Latest from Homebuilding & Renovating
Articles about Latest from Homebuilding & Renovating
Your guide to choosing between curtains, blinds or shutters
Don’t let choosing the right window treatments scare you – we’ve broken down your main options and are here to explain which works best where
I tested plug-in solar panels to see how easy they are to use
Keen to reduce my bills and make my home more sustainable, I put the UKSOL Pro Duo Plug-In 890W Solar Kit to the test to see if it could help. Here's what happened and whether it's worth a go
Installing wooden flooring? Do this first to avoid total disaster
Before you begin the task of fitting your own wooden flooring there is one important step to carry out first – and the experts are here to reveal what it is
Is the latest model of this DIY classic still a DIYer’s best friend?
A Black & Decker workmate is a classic piece of kit, so would this foldable model – the WM536 – match up to its predecessors success? Find out what I thought
Industrial style interiors are back, but not as you remember
Forget filament bulbs and scaffold-board shelving, industrial style is back, and designers are doing it differently
This sleek portable heater warmed my home office in minutes
I spent three weeks working beside this portable oil-free heater to see if it could warm a small office in a chilly period home without running up a big bill
I upgraded my tap water with an undersink filter – here’s my honest verdict
I installed a reverse osmosis system in a bid to improve my water quality. Did it live up to its claims and justify the high price tag? Here are my honest thoughts
Experts warn of the 9 hallway design mistakes to avoid at all costs
The 9 mistakes that could ruin what should be should be an easy-to-navigate space between inside and out that also sets the right tone for what lies beyond
Fleas at home? 5 expert-approved ways to tackle an infestation fast
If you've got a flea infestation on your hands, our pest control experts are here to help you get rid of them
Grey belt land offers golden opportunities for self-builders and here’s why
Grey belt land could open up plots that were previously off limits to self-builders. Planning expert Simon Rix explains what qualifies as grey belt and the key hurdles you’ll need to clear to win planning permission
13 small front garden ideas that show how to make even tiny spaces count
From clever planting to standout features, these ideas prove that even the tiniest front garden can be transformed into something special
Form factor and why every self-builder needs to understand its importance
It might sound like architectural jargon, but form factor can have a big influence on your home’s cost, comfort and energy performance. Architect Allan Corfield explains what it means and why it matters
I’ve used a bioethanol stove for over a year – here’s my top tips
I love my bioethanol stove, but I've picked up a few useful tips and lessons that could help make your own experience simpler from day one
I tested the 6 best portable heaters to keep the cold at bay this winter
Want quick, portable heating at the touch of a button? We put the best heaters to the test – here are our favourites based on performance, efficiency and ease of use
I tested the 6 best outdoor solar lights to give my garden a glow-up
These outdoor solar lights deliver on both style and performance – without the need for pesky cables or expensive wiring
5 expert-recommended ways to hide appliance cables and restore order
Disguising appliance cables is easy when you know how. From clips to channels here are the best methods for keeping your home neater, tidier and also safer
8 early Amazon Prime Big Deal Days offers you should snap up today
If your fingertips are ready to shop in the Amazon Prime Big Deal Days sale, don't hang about. There's early offers already online and these are some of our favourites
Are your living room electrics up to the job?
Flickering lights, tripping circuits and devices cutting out could all point to electrical problems. Experts explain what to watch out for and how to avoid problems
How to design a modern bathroom that still feels warm and cosy
Modern bathrooms don’t have to feel sterile – our expert-approved tips will help you create a space that feels cosy and inviting as well as fresh and relevant
I’m a female DIYer, and these are the tools I actually find comfy
Most DIY power tools are designed for the average male hand, which means that many are uncomfy for women. Here are the best options I’ve found for smaller hands
Renovating or extending? Here’s how much your structural changes could cost
Renovating or extending inevitably involves making structural changes. Before you start redesigning your layout, take a look at our quantity surveyor’s guide to what you could end up spending
10 brise soleil ideas designed to shade your house without blocking light
Love the idea of lots of large windows but feel worried about overheating? Brise soleil is the ideal solution – we’ve rounded up 10 of the best examples around
The time-saving tricks that help store your decorating tools between jobs
You don’t always need to clean your brushes and rollers after every decorating session. I’ve found these simple ways to store them overnight without letting them dry out
Got a big garden? This is what you could do with it
A big garden doesn't have to feel overwhelming – discover 14 brilliant ways to create a space packed with character, stunning planting and places you’ll want to linger
October is the perfect time to plant these 14 things in your garden
There’s still plenty you can sow and plant now, with these choices helping to keep your garden interesting and full of colour for the year ahead
11 easy-care trees that make a big impact
From small plots to spacious gardens, these low-maintenance trees can add height, structure and colour without demanding constant attention
Plywood kitchens are fashionable, but does it work as well for worktops?
A cheaper type of wood, plywood worktops can be an option in kitchens. We explore the pros, cons and costs
11 bathroom window privacy ideas that let in light but keep prying eyes out
From clever window treatments to stylish alternatives you may not have considered, these privacy ideas for bathroom windows keep natural light flowing while keeping unwanted eyes out
I tackled my mouldy shed before winter, here’s exactly what I did
I finally plucked up the courage to open my mouldy shed after years of neglect. Here's the advice experts gave me to get it back in working order before winter
The pros, cons and cost of corner windows, according to experts
Corner windows can transform a room but they’re not without trade-offs. Experts discuss privacy, overheating, and whether frameless or framed comes out on top
What is mesh sandpaper, and why do you need it for your DIY projects?
Despite being a loyal standard sandpaper user I recently switched to its mesh counterpart. Find out why I think you should consider it too
Can you put plug-in solar panels in your front garden?
If you’re considering plug-in solar panels, choosing the right spot matters. Here’s what could affect plans to install them in your front garden
Wave goodbye to newspaper – these are the top 5 ways to clean windows
Getting your windows sparkling may seem like a chore, but these are the methods experts guarantee will get you professional results
12 oversized lighting ideas that won’t fail to add drama to your interiors
Forget barely-there light fittings – right now, the bigger your lighting , the better. We’ve collected the best examples around to get you ready for cosy season
750,000 homes in the UK to benefit from clean, cheap heating
The Government has announced a £90 million investment into heat network schemes and upgrades designed to help lower energy bills for homeowners
12 hedging plants that can transform your garden boundary
Whether you’re looking to create privacy, soundproof your garden or provide protection in exposed areas, these hedging plants are up to the job
Plug-in solar panels, planning permission rules and other essential facts
I've been researching plug-in solar panels for months and here are the key facts you might not know – from planning to plug sockets – as backed up by experts
Try these water-saving garden tricks to avoid another summer of heat damage
Protect your plot from future heatwaves with these drought-tolerant landscaping choices and plant picks
6 signs of autumn damp you should never overlook (and how to treat them)
From bubbling paint to condensation, now is the time to tackle the early signs of damp before they escalate this winter
I’m dreading turning my heating back on, can I use a plug-in instead?
Could a portable heater replace central heating in my home office? I asked the experts and their answers came with a catch
Compost or topsoil? Here’s how to know which one to use
If you’re not sure whether your garden needs compost or topsoil, here’s how the two differ, what each is best for and when to use them