The future of house plans
With so many people realising they can work effectively and efficiently from home and keep their bosses happy, will this change the future of house design?
THE OFFICE
Will a study alcove/nook or a separate office room become an essential addition to every house plan? Let’s take a look the benefits of each:
A separate room will offer more storage space and the possibility of fitting in two desks. Adding overhead cabinetry as well as extra lighting and power points will give you all the office essentials….and, very importantly, you can close the door! An important consideration if the majority of your day is spent on video calls. When planning your office space, be mindful of the placement of windows so they do not produce too much glare on your computer screen. A smaller, high level horizontal window (60cm high x 1.2m long) may suit an office space better than a large 1.8 x 1.8m sliding window.
If space won’t allow for a separate room, the study nook is an excellent alternative. A designated area (often near the kitchen or living rooms) that can be used as an office space or for the kids to do homework and study. It’s great for keeping an eye on the kids whilst cooking, or perhaps being able to hear what the kids are up to whilst working yourself. A study nook can have built in benches with overhead cabinetry and it’s worth thinking about extra lighting and power points in this area just like you would in a separate office room
THE KIDS RETREAT
With the kids at home a lot more have you realised you need an extra room for them to play and be noisy in? Especially whilst you’re trying to get work done? A kids retreat placed near the kids bedroom/s may be an essential sanity saver for house plans of the future.
When planning a kids retreat, consider a space for a TV with a built-in entertainment unit to fit all their games (computer and board), toys and other bits and pieces.
A kids retreat could be located between two bedrooms or at the end of the bedrooms with either sliding doors or an on-trend barn door to shut out the noise!
THE GYM
Have you given up the gym membership and looking for other ways to say fit and healthy?
Dedicating part (or all) of the garage to a home gym, might be the solution for those wanting the convenience of exercising at home. Bear in mind lighting, power points and a TV outlet for this space.
Alternatively, utilising an un-used bedroom as a home gym is another alternative, especially when the house has a concrete slab foundation. In addition to allowing for a TV outlet and power points, there are some great large-format exercise mats you can buy to protect your carpet and allow you to jump around with ease.
We know that our lives, and the way we use our homes, have changed significantly since the start of 2020 and this will no doubt be reflected in the house designs of the future. If you have a design in mind, but not sure if it will suit your needs, contact me for a free phone consultation here.
