Recent research reveals that up to 92% of U.S. employees work remotely at least one day per week, with the average worker putting in 5.8 remote workdays a month. And a considerable 75% of remote workers believe they have a better work-life balance.
The fact is, for many people, space for a home office is a necessity. That’s no doubt why, on average, homes that have a dedicated office space have sold for 10% more than homes without one, according to one industry source. So, since home offices are here to stay, here’s the latest on what people want most in a home-based workspace. Interestingly, these sought-after features do not revolve around fixtures and furniture; they all have to do with the location and layout of the space.
An abundance of natural lighting. This is at the top of the list of home office features. The best home workspaces have great sunlight. Natural light brightens the office, creates a more comfortable environment, and helps you work more efficiently. A space flooded with sunlight is also more motivating. It helps you stay focused and energized—and looks way better than artificial light on video calls. All these things are important, given the amount of time you can spend in your home office throughout the week.
Freedom from being bothered or distracted. Two more things people want in a home office are quiet and privacy. That means the ideal home office should be located away from the regular activities of daily home life. You need to stay focused on your job, and you don’t want to be worrying about background noises when you’re on a Zoom call. So, home office location is important—ideally, it should be isolated from the rest of the living spaces.
The ability to work outside too. Most people are familiar with the idea of indoor-outdoor living. But spending time outside isn’t only nice for your lifestyle; it can also enhance the quality of your work. That’s why many experts feel the best home offices have access to the outdoors. They say that getting out into the greenery and scenery can give you a new perspective, help you come up with out-of-the-box ideas, and inspire a new level of motivation. At a minimum, access to a patio space, deck, or balcony, or just being able to step out onto the lawn, gives you a great way to take a break and rejuvenate yourself between projects.
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