When you’re choosing or designing a home, it’s easy to get caught up in the ‘now’. Right now, you might only need two bedrooms, a small kitchen, and a little garden just big enough for your dog, but what about five years from now? What about in ten years? What about the children you might have or the ones you’ve got now who are little but won’t stay that way? Maybe your parents will move in one day, or you might want to run a business from home… 

The point is, you need to be prepared. We’re not saying you’ve got to be able to predict the future, but you do need to be flexible where possible so that whatever comes next, you can make your home work for you. With that in mind, keep reading to find out more about how to plan a home that grows with you. 

Don’t Get Stuck On Labels

The room you’re currently calling a nursery now could be something entirely different in a few years, like a study or a teenager’s den, and so on. Or what about a guest room or reading nook when the kids have moved out? 

That’s why designing rooms that aren’t so rigid and aren’t stuck on labels is a great idea because it means you can change your home around however it needs to be changed, and you’re not going to be focused on keeping things the same just because one room is ‘meant’ to be used for this thing or that one. 

So instead of installing permanent fixtures that only serve one purpose, you could focus on more versatile layouts and have some multi-use spaces, like that big open-plan living room being a great family room, for example. 

Make Sure You’ve Got Enough Storage

It might sound pretty dull, but storage is so important in any home, but especially if you want your space to be able to grow with you. That’s because the more you can tuck away, the more your home can adapt without feeling cramped, and without you having to throw things out that you’d rather keep but that you’ve not got the space for. You can have things like built-in cupboards and cabinets, converted loft spaces, understairs solutions… basically anywhere that can stash clutter or seasonal items is going to be massively useful in the end. 

And just because things are changing in your home, that doesn’t mean the clutter is going to get any less all of a sudden – if you’ve got a pram now, that’s only going to become something like a bike or scooter later on, so you’re just swapping one item for another. Having enough storage means that won’t matter and no one has to miss out (and you don’t have to live in a mess). 

Speak To An Expert

If you’re in the lucky position of being able to build a home from the ground up, the possibilities are pretty much endless – but that can be quite daunting at the same time. That’s why it’s important to have a professional, friendly house builder like IMSU to help you get what you want and need from your new space. 

When you’re searching for a builder, look for one who’s happy to talk through the future – not just what you might want here and now. You’ll need someone with plenty of experience in creating ‘forever homes’, so make sure you do your research and read reviews because getting the right home builder could be the difference between a great home now and a great home forever. Finding a team that understands your long-term goals is a big part of the process. You want to look for a company that has a history of happy customers and high standards for their work. Working with an award winning home builder gives you peace of mind that the quality is there. These honors often come from third-party surveys where real homeowners share their experiences. It helps to know that other people had a good time during their build. This kind of reputation is a good sign that they will listen to your needs for years to come.

Leave Room For Tech

Modern life has a lot of extra stuff in it that just wasn’t thought of in the past – things like consoles, tablets, chargers, lots of laptops (for work and home, for example), and so on. So if you’re designing a home from scratch or you’re renovating, consider things like where your power outlets are going to go, how you’re going to manage your cables, and whether or not you need a quiet space for work, homework, or just relaxing – because that’s easy to forget but it’s actually really important. 

It’s also not a bad idea to come up with a way to make rooms flexible so they can be quiet when it’s needed, but also noisier if you want – that could mean sound proofing, sliding doors, and other architectural ideas, and there’s sure to be something that’s going to work for you. 

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Becky

Meet the award-nominated UK lifestyle blogger behind Spirited Puddle Jumper – a mum of three living in South East London! Becky shares the real ups and downs of family life, parenting tips, and lifestyle inspiration, proving that being a mum doesn’t mean you stop being fun or having other interests! Follow along for honest insights into UK family life and opinions on a whole range of topics, from travel and food, to beauty reviews, home and DIY, business and health and wellness.