Punteha van Terheyden
Hi! I'm Punteha van Terheyden, editor of Real Homes. I spent the best part of a decade as a senior writer, then commissioning editor of UK’s biggest real-life women’s weekly magazine, Take a Break. During this time, I was also a Sunday Times bestselling ghost writer, penning moving real-life books for Penguin. I went freelance in 2017, writing and editing hundreds of lifestyle and consumer articles for the national UK Press. After launching my own independent real-life Digital magazine Lacuna Voices, I joined Real Homes as editor.
I love learning how to DIY well so I can personalize the small, newly-built home I share with my husband, our daughter, and two silly feline floofs out in the quiet of the country. Living with chronic pain means small makeovers I can manage with limited energy and ones that make me happy every time I look at them, take priority, including painting, tiling, plumbing and decor projects. I’m also a sucker for a great big reshuffle to get our compact but busy home as streamlined and functional as possible.
Making the best of my limited space, budget, and energy drives the interior and backyard projects I can do, but I still want my home to feel like 'me‘ and chipping away at personalizing my little house brings me endless joy. In my spare time, I love batch-cooking the Iranian dishes I grew up eating, puttering around the house and daydreaming about the forever-home we'll one day hopefully buy.
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Everything we know about Amazon Prime Day 2024 this fall
We love a good deal, and we'll be keeping our eyes peeled (and this page updated) for Amazon's next big event
By Punteha van Terheyden Last updated
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Amazon furniture deals — my top Editor's Picks on bedroom, bathroom, and living room finds
I've read hundreds of listings and reviews to bring you the latest and best small space furniture deals
By Punteha van Terheyden Last updated
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The Pelonis tower fan is my summer sleep savior
I don't have the luxury of air conditioning, but this fan has been my summertime saving grace
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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How to clean a top-loading washing machine in four easy steps
Cleaning Our cleaning experts reveal how clear your washing machine of grime, build-up and funky smells
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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Pros reveal how to kill an ant nest but not your lawn — 7 methods to suit all skill levels
Learn how to get rid of ant nests in your lawn without killing off your grass with these pro methods
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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Amazon's bestselling Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker sale is on now with 40% off — here's why 97,000 customers love it
The Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker sale offers a great deal on this machine, selling thousands in the past four weeks
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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How to get cat pee out of carpet in three easy steps
Experts reveal how to get cat pee out of carpets in your home, including the best products for the job
By Punteha van Terheyden Last updated
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How to cool down a room: 7 simple, smart, cheap ways to keep heat at bay this summer
Don't sweat it, learn how to cool down a room like a pro
By Punteha van Terheyden Last updated
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Wrapping kitchen counters with contact paper vs painting them — I've done both and wrapping was superior
I've tried these on my kitchen counters in the last two years. Here's what I learned and why I think wrapping is superior
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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How to get rid of ants in your home and stop them coming back for good
Learn how to get rid of ants and put them off returning with home-made repellents
By Punteha van Terheyden Last updated
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How to remove urine smells and stains from around your home — cleaning pros to the rescue for human and animal spills
Experts reveal how to banish urine smells including the methods and exact products to use
By Punteha van Terheyden Last updated
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How to get rid of ants in your backyard — 5 methods pest control pros use
Quickly get rid of ants in your backyard with these experts tips
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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Pros reveal 10 ways to keep pests out of your home this summer
Get ahead of critter issues with our expert guide on the things you can do to stop them getting inside as the weather hots up
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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How to kill weeds in your lawn — four ways to banish these unsightly garden guests
Learn how to kill weeds in your lawn with tips straight from our lawn care experts
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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How to get rid of flying ants, indoors and out
Discover how to get rid of flying ants and wick away the ick of having these winged insects knocking around your space
By Punteha van Terheyden Last updated
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Carpenter ants 101: everything you need to know about the wood-tunneling pests that can infest the walls of your home
Our pest pros reveal the damage carpenter ants can cause and how to fight an infestation successfully
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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How to remove candle wax from upholstery — 6 different methods that work
Choose how to remove candle wax from upholstery based on what you have to at hand at home already, say our experts
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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The 12 lawn mowing mistakes that are thwarting your shot at a lush lawn
These lawn mowing mistakes can put a dampener on its looks and health. Pros reveal what to do instead
By Punteha van Terheyden Last updated
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What is a rain chain? Everything you need to know about this eco-friendly downspout alternative
Experts discuss what a rain chain is, the pros and cons, and how to decide if it's right for you
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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Experts reveal the 7 pest control mistakes that are making your infestation worse and how best to avoid them in your home
Our bug pros share the pest control mistakes that are causing your extermination strategy to flop
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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The three household cockroach facts you can harness for better pest control
Experts reveal three cockroach facts you can use to bolster your battle to banish these pesky bugs from your home
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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Irish Spring soap is the perfect pest zapper for your plants and there's two ways to use it
Gardening pros reveal how to use Irish Spring soap for plant pest control indoors and out
By Punteha van Terheyden Last updated
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How to get rid of cockroaches in the kitchen — swot up on roach behaviour to banish them permanently, say experts
Learn how to get rid of cockroaches in the kitchen from our pest control pros to clear pesky home invaders for good
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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Way Day is coming to a close — shop Wayfair's biggest sale of the year until May 6
The global Wayfair sale packs a serious punch, and Way Day is only around for a little while longer
By Punteha van Terheyden Last updated