- Hybrid work routines are prompting homeowners to rethink open-plan interiors
- Designers see rising interest in flexible ‘broken-plan’ living spaces
- Requests for garden office builds have dropped since pandemic highs
Hybrid working patterns are influencing how homeowners across the United Kingdom are redesigning their living spaces, according to new research from home extension and renovation platform Resi.
The company reports that enquiries about internal layout adjustments have risen over the past year and now account for around one fifth of all project requests in its records. Meanwhile, interest in standalone garden office structures has fallen noticeably from the levels seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The data suggests that homeowners are adapting their homes to accommodate more flexible working routines as commuting patterns stabilise in the era of hybrid employment.
During the pandemic, remote working encouraged many households to invest in dedicated office rooms or garden workspaces. Today, with employees typically commuting to the workplace several days each week, designers say homeowners increasingly favour adaptable rooms that can function both as living spaces and temporary work areas.
Design professionals have begun referring to this evolving approach as “Home Office 2.0”, describing work areas that blend into the home’s everyday living environment instead of occupying dedicated offices.
One interior design concept gaining attention is the “broken-plan” layout. Rather than using fully open-plan designs, this approach creates subtle separation within shared spaces through features such as sliding doors, internal glass partitions, or recessed desk areas.
Resi’s analysis of its enquiry data indicates that homeowners are increasingly asking for these types of flexible layouts, enabling rooms to shift easily between work and family use 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.”
Instead of constructing additional rooms, many homeowners are now focusing on reworking their existing layouts, using sliding partitions, zoning strategies, or multi-use spaces that can quickly shift purpose.
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 experts suggest the trend reflects a broader shift in residential design as housing adapts to evolving work habits and the long-term presence of hybrid working.
