Harder working homes

Our homes are now much more than just living spaces

Ever since the first Covid-19 lockdown started in March last year, we’ve all been spending more time at home which means we’re using our four walls for much more than we’ve ever done before.

Evolving homes
With schools shut, except for children of key workers, the unemployment rate at record levels, at least 24% of us were working exclusively from home and 16% furloughed[i] our home is now our world.

The building that used to provide us with space for eating, sleeping and occasional entertaining or working now has to be so much more.

We now need a classroom space, a playroom, an office, a gym, a forest school, activity centre, relaxing family space, sleeping space, dining space and entertaining space (although this isn’t needed at the moment).

And, although some of this might be temporary (needing a classroom for example), the need for an office is likely to be permanent. An Institute of Directors (IoD) survey in October last year showed that 74% of firms plan on maintaining the increase in homeworking[ii].

New hobbies
As well as our homes needing to evolve to provide all the different living and working spaces, we’ve all taken up new hobbies in lockdown. According to Google Trends data in March and April last year[iii], the top five searched isolation hobbies in the UK were:

1.     Learn a language
2.     Training with resistance bands
3.     DIY
4.     Yoga
5.     Baking
6.     Gardening

While baking utilises the kitchen we already have, everything else requires more space.

Learning a language requires a study, training and yoga require a gym space, DIY will undoubtedly mean more space for new tools or paint and the ‘from seed’ gardeners need space for potting, growing and spacing.

How to grow our homes without moving
The stamp duty incentive has helped to keep the housing market moving, in fact, most agents will tell you they have been busier than they can remember. But, for many, moving is not the answer. So, what is?

Self-storage allows you to expand your home without any expensive remodelling or extending. Decluttering, clearing or temporarily repurposing space is made possible by hiring a Woodpecker container.

With easily manageable contracts to suit you, local, easily accessible and secure sites, we are committed to supporting you in making your home the best it can be. Get in touch on 0808 281 3333 to discuss your needs.

Woodpecker Self Storage is part of Willbox Ltd with over 25 years’ experience in container hire. We supply high quality self-storage units in multiple sizes to meet any need including storage of stock, house contents, bikes or small boats. Units can be modified to include work benches, bike racks, dehumidifying sticks, lighting electric sockets and car chargers. We have sites nationwide – contact us now for your quick and simple self-storage solutions.

[i] https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/oct/01/number-of-people-working-from-home-in-uk-rises-following-government-u-turn

[ii] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-54413214

[iii] https://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/lifestyle/uks-most-popular-lockdown-hobbies-revealed-according-google-data-2552838

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