Advice

woman adjusting dials on boiler that is housed in a wall mounted cupboard

My husband and I can never agree on when to turn off the central heating in March – so I asked the experts for their advice to put an end to the bickering

By Natasha Brinsmead published

Want to know when to turn off your central heating now that winter is on the way out? Here's what the experts had to say about spring switch offs

Heating

Orangery vs extension — 'both can add appeal if they are well designed and properly integrated,' say the experts, but which to choose?

By Natasha Brinsmead published

Finding it hard to decide between these two types of glazed addition? We set out their pros and cons to help

Conservatory
hand holding glass under running kitchen tap

Concerned about your drinking water quality? I put these home testing kits to the test

By Sarah Harley published

If you want to make sure your drinking water is up to scratch, you can buy kits online to test your water at home. I tried them and here's what I discovered

Kitchen
exterior of large brick and timber clad oak frame home at night

Is a timber frame construction method right for you? Experts explain what's involved when creating your dream home from wood

By Mike Cruickshank, Mark Stevenson, Sarah Harley last updated

Using a timber frame construction is a popular choice amongst homebuilders, but what's involved? Experts explore this method of creating a home

Timber Frame
A compact white dehumidifier sits neatly beside a sofa, blending easily into a calm living room setting. Designed to reduce excess moisture, it helps create a more comfortable space while supporting better air quality and minimising dust.

Yes, dehumidifiers can reduce dust — but not in the way you'd expect

By Gabriella Dyson published

If you're plagued by dust or stuffy air at home, a dehumidifier might seem like the obvious fix, but can it actually reduce dust or is it solving a different problem altogether?

Dehumidifier
Person hanging up white laundry indoors

‘It’s become a laundry essential’ – our editors reveal their favourite ways to dry clothes indoors

By Megan Milstead published

Find out the best ways to dry clothes indoors and avoid the dreaded damp smell

Air Quality

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
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

How To

Wall of glossy blue tiles in standard brick bond pattern with door, plant and white column radiator in front

Do you know how many tiles you'll need for your next project? Follow these pro tips to make sure you don't buy too little or too many

By Steve Jenkins last updated

How many tiles do I need is the first question asked when taking on a new tiling project. Here we reveal some simple tips to make sure you buy what you need

DIY
Man spreading tile adhesive with a bucket trowel onto the back of a tile trowel with a bucket of adhesive and bucket of water in foreground

Knowing how long tile adhesive takes to dry is crucial to project success. Here you'll find out what affects drying times and how to speed them up

By Steve Jenkins last updated

How long does tile adhesive take to dry is a straightforward question with a less simple answer. Here we look at the factors that determine drying times

DIY
Moss on driveway with a brush on top of it

Prevent summer moss by treating it now. Experts share their top tips for a fuzz-free driveway and patio

By Megan Milstead published

Discover the easiest way to kill and remove moss from your driveway and patio – and ensure it doesn't return

Driveways
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

Ideas

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
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

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
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
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