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Joe Simpson, InstallerSHOW’s surface consultant, takes a deep dive into one of the hottest trends: hybrid homes.

We all know that the pandemic had a profound effect on how we view our homes – it was a time when many rushed out and bought a puppy, created a home office, or shelled out for a rowing machine or treadmill.

A few years on, UK home owners are recalibrating their priorities. One result has been the hybrid home phenomenon. Instead of an individual room being set aside for the home office or the home gym; today more and more homeowners are prioritising multi-function spaces: rooms or areas that combine the home office with the home gym, or the guest room, and other functions like crafting, or gaming.

This is hardly surprising. Most UK homes are tight for space, and many homeowners simply cannot afford the luxury of dedicated rooms for secondary functions. At the same time, our attitudes to our personal fitness, mental health, and job satisfaction have changed forever.

As a result, multi-function rooms have emerged as a leading home design trend, evolving from a pandemic-driven necessity into a more flexible “both/and” approach to interior planning and design.  Driven by the need for remote working, rising house prices, and a desire for efficiency, this trend is creating ever more adaptable spaces that can serve multiple purposes.

For the construction sector, the importance of this trend is that it will affect so many aspects of the build, including the choice of flooring, the location and control of lighting, balancing privacy with the benefits of natural light, noise attenuation, storage solutions, etc.  The list goes on.

In the new generation hybrid home, designers and contractors are creating spaces that can adapt throughout the day.

One route to success is adaptable furniture such as fold-away wall beds, collapsible folding desks, and mobile partitions to allow users to change a room’s function easily. For flats and smaller houses, multi-functional design can truly help maximise every square foot.

Contractors and designers need to steer their customers towards lighting, flooring, and furniture options that can help to define different zones within open-plan spaces as the trend increasingly shifts towards smart zoning. As will be seen at InstallerSHOW, the trend is expanding to embrace built-in, innovative, and even motorised solutions that are able to hide or transform spaces at the touch of a button.

One of the key elements remains the home gym.  A lasting trend rather than a pandemic-driven fad, they are valued for both their convenience, and the long-term cost savings. Today the market has shifted even further towards long-term investment in higher quality equipment and smart technology.

Not surprisingly, the key demographic are consumers aged 21 to 30; the very people set to take their first steps on the property market and construction’s clients of the future.  While the initial cost is quite high, commercial gym fee inflation, and the desire for convenience, will ensure the long-term popularity of home gyms.

At the same time home offices are now also a permanent fixture in modern residential design rather than just a temporary pandemic-led trend. Despite many UK workers returning to the office, hybrid working remains common, so the demand for well-designed home workspaces remains strong. While dedicated home offices help maintain the separation between professional and personal life, this is increasingly be achieved through smarter design that leans into the hybrid home theory. Home offices are also a sound investment, adding up to 10% or 15% to a property’s value.

It has been very clear over the past 24 months that home offices are shifting from sterile to stylish. Homeowners and professional designers alike are both placing more focus on bold colours, statement art, and creature comforts.  Cluttered, temporary setups are being replaced by integrated smart technology, often a key element in flexible spaces that can serve as an office during the day, and as a hobby room, guest room or gym in the evening.  This has also driven the move away from stop-gap dining table setups, towards purpose-built high-quality chairs and desks: an investment for the long-term.

For many, combining a home office and home gym into one room is the ultimate dream. This space-maximising solution relies on careful planning, integrating elements such as moveable room dividers, hidden storage cabinets, dedicated flooring mats, and well positioned task lighting. Some have found the answer in more radical alternatives like standing desks or space-separating mirrors. Or you could look at a wall-mounted desk and foldable treadmill combo.

Popular in the USA, a wall-mounted foldable bed is another great option.  When folded up, it frees up floor space for your workout equipment.  Place a yoga mat or exercise bike in front of the folded bed, and hang resistance bands on the bed frame when it’s up: a perfect setup for those with limited space.

For many homeowners, however, the starting point remains dividing one large room into distinct zones. This may involve using rubber flooring tiles to define a workout area, while using laminate, carpet or wood flooring under the desk. Storage can be used for both home office and gym applications, such as shelves for both files and light weights, or filing cabinets that also hide yoga mats and resistance bands.  Hybrid spaces also make use of space-saving foldable equipment or versatile tools, such as adjustable dumbbells, resistance bands, or an under-desk treadmill.  You can also use pegboards to create a customisable storage system, but remember to secure heavier items properly, such as sturdy wall-mounted racks for kettlebells.

A storage ottoman is a smart choice for any home office / gym combo. If it has a sturdy lid, it can also be used as a seat or footrest when needed. Inside, you’ll find plenty of space for office and gym supplies. Finally, choose a desk that can also function as a workout bench, and choose an office chair on castors so that it is easily movable.

By carefully planning, your customers can have a functional, motivating space that enhances work productivity and physical health, and also adds value when it comes to sell.