Recently redesigned by architect Sarah Wigglesworth, this light-filled 1970s house in Peckham Rye, south-east London, promises a joyful backdrop to family life. While the palette throughout is neutral and calm, there are welcome pops of primary colours too, such as the sunshine-yellow island in the kitchen and bright-blue cabinetry in the bathroom. And, speaking of rooms, this home has three sleeping spaces, two of which currently act as children’s. We particularly admire the way the ceiling rafters have been cleverly used in one, which not only creates airy space, but the beams have been clevery used to hang playful mobiles from. Elsewhere, a light-filled open-plan living space flows out to a private garden, which is laid with – bonus points – low-maintenance AstroTurf.

When it came to renovating this four-bedroom house on a mid-century estate in Dulwich, Iain and Sophie Tait sought to transform it into a relaxed space that was better suited to the demands of themselves and their twins. Inspired by Japanese and Scandinavian design, they added nifty storage systems, including a lift-up floor to store trainers in their bedroom. In fact, it’s a house of surprises all round, with a bathroom concealed behind a brick screen. “Everyone loves a hidden door, don’t they?” says Iain. “When our kids show it to their friends, they love it – but probably not as much as I do.” Equally playful is the garage, which has been sensitively converted into a flexible multifunctional space: “We use this as everything from a yoga studio to a family cinema.”

This five-bedroom home on the edge of the village of Swettenham has all the space a family might need – and then some. The 4,680sq ft house unfolds through a series of dynamic interconnected rooms, including a games room and gym on the ground floor. But the configuration of the house also lends itself to a lively clan, with its smart wall-fitted bike storage, galleried landing and sliding glass walls in the kitchen that open onto the courtyard. The perfect set-up, then, for adults to entertain while little ones run outside. That brings us nicely on the outdoor space – all four acres of it. And if that isn’t enough, the wilds of the Peak District are only 13 miles away, ideal for parents who want to bring their children up surrounded by nature.

This modest contemporary apartment in Forest Hill, south-east London, is an ideal home to start a family. Its credentials include two bedrooms – one of which is currently used as a nursery – and a generous open-plan living area and kitchen, which opens out onto a small secluded courtyard. The aesthetic is calm and clean-lined, with Douglas fir floorboards running underfoot, enviably large windows and built-in wardrobes in both of the bedrooms providing plenty of storage. No need to fret when the little one starts to crawl, either: the cooker and hob can be concealed behind a handy sliding door. Topping it all off is is the short stroll to the heart of Forest Hill, which has a lovely walk up to the beautiful family-friendly Horniman Museum.

Is this the ultimate fun house? The renovation of this semi-detached Victorian house in east London was inspired by the magic of Epping Forest. With three small children and a poodle in tow, the architect owners Geoff Shearcroft and Gill Lambert (both directors at architecture practice AOC), decided to recreate the freedom they experienced in the nearby woodland through feel-good colours and jolly features, including an indoor swing, a creative studio (no screens allowed, this is for the likes of Lego and drawing) and a kitchen designed for discos. “We feel joyful in our home because we associate it with doing things you might not expect,” says Geoff when we recently visited. “In the kitchen, we dance, skateboard, paint and make a real mess.”

Here’s a home with a garden that will please grown-ups and kids alike. Well suited to family gatherings of all sorts – children’s birthday parties, wedding anniversaries and the like – its sun-filled terrace calls for alfresco dining, while youngsters will relish finding hiding spots in its tall evergreens and herbaceous beds. Then there’s the summer house for more fun and games – usable even in winter, thanks to its log-burner. The inside living spaces might appear open plan, but there’s plenty of nooks and zones to cater to numerous inhabitants and pasttimes at once. Its four good-sized bedrooms will serve growing families very well indeed.