Hybrid Home/Work Arrangement Trend Calls For A Cool Home Office

Architecture, Design, Leslieville/Riverside, Real Estate

 

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?

 


 

Want to have someone on your side?

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.

Consider contacting me at 416-845-9905 or email me at Steve@urbaneer.com. It would be my pleasure to personally introduce our services.

We’d love to introduce our services to you

Serving first and second-time Buyers, relocations, renovators, and those building their long-term property portfolios, our mandate is to help clients choose the property that will realize the highest future return on their investment while ensuring the property best serves their practical needs and their dream of “Home” during their ownership.

Are you considering selling? We welcome providing you with a comprehensive assessment free of charge, including determining your Buyer profile, ways to optimize your return on investment, and tailoring the listing process to suit your circumstances. Check out How Urbaneer’s Custom Marketing Program Sold This Authentic Broadview Loft to learn more about what we do!

Consider letting Urbaneer guide you through your Buying or Selling process, without pressure, or hassle.

We are here to help!

 

 

Thanks for reading!

 

-The Urbaneer Team

Steven Fudge, Sales Representative
& The Innovative Urbaneer Team
Bosley Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage – (416) 322-800

 

– we’re here to earn your trust, then your business –

Celebrating Thirty-Four Years As A Top-Producing Toronto Realtor

 

*Did you know we were recently listed as one of The Top 25 Toronto Real Estate Agents To Follow On Twitter! – The Top 50 Blogs In Toronto – and The Top 100 Real Estate Blogs In Canada? Consider signing up in the box below to receive our FREE monthly e-newsletter on housing, culture, and design including our love for unique urban homes and other Toronto real estate!

*Love Canadian Housing? Check out Steve’s University Student Mentorship site called Canadian Real Estate, Housing & Home which focuses on architecture, landscape, design, products, and real estate in Canada!

 

Previous Post
Why Canada Lacks Purpose-Built Rentals & Other Shelter Issues
Next Post
Here Comes Toronto’s ‘Ontario Line’ Transit Network