What A Difference Work Space Makes!
Home working is here to stay, so having a dedicated space now adds real value.
Over the last few years, our homes have had to work harder than ever. Living rooms became classrooms, kitchens doubled up as offices, and even the corner of a landing sometimes found itself repurposed with a desk and a chair. While some of us may have hoped the shift to home working would be short-lived, the reality is very different. Hybrid and remote working are now firmly part of everyday life, and that means buyers are increasingly on the lookout for homes with ready-made space to work.
So, what does this mean if you’re preparing to sell your home? It’s simple: creating a thoughtful, stylish, and practical work area could be the detail that helps a potential buyer fall in love with your property. Let’s take a look at why workspace matters so much today and how you can make it shine when staging your home for sale.
Why Home Working Is Here to Stay
There’s no doubt that flexible working has become one of the lasting legacies of recent years. Many businesses now recognise the benefits of allowing staff to work from home at least part of the week: fewer commuting costs, better work-life balance, and often higher productivity. For employees, the chance to skip the daily rush-hour squeeze is a perk they don’t want to lose.
Because of this cultural shift, the demand for home office space is no longer a “nice-to-have”. Instead, it’s becoming an expectation. Buyers want to imagine themselves working comfortably from home, without having to perch at the kitchen table surrounded by laundry or household noise. Highlighting even a small but functional area for work shows you understand modern living and makes your property stand out from others on the market.
The Value of Dedicated Workspace
Think about the difference between a home that has a clear desk set-up and one that doesn’t. When staging a property, those subtle signals of functionality can be powerful. A workspace suggests organisation, practicality, and foresight—all qualities buyers appreciate.
Even more importantly, it signals to viewers that this home supports their lifestyle as it is now. People want to see that they can send an email in peace, take part in a Zoom call without distraction, and still close the laptop at the end of the day to enjoy their living space. By presenting a dedicated corner, nook, or full office, you’re not just adding visual interest—you’re adding perceived value.
Creating Space Where It Counts
Not everyone has a spare bedroom waiting to be transformed into a sleek office. But the good news is you don’t need one. With clever staging, almost any home can showcase a work-friendly area and at The Home Shapers, this is something we advocate.
Use awkward spaces: A landing, alcove, or bay window can be reimagined with a slim desk, stylish chair, and tidy storage.
Think double-duty: A dining area that can comfortably host both dinner parties and laptop days is an easy win.
Keep it tidy: Buyers want to see the potential, not the paperwork. Simple storage boxes, shelving, or even a decorative basket can hide everyday clutter.
Add a touch of inspiration: A plant, lamp, or neatly framed print makes the space feel warm and inviting rather than clinical.
By showing that your home has “room to work”, you’re painting a picture of how flexible and adaptable it can be—something modern buyers truly value.
From Living to Working (and Back Again)
One of the biggest challenges of working from home is drawing the line between job and life. No one wants to feel like they’re sleeping in their office, so staging should reflect how seamlessly the two worlds can coexist.
A clever approach is to set up work areas that are easy to “switch off” when not in use. A fold-away desk, a bureau with doors, or even a simple divider can help reclaim the living feel at the end of the working day. In smaller homes, positioning a desk to blend with the existing décor—matching woods, neutral colours, or stylish accessories—makes it part of the room rather than an intrusion.
The message to buyers? You can work here without sacrificing comfort, calm, or family life.
The Psychology of Work Space
It’s not just about function—it’s also about feeling. Homeworking can sometimes blur boundaries and create stress, so a staged workspace that feels bright, airy, and organised appeals on a deeper level. People often associate a tidy, dedicated work area with productivity and peace of mind.
By setting up even a modest desk space with care, you’re tapping into that psychology. It tells buyers: “Here’s a home where you can get things done, but also enjoy switching off at the end of the day.” That reassurance can be powerful during the decision-making process.
A Small Change with Big Impact
When preparing your home for sale, you don’t have to knock down walls or invest in full-scale renovations to meet modern buyer expectations. Simply highlighting where and how someone could work from home is enough to spark imagination. The desk in the corner of the bedroom, the office nook under the stairs, or the cosy garden room-turned-study all show your property is future-proofed for today’s lifestyle.
As home working continues to be part of our culture, a staged workspace is more than just a design feature—it’s a selling point. And when buyers picture themselves logging in with a coffee, taking a call in peace, and then closing the laptop to relax, The Home Shapers believe you’ve already given them a reason to choose your home over another.
Final Thoughts
The world of work has changed, and so have the priorities of homebuyers. Showcasing a thoughtful, attractive workspace within your home is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to add appeal when selling. It demonstrates that your property isn’t just stylish, but also practical and ready for modern living.
So, whether it’s a dedicated office, a cleverly designed nook, or a flexible area that transforms from living to working and back again, remember this: when it comes to selling your home, what a difference workspace makes!
At The Home Shapers, our purpose is to help families negotiate fully preparing a home for sale, before it becomes overwhelming, as well as to speed up the time it takes to get a property to market.
If you are keen to hear more about how we can help, please click here to get in touch - we are always willing to talk through how we can ease your journey.