Lifestyle

7 Ways Plants Can Relax Your Mind

Houseplants should be integrated in your house to create mindfulness. An environmentally rich addition to you house will ease stress levels and relax your mind. In this current climate it is normal to feel anxious and overwhelmed, creating a plant space or filling each room with plants will subtly ease you into meditation. Active plant care is a small but effective way to look after your mental wellbeing.

Lockdown Has Turned Britain into Nation of 'Curtain Twitchers'

Britain has been transformed into a nation of nosy neighbours after being stuck at home during lockdown.

Top Tips to Banish BBQ Spills & Stains

With BBQ season upon us, Brits will be dusting off their tongs and selecting the best cuts of meat. However, BBQ's can be a messy and sticky affair and result in unfortunate spills and stains.

How to Soundproof Your Home During Lockdown

With everyone starting to adjust staying at home, being stuck in the flat all day has probably made many notices notice how noisy the neighbours are.

Healing Crystals for Your Home

Semiprecious stones and crystals have been used in healing for thousands of years. Skip to 2020 and they’ve never been more needed.

Corona Virus: Media Photos of Empty Supermarket Shelves Causes MORE Panic Buying

Research from University of Edinburgh Business School and the University of Southampton has found that photographs of empty supermarket shelves in news stories about panic buying instigate people to follow the buying frenzy.

We're Turning into a Nation of Couch Potatoes!

BRITS are no longer a nation up for a night out, as new research has revealed many of us would love nothing more than a quiet night in binge-watching a box set.

Nine in 10 Brits Are Self-confessed ‘Control Freaks’ At Home.

Research of 2,000 adults found they feel uneasy if they're not in charge of key aspects of their home - including the TV remote, home décor and the thermostat.

Let A Dehumidifier Take Away The Winter Laundry Drying Blues

There's no doubt about it, winter causes problems for people who like to hang their clothes out to dry, but as John Elliott, Chairman of Ebac, which is the only British manufacturer of dehumidifiers explains, there is another more cost-effective and ‘greener’ solution.

Christmas Traditions Making A Comeback

With Christmas only days away, it’s exciting to look at which forgotten trends are making a comeback this year. If you’re missing that vintage touch to your home décor this festive period or are thinking about instilling a few Christmas traditions into your children, Lucy Askew, spokesperson for www.Hilarys.co.uk has compiled her favourite trends making a comeback this year so that you can embrace the ghost of Christmas past.

7 Ways Your home Could Be Making You Ill This Winter

There are many illnesses already doing the rounds, and as we edge ever closer to winter where the number of coughs and sniffles increase dramatically, our homes could well be exacerbating the problem. The experts at www.Hillarys.co.uk have listed some of the ways your home could be making you ill and tips on how to prevent this…

Can You Spot The Signs That No one is At Home and Foil the Burglars?

This mind-bending puzzle is the latest brainteaser to sweep the internet, but can you pick out the 11 clues that the residents of this house have gone on holiday?

8,400 Candle Fires Reported Annually

In the last 10 years, 8,400 fires were caused by candles In the last 10 years, 87 fires caused fatalities with the mist being in Greater London (24) In the last 10 years, 2,850 fires caused injuries with the mist being in Greater London (768)

The Perks Of An Electric Car...

The automotive industry has seen a change in tide over the last few years. Where the global trends were once focused more on the fast and the furious, they are now focused heavily on the environmental needs of the world. When it comes to choosing a new car this year, you might want to consider choosing an electric model instead of the fuel-filled machines you are used to. There are many reasons why this is a great decision to make and here are just a few of them for you to consider this year.

External Home Features That Should Not Be Ignored

Most homeowners come to accept that the relationship with their property does not start and end with what’s inside its four walls. External features can have a huge influence on everything from home lifestyle choices to the value of the house. Here are our tips for getting the most out of the external features of your property.

Dwindling Number of Us Believe Community Spirit 'Alive and Well'

Less than a quarter of Brits believe that the nation’s sense of community is alive and well, research has revealed.

Dr Linda’s 10 Secrets to Managing Family Life

Home should be a haven after a tough day at the office or long day at school but according to the Happy Home Study from home management site Hoppy, for over a third of stressed out British workers (36 per cent), running their home is as or more stressful than their day job, with one in three working men (30 per cent) staying late in the office to skive household chores. Hoppy is working with chartered psychologist Dr. Linda Papadopoulos to help take the hassle out of running a home.

Who's Ready For Some Summer Fun?

Do you feel like we’re already having little glimpses of summer at the minute? Now is the perfect time to get yourself ready for some real summer sun. Last summer just flew by, and because the temperatures were so unexpected, we really didn’t have the time to make the most of it. So if you feel like you’re ready for some summer fun already, then this is the perfect prep article for you. Keep on reading, and see how we think you should be getting yourself ready for some summer sun!

Cleaning Is Good For Mental Health, Says Study

Brand new research has revealed that two fifths of Britons say they now clean more thanks to online influencers, with one in five claiming it has helped with their mental health.

6 Things People Forget When Moving House

Although moving house is an incredibly exciting experience, it can also be one of the most stressful things that you could do. Due to the amount of stress people often experience, it can be easy to forget simple things during your move. Whether it's forgetting to redirect your mail or forgetting to call up your service providors, you need to ensure you're doing everything you can for a nice and easy move. With that in mind, here are 6 things people often forget when moving house:

The Most Hated Household Smells Revealed

New research has revealed that the wiffiest, and most reviled, smells do indeed emanate from the smallest room in the house!

Happiness is the Most Important Goal of Human Existence..

Today marks the United Nations’ International Day of Happiness. It recognises happiness as a “fundamental human goal” and promotes “a more inclusive, equitable and balanced approach to economic growth that promotes the happiness and well-being of all peoples.”

1 in 9 People Have Contacted Estate Agents To Snoop on Neighbours' Homes

A new study has revealed that, 1 in 9 British homeowners have contacted an estate agent to find out more about a neighbour’s home and 6% of those polled have gone on to book a viewing.

12 Brilliant Festive House Cleaning Hacks

Christmas can be a wonderful time of the year, but it can also present a minefield of festive household dilemmas. Here are the top 12 solutions from our traders at www.hamuch.com to the most common problems faced by householders over the festive period.

Six in 10 Parents Already Suffering from 'Christmas Stress'

Six in 10 parents are suffering from 'Christmas stress' - as they try to find original places to hide gifts to keep them away from prying eyes.

The Perfect Night In?

The recipe for a perfect night in includes dinner at 6:48pm, two hours in front of the TV and bed by 10:45pm, according to research.

Time-Poor Brits Could Save At Least Fortnight a Year by Hiring Help

The average householder could free up at least two weeks, or 336 hours, per year by hiring someone else to do their cleaning or tend their garden, according to new research.

Millennials - Inspired by Insta-trends - are 'Cleanest'

Millennials are increasingly embracing housework thanks to Instagram cleaning sensation, Mrs Hinch.

Getting the Right Charge Points for Electric Vehicles

It doesn’t seem long since electric vehicles (EVs) were simply an environmentalist’s dream. Now sales of EVs are increasing. Research suggests that by 2030 there will be 500 million EVs worldwide and the number may well be an under-estimate.

The Rise of the 'Outroom' in UK Homes

An ‘outroom’ is the new must-have property feature as the hottest summer on record saw Britons enjoying their gardens like never before. Creating an ‘outroom’ has become an increasingly popular move amongst home owners and interiors influencers, extending the use of properties and adding value to homes without a structural extension.

Smart' Living Rooms Are Key to Home Owners' Happiness

Burdened by stress and a lack of time, Brits now more than ever crave convenience and speed in various aspects of their lives. One area where this is particularly true, is within their home environment. Individuals are therefore gradually adopting smart home technology which they can remotely control through their smartphones and tablets to facilitate a ‘connected home’.

Mistakes To Avoid When Looking For A Property To Rent

There is no denying that the rental market is booming in the United Kingdom at the moment. One of the main reasons for this is because people do not have enough money to purchase a property outright. This is of little surprise when you consider how much property prices have increased over the past decade, as well as the difficulty that is associated with securing a good mortgage deal. Moreover, there are some people that simply prefer the freedom of renting. They can up and leave whenever they see fit, and they do not have to pay for any repairs to the property either. So, with that in mind, if you are thinking about renting a property, read on to find out some of the mistakes that you need to avoid.

British Community Spirit in Sharp Decline

Britain’s sense of community spirit is in decline, according to new research.

3 Ways to Make Your Home a 'Cooler' Place to Be

A home is many things to many different people. For one thing, it’s generally agreed upon that a home should be a comfortable place...

Third of Homeowners Do Not Think of Their House as 'Home'

A new study of British homeowners across the country has revealed just 66 percent of us believe we live in a home, while as many as a THIRD claim the place they live is merely a house, made of bricks and mortar.

Busy Brits are Suffering ‘Gadget Confusion’

Busy Brits are suffering ‘gadget confusion’, a study has found.

Majority Bicker Over Household Rules

When it comes to the home it seems we are a nation of rule-enforcers, but this could be at the expense of a harmonious household, according to new research.

We're a Nation of 'Clean Freaks' according to New Research

Three out of five people claim living in a messy home has a negative impact on their mental health according to a new study.

The Death Of The Guest Bedroom...

New research has revealed that just two fifths of Britons who rent or own their own home are using their spare bedroom as a guest bedroom, with others finding alternative uses for them. Those with a guest bedroom find the room is used just two or three times a year, whereas those spare rooms with alternative purposes typically get used on a daily basis.

Top 25 Things We Miss But No Longer Do Due to Technology

Making mix tapes, printing photographs and sending love letters are among the tasks replaced by technology which we miss doing, a study has found.

Worst Christmas Dinner Disasters

Mr or Mrs average in the UK rates their Christmas dinner making skills at a modest seven out of 10, a study has found.

Pre-Autumn House Essentials

It feels like summer has only just got into full swing, and already here we are, talking about the end of it. After a wet and rainy July, you might already be thinking that autumn is nipping at your heels - and the truth is, the days of summer for this year are numbered. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news!

Cool As A Cucumber: A Breezy Guide To Not Overheating At Night

Summer is everyone’s favourite time of year because the sun is out and the temperatures are off the scale. During the day, there is nothing better than enjoying the warm weather and basking in the sunshine. But, what about at night? What happens when the mercury doesn’t drop and you can’t get to sleep?

Property Insights: 20th Century Listed Buildings

Think of a listed building and more often than not you will picture a structure that was built centuries ago and yet has — at least partially — stood the test of time. Not all listed buildings are old and archaic though, since a building can make the list if it’s over 30 years old.

Father's Day Cards Reveal Changing Face of 'Dad'

Depictions of dads as aloof, pipe-smoking, newspaper-reading, besuited men ‘enthroned’ by the fireplace have disappeared from all cards, with the exception of parody cards, and have been replaced by casually-dressed, soft-in-the-middle, sofa-dwelling figures, often likened to Darth Vader and far more likely to be comically inept, according to new research.

Millions of British Mums Cook More Than FOUR Meals a Day

Millions of British mums are cooking more than FOUR times a day, according to new research. A quarter of the 2,000 mothers polled admit that in order to meet different family schedules they are forced to play chef several times in a 24 hour period.

How To Avoid A Dinner Party Disaster

If you’ve decided to take the plunge and host a dinner party, you’ll probably already realise that planning is crucial and the small details could be your downfall. There’s a lot to think about when having people over for dinner. You’ll be playing the role of host and that means a lot of responsibilities. It’s not just the food either, conversation and drinks should flow and you’ll have to dress your dining space too. If you’re struggling to know where to start, or want to make sure you’ve prepared for everything, take a look at these tips and tricks below…

Simple Home Crafts You Wish You'd Thought Of Sooner

Do you spend a lot of time day dreaming about your perfect home? Maybe you have a Pinterest board you readily admit you spend way too much time gazing at, or perhaps you are constantly trying to work out if your monthly budget can stretch to that next big home remodel...

Do Scandinavians Have It All Figured Out?

2016 was all about Danish Hygge and 2017 is set to be all about the Swedish lifestyle trend, Lagom, meaning ‘just the right amount’. The craving for Scandinavian living is clearly growing year on year. New research reveals the Nordic lifestyle traits and traditions that could be next on the trendspotting agenda.

How To Make Your Property More Spacious

In an ideal world, we would all like big spacious rooms in our homes with lots of scope for creating trend-led, inviting spaces. However, unfortunately the majority of us are limited by the amount of room we have available and therefore need to rely on clever design tricks in order to maximise our space.

Survey Sheds Light on Bedtime Habits

A third of Brits lets their pet sleep in bed with them – and one in ten people smoke under the covers, a study has found.

Looking Forward To The Home Of 2050

By 2050, home technology will be mainly invisible and discreet. Al, robots and VR will all become common household additions, acquiring everyday jobs and providing endless entertainment, according to exciting new research.

Top Holiday Stresses Revealed By UK Parents

Anxiety, hassle, frustration and apprehension are just some of the thoughts that go through the minds of British parents when they think ahead to the school summer holidays, new research has revealed.

Bring That Festival Feeling Home!

With summer festival season nearly upon us, thousands of Brits of all ages will be putting on their wellies and heading to the countryside to pitch a tent on a muddy field. If you can't make it to one or don’t fancy the idea of camping out with crowds of people, why not bring the festival feeling home?

Smart Technology Can Improve Disabled And Older Peoples' Lives

Inclusive design and smart technology for household appliances have the potential to boost the independence of older people and those with sight loss and other disabilities, new research suggests.

Top Tips To Prevent Summer Allergies

The weather is finally starting to turn and summer is just around the corner, with shorter nights and longer days in the sun. However, it isn’t all alfresco dining and prosecco as summer can be a frustrating time for allergy sufferers.

Seven Cool Things You Can Do With a Smart Home

Smart home technology is constantly evolving and as the internet gradually takes control of our everyday lives you will soon be able to control most things in your house from your phone, and even your voice.

Sleep Deprivation Affects Almost Quarter Of UK Population

New research has revealed that two fifths of people in Britain are suffering from a chronic lack of sleep. In addition, nearly four in ten (38%) people admit they spend three to four hours in front of screens every evening, in spite of more than half confessing that they are fully aware this has been proven to disrupt their sleep.

How To Discover Your Domestic Inner Calm

As a nation, we're not putting our feet up enough according to findings from a new study into the nation's relaxation rituals.

Wood Supplier Warns Of Impending 'Flue Epidemic'

Britain could soon be facing a flue epidemic, according to leading wood fuel supplier, Logs Direct, which is warning of trouble to come for those who don’t get to grips with their wood-burner and the wood they burn.

How To Declutter Your Wardrobe

Yvonne Manomano, Cleaning Operation Manager at Handy gives her best tips on de-cluttering your wardrobe ahead of winter. As we only wear 20% of our wardrobes 80% of the time, a seasonal clear-out is a must. Here are Yvonne’s Top Ten Tips for de-cluttering your wardrobe.

Slumber Right: Tips For A Blissful Night's Sleep

Sleep is worth taking your time over as it can affect the way you live your life! We spend roughly a third of our lives asleep and during this time our bodies rest and repair, so it is worth investing time and money to find the bed that is right for you.

How To Lighten Up Your Home This Autumn

We all have the best intention to maintain a bright and airy home, especially heading into winter as the days get increasingly dark and dreary. After all, a bright home helps us feel happy and calm, but it’s tough to know where to start. Here, Ollie Neveu, life coach and home interiors expert at TaskRabbit, shares her top tips to bring light and zen into your home this autumn:

Is Impatience Helping To Trigger Digital Amnesia?

A third of European adults will Google for answers before trying to remember – and 24% will forget what they’ve found as soon as they’ve used it.

Shoppers Being Increasingly Hit In The Wallet

Grocery prices in August rose by 1% month-on-month according to data from groceries website mySupermarket.co.uk. An average basket of 35 essential products cost £86.75 in August compared to £86.11 in July. Over the course of a year the increase would cost shoppers an extra £33 for their favourite grocery products.

Freezing Food Could Save Cold Hard Cash

The average UK family could save £1,080 per year, simply by making better use of their freezer, according to new research.

The Threat From 'Digital Amnesia'

The ‘Google Effect’, the impact on our memory of being able to find information online, has extended to include important personal information and mobile devices, a new study by Kaspersky Lab has found.

Good Neighourliness Is Alive And Well

The desire for community spirit is alive and well on the streets of the UK, as over a third (35%) of UK adults want to know their neighbours better according to new research from Barratt Homes. However despite good intentions, many people face a neighbourliness gap due to the lack of relationship building currently taking place in neighbourhoods across the UK. Nearly 20% of UK adults don’t actually invite their neighbours into their home, and 56% of neighbours only get as far as next door’s front door.

Home spas are hot trends

A new study conducted by an online bathroom retailer has revealed that the majority of Brits would like to recreate an at home spa experience in their bathroom with whirlpool baths, saunas and steam showers as the must have features.

Amanda Lamb encourages home owners to bring the new season indoors

With almost a third of Brits (32%) planning to transform their homes this spring*, TV presenter and interiors guru, Amanda Lamb, a brand ambassador for Air Wick, is calling on the nation to spice-up their homes ahead of the DIY season.

How to Spring Clean your Home and your Bills

Andy Corless, Managing Director at energy efficiency and home improvement group, entu, takes a look at the changes you can make in your home that can aid you this spring time.

How to give your home a spring-time declutter

It's spring clean time, and Paul Ruddick, who founded D-Line, a business aimed at organising cables and wires in homes, provides some handy tips on how to declutter your home.

How to avoid losing sleep when the clocks go forward

When the clocks go forward on Sunday March 29 for the official start of British Summer Time, it is somewhat a double-edged sword. We are happy to see the start of lighter evenings and longer days, but we also lose an hour in bed.Missing one hour’s sleep may not seem a great deal, but it can have a negative effect on our body clock, taking up to a week to re-adjust and get back to a normal routine. Here is some helpful advice from bed specialists www.dreams.co.uk to help cope with the clocks going forward this weekend.

Research reveals recipe for perfect home

More space and a tree house top household wish lists for home improvements, a study has revealed.Having a bigger kitchen was top of parents’ wish list of things they could do to improve their home, while ‘having a good sort out of the whole place’ was second on the agenda. The addition of a conservatory and a bigger garden were also rated highly.

Top tips to keep you warm this winter

Flame Heating Spares, the fast growing parts supply North East firm, is warning home owners to take action this winter to prevent any unnecessary frozen and burst pipes. With temperatures expected to drop during the winter months, the firm, which opened its third trade counter in September, has issued its own tips to improve the chances of a warm home during the festive period.

Sleep to Keep your New Year's Resolutions!

The New Year signifies a time when we turn a page, leave old habits behind and move on to a new chapter in our lives. Some of us will seize the opportunity and feel empowered to make changes whilst many of us will feel like curling up in a ball and going back to bed! Here, Dave Gibson BSC, 'Sleep Advisor' at Warren Evans, shares his top five tips to improve quality of sleep in 2015.

Unleash Your Wild Side!

This season, many designers are looking to the natural world for inspiration with animal prints and motifs featuring in many of collections. Unleash your wild side!

Seasons Greetings from the team at Home UK Magazine!

How does Santa get into a home without a chimney?

It is the question that millions of parents grapple with every year: How does Santa get into a house without a chimney?

Launch of First Dedicated Upcycling Website Converts Waste to Designer Goods

The UK’s first retail website dedicated to the rapidly expanding consumer trend of upcycling championed by celebrities including Kirstie Allsopp, Kevin McCloud and Livia Firth has been launched.

How to create the perfect festive home

Christmas is always a hectic time of year with people preparing the home for the visit of family and friends.Though the holiday season offers a well-earned break for some, it can be quite a stressful period for some, especially when it comes to decorating the home. Take a look at the following interior trends which will help give you that creative edge to enhance your home this festive season.

Brits spend on average 229 days of their lives waiting or being delayed

The average Brit spends an agonising 229 days over the course of their life waiting or being delayed due to factors out of their control, according to new research. We clock up 4,075 minutes every year hanging around or changing their plans because of unforeseen circumstances.

Modern mums share their secret ‘home hacks’

We all know that managing a busy household with children, school runs, juggling meal times, workloads and a never ending to do list is a challenge for busy mums everywhere...

Exclusive Interview: The Evolution of the Smart Home

Home UK Magazine speaks exclusively to Colin Calder, CEO and Founder of PassivSystems, about the evolution of the 'Smart Home'.

A patisserie fit for a Queen

Known for its bespoke wedding cake designs and brasserie style menu, Robineau Patisserie's culinary delights are quite literally fit for a Queen.