Period Property Refurbishment: Balancing Modern Design with Heritage Features
Successful period property refurbishment means upgrading insulation, layouts, and services without stripping the character that makes older homes special. The key is identifying what to protect, understanding planning constraints, choosing breathable materials, and working with a contractor who knows heritage buildings. There’s a particular kind of buyer who falls head over heels for a Victorian […]
Open Plan Living: How to refurbish your ground floor for modern family life
Quick answer: A ground floor refurbishment for open plan living typically involves removing or partially opening internal walls, redesigning your layout into connected zones, and upgrading lighting, flooring, and storage. In the UK, structural work requires Building Regulations approval, and party wall notices may apply. Costs vary widely depending on structural complexity and specification, but […]
Interior Design Trends 2026
Quick answer: The dominant interior design trends for 2026 centre on warmth, tactility, and smarter use of space. Key shifts include earthy, saturated colour palettes, layered natural textures, and broken-plan layouts that balance openness with cosiness—all well-suited to UK homes and London’s typically compact spaces. Don’t worry—2026 isn’t asking you to live in a beige […]
How Much Does It Cost to Refurbish a Victorian House in London in 2026, and what to expect along the way?
London is known for its variety of architectural styles from different eras. Now we have a bunch of new builds, old standard homes, and large amounts of conversions due to the dense population that London has. But one stands out in particular, which is Victorian-style houses. They are still very much desired even though they […]
House Extension vs Moving Home: what’s more cost-effective in 2026?
Families eventually outgrow their living spaces. Toys take over the lounge, the kitchen feels too cramped for entertaining, and the morning queue for the bathroom tests everyone’s patience. If your property is bursting at the seams this year, you are likely wrestling with a very common dilemma: do we extend, or do we pack up […]
Property Refurbishment Checklist
What to upgrade first for maximum value Pinterest says you need a marble waterfall kitchen island. Your electrician says you absolutely need a total rewire. Welcome to the often overwhelming reality of renovating a home. If you’re staring at a tired Victorian terrace or a newly purchased doer-upper flat and wondering where on earth to […]
The Ultimate UK Basement Conversion Guide
Look down. Beneath your floorboards lies the most untapped potential in your entire property. Basements are having a massive moment right now, offering homeowners a brilliant way to add significant square footage, boost property value, and upgrade their lifestyle without the heartache of moving. But let’s set expectations early. A basement conversion is absolutely brilliant, […]
Loft Conversion Types
Let’s be honest. You love your area. You know the best barista by name, the commute is manageable, and you’ve finally figured out which paving slab on the high street is loose and squirts water on your trousers when it rains. But there is one tiny, nagging issue. Your house feels like it’s shrinking. Maybe […]
How to Find the Right Builder for Your Project
A Homeowner’s Guide – by NOVA Design & Build London Choosing the right builder is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when planning a home refurbishment, extension, or loft conversion. At NOVA Design & Build London, we often meet clients who come to us after a stressful experience elsewhere — unclear quotes, poor communication, or […]
The ultimate guide to planning a house extension in London
Living in the capital often means making a difficult choice: love your location but loathe your lack of square footage, or move further out to the suburbs. But what if you could have your cake and eat it too (in a brand-new, spacious kitchen-diner)? Expanding your current home is often the smartest move. At NOVA […]
