Renovation features prime owners ask for

What prime London owners ask for changes. We see it early because the brief arrives before the drawings do. Here is what clients across Chelsea, Mayfair and Knightsbridge ask for most now.

Bespoke joinery and cabinetry

Bought cabinetry rarely fits a period room. Clients now want storage, shelving and cabinetry drawn and made for the space. That runs from floor to ceiling library walls in walnut. It goes down to a vanity unit in a principal bathroom. Good joinery differs from ordinary joinery in three things. These are the drawing, the material and the accuracy of the fit. That is the order.

Home cinema and entertainment rooms

Dedicated cinema rooms have moved from a luxury addition to a standard expectation. This is true in many prime London refurbishments. Clients want fully soundproofed rooms with acoustic panelling and tiered seating. They also want 4K laser projection and integrated surround sound systems. These spaces are often located in basement extensions. Those have minimal natural light. They also give 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 and cold plunge pools are among the most popular requests. So are dedicated yoga or meditation spaces. Some go as far as a full spa suite. It has a treatment room and a vitality pool. All of it needs specialist mechanical and electrical design, waterproofing and ventilation planning. That 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. Anybody can operate it. Systems like Lutron, Crestron, and Control4 are specified regularly. The focus is on intuitive operation and invisible infrastructure. The key is integrating technology early in the design process. That way wiring, conduit routes, and equipment locations get planned. This happens before construction begins.

Open plan living with defined zones

The demand for open plan kitchen, dining, and living spaces remains strong. There is a growing emphasis on defined zones within that open layout. Clients want the sociability of open plan living. They also want distinct areas for cooking, dining, relaxing, and working. Designers achieve this through changes in floor level and ceiling height. They also use lighting design and material palette. Physical partitions are not needed.

Sustainable and energy efficient design

More clients than ever are asking about sustainability. High performance insulation and heat recovery ventilation systems are becoming standard requests. So are air source heat pumps, and LED lighting throughout. Clients want to reduce their energy consumption and carbon footprint. They do not want to compromise on comfort or luxury. At NU Projects, we work with energy consultants and MEP designers. We deliver homes that are both beautiful and efficient.

What will you put in yours?

Every one of these needs deciding before first fix. Each one changes the wiring, the ventilation or the structure. It may be 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.