Once a luxury

Things once considered luxuries are now becoming regarded as necessities as the home has become more the centre of our universe following our experiences through the pandemic. We are now more likely to want features that make living and working from home exciting and comfortable.

lux ONCE A ury

Our home has expanded to become our office, our gym… a destination… a staycation.

We want our outdoor spaces. Outdoor living spaces have been upgraded, state-of-the-art outdoor kitchens installed, and we do what is needed to provide the ultimate indoor-outdoor experience.

The desire for more child-friendly amenities has hugely increased since we experienced working from home and home-schooling as part of everyday life.

Large playrooms, sand pits, jungle gyms, swimming pools and half courts that can be used for ball games, skates and scooters are now important. Almost every home buyer wants a work-from-home space, preferably spacious, quiet offices that give a great Zoom background.

We want space for the hobbies and sporting activities we have taken up. Perhaps that may extend to simulated putting greens, batting cages and basketball courts.

The home gym has become a non-negotiable for many. Bring on the state-of-the-art home fitness space, with Pilates equipment and weight rooms, so we don’t have to worry about centres and gyms with restricted hours and capacity.

Home buyers are now impressed by kitchens with extra-large pantries or adjoining storage rooms should they need to stock up. Sanitizing amenities and air filtration systems have become increasingly popular.

HOW MANY OF THESE ‘LUXURIES’ HAVE FOUND THEIR WAY INTO ‘ORDINARY’ HOMES ALREADY?

• Outdoor bathtub • Outdoor kitchen or living room with fireplace/firepit • Swimming pool cinema • Multiple shower heads • Serious games room complete with bar, snooker table and multiple ‘pinball’ machines • Beers on tap • Secret room • Innovative technology – even a bit quirky

Luxury, by definition, is considered a state of great comfort or elegance, especially if it comes at great expense. And when you focus on the ‘state of great comfort’, you will see that ‘luxury’ is not restricted to high-end property as people create the home space that works best for them.