Lucy Searle
Lucy Searle has written about interiors, property and gardens for over 30 years, starting within the interiors departments of women's magazines before switching to some of the world's most loved interiors only titles in the mid-1990s. After five years as Associate Editor on Ideal Home, she became Launch Editor of 4Homes magazine for Channel 4, one of the UK's top TV channels which runs a number of high profile property shows. She made her move to digital content in 2007, launching the award-winning 4homes website which also covered everything homes and garden related.
Following some years on the interiors freelance scene, Lucy was invited to take the role of Global Editor-in-Chief of Realhomes.com in 2018, taking what was a small magazine website to global success, pushing the brand into the US market. Following this success, she was then asked to head the UK's oldest interiors magazine, Homes & Gardens, which is celebrating over 103 years in the business. This includes editorship of the magazine, but also Global-Editor-in-Chief status of the website which is also home to other heritage brands including Period Living and Country Homes & Interiors.
Lucy's personal property experience includes a string of renovations and she also owns rental properties in the UK and Europe. She loves the high end work of her design heroes Jake Arnold and Irene Gunter, but it certainly not scared of a hands on project with lots of budget savvy design details.
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How to get ready for Christmas: 20 things to do for an organized holiday season
Get ready for Christmas now – and enjoy a stress-free festive season later
By Lucy Searle Last updated
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Extending for under £50,000: 13 top tips for budgeting your home extension
Looking at extending for under £50,000? Making your house bigger needn’t cost the earth. Follow our tips on how to add a £50K extension, and take inspiration from these cost-effective projects
By Lucy Searle Last updated
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Marie Kondo tidying up: 11 house tidying tips
Fascinated by Marie Kondo tidying up? Her KonMari method has been inspiring people worldwide to reorganise their rooms and 'live a life that sparks joy'. We bring you her basic rules and systems so you know how to declutter, just like Marie Kondo
By Lucy Searle Last updated
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The average cost of an extension in 2022: Plus, 30 ways to max out your budget
Find out the cost of an extension in 2022 – and how to save on your addition
By Lucy Searle Last updated
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How to light a BBQ: smoking tips, tricks and hacks to fire up your grill safely
Barbecuing for the first time? Find out how to light a BBQ correctly so that you get the best flame-grilled results
By Lucy Searle Last updated
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Cladding and render: the ultimate guide to exterior finishes for your home
Transforming your home's exterior? New cladding and render or paint in the latest finishes will modernise it and add a practical weatherproofing guard
By Lucy Searle Last updated
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Cleaning a fridge: 10 steps to sanitize yours with baking soda, vinegar and more
Cleaning a fridge properly will make it function more efficiently, and can get rid of pungent odors. Here are our quick hacks
By Lucy Searle Last updated
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Budget garden ideas: 30 clever ways to improve a big or small plot for less
These budget garden ideas prove how you don't need much money to tap into nature and beautify your outdoor space. No matter how big or small your growing spot may be.
By Lucy Searle Last updated
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30 white bedroom ideas: crisp looks to create a serene space
Want to give your bedroom a bright, fresh look? These white bedroom ideas will get you inspired
By Lucy Searle Published
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How to clean blinds easily: remove dust from vertical, Venetian and Roman blinds
Know how to clean blinds quickly and easily? Dust and clean up your vertical, Venetian, Roman blinds and more – whether you want to use the bath tub or not
By Lucy Searle Published
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20 impactful home improvements you can make without planning permission
Be inspired by these ways to extend or renovate your home without planning permission
By Lucy Searle Published
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A guide to planning a loft conversion in 2022
Get a bigger home without moving by planning a loft conversion to perfection
By Lucy Searle Last updated
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Loft conversion costs 2022 and how to budget for the perfect design
This is the lowdown on loft conversion costs and how to make this home reno project worth your while
By Lucy Searle Last updated
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15 single storey rear extension ideas under £100,000
Looking for single storey rear extension ideas under £100,000? Find inspiration for your own home transformation with these beautiful spaces
By Lucy Searle Last updated
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How to BBQ right: enjoy delicious grilled food every time
Do you know how to BBQ right? From picking the right barbecue fuel type to learning how to barbecue everything from pizza to salmon, discover all you need to know in this expert guide
By Lucy Searle Published
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Orangery ideas: 19 zesty designs, plus orangery costs and expert planning advice
These orangery ideas can help you create a stunning glazed extension. Here's all you need to know about period and modern additions, from costs to planning
By Lucy Searle Last updated
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26 life-saving kitchen cleaning hacks to spruce your space in double-time
These kitchen cleaning hacks promise to make housework easy and super fast. Tackle a grimy sink, small appliances and more in double-time with these tips
By Lucy Searle Last updated
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Marie Kondo folding: how to do KonMari folding
Marie Kondo folding tips advocate KonMari folding techniques – in other words, folding clothes, towels and sheets so that they can stack vertically in drawers. Take it from us, it's genius. Here's how to fold clothes like Marie Kondo
By Lucy Searle Last updated
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The pros and cons of boiling water taps: are they worth the cost?
There's a lot of hype around boiling water taps, but should you consider installing one in your new kitchen? We take a look at their pros and cons and find out if they really are better than kettles
By Lucy Searle Last updated
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How to remove red wine stains: 5 of the best ways to do it (and what not to do)
Here's how to remove red wine stains from everything, plus what not to do with your upholstery and more
By Lucy Searle Published
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How to remove blood stains from bedding, clothes, carpet and more
Knowing how to remove blood stains quickly and efficiently is key to saving sheets, mattresses, clothes, carpets from discolored splodges
By Lucy Searle Published
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Bathroom cleaning hacks: 15 hot tips for fast, effortless results
These are the latest and greatest bathroom cleaning hacks for beautiful results in double time
By Lucy Searle Last updated
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Exterior home makeover: from dated to contemporary
An external facelift using new windows, fascias and guttering has transformed this dated red-brick home into a property with a stylish, contemporary exterior
By Lucy Searle Last updated
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27 decluttering jobs you must do if you want to sell your home
Looking to sell your home this year? If you want to get a good price and sell it fast, some selective decluttering is a must. Read our expert guide to find out where to concentrate you energies
By Lucy Searle Last updated