Property expert Phil Spencer has identified a significant shift in British residential design, moving away from expansive open-plan layouts toward more compartmentalized living. Speaking to the Daily Mail, Spencer noted that the rise of remote work is driving homeowners to seek dedicated, private spaces within their homes.
The Wickes 2027 shift toward "broken-plan" living
As reported by the Daily Mail, Phil Spencer—an ambassador for the home improvement retailer Wickes—suggests that the normalization of working from home is fundamentally altering how Britons use their domestic spaces . The Wickes 2027 Trends report labels this movement as a transition toward "broken-plan" living, where homeowners are moving away from the era of expansive, wall-less layouts to create more distinct zones.
This architectural pivot is driven by a functional need for quiet and privacy. Spencer recalled a specific instance from the program Love It or List It where a homeowner attempted to convert a cupboard under the stairs into a home office. While he acknowledged the clever use of space, he noted that such makeshift solutions often become chaotic once the household's daily rhythms, such as children returning from school,resume.
Why the 1970s-style kitchen hatch is making a comeback
One of the most prominent trends identified by Spencer is the resurgence of the kitchen hatch , a feature previously dismissed as a dated relic of the 1970s. Rather than knocking down walls to create a single massive room, modern homeowners are increasingly reinstating hatches to maintain a connection with family members in adjacent rooms.
According to the report, these modern versions differ from their predecessors by offering wider openings and overhanging surfaces. This design allows for efficient food service between the kitchen and the living area while preserving the structural integrity and acoustic separation that closed plans provide.
Millennials and the 19th-century scullery revival
The demand for hidden storage is also reshaping kitchen layouts, a trend largely driven by millennial homeowners. A 2023 Wickes survey indicated that one in five people now considers a pantry to be a "dream kitchen feature," as they look for ways to reduce visual clutter caused by modern appliances.
Design history professor Deborah Sugg Ryan notes that this preference for organized, hidden spaces draws innspiration from 19th-century sculleries. Many homeowners are now adopting a two-zone approach: a main kitchen designed for social presentation and a "back kitchen" dedicated to heavy food preparation. This separation allows the primary living space to remain tidy and social.
Can homeowners avoid the "country-sized" kitchen island trap?
While storage and separation are on the rise, Spencer warns against the trend of oversized kitchen islands, joking that an island "should not be mistaken for a country." He suggests that specialized pan drawers may offer a more functional, space-saving alternative to these massive centerpieces that often impede movement.
However, several questions remain regarding the long-term viability of this compartmentalized trend. It is still unverified whether this "broken-plan" movement will become a permanent standard in new residential construction or if it is merely a reactionary trend to the recent surge in remote work. Furthermore, the source does not address the potential increase in renovation costs associated with reinstating walls, nor does it provide a counter-perspective from architects who may still advocate for the social benefits of open-plan living.
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