People have been advised that keeping their house well maintained is an essential part of home ownership.

According to Homebuilding & Renovating magazine, one of the best ways to do this is to remember that preservation of property's character is key.

This means they should think carefully before making any major alterations as many make careless adjustments and developments which impact negatively upon a home's overall appearance.

Melanie Griffiths, assistant editor of the publication, said: "While planning policy is supposed to restrict bad development in conservation areas, this hasn't always been possible."

It seems as though Brits may increasingly be turning to DIY during the recession, as statistics from Kingfisher show that sales at DIY retailer B&Q doubled to £59 million in the first quarter of 2009, compared to 2008.

Anyone thinking about sprucing up their home may benefit from putting valuable items into storage while the work is carried out.

Written by Paul Governor