Dual-Use Spaces Ideal for Work and Play

The past year has caused most of us to reevaluate and redefine “home” – and for many, that meant quickly adapting the spaces we have for work, play, and family time.

Working from home has become the new norm – and companies may never go back to full-time, on-site office work. Online schooling, from kindergarten to grad school, meant everyone needed a quiet space to learn and work, and covid-style entertaining caused us to gather with consideration for both connection and well-being.

Normandy Homes provides gorgeous new neighborhoods in the Dallas-Fort Worth area that offer floorplans with dual-use spaces ideal for a post-covid world. As the restrictions from the year-long pandemic start to lift, discover some ways to take advantage of these flexible rooms for productivity and leisure.

Home Offices

You’ve probably become a pro at working from home over the past year. While you may love the commute from the bedroom to home office, Forbes predicts increased flexibility for remote work, but not a full shift to all virtual. Therefore, maintaining a home office is a necessity for today’s changing work environment, even if it means you’re only working part-time from home. Most experts agree that you should keep your home office out of the owner’s bedroom, so you can separate work from relaxation and “close the door to keep business in and family, friends, and pets out,” says Entrepreneur Magazine.

Other things to keep in mind:

  • Keep your desk space away from distractions like the kitchen, laundry, and TV areas. Of course, not all homes have that option, and doubling up a game room that includes a pool table and your workstation may be the best solution for you.
  • Making your breakfast nook into a home office is a consideration if you have a full dining room and large kitchen island for dining. On the flip side, the dining room is often the most popular to convert into a home office, as the eat-in kitchen serves as the main hub for dinner, homework, and family fun. You know your work style and threshold for minimizing distractions.
  • Facing a desk toward a window or a wall may help you avoid in-home temptations such as housework. A load of laundry here, a stack of dishes there can really cut into your productivity and cause your work time to trickle into your nighttime hours.
  • If your home’s flex space is used as a library or music room, it may be an ideal place for your home office.
  • Creating an office space in your rarely used guest bedroom is another great option.
  • With any of these multipurpose spaces, ensuring you have decent storage (like bookshelves or attractive bins or file cabinets) helps keep the area tidy.
  • Discover these 19 Home Office Ideas that Will Make You Rethink Your Work Space for functional, creative office designs.

Kids’ Work Spaces

As more students return to in-person classrooms this spring, virtual schooling might have shown families that a work space for kids is beneficial. Adding a desk in a kid’s or teen’s bedroom or in the flex space off the living area creates a focused area for studying. As summer break comes, this space can be used for art projects or puzzles.

Two keys for your kids’ work areas: storage for books and supplies and ample desk space for a laptop or tablet, books, and notebook. Using vertical storage (like hanging bins or cork boards) and personalizing the space are two suggestions on Remodelaholic’s 5 Tips to Create the Perfect Kids Desk Homework Station.

Entertaining and Social Gatherings

The weather is warming up as Texas’s coronavirus numbers are trending down and restrictions are starting to ease. People are eager to socialize again, even if it means taking extra precautions like gathering less people to provide ample spacing or extra hand washing and sanitizing.

You’ll discover that Normandy Homes offers open floorplans with many that include outdoor spaces and game rooms to keep both grown-ups and kids happy. The open kitchen/dining/family room translates into plenty of space for dinner with friends or a night of board games. Many Normandy communities offer open green spaces, outdoor terraces with fireplaces, and easy access to trails for walking and biking. Grilling out and dinner on the patio can be followed by frisbee on the greenbelts or a walk around a nearby pond. One positive outcome from the past year is the way we’ve modified our homes for both function and fun. Fully utilizing our spaces has given us a greater appreciation for home and for each other. Take advantage of Texas in the spring and make the most of your home – where you live, work, and play.