I remember years ago when a big innovation in new home design was to include a built-in chef’s desk in the kitchen to be used as a handy spot for organizing recipes and household accounting records, and a place where kids could do homework. In this day and age of computers, adults pursuing continuing education and entrepreneurs running home-based businesses, families demand much more than that – and new home builders are meeting this growing need in a number of ways.

The most obvious is the inclusion of a home office in the layout. This space is one of the most versatile areas in the house. Family members can use this room for a quiet place to pay bills, study, surf the Internet, or as a base to earn part or all of the family income. It can become a den, with a combination of office and casual furniture, or a library that houses the family’s books.

You may find the home office situated on any level of the home, but many are on the main floor near the entry and powder room. This is handy for home-based entrepreneurs who see clients during the course of doing business. Visitors can enter the office without walking through the main living areas. Wherever the room is located, today’s offices include the same fine features as the rest of the home. These offices may contain a window for natural light, sometimes a coffered ceiling, and occasionally French-door access.

A den or library can usually be used as a home office, and so can a computer loft - another popular feature in new homes. We also notice people purchasing homes with more bedrooms than they need for their family members. They decorate one as a guest room, and use the others as home offices. With so many people wanting a separate computer area for children and teens, and the demand continues to rise.

Home wiring has come a long way, too, because of the home office phenomenon. Bell Canada recently reported that home offices represent more than half of the Canadian business market, so wiring that can accommodate computer and high-speed Internet needs is a must.

In the four decades I’ve been involved in the new home building industry, I’ve seen a lot of design innovation come about because of the changing needs of buyers. When it comes to new home design, necessity really is the mother of invention – and the home office is a great example.

Hugh Heron is Principal and Partner in the Heron Group of Companies, President of Heathwood Homes and a Member of the Board of Directors of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, as well as a Past President of the Toronto Home Builders’ Association and the Ontario Home Builders’ Association.