This is what women and men need the most in their home office

It’s no surprise that a large percentage of America’s workforce has had to pivot to remote work opportunities.

To some, this is a welcome opportunity. To an array of workers, it’s the same reality they’ve been sitting with for years. To others, it is merely a social experiment designed to drive them mad. In any case, the pandemic has brought with it a time of reflection and realization.

People aren’t only doing audits of their internal minds, their holistic health, their approach to work. They’re also taking stock of how their homes make them feel, since it may now operate as a multi-functional space where it didn’t before.

Spending so much time at home has led many people to notice more dust around the home, inconsistencies in design, little things that bother them or that they’d really like to change.

The 2021 Modsy Trend Report was released last week, with a large emphasis on how home office renovations led trends this year. Because of COVID-19’s effect on the economy – and jobs that can offer remote opportunities at least short term – many people spent money making their space feel more inspiring.

Out of the 69% of people who went through a home renovation during 2020, almost half did so because the space no longer suited their needs.

Forty-seven percent of those polled indicated they believe that home office designs are the trend of the pandemic, with many admitting to workspace updates in the near future.

In April 2020, Modsy was bringing in three times what it made in office furniture sales the same time last year, and “27% year-over-year.” Minimalistic designs ruled the market, and an increasing amount of people embraced mid-century modern lines and interesting art. As research suggests, clutter and disarray in any space can cause stress and anxiety, let alone your place of business.

The direct correlation between the rise in home office sales and the design choices of minimalism seems to be that people were trying to set themselves up for success during their renovations of 2020.

Men tended to value soundproof elements in their office spaces, pulling 23.29% of the vote, while 25.93% of women craved natural light. (Is it for all of their plants?) We see the value in combining efforts in a single or shared office space at home, as soundproofing can come in handy for Zoom/Skype calls, interviews, video shoots and podcast recordings, etc. And natural light is proven to boost serotonin levels, having an overall uplifting effect and allowing us to avoid bouts with mental health issues like Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Whatever your office space, it is suggested – by Modsy in their extensive report as well as by Sales Executive Estefania Corona Orea – to create spatial boundaries and specific areas for your work in your home. People created similar boundaries in their homes by designing nurseries in 2020, at a rate of 40% higher than in 2019. This could also be assumed to be a direct response to the pandemic, the different opportunities being home can provide, and the ever-changing co-working dynamic between housemates.

Not everyone is thriving working from home the same way as they did working in an office environment. Some things may have to adjust permanently moving forward, and all changes can be uncomfortable. Make sure to allow space for some growing pains and understanding for your clients and coworkers, especially during this continued time of transition in the workforce.

Some of you may find that revamping your workspace helps your productivity. For some home office inspiration, check this out. If you’re staying home more permanently, some of these ideas could appeal to you.
When it’s time to go back to an office setting, consider some of these layout ideas for a more fluid work experience.

If you’re building up confidence in your craft to work up to an opportunity to work from home, here are some hot tips to help you get there.