How to give a standard kitchen a bespoke look

A standard kitchen can feel carefully made for its room. Before spending more on the doors, look at the exposed sides, the joins and the details your fitter will need to finish.

Seven heating-control checks to make before winter

Before buying a smart thermostat, spend a little time with the controls already in your home. These seven checks help you spot a timetable or setting that no longer suits your routine.

Before you top up loft insulation: storage, damp and ventilation

More insulation may be a useful autumn project, but first establish what is already in the loft and how the space is used. Storage boards, moisture and access can all change the work required.

October’s energy-price change: what to check on your bill

Ofgem’s next energy-price-cap period starts on 1 October. Use the change as a prompt to check your tariff and rates: the widely reported annual figure is an illustration, not the maximum your household can be billed.

Refresh your doorstep for autumn with a simple container garden

A doorstep can feel refreshed without a new path or an elaborate planting scheme. Start with the space and light you have, then choose a small group of pots you can look after through autumn.

Kitchen details and autumn home checks

Dulux’s new Soulful Sage: how to judge it in your own home

Dulux’s new Colour of the Year is a soft, silvery green called Soulful Sage. If it appeals, use the announcement as a reason to try a sample before planning a whole-room repaint.