Real homes
No rent, no mortgage, just freedom: how 3 people escaped the rat race
From living on a narrowboat to pet-sitting full-time and exploring the UK in a converted van, we meet the people embracing alternative homes for a happier, more affordable life
Empty nest, total style overhaul! One bold decorating decision transformed this entire home – it’s stunning!
Trinkets collected from her travels and curated vintage treasures add character to Danielle Le Petit’s beautiful home
This city couple bought a crumbling farmhouse with no plumbing or heating – look at it now!
An old stone farmhouse and barn has become a cosy country home for Richard and Michaela Tinniswood
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Every surface was stained with nicotine – now it’s the perfect indoor-outdoor room for summer
Deborah Yates has transformed a dingy and dated garden room into a versatile dual-purpose space, ideal for summer living
This couple moved their kitchen upstairs – here’s why it worked so well
Changing the layout and clever decorating ideas have transformed Shrez Ghelani’s once-unloved property into a stylish home
‘Holes had been stuffed with newspaper and painted over – we had to fix so many botched DIY jobs’
Vikki Savage spends her spare time doing-up her 1930s house, updating it with the hottest interior trends, clever upcycling projects and style-savvy ideas
‘My partner soon changed his mind when he discovered I’d only spent £133 to furnish our bedroom!’
An eclectic mix of second-hand and high street buys helped Sinead Gulless turn a lacklustre bedroom into a colourful, cosy and welcoming retreat
This London flat hadn’t been touched in 25 years – now it looks like a stylish Parisian apartment
Moody pastels combine with minimal lines to create a cool, laid-back and contemporary feel in Laura Sawyer’s converted London flat
‘We compromise on decor but this is the one thing we always agree on – and it’s so easy to change’
Leicestershire couple Ewan and Joe turned an outdated and bland four-bed into a fun and happy home
‘This one decorating mistake taught me a valuable lesson and now I won’t make it again’
Knocking through from the living room has given new life to an unused back reception room and improved the flow of family life for Lucy Hooker
‘We viewed 22 houses to find our dream Victorian home – it was worth the wait!’
Sodia Hadassi-Amma has brought the charm back to her Victorian house, introducing elements inspired by her North African heritage
This Last One Laughing contestant's home is a celebration of vibrant shades: ‘It needed colour and soul – mission complete!’
Last One Laughing contestant and recent Would I Lie to You guest Gbemisola Ikumelo has transformed her Victorian home into a vibrant space that matches her bright personality and serves as the perfect source of creative inspiration
'My tiny kitchen had standing room only – now it’s perfect for parties (thanks to a £400 eBay bargain!)'
Knocking through into her adjoining dining room allowed Amberley Rainey to create her ideal kitchen-diner for entertaining friends and family
This owner saved money AND made second-hand pieces look glam – ‘I rescued my best upcycle from a skip!’
Upcycling hand-me-downs allowed Saoirse Findlay to decorate her new-build house in one-of-a-kind style
‘We modernised and made our kitchen bigger (without doing any building work)’
Wanting to create a lighter, brighter and more colourful space, Jemma Watts pulled out the old beige cupboards to bring a lively, sunny energy to her new kitchen
‘We found our dream family home thanks to an incredible twist of fate’
Priced out of her ideal areas, Katie Rowe was surprised to find her perfect property just a stone’s throw away from where she grew up
‘We decorated our house in the cheapest way we knew – and the difference is amazing’
Bronagh Fleming and Ivan Daly have brought their empty-shell bungalow up to date with a mix of bright hues, bargain finds and some self-taught DIY skills
The rule of three that TV star AJ Odudu used to transform her garden room – 'I've got so much more space!'
With plenty of room for working, exercise and chilling out, TV presenter AJ Odudu’s versatile garden room means she can spend more time outdoors than ever before
They recycled everything in their budget bathroom makeover – this is how they made it look new
Helen Jones used an eclectic mix of revamped and vintage pieces to turn her dated bathroom into a tranquil and characterful haven, in keeping with the charm of her period home
'The brown PVC was awful – and everywhere!' Discover the ONE change that completely transformed this dull sunroom
Leanne Baud pulled together a stylish look with second-hand steals, upcycled pieces and by rediscovering items she already owned
The floor collapsed and there were 165 nails in the walls, but now their living room looks like this
Laura Ashman has turned an uninspiring open-plan reception into a warm and welcoming living area, complete with dedicated zones and retro-inspired décor
We lost out on 8 houses… then transformed the one nobody wanted into our dream home
Making their mark on an unloved former rental flat, Sophie and Joe have created a unique home with personalised art and an airy kitchen layout
'This secret feature was inspired by a television drama, and it solved all the problems in our living room'
A lack of usable wall space and excess doors meant Sara Pierson had to get creative with a unique storage solution when redesigning this problematic room
We transformed our dark kitchen using just ONE colour – and it changed everything
Beckie’s budget kitchen makeover is proof that clever design tricks and a bit of imagination can transform a small space – with no compromises necessary
