A dual role for rooms

So here we are, two weeks along that metaphorical road map back to normal life, yet the question remains about just what ‘normal’ will mean in the months ahead.

Will “stay at home” become a regular command if new viruses flare up – and will work from home become the rule rather than the exception (if not necessarily for five days every week)?

Either way, the past year has seen many homes take on a multipurpose role, usually at very short notice, and all the indications are this trend is set to continue.

However, although few homes have the space to create a dedicated office or study room, nevertheless there are ways to bring order from the chaos that might have descended on your home during 2020.

Sara Haggas, of Skipton-based Hartleys Furniture, suggests five ways to fit your home for a new way of living.

She says: “Firstly, a room can offer the ‘best of both worlds’ so with a little planning and some expertly designed fitted furniture, a spare bedroom can also easily function as a work from home space.

“A work station can be integrated into a corner and a fold-down bed can be easily incorporated into the room design.”

A second issue to consider is that the space and functionality in a room can be enhanced by fitted furniture. Fitted wardrobes can incorporate all kinds of storage space including shoe stores and a range of hanging options – even a dressing area or space for doing hair and make-up, easing pressure on the bathroom.

“The third point is that even in a room designed for working, there needs to be somewhere to sit and unwind,” says Sara.

“A window seat is the perfect way of adding extra seating, with the bonus of increasing your storage space, too.” Space beneath a window seat is the ideal place to keep the laptops, books, files associated with working from home.

If you already have a home study then those first three points might not apply but, nevertheless, there are still ways of making the space work harder. Hence suggestion four: create a home library and, in the process, release shelf space elsewhere in the house.

“By choosing fitted furniture to include shelving and cabinets with in-built lighting, you can display and easily access your favourite literature and reference books,” says Sara. “Add a relaxing chair and a cosy throw and you’ll have your very own reading corner to enjoy during much needed screen breaks.”

Finally, a home study need not be simply a work space: instead, apply the multifunction principle here, too, by creating a cosy corner or snug area. Not only will it provide a space for in-work breaks, it can also be used by the rest of the family at other times – and by choosing fitted furniture to incorporate a TV or a games console, the work room becomes a play room too.

Hartleys is a family company with more than 30 years’ experience of creating space through bespoke fitted furniture.

To book a home visit by a design team member, telephone 01756 700471 or go to www.hartleysbedrooms.co.uk

Work, relax and play in the same space with bespoke furniture from Hartleys.

Hartleys is a family company with more than 30 years’ experience of creating space…