Happy birthday to us! The Real Homes Show is celebrating its first anniversary this week. And to mark 12 months of our online TV show, we've pulled together 10 of our favourite episodes for you to enjoy right now. Scroll down to watch, or load the Real Homes YouTube channel up on your smart TV and settle down with a cuppa.
Our online TV show has been viewed almost 900,000 times in the last 12 months. If you haven't caught an episode yet, then lockdown is the perfect time to get involved. The Show is dedicated to helping make your dream home a reality on any budget. Episodes cover renovation advice, product tests, budget shopping ideas and loads of design inspiration.
Take a look at our favourite episodes (and don't miss the hilarious blooper reel at the end!). Don't miss the first episode of series five, which goes live on April 17th – just subscribe to our YouTube channel now.
1. The one with the washable paint test
The worst thing about freshly painted walls? They never stay freshly painted for long. If you're fed up of scuffs and marks on your walls, you need washable paint in your life. But which brand is best? We tested Crown, Dulux, Valspar and Farrow & Ball to find out.
Also in this episode:
- Great ideas for updating a 1930s upside-down house
- How to choose walnut furniture
- Finding a garden designer
- Instagram star Lisa Dawson shows us her covered garden seating area
2. The one with the ideas for small gardens
If your garden is on the small side, then this is the episode for you. We've got three ways to make any garden feel bigger, yep, even teeny tiny ones. Plus, presenters Jason Orme and Laura Crombie help a homeowner plan her dream kitchen extension without losing too much of her beautiful garden.
Also in this episode:
- Inside Instagrammer Dee Campling's kitchen extension
- The lowdown on smart locks
- Making white decor interesting
- How to bring down quotes from tradespeople
3. The one with the carpet cleaning secrets
Got a stubborn stain on your carpet and no idea how to get rid of it? In this episode we tested everything from bicarb and carpet mousse to a carpet cleaner to see which works best. Crack open a bottle of red wine and enjoy.
Also in this episode:
- Extending and adding a loft conversion to a semi-detached house
- Everything you need to know about smart fridges
- Navy blue decorating ideas
- Advice on managing your own extension project
4. The one with the campervan
Homeowner Charlotte Jones wanted to add a playroom and extra bedroom to her detached house. Our presenters suggested they convert the garage...and get rid of her husband's beloved campervan in the process – who won? Watch and find out!
Also in this episode:
- How to decorate with dusky pink
- 5 easy Spring cleaning hacks
- When it's worth calling in a professional decorator
- How to transform a conservatory with Instagrammer Sarah Parmenter
5. The one with the mattress in a box
Feel you're being bombarded with adverts for mattress in a box brands? Yep, us too. We decided to unpack a mattress on camera to show you the pros and cons of ordering a vacuum-packed mattress.
Also in this episode:
- 3 hallway design trends for 2020
- Tips for working with an architect
- 5 gadgets every traveller needs (once lockdown is over)
6. The one with the coffee machines
If you fancy buying a pod coffee machine but aren't sure which one to go for, you need to watch this episode. Our presenter and cameraman selflessly test coffee machines from KitchenAid, Nescafe, Illy and Lavazza to see which is best value for money. They were hyper for days after filming this one!
Also in this episode:
- Interior design trends for kitchens
- How much will an extension cost?
- Tech for new parents
7. The one with our friends from TechRadar
To celebrate Smart Home Month, we teamed up with our friends at Tech Radar to bring you a dummies guide to creating a smart home. From how you choose and control smart home devices to which ones are really worth investing in.
8. The one with the cordless vacuums
There are more cordless vacuum models than you can shake a stick at these days, so we decided to put three of the leading brands to the test. Presenter Laura Crombie made a proper mess in her dining room to put the , and through their paces. Don't feel sorry for her, she loves cleaning.
Here's what else was in the episode:
- 5 things you need to know before converting your garage
- The best TVs for streaming the latest box sets
- How to declutter your interiors
9. The one with the world's coolest loft conversion
Sometimes you go inside a house and don't want to leave. That was the case when we visited Victoria Road Restoration in Birmingham, which has the most incredible loft conversion you've ever seen. Seriously, take a look...
Also in this episode:
- A jargon-free guide to smart heating and thermostats
- We put floor mops to the test
- How to get boutique hotel style on a Travelodge budget
10. The one with the bloopers...
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