Open-plan layouts are popular, but this style isn't for everyone. In removing walls, privacy is reduced and noise is amplified, so if you have pets or children, walls and closed doors could be beneficial. “Your space needs to be practical for your lifestyle," explains Ben Lee of Vita Architecture.

"Living rooms are usually cosy, so they don’t always work being located beside a busy kitchen. Lots of people show us clippings of open-plan spaces and ask for replica designs, but it’s important to understand the constraints and opportunities of your interior, and how these fit into your vision." If you opt for an open plan, try subdividing the room into zones to give purpose to each space.

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