A new look

Retired couple Les and Julie Graves realised they were much closer to having the perfect home than they imagined

11 trades you need and how to find them

With the right professionals by your side, your self-build will be a smooth and enjoyable experience. Here's who to hire to create your A team...

A faithful conversion

Anastasya Martynova has converted a neglected Edwardian chapel, adding a mezzanine and roof terrace to create a peaceful home filled with her own heavenly artworks

Extending above a garage

When can or can't it be done? Chartered surveyor, Ian Rock, answers one common question about adding a single storey to a garage, and firm foundations are key

BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO SELF-BUILD

EXPERT ADVICE

Beautiful Kitchen extensions

Creating a new hub of the home is at the heart of these amazing projects

One small step

Adding an extension and reconfiguring their layout gave Louise Potter and husband Sean a house that works for them -for a budget of just £35K

Garden boundary Ideas

Ensure the fringes of your garden work in harmony with your landscape design scheme, as well as your home, with our brilliant selection of boundary ideas

Conserving water in your home and garden

Saving water is more important now than ever, not only to conserve our water supplies, but also to prevent water entering overburdened mains drainage. Here we show you ways you can save water in your home

Recapturing the past

Richard Stott and Sharon Wolstencroft have rescued an agricultural barn from ruin and added a contemporary, yet sensitively designed, extension

Amazing glazing

From products that allow for whole walls of frameless glazing to 'smart glass that makes everyday life easier, check out our round up of the most exciting new products around

Single storey homes

Banish all thoughts of flimsy dated bungalows — single-storey houses can be super stylish structures, offering fantastically practical layouts suited to all lifestyles and needs. To prove it, we’ve pulled together some of the best designs out there

THE ULTIMATE BUYER'S GUIDE TO Renewables

Whether you want to include a heat pump with your self-build or add solar panels to your existing home, our experts lay out the costs and considerations

Impressive budget renovations

With imagination, patience and a watchful eye over finances, these homeowners have transformed their properties into welcoming homes on modest budgets

Rural gem

After two grueling years of planning, Patsy Parr took just 22 weeks to complete her first self-build — a modern take on a traditional oak framed home, complete with a boutique hotel vibe

Nordic notes

A dilapidated 1950s bungalow is now a contemporary home, boasting a vaulted kitchen and living space filled with Scandi inspiration and vintage heirlooms

Rainwater drainage: what is a soakaway?

Soakaways are a useful addition to your property’s rainwater drainage. Mark Brinkley explains how they work and how you can build your own…

Bright ideas

Knowing their converted coach house’s layout wouldn’t work for their growing family, Sam and Sarah Irvine decided to build two glass box extensions, resulting in a light and spacious home

Freedom by desıgn

Rose and Mark Morgan have self-built a wheelchair-friendly home that caters for the needs of their whole family

Biophilic design

Beyond the buzzword, biophilic design may just be the key to a healthier, happier home. Here’s what it means and how to use it when designing your house

11 common planning questions answered

By understanding the basics, and doing your research rather than resorting to guesswork, you can easily avoid the most common planning pitfalls, says planning consultant Simon Rix

Wall covering design ideas

If you're looking to turn blank walls into an architectural feature then our roundup of ideas will show how you can add character, texture and personality to your home

THE HOUSE OF HORROR

Sometimes it's worth delving into the history of a property, as Ian Rock discovers in this unsettling example

THE ULTIMATE BUYER'S GUIDE TO Kitchens

What are the options for buying a new kitchen? We explore a number of routes you can take to realize your dream kitchen

Will new Building Regs mean greener homes?

Updated rules will soon require new homes to be more energy efficient, as well as better ventilated and connected. Let's welcome the changes, says David Hilton

Incredible Conversions

These projects have taken forgotten or redundant buildings and turned them into truly unique homes

Future Homes Standard explained

The government says it wants to drive down energy use in our homes. Tim Pullen explains what this means for self-builders and extenders

Master suites

A place to relax and retreat, a master bedroom suite is the perfect place to unwind. Here's how to design a room you'll want to spend time in

How to design an oak frame home

This construction method offers myriad possibilities for designing a bespoke home, whether you want something traditional or more contemporary. Here, Rebecca Foster explains how the design process works

How to retrofit home your home

Reap all the benefits of a warm, well-ventilated, healthy home by taking a whole house approach...