Advice

What is the Home Energy Model? The way EPCs are calculated is about to change

By Joseph Mullane published

Discover what the Home Energy Model is, how it calculates energy use, and the implications for homebuilders, renovators, and Energy Performance Certificates

Energy
A kitchen with a large plant to the left and grey walls with a wooden worktop

Avoid these 13 kitchen renovation mistakes if you want your scheme to succeed, urges home building expert

By Mark Stevenson published

If you are planning a kitchen renovation any time soon, check out the main mistakes to avoid, as explained by self build expert, Mark Stevenson

Kitchen

My Victorian kitchen was stuck in the 1990s until these 7 design choices restored its period charm

By Gabriella Dyson published

My 'modern' kitchen never suited my Victorian home, until I made these thoughtful design changes

Kitchen
Wooden loft ladder in a white hall

Which type of loft ladder is best for your home? Experts explain the pros, cons and how to choose

By Megan Milstead published

Our complete guide to loft ladder types will help you confidently pick the right one for your needs

Home Improvements
utility room with off white cabinets, butler sink and shutters at window

Don't underestimate the importance of utility room heating say experts — and why being 'smart' about it could be the best approach

By Sarah Harley published

While it might seem a simple decision, choosing the right heating for your utility room is a little more complex than it first appears.

Utility

Is a loft conversion for a children's bedroom a good idea? The experts weigh in

By Natasha Brinsmead published

While a loft conversion might seem like the perfect space for those bursting with energy, there are some considerations to think about before going ahead

Loft Conversion

Your Projects

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
Rear of the property showing the kitchen extension from the garden patio

‘What this home lacks in width, it makes up for in height' – step inside this ultra-modern home measuring just 3m wide

By Jennifer Grimble published

At less than three metres wide, this former shipbuilder’s cottage has been reborn as a beautiful, efficient retreat brimming with character and clever design features

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
Exterior of the back of the house, showing the side extension, garden and patio area

How a timber-frame extension has successfully 'enhanced family life' in this colourful 1970s terrace

By Seán O'Connell published

The success of this Kent extension is down to clever design solutions and a combination of talents

House Tours

How To

Air purifier on a wooden floor next to a plant

How poor is your indoor air quality? Experts reveal four ways to improve it – and the signs it could be harming your health

By Megan Milstead published

Discover the best ways to improve indoor air quality at home, according to experts

Air Quality
Victorian style fireplace with white surround and small blue tiles hearth and surround

Check out this easy-to-follow tiling a fireplace advice to create a stunning hearth

By Luke Arthur Wells last updated

Tiling a fireplace shouldn't be the biggest challenge for a competent DIYer. We look at the how it's done and the key things you need to know

DIY
Large empty room with green plasterboard on walls, covered with large format white tiles

What are the hidden challenges of tiling onto plasterboard? Pros reveal their techniques for perfect, durable finishes

By Steve Jenkins last updated

Tiling onto plasterboard is similar to tiling onto plaster or tile, but you need to get your prep and process right. A couple of pros reveal their tips

DIY
Hand wearing a rubber glove cleaning a shower screen

Goodbye limescale and watermarks! Here's how to get a squeaky clean shower screen in two simple steps

By Megan Milstead published

Cleaning experts reveal the secret to a spotless shower screen

Bathroom
Contemporary white toilet with a background of white metro tiles and grey grout

Why fitting a toilet seat is a job you can do yourself for a quick bathroom upgrade

By Steve Jenkins last updated

Fitting a toilet seat is a task that any DIYer can take on, but they are not all the same. Get the insight on sizes, types of fittings and how to install

DIY
Plumbing parts on floor in front of white toilet in bathroom with square grey wall and floor tiles

Want to know how to fit a toilet? Our step-by-step guide to installing a toilet yourself

By Ben Field last updated

Update the look of your bathroom, or replace a faulty fixture with our step-by-step guide to fitting a toilet

DIY

Ideas

large bathroom with light wood furniture, cream tiling, large french doors with curtains, green towels and green and cream wall art

Blues and spa-like retreats: The bathroom trends in 2026 that everyone is talking about

By Sarah Harley last updated

If a new bathroom is in your plans this year, from spa-like sanctuaries to walls that are worthy of attention, here's what trends you have to choose from

Bathroom
Kitchen with marble backsplash and worktop

Kitchen worktop ideas: 12 clever ways to make your surfaces work harder

By Natasha Brinsmead last updated

After great kitchen worktop ideas for your new kitchen? You've come to the right place

Kitchen
Galley kitchen idea with white cabinets and black floor

12 galley kitchen ideas that make the most of a long, narrow cooking space

By Natasha Brinsmead, Amy Reeves last updated

Learn how to design a beautiful galley kitchen that's a joy to cook and dine in with these stylish, space-efficient ideas

Kitchen
Ikea utility room idea

How to level up your utility room for less – 5 clever ideas from IKEA

By Megan Milstead published

Upgrading your utility room doesn’t have to cost a fortune – these ideas from IKEA are affordable, stylish and make boring chores a breeze

Utility

Buying Guides

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
Woman wearing orange headscarf holding faux wooden shelf and placing into plasterboard fixings on white wall

Ensure you choose the best plasterboard fixings to support shelves, big screen TV’s and radiators to avoid unwanted accidents

By Steve Jenkins last updated

Check out our pick of the best plasterboard fixings to help make sure that your favourite fittings don’t fail and fall

DIY
Gloved hand holding reciprocating saw cutting nails in a timber frame against a bright blue sky

The best reciprocating saws for effortless demolition, fast cuts, and impressive performance

By Hugh Metcalf last updated

The best reciprocating saws are handy tools to have for use around your next build or DIY project. Here are 5 of the best

Tools
Person holding a silver caulk gun adding grey sealant between white bath and cream tiles

Check out our top-rated best bathroom sealants, perfect for stopping leaks, preventing mould and sealing gaps

By Jack Woodfield last updated

We've rounded up the best bathroom sealants for waterproof protection, flexible sealing and smart professional-quality finishing

Bathroom
Black manual hand sander with yellow sandpaper lying top of a piece of pine wood on light wooden floor

Check out the best hand sanders for wood to help make your sanding projects easier and faster

By Steve Jenkins last updated

Investing in a budget-friendly manually-powered hand sander will bring added precision and control when sanding wood. Here are 6 of our top picks

Tools