It’s hard to feel too sorry for celebrities who’ve spent lockdown in their opulent homes, drifting between their pool and well stocked wine cellar… Or perhaps they’ve inspired you to go more upmarket when you buy abroad? Here’s a guide to some of the ‘comforts’ you find in luxury homes, with a pick of examples to tempt you…

Infinity pool
Where better to kick back and enjoy the views from your overseas home than immersed in an infinity pool, or gazing across it from the comfort of your terrace? Also known as zero-edge pools, these trophy swimming pools give tantalizing visual impact to the outside area of a home. Because they give the impression that there is no separation between the water and surrounding landscape, infinity pools are especially effective in properties that are elevated and in scenic locations, such as by the sea or on a hillside. The sound of water trickling over the edge also adds to their seductive appeal.

They’re not just for balmy climates either. Skiers might be tempted by somewhere with a thermal infinity pool, offering jaw-dropping panoramas of snow-capped mountains and rolling valleys below – half an hour in there and your muscles will soon be soothed after a hard day on the slopes.

Gym & spa
Keeping fit and pampering ourselves – things we all try to do regularly but too often just don’t find the time. So if you can afford to, why not have the necessary facilities in your own home and start to enjoy the health benefits? Not only are you in your own private space but you won’t have to squeeze trips to the local gym into your daily schedule.

There are no limits to what you might find in a luxury home’s gym or spa, ranging from a multi-purpose workout room to a fully equipped pro studio, with Jacuzzi, steam room, massage room and sauna. In overseas homes, they’re often allocated above ground in an area with glorious views, rather than stuck down in the basement!

Statement wine cellar
We’re not talking about a large glass-fronted appliance occupying centre-stage in your kitchen, but a thermostatically-controlled room dedicated to the storage and display of your favourite vintages. In terms of numbers, you could easily be looking at 500-1,000 bottles!

To be really on trend, you could opt for a wine room, which unlike a cellar is incorporated into the ground-floor living area, making it a focal point and ideal for entertaining. For that real wow factor, opt for glass walls or one that has creative ways of displaying the bottles, such as using illuminated islands or suspended cables.

Home automation
Smart technology is a must-have in contemporary luxury homes, the idea being to make life as comfortable, easy and secure as possible – and maybe to show off, just a little! Home automation is no longer just about a fast internet connection and a network of appliances controlled by a central console.

Today the most cutting-edge properties include voice activation systems for use when at home while remote solutions enable you to control things, such as heating, lights, blinds and cameras, when you’re out and about or half-way round the world.

The really clever stuff turns giant flat-screen TVs into majestic interior features, allows domestic ‘hardware’, such as televisions and speakers, to be hidden away when not in use and pop up on demand, and can even transform outdoor areas into entertainment hubs.

Waterfront access & jetty
Homes with water frontage will always have cachet, not least with boat-owners and marine sports enthusiasts willing to pay a premium for an exclusive location. The settings are diverse too, ranging from beach villas with pontoons directly over the ocean to tucked-away clifftop homes boasting access down to a beach or bay with a private jetty. Or inland, you could choose to be within a waterfront community and have your own mooring, or nestled on a lakeside with a private pontoon. Whichever you chose, expect your property to remain sought-after.