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Ali Howard

Ali Howard is a London-based freelance writer and interiors editor, whose passion for great design has her penning stories for Fabric magazine, Little London, Baby magazine and British GQ. She became a regular freelancer at IndyBest in 2019, covering all things interiors. She likes to champion little-known designer-makers, pushing sustainability wherever she can, as well as bringing readers the latest design trends. And when she’s not putting the best homewares to the test she can be found snooping around the capital’s finest homes. She also cheats on interiors with culture and travel from time to time. Follow Ali on Instagram at @indoorstories

<p>We considered whether the lamps gave us good directional lighting, and, if not, the size and quality of the static pool of light</p>
Lighting

Best reading lights and lamps 2024, tried and tested

<p>From wooden headboards to metal frames, there’s something for everyone here</p>
Bedroom

7 best double beds to give your boudoir a boost

<p>We looked for exceptional craftsmanship and great design</p>
Home & Garden

Best corner sofa 2024: Tried and tested for comfort

<p>Between 12-19 momme is considered good quality, while 22 or above is super high-end</p>
Home & Garden

Best silk bedding sets: Duvet covers, pillowcases and sheets

<p>We put a range of sofa beds to the test, looking for that sweet spot that gives you comfort and support in both sofa and bed setups </p>
Furniture

Best sofa beds 2024, tried and tested

<p>Not all fake flowers are created equal but we’ve found realistic designs to suit all tastes and budgets </p>
Home & Garden

Best artificial flowers 2024, tried and tested

<p>To up the romance, try adding some floaty curtains or twinkly string lights to the frame overhead</p>
Furniture

Best four-poster beds to give your room the royal treatment

<p>While not as plush as their wool counterparts, these rugs make up for it in affordability and freshness </p>
Home & Garden

Best washable rugs that are easy to clean and look great

<p>We weighed up affordability with quality of craftsmanship, as well as comfort and looks </p>
Dining

6 best dining chairs that are comfortable and stylish

<p>Best look beyond your own tastes, and consider what your giftee would find helpful or beautiful </p>
Home & Garden

Best housewarming gifts 2024

<p>Some canopy fabrics offer UV protection, so you can lounge al fresco with peace of mind </p>
Garden Furniture

Best garden parasols for summer 2024, tried and tested

<p>We looked at functionality, design quality of materials and how difficult the wardrobes were to assemble</p>
Furniture

Best wardrobes 2024: Stylish storage solutions for all budgets

<p>Many shade sails are weather proofed with UV protection and are resistance to the odd shower </p>
Garden Furniture

9 best shade sails that will outshine any garden brolly

Garden Furniture

9 best shade sails that will outshine any garden brolly

<p>Many shade sails are weather proofed with UV protection and are resistance to the odd shower </p>
<p>Finding the right desk, whether you’re setting it up in the bedroom, corner of the living room, or dedicated study space, can be a tall order</p>
Furniture

Best desks for home offices and bedrooms 2024

<p>We hung out in a range of stylish pods, from affordable picks to roomy seats for two </p>
Garden Furniture

Best hanging egg chairs that are the perfect addition to your patio

<p>We put a wide range of linen bedding sets and bundles to the test, from the high-end to the budget-friendly, looking for quality, durability, and softness</p>
Bedroom

13 best linen bedding sets that are low maintenance and chic

<p>These classic pot-bellied designs date back to ancient Mexico </p>
Garden Furniture

8 best chimineas for evenings in the garden

<p>These classic pot-bellied designs date back to ancient Mexico </p>
Garden Furniture

8 best chimineas for evenings in the garden

<p>Our selection of the best bookcases comprises a variety of shapes and styles to accommodate home libraries big and small</p>
Furniture

Best bookcases for displaying your home library

<p>We put our best headboards to the test, looking for comfort and style, durability, craftsmanship, and a tight fit</p>
Bedroom

8 best headboards to jazz up your bedroom

<p>Measure up properly to ensure your furniture piece sits well in both configurations</p>
Furniture

10 best extendable dining tables: Make the most of small spaces

<p>Not just for the door, these work wonders on mantelpieces, as a centrepiece or hung from the ceiling</p>
Christmas

Best Christmas wreaths 2023: Real and artificial door decorations

<p>Transform your outdoor space with festoon lights, sculpural designs and cascading LEDs </p>
Decorations

Best outdoor Christmas lights to make your house and garden sparkle

<p>We put this model to the ultimate test: would our other half notice if we were to jump out of bed earlier and put the kettle on?</p>
Mattresses

Otty pure plus mattress review: A dream for fidgety sleepers

<p>This Reylon model is a traditionally crafted pocket sprung mattress, rather than a hybrid </p>
Mattresses

Relyon Somerton dunlopillo latex mattress: A trusty pocket sprung pick

<p>We snoozed our way through many cosy nights </p>
Bedroom

Soak & Sleep Egyptian cotton vs French linen, find the perfect bedding

<p>We put this model to the ultimate test: would our other half notice if we were to jump out of bed earlier and put the kettle on?</p>
Mattresses

Otty pure plus mattress review: A dream for fidgety sleepers

<p>This Reylon model is a traditionally crafted pocket sprung mattress, rather than a hybrid </p>
Mattresses

Relyon Somerton dunlopillo latex mattress: A trusty pocket sprung pick

<p>We snoozed our way through many cosy nights </p>
Bedroom

Soak & Sleep Egyptian cotton vs French linen, find the perfect bedding

<p>We looked for great design and functionality, good storage capacity and value for money</p>
Furniture

8 best chests of drawers to organise your clothes in style

Furniture

8 best chests of drawers to organise your clothes in style

<p>We looked for great design and functionality, good storage capacity and value for money</p>
<p>Mattresses are usually sold separately from the day bed, so you’ll need to factor that into your budget </p>
Bedroom

9 best day beds: Stylish sofas and chaises for your guest room

<p>We trialled our top ten lampshades in different areas of the house, and on a range of lamps </p>
Lighting

10 best lampshades that will inject personality into your living space

<p>As well as looking fabulous, our top picks had to be durable and easy to hang </p>
Home & Garden

10 best wallpapers for jazzing up your living space

<p>Measure up well to ensure your dining bench will tuck neatly into its allocated space </p>
Home & Garden

9 best benches for a functional upgrade to your living space

<p>Measure up well to ensure your dining bench will tuck neatly into its allocated space </p>
Home & Garden

9 best benches for a functional upgrade to your living space

<p>We looked for quality, design, value for money and aesthetic </p>
Bedroom

8 best bedside tables for storing all your nighttime essentials

<p>We tried out a range of stylish media units, testing each on form and functionality</p>
Furniture

9 best TV stands that are perfect for box set binging

<p>The sofa boasts mid-century shaping with vintage Deco glamour</p>
Furniture

We tried out Swyft’s game-changing sofa-in-a-box

<p>We considered style and comfort as well as affordability </p>
Furniture

8 best affordable leather sofas to upgrade your space on a budget

<p>We tested for form, function, affordability, craftsmanship and space-saving ability </p>
Bedroom

9 best guest beds that are perfect for small spaces

<p>We looked for form, function, top craftsmanship, affordability and the most relaxing recline </p>
Furniture

9 best footstools and pouffes for the ultimate lounging spot

No longer something that belongs in the Seventies, the term sideboard has come to cover a lot of furniture styles
Furniture

9 best sideboards: Stash your crockery and glassware in style

<p>More than just a place to keep hats, scarves and gloves, they’re a handy perch for pulling on your wellies too</p>
Furniture

9 best storage benches to keep shoes tidy and hallways clutter-free

<p>Cuddle up on a stylish seat made for two</p>
Furniture

8 best two-seater sofas to cosy up on

<p>Whether you’re looking to layer up a bedroom or bring warmth to a stone floor, a statement carpet is the way to go</p>
Home & Garden

10 best wool rugs that feel as good as they look

Update your homeware with large pieces or small accessories from one of these top sites
Furniture

Best furniture brands: From Loaf to Habitat

Furniture

Best furniture brands: From Loaf to Habitat

Update your homeware with large pieces or small accessories from one of these top sites
For added warmth, look for textures like brushed cotton
Bedroom

14 best winter bedding sets to snuggle up in

We looked for comfort and style, durability and craftsmanship of materials, and of course, a sturdy sit
Bedroom

9 best headboards: A simple way to add a statement to your bedroom

<p>A smart and contemporary piece can create a nifty partition wall at home</p>
Furniture

9 best room dividers that can revamp your space

<p>Our round-up includes designs from the mid-century inspired to the clean-lined and contemporary</p>
Furniture

8 best coffee tables: From glass topped to wooden designs

<p>Our round-up includes designs from the mid-century inspired to the clean-lined and contemporary</p>
Furniture

8 best coffee tables: From glass topped to wooden designs

<p>Look for something that features wintry motifs and festive colourways</p>
Decorations

9 best Christmas tablecloths that add the finishing festive touches

We put our selection to the test, looking for a good balance between cosiness and weightiness, eye-catching design, and the very best in traditional craftsmanship
Home & Garden

9 best wool blankets to keep you warm this winter

We tested for great design, functionality and affordability
Furniture

9 best dressing tables that turn any room into a boudoir

There’s a book for everyone here, from coffee table pictorials to practical handbooks
Non-Fiction Books

13 best interior design books: From mid-century to modern inspiration

Sometimes it only takes a few statement pieces to truly make it your own
Home & Garden

12 best homewares for renters: Put your own removable stamp on it

Before you buy, think about the number of pairs of shoes you tend to have on the go at any given point
Furniture

9 best shoe racks: Wooden and metal organisers for saving space

Serveware should be functional, but also easy to clean and store
Dining

9 best serving dishes for everything from Sunday roasts to nibbles

If you’re the type to get easily annoyed by a loud ticking, choose a style that specifies its silent sweeping action
Furniture

9 best wall clocks: Make a statement with a stylish timepiece

Traditionally, the towels – otherwise known as a peshtemal or fouta – were made for use in the steamiest of Turkish baths and boast hard-wearing properties ideal for humid conditions
Bathroom

10 best hammam towels that are perfect for bathroom to beach

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