Latest articles by Claire Lloyd
6 Design Ideas For Inspiration From an Award Winning Self Build
From cost-saving alternatives to ultra-contemporary living spaces — this family home is bursting with innovative design ideas to copy
Planning Permission Explained: How and When to Apply
Gaining planning permission is a crucial stage of any self build and many extensions. Here, a former planning officer explains how the process works
The Winchester Mystery House: The World's Most Unusual Renovation?
A house for the spirits? Behind the doors of the Winchester Mystery House, one of the world's longest and most tragic renovation projects
Genius Ways to Build on a City Plot
Small urban plot? No problem. We explore the design possibilities for projects on tight sites where space is at a premium
Brick Tinting: How to Re-Colour Exterior Brickwork
Brick tinting can provide a solution to mismatched brickwork from repairs or a new extension. Here's what you need to know
Shower Enclosures Guide
A quick guide to becoming an expert in luxury and practical showering
Shou Sugi Ban: A Guide to Charred Timber Cladding
Shou Sugi Ban is a traditional Japanese wood burning technique which creates a dramatic black finish that has become a popular choice for external cladding. We examine how to get the look
20 Bathroom Design Ideas That Will Transform Your Space
Our best bathroom design ideas will transform your bathroom into a blissful, spa-like retreat in no time — no matter what your budget
Party Wall Act: What Is It?
The Party Wall Act is crucial if you’re planning work that will affect a shared wall between you and your neighbours. Here’s what you need to know
Right to Build to be Reviewed to Boost Self Build
Right to Build review announced by government in a bid to boost the number of people building their own homes
Celebrating 30 Years of Homebuilding & Renovating
Homebuilding & Renovating is celebrating three decades of helping self-builders and renovators build their dream homes
Welcome to our New Site
The number-one website for self builders and home extenders has undergone its own transformation
10 Great Contemporary Self Builds
Getting contemporary design right is all about the context — as these contemporary self builds go to show
Bathroom Flooring: Which Should I Choose?
The devil is in the detail when specifying a bathroom floor, so read our guide to the pros and cons of the different options
How to Design a Smart Home: An Expert Guide
The technology to create a smart home is advancing at rapid pace — here’s how to incorporate it into your new home or building project
An Announcement from Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine
We’ll continue to keep you inspired, informed and entertained — here’s what you need to know about your latest copy of Homebuilding & Renovating magazine
Cladding Alternatives: New Options for Your Home
Looking for cladding for your new house, renovation project or extension? We give you the newest and most innovative products around.
Multi-Room Audio
From playing music wirelessly in a couple of rooms, to a whole-house wired-in sound system, multi-room audio has come on leaps and bounds in recent years. Claire Lloyd explores the options
8 Clever Lighting Design Ideas
Claire Lloyd lists the top 10 lighting tips to help create the ultimate architectural moodboard for your new self build or home improvement project
How to Choose a Construction System
Choosing what to build your house or extension out of is a key part of the build process. Here we highlight the considerations you’ll need to make before making your decision
Creating a Home Cinema
Creating such a room, or even capturing a degree of cinematic experience in a living room, is often more involved than just installing the right equipment. Claire Lloyd looks at how to make the most of media systems at home
