Discover the secret to timeless style: tech and eco-innovations unlocked
Alexandra works in the marketing department, and in 2014, bought her first house, which turned out to be somewhat of a ‘project’. Since then, the whole house has needed renovating, which has helped her gain a knowledge of basic DIY, decorating and making the best of a small space.
The new homes industry is evolving to deliver low-impact homebuilding. The Future Homes standard, coming into effect in 2025, aims to future-proof UK homes with “world-leading levels of energy efficiency”. Developers, architects, interior designers and contractors shift their focus onto modern and innovative technology to improve thermal efficiency, u-values, airtightness, natural ventilation and overheating prevention.
The move towards energy-efficient homes helps to safeguard our future while benefiting homeowners. Residents can save thousands by cutting back on energy consumption at home. One challenge associated with building innovative, low-impact homes at scale is the high cost. To offset this, developers risk sacrificing the key features that make a house a home.
Cookie-cutter properties fill the gaps in the new home market, but developers aren’t meeting the needs of modern homebuyers.
In this guide:
Is a priority on affordability sacrificing the key features of a home?
Looking at home styles that deliver both functionality and aesthetics
Discover four unexpected ways to bring luxury charm to a new-build
Introducing our most advanced range of aluminium bifolds to seamlessly connect to the outdoors
The number one problem with modern homes
The push for affordable and sustainable houses sadly, leaves little room for style in our new homes market. Tasteless ‘copy and paste’ homes are built year after year, while homeowners still crave distinct charm inside their corner of the world.
Although we love putting our mark onto a new build home, 64% prefer their home to have inherent style and unique characteristics rather than being a completely blank canvas. New-build properties are too often deficient in character of their own, which poses a significant challenge to style-savvy homeowners.
Unique, stylish and homely properties are few and far between and more often than not, quintessential British charm comes at the cost of energy efficiency - the feature we’re most reluctant to sacrifice in 2024. Throughout 2023, energy efficiency has topped homeowners' priorities when shopping for homes, and choosing an interior layout and materials for their renovation (Origin 2023/24).
A classically-inspired approach could satisfy the modern homeowner searching for distinct and charming features, while also offering those non-negotiable energy ratings and practicality. Utilising Georgian, bay or dormer windows, architectural detail, entryways, fireplaces, panelling or moulding brings a luxury style to a new build property without the some of the shortcomings of a period home.
Modern living is preferable in 2023, but the majority look to strike a balance between contemporary and heritage styles to create a timelessly stylish home.
Modern or traditional; which features are more important?
We asked homeowners whether they preferred new-build, period or modern-traditional properties. 40% prefer modern-traditional, while only 22% enjoy new-builds. Period properties are still the most attractive for 35% of our homeowner cohort
Nevertheless, Brits ranked their priorities in the home and, surprisingly, modern features outranked classic styles. Energy efficiency scraped the top spot overall, but a staggering 50% ranked modern features as the number one priority in the home, compared to only 12% for energy efficiency
Fortunately for homeowners, modernity and energy efficiency go hand in hand. Tech innovations in the home help both residents and developers future-proof British homes well before the roll-out of the Future Homes Standard 2025.
Residents identified large windows and period features as key contributors to a luxury home interior. Unfortunately, period properties often offer the lowest energy ratings, in part, due to the archetypal large and poorly insulated windows.
To achieve the best of both, it requires a significant renovation or a classically-inspired new build home - neither is simple to accomplish. Deliver a luxurious modern-traditional style without the compromise. Install market-leading, thermally efficient bifolds.
The best way to create timeless style
Enhance the space with these luxury features, bound to future-proof your property and add a touch of class.
Natural Lighting
We asked which qualities create a luxurious atmosphere in the home. Large external windows were the most commonly identified feature. Natural light was the third-most important aspect for homeowners, so it’s clear that creating more of a continuum with the outdoors has a positive impact on residents.
Outdoor space is severely underutilised over winter. Installing large glazing panels, French, sliding or bifolding doors, enables homeowners to enjoy the wonders of the outdoors year-round. Not to mention, an influx of natural light is a fantastic mood booster during the darker months when it’s more challenging to get outside.
Your garden might have even more of an impact than you imagine. The garden is the most fondly recollected feature of the home after moving away. Create lasting memories all-year round.
Bring nature inside
Supplement your scenic view with natural material and texture indoors. Hardwood flooring, wooden beams, oak staircases, and exposed brick and stone are some ways you can bring natural materials inside to enhance the charm of a new-build. Natural materials can boost the indoor experience by reducing stress and improving mood. Colours such as muted greens, oranges and browns, used sparingly, can also have a similar effect.
Avoid overusing natural materials, colours and textures, as this can sometimes cheapen a space, making it feel cluttered and disorderly.
Intentional colour contrast
Clever use of colour is crucial for creating a stylish living space. Whitewashing is no longer sufficient as buyers look for depth and character. On the other hand, an overbearing use of bold colours, patterns and textures can flatten a space as each component competes for attention. Be intentional with the application of colour. Frame your centrepiece by using opposing colours or a feature wall. Make a fireplace, kitchen island or garden view a focal point by creating contrast nearby.
Black and white create the strongest opposition, but use black sparingly to maintain a bright and homely atmosphere. Consider including dark blues, forest greens, mahogany or deep magentas against greige (grey or green with beige), taupe, ivory or pale sage as alternatives to monochromatic palettes.
Create rectangles where possible
The anatomy of the human eye allows us to scan and comprehend information in a horizontal plane more easily than vertically. Rectangular shapes and images can be more comforting, so panoramic windows are the most appealing. For example, a corner bifold door establishes an all-encompassing garden view, effortlessly elevating the indoor experience.
Unlock luxurious interiors that meet the needs of modern homeowners
Seamlessly bringing the outdoors in has been our raison d’etre since the start, and we’re proud to introduce our most advanced design yet.
Our newest range of external bifold doors, the Soho External Door (OB-36+), offers the slimmest sightlines and best thermal performance to date. Homeowners can feel closer to the outdoors than ever before. Give your garden the framing it deserves with our fully customisable configurations and finishes.
OB-36 outperforms every other slimline bifold on the market. Our in-house R&D team worked tirelessly to redesign our much-loved doors to meet the needs of the consumer today, and for decades to come. Origin’s patented technology allows our external doors and windows to exceed the 2025 requirements for energy efficiency, yet they’re slimmer and more robust than ever.
Origin’s quality promise is unwavering.