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Questions about the Future of Home Offices?

6 years ago


Contemporary Custom Home in UP · More Info


We're talking to a Houzz Pro next week about what the future of home office workspaces may look like as part of our Houzz TV Live series.


Do you have specific questions you would like to ask about home office design or particular challenges you have around this topic that you would like to have discussed?


Tell us about it in the comments!

Comments (24)

  • 6 years ago

    Yes!!! How to incorporate my sit stand desk into my study.


  • 6 years ago

    How do I shoehorn a home office into a house where all the rooms are already used for something else?

  • 6 years ago

    how to convert a garage to a home office

  • 6 years ago

    The main thing is the cords, then the printer, papers, stationery, and of course also the size.
    I know there are wireless things, but let's be realistic, very little people can afford that. many offices are not as big as usually shown in magazines, and of course sometimes it's an office in a multipurpose room - how to fit?

    forgive my English, it's my fourth language and I'm still learning.

  • 6 years ago

    Echo the cords and add monitors. I have two large ones and I feel like they really limit my options. Also lighting, especially relative placement and best options for video conferencing. Speaking of video conferencing, ideas for professional but unpretentious backdrops.

  • 6 years ago

    also want to hear about lighting, in particular LED, and also how to arrange an office so you have enough outlets and no cords running all over the place.


    Would also love ideas and pix for combo dining room-office library. What kind of furniture does the best double-duty?

  • 6 years ago

    Cords are the big issue for me. Sqeezing an office, with storage capacity, into a very small space, is up there too. What is the most efficient way to set up a small office that is still reasonably functional? We get kitchen designs with working triangles: what are the optimum layouts for offices that don't have to accommodate clients (and for those that do).

  • 6 years ago

    How to: incorporate storage for resources (binders, files, etc) that are currently at my work office, share the work space with my spouse, and create video conference space/lighting.

    Should I purchase a large external monitor or turn one of our smaller tvs into my monitor (how?)?

    Should I purchase a printer?

  • 6 years ago

    Lighting and back drop for video conferencing.

  • 6 years ago

    We're both retired and Hubby and I share the office space. He games and we both do community and personal business -- two computers. His gaming requires several devices -- foot pedals and yokes for his flight sims, etc. Need storage for them. The room is also used for my sewing activities, which require a great deal of table space and storage. Cords everywhere!

  • 6 years ago

    Our office is located in a converted guest bedroom. It is a modern home, so there are ample windows with light coming into the space. The problem is GLARE on the computer/TV screens. Other than blocking the windows with shades ... are there other solutions?

  • PRO
    6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    We're going to see a lot more working from home in the future I believe, but homeowners are creating home offices larger than what they actually have in the commercial space alotted for them by corporations.

    IMO this is a terrible waste of space in a home. Talk about mini office spaces that could be complete in a small compartment that simply attaches to the wall and closes when not in use. Most home offices only need a laptop, printer and a small space for bills.


    Additionally, sound control is often an issue and that should be addressed.

  • 6 years ago

    Agree about sound control but I wasn’t sure if it was just my crappy EarPods.

  • 6 years ago

    Thinking a little more, as someone who works from home a lot (even before Covid) one of my challenges is separating work from home. In some ways I wish I had two home offices- one for work from home and one for home computing needs (bills, email, online shopping, hobbies, etc). And then I get into my hobbies blending into the office. I can’t figure out if I need separate spaces for office vs craft room, or work vs home, or a single space that accommodates all that.

  • 6 years ago

    Security!! You may have sensitive documents in your home office, or your computer may have sensitive information on it. So secure document storage, shredding, and securing the computer will be important.

  • 6 years ago

    I suspect the health crisis helped many companies discover they can function just fine with much of their staff working remotely. This trend was already underway but COVID-19 forced reluctant employers to make it happen on a much wider scale. I predict that the lure of lower expenses for office space and travel will keep the trend going at an accelerated rate into the future.


    If my prediction is correct, having functional, comfortable, home office space will drive housing decisions going forward. The kitchen table won't cut it for permanent work situations. In addition to functionality, online appearance will be important when dealing remotely with customers and colleagues. I suggest your Pro talk about ways to transition from a traditional office environment to a home office that works in a new business reality where most of our interactions take place online.

  • 6 years ago

    I've had 2 wi-fi printers so far and neither of them actually worked properly as wi-fi. It was always a hit & miss thing. The first printer died, the 2nd one is being used with a cable since I got sick and tired of always having to try to reconnect to it in wi-fi mode. I just wish I could fix this once and for all because only my PC has a printer and my husband's laptop cannot make use of it at all. Doubly bad since I've not yet been able to set up a network ever since we changed to W10 recently.

  • 6 years ago

    I have a wifi printer and it works quite well - there was a brief period when it kept going off line, but then I figured out it had two "identities" in settings, and I'd somehow switched "default" to the wrong ID. Changed it back, and it's worked well ever since. And it's a cheapie.

  • 6 years ago

    @jmm1837, I'm glad for you. Maybe I'll try again to fiddle with mine.


  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    I'd like an office that changes usage over time. In My life, I had a large U shaped desk that took care of my ranch, my personal stuff and my work stuff. I've left my work for others self behind as I got older and ditched one side of the U into a large L shape desk. I also took down about 6' of upper cabinets. So, now I'm into gaming online, various projects including my 'cottage in the woods', my personal stuff as well as the ranch.

    With the cottage, I'm building my own 'office' again utilities about 8' of wall space in the living area. I need to function for personal stuff, gaming and gardening. I have two 27" monitors as well as a ton of equipment including printer, landline phone, router, wireless as well as hardwire technology, UPS, backup unit, to house and a place for office supplies and file cabinet. I'm also thinking about adding in a shredder.

    Where do I begin without turning this into a monolith?

  • 6 years ago

    How do I set up a home office for 2 people using the space at the same time?

  • 6 years ago

    @Mary Dietrick, do you have 2 desks, 2 computers and a room that's big enough to accommodate them, bookshelves, printer, etc? Can the 2 people tolerate being in the same room while working?

  • 3 years ago

    Thank you for sharing your home project with us, Emily. I think home offices have a bright future since many people acknowledged profits from working at home during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. I have already set up a nice office outside my house in the garden. With one of my coworkers, we did 2 garden rooms with an awesome design, and now when they ask us to get back in the office, we refuse because it is much more comfortable to work from home, especially if you don't have any necessities to come to the office every day. If any of you are interested, let me know. I will share more details about my garden project.