Gabriella Dyson

Gabriella Dyson

Interiors journalist and contributing editor

Gabriella is an interiors journalist and has a wealth of experience creating interiors content. She was Homebuilding & Renovating's former Assistant Editor and former Head of Solved at sister brand Homes & Gardens. She is a DIY enthusiast and a lover of all things interior design, often found in antique shops and reclamation yards (or simply browsing the aisles of her local B&Q).

She has a particular passion for historic buildings and listed properties. Currently, she is in the process of renovating a Grade II-listed Victorian coach house in the West Country. Gabriella studied Modern History at The University of Oxford before pursuing a career in journalism. She attributes her fascination with architectural heritage to her degree and the 'dreaming spires' of Oxford.

After graduating, Gabriella moved to London, where her first industry job had her writing for the Luxury London magazine group. Working across a range of premium titles, she honed her writing skills by composing articles for the home and lifestyle pages and conducting interviews with leading architects and designers, such as Timothy Oulton and Christian Liaigre.

For much of the past decade, Gabriella has worked as a freelance writer, crafting copy for national publications and renowned homeware brands. She served as the Content Manager for the ethical homeware brand Nkuku, assisting in shaping its tone of voice on its journey to securing B-Corp status. Additionally, she has lent her expertise to award-winning Southwest architects, aiding them in communicating their ideas to the press.

In 2019, she launched her own series of UK guidebooks and an online travel resource called 'The Maverick Guide.' Publishing these popular travel books has allowed her to collaborate with hotel and property owners, each of whom has ventured into renovation and interior design projects of their own.

At Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine, Gabriella was responsible for curating the magazine's home case studies and regularly contributes to the Homebuilding website.

Latest articles by Gabriella Dyson

A clean, modern garage with smooth, speckled grey flooring and cream walls. The ceiling is white with recessed spotlights, and the metal garage door is partially open. A black-framed glass door leads to another part of the home, and a small tree is visible just outside next to a timber fence.

Garage flooring ideas that go the distance — durable finishes perfect for cars and workshops

By Gabriella Dyson published

From epoxy to interlocking tiles, we explore garage flooring ideas tough enough for parked cars, power tools and everyday mess

Flooring
View from inside a clean, single-car garage with a white sectional door open to a sunlit brick driveway, bordered by neat hedges and a tidy suburban street.

Modern cars are bigger than ever — this is how to make sure your garage size measures up

By Gabriella Dyson published

Whether you’re planning a new build, conversion, or garage makeover, here’s how to get to grips with garage sizes in the UK

Garage Conversion
Locked Bank Vault In Closet At Home Or At Hotel Room

12 hidden safe ideas you’ll wish you’d thought of sooner

By Gabriella Dyson published

These expert-approved hiding spots are discreet, practical, and hard to detect – even by seasoned thieves.

Home Improvements
view inside garage conversion in progress of being plasterboarded looking out of entrance towards garden

Garage conversion costs: How much do you need to turn your garage into a habitable space?

By Tim Phillips, Sarah Harley last updated

While garage conversion costs will vary depending on the nature of your project, quantity surveyor, Tim Phillips, delves into the details to help you establish if your budget will meet your requirements

Conversion
A calm, neutral-toned living room with white roller blinds partially drawn over a bay window. A green leafy plant and soft furnishings in blush and cream create a soft, relaxing atmosphere.

How designers make awkward terraced living rooms feel bigger — without major renovations

By Gabriella Dyson published

Discover designer-approved living room ideas for terraced houses that maximise space, light and style

Living Room
A contemporary garage with bifold garage doors

How much value does a garage add? It depends on what you build (and where)

By Gabriella Dyson published

From parking to profit – find out how much value a garage can add to your home and what to consider before converting or building from scratch

Garage Conversion
A warm, contemporary living room with neutral walls and sheer curtains framing a large window. It features a green velvet loveseat, caramel leather chair, and oak furniture on a soft cream rug.

12 clever ways to style a living room without a fireplace

By Gabriella Dyson published

No fireplace? No problem. Discover how to anchor your living room design without relying on a fireplace, with tips from expert designers

Living Room
A small flock of grey pigeons sit on the grey roof of a house on a sunny afternoon

Warning over viral 'hack' of using mothballs to stop pigeons on your roof — plus, what to do instead

By Gabriella Dyson published

You shouldn't be using mothballs to stop pigeons on your roof – we asked pest control experts what to do instead

Roof
A modern pergola with a dark grey aluminium frame and a louvred roof stands on a light wood deck. Inside, a grey L-shaped sofa with textured cushions and throws surrounds a low coffee table set with drinks. A cream knitted pouffe, lanterns, and potted plants add warmth.

Experts share their favourite tips for waterproofing a pergola

By Gabriella Dyson published

Waterproofing a pergola doesn’t have to mean compromising on style. Discover smart, design-led solutions that keep your garden covered year-round

Outdoors
A modern freestanding bath with a fluted white exterior stands against a warm terracotta plaster wall. A gold floor-mounted tap is positioned beside the bath. The floor features patterned terracotta tiles with a white star design. A deep blue curtain hangs to the left, partially enclosing the space, while a potted green palm plant sits to the right in a gold-toned planter.

Types of bath explained — this is how to choose the perfect style of tub

By Gabriella Dyson published

The seven types of bath every homeowner should know and how to choose the best style for your space

Bathroom
A grand Victorian-style conservatory with a white frame, intricate detailing, and a glass roof. Large double doors open to reveal a sunlit interior with classic wooden furniture. The conservatory is attached to a stone-built home, blending traditional charm with elegant design.

Conservatory types explained — find the perfect style for your home

By Gabriella Dyson published

Explore the different types of conservatory available and learn which is best for your home, from classic Victorian styles to modern lean-to designs

Conservatory
A pale green timber-framed conservatory extends from a red-brick home. Arched windows reflect the surrounding garden, where potted plants line the brick base. A painted patio set sits nearby, surrounded by greenery.

Experts reveal how much value a conservatory will add to your home

By Gabriella Dyson published

We discover how much value a conservatory will add to a home on average and what style of conservatory makes for the best investment

Conservatory
Photo showing a glass conservatory roof with panels of self-cleaning glass. This glass is slightly tinted and has special properties, helping to reflect the outside heat in the summer and retain the interior heat in the winter.

An essential guide to conservatory roof types — discover which option is best for your home

By Gabriella Dyson published

Wondering what the difference is between conservatory roof types? Our experts give you the low-down to make the best choice for your home

Roof
Domestic Window Cleaner washing a glass ceiling window with a squeegee

How to clean a conservatory roof and keep it spotless year round

By Gabriella Dyson published

Discover the best way to clean a conservatory roof with these expert-approved maintenance tips to keep your roof looking spotless in every season

Conservatory

Installing cavity wall insulation — an expert guide

By Sarah Harley, Gabriella Dyson published

Installing cavity wall insulation correctly will help you keep your home warm and avoid the expense that can result from getting it wrong. Here's what's involved

Insulation
A bright conservatory with sage green-framed windows and a glass roof lantern. Two striped wingback chairs with red-striped cushions face the open double doors, leading to a lush garden with purple flowers and rolling green fields.

The secret to keeping a conservatory cool — 7 simple fixes most people overlook

By Gabriella Dyson published

Keeping a conservatory cool in summer doesn’t have to be a challenge. These simple tricks will help you beat the heat and reclaim your space

Ventilation
Two small conservatory images, one showing a warm interior, the other showing an external victorian conservatory design

Small conservatory ideas that experts love — from clever layouts to styling tricks

By Gabriella Dyson published

These expert-approved small conservatory ideas will help you nail the perfect layout and style for your home

Conservatory
A classic white framed conservatory with a glazed roof adjoined to a redbrick Georgian house

The conservatory pitfalls homeowners regret most — and how to avoid them

By Gabriella Dyson published

From smart planning to proper upkeep – our experts reveal how to avoid the most common conservatory pitfalls and create a space that works year-round

Conservatory
A modern kitchen with a white marble island featuring waterfall edges. Three dark brown barstools with curved backs and black metal footrests are lined up along the island. Above, two circular chandeliers with small crystal-like details hang.

These brilliant lighting ideas for small kitchens will transform the way you illuminate your space

By Gabriella Dyson published

Lighting specialists share their secrets for brightening up small and awkwardly shaped kitchens

Kitchen
A warm living room with a neutral L-shaped sofa, patterned cushions, and a round wooden coffee table on a green rug. Soft lighting, natural textures, and earthy tones create a cosy feel.

The average living room size — plus how to make yours feel bigger

By Gabriella Dyson published

Wondering how big your living room should be? Experts reveal the ideal size, and how to make any space feel bigger

Living Room
A kitchen island with a marble worktop, built in hob and seating in a shaker kitchen

Is a hob on a kitchen island a dream setup or a recipe for disaster?

By Gabriella Dyson published

Here’s what kitchen designers want you to know before installing a hob on a kitchen island

Kitchen
A country kitchen with a marble-topped island, brass tap, and dark green cabinetry. A cosy window seat, open shelving, and a classic range cooker add charm and warmth

12 kitchen island sink ideas to suit every style of home

By Gabriella Dyson published

If you're taking the plunge and installing a sink on your kitchen island, these inspiring ideas will help you design the perfect setup

Kitchen
A classic kitchen with a navy blue island featuring shaker-style drawers and silver cup handles. A light quartz countertop holds fresh vegetables and a modern sink with a curved faucet.

Designers agree this is the minimum amount of space your kitchen island needs

By Gabriella Dyson published

Discover the minimum amount of space required around a kitchen island – and why the right clearance makes all the difference

Kitchen
A blue kitchen cupboard with built in pull out storage containing pots and pans

These clever small kitchen storage ideas will change the way you think about your space

By Gabriella Dyson published

Try these small kitchen storage ideas to maximise your home's potential and make even the trickiest layouts feel more functional

Kitchen
A white oval countertop basin is set on a marble-effect surface with warm beige and cream tones. Above the sink, a large round mirror reflects the soft lighting, complementing the textured wall tiles in a neutral shade.

Rethink your bathroom sink ideas with these 12 stylish designs

By Gabriella Dyson published

Your expert guide to choosing the perfect bathroom sink – with designer-approved ideas for every space, style, and budget

Bathroom
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