Commercial feature – Gone are the days when people were happy just to live in traditional houses – now you can have a home in a barn, a church and many other interesting properties.

Not everyone in the UK wants to live in a redbrick terrace, bay-fronted semi-detached house or smart, modern detached property.

Luckily for those who want somewhere more interesting to call home, the UK is full of unusual and unique buildings that are either being transformed by developers or can be bought and turned into an amazing dwelling.

Before you think you have to head into the countryside or into an exclusive neighbourhood to find somewhere quirky to live, walk around the streets of the area where you live. If you pass a boarded up church, school building or pub, there’s a chance the property is for sale.

Some of these buildings will have for sale signs on them, but you don’t have to dismiss those that don’t. You may have stumbled upon a property that wasn’t for sale that suddenly is!

It is easy to make enquiries through your local council as to the state of play regarding the building – whether it is going to be demolished, has already been earmarked for a project, or is ripe for development.

There are also specialist websites where you can search for interesting property available across the country. From chapels to cow sheds, buildings that were constructed for one use are now being turned into showpieces that are also practical, comfortable homes.

There is, of course, a premium on properties restructured by a developer, and especially those in stunning locations. Some people use the conversion of an old building to allow themselves to live on an otherwise unspoilt stretch of coast or in an area of outstanding natural beauty.

If you decide to develop your own property rather than buying one that has already been done, it is wise to employ the skills and expertise of an architect. Some architects specialise in refurbishment and redesign projects and should be able to show you some of their previous work so you have an idea of what they are capable of.

An architect can also make sure your building conforms to the correct ceiling heights, widow sizes, etc – although you should involve your local planning team as early on in the process as you can. Even if you own the building, certain work needs planning permission as well as conforming to building regulations.

If your building is listed it is unlikely that you will be able to change any external elements – and this could include adding windows to an otherwise dark, gloomy building. Also, it’s never as simple as just ripping everything out and starting with a empty shell as certain internal elements of a property can also be subject to regulations, depending on the grading of the listed building.

Whether you decide to buy an interesting property that has already been converted into a home or decide to make your own stamp on a building, the result will be owning a home that is as much a piece of art and a topic of conversation as it is somewhere to live.

The most interesting property for sale in the UK could be just around the corner from you, ready to be transformed into a new home.