A loft library, a converted chapel and a Japanese-inspired flat are in the running to be named London's best home-improvement project of 2019.

There are 37 projects on the shortlist for this year's Don't Move, Improve! – an awards programme that champions creative and innovative home extension and renovation projects across the UK capital.

Other projects in the running include a self-built extension to a dairy cottage, a revamped water tower and a metal-clad extension that doubles the size of a 1980s terrace.

A woodworker's studio, an extension under a driveway and a zero-waste renovation also made this year's shortlist.

Dezeen is media partner for Don't Move, Improve! which is now in its ninth year. The contest was open to any house extension or improvement project completed in the last two years, in any one of London's 33 boroughs.

This year's judging panel, chaired by NLA founder Peter Murray, consisted of Dezeen editor Amy Frearson, architect Carl Turner, Ash Sakula co-founder Cany Ash, journalist Philippa Stockley, and Jo McCafferty of Levitt Bernstein.

The judges said that the standard of entries was higher than ever this year. Trends they identified included use of natural materials, introduction of colour, and creatively designed ceilings and roofs.

"It's good to see a trend of gentle experimentation with sustainable natural substances, particularly brick and wood, and of homes being extended in ways that revolve around their owners' lives, resulting in something both idiosyncratic and full of character," said Stockley.

"To make this happen, architects are really listening to and responding to their clients' wishes."

This year's winners will be revealed at a reception at The Building Centre in London on 22 January 2019. An exhibition of longlisted designs will be unveiled at the same time.

Previous winners of the prize include Sun Rain Rooms, a revamped Georgian townhouse with a patio that transforms into a reflecting pool, and Sunken Bath Project, a garden room containing a sunken Japanese-style bath

Here's the full Don't Move, Improve! 2019 shortlist:

16 Ewelme Road, Lewisham, by UVArchitects

3 Elm Close, Islington, by Ulla Gala Architects

Algiers Road, Lewisham, by Gruff

The Black Curve, Bromley, by Ar'Chic

Breakout Extension, Haringey, by KnottArchitects

Brockley House, Lewisham by SAM Architects

Chapel, Southwark, by Craftworks

Claylands Road, Lambeth, by Conibere Phillips Architects

Cornerstone House, Haringey, by Merrett Houmoller Architects

Crouch End House, Haringey, by Catriona Burns Architects

Dartmouth Park Family House, Camden, by Pardon Chambers Architects

Dusheiko House, Hackney, by Neil Dusheiko Architects

Folded Wedge Townhouse, Lewisham, by Russell Hunt Architects

Folded House, Wandsworth, by Proctor & Shaw

Garden House, Hammersmith and Fulham, by Teatum + Teatum

Hackney Extension, Hackney, by Proctor & Shaw

Highbury New Park, Islington, by Appleton Weiner

Kings Grove, Southwark, by Al-Jawad Pike

Lauriston Road, Hackney, by Gundry and Ducker

Levels Ten + Eleven, Westminster, by Con Form Architects

Link Building, Southwark, by Powell Tuck Associates

Loft Library, Waltham Forest, by Arboreal Architecture

Long House, Southwark, by R2 Studio Architects

Micheldever Road, Lewisham, by Meme Architects

Mies X King George, Islington, by CAN

Montague Court, Hackney, by IF_DO

Outhouse-In, Westminster, by Con Form Architects

Reuse Flat, Hackney, by Arboreal Architecture

Roslyn Road, Haringey, by Magri Williams Architects

Sash House, Westminster, by Tigg + Coll Architects

Scissor Truss House, Lambeth by Studio Mesh

Shad Thames Water Tower, Southwark, by FORMstudio

Stego, Southwark, by Archmongers

Step House, by Bureau de Change Architects

Tile House, Hackney, by Beasley Dickson Architects

Tower House, Islington, by Dominic McKenzie Architects

Woodworker's Studio, Tufnell Park, by Bradley Van Der Straeten