This Scandinavian-inspired home has an unexpected layout you need to see

The surprising layout of this home helps to create designated spaces for socialising and relaxation

A exterior shot of a three storey Scandinavian inspired house built of brick with a third floor balcony
(Image credit: Thakeham)

Modern home design is often bold and adventurous, but one thing often remains constant - the position of your main living spaces. These are usually on the ground floor, towards the back of the home, and leading out onto your backyard. So how, then, would you feel about 'upside-down living' where your living spaces were elevated to another story? 

Part of a collection of bespoke properties developed by Thakeham Homes in West Sussex, England, this modern new build features just such an unusual floor plan that might surprise you. 

The collection of contemporary four-bedroom modern homes, designed by JTP architects, all feature a non-traditional layout. Rising to two or three stories, the properties typically feature open plan living spaces on the second floor, and bedrooms on the ground floor. 

This multi-functional open plan area includes a kitchen, a pantry, an informal living area as well as an adjoining roof terrace. The ground floor on the other hand is self-containable, benefitting from a double bedroom with an en suite shower room and a living room leading out to the rear garden. 

Here, we take a look at the layout to see how it works. 

Lilith headshot for bio
Lilith Hudson

Lilith is an expert at following news and trends across the world of interior design. She has an eye for appealing designs and interesting spaces which she regularly shares with readers through home tours, such as this one. After chatting with the architects and developers behind this new property, she was keen to share the details behind such an intriguing layout. 

A modern Scandinavian inspired open plan kitchen diner with geometric patterned dining chairs and matt black lighting fixtures

(Image credit: Thakeham)

Thakeham has dubbed the collection of homes 'The Villas on the Green' as the tall buildings echo the grandeur and presence of Edwardian villas. The external architecture also hints toward a Nordic style, providing a modern twist through angular facades and large expanses of glass that allow natural light to flood into the homes. 

Meanwhile, the interior displays a notable Scandinavian influence with a neutral color scheme throughout and organic materials that help create a calming home fit for modern living. The sleek kitchen décor, accessorized by matt black ironmongery, is warmed by natural oak-effect flooring. 

'This grand, elegant terrace of houses with gabled frontages was inspired by the local Edwardian architecture,' says Dominic Chapman from Thakeham's architectural partner, JTP. 'We blended this with a contemporary take on modern living which draws on Scandinavian design to create airy, light-filled spaces,' he adds. 

An open plan Scandinavian style living room with a vaulted ceiling and French windows onto a garden

(Image credit: Thakeham)

The living area on the second floor demonstrates the open-plan approach that captures the essence of Scandi decor style, complete with an elevated ceiling to create a bright and airy space. Soft textures found in the chairs and the rug create an understated elegance that blends with a ‘hygge’ vibe contributing to the cozy feel. 

The other three homes all have individual styles offering buyers a range of interior layouts and exterior finishes. 

A modern Scandinavian inspired bedroom with a black four poster bed

(Image credit: Thakeham)

Turning convention on its head, the ground floor comprises a large double bedroom with an en-suite shower room and an office that leads out onto the secluded rear garden. The intriguing layout offers quiet and privacy away from the hub of the home while large windows offer excellent views that allow the homeowners to feel more in touch with the nature beyond their walls. 

The master bedroom suite, a formal living room and two further double bedrooms can be found on the first floor where calming bedroom colors are in keeping with the Scandi-style interior. Meanwhile, the dramatic black four-poster bed adds a modern edge that gives the room a unique visual appeal. 

A modern bathroom with stone tiles and black brassware

(Image credit: Thakeham)

More organic-inspired materials have been incorporated into the bathroom designs with a mix of stone and wood-effect finishes. Paired with the matt black bathroom brassware, they offer the perfect example of how to contrast contemporary finishes with more natural design influences.

A modern roof terrace overlooking a garden with bifold doors into an open plan kitchen diner

(Image credit: Thakeham)

On the top floor, bi-fold doors lead out from the open plan kitchen onto a sizeable roof terrace with far-reaching views overlooking the village green.

'Placing living areas with terraces on the upper floors maximises the light and takes full advantage of the amazing views,' says Dominic. 'This imaginative layout creates a modern, integrated home where living, entertaining and relaxing flow seamlessly together.'

Lilith Hudson
News Editor

Lilith Hudson is the News Editor at Livingetc, and an expert at decoding trends and reporting on them as they happen. Writing news, features, and explainers for our digital platform, she's the go-to person for all the latest micro-trends, interior hacks, and color inspiration you need in your home. Lilith discovered a love for lifestyle journalism during her BA in English and Philosophy at the University of Nottingham where she spent more time writing for her student magazine than she did studying. After graduating, she decided to take things a step further and now holds an MA in Magazine Journalism from City, University of London, with previous experience at the Saturday Times Magazine, Evening Standard, DJ Mag, and The Simple Things Magazine. At weekends you'll find her renovating a tiny one-up, one-down annex next to her Dad's holiday cottage in the Derbyshire dales where she applies all the latest design ideas she's picked up through the week.