Light, proportion and calm: what makes a home feel generous

Two homes with identical floor areas can feel completely different. When we walk clients through a property, we point to a few qualities that consistently make a home feel generous.

Ceiling height

A few extra centimetres of ceiling height change the proportions of every room. Taller ceilings also allow taller windows, which bring daylight deeper into the plan.

Windows on more than one side

Rooms with windows on two sides feel brighter and more balanced, and allow air to move through the space. Corner apartments and homes with a dual aspect are worth seeking out.

Circulation that doesn't waste space

Long, dark corridors consume area without adding to daily life. Plans in which rooms open from a generous hall, or flow into one another, tend to feel larger than their square footage suggests.

Thresholds to the outside

A terrace or balcony deep enough to sit on extends the living space for much of the year. Look at its depth, its orientation and how directly it connects to the main rooms.

Materials that age well

Stone, timber and lime-based finishes tend to look better with age than high-gloss surfaces. They also tolerate humidity better, which matters through the monsoon.