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

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

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

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…

Creating an indoor/outdoor space

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

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

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…

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

HOW TO CHOOSE Guttering and fascias

As well as serving a practical purpose, rainwater goods can enhance your home's appeal. Here's our selection of the best materials and design options

Stepping Out

Sarah Jenkins and Andy Rough added a new glazed kitchen extension to introduce some much-needed light and space to their Glaswegian basement flat

A small addition

Looking to downsize in a home she could futureproof, Catherine Chalmers reorganised and extended the layout of a 1950s bungalow

Restore and relax

Andy and Sue Perrin have carefully converted a tumbledown stone barn in Devon, reinstating character through careful design

Barn ambition

Nestled among the trees and the rolling Kent countryside, Astrid Zala's contemporary home took its inspiration from both natural and industrial elements

Angled extension

Challinor + Hitchcock Yoo architects designed this stunning addition to a historic house in Herefordshire to make the most of the views

Going up

Squashed into a post-war bungalow with their two daughters, Andrew McFadyen and Claire Heffeman chose to extend and renovate to give their home - and their family - a new lease of life

Hillside living

When the Ridgways bought a tiny house in a spectacular location they had no idea that it would turn into a massive self-build project involving the entire family

Compact creation

A tricky site ina built-up urban environment gave rise to a unique design opportunity for James Davies, director at Paper House Project

How to insulate an early 20th century home

If you are living in a semi-detached home, how can you cut energy bills this winter by improving your home's ability to hold heat, and even generate your own energy?

Do energy-efficient appliances save you money?

Can replacing energy-hungry boilers and dishwashers with energy-efficient appliances noticeably reduce your energy bills? Jack Woodfield investigates

Beginner's guide to self-build

There are many benefits to building your own house. It is an opportunity to create a unique home tailored around your lifestyle. It can be a route to creating a home that will adapt as your needs change, for instance accommodating wheelchair use. It also offers scope to build a property that is low maintenance and energy efficient.

THE ULTIMATE BUYER'S GUIDE TO Insulation

As a self-builder you're in an excellent position to envelop your home with the best insulation. Find out how to choose and buy the right insulation to design and build a warm, energy-efficient home

The family bathroom

Great family bathrooms work hard to cater for everyone. Here's how to design a practical room that's stylish, too

How to design a pet-friendly home

If you own a pet, creating a home that perfectly suits its needs, as well as yours, requires some careful thought according to Natasha Brinsmead

Mid-century revamps

Thanks to a few clever design interventions, these 1950s and 1960s houses have been transformed with the help of light, colour and style