Waking up to the aroma of fresh bread is a pleasant counterpoint to the buzz of the alarm clock. David Cameron copped some flak when he said he didn't know the price of a loaf because he baked his own in a £100 Panasonic machine. But whether you prefer granary, date and walnut or just plain white, a breadmaker is a great addition to your kitchen. Most cost between £40 and £150 and even the basic ones tend to have a range of functions. Generally, the more you spend, the more functions. You can get delay timers, options to make different breads such as gluten-free and French and Italian loaves, and programmes for cake and jam making. Dispensers are included on some, automatically adding in extra ingredients such as nuts and dried fruit at the optimum time. Paying more also gets you a machine that bakes a range of sizes – although Russell Hobbs' budget model (the 18036) does so at around £50. Don't be talked into a pricey extended warranty – the machines are generally pretty reliable.

If a retailer offers a free extended warranty (John Lewis sometimes does), it may be worth paying a few pounds extra for the product. Catherine Atkinson, author of Brilliant Breadmaking in your Bread Machine, says: "The size and shape of the finished loaf is determined by the pan. Most opt for a medium-size machine, which tend to have a tall, slightly square one. Larger machines tend to make a rectangular loaf, like traditional farmhouse bread.You can make a small loaf in these; however, it will be shaped like a classic loaf in length and width but only half the height" Atkinson warns that a breadmaker takes up a fair amount of room, so choose a machine that either stores easily or fits the space you have. "Think about the height if you plan to use it under low kitchen cupboards; you need room to lift the lid and remove the bread." Choose a machine that makes smaller loaves if you don't eat a lot of bread, as it doesn't last as long as shop-bought. Once you have decided what you expect the machine to do, start looking for a model that fits the bill.

has listed its best-buys on its website – you will need to sign up to a trial, which costs £1. Customer reviews on retailers' websites should also give you a good idea of which models are well-regarded by users and common complaints. Shop around on price and look for retailers that offer a good price online and allow you to collect from stores to avoid delivery charges. Search for voucher codes. And remember retailers' price promises. John Lewis's "never knowingly undersold" pledge means if you find the product cheaper in certain competitors' stores, it will match it. Lakeland has an attractive offer: if you are not satisfied at any time, return the machine and get your money back. Will it save you money? Not if you compare the cost against supermarkets' budget loaves. Bulk-buying yeast, vegetable oil, caster sugar, salt and bread flour, combined with the electricity, would typically cost around 45p. Machines vary in price; however, if you buy a £60 machine and use it twice a week for three years, that adds less than 20p per loaf.

But the beauty of making your own is including the ingredients you want, whether that be for a bit of luxury or dietary requirements. At the budget end, but rated highly by online reviewers, is the Russell Hobbs 18036. It has 12 programmes and makes three sizes (1lb, 1.6lb and 2.2lbs). drapery grommets spacingIt has a 55-minute fast-bake function as well as a 13-hour delay so you can wake up to fresh bread in the morning. vivan beige curtainsSeveral stores offer it at £49.99.elli & raff curtains With five settings including rolls and pizza dough, the Morphy Richards Daily Loaf 48330 makes a 1lb loaf. thermalogic curtains home depot

It costs as much as £125, though it's on Amazon for £44 .96 or the Co-operative Electrical Shop for £46.99. My Kitchen Compact Bread Maker is a Which? Designed for the worktop it has 11 settings including crusty, basic, French and gluten. It makes a 1lb loaf: £59.99 from Lakeland.string door curtain dunelm The Kenwood BM450 bakes three sizes (1.1lb, 1.6lb and 2.2lbs) and has 15 programmes, including jams and cakes. curtains w90 l54It also can add extra ingredients automatically at the appropriate time. thermal curtain linings dunelmSeveral retailers have it for just under £100: at Currys it is £89.99 for a limited period, while John Lewis prices it at £99.50, including a two-year warranty. The Panasonic SD-ZB2502BXC has a yeast dispenser dropping in the yeast at the optimum time.

It offers three sizes (medium, large and extra large) and 9 modes including gluten free, whole wheat, rye, French and Italian breads. It can make jam and pizza dough, too. Priced at £128.97 on Amazon.FREE Standard Delivery On orders over €30 FREE Next Day Click & Collect Find out more Next Day Delivery Find out moreFirst a quick definition. A duvet is the most important part of your bedding, a comforting, cosseting cotton envelope filled with down, feathers – or a high tech synthetic alternative – to keep you warm and cosy while you sleep. With its origins back among the Vikings of Norway in ancient times, the modern duvet has come a long way and, since the 1980s, has become the nighttime cover of choice. The word "duvet" comes from the French and literally means "down" – as in the feathers of a bird.Selecting the right filling for your duvet is among the biggest choices that you will make, and it depends largely on both your budget and your personal preferences. Among the fillings of modern duvets are:Duvet makers use a handy code system known as the "tog" to measure the warmth of your duvet.

There's a nifty theory that the word comes from the Roman toga – but there's no proof of this. All you need to know is that the higher the tog value of the duvet you're choosing, the warmer it will be. A few examples:Which tog rating you choose for your new duvet will come down to how warm you like to be at night and this is very much a matter of personal preference. Do remember, too, that the more natural filling that you choose, the more likely it is to take away any moisture that may occur as the result of sweat as you sleep. That might mean that, if you can afford it, down or feathers for your next duvet is the way to go for the winter months, and that you might choose an extra lightweight synthetic duvet for the summer months – or for unexpected guests on your sofa bed.Each supplier will offer you a wide range of duvets at a wide range of prices. It all comes down to taking a look at your needs – how warm you like to be at night, which season your duvet is for and what your budget is.

You might want to make a list of your exact requirements to make sure that you're getting exactly what you need.The top of the range duvets have their fillings arranged in individual pockets so that whether you choose down, feathers or synthetics, there's no bunching but an even spread of warmth across the duvet. These more expensive duvets will have their outer envelope constructed of tough, natural cotton.The cheaper ranges of duvets, usually available from the supermarket retailers, are all synthetic: both filling and the outer envelope. Duvet technology has moved fast and there are those who decide on synthetics out of choice because they're so much easier to launder, and are always good for people who have allergies.You'll find that there are duvets available now in all sizes, to suit all of the beds that you are buying a duvet for. Single duvets are available for children's beds, or if you prefer single beds for yourself and your partner, and for occasional guests. Do make sure if you have a bigger bed that you're choosing exactly the right size to match the bedding that you have.

Typical sizes are:It's always worth double checking that the size of your new duvet matches either your existing bedding or the bedding that you're buying along with the new duvet. Usually the size will be printed on the label to the side or bottom of the duvet, or sometimes on a label attached to the top or bottom of the duvet itself.Duvets should be laundered every two to three months to keep them as fresh and as warm as possible. Make sure that you follow the cleaning instructions.A general rule of thumb, though, is that all synthetic duvets can be machine washed, on a low temperature and using a short spin cycle. If you can, line dry the duvet afterwards. As a rule, any duvet containing natural fibres should be taken to a dry cleaner which specialises in duvet cleaning.Between laundering, it's good to give the duvet, without cover, a good shake outdoors each week to freshen it up.A comforter has a similar function to a duvet, but is generally used with sheets and has its design directly applied to it, while a duvet has a removable cover to make it easier to keep clean and to give you more options to match your decor and your mood.