Not many homes in the UK were ready for the big switch to remote working because of coronavirus. In fact, a lot of people will have had to trade in their desk for a space on the dining table or coffee table. Some will have found their bedroom doubling as their office. The change is encouraging more people to look at how to design their homes so they can work comfortably. If you are thinking about this and want to talk to an architect, London has few better people to ask than us.

Using sliding walls

One of the most interesting ideas is to use sliding walls. They would help to make larger spaces far more flexible. For example, you could slide the wall closed to create a private office space then open it back up once work was done. You could use the same idea to split up a room to create a space for children to play or for studying.

The sliding walls could become a very interesting feature of a property. They are also a natural evolution of the open plan layout that most people now favour for their home. With them they can keep spaces bright and open then close off a section when they need some privacy for different uses. They can easily allow changes of use throughout the day.

Hiding the office

What do you really need in a modern office? For most people all they require is somewhere to sit with their laptop. This might not even need to be a formal desk. So why not think about designs and how you can hide an office in a home? It would be easy to do this with adaptable furniture. For example, it could be a desk that folds out when you need it and folds away at other times.

Balconies

The most important thing people have found during the coronavirus pandemic and working from home is how much they value outside space. While thinking about having a flexible home office, it is also a good idea to think about light, air, and allowing people to step outside. A balcony is the best option. Even a small one with double doors you can fully open to bring outside in can transform a home.

Bring your ideas to an architect in London

At Coffey Architects we appreciate that everyone wants a home that is comfortable. Sadly for some people, having to work from home can ruin that comfort. Luckily, there are lots of ways to redesign spaces to make them feel and function better. We would be happy to help with this.

If you are thinking about this kind of project, whether it is small changes or a full rework of the interior, speak to us. You can work with an architect London clients love. They will guide you through everything, from design to setting a budget and then managing the work.