Recognising Heritage Buildings

Definition

Heritage buildings are structures recognised for their historical and architectural significance. Listed on the National Heritage List for England (NHLE), these buildings are protected by law to ensure their preservation.

Criteria for Listing

Buildings gain designation based on their historical significance, architectural merit, age, rarity, or contribution to a wider ensemble. The listing requirements are stringent to protect the nation’s legacy.

Upholding historical integrity

Legal regulations govern alterations, renovations, and demolitions. These laws aim to protect the value of heritage structures. As stewards of these buildings, we must respect their significance and ensure that any renovations are carried out with care and respect for the law.

Balancing tradition and innovation

In the modern world, we must adhere to safety standards. Ensuring accessibility for those who are physically challenged and achieving energy efficiency are modern-day needs. However, addressing these needs should not compromise the integrity of heritage buildings. Sensitivity and comprehensive planning are crucial in balancing tradition and innovation.

London Building Contractors: Your Expert Partner in Heritage Restoration

Renovating, restoring, and maintaining heritage buildings can be challenging. At London Building Contractors, we specialise in these tasks. We have a deep understanding of historical preservation and modern construction techniques. Our team is dedicated to preserving the authenticity and charm of these architectural treasures.

We also prioritise sustainability in our projects. Using eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient systems ensures that heritage buildings retain their historical integrity while contributing to a greener future.

Heritage building restoration and renovation in the UK require collaboration, foresight, and a deep appreciation for history. By safeguarding these architectural treasures, we honour our past and invest in a more vibrant and resilient future. Our heritage buildings are not relics of a bygone era but living embodiments of our cultural legacy, deserving of our utmost care and reverence.

Call us at: +44 20 8935 5159

WhatsApp: +44 77 9113 9936

Website : https://www.londonbuildingcontractors.co.uk/

At London Building Contractors, we recognise the significance of timing in the realm of home renovations. As an architecture, interior design, and construction company based in London, we are experts in offering comprehensive turnkey solutions that encompass all facets of your project. Summer stands out as the opportune season to commence your renovation projects, and here’s why initiating them during this time is beneficial.

• Minimal Disruption to Daily Life
  With longer daylight hours and pleasant weather, summer renovations can proceed smoothly, minimising disruptions to your daily routine. You can continue to enjoy your home while the transformation takes place.
• Better Ventilation and Air Quality
  Indoor renovations can release dust, fumes, and other pollutants into your home. During the summer, you can keep windows and doors open, ensuring better ventilation and reducing the health risks associated with poor indoor air quality. This is especially important for projects involving paint, varnish, or other chemicals.
• Outdoor Projects are Easier
  Many renovation projects are best tackled when the weather is warm. From landscaping to building a new patio or installing a fence, summer provides the optimal conditions for outdoor work. These projects not only enhance your enjoyment of your home during the summer months but also boost your property’s curb appeal and value.

For stress-free summer renovations, London Building Contractors is your trusted partner. Our comprehensive turnkey solutions cover every aspect of your project, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable experience. From minimising disruptions to maximising air quality and enhancing outdoor spaces, we’re committed to exceeding your expectations.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards transforming your home. Let’s work together to make your renovation dreams a reality. Don’t wait any longer to create the home you’ve always wanted. Choose London Building Contractors, and let’s make it happen together!

Are you planning on renovating your place? Before you begin, it’s essential to understand the differences between planning application and consistent planning. These concepts are crucial for ensuring your development project runs smoothly and meets all necessary regulations.

What is Planning Application/Permission?

Planning permission is the formal approval from your local council required for building something new, extending your property, or changing the use of land or buildings. This process helps ensure that developments are appropriate and align with local planning policies and community needs.

Planning regulations are designed to prevent unwanted modifications and ensure that any changes to properties are harmonious with their surroundings. For example:

• Extensions: Extensions should complement the character of the existing house rather than dominate or overshadow it.
• Side Extensions: These should be visible from the street and typically must be lower than the current ridge height.
• Rear Extensions: These offer more flexibility, but they should blend with or complement the existing infrastructure.

Things to Consider When Building

• Compliance with Policies
  Local Council and National Policies: Ensure your building plans comply with both local council regulations and national planning policies.
• Environmental Impact
  Environmental Impact Assessments: Conduct relevant assessments to ensure your project does not negatively impact the environment.
• Impact on Neighbours
  Light and View: The extension should not cause a significant loss of light or view for neighbours.
  Privacy: Consider the potential loss of privacy from overlooking windows or gardens.
• Community Engagement
  Engage with Neighbours: Discuss your plans with neighbours to address any concerns and seek their support before making an application.

What is Consistent Application?

Consistent planning refers to the uniform enforcement and application of planning regulations and policies across all development projects. It ensures fairness, transparency, and integrity in the planning process, promoting trust and confidence among all stakeholders.

The Importance of Consistent Planning

• Fairness and Transparency
  Equal Treatment: Consistent planning ensures that all applicants are treated equally, preventing favouritism or bias.
  Clear Expectations: Provides clear guidelines and expectations for developers and the community, promoting trust in the planning process.
• Quality and Reliability
  High Standards: Ensures that all developments meet high standards of design, safety, and sustainability.
  Predictable Outcomes: This leads to predictable and reliable outcomes, making it easier for developers to plan and invest.
• Legal and Ethical Compliance
  Avoids Legal Issues: It helps avoid legal challenges by ensuring all decisions comply with relevant laws and regulations.
  Ethical Integrity: Upholds ethical standards, building public confidence in the integrity of the planning process.
• Community Confidence and Engagement
  Public Trust: Builds trust within the community by demonstrating that planning decisions are made fairly and consistently.
  Active Participation: Encourages community participation and feedback, leading to better-informed and more accepted planning outcomes.

Understanding the differences between planning application/permission and consistent planning is crucial for effective development. Planning application/permission focuses on evaluating and approving specific projects, ensuring each meets local and national regulations. It involves detailed, site-specific assessments and direct stakeholder engagement.

Consistent planning ensures uniform application of policies across all projects, maintaining fairness and transparency through standardised procedures and clear guidelines. This broader approach builds trust and ensures equitable decision-making.

At London Building Contractors, we can assist you with every step of your planning permission process. Whether you need help with detailed assessments, navigating regulations, or engaging with stakeholders, our expert team is here to ensure your project meets all necessary requirements. Contact us today to get started on your successful development journey.

Call us at: +44 20 8935 5159

WhatsApp: +44 77 9113 9936

Website : https://www.londonbuildingcontractors.co.uk/

Although the Edwardian period lasted only 10 years, the stretch of its architecture continued for more 10 years after King Edward’s death. In embracing less formality on buildings, the dark, stuffy cluttered interiors of the Victorian architecture was modified in this era to add more lighting, space and air into homes. This then is the Edwardian Architecture.

Currently, Edwardian houses are mainly located in Muswell Hill, Hampstead Heath, Dulwich, Blackheath, Ealing, Richmond and Putney still having a reputation for being well designed and constructed using high-quality materials.

EDWARDIAN SUBURDIA

This was mainly residential architecture characterized by small terraced, semi-detached and detached two-storey buildings. These Edwardian country houses were so close to railway stations for an easy commute to the city and therefore dominate many suburban areas and commuter villages.

Domestic improvements were continuously made possible due to the availability and easy access of the advanced building materials like glass used on the large windows, glossy paint which replaced wall papers. Furthermore, electric lightings and gas appliances were later introduced towards the late Edwardian period.

Identifying an Edwardian suburbia home

• Externally, these homes are characterized by steep-pitched roofs.
• The roofs have chimneys often located part-way down the roof, directly above the fireplaces in the rooms below.
• Dormer windows with pointed barge-boards and the loft-space has being used for accommodation.
• Larger but fewer rooms as compared to the Victorian buildings
• Fewer, larger rooms, double-aspect living spaces and large hallways.
• Front gardens (many of which have since been converted to driveways) and generous back gardens.

EDWARDIAN BAROQUE

The Edwardian Baroque architecture dominated most commercial buildings this being termed ‘the Grand Style’ between 1910s and 1920s. This style was designed by a major exponent in the times, Sir Edwin Lutyens. The Baroque style was mainly adapted from the architecture of France(18^th century) and the architecture of Sir Christopher Wren in England (17^th century).

Identifying an Edwardian Baroque home

• Extensive rustication, especially at ground level, running the voussoirs of arched openings
• Domed corner rooftop pavilions
• Exaggerated keystones, segmental arched pediments,
• Columns with engaged blocks;
• Colonnades of (sometimes paired) columns in a Ionic order)
• Domed towers modelled closely

For all your building concerns, Contact London Building Contractors

A Complete-Turnkey-Solution-For-You

According to the research paper “Characteristics and Availability of Commercially Important Woods” developed by ‘Michael C. Wiemann’ to achieve a satisfactory service life of a wooden fence, the following types of woods can be used:

Cedar Wood

Cedar wood is softer rather than lighter in weight and has lesser strength and limited shock resistance. It gets slightly compressed when it is set for drying. You can work on it smoothly, it holds colour well, and is exceptionally resistant to heartwood decay. Due to its high durability, it is used for making poles, posts, cabin logs, railroad crusts, lumber, shingles, decorative fencing, and boats.

Fir Wood

Fir Wood is also known locally as red-fir wood, Douglas-spruce, and yellow-fir wood. Fir Wood is used mostly for building and construction purposes in the form of lumber, piles, plywood, and engineered wood composites. These woods are costly but when used in fence the durability of the wood is taken into the count. This type of wood is reliable for holding screw and they are highly split-proof.

Red Oak Wood

Red oak wood is dense and it shrinks during drying. The red oaks are primarily cut into lumber, railroad crossties, fence posts, veneer, etc. Generally, timber fence posts by red oak wood require preservative treatment for satisfactory service.

Teak Wood

Teak wood is versatile, strong, durable, weather and warp-resistant, also does not decay easily. Teakwood being strong and having a long life is also very costly. It therefore is used only for erecting posts and maybe for making rails. Apart from fencing, it can be used for cabinet making, interior and exterior joinery, flooring and fine furniture, carving, panelling, turnery, veneers, and poles. Poles made from teak wood are used for scaffolding, fence posts and telecommunications lines.

If you are planning to make a wooden fence, you should look at the advantages and disadvantages of a wooden fence beforehand.

Advantages of Wood Fencing

Timber fencing is stylish

One of the significant advantages you can get from a wood fencing is that it adds aesthetic value to a premise. It can enhance the look of your home, and set it apart from the neighbouring homes. Well, this can be achieved by using painting, carving or staining. You can paint your fence in regular water-resistant paint to enhance their appearance and to extend their service life.

A sustainable friendly option

Timber fencing is an eco-friendly option. Wood is a natural substance that can be taken from a tree at any time. Old wooden fence pieces can also be disposed of without damaging the surroundings. Therefore, wood fencing is always one of the safest methods to consider.

Affordable

Most fencing options like stone or brick wall fencing, steel fencing, metal fencing are expensive, but the option to buy and install a wooden fence is mostly affordable, provided wood is available in plenty from your localities.

Easy to install

Wooden fences can be customized according to the owner’s needs and shape while keeping everything on a budget.

Disadvantages of Wood Fencing

Shorter lifespan

Wooden fences may have a shorter lifespan than some other fencing materials like aluminium, steel, bricks, etc.

Requires a lot of maintenance

The wooden fences can last a long time only if maintained regularly and properly. If the wood fences are not maintained or if the area where the fence is fixed experiences a lot of rain and snow, then the wooden fence’s life will be naturally reduced.

Highly flammable

The main disadvantage of using wood in fence is that it is flammable as it catches fire quickly.

Susceptible to rot and insect attack

It also gets attacked by termites and insects easily and you have to maintain it regularly to keep them protected and in good shape.

Conclusion:

Although these kinds of fences require some attention, you can preserve your fence throughout the year by taking preventive measures and fixing any damage as soon as it occurs.

If you are interested in having bespoke wooden fence installed on your property, why don’t you get in touch with our team on either 020 8935 5159 or 07791139936, or fill in our online contact form to request a free survey and/or quote?

https://gharpedia.com/blog/wood-fencing-for-house-boundary/

https://www.wood-finishes-direct.com/blog/all-about-wooden-garden-fence-maintenance/?agent=pmax&custref=PerformanceMax&gclid=Cj0KCQjwjbyYBhCdARIsAArC6LKu-U8VkETUAz5LPO9vreTusN1Z-JhBDs3M7cGrA4m2AtCJ7BFK1yYaAivmEALw_wcB

https://www.felixwood.com/wood-fencing/elegant-charmant-hardwood-fences/

While seemingly innocuous, the soil type could have a dramatic impact on your project. Michael Holmes analyses the various ground conditions and foundation solutions, revealing their cost

Soil Types

A good starting point is to call your local authority Building Control department. They should be willing, informally, to give you an idea of the typical soil type in the area you are building, and the sort of foundation that is appropriate.

Usefully, most local authorities produce a fact sheet on typical foundation solutions for different soil types commonly found in the area.

Rocks such as limestone, granite, sandstone, shale and hard solid chalk have a high bearing capacity. The rock may simply need to be stripped back and levelled off to build from.

Rock can be impervious, so topsoil is likely to require drainage as it is not possible to build soak ways to dispose of rainwater or surface water. Off-mains drainage options will also be very limited.

• Chalk – Strip foundations are commonly used in chalk. Providing the chalk is not too soft, widths of 450mm for low-rise buildings are generally acceptable. The depth of the foundation must be below any frost action (700mm). If the chalk is soft it will need to be excavated until firm chalk is reached.
• Gravel and sand – Dry compact gravel, or gravel and sand subsoil’s are usually adequate for strip foundations. Generally a depth of 700mm is acceptable, as long as the ground has adequate bearing capacity. If the water table is high (i.e. the gravel is submerged), the bearing capacity is halved, so it’s important to keep the foundations as high as possible. A shallow, reinforced, wide strip foundation may be suitable. Sand holds together reasonably well when damp, compacted and uniform, but trenches may collapse and so sheet piling is often used to retain the ground in trenches until the concrete is poured.
• Clay – The first 900-1,200mm layer of clay is subject to movement due to expansion and shrinkage depending on moisture content, so it is generally necessary to excavate foundations to a depth where the moisture content of the clay remains stable. British Standard 8004 recommends a minimum depth of 1m for foundations But if there are, or were, trees nearby, depths of up to 3m may be necessary. In clay, prior to concreting the foundations, the trench is often protected from heave by lining it with a compressible layer (e.g. Clayboard).
• Firm clay over soft clay – A traditional strip foundation is sometimes acceptable but it is important not to overdig as this may increase the stress on the softer clay beneath. A common solution is to dig wide strip foundations with steel reinforcement — however an engineered foundation may be necessary.
• Peat – Peat and loose waterlogged sand are very poor subsoils. If the peat can be stripped back to find suitable load-bearing ground of at least 1.5m depth, strip foundations may be suitable. A reinforced raft foundation will likely be required.
• Filled ground – Where ground has previously been excavated and filled, it is generally necessary to dig down to a level beneath the area of the fill.
• Sloping sites – Sloping sites require stepped foundations. Guidelines are given in the Building Regulations.

Foundation Types

A quick guide to the most common types of foundation

• Strip Foundation – A continuous strip of concrete supporting load-bearing walls. For a single storey building strip foundations will typically be 450mm wide and at least 200mm deep, and for two storeys 600mm wide and 200mm deep.
• Deep Strip Foundations – Deep strip foundations: Where strip foundations need to be at a lower level to reach soil with suitable bearing capacity, a wider, deeper trench can be dug to work in, and the strip foundations dug and poured at a lower level. Walls are then built up to ground level in masonry.
• Wide Strip Foundations – Wide strip foundations: Where the soil is soft or of a low load-bearing capacity, wide strip foundations can be used to spread the load over a larger area, reinforced with steel so that the loading per m² is reduced.
• Trenchfill Foundation – Due to the high cost of labour, deep strip foundations have largely been replaced by trench fill. Trenches are dug to a depth where the subsoil provides sufficient load-bearing capacity, and the whole trench is filled with concrete. Steel reinforcement may be added in areas close to trees. Compared to deep strip foundations, trench fill minimises the width of the dig and the labour and materials required for building masonry below ground level, offsetting the cost of the additional concrete.
• Raft Foundation – A reinforced concrete raft or mat is used on very weak or expansive soils such as clays or peat. They allow the building to ‘float’ on or in the soil. A raft is used where the soil requires such a large bearing area that wide strip foundations are spread too far, making it more economical to pour one large reinforced concrete slab. A raft is an alternative to piles as it can be less expensive.
• Piled Foundation – Short bore pile and beam: Where the ground conditions will not support strip foundations and the depth of trench fill foundations become uneconomic, or ground conditions make them unsuitable, a series of columns (piles) can be bored and cast in-situ, or precast piles driven into place until they reach stronger strata. Short bore piles are typically 2–3m long and can be reinforced with steel. Each pile is then connected at the top by a precast horizontal beam of reinforced concrete. A suspended reinforced concrete ground floor can then be built using precast components, or cast in situ.
• Friction Piles – A similar concept to short bore pile and beam used in situations where there is no suitable bearing stratum at an acceptable depth. Friction piles rely on skin resistance against the soil.
• Pad Foundations – Used when isolated loads need to be supported, for instance to support the columns of a steel or post and beam frame house. The load is concentrated on a small area.

COMPARISONS BETWEEN MODERN HOMES AND TRADITIONAL HOMES

Many believe a traditional/heritage home must be old in age or existence while the modern home is the latest luxurious kind. Traditional and modern homes don’t necessarily mean old or new respectively. These sail as far as the building designs, materials used, origin, architecture, historic components. Most heritage homes are traditional homes by virtue of their dominating similarities. The specifics in comparing these two sets of homes, if known to one, best guides their choices in which home to look out for.

Architecture

Ancient architecture is defined by the elegant and rich designs while modern architecture seeks maximizing every utility while minimizing costs. Most traditional homes are characterized by voluminous designs and rare materials, integrating many single units to form a huge structure. These were built by the local artisans carefully paying attention to every detail as built. In summary, one can say these buildings were over designed and this explains why they have stood the test of time. Maintenance therefore comes costly for most traditional homes.

Modern homes or structures are usually designed to last a specific period of time beyond which they’ll require demolition or upgrading. Modern home constructions are implemented while incorporating building principles, scheduling and management

Lighting and openings

Traditional homes, due to the various internal partitions called for many window and door openings to light up the different rooms. Traditional homes usually have smaller, symmetrical windows of the same sizes and shapes accommodating the different room partitions. Less heating appliances were used which limited the demand for abundant aeration through larger doors and window openings.

Due to the various flexible door and window designs and sizes, modern homes have taken full advantage of this revolutions due to increasing bills associated with lighting a building. Door and windows not only serve as openings and access, but are today a source of abundant natural light into a home at little or no cost.

Space partitions

Most traditional homes though spacious in the internals, were/are divided into smaller rooms because these were designed for households which were in larger numbers than they are today. Larger spaces were mainly designed for general rooms like dinning and sitting rooms.

Today, the more space there is in a structure, the more comfort associated to it. The way of life today is dominated by a demand for people to work within their homes with less destructions thus aiding the need for comfortable space with less occupants. Therefore, modern homes make the most of space, with multi-purpose rooms having less walls to serve the needs of its occupants yet with minimal inconveniences within the building.

Materials

Far from just rich architectural designs, materials used in traditional buildings were abundant but with little or no alternative options. Today, these are now expensive and rare to find for example gold, terra Cota bricks but have been replaced with various options like concrete bricks. Due to their abundance in quantity at the time, these materials were used unsparingly to bring the best out of a structure’s appearance. The old designs were disadvantaged by limited material options and designs unlike modern buildings. A variety of building materials, finishes, furniture have been introduced overtime to match the rapid development of architecture.

One of the major reasons for high maintenance and renovation costs in traditional homes is due to the scarcity of the original materials used as it requires that the originality of a structure be maintained especially with listed heritage buildings. Modern homes, alternatively are built with less material but with achieved maximum elegance and beauty due to economic reasons. Construction is usually done today to maximize the utilities but with minimal expenses.

Want to assess, renovate or buy a heritage home, but you don’t seem to know where to start? Or perhaps you want a modern dream home? For all your building concerns, Contact London Building Contractors

A Complete-Turnkey-Solution-For-You.

When it comes to remodeling your home, office space or interior, especially within the West London / North West area, you can count on us. Upgrading your bathroom will greatly boost the total value of your home or office space.

For a great chance of making sure that your remodels are completed on time and within a given budget, London Building Contractors has generated a list of things to consider. There are some things to know about the process of renovating your bathroom

• Consider the cost of materials: One important factor to consider when upgrading your bathroom is the cost of materials. It’s important to consider how much you’re willing to spend, the expected return of investment you want, the quality of materials you will use, the size of your bathroom and if you’re planning of handing it over to a reliable contractor.
• Add eye catchy details: When remodeling your bathrooms, one should consider to indulge in using beautiful materials to your space. When choosing materials for a space, be sure that each compliments one another. Adding beautiful details that are eye catchy and fun details will reflect a cool and warm personality.
• Include products that are energy efficient: when considering upgrading your bathroom, one should consider products that add value and energy efficiency to your space. For example, upgrading the LED lighting will not just increase your energy efficiency, you can also expect durability and low heat generation. LED Lighting as an excellent color consistency and high color rendering, which give the bathrooms colorful details real impact. We at London Building Contractors will ensure our clients get the best interior décor to their bathroom.
• Consider the perfect toilet: When considering remodeling your bathroom, picking the perfect toilet for your interior is likely not the first thing on your mind but choosing an appreciate toilet is just very important in your remodeling project. This will help avoid regrets and extra expenses down the line. The common choice is a two-piece toilet which has a separate tank and seat, although the tank and seat are made to fit together. Having the perfect toilet will add more beauty to the bathroom interior

In conclusion, upgrading your home for the long term doesn’t always mean breaking the bank or you have to be dramatic about the new changes. We at London Building Contractors will ensure that all the required updates are done to the interior of your bathroom within an estimated budget.

What makes a building a heritage home?

Although many old buildings are appealing to buyers when looking for a historic look and feel, these are however determined by the Municipal Council. A heritage property has historic and aesthetic that when assessed are deemed worthy of preserving for generations to come Roughly, a building that has lasted more than 50years qualifies to be a heritage property but must be further backed up by its significance and value to a state’s history. Also, states and municipalities also influence the designation of a home or a property as historic.

Amidst the beauty, pride and value associated with heritage homes , it’s everyone’s fear investing in one due to the uncertain expenses tagged to them. You need to know what weights to place on your scale or which pawn to move to reap the best out of a heritage property. With no effort in mind, every heritage property buyer first thinks of these:

• I’ll be limited to what you I change to the property!
• I won’t be the only one involved in the renovation process. The authorities might make this harder!
• How costly will it be keeping the home up to date?
• Better yet, I’ll own a little piece of history. But this doesn’t feel enough to take the risk!

CONSIDERATIONS WHEN BUYING A HERITAGE HOME

• Insurance costs.
  Insurance is an important factor to consider with heritage properties. Costs tagged to it vary from property to property but are usually much higher with heritage properties than with ordinary homes. This is due to various factors associated to heritage properties like the need for specialists incase of material purchases for any renovations, consistent maintenance of the property.

• Maintenance costs
  Maintenance of heritage properties can mean to be costly depending on the materials used in it and time of existence. The older a heritage building, the higher its maintenance costs. It is a key maintenance factor that mainly repairs be done not replacements when it comes to renovations and restorations of heritage buildings. Accessing some of these materials increases costs due to their scarcity in the market and need for experts/specialists during the building’s old system repairs. Therefore, you need to consider advice from heritage property specialists before purchasing one. Also, in many cases, any property changes and renovations to a heritage property must be approved by a committee.

• Location
  The location of a building in question plays a bog role to whether one should or should not buy a specific heritage property. Homes in conservation areas require planning permission for works where permission would not normally be needed, such as for demolition. A conservation area is one of special architectural or historic interest, the character of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance. You will also need to give notice to the local authority before carrying out any works to trees on your property.

• Confirm Approval of previous works
  For any works to be done on a heritage property, consent must be granted by the necessary authorities. If unauthorized works had previously been undertaken on the property, there is a risk that you, being a buyer might be required to restore the property to its original condition.

  One can however apply for consent retrospectively, but its not a guaranteed option in approval. In these circumstances, your solicitor may suggest asking the seller to apply for permission or suggest that you seek a price reduction.

  Want to assess, renovate or buy a heritage home, but you don’t seem to know where to start? Careful who you turn to! London Building Contractors is all you need!

  For all your building concerns, Contact London Building Contractors

  A Complete-Turnkey-Solution-For-You

Secrets For Successful Open-Plan Living

Airy, spacious and versatile, open-plan living is a popular design choice for the modern home, but a successful scheme requires careful planning. We’ve rounded up the best-kept design secrets to help you transform a large empty room into a warm and welcoming sociable hub for the whole family. You might want to take notes…

Celebrate structural features

If your open-plan space has characterful features like exposed beams or support columns, don’t try to disguise them. Instead, let these architectural quirks enhance your scheme for a completely unique interior. In this barn conversion, characterful woodwork and an original brick hearth frame a charming country-style living space.

Conceal your kitchen

For a sleek open-plan space, make the kitchen area as unobtrusive as possible with clever design and coherent finishes. Here, the kitchen units run along the back wall and are raised off the floor. The unit fronts are simple, contemporary and handleless, plus they fit in with the scheme’s brown tonal palette. When not in use, this kitchen has the air of a smart sideboard at the edge of the dining space.

Add a double-sided fireplace

Try to give each distinct area of your room its own focal point. In the kitchen, it could be the island unit or the range cooker. In the dining space it might be a dramatic pendant light. In the living area, a fireplace is ideal. Here, a fireplace has been built into a small partition wall between the dining and living space. And, if you thought you needed a chimney for a fireplace, think again: the latest bio-ethanol fires don’t require a flue and can be placed anywhere.

Wave goodbye to walls

Low ceilings and exposed brick walls would have once made this cottage feel cramped and confined, but now they’re characterful features in an airy open-plan space. Knocking out walls in older buildings can give once-poky rooms a new lease of life. An architect will have more ideas about possible layouts, so get expert advice before you start.

Streamline appliances

When your kitchen is part of a larger living space, it’s regularly on show to visitors. It’s not ideal if guests can see your socks spinning around in your washing machine, and you don’t want your white goods to make such a din that you can’t hear the TV, either. Go for integrated machines that can be hidden behind cupboard doors and buy the quietest possible models. Integrated fridges, freezers and dishwashers will also make your kitchen look sleeker.

Streamline appliances

When your kitchen is part of a larger living space, it’s regularly on show to visitors. It’s not ideal if guests can see your socks spinning around in your washing machine, and you don’t want your white goods to make such a din that you can’t hear the TV, either. Go for integrated machines that can be hidden behind cupboard doors and buy the quietest possible models. Integrated fridges, freezers and dishwashers will also make your kitchen look sleeker.

Step it up

Creating a split-level floor in your open-plan space will help to discreetly zone off different areas. Here, a small step takes you up to the light-filled living area. Meanwhile, a step down could be used as a transition into a cosy snug or a more formal dining space.

Plan snug zones

Without careful styling, an open-plan room can feel cold and impersonal. To avoid this, subtly zone each portion of the room to create intimate spaces within the larger area. A breakfast bar, for example, can separate the kitchen, pendant lighting over the table will define the dining area, while seating, as shown here, is gently anchored by a soft rug.

Plump for a partition

In a studio flat or small open-plan space, a half-wall can work well to screen off the kitchen from the rest of the room without blocking out any light. A neat little breakfast bar has been made from one side of this wall, while the other side supports the TV, which faces out into a cosy living area.