Annie Collyer
About Annie
Hi! I'm Annie, and I'm the Head Ecommerce Editor at Real Homes. Along with covering major sales events — from Black Friday to Amazon Prime Day — I review home must-haves so that you can buy with peace of mind. Mostly focusing on home fragrance and sleep, as well as a few vacuum cleaners, I've tested pretty much every item you can think of that you need in your home. I live on the outskirts of the city in a two-bed apartment with my husband and my pug, Doug. So I am always searching for compact alternatives and ways to save floor space. What about when I am not typing away? Well, you'll find me enjoying an iced coffee (no matter the season) and trying out the latest brunch spots the city has to offer, or booking my next holiday.
My niche(s) Home fragrance! I swear by the fact that the smell of your home is just as important as your decor. Otherwise, I am currently reviewing a bunch of sleep buys including pillows, and I am always on the hunt to test the latest cordless vacuum.
Why listen to me? I graduated with a First Class honors degree in Journalism and Media from the University of Portsmouth. After a stint in PR and a few internships here and there, I landed the role of Deals Editor at Real Homes in 2018. Since then, I've been the Shopping Editor and Deputy Ecommerce Editor for a number of brands, and now, I'm back at Real Homes as Head Ecommerce Editor which means I curate all of the content that makes us money. Which is how we continue to write our amazing content! I've done my fair share of Black Friday events and have slowly learned how to spot an actually decent deal, otherwise, I've got experience in reviewing pretty much every product area, from mattresses to vacuums and portable grills. You can also find my expertise written into words at Ideal Home, Livingetc, Homes & Gardens, Gardeningetc, and Woman & Home.
About my Real Home... My apartment is a healthy mix of Scandi and boho. Lots of white, lots of wood, small pops of muted colors. I had dried flowers at my wedding which I've been able to keep ever since (best idea ever!) so there's so much pampas grass.
My fave home buys
It's sooo hard to choose, but I would say that it has to be my Dyson fan which I use all year round, during a heatwave or so as to not turn my heating on. Otherwise, I'm a sucker for a candle (obviously) and Nest New York's Himalayan Salt & Rosewater candle is my year-round favorite. I am also obsessed with my Shark vacuum cleaner because I simply just hate doing this chore, and it makes it a lot easier and faster.
On my to-buy list
Honestly, everything! I'm expecting a small human soon so when I am not looking at diaper caddies and baby monitors, I am constantly thinking of ways to make my home look nice while being child safe for when they're a little more mobile. I do need some new dining chairs, and I've been eyeing up these ones from Amazon for a while now.
I am currently working on...
Reviewing lots of sleep items, from white noise machines to pillows and luxury bed sheets. As well as reed diffusers (as always) and cleaning gadgets, such as carpet cleaning machines.
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Best hedge trimmer: 7 top buys for tidy bushes and shrubs
Take the elbow grease out of keeping shrubs in check with the best hedge trimmer. See our top picks of both cordless and corded models for every budget
By Annie Collyer Last updated
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Father's Day gifts: 25 present ideas for Dad's home
All of the Father's Day giftspiration you need, because let's face it: Dads can be so tricky to buy for!
By Annie Collyer Published
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The best things to ask Alexa – 25 questions and commands for this voice assistant
These are the best things to ask Alexa – to help you in daily life, to make you laugh and more
By Annie Collyer Last updated
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Where to buy cheap home decor? We reveal our fave homeware shops – and our top buys
The Real Homes guide on where to find the best cheap home decor in the UK. To redecorate on a budget...
By Annie Collyer Published
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Copy Jamie Oliver's cookware as we've sussed out where he shops
Here's where Jamie Oliver gets his cookware from* (shhh! It's a secret)
By Annie Collyer Last updated
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Best hand mixer: 9 handy buys for fast food and small kitchens
Owning the best hand mixers will be an invaluable ally in the kitchen – whether you’re a regular Star Baker or more of an enthusiast – for everything from cake batters to light-as-air soufflés. Here are our top nine, for the best prices...
By Annie Collyer Last updated
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Best vacuum for pet hair
Grab the best vacuum for pet hair so that moulting pets no longer leave your home covered in fluff
By Annie Collyer Published
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Best air freshener
Buy the best air freshener for every purpose, whether it's to get rid of kitchen smells, make a car smell brand new, or just for the fun of a nice smell
By Annie Collyer Published
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Best floor mops
By Annie Collyer Published
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Spotted: Wishbone chair style for £129 – here’s where to buy
We’ve found a doppelganger of the Hans Wegner Wishbone chair for just £129. Here’s where to buy one for your dining room…
By Annie Collyer Last updated
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We've got heart eyes for Le Creuset's latest collection – here are the best bits
The Le Creuset Botanique Collection is live on site now, with prices from £27...
By Annie Collyer Published
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The best paint stripper: 6 best buys for easy paint removal
It's worth investing in the best paint stripper if you're looking to remove paint with ease. Browse our top picks whether you prefer a high-powered heat gun, or the paste and scraper route
By Annie Collyer Last updated
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Best kitchen lighting: top picks to brighten up your kitchen space
We take a look at the best kitchen lighting around to help you completely transform your space this year
By Annie Collyer Last updated
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8 sustainable cleaning tools you need for an eco spring clean
The Real Homes guide on the best sustainable cleaning tools to buy for your home in 2021. Made from bamboo instead of plastic...
By Annie Collyer Published
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Editor's picks: 5 items to add to your shopping basket in April
Our UK Shopping Editor, Annie Collyer, rounds up her top 5 buys for April 2021
By Annie Collyer Published
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This modern fire pit is perfect for chilly evenings – and it's only £129
Yes, this modern fire pit is a bargain right now. It's still in stock at Made.com – not for long, though!
By Annie Collyer Published
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Stacey Solomon's EXACT Kärcher pressure washer is on sale
The Kärcher K4 is selling fast as Stacey Solomon is using it to tap to tidy Pickle Cottage – and we are obsessed with the results
By Annie Collyer Published
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New in homeware buys from our favourite shops – for April 2021
Here's everything we are eyeing up that's new in for April 2021 from our favourite shops. Including Anthropologie, Habitat and Dunelm
By Annie Collyer Published
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Best paint for furniture: 8 best furniture paints
Looking for the best paint for furniture? Transform wood or metal and add on-trend colour with the best furniture paints
By Annie Collyer Published
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10 home Easter decorations to buy – from Easter trees to wreaths
These are the best Easter decorations for your home in 2021 – as chosen by our Shopping Editor
By Annie Collyer Published
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Best power tools: get those DIY jobs sorted
These are the best power tools you can buy. Whether it's a loose screw or errant roof felting that needs fixing, make sure you have the right tool for the job
By Annie Collyer Last updated
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This £6 patio cleaner transformed my garden in hours – here's where you can buy it
Jeyes Fluid patio cleaner works without a pressure washer to clean your outdoor patio – and it did a pretty amazing job on mine
By Annie Collyer Published
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Best electric grill: 5 best buys for outdoor and indoor cooking
The best electric grills are great multitaskers – use them to make panini, grilled vegetables, burgers and more – even when you fancy cooking outside
By Annie Collyer Last updated
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Best drills: tackle those DIY tasks with ease
The best drills are here to help you perfect all your DIY home projects
By Annie Collyer Last updated