Modern living has changed the way we use our homes. Open-plan living extensions are one of the most effective ways to create bright, flexible spaces for cooking, dining, working and relaxing. All in one seamless environment.
This is why open-plan living and multifunctional home design continue to be some of the biggest renovation trends in London.

At No1 London, we help homeowners transform outdated, closed-off layouts into spacious, modern environments where every square metre is used to its full potential. Our team handles everything — from structural work and extensions to bespoke kitchens, glazing, and interior finishes — all under one roof.

Why Open-Plan Living Is So Popular?

According to Ideal Home Magazine, open-plan layouts remain one of the top home renovation trends for 2025.

1. More Natural Light

Knocking down walls and opening up floor plans allows daylight to travel deeper into your home.
With the addition of skylights, roof lanterns, or large windows and glass partitions, your space feels brighter, bigger, and more welcoming.

2. Better Flow & Functionality

An open-plan kitchen-diner-living area creates a natural flow between spaces.
It’s perfect for families, entertaining guests, or simply enjoying a more relaxed way of living.

3. A Modern, Spacious Feel

Removing barriers instantly makes a home feel more contemporary.
Even smaller London homes can feel significantly larger with the right design.

4. Perfect for Multifunctional Living

In today’s world, spaces need to do more.
Open-plan layouts allow you to combine:

• a kitchen with a breakfast bar,
• a dining area with workspace potential,
• a living room that still feels connected.

With clever planning and bespoke joinery, one space can serve multiple functions effortlessly.

How Extensions Help Create the Ideal Open-Plan Home

Often, achieving the perfect open layout requires more than removing walls — it needs additional space.

This is where home extensions make all the difference.

Rear Extensions

Perfect for creating a bigger kitchen, open dining area, or extended living space.

Side-Return Extensions

Popular in London terraces — they widen narrow kitchens and create impressive open-plan rooms.

Wrap-Around Extensions

For homeowners wanting maximum space and natural light, this option transforms the entire ground floor.

How No1 London Helps

We manage the full extension process, including:

• architectural planning
• structural works (RSJs, load-bearing walls, foundations)
• skylights, roof glazing, and large sliding doors
• underfloor heating and plumbing
• electrical and lighting installations
• complete finishing and decoration

All coordinated by one team — saving you time, stress, and money.

Designing an Open-Plan Space That Truly Works

Creating a successful open-plan home goes beyond simply removing walls or extending the footprint. The most comfortable and functional layouts are those that balance openness with subtle structure — where each area has its own purpose, yet the entire space feels connected.

Good design starts with zoning. Instead of relying on physical partitions, zones are created through layout planning, lighting, flooring choices, and carefully considered joinery. A kitchen island can mark the cooking zone, pendant lights can define the dining area, while a change in flooring or a feature wall can visually outline the living space.
These small interventions help maintain order and clarity without compromising the bright, open feel.

The Importance of Natural Light

Light is one of the most influential elements in open-plan living. Older London homes often have dark middle rooms, and opening up the space only solves part of the problem. Extensions, skylights, roof lights and larger glazed openings help light travel deeper into the home, making the entire ground floor feel airy and more enjoyable to live in.

Introducing glazing — such as sliding doors, roof lanterns, or internal glass partitions — enhances brightness without adding clutter or breaking the open-plan layout. Thoughtfully placed glazing can turn even the smallest extension into a significantly more comfortable living area.

Material Choices That Bring the Space Together

With multiple functions sharing one space, material consistency plays a crucial role. Repeating colours, finishes, or textures helps unify the kitchen, dining, and living areas. Many homeowners choose matching cabinetry, continuous flooring, or complementary paint tones to create a cohesive look.

Contrast can be used strategically too. For example:

• a tiled kitchen area paired with warm timber flooring
• a stone feature wall opposite a smooth painted finish
• reeded glass panels used for subtle separation

The right combination of materials can introduce layers and personality without disturbing the openness of the layout.

Storage and Joinery for Multi-Use Spaces

One of the challenges of open-plan living is keeping the space organised. This is where smart storage and bespoke joinery become essential. Built-in shelving, wall-to-wall cabinetry, media units, and discreet storage solutions help maintain a clean, uncluttered environment.

A well-designed open-plan home should look good — but it should also function well day-to-day. Custom joinery allows homeowners to include everything they need without compromising the minimalist feel that open-plan layouts are known for.

Open-Plan Living as a Lifestyle

What makes open-plan living so appealing is not just the physical layout — it’s the lifestyle it supports. It allows families to spend more time together, blends cooking and socialising, and creates a more relaxed, informal way of living.
With more people working from home, a flexible layout also offers the freedom to adapt the space throughout the day.

Extensions and layout reconfigurations simply provide the framework for this lifestyle, giving older homes the balance of modern function and original character.

Bringing It All Together

The most successful open-plan homes are those that feel intentional — designed with flow, light, storage and daily use in mind. Extensions create the space, but thoughtful planning is what makes the layout truly work.

Whether homeowners want a brighter kitchen, a larger dining area, or a multifunctional room that adapts to modern life, open-plan design continues to be one of the most transformative improvements they can make.

Conclusion

Creating an open-plan layout isn’t just a trend — it’s a long-term upgrade in how a home feels and functions. When space, light and structure come together in the right way, even traditional London properties can achieve a modern, spacious and flexible environment that evolves with everyday life. A well-planned redesign can add comfort, value and a sense of openness that completely changes the way you live at home.

If you’re thinking about reconfiguring your ground floor, extending your kitchen or opening up your living space, taking the time to plan it properly will always deliver the best results.

Ready to Explore the Possibilities?

Visit our showroom in Fulham to view product samples, speak with our team and discuss ideas for your home.
Or get in touch to arrange a free consultation and quotation tailored to your project.

📍 9 Royal Parade, Dawes Road, Fulham, SW6 7RE
📞 0207 889 09 09
✉️ info@no1london.co.uk

No1 London — No1 Stop for All Your Home Needs.