Home trends come and go, but many homeowners continue to want the same things from their living spaces: more light, more space, more comfort, and a home that feels as good to live in as it looks.
Open plan kitchens, bifold doors, tiled and stone floors, vaulted ceilings, skylights, marble worktops and bright, airy extensions are all features many people aspire to.
In our Yougov survey, we asked 1181 people to identify some desired features in their home; 19% selected bifold doors, 10% selected open plan living spaces and 21% selected kitchen islands.
| Feature |
Total |
18-24 |
25-34 |
35-44 |
45-54 |
55+ |
| Bifold Doors |
19% |
11% |
28% |
22% |
30% |
13% |
| Open Plan Living Space |
10% |
20% |
19% |
13% |
13% |
5% |
| Kitchen Island |
21% |
16% |
35% |
29% |
26% |
15% |
But one thing homeowners do not always realise is that accommodating these features and enjoying them year round can often work hand in hand with the choice of heating system. If the heating is not properly considered, the very features that make a home look beautiful in summer can make it feel cold, uncomfortable and expensive to heat in winter.
Why Modern Design and Open Plan Spaces Can Be Hard to Heat
Open plan living spaces are naturally harder to heat than smaller rooms. There is more air to warm, fewer internal walls to hold heat, and often less wall space for radiators.
Vaulted ceilings can create another problem. Heat rises, so warmth from radiators can collect high above the room, rather than staying where people actually sit, walk, cook and relax. Large areas of glass, such as bifold doors, sliding doors, skylights and roof lanterns, can also make rooms feel cooler in winter. Even when well insulated, glass does not behave like a solid wall.
The result is that a dream open plan space can quickly become a room that looks fantastic, but feels difficult to enjoy when the temperature drops.
Cold Floors and Cold Surfaces
Tiled and stone floors are beautiful, practical and popular, especially in kitchens and extensions. In summer, they can feel cool and fresh. In winter, they can become one of the reasons a room feels cold.
The same can be true of other hard surfaces, such as marble, granite and stone worktops. They may look luxurious, but without the right heating approach, they can add to the feeling of a cold room. This is where heating choice becomes important. It is not just about making the air warmer. It is about making the whole space feel comfortable.
Why Radiators Are Not Always the Best Answer
Radiators can work well in many homes, but they are not always ideal for open plan living spaces.
They take up wall space, which affects where you place furniture, storage, kitchen units and doors. In rooms with bifold doors, large windows and open layouts, radiators can quickly become awkward to accommodate.
Tall column radiators are often used as a stylish compromise, but they can struggle in larger spaces. Heat rises in a narrow strip from them and collects near the ceiling, especially in rooms with vaulted ceilings, eventually circulating around the room. This can leave some areas feeling too warm and others still feeling cold.
What About Electric Underfloor Heating?
Electric underfloor heating can be useful in small areas, but many homeowners find it too expensive to run, especially in larger spaces.
For open plan kitchens, extensions and whole floors, a water-based underfloor heating system is usually a better long-term choice.
Why Water-Based Underfloor Heating Works So Well
Water-based underfloor heating is one of the best ways to heat open plan living spaces because it warms the room evenly from the floor up.
Instead of relying on one or two radiators, the whole floor becomes the heat source. This creates a more comfortable, ambient warmth across the room.
It also helps turn tiled and stone floors from cold surfaces into warm, comfortable features you can enjoy all year round.
With underfloor heating, homeowners can enjoy:
- More even warmth across open plan spaces
- Warm tiled and stone floors in winter
- No bulky radiators taking up wall space
- More freedom with furniture and kitchen layouts
- More even warmth and better comfort in rooms with bifold doors, skylights and vaulted ceilings
- Efficient heating at lower flow temperatures
This makes water-based underfloor heating a natural fit for modern homes, renovations and extensions. A long with a whole host of other benefits
Retrofit Underfloor Heating for Modern Homes
Many people still think water-based underfloor heating is only suitable for new builds or major building work. However, that is no longer the case.
Wunda’s Rapid Response® system is designed for retrofit projects, renovations and modern homes, with fast wamr up times in comparison to traditional underfloor heating . It can be installed over existing floors without the need for deep excavation or re-laying screed. Making it possible to install the system over a few days during your renovations project.
This makes it ideal for open plan kitchens, home extensions, tiled floors and ground floor renovations where homeowners want comfort, saving usable wall space and warming living spaces evenly. The system also is perfect partner for low flow temperature heat sources. Which is ideal for any home owners considering a future change from a boiler to a heat pump.
Enjoy Your Dream Home All Year Round
Open plan spaces, bifold doors, skylights and tiled floors should not just be features you enjoy in summer.
With the right heating system, they can feel comfortable throughout the year.
We found in our yougov survey that; 38% of respondents appreciate the increased comfort that comes with underfloor heating and 43% appreciate the space saving benefits. However, 32% of respondents believe it is an expensive option reserved for high end luxury properties. 35% believe it is too expensive and 30% responded that they hadn’t considered it.
The truth is that retrofit water-based underfloor heating helps unlock these dream features for everyone by providing even, comfortable warmth from the floor up. And, the systems are more affordable than expected, averaging around £2,000 for a ground floor system in a 3 bed house.
So instead of wrapping up in jumpers, avoiding cold floors or worrying about turning the heating on, homeowners can enjoy the spaces they worked so hard to create during their build or renovation, all year round!
Speak to Wunda
At Wunda, we design and supply water-based underfloor heating systems for modern homes, renovations and retrofit projects.
Our Rapid Response® Wundafloor provides even, comfortable warmth without bulky radiators, helping homeowners make the most of open plan spaces, tiled floors, bifold doors and bright modern extensions.
Planning an open plan renovation or home improvement project? Speak to Wunda today for expert advice and a bespoke underfloor heating design.