Anna K. Cottrell
Anna is a professional writer with many years of experience. She is interested in how people make houses into homes, and how our concepts of what's stylish change over time. On H&G, she specializes in writing about property – buying, selling, renting, mortgages – sustainability, and eco issues. These are areas that really interest her and she loves nothing more than getting to the detail of a difficult subject. She rents her home and is always looking at ways to make it cozy without having to do major DIY.
Latest articles by Anna K. Cottrell
-
5 expert ways to ventilate your home this winter without increasing your energy bills
Want your indoor air to be fresher without your utility bill going up? It can be done, our pros say
By Anna K. Cottrell Published
-
Locking up a vacation or second home for winter? 6 ways to prevent mold growth, even when leaving it unheated
Tips from our mold and HVAC pros to protect your unheated property
By Anna K. Cottrell Published
-
8 ways to prep your home for Thanksgiving guests with allergies – including employing HEPA filters, food labels and switching to natural home fragrances
Learn how to make your home a more comfortable environment for allergy sufferers
By Anna K. Cottrell Published
-
Laundry pods vs liquid detergent – how to choose the right one for your needs
If you're debating between using laundry pods vs liquid detergent, our expert run down will help
By Anna K. Cottrell Published
-
15 laundry tips to help make this endless task that little bit easier, more effective and dare we say it – enjoyable
Cleaning and laundry professionals share their industry knowledge to help you get the most from your washing and drying routine
By Anna K. Cottrell Published
-
How long should it take to wash and dry clothes? Plus, how to speed it up
Experts reveal if you are spending too long washing and drying your laundry
By Anna K. Cottrell Published
-
16 genius DIY tips from construction pros for easier, quicker, and more effective jobs around your home
These genius DIY tips, courtesy of construction and home maintenance experts, will turbocharge your projects
By Anna K. Cottrell Published
-
Experts warn these 7 DIY home improvements will devalue it – plus what to do instead
Badly executed cabinet painting and re-purposing bedrooms are among them
By Anna K. Cottrell Published
-
Should you get a lead paint test for your home?
Experts reveal the dangers of inhaling any dust from lead paint and the safest methods for testing
By Anna K. Cottrell Published
-
5 ways bookworms can organize their bookshelves without throwing away a single one
Love your books and don't want to declutter? Here's what to do instead to keep your bookshelves tidy
By Anna K. Cottrell Published
-
Experts explain what to do if your house is cooling unevenly – and why it happens in the first place
HVAC pros delve into why your house is hot in one room and cold in another, and what you can do about it
By Anna K. Cottrell Published
-
How to clean siding on a house without damaging it – experts share tips on identifying yours before you set to work
Does the siding on your home look grimy? It can be refreshed but you need to first know the type you have on your home
By Anna K. Cottrell Published
-
5 things attracting roaches to your clean house and what you can change to stop it happening
Wondering why your clean house is still getting cockroaches? Pest controllers reveal what to do
By Anna K. Cottrell Published
-
Fact or fiction? Our sleep pros delve into whether cooling bed sheets are a gimmick and the golden formula for picking great products
Run hot at night? Here's everything you need to know about cooling bed sheets and how to pick them.
By Anna K. Cottrell Published
-
These are the most common plumbing mistakes and issues when renovating a house – and how to avoid them
Renovating a house? Avoid these costly plumbing mistakes
By Anna K. Cottrell Published
-
7 practical ways to upgrade your curb appeal in a weekend
Real estate professionals advise on the best ways to upgrade your curb appeal in a weekend.
By Anna K. Cottrell Published
-
Is waxing floors a good idea? Experts explain the pros and cons
Wondering if waxing your floors is a good idea? Here's what you need to know about the art of floor waxing.
By Anna K. Cottrell Published
-
How to design a home that stays cool – 5 essential tips that will save you money long-term
Here's how to build a home that stays cool, even without air conditioning.
By Anna K. Cottrell Published
-
How to dust and clean a chandelier without breaking it – 3 tips from professionals
Dusty chandelier? Here's what you need to do to get it sparkling again.
By Anna K. Cottrell Published
-
These 8 genius laundry hacks will help you conquer mounting piles of laundry
Professional home organizers swear by these laundry organization hacks to stay on top of their laundry
By Anna K. Cottrell Published
-
Conquer your laundry with our straightforward guide to washing machine settings
Our essential guide to washing machine settings will help you get the most out of your washer, whatever brand or model you have.
By Anna K. Cottrell Published
-
5 common rhubarb mistakes – and how to avoid them
Avoid these rhubarb growing pitfalls to ensure healthy plants and strong yields
By Holly Crossley Published
-
How to fix chipped paint on interior walls – advice from expert painters
We've asked professional painters how to fix chipped paint on walls. Here's the expert advice for DIY-solving the problem.
By Anna K. Cottrell Published
-
7 raised bed gardening mistakes – for a bumper flower, fruit and vegetable harvest
Here’s what the experts avoid in their raised beds – to promote strong plants and an abundant vegetable crop
By Anna K. Cottrell Last updated