WHY I CHOSE...TO HIRE AN INTERIOR DESIGNER

Hiring a professional to help in an area you're not confident with can be invaluable. Ben Adam-Smith did just that by employing an interior designer to inject character into his and his wife Kay's self-build

HOW TO PREVENT YOUR HOME OVERHEATING

With UK summers getting hotter, what steps can be taken to prevent overheating in homes? We outline what you can do to have a comfortable property all year round

Multifunctional home office

How to create a hybrid space that's suitable for both work and home life

Build a new garage for less

Taking on a self-build or renovation project? Then factor in a garage from the beginning you can benefit from economies of scale and efficiency tactics, says Tim Phillips

The golden rules of house design

Designing a house is hugely exciting, but knowing where to start can also feel daunting. With the help of some top architectural experts, we bring you the golden rules that will ensure you create the home of your dreams

THE HEALTHY HOME

PART THREE: BOOSTING BIODIVERSITY IN OUR HOMES

Victorian overhauls

A carefully conceived extension could be the key to unlocking the potential of your period property without compromising its character. Let our selection of innovative schemes be your inspiration...

Bird's eve view

Peter and Romney Lelliott opted for an upside-down new build, enabling them to enjoy far-reaching country views from the elevated living space of their contemporary new home

A collage to treasure

Kirstin Eriksson has transformed her Cotswold property by taking it from a neglected cottage to a perfect family home packed full of clever design ideas

Hidden, paradise

With hard work and a lot of initiative, Minnie and James Vosper lovingly brought their run-down home into the 21st century

Desirable downsize

To create a home that was tailor-made for their needs and lifestyle, Steve and Susanne Clarke built a stunning oak frame home in their very own garden

13 steps to interior design success

It's the final flourish which brings together your self-build, renovation or extension, but a successful interior design scheme starts at the very beginning of your project, says Claire Lloyd, who shares some of the secrets to creating cohesive interiors

Knocking down and replacing a house

Demolishing and rebuilding on the same site may or may not need a planning application, so before you start navigating this potentially tricky route, take planning consultant Simon Rix’s advice

HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON LANDSCAPING

To get the most out of your time and money the landscaping aspect of a build should be planned in from the start. Quantity surveyor Tim Phillips lays the groundwork…

OLD HOUSE, NEW HOME RENOVATING AN EDWARDIAN HOME

Natasha Brinsmead explains how to update and renovate an Edwardian property, focusing on the 10 most common design features

Creating an indoor/outdoor space

Encourage your home to be at one with the great outdoors by linking up your inner and outer spaces

THE ART OF MATCHING MATERIALS

When you take on an extension and opt to match materials like-for-like, it can be a challenge. Chartered surveyor Ian Rock shares his advice on how best to source exactly what you need

Sliding doors

There’s a lot to consider when it comes to choosing sliding doors. We shed light on what you need to know before you buy

Amazing double-height spaces

From gorgeous oak-frame spaces to minimalist modern rooms, these beautiful lofty spaces will set your imagination soaring

A woodland Symphony

Musicians Katerina Nazarova and Tim Hugh built their own sustainable home in a truly wild setting

HOW GREEN IS YOUR HOME? Is a wind Lurbine right for your home?

If you’re thinking of resorting to wind power to bring down your bills, check out our expert Tim Pullen’s ultimate guide to wind turbines

Futureproof forever home

Designed to maximise views of the stunning Fenlands scenery, this highly efficient new build benefits from minimal heating bills

12 ways to get the best from trades

If you want to keep your build on track and to budget, you’ll need to know how to best engage with different trades to create a harmonious site and a successful project. Michelle Guy offers some words of advice…

DIY self-builds

Discover the different ways these self-builders saved tens of thousands of pounds on their bespoke home building projects

Doubling up

Emma and Richard Daw took pleasure in painstakingly restoring and extending a former shepherd's shelter on the north Norfolk coastline

Rescue remedy

After a series of frustrating setbacks with planning permission, Gary and Sue Hilton came up with the ideal formula for building their new home

On the edge

Built on a plot overlooking a steep valley, Jane and Tim Trounce’s cantilevered home was built in defiance of gravity — and a whole load of project setbacks

12 ways to keep your self-build on budget

Discover the innovative strategies and clever hacks you can use to claw back pennies when building a bespoke home

Cantilevered garden room

The ground-floor flat in this handsome Victorian villa has been transformed via the addition of a dramatic rear extension, clad in sand-faced red tile

Future facing

What started as a holiday home for Mike and Sue Nicholls turned into a high-tech, energy-efficient new build with stunning sea views