Amid the acceleration of smart home technology, the concept of future-proofing has become even more ubiquitous. While such technology certainly has brought about new ways for residents to think about how they might be able to redesign their home, the concept of future-proofing a property has long-existed.
Those families who might one day consider themselves to have children can future-proof a home by building an extension or converting a room into a spare bedroom. In the same way, those who wish to start their own business can establish office space to ensure that, when the time comes, they are prepared and able to perform the necessary work at home.
To ensure your home is future-proofed, it is important to pay attention to trends as well as your own trajectory. It is also a worthy consideration for those thinking of selling their home in future as a property that is future-proof is more attractive to the market and can generally fetch a higher price.
Renewable Energy
One of the most popular forms of future-proofing involves energy independence and renewable sourcing. Solar panels are the emblematic example of this pursuit, with a great number of homeowners across the country now embracing solar power as a way to reduce their carbon-footprints and save money on energy bills.
As traditional energy prices continue to rise, it seems ever more inevitable that solar panels and other forms of renewable energy will become the norm, encouraging residents to adopt now or fall behind later down the line.
Remote Working
Teleworking positions are becoming normalised and it is placing a great deal of pressure upon residential homes. The idea of working from home is attractive to both businesses, who save on office rental costs, and employees, who are able to work with improved flexibility. These positions, however, require a suitable office space to be established at home. Since properties are generally already designed to meet all needs, adding an office space can be difficult.
As a result of this cultural shift, there is now a trend in garden outbuildings and log cabins being built outside of homes. These structures are affordable and can add a customisable and stylish living space to a garden. Residents can then use these rooms as a private and removed space to host their professional lives.
Smart Electronics
Between electric vehicles requiring charging points and smart home systems being installed, the wiring systems that were once rather standard in residential homes are no longer considered to be appropriate. Many homes are now in need of different electronic organisation, with smart bulbs, underfloor heating, digital boilers, and wireless chargers all seeking their own space in a home, placing pressure on wiring systems.
Alongside this, the increased presence of smart home features is pushing residents to disguise the presence of wiring and sockets, with many kitchens now having retractable plug socket options, so as to make the presence of electronics more discreet. As time goes on and smart home features become even more ubiquitous, homes with considered and modular electronic options will see increased demand.