taking views of vineyards, forests and farmland stretching towards the horizon.

Motovun’s narrow streets, historic buildings and panoramic viewpoints make it one of the most photogenic destinations in Croatia. Yet beyond its visual appeal, the town serves as a gateway to the region’s celebrated food culture. The forests surrounding Motovun are among the most productive truffle areas in Europe, while nearby vineyards produce excellent wines such as Malvasia and Teran.

The combination of truffles, wine and olive oil has transformed Motovun into a culinary destination of international significance. Visitors can enjoy tasting menus that showcase local ingredients, often paired with wines produced just a few kilometres away. Dining on a terrace overlooking the valley as the sun sets behind rolling hills is an experience that captures the essence of inland Istria.

Factfile

GO: Jet2 flies direct from London Stansted to Pula.

Agency Aries in Rovinj rents bikes.

INFO: Istra has information about the region.

Croatia Full of Life has information about the country.

STAY: Hotel La Grisa makes a good base in Bale and has an excellent restaurant.

Hotel Viletta Phasiana is right by the sea in Fažana, perfect for a sundowner.

EAT: Stara Konoba in Fažana has good seafood.

Restaurant Borghetto in Bale has a set menus of meat or fish in a beautifully restored house and garden.

Meneghetti Wine Hotel & Winery in Bale has Michelin dining with wine and olive oil degustations.

Locanda Blu by the beach outside Rovinj serves creative and inventive dishes.

Hotel Vela Vrata serves excellent dishes using local produce in Buzet.

Tavern Mondo in Motovun has many truffle dishes.

DO: Chiavalon Estate offers tours and olive oil tastings near Vodnjan.

Karlic Tartufi has small group truffle experiences with lunch.

The post Food & Travel Guide to Istria, Croatia appeared first on The Travel Magazine.