Housebuilder reveals the top design features for Doncaster’s new homes in 2021 and beyond

After spending more time at home than we predicted over the past year, the home builder has identified the significance of multifunctional space, access to the outdoors and quality interior design, and how they can improve quality of life and wellbeing. So, as we near the end of national lockdowns, Paul Hogan, Sales Director from Barratt Developments Yorkshire East has revealed the most popular features that are set to transform new build properties over the next year.

Multifunctional spaces

After months of working from home, rooms have had to take on different roles during the typical working day. Kitchen counters, sofas and even dressing tables have become makeshift office spaces, making it difficult to separate work from home.

As a result, adaptable living spaces, such as a downstairs cloakroom, spare bedroom or even a third storey that can be transformed into a dedicated home office to use during the week, have all surged in demand for new homes. For those homes where spare rooms may not be an option, multifunctional furniture such as wardrobes with built-in desks are now becoming just as popular.

Similarly, having a dedicated space to relax when the working day is done is of utmost importance, as the lines between business and pleasure continue to blur.

Bringing the outside in

Being forced to adapt to staying at home has given many of us the opportunity to appreciate the smaller things and explore our local areas. Lockdown measures have quite literally kept us grounded this year and this has been reflected in the neutral shades and earthy tones that are finding their way into homes across the UK. These nature inspired colour palettes, borne from lockdown and the environmental and economic impacts that we’ve seen as a result of the pandemic, bring the outside into homes, creating fluidity and a sense of calm as we adjust to ‘the new normal’.

Outdoor hobbies have been a popular pastime during lockdown, making access to green spaces a key consideration for home buyers. French doors leading to fully turfed gardens are a popular choice, giving homeowners the opportunity to spend time in the garden planting, bordering, landscaping and observing nature to continue experiencing the positivity that spending time in nature can radiate.

Future-proofing

In the last 12 months, we’ve noticed just how much of an important role technology plays in our lives. Future-proof, smart homes use systems that will keep your home technologically relevant for years to come and allow you to live in an affordable, eco-friendly way.

Internet reliability has become a vital component for home buyers, but not only as a result of the pandemic. Having the knowledge that data-hungry activities such as video streaming, home-schooling and working from home are able to run smoothly and buffer-free, ensures stress-free living. As the Government aims for 85% of homes to have access to a gigabit broadband connection by 2025, Barratt Developments has partnered with Independent Service Providers to install ultra-reliable gigabit capable broadband as standard across its developments.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Liam Hoden, editor.