Some homes feel effortless. Others feel loud, even when they’re quiet.
Often, the difference comes down to decisions. Or more accurately, too many of them.
More features. More functions. More space. More complexity.
It adds up. Until the space no longer feels like it belongs to you.
At Elemented, we don’t design to impress. We design to resolve. And in our experience, the best homes are not the ones filled with the most ideas—but the ones where everything has earned its place.
The designer's truth
In the world of architecture and interiors, less is not a trend. It’s a discipline.
The Urban Design Purist already knows this. You’ve seen enough overcomplicated extensions. Enough Pinterest-led plans. Enough spaces that do everything but feel like nothing.
What you want is restraint. A layout that holds. Materials that carry through. Spaces that work together instead of fighting for attention.
This is where real clarity begins.
A london example
We were brought in to rework a compact mews home near Marylebone. The previous designer had added layers — curved partitions, bold tiles, a central column with open shelving, and three types of lighting in one room.
On paper, it was impressive. But the owners didn’t feel settled.
We simplified the floorplan. Unified the finishes. Moved the lighting plan to a single rhythm. Removed the showpieces.
By the end, the space felt larger, quieter, and finally theirs.
When less is actually more
Here’s what we focus on when designing homes across London, from flats in Bloomsbury to townhouses in Battersea.
1. Space that supports flow, not spectacle
Great layouts let the function of the room guide the form. Remove unnecessary thresholds. Limit transitions. Keep the route clean.
2. Fewer materials, more clarity
Too many finishes create noise. Choose two or three materials and repeat them throughout. Think timber, stone, metal — with variation in tone, not type.
3. Built-in over bought-in
A quiet home is usually one with good joinery. Storage integrated into walls. No trailing wires. No filler furniture. Just intention, resolved.
4. Remove decisions, not personality
Restraint doesn’t mean boring. It means confident. Decide what matters and give it space to breathe. A favourite chair. A texture you love. That’s enough.
If you're starting to plan a renovation in london
Start by subtracting.
What doesn’t work? What feels overly complicated? What could be combined, reduced, or removed?
In our Plan phase, we walk clients through this process. Function first. Friction points identified. Early drawings that show the big picture, not just the big ideas.
Then we move into Create, where materials, layout and structure are all handled in one system. By the time we Deliver, everything has been tested, aligned, and documented.
No excess. No handoffs. No guesswork.
Why it matters now
London homes are being stretched. Rear returns. Side infills. Loft boxes.
But more metres don’t always mean more freedom.
If the layout isn’t clear, the house won’t feel calm.
If the design isn’t disciplined, the project won’t hold together.
Start by doing less. Do it better. Then decide if more is even needed.
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