Livingetc • 26th December 2025

The ‘Finish What You Started’ List — Professional Project Managers on How to Tie Up Unfinished Renovation Jobs in 2026 in 6 Easy Steps

As any renovation or home upgrade project nears completion, it is not uncommon for homeowners to either lose momentum, feeling the strain of months on end of disruption and decision-making, or to rush those all-important final stages. Whatever the reason for struggling to complete the to-do list, it can mean certain little tasks get left unfinished.The good news is that there are ways of approaching what is commonly termed 'renovation fatigue', whether you are staring wearily at some interior de...

Livingetc • 1st December 2025

The Science of Kitchen Drawer Planning — How Many Do You Really Need and Where Do These Handy Storage Spots Need to Go?

Earlier this year, I decided that, rather than move on from the house we renovated and extended ten years ago, which we have since totally outgrown, we would stay, extend again, and remodel the existing spaces. This includes the kitchen, which, over the last decade, has come to seem rather dated, not so much in its appearance, but more in the way it no longer meets our daily needs.Two particular areas I have come to intensely dislike about the space are the wall units, which now look bulky, outd...

Ideal Home • 28th July 2025

I’m a serial renovator and these are the 8 roofing mistakes I see homeowners make

As one of the most integral parts of any house, avoiding roofing mistakes is so important if you want to ensure your home remains dry and comfortable, looks beautiful and protects you properly from the elements.When carrying out roof replacement or repairs, it is important to be aware that roofs are made up of far more than you see, meaning while the covering you choose is incredibly important, it is crucial to look at the structure as a whole – in short, there is a lot going on under the surfac...

Homebuilding • 27th July 2025

Find it hard to let go of treasured tomes? No need with our collection of beautiful book storage ideas

The best book storage ideas will not only keep your collection of well-loved tomes in order – they can also contribute to your overall design scheme, particularly when it comes to living room storage ideas.Whether you are an avid reader who just can't bear to part with even one single book, despite knowing you'll never pick it up again, or you just can't resist big, beautiful coffee table books that you hope will show-off your exquisite taste, you'll need somewhere to store all those volumes.We'...

Homebuilding • 26th July 2025

11 loft bedroom decorating ideas so dreamy you'll never want to leave

Strangely, little thought often goes into loft bedroom decorating ideas, with the emphasis (quite rightly) put on ensuring the newly converted space offers enough head height, fits in with the architecture of your house externally and is structurally sound.However, if your loft conversion is to provide a relaxing, stylish sleeping space, care needs to go into its interior design. Everything from maximising natural light to incorporating enough storage needs to be considered, as well as choosing...

Ideal Home • 25th July 2025

7 driveway mistakes that experts say could totally ruin the kerb appeal of your home

As the external space that leads to your home, your driveway not only needs to be up to the task of taking the load of vehicles – it also needs to look good. For this reason you need to be sure you aren't making any driveway mistakes that risk ruining the whole approach.'Attractive, smart driveway ideas can really add to your property's kerb appeal,' says Trevor Knight, technical garden and driveway specialist for Marshalls Plc. 'When you're designing a new driveway, there are many factors to be...

Woman & Home • 24th July 2025

Is it worth buying air conditioning for your home, or is it a waste of money?

There's no getting away from it – the UK is heating up and our homes were not built for the high temperatures, which are widely believed to be the new norm.For this reason, many homeowners are now taking their efforts to cool down a room way more seriously and considering investing in home air conditioning units, but while heatwaves are certainly becoming more regular, is the cost of buying, installing and running one of these systems really worth it?We've consulted some of the top experts in th...

Homebuilding • 20th July 2025

Can you convert a loft without building regulations approval? Why you could land yourself in seriously hot water

Is it illegal to convert a loft without building regulations approval? While you might have considered whether planning permission will be needed for your loft conversion and be aware that you might need a structural engineer to assess your space, do you know which building regulations you'll need to comply with and how to apply for approval?The building regulations are there to ensure that new buildings, conversions, extensions and even renovations are safe and healthy to live in and that they...

Expert Reviews • 10th July 2025

Shower buying mistakes to avoid | Expert Reviews

In the market for a new shower? Whether it is an all-singing, all-dancing model you have your heart set on or a simple unit for a guest bathroom, there are certain shower buying mistakes you’ll want to avoid if you want to ensure your money is well spent.

We reached out to some experts in the field and asked what the most common shower buying errors they see are — meaning you won’t need to risk doing the same.

While you might love the idea of a fixed-head rain shower, if it won’t suit your par...

Homebuilding • 7th July 2025

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

Are you comparing an enclosed vs open porch? Getting this aspect of your home's design right will have an enormous effect not only on its overall appearance, but the porch ideas you opt for will also define the way in which your front entrance functions for you."As a Chartered Surveyor with extensive experience in residential property design and planning, I’m often asked about the difference between open and closed porches, not just in terms of appearance, but also their functionality, cost, com...

Homebuilding • 5th July 2025

7 places never to put air conditioning if you actually want to enjoy its benefits

If you are finding the summer heat is increasingly getting in the way of enjoying day-to-day life, you may well have been considering ways to cool your house down – but do you know where not to install air conditioning if you want it to be a safe and efficient way to prevent your home from overheating?"You’d be surprised how often we see air conditioning units installed in the wrong place," reveals the founder of Elite Renewables, Martyn Fowler.If you have been looking at making space within you...

Homebuilding • 4th July 2025

Do you know the main types of air conditioning? All the options to consider in the face of rising temperatures

It comes as little surprise that more and more homeowners are researching types of air conditioning of late. Whether rising temperatures are making day-to day tasks such as cooking dinner a little more tiring, or you are struggling to sleep in a due to a bedroom that refuses to cool down at night, home air conditioning could be the answer to your woes.While UK homes have, historically, rarely been fitted with built-in air conditioning units, our climate is changing and the availability of domest...

Expert Reviews • 30th June 2025

Electric vs mixer showers: Which is best for your household? | Expert Reviews

In the market for a new shower to grace your bathroom? Then it’s likely that your choice will come down to two of the most common options: electric vs mixer showers. That said, the two are very different, each offering a range of benefits, while also coming with a few disadvantages that it pays to be aware of.

Everything from your budget to your water pressure, and from the size of your bathroom to who will be using it the most needs to be taken into account when choosing a new shower. But if a...

Homebuilding • 28th June 2025

10 expert-approved tips for a home office garage conversion that'll make your work day a pleasure

A home office garage conversion just makes sense. Located away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, often with its own access between inside and out, and making use of what is often just wasted space anyway, this is the ideal location for a spot to work from home.That said, there are particular considerations to bear in mind when using garage conversions as home offices if you want yours to be a success.If this is a project you have been considering, our guide is here to offer you the ve...

Homebuilding • 25th June 2025

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

If you are facing the task of removing loft insulation, chances are you might not exactly be looking forward to tackling what is usually a pretty messy job, certainly more so that insulating a loft from scratch.“Taking out old loft insulation isn’t always as simple as it sounds, especially if it’s been there a long time," explains Ben Mansfield, co-founder at Apex Innovations. "Over the years, it can get squashed down, damp or even dirty with dust and pests. And in older homes, there’s a chance...

Homebuilding • 22nd June 2025

Do you know the difference between a mansard and dormer loft conversion? Here's how to choose the right option for your home

In the case of mansard vs dormer loft conversions, homeowners are often left trying to make a decision regarding which one will best suit their needs, home and budget.While these are not the only types of loft conversion to consider, they are certainly two of the most popular – and for good reason. Both come with a whole host of benefits, from adding plenty of space to boosting the value of a property.That said, they are quite different, and each also has their fair share of cons that it pays to...

Homebuilding • 21st June 2025

Interior designers reveal the forgotten area in your home that could be the solution to finding space for an office

An office on the landing that uses the space at the top or halfway up your stairs might not be the most obvious spot for you home office design ideas, but this approach actually makes a great deal of sense."Creating a home office on a landing can be a brilliant use of space, especially in period homes where alcoves or wider corridors are often underused," explains Claire Garner, director of Claire Garner Design Studio. "With some thoughtful planning, it can become a stylish and functional work z...

Expert Reviews • 17th June 2025

Why is my shower head leaking? 5 reasons why and how to fix them  | Expert Reviews

No-one wants a leaking shower head. Not only is a constant drip, drip, drip highly irritating, but it also wastes water. In addition, it can cause real damage to your home.

“If the leak comes from your shower valve, water could get behind your bathroom walls, causing dry rot, mould and structural issues,” points out Kerry Hale, bathroom expert at Mira Showers.

A leak signals that something is wrong — in short, it shouldn’t be happening.  There are several reasons why your shower head might be...

Livingetc • 17th June 2025

Which Actually Uses More Water, a Shower or a Bath? The Answer Might Not Be What You Expect

You might think the answer to shower vs bath water usage is somewhat obvious, but, as the experts we spoke to explained, there are lots of influencing factors at play here.Whether you have your heart set on modern bathroom ideas that involve an all-singing, all-dancing top-of-the-range shower, or a sculptural stone bathtub, you will no doubt be keen to know how much water each is going to guzzle.Keeping an eye on household water usage is not only useful when it comes to your monthly bills, but i...

Livingetc • 16th June 2025

Should a Kitchen Island Be Centered? "There Is No One-Size-Fits All" Solution, Say the Experts

The kitchen island is, for many, now a non-negotiable feature. Perhaps this has something to do with the sheer breadth of kitchen island ideas out there meaning there is something to suit all types of layout and room sizes. In short, this isn't just an option for those with sprawling culinary set-ups.While the center of the kitchen might seem like the best or most obvious location for an island, is it always the optimum spot? This is a feature that should be an asset, not an obstacle, after all....

Livingetc • 15th June 2025

Sorry, but the Type of Showerhead You Choose Matters More Than Just Aesthetics — Here's Your Guide to Picking the Right One

Whether you are about to embark on a bathroom renovation project or are starting from scratch with a blank canvas, you will soon find that when it comes to choosing fittings for the new space, the breadth of choice in terms of the types of shower heads available can feel a little overwhelming."A shower head is more than just its design, it’s about creating the perfect balance of style, performance and water efficiency to suit your bathroom and your home’s water pressure," explains Jeevan Seth, C...

Ideal Home • 13th June 2025

Is it a good idea to extend over your garage?

Extending over the garage is a hugely popular project, allowing you to add to your first floor layout without actually increasing the overall footprint of your home.In many cases, people look into how to convert a garage and decide that they would, in fact, like to retain it for storage. Other times, when designing their garage conversion, homeowners realise that it makes sense to build above it at the same time.If you are wondering what is involved in extending above a garage and whether this i...

Expert Reviews • 11th June 2025

How to remove limescale from a shower head: six expert-approved methods to try | Expert Reviews

Although not an uncommon problem, limescale on a shower head is something you’ll want to deal with, pronto. Not only will it look pretty unsightly, but it will also affect the flow of water, ruining your entire showering experience.

“Limescale, or calcium carbonate, leaves watermarks and chalky white deposits in your shower after any standing water evaporates,” explains Kerry Hale, bathroom expert at Mira Showers. “If you live in an area with hard water, you’re more likely to find limescale bui...

Ideal Home • 1st June 2025

Can my neighbour actually stop me from converting my garage?

More and more people are converting their garages, realising that, in many cases, they can get far more use out of them as habitable space than for storing all the things they haven't got around to decluttering.In terms of how to convert a garage, there are many aspects to consider, such as how you will get natural light into the new area and ways of heating it – there is also the matter of planning approval.While planning consent isn't usually required for a garage conversion, many people worry...