If you’re renovating your house, you perhaps didn’t anticipate all of the small design decisions you would need to make along the way. Choosing skirting boards and architraves may seem like a minor design decision, but they can have a huge impact on the final look of a room. Do you want to make a… Read more »
There are a zillion articles online about finance options for home renovations and extensions, but most of them are written (or sponsored) by finance providers. This is one is not and is intended as a broad overview of the options available to you. The content in this article is for informational purposes only, you should… Read more »
It’s a well known fact, although often overlooked, that lawns are hard work. If you want a low-maintenance garden that looks great all year round, a huge expanse of lawn is simply not the best option. Lots of people opt for lawn as the obvious choice – it’s relatively cheap to install and it’s soft enough… Read more »
There are no universal space standards for homes in the UK nor are there universal minimum room sizes. Instead, there are regulations that exist for different circumstances and project types. In any home building or renovation project, the two main statutory obligations you will need to fulfil are planning permission and building regulations approval (building… Read more »
This week, Hugh, one of the architects on Design for Me, has offered up some top tips on finding building plots for a self-build house in London. However, much of the advice extends to other areas in the UK too. Hugh, London based architect on Design for Me Self-build plots are notoriously difficult to find in… Read more »
Compared with spacious homes, fashioning an aesthetic appeal in a small house can be challenging. Interior designers often make use of innovative, space-saving furniture, allowing for flexibility of use and creating a more spacious look. These smart design strategies help people enjoy a minimalist feel even in small spaces. Aside from furniture, wall decor can have… Read more »
Hollow clay blocks are not new. They have been a staple of the German construction industry (and elsewhere on the continent) for a long time. After decades of cavity-wall construction, the the UK market is now recognising hollow clay blocks as a viable alternative, and has been gaining popularity for its excellent thermal and acoustic… Read more »
Sponsored post If you want to redecorate this year and make your home more inspiring – more you – here are some simple tips to help. 1. Add an entertainment wall Entertainment walls are a popular feature of many living rooms and are a fierce competitor of the classic feature fireplace as the key… Read more »
Can I build a home extension without permission? The short answer is no; at the very minimum, you will need to get building control approval so you can’t build your extension entirely without permission. However, it could be very straightforward to obtain and does not need to delay you getting started (see below). The other… Read more »
Do you need building control approval for an extension? If you’re planning to extend your home, you will need to comply with the building regulations. This is a legal requirement and, without formal approval and control, your local council could force you open up or re-build sometimes significant aspects of the project. It could even… Read more »