Advice

I'm thinking about swapping carpet for wooden flooring in our bedrooms – but is it a terrible idea?

By Natasha Brinsmead published

Does using wooden flooring upstairs mean downstairs will become unbearably noisy, or are there ways of reducing the sound?

Flooring

Think someone parking across your driveway is breaking the rules? Not always

By Sarah Harley published

A solicitor explains the driveway parking rules that can often catch homeowners out – and why you could be the one in the wrong without realising

Driveways

Experts reveal the clever ways they use glazing to frame a view — even when there wasn't really one to work with

By Natasha Brinsmead published

According to design experts, its time we all started getting more imaginative with windows and here's how

Windows & Doors
Garden with white fence and hedges and trees along it and a curved lawn pathway in the middle of the garden with more hedges on the other side

Upgrading your garden? Watch out as these 5 improvements could land you a nasty fine

By Megan Milstead published

From burning garden waste to building an over-height fence, here are common garden mistakes that could lead to legal action

Garden
Laura's room with plastic zip up door cover on a door to the left

I've found the secret to stopping dust spreading during a renovation – and it only costs £20 on Amazon

By Megan Milstead published

Content director Laura Crombie swears by these plastic door bags for keeping your home dust- and dirt-free during a renovation

Renovation
drip irrigation system watering white flowers with yellow centres in a garden bed

From heatwaves to holiday getaways – how drip irrigation can make light work of watering your plants

By Camilla Phelps published

Take the guesswork out of watering with a drip irrigation system that will protect flowerbeds, vegetable patches and containers from the heat during the summer months

Garden

Your Projects

Exterior of the house with a poll in the left bottom corner of the photo

Step inside this Arts and Crafts-style self-build that 'looks like it’s been here since 1902'

By Rebecca Foster published

For Anna and David Cross, one of the biggest decisions of their homebuilding project was deciding on a style – but help was at hand

House Tours
Inside the kitchen with windows overlooking the garden

Boasting immersive garden views and ‘flexible, connected’ living, this extended home is ideal for family life

By Seán O'Connell published

When a London couple took on a house of multiple occupancy, their priority was turning it back into a stylish home fit for a family of five

House Tours
Exterior of a chapel on a street

'I couldn’t have chosen anything more complicated' – step inside this converted Victorian chapel, now a contemporary home

By Alexandra Pratt published

Tim Brown rescued a decaying city centre chapel and transformed it into an exceptional modern home packed with unique features

House Tours
Exterior of a cream house with green window frames, with an extension on either side and a patio and lawn in front

This 'ugly duckling' home got a modern makeover with two timber-clad side extensions

By Cheryl Galsworthy published

Blending modern style with Arts and Crafts charm, this renovated period home proves what’s possible with the right vision

House Tours
Exterior view of a cladded house with a pergola on the patio in the garden and solar panels on the roof

'Our home generates more energy than it uses' – step inside this ultra-efficient self-build

By Seán O'Connell published

Explore a modern self-build where sustainability meets smart design, all while carefully integrating into its verdant setting

House Tours
Exterior of a house with wooden cladding and a patio in front with a table and chairs

'We wanted to reuse and recycle what we already had' – step inside this low-waste extension designed with the planet in mind

By Seán O'Connell published

The eco-conscious owners of a London terrace embarked on a zero-waste mission that exceeded all expectations

House Tours

How To

Brass plug socket set against light textured wallpaper with brass candles on book on shelf with red trim

Avoid mistakes and having to start again with our expert guide to wallpapering around sockets

By Steve Jenkins published

Getting neat edges when cutting wallpaper around sockets requires the right tools and tricks. We explain how to get a professional-looking result

Walls & Ceilings
Light wood effect vinyl planks in a white kitchen with contemporary tall stools and a rug in shot

How I pulled up my old vinyl kitchen floor planks and replaced them, plus the secret weapons I use to ensure a professional result

By Steve Jenkins published

Replacing your old flooring with new self-adhesive vinyl planks is a quick, cost-effective and DIY-friendly update. Find out how to do it and the tools you'll need

Flooring

Want to know the best way to paint over textured wallpaper? Experts reveal simple tricks for a flawless finish every time

By Steve Jenkins last updated

Follow our quick and easy, step-by-step guide for painting over all types of textured wallpaper

Paint

Don't miss this fundamental step if you want to avoid a DIY disaster when wallpapering over new plaster

By Steve Jenkins last updated

Not prepping new plaster before wallpapering will almost always lead to problems. Find out what you need to do for a smart, smooth finish

DIY

I colour drenched my spare room and love it. Follow my step-by-step guide to achieve a similar look

By Pete Wise published

Make your room a monochrome marvel by using this simple DIY guide, boosted by advice from paint and paintbrush experts

Paint
Mini foam roller and tray with white paint resting on cardboard with a half-painted plywood shelf next to it

What's the best technique for painting plywood? Experts reveal the tricks of the trade for getting the perfect result

By Steve Jenkins last updated

Painting plywood needs to be done in the right way. Experts reveal the correct prep and paint techniques for a top-class finish

Paint

Ideas

An outdoor shower in a brushed brass finish mounted against a pale slatted timber fence

13 outdoor shower ideas that will make you feel like you're on holiday in your own garden

By Gabriella Dyson published

From sculptural freestanding options to secluded tiled retreats, these inspiring outdoor shower designs bring boutique-hotel style to any outdoor space

Garden

Beautiful and practical – 8 sloping driveway ideas that prove dealing with a steep approach doesn't mean sacrificing kerb appeal

By Natasha Brinsmead published

If you're wondering how to deal with a driveway that isn't flat, let our collection of some of the best sloping driveway ideas around inspire you

Driveways

10 budget-friendly porch storage ideas to help turn your dumping ground into a design feature

By Gabriella Dyson published

Getting your storage right can make a porch feel like the most considered room in the house – but it needn't be time consuming or wallet-draining

Hallway
green media wall with panelling behind it

Stylish and practical, we've found the best media wall ideas for a modern entertainment space

By Amy Reeves last updated

The days of messy wires and bulky cabinets are behind you – these media wall ideas provide a sleek storage setup for your TV and other devices

Living Room

Buying Guides

Three of best cooling fans in a bedroom

We tested the best cooling fans to beat the heatwave – and they're selling out fast

By Megan Milstead published

These tried-and-tested cooling fans impressed us the most when temperatures soared

Air Conditioning
Hand spraying a fence in white

We've found the 6 best paint sprayers that will give you a smooth, even finish every time

By Steve Jenkins last updated

Want a professional-quality finish at a fraction of the cost? You'll want to get your hands on one of the best paint sprayers

Paint
Five of the best window vacs lined up on a wooden window sill with a window behind facing a garden

Goodbye condensation and grimy glass! We've tested the 5 best window vacs for banishing moisture and keeping windows crystal clear

By Megan Milstead last updated

Whether you're battling condensation, cleaning shower screens or freshening up windows, these are the five window vacs that impressed us most in our hands-on tests

Windows & Doors
Three of the best cordless strimmers rested against a wooden fence in a garden with cut grass and flower beds

Lightweight, low maintenance and easy to use – we found the 6 best cordless strimmers for a neat and tidy garden

By Jack Woodfield, Teresa Conway last updated

The best cordless strimmers can tackle an overgrown garden while neatening lawn edges and hard-to-reach areas

Tools
Bathroom with white freestanding bathtub with beige and white tiles behind it on the lower half of wall and white panels above it

Looking for the best bathroom extractor fan? We've found 6 top options to keep damp, condensation and steam at bay

By Jack Woodfield last updated

These top-rated extractor fans will keep your bathroom fresh, dry and free from unwanted odours

Ventilation
Three of the best pressure washers on a patio in a garden

6 tried-and-tested pressure washers that make outdoor cleaning a breeze

By Jack Woodfield, Megan Milstead last updated

Say goodbye to grime with the best pressure washers and easily blast away dirt from your patio or driveway

Windows & Doors