Opening the door to space, style & smart living

Louise Stacey of Eclisse discusses how pocket doors can transform your home by maximising space, enhancing light and creating seamless flow between rooms. For anyone embarking on a self-build journey, every design choice matters. From the orientation of the windows... 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

Structural timber: a smart choice

Andrew Orriss of the Structural Timber Association (STA) looks at timber as a sustainable, low-carbon building choice, increasingly popular among UK self-builders for its environmental and practical benefits. In recent years, structural timber has emerged as the material of choice... View Article

Beyond the looking glass

Al and Lily Chen’s renovated and extended Edwardian home is a masterclass in space and light. TEXT ALEXANDRA PRATT IMAGES WILLIAM TOZER ASSOCIATES “We were looking for a family home with potential for expansion,” explains Lily Chen, who has two... View Article

Screwfix Live is back for 2025

Back at Farnborough International Exhibition centre once again, from Friday 26th until Sunday 28th September, Screwfix Live has become a must-visit event for trade professionals and DIYers. Now in its 12th year, Screwfix Live continues to grow in popularity, offering... View Article

Smarter by design

Theben Automation’s Paul Foulkes explores how smart homes are moving beyond timers and schedules, embracing real-time, sensor-based automation for greater comfort, efficiency and intuitive living. For decades, home automation has promised ease and efficiency. But early systems, reliant on fixed... View Article

The best laid plans

Lettie and Tom Fardon fell in love with a timber-framed 1950s bungalow ripe for renovation and bought it at auction, but didn’t realise just how much work would be involved in bringing it up to modern standards. TEXT JAYNE DOWLE... View Article

Building your dream outdoors

To help self-builders transform muddy plots into luscious garden havens, Anita Magee of Tobermore looks at the top trends inspiring garden design. Current garden trends are seeing a strong focus on blending luxury with sustainability, creating outdoor areas that are... View Article

Designing with doors in mind

Deuren’s Ian Chubb shares how specifying doors early unlocks better design choices, avoids compromise and keeps your self-build ambitions on track. From structural planning and detailed budgeting to sourcing materials and managing timelines, building or renovating your dream home is... 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