How working from home has changed the office space

Working from home is here to stay, at least for the foreseeable future. But how have we adapted to this and how will our living spaces change going forward?

To answer this question, CommercialCafe surveyed 4,384 individuals who have been working from home, asking them about their living situations, their professional setup at home, their must-haves and what (if any) plans they had for a work area within their living space.

Among other things, we found out that only 36% of respondents reported having a dedicated workspace in their home, while nearly half work from the kitchen, bedroom and other areas around the house, and that 58% of those planning a change are considering buying or renting a bigger home that can incorporate an office.

Our study also included insights from real estate agents, which support our findings. For example, here’s what Francie Malina, a real estate agent with Compass had to say:

‘’We have seen an influx of first-time homebuyers and homeowners upgrading during the pandemic who are requesting sometimes two to three additional bedrooms if the homes do not already have multiple office spaces. Families want ample room to work quietly away from their loved ones and are prepared to move and increase their budget for the peace of mind that isolated working areas provide. Having room to work away from the other household activities help to maintain a sense of normalcy during this unprecedented time.’’

Here are some highlights from CommercialCafe’s study:

• Only 36% of our respondents reported having a dedicated workspace in their home, while nearly half work from the kitchen, bedroom and other areas around the house.
• Yet 46% said they are satisfied with their home office setup. Out of this group, 69% have a dedicated space for work.
• A stable internet connection is the #1 must-have while working from home, followed by a proper desk and chair, a dedicated workspace, and privacy.
• However, around 60% of our respondents said they lack a proper desk and/or chair, and 27% said they don’t have the privacy they need during work hours.
• Out of the responders who plan to make changes to their current home office setup (31%), 58% are considering buying or renting a bigger home that can incorporate an office.

Read the full article, complete with quotes from agents about their experience, here: https://www.commercialcafe.com/blog/survey-people-want-bigger-home-with-office/