Sarah Handley

United Kingdom

Editor at Future

Dog lover, dorkish, taught Beyonce everything she knows

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Articles

5 things I’m glad I didn’t scrimp on when renovating my cottage on a budget

3 weeks ago | idealhome.co.uk | Sarah Handley

Deciding to renovate can be an huge commitment, in terms of both time and money, especially if the whole house needs some TLC. And so many homeowners find themselves needed to know how to renovate on a budget so that their funds will go as far as possible. But while it's important to know where to save when renovating, it's equally vital you know where you should spend a bit more in the name of quality and comfort.
6 simple tricks that gave me the confidence to start renovating my home

4 weeks ago | idealhome.co.uk | Sarah Handley

The idea of renovating a house can be completely daunting, and no wonder. It probably conjures visions of plaster being ripped off walls, holes in ceilings and piles of rubble everywhere you look. That said, not every renovation has to be done on that scale, and it's more than ok to start with some smaller renovation trends. Even though I've written about varying aspects of large scale renovations for more than a decade, I never really thought of myself as a renovator.
This is the weekly extension planner I'd follow if I was adding space to my home, as a renovation expert

1 month ago | idealhome.co.uk | Sarah Handley

If you're extending your home for the first time, then an extension planner, like this one, will be essential. Not only will it provide clarity and allow you to anticipate what's coming up and when, but it can also help you to spot and dodge issues that could cause costly delays. This extension planner breaks down what you can expect week by week when building an extension.
Can my neighbour stop me from converting my loft?

1 month ago | idealhome.co.uk | Sarah Handley

Planning major changes to your home, like doing a loft conversion, can raise concerns with those who live nearby, especially if it could impact their home. But can a neighbour actually stop you from converting your loft? There'll be a lot to consider when you plan a loft conversion and that last thing you want is for your home improvement plans to sour relations with your neighbours. But what can you do if they don't appear to be on board with your loft conversion ideas?
What do you do with stuff in your loft if you want to convert it? I’ve got 5 expert-approved solutions for you to try

1 month ago | idealhome.co.uk | Sarah Handley

If you find yourself dreaming of extra living space, converting your loft might be the answer. But for many homeowners, when you get into the nitty gritty of planning a loft conversion, reality sets in. You realise that your loft is actually prime storage space for all that stuff that you haven't really got space for anywhere else. So where on earth are you going to put it?
5 things I wish I’d left to the pros when renovating my house, even as a seasoned renovator

1 month ago | idealhome.co.uk | Sarah Handley

It is a truth universally acknowledged that taking on smaller jobs yourself when renovating a house is key to keeping costs down. While most people tackling a fixer-upper want to renovate on a budget, saving money by DIYing certain jobs might seem like a good idea in theory, but in practice, turn out to be harder or more extensive than originally thought.
Is it a huge mistake to sacrifice a bedroom to create a bigger bathroom?

1 month ago | idealhome.co.uk | Sarah Handley

While some people may be fortunate enough to move into a property that perfectly meets their needs, that's not the case for everyone. For some, significant changes are needed to make a home suitable for modern life. The bathroom can be one sticking point in particular, especially in homes with a growing family where the room could be in near constant use.
Is triple glazing worth it? I asked the pros for their take

2 months ago | idealhome.co.uk | Sarah Handley

If your windows are due to be replaced, you'll need to carefully consider all the options available to you. And when it comes to the glazing in particular, it's important to assess whether triple glazing is worth it in your home. When weighing up double vs triple glazing, the right option for your home will largely depend on your efficiency goals and available budget. But ultimately, is the extra expense associated with an additional pane a sensible investment? We asked the experts to find out.
I wasted £3,000 trying to make my old conservatory usable

2 months ago | idealhome.co.uk | Sarah Handley

I have hated my conservatory for more than a decade, and have spent thousands of pounds in the hope of resolving the issues that plague me. Now, if I was to add a conservatory today, there would be lots of options available to help negate the problems faced by older conservatories — like solar control glass, a solid roof and better insulation. But alas, when I bought my house, I inherited a conservatory that had none of that.
Is it a huge mistake to sacrifice part of your garden for an extension? We asked the pros for their take

2 months ago | idealhome.co.uk | Sarah Handley

If your home is feeling cramped and claustrophobic, you might think that an extension is the answer to all your problems. And while building an extension can be key to easing space pressures on your home, it can come at a cost that is more than financial — the garden.