While the size of our homes is always a key factor in purchasing decisions, we’re more limited when it comes to space than ever before. In the 1980s, disposable income doubled, and the average living room and kitchen was 15% bigger than the spaces we occupy today.

Since then, our homes have been on a downward trend when it comes to size, marketed for their number of bedrooms rather than total floorspace and footprint. But it’s not just the size of our homes that’s evolving; the people who inhabit them, how we use the spaces, and how long we stay/live there for are all changing too. Brits are spending more time at home than ever; half of all UK adults prefer to stay in and cook for friends than go out for dinner, while remote working has increased by almost 75% in the last decade.

Homeowners are also living in their properties for 60% longer than they were a decade ago, a trend described as ‘ageing in place’. Furthermore, experts predict that the number of UK households headed by someone over the age of 65 will increase by 54% by 2041.

Current housing styles and layouts aren’t made for multi-generational families, meaning millions of over-55s will live – or already live – in homes that pose a risk to their health. And it’s not just adults that need to be considered; research shows children spend half the amount of time playing outside than their parents did at the same age, meaning indoor spaces need to be tailored for younger people, too.

With all this in mind, the UK’s housing supply must start to offer something new; living spaces need to make the most of every square inch, be flexible, inclusive and suitable for all ages and needs – and achieve all of this without compromising on look and style. But how?

Sliding into place

Sliding doors are one way of striking the perfect balance of these factors. Becoming integral to the look and feel of modern homes while simultaneously solving age-old, space-saving challenges, current sliding door ranges vary from traditional systems to technological solutions, such as e-drive wardrobes, meaning there is a style to suit every home.

Pocket doors, which are concealed within existing walls, offer greater space-saving opportunities compared to swing doors or exposed sliding solutions. They allow a user to create larger, open-plan areas for family occasions and socialising, which can then be broken up to allow different generations to achieve privacy and a space to call their own. When not in use, those using the space would be none-the-wiser to their existence.

The kitchen is key

Kitchen layouts, fixtures and fittings are key to a truly flexible home, and must all be considered at the outset of a home’s design to make every inch count. The good news is that there are several ways to achieve that. For example, hidden storage, such as concealed corner cabinets which rise at the touch of a button give a kitchen the edge, while making the most efficient use of space. Handle-free cupboard door profiles remove the need for protruding accessories on cabinetry, while J-Pull doors – which are a sleek addition to a kitchen – make it easier for wheelchair users, for example, to open their cupboards and drawers from a variety of angles.

Historically, products that aid accessible living – whether for those of an older age, or those with a disability – have long been seen as a bolt on; an afterthought to add to an existing space, with little aesthetic appeal. However, there are product ranges available which turn this notion on its head, arming developers with products which deliver practical, safe and comfortable spaces for multiple generations living under one roof, which also look brilliant.

For example, linear-style induction hobs – where pans are placed in a row, rather than in a group – look modern, save on unit space, and mean those with mobility issues don’t have to lean over one hot pan to reach another. Meanwhile, rise and fall cupboards and sinks work well for all members of the family, while trolley-style, mobile work surfaces look great, provide added safety, and allow for hot products to be moved around a kitchen easily.

Lighten your mood

A recent article from Forbes provided evidence that lighting has a major impact on our mental wellbeing. Our health can be impacted negatively – both physically and mentally – by poor lighting, with excessive exposure to white and blue light known to impact how well we sleep at night. On the contrary, well-considered lighting products and designs can bring more to our lives, improving our moods and playing a key role in creating a flexible feel in our homes.

LED lighting systems such as Loox by Häfele offer an innovative range of furniture lighting which can be controlled via an app downloaded to a homeowner’s phone. It allows them to change the colour and brightness of their lighting depending on their mood or the time of day, making it an effective way to tailor and personalise lighting in different spaces based on the look they want to create at any given time.

There are 340,000 new homes needed to meet the UK’s housing demand. An ageing population, the rise of multi-generational living and a shift in traditional socio-economic patterns means they must be intelligent, accessible, and above all else, flexible, to cater for the different needs of occupiers today and into the future. As such, developers are being presented with a better opportunity than ever before to work in tandem with designers, architects, manufacturers and installers to deliver people-centred layouts and solutions which will be relevant to families for years to come, and which also look fantastic. Doing so will see UK homes being acclaimed for all the right reasons, becoming the linchpin of truly flexible living.