During the pandemic, out of necessity, we quickly pivoted to work-from-home arrangements, some of which were functional – but not necessarily comfortable, or even practical in the long term (how many of you set up shop at the dining table, with your partner holding Zoom meetings at the other end? Show of hands?).
Years later, although we have returned to life as normal, work-from-home is here to stay; employees and employers alike have learned that it is possible – and productive – to work outside of a corporate office environment.
That means that our spaces must be conducive to working from home, regardless of whether we’re on full-time or hybrid schedules. Because of this, having dedicated home office space is now high on the list for dwell hunters, so including this feature as a dedicated zone (or demonstrating what space is adaptable) is something to show Buyers – because it’s something they are willing to pay a premium for.
Work From Home: The Stats
While many companies have directed employees back to work, at least part-time, lots of the workforce are still either semi or fully remote.
I wrote about the beginnings of the trendline post-pandemic in 2022 in this post, BLeisure, WFH, & An IKEA Hack, which also explored the emergence of BLeisure, where remote employees can truly embrace work/life balance by working remotely in a vacation destination of their choice. Have WI-FI, will travel!
As to where we are at today, recent data from Statistics Canada shows that, although down from highs during the lockdowns of 2020, 20 percent of the workforce is still working from home. And not surprisingly, the ability to telework varies across industries, and further – regionally.
The data also shows that, based on their experience at home during the pandemic, workers largely feel that they can be as productive at home as in a traditional office setting, but that today, worker desires for telework are quite diverse.
Notably, while full-time remote work has dropped, hybrid work arrangements have consistently been trending upwards since 2022.
Another Stats Can report – referred to in the Global News article “These Are The Canadians Most Likely To Have A Hybrid Work Arrangement: StatCan“, shows that parents of young children comprise the largest section of the workforce using a hybrid work arrangement, because of the flexibility with scheduling and how the work arrangement figures into work/life balance.
Hybrid working strikes a welcome balance between the benefits of telework, and still actively meeting in person, which helps to foster work culture and more.
This report from Cisco – “No Longer Just A ‘Perk’: Cisco Survey Finds Canadians Now Expect Flexible, Hybrid Work” – shows just how significant hybrid work opportunity has become, with 81 percent of respondents saying having flexible work policies, including hybrid work, affect their chances of staying with a company.
Flexibility to telework has risen to the second priority for workers when choosing a job, just behind salary.
What this says is that not only is hybrid work here to stay, but it is also an expectation for workers, as opposed to a perk or benefit.
Choosing A Home That Supports WFH
One thing that the pandemic did regarding our shelter is to consider how our space plan can accommodate a range of options for different purposes, such as a home office.
The demand for 2-bedroom residences or larger ones boomed during the pandemic (as did the Demand For ‘Forever Homes’ In Toronto’s Downtown Family Neighbourhoods). That’s because an extra bedroom number can easily be a flexi-space that accommodates a home office, guest room, yoga room, you name it – with some smart design strategy. Here are some design tips in this post How To Create A Productive ‘Work-From-Home’ Office Space During The Pandemic – but are still relevant today. Functionality never goes out of style!
Incidentally, I’ve never liked a room with confusing identities. As in, is that room a Home Office or a Guest Room? I resolved that by constructing a built-in bed to define my flex-space. Check out –> I Love A Built-In Bed!
A Home Office & The CRA
Did you know that CRA has changed tax rules for 2023 filings for remote work? For example, you are required to have a space dedicated to work at home (although the space can be shared, such as in a flex room, or even at the kitchen table, if that is your dedicated area. But working at the kitchen table is so 2020).
The amount of office expenses you are allowed to deduct is proportional to the square footage of your home being used for a home office space. So, doesn’t it make sense to have an additional bedroom/flex room that could be a home office- for comfort, style, and budget?
This article from the Financial Post provides a good, easy-to-read summary of tax changes for 2023 regarding home office work: “New CRA Rules Around Working From Home Make It Harder To Claim Expenses“.
Take a peek at this listing we SOLD in Leslieville. We call it: So Sweet Ya Gotta Brush Yer Teeth – On Colgate Avenue In Leslieville.
This sun-kissed ground floor unit – one of only two 2-bed units on this level – has a premium patio with south exposure. Seriously, whether you’re in the bloom of youth, baby-making, giving your boss the Freedom 55 finger – or just YOU being YOU – when you live here life will be more dynamic, people will be more engaging, and everything that matters will be within walking distance!
If you enjoyed this post, you may enjoy these other Urbaneer.com articles:
How COVID-19 Will Likely Change How We Design Our Homes
Dear Urbaneer: What Is Biophilia And How Can I Use It In Home Design?
Dear Urbaneer: What Architectural Design Features Elevate The Value Of Toronto Real Estate?
About Universal Design: Applications For Aging In Place & Toronto Real Estate
Dear Urbaneer: How Do We Establish Our Interior Design Style?
The Need And Demand For Live/Work Properties In Toronto
Dear Urbaneer: What Are Your ‘Tried & True’ Tips For Competing In A Bidding War?
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Since 1989, I’ve steered my career through a real estate market crash and burn; survived a slow painful cross-country recession; completed an M.E.S. graduate degree from York University called ‘Planning Housing Environments’; executed the concept, sales & marketing of multiple new condo and vintage loft conversions; and guided hundreds of clients through the purchase and sale of hundreds of freehold and condominium dwellings across the original City of Toronto. From a gritty port industrial city into a glittering post-industrial global centre, I’ve navigated the ebbs and flows of a property market as a consistent Top Producer. And I remain as passionate about it today as when I started.
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