I’m continually amazed when I walk into a 10,000-square-foot house and find the house manager working on a laptop at the kitchen table. Often, these houses have bedrooms that no one ever sleeps in. And yet, there’s no designated work space for household staff.
If you’re new to hiring full-time household staff, you might think, “why would I give up a part of my home for my staff?” But seasoned employers who have had household staff for years realize that this benefits them with maximum service and privacy.
If you have ever felt like you live in Grand Central Station and struggle to find privacy within your own home, it’s probably because this is happening:
- Contractors ring the front doorbell, then wait to be let in. Then, there is much conversation about setting them up for the day.
- Packages are being delivered, with another doorbell announcing their arrival.
- Laundry facilities that seem to run 8 hours a day. Another buzzer rings as a reminder that the dryer cycle is complete, with the housekeeping staff running back and forth to rotate and fold loads of clothes.
Sound familiar? It’s hard to imagine living here without feeling frazzled.
It’s no wonder homeowners hesitate to hire more help.
During site visits, I’m typically focused on collecting household inventories and maintenance task lists. But often, in the back of my mind, I’m usually distracted by what seems like an inevitable question, why aren’t there staff quarters in this large house?
These houses, for the most part, require regular housekeeping services, frequent visits from contractors, and a stream of grocery and supply deliveries to keep everything functioning smoothly. And yet, homeowners hesitate to designate square footage to support this essential work. Providing staff somewhere to do their job, eat lunch, and take a break other than on the dining room table gets them out of your personal space.
Often, my clients tell me they want more household help; however, they hesitate to hire additional staff due to a lack of privacy.
Here are some suggestions for preparing a home with staff amenities that benefit the homeowner:
1. Convert a portion of your house to staff quarters
This could be a room or an entire wing of the house. I’ve seen closets in garages converted to an office, garage apartment offices, and whole floors dedicated to staff services.
2. Ideally, this workspace should have a separate entrance
Separate entrances allow staff and contractors to meet and strategize before entering the main house. Packages can be delivered here instead of the main front door, and staff can enjoy their breaks, take personal phone calls, and store their belongings during their workday without disturbing the homeowners.
3. A 2nd kitchen has BIG benefits
An additional kitchen provides your chef with an out-of-the-way location to prepare food before meals and special events. This is great when you have guests where everyone wants to hang out in their PJs but still wants food prepared. And, of course, your staff will have a place to stash their lunches (remember, they are likely not leaving your house for meals).
A coffee bar, soft drinks, and snacks are great ways to keep everyone fueled and working without running errands. Remember, this benefits the homeowner when your staff isn’t leaving to pick up Starbucks during their lunch breaks.
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