Are you itching to return to the office? Or are you in the group who absolutely loved working from home during the pandemic? Despite the spotty Zoom calls, constant interruptions from the kids, and the challenge of staying focused with the fridge within arms reach, working from home also came with a lot of benefits for working professionals across BC.

We may be expecting a “return to normal” in BC this September, but don’t go repurposing your newly created home office into a guest room again anytime soon. Many business owners are working on new “hybrid working models”.  These models allow employees to continue working remotely, at least some of the time.

So what might a hybrid work solution look like? What does it mean for our productivity? And how do we design the feel and function of our homes for hybrid working? What are the tips for an eminent home office design?

What a hybrid work model might look like

Hybrid work solutions are not exactly a new thing. In fact, many tech companies and trendy start-ups have had hybrid working environments for years before the pandemic hit. Now, many businesses are looking to these innovative companies to determine what a hybrid model might look like for them.

After seeing what remote work has done for their employees’ productivity and mental health, several large companies are working on developing hybrid work models to give their teams more flexibility in their working hours and locations. We may see businesses start offering flex working days, where employees have dedicated office and work-from-home days. Or maybe, employees will be offered a bank of work-from-home days each month to use as they choose.

For working families, this may be exactly what is needed for coordinating school and work schedules.

We’ve also heard about companies transforming their traditional offices and cubicles into multi-purpose rooms, where employees can book space to work or collaborate on projects in a more open environment. The idea is to foster a greater sense of community and openness, both physically and mentally, among the company.

Why hybrid work models are essential

People seem to always fall into one of two camps – they absolutely love the flexibility of working from home, or they can’t wait to get back to the hustle and bustle of the office. Now that working professionals have been given a taste of the freedom and flexibility of working from home, they have a better idea of the pros and cons of both.

As interior designers, we know exactly how important your physical space is to your mental health and productivity. With calming spaces designed specifically for their needs, we’ve helped our clients create fully tailored workspaces that help them focus, brainstorm, and collaborate more than ever before.

But now that it’s no longer mandated to work from home, it’s a good idea to give employees the choice to work from where they are most comfortable and productive. For some, that may be returning full-time to the office for a much-needed escape from family, while for others, home is a quieter, more serene place to get work done.

Additionally, this flexibility will help employees better handle their work and personal matters. I mean, how difficult is it to get anything done when you’re constantly stressing about when to leave the office to pick the kids up from school? With a flexible work schedule, working parents can stay close to home and take care of their loved ones when needed, without missing an entire workday.

Transforming a simple flex space into a bright and spacious home office. Photo courtesy of Good Space Plans Online. Marina Crescent, Vancouver, 2010

How to stay organized in a hybrid working model

While hybrid working models have many benefits, they can wreak havoc on the mindset and productivity of those who like routine and structure. If you are given the option to work from your home office, here are some tips for staying productive at home, while still achieving that ideal work-life balance.

Have a dedicated space for work

Set up a dedicated home workspace in an area away from other people in your home. If space is limited, use a decorative divider to separate your work area from the rest of the room. We have told you 5 experts tips for designing small spaces. Study the article if you have not yet and if you have any questions, put a comment below. We will get back to you soon.

Duplicate your desk layout

Consider using the same layout when setting up your workspace at home and the office. If your phone is always to the left of your computer, do the same at home. We recommend using the same computer mouse at home and work too.

Work from the cloud

Transferring files back and forth between office network drives and your home computer or work-supplied laptop can cause confusion. Ask your employer to support cloud-storage solutions for files or virtual access to your work computer so you can always access your files, whether you’re in the office or working from home.

How to design your home for work and family

If you are preparing your home for long-term working from home, we’ve got you covered. Here are our expert tips for designing the perfect work-from-home space that is beautiful, inspires productivity, and supports work-life balance. Let’s honor our home and work spaces

Use a room divider

If space is limited, find a cozy corner of an existing room or the kitchen table and add a visual separator from the rest of the room. A foldable room divider is great because you can fold it up at the end of the day, and the family can enjoy dinner together.

Don’t work in your bedroom

If you’re strapped for space in your home, you may consider using your bedroom for your home office. However, using your bedroom as your office can actually contribute to poor sleep. Sleep experts agree that for a better night’s sleep, reserve your bedroom for sleep and intimacy, not for work.

Repainting? Choose Blue

If you’re feeling the urge to paint your home office, consider blue paint. Blue evokes calm and productivity.

Get a comfy chair or couch

You’ll want to be comfortable when working, so make sure your chair is ergonomically designed. If you enjoy doing some tasks in a more relaxed position, consider a couch or comfy chair away from your desk to work from.

Get a second opinion

We spend so much time in our homes that we may not see what’s obvious in front of us. Bringing in a professional interior designer can help you find the best place to set up your home office.

New this season, Good Space Plans Online is now offering single space Creative Consultations. The consultations are an apt choice for clients inquiring about transforming their flex spaces into dedicated and personalized home workspaces. Starting at just $400, these Creative Consultations include a get-to-know-you Inform Call. In addition to the call, we offer a Creative Preview Package to help get you started. Contact us today to book your consultation