Take 5… Homes with ponds
We take a look at some of the best homes with ponds currently on the market
Take 5… Homes with offices
Just a couple of years ago the commute to the office was, for many, a part of the daily routine. However, the lockdowns of 2020 and 2021 gave us a look into the world of working-from-home with office space in our homes taking on a whole new meaning with make-shift spaces born out of necessity. Now, as companies embrace hybrid working, it is clear in some form or other that home working is here to stay. Our latest Housing Futures data indicates that 1 in 4 people will need an office or study in their next home so what do you need to consider?
All types of spaces can be repurposed to allow for a desk set up, including the space under the stairs, a box or cot room or a large landing. If the grounds or garden have enough space, creating a separate office here can be an excellent solution. A garden shed or an outbuilding can both have potential for conversion to a multipurpose home office space, keeping those emails and video calls away from the hustle and bustle of family life - not to mention that people often enjoy their commute across the garden!
When designing the perfect home office space, it’s important to consider your working needs, making the space practical and functional. Natural light and views of the outdoors can keep us inspired and help productivity so it’s a bonus if the space is by a window. The perfect office is different to each individual so the most important factor is making the space truly unique to you. Selecting your favourite furniture, colours and décor can help make it somewhere that you’re excited to start work in each morning. You can read more about creating a good home working space here.
While there will always be challenges of working from home, incorporating a well-designed office into our homes can make our lives simpler and help us embrace the new normal. With that in mind, we’ve picked five truly wonderful homes that have a home office already in situ:
Newhouse Farm Cottage, Cranleigh Surrey
This is a unique opportunity to acquire three properties and the surrounding grounds which equate to approximately 4.4 acres. The smallest house is known as The Chalet and is tucked away, making this the ideal spot for a home office or recreation room or studio. It benefits from all services and has a wood burning stove.
Hill is undoubtedly one of the most historic houses in Devon, Listed Grade I as being of significant architectural importance and historic value. One of the most attractive features of Hill is the large garden behind the house featuring an insulated, cedar-clad garden studio/office with heating and electricity.
Plymtree Manor, Cullompton, Devon
Plymtree Manor is an elegant William and Mary house with beautiful gardens and grounds. At the southern end of the house. a two storey wing is presently arranged as three offices and a bathroom on the ground floor and a one bedroom staff flat (unused) on the garden floor.
Greenwood House, Chieveley, Newbury, Berkshire
Greenwood House is a charming house set on the southern fringe of Chieveley. The house has retained a lot of its character and charm yet has been updated to provide practical and modern living. Upstairs comprises of a spacious landing which could be used as a reading area, or study.
Jasmine Cottage, Kennington, Oxford
Jasmine Cottage is a chocolate box cottage located in the heart of the village of Kennington. The ground floor has a lovely study area that leads through to a light and airy sitting room with French doors opening onto the garden.
