10 Tips To Get Your Luxury Home “Service Ready”

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.

4.  Locate your house manager’s desk to overlook the property entrance or front door

When your house manager can see the flow of activity on and off your property, they’ll be better able to manage the FedEx deliveries, contractor arrivals, and daily mail. If you have a security gate, this will allow them to see who enters, who’s parking on the property, and who exits.

5. A bed and restroom with a shower

You likely live in a costly neighborhood, and your staff doesn’t live nearby. When you have late-night events requiring them to clean up in the wee hours, this space will give them some rest without driving after a long day’s work. They’ll also need to shower for the next day’s work.

6.  Separate laundry facilities

Your staff quarters are an excellent place for an entire laundry facility. It will provide your housekeeping staff with a place to keep the laundry in production mode without entering the main house. The noise and the staff’s back-and-forth presence (not to mention the dryer buzzer) keep everything rolling and out of your sight. 

7.  Staff lockers

This should go without saying, but everyone needs a safe place to store their belongings without fear of theft. There’s likely a very low probability that theft is a problem in your home; however, it does happen. Give your staff a safe place to stash their items, so this never becomes an issue.

8.  A conference table

Yes, your staff needs a meeting place and lunch break area. Having a conference table is one of the best places to cultivate teamwork during meals when everyone is off in the corners of your property working all day. This is also where your house manager and contractors will have meetings to discuss contract details, property protection, and scheduling. This table may also serve as your laundry folding table, gift wrapping desk, charcuterie assembly, or food prep area.

9.  A couch or lounge chairs

When your staff has had a long day (most are), this will be a nice place to put their feet up during their breaks.

10. A safe or locking cabinet

You’ll need this for HR documents, petty cash, passports, car titles, and other personal valuables like watches and jewelry. Ideally, you have two safes – one for the principal and one for the estate or house manager.

The results…

Remember, you need staff to help make your life easier and to keep your home running smoothly. It serves you well to attract and retain long-term trusted staff. Seasoned principals who have had teams for years understand that giving up a part of their home for their staff gives them back their privacy, increases their peace of mind, and helps staff feel appreciated and valued – resulting in a more peaceful home.

Small changes can lead to significant improvements and a better quality of life you’ve worked hard to obtain. My philosophy…happy staff, happy home(owner)!

PRO TIP: If you’re renovating your home…

Find an architect who understands household staffing and service. Add separate entrances to entertainment areas and dining facilities so your staff or caterers can remove the trash and dishes, restock bars, and provide food service without going through the same entry point as your guests. Also, send your design back to the drawing board if your main bedroom is directly over the kitchen. You’ll never get a good night’s sleep if your staff unloads the dishwasher and empties the recycling bins at 2 a.m.