The light-filled living room of this spectacular contemporary apartment in Covent Garden, central London, is generous in size – perhaps unsurprisingly, given that the whole home that extends to over 2,000sq ft internally. The owners have made the most of it too, with comfy sofas and chairs that circle a plush rug, perfect for accommodating friends and family on cosy evenings. Limed oak floors bring more texture to the place – and as they’re fitted with underfloor heating, they’re ideal as the temperatures drop. We particularly admire the way that autumn has been brought inside, with the display of burnt-orange leaves on the rustic dining table.

“At night, there’s an almost filmic glow to the home. You get this really relaxing, Kubrick-like element from the lighting and the colours,” said Ben Garrett when we visited him and his partner, Rae Morris, for our My Modern House series. The pair of musicians sensitively renovated a 1960s house in Primrose Hill, north-west London, with the help of Studio Hagen Hall. The resulting palette, inspired by modernist Californian homes, is tonal and tactile, with sumptuous velvets and decadent colours. “The living area is my favourite,” he continues, “it possesses the most identity. It’s so calming to just gaze through the front window into the garden.”

It is not hard to imagine hunkering down in this elegant reception room, which spans the entire length of the ground floor of a terraced house in Brockley, south-east London. Douglas fir floorboards and pastel-green walls create a serene and inviting feel, while an original Edwardian slate fireplace – although not operational – is a homely focal point. The fact that the room is dual aspect means it’s filled with light even on the dreariest of days. Soft furnishings, an easy way to bring warmth to any interior, have been cleverly considered throughout, from the snug rug under the coffee table to the graphic tapestry on the wall.

This bright and airy living room on the ground floor of a four-bedroom house in Battersea, south-west London, has plenty of calm and comfy corners to curl up. Natural light – worth gold as the days grow darker – pours not only through enormous south-facing bay windows, but also through a beautiful set of french doors that open to a private walled garden. From the comfort of the sofas in the sitting room, one can enjoy the views of the outdoor space in the cooler seasons too. And then there’s the open fireplace with its sleek concrete hearth, which is nothing but a pure joy when the frost bites.

This apartment within a 1930s converted warehouse in Whitechapel, east London, is proof that even industrial places can be warm and welcoming. Crittal windows, rough-hewn timber and concrete accents, which pay homage to the building’s heritage, have been softened with the additions of a grey velvet sofa, lush plants and floor-to-ceiling curtains. A rich and moody emerald-green wall acts as a backdrop to the dining area and, along with the tactile wood and dark floors running throughout, creates a wonderfully cocooning space to retreat to.

Is there a lovelier space to hole up on a cold evening than a timber-framed sitting room within a converted 18th-century barn? We think not – especially when it’s been conceived by John Pawson. This former agricultural building has been exquisitely overhauled by the designer in his signature style. The living room, for instance, is restrained and meditative, with exposed original oak pillars and a polished concrete floor. But the best bit might just be the fireplace: this focal point is finished with a polished concrete hearth that provides an ideal spot to perch and feel the warmth.

This maisonette within a Victorian house in Barnsbury, north London, spans three floors and two terraces – but it’s the living area that takes centre stage. Here a floor-to-ceiling sash window welcomes plenty of light into the first-floor room, as well as providing views to the treetops outside – a particularly delightful view to take in as the leaves begin to change colour. The walls are a lovely shade of green and make a soothing backdrop for early nights spent at home, perhaps with a vinyl spinning on the record player.