professional advice

‘It’s important to use an architect whose design style is compatible with your own. researching similar projects they have completed is a good way of finding this out. In a compact home, the colour of the walls makes a huge difference. Painting walls and ceilings brilliant white has an enlarging effect by making the surfaces reflective and bright. In a big space you might use several different floor materials to zone areas, but in a smaller interior, consider choosing a single floor finish throughout. this will help you achieve the feeling of homogeneity – being in a unified space rather than lots of smaller zones.

It is vital for homeowners to be aware of orientation so that they know which living spaces receive optimum natural light.

Install large, glass doors or windows to help connect with the outside area, particularly where it affords you a view of the sky.

When reconfiguring rooms, try to create through-views. Opening the front door to reveal a vista straight through the house to the rear makes a home seem bigger and lighter than it might otherwise feel.’