Advice

Kitchen with pendant lights above a marble island and wall sconces above a white worktop in the background

Want to perfect your home lighting? Experts share a six-step guide

By Natasha Brinsmead, Sarah Harley last updated

Everything you need to nail your home's lighting design – from colour temperature and switches to style and placement

Lighting
man using mineral wool to insulate loft

Should you use the cold roof or warm roof method when insulating a roof? Our expert explains how to choose

By Mark Stevenson last updated

Insulating a roof well isn't just about adding extra insulation, its about making sure you know the difference between a cold roof vs warm roof and here's why

Insulation

What is a coffered ceiling? Why architects are falling in love with this classic detail all over again

By Gabriella Dyson published

From adding architectural character to making a room feel twice as grand, the coffered ceiling is the one design feature most homeowners have never thought to consider – until now

Walls & Ceilings
two females sat in living room talking

I'm selling my flat and these are the 6 jobs I always do before an estate agent values my home

By Sarah Harley published

I believe waiting for viewings before you get your home ready to sell is too late. A valuation is your first viewing and should get the gold star treatment

Home Improvements
Air purifier on wooden table with plant to the left side in background

4 things my air purifier has taught me about my home’s air quality

By Megan Milstead published

I tested an air purifier and was surprised with what it taught me about my indoor air quality

Air Quality
female in kitchen with stacks of rubbish in wooden crates on wooden table

Where to dispose of rubbish that is now banned from your recycling bin under new rules

By Sarah Harley published

Worried about where to get rid of your waste now recycling rules are changing? We explore some alternative methods for disposing of household rubbish

Kitchen

Your Projects

Exterior of the home

'We took a big risk on a derelict tower and it paid off' – step inside this converted substation with sweeping Cornish views

By Alexandra Pratt published

Morveth and Abi Ward fell in love with a derelict industrial building and cleverly converted it into an award-winning home

House Tours
Loft conversion with views over London skyline

'We turned the top of our Victorian terrace into a Manhattan-inspired loft – the views across London are amazing'

By Jennifer Grimble published

Perched above a locally listed Victorian terrace, this ambitious loft conversion was inspired by classic New York architecture and overlooks central London

House Tours
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
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

How To

Contemporary hallway with wooden floor, black stair spindles, wooden handrail and painted white stairs

If you're going to paint your stairs, you need to follow these expert tips and paint recommendations for a professional finish

By Steve Jenkins last updated

Make painting your stairs an integral part of a hallway makeover. Follow our step-by-step guide for success

Paint
Man on building site in hard hat cutting plasterboard to fit walls

Find out why plasterboarding is the ideal choice for a DIY project

By Steve Jenkins last updated

We take a look at the pros of plasterboarding with expert advice on why you should consider it over wet plastering

DIY
Rubber gloved hands holding a spray bottle and cloth against square tiles

The cleaning methods experts swear by for spotless shower tiles

By Megan Milstead published

I asked the experts for the best ways to clean shower tiles – here are four methods they recommended

Bathroom
group of lawn grubs, also known as chafer grubs, in the soil

Don’t let chafer grubs destroy your lawn – act now to get rid of them the right way

By Holly Crossley published

Learn when chafer grubs are most active and how to treat them before they cause serious lawn damage

Garden
Person painting a white mist coat with a 9 inch roller onto bare plaster

If you don't add a mist coat before painting new plaster, you’ll regret it. Here’s what you need to know

By Steve Jenkins last updated

When painting new plaster you need to seal it before you can add a top coat. Here we reveal the ideal mist coat ratio and how to apply for the perfect finish

Paint
Brown MDF furniture against a brown wall with lime green painted top and tools in the foreground

Want to know how to paint MDF properly? This expert guide has the answers you need

By Steve Jenkins last updated

If you need to know how to paint MDF, we've got you covered. Follow this step-by-step guide for a perfect finish

Paint

Ideas

End the damp towel pile for good — 12 towel storage ideas your bathroom needs

By Gabriella Dyson published

From ladder rails to lit niches, these are the towel storage ideas that work as hard as they look

Bathroom

I turned a skip find into stylish shoe storage — and it sent me down a rabbit hole of brilliant small-space ideas

By Gabriella Dyson published

From a rescued cupboard to designer-approved ideas, here's how to store shoes stylishly, however little space you have

Hallway
large yellow modern door with aluminum long handle viewed from inside hallway with white walls and tiled floor

Turn your entrance into the talk of the town, with 12 front door ideas that deliver style and substance

By Sarah Harley last updated

Your front door ideas not only need to look good, but need to perform well too. Here's 12 that will create an outstanding entry and exit point to your home

Windows & Doors
Coastal living room idea with sandy coloured items

I thought coastal living rooms were cliché – until I saw these 12 fresh takes

By Megan Milstead published

From subtle seaside colours to modern textures, interior designers share the easiest ways to bring a relaxed coastal feel into your living room

Living Room

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