WHO SPARES WINS: NORTHAMPTONSHIRE CHILDREN GET CREATIVE IN SPARE ROOM DESIGN COMPETITION

In a bid to inspire Northamptonshire homebuyers to get creative with their spare room, Barratt Homes has enlisted the help of local school children to share their suggestions of how they could use the extra space.

With the uses of a spare room being extremely flexible, the developer turned to Brooke Weston Academy nearby its Lyveden Fields development to see how the children would design a spare room if they were given free reign.

The drawings included many creative, interesting and fun ideas such as an art room, a movie room, a games room and even a rollercoaster room.

This competition came following results from a survey*, which revealed that 66% of people in the county would use their spare room for a hobby or pastime.

The winning design was a multi-purpose bedroom which included a cinema, walk in wardrobe and a fish tank by Year 8 student Chloe-Ishani Mistry-Preston. Chloe received a £50 Amazon voucher as her prize.

Chloe was overjoyed her drawing was chosen and said: “My favourite part of designing my spare room was the walk in wardrobe. I would design my room to have the colour scheme of blues and pinks”.

Charlotte Asprey, Head of Art at Brooke Weston Academy, said: “The competition was open to our year 8 cohort who this term are studying Art Careers which support their fundamental skills and builds their understanding of the diverse career opportunities, as we recognise that our students may be the next influential artists of the future.

“We received a fantastic range of designs and creative ideas for their spare rooms and thank Barratt Homes for the opportunity given to the students to be part of this exciting competition”.

Barratt Homes’ Lyveden Fields development in Corby now only has 14 properties available, which are four and five bedroom homes. These homes have a spare room that is suitable to live, work and play and recognises the importance of balancing all three.

Alison Raine, Sales Director at Barratt Homes Northampton, said: “The students at Brooke Weston Academy thought of many fantastic ideas that a spare room could be used for, and a big congratulations to Chloe on her winning design.

“We expertly design our show homes with modern house hunters in mind and these often feature inspiration on how property seekers can make their home their own. The spare room ideas have demonstrated how creative people can be when putting a stamp on their new home and we love how imaginative the pupils have been.

“The last year has been particularly hard for many and, whether it’s painting, drawing, sewing, singing or anything in between, having a hobby that you enjoy doing and takes your mind of any worries is essential to maintain positivity.