Wondering how to make your home improvement project a success while avoiding costly mistakes? One of the most crucial decisions you’ll make is who to work with. Many homeowners focus on the design aspect, choosing architects and interior designers to shape the look of their space. However, for certain projects, it can be equally important… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Self-Build
Timber Garden Building in Hampstead Heath | Benjamin Machin
In 2024, Sam and James came to Design for Me looking for an architect for a timber garden building on the edge of Hampstead Heath. Their ambition was to replace an existing annex with a contemporary garden gym and spa that could be used year-round. After registering their project on Design for Me, we matched… Read more »
Double storey extension costs and ideas
How much does a double storey extension cost? As a basic rule of thumb, a two storey extension will cost around 50% more than a single storey extension. Read about extension costs per square metre in our guide here. Based on this guide a (3x6m) two storey extension would be upwards of £60,000 for the basic build cost.*… Read more »
Details – home design ideas and inspiration
Details – home design ideas from Design for Me’s architects and interior designers Great home design is always in the detail. Big gestures can turn heads, but the test of good home design is all about how spaces and materials enhance your home life. The repetition of daily home life scrutinises and tests small design… Read more »
Designing for Lightness and Strength: Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Construction
The construction industry is increasingly turning to designs that balance minimal environmental impact with structural resilience. Light and robust materials are at the head of this movement, enabling projects to meet demanding performance standards while reducing overall resource consumption. The introduction of modern technologies and innovative solutions allows for the creation of buildings that are… Read more »
Kitchen extension ideas and inspiration
Kitchen extension ideas from the architects on Design for Me Planning a kitchen extension but don’t know where to start? If you need some kitchen extension ideas or inspiration, we have some beautiful examples of architect-designed kitchen extensions below. The kitchen extension is one of the most popular project that clients post to Design for Me…. Read more »
Renovation ideas and inspiration
Renovation ideas from Design for Me’s architects and interior designers Starting a home renovation project can seem like a daunting prospect, especially if you’ve never done any significant work to your home before. Therefore, it’s so important that you surround yourself with an experienced team who know exactly what they’re doing. After hiring the right architect,… Read more »
How much does it cost to build a house?
Main image Allister, an architect on Design for Me (see below for more) – See his profile here and shortlist him for your project Build cost of a house per square metre We know how important it is to have a rough estimate of the cost at a very early stage. The easy answer for us is to say… Read more »
We love exposed brickwork
Exposed brickwork – inspiration from Design for Me’s architects and designers Exposed brickwork can add warmth, colour and texture into your home. It celebrates the fabric of the building – it might be that an old, existing brick wall is exposed as a reminder of the building’s history. Alternatively it can work really well in… Read more »
Steps to building a house
What are the steps to building a house? Many self-builders we have spoken to ask the same question – where do I start? The stages outlined below are there as a guide as the ‘typical’ route. Once you have a good design and management team behind you, they may advise that an alternative path could… Read more »
