Designing a Home that Works for You

Part 4:  One that Makes Room for What You Love -

Designing Space for Hobbies, Interests & the Lives We Actually Enjoy

Library or cosy nook

When people talk about designing a home, they understandably focus on the practical essentials first like the kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, storage, maybe a home office.

But once those boxes are ticked, something interesting happens.

They start talking about the things they never quite had room for before.

The hobbies  squeezed into corners. The interests packed away in cupboards. The pets who rule the house but have nowhere truly designed for them.

Custom home design creates space not just for living, but for enjoying life.

Making Space for the Things That Make You… You

Hobbies aren’t frivolous. They’re restorative.

They’re how people relax, focus, express themselves and switch off. Yet in many homes, these interests end up competing with everyday living - dining tables doubling as craft desks, spare rooms doing too many jobs at once.

Designing a home from scratch changes that conversation.

Suddenly, it becomes possible to ask:

• What do I actually enjoy doing?

• What would I love to do more of if space allowed?

• What deserves a proper place of its own?

Hobby Rooms: Freedom Without Apology

A dedicated hobby room doesn’t have to be extravagant. It just has to be intentional.

That could mean:

• a craft or sewing room with good light and storage

• a music room or studio with acoustic separation

• a LEGO or model-building room where projects can stay mid-build as well as displayed on completion.

• a painting or creative studio that welcomes mess

• a games room or cinema room that keeps fun separate from other gathering spaces

• A gym or exercise space

When hobbies have a home, they stop feeling like clutter and start feeling valued.

Libraries, Snugs & Quiet Retreats

Not all passions are noisy or colourful.

Some people dream of:

• a library wall and reading chair

• a quiet snug away from the main living space

• a place to write, think or simply be still

These rooms don’t shout for attention, but they often become some of the most loved spaces in the house. Calm, personal and deeply grounding.

Dressing Rooms & Everyday Luxury

Custom design also allows for indulgences that make daily life easier and more enjoyable.

A proper dressing room can:

• reduce clutter in bedrooms

• make mornings calmer

• provide space to organise, plan and unwind

These spaces aren’t about excess, they’re about flow. When everyday routines feel smoother, the whole house feels calmer.

Designing With Pets in Mind (Because They Live There Too)

For many households, pets aren’t an afterthought, they’re family.

Thoughtful design can include:

• pet-friendly flooring in key areas

• a dog grooming or wash room near entrances

• built-in feeding stations

• access to gardens that works for both humans and animals

• quiet sleeping areas away from busy zones

Of course cats, birds and smaller flurry friends might also benefit  from their own special features too.When pets have their own considered spaces, it reduces mess, stress and friction, especially in busy households.

Imagination Is the Only Real Limit

One of the joys of custom design is that rooms don’t need fixed labels.

A space might begin life as:

• a hobby room

• a creative studio

• a games or music room

…and later evolve into:

• a guest bedroom

• a study

• a quiet retreat

Flexibility allows indulgence without regret. You’re not locking yourself into one version of life, you’re giving yourself options.

Why These Spaces Matter More Than We Admit

Homes shouldn’t just support responsibility.They should support joy.

Spaces designed for interests, hobbies and passions encourage people to:

• slow down

• stay curious

• keep learning

• enjoy being at home

And that has a quiet but powerful effect on wellbeing.

Designing a Home That Reflects Your Life - Fully

At Strawberry Grange, custom design isn’t just about bedrooms and bathrooms. It’s about creating homes that reflect the whole person - routines, responsibilities, interests and pleasures included.

The generous plots and supported design process allow space for imagination. Whether that’s a craft room that finally stays tidy, a library you’ve always dreamed of, a room devoted entirely to LEGO, or a dog wash that saves your hallway, the home is shaped around what matters to you.

Because the best homes don’t just function well.

They make room for the things that bring life colour.

Completing the Series

Across this four-part series, one idea runs through everything:

A truly good home is flexible, personal and deeply human.

It supports how you work. It adapts as life changes. It flexes with family dynamics. And it makes space for the things you love.

If you’re beginning to imagine what a home designed around your life could look like, you’re very welcome to stay in touch or message us to discuss your individual plans further.

Join the Strawberry Grange interest list for future blog posts, inspiration and early updates, with no pressure and no obligation.

Because a home should never ask you to shrink your life to fit it.