Space to work from home rising in importance

 

Quealy & Co, your local estate agent in Sittingbourne, regularly take a look at property market trends to bring you the latest news. So what is important to those looking to buy a home this autumn?

A recent survey of over 10,000 home movers by Property Academy has revealed that having space to work from home has increased in importance as a property requirement over the last few years.

The 2022 survey, conducted by Property Academy found nearly half (47%) of home movers rated space to work from home as ‘important’. That’s up from 35% of home movers during the pandemic years of 2020–2021.

Almost 3 in 4 of the home movers surveyed this year stated they are able to work remotely with their current job. Time will tell if the cost-of-living crisis during the upcoming winter months will result in a return to the office for those who can.

1 in 4 home movers say that remote working has impacted the distance of their move. This has been greatest in London where 39% are looking to move over 25 miles, compared to a quarter nationally.

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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 for 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

Source: Dataloft, Property Academy Home Moving Trends Survey 2022