A lending hand

When it comes to funding home improvements, financing options range from loans to grants and tax breaks

The great outdoors

Don’t forget the garden when it comes to doing a refurb. You don’t need green fingers to create something special

Hot stuff

Any kind of renovation should include energy-saving measures

Soft touch

From floor to ceiling, soft furnishings can tie the style of a room together and add warmth and personality

Keeping it old-school

Kevin Desmond has restored a listed Georgian house, once a finishing school for girls, to its former glory. Period restorations require hard work and expert advice he says

Smart buys

Auction rooms, charity shops and discount stores offer bargains for every aspect of your home improvements

Finders keepers

Upcycling bric-a-brac, art and furniture from the vast selection available at markets and online auction sites is an enjoyable way of putting a unique stamp on your personal space

Watch this space

Avoid a badly planned extension and create a space you’ll love with advice from RTÉ’s TV architect

Strokes of genius

Paint is still the least expensive and most impressive way to transform a room

Best laid plans

Even the smallest extension requires hundreds of decisions and it’s best to make most of them before the build begins

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