Ask the Expert: Funding success

LISTEN HERE Paul Welch of largemortgageloans.com walks you through the key tips for success in playing the self-build mortgage game You have secured your plot, lined up your construction team, and your planning permission has been granted. But what about... View Article

Home Styling: Panel visions

Achieving a cohesive, attractive interior means combining ‘interest, contrast and texture,’ says Robyn Park of Robyn Park Interiors. She explains how panelling can be a great way to do this, and how it’s having a big moment in the interior... View Article

Unlocking your door’s true colours

LISTEN HERE Ben Brocklesby of doors and windows supplier Origin offers his advice for self-builders on the ins and outs of picking door colours Aluminium doors are a great option if you’re looking for an unusual colour. If you want... View Article

Anxiety around house renovation keeping Brits up at night

New analysis reveals that house renovations are the biggest cause of late-night anxiety in Britain, with more people searching for home improvement advice than money or work-related queries in the middle of the night.  Google searches for home improvement-related terms... View Article

Flexible solutions for small space living

Whether it’s hosting guests, working from home or simply living in a smaller space, there are a few smart ways to adapt your environment to be both practical and flexible to suit the demands of everyday life How to adapt... View Article

Unspoilt views

Despite being in an unspoilt location in the Cairngorms, a couple worked carefully with their architect to create an eco-friendly holiday home that blends into the landscape and maximises the stunning views TEXT NIK HUNTER IMAGES DAPPLE PHOTOGRAPHY Building a... View Article

Sealing your future

Windows are one of the most important elements of any property, so effectively sealing them for optimum long term energy efficiency must be a top priority, says Andy Swift of ISO-Chemie The success of a renovation or self-build project can... View Article

Open the door to versatility

The world of garage doors is changing. Here Jon Watson of Garador looks at the new trend of multi-use doors and what they can bring to your build Multi-use garages are an accepted part of modern life. While storing and... View Article

Decking as a design tool

Guy Douglass of Millboard takes a look at the versatility of decking and the many different ways it can be used to enhance your home’s exterior There have been many different gardening trends over the years – the ‘70s rockery,... View Article

Designing an energy efficient outdoor lighting installation

With energy prices remaining impossibly high, installing energy efficient systems and appliances remains a key consideration for most undertaking a self-build project. In this article we speak to Katie Georgeson at 4Lite about outdoor lighting installations and the products and... View Article

Three views you can’t put a price on

Securing one priceless Devon view was an major coup for an architect and her husband, but they didn’t realise their build would give them three TEXT Ewen MacDonald IMAGES George Fielding & Nick Yarsley When it comes to creating the... View Article

New wellness priorities

Thain Gummer of LG Electronics looks at best practice for optimising indoor air quality and reducing risks – including using proper HVAC maintenance, monitoring, and certain types of air purification technology With increasing awareness that poor indoor air quality (IAQ)... View Article

Wheel of good fortune

A young couple seeking their first home together in Cumbria brought in family help to maximise the benefits of a site that once housed a water mill, and on which now sits their four-bed property TEXT LAURA SHADWELL IMAGES LUCY... View Article

Open up to light relief around the home

TuffX’s Paul Higgins explains how rooflights can provide innovative solutions to maximise natural light, create dedicated work zones, and balance energy efficiency with comfort in your self-build or renovation Times have changed, and our homes are changing with them. Energy... View Article

Comment: The window view

Get in the lead and avoid the delays  Unexpected delays can cause huge disruption to a self-build project, costing you valuable time and money. Here, Ben Brocklesby of Origin explores why it is vital to research likely product lead times... View Article

Ask the expert: Wetrooms 101

In recent years the wetroom concept has taken a leap into mainstream popularity, and installations in homes are more desirable than ever to meet a range of needs. Shaun Hunt from Impey answers some self-builder Frequently Asked Questions For many... View Article

The most popular home improvements in the UK

Recent statistics reveal almost half of homeowners in the UK embarked on home improvement projects in 2021, collectively spending £21 billion. From creating stylish environments through kitchen remodelling to expanding living spaces with loft conversions, home improvements are a popular... View Article

Home styling: Shed some light on the issue

You can transform an existing dark hallway – or dark internal spaces in a new build – by opening up the space using attractive Crittall-style glazed doors. Lucy Bartley of lucyb home explains how you can see the light  Crittall-style... View Article