Anamika Talwaria investigates how to achieve a dream home that delivers wow factor living

Asa self builder, you’ll have many things on your design wishlist – open-plan spaces, tonnes of light, a statement staircase, just to name a few. The right combination can create instant impact, but too many bold features can result in a confusing cacophony of things to look at. “Determine your priorities and how you’re going to live in the house,” says Ben Hawkins, architect at Granit Architecture & Interiors.

Interior design and architecture cross over in your floorplans. Past RIBA president Jane Duncan has more tips on getting this right over on page130, but broadly, you need to think about how your rooms will flow. Contacting an interiors specialist will help you flesh out how the spaces will work together, and what you can incorporate to add impact. “Consider the house’s public and private zones and create a hierarchy so that you can focus more of your budget on the spaces that are most important to you,” says Lisa Jensen, interior designer from Granit. So, you’ll want to prioritise rooms and zones that are going to be proudly on display – like your open-plan kitchen-diner – and save on the more hidden aspects – like the utility.

Adding light & space

Open zones filled with sunshine can be instrumental in your interior scheme. “Bringing in natural light is a huge part of developing characterful interiors as it helps you highlight features and create a bright space,” says Lisa. The orientation of your home is key for this. “There’s no point having a glazed rear elevation if the deeper spaces are dark and dreary,” says David Clarke at IDSystems.

Glass doors or a glazed gable, for example, can add instant impact. “Having a clear view to the outdoors gives you live art through changing scenery,” says Shannon Normoyle from IQ Glass. “Structural glazing offers panoramic views with minimal framing.” This route comes with a hefty price tag, though. Specifying large windows and doors can give you a similar effect for less. “If you plan early enough, we can conceal the frames within the building, so it still looks seamless,” says Shannon.