Best Home Features for Remote Work
A dedicated office space is important, but it isn’t the only factor you should consider when setting up your workspace. Reliable Wi-Fi, smart lighting, and even a well-equipped outdoor area can all play a role in creating a better work-from-home experience.
In this blog, we’ll look at the best home features for remote work, such as practical essentials, nice-to-have upgrades, and a few forward-thinking ideas for those who want to take their home office to the next level.
Residence 4 Floor Plan, Allora Neighborhood, Amoruso Ranch Community, Roseville, California
Practical Must-Haves
These are the everyday features that make the biggest difference for remote work. They’re simple enough to add to most homes and can dramatically improve focus, comfort, and productivity.
Reliable Internet
Nothing derails a workday faster than a choppy call or not being able to access your files, so a strong, consistent internet connection is a must. A mesh Wi-Fi system or a strategically placed router can help eliminate dead zones, while an Ethernet port in your workspace provides extra reliability for video calls and large file transfers.
Plenty of Power
Between laptops, monitors, printers, and chargers, outlets fill up fast. Extra outlets and USB ports in or near your workspace prevent the clutter of extension cords and keep everything powered where you need it.
Smart Lighting
The right lighting can boost your energy and even make you look better on your video calls. Dimmable fixtures or smart bulbs that shift from cool light during the day to warm light in the evening help reduce eye strain and support your body’s natural rhythm.
Sound Control
Excessive background noise can quickly derail your focus and become a distraction on a call. Simple fixes like adding rugs, curtains, or even weatherstripping on office doors can help absorb sound. If you are frequently part of video meetings, installing some affordable acoustic panels can provide an added layer of quiet.
Flexible Spaces
Not every home has room for a dedicated office, but a smart use of the space you do have can go a long way. A guest room that could double as an office, a fold-down desk, or an existing nook can be used to carve out a productive corner without giving up valuable square footage.
Outdoor Work Options
Fresh air can boost creativity and reduce stress, so grab your laptop and head outside. A patio, balcony, or shaded backyard spot where your Wi-Fi reaches can provide a refreshing alternative to working indoors and give you an extra boost of energy to finish the day.
Nice-to-Have Features
Once you have the basics in place, a few thoughtful upgrades can make working from home smoother and more enjoyable. These aren’t essentials, but they go a long way in making your home office feel comfortable, polished, and professional.
Extra Soundproofing
If being on calls is a major part of your workday, investing in insulated doors or upgraded wall materials can go a long way in keeping background noise out and your conversations private. Even small upgrades, like a door sweep or draft blocker, can make a surprising difference.
Dedicated Climate Control
An office that runs too hot or too cold is not a place where you can sit down and focus. A portable fan or space heater may be sufficient, but if the temperature is drastically different than the rest of your home, a zoned HVAC system or small ductless unit may be an option. These solutions allow you to fine-tune the temperature in the space without affecting the rest of the house.
Smart Shades
When there’s a glare on your screen, it’s distracting, and if you’re in “the zone,” you may not want to stop what you’re doing to adjust the blinds. Motorized shades or smart blinds make it easy to control the amount of natural light coming in with the touch of a button or even a voice command.
Video-Friendly Background
A tidy, neutral backdrop helps you look professional on camera. Built-in shelving or a statement wall creates a polished look with minimal effort and saves you from scrambling to tidy up before a meeting.
Heritage Floor Plan, Urban Courtyard Homes Collection, Easton Park Community, Austin, Texas
Future-Forward Features
If you’re designing your home from the ground up or looking to invest in long-term upgrades, a few high-end or innovative features can elevate your remote work setup beyond the basics. These ideas aren’t necessary for everyone, but they can make your home feel ready for whatever the future of work brings.
Whole-Home Backup Power
Power outages are inconvenient at any time, but even more so when your work depends on your ability to stay online. A generator or battery backup integrated into your home can keep your office running smoothly, even during unexpected interruptions.
Modular Work Pods
A detached shed, a standalone garage, or a backyard studio can all be transformed into a workspace that is completely separate from your home. These pods can provide quiet, privacy, and mental separation from your home life, a feature many remote workers value highly.
Integrated Smart Systems
Advanced home automation can support your productivity in subtle ways, like adjusting lights, temperature, or shading automatically throughout the day. While it might feel super-techy now, these systems are becoming more accessible and can help future-proof your home for evolving work needs.
Picasso Floor Plan, 55+ Lifestyle Collection, Heritage Shores 55+ Community, Bridgeville, Delaware
Wellness & Biophilia
Bringing in the right elements to your home office extends beyond productivity; it’s also about supporting your overall energy, focus, and well-being. This is a space where you’ll be spending several hours a day, and incorporating wellness and nature-inspired pieces can make a noticeable difference in how you feel while working from home.
Natural Light & Views
Positioning your desk near windows or incorporating skylights brings in natural light, which helps regulate your mood and circadian rhythms. Even a small view of trees, a garden, or a balcony can provide a mental refresh and a much-needed break from a computer screen.
Indoor Plants & Greenery
Adding plants isn’t just decorative; biophilic design has been shown to reduce stress, improve concentration, and boost air quality. Even a few potted plants, a small tree, or a vertical garden can bring life and color to your workspace without requiring much upkeep.
Invest in Comfort
Since you’re spending several hours a day in the same chair, it’s worth investing in good-quality, ergonomic furniture that supports your back and promotes good posture. At a minimum, you want a chair with height adjustment, lumbar support, the ability to swivel, and casters.
Choose a desk that fits your needs. There should be enough space for your computer, any extra monitors, room to review paperwork, and the ability to accommodate any other essentials you need to work. Having enough width and depth is key to avoiding a claustrophobic workspace.
Create a Micro-Wellness Zone
Incorporating movement into your workday is crucial for both physical and mental well-being. Movement breaks can enhance productivity, and simple actions like stretching, walking around, or doing light exercises can improve circulation, reduce muscle stiffness, and boost energy levels.
If you’re looking for an extra brain boost, add a treadmill or a walking pad under your desk so you can keep moving while tackling e-mails or hopping on a call.
Lily Floor Plan, Mariposa Collection, Blossom Rock Community, Apache Junction, Arizona
Mindset & Boundary Builders
A productive work-from-home routine isn’t shaped solely by furniture and tech. You should also consider how your space influences your work-life balance. Small, thoughtful features can help you set boundaries between work and play and keep you in the right mindset in each environment.
Transition Zones
Spaces that act as “in-between” areas can help create a natural boundary between your personal life and your workday. Even something as simple as a short walk down a hallway, entering a room through double doors, or stepping onto a patio before starting to work can mimic the feeling of a commute and give your brain the signal it’s time to shift gears.
Visual Cues
Design details like a distinct paint color, a different type of flooring, or dedicated lighting in your office can reinforce the idea that this is a separate, focused environment. These subtle cues are especially helpful in open-concept floor plans or multipurpose spaces where the lines between work and relaxation can easily blur.
Start- and End-of-Day Rituals
Small, consistent habits to start and end your day signal to your brain that it’s time to shift. Making a fresh cup of coffee and opening the blinds says, “it’s time to focus,” while powering down your equipment and putting everything away helps you mentally leave work behind. Creating a to-do list for the next workday is another great way to mentally clear out your work tasks and transition into relaxation mode.
Lucca Floor Plan, Estate Collection, Livingston Community, Calgary, Alberta
Remote work has shifted from a temporary adjustment to a long-term lifestyle for many, making it more important than ever to have a home office environment that fosters productivity and keeps you focused.
If you’re looking for tips on styling and setting up your workspace, don’t miss our blog, 10 Home Office Design Tips to Maximize Productivity. By designing your home office for productivity and incorporating the best home features for remote work, you’re setting yourself up for a successful workday.
At Brookfield Residential, we design homes with modern life in mind, including flexible spaces that make working from home easier and more enjoyable. Explore where we build and connect with our sales team when you’re ready to learn more. We’ll be expecting you!
