British Institute of Interior Design

The British Institute of Interior Design welcomes the draft of the London Housing Design Guide, released for consultation in July by the Mayor of London.

The London Housing Design Guide is a very positive move by the Mayor in supporting design quality and flags up the importance of good design and the urgent need to set minimum standards for housing in London.

The BIID welcomes the inclusion of minimum space standards which have been allowed to drop over recent years. Homes that meet the real needs of individuals and families are essential for the well being of everyone, and well planned interior layouts which allow for good circulation and adequate storage are essential to the well being of those living in London in close proximity, especially for families with small children.

Too often new homes are designed without drawing minimum furniture requirements to scale on plans, which would influence the positions of partition walls, door swings, window treatments and highlight the lack of storage. Show flats are often furnished with scaled down furniture to further disguise the lack of space.

The BIID applauds the Mayor's idea of extending space standards to all new housing and hopes that the standards will also apply to preventing sound transmission through greater insulation of all walls, an important element in providing comfortable places for living in the capital.

We would welcome the opportunity to advise and assist with standard furniture layouts and internal space requirements, and would welcome the Government adopting such standards throughout the country.

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British Institute of Interior Design

Contact 020 7349 0800 or

Diana Yakeley, Development Director

020 7609 9846