What prime London owners ask for changes, and we see it early because the brief arrives before the drawings do. Here is what clients across Chelsea, Mayfair and Knightsbridge are asking for most at the moment.
Bespoke joinery and cabinetry
Bought cabinetry rarely fits a period room. Clients now want the storage, the shelving and the cabinetry drawn and made for the space, from floor to ceiling library walls in walnut down to a vanity unit in a principal bathroom. What separates good joinery from ordinary joinery is the drawing, the material and the accuracy of the fit, in that order.
Home cinema and entertainment rooms
Dedicated cinema rooms have moved from a luxury addition to a standard expectation in many prime London refurbishments. Clients want fully soundproofed rooms with acoustic panelling, tiered seating, 4K laser projection, and integrated surround sound systems. These spaces are often located in basement extensions where there is minimal natural light and maximum acoustic separation from the rest of the home.
Wellness rooms and private spas
Health and wellbeing are now central to how our clients design their homes. Steam rooms, saunas, cold plunge pools, and dedicated yoga or meditation spaces are among the most popular requests. Some go as far as a full spa suite with a treatment room and a vitality pool. All of it needs specialist mechanical and electrical design, waterproofing and ventilation planning, which is why our MEP team is involved from the first layout.
Smart home integration
Technology now runs through the whole house. Clients want lighting, heating, security, audio visual and blinds on one interface that anybody can operate. Systems like Lutron, Crestron, and Control4 are specified regularly, with a focus on intuitive operation and invisible infrastructure. The key is integrating technology early in the design process so that wiring, conduit routes, and equipment locations are planned before construction begins.
Open plan living with defined zones
The demand for open plan kitchen, dining, and living spaces remains strong, but with a growing emphasis on defined zones within that open layout. Clients want the sociability of open plan living combined with distinct areas for cooking, dining, relaxing, and working. This is achieved through changes in floor level, ceiling height, lighting design, and material palette rather than physical partitions.
Sustainable and energy efficient design
More clients than ever are asking about sustainability. High performance insulation, heat recovery ventilation systems, air source heat pumps, and LED lighting throughout are becoming standard requests. Clients want to reduce their energy consumption and carbon footprint without compromising on comfort or luxury. At NU Projects, we work with energy consultants and MEP designers to deliver homes that are both beautiful and efficient.
What will you put in yours?
Every one of these needs deciding before first fix, because each one changes the wiring, the ventilation or the structure. Whether it is a cinema, a wellness suite or the joinery, the time to raise it is at the brief.
Tell us what you are thinking about, or look through the project portfolio to see the finished versions.
Published 13 April 2026. Written by the NU Projects studio, edited since for house style and accuracy.