User guide
Finding your way around the guide
To navigate between pages, click or tap the arrows to go forwards to the next page or backwards to the previous one. The arrows can be found either side of the page and at the bottom, too (circled in green, below).
Menu/table of contents
Click or tap on the three horizontal lines in the top-right of your screen to open the main menu/table of contents. This icon is always visible whether you're using a computer, tablet or smartphone. The menu will open on top of the page you’re on. Click on any section title to visit that section. Click the cross at any time to close the table of contents.
Text size
On a computer, you'll see three different sized letter 'A's in the top-right of your screen. On a smartphone or tablet these are visible when you open the menu (see above). If you’re having trouble reading the guide, click or tap on each of the different 'A's to change the size of the text to suit you.
Pictures
On some images you'll see a blue double-ended arrow icon. Clicking or tapping on this will expand the picture so you can see more detail. Click or tap on the blue cross to close the expanded image.
Where we think a group of images will be most useful to you, we've grouped them together in an image gallery. Simply use the blue left and right arrows to scroll through the carousel of pictures.
Links
If you see a word or phrase that's bold and dark blue, you can click or tap on it to find out more. The relevant website will open in a new tab.
Jargon
If you see a word or phrase underlined, click or tap on the word and small window will pop up with a short explanation. Close this pop-up by clicking or tapping the cross in the corner.
Help
On a computer, you'll see a question mark icon in the top-right of your screen. On a smartphone or tablet this is visible when you open the menu (see above).
Clicking or tapping on the question mark will open this user guide. It opens on top of the page you're on and you can close it any time by clicking or tapping the cross in the top-right corner.
1 – Little jobs with big impact
You don’t always need to pay for expert improvements to enhance your home – there's plenty you can do with a little time, determination and elbow grease.
It's amazing what can be done with a spring clean. Freshening up a fridge or getting the grease off an oven can give your kitchen new lease of life. Painting is a simple way to refresh a room, but skimping on the prep to get it done quicker can lead to problems later on. It needn’t take long, though, and can be a satisfying project that can be completed in a weekend. Next, add a new carpet to see your room truly transformed. In bathrooms, banishing dampness quickly is key – and it’s worth the effort to keep the room feeling fresh.
To get started, find out which tools you really need for your DIY projects, and learn how to protect your home with security features you can install yourself. Heading outside, we have tips for keeping your garden looking great, even during a disruptive home renovation.