Advice

Wooden loft ladder in a white hall

Which type of loft ladder is best for your home? Experts explain the pros, cons and how to choose

By Megan Milstead published

Our complete guide to loft ladder types will help you confidently pick the right one for your needs

Home Improvements
utility room with off white cabinets, butler sink and shutters at window

Don't underestimate the importance of utility room heating say experts — and why being 'smart' about it could be the best approach

By Sarah Harley published

While it might seem a simple decision, choosing the right heating for your utility room is a little more complex than it first appears.

Utility

Is a loft conversion for a children's bedroom a good idea? The experts weigh in

By Natasha Brinsmead published

While a loft conversion might seem like the perfect space for those bursting with energy, there are some considerations to think about before going ahead

Loft Conversion
Contemporary kitchen featuring dark wood cabinetry, a fluted black island, and green patterned floor tiles with white star motifs. A teal upholstered bar stool and brass accents add contrast to the warm wood and bold geometric flooring.

Cheap kitchen flooring can look expensive — if you get it right

By Gabriella Dyson published

Looking for stylish kitchen flooring on a budget? These wallet-friendly kitchen flooring options prove you don’t have to overspend to get a floor that works hard and looks the part

Kitchen
loft conversion with brick cladding on exterior matching extension below

Don't choose your loft conversion cladding based purely on appearance, advise experts. Instead, take a bigger picture approach to ensure success

By Sarah Harley published

While aesthetics matter, with access, maintenance and structure all needing consideration, here's how you should be choosing your loft conversion cladding

Loft Conversion
A traditional kitchen features a dark grey range cooker framed by white cabinetry and subway tiles. A black kettle rests on the hob. Wooden boards, ceramics, and simple greenery add texture, creating a calm, pared-back space with classic farmhouse character.

Should you rip out your AGA or Rayburn? Experts reveal when to keep, convert or replace

By Gabriella Dyson published

Before you part ways with your iconic range cooker, explore the real running costs, servicing commitments and smarter modern alternatives.

Cooker

Your Projects

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
Exterior of the house which is set on grass and in front of trees

Step inside this homely oak frame self-build with spectacular views of the Monmouthshire countryside

By Seán O'Connell published

Chris and Ann Preston turned a potentially disastrous survey in their favour by building an oak frame self-build home with a difference

House Tours
Exterior of the back of the house, showing the side extension, garden and patio area

How a timber-frame extension has successfully 'enhanced family life' in this colourful 1970s terrace

By Seán O'Connell published

The success of this Kent extension is down to clever design solutions and a combination of talents

House Tours
Exterior of house

‘This house is future-proofed to let us age disgracefully’ – tour this modern oak-framed home reborn from a run-down 18th-century barn

By Seán O'Connell published

Bringing a dilapidated barn back to life using sympathetic materials proved a winning move for these homeowners

House Tours

How To

Air purifier on a wooden floor next to a plant

How poor is your indoor air quality? Experts reveal four ways to improve it – and the signs it could be harming your health

By Megan Milstead published

Discover the best ways to improve indoor air quality at home, according to experts

Air Quality
Victorian style fireplace with white surround and small blue tiles hearth and surround

Check out this easy-to-follow tiling a fireplace advice to create a stunning hearth

By Luke Arthur Wells last updated

Tiling a fireplace shouldn't be the biggest challenge for a competent DIYer. We look at the how it's done and the key things you need to know

DIY
Large empty room with green plasterboard on walls, covered with large format white tiles

What are the hidden challenges of tiling onto plasterboard? Pros reveal their techniques for perfect, durable finishes

By Steve Jenkins last updated

Tiling onto plasterboard is similar to tiling onto plaster or tile, but you need to get your prep and process right. A couple of pros reveal their tips

DIY
Hand wearing a rubber glove cleaning a shower screen

Goodbye limescale and watermarks! Here's how to get a squeaky clean shower screen in two simple steps

By Megan Milstead published

Cleaning experts reveal the secret to a spotless shower screen

Bathroom
Contemporary white toilet with a background of white metro tiles and grey grout

Why fitting a toilet seat is a job you can do yourself for a quick bathroom upgrade

By Steve Jenkins last updated

Fitting a toilet seat is a task that any DIYer can take on, but they are not all the same. Get the insight on sizes, types of fittings and how to install

DIY
Plumbing parts on floor in front of white toilet in bathroom with square grey wall and floor tiles

Want to know how to fit a toilet? Our step-by-step guide to installing a toilet yourself

By Ben Field last updated

Update the look of your bathroom, or replace a faulty fixture with our step-by-step guide to fitting a toilet

DIY

Ideas

Kitchen with marble backsplash and worktop

Kitchen worktop ideas: 12 clever ways to make your surfaces work harder

By Natasha Brinsmead last updated

After great kitchen worktop ideas for your new kitchen? You've come to the right place

Kitchen
Ikea utility room idea

How to level up your utility room for less – 5 clever ideas from IKEA

By Megan Milstead published

Upgrading your utility room doesn’t have to cost a fortune – these ideas from IKEA are affordable, stylish and make boring chores a breeze

Utility
grey bathroom with grey stone large format tiles, wall mounted wooden vanity and walk in shower

Think grey bathroom ideas are outdated? Think again. It's a more versatile colour than it seems

By Sarah Harley last updated

Although grey may seem a little on the dull side as a bathroom colour, when it's used in the right way, grey bathroom ideas are anything but boring

Bathroom
Bold kitchen with mustard yellow walls and deep green cabinetry. A glass-fronted wall cupboard displays colourful crockery and a yellow teapot.

The stylish colour tricks designers use in small kitchens

By Gabriella Dyson published

In a compact kitchen, square footage may be limited, but your colour palette doesn’t have to be

Kitchen

Buying Guides

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
Gloved hand holding reciprocating saw cutting nails in a timber frame against a bright blue sky

The best reciprocating saws for effortless demolition, fast cuts, and impressive performance

By Hugh Metcalf last updated

The best reciprocating saws are handy tools to have for use around your next build or DIY project. Here are 5 of the best

Tools
Person holding a silver caulk gun adding grey sealant between white bath and cream tiles

Check out our top-rated best bathroom sealants, perfect for stopping leaks, preventing mould and sealing gaps

By Jack Woodfield last updated

We've rounded up the best bathroom sealants for waterproof protection, flexible sealing and smart professional-quality finishing

Bathroom
Black manual hand sander with yellow sandpaper lying top of a piece of pine wood on light wooden floor

Check out the best hand sanders for wood to help make your sanding projects easier and faster

By Steve Jenkins last updated

Investing in a budget-friendly manually-powered hand sander will bring added precision and control when sanding wood. Here are 6 of our top picks

Tools
brass toggle light switch on wall with plant and books next to it

Looking for the best light switches for your home? We've rounded up a range of options to suit all design schemes and budgets

By Natasha Brinsmead, Steve Jenkins last updated

Stop searching in the dark for the best light switches. Here's our list of choices for adding easy control, energy efficiency, and style to your interiors

Lighting