09 December 2025
Design Trends in Luxury Family Homes
Families searching for luxury new homes want spaces that feel beautifully designed, practical for everyday life, and finished to a high standard. Buyers are looking for the blend of modern layouts with carefully considered details that make family living feel effortless.
At Shanly Homes, our in-house architects and designers create homes that bring these principles together: from open-plan spaces to sustainability and comfort-led technology. Let’s explore the design trends shaping our latest homes across London and the South East.
Designing Luxury New Homes with Space, Character and Flow
Thoughtful design begins with a strong sense of place. Our developments are planned so that homes complement their surroundings, with carefully selected materials, elevations and landscaping helping each street feel welcoming and distinctive. Inside, we focus on creating layouts that maximise space and flow, incorporating practical storage and natural light wherever possible.
This design-led approach is a core part of who we are: our identity has shaped the service we’ve provided over decades with a team that cares, and consistently high standards.
Open-Plan Living for Modern Family Life
Many of our homes feature open-plan kitchen, dining and living areas that form a central hub for family life. These light-filled rooms offer the flexibility to cook, work, relax and entertain together.
At Waterside Quarter in Maidenhead, for example, selected apartments enjoy dual-aspect living spaces with access to private balconies and views over the waterways. At Lightfield in Barnet, our contemporary layouts are designed to make the most of the town centre location, combining convenience with modern comfort.
Across our developments, these open-plan rooms bring people together while maintaining a sense of spaciousness and ease.
Kitchens That Balance Style and Practicality
The kitchen is often the heart of a family home, so we design ours to feel both welcoming and functional. Our homes are designed to feature integrated appliances, generous preparation space and modern cabinetry.
Quartz worktops, used in selected homes such as those at De Havilland Place, provide a durable and elegant finish.
Every detail is chosen to support busy daily routines while still delivering the refined feel expected in luxury new homes.
And what sets us apart from other housebuilders is that what you see is what you get - all branded appliances come as standard - no need for costly upgrades!
Comfort-Led Technology Built Into the Home
Comfort is an essential part of luxury, and many of our homes include subtle technology that enhances everyday living.
Underfloor heating features offer warm, stable heat without the need for radiators. Zoned heating controls are included across all developments including Waterside Quarter, Ashcroft Place and Moorfield Mews, allowing families to tailor heating room by room for comfort and efficiency.
We also ensure our homes are able to get Full Fibre broadband, providing fast, reliable connectivity for work, study and entertainment.
These features support modern living in a way that feels simple, seamless and considered.
Sustainable Design That Supports Everyday Living
Energy efficiency is a priority across all our homes. As highlighted in our Benefits of Buying New guide, every home is built to reduce environmental impact and help lower running costs. To support this, our developments feature high-quality insulation throughout. Selected developments also include air source heat pumps, offering a low-carbon alternative to traditional heating. At Ascot Oaks in Royal Berkshire our homes also feature triple glazing.
Where gas systems are in place, A-rated boilers help minimise energy consumption. Alongside this, to make sustainable travel easier, many of our developments include electric vehicle charging points.
All of these elements contribute to a future-forward approach to luxury new homes.
Discover Your Luxury New Home
Whether you’re looking for an open-plan family home, a contemporary apartment with balcony views or a spacious house with a private garden, our developments across London and the South East offer a range of beautifully designed homes to suit your lifestyle.
To learn more about our design approach and explore what makes our homes unique, visit:
