Buying something from sought-after furniture brand Made.com? You’re probably searching for a Made discount code, then. If that’s the case, then you’ve landed in just the right place. In fact, you’ll be pleased to hear that we’ve found not one, but three brilliant Made discount codes for you to use along with your order. Not only to score a bargain ahead of Black Friday 2021, but to cut the price of your new purchase by up to £50.

Whether it’s a new sofa that you need, a bedside lamp that you’re eyeing up or perhaps it’s a gift for someone? We’ve got you sorted. Now’s the time to upgrade your furniture or update your home decor. Just in time for the cold weather, and spending more time indoors!

Related: Made sale – the Ideal Home edit

You’ve got until the 24th of October to use this discount code. So, you’d better start adding to your trolley pronto. Not sure what to use this Made discount code on? We’ve popped our 5 favourite buys below, all of which can be used with one of the codes below. Don’t miss out!

Made discount codes

Made discount codes
For £15 off orders over £150, use the code MADEGREAT15.
For £30 off an order surplus of £300, use the code MADEFAB30.
For £50 off when spending £500+, use the code MADECHIC50.

Shop now

What to buy from Made?

Here are our 5 top Made buys, all over £150 so that you can use your Made discount code and save money.

1. Arles Large Arch Leaning Floor Mirror

Image credit: Made

Use this statement-worthy mirror to make your space appear larger than it is – or to check out your outfit each morning. Lean it against any plain wall and let it do its magic. A simple way to spruce up a plain corner or space, plus it works well in a minimalist decor scheme, mostly thanks to its clean lines and sleek matte finish.  The mirror itself sits inside a very thin – yet striking – frame.

This leaning mirror measures a sizeable 170cm high, and it makes a great addition to a bedroom or hallway. Not only that, but it’s a smart buy for any room that’s a little darker than you’d like. Why? This large mirror ought to reflect lots of light into your space. It also proves to be great for talking those all-important Instagram outfit selfies in.

Buy now: Arles Large Arch Leaning Floor Mirror, £299 £284 at Made using the code MADEGREAT15

2. Haru Large Double Sofa Bed

Image credit: Made

Made’s Haru sofa bed is popular and for good reason – it’s a pinnacle of style and function. It even comes in a range of colourways and fabrics, but our favourite has to be Butterscotch Yellow. Sitting on four black feet, this sofa bed unfolds to become a sizeable sleeping solution. It’s perfect for popping in a spare bedroom or in the kids’ room.

The Haru comes with the two button-detailed pillows included, and these can also be used for guests to lay their heads – or just for decoration. It’s quite low down when unfolded, just something to bear in mind, although it’s perfectly fit for occasional use here and there.

Buy now: Haru Sofa Bed, £379 £349 at Made using the code MADEFAB30

Don’t miss our best sofa beds roundup for more stylish suggestions

3. Ankhara Bedside Table

Image credit: Made

A set of new bedside tables can instantly refresh your bedroom – or a spare bedroom, or the kids’ bedroom. It’s important that your bedside tables are both stylish and space-savvy, so with this in mind we suggest the Ankhara bedside tables. They boast a spacious drawer for carrying your clutter and hiding it away, and atop you can pop anything from a bedside lamp to your current read and a couple more bits.

Made using a combination of rattan and oak, this curved bedside table sits softly inside a bedroom. With gold accents including a drawer handle, it screams (whispers) luxury.

Buy now: Ankhara Bedside Table, £169 £154 at Made using the code MADEGREAT15

Shopping edit – stylish bedside tables for a bedroom update

4. Teo Overreach Floor Lamp

Image credit: Made

A simple way to ready your living room for darker nights, this floor lamp can illuminate your space and add ambience when you didn’t even know you needed it. Place it in the corner of your room to arch over your furniture and set the mood.

With an off-white fabric shade to bring a welcoming vibe, this lamp stems from a black metal arched frame. With antique brass accents, too. This floor lamp will easily slide into any space, whether your living room is modern, minimalist or mid-century modern. Versatile.

Buy now: Teo Overreach Floor Lamp, £169 £154 at Made using the code MADEGREAT15

5. Helgar Large Quad Sheepskin Rug

Image credit: Made

Whether it’s a new rug for your living room floor to sit underneath your coffee table, something soft for a nursery or it’s for the bottom of your bed, the Helgar from Made is a beauty. It comes in Soft Taupe, Sandstone or Ivory, and it will undoubtedly bring the cosy level in your home from 0 to 100.

Thick and cosy, this Made rug is made out of four separate sheep skins, plus it’s pretty sizeable. It measures 170cm wide by 105cm deep. When we say that it’s soft enough to sleep on, we’re not lying. Your pet will probably tell you that…

Buy now: Helgar Large Quad Sheepskin Rug, £199 £184 at Made with the code MADEGREAT15

Shop more beautiful rugs in our best rugs shopping edit

What else to buy at Made?

Carry on shopping and click through to browse whatever you are after at Made. And don’t forget that discount code!

• Shop MADE sofas
• Shop MADE chairs
• Shop MADE tables
• Shop MADE storage
• Shop MADE beds
• Shop MADE textiles
• Shop MADE home decor
• Shop MADE garden buys
• Shop MADE kitchen buys
• Shop MADE lifestyle buys

The post Get £15 off your Made.com order with this secret discount code appeared first on Ideal Home.

Follow the latest living room trends to give living rooms a refresh for the year ahead. Decor trends offer all the inspiration needed to rethink your home, whether that’s redefining the entire space with on-trend paint shades and investing in this season’s so-now bouclé sofas, or simply upgrading soft furnishings with the latest looks.

Discover the top living room trends for 2022

The emerging new trends for living room ideas in 2022 have something for everyone. You can choose the tranquil, relaxing back-to-nature looks that see you incorporating earthy colours and succulents or get creative with the maximalist vibe, from multicoloured rugs to mix-and-match soft furnishings.

Whatever trend you choose, you can’t go wrong because it’s all about self expression and making the most of the space to create your own version of a happy home.

1. Zoning areas for work, rest and play

Image credit: Dunelm

Our homes have never had to work harder than in recent years, especially living rooms – becoming home offices, home schooling hubs and an entertaining space. As a result the emerging trend of zoning is set to be an ongoing way of making sure our living rooms perfectly suit our multifaceted lifestyles.

Whether a single or open-plan area the use of thoughtful zoning allows homeowners to create divisions and individual spaces to cater for work, rest and play. Methods like non-permanent room dividers, well-placed rugs and furniture layouts can help to provide separation without entirely enclosing dedicated spaces.

2. Calming Japandi interiors

Image credit: Future PLC/ Damian Russell

Japandi is an east-meets-west trend that combines relaxing, minimalist décor with a neutral palette and natural materials to create a restful retreat for our living spaces.

‘Japandi’s calming interior style encourages slow living,’ Rebecca Snowden, Interior Style Advisor at Furniture And Choice. ‘With a huge shift in lifestyles, many of us have been looking for ways to lead a more balanced life.’

‘One of the aspects of Japandi interiors is to reconnect with nature to boost our overall wellbeing. Channel this in the dining room with an oak dining table, linen tablecloth, earthen tableware and wooden cutlery. Touches of greenery complete the look.’

3. Blurring the lines between outside and in

Image credit: Future PLC/ Joanna Henderson

Welcoming the outside in is one trend that is going from strength to strength for 2022. Dressing our homes with house plant ideas proves as popular as ever as homeowners strive to create a sense of calm for indoor living spaces, by being surrounded by nature.

‘We’ll see the continuation of bringing the outdoors in, especially as we spend more time at home,’ shares Nina Findly at Homebase. ‘Expect our rooms to be full of succulents which are easy to care for, and larger leafy plants which add a sense of escapism, calm and relaxation to our living rooms.’

You might want to add some gardening shows to your TV programming, to help nurture your green thumb.

4. Blue sky thinking

Image credit: Dulux

The Dulux colour of the year is a fail-safe way of determining the colour trends for the year ahead. For 2022 the colour is inspired by blue skies; ‘Right now, people want to feel revitalised and enjoy the freedoms that are returning to them, to look out and bring in new ideas. What better inspiration can we take than the endless skies around us?’ says Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director of Dulux UK.

‘Whereas previously, neutral tones have been the most popular for living rooms, soft and versatile shades such as rose pink and sky blue have seen a surge in popularity for the coming season,’ explains Helen Shaw, director of Benjamin Moore UK. ‘Blue works perfectly in busy spaces where you look to form a sense of tranquility, such as a chaotic family living room idea.

‘Blue is one of the colours that require our eyes to do little-to-no adjusting, which will help to create a feeling of restfulness and harmony in the home. Not only does the shade bring a sense of calm, but it is also vibrant, injecting more life and energy into a space than a more traditional neutral tone.’

5. Rethinking lighting choices

Image credit: Habitat; Tempe Brass Table Lamp, £45; Easton Brushed Brass & Opal Wall Light, £28; Joel Sofa bed, £400

Rightly so living room lighting ideas are being more considered for transforming the decor, without the need for decorating at all.

‘Extended time at home has opened our eyes to the impact different styles of lighting have on our spaces’ explains  Kate Grant, Senior Lighting Buyer at Habitat. ‘We’re now seeing much more adventurous shopping in this area as people explore designs beyond pendants and table lamps.’

‘Sales of sconce lights have increased by over 40% since the start of September, and this surprisingly isn’t limited to home owners. There’s high demand for plug-in options that attach to walls and even clamp lighting for headboards, as renters look to create atmospheric looks without the hassle of rewiring.’

‘In a move away from purely functional designs, customers are increasingly opting for lamps which operate as stylish objets even when switched off’ says Anna Cross, Buying Manager for Habitat. ‘Bold, sculptural styles are an easy way to instantly elevate living spaces through an injection of personality. Pair two lamps together to frame larger pieces of furniture such as sofas.’

6. Coordinating colour

Image credit: The Radiator Company; Ancona Radiator, colour coordinated to Benjamin Moore Aegean Teal

The trend for coordinating colour is a great way to make everything in our homes feel more stylish. Take radiators for instance, an essential item but often not one we consider to be part of the decor. This emerging trend sees radiators become more inclusive in the decor, by matching the wall colour.

Rather than radiators standing out for all the wrong reasons, because they jar with living room colour schemes, this new trend makes them part of the colour scheme. The Radiator Company for instance can take your chosen paint colour and expertly create a power coated finish to colour coordinate with the paint throughout your home.

7. Factoring in on-trend vinyl flooring

Image credit: Carpetright

You’ve probably considered vinyl for your kitchen or dining room, but possibly not your living room flooring idea? It’s time to think again as this easy-to-maintain material is having a resurgence. Pair it with a neutral scheme to create a so-now raw look.

‘Designing a white or neutral scheme doesn’t mean you have to decorate rooms without flair and personality,’ says David Snazel, Carpetright buyer, hard flooring.

‘Start with a simple plain base, on walls and floors. Layer in a variety of textures, shapes and materials like on-trend jute and rattan – to add interest and keep the room from looking too stark. Opt for easy to clean flooring, such as vinyl and laminate, to ensure it remains immaculate for years to come.’

8. Grounding colours

Image credit: Future PLC

Earthy neutral tones are still a prominent paint trend for living rooms in 2022. Freshen up your lounge and build a tranquil, fuss-free scheme with a clean, nude palette – creating a calming place to spend quality time.

Natural textures such as rattan and woven jute, plus earthy pigments such as terracotta and sand will all be popular as we aim to create natural, grounding environments where we can truly disconnect from our busy lives.

9. Rich coloured velvets

Image credit: Future PLC/ Max Attenborough

Opulent Grandeur will continue to prove popular, ‘But it’s now moving towards opulent lighting and occasional furniture, and velvet remains a key fabric choice,’ explains Nina Findley, Director of Trading for Home at Homebase.

‘In upholstery, greys and blush are still popular along with rich navy blues and emerald colours. ‘Investing in a velvet sofa is a great way to get the look. However, if you’re not ready to take that plunge, opting for a velvet cocktail chair or glamorous lighting fixture will offer affordable updates to your living room.

10. Statement rugs

Image credit: Carpetright Ardent ‘People and Planet’ Carpet, Burnt Orange, £29.99m2, Maestro Primary Ochre Rug, £79.99m2

‘Hard flooring continues to remain popular in homes across the country,’ shares David Snazel, Buyer at Carpetright. That means that making a statement will continue to be left the rugs and runners.

‘Layering the two materials injects an additional level of comfort under foot whilst providing a way to introduce colour into the room and delineate spaces; particularly in open plan rooms. Consider big and bold prints with large scale pattern and bright colourways to create a focal point in the room,’ David advises for styling this trend in your home.

11. Invigorating greens

Image credit: Little Greene

Green living room ideas are more popular than ever. ‘Green is the true colour of nature, it is one that we associate with the tranquillity of the outdoors – making it an ideal hue for relaxing areas of the home,’ says Ruth Mottershead, marketing director at Little Greene.

‘For a restful living space, consider using green on all walls for a cosy, wrap-around feel. Sumptuous jewel tones like Jewel Beetle and Puck bring warmth and impact to a room and are complimented with furniture painted in rich tones like Chocolate Colour.’

12. Escape to the country with a modern twist

Image credit: Sofa.com

‘Modern country is a strong trend we have been seeing throughout 2021 and we expect it to continue well into next year,’ comments Claire Wilks, Designer at sofa.com. ‘Our customers crave the touch of outdoor, country living and we wanted to design pieces that would be a mix of country styling but with a modern flair.’

‘Cue our new Patrick unbuttoned, stripping away the traditional tufting, we wanted a refined silhouette. It’s the Chesterfield sofa of the 21st century, perfect for those looking for a traditional design but finished differently, with a contemporary take. 

13. Express yourself with classic florals

Image credit: Farrow and Ball

Classic florals are staging a comeback for living room wallpaper ideas. However, it is just sticking to the walls, it it covering the ceiling too.

‘Small and somewhat traditional floral patterns like the classic Jasmine connect us back to nature and make us feel protected. Especially when taken over the ceiling,’ explains Joe Studholme, Farrow & Ball colour curator. ‘For the more contemporary living room, Amime wallpaper with its organic weave is a perfect choice, especially when teamed with darker woodwork.’

14. Add texture with Bouclé

Image credit: Heals

The trend for this nubby textile took off in 2020, and shows no signs of stopping.  Embrace this fabric and opt for a bouclé statement piece like a sofa, or tip your toe in the trend with a textured cushion.

‘Contrast is important when adding this soft fabric to your space,’ explains Emily Dunstan, Home Accessories Buyer for Heal’s. ‘A plain, no-frills wood table will also help balance out the glam vibes these sofas can introduce. Dark paint colors will also make ivory bouclé material really pop.’

15. Multi-functional space

Image credit: IKEA

Multi-functional is the watch word for living rooms in the new normal. Now that our homes are doubling up as offices, gyms and pop-up bars, clever storage ideas are a must. An ottoman living room storage idea will provide space to store gym equipment, or office supplies. While a fold down desk will allow smaller spaces to be transformed into home offices with minimal disruption.

‘People will be looking for versatile pieces of furniture and flexible storage units that work across the home, creating seamless clever combinations for a range of needs and solutions,’ explains Rosheen Forbes Commercial Activity & Events Leader at IKEA UK & Ireland. ‘These functional, beautiful and personal solutions also create a sense of calm, which is particularly important at the moment when we’re spending more time indoors.’

16. Shine a spotlight on natural linens

Image credit: Habitat

‘Over the last few seasons bright velvets have dominated sales of upholstery at Habitat, however in the last few months we’ve seen an emerging trend for linen-finish sofas. These are rapidly increasing in popularity and topping our bestsellers lists,’ explains Laura Burnett, Junior Buyer for Upholstery at Habitat.

‘Giving a more relaxed, informal feel, linens in more neutral colours (natural, grey, stonewash) are having a moment. With customers focusing on using calming materials in the home, looking at more oversized sofas such as our Askem design that tap into the current ‘cocoon’ trend in upholstery with generous cushioning to emphasise relaxation and escapism from the outside world.’

17. Mix and match maximalism

Image credit: John Lewis & Partners

‘Individuality will remain at the forefront of design,’  says Philippa Prinsloo, partner and head of design, Home at John Lewis & Partners.

‘As interior enthusiasts look for ways to breathe new life into their rooms, without a complete overhaul, carefully selected mix and match accessories will offer the opportunity to have a little fun and inject personality.’ A vibrant living room colour scheme is key for this trend.

‘In addition beautiful and affordable timeless pieces, that consider material and shape, will be popular as shoppers balance value and provenance with style and design.’

18. Braving bold colours

Image credit: Zoffany

‘We’ve all began to decorate with more confidence,’ says Peter Gomez, Lead Designer at Zoffany. ‘We’ve become braver with darker hues and are not afraid of making a brighter statement, either. There seems to be a more sophisticated way of using related tones to create a layered and sophisticated interior. Whether that’s through painting ceilings or decorating all four walls the same colour.’

He goes on to say, ‘Try a rich, on-trend deep green like Zoffany’s Huntsman Green. Which perfectly represents the connection with nature trend that’s so on-point right now.’

So there you have it, all the trends to inspire your living room decorating projects for the year ahead.

The post Living room trends 2022 – key interior decor trends and top styling tips appeared first on Ideal Home.

Buying the best stand mixer will make sure that you’re all set to make Christmas cookies and extravagant New Year desserts. Planning on getting into sourdough starter as a fresh hobby? Buying a stand mixer will take all the muscle work out of kneading and leave you with perfectly risen loaves fit for a bakery.

Every single one of the ten best stand mixers in our guide has been reviewed by a member of the Ideal Home team, and if you want to find out more, you can just click through to see our reviews, complete with images from all our baking. When reviewing the best stand mixers from KitchenAid, Kenwood, Cuisinart, Russell Hobbs, Morphy Richards, and Sage, we tried out all attachments to see how well they handled cakes, icing, and even bread dough. Some even come with attachments to rival the best blender, which can be easily attached to a port on the front of the machine.

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 2021

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. 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

3. 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

4. KitchenAid 4.8L Artisan Stand Mixer

Best stand mixer for baking cake

Image credit: KitchenAid

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

5. 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

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

Black Friday stand mixer deals

We’ve got a dedicated page for the best Black Friday stand mixer deals, but if you want to know which stand mixer to buy on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, our guide is here to help.

Last year we saw some discounts on Kenwood and Russell Hobbs mixers, and even a couple of reductions on coveted KitchenAids.

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.

The post Best stand mixers 2021 – our top 10, tried and tested appeared first on Ideal Home.

A simple yet stylish mirror can do wonders to transform any room, especially hallways where space and light might be lacking. Hall mirror ideas can help to add depth to the decor without taking up any valuable floor space.

Mirrors are brilliant for reflecting light back into an immediate space to create a sense of airiness, invaluable in light-deprived corners of the home.

Hallway Mirror Ideas

‘Mirrors have long been used by interior designers to subtly transform spaces through clever tricks of light and space’ explains Habitat’s Andrew Tanner, Design Manager.

‘Ideal for compact spaces such as hallways, mirrors maximise luminosity, reflecting light around the room.’

Mirrors for hallway ideas are also handy by the front door to provide the perfect place to check your hair before leaving the house! Take inspiration from our hall mirror ideas to creatively use mirrors in your own home.

1. Make a stylish first impression

Image credit: Heal’s; Fine Edge Mirror

‘The hallway gives visitors a first impression of your home, so it’s important to create a comfortable and inviting space – the simple addition of a mirror can have a big impact on how the room feels’ says Sabina Miller, Head Buyer at Heal’s.

‘Typically one of the narrowest areas within the home, the hallway often has a minimal footprint, which can immediately be opened up by a well-placed mirror.’ Especially a stylish frameless design, like this Heal’s design above, that looks like a photo frame.

Buy now: Rectangular Fine Edge Mirror, from £219, Heal’s

2. Set a mirror above a console table

Image credit: Future PLC/ Bridget Peirson

For a classic approach to dressing your hallway decor choose to hang a traditional mirror above a slim console table. This set up provides a timeless option for enhancing the interior of this small space, to make it feel better dressed and more of its own entity – rather than merely an area you pass through without thinking about the decor.

In this neutral hallway colour scheme a contrasting French-style ornate mirror grabs attention. Choosing a striking or contrasting colour for a mirror will help to draw focus, to ensure it stands out.

A petite console underneath provides drawers for storage, to keep items hidden away. The top offers a surface on which to dress with fresh flowers and family photos, to make a welcoming first impression.

3. Keep decor simple in a small hallway

Image credit: Future PLC/ Kasia Fizer

When space is premium look to keep the decor as paired back as possible, with a simple mirror design and a soft colour scheme. In this bright white hallway idea all that is added is an on-trend circular mirror with a streamlined floating shelf underneath.

The smart mirror design is frameless to ensure it doesn’t project too much from the wall,  so it doesn’t encroach on the limited space. The black mirror is coordinated by a slimline shelf/ledge that provides just enough space to store a few knick knacks, but can’t be overwhelmed with stuff – it’s essential not to over clutter a small space.

4. Create intrigue with a window pane mirror

Image credit: Future PLC

Window panes are a popular choice for small spaces, to create a trick of the eye – giving the impression of a window to add architectural detail. Of course we know there’s no window there but it’s enough to add depth and cause intrigue, which makes the hall a more purposeful space.

In this stylish grey hallway idea an incredibly slim console table provides a platform to place a copper lamp, which delights on so many levels. Firstly the metallic finish reflects lights. Secondly, being in front of the mirror creates a greater reflection which enhances the altered perspective of the layout.

5. Add warm accents to a colourful hallway

Image credit: Future PLC/ Simon Whitmore

In a hallway that celebrates colour look to add a mirror that can welcome a hint of warmth to the hallway colour scheme without clashing. A warming brass or gold framed mirror is not only very on-trend, it’s perfectly paired with almost any colour scheme.

To amplify the effect of a mirror in a hall Sabina Miller advises, ‘Add sculptural LEDs, such as Wave or Ribbon, as the reflection will add a sense of drama. And look for metallic finishes to further brighten your scheme.’

6. Brighten a small space with multiple mirrors

Image credit: Future PLC

Use more than one mirror to make a statement in a small hallway. ‘Don’t be restricted to just one!’ says Andrew Tanner. ‘Incorporating multiple designs balances a space, significantly brightening dark schemes and making intimate rooms appear larger.’

In this narrow hallway space the homeowners have been creative, using traditional wall hooks to suspend a row of well-placed mirrors in a row.

7. Create balance for walls

Image credit: Future PLC/ Simon Whitmore

Dividing the walls with colour in a narrow hallway is a clever decorating trick to make the space feel more generous. In this grey hallway the lower half of the wall is filled with character thanks to the on-trend wall panelling idea, painted in a dove grey which is echoed by the smart radiator cover. The decorative detail at the level below waist height is enough to set the tone of the room but bare walls can feel lacking in any living space.

That’s where a mirror can be ideal. The upper half of the walls are painted white to create a striking colour contrast. A painted white mirror design is just the thing to balance not only the colour scheme, but the decorative element on the empty walls. Unlike a piece of artwork that could distract from the detail of the wood clad walls and mirror adds a decorative element without causing any distraction.

8. Give a furnished element to a corner

Image credit: Future PLC/ Lizzie Orme

Make more of your hallway decor. Select an over mantel-style mirror to give a sense of purpose to a hallway bench.

‘With minimal room for larger furnishings, such as armchairs or sofas, or without wanting the scheme to feel cramped with accessories, mirrors now come in a range of finishes, shapes and sizes, so you can still add an element of interest and personality to the hallway, whilst enjoying the space-enhancing benefits’ says Sabrina.

9. Extend the space with smart positioning

Image credit: Future PLC

In a small cramped hall you might want to place the mirror on the wall which will reflect the most interesting perspective. For instance a mirror placed at the bottom of the stairs will reflect back the view up the stairs, making the space feel more generous in size. While also on a practical note allowing vision of who’s coming down the stairs, to avoid overcrowding the space.

10. Add extra reflection with metallic frames

Image credit: Future PLC/ Colin Poole

A narrow hallway idea, exactly like this one, will always benefit hugely from hanging mirrors to reflect light into the space – to make it feel brighter and more forgiving. Choosing a decorative metallic finish for that frame will add to the light reflecting qualities which make mirrors so valuable in small or dark spaces.

In this bright white hallway space is limited but the style credentials are not! Guest are immediately met with a large silver gilded wall mirror that beautifully bounces light back into the narrow stairwell beyond.

11. Make a mirror multipurpose

Image credit: A Place For Everything

A mirror with concealed compartments in the back offers a smart way to tackle hallway storage ideas when you want to keep the space clutter free. ‘Multifunctional storage is a clever way to store items without sacrificing the decor of the room’ says  Simon Glanville, managing director of A Place for Everything.

A wall-mounted storage cabinet with a mirror front provides all the winning qualities of a hall mirror, with the added bonus that it can double up as concealed shelf for keys and bits and bobs. A concealed mirror unit is a great idea in a small hallway idea where less on show will help to keep the space feeling less cluttered.

Buy now: Hallway Storage Mirror, £85, A Place For Everything

12. Style a decorative hallway

Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles

Add a stylish on-trend mirror to a hallway to set the tone for your well-dressed home. In this characterful hallway a black edged round mirror is hung over a matching slim framed black and glass console table. The slimline table is purely there to enhance the decor, to display fresh flowers and candles to create an attractive welcoming space.

13. Coordinate colour throughout the hall

Image credit: Future PLC/ Dominic Blackmore

This colourful hallway takes matching decor to a stylish new heights. From wall colours to accessories and even the mirror all match in tonal shades of blue to create a cohesive colour scheme.

Matching the mirror frame to the wall colour helps to make it seamlessly blend into the wall, meaning it doesn’t attract too much attention. Plus this smart mirror design features a slim ledge for handy storage.

14. Get creative with a feature wall of mirrors

Image credit: Future PLC

Why hang one mirror when you can choose to make a feature wall of mirrors? In a hallway or landing space this is a great way to add character to the bare walls and open up the space by bouncing light around. This idea is particularly effective with white walls, because white paint helps to reflect light rather than stuck it up.

15. Create a continuous flow within the layout

Image credit: Future PLC/ Jonathan Jones

Create a cohesive decorating scheme which flows from one room into another, by choosing matching materials. This white hallway space seamlessly draws you into the room beyond thanks to the consistent use of natural wood materials, from the mirror to the floorboards. The key for this idea is to keep the scheme simple, so no one design elements overwhelms another.

16. Seek simplicity

Image credit: Future PLC/ Robert Sanderson

To make a style statement in a contemporary hallway space, choose the largest mirror your budget will allow. Make it the complete focus of your hall decorating scheme, by choosing a soft neutral colour scheme that won’t overwhelm the paired-back ethos of the decor.

If you want to add a finishing touch with furniture, seek a slimline console table that sits underneath the oversized mirror – to offer a surface for display single stem flower arrangements.

17. Guide the eye up the stairs with mirrors

Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles

Use mirror placement to gently guide the eye up the stairs. This hallway wallpaper idea is probably too overpowering for most tastes, but this design principal can work for all wallpaper and paint colour choices.

18. Incorporate a mirror into shelving

Image credit: Future PLC/ Lizzie Orme

Add layers to the look by hanging a characterful mirror that incorporates a storage/display element. It may be that the piece you choose is upcycled from an old kitchen dresser. An interesting accessory is a great way to make the decor feel unique and intriguing for your home.

Do mirrors look good in hallways?

Mirrors always look good in hallways, welcoming interest to walls as well as light to create a sense of space. Mirrors are one of the most natural home accessories to welcoming to halls, because they add so much decorative value – yet they take up very limited space. Wall-mounted mirrors are the perfect solution for dressing hallways where you want to keep the look streamlined, but presentable.

How do I choose a hallway mirror?

To choose a hallway mirror that’s right for your home firstly think about how you use the space. this will determine which style you need – do you want purely decorative or do you need a storage element too.

Heal’s head buyer Sabrina Miller offers this advice for choosing a hallway mirror; ‘Choose the largest one your budget will allow. As this will help to create depth. In the absence of natural daylight, mirrors will also help artificial illumination feel much brighter, bouncing the light back into the space.’

The post Hall mirror ideas – ways to add light and interest to hallways of all sizes appeared first on Ideal Home.