New Trends For A Home Office:
Certain housing trends emerging from the pandemic likely will outlast the virus, real estate professionals predict. The home has become more than a living space. The suburbs have become a hot place to be in the pandemic. Some real estate experts have called urban flight a myth, but Americans—particularly millennials—were already leaving crowded cities for the suburbs in the five years prior to the pandemic, according to the Urban Land Institute. Housing inventory in the suburbs is shrinking faster than in urban areas, according to a report from realtor.com®. People are leaving cities in favor of homes with more space, a backyard, or some type of view. More and more companies are taking their workforce fully remote, giving many Americans more flexibility to move. As remote work grows, being prepared for video conferences is growing in importance. Some real estate professionals and sellers are even including “Zoom rooms” in listings as part of the home’s features. These are areas in the home that serve as a dedicated corner or section of the home that offers an aesthetically pleasing background for video calls. Buyers are looking for extra space to create workspaces for students and working parents. For many buyers, three bedrooms are no longer enough. Now it must be three bedrooms and an additional workspace, at least. Designated home offices were the top feature in demand among home shoppers, followed by a home in a less dense location, single-family living, a private and spacious outdoor area, and a well-appointed kitchen. When that extra work space isn’t available, homeowners have some clever ways to separate the workday from the daily household routine. An armoire can be a perfect solution for a pop-up work station. You can store your computer, printer, and papers inside, and close it up when you’re done with your workday. When you need to put your workspace in a larger, more trafficked room, consider using an all-white desk, chair, and accessories, making your work area less conspicuous. Convert a closet into a workspace by removing the garment rod and adding a desk. In an open space, consider closing off one section using a stylish privacy screen or curtain. Transform a long hallway into a work zone for the children by bringing in a long table and stools to show off extra workspace.
