“Some of the most standout bathrooms often incorporate alcoves and niches into the stud walls,” Neil Curtis says. “These provide perfect additional space, maximising a room’s size, and give you a wonderful opportunity to put feature lighting into them or a striking finish into the rear, with a mosaic or glass.” “Incorporate a niche into any space you can,” Karen adds. “Plan before you’ve tiled – it’ll be so much nicer than drilling into new tiles, or getting one of those things you sucker on that can get rusty and fall off. Note that they should be designed to include a very slight slope so the water drains off.”
They let things hang A smart trick is to choose furniture that hangs on the wall, as the space below will give an uncluttered feel. “Wall-mounted bedside tables will increase the sense of space,” Eva says. “A picture ledge above the bed will do the job where there’s no space to the side.” Wall lamps or pendant lights will also free up bedside table space.
They tailor to fit Be creative about how you think of storage,” Eva says. “Bespoke storage can fill any awkward nooks and crannies.” Think about using shallow cupboards, too. “A conventional wardrobe, 60 centimetres deep, is not the only option,” Eva says. “Shallow wardrobes, 45 centimetres deep, will be a lifesaver in a tight bedroom. “Sliding wardrobe doors will take up less space in the room than hinged ones,” she adds. “And hooks on the back of the door and in any other free spots may be useful.”
They frame the bed Our experts recommend using colour strategically in a compact bedroom. “Use neutral shades throughout the room, with just one accent colour, perhaps on the headboard,” Olga says. “Although the feature wall is a no-no for many designers, it can be used to your advantage,” Claudia Dorsch says. “Use colour or pattern around the bed to create a cocoon feeling and give the room personality. Keep the rest of the room in more neutral tones to make it feel bigger.”
SLOPED GARDEN The final lower level is at the entrance to the studio. Simon had hoped to use horizontal slatted fences for the whole garden, but factors beyond his control meant there needed to be both vertical and horizontal versions. He worked with the differing designs to ensure it looked as harmonious as possible.
SLOPED GARDEN On the next level is the children’s play area, which features a sunken trampoline surrounded by artificial turf. The team excavated below, then fitted the turf and trampoline on top, ensuring there was a soak-away area underneath to drain water. Perforated channels were installed throughout the garden for drainage.
The final design incorporated five levels, each one with its own function. The highest terrace is next to the back of the house, and is constructed from reclaimed brick and a layer of natural limestone (Jura beige limestone, London Stone) An area of lawn is surrounded by plants that would be happy in a sunny spot with free-draining soil, including lavender, Salvia, Achillea, Penstemon, Agastache and Echinops. Evergreens such as Hebe, Euphorbia and Prunus lusitanica provide year-round interest and structure.
Consider pull-out storage If you’re lucky enough to have a pantry cupboard that goes from floor to ceiling, this idea will make life easier. Store all those heavy items, such as potatoes, in boxes on wheels at the bottom. In this larder, the homeowners keep bulky goods in crates on castors, which can easily be wheeled in and out.
The whole mattress lifts up from the 50cm-high platform to reveal storage space that can accommodate larger items, such as a suitcase. The bookcase is cleverly designed so it’s only 20cm wide at the top, but steals space from the sleeping platform at the bottom to create deeper cupboards to house the router and games console. The holes provide ventilation and mean TV channels can be changed without the owner needing to open the drawer. The top of the bookcase is open so it can be used in the bedroom, too. As if that weren’t enough, there’s also a ‘home office’ – a built-in desk at the bottom of the bed.
Create a screen star The architect who designed this studio flat also wanted a more permanent solution. The bedroom in this 26 sq m studio doesn’t waste an inch, with the mattress virtually filling the whole space and masses of storage slotted in, too. This matt-varnished birch-ply panel can slide across to conceal the sleeper and expose a TV and shelving unit in the living area…
IKEA This creative home is full of clever ideas, but one that stands out is in the kitchen. The cabinets are all basic units from Ikea, which have been personalised later with leather handles. The handles were apparently quite pricey, but it’s often worth paying a little extra for something if it has such a transformative effect.
IKEA Window dressings can be expensive, particularly if you’re looking for something that’s thick and luxurious. If you don’t want to blow the budget, however, consider this simple solution. The designer of this bedroom bought three pairs of cotton curtains from Ikea and had them sewn together. The drapes are now much fuller and give this room a cosy and sumptuous look.
Open Plan
DHV Architects Save Email Let in the light For a look that gives you just an element of privacy (and no need for metres of thick fabric) consider using sheer voiles rather than lined curtains. These doors cover the whole of the back wall, so thicker curtains on a standard pole would have bunched up at the sides and blocked out the light. The sheers, on the other hand, are much less bulky and still allow light to come through.
Beat the budget with compacted laminate Porcelain doesn’t come cheap, but there are some more affordable materials that have similarly tough and kitchen-friendly properties. Various companies have developed their own versions of a compacted laminate – also known as solid phenolic. Unlike traditional laminate work surfaces, which contain chipboard at the core, compacted laminates have a solid core which means they can be treated like any other solid surface. They are around 12.5mm thick, scratch-resistant and impervious to water. The core is black and visible, which can look very striking against pale-coloured doors. Prices start at around double the cost of a normal laminate work surface.
Kitchen Connections SaveEmail Explore porcelain You may think of delicate fine china when you hear the word porcelain, but the materials used for porcelain worktops (or ceramic, as they are also known) undergo an engineering process called ‘sintering’ that makes these worktops incredibly durable. They are scratch-, heat- and water-resistant, and lightweight as well. A porcelain worktop can comfortably be produced at just over 1cm in thickness, and even at such a slim size it performs admirably.
Shelf + LED strip light. Stainless Steel worktop??
Panelling
Opting for a slim worktop (and preferably in a light shade) is also a smart choice for a compact room. The thin lines of this engineered stone work surface are subtle and match the cupboard doors. A chunkier top would have overpowered this space and made it feel fussy: as it is, the effect is one of lightness.
High level cupboards to ceiling Make a tall order Why create a dust trap gap above your cabinets when you can gain valuable extra inches by extending them up to the ceiling instead? This sort of exact cabinet sizing is often only possible with bespoke joinery, but ask your kitchen provider about options and you may be lucky with an appropriate off-the-shelf size.
Open shelves & drawers Do drawers not doors Switch all your cupboards for drawers to gain maximum usability of the available area. Drawers allow easy access to every item, unlike cupboards, which require rummaging and can result in a cluttered cook space as things pile up while you find time to make space on their bulging shelves. Rows of drawers also look chic and organised (even if their contents are not!).
Worktops - Mix up materials Variety won’t just add interest to your kitchen, it’ll also make it more cost effective. “Rarely will just one worktop satisfy a whole kitchen design. Zoning is important and also helps your budget stretch further,” says Buchanan. Think about placing hard-wearing stone beside sinks and hobs, and use more affordable laminates elsewhere. If you want to warm up your kitchen with wood – a porous material – steer clear of high-traffic areas and confine it to the breakfast bar.
Know how to save cash on composite If you have the budget for composite, but are still looking for ways to keep costs as low as possible, ask your supplier or contractor about the available options for composite surfaces that don’t need templating. These ‘installer-ready’ worktops can be fitted and cut on site in as little as two days, avoiding the usual two- week template-fabricate-wait process. “Installer-ready work surfaces can offer cost savings of up to 30 per cent overall against the traditional template route,” says Gilhooly.
…and solid surface Another composite is solid surface. This is generally made of a blend of minerals and acrylic. The result is a hard surface that can be moulded into any shape. “Solid surface worktops can be seamlessly jointed, so there are no visible joints and grooves,” says Gilhooly. “Another key benefit is that the material is repairable, and scratches can be polished out and chips repaired by a professional tradesman.” It’s even possible to carve out a draining board because the colour runs all the way through.
Composites include engineered stone… Among the composites available is engineered stone, which combines the natural beauty of stone with the technical and performance benefits of a precision-engineered material. “Being man-made, with a mix of quartz and resin, the material is colour consistent, harder-wearing than granite and stone, and highly resistant to stains, scratches and impact,”
Composite Worktops A middle ground if your budget is tight, rather than tiny: “With the advances in worktop technology,” he continues, “there are many options of composites. These are just as hard-wearing as stone, but can come in varying colours and patterns and have a consistent look.” Although composites don’t come cheap, there are ways to cut costs. But first, what are composites and why might they be worth investing in?
Templated Worktop Templating refers to worktops that are fabricated in a factory and delivered ready to fit. For stone, engineered stone or solid surface materials, this is essential as it’s not always possible to cut them on site.
Laminate Worktop. Easy to clean and maintain, laminate has worked hard to shed its reputation for looking cheap and lacking resilience. Advances in technology mean it can mimic natural materials more realistically, and it’s far more durable too. However, it does retain a few drawbacks. “Bear in mind that laminate isn’t resistant to heat or steam, nor can it be used as a cutting surface,” says Buchanan.
Don’t fancy cubed shelving? Try some long floating ledges instead. These ones make the most of the full length of the wall and are a great place for displaying storage jars and tableware. The key to getting open shelving right is to choose your best-looking items to display and keep the positioning neat and tidy. Any unsightly items can be stored away in drawers and cupboards.
In a narrow space you might want to do without bulky wall units. Shelving is a good alternative, but it’s important to make it look attractive. These cube shelves are perfect for keeping things organised, and are a beautiful design feature too. The interspersed cupboards offer space for hiding less appealing clutter.
Flooring at worktop
Upper level storage units. Small island unit
Glass Extension w Stainless Steel
Glass Extension w Stainless Steel
Mirror in Kitchen. A mirrored glass splashback must be made from toughened or tempered glass, otherwise exposure to heat or an accidental knock could cause it to crack or break. And as long as it’s carried out prior to templating, mirrored glass can be shaped, drilled or cut to include socket cut-outs or to work around awkward corners. Mirrored glass can also be fitted in sheets up to 3m long which, for most kitchens, means you won’t have any visible joins.
Possibly open storage. Decide what to put in the Kitchen & make sure there is specific space for it.
Partition drawers
Splashback
Shelf
Marble + WHB. Should have large mirror, possibly one entire wall.
Hidden Lighting. Some storage.
Combination of colours
Kitchen Units, colours, wood
Colour
Colour
The sculptural island unit is made from American white oak with a white oiled finish. It’s topped with a 125mm thick polished grey concrete worktop, with pebbles embedded throughout. “The concrete was poured in situ to give the best results and the thickness was achieved by building it up in layers,” explains Fennelly. “We made the doors in solid wood and added a finger-pull handle machined into the top.” The island is as functional as it is beautiful, and houses a large bin for waste and recycling, a dishwasher and general storage. There is also an overhang to provide a neat space for casual dining. The trio of bright yellow pendant lights adds a dash of spirited colour.
One side of the kitchen features tall, full-length units with banks of appliances either side of a glazed and tiled alcove. There are ovens on one side and refrigerators on the other. The alcove shelving breaks up the expanse of units and features half-height sliding glass doors. It’s used to store glassware and crockery that can be easily accessed. “The subway tiles run from countertop level to the tops of these units and act as a back,” says Fennelly. “We fitted LED rope lighting to the shelves to create as much light as possible.”
Drawers
Proportions. Paint + Timber
Picture rail & cornice
One wall Kitchen
Maximise light with glass beams In this scheme, the glass roof is supported by glass beams. Adding these will probably be more expensive, but the end effect is stunning – the roof is all glazed! These beams are toughened and laminated, and your structural engineer will calculate the size and strength they need to be. Each individual piece of glass could end up needing to be as thick as 2cm.
Consider self-cleaning glass Yes, there is such a thing and it does work! There’s a special, factory-applied coating that makes it harder for dust and leaves to stick to the glass, even on small inclines. It’s similar to the coating your shower screen gets. This coating can also be retrofitted, but its quality is vastly superior when done in controlled conditions in a factory. It doesn’t mean you should skip cleaning your glazed roof entirely – once every six months is usually recommended – but it may be sufficient to simply hose it down.
Open up both sides This contemporary lodge house, open on both sides, provides great views from a number of directions, both to and from the main house. Sleek, slimline, high-performance sliding doors and use of the same flooring inside and out contribute to a seamless transition between outdoors and in, evoking a calm, restful feel in this contemporary space.
Conceal to reveal storage If you’re having a back-to-wall toilet, take advantage of the necessary pipework to create a useful unit. “Wall-mounted toilets with a concealed cistern have the advantage of both looking attractive and offering a handy storage zone above the cistern,” Eva says. Here, there’s a shelf for display and three good-sized cupboards that hold plenty, but don’t encroach on the room.
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