44% of people continue to work from home

 

Your local award-winning estate agent in Sittingbourne, Quealy & Co, have discovered that more than 2 in 5 people continue to work from home post-pandemic.

In this article, the team look at how you can create the ideal home office space to attract buyers and tenants when selling or letting your Kent Home.

According to the latest data released by the Office for National Statistics - 44% of people continue to work from home, either full time or on a hybrid basis,

Home or hybrid working is more prevalent for homeowners than renters, for the self-employed and for those with dependent children.

A survey of over 12,000 renters found over half of renters would be encouraged to choose quicker or rent for longer, and one in six would be willing to pay more, if a rental property was furnished to support home working.

The move to hybrid working has been a significant societal shift because of the Covid-19 pandemic and it looks like it’s here to stay.

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Does your property have the ideal space to work from home?

Staging a home office in the right way for house hunters is more important than ever. At Quealy & Co, we’re here to help your home office stand out from the crowd. Here are our five tips on what makes a great home office.

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1. Natural light

Natural light is always great when selling your home. But when it comes to an office, it’s worth more than the aesthetic value. That’s because home offices with lots of natural light are good for your health and productivity. Studies have found that natural light in working environments leads to better sleep, fewer headaches, and a boost in overall mood.

If you only have a small window in your home office, think of ways to maximise the light coming in. Add mirrors to the walls and consider opting for a white desk. These will reflect the light and make it appear brighter. Also, try to install light-coloured blinds that let lots of sun in.

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2. A deep desk

It’s no surprise that people want a comfortable home office. If you’re a remote worker, you’ll likely be sitting at your desk for long periods. A small desk squeezed against the back wall may make the room look bigger, but it won’t give remote workers enough legroom.

Adequate legroom is one of the most desirable features for home offices right now. If you have the space, position your desk in the middle of the room. If space is limited, just pull the desk away from the wall slightly. It will make the area appear much more comfortable.

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3. Plants

A golden rule for staging a home is having plants in every room. The office is no exception! But the rule for home offices isn’t just about aesthetics. Plants are scientifically proven to make people happier and healthier. They can filtrate chemicals from the air in your home to reduce headaches and drowsiness. Many studies have shown that just looking at greenery can make us feel calmer, happier and more productive.

Adding plants is one of the best ways to decorate your home office. If there isn’t enough light to keep a plant alive (or you’re a terrible plant parent!), opt for a plant that doesn’t need much maintenance or an artificial plant.

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4. Storage

Think of all the things you need in a home office… chargers, lamps, coasters, laptop, keyboard, mouse, stationery, paper, notepad etc! These items can add up. If there’s one thing people don’t like in their home office, it’s clutter.

One of the best ways to decorate your home office is to add plenty of storage space. Floating shelves look appealing and are great for storage. Cabinets are excellent for messy paperwork and small baskets are fashionable for storing stationery.

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5. Neutral wall colours

The atmosphere of a work environment – whether at home or in a corporate building – can have a huge impact on energy levels, creativity and the ability to focus. It’s important to pick colour schemes that are in line with your individual tastes. But if you’re looking to sell your home or stage a rental, neutral wall colours are highly popular for home offices.

Certain shades are highly recommended, and they can help reduce stress. For the best results, opt for pale greens, cloudy blues, light greys and off-whites.

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Want more tips about buying or selling a property?

We can help prepare your home for sale or to rent and would be delighted to share our tips on what is currently attracting buyers and tenants to the area.

Get in touch today on 01795 429836 or email hello@quealy.co.uk for a chat about home improvements that can boost your resale-ability in Sittingbourne, Sheerness, Minster, Faversham, Canterbury, Rainham, Gillingham, Chatham, Rochester and Maidstone.

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Source: Dataloft, Office for National Statistcs 2023, Property Academy Renter Survey 2022.