- Hybrid commuting patterns are influencing home layout decisions
- Designers note rising interest in ‘broken-plan’ interiors for flexible working
- Enquiries for garden office builds have dropped since the pandemic peak
Changing work routines are influencing how UK homeowners plan and adapt their living spaces, according to new insights from home extension and renovation platform Resi.
The company reports that enquiries relating to internal layout changes have risen over the past year, making up approximately 20% of project requests recorded in its data. At the same time, interest in standalone garden office buildings has declined sharply compared with the surge seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
These changes suggest homeowners are adjusting their homes to support more flexible working schedules as hybrid commuting patterns become more stable.
During the height of the pandemic, many households created permanent home offices or installed garden studios as remote work became widespread. Now, with many workers returning to the office for part of the week, designers say homeowners are looking for adaptable spaces that can function both as living areas and occasional work zones.
Architects and interior designers have begun referring to this shift as “Home Office 2.0”, where working spaces are blended into everyday living environments rather than occupying dedicated rooms.
One design strategy gaining popularity is the “broken-plan” layout. Instead of large uninterrupted open-plan spaces, this approach introduces subtle divisions using elements such as sliding panels, internal glazing, or built-in desk areas.
Resi’s project data suggests homeowners are increasingly interested in these flexible layouts, allowing spaces to be used for work during the day and revert to family living areas later.
Mark Hood, Director of Architecture at Resi, said the change reflects how hybrid work has settled into a regular rhythm.
“Open-plan layouts became popular because they suited modern family living. But hybrid commuting has changed how people use their homes during the week,” he said.
“For many households, work now happens at home for part of the week rather than all of it. That means people often want a degree of acoustic separation during the day, without losing the openness and connection that open-plan spaces provide in the evenings.”
Instead of adding new rooms, many homeowners are focusing on modifying their existing interiors by introducing sliding partitions, defined zones, or multi-use areas that can shift function quickly.
Hood added that the shift suggests a maturing approach to hybrid-working design.
“Rather than creating a permanent home office, many homeowners now want spaces that can switch between functions. The goal is flexibility — allowing a home to support occasional remote work without permanently reshaping the living environment.”
Industry specialists suggest the trend reflects a wider shift in residential design as homes evolve to accommodate changing work patterns and the continuing presence of hybrid working in everyday life.
