Living in the city comes with a whole host of benefits, from a vibrant cultural scene and a fantastic array of restaurants and bars to efficient public transport options and shorter commutes to work.
Property in London is booming, so it’s a great time to embrace city living and make some luxury home upgrades to elevate your home or apartment in the Capital.
Making some key home improvements can help you to maximise space and natural light while upgrading your finishing touches and installing some convenient home tech appliances can mean you’re able to add luxury elements in all corners of your home.
Here, we will share our top tips to help you create a luxurious home in the city.
Maximise natural light for brighter, more spacious rooms
Sometimes, natural light can be limited in city homes and apartments. So, making sure you maximise the natural light available can help to make your home feel lighter, brighter and even more spacious!
Strategically place mirrors throughout your home to help bounce natural light around the rooms, and create the illusion of more space.
When it comes to window dressing, consider adding different layers and textures to allow you to control the amount of light that enters your room throughout the day. Install made-to-measure curtains, in a variety of thicknesses - layering sheer voile curtains with thicker, heavier curtains can help you to maximise daylight while still retaining some privacy, and let you create a cosy atmosphere in the evening.
Bring the outside in with greenery and natural materials
When it comes to city living, outside space can be limited. One of the most popular London home upgrades is to find ways to bring nature inside. This can have a positive impact on your mental health, and contribute to improved air quality and purity in your home.
Known as ‘biophilic design’, adding natural elements to interior design can help to lift your mood and promote a positive environment.
Try to add real greenery and plants to your space. Look for plants that can adapt to the light levels in your space - many plants can survive (and thrive!) in lower light levels if you struggle with natural light.
Although buying large plants can be an investment, and require some attention to keep them alive, tall plants can have a real show-stopping impact in your home and create a luxury feel!
Add natural material in other areas of your space to continue the biophilic design. From rustic wooden coffee tables to chic linen soft furnishings, using natural fabrics and textures throughout your home can add a sense of sophistication and style.
Bedroom upgrades to support sleep
Create a sanctuary for sleep by trying to avoid bringing blue light emitting devices, like TVs or even phones, into the bedroom as this can impact your ability to fall asleep easily, and present distractions.
Invest in a quality bed frame, mattress, pillows and bedding to encourage a better night's sleep that supports your body, helps to keep your temperature regulated and provides comfort.
Pay attention to the lighting in your bedroom, and choose a variety of lighting options to help create a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere to support a restful night's sleep. Dimmable ceiling lights and adjustable bedside lamps can help you to customise the light levels in your bedroom, helping you to wind down before bed.
Consider the Feng Shui of your bedroom layout. According to this ancient Chinese practice, the position of your bed can have a real impact on how energy flows through the room, and can even affect the quality of your sleep! If your space allows for it, try to position your bed centrally, not against a wall or directly in line with the door, as this is the optimal position to allow for smooth energy flow around your bed.
Luxurious Bathroom upgrades for a spa-like experience
Adding some spa-inspired home improvements to your bathroom can help to elevate your experience.
Many cities in the UK, especially in London and in the South, have very hard, chalky water, which can have an impact on the look and feel of your skin and hair.
Consider installing a filter shower head to improve the quality of water, enhancing your shower experience and making for a healthier complexion and locks.
Don’t underestimate the finishing touches. Even little luxuries, like nice smelling toiletries in elegant containers and ensuring you have large, fluffy towels can help to elevate your shower experience.
Add Smart Home Tech for convenience
Embracing new smart tech in the home can help to increase convenience as well as contribute to more eco-conscious living.
Installing a smart home meter can help you manage your energy use, helping you to cut your emissions and keep your energy bills down.
Virtual home assistants, like Alexa, can help with daily home management, like making shopping lists and even instantly ordering replacement items. They can also double up as a speaker, allowing you to listen to your favourite tunes or spotify playlists easily.
For an added luxury, consider installing a hot water tap to increase your eating and drinking experiences at home. This can eliminate the need for a kettle cluttering your worktops and create an overall more minimalist, tidy feel in your kitchen. You can even get taps that have instant sparkling water and filtered cold water, too!
Minimise clutter with smart storage solutions
Space can be a challenge in many London homes and apartments. However, even smaller homes can make the most of their available space by minimising clutter and maximising storage.
Try to minimise the amount of unnecessary clutter and ‘stuff’ on show in your home to create a more calming space, with limited distractions causing visual fatigue. Instead, choose multi-functional pieces that look beautiful but also serve a purpose, like decorative storage boxes and baskets.
Maximise space in smaller spaces with clever storage to help you hide those boring but necessary household items, like vacuums or laundry bins to create an uninterrupted interior design that blends style and function.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to creating a luxury London home, making some small but impactful home improvements can help you make the most of the space you have available.
Finding clever storage solutions and maximising natural light can help you to keep your space looking brighter and more spacious while making luxury home upgrades to your bedroom and bathroom can enhance your sleeping and showering experiences.
Adding natural elements and filling your home with plants can help you to connect with nature, even in built-up city environments and improve your overall well-being and happiness in your home in the city.
