UK Traffic Light System could be scrapped by October
The emphasis will now be on vaccination status
The post UK Traffic Light System could be scrapped by October appeared first on The Travel Magazine.
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The emphasis will now be on vaccination status
The post UK Traffic Light System could be scrapped by October appeared first on The Travel Magazine.
Situated in the Blackwater estuary, a few miles south of Colchester, Mersea Island is not on the way to anywhere.
The post Why Mersea Island in Essex is the perfect place to relax in a caravan appeared first on The Travel Magazine.
Sprucing up your home needn’t cost the earth – revive every room in your house with these cost-next-to-nothing budget decorating ideas.
Small updates, either DIY or decorating, really can make a big difference. All they require is a trip into the loft, a tin of paint and a little love (plus the tiniest bit of bargain hunting).
Nadia McOwan-Hill Wayfair’s Resident Style Advisor says, ‘Decorating a new house doesn’t always require buying all new things. Rather than purchasing new furniture or decor pieces, upgrade the items you already own with stylish new hardware or paint.’
‘Drab kitchen cabinets can be transformed by decorative knobs, and grungy walls can come to life after a fresh coat of paint. Accent the inside of dresser drawers with wallpaper, or paint a unique design on the arms of a basic wooden side table – small upgrades like these will make a difference.’
If you’re on a tight budget, you’re most definitely not alone. That’s why we’ve compiled some really easy, budget decorating ideas to help you improve your home.
This dining room colour scheme has been instantly updated with the simple addition of a tiled wall. Use a colour that ties in neatly with your scheme for a cohesive effect.
In this case the impact is doubled with a collection of favourite plates, hung randomly, but with a unifying motif. Small additions like downlit wall lights add extra character.
Plants breathe life into any living room colour scheme and in an all-white room like this one they add a gorgeous hit of colour. Not green fingered? Don’t worry – this tip doesn’t have to pass you by. There are now loads of great fakes available and they look really realistic – try Blooming Artificial for everything from plants to trees.
Nadia McOwan-Hill Wayfair‘s Resident Style Advisor says, ‘Live plants are an excellent choice for improving air quality and their growth is highly rewarding, although they can be hard to care for when natural light is limited.’
‘If you’re not much of a green thumb, decorate your studio apartment with artificial plants – their visual impact on your decor will be the same as that of live plants.’
Use your living room’s natural focal points as a means of displaying your favourite pieces. If the room doesn’t have a built-in feature such as a fireplace, create a focal point of your own with a striking console table or pair of bookcases.
Rotating your displays regularly provides an instant refresh and prevents a scheme from being too static. Vary height, shape and texture, but stick to a palette of two or three colours for a cohesive look. As well as hanging artwork, trying propping it too for a casual look.
Bookcases needn’t be traditional or built into alcoves. Instead try an asymmetrical approach. In this scheme, a wall-mounted case has a floating effect, painted white to blend into the room, though its shape stands out.
Colour is added through books and accessories. To break up the repetitive nature of a book collection, trying creating ‘breathing space’ in a scheme by using some shelves for decorative accessories, again tying in two or three colours for a unifying effect. This will add texture and depth to a room as well as essential storage.
However small or large your living room, a coffee table adds a decorative and practical note. Opt for one that contains storage, whether it’s an upholstered ottoman or a generous piece with shelving.
Glass options like this one are a good idea because they won’t dominate a compact space. Use it to display books, candles and flowers and place it close to seating. Moving your accessories around every so often will help to switch up the look.
Updating a rug, cushions or fabrics can all have an uplifting effect. Try changing your cushions with the seasons opting for delicate florals, painterly prints and light graphics as spring approaches and heavier textures and deeper colours in the winter.
Repainting wooden furniture, papering inside bookshelves and adding foliage will all help to freshen up your scheme.
If you’re thinking about throwing out a piece of well-worn furniture, stop. Take another look and see if you might be able to upcycle it. And here are six reasons why you should start upcycling. This wardrobe has been given a new look with remnants of wallpaper on the glass panels. A coat of paint or varnish, or new upholstery, are other easy ways to give an unloved piece another go.
If you don’t already have a sheepskin (or faux sheepskin) rug, this tip will involve a tiny trip to the shops. However, John Lewis has natural sheepskins in a choice of four colours, for £35.
Basically, sheepskins make every room look cosier and more luxurious – drape them across seats and beds or place on floors.
Give kitchen units a cheeky update by swapping drawer and cupboard handles for a new design. Cup handles and simple door knobs work well in a Shaker-style kitchen. Bar handles are also very popular just now and will suit any modern kitchen scheme.
Nadia McOwan-Hill Wayfair’s Resident Style Advisor says, ‘Save money by buying inexpensive, neutral furniture pieces (like chest of drawers, headboards and coffee tables), secondhand shopping or by collecting family hand-me-downs – these basic pieces are the perfect canvases for DIY decoration.’
‘Make these pieces your own with decorative knobs, patterned wallpaper or paint in your favourite shade.’
Whether you want to keep favourite reads easily to hand or display beautiful trinkets, you cannot go wrong with a simple shelving idea. Shelves are obviously practical, but they also offer the opportunity to add character to your scheme.
Got your eye on a junk shop find, but worried it won’t fit in with your existing pieces? Mismatched furniture is far cooler than you think. Kitchen seating is a prime example – different colours or styles can look great. So if you’ve found a bright red chair and love it, don’t feel you have to purchase a whole new set.
Anyone who loves interiors knows that storage is their friend. Make a feature of your storage with cute trunks or pretty floral cardboard boxes – not only will they give you extra space to store things in a calm and uncluttered way, but they’ll look pretty fab, too.
Photo gallery wall ideas are creative ways to cover a bare wall or a cheerless corner. Experiment with shapes, sizes and frame designs and put anything from old family photos to children’s drawings up there.
‘Gallery walls can fill up the large blank wall sitting in your bedroom or living room. If you don’t have a large wall free, you can create gallery walls around features like doorways and windows to add fun detail,’ says Nadia McOwan-Hill Wayfair’s Resident Style Advisor.
Fresh cut flowers are an easy and affordable way of turning a room round in a flash. They require absolutely no effort and you can go as big or small as you like. Even a single bloom will look great.
Whether it’s your plain dining room chairs or your wooden bar stools, simply dip them in paint for a whole new look. Bright red makes a statement, while white or pale pastels will freshen up your furniture in a more muted way.
Collect all your candles from around the room and put them together in a corner to create a mixed scent – so much more relaxing than a bright bulb. Or you could take inspiration from these fairy light ideas to create a soft glow, even after the festive season.
Give everything a home and declutter as much as you can. With all your belongings back in their official place, you will have tons of spare room and create the illusion of a larger space. These bedroom storage ideas will help you get things looking spick and span.
Bath towels are an essential and are often slung over the back of doors or rolled up in the cupboard. Make a statement with them by displaying the beautiful ones and treating them as your own pieces of bathroom art.
Get all your cosy bits out of the cupboard and pile up cushions, pillows, blankets and throws on the bed. Not only will you create a relaxing den but it will also look straight out of a boutique hotel room. Win, win!
Gather all your artwork out of the loft and finally get round to hanging it! Much like a photo gallery, hanging your artwork or propping it up on top of side tables will keep blank walls busy and give the room a revamp.
Furniture And Choice’s Style Advisor, Rebecca Snowden says, ‘Introduce bohemian design to the home for a touch of colour and whimsy. Soothing yet eye-catching, a DIY ombré dip dye wall hanging is a minimal, contemporary take on a traditional macrame piece.’
Feng shui your room by moving furniture around to welcome in natural sunlight, surround the fireplace or clear the doorway. Furniture can look completely different at a new angle and it doesn’t cost a thing. A super easy living room updates you can do in a weekend.
Angela Scanlon, stylist and presenter of Your Home Made Perfect says, ‘Moving furniture around is a massive test on how you feel in a room and can make you feel like you’ve done something quite radical.’
Don’t scurry your old family photos or bright new snaps away in a photo box or album. Get them out and splurge counter tops and windowsills with pretty frames for an instant pick-me-up.
Create a focal point by placing one large mirror, a bright piece of artwork or even a giant lamp centre stage. This will change the dynamic of the scheme and give off the appearance of an entire room renovation.
There are lots of ways to decorate your house cheaply and on a budget. Once no-brainer is decorating with items you already own, such as arranging your favourite crockery and glassware or revamp reclaimed chairs and tables. Just take a look at how to paint furniture first.
Instead of buying something new, there are so many creative things you can do, you just have to know where to splurge and save. These tips for decorating on a budget will really help get your creative juices flowing.
It could be as simple as decorating with candles to add cosiness to a space and the soft, dim light will change the whole look of a room. Another budget decorating tip is to introduce plants, fresh flowers (bought or picked form your garden) and display bowls of fruit, which instantly lifts mood and adds scent.
Sometimes all you need to do is declutter a room to give it a new lease of life. Make the most of your existing pieces and move things around so things look fresh. You could add new handles and knobs to furniture to give them a zhuzh. Style bookshelves by arranging books and add art, ornaments and mementos to add character.
Decorating can be expensive, particularly if you have to revamp a whole room or a whole house all at the same time. Before you do anything, you’ll need to think about creating a decorating budget so you don’t splash too much cash.
The first thing you should do is to make a wishlist of things you’d love to feature in your home. Make a moodboard or create a Pinterest board to get a feel for what you like and what you don’t. For example, will you want to paint or learn how to wallpaper? Or perhaps you fancy a feature wall idea.
Creating a decorating plan will help you figure out the actual look of the rooms, working from your wish list. Include everything from what the floor plan will look like and any extras like wallpaper, lighting, and artwork.
Once you’ve figured out what you want to have, it’s a good idea to shop around for the right items to make sure you don’t overspend on products you can get cheaper somewhere else. Think about delivery and any other costs associated so everything you’re totting up is realistic. Be savvy!
Next you’ll probably need to narrow things down further as more than likely, your budget doesn’t tally up with your wishlist.
Make sure you think about the practical needs of the rooms first, making adjustments where you can to get the things you need as opposed to want. For example, think about a sofa over decorative accessories like wall art or a mirror. Priorities are very individual so think carefully about what will be needed first and foremost.
There are lots of savvy ways to decorate your house for free. A few simple ways include rearranging your furniture so you get a fresh perspective on the room in question.
There are plenty of winning upcycled furniture ideas that require minimal effort (or talent) like recycling old jars for vases and centrepieces, painting existing furniture or decorating with flowers from your garden.
Another decorating idea that doesn’t cost a thing is decluttering. It’s amazing the difference a little decluttering makes to a room and it’s good for the soul to get rid of things you never use and pop in a charity shop for someone else to love.
Just like fashion swaps, you could organise a decor swap with friends to get rid of things you no longer want and find some new things you’ll be thrilled to display. Win-win! Or you could sell any decor you think is worth selling on Gumtree or Ebay and use the money you earn to buy something you love.
You can also usually find lots of free items on places like Gumtree and even Facebook community groups. As they say, one man’s rubbish is another man’s treasure.
The post Budget decorating ideas – 23 ways to decorate that won’t break the bank appeared first on Ideal Home.
TVs are always changing and evolving, and so is the advice for getting the best TV for your home. Unfortunately, with so many buzzword features, sizes, and brands to choose from, it can be near-impossible to find the perfect screen for your next binge-watch.
On the plus side, TV and movie watching at home have never been better, with a cinema-quality experience now in reach for pretty much everyone. And with services like Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney+ (not to mention all the rest!) churning out brilliant content at breakneck speed, now is the perfect time to upgrade your own living room set-up.
Whether you want to upgrade because of aesthetic reasons (there’s sometimes nothing worse than a boxy eyesore in the middle of the room) or you’re interested in new technology such as OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode), LED (Light-Emitting Diode), and HCX (Hollywood Cinema eXperience) and smart streaming features, we’re here to help cut through the noise a little with our ranking of the best TVs around right now.
Scroll down for more information and to see what we thought and, once you’ve chosen a new TV, why not take a look at our rundown of the best soundbars – a good picture needs good audio to go with it, after all.
Best TV overall
Available in: 48″, 55″, 65″, 77″
Resolution: 4K
Reasons to buy: good value, Dolby Atmos sound, built-in Alexa and Google Assistant
Reasons to avoid: some reviewers had trouble with screen glare
Our pick for the best TV in the 2021 release slate, the LG C1 Smart 4K OLED TV, offers a bevvy of features that will please movie fans, gamers and casual users alike.
The OLED panel offers individually self-lit pixels and optimised settings and upscaling courtesy of the a9 Gen4 AI processor. Dolby Vision IQ boosts brightness, contrast and colour depth, and there’s also a good amount of customisation in settings if you want to get the picture just right.
Alexa and Google Assistant are both built-in to make voice control and integration with your wider smart home simple, and you can make use of the popular webOS.
If you have a keen gamer in your household, then the 1ms response time, AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync and Game Optimiser mode also make this a recommended set, with lots of HDMI ports to allow for multiple consoles to be plugged in alongside streaming sticks and soundbars.
In addition to its impressive specs, the LG C1 looks great in person, with an ultra-thin bezel and paper-thin panel giving it a high-end feel.
Best QLED TV
Available in: 55″, 65″, 75″, 85″
Resolution: 4K
Reasons to buy: good viewing angles, object tracking sound, Multi View
Reasons to avoid: no Dolby Vision or Atmos sound
One of the more affordable new models to use Mini LED backlighting for its QLED panel, the Samsung QN95A 4K TV, offers solid sound and visual features that ensure your TV looks and sounds incredible no matter what you’re watching.
The Quantum 4K processor will upscale lower-resolution content. At the same time, HDR10+ ups colour and contrast, and the anti-glare screen offer extensive viewing angles – ideal if you have a large living room in which some family members struggle to see the screen. Gamers will also love the Multi View feature, which allows you to cast your phone screen to one side of the screen without interrupting your game.
The QN95A doesn’t skimp on sound, either, adapting to objects in the room and adjusting based on background noise.
Best mid-range TV
Available in: 40″, 50″, 58″, 65″
Resolution: 4K
Reasons to buy: Has Netflix, Amazon, Freeview Play and more built-in
Reasons to avoid: Some customers have noted the picture quality lacks when watching sports
With designer good looks, this talented mid-ranger is the perfect option if you want a polished LED flat screen for home cinema, sports and gaming.
Picture quality has literally been fine-tuned in Hollywood (by Stefan Sonnenfeld), and the set boasts universal dynamic HDR support, which basically means it’ll automatically maximise image quality on a scene by scene basis when you’re watching 4k HDR programmes.
It’s also a great gaming TV, even giving the Samsung Q80T a run for its money due to low input lag.
The TX-58HX800 is fashionably minimalist too. Just as we saw on last year’s Panasonic GX800 models, the LCD panel appears to sit on top of, rather than within, the bezel. It’s a cool design embellishment.
But it’s in the picture department that the HX800 really shines. Arguably the most cinematic of all the LED LCD TVs available right now, there’s a lushness to its colours and a sense of image depth that hints of OLED. But it’s brighter and more contrasty when viewed in daylight.
Also available in 65-, 50- and 40-inch screen sizes, we were really impressed by this 58-incher. The size will be a good compromise for many if 65-inches just seems a tad too big for comfort.
Intuitive and versatile, Panasonic’s own My Home Screen platform remains one of the easiest smart TV platforms out there to use. There’s no shortage of catch-up TV, thanks to Freeview Play, and there’s also Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. Unfortunately, Disney+ is AWOL. Let’s hope Panasonic gets it on the platform sooner rather than later.
The set will also work with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa smart home products.
Ideal Home rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Best premium TV
Available in: 50″, 55″, 65″, 75″, 85″
Resolution: 4K
Reasons to buy: QLED technology means it’s screen burn-proof; perfect for gamers
Reasons to avoid: Some customers have noted that the TV apps don’t support Dolby Atmos
The Samsung Q80T is packed with some of Samsung’s sharpest TV technology but avoids the painful price tags found higher up its QLED range.
It’s actually the cheapest 2020 QLED TV to offer a full array backlight, which means you get punchy HDR (High Dynamic Range) images with excellent contrast. We auditioned the 65-inch screen size, which is big on impact, but it’s also available in 49-, 55-, 75- and 85-inch guises, so there’s a model to suit most rooms.
Smart connectivity is impressive. The Q80T doesn’t just offer catch-up and streaming TV services (Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV, Rakuten TV, Disney+, BT TV and YouTube, amongst others), it also has Samsung’s signature Ambient Mode, which turns the screen into a photo gallery when left in standby.
The Q80T is also a fabulous choice for gamers, with class-leading low image lag (just 8.7ms), so you’ll never be slow on the draw when the competition heats up in Fortnite. QLED technology is also guaranteed screen burn free (that thing where static images can sometimes get burnt into the panel itself), which comes as welcome comfort if you’re planning console marathons.
The TV also sounds surprisingly good. In addition to downward-firing stereo drivers and woofers, the set boasts additional speakers positioned top left and right rear, which work with Samsung’s OTS (Object Tracking Sound) technology to create a more involving, immersive audio experience.
We reckon there’s no better 4k HDR TV for joystick jockeys right now.
Ideal Home rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Best value TV
Available in: 43″, 50″, 55″, 65″
Resolution: 4K
Reasons to buy: affordable, Roku one of the more user-friendly smart TV interfaces, works with Alexa and Google Assistant
Reasons to avoid: Some HDR stuttering issues
Though Hisense is traditionally a brand found in the US, last year saw the company release a suite of budget TVs exclusive to Argos on this side of the pond. Since then, the TVs have been updated for 2021 and have fast become one of the go-to choices for a user-friendly AND budget-friendly TV.
Boasting 4K HDR resolution with HDR10, DTS Studio sound, 60Hz motion rate and compatibility with Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit, it’s hard to fault what’s on offer at this price point. The home screen from Roku is one of the simplest to navigate, and you’ll find all the apps here, including catch-up, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+ and the rest.
It is recommended for those who enjoy using the Roku streaming stick, which was true of this writer. It’s now our main TV, having bought it back in 2020, and we certainly have no complaints.
Ideal Home rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
We know many questions need answering before you commit to a new TV, so here is some advice to make the buying process a bit easier.
In a nutshell: definitely.
With a 4k screen, it really does look better than regular HD models. That’s because a 4k UHD TV uses 4 times as many pixels as a 1080p HD model. Think chunky knit versus fine Merino wool.
There’s no 4k TV on regular terrestrial TV. Still, you will find it from streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and YouTube, and premium pay-TV suppliers like Sky, Virgin Media and BT. 4k is also available on UHD Blu-rays (you’ll need a UHD Blu-ray player to spin them).
But there’s a catch. To appreciate this resolution, it makes sense to buy a screen larger than the one you’re replacing or move your sofa nearer.
Helpfully, thinner panels and better design have seen TV’s take up less space. So in the room occupied by a 2010 43-inch telly, you’ll now probably fit a svelte 2019 55-inch model.
Most all new 4k TVs will also be HDR compatible. This translates to brighter highlights, so the sun shines hotter, lights glow more realistically in the dark, fireworks dazzle.
All our featured screens connect to the internet over Wi-Fi, which means they have access to streaming services and catch-up TV.
Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and YouTube are all standard attractions, but the number of secondary services varies. If there’s a specific streaming provider you want, check your shortlisted sets offer it.
For the best in catch-up TV, look for a model with a Freeview Play tuner. This guarantees all the main-channel catch-up players are on board (BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All4, My5).
Increasingly, smart TVs will also work with voice control systems such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant: “Alexa, play Great British Bake Off!”
OLED, QLED, LED LCD? TV manufacturers use a variety of panel technologies, each with its own pros and cons.
The vast majority of TVs available are LCD lit by an LED backlight (hence LED LCD). They’re bright and affordable but can have a limited black level performance. Consequently, in a fully dark room, blacks tend to turn grey.
OLED models are only available in larger screen sizes (55-inches plus) and command a price premium. However, OLED is widely regarded as the best TV technology currently available.
Self-emissive, OLED doesn’t require a backlight. As every pixel is controllable, the technology can deliver pure, accurate blacks. Nirvana, if you’re a film fan.
As favoured primarily by Samsung, a Quantum Dot Light Emitting Diode (QLED) may sound like OLED, but it’s actually an LCD variant. QLED helps improve colour vibrancy and brightness. However, as with standard LCD panels, they require a backlight.
QLED screens are TVs with brighter viewing environments, offering an unbeatable light and colour combination.
Probably poor. One inevitable consequence of ever-thinner TVs is weak audio. There’s typically not enough room in the cabinet to accommodate decent loudspeakers. The result is thin sound with limited volume.
The solution is to partner your thin screen with a separate soundbar (prices range from £100 to £1000+), which will add volume, width and clarity.
A soundbar turns on and off automatically, effectively replacing the speakers in the set itself. Alternatively, you can hand over sonic duties to an AV receiver. This creates a full-blown home cinema system with speakers front and back.
There are exceptions to this rule of sound, though, and we’ve picked several TVs here. Our Best Overall TV winner, the Panasonic GZ2000, has a compelling Dolby Atmos sound system on board that offers wide, high cinematic sound.
Sony also has an inspired solution in its Acoustic Surface Audio+ system, which uses vibrating acoustic transducers attached to the panel itself to create forward-facing sound waves.
All our chosen TVs have been rated not just on technical performance but how they perform in the real world.
We’ve peered at pixels and scrutinised backlights. We’ve also taken the selfless task of sitting down and watching our favourite shows on regular TV and other sources, like Netflix and YouTube.
We ate an obscene amount of popcorn watching the latest 4k HDR (High Dynamic Range) movies from a UHD (Ultra High Definition) Blu-ray player, and we rated screens on general usability.
We also ask, do they have Freeview Play? Is their smart larder well stocked? Are they more confusing than flat-pack furniture? That kind of thing…
The post Best TV – sets for binge-watching, gaming, sports, soaps and more appeared first on Ideal Home.