
Sarah Harley
Sarah has been an avid lover of all things homes and interiors since she started redecorating her bedroom as a teenager. Since then she has worked in a number of different roles from copywriting, PR, events management and photography to interior design and home staging. With her two passions being the written word and the joys of a beautifully-designed home, she eventually found her way to writing about interiors and has never looked back. When it comes to her personal building and renovations experience, viewers saw her don a pink hard hat on Grand Designs to project manage the renovation of a Grade II listed folly with the addition of a sweeping modern extension. Prior to this, as well as undertaking smaller interior projects, she renovated and extended a cottage in Kent and also worked for clients, redesigning a central London gym and making improvements to properties that needed to be sold . She admits she has never actually left a property she has lived in untouched, and with over 20 moves to her name, it’s fair to say that she knows lots of tricks for turning a house into a home. Although she still dreams of living in a contemporary self-build somewhere by the sea, she’s decided to leave the packing boxes in storage for now. In the meantime, she continues to fill her Pinterest boards with ideas and inspiration….just in case.
Latest articles by Sarah Harley

Looking for ways to make your garden more eco-friendly? Try these 11 expert-approved methods for a garden that's bursting with sustainable features
By Sarah Harley last updated
From scattering seedballs to using sustainable materials, there are plenty of ways you can make your garden more eco-friendly that can also save you money

Basement conversion costs can mean digging as deep into your funds as you do the ground — here's why
By Tim Phillips last updated
Basement conversion costs are generally higher than extension costs, and for good reason. We breakdown where you'll need to allocate budget and why

Don't leave your basement as a dark, damp, wasted area — these 12 beautiful conversion ideas show just how subterranean spaces can be transformed
By Natasha Brinsmead last updated
Find the best basement and cellar conversion ideas, advice and designs to transform a subterranean room into a stylish space with purpose

Basement design — an expert guide on the practicalities of bringing an underground extension to life
By Michael Holmes, Sarah Harley last updated
From the more technical details such as waterproofing and ventilation, to the practical issues of access and light, we explore the basement design fundamentals

Why house burping isn't just a trend — it's a home health essential
By Sarah Harley last updated
While house burping may sound unpleasant it's actually quite refreshing – and could massively help with your home's health

Converting a basement? Architects share the six essential questions to ask before you start
By Michael Holmes, Sarah Harley last updated
Basement conversions can add space to your home, but aren't always the easiest of projects. Here's what architects say you need to establish from the off

16 small kitchen extension ideas that prove you don't need to think in miniature when creating a compact culinary hotspot
By Sarah Harley last updated
These small kitchen extensions ideas prove that with careful planning and joined up design, even compact spaces can serve your cooking needs perfectly well

House smelling a bit whiffy? Find out what damp smells like to see if it could be the cause of your offensive odour
By Sarah Harley published
Not really sure what damp smells like? We explain how to identify its distinctive scent so you can figure out if, and where you have a problem

Considering a kitchen extension? These are the 6 fundamental steps required to bring your new space to life
By Michael Holmes, Sarah Harley last updated
One of the most popular ways of extending your home, kitchen extensions can truly transform how you live. We explain what's involved and how to make it work

Could facade cream be the magic masonry protection your home needs this winter?
By Sarah Harley published
If you're worried your walls aren't as resilient to water as they could be, we asked experts if facade cream could be a preventative step worth taking

Confused why you have no hot water but your heating works? Try these 4 steps before you call an engineer
By Sarah Harley published
You'd be forgiven for assuming if your heating is working you should have hot water too. But it's not always the case and here's how to identify why

Confused by bathroom zones and IP ratings? We explain why they matter when designing your bathroom lighting
By Sarah Harley last updated
Getting your IP ratings and bathroom zones paired correctly is essential for your safety in wet zones. Here's how to identify what lights can go where

'Treat your small house extension ideas like jewels', say experts, and they won't fail to bring a sparkle to your home
By Sarah Harley last updated
Good things come in all kinds of shapes and sizes as these small home extension ideas prove perfectly well

Heat pump vs condenser dryer: our guide on how to choose the best option for your home
By Sarah Harley last updated
We weigh up the pros and cons of heat pump vs condenser dryers to see what the differences are in terms of cost, energy use and drying times

Measure twice, install once. Why kitchen island sizes matter when designing the heart of your home
By Rob Keal, Sarah Harley last updated
Kitchen islands come in all shapes and sizes, but picking the right size is essential if you want to make sure it isn't an eyesore or a complete waste of space

Goodbye bland colours, hello zoning. We reveal the top 9 home improvements we'll be prioritising in 2026
By Sarah Harley published
From the rooms most likely to get a glow-up, to the way we design layouts, here's what experts predict will top the 2026 home improvement charts

Designing a galley kitchen needn't feel restrictive — it can still be functional and fabulous
By Sarah Harley last updated
Galley kitchen design naturally lends itself to narrow spaces, but the lack of room doesn't mean sacrificing style or substance, and here's why

Think you've found the perfect self build plot? Make sure you ask these 12 questions before you sign on the dotted line
By Michael Holmes, Sarah Harley last updated
Assessing a potential self build plot is essential if you want to avoid a costly mistake. Here's the questions you must always ask before you buy

11 family bathroom ideas that take the stress out of sharing
By Sarah Harley last updated
Designing a family bathroom can be tricky but there's no reason why your newly created space can't cause a splash – in all the right ways

Why storing paint in these locations could result in a DIY winter disaster
By Sarah Harley published
Ever wondered does paint freeze? The answer could mean you need to re-think your paint storage, particularly during cold snaps

Sleeping next to mould in a bedroom isn’t good for your health. Find out how to prevent it growing in this space in your home
By Sarah Harley last updated
If sleeping with spores sounds as scary as sleeping with the enemy, here's expert advice on how to prevent mould in bedrooms

Thinking of renovating in 2026? Follow our 4-step plan to give yourself a head start in January
By Sarah Harley published
If 2026 is the year when your renovation dreams will come to fruition, here's 4 simple tasks that will help put you on the road to success

Don't be fooled by Christmas chaos. These are the real signs your home is ready for an extension
By Sarah Harley published
We've all uttered the words "we need an extension" at some point, but what are the signs your home agrees, and when do you need to take action?

These walk in pantry ideas live rent free in my head — and it's time to share them with you
By Sarah Harley last updated
If kitchen chaos lies in the heart of your cabinets, a walk in pantry could be just what you need. Here's 14 ideas that are a recipe for success

We explore the 7 main types of loft conversion and how to assess which one is the right fit for your home
By Michael Holmes, Natasha Brinsmead, Sarah Harley last updated
From pros and cons to which home they suit the most, we breakdown the 7 types of loft conversion if you're thinking about extending upwards
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