Home offices used to be considered a bonus of sorts. Not a must-have but something nice to have. However, when the pandemic hit and turned our lives upside down, home offices became an essential part of life for most of us. So, the design of the spaces has become more important than ever.
Whether you are currently looking for a new home with a great home office or just design inspiration, here are six trends we saw in home offices on the market in 2022 across the country.
Wood built-ins like the ones seen in this Maryland home can take the home office to another level. (Long & Foster Real Estate)
Built-Ins
While built-in desks are a major trend, built-in shelving and cabinetry have had a recent resurgence. While bookshelves are nice, a built-in is a far more refined look. One (yes, one) of the home offices at this incredible home in residence in Lutherville Timonium, Maryland, designed by architect Vince Greene features uniquely designed built-ins. These beautiful open wood shelves are great for displaying books, awards and decor. The custom lighting also elevates the design. While this is a very traditional look, many people are gravitating towards this aesthetic and it’s unlikely to look dated in the years to come. With five bedrooms and four and a half bathrooms, this dream home has many great classic details with several modem updates.
For many, the home office has become a communal space. This New Jersey residents incorporates two workstations, into its design. (Turpin Realtors)
Multiple User Workstations
While most workstations are built for two and located in corporate offices, with so many people working remotely, it’s now becoming more common in homes. The homeowners installed a custom workstation in this noteworthy Patrick Burke-designed home in Harding Township, New Jersey. It has a simple design, overhead lights and plenty of space to spread out. There are also scenic views from every room in the home.
A desk with a unique shape or feature can be used to create a focal point in the office, like the one seen here in this modern Farmhouse-inspired home in Boulder, Colorado. (Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate)
Unique Desks
One major interior design trend we’ve seen in recent years is unique desks. This is especially true in modern spaces. After all, while a desk is a fairly utilitarian piece of furniture, it’s also an opportunity to make a major design impact. One example of a very uniquely designed desk is located in the home office at 1489 Sunset Boulevard in Boulder, Colorado. This duo-toned piece of furniture is striking. This home has many stunning design features, including six bedrooms and six modern bathrooms.
Fireplaces remain one of the more common features found in luxury homes today. This brick masterpiece in New Jersey pairs a paneled fireplace setup with a beautiful wood desk. (Turpin Realtors)
Fireplaces
Fireplaces are a timeless touch that will never feel dated. An ideal example of this is the home office at 113-3 Hickory Tree Road in Bernardsville, New Jersey. With a gorgeous wood and stone mantel, this quite literally warm accent sits beautifully framed in between two round top windows. With so many interesting architectural features, including fireplaces in the living room and master bedroom, this traditional home offers charm in abundance.
This renovated home in Washington D.C. makes the most of its attic space with a finished bonus room perfect for a home office. (Long & Foster Real Estate)
Home Offices Anywhere
If there’s one thing the pandemic taught all of us it’s that home offices can be located anywhere they can fit. A designated room, while nice, isn’t essential for productivity. One example of this is how the attic space is carved out as a guest room/home office combo at 5140 Sherier Place NW in Washington, D.C. While this home office is minimal, this space can easily have a more substantial workstation. But that’s not the only reason why this is such a great home. With five bedrooms and three and a half baths, it has a barn, renovated kitchen and lots of charming details.
A cozy office space in Manhattan Beach. (EQTY)
Built-In Desks
Why buy any desk off the rack when you can create a beautiful custom piece with shelves, drawers or whatever is needed to not only complement the design of the room but also maximize the space? We see how stylish a built-in desk can be in this coastal gem of a home located in Manhattan Beach, California. The home office is located just beyond the front door. It’s also yet another example of how a home office can be anywhere. The beachy aesthetic of this workstation truly compliments the rest of the home. Tailored to the current owner’s needs, it’s the perfect place to stash paperwork, mail and more. But this isn’t the only impressive feature this home has to offer. In addition to being gorgeously renovated with a new kitchen and breakfast nook, there’s also a balcony off the master bedroom.
Across the country, we see a built-in desk at this luxury high-rise condo in Chevy Chase Maryland. The desk is built into the bay window, which reveals a jaw-dropping view and generous natural light. With views like this, who wouldn’t want to sit in front of the window all day? With three bedrooms and three bathrooms, this contemporary condo is located in a building that has some of the finest amenities, including tennis courts, indoor and outdoor pools as well as valet parking.
