Building on last year's Practical Guide to Renovating Your Dutch Home (published May 2025), where we covered the basics of planning and budgeting, this 2026 edition focuses on the strategic advantages of a total renovation in today's ultra-tight market. With…

Step into almost any recently renovated property in Amsterdam and you will inevitably notice a distinct pattern beneath your feet. You will look down and see the familiar, rhythmic zig-zag of a visgraat floor. The herringbone floor Netherlands obsession is incredibly…

We’ve all been there. You walk into a beautifully renovated, modern living room. The herringbone floors are gleaming, the walls are freshly plastered, and the massive crittall-style windows let in glorious sheets of sunlight. It looks spectacular. But then someone…

There's a particular magic to a Dutch garden or terrace once the light fades. The long summer evenings stretch out, but by autumn the dark arrives quickly, turning a perfectly pleasant outdoor spot into something you hurry past. Good lighting…

Picture the scene. You've finally secured the keys to that charming, slightly run-down 1930s terraced house in Haarlem, or perhaps a spacious shell in the heart of Amsterdam. You have your Pinterest boards meticulously organised, overflowing with herringbone flooring, bespoke…

Why Your Neighbours Have a Say in Your Own Home You've finally found it, a flat in Amsterdam-Noord, or perhaps a solid 1970s apartment block in Eindhoven. You've got plans. Perhaps your plans include renovating the kitchen, knocking down a…

The housing narrative in the Netherlands has clearly shifted in recent years. For many years, homeowners mainly asked themselves whether they should move or improve their current property. However, as we move further into 2026, the housing market remains tight.…

Stepping into a freshly updated bathroom can feel like a small escape – a moment of calm amid the rush of daily life. In the Netherlands, where homes tend to be compact and practicality is second nature, bathrooms have long…

Walk past the tall windows of houses along an Amsterdam canal or peek into a suburban terrace in Utrecht, and you'll spot a quiet evolution inside. For years, Dutch homes have leaned towards restraint – pale woods, white walls, a…

A Practical Guide to Compliance and Safety Navigating construction or renovation projects in the Netherlands means grappling with a detailed set of national rules designed to ensure buildings are safe, healthy, energy-efficient, and environmentally responsible. As of 2026, these regulations…