Homes & Gardens

New coffee lounge, restaurant and show apartment unveiled at luxury retirement community in Exeter

Adlington Retirement Living has opened the doors to a welcoming coffee lounge, a stylish homeowners’ lounge, an on-site restaurant and a beautifully designed show apartment at Radford House, its new retirement community on Weirfield Road.

Alexandra Johnson, Sales and Marketing Director for Adlington Retirement Living, said: “We create communities where our homeowners can enjoy life on their terms, combining independence with friendship, comfort and support in a safe and secure environment.

“While our beautiful apartments and shared spaces set the stage, it’s the sense of...

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Garden Leisure 2.0: How UK Families Are Transforming Their Outdoor Spaces

A decade ago, gardens were mostly green spaces, places to grow tomatoes, mow the lawn, or hang washing. But across the UK in 2025, those definitions are fading fast. The garden is no longer a utility zone or an occasional summer BBQ setting. It's becoming something much richer: a lifestyle environment.

Post-pandemic routines, higher travel costs, and a renewed appreciation for staying local have changed how families view the space outside their back doors. Gardens are now multifunctional areas designed for real, daily use: leisure, movement, play, and connection. And this shift...

Working from home: creating a sensory space that boosts focus

With the rise of remote work, many are finding themselves in need of an efficient workspace at home. Creating a sensory room or environment tailored to boost focus and productivity can be an effective solution. Applying concepts of sensory design can transform any home office into a dynamic place where tasks are tackled with ease.

Understanding the concept of a sensory room

A sensory room is designed to enhance one's well-being through sensory stimulation. By engaging multiple senses, these spaces can encourage emotional regulation and help maintain a calming environment. When...

8 Simple Ways to Balance Work and Life

In today's fast-paced world, the quest for a healthy work-life balance can often feel like a losing battle. The once-clear lines between our professional and personal lives have become increasingly blurred, leading to a rise in burnout and stress. However, achieving a harmonious blend of work and personal time is not an impossible feat. By implementing a few simple yet effective strategies, you can significantly improve your overall well-being. From establishing firm boundaries to creating a comfortable and productive workspace with an ergonomic office task chair, this guide offers eight...

5 Simple and Stylish Ideas to Improve Your Outdoor Lifestyle

Outdoor living spaces have evolved from basic patios and lawns into multifunctional extensions of the home. Whether you’re looking to unwind with a good book, host family barbecues, or simply enjoy your morning coffee in the fresh air, there are strategic ways to elevate your garden, terrace, or balcony for comfort, style, and practicality.

Here are five informed ways to improve your outdoor living and create a space you’ll love spending time in.

Create Zones for Purpose and Flow

To maximise both usability and visual appeal, divide your outdoor area...

Managing household infrastructure in rural living

Maintaining rural household infrastructure requires vigilance and care to ensure a seamless lifestyle. Ignoring essential systems can lead to significant disruptions, impacting daily routines. Prioritizing maintenance can prevent these issues and safeguard your home environment.

Rural households often rely on intricate systems to manage waste, water, and other utilities. In areas surrounding Exeter, maintaining these systems is crucial for uninterrupted rural living. Septic tanks play a vital role in waste management, though their presence may often go unnoticed until issues...

How to Clean a Carpet – Including Deep Cleaning and Stain Removal

Don’t know how to clean a carpet properly? These deep cleaning strategies and stain removal tips work — even if on stubborn wine, wax, or nail polish stains.

What’s Heating Up Exeter Homes This Year? Fireplace Trends You’ll Want to See

Planning to renovate or redecorate your living space this year? Got an outdated fireplace that you want to replace? You’re probably wondering about the current fireplace trends in Exeter and beyond.

Here, we’re sharing a list of some of the top fireplace trends in 2025, with something for every budget and style preference.

Marble Fireplaces

Marble is one of the few fireplace materials that still looks just as modern and is just as sought after now as it was several years ago. A main reason for this is its neutral colours—it’s difficult to get sick of something that’s so...

Understanding the critical distinction between landlord vs. homeowners’ insurance

As a property owner, securing adequate insurance is a must. But if you're transitioning a former residence into a rental, or if you're new to the landlord game, a key question may arise - "Will my standard homeowner's policy cover this?" The simple answer is usually no.

While both homeowners' and landlord insurance aim to safeguard your investment, they're designed for fundamentally different situations and carry distinct protections. Let's explore why one isn't a substitute for the other.

Homeowners’ insurance

Homeowners’ insurance is specifically crafted for the...

How to Make Packing for Moving House Less Overwhelming

Moving house is often ranked among life’s most stressful experiences. Between organising the move, managing paperwork and saying goodbye to neighbours, packing can feel like a daunting task that drains your time and energy. However, with the right approach, packing can become a much more manageable and even satisfying process. Here are some practical tips to make packing for moving house less overwhelming.

Start Early and Plan Ahead

One of the biggest mistakes people make is leaving packing until the last minute. Starting early is essential. Ideally, you should begin...

Why the best homes are the ones that evolve with you

When you imagine your dream home, what do you envision? Maybe it's a large kitchen, a reading corner where you can retreat, or a garden that flowers all year. In an era where personal and professional lives are constantly in flux, a house that adjusts to your evolving requirements is not merely a luxury but a necessity. Most fulfilling homes are those that accommodate the seasons of life.

This piece discovers strong arguments on why houses that grow with their occupants are not just more useful, but richer, and more habitable.

1. Life Stages Change, So Should Your Home

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Homes & Gardens

New coffee lounge, restaurant and show apartment unveiled at luxury retirement community in Exeter

Garden Leisure 2.0: How UK Families Are Transforming Their Outdoor Spaces

Working from home: creating a sensory space that boosts focus

8 Simple Ways to Balance Work and Life

5 Simple and Stylish Ideas to Improve Your Outdoor Lifestyle

Managing household infrastructure in rural living

How to Clean a Carpet – Including Deep Cleaning and Stain Removal

What’s Heating Up Exeter Homes This Year? Fireplace Trends You’ll Want to See

Understanding the critical distinction between landlord vs. homeowners’ insurance

How to Make Packing for Moving House Less Overwhelming

Why the best homes are the ones that evolve with you

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