As the pandemic recedes further into memory, many homeowners are finding their once-essential home offices gathering dust.
With companies increasingly requiring staff to return to the workplace, these spaces represent an opportunity to add significant value to properties.
New research from estate agents Yopa has revealed which transformations could boost your home's worth by thousands of pounds.
According to the analysis, a home office can add approximately 7.5 per cent to a property's value. Based on the current average UK house price of £268,548, this equates to a respectable £20,141 in added value.
Swapping out a home office could add value to your property
GETTY
However, homeowners looking to maximise these spaces could achieve even greater returns by considering alternative uses. The research suggests several transformations could significantly outperform the value added by a home office.
The most lucrative transformation is converting a home office into a dressing room or walk-in wardrobe, which could boost property value by 14.5 per cent.
This represents an impressive £38,939 based on today's average house prices. When compared to the value already added by a home office, homeowners could gain an additional £18,798 by making this change.
For book lovers, transforming a home office into a library or reading room could add 12 per cent to a home's value, or £32,226.
This conversion would add an additional £12,085 beyond what a home office already provides. Gaming enthusiasts might consider creating a games room, which could increase property value by an extra £6,714.
These options offer homeowners practical alternatives that also boost resale potential. Converting a home office into a gym or workout room could very slightly reduce property value, adding only 7.4 per cent compared to the office's 7.5 per cent.
Other transformations, like laundry rooms or cinema rooms, add even less value in buyers' eyes. For homeowners planning to sell soon, the research suggests it might be best to maintain the existing home office space.
CEO of Yopa Verona Frankish commented: "The dark days of pandemic lockdown restrictions and the requirement to work from home are thankfully a distant memory now, but for many, our homes still hold a reminder in the form of the workspace used at the time.
"With flexible working remaining a prominent feature today, the chances are that these spaces aren't completely underutilised and, for potential buyers, a dedicated workspace can hold strong appeal, adding an estimated £20,000 to the value of a home.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
A walk-in wardrobe could add value to your home
GETTY
"However, there are a number of features that could add even more value should you choose to transform your pandemic workspace and so for those who have left their desks gathering dust, it could well be worth an upgrade, especially if you're considering putting your house up for sale anytime soon."
For homeowners considering selling, the research clearly shows that strategic room conversions can significantly boost property values.
Transforming unused home offices into dressing rooms could add nearly £19,000 in additional value. Reading rooms and games rooms also offer substantial returns on investment.
Even for those not planning to sell immediately, these conversions provide practical spaces that enhance daily living while simultaneously increasing future resale potential.
