Embracing Change in a Post-Pandemic World
Despite persistent calls from companies for employees to return to the office, for many, the flexibility introduced during the COVID pandemic remains highly appealing. Remote work (WFH) continues to be incredibly popular.
According to The Wall Street Journal, “About a quarter of American workdays were spent working remotely in 2023. Although this is a decrease from over 60% during the 2020 pandemic lockdowns, many anticipate that working from home will become a permanent practice as hybrid models take hold. Workspaces are expected to evolve, becoming more dynamic, personalized, collaborative, and aesthetically pleasing,” say designers, architects, and product planners.
What This Means for You
Workers who enjoy the option of working from home, whether full-time or in a hybrid setup, have access to new tools to achieve a work-life balance. Architects, interior designers, and home builders are responding, and home offices are transforming.
Six Ways the Home Office Is Changing
For those who continue to work from home, new tools and interior designs are emerging. Based on reports from various residential and business media, here are six notable trends:
1. Multifunctional Rooms Still Dominate
The days of squeezing a home office into a closet or cramped space are over. WFHers are integrating their work tasks throughout their homes. To accommodate everyone in the family, nearly every room must serve multiple purposes.
Joseph DiNapoli, co-founding principal of Study Architects in San Francisco, which specializes in single-family home construction for the Bay Area’s tech elite, told The Wall Street Journal, “Flexibility is key. A CEO’s home theater could double as a meeting space or room for video calls. A covered outdoor area could function as an al-fresco office. Interior designs will include spaces with comfortable chairs where someone can spend an hour or two reading emails or taking a Zoom call.”
DiNapoli added, “Making this concept work requires well-planned infrastructure: Wi-Fi that reaches outside, flattering lighting for video meetings, noise-dampening wall coverings or upholstered furniture, and silent fans. Plus, furniture will need to multitask.”
2. Secure Deliveries at Home
As remote work became common, so did the threat from “porch pirates” stealing packages. Whether they are legal documents, product samples, or gifts, items delivered to the front porch and left unattended are vulnerable to theft.
For those working from home, MB Sentinel has developed a solution: the Box Gobbler. Made from stainless steel and equipped with keypad access and conveyor rollers, this parcel safe is highly secure. Door panel insulation ensures heating and cooling efficiency. It can be installed in a wall or as a standalone unit. The door and frame come fully assembled, with the roller bottom, electronic lock, and tech plate shipped out during the trim-out phase.
3. Focus on Wellness
The time saved by not commuting is often used by remote workers for exercise and wellness activities. This trend, which surged during the pandemic, continues, and home designers are adapting to support it. Acme Brick’s “What’s Hot for 2024” list highlighted this wellness trend.
The WSJ article noted, “Clients are requesting home-wide air purification systems, sun-tracking skylights, Wi-Fi-enabled meditation gardens, mini-fridges for hydration and healthful beverages, and desks with exercise balls or treadmills instead of chairs.” Home wellness is expanding to include meditation rooms, yoga studios, and spa-like bathrooms with shower systems, soaking tubs, and calming color schemes.
Wellness at home starts with the right flooring. Porcelain tile is allergen-free, durable, easy to clean, stain-resistant, and pet-friendly, maintaining its appearance longer than other flooring options.
4. Enhanced Aesthetics for Digital Meetings
The widespread use of digital conferencing tools like Zoom, Teams, and GoTo Meetings has changed how home offices are designed. There’s an increasing emphasis on “intentional glimpses” of home office spaces.
Bradley Nelson, chief marketing officer of Sotheby’s International Realty, explains, “Workspace designs will feature video-ready sightlines — or ‘corridors’ — showcasing decor or scenery that reflects the user’s identity or personality, while avoiding overly intimate or private views.”
This trend has also increased demand for better digital meeting cameras, lighting, and microphones. Best Products Reviews offers a comprehensive guide to the ten best cameras for digital meetings, including features, pricing, and purchase links.
5. Home + Office Furnishings Harmony
Initially, remote workers opted for more functional furnishings. However, as hybrid work becomes more permanent, there’s a shift towards workspaces that look and feel homey while still incorporating ergonomic benefits.
The WSJ notes, “People will want workspaces that look and feel homey while still incorporating the ergonomic benefits of traditional office furniture.” Joseph DiNapoli’s company, for instance, is building a custom desk that looks like a dining table but includes cable management and storage features. MillerKnoll is developing chairs that look less industrial, with more color, material, and finish options to harmonize with home furnishings.
Achieving this “happy medium” between work and life can also involve design hacks. An accent wall made of Fusion™ thinBRIK from Acme, for example, can soften a home office’s look and serve as an attractive backdrop for video calls. Fusion thin brick is a real brick with a ceramic glazed facing, available in various colors, and is manufactured in the USA.
6. Investing in the Home Office
Creating a professional yet warm home office integrated into the home can be achieved with some investment and creativity. Given that many first impressions now happen via digital meetings, hiring an interior designer or architect might be worth the investment.
As for dealing with a barking dog when strangers are on the screen, that’s another challenge altogether.
