- Changing commuting routines are prompting homeowners to rethink interior layouts
- Designers report increased interest in ‘broken-plan’ spaces suited to flexible working
- Demand for garden offices has fallen from pandemic-era highs
Evolving hybrid working habits are influencing how homeowners across the United Kingdom are redesigning their living spaces, according to new findings from home renovation and extension platform Resi.
The company reports that requests related to adjusting internal layouts have increased during the past year and now account for roughly 20% of project enquiries in its dataset. Meanwhile, demand for separate garden office structures has dropped considerably compared with the peak levels seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The shift reflects how households are adapting their homes to support more flexible work routines as commuting patterns settle following the expansion of hybrid work.
During the pandemic, many people created dedicated home offices or installed garden studios to support full-time remote work. With many employees now commuting to the workplace two or three days each week, designers say homeowners increasingly want spaces that can serve both as living areas and temporary workspaces.
Design professionals have started describing this emerging approach as “Home Office 2.0”, referring to workspaces that are integrated within the home’s living areas rather than confined to separate rooms.
One layout concept gaining attention is the “broken-plan” design. Instead of fully open-plan spaces, this approach introduces subtle separation within shared areas using elements such as sliding partitions, internal glazing panels, or built-in desk alcoves.
According to Resi’s analysis of its project enquiries, homeowners are increasingly interested in these adaptable configurations, allowing rooms to transition between working and living functions throughout the day.
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.”
Rather than building additional rooms, many homeowners are choosing to reconfigure their interiors with features such as sliding doors, defined zones, and multi-purpose areas that can adapt 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 observers say the development reflects a broader evolution in home design as living spaces adapt to changing work patterns and the long-term presence of hybrid working.
