Open plan with definition and comfort
Open plan living remains popular, but homeowners increasingly want spaces that feel purposeful rather than vast and echoing. Zoning is becoming an increasingly important design tool, using joinery, changes in level, ceiling features, and thoughtful lighting to create distinct areas for cooking, eating, and relaxing.
The goal is to create a space that flows while still feeling warm and usable. If you are collecting inspiration for house extension designs, an architectural designer can help you translate those ideas into a layout that works with your existing structure and meets regulations. A clear plan also supports smoother conversations with builders and planners.
Better light, improved atmosphere
Natural light continues to influence design decisions, with rooflights, dormers, and carefully positioned glazing bringing brightness into kitchens, stairwells, and new loft rooms. Meanwhile, lighting is becoming more layered, with task lighting, softer ambient options, and feature lighting used to shape the mood through the day.
While smart controls can help achieve a flexible lighting environment, the real impact comes from placing lights in the right locations and designing around how each area is used. Early architectural design input helps you consider sightlines, glare, privacy, and the way light changes through the seasons, especially when you are altering roof forms or extending.
Materials that feel grounded and durable
Homeowners are leaning towards materials that age well and feel connected to place. Natural timber, stone tones, and tactile finishes are popular because they offer warmth and visual depth without relying on short-lived trends.
In practical terms, this can mean hard-wearing flooring choices, durable external cladding where appropriate, and joinery that brings storage into the architecture of the home. The right palette also supports continuity between old and new parts of a property, which is especially relevant for extensions and loft conversions. Good design balances aesthetic intention with buildability, maintenance, and value for money.
Energy performance is part of the brief
Energy efficiency is now a standard expectation for many homeowners planning renovations, loft conversions, and new build work. Improving insulation, reducing drafts, and selecting efficient systems can make a noticeable difference to comfort and running costs.
For projects that require it, SAP calculations and building regulations considerations need to be integrated into the design and space planning process so the technical package supports approval. This is where coordinated technical drawings are key, as they capture how the building will perform, as well as how it will look. A design team that understands planning, buildability, and compliance keeps these requirements aligned from the start.
Turning trends into an approved project
Trends are useful when they help you define and capture your specific tastes, but your home still needs a considered solution that fits your plot, budget, and any local planning requirements.
Maidenhead Planning’s services package includes design and space planning, planning applications, and technical drawings, which means your project can move from early ideas to a clear set of plans for pricing and construction.
If you are considering a 2026 project, the best next step is a conversation about feasibility and the right route forward. Get in touch or book your free 30-minute video consultation and bring your ideas along, even if they are still taking shape.
Posted by Wouter De Jager on December 17th 2025
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