This is a simple starter guide to garden design where space is limited. We asked some of the garden designers on Design for Me for their top tips on how to make a small garden look bigger. 1. Avoid large expanses of grass, paving or decking It may seem counter-intuitive but large lawns will… Read more »
Posts By: Design for Me
Do I need a structural engineer or an architect?
If you are starting to plan your home extension or renovation project, you might be wondering if you should hire a structural engineer or an architect. For most home extensions or renovation projects, you will usually require both an architect and a structural engineer. Featured image from Will, architect in Brighton. See his full… Read more »
Do you need planning permission for a holiday let?
Do I need planning permission for a holiday let (change of use from a house to a holiday let)? In short, there is no definitive answer here and it depends on local planning regulations. Planning permission is required for a ‘material’ change of use, i.e if you are going from one use class to another…. Read more »
5 things to know about barn conversions
Beginner’s guide to barn conversions An old barn can provide the perfect shell to create your ideal home. These large and often very solid structures give the opportunity to create a house with huge expanses of space and high ceilings. Most importantly, by retaining the original form, materials or structure, it adds character, charm and history to your otherwise… Read more »
What is a feasibility study?
Do I need a feasibility study? All projects, big or small, will go through the feasibility phase; which is basically a research phase to help decide whether a project will proceed or not. A feasibility study will usually also inform the design and construction method. The decision to proceed lies with the client of course,… Read more »
How much do local house movers cost?
Should you local hire movers or go DIY? Hiring Movers vs. DIY A three-bedroom house averages around £1700, rising to £5500 for long-distance relocations. Item count matters. Movers often prefer flat rates over hourly charges, which can get expensive. International moves may exceed £15000 when factoring distance and items. DIY moves entail heavy lifting,… Read more »
Is Straw-bale Construction Right for Your Self Build?
Straw-bale construction is becoming a new phenomenon in the UK. Unlike the common misconception that houses constructed with straw will be “blown down,” presumably by a wolf, this method of construction has actually been proven to be both energy efficient and cost effective for self builders. What is Straw-bale Construction? Straw-bale construction is a building… Read more »
Residential Interior designers in South West London
Interior designers in South West London for your home If you’re planning a home interior design or renovation project, finding the right interior designer can be a critical first step to get right. We’ve compiled some of the best residential interior designers in South West London to give you a starting point, and hopefully provide a little inspiration too. South West London is brimming with… Read more »
A perfect match … for a low maintenance garden design
Cheryl from Milton Keynes posted her project to Design for Me looking for a garden designer to design a low maintenance garden. Situated in a new build development, this garden started out as a muddy yard following the construction of a new extension to the downstairs kitchen. After registering her project with just a few… Read more »
Shipping Container Homes
Shipping containers are used for, well shipping, but did you know that they could also be used as the skeleton of your next self-build or extension project? Shipping container homes are becoming the new eco-friendly alternative when it comes to building or renovating a home in the UK. Why not use one for your next extension?… Read more »
