Material finishes and finely-honed details elevate this three-bedroom apartment in a 1960s block in Walthamstow, which has been lovingly brought up to date by current owners, design studio CBY.

They have installed poured-concrete worktops with added coloured chips and London plane cabinet handles in the bespoke kitchen, dusty-pink square tiles in the family bathroom as well as fitted ply cabinetry throughout, bringing a playful touch to the space.

Balconies are a blessing, especially an east-facing one in this one-bedroom apartment, which can be accessed from both the living room and the bedroom. The red-brick, low-rise blocks of this housing scheme in central Holloway were built by Sir Basil Spence in the 1970s, who took care to step the facades so that each apartment has its own private terrace, floor-to-ceiling windows and plenty of natural light. The flat is renovated to a high standard and looks over the communal garden, which makes it an even more peaceful proposition.

The industrial feel of the polished-concrete floors and textured brick walls of this compact first-floor one-bedroom apartment has been softened by well-considered architectural details, such as beautifully crafted wooden carpentry. Although situated on buzzy Cambridge Heath Road, the windows look out onto the peaceful rear side of the building.

Bethnal Green is one of the more established east London neighbourhoods with an ever-growing roster of exciting pubs and cafes as well as a burgeoning art scene. The delights of Regent’s Canal, Columbia Road Flower Market, Brick Lane and Victoria Park are all within easy walking distance.

This ground-floor flat in a late-Victorian townhouse on Lordship Lane in south London has retained beautiful period details and proportions. Angular bay windows and high ceilings promote a sense of space, while views over the exceptionally well-maintained communal garden bring in a touch of nature.

The well-connected neighbourhood has plenty of foodie offerings, such as Mons cheesemongers, Moxon’s fishmongers, Terroirs wine bar and Franklins Farm Shop and has preserved an easygoing air of jovial bonhomie.

Modernist architect Neave Brown knew a thing or two about designing liveable spaces – the now-iconic Alexandra and Ainsworth Estate in north-west London, built in the 1970s, is still a wonderful place to call home. With its striking stepped concrete terraces, the pedestrian-friendly low-rise estate was a welcome departure from the high-rise blocks that most local authorities were building at the time.

This one-bedroom apartment is a perfect example of compact city living done well – its open-plan reception and dining area opens onto a south-facing balcony through full-height glazed doors. There’s plenty of light but also privacy here – and the estate remains a tight-knit community.

The elegant low-rise 1930s Gibraltar House in north-west London has been well maintained inside and out. A verdant communal garden, protected from the road with flowering hedges, forms a pleasant backdrop to this second-floor apartment. Here interiors have been renovated to complement the building’s mid-century aesthetic, with wood-block flooring and painted woodwork details a particular highlight. Bohemian Kensal Green, with its cosy pubs, restaurants and plentiful green spaces, is a short walk away.

Apartments in Pullman Court aren’t vacated all that often. The striking 1930s building is the first major work of architect Frederick Gibberd (grandfather of The Modern House co-founder Matt Gibberd, no less), who was tasked with designing flats for young professionals. He was clearly influenced by the Bauhaus and Pullman Court, now Grade II* listed, remains a striking feature of the south London landscape. A journalist at the time said that the smartly designed apartment layouts were “a definitive contribution to flat design, and a triumph of effectiveness and simplicity”.

The owners of this apartment have separated the large living area and bedroom, which were originally divided by a sliding partition wall, so that each room now has more privacy. Luckily plenty of original features, such as Crittall windows and doors, have been preserved, while the balcony can be accessed through a glass door. Mature trees shade the buildings from the road while Brockwell Park and Tooting Common are within easy reach.

For those wishing to be right in the thick of things, this modern apartment in Southwark is perfectly placed to offer a comfortable spot to recharge after a long day in the office or a night on the town. The well-considered layout is finished to a high standard – marble counters, custom cabinetry and built-in appliances (even a snazzy Zip Tap that runs boiling or filtered sparkling water) elevate the interior design, while neat sliding doors divide the public and private spaces.