5 Home Office Types: What Home Office Means for the Future of the Office

The world of work has changed massively in recent years. Working from home has become the norm for many – but the home office experience is not the same for everyone. While some are happy about more freedom and self-determination, others struggle with a lack of exchange, isolation and the dilemma of balancing work and private life.

A study by Steelcase has identified five different home office types that show how differently people deal with this situation. The 5 home office types not only provide insights into the individual working methods of employees, but also provide valuable advice for companies that want to introduce hybrid working models and flexible office concepts such as desk sharing.

1. The frustrated creative networker – collaboration needs proximity

This guy thrives on direct exchange and spontaneous conversations. Brainstorming sessions, creative workshops and exchanges among colleagues in the office are essential for him. Digital alternatives such as video conferencing or virtual whiteboards can only partially replace his way of working.

Challenge: Lack of personal contact can have a negative impact on creativity and motivation. The exchange via digital channels often feels inadequate.

Solution: Hybrid office concepts that allow flexible use can create a good balance here. Desk sharing makes it possible to come to the office as needed and secure a suitable space for creative collaboration.

2. The relieved self-protector – peace and focus in the home office

This type of person often found things in the office to be distracting, things that are normal for others: conversations, open work surfaces, and lots of interruptions. In the home office he can work undisturbed and concentrate better.

Challenge: There is a risk that this type will increasingly withdraw from the company and become less involved in team processes.

Solution: A flexible office concept that provides quiet work zones in the office can help to enable the benefits of working from home on-site. With desk sharing and software developed for it, such as Flexopus, everyone can choose their workspace according to their needs – be it a quiet area for focused work or a more communicative environment for team exchange in the office.

3. The overworked supervisor – between meetings and private obligations

This guy juggles between professional tasks and private obligations. People with families or other care responsibilities are particularly faced with the challenge of balancing work and private life.

Challenge: Constant interruptions and a lack of a clear line between work and leisure often lead to stress and overload.

Solution: A flexible working model that allows switching between home office and office can provide relief here. Desk sharing allows you to use the office in a targeted manner to create a more productive environment when there are too many distractions at home. At the same time, the flexibility to use the home office on days with high private workload is maintained.

4. The isolated Zoom user – lack of social contact in the home office

Those who live alone often struggle with isolation when working from home. Although there are many virtual meetings, this home office type really misses spontaneous conversations and exchanges with colleagues.

Challenge: Lack of social contacts can have a negative impact on motivation and well-being in the long term.

Solution: Here, too, a hybrid model offers advantages. If the office can be used flexibly, it no longer becomes just a place to work, but also a social meeting place. Desk sharing provides variety because workstations are not rigidly distributed, but can be used as needed.

5. The autonomy seeker – maximum productivity in the home office

This type has optimally set up his home office and works more efficiently there than in the office. He appreciates the flexibility of being able to better organize his working hours and feels comfortable working from home.

Challenge: Even though this home office type works very independently, the lack of physical presence in the office can lead to a weaker team spirit in the long run. There are also situations in which a direct exchange would be more efficient.

Solution: A desk-sharing model offers the possibility of using the office according to individual needs. Those who prefer to work from home can continue to remain flexible, but can come to the office when needed and work there without being tied to a fixed workplace.

Desk sharing as the key to a dynamic working world

The findings of the study on different types of home offices underline that a permanently assigned workplace is no longer appropriate in today's working world. While some employees need direct interaction in the office, others feel more productive in a quieter environment. Desk sharing therefore offers companies the opportunity to take these different needs into account and use them to their advantage. Instead of providing fixed workstations, employees can flexibly decide when they come to the office and which workstation they need today. This not only leads to more efficient use of space, but also promotes exchange between teams by continually creating new communication channels. This transforms the office from a pure workspace into a flexible hub for collaboration, creativity and social interaction.

Indispensable for the success of a successful desk sharing concept is specially developed desk sharing software such as Flexopus. With Flexopus, the challenges of the modern working world can be met with ease. This creates fair and equal cooperation between employees working from home and those present in the office. 

Conclusion: The future of work is flexible

The five home office types show that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. While some work better in the office, others appreciate the advantages of working from home. Companies today are faced with the challenge of creating working models that cater to both groups and must be more agile than ever.

Hybrid concepts such as desk sharing offer a sensible solution here. They enable office space to be used more efficiently, while employees can flexibly decide when and where they work most productively. This allows everyone to combine the advantages of the office and home office in the best possible way – depending on their own work style and needs.

By the way: If you would like to find out more about the current state of research in the field of New Work and hybrid working, we have published a comprehensive overview of the current scientific studies on the topic on our blog.  Have fun browsing!