As the evenings get darker and colder, and with more people spending time at home, leading homebuilder Barratt is offering homeowners some fresh inspiration on putting their spare room to good use this winter.

The leading housebuilder is highlighting in particular its Hampton Water development just outside of Peterborough where a range of three and four bedroom homes are available.

Will Phair, Head of Sales at Barratt Homes Cambridgeshire, said “During the first lockdown we saw many home owners making the most of their spare rooms, such as utilising their extra space as an office when required to work from home. So with the second lockdown now in full swing, we're offering some suggestions on how homebuyers can get the most out of their spare room. 

“With winter approaching, this lockdown there is less opportunity to spend time outside in the garden. So making the most out of the space in your home is all the more important.” 

Barratt Homes' top spare room suggestions are:

Keep on top of fitness goals with a home gym

Finishing work when the sun has already set can make it easy to put off exercising, but using your spare room as a dedicated work out space can help to maintain motivation. 

Having gym equipment at home means homeowners can maintain their daily exercise without having to venture outside in the cold and darkness. 

With another period of staying at home, with less opportunity to get outside, it is also important to stay on top of your mental health. Use your spare room as a quiet and isolated space to practice exercises such as yoga or meditation, which can help to overcome stress and anxiety.

Work from home with a study

Working from home is now becoming a norm for many, and as discovered during the first lockdown, having the right space to do this is vitally important. 

Using your spare room as a dedicated study can help to achieve a good work-life balance, in which socialising isn't impacted by work, and vice versa. 

Many of Barratt Homes' properties have dedicated studies or work spaces.

Enjoy some family time with a games room

For many, the build up to Christmas is about playing games and spending quality time with the family.

Using the spare room as a games room would be a dream for many, offering a great area to either unwind after a hard day's work or a space for homebuyers to spend quality time with their children.

The spare room could be filled with traditional arcade games, board games, a dartboard, a pool table or even a video game setup, in order to make sure people have an area to relax and enjoy their favourite activities.

Create a quiet space for a library  

As the nights draw in quicker, homeowners might find themselves wanting to relax in the evenings by picking up a book.

The spare room would not only allow homebuyers to store books, it would present the space to rest whilst reading. 

Get cosy with a home cinema

Christmas films are must during the winter, and how better to watch them than in a home cinema set up.

A large screen, blackout curtains and a family-sized sofa, would make for the perfect cosy set up to watch some of the classics.

All homeowners would need is a DVD, a hot drink and some snacks to make for a perfect evening in.

Have some me-time with a 'man cave' or 'she shed'  

A 'man cave', or a 'she shed', could provide a zone for people to spend some time by themselves, surrounded by everything to do with their hobbies and interests. 

A retreat to the specially designed room might involve reading or watching television, however homebuyers might choose to engage in one of their hobbies such as art and craft making.

Will added: “Our beautiful new homes are designed by expert architects with modern lifestyles in mind, so are ideal for accommodating all kinds of potential spare room uses.”

Hampton Water is set overlooking the idyllic Hampton Lake and luscious parkland, whilst being just a short journey from the bustling centre of Peterborough, offering residents the best of both worlds.

Recently named the most affordable location to live if you're commuting to London1, Peterborough offers residents excellent transport links meaning that working professionals can reach London King's Cross in just forty-five minutes. They can also gain easy access to junction 17 of the A1 which connects residents to major towns and cities north and south of Peterborough.

With the centre of Peterborough under five miles away, residents can enjoying a spot of shopping at Serpentine Green Shopping Centre or enjoy a meal at one of the many restaurants the city centre has to offer

For more information about Hampton Water, please call the Barratt Homes sales team on 033 3355 8484 or visit https://www.barratthomes.co.uk/new-homes/united-kingdom/h775101-hampton-water/.

ENDS

1 https://www.mylondon.news/news/property/london-house-prices-commuter-town-18942492 

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. For further information about Barratt Homes please contact Emily Howett or Dan Cole on 0116 247 1777 or emily@unsworthsugden.co.uk or daniel@unsworthsugden.co.uk

2. Barratt Homes is part of Barratt Developments PLC, a FTSE100 company

3. Barratt was awarded a maximum five star rating for the 11th consecutive year in the 2020 Home Builders Federation Customer Satisfaction Survey

4. Site managers working for Barratt Group won 92 awards for quality workmanship in the 2020 NHBC Pride in the Job Awards. Barratt has won more Pride in the Job awards than any other housebuilder for the last 16 years