As Bob Dylan sang in the 60’s ‘times they are a-changing’ and that has never been more relevant than it is today, where the ways in which we live and work, the technology we use and our expectations and aspirations are all changing fast. More and more of us are working from home, and many of us would like to do more to make the most of the homes that we have, whether to facilitate working from home, to create extra accommodation for family or guests, to rent out as holiday lets, or just somewhere to simply relax away from everyday life.

Outbuildings or barns

These could be converted to create those extra rooms or accommodation. The nature of these buildings often presents the opportunity for something different, from cosy rural to quirky modern. The key is making the most of what is there. Alternatively, if you have space why not have a new studio designed for you?

Adding an extension

Bring light and connection to outside into your home. Opening up existing accommodation with the garden or a much-loved view can give delight and enjoyment as well as extra space. Adding an extension can make the rest of your home work better, easing spaces that don’t work so well and making more of those that do.

Other ways to make space

We don’t all have suitable outdoor space to extend into or outbuildings to give new life to, but we may be able to make the spaces we have work harder and use them imaginatively to suit our changing lifestyles.

Clever storage can enrich and complement your surroundings as well as help focus. For home working assign an area that doesn’t allow the boundaries between workspace and the rest of life to blur. An inspiring view is uplifting and can remind you of why you wanted to do this in the first place.