Farovon Khiva Hotel, Uzbekistan offers five star luxury just outside the capital, Tashkent.

The post Hotel Review: Farovon Khiva Hotel, Uzbekistan appeared first on The Travel Magazine.

Crisp, clean and classic. White bathroom ideas are a foolproof way of creating a serene sanctuary in your home. While it may be one of the more traditional ways to outfit a bathroom, it’s certainly not old-fashioned.

Using clever combinations of materials, textures and other bathroom colour ideas will add extra dimensions into your white scheme, taking it from standard to standout.

‘White bathrooms are easy to get wrong, and end up feeling cold and clinical,’ notes Graeme Borchard, MD, UK Bathrooms. ‘However get a white bathroom right and it will feel classically elegant, light-reflective and timeless.’

From white bathroom tile ideas to adding in the perfect amount of another colour, there are so many ways to add interest and excitement to your space. Additionally, always keep the details in mind. ‘Add luxurious fluffy towels, consider shower wall panelling and bring your bathroom to life with some plants – they love the humidity,’ suggests Ruth Foster, interior designer, Victoria Plum. ‘Plus, don’t forget lighting, add a wall mounted mirror with a light can add a softer ambience whilst still being function-friendly.’

White bathroom ideas

‘Pristine white bathroom suites are one of the most sought after looks when it comes to redesigning a bathroom,’ says Victoria Plum’s Ruth. ‘However, it can come with a serious lack of inspiration when adding those accent colours.’ Make sure your space has impact and inspiration by using these white bathroom ideas.

1. Contrast with black details

Image credit: Future PLC/Lizzie Orme

One of the most contemporary ways to add impact to white bathroom ideas is through the use of linear black details. Use this style of black and white bathroom ideas across hardware, external plumbing and accessories like mirrors and lighting

‘Matte Black is always a good option to choose to create a monochrome look in a plain white bathroom,’ agrees Nicholas Cunild, Managing Director, Matki and Swadling Brassware. ‘This can be achieved with accessories such as Crittall shower screen or taps and also with flooring and wall panelling.’

2. Add a touch of nature

Image credit: Future PLC/Katie Jane Watson

To prevent white bathrooms from feeling too cold it’s imperative to introduce warmth and texture. One way of achieving this is by bringing in nature. The refreshing pops of greenery will add a fresh and relaxed feel into the space. ‘Move from the bland to the uber cool by teaming gloss white with wood and plenty of green foliage,’ suggests Ruth from Victoria Plum.

House plants that thrive in humid and low-light conditions will love the bathroom. Living walls are another modern way of using greenery, plus you can easily create one using faux foliage so upkeep can be as minimal as you like.

‘A living wall of greenery is a great way to bring your space to life and for the ultimate in laid-back, cool chic,’ agrees Graeme from UK Bathrooms.

3. Choose brass hardware

Image credit: Future PLC/Adam Carter

Add a hint of glamour to white bathroom ideas by upgrading your brassware from standard chromes to luxe metallics.

‘Warm metallic brassware and shower frames such as brass, gold and copper will catch the light and add glimmers of interest to a white bathroom,’ says Nicholas from Matki and Swadling Brassware.

4. Paint a section of the walls

Image credit: Victoria Plum

It’s possible to introduce colour to your white bathroom ideas without taking away from the cool and crisp nature of the monochrome.

‘Adding colour contrasts can really add character to your space, but first you must decide on the vibe you want for your bathroom,’ advises Ruth from Victoria Plum. ‘If your bathroom is your place to relax and find calm, then opt for paler colours such as dusky pink or a light mink. Or, if your bathroom is the place get yourself feeling invigorated and energised then add dashes of bright marigold and raspberry.’

Keep white in the majority by only using bathroom paint ideas on only the top half or third or the wall in your statement colour, allowing the rest of the room to remain shining bright and white.

5. Opt for a dark floor

Image credit: Future PLC/Colin Poole

Offer your white bathroom a need dimension by grounding the space with dark floor tiles. A contrasting dark floor will only highlight how white the rest of the room is, and won’t distract the eye.

For cohesion, grout the black tiles with white and vice-versa.

6. Relax with natural materials

Image credit: GROHE

Natural materials are a must for softening and warming white bathrooms. ‘A quieter approach in colour palettes will help to soften the room and allows room for incorporating warmer materials such as natural woods and soft fabrics,’ says Patrick Speck, Leader LIXIL Global Design, GROHE. ‘These support and emphasise the notion of cocooning and safety, creating the ultimate cosseting space.’

‘The neutral tone of white allows room for materiality to be incorporated through textures and accent colour details to be support in creating a stylish, inviting finish.’

7. Add patterns with shapely tiles

Image credit: Future PLC/David Giles

Use white bathroom tile ideas to create subtle pattern and interest in your space. Even plain white tiles, chosen in an interesting geometric shape, will add texture and depth to your walls.

Go a step further by selecting tiles in a material with natural colour variations, like gentle veining on white marble.

8. Create depth by tiling the bath

Image credit: Future PLC/Joanna Henderson

When tiling a white bathroom, don’t just stop with the walls. Cover the bath in identical tiling to your walls to create more interest and give more depth to the space. This will give a comfortingly cosseting effect to the room.

9. Use patterned tiles sparingly

Image credit: Future PLC/James French

‘White bathrooms are bright and they make the space seem wider, it is key for small bathrooms,’ notes Juan Luna, Design Manager, Acquabella. ‘The brilliant white colour spreads optimism, filling the space with tranquillity. In addition, it is a timeless colour, which makes the test of time much more bearable.’

In these small spaces, integrate extra colour and pattern with a petite splashback made up of a couple of pretty tiles.

10. Embrace natural stone

Image credit: Future PLC/Adam Carter

A simple but very effective way to add interest using white bathroom tile ideas is to choose a stone with a naturally occurring pattern. Think subtle veining in marble, colour variations in limestone or the gaps in travertine.

11. Highlight with grouting

Image credit: Tile Mountain

Simplistic white tiles can be elevated with clever use of grouting.

‘You can add colour with grout which can create a bold or subtle contrast depending on which you choose,’ says Colin Lincoln-Evans, Buyer, Tile Mountain. ‘If you’re really looking for something different then take a look at glitter grout options.’

12. Soften with pink

Image credit: Future PLC/Simon Whitmore

Contemporary white bathroom ideas and pretty pinks are a match made in heaven. Introduce a hint of colour by leaving a section of your walls untiled and painting it in a soft, feminine shade of pink.

As a bonus, these pinks marry stylishly with black detailing and fresh foliage.

13. Include touches of other neutrals

Image credit: Future PLC/Anna Stathaki

If you want to add another dimension to your otherwise white bathroom but aren’t naturally drawn to bold colours and patterns, they look to other neutrals. Include vanity units in pale grey bathroom ideas, warm creams or soft sandy shades.

If you want an easy update without buying anything then use these colours to paint a swathe of the wall or learn how to paint a bath.

14. Use coloured tiles in the shower

Image credit: UK Bathrooms

Zone your white bathroom by using a bold colour in only one space. The inside of the shower is a natural choice as there is an in built delineation between with this area and the rest of the room. Carefully placement if mirrors or mirrored surfaces will help bounce the colour around the room.

The shade can be whatever you prefer, but trends, like green bathroom ideas, can be helpful starting point. ‘Green is the hue of 2022,’ says Graeme from UK Bathrooms. ‘Biophilia in the bathroom is still very popular and a trend that continues to grow.’

15. Add colour to the floor

Image credit: Future PLC/Veronica Rodriguez

If tiling the whole inside of the shower is a step too far, then take a look down. Tile your shower tray area in a brightly coloured and patterned design.

As this is a small space and not something that will catch your eye from everywhere in the room. This means that you’re less likely to get tired of the colours or pattern choice, so go wild!

16. Go for a classic metro look

Image credit: Future PLC/Rachael Smith

You can’t go wrong with plumping for the metro style of white bathroom tile ideas. A classic for a reason, this design won’t date and adds just enough extra interest to your simple space.

How do you make a white bathroom interesting?

‘White is the perfect canvas for both minimalism and maximalism,’ says Patrick from GROHE. With this in mind, it’s not hard to add interest to white bathroom ideas.

‘A white bathroom is like a blank canvas, you can use texture, patterns and warm wood to make it interesting,’ suggests Graeme from UK Bathrooms.

‘Mix design styles together, for example combine a roll top bath with contemporary styled floor standing taps or add in some natural elements such as wooden shelving or a bamboo towel rail,’ says Colin from Tile Mountain. ‘Tiles with a relief pattern will add some textural interest, or if you prefer a plain tile then lay them in a pattern such as herringbone or basketweave, additionally more unusually shaped tiles such as hexagons or scallops will work equally well. Another option worth considering particularly for floors are white marble effect tiles, their veining adds visual interest without dominating the room.’

‘Mirrors placed opposite windows in dead spaces and lost corners will bounce the light and create depth and perspectives that will light up smaller white bathrooms,’ adds Nicholas from Matki. ‘Also, adding a pop of colour to the furnishing and fittings such as vanity area adds an element of interest to the room as well a bringing the whole look together.’

What colours go with a white bathroom?

‘As a blank canvas, a bathroom with white decoration matches any colour,’ sys Juan from Acquabella. ‘We can apply much more creative contrasts or use neutral tones that maintain a relaxed, spa-like look. One of the biggest trends involves playing with soft, earthy, neutral tones like beige, cream and light brown.’

Graeme from UK Bathroom agrees that pretty much any colour can be added to white bathroom ideas. ‘But blue and white works perfectly – think of Wedgewood China – for a breezy seaside aesthetic.’

If you really want to make impact with colour then turn your head to the dark side. ‘We suggest greys, blues or contrasting darker greens for a statement look,’ says Ruth from Victoria Plum.

How do you soften a white bathroom?

Besides colour, there are a number of ways to soften white bathroom ideas.

‘Ensure you have a lighting plan,’ suggests Graeme from UK Bathrooms. ‘Strategically placed lighting will ensure your bathroom space is warm and inviting and a place you want to spend time and relax in.’

‘Lighting is a good place to start, especially if you don’t have any that is natural,’ agrees Colin from Tile Mountain. ‘Dimmable bulbs are a good option, but always ensure that whatever lighting you choose has an appropriate IP rating. Accessories such as big fluffy towels and bath mats are an obvious, but if you have a window consider adding a patterned etched window film, shutters, or a textured blind. Tile finishes can also play a part, a gloss or polished finish will help reflect light whilst a matt finish offers a more subtle effect.’

Additionally, the shapes you use can help soften your white bathrooms. ‘In addition to varying finishes, materials and textures, think about using a variety of shapes when choosing vanity units, shower screens and accessories,’ advises Nicholas from Matki. ‘Curvy furniture and shower panels balance and soften a boxy room. Mixing curves, shapes and organic shapes create a sculptural quality and brings a white bathroom to life.’

The post White bathroom ideas for chic and stylish spaces appeared first on Ideal Home.

Insulating a loft hatch is a simple, cost-effective DIY job that keeps the heat in and the cold out of your property. This is especially true if your loft is only insulated at joist level, rather than rafter level. Draught-proofing the loft hatch at the same time will also help ensure you gain the maximum savings on your energy bills, too and helps to insulate your home.

Furthermore, insulating a loft hatch can prevent issues with condensation in the loft space. Warm, moist air will be drawn into a loft space if it’s not insulated properly. When the hot air hits cold surfaces, such as roof timbers, it will condense. This can cause wood to rot and decay, causing damage to your roof’s structure over time. That’s why it pays to investigate how to insulate a loft.

Insulating a loft hatch: things to consider

Image credit: Future PLC/ Rachael Smith

What type of loft hatch do you have?

Loft hatches can vary in several ways, including size, material and opening mechanism. However as a guide, there are two common types of loft hatches found in a UK home:

• The hinged variety: These fold down into the living space, and could come with or without a fixed ladder. This is a common option in newer buildings due to the ease and accessibility that they offer.
• Flat hatches rest on the frame of the loft entrance and simply lift out. ‘These are very typical of older homes and are often poorly insulated,’ advises Camilla Govan at Green Building Store.

Understand loft hatch insulation costs and savings

‘Blanket insulation and loose-fill insulation can both be bought for around £5-£10 per m2. Adding in the tools to measure, cut, and adhere the insulation to the hatch, the total cost should be in the region of £15-£20,’ says Matthew Jenkins, heating and insulation expert at MyJobQuote.co.uk. ‘If you are also draught-proofing the hatch, self-adhesive foam tape can be purchased for about £15.’

How the rest of your loft space is insulated will determine how effective insulating your loft hatch will be. It’s good to get an overall picture of How much does loft insulation cost?. ‘If the roof is insulated at the rafter level, then you will see little to no benefit from insulating your loft hatch,’ says Matthew Jenkins. ‘If the loft is insulated at the ceiling joist level, then insulating your loft hatch should confer a substantial benefit.’

That being said, the potential financial savings according to Matthew Jenkins are roughly only £3.50 per year. It doesn’t save you a lot of money, but it is a quick, inexpensive and relatively easy job and will attribute some way towards energy savings in your household.

Image credit: Kinek00 / Alamy Stock Photo

Different ways to insulate a loft hatch

1. Insulate a flat loft hatch using blanket insulation

To insulate a loft hatch, cut the blanket insulation to match the same width and length of the loft hatch. The depth of the insulation should measure 270mm – in line with current government guidance. Once cut to size, simply glue to the loft-facing side of the hatch door with your choice of adhesive.

2. Insulate a flat loft hatch with loose-fill insulation

You will need to attach a container to the hatch to hold the insulation in, such as a carrier bag. This can then be filled to the required depth with the loose-fill insulation.

3. Insulate a hinged loft hatch

Existing drop-down hatches with attached ladders can be treated in the same way as option 2, but care will be needed to ensure the insulation does not interfere with the mechanism of the ladder. Foil insulation, which costs from around £10 per m2 could be a good material to use in this scenario, as only a thin layer is required to meet the same thermal efficiency compared to other insulation materials.

‘Cut the sheet to size and fix it to the topside of the hatch, with enough overhanging to ensure it lines up tightly with the insulation around it,’ advises William Bown, director at Superfoil Insulation.

Image credit: Future plc/Colin Poole

Draught proof a loft hatch

Draught-proofing your loft hatch will not prevent the loss of heat through the hatch itself like insulating a loft hatch does. It will prevent the passage of cold air from the loft space into the living space below, eliminating draughts and increasing your household’s comfort. ‘The performance of a well-insulated loft hatch is significantly undermined if it is not airtight,’ says Camilla Govan. ‘Draught-proofing must complement insulation and vice versa, and one without the other will have a negative effect on your home.’

• Flat hatches Cut the self-adhesive foam tape to size and stick it directly to the frame facing upwards (into the loft space). As the name implies, the tape should have a peel-off back and adhere directly to the surface. In this case, the hatch will rest atop the tape, creating a seal.

• A hinged hatch Cut the self-adhesive foam tape to size and apply it to the edges of the frame facing downwards (into the living space). The hatch will then press up against the tape when closed, creating a seal.

• A hinged hatch that does not rest against the frame of the loft In this case, you will need to apply the tape to both the frame and the hatch itself so that, when closed, the two strips meet and form a seal by pressing against one another.

Remember there are loft insulation grants available.

The post Insulating a loft hatch – everything you need to know appeared first on Ideal Home.

The best stand mixer can take all of the tricky stuff out of home baking, leaving you with the delicious results. In our top 10 best stand mixer guide we’ve featured models from KitchenAid, Russell Hobbs, Kenwood, and Bosch, with reviews of every attachment for making cake, bread, cookies, and a lot more.

Any home baker will love the way a stand mixer speeds up all of their favourite recipes. It will cream your butter and sugar together to make your cakes light and fluffy, and leave you to prepare your decorations while your cake batter mixes with the use of flat beaters of whisks. Or, switch your stand mixer into high gear and you can knead some delicious sourdough or fresh brioche buns with none of the muscle word you’d usually need to bake fresh bread.

Plus, there’s no denying that a KitchenAid or Smeg mixer will take the pride of place in any kitchen counter, which is why you’ll find them adorning the counters designers who merely dabble in baking. When you’ve chosen your mixer, you can also pair it with one of the best blenders to coordinate your appliances by brand and color.

What is the best stand mixer?

Of all the stand mixers we’ve tried, the Kenwood kMix Stand Mixer is our top pick. It comes in a range of classic colours and the glass bowl offers great value for money when you consider the quality of the design.

If you want a value stand mixer, or you have a small space to work with, the Morphy Richards MixStar really punches above its weight in both power and price.

Best stand mixers 2022

1. Kenwood kMix Stand Mixer

Best stand mixer

Power: 1000 watts
Speed settings: 6
Capacity: 5 litre mixing bowl
Reasons to buy:

• Its fold function means you can make delicate mixes like brioche
• Very powerful motor
• Newly available in a range of fun colours
• Everything is dishwasher-safe

Reasons to avoid:

• It weighs over 10kg, so it’s pretty heavy for a mixer

Whether you’re a beginner, a casual baker or more experienced, the kMix stand mixer offers something for everyone. Not only is it incredibly easy to control with six speeds and a fold option, but its five-litre heatproof glass bowl also allows you to see exactly what’s going on inside. This puts paid to pesky flour lumps. It also features a 1,000W motor designed to handle up to 1.35kg of difficult dough. On the downside, thanks to its metal body, it’s another heavy mixer at 10.9kg.

During testing, the kMix stand mixer was fuss-free to use, staying reassuringly steady on the worktop even at high speeds. It produced everything from light, fluffy doughnuts to crisp meringue and thick whipped cream for pavlovas perfectly.

Another plus is the sheer range of compatible attachments, which include a pasta cutter, grinding mill, dicer and spaghetti maker. It comes in four colours and all the parts are dishwasher-safe.

Ideal Home’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars

See our full Kenwood kMix Stand Mixer review

2. Kenwood Titanium Chef Baker

Best stand mixer for smart modern features

Power: 1200 watts
Speed settings: 10
Capacity: 5 litre stainless steel bowl
Reasons to buy: 

• In-built scales
• Premium, but value-for-money
• Assisted tilt-head
• Timer display

Reasons to avoid: 

• Slight gap in the splash guard

The Kenwood Titanium Chef Baker is an expensive choice, but with in-built scales and a timer, it’s the ticket to perfectly precise bakes. We really enjoyed how accurate the scales were, as they allowed us to add all of our flour, butter, sugar, and eggs to the bowl without the need to put them in a separate measuring device beforehand. Less cleanup, and a lot less faff! The assisted tilt-head means you can prop up the attachments with minimal effort, because it springs up when you press the lever.

It comes in only one colour, which is a shame, but you can switch out the colour of the top panel. This also has a port to add up to 25 attachments: a blender, even a pasta maker. Best part, these will also pair with the scales on the base! The mixer comes with three attachments, and we particularly enjoyed the flat beater. We did find that the splash guard had a slight cap above the bowl, because it’s attached to the assisted tilt-head, and this let a little flour and icing sugar escape from the bowl when cooking.

Ideal Home’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Read our full Kenwood Titanium Chef Baker review

3. KitchenAid 4.8L Artisan Stand Mixer

Best stand mixer for baking cake

Power: 300 watts
Speed settings: 6
Capacity: 4.8 litre bowl
Reasons to buy:

• Looks great
• A classic for a reason
• A mid-price option
• Comes in countless colours

Reasons to avoid:

• Its motor is a little lacking compared to other options

We know you recognise this one. From the Great British Bake Off to Nigella’s home kitchen, the KitchenAid Artisan is a classic. We put it to the test to see if it’s still the cream of the crop. The verdict? This stand mixer is stunning and sturdy, but the motor is a little lacking compared to some of the others in our guide. You can make up to two batches of bread at a time in this mixer, so it’s a good balance between size and capacity. The bowl also screws on easily and has a handle. Attachments are dishwasher-safe, which we love.

We found that the Artisan mixer is both quiet and efficient. There’s also an optional pouring shield to prevent splashes, and it comes with a wire whisk, flat beater and dough hook as default. The classic tilt-head design will fit under your kitchen cabinets, and because there’s so many colours to choose from (not to mention countless custom bowls and other matching appliances such as the best food processors) we know it will look the part too.

It’s also one of the heaviest stand mixers available, at a knee-bending 11kg with accessories. It did make some delicious cake though, and you can buy plenty of additional attachments to make pasta, ice cream, and even stuff sausages if you so wish.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Read our full KitchenAid 4.8L Artisan Stand Mixer review

4. Bosch MUM59340GB

Best value stand mixer 

Power: 1000 watts
Speed settings: 7
Capacity: 3.9 litre mixing bowl
Reasons to buy:

• Comes with shredding discs, a mincer, a citrus press and a blender
• Very reasonably priced
• Almost all accessories go in the dishwasher

Reasons to avoid: 

• The sheer amount of kit means you’ll need space to store it all

This is a stand mixer for cooks who want to progress from making a springy Victoria sandwich to baking the sort of things the Great British Bake Off judges would be wowed by. The reason is that it’s more than a stand mixer. Not only does it come with shredding discs, a mincer, a citrus press and a blender (and swivels into three positions for you to use them), in its stand mixer mode it beats, mixes, whisks and kneads like a pro.

Inside the mixer’s 3.9-litre bowl, there’s enough room to mix up to 2kg of dough with the kneading hook. This even has a ‘dough deflector’ to stop any mixture from escaping. During testing, dough wrapped around the hook but was easy to remove. The blender also performed well with no lack of power – a common problem with attachments.

When you’re finished baking up a storm, the MUM5 stand mixer’s cord automatically retracts. All the accessories except the mincer can be popped in the dishwasher and there’s a storage bag. The obvious downside of this mixer is the sheer amount of kit to store, but if you’re willing to make some room you’ll be rewarded.

Ideal Home’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars

See our full Bosch MUM59340GB Stand Mixer review

5. Morphy Richards MixStar

Best stand mixer for smaller kitchens

Image credit: Morphy Richards

Power: 650 watts
Speed settings: 6
Capacity: 4 litre bowl
Reasons to buy:

• It’s a real space saver
• It’s a very capable machine given its low power
• There’s a timer in-built
• It sped along the cooking process thanks to double attachments

Reasons to avoid:

• It lacks that classic stand mixer look

In testing, we loved how easily it was able to knead bread and make cakes and whipped cream with the Morphy Richards MixStar. The mixer is noiser than some, and it’s also lacking that classic tilt-head design that many find so appealing about a stand mixer. If it’s not the look you’re after though, this is an immensely capable model. It comes with an in-built timer that allows you to plan your baking exploits perfectly, and its six-point speed dial is variable which gives you complete control of your mixing.

The MixStar is powered through a central column that stems from its base. To this you can attach the whisk, dough hook, or flat beater attachments which work on a cog to rotate around the bowl. Unlike many stand mixers which have only one overhead attachment, this mixer has two, which means it can power through tasks as quickly as you’ll need. All the attachments store easily in an insert that sits in the bowl itself, which means this stand mixer is incredibly easy to store, and significantly less space-intensive as other options.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Read our full Morphy Richards MixStar review

6. Sage The Bakery Boss Stand Mixer

Best stand mixer for easy controls

Power: 1200 watts
Speed settings: 12
Capacity: 4.7 litre mixing bowl
Reasons to buy: 

• Two mixing bowls included
• LCD timer
• LED lights on tilt-head
Reasons to avoid: 

• Glass bowl is hefty to lift

The Sage The Bakery Boss Stand Mixer wowed us with its smart LCD timer and the illuminated controls. If you struggle to know which speed to knead, cream, and mix with, the side of the mixer has zones which illuminate when you’re at the right speed.

Because it has two interchangeable bowls you won’t need to worry about rinsing out your cake bowl to beat your frosting, and while the glass one is very heavy, it is great for watching your mixture as it works. The steel bowl has a handle that makes pouring easy, too.

To get a better view as your cake mixes, there’s an LED light that shines down from the tilt-head into the mixing bowl. The machine itself has a handle that makes it easy to move around your kitchen, and other great touches include the flat beater, which as a scraper attachment that makes sure there’s no butter or sugar left at the side of the bowl. This meant we didn’t have to go around the outside of the bowl with a spatula to make sure that all of our ingredients were well incorporated. Our only gripe? The whisk can’t go in the dishwasher.

Ideal Home’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars

See our full Sage The Bakery Boss Stand Mixer review

7. Kenwood Prospero KHC29 Stand Mixer

Best stand mixer on a budget

Kenwood Prospero KHC29 Stand Mixer

Power: 1000 watts
Speed settings: 5
Capacity: 4.3 litre bowl
Reasons to buy:

• This value choice has heaps of attachments and a powerful motor
• Powerful 1000 watt motor
• Planetary mixing motion

Reasons to avoid:

• Hand-wash only

The Kenwood Prospero KHC29 Stand Mixer has 1000 watts of power, which is impressive for a mixer of this price. It’s affordable when you buy it purely for mixing, but spend a little more and you’ll find attachments for blending, food processing, and even meat grinding.

While the design is a little unusual, we found that it did a great job of incorporating all of our ingredients thanks to the planetary mixing motion that reaches all edges of the bowl. The dough hook is also great for making springy loaves with well-kneaded dough. The 1000-watt motor comes in handy here, too, but with only five speed settings, it lacks some more specific speeds.

None of the attachments can go in the dishwasher, which is a bit of a pain, but we did find that they are easy enough to clean by hand. The mixer is great for smaller kitchen counters, because it’s lightweight and can slot under kitchen cabinets with ease.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Read our full Kenwood Prospero KHC29 Stand Mixer review

8. KitchenAid Artisan Mini 3.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer

Best KitchenAid stand mixer for classic kitchens

Image credit: KitchenAid

Power: 250 watts
Speed settings: 10
Capacity: 3.3 litre bowl
Reasons to buy: 

• Small and lightweight
• Has the iconic KitchenAid Artisan design
• Has all the attachments you need

Reasons to avoid:

• It’s not the most powerful, and still quite pricey

25% lighter and 20% smaller than the Kitchenaid Artisan mixer, the KitchenAid Artisan Mini is great for those who want the charm of a KitchenAid mixer but with a smaller profile. It has a flat beater, wire whisk, and dough hook for all your baking needs, and you can also wash all of these (apart from the whisk) in the dishwasher.

Despite its limited motor size, the KitchenAid Artisan Mini was powerful enough to make smooth and fluffy cake mixes and well-worked cookie dough. When making bread it was able to knead a regular sized loaf, but we did find that the dough worked its way up the hook.

If you enjoy baking but don’t need the best stand mixer for batch bakes, the KitchenAid Artisan Mini is a great choice for you. It has a great range of colour options too, and it looks a real treat when placed on the kitchen counter.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Read our full KitchenAid Artisan Mini stand mixer review

9. Russell Hobbs Emma Bridgewater Stand Mixer

Best stand mixer for quirky design

Image credit: Russell Hobbs

Power: 1000 watts
Speed settings: 10
Capacity: 5 litre bowl 
Reasons to buy:

• We love the style
• Ten speeds and a pulse mode
• It’s got a very generous sized working bowl

Reasons to avoid:

• The bowl and whisk has a plastic base, which isn’t too durable

A more traditional boxy exterior might have you swiping left on the Go Create Stand Mixer. But beneath the no-nonsense plastic lies a good yet affordable helper. There are noticeable differences between this and a more premium model – the stainless-steel bowl has a plastic base as does the whisk, for example – but beyond that everything you need for baking is here.

Three tools, a slide-on splashguard with a pouring spout, a powerful 1000W motor and 10 speeds. There’s even a pulse on the dial, which provides a burst of top speed for finishing off mixes.

The benefit of fewer metal elements (even the beater is made from fibreglass) is that all the parts are dishwasher-safe. This makes it invaluable in a busy family household, plus it’s lighter than die-cast models. So you can move it around without straining under the weight. Another plus is the mixer’s generously sized five-litre bowl, which easily accommodated bread dough, cake batter or egg whites without throwing anything out.

There are a couple of quirks. The mixer was very noisy on the top speeds, and the spring from new was strong, so you’ll need to hold the head as you raise it or it jerks. However, the performance was surprisingly efficient for a machine at this price point.

It whisked our egg whites to firm peaks in about four minutes. It mixed and kneaded bread dough around the bowl without it wrapping around the hook (which resulted in a well-risen loaf), and blended butter and sugar to a pale creamy consistency.

We noticed a few streaks of butter in the sponge batter after mixing and scraping down, but the baked cake rounds were light with golden, springy tops.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Read our full Russell Hobbs Emma Bridgewater Stand Mixer review

10. Precision Stand Mixer by Cuisinart

Best stand mixer for a large capacity

Power: 500 watts
Speed settings: 12
Capacity: 5.2 litre stainless steel bowl
Reasons to buy:

• With 12 speeds it’s perfect for mixing dough
• Worked very well on bread dough
• Very robust and sturdy

Reasons to avoid:

• The lever to lift felt a little clunky

Great for batch bakers and big families, the 500W Precision Stand Mixer is surprisingly roomy. While its footprint is standard, its 5.2-litre, stainless-steel bowl provides more capacity than you’d expect in a model of this size. This means that you can knead up to 1.2kg of dough, whip 1.4 litres of cream or whisk 12 egg whites in a single load.

There are 12 speeds, from a gentle stir (which we found invaluable for starting to mix dough) to a rapid whisk that took the effort out of making meringues. The mixer shook a little on the highest settings but stayed steady on the worktop.

Its tools are the usual three of whisk (the only part not dishwasher-safe), beater and dough hook. This last one was especially good in that our bread dough didn’t wrap itself around the hook, but moved and kneaded it around the bowl efficiently.

Our loaf rose well without any manual kneading. The two-part splashguard and spout, while a handy option, was something that was awkward to have in use most of the time. It slid on easily enough but every time the mixer head was raised, both sections had to be removed, making scraping down the bowl more of a chore.

Its performance couldn’t be faulted – our sugar and butter creamed together quickly, and the batter looked well aerated. The finished sponge wasn’t as fluffy as we’d hoped though. Where it delivers less is on aesthetics – the Precision Stand Mixer is only available in black or white, the pedal to raise the mixer head protrudes oddly and the dial feels like a clunky way to move up or down through the speeds.

However, if you’re looking for a robust workhorse of a mixer and don’t mind not having a colourful appliance, it’s a smart choice.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Why do I need a stand mixer?

Stand mixers look the part, but they are also essential for taking the muscle work out of even the toughest recipes. Anyone who’s spent ten minutes kneading bread dough or hand-beating cake mix will know that it’s a lot of arm work. Not only will the best stand mixer do it a lot faster, but it will often do a better job thanks to the range of speeds available, as well as the assortment of attachments that are custom made for baking.

You can opt for the iconic mixers from KitchenAid and Kenwood, but our guide also features some options from Cuisinart and Bosch. There’s even a mixer from Morphy Richards, which isn’t technically a stand mixer, but really wowed us in testing thanks to its smart and compact design.

What to consider when buying a stand mixer

Image credit: Oliver Gordon

How much should I spend on a mixer?

This depends on whether you’re buying a stand mixer with a view to keeping it long-term. Basic mixers can be picked up as cheaply as £50. But for one that will last, budget for a minimum of £100. Beyond £150, most of what you’ll be paying for is a greater choice of colours and styling, extra features or accessories. More expensive mixers tend to have a sturdier build quality to ensure they’ll be whisking and beating for decades to come.

What kind of stand mixer attachments are available?

Stand mixers often feature more than one outlet – the main outlet being using to rotate the tool in the bowl. Additional ones are usually located at the front of the machine or on the top of the lever arm. These allow you to power attachments, turning your simple stand mixer into a multifunctional kitchen helper. Standard mixer attachments include a blender jug for making smoothies and soups, or crushing ice, and sometimes a food processor for slicing, grating and chopping.

Most manufacturers offer a range of stand mixer attachments to buy. These include rollers for making pasta and specialised ravioli makers. There are also mincers or grinders for processing meat, slicers, pre-freeze ice cream bowls, millers, spiralisers and juicers. Accessories and attachments can take up a fair amount of room in your kitchen. Look for models that can store accessories inside the bowl or come with a storage box. That way, you won’t lose kit at the back of a cupboard.

What are the main features of a stand mixer?

Image credit: Simon Whitmore

• Bowl capacity: Unlike some small appliances, where wattage can be a rough guide to how powerful a machine is, when it comes to stand mixers, it’s better to buy on more tangible features. Bowl capacity is a good place to start. Some can be as low as 3.3 litres, but average is between 4-5 litres. Larger six-litre-plus bowls are ideal for batch bakers. Bowls are usually made from stainless steel (cheaper models may have a plastic base). But they can be made from glass, too, which enables you to keep an eye on the ingredients as they mix.
• Tools: Most mixers will have three tools as standard. A balloon whisk for whipping cream, eggs and light mixtures, a dough hook for kneading bread and a beater for batters, biscuit dough and general mixing. This could also be a flexi or scraper beater – a tool with a silicone rim that helps to scrape down the bowl as it mixes. Another accessory that’s common is a splashguard – essential for stopping the contents of the bowl escaping during vigorous mixing.
• Speed: The majority of stand mixers use planetary mixing action. This means the tool orbits while the arm moves around the bowl. This action should mean that the mixture is moved towards the middle of the bowl rather than being flung out to the sides. Each mixer will have a range of speeds, controlled by a slider or a dial. This allows you to build up to the speed you want gradually.
• Slow start and pause functions: There may also be a ‘soft start’ slow speed to prevent fine ingredients, such as flour, puffing out before the speed ramps up. Another useful feature is a pause function. This stops the machine mixing so you can add ingredients, before returning to the same speed. Some mixers may also have preset programmes for food types such as cake or gentle ‘fold’ options.
• More extras: Other stand mixer extras include integral lighting, so you have a better view inside the bowl. A countdown timer that helps prevent over-mixing, and sensors that help maintain the mixer’s speed when tackling heavier loads. 

What other key questions do I need to ask about stand mixers?

1. Are the mixer parts dishwasher safe?

While a dishwasher-safe bowl is usually standard, check that accessories are too before you pop them in alongside. Whisk attachments often have to be washed by hand. Hot temperatures can cause plastic to be damaged.

2. What about spare parts?

Spares can be handy if you’re having a full-on baking day. So look for manufacturers that offer additional bowls and attachments.

3. Where can I store my mixer?

Think about where your stand mixer will live. If it’s out on the worktop, find a design that comes in a shade to suit your kitchen and will fit below wall units. If it’s destined for a cupboard, opt for a machine that’s light enough to lift in and out. Some cast-metal stand mixers can be heavy and bulky.

4. How can I tidy away wires?

Trying to avoid too many trailing wires across your worktop? Look out for machines with handy cable storage.

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