We are the experts when it comes to making any small space feel like your own. Whether you're moving into a dorm for the first time, switching rental apartments, or trying to make a tiny home work, we get it because our team lives it. If we recommend a product, it's because we have tried it. If we suggest an easy rental hack, we probably have the TikTok to prove it.
We know that so many homes websites are a little too aspirational. We don't all have giant four-bedroom apartments or fancy homes to decorate. Small spaces are our forte and we prioritize both style and function.
Our team includes people with a ton of experience. From those trying to turn an apartment shared with roommates into a home to others who spend their weekends testing out a new rental-friendly DIY.
Read on to find out about the team, what their own home style is like, and why they are the best people to offer advice on small-space living.
Meet the team
Hey! I’m Melissa and I’m the editor in chief of Real Homes. Prior to joining the team, I worked in New York as an editor for The Spruce and have written for Apartment Therapy, Forbes, MyDomaine, People, InStyle, Real Simple, The Zoe Report, and Lonny. I currently rent an apartment and know so many of you do, too. I have a lot to share about decorating a space and making it feel like home, even if it’s temporary. Our goal is to help you do the same and provide renters, small space dwellers, and anyone else left out of the home conversation with inspiration, advice, and product recs that are worth it.
My #1 home buy: I'm powered by caffeine, so my Aeropress is everything. It's not the hottest-looking product, but I preach about it to everyone.
Hi! I'm Annie and along with my team, we look after and curate all of the shopping pieces, guides, and reviews on the site. I've been writing for Real Homes since 2018 after getting a first class honors degree in journalism. I've also been an editor at Homes & Gardens, Gardeningetc, Livingetc, and Ideal Home. Currently, I live in South East London in a spacious two-bedroom apartment with my husband and my pug, Doug! My decor style is a mix of Scandi, boho, and minimalist — because why should we just choose one?
My #1 home buy? I couldn't live without my Dyson fan — I use it in the summer and winter, plus it purifies the air inside my home at the same time.
Hey! I’m Emily and I’m the deputy digital editor at Real Homes. I’m here to bring you the latest decor trends, inspirational ideas, and the best budget-friendly buys. I live in a rented apartment, making the most of small spaces and using accent pieces to make things pop. When I’m not writing, I’m usually doing yoga, eating chocolate, or working on my skincare routine.
Jen is senior digital editor at Real Homes and joined in January 2021, although right now she's currently on maternity leave. Jen kickstarted her career on women's and lifestyle titles such as InStyle, Red, Handbag.com, SUITCASE, and LUXE City Guides. She has also worked at Good Homes, Grand Designs, and ICON.
Hey, I'm Christina and I'm an ecommerce editor at Real Homes, specializing in small kitchen appliances content. I've been on the scene since 2021 after getting a first class honors degree in Marketing with Media, Communications, and Culture. Prior to working for the Future Plc family, I've been the acting digital editor at Grand Designs Magazine and Good Homes Magazine. I live in a two-bedroom maisonette with my husband George. In our Essex rental, we're yet to hone in on one key interior style, but the mix of wood, marble, and metal means it's predominantly mid-century modern.
My #1 home buy: I use my Breville barista max bean-to-cup coffee machine 24/7. It fuels my ability to bring you the best shopping buys... and makes the best espresso martinis on the weekend.
Hi! I’m Nishaa and I’m the social editor here at Real Homes. If you’re looking for an explainer of the latest TikTok aesthetic, trying to find a home decor item your favorite influencer has shared, or looking for ways to style your small space, I’ve got you covered. I’m originally from Portland, Oregon, and now live in Southwest England in a Tudor house that’s been converted into a one-bedroom apartment with my husband and our new puppy, Ebble! My decor style is cozy, neutral, and minimalist (but that’s very quickly changing as I’ve fallen in love with Danish pastel!).
My #1 home buy: I will never stop singing the praises of my Always Pan from Our Place. It’s aesthetically pleasing and makes me feel so put together, plus it cooks food super evenly and it’s beyond easy to clean.
Hiya! I’m Eve, and I’m a staff writer at Real Homes. I’m here to bring you on-trend news pieces, product round-ups, and styling inspiration. I live in a rented Victorian terraced house, and enjoy making it shine with pieces that are both beautiful and practical. When I’m not writing, I’m walking around local beauty spots, nestling into a book, or diving into a cheeseboard (I’m a total cheese fiend!).
Hi! I’m Beth, and I’m a staff writer at Real Homes. With an eye for pretty things (think: quirky wall prints, scalloped edge furniture, and decadent-looking tableware) but a limited budget, I love nothing more than a bargain buy. I’m forever searching for items that will add style to my rather sterile, rented newbuild townhouse. I am forever searching for eye-catching and on-trend pieces of decor that will add personality without damaging the paintwork. When I’m not writing and researching trends and news pieces, you’ll usually find me camped out at my favorite coffee house with my Kindle, testing out new beauty products to blog about, restoring old furniture, or going on Instagrammable beach walks with my dog and fiancé.
Real Homes print team
Hi! I’m Amelia, and I co-edit Real Homes magazine. I’ve been lucky enough to have worked on the brand for six years. From styling the houses that you see in the magazine, to shooting moodboards and writing about design, I’ve worked on every area of the brand. Now it’s my job to look after the day-to-day running of the mag, source and edit our beautiful houses and make sure every page is the best it can be. I currently live in South West London in a pretty Victorian Terrace with three friends. The original hallway floor tiles literally had me at hello, but I’ve been loving upcycling pre-loved furniture to add bursts of colour and make the space my own.
My #1 home buy? This soft and cosy rug from La Redoute sits just beneath the foot of my bed and totally makes the room. I love the pattern and it means I can still chop and changes colours in the rest of my scheme.
Hi, I’m Alison, and I am the co-editor of Real Homes magazine, helping to produce a brilliant glossy every month, full of an inspiring mix of home makeovers and expert advice. Before joining the mag, I had a long career on local and national newspapers, doing every role you can imagine. Working on Real Homes led to me taking on a back-to-brick renovation for my second home – a Victorian villa with an interior that peaked in the 1980s. My style is a mix of modern, heritage and inherited upcycles, trying to find the sweet spot that marries them all together in a cohesive whole.
My #1 home buy: Can I have two? My newly fitted Crittall-style aluminium French doors make my heart happy. And because I am a cake baker and decorator, my Smeg food mixer in green (to match my new kitchen).
Hellooooo I'm Emily, and I'm the senior art editor for Real Homes magazine and this amazing website and have been doing so for over 11 years now (yes, I'm that old). After working on publications in everything from fashion and beauty to a soccer magazine in the States — it was a hard life looking at pictures of Beckham all day long — my love of interior and graphic design collided when I started working on Real Homes (cheesy I know). I currently live in a three-bed house with my husband, two lads, and my crazy two-year-old cockapoo, Teddy. And when I'm not scrubbing muddy paw prints off stuff, you will find me moving endless pairs of trainers from the downstairs bathroom.
My #1 home buy? Not technically a home buy, but I couldn't live without my monthly stationery subscription to Papergang. Not only is it a lovely surprise every month but it makes WFH a lot more stylish.
Hi, I’m Anna and I’m the style editor for Real Homes magazine. I’ve been working in the interiors world for well over a decade now — styling homes that appear on magazine front covers, pulling together style features, and writing about how to create stylish looks in your home. Prior to this, I worked for an interior design company styling show homes, in LA for a photography agency and have also been the co-presenter on Real Homes YouTube TV Channel, The Colour Wheel. I’m also a Reiki energy healer. I relocated to the East Midlands where I live with my young family in a detached four-bed home that’s recently had a loft conversion. My style is calm and modern with plenty of texture and I’m a firm believer that you can’t have too many rugs or throws. (Although my partner may disagree.)
My #1 home buy? With two children, I am big into storage solutions, so I love my Mustard Made Lowdown Locker. It neatly hides all kinds of brightly-colored toys.
Real Homes current contributors
Our contributors are industry experts and home enthusiasts.
Alex has reviewed a whole host of products at Real Homes but is currently working on some mattress reviews.
Jen was previously large appliances editor at Real Homes but now writes for TechRadar. She still contributes to the website and updates our vacuum cleaner content.
Kaitlin was previously our editor in chief but is yet to wave goodbye to Real Homes for good. Currently, she's working on some mattress reviews for us.
Sarah is based in the UK and is the brains behind the majority of our mattress reviews. She also used to write a lot of our how-to guides and some renovation content.
Contact the Real Homes team
To get in touch with the digital team, please email realhomesdigital@futurenet.com.