Advice

women sat in blue panelled room on dark red chair with laptop on lap and clocks floating around her head

I'm fed up of being time poor which is why these 4 time-saving appliances are now top of my Amazon wishlist

By Sarah Harley published

Time poor or wallet wealthy? A balance between the two is always the goal, so I've loaded my shopping list with a variety of appliances to help buy back time

male holding young female child in his arms, with child holding remote control pointing it at an air con unit on wall in kitchen area

Is air conditioning becoming a must have in your home? I'm an energy expert and these are the pros and cons of the main options available

By David Hilton, Sarah Harley last updated

Finding yourself considering air conditioning in your home? We explore the different options to help you decide if it's right for you and your home

Can doorbell cameras be hacked? Experts reveal the threats you should know about, plus how to keep yours protected

By Sarah Warwick published

Our guide has the lowdown on doorbell camera hacking so you can ensure you don't compromise your security

Will an enclosed or open porch be best for your home? Why the experts say it's about the design of your property

By Natasha Brinsmead published

Our guide explains the pros, cons and cost implication of both enclosed and open porches to make deciding between the two easier

Young woman feeling sweaty during a heatwave because her air conditioning is not working

Struggling to keep your home cool? You could be making these common air conditioning mistakes

By Gabriella Dyson published

Suspect your AC unit isn’t doing its job? These easy-to-make air conditioning mistakes could be the reason your home is still hot

A man in a red top carrying a huge slab of polystyrene insulation across a building site

I'm a building expert and am often asked 'what are the best ways to insulate your home?' Here's my top 6 recommendations

By Mark Stevenson published

The best ways to insulate a home mean choosing the right materials for maximum efficiency. Building expert, Mark Stevenson, shares his top tips

Your Projects

Before and after shot of the rear kitchen extension of a victorian semi

See how this standard Victorian semi in south London is transformed by a unique French-farmhouse style extension

By Jennifer Grimble published

A rear and side return extension allowed this couple to create a French-inspired kitchen and dining space fit for the whole family

A living room of a self build home with large glass doors

'Building in a flood risk area comes with lots of challenges' – see how this homeowner successfully created a waterside home on a complex plot

By Alex Pratt published

A significant number of obstacles stood between this homeowner and his dream of a self-build home on a tricky riverside plot

Man standing in front of his self build home next to a field with a donkey. His wife sits in the background on a sunny veranda

A remarkable turn of events helps a retired couple build a home for themselves in their greatest moment of need

By Debbie Jeffery published

A heartwarming collaboration between a retired couple and a group of young volunteer builders has resulted in a unique and accessible timber eco-home

A tale of two homes: Victorian heritage meets modern design in this dual dwelling

By Joseph Mullane published

Discover a beautifully renovated Victorian villa paired with a contemporary garden house in Battersea

A wide angle shot of a downstairs kitchen extension with double-height ceilings and architectural glazing

'The look of disbelief on everyone’s face when they see the space we've created is priceless' – step inside this cleverly extended mid-terrace home

By Jo Messenger published

Award-winning interiors, double-height spaces and exceptional natural light make this London mid-terrace home a treasure trove of inspiration

This bespoke cottage took just over a year to build and cost only £350K — showing the huge benefits of a custom-build route

By Teresa Conway published

Read about how this couple created their 194m² dream home in a stunning rural setting

How to

I'm a heritage bricklayer and this is how to avoid common mistakes when repointing brickwork

By Pete Wise published

A third-generation bricklayer and a property expert discuss the most common repointing mistakes and how to avoid them. Find out the right way to prepare your brickwork and apply fresh mortar.

Hands touching a white column radiator, against a white wall, and thermostatic radiator valve

Are you having thermostatic valve problems? The pros reveal how to identify and fix issues

By Steve Jenkins published

Learn how to recognise thermostatic valve problems so you can sort yourself or call in a professional

Contemporary white room with lamp, rug, and sofa in background and white radiator on wall in foreground

What is the ideal radiator height from floor? Pros reveal the answer — but it's not as simple as you might think

By Steve Jenkins published

Getting the right radiator height from the floor will ensure efficient and effective heating of your home

Close of of plumbing tools, fitting and pipes on top of architects plans

Can you use plastic pipes for heating systems? Copper vs plastic pipes explained

By Steve Jenkins published

Our expert dives into the pros and cons of plastic and copper pipes for your heating system

Powered chisel breaking beige floor tile

Cracked and chipped flooring? How to replace a broken floor tile without causing damage elsewhere

By Steve Jenkins published

Restore your floor to avoid damaged tiling becoming a hazard

'Removing loft insulation is tough, messy and can be dangerous,' say the experts – here's how to do it safely and correctly

By Natasha Brinsmead published

There are many reasons why removing loft insulation might be a job on your to-do list. Our guide is here to explain everything you need to know

Ideas

brick and zinc clad modern house with large windows and copper colour planters along front of house

Cladding ideas — the master of disguise design feature that turns a standard exterior into a stunning spectacle

By Sarah Harley last updated

From brick to metal, wood to render there are no end to the different cladding ideas available to use on your home or extension. Here's 14 to inspire you

A VELUX Cabrio balcony window that opens up to create a mini rooftop balcony, bringing in natural light and urban views

These 13 real-life loft balcony ideas turn overlooked spaces into the best seat in the house

By Gabriella Dyson published

From Juliet balconies to rooftop retreats, these expert-approved ideas show how to add style and space to your loft conversion with a balcony that works year-round

oak frame porch with tiled roof on oak and brick home with table and chairs to one side, plant pots to entrance

12 oak frame porch ideas that are pretty, practical and can be sized to suit

By Sarah Harley published

Pretty as a picture, oak frame porch ideas can add a sense of rustic charm while providing practical cover from the weather

modern house with landscaped garden and outdoor lighting

If you only light one area of your garden, make sure it's this one – experts say it will help to boost safety, style and security

By Sarah Wilson published

Illuminate the way with these innovative garden path lighting ideas that will turn a functional landscaping element into a design feature

Buying Guides

The best bathroom extractor fans to combat condensation and damp

By Jack Woodfield last updated

The best bathroom extractor fans must efficiently and quietly circulate fresh air into a space while also removing moisture-laden air to stop mould forming. They also want to look the part too. We've gathered the top buys to make choosing easy

Gardener mows with string trimmer

An expert guide to the 7 best cordless strimmers — from budget options to the best overall model

By Jack Woodfield, Teresa Conway last updated

We've scoured the market for the best cordless strimmers to help you choose the perfect tool to keep your lawn and garden looking neat and tidy with minimal effort

Yellow cordless drill on top of box of screwdriver bits on wood and table

Choose one of these 9 best cordless drills to help you power through your next DIY project

By Sarah Handley, Garry Martin, Jack Woodfield last updated

The best cordless drills will help you tackle your next DIY project with ease. Choose from our selection of budget, mid- and top of the range cordless drills

Silver caulk gun applying white bathroom sealant to white bathroom sink

Looking for the best bathroom sealants to stop leaks and prevent mould? Here are six of our favourites for 2025

By Jack Woodfield last updated

Finding the best bathroom sealants for your needs is crucial for sealing gaps and preventing water leaks that can cause unseen water damage. Here you’ll find a selection of highly rated sealants that match your sanitary ware

Man in hi-viz yellow vest using a wet and dry vacuum in hallway with bare plastered walls

Get your hands on the best vacuum cleaners for builders and say goodbye to dust and debris

By Hugh Metcalf, Steve Jenkins last updated

We roundup the best vacuum cleaners to keep your space free of dust and debris during a house renovation or DIY project

A Samsung Electronics Co. AI dish washer during the company's Bespoke AI event in Seoul, South Korea, on Friday, March 28, 2025

The best 6 integrated dishwashers of 2025

By Amy Reeves, Natasha Brinsmead, Steve Jenkins, Joseph Mullane last updated

We’ve put together a list that covers all bases and will help you make the right decision for you and your kitchen