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

The world of work has changed dramatically in recent years. Working from home has become the standard for many – but the remote work experience is not the same for everyone. While some enjoy greater freedom and autonomy, others struggle with a lack of interaction, isolation, and the challenge of balancing their professional and personal lives.

A study by Steelcase has identified five distinct remote work personas, illustrating the different ways people handle this situation. These 5 remote work personas not only provide insights into individual working styles but also offer valuable guidance for companies looking to introduce hybrid work models and flexible office concepts such as desk sharing .

1. The frustrated creative networker – collaboration requires proximity

This type thrives on direct interaction and spontaneous conversation. Brainstorming sessions, creative workshops, and chatting with colleagues in the office are essential to them. Digital alternatives like video conferences or virtual whiteboards can only partially replace their way of working.

Challenge: A lack of personal contact can have a negative impact on creativity and motivation. Communication via digital channels often feels inadequate.

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

2. The relieved self-protector – peace and focus at home

This type often found what others consider normal in the office to be distracting: conversations, open-plan workspaces, and frequent interruptions. Working from home allows them to work undisturbed and focus better.

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

Solution: A flexible office concept that provides quiet work zones can help bring the benefits of working from home into the office. With desk sharing and dedicated software like Flexopus, everyone can choose a workspace that suits their needs – whether it's a quiet area for focused work or a more communicative environment for team collaboration.

3. The Overwhelmed Caregiver – balancing meetings and personal commitments

This type juggles professional tasks with personal obligations. People with families or other caregiving responsibilities, in particular, face the challenge of balancing work and private life.

Challenge: Constant interruptions and the lack of a clear boundary between work and leisure often lead to stress and burnout.

Solution: A flexible work model that allows for switching between home and the office can provide relief. Desk sharing makes it possible to use the office strategically to create a more productive environment when there are too many distractions at home. At the same time, it maintains the flexibility to work from home on days with high personal demands.

4. The Isolated Zoom User – lack of social contact while working from home

Those who live alone often struggle with isolation when working from home. While there are plenty of virtual meetings, this type of remote worker deeply misses spontaneous conversations and interaction with colleagues.

Challenge: A lack of social contact can have a long-term negative impact on motivation and well-being.

Solution: A hybrid model offers advantages here as well. When the office can be used flexibly, it becomes more than just a place to work—it becomes a social hub. Desk sharing adds variety, as workstations are not assigned rigidly but can be used according to individual needs.

5. The Autonomy Seeker – maximum productivity at home

This type has set themselves up perfectly at home and works more efficiently there than in the office. They value the flexibility of being able to manage their own time and feel comfortable working remotely.

Challenge: Even though this type of remote worker is very independent, a lack of physical presence in the office can lead to a diminished sense of team spirit over time. Furthermore, there are situations where direct, face-to-face interaction would be more efficient.

Solution: A desk-sharing model offers the flexibility to use the office according to individual needs. Those who prefer working from home can remain flexible while still having the option to come into the office and work without being tied to a fixed desk.

Desk sharing as the key to a dynamic work environment

The study's findings on different remote work personas highlight that a permanently assigned desk is no longer relevant in today's working world. While some employees thrive on direct interaction in the office, others find they are more productive in a quieter environment. Desk sharing therefore gives companies the opportunity to accommodate and leverage these diverse needs. Instead of providing fixed workstations, employees can flexibly decide when to come into the office and which workspace they need for the day. This not only leads to more efficient space utilization but also fosters cross-team collaboration by constantly creating new channels for communication. In this way, the office evolves from a mere place of work into a flexible hub for collaboration, creativity, and social interaction.

Essential to the success of any desk-sharing concept is a purpose-built desk-sharing software such as Flexopus. With Flexopus, you can easily tackle the challenges of the modern workplace, ensuring fair and equitable collaboration between employees working from home and those in the office. 

Conclusion: The future of work is flexible

The five remote work personas show that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. While some work better in the office, others value the benefits of working from home. Today, companies face the challenge of creating work models that cater to both groups and must be more agile than ever.

Hybrid concepts like desk sharing offer a practical solution here. They allow for more efficient use of office space while enabling employees to flexibly decide when and where they are most productive. This allows everyone to combine the benefits of the office and the home office in the best possible way—depending on their individual work style and needs.

By the way, if you would like to learn more about the current state of research in the areas of New Work and hybrid working, we have a comprehensive overview of current scientific studies on the topic published on our blog. Happy reading!