The single biggest factor in bedroom blind choice is darkness. Adults can usually sleep through some morning light, but children, shift workers, light sleepers, and anyone trying to sleep in during summer all benefit from a properly dark room. The blinds that deliver that are different from the blinds you would put in a kitchen […]
Author Archives: Homefords
Kitchens have the same problems as bathrooms (steam, damp, splashes), plus a few extras that bathrooms do not. Cooking odours that absorb into fabric. Grease in the air that settles on every surface above the hob. Direct sunlight in south-facing rooms that fade fabric over time. The right blind for a kitchen has to handle […]
The bathroom is one of the hardest rooms in the house to get window dressing right. Steam, splashes, mould risk, privacy, light control. All of it has to work in a small space with damp air for hours every day. Some blinds handle that well. Others fail within a couple of years. The difference is […]
It depends what you mean by voile. The heavy patterned net curtains that filled UK windows in the 80s and 90s are old fashioned, yes. They are not what is sold as voiles today. Modern voile curtains are a different product, designed for a different look, and they are very much in fashion. What people […]
A small amount, but not much, and not in the way thermal curtains do. Voiles add a thin extra layer of fabric across the window, which slightly slows heat loss compared to a bare window, but they are not a serious insulation product. If keeping heat in is the main goal, voiles are not the […]
Partly, but not in the way most people hope. Voile curtains diffuse sunlight rather than block it, which means they soften harsh light and reduce glare without making the room dark. If you are looking to actually black out a room, a voile is the wrong product. The shorter the answer is, the more the […]
Waterproof outdoor cushions can get wet without any problem. They are designed for it. The Gardenia range from Homefords, for example, has a fully waterproof finish, so rain and spills sit on the surface and wipe off rather than soaking in. That answers the immediate question. The longer answer depends on the type of outdoor […]
Some are. Many are not. The honest answer to whether outdoor cushions are waterproof is that it depends on the cushion, and the difference matters. The three categories Outdoor cushions sold in the UK fall into three categories. Truly waterproof cushions are made from fabric with a waterproof coating that prevents water absorption entirely. Rain […]
Storing outdoor cushions properly between uses is what makes them last for years rather than one season. The biggest threats are damp, mildew and mice. All three are avoidable with a bit of thought about where and how the cushions are stored. Indoor storage is best If you have the space, indoors is always the […]
Yes, and it is almost always cheaper than buying new furniture. Outdoor cushions wear out faster than the frames they sit on. The fabric fades, fillings flatten, and after a few seasons the cushions look tired even if the table and chairs are fine. Replacing the cushions and keeping the rest of the set is […]
Outdoor cushions get hammered. Rain, dust, sun cream, spilled drinks, food, pollen, mildew if they stay damp too long. The good news is most outdoor cushions are designed to deal with all of this, and getting them clean is usually straightforward if you know which approach to use for which problem. Here is a practical […]
Slightly, yes. Most fitters angle curtain holdbacks gently downward when fitting them to the wall, rather than mounting them perfectly horizontal. The angle is small, but it makes a real difference to how the curtain sits. Why a slight downward angle works better When a holdback is fitted level (perfectly horizontal), the curtain sometimes slips […]
Yes. Curtain holdbacks are very much in style, and have arguably never been more relevant. They suit the way most modern interiors are designed, which is partly why they have quietly taken market share from fabric tiebacks over the last decade. The current trend across hotel design, holiday let furnishing, and residential interiors is for […]
Curtain holdbacks are simple to fit, but their position on the wall makes a big difference to how the curtain hangs. Get it right and the curtain falls in a clean drape that frames the window. Get it wrong and the fold looks awkward, the curtain bunches at the bottom, or the window gets blocked. […]
The short answer is no. Curtain tiebacks are not old fashioned. They have just been quietly doing their job for so long that people have stopped noticing them. The longer answer is that tiebacks have moved with the times. The fussy, frilled, tasselled tiebacks people associate with 1980s living rooms are not the only option […]
Anyone who has tried to settle a baby down for the night in an unfamiliar room knows the problem. The curtains are too thin. The streetlight is right outside the window. The morning sun comes up at half past four and the whole family is awake with it. A temporary blackout blind solves all of […]
V shaped pillows aren’t just another cushion for the bed. They’re flexible and easy to use with an angled shape that can be adjusted to suit different positions. Whether you’re sitting upright, relaxing on the sofa or getting comfortable in bed, they’re great for a range of everyday activities. Whatever the case, they provide extra […]
A V shaped pillow does a lot of the hard work when it comes to support, but the right pillowcase helps it perform at its best. Shaped to fit neatly and stay in place, these specially designed pillowcases add comfort and practicality without any fuss. Read on as we explore the key benefits of V […]
As the name suggests, V shaped pillows are designed in a wide ‘V’ shape that offers more support than a standard rectangular pillow. Their clever shape means they can sit comfortably around the body, which is why they’re often used for both sleeping at night and relaxing during the day. How are V shaped pillows […]
Crisp, smooth bedding makes a big difference to any room. Whether it’s in homes or hospitality, neatly finished sheets help beds look well presented and ready for use. While some fabrics are designed to reduce creasing, ironing sheets is still absolutely essential, but it’s easier said than done. If ironing sheets is a task you […]
Few things are more frustrating than bed sheets that refuse to stay in place. Whether it’s at home a hotel, student accommodation or rental properties, loose sheets can affect comfort, appearance and turnaround time for housekeeping teams. Knowing how to stop bed sheets coming off is especially important when beds are used frequently and need […]
Simple, practical and widely used, the housewife pillowcase is one of the most common pillowcase styles in the UK. Unlike the Oxford pillowcase, it may not be decorative, but its clean finish and easy fit make it a staple across homes, hospitality, healthcare, student accommodation – everywhere! If you’re shopping for pillowcases, understanding what a […]
Oxford pillowcases offer one extra detail, that can make a big difference. That neat fabric border gives beds a more premium, finished look, which is exactly why they are a go-to for hospitality settings, show homes and bedding ranges that need to look polished on arrival. If you’re buying for multiple rooms or listing bedding […]
Over door curtains are one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce draughts, add warmth and improve comfort around external doors. They’re practical and stylish for all kinds of settings like rental properties, hospitality venues or in homes for your retail customers. In this guide, we’ll explore how to find over door curtains […]
A yellow waffle blanket is one of those simple yet standout pieces that can brighten any room, add instant comfort and offer long-lasting practicality. From student accommodation to hospitality spaces, it’s a cost-effective way to add both colour and texture. Below, we explore why a yellow waffle blanket is such a worthy addition to any […]





































