Is a Home Office the New Must-Have?
Having a dedicated office can drastically improve your productivity and work-life balance—build one in your new custom home.
If 2020 taught us anything, it’s that our homes are more important than ever. COVID-19 has brought about unparalleled challenges, forcing companies around the world to work remotely, and asking children to learn virtually for the first time. (See how the pandemic is even shaping the future of buying a home.)
In 2015, 3.9 million U.S. employees worked remotely – in March of 2020, that number was around 4.7 million. Zillow’s recent research has also revealed that 53 percent of remote workers either bought a new home or embarked on a remodeling project to adjust to this change.
While we may still see a safe return to the office in the future, the pandemic has proved to many organizations that remote work can be a beneficial and sustainable option for many teams. Consulting company Global Workplace Analytics estimates that 30 percent of the entire workforce will maintain working from home at least a few times a week, even after offices reopen. And in response to that, dedicated office spaces in the home will also make a return.
If you’re looking to purchase or build a custom home, this may be an important consideration in addition to the number of bedrooms and bathrooms you will need. Having a dedicated office space can drastically improve your productivity and work-life balance. And designating a special space to work will keep your home available for other, non work-related activities.
Here are a few things to consider when designing your home office:
Sufficient Storage & Space
Storage closets are indispensable, with all clutter tucked away neatly behind doors. Design the room with more storage space than you think you’ll need. Built-in bookshelves also offer a place to keep your books and files in an orderly way. You may also want to consider adding a small sitting area if space allows – a “stress free corner” where you can read or relax in your spare time.
Proper Lighting & Temperature Control
Natural light is a key element to any productive office environment. Artificial or poor lighting can hurt your eyes and cause headaches, so an airy, well-lit space works best for your workspace. The strategic placement of windows or skylights are a great way invite light into your custom home – and an east-facing window will effectively bring that morning light in!
The temperature of your office can also dictate just how productive you will be. Work with your home designer to ensure you can easily regulate the temperature in the space, so you won’t be too hot or too cold throughout the workday!
Minimize Distractions and Noise
The reason why your living room or kitchen won’t work as a full-time office space is because of the constant noise and distractions – which are multiplied when other family members are sharing that space. Design and arrange the space in a layout that will minimize any potential distractions – whether that be a window or a door leading to the rest of the house. If you plan on including bookshelves or cabinets, use them as a physical privacy barrier as needed.
Organize Your Tech
Planning for things like proper wire management and your tech setup ahead of time keeps wires and cords from littering your desk area in an unsightly tangle. Consider utilizing a docking station so you can easily plug in a laptop without needing to disconnect any cords.
For more home office set-up tips, check out this Ultimate Guide to Improve Your Home Office Setup and Boost Productivity.
This is your opportunity to completely transform your home office – work with your home builder to custom the perfect space for you to concentrate and succeed in your 9-5! Read more about the eleven easy steps to build your dream home.
Atmos brings the entire homebuilding process to one digital platform, connecting you with local experts to make your dream home a reality – including the ever-important home office. Are you ready to get started?
