House renovation
London architect guide
Inspiration and ideas
As part of this London house renovation architect guide we have selected some projects to lend architectural inspiration and design ideas for your residential renovation and refurbishment project.
And here you can read our latest LOFT CONVERSION – COST, VALUE, AND PLANNING guide for everything you need to know about your loft conversion project.
GOAStudio London residential architecture
George Omalianakis, BA (Hons) B.Arch Pg Dip Environmental Design.
Chartered RIBA architect and ARB registered.
RIBA Conservation Registrant specialism in conservation areas, period and Listed buildings.
Residential expert contributor for magazines including Which? magazine and Ideal Home.
Last reviewed by George Omalianakis for GOAStudio: August 2026
Putney Wandsworth SW15 House extensions full renovation – Master bedroom
Hackney N16 Kitchen extension and house renovation by GOAStudio London architects Kitchen island
Seating area Arnos Grove N11 bungalow house extension green renovation by GOAStudio architects
Highgate conservation extensions renovation works to a family home by GOAStudio architects View across the ground floor
GOAStudio architects – Kitchen extension Highgate Conservation Area N6 House renovation and contemporary design Fireplace
Hidden treasures Kitchen area South Hampstead House extension and renovation GOAStudio residential architects
London house renovation architect guide – Design aspirations and key considerations
These days our home lives have become multi-dimensional with different priorities and preferences compared to the era our homes were built.
Even homes built more recently follow old conversions with strict separation between dining, kitchen, and living areas, and as part of any house renovation we look to identify how your needs respond to what the property has to offer.
The same principle applies when to comes to homes you have might lived in over a period of time and when it comes to new homes you make after you have moved to a new house.
It all depends on your personal requirements and we will examine how the property can be altered to respond to these requirements.
If your property is Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian, listed or in a conservation area, our guide to renovating a London period home explains how traditional construction, heritage protection and retrofit can affect the project.
London house renovation architect guide – Types and options for your home project
There are times when an extension is not really necessary or even possible. There are still ways to improve your home beyond simple redecoration and we will identify how best to remodel the property to match your requirements.
We can not magically add space, but we can definitely make it work better for you and here is how:
More space
By changing the orientation of the staircase and utilising the unused space underneath. By creating high level storage over a bathroom, and in areas of high ceiling height. By converting the garage to create an enlarged kitchen or a study. By finding some storage potential in the loft space and decluttering your home.
Better space
By rearranging the internal layout to improve the circulation and create an increased sense of openness. By creating openings to walls and ceilings to bring natural light deep into the floor plan. By decluttering rooms and creating visual links along the house, bringing everything together.
Less space
By finding a way to open up floors to create double height spaces, even if it means actually reducing the floor area of the property, and add something truly special and spacious to your home. By removing that outbuilding and allowing the rear part of the house to open up to the garden and make a more effective use of the available space.
Zoned space
By combining functions in an open-plan arrangement. By defining different uses with changes to the level of the ceilings or floors. By opening up walls and creating long sight-lines and flexibility of how rooms are used at different times of the day, the week, or the year.
Design development stage
During the design development stage we will get to explore lots of ideas but you can start the process now by considering answers to questions such as:
- “How long do we plan to live in the property and how is our lifestyle likely to change over this time? What are the chances for a growing family, working from home, or picking up gardening as a hobby one day? Is this property a place for us to grow into, or is it a stepping stone to our dream property?”
- “What are the top three things we like about our property, and what are the top three things we want to change as part of renovating and re-designing it?”
- “Do we have a specific budget ceiling, and where do we want the money to be focussed on? What are the special elements of the design we do not want to compromise, and where can we be more flexible within the context of our budget?”
Where renovation work affects structure, fire safety, insulation, ventilation or drainage, our Building Regulations drawings service can coordinate the architectural and specialist technical information.
Request a free Feasibility Review
If you're not quite sure what’s possible, or whether now’s the right time, we can help you make an informed start.
Send over your address, a few photos, and a short outline of what you're hoping to achieve.
We’ll take a look at your site context, planning history, and potential constraints and respond with early advice tailored to your home and circumstances.
Email us with the subject “Feasibility Review” or send us your information through our Contact us page.
Book a Home Consultation
It is the ideal first step if you are planning works to your home or if you are in the middle of purchasing a property in need of renovation.
George will visit the property to understand its character, how you use the space day to day, and offer advice on all relevant design and other matters.
You will come away with a clear sense of your next steps and greater confidence to make informed decisions. The consultation (2hrs, £250 +VAT) is a standalone service with no obligation to proceed.
Visit our Contact us page to book.
Not sure where to start with your renovation or extension?
Read this before you meet an architect, speak to a builder or spend money on drawings.
This free, architect-prepared guide walks you through the 15 essential questions every homeowner should ask before starting a project.
"Should we renovate, extend… or walk away?
15 Questions every London homeowner must ask before starting a project to include homes in Conservation Areas and Listed Buildings."
Whether you're planning a modest rear extension or major alterations to a listed home, it will help you avoid expensive mistakes and give you clarity on what’s possible for your property. Includes guidance on:
Planning approvals. Conservation areas.
Timelines and costs. Appointments you need to make.
Design and sustainability options.
When to press ahead and when to walk away
We provide architectural services for residential projects in the following London Boroughs:
Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham, Haringey, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Lambeth, Lewisham, Newham, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, Wandsworth, Westminster
We specialise in
- Greener homes
- Retrofit and energy efficiency for older and traditional buildings
- Conservation areas
- Listed Buildings
- Homeowner architectural services
- Property developments architectural services
GOAStudio London residential architecture limited.
86-90 Paul Street, EC2A 4NE, Hackney
Chestnut Avenue South, E17 9EJ, Waltham Forest
t: 0203 984 3005
