The Remote Worker’s Top 3 Must-Have Apartment Amenities

Remote working, hybrid office hours, and working from home are just a few of the names we’ve given the somewhat new working situation many of us find ourselves in. According to 2023 Pew Research, 16% of companies in this country are fully remote and approximately 41% of all people who can work from home do, at least partially. 35% of the US workforce works from home exclusively. Compare this with Census.gov’s estimate of only 5.7% of people working from home in 2019. Zippia research lists the number of people whose jobs are computer-based in the country as 755,000, which would mean that 41% is around 309,000 people – quite a few!

Of these hundreds of thousands of people, most say they are happy with their situation, but say that there is room for improvement in the design, function and layout of their home office. Are you one of them? If so, we hope you’ll find inspiration in our experts’ top three wishes for an improved home office below.

The Remote Worker’s Wish List

1. People want more space and more specifically, more separated space. Not only would people prefer a larger office, but also one that stands apart from the rest of the house. Wanting more space speaks for itself; who wouldn’t? But the reasons for wishing for more physical separation vary. Some feel a need for privacy and quiet during meetings, while others state that with less distractions around, focusing would become easier, increasing their productivity.

Separating one’s office space doesn’t need to involve a major renovation, which may not even be possible in a rental situation. It can be as easy as putting up a barrier. A curtain won’t stop much sound, but it will offer a visible separation between living space and working space which has been proven to have several psychological benefits. Many half-wall partitions available at IKEA or Amazon don’t stretch from ceiling to floor, but still do provide some protection from surrounding sound.

2. Remote workers want a more convenient space. This item on the list can go hand in hand with the desire for more space, but doesn’t have to. A home office with all or most of what a person needs to work comfortably contained within its walls or partitions is just more convenient. What people consider convenient varies, but high on the list is a kitchenette. Having a small sink, hot plate and coffee maker with a few dishes negates the need for traipsing into the kitchen and risking a long conversation knocking a person off-track. Coffee and tea nearby (and plenty of it) seems to be a near universal desire for office workers.

While a full kitchenette would require construction, it’s also possible to find a freestanding cabinet and sink and many small sinks are perfect for this use. For example, Central Brass’ Two Handle Bar/Pantry Faucet is a sturdy, beautiful faucet ideal for this use. Any faucet requires plumbing, but a simple hookup into an existing pipe isn’t an expensive endeavor, one which could even be approved by an apartment complex as it raises the value of a unit.

3. People prefer to work in an office they feel is well-designed. Few deny that beautiful surroundings are good for the soul. They are also great for productivity as a person who is less stressed gets more done. Of note, the space must also be clean or else nagging thoughts of cleaning it can invade even the most focused of minds.

Great design can be the layout of the office and it can also mean the decor, or both! Personalizing your office surroundings with art, paint color and accessories can make all the difference. Consider a small break area with a light and comfortable chair if space permits. Some motivated people add a stationary bike.

Now you’re ready to shop!

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We’ll Save You Money and Time

There are many ways to the same destination. This saying applies to multi-family housing builds just as much as to anything else in life. The ultimate goal is save as much money as possible while delivering a great finished project – that’s simply showing smart business sense. But, finding a one-off deal or sacrificing quality isn’t the only way to get a healthy ROI. We have a better way.

Pioneer works with professionals every day to develop specification packages and plans that save our valued partners both time and money, sometimes in surprising ways. It’s our goal to ensure your project meets or exceeds its expected outcome. We want to get to know you and your company and show you how we can save you money.  Please reach out via our website form or call us at (800) 338-9468.

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