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April 2026

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106 articles

April 30
- The paper and cardboard recycling rules I've been getting wrong without realising – and you might be breaking them too
- New £2,500 heat pump grants to help cool homes announced
April 29
- 13 cottage garden patio ideas that turn any seating area into a flower-filled retreat
- This 15ft invasive plant that produces toxic sap continues to appear in British gardens – and it's coming into season now
April 28
- Turning my cottage garden into a driveway damaged its kerb appeal — here's what I wish I'd done differently
- 7 in 10 homeowners underestimate bathroom renovation costs — are you one of them?
April 27
- 16 ornamental grasses that will transform your garden all year round
- 12 ways to make your path the star of your cottage garden
- Octopus GO customers furious after ‘not enough’ notice given before price hikes
April 26
- We reveal the surprising places you might find asbestos in your home renovation — and what you can do about it
- Should you tackle insulating between floors from above or below?
- Got leftover decking? Here’s how to turn it into a DIY garden planter
- £44m government-backed insulation scheme fraud probe leads to four arrests
April 25
- The energy upgrades I skipped on my Victorian home renovation — and why
- 'We turned a dated dining room into our dream small living room – here's how we did it'
- 'These hidden costs pushed our renovation over budget' — 6 harsh reality checks from real-life renovators
- Homeowners arrested after cowboy builder claims they 'harassed' him over 'unsafe' rear extension
April 24
- 8 facts about soapstone, and why it could be the lesser-known kitchen worktop finish you didn't know you needed
- 'Our home generates more energy than it uses' – step inside this ultra-efficient self-build
- I am about to apply for planning permission to create a dropped kerb – so I asked the experts, 'what should my next steps be?'
- Former workshop site in Marham gains consent for four self-build homes
April 23
- 24 ways to bring your cottage garden ideas to life – regardless of the style, shape or size of your garden
- The 10 best pond plants to keep your water clean and healthy
- Can you be forced to pay for recycling bins under new rules?
April 22
- No driveway, no problem? New rules could unlock at-home EV charging
- Are you thinking of replacing your bathtub? Check out how much you can expect to pay in 2026
- Why appealing a planning rejection just got tougher for homeowners from April
April 21
- £9,000 heat pump grant boost announced for some UK homeowners
- An expert says this is the secret to attracting birds to your garden (plus how to identify each one)
- Rogue trader falsified asbestos reports to scam homeowners out of thousands of pounds for removal
- Hardware can be the unforgotten hero of an interior scheme. I reveal my favourite places to shop and share expert advice on selecting yours
April 20
- How to design a solar-ready home: key decisions to make early in your project
- My bedroom and home office need to break-up as I'm losing sleep. Here's what I'm considering as a temporary solution to keep the peace
- These 3 survey findings should stop any property purchase in its tracks — no matter how much you love it
- Washing line neighbour dispute sparks talk of council action over 'ruined view' claim
April 19
- The basement building regulations you can't ignore when extending underground
- Are you inviting rats into your loft without realising it? Experts warn of this common mistake
- Are ugly streaks and faded finishes ruining your beautiful timber cladding? Find out why it's happening and what you can do to restore it to its best
- Largest zero energy bills homebuilding plan yet launched in UK
April 18
- We renovated our 1950s home room by room — here's what we got right and what we learned the hard way
- I don't enjoy pressure washing but could the Kärcher K5 Comfort Premium change my mind? I gave it a try
- Estate agents reveal the listing photos that tell you everything the seller doesn't want you to know
- London housebuilding 94% below target as sector is said to have 'collapsed'
April 17
- 5 lesser-known advantages of installing solar panels in a new build
- Is there really any way to get rid of the smell of paint? We lift the lid on paint smell hacks to reveal what works and what doesn't
- 'We wanted to reuse and recycle what we already had' – step inside this low-waste extension designed with the planet in mind
- I've always decorated on a DIY basis but this time I wanted to get a pro in to repaint our rooms — was it worth the money?
- New UK wiring rules affect where you can install electrical systems in or around your home
April 16
- Solar panels vs traditional energy supply: why more new homes are generating their own power
- Building a low-energy home: where solar panels fit into the bigger picture
- Integrating solar into your renovation: key considerations for homeowners
- Solar panels explained: how they fit into a future-ready home design
- Thought sharing your home with your dog meant putting up with mess and bad smells? Not with our expert-approved pet-friendly living room ideas
- Can you be fined for putting recycling in your general waste bin?
April 15
- Discover how Korniche will bring light, space, simplicity and style to your dream home
- What is the minimum water pressure you should have in a house? Plus, how to increase it
- Mary Berry's garden pest tips for April that use kitchen leftovers as natural deterrents
April 14
- Why I don't think the new Simpler Recycling rules are unfair. Isn't it time we did more?
- Are the new recycling rules the answer to the plastic crisis? Critics say no — here’s why
- Home battery systems banned from lofts under new wiring rules
April 13
- I reviewed the Aranet4 HOME monitor to see if the air quality in my home was cause for concern. I learnt more than I thought I would
- Do you really need to wash your recycling? The experts settle the debate
- Wallpaper vs paint — I'm redecorating and can't decide between the two so I asked for the experts' help. Here's what they said
- The councils that are exempt from new recycling rules until 2040 (and later)
April 12
- Clever ways to organise your extra household waste bins as new recycling rules come into force
- I grilled estate agents on how to add value to my home and why their answers honestly surprised me
- I prioritised these 5 energy upgrades in my Victorian home renovation, here's why and what they've achieved
- As planning permission application costs rise, could getting pre-application advice save you money?
April 11
- How to get rid of pests in your bins — from maggots in your food caddy to larger critters looking for a snack
- Is a two-storey conservatory a great way to add space and natural light or an expensive overheating risk? The experts weigh in
- How many decking boards do I need? This simple formula makes it easy to calculate
- Why compostable coffee pods can’t go in food waste bins under new recycling rules
April 10
- EV chargers, solar batteries and smart systems in your home must comply with these new electric rules from April 15
- I lowered the flow temperature on my gas boiler to see if it would reduce energy bills — here's what I discovered
- ‘It feels connected to the outside’ – how a glass-box extension transformed this once 'claustrophobic' family home
- We're about to repaint our kitchen — these are the colours the experts told me to avoid at all costs
April 9
- I'm an energy expert and this is what those on heating oil can do to beat price gouging
- Why your extension's drainage needs planning before a build — and the problems that could happen if you get it wrong
- This £310k overgrown plot could be transformed into two homes with sea views
April 8
- Utility rooms are mould hotspots — here are the top ways to prevent it, according to the experts
- How I installed a shelf securely with brackets step-by-step — including pictures
- New five-plot custom-build scheme lets you create your own home in Essex
April 7
- Mansion tax to hit 165,000 homeowners — 45,000 more than expected
- Why are my radiators cold at the bottom? Experts reveal the reasons and what you need to do to fix them
- A carpenter explains how to install a loft hatch for easy access to your attic
April 6
- Why using the 'peek-a-boo' paint trend is as easy as child's play — when you know how
- This £425k barn deal could turn into five homes — and it’s already approved
April 5
- How much electricity does a heat pump use? Our expert explains how to estimate your annual running costs
- Don't make this common pruning mistake – why you should never trim your hedges in the spring
- Do you need to change your locks? How much you can expect to pay
- 4 in 5 homeowners confused by new recycling rules
April 4
- Could you be using your shutters incorrectly? The surprising technique I use to save me money in winter and keep me cool in summer
- I’m finally creating my dream reading nook – here are some of the cosiest ideas I’ve found on Wayfair
- I've always wanted a pot filler in my kitchen — but how fiddly are they to retrofit? I asked the experts to help me out
- What you can and can’t put in your garden recycling bin after new rules start in April
April 3
- I discovered the 60:30:10 rule over 20 years ago — here's why I'm still following its principles today
- Scandi bathroom ideas to nail the relaxing Nordic look in your home
- Step inside this unique copper-clad eco home that's 'shaped like origami'
- Why some councils haven’t started new recycling rules
April 2
- 10 vegetables you should be planting in April (before it’s too late)
- Thinking about laminate worktops? Why they could be ideal for a kitchen renovation
- Which UK council is toughest on planning enforcement? New data reveals the answer
April 1
- Don’t miss your April planting window – these 10 plants will quickly brighten your garden as the weather warms up
- Planning a spring self build or conversion? Follow Self-Build Zone's practical protection checklist for your project
- Track saw vs table saw: Which tool is best for DIY and woodworking?
- Get rid of wallpaper stains without damage with these expert cleaning tips