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In honor of Labor Day I’d like to share home buyer tips for those who plan to work at home. 47 percent of senior executives interviewed in a recent Korn/Ferry International survey said they don’t work at their company headquarters, and a growing number regularly work at home. More than 50 million U.S. workers have the flexibility to work at home at least part of the time[1].
Choosing the right home office space can make a real difference in productivity, performance, and mood. Here are five tips for what to look for in a home office:
Consider ceiling height. “Lower ceilings improve performance in detail-oriented tasks, whereas high ceilings encourage abstract creative thought,” according to the recent Scientific American article “How Room Designs Affect Your Work and Mood”.
Choose a low-traffic area. Many newer colonial-style homes for sale in the Boston area were built with the office just off to the side from the front door. This can be a tough location if there’s a lot of activity in the home. People often find that with the kids and their friends coming and going, it’s tough to focus. Ideally, a home office should be in a quieter area of the home, yet set away from bedrooms so as not to disturb family members if you’re working late.
Find a space with plenty of natural light. Studies show that natural light helps us think more clearly. Also, be sure to have even ambient lighting throughout the room to prevent eye strain.
Avoid distractions. Many of my clients who are mobile professionals tell me they get more done working at home–if they can separate themselves from household distractions. For example, you might not give much thought to your office being near the laundry room, until the washing machine is whirring during an important conference call, or you feel compelled to tackle the growing pile of dirty socks before hitting the computer.
Map out the area. Make note of the various tasks you perform in your job. Do you have adequate space to white board ideas, for example? If you’ll occasionally have clients visiting, do you have a separate seating area where you and your clients can comfortable talk? Having a separate entrance would be ideal if you’re planning on meeting with clients. Note: Be sure that the office use you’re considering complies with local zoning regulations.
Here are three examples of homes for sale in the Boston area that have lovely home offices:
This pretty 3-bedroom colonial-style home for sale in Wellesley, MA has a sunny home office with lovely built-ins. $599,900.
This 6-bedroom Victorian home for sale in Wellesley Hills has an office with its own separate entrance. $799,000.
This is one of my favorite homes for sale in Wellesley, MA: This charming home offers breathtaking views of the Charles River, and an office turret on the third floor. $1,170,000.
[1] American Society of Civil Engineers
Photo courtesy of Bill Lim