Even though remote work remains the norm, some real estate professionals and home stagers say home offices are losing their luster. Many homebuyers repurpose this space for other uses besides work.
At The Astor, a recently renovated luxury condominium in New York, the aversion to home offices is already taking hold. Interior design and home staging firm Ash Staging recently chose to omit the home office when styling a model residence in this historic building. The company transformed the fourth bedroom, traditionally a home office, into a flexible study with a lounge space oriented as a quiet nook for relaxation, entertainment, or work. The building's sales team believes this setting will resonate with homebuyers.
“We continue to see a trend of luxury buyers valuing flexibility and versatility in their spaces,” said Kyle Egan, a real estate agent who works with Douglas Elliman on sales at Astor. “Therefore, this area was designed as a cozy lounge and media room with a desk corner that could serve as a work area if needed. The layout and layout give buyers the freedom to customize the home to suit their lifestyle. We have seen a very positive response to this setup as we continue to look for floor plans.”
Similar inspiration led the real estate and design team at 53 West 53, a 161-unit Manhattan condominium, to exclude the home office from a recent home staging project. Instead, the sales team converted the office space into a gaming lounge complete with a fully stocked minibar and foosball table.
quit the Ministry of Home Affairs
Recent studies have shown that home-based workers have more flexibility in choosing where they work from home. There's no need to be tied down to cords or outlets, and there's no need to plug into a dedicated space every day. Easily transport your laptop to your kitchen island, your living room couch, or even your local coffee shop.
Roughly one-third of consumers who work remotely say they have a dedicated office space at home, according to the 2023 State of Remote Work survey conducted by social media technology company Buffer. However, 45% of that group said their “home office” is located in another room, such as the bedroom, kitchen, or living room. 14% of remote workers say they prefer to move from room to room during their workday.
Some homeowners may not want to dedicate the entire space to a home office. Egan says they want flexible spaces that can be easily adapted, whether it's for entertaining, relaxing or occasional work. “During the pandemic, home became everything to people: offices, movie theaters, bars and restaurants, children's classrooms,” he added. “Many people are now at least partially returning to office work and are ready to ditch their home offices and embrace flexible spaces that bring more fun and vibrancy to their homes.”
It's not a unique space.
Egan says a study or work nook may have the same benefits as a larger home office. However, the goal of prioritizing design and comfort remains the same. “We recognize the desire of modern buyers to combine functionality and beauty without compromising valuable space,” he says, adding that in dense markets like New York, this trend He pointed out that there is a possibility of acceleration.
Researchers have been studying the design of home office spaces and what works best for productivity. Many studies believe that a dedicated office space leads to increased productivity and avoidance of constant distractions. But research also acknowledges that this is not possible for everyone.
Georgia Southern University reviewed numerous studies examining home office design during the pandemic. This review found that home offices that prioritize ergonomics and natural elements and consider light and noise yield the best results. Here are some research-backed tips for setting up your home workspace, no matter where your “office” is located or whether you need to use it for multiple purposes.
Choose a location with natural light, preferably near a window. Otherwise, add ambient and task lighting. Use headphones to block out noise if needed, and a portable screen splitter to block out visual distractions if you don't have a dedicated workspace. Take in nature and go outside every once in a while to get some fresh air. Set up your workspace near greenery and plants. Views of nature can boost energy for remote workers. Move your body: Research shows that remote workers make sure to stand and move around for at least two minutes every 30 minutes during their workday to avoid eye strain, back pain, and headaches. Add recreational spots. The researchers suggest creating a lounge area in or near the office that provides a different type of seating than a desk chair for short breaks.
Egan said he believes more homebuyers will continue to prioritize multipurpose spaces in their homes for work and play. That's why his company continues to stage homes to show how space can be used in different ways. “We want to showcase the adaptability of this space and its ability to fit into any lifestyle, from gatherings with friends to family movie nights to work calls,” says Egan. .