What is happening with the Future Homes Standard 2025?

Victoria Brocklesby, COO at aluminium windows and doors specialist, Origin, discusses how the Future Homes Standard legislation could impact housebuilding and offers her advice to self-builders and renovators The UK is placing more onus on ‘green building’ than ever before.... View Article

Limitless possibilities

Here, Paul Higgins of TuffX explores the key reasons for self-builders to specify bi-fold doors, from slimline sightlines to revolutionary heated solutions. Bi-fold external doors offer the ideal balance of practicality, aesthetics, and functionality, whether used to create unobstructed garden... View Article

Let’s go outside

Ronan O’Dowd from AG Outside Rooms shares his top tips for maximising your outside space and unlocking the potential of your garden, from tranquil sanctuaries to vibrant entertainment areas There was once a time when gardens across the nation sat... View Article

A dramatic rescue

A cottage in the Cornish village which hosted Poldark saw its own share of drama when it was rescued from the point of collapse by Mark Semmens TEXT ALEXANDRA PRATT IMAGES CORNISH GEMS In 2018, a tiny cottage in a... View Article

Beat the heat

Jason Bennett of Zehnder Group UK discusses ways to address the risk of overheating in homes, as summer temperatures begin to rise The way we build our homes has changed. Allowing more natural light to enter the home – along... View Article

Ascending to
greatness

Young couple Lianne and James took the design of their home into their own hands, despite a challenging steep plot in Neath, South Wales, and managed to take full advantage of their surroundings while offering a residence that worked well... View Article

Why door and window colour matters

Victoria Brocklesby of Origin discusses the impact of colour when choosing doors and windows, and its importance in design decisions For self-builders and renovators, the decisions are endless: layouts, materials, and of course, aesthetics. One element that can be overlooked,... View Article

Top 10 tips to reduce your self-build cost

Quantity Surveyor Tim Phillips of www.quantiv.uk and an expert at the Southern Homebuilding & Renovating Show shares his tips for procuring materials cost-effectively and making strong savings to reduce your self-build costs. Research suppliers of all your materials thoroughly and obtain... View Article

How to create a light-filled home

Whether it is a renovation, an extension or a complete new-build, creating a finished home filled with natural light starts with the design. Edward Stobart of IDSystems explains more We know that bright, light-filled spaces within a home are appealing... View Article

A long time coming

For Paula and David Matthews, creating their dream home began back in the late 90s when they first bought their house, completing decades of good (and not-so-good) alterations before finally unlocking its full potential TEXT HEATHER DIXON IMAGES PAULA &... View Article

Ask the expert – The art of colour selection

Choosing the right paint colours for different rooms is more than just a matter of aesthetics – it’s about understanding how colours interact with light, influence mood, and create a sense of continuity. Dulux Heritage’s Dawn Scott paints in some... View Article

Safety first: glazing and framing options for rooflights

When choosing rooflights for your project, cost and aesthetics are likely the priority over glass or frame technology. However, the choice of glass type and frame design, can have significant safety implications. Here, Tony Isaac from Brett Martin sheds light... View Article

Interior Inspiration: Kitchens/dining rooms

Arguably one of the biggest purchases of your project, choosing the right kitchen/dining area is paramount. Explore our collection of dining tables, kitchens, and accessories and find inspiration for the heart of your home   1. The Dalani Dining Table... View Article

Selfbuilder Diaries

Jo and Andrew’s dream New England-style home on the Dorset coast is finally taking shape after years of planning woes, and their original builder dropping out a week before demolition began! Jo takes up the story… When we purchased our... View Article

Design your very own ‘Wonderwall’

Interior designer Judith Harrop describes how with careful design, you can make a media wall for all your home entertainment needs that’s an integral part of your interior design, and provides the right balance of aesthetics and function The term... View Article

Wetland wonder

Simon Roberts and Sarah Bruml managed to achieve their innovative, sustainable and flood-resilient cabin on a highly sensitive site next to a tidal creek and natural wetland in Southwold, thanks to a bedded-in design TEXT DEBBIE JEFFERY IMAGES DAVID VALINSKY Serendipity... View Article

The Homebuilding & Renovating Awards 2024 open for entries

Entries are now invited for The Homebuilding & Renovating Awards 2024, which, for the first time, is partnering with The Times and The Sunday Times, and includes TV personalities Laura Jane Clarke and Sian Astley among its line-up of expert judges. Exceptional... View Article

The Festival of Sustainable Homes

The ‘Festival of Sustainable Homes’ is a brand new event produced by the team at the National Self Build & Renovation Centre. The two-day festival will avoid ‘greenwash’ and offer genuine inspiration for anyone interested in creating well-designed, healthy homes,... View Article