What is everyone looking for? A South West Property Review

Industry Perspective  - Property Finding Experts

WOOLF Interior Architecture & Design takes a look at how buyers’ requirements have changed and how Covid-19 has changed the way we have been looking at our Interiors. Much has changed over the past year as the country deals and reacts to the Covid-19 crisis, including a huge surge in homebuyers looking to move out of London and other key cities and move to smaller towns, cities such as our lovely Georgian Bath, Somerset and its surrounding rural areas.  The pandemic has seen many people, families and young people alike, seeking to escape to the country with the South West and its historic picturesque towns and cities being top of the list. Explore Residential WOOLF projects.

In June and July of this year, the number of buyer inquiries on Rightmove (the UK’s largest online property website) from people living in 10 cities increased by 78% compared with the same period last year. There was a 126% increase in people considering properties in village locations and a 68% rise in people searching for towns.

2020 has been eerily quiet, as many people have wanted to escape large cities. Life in a capital city can be a challenge in a pandemic, social distancing is difficult, the cost of living is high and homes are generally smaller with less space to breath. Explore Residential WOOLF projects.

While working from home was once the abode of the lucky few, in this post Covid world it is now very much part of a working life for many. Remote working has hugely changed the way people look at their homes and treat the interior spaces. We are having to spend more time at home and so many are seeking houses that have the space to create beautiful interiors, which are safe havens from the world outside. Having the space within which to be able to create separate or perhaps distinct areas for work, home life is changing the face of home interiors.

What Are People Looking For?

As interior designers specializing in historic and period homes WOOLF are seeing an increase in clients seeking to create homes that work better for them in this new environment.  Where homes that had scope to be opened up by removing walls to provide vast open-plan living were once much sought after, many are now seeking homes with smaller spaces and more compartmentalized areas where people can seek solace to focus on work or take space from each other. Where houses with listed status were once perhaps seen as limited due to not being able to remove walls due to listing constraints, the rooms and spaces found within period Georgian homes now suit our style of living in an entirely different way. Explore WOOLF Historic projects.

Richard Waters - Is a Bath based search agent who finds his clients perfect properties across Somerset, Wiltshire and Dorset. In his overview of the market trend he has explained that “Covid has made many people rethink their lives and in many cases has accelerated plans to move out sooner than they had previously thought. Many have experienced first hand the ability to work from home and without the daily need to travel into town many are upping sticks and moving to the country. A sense of internal and external space is key but the desire for large gardens and a sense of openness with a good view is definitely of greater importance than perhaps it was before. An easy commute into Bath is still an important consideration but, provided the school run is manageable, many clients have been opting for the larger country houses as they no longer need to be tied to the city properties within walking distance of the train station.

Often, the larger country houses that come up for sale have been lived in by the same family for 20+ years so inevitably there will be the need to renovate and make internal alterations. Clearly, lifestyles have changed over the years so most clients are happy to take on this sort of work in order to create the layout and flow that they desire from a house which normally centres around a very large kitchen/family/living room which in turn spills out into the garden.”

With its beautiful Georgian historic homes and buildings and rafts of green open space Bath has become one of the places to be. The confinement of lockdown lead to a huge surge in demand for homes in places such as Bath, particularly those with gardens, outdoor space and larger square footage. The impact has been a huge increase in house prices and a flurry of buyers. The annual price rise recorded in the South West of England in September 2020 was double the level seen in the region the previous month.

Working from Home – A Defined Office Space

In a recent survey by Rightmove.com nearly half those asked stated they were more inclined to continue working from home after current restrictions are lifted. As a consequence, 44 per cent of respondents said having a separate work space at home was essential as well as decent wifi. Richard Waters explains that “The ability to work from home is certainly a key consideration and a much bigger factor than it had been before lockdown; broadband speed will need to be very good and many are looking for a really good home office set up whether that be an ancillary outbuilding that can be converted or some sort of garden pod. Being separate and away from the family house is important.”

Multipurpose Living Spaces

The living room has become a significant and much used space once again. We are being asked to create more individual spaces within  living rooms. Soft, luxurious furnishings are important for creating cosy spaces for curling up in during the day to watch a movie or read a report. More than one person is now having to share this space for different uses e.g. an adult may take a call while their child is on their laptop or iPad nearby with headphones. The living room is becoming a social more than ever. The principle bedroom is also becoming more multipurpose, with requirements for seating and desks within the space coming back on interior design briefings, so that one can retreat to the bedroom to deal with work matters, as well as to rest! Explore Residential WOOLF projects.

Internal Decor

In the home clients are looking to make a peaceful sanctuary, filled with objects that are uplifting and bring happiness. There is a growing trend towards greater usage of warming, serene colours, and cosy hues. Large mirrors and organic textured finishes inspire a peaceful mood and escape, while indoor planting adds to a space’s vitality creating a soothing green scape indoors.

Outside Living Space

Outside living spaces, garden offices and day rooms are seeing a huge surge in popularity. Moving to less built-up areas means one can hopefully enjoy and benefit from larger outside spaces and this allows those working and spending more time at home the opportunity to connect with nature and embrace the green spaces. Gardens are now a huge priority for clients, space for built in BBQ areas; safe play areas for their children and areas to grow vegetables in a kitchen garden. At-home entertaining, making outside space an inviting option for comfortable celebrations and gatherings.

Demand for interior design is on the increase as people are seeing how living in a home that is beautiful, positive, and has the capacity to sustain their mental wellbeing . Explore WOOLF Historic projects.