Are you tired of all the discussion about working from home? Me too, but that doesn’t mean we stop thinking about designing better homes to support homeowners’ hybrid or full-time work-from-home (WFH) needs.
The percentage of U.S. consumers working from home remains four times higher than it was pre-pandemic, according to WFH Research. And the U.S. Census Bureau reports that hybrid employees (18.2 million) outnumber full-time remote employees (17.1 million).
In 2020, based on early pandemic research to understand what builders should keep doing in their product design and marketing efforts, the New Home Trends Institute identified best practices for in-home workspaces.
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After another work-from-home survey in 2024, we revisited our findings to look at the best in-home office designs for different life stages, namely young couples and singles, families, and mature couples and singles. Here’s what we found:
In-Home Offices for Young Couples and Singles
When designing home office spaces for this cohort, think cozy and multifunctional. Even if space permits, there’s no need to include a large office for this group. But some sort of remote workplace is essential.
At Nuvo Parkside, in Ontario, Calif., New Home Company included a roughly 60-square-foot study (see photo 1, below) on the ground floor of its Hyde plan. A window in front of the built-in desk provides great light for video calls and the glass-panel door helps to make the space feel larger. Easy access to a side yard is a plus, particularly for those with pets that need outdoor time during the day.
Image Credit
Image: Warm Focus Photography
A home with a dedicated office is often unattainable in an entry-level home, so demonstrating how a space can serve multiple functions can meet this cohort’s needs, even without a high bed count. For example, in the Townhomes at South 620, in Aldie, Va., by Van Metre Homes, a second bedroom (see photo 2, below) is merchandised as a workspace by day and a guest bedroom by night with a clever desk/Murphy bed combination.
Image Credit
Image: Housefli
Work-From-Home Spaces for Families
Privacy in a WFH situation is key, but young families also want an office located near the main living areas to more easily engage with younger children, while mature families with older, more self-sufficient kids are looking for connection to nature.
For Tribute at Lyric in Lone Tree, Colo., Shea Homes fulfills the former with an option for a bedroom or office on the other side of the kitchen, (see photo 3, below) so homeowners can have breakfast with the kiddos before that first morning call.
Image Credit
Image: Jess Blackwell Photography
And for a mature WFH family, this generous space (see photo 4, below) offered by Toll Brothers at its Cody Place project in Palm Springs, Calif., benefits from oversized windows akin to a corner office downtown, plus it features direct access to the outdoors, a nearby bathroom, and a casual seating area.
Image Credit
Image: Chris Meyer Photography
Mature Couples and Singles Working From Home
For this group, think togetherness and customization, as they enjoy being with each other and their pets while working.
This tech niche (see photo 5, below) by Brookfield Residential for the Villas at Los Coyotes Country Club, in Buena Park, Calif., provides ample desk space, storage, and good light. Located down the hall from the main living areas and near the secondary bedrooms, it enables couples to connect easily while also being tucked away for privacy.
Image Credit
Image: Chris Meyer Photography
Striking a Balance Between Different Office Needs
This last one is among my favorites, especially the balance between a formal office and an adjacent, hidden “messy” office. For the Signature Collection at Fields, in Frisco, Texas, the in-house architecture team at Huntington Homes considered the need for both, providing an elegant formal office with an adjacent back office (see photo 6, below) for private calls or video conferences.
Image Credit
Images: Steve Chenn Photography
Clearly, work-from-home spaces vary dramatically by life stage, so don’t assume one size fits all or only include a large office that can option as a bedroom. Dig into your target market and design in-home workspaces with them in mind.
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