Natasha Brinsmead

United Kingdom

Journalist at Freelance

Associate Editor @MyHomebuilding and freelance homes and interiors journalist, content creator, serial renovator

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Articles

7 garage conversion mistakes to avoid at all costs

4 days ago | idealhome.co.uk | Natasha Brinsmead

In the majority of cases, a garage conversion is one of the best ways to add space and value to a house without extending – but there are always exceptions. If you want your newly formed space to be an asset, you need to know exactly how to convert a garage in a way that ensures it ticks all the boxes, both in terms of what you need and want from it as well as when it comes to building regulations and planning approval.
How much does a garage conversion cost?

5 days ago | idealhome.co.uk | Natasha Brinsmead

A garage conversion can be the perfect way to gain extra space within your home without extending its footprint. Utilising what is often wasted space, used not, as originally intended, for housing a vehicle or two, but for dumping all kinds of things no-one quite knows what to do with, this is a structure that holds so much potential. Converting a garage comes with other benefits too.
Can my neighbour actually stop me from converting my garage?

6 days ago | idealhome.co.uk | Natasha Brinsmead

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.
Don't let these silly driveway mistakes ruin the kerb appeal of your home

1 week ago | homebuilding.co.uk | Natasha Brinsmead

Your driveway plays a huge role in the overall kerb appeal of your home and, as such, you want to steer clear making any common driveway mistakes if you want it to help create a good first impression. At the same time as having the potential to enhance the appearance of your house, your driveway ideas also need to work well on a practical level and be up to the job of withstanding heavy vehicles.
10 utility room extension ideas to add space and value

1 week ago | homebuilding.co.uk | Natasha Brinsmead

There are so many ways in which utility room extension ideas can benefit a household – from helping homeowners manage the mess of mucky pets, to providing somewhere to get laundry clean and dry. However, those currently without one can find making space for their dream utility room design tricky – which is where the creation of a new space, specifically for this highly-practical room, is so useful.
7 expert tactics to convert your loft on a budget, without compromising on quality

1 week ago | idealhome.co.uk | Natasha Brinsmead

There is no denying that loft conversions are one of very best ways to add space and value to a house in a cost effective way – but do you know how to convert your loft on a budget in order to avoid overspending? There are lots of things you can do when it comes to planning a loft conversion while keeping a lid on costs at the same time, including making smart choices when it comes to the type of conversion you opt for.
The secrets to getting driveway drainage spot on, as revealed by experts

1 week ago | homebuilding.co.uk | Natasha Brinsmead

If you want your beautiful new driveway to stay looking that way, driveway drainage is something you need to be taking seriously. No matter how much research you have put into your driveway ideas, get this one element wrong and the whole thing could be ruined. Drainage is important when it comes to good driveway design for a number of reasons. Not only will it reduce the risk of flooding, but it is also a requirement of the building regulations.
10 loft conversion mistakes I'd avoid at all costs as an experienced renovator

2 weeks ago | idealhome.co.uk | Natasha Brinsmead

Turning the wasted area in your attic into a habitable room (or two) is one of the best ways to add space and value – but there are some loft conversion mistakes that could ruin all your efforts. While many common errors can be avoided if you thoroughly research how to plan a loft conversion, it is also useful to be aware of the mistakes most frequently made by homeowners in order to ensure you don't follow in their footsteps.
10 Things You Will Always See in a Luxury Kitchen, According to Designers — And It's Not Just About How Much They Cost

2 weeks ago | livingetc.com | Natasha Brinsmead

If there is one room in the house that warrants a luxurious finish, it has to be the kitchen — the space now viewed by many as the most important within any home. New kitchens are a considerable investment, no matter which brands you opt to go with in your modern kitchen, so it makes perfect sense to ensure that the final finish looks high-end and planned to perfection — a reflection of the care, thought, time and, yes, money, that has gone into creating it.
5 Clever Ways to Squeeze Extra Storage Space Into Your Loft Conversion

2 weeks ago | livingetc.com | Natasha Brinsmead

There is no denying the many benefits of loft conversions. They allow you to add extra rooms to your house without extending, often don't require planning permission and, in most cases, have a really positive impact on house value. That said, even armed with the best loft conversion ideas, there are issues to address and overcome.