A survey of 2,000 homeowners reveals an office is the most wanted addition to a home, closely followed by a gym and reading room
Of a survey of 2,000 homeowners an office came top for the most desirable room to add when looking to extend(Image credit: Benjamin Moore)
A new study of UK homeowners has revealed the type of additional room they would want in their house if they had the opportunity.
The study by Eurocell shows a home office is the most desired extra room with more than a third choosing a home office design as their main priority when adding an extra room to their homes.
It was also revealed that nearly half (47%) of those polled wish they had more space in their home and more than half said they wanted to build an extension to create extra space.
34% of homeowners want an office
A study in July asked 2,000 homeowners what rooms they would like that they didn't already have when building an extension.
A home office ideas came top of the poll by UPVC manufacturer Eurocell, with 34%, which is thought to be due to more and more people working remotely.
34% stated they wanted to add a home office, which was explained by more and more people working remotely (Image credit: Roseline Wilson Design)
Home gym and yoga room also on wish lists
The results also suggest people's demands from their homes are changing with a home gym and a reading room making the top three, and a snug, arts and crafts room and yoga room in the top eight.
1. Office – 34%
Get the Homebuilding & Renovating Newsletter
Bring your dream home to life with expert advice, how to guides and design inspiration. Sign up for our newsletter and get two free tickets to a Homebuilding & Renovating Show near you.
2. Gym – 26%
3. Reading room – 24%
4. Snug – 23%
5. Dining room – 22%
6. Arts and crafts – 18%
7. Playroom – 15%
8. Yoga room – 13%
Commenting on the findings, Beth Boulton, marketing director at Eurocell, said: "Creating a home-office has never been more popular as working from home remains a permanent option in the UK, and with that, the opportunity to get more from your house like a gym and family rooms, proving a reading room, snug, and dining room to spend more time with your loved ones.
"We expect the demand for this to stay, as the housing market forces more to adopt the don't move, improve notion."
A gym (26%) and reading room (24%) were the next most wanted rooms to add to a home (Image credit: Green Retreats)
55% wanted to add an extension to their homes
The survey also asked homeowners if they wanted extra space, and if so, why they didn't extend their home.
More than half (55%) in the survey said they'd considered getting an extension built on their home to create extra space, but of those who've considered it, how much the extension cost (62%) was the main reason they didn't follow through with it.
Other reasons for not going ahead was the hassle and mess it would cause (25%) and the risk of the price changing during the build (30%).
Beth Boulton, stated: "The results from our study show that having extra space in our homes is a priority for nearly half of homeowners, and no doubt the change in the way we live post-pandemic has impacted the way we use that space."
Matt Lanninge, an estate agent and property consultant at The Property Expert commented on the findings: "The results of the survey are unsurprising. This year we have seen more and more homebuyers coming to us with requests for larger kitchens and home office spaces when looking for new homes as their needs and lifestyles change. We expect to see this demand for extra space to grow even further over the coming years."
News Editor Joseph has previously written for Today’s Media and Chambers & Partners, focusing on news for conveyancers and industry professionals. Joseph has just started his own self build project, building his own home on his family’s farm with planning permission for a timber frame, three-bedroom house in a one-acre field. The foundation work has already begun and he hopes to have the home built in the next year. Prior to this he renovated his family's home as well as doing several DIY projects, including installing a shower, building sheds, and livestock fences and shelters for the farm’s animals. Outside of homebuilding, Joseph loves rugby and has written for Rugby World, the world’s largest rugby magazine.
