Planning & renovating

Articles

Renovating: An architect's guide

Renovating: An architect's guide

Andrew Whiting of My Architect shares his top tips on working with an architect to create the home of your dreams.

How to build a wet room

How to build a wet room

Turn your rundown bathroom into a sleek wet room for a sense of space and luxury.

Moving house checklist

Moving house checklist

Reduce the stress of moving day with our simple checklist of what to do when.

How to choose bathroom flooring

How to choose bathroom flooring

Choosing a bathroom floor for style and practicality.

Room To Improve

Room To Improve

Irish architect Dermot Bannon redesigns old, ugly houses into modern, dream homes.

DIY with Nick Knowles: kitchens

DIY with Nick Knowles: kitchens

Need a new worktop? Nick finds out all you need to know about kitchens from expert Mike Ashton.

DIY with Nick Knowles: Loft conversions

DIY with Nick Knowles: Loft conversions

Nick finds out about loft conversions from structural engineer, Jeremy Wedge.

Designing a home office

Designing a home office

Be your own boss by injecting personality into your home office.

How to sell your home privately

How to sell your home privately

Thinking about selling your home? Capitalise on the sale and avoid estate agent costs by selling it privately.

How to work with an interior designer

How to work with an interior designer

All you need to know to create your dream home in 12 easy steps, from planning to best ways to pay.

How to hire an architect

How to hire an architect

Looking to hire an architect? Found out why, where and how...

Choosing paint

Choosing paint

Choosing paint? If you do your homework you'll get the perfect finish and your walls will keep their freshly-painted, immaculate gleam for years to come.

Design tricks with colour

Design tricks with colour

With a few tricks of the trade you can use colour to accentuating the features of the room that you like and disguise those you don't

Managing a kitchen renovation

Managing a kitchen renovation

Managing a team of fitters, electricians and plumbers is a juggling act that requires careful research and tight organisation upfront.

Planning a kitchen

Planning a kitchen

Careful planning is the key to a well-functioning kitchen. It's a solid investment if you get it right, so good ergonomics are key...

Planning a hallway

Planning a hallway

First impressions count, so here's your guide to creating the perfect hallway.

Planning your dining area

Planning your dining area

The room that hosts the Great British Sunday roast is becoming increasingly multi-functional.

Choosing a dining table

Choosing a dining table

Before you flex your plastic there’s some important factors to consider.

Choosing a dining room scheme

Choosing a dining room scheme

Dining room décor for dinner parties that impress.

Create an open plan kitchen diner

Create an open plan kitchen diner

An open plan living and eating space brings the family together and not just for mealtimes.

Kitchen work surfaces

Kitchen work surfaces

From concrete and Corian to stone and steel, there's a wealth of choice when it comes to choosing your kitchen work surface.

Kitchen lighting

Kitchen lighting

Light the way in the kitchen with a variety of lighting designs both aesthetic and practical.

Living room design tricks

Living room design tricks

Tips to make the most of the space in your living room.

Choosing living room flooring

Choosing living room flooring

Get the right effect underfoot.

Living room design on a budget

Living room design on a budget

You don't need loads of cash to make a big difference in your living room. Just follow these top tips...

Planning your living room

Planning your living room

Creating a relaxing space that works for you.

How to decorate a guest bedroom

How to decorate a guest bedroom

Guest bedroom design ideas for the perfect host.

How to decorate a nursery

How to decorate a nursery

Give your new arrival a warm welcome with bright ideas for a cheerful nursery.

How to decorate a boy's bedroom

How to decorate a boy's bedroom

When it comes to bedrooms, it doesn't have to be a case of blue for a boy...

How to decorate a girl's bedroom

How to decorate a girl's bedroom

Inspired ideas for a gorgeous girl's bedroom

Choosing a bedroom colour scheme

Choosing a bedroom colour scheme

Learn how to create a space you'll want to retreat to after a long, hard day...

Managing a bathroom renovation

Managing a bathroom renovation

Managing a bathroom renovation is not an easy task, but if you’re well-informed and prepared it needn’t cause a headache.

Adding style with accessories

Adding style with accessories

Accessories, the final ingredient to make your perfect bathroom.

Maximise space in a small bathroom

Maximise space in a small bathroom

Small bathrooms need not feel cramped and claustrophobic - here's how to achieve a spacious feel.

Planning your bathroom

Planning your bathroom

Creating your perfect bathing environment can be easy with a bit of careful planning.

Choosing sanitaryware & taps

Choosing sanitaryware & taps

Planning a new bathroom? Here’s some advice on finding a suite to suit.

Choosing bathroom tiles

Choosing bathroom tiles

Our guide to picking the perfect tiles for your bathroom.

Child-friendly bathrooms

Child-friendly bathrooms

How to construct a safe, fun, and welcoming bathroom for your children.

Bathroom heating & lighting

Bathroom heating & lighting

How to achieve a warm and well-lit bathroom.

Affordable bathroom makeovers

Affordable bathroom makeovers

Updating your bathroom can be cheaper and easier than you might think.

Property development: the living room

Property development: the living room

That's how your buyers will feel if you lure them into a living room they love.

Property development: the kitchen

Property development: the kitchen

At the heart of every fab pad is a kitchen your buyers can't wait to whip up a meal in...

Property development: the hall & study

Property development: the hall & study

Ignore halls and studies at your peril: they're a vital part of your overall strategy.

Property development: the bedroom

Property development: the bedroom

You want success in the bedroom? Forget blood-red walls and black satin sheets then...

Property development: the bathroom

Property development: the bathroom

Creating the sort of bathroom buyers can't wait to relax in needn't break the bank...

Managing a property development

Managing a property development

How to keep everything's under control when property developing.

Finding a property to develop

Finding a property to develop

Leave those preconceptions at home when you're sizing up a property for development...

Building a conservatory

Building a conservatory

Building a conservatory you'll want to live in needs forethought. Start with our tips.

Loft conversions

Loft conversions

A loft conversion is a great way to create space and add value to your property - provided you get it right.

Getting planning permission

Getting planning permission

Need more elbow room? You might have to jump through a few council planning hoops first.

Following building regulations

Following building regulations

Don't take chances with building regulations. Stay on the straight and narrow with us

Renovating wooden furniture

Renovating wooden furniture

Make your wooden furniture glow again with these easy restoration techniques.

Getting a Survey

Getting a Survey

You wouldn't buy a car without looking under the bonnet, would you?