Design
Designing your Ideal Extension
If you are considering extending or improving your home, it can be really hard to know where to start. Browse through our Gallery below to find advice and inspiration
Extension Cost Calculator
if you want to get an idea of roughly how much your extension is likely to cost, check out our Extension Cost Calculator
Designing and planning your house extension
Browse the gallery below for design ideas and case studies
Kitchen trends 2024 – what’s hot?
Experts discuss the hottest (and coolest) features in kitchens for the year ahead
Nature inspired patterns and hues to spruce up your home for spring
To help you bring the outside in and refresh your home in 2024, we’ve chosen a few of our favourite botanicals and biophilia-inspired designs
Is it RIP the identikit fitted kitchen?
Freestanding units and mix-and-match cupboards are making a comeback in the most fashionable of homes.
Stylish ideas for single storey extensions
Stunning ideas to inspire your project
Chocolate box cottages ooze charm but how best to extend them?
How can you extend a country cottage without losing the charm?
How much value can landscaping add to your home?
When it comes to improving your property, don’t neglect the garden
Designing an indoor-outdoor space
Clever ways to make your home feel at one with nature
Double height living space – ideas and inspiration
From beautiful barn conversions to minimalist modern homes, stunning living spaces to set your imagination soaring
How to get the modern heritage style in your home
Modern heritage is a trend that works well for most styles of homes from Victorian villas t0 modern estate houses
Statement lighting
Shining a light on bold designs
Mediterranean style: summer trends
From terracotta pots to bright blue tiles, get that sunshine holiday look
How to hygge your home
The Scandi concept of cosy comfort and wellbeing
Tile trends we are seeing in 2023
Whether you’re looking to refresh your bathroom or fit a new kitchen splashback, catch up on the latest trends.
Contrasting extensions that pack a punch
Want to add a contemporary extension to a traditional home? Check out this inspiring selection of projects
Biophilic design – the natural house
Biophilic design may be today’s buzzword but many of the concepts have been around for decades
Designing an extension that blends old bones with a new addition
Chartered architect Jan Maciag, RIBA, shares his top tips on designing an extension that works with your house
Cantilever Design
From spiral staircases to overhanging rooms – find out more about this gravity-defying detail.
How to incorporate natural stone into your home extension
Sustainable, strong and textural – striking homes featuring the world’s oldest building material
How to design a walk-in larder
Adding a large walk-in pantry to your kitchen helps keep the space neat and tidy while adding value.
How to choose wood flooring
With its longevity and natural beauty, a solid wood floor will appeal to almost anyone
Eco-friendly flooring can be stylish and sustainable
There is a growing market in eco-friendly flooring with more choice than even before - so you can go green without sacrificing on style
How to design a dream master bedroom
From the best layout to colour schemes and lighting, here’s how to get the master bedroom right
Using frameless glazing in your extension: design issues & cost
Whether inside or out, for a new-build or period property, this minimalist design feature can add real wow factor
Stunning barn conversions
Converting a barn can give you a spacious, highly individual home with real wow factor
Garden rooms – design ideas and expert advice
Whether your family needs more space for work, play or simply somewhere to sit in summer, garden rooms have never been more popular.
Clever ideas to maximise daylight
There are multiple ways to fill your home with natural light
Snug ideas and inspirations
Every home should have one – a cosy corner to curl up with a good book, watch a favourite film or just chill
Designing a forever home
How to create a home that will meet your needs now - and in the future
Adding wow factor to your home extension
Tips and ideas to create a truly breath-taking home
Recipe for a perfect kitchen
Design tips to help you create your dream kitchen
How to create a bathroom that’s both functional and fabulous
Be inspired to design the bathroom of your dreams.
Choosing skirting boards
Skirting boards are one of those decorative details we tend to take for granted, so what are they for – and do we even need them?
Why hire an interior designer?
Eight reasons why you might want to hire an interior designer for projects big and small
Open plan vs broken plan
The trend for open plan living has lasted for decades, but ‘broken plan’ is the new kid on the block
How to renovate and expand your Victorian house
Design ideas to transform a Victorian property
Stair makeovers: updating your staircase
The staircase is the hardworking backbone of a home, linking floors. So, why not turn it into an eye-catching feature too?
Glass doors: opening interiors to the garden
Bifold, sliding and steel-framed doors can boost the house-to-garden connection, but which style is best for your project?
How to achieve the perfect lighting design
Carefully considered lighting can transform your home at the flick of a switch
Six interior trends for 2021
Lockdown has meant rethinking our rooms, but which trends could be here to stay?
Beginner’s guide: hip-to-gable loft conversions
Extending up into the attic is generally more cost-effective than building a new extension. This article explains one of the most common types: hip-to-gable loft conversion.
Dormer loft conversions: a beginner's guide
Everything you wanted to know about dormer loft conversions - but were afraid to ask!
Contemporary or traditional home extension?
When it comes to design are you traditional or modern? Do you want a home extension that blends with your existing property or a bold, contrasting design?
Create impact with wraparound corner windows
Wraparound corner windows can give you a panoramic view while pulling in masses of natural light - and are a striking design feature, too
Bringing reclaimed materials into your kitchen revamp
Ideas and inspiration for incorporating vintage and reclaimed materials into your kitchen design.
Getting the roof design right
Here are some top tips to help you make the right roofing choices for your project.
Steps to a successful barn conversion
What makes a successful barn conversion?
Home lifts: a rising trend?
What you need to know about installing a lift into your home.
The best kitchen splashbacks
Bored with white tiles? Give your splashback some wow with different materials and finishes.
Splashing out on a private pool
More and more people are taking the plunge and building a swimming pool. So, what are the important factors to consider if you are creating your dream pool?
Choosing a new front door
The front door is the first thing that anyone sees when they come to your home. It creates a lasting impression and gives a hint of what’s inside. The perfect front door is stylish, secure and energy efficient, but how do you find the right one for your home?
Creating a home for multigenerational living
Extend, convert or combine? Clever design can make your home suitable for three generations to live under one roof?
I want my garden to be an outdoor room, but I have no ideas or budget
If your outdoor space is looking a bit tired or you want to use it more as an outdoor room for extra space or refuge while the whole family is on lockdown, here are a few tips to help give it a fresh appearance without breaking the budget.
Extend or remodel? Creating your dream home
When it comes to your biggest asset, should you extend or remodel?
Clean and green: the eco-friendly bathroom
When it comes to creating an eco-friendly bathroom, give thought to using reclaimed sanitary ware instead of purchasing brand-new.
The rise of broken-plan living
While more and more people like light-filled, sociable spaces - they also want privacy and cosy corners. The result is the evolution of broken-plan living
Is a kitchen island right for your home?
Planning a kitchen makeover? Before you start, follow this guide to help you decide if an island is right for you
Wraparound extension guide
What to consider when building a wraparound extension at the back and side of your home.
What to consider when planning a wet room
Super-stylish and practical, wet rooms are the ultimate in showering chic. Read on for tips and advice to achieve the perfect design.
Single-storey extensions: a guide
A single-storey extension can add valuable living space and update your home in a way that makes the decision to improve rather than move the right one.
Window shutters: an open and shut case
If you’re looking to improve your home, why not invest in window shutters? They create kerb appeal, keep out the cold and work well in any room whether it’s the living room, bedroom or bathroom.
Beautiful bannisters & balustrades
From slim metal spindles to transparent glass panels, choose a balustrade to boost your staircase style.
Brilliant kitchen storage ideas
Clever storage is key to creating a clutter-free kitchen, perfect for cooking or socialising. Here we run through some stylish solutions to common kitchen dilemmas
A Guide to Choosing Roof Tiles
Whether extending or renovating, you will need to choose a roof tile that creates a long-lasting, weatherproof and attractive covering to your home. Here we look at the pros and cons of slate, clay and concrete products.
Stone flooring
From the smoothest, white limestone and marble to textured, dark granite and slate, the design possibilities of stone flooring are endless.
5 stylish ways to light up your garden
Summer is here, and with the arrival of brighter days and warmer nights comes an abundance of reasons to spend more time in your garden. Here, Nicky Roeber, Online Horticultural Expert at Wyevale Garden Centres, shares his tips for lighting up your outdoor space so you can spend more time outside in the evening this summer
Choosing the best kitchen worktops
It’s a big decision choosing the best worktop for your kitchen. The options may seem endless, but it’s worth taking the time to get it right.
Solid wood floor vs engineered – pros & cons
Wood flooring has a timeless beauty that will never be out of fashion and can improve your home. But how do you choose between solid wood, engineered or laminate?
What sort of timeframe should I really be looking at for an extension?
If only there was a magic wand that could achieve marvels and with one wave could make your beautiful new extension miraculously appear. Unfortunately, planning and building a successful home extension requires a lot of preparation, leg work and time. And lots of it.
Ceiling height: ideas & inspiration
Ceiling height can make all the difference between a cramped room where you are feel boxed-in and a lofty, airy space
What is Passivhaus design?
Passivhaus promises maximum year-round comfort with minimum bills for heating. So how does it work and are there any disadvantages?
Cheers to wine cellars
Drinking wine is one of life’s great pleasures. So, it’s not surprising there’s a growing trend to incorporate a sizeable space for a wine collection into the design of homes.
What’s hot in kitchen design?
From cabinet colours to countertops, what’s sizzling hot? Whether you’re planning to remodel your kitchen or simply refresh, here are some of the top trends
Staircase design ideas
The staircase gives a first and lasting impression of your home. Here are some design ideas to give it more ‘wow’ factor
Dos and don’ts of bathroom renovation
We take a look at the design dos and don’t to create a bathroom that looks stylish and functions brilliantly for years to come.
Is a snug a good fit for an extension or a waste of space?
For the last two decades, a cosy snug room has become the must-have feature of modern family living - but is it a good use of space?
Loft Conversion vs Extension
Can’t decide whether to extend your home or do a loft conversion? Stop going round in circles and read our three-point plan to help you decide if extending upwards or sideways is right for you.
Underfloor heating made simple
Underfloor heating can be completely hidden unlike bulky radiators, is efficient and toe-warming but which, if any, system is right for your home extension or room renovation?
Bifold vs sliding doors – the pros and cons
Bifold doors that ‘bring the outside in’ have seen a huge surge in popularity in recent years but how do they differ from sliding doors? Which option is best for you?
Stained glass: colour and character
From front door panels to glass ceilings and from bathroom windows to kitchen cabinets, there are numerous ways to add stained glass to your home
Designs for open-plan living
A well-designed open plan layout can make for a light, spacious and sociable home – but planning is key
Is a loft conversion the best way to increase space for the least amount of money?
If you need more living space, what’s cheaper? Moving house or extending into the attic?
Loft conversions for family living
Loft conversions can be so much more than just an extra bedroom. If you are struggling for extra family space to accommodate teenagers or elderly parents, converting your loft is one of the most affordable ways to create a multi-generational living space.
Financing your home extension
From loft conversions to rear extensions, growing numbers of homeowners are extending their homes to create extra space rather than moving to a bigger property. But what are your options for financing the building work?
Home extension: where to start?
Why move when you can improve? With rising property prices, savvy homeowners are increasingly opting to stay put and extend the home they are living in to get extra space and value. But where do you begin?
Side return extensions - a beginners guide!
Side return extensions are a hugely popular way of extending semi-detached and end of terraced homes. Here some practical tips and inspiration to help you make the most of this sliver of space.
The professionals: who to call?
From architects to structural engineers and quantity surveyors – successful home extensions often rely on trusted building professionals who can help the beginner avoid costly mistakes. We take a look at the key experts and who you might want to involve
Who comes first: Architect or builder?
If you are planning a home extension it can be tricky to know where to start. Do you call an architect first or a builder?
Top tips for home extensions
Extending a kitchen-diner or converting the loft is a great way to create more space and value without the hassle of moving. But before you jump in and start knocking down walls, there is some important and even boring stuff you need to consider.
Do I need planning permission?
In the exciting journey of building a home extension getting planning permission is usually up there with hiring skips and coping with builders. Usually boring and sometimes frustrating but 100 per cent necessary
A selection of case Studies
Browser the gallery below for design ideas and case studies
Case Study - An architect-designed, multi-generation house
Three generations live under the same roof in two separate but connected dwellings in the Hampshire countryside.
Case Study - Adding solar panels to a Hampshire home
For some home-owners, installing solar panels on the roof of their home cuts electricity bills and earns them thousands of pounds.
Case Study - Garden Redesign
A case study detailing how one home owner redesigned his garden on a very small budget
Case Study - A side return kitchen extension
When Antonia and her family moved into their Edwardian semi-detached home in Winchester the kitchen was dark and dated but they saw it had potential.
Case Study - Adding a window to a bathroom
A case study describing why a homeowner decided to add a window to a bathroom and how he did it
Case Study - Wood burning stove or open fire place?
A case study describing how one homeowner decided whether to install a wood burning stove or have an open fireplace
Case Study - My Compliance with Building Regulations
A case study on how one home owner complied with Building Regulations when building a large extension
Case Study - Kitchen Extension
Case study of an extension to improve a small, cramped and dated kitchen into a spacious kitchen diner
Case Study - Should I move or should I extend?
A case study showing the decision making process one home owner followed when trying decide whether to move or improve
Case Study - updating a bathroom
A case study on how graphic designer Louise and Martin, an accountant, turned their “florid Victoriana” bathroom into a stylish, calm retreat.