The Southern California real estate market is known for its luxury homes, where every detail matters. When it comes to selling a luxury home, it's not just about the features and amenities, but also about the presentation. Trends in interior design come and go but one trend in particular has unexpectedly added value to homes in a big way. This unassuming, almost common sense, trend has been producing results over the last 18 months embracing the work from home culture that emerged during COVID and stayed. Purposefully staging an office can raise the perceived value of a luxury home now more than ever.

First Impression Matters

Making a lasting impression is key when purchasing a luxury home. From the moment you walk through the front door, you want to be greeted by an environment that exudes high value and sophistication. A well-staged luxury home with a functional and recognizable home office can be a game-changer. In recent times, the importance of having a designated workspace has become more crucial as people choose to work from home. A luxurious home office not only adds value to the overall aesthetic of the home, but it also helps potential buyers envision their new work from home lifestyle. When buyers step into a luxurious home with a beautiful and functional workspace, they can immediately envision themselves working from home in style and comfort alongside their family. This can help them form a positive first impression of the home and be more likely to consider it as their luxury dream home.

Carol Kaplan, Owner and Founder of Everything Creative Designs, shared, “When we work with clients we often advise them to convert a bedroom into a home office so the buyers can visualize themselves working comfortably. One of the first parts of our process when we do an initial walk through to evaluate the space, we will identify the right space to stage that welcoming, open, and inviting office space.”

Work From Home is Here to Stay

According to a survey by Gallup conducted in April 2020, during the pandemic, 62% of employed Americans worked from home, compared to only 25% who worked from home before the pandemic.

Another shocking statistic shared by Apollo Technical, 77% of those who work remotely at least a few times per month show increased productivity, with 30% doing more work in less time and 24% doing more work in the same period of time.

Working from home has become more popular than ever, and having a designated space for work is becoming increasingly important. While some may think of a home office as a luxury, there are many benefits to having one that goes beyond just having “a place to work”. Here are four surprising benefits of having a home office:

Increased Productivity

As mentioned earlier, when you have a dedicated space to work, you're able to create an environment that is optimized for productivity. Whether it's the ability to close the door for privacy or having a larger desk to spread out your work, a home office can help you stay focused and get more done in less time.

Improved Work-Life Balance

Having a home office and creating a designated work space can help you separate your work life from your personal life, which can be especially important if you're working from home full-time.

Cost Savings

If you're currently renting office space or using a coworking space, having a home office can save you a significant amount of money in the long run. Not only will you save on rent, but you'll also save on transportation costs and other expenses associated with commuting to and from an office.

Increased Creativity

Having a space that is dedicated to your work can help you get into the right mindset for creativity and innovation. When you're surrounded by the tools and resources you need to do your job, it's easier to come up with new ideas and think outside the box.

Working from home is not a trend that is going to go away. It is estimated that remote work is here to stay for many reasons.

Help Buyers Imagine Themselves in their New Office Space

Buyers want to be able to imagine themselves living in the home they are considering purchasing. A well-staged office helps buyers see themselves working from the space and living in the home. This is particularly important in luxury homes where buyers are looking for a lifestyle rather than just a place to live.

By staging the office with a clear purpose, such as a home library or an executive workspace, buyers can imagine how they would use the space and how it would fit into their daily lives. This helps buyers emotionally connect with the space and makes them more likely to consider purchasing the home. Carol Kaplan, Owner and Founder of ECD explains, “A properly designed and staged office creates harmony in the home and allows the parent to envision themselves working in that space and also being available for their family when needed. This in turn helps them achieve work-life balance that all families require post-pandemic.”

Staging an office is an important aspect of presenting a luxury home in the Southern California market. A well-staged office creates a positive first impression, increases the perceived value of the home, and helps buyers imagine themselves living in the space more deeply. By purposefully staging an office, sellers can set their luxury home apart from the competition and attract potential buyers who are willing to pay for a well-designed and luxurious space they see themselves in immediately.

ABOUT ECD

Everything Creative Designs has been in business since 2006, staged thousands of homes, and has a flexible team of professional interior designers and stage assists who can stage a 6000 square foot home from start to finish in one day. We have a fully stocked warehouse of interior design quality pieces. These curated collections are all hand picked with purpose. Everything Creative Designs is your preferred partner when you want your rental houses to stand out from the crowd and attract your ideal renters.

The Power of Presentation: How Home Office Staging Can Help You Stand Out in Southern California's Real Estate Market