The National H&R Show 18-21 March 2010 at the NEC in Birmingham

Discussions Take a look at today's forum hot topics and submit your own questions and comments

Windows and doors play a significant role in how your house will look - and how much it will cost.

Design advice

Creating the Perfect Entrance Hall

A well-designed hallway will set the right tone for the rest of your home. Natasha Brinsmead explains how it’s done, including solutions to some of the common problems that occur when designing an entrance hall.

A well-designed hallway will set the tone for the rest of your home.

Entrance Hallway Design Solutions

A well-designed hallway will set the right tone for the rest of your home. Here are some useful design solutions for entrance halls, including advice on heating and storage.

Design and storage solutions for entrance halls

Self-build Pioneers: Stan Bolt

Award winning architect Stan Bolt is considered by some to have changed the face of contemporary, cutting-edge self-build. We look at his practice and several of his designs that have featured in the pages of H&R.

Contemporary Kitchens: Your Questions Answered

Contemporary kitchens have caught up with traditional in the popularity stakes, but just how do you create a sleek, chic room that serves such a practical purpose too? Natasha Brinsmead answers the most common contemporary kitchen questions.

What all contemporary units do have in common is that they are free of any fuss

What Makes an Award-Winning Home?

If you’re wondering just what makes a good home truly great – like the winners of this year’s Awards – then read on. Michael Holmes reveals what you can learn from the class of 2009, and some of the emerging design trends to follow.

Award-Winning Homes: Design Trends

As part of the 2009 Homebuilding & Renovating Awards, Michael Holmes reveals what you can learn from this year's winners and some of the emerging design trends for the coming year, including cladding, basements, upside-down living and inside/outside living.

Timber cladding is just one of the emerging house design trends for 2010

Organic Architecture

Organic house design, which incorporates natural materials, landscaping and healthy, sustainable ideals, might be the answer for those who like modern architecture without the hard edges. Michael Holmes explains why it’s the next big thing.

Organic Architecture: Case Studies

Organic house design, which incorporates natural materials, landscaping and healthy, sustainable ideals, might be the answer for those who like modern architecture without the hard edges. We look at several examples from the Homebuilding archives.

This new contemporary house has been designed to maximise the relationship with its gardens

Extending Interiors to the Outdoors

By creating an almost invisible link between inside and out using large glazed doors, french doors or folding sliding doors you can almost add an extra room and give your home an increased sense of space as well as increasing natural light, says Melanie Griffiths.

The sliding glass doors on the rear extension to this remodelled 1930s home really bring more light and space.

Is it Worthwhile Hiring a Lighting Designer?

Lighting expert Bill Noble offers an H&R reader sound advice on whether or not they should consider hiring a lighting designer for their self-build. Plus some great tips for getting the most out of a lighting designer.

Choosing a Roof Type

In the first of a new series examining the key decisions to be made on a building project, Mark Brinkley takes a look at the different options for roof structures and explains what to consider when choosing your roof design.

The design of this self build is dominated by the full height vaulted ceiling

Single Storey House Design

They were once the future, and then the past — and now single storey homes might once again be a vision of the future. The key to their successful design is to understand how to maximise the use of light and minimise the amount of dead circulation space, whilst also recognising the main layout options. By Michael Holmes.

On the right plot the single storey form can provide perfect living accomodation

Single Storey Houses: Case Studies

They were once the future, and then the past — and now single storey homes might once again be a vision of the future. Here are some examples of single storey self builds from the archives.

Kit Homes

The past few years have witnessed a growing interest in off-site construction and, in particular, houses that are partly assembled in factories. Many call them kit houses – others prefabs.

Building a Balcony

A balcony can be a delightful feature to add to your home — but ensuring it complements the rest of the house is crucial, says Clive Fewins.

The 12 Steps of Self Build: Outside Spaces

In the last of our series on self-build, Mark Brinkley examines the home’s outside, with a wealth of ideas to ensure you get it spot on.

Outside Spaces: Driveways, Garages & Outbuildings

Add valuable living space to your home with the right outbuildings, and create a welcoming entrance to drive onto at the end of the day.

Outside Spaces: Landscaping & Boundaries

Ensure your outside spaces look just as good as those inside by planning your garden layout well ahead of time.

The 12 Steps of Self-build: Internal Finishes

The finishing touches will stamp the final mark of quality on your new home. Mark Brinkley examines this key step.

Dormer Windows: How to Get Them Right

Delicate design nuances are critical in ensuring dormers on homes both new and old look right. But why are so many gotten so wrong? Clive Fewins explains.

The Evolution of Timber Frame

Timber frame is improving all the time — it’s quicker and greener than ever, and those traditional complaints about noise and cost are slowly fading away. Mark Brinkley reports.

An energy efficient Baufritz timber frame home

The 12 Steps of Self-build: Kitchens

As part of our 12 steps of self-build series, Mark Brinkley examines the considerations behind designing the right kitchen for your home.

The 12 Steps of Self-build: Bathrooms

As part of our 12 steps of self-build series Mark Brinkley looks at all the decisions you need to make when designing your bathroom.

Create Your Own Instant Classic

Grand or modest, all new homes have something to learn from Classical architecture. Robert Adam – one of the UK’s leading architects and advocates of traditional design – explains what it is, and how to get it right.

Site specific solutions for problem plots

Can’t find your dream plot? Chances are you have already discounted it. David Snell reveals why it’s time to look again at those difficult sites — and how they can make great homes

Design Styles: Georgian

The Georgian style is one of the most popular design styles for self builders. Classic in appearance, it looks simple to achieve, but it's also easy to get wrong.

Design Styles: Arts & Crafts

The Arts & Crafts style is quintessentially English, but there are key rules to follow. By Jason Orme.

Design Styles: Contemporary

Building a contemporary house isn't cheap. Jason Orme looks at the costs and conventions of designing a cutting edge home.

Getting the Right Pitch

The pitch of the roof will play a big role in the overall look of your new home and is something that’s worth you and your designer agonising over, says Clive Fewins

The 12 Steps of Self Build: External Appearance

In part 7 of H&R's 12 part guide to understanding the key decisions in self build, Mark Brinkley looks at external appearances, and the variety of styles, claddings, renders and rainwater goods available.

Real Homes

Period Living

Housebuilder's Bible

My Building Project

Green Homes

Great Value Homes