WE LEARNED...

DON’T FORGET that fewer walls in an open-plan design may impact on things such as space for a fireplace, picture hanging or, in our case, a wall to put an upright piano against!

A 3D DESIGN SERVICE can be invaluable. We used a local bathroom company who offered this. As we had three bathrooms and a cloakroom to plan, we found it extremely useful in helping us visualise the end result.

BIFOLD DOORS are fantastic for maximising natural light coming into a room and drawing the eye to the outdoor area. But they can also cause a room to heat up very quickly when the sun is shining on them. We decided against having the integral blinds which are sealed inside the double glazed units, but in hindsight – and with two lively dogs at home – it would have been a better option than curtains or surface blinds.

LARGE FORMAT TILES have fewer grout lines and more surface area on display, so they are also a great way to give a real feeling of space.