Kayleigh Dray
Kayleigh Dray joined the Ideal Home team in May 2023, and it feels like a role for which she’s been preparing her entire life. After all, her first ever job was working at a busy local garden centre, before she became a property writer for Fine & Country Estate Agents – a job which helped fund her degree in English Literature & Creative Writing at Royal Holloway, University of London.
She kicked off her career in magazines with an eye-opening internship at Cosmopolitan – and was able to impress her editor so much that she kept her on as a news writer. Kayleigh then went on to become part of the digital editorial team at Closer, before a successful seven-year stint at Stylist, where she took command as the site’s editor (and editor-at-large).
Nowadays, she can be found freelancing for a myriad titles about film and TV, but it’s her part time role at Ideal Home that allows her the chance to wax lyrical about her true love: gardening. She has just set to work on giving her own scrubby backyard a woodland-inspired makeover – and there’s been whispers of a vegetable plot, too!
Ideal Home Truths
Where’s your happy place?
My happy place is my tiny kitchen, as it’s the first room we put our own stamp on when we moved in. I love the clean white walls and turquoise tiles, and I’m obviously a big fan of the windowsill filled with herb pots and flowering fruit plants, too. There’s still work to be done, but I can’t help but feel proud of how pretty and functional this dinky little room has become.
What’s your home addiction?
I'm obsessed with buying plants – it’s actually been said I have a serious plant problem by more than one person. Whether it’s the time I “accidentally” signed up to a monthly plant subscription service and filled my home with leafy beauties, or the time I woke up frighteningly early to make sure I got my mitts on a coveted climbing hydrangea at our local community plant sale (hey, it’s for charity!), there’s a reason my husband now insists on a One In, One Out policy.
What is your next home project?
This house was bought at auction as a definite fixer-upper, and has been a work in progress ever since. Downstairs is almost sorted (almost), so next it’s the turn of upstairs, and particularly the so-called nursery, as the baby is still camping out in our bedroom…
Latest articles by Kayleigh Dray
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Monty Don's pixie irises have set Instagram on fire – here's how to grow your own
It's not too late to make like Monty Don and plant your own pixie irises...
By Kayleigh Dray
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How to grow blueberries in pots – experts say it's the best and easiest way to do it
Yes, you can grow blueberries in pots, if you follow these expert GYO tips...
By Kayleigh Dray
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Don't get hit with a fine! This is how high your garden fence can be without planning permission
How high can a fence be without planning permission? The answer may surprise you...
By Kayleigh Dray
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How to clean a greenhouse – an expert guide to banishing green algae, dirt and grime
Your greenhouse will sparkle and shine thanks to these expert cleaning tips
By Kayleigh Dray
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When to winter prune wisteria for stronger, brighter blooms
Keep your wisteria looking its tip-top best with our expert winter pruning guide
By Kayleigh Dray
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The Scandi window box is the chic minimalist planting trend to try this winter
Prepare to fall hard for the Scandi window box trend
By Kayleigh Dray
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When to prune photinia – an expert guide to keeping your hedge looking its best
Photinias only require a light prune, but it's important to tackle the job at the right time of year
By Kayleigh Dray
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What's in season? The best fruit and vegetables to grow in January
It might be cold, but a bountiful fruit and vegetable crop awaits if you set to work now...
By Kayleigh Dray
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When is it too late to prune roses? Here's what the experts say
Because, yes, there is a right and a wrong time of year when it comes to pruning roses
By Kayleigh Dray
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Meet the unexpected 'it' flower of 2024 – experts say it's set to become a garden border hero
This wild new garden border trend is going to be a very big deal this year
By Kayleigh Dray
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Why chillies are the first seeds that Monty Don sows every single year
Get your garden ready for the new year with Monty Don's chilli seed tips
By Kayleigh Dray
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13 cosy garden ideas to transform your garden into an extra family room
Winter might be here but these cosy garden ideas will allow you to make the most of your outdoor space whatever the weather
By Kayleigh Dray
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How to grow winter pansies for stunning cold-weather blooms
Winter pansies can be planted in borders, pots or baskets, making them suitable for all gardens
By Kayleigh Dray
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The best winter plants for pots, according to gardening experts
Your garden will look beautiful all year long if you fill your pots with these winter plants
By Kayleigh Dray
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7 winter flowers for hanging baskets if you want a truly beautiful display
What flowers can you put in hanging baskets in winter? Let our experts show you the way
By Kayleigh Dray
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6 ways to use ivy in your garden – Monty Don calls it something 'every gardener should nurture'
These ivy garden ideas are sure to inspire you
By Kayleigh Dray
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7 things all amazing winter gardens have, according to the experts
Here's how to create the perfect winter garden
By Kayleigh Dray
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When to prune winter flowering jasmine for fabulously fragrant blooms
Because, yes, there's a right time and a wrong time to do it
By Kayleigh Dray
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8 winter flowering shrubs to add some colour to your garden over the colder months
Transform your garden with these gorgeous winter flowering shrubs
By Kayleigh Dray
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How to grow rhubarb from crowns or seeds – an expert guide to planting, growing and harvesting
Get ready for a a bountiful and lip-smacking crop, everyone...
By Kayleigh Dray
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What is a moon garden? How to recreate the dreamy planting trend at home
The moon garden is a VBD at the moment, and experts say it's easy to create your own
By Kayleigh Dray
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8 easy things to declutter before 2024 if you want to start the new year in a calm space
Start the new year as you mean to go on with this list of easy things to declutter
By Kayleigh Dray
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You've been hanging your Christmas tree lights all wrong – this viral TikTok hack is the secret to a twinkling masterpiece
Fancy a merrier and brighter display? Try this Christmas tree lights
By Kayleigh Dray
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The 8 best hedging plants, for anyone who wants to steer clear of box hedge
Box isn't counted among the best hedging plants for a reason, you know...
By Kayleigh Dray