Planning a renovation or self-build? The National Self Build & Renovation Show on 9th & 10th October in Swindon is packed with expert advice. Here’s some inspiration from Georgina Burnett, AKA The Home Genie.
If your home improvement dreams live somewhere between a scribbled sketch and a very long Pinterest board (guilty!), the National Self Build & Renovation Show could help turn them into reality.
Taking place at the National Self Build & Renovation Centre (NSBRC), the show brings together more than 200 exhibitors, industry experts and plenty of practical inspiration for anyone renovating, extending or building from scratch. And, even better, advance tickets are free.
TV property expert Georgina Burnett, aka The Home Genie, will be at the show on Friday. The interior designer, writer and presenter and renovation enthusiast knows the realities of transforming a home – she’s undertaking a full house renovation.
Here’s our Q&A with her:
Q. Hello Georgina! Lots of us dream about creating our perfect home. What’s the biggest mistake people make before they even pick up a paintbrush?
“Not thinking about the bigger picture. When you’re renovating or self-building, it’s very easy to get carried away with how you want things to look before thinking about how you actually want your home to work. Before making any design decisions, I’d really recommend looking at how you live now – what works, what drives you mad and what you wish you had more of. Think about storage, circulation, natural light, where you’ll put furniture and how rooms will be used. Get the bones right first and the decorating comes afterwards.”
Q. If someone has a limited budget, where do they get the biggest transformation for their money?
“I’d put money into the things that are difficult or expensive to change later – the layout, insulation, windows, heating and electrics – and save on the things that are relatively easy to update, such as paint, soft furnishings and accessories. If you’re renovating, don’t underestimate the value of simply making better use of the space you already have. A clever reconfiguration can sometimes achieve more than adding expensive finishes. And if the budget is tight, don’t feel you have to complete everything at once. A well-planned project can be phased.”
Q. Homes have become so much more than places to sleep. What do you think people are looking for from their homes?
“Flexibility. Our homes have to work much harder than they used to – they might need to accommodate working from home, entertaining, exercise, children, hobbies and quiet time, sometimes all within the same day. That’s why I think good design is less about creating a collection of beautiful rooms and more about creating spaces that can adapt. For anyone planning an extension or self-build, I’d really encourage them to think about how their needs might change over the next 10 or 20 years, not just what they need right now.”
Q. Sustainability is high on many homeowners’ wish lists. What are three changes that make the biggest difference without costing a fortune?
“First, improve the fabric of the building wherever you can – insulation and draught-proofing are not particularly glamorous, but they can make an enormous difference to comfort and energy use. Secondly, reuse rather than replace. Before ripping out a perfectly serviceable kitchen, flooring or furniture, consider whether it can be adapted, repaired or repurposed. And thirdly, think about longevity. Buying good-quality materials and products that can be repaired or maintained rather than replaced every few years is one of the simplest forms of sustainability. I’m a big believer that the greenest renovation isn’t necessarily the one with the most eco-labelled products – it’s the one that creates a home that will work well and last for decades.”
Q. You’ve worked on countless renovations. What’s one lesson every self-builder or renovator learns eventually?
“That the decisions you make on paper are generally much cheaper than the decisions you make on site! Planning and expert advice really is everything. Think through the detail before work starts – sockets, lighting, door openings, storage, plumbing, heating and where your furniture will actually go. It’s very easy to say, “We’ll decide that when we get there,” but changing something once the walls are finished can be incredibly expensive. I’d also say have a realistic contingency. Something unexpected will almost certainly happen, so build that into your budget rather than hoping you’ll be the exception.”
Q. Trends come and go. What design choices do you think will still look good in 20 years’ time?
“Good architecture and good proportions will always win over fashion. Natural materials, thoughtful joinery, good-quality flooring and plenty of natural light are things you’re unlikely to regret. I also think flexibility is timeless – designing a room so it can evolve with you rather than being built around one very specific trend or purpose. And don’t be afraid of personality. A home that reflects the people who live there will always feel more timeless than one that simply looks like a showroom.”
Q. What’s the most ingenious home improvement or renovation you’ve ever come across?
“I’m always fascinated by projects that find space where you didn’t realise there was any. I’ve seen clever use of awkward roof spaces, storage built into otherwise dead areas and rooms designed to perform several functions. One of the best things you can do during a renovation is look at all those little pockets of wasted space – under stairs, between cupboards, in eaves, around chimney breasts – and ask whether they could work harder. You don’t always need to build more; sometimes you just need to use what you already have more intelligently.”
Q. How do you stop a renovation becoming overwhelming? Any tips for staying sane when you’re living on a building site?
“Break it down. A whole-house renovation can feel completely overwhelming if you look at it as one enormous project, so divide it into stages and focus on what needs to happen next. I’m also a big believer in having a really good project plan and decision schedule. Know what needs ordering, when decisions need to be made and what depends on what. And, if you can, keep one room functioning as a sanctuary – somewhere you can shut the door, make a cup of tea and forget about the building site for an hour! Finally, accept that something will go wrong. It’s not necessarily a failed project when it does – it’s just part of renovating.”
Q. What’s one thing homeowners often overlook that can have a huge impact on how a house feels?
“Natural light – and how you use it. When planning an extension or reconfiguring a house, people understandably focus on floor area, but think about where the light is coming from throughout the day. A slightly smaller space filled with beautiful natural light can feel far better than a larger, darker one. Then think about artificial lighting too. Good layered lighting can completely transform a room once the sun goes down. It’s something that needs to be considered early in a project because it’s much harder to retrofit properly later.”
Q. If you could wave a magic wand and give every British home one improvement, what would it be and why?
“I’d improve the energy efficiency of the building fabric. So many British homes are older properties that were never designed with modern energy efficiency standards in mind. Better insulation, reducing draughts, greener energy solutions and improving the overall performance of the building can make homes warmer, more comfortable and cheaper to run, as well as reducing their environmental impact. It’s also something I’d encourage people to think about as part of a wider renovation rather than treating energy efficiency as an afterthought.”
Q. What’s the room you always gravitate towards in your own home, and what makes it special?
“The kitchen. It’s usually where everyone naturally ends up, regardless of how much effort you’ve put into creating beautiful sitting rooms elsewhere! I love a kitchen that works hard but doesn’t feel clinical – somewhere that combines practical storage and good design with warmth and personality. For me, the success of a home isn’t really about having the biggest kitchen or the most expensive finishes; it’s about creating a space that encourages people to spend time together. That’s what makes a house feel like a home.”
The National Self Build & Renovation Show, 9am–5pm Friday 9th & Saturday 10th October, NSBRC, Lydiard Fields, Swindon, SN5 8UB. Book your free tickets at nsbrc.co.uk.
