Our Top Five Penthouse Decoration Ideas
At Berkeley Group, we work with an expert team of interior designers to shape our beautiful show homes. In this article, Jenna Butler from Inko shares her top five penthouse decoration ideas based on her experience at our Royal Arsenal Riverside development.
1. Let the Surroundings Set the Tone for Your Interior
When approaching penthouse design, context is everything. The most striking interiors often take cues from their location, drawing on the character, history, and energy of the surrounding area to inform both mood and material choices.
"When designing a premium home, it's best to draw on the broader character, demographics and heritage of an area as a starting point. For example, when we dressed the Waterfront penthouse at Berkeley Group's Royal Arsenal Riverside in Woolwich, that meant emphasising its location on the Thames and reflecting those river views back into the home, as well as highlighting the site's rich industrial history.”
- Jenna Butler from Inko
2. Use Mood Boards to Refine Details
Once you've drawn inspiration from the surrounding area, it's time to translate that into a visual concept. Mood boards are a powerful tool at this stage—they help distil the broader vision into specific colours, textures, and materials that will define the space.
"Once the broader context has been established, use mood boards to narrow in on details like texture and colours and finally link everything together with carefully selected, high-quality furniture. To elevate a home to a premium standard, the key tools at your disposal are luxe features like marble, velvet and glass, which create a sophisticated and light-filled space.”
- Jenna Butler from Inko
3. Design for the Way You Live
In today’s world, the way we use our homes has evolved, especially when it comes to blending living and working spaces. This shift has directly influenced how we approach design in modern developments:
"It has never been more important to consider how our homes can be designed to suit our lifestyle and needs to a tee. Particularly key at the moment is creating spaces that are ideal for working from home, whether that's by transforming a spare bedroom or creating a quiet space within your living area. In Kidbrooke Village's Birch House, we designed a working from home nook that balances open plan living with creating a distinct space to focus. Balance is key here to maintain a homely feel while making the most of every room. Well-placed mirrors and furniture that is raised off the floor are both effective ways to create a sense of simplicity, light and space in your home.”
- Jenna Butler from Inko
4. Extend Your Living Space to the Outdoors
With the right styling, a balcony can offer both beauty and function. Think of it as an outdoor room—perfect for unwinding and taking in the view.
"For those living in apartments, giving your balcony a bit of love is a great opportunity to boost your sense of wellbeing and elevate the feel of your home. Treat it as a separate room by kitting your balcony out with planters and weather-proof furniture to create a tranquil space to relax and take in the view.”
- Jenna Butler from Inko
5. Stay Ahead of the Curve With Emerging Style Trends
Staying in tune with emerging design trends is a great way to keep your home feeling fresh and current, especially in a space as statement-worthy as a penthouse. Whether you're drawn to bold textures, vintage influences, or evolving material choices, paying attention to what's gaining momentum in the design world can help your interiors feel both timeless and on-trend.
"In 2021, sophisticated 70s glamour was the trend to watch for anyone eyeing up a makeover of their home, with earthy burnt oranges and dark greens proving particularly popular. While rattan was all the rage the following year."
- Jenna Butler from Inko
Since then, design preferences have continued to evolve. In recent years, there’s been a notable shift toward softer neutrals, organic textures, and nature-inspired elements like limewash walls and indoor greenery. This reflects a broader move toward calm, wellness-focused interiors.
Experience London Living at Royal Arsenal Riverside
Our Royal Arsenal Riverside development has a cosmopolitan and vibrant nature. Its forthcoming Creative District, equal in size to London's South Bank and just as ambitious, will see new theatres and artists' studios established on the site, showcasing a variety of arts and entertainment. The on-site Elizabeth Line station will add to the list of enviable transport links in the area.
Explore Royal Arsenal Riverside and our other new developments across London to find the home that suits your lifestyle.
Find out more about Berkeley Group or contact the sales team on 020 8108 7155 for more information.