Maximise your space

Jessica Smith of Curated Spaces and Studio Smith Interior Design shares her top tips for maximising space, improving flow and avoiding costly mistakes during your project. Most people assume an interior designer comes in at the end, once the walls... View Article

NSBRC Masterclass: planning permission

For many self-builders, securing planning permission can feel like the finish line. In reality, it is something quite different: a milestone – significant, yes – but only one step in a longer and often more complex journey. What follows a... View Article

Life on the edge

Jane Ramsay and Neil Manfield’s self-built home is a love letter to a happy childhood in west Wales. TEXT Alexandra Pratt IMAGES Martin Gardner Perched on a cliff above the west Wales coast, Jane and Neil’s self-built home is all... View Article

Choosing a kitchen that lasts

Sebastian Aronowitz, founder of The London Kitchen Company explores why material choice is so important when designing a kitchen, deserving the same attention as the overall appearance. Kitchens are usually chosen for how they look. Layout, door style, colour and... View Article

Interior Inspiration: Home Office

With more of us working from home than ever before, it’s increasingly common for self-builders to create a dedicated working space. Find inspiration in our selection of products, whether your space will be a small-but-functional corner or a full blown... View Article

Light fantastic

Designed around a courtyard to echo local farmsteads, Sarah and Jon Simpkin’s unique new home draws in light from every angle. TEXT DEBBIE JEFFERY IMAGES DOM JONES When Sarah and Jon Simpkin set out to build a new home, it... View Article

Home is where
the hearth is

Percy Doughty explores how ambience shapes modern British homes and how self-builders can craft a truly warm, inviting space. As the nights draw in and temperatures begin to fall, the focus naturally shifts indoors. Across the UK, homeowners are re-evaluating... View Article

Creative colourful cladding

Lisa Grosse at Cedral explores how cladding can improve aesthetics, support thermal performance, and offer weather resistance, sustainability and long-term cost savings for self-builders. Whether you’re planning a transformation or a new build, investing in a beautiful exterior means thinking... View Article

Whole-home integration is the future

From comfort and efficiency to long-term resilience, Rick Clarke at NIBE reveals why whole-home integration is essential for today’s self-builders. Self-builders today aren’t just designing houses, they’re shaping futureproof, connected homes. In the UK’s self-build and renovation market, the focus... View Article

Unlocking finance for your dream home

BuildStore Mortgage Services’ Tom McSherry tells The Selfbuilder’s James Parker how self-build mortgages work, the options available, and why early financial planning is key to a successful project. What are the different types of self-build mortgages on offer, and how... View Article

Framing the view

When Jo and Louise Roberts decided to build a barn style oak-framed home for their retirement, the plot was quite literally on their doorstep. TEXT DEBBIE JEFFERY IMAGES STEVEN HAYWOOD/CARPENTER OAK LTD Back in 1996, Jo and Louise Roberts bought... View Article

A house of two halves

A chance to design their own home from scratch in their favourite part of London was far too good an opportunity to pass up for Lily Wood and her family TEXT CAROL BURNS IMAGES PHIL COFFEY When Lily and Rob... View Article

Interior Inspiration: Living Rooms

Whether you need to find the perfect sofa for relaxing in the evenings or some handy storage to keep things tidy, we’ve curated a selection of products from the comfortable to the practical to help you create your ideal living... View Article

Flexible elegance

Adam Brown of The Painted Furniture Company discusses how customisable freestanding furniture offers flexible, high-quality pieces that adapt over time and combine personal style, durability and design continuity. For anyone embarking on the rewarding journey of building their own home,... View Article

A splash of colour

Duravit UK’s Martin Carroll explains how bathroom design has evolved from functional to artistic, with homeowners embracing bold colours, luxurious furnishings, and unique wallpapers. When planning a bathroom scheme, colour is a key consideration. No longer limited to classic white,... View Article

Interior Inspiration: Kitchens & Dining

Few rooms in the house will cost more than the kitchen, making it one of the biggest interior elements of your project. Take inspiration from our selection of kitchen and dining products, from high end units, sinks and taps to... View Article

The gamble pays off

Buying a new home which was too small was a risk that the Leggett family were willing to take. TEXT NIK HUNTER IMAGES ROBERT PERRY Robert and Isla Leggett had been living in Edinburgh’s Leith for 15 years but after... View Article

Selfbuilder Diaries… the next chapter

The Selfbuilder catches up with Olly and Veronika Stothert who are building their family home and overcoming challenges like clay soil, financial hurdles, and self-building logistics, while balancing professional expertise and hands-on work for a sustainable, personalised space. “And… Action!”... View Article

Stylish, sustainable & functional

Charlton & Jenrick managing director Peter Mintoft speaks to The Selfbuilder’s James Parker about all things secondary heating including sustainability, trends, and what the future holds. What exactly is secondary heating? Secondary heating is very  complementary to primary heating systems.... View Article

An auspicious decision

When James and Amy Savage moved from Hong Kong to Wiltshire, they took a chance on a poorly converted byre, transforming it into a unique, futureproofed home. TEXT ALEXANDRA PRATT IMAGES CHARLES EMERSON Relocating between continents isn’t an easy thing... View Article