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2020 has been quite a year. When the clock struck midnight, and we ushered in a brand new year all those months ago, nobody could have predicted what the months that followed had in store. The pandemic has not only put pay to travel plans, disrupted studies and put jobs at risk, but it’s also contributed to millions of us spending most of our time at home. If you’re attempting to look after and home-school kids, work, and relax in one space, here are some tips to help you make your home more versatile.
Make the most of the rooms you have available
Many of us love to spend time with our families, but if you’re trying to work at home, or you’ve got your children doing classes at home, it’s important to make the most of the space you have available. Rather than cramming into the kitchen and trying to participate in meetings from the dining table, consider utilizing empty rooms or temporarily converting spaces that you don’t need into an office or a home-schooling area. If you have a guest room, for example, you can easily turn the space into a studio, a study or a makeshift classroom by investing in a desk or a table and chairs. To enjoy the best of both worlds, you could consider swapping a double bed for a sofa bed. With this option, you can cater to guests if you have visitors while you’re still working or teaching from home. If a spare bedroom isn’t an option, you could think about using a formal dining room or a second living room as an office.
Invest in versatile furniture
There has been an increase in the number of people embarking on DIY projects and trying to create functional work and living spaces at home during the lockdown. If you’re eager to cross the style and substance boxes and design living areas that cater to a variety of functions and tasks, it’s a good idea to check out furniture sales during COVID-19 and look for bargains and special offers. Modular furniture is an excellent idea for open living spaces that can be used for hanging out and winding down as well as working and studying, and you could also look for pieces you can add to bedrooms to turn them into viable workspaces. Look for folding tables, adjustable desks and chairs and beds that have hidden storage to free up space.
Consider value-adding projects
If you were thinking about trying to add value to your home before the pandemic hit, you might be even more eager to pursue this avenue now that we’re spending more time than ever at home. There are various options you may be thinking about to add space and create areas that are suited to modern-day family life. Extending your home is an excellent idea if you’re keen to stay in the same property for a while and you’re short on space. You could create a large, open-plan kitchen-diner or add an extra room, which can be used as a study or a playroom on the ground floor. If you choose to enhance the first floor too, you could add an extra bedroom, office or bathroom. Alternatively, you could consider converting an attic into a bedroom or a home office or using your basement as a gym, a studio, a games room or a playroom. If you don’t have the space to extend or convert, adding a garden room is a fantastic way to add value, free up space inside and create a peaceful retreat for working away from the hustle and bustle.
Family life has changed in the last six months, with many of us spending most of our time at home. If you’re looking to make your house more functional and versatile, hopefully, these ideas have given you inspiration.
