As more and more people choose to work from home, the idea of having a home office is becoming increasingly appealing. Not only does it provide a space to focus on work (without the distractions of home life) – it can also add value to your home. If you’re considering adding a home office to your house, it’s important to consider the potential impact on your property value. This guide will look at the benefits of having a home office, and how it can affect the value of your home. We’ll explore what to consider when setting up a home office, through to determining the true value it can add to your property.
What are the Benefits of Having a Home Office?
There are many reasons why having a home office may be beneficial, including adding to your home’s value.
For example, it increases the versatility of your space, making it possible for you to do more than one thing in a single room. With a home office, you will be able to work on your computer, or hold face-to-face meetings without needing to move to another room. You can have all your equipment easily to hand, which will save you time and energy which would otherwise be wasted moving back and forth across the house.
Working from home allows you to choose when and where you work, meaning you have the flexibility to focus on your productivity without feeling pressured by distractions. Home offices also increase your privacy, as they prevent others from seeing what you’re working on or accessing sensitive information without your permission.
A home office also increases the amount of space available to you and your family. This means you don’t have to sacrifice valuable square footage for a separate office space, and you can use that space for something else instead. Additionally, having a home office can increase the functionality of your property. This means you can use the space for more than one thing, such as working, reading, or watching TV. This alone can be an attractive selling point to potential buyers.
What to Consider When Setting Up a Home Office
Before you decide to add a home office, it’s important to consider a few factors. First, determine what you intend to use the office for. Will it be totally for work-related tasks, or will it be used for more personal endeavours as well?
It’s also important to remember that when you’re creating a work environment, you’ll want to consider things like lighting, sound and temperature controls.
Ensure you have ample space to move around and adequate storage that can be easily accessed from the work area. If you’re unsure how to best utilise the space, you may find it helpful to determine the layout and furniture options by sketching out the room or make a blueprint with newspaper cut-out’s as stand-ins for each item.
Functionality should be taken into account when furnishing an office space, such as having adequate storage. However, the aesthetic should also be considered, to ensure that the office area reflects your individual style and is an appealing place to work.
When it comes to the workplace, it is best to opt for colours that are soothing. Walls should feature muted, neutral hues, while taking into account the colours of the furniture. To add a more vibrant touch, you could add bright and inspiring elements with accessories, which are simple to change as desired.
Consider concepts which can be beneficial and attractive. Bulletin boards now come in a wide variety of hues and designs. If you collaborate with overseas organisations, you may want to consider a decorative map, or clocks which show different time zones. Additionally, if you collect books, magazines and newspapers for reference, search for magazine holders that you can affix to the wall and easily access.
Overhead lighting may not be the best option for effective lighting. An adjustable desk lamp can add extra illumination in your workspace, and will support your eyes when needed. The amount and type of lighting can significantly affect your mood and productivity, so whenever possible, try to work close to a source of natural light.
How to Determine the True Value of Your Home Office
The value of a property is subject to varying market conditions and specific requirements of buyers. However, increasing the size of a property or adding floor space generally has a positive effect on its value. Building a garden office is a convenient and cost-effective way of achieving this, as it is easier, less disruptive and can be less expensive than building an extension.
Research from leading property experts estimate that garden offices add 1.5 times the construction cost or a 5-15% increase on the total value, making it a worthwhile investment in your home.
The UK’s biggest property website Rightmove has seen the proportion of property listings that mention ‘garden offices’ up by 1,046% compared to 10 years ago.
According to Rightmove’s Tim Bannister
“Many home-movers have determined that their current property doesn’t offer enough space for effective home working and have been trading up – either within their local area or looking further afield for that bigger home.
Tips for Maximising the Value of Your Home Office
Beyond impacting the value of your home, there are a few things you can do to maximise the value it can bring to your house. First, keep your space clean, organised, and pleasant to look at. This will help you to stay focused, and it will also help potential buyers feel excited about seeing themselves using the space too.
Next, consider how you’ll use your home office, and try to stay true to that. This will help to ensure that your home office is used for the right things, and that you always remain productive. Finally, keep your space modern and trendy, with the right colour palette, lighting, and decor. This will help your home office to stay up to date and appealing, while also remaining functional.
For more tips on maximising the value of your home, contact your local Bourne branch. We can arrange a FREE VALUATION (link to valuation page) and are always happy to advise you on ways to you can add value to your home, which will appeal to prospective buyers or tenants.
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