Advice

Pair of hands holding yellow electronic stud finder against light wall and marking position of stud

Having trouble finding the timber studs in a wall? How to use a stud finder like a pro

By Steve Jenkins published

Follow our expert guide on how to use a stud finder to accurately locate studs, pipes, and cables

Timber Frame
A sophisticated kitchen with deep navy in-frame cabinets and a large central island. Glass-fronted cupboards glow with warm lighting. Brass handles, pendant lights and a built-in wine rack add elegance to the contemporary, high-end design.

The best types of wine storage in a kitchen from specialist fridges to stylish shelves

By Amy Cutmore published

Looking for chic and clever ways to stow your Chardonnay, Champagne and Chianti? We’ve got some corking ideas…

Kitchen
A white rendered kitchen extension with a large glass door that opens out on to a patio

'This is the secret to ensuring your kitchen extension timeline stays on track, and you avoid lengthy delays,' says self build expert

By Mark Stevenson published

When planning a kitchen extension, it's important to correctly assess how long the project might take, not only for practical reasons but also for budgeting

Extension
male builder fixing RSJ into place

RSJ costs should never be worked out online warn experts, and here's why

By Sarah Harley published

RSJ costs are about far more than the price of steel and how much it costs to manufacture a beam. You need professional advice and approval before you proceed

Structure
Green mould and damp stains spreading on a white wall next to a radiator

What's causing that green mould on your walls — and is it safe to sleep in the same room?

By Gabriella Dyson published

Found green mould on your walls? We reveal the likely causes, health risks and how to stop it coming back

Ventilation
stone cottage with a side extension featuring a glazed link and modern sliding glass doors. Patio with a stone retaining wall and steps leading down to a lawned garden area

Want to make every pound of your build budget count? A quantity surveyor explains why value engineering could be your project’s secret weapon

By Tim Phillips published

Discover why value engineering is one of the smartest tools for keeping costs under control, ensuring every pound of your project budget is spent where it delivers the most impact

Self Build

Your Projects

kitchen pod space with ply walls and burgundy painted walls

'A LEGO model inspired my home's new layout' – inside an extended London terrace transformed with playful design features

By Jennifer Grimble published

A kitchen pod and clever sliding screens were just some of the ingenious techniques used by Graeme Bulcraig to turn his tired 1960s end-of-terrace into a flexible family home

House Tours
Exterior of the house

From neglected outbuilding to rural masterpiece – take a tour of this barn-style self-build with panoramic countryside views

By Seán O'Connell published

Annicka Locket and James Terry reimagined a derelict building with an inventive upside-down layout, creating a modern barn-inspired home that frames rural views from its light-filled upper floor

House Tours
Exterior of the back of the house with green window trims and red pipe details

Step inside this colourful extended home that 'connects with its natural surroundings'

By Jennifer Grimble published

When writers Aurelie and Daniel Chambers decided to renovate their Victorian terrace house in London, they wanted every aspect to cater to both them and their two cats

House Tours
Inside the kitchen of a barn conversion

'It's the perfect place for us to relax' – inside a charming Cotswolds barn conversion where original features still shine

By Debbie Jeffery published

A Grade II-listed farm building in the Cotswolds has been transformed into a compact, characterful home that blends history with contemporary craft

House Tours
Exterior of the house which backs onto a garden and patio with plant pots and veranda

'It's a privilege to live in this beautiful environment' – step inside this zero-carbon oak frame home on a Devon eco-farm

By Teresa Conway published

Susie and her husband Robert built a modestly sized sustainable home to support their work on an idyllically situated organic farm

House Tours
Exterior of the house which is set on grass and in front of trees

Step inside this homely oak frame self-build with spectacular views of the Monmouthshire countryside

By Seán O'Connell published

Chris and Ann Preston turned a potentially disastrous survey in their favour by building an oak frame self-build home with a difference

House Tours

How To

Bedroom with red and cream stripes on wall next to green furniture and pic of people on wall

Making painted stripes part of your latest design ideas will liven up any space, and it's not as hard as you might think

By Steve Jenkins last updated

Want to know how to paint stripes on a wall? We reveal the tools and techniques that every DIYer should know to get sharp, smart stripes

Paint
Pair of hands fitting cut light coloured tile into corner on wall with grey adhesive and tile spacers in the foreground

Don't let tiling corners spoil your latest project. Discover the art of tackling inside and outside corners

By Steve Jenkins last updated

Tiling a corner isn't as difficult as you might think. Here we reveal a few trade secrets to get a smooth, good looking finish

Home Improvements
Shower on beige tiled wall with water pouring out

Lack of power in your shower? Ways to increase your water pressure

By Gabriella Dyson last updated

Don't let lacklustre showers ruin your morning routine. Learn how to identify the causes of low water pressure in a shower and discover 5 simple steps to combat the issue.

Bathroom
Hand laying tile adhesive on floor next to light wood effect floor tiles

How much tile adhesive do I need? Our expert has the answer

By Steve Jenkins last updated

‘How much tile adhesive do I need?’ is a key question to answer before you start tiling. Here's how to work out the amount you'll need for walls and floors

DIY
Contemporary light bathroom with tall thin tiles on wall and around window with bath and sink in foreground

If you’re thinking of tiling around a window, then this step-by-step guide will show you how to get it right

By Steve Jenkins last updated

Need the know-how for tiling around a window? Follow our step-by-step guide to discover the best techniques to get a pro looking finish

DIY
Dark hexagon tiles on wall and floor in shower room with bathroom furniture in the foreground

Before ripping out your old tiles, find out if you can tile over tiles to save you time and money

By Steve Jenkins last updated

Can you tile over tiles doesn't have straightforward answer. Here we take a look at when it's a good and bad idea backed up by some expert insight

Flooring

Ideas

Living room with tiled alcove and pink and mint green colour

These 12 genius alcove ideas made me realise my living room's hidden potential

By Megan Milstead published

From a cosy reading nook to a multifunctional workspace, here are my favourite living room alcove ideas to enhance this often-neglected space

Living Room
A stylish open-plan bedroom divided by a black metal-framed glass partition. On one side sits a cosy living area with dark armchairs and soft cushions. On the other, a bed with mustard and striped pillows rests against a rustic wood-panelled wall, beneath woven pendant lights.

These bedroom divider ideas are perfect for 'zoning' your sleep space — and there isn't a solid wall in sight

By Gabriella Dyson published

Discover how to turn one bedroom into beautifully defined zones, no construction necessary

Bedroom
dining room with pale blue panelling, blue window frames and off-white walls

Blues, greens and unexpected pairings — we lift the lid on the 2026 paint trends and how to use them in your home

By Sarah Harley last updated

From mossy green to bold burgundy, this year's paint trends and colour styles are generally soothing, with a splash of adventurous on the side

Paint

Not much space? No problem — these 14 small boot room ideas show what can be done with even the tiniest of areas

By Natasha Brinsmead published

Beautiful small boot room ideas that combine style with practicality

Utility

Buying Guides

Three of the best smart hubs on a wooden cabinet, with another on the wall, and a sofa and plants in the background

I've researched and tested the best smart hubs to simplify your home automation – these are my top 6 recommendations

By Megan Milstead published

Looking for the best smart home hub? Here are the top-rated buys we recommend you invest in after testing and comparing reviews

Home Improvements
Best smart thermostats lined up on a window sill above a radiator

The 6 best smart thermostats to cut energy bills and control heating remotely

By Megan Milstead published

We’ve found the best smart thermostats to help heat your home efficiently and lower your energy bills

Energy
Silver range cooker in modern kitchen with marble splashback and wooden cabinets

The 6 best range cookers — how to choose the right model for your kitchen

By Natasha Brinsmead last updated

Want the best range cooker for your new kitchen? Look no further as we round up the top models out there

Cooker
The best kitchen cabinet paints on a worktop with paint colour chart and roller brush

The 6 best kitchen cabinet paints to refresh tired cupboard doors

By Steve Jenkins last updated

The best kitchen cabinet paints can be an inexpensive and easy way to revitalise your cupboards – browse these editor-approved options

Paint
Grey gloved hand removing dried leaves from metal gutter

Try these 6 essential gutter cleaning products to help keep your guttering leaf and debris-free

By Michelle Guy last updated

Looking for the best gutter cleaning products to sort your gutters DIY-style? We’ve made it easier to choose with a selection of 5 top tools in our round-up

Home Improvements
Three of the best dehumidifiers in a living room

The 8 best dehumidifiers – combat condensation and mould, plus dry laundry quickly with our tried-and-tested favourites

By Natasha Brinsmead last updated

We've tested the best dehumidifiers from Meaco, De'Longhi and more to help eliminate condensation, prevent damp and mould, dry your laundry and even cut energy bills

Dehumidifier