Sorry to those of you who invested in a home office during the pandemic — with the RTO push in full force, we're guessing your desk has gotten a little dusty and that that glorified Zoom background of a room could be put to better use.
That’s why, as more people work in person again, many are converting their underused workspaces into hobby rooms, per Bloomberg.
The rise and fall of the home office
During the pandemic, when the WFH shift seemed here to stay, having a home office became essential. In 2022, Zillow found listings that mentioned a home office or “Zoom room” sold for 1.6% above asking price and six days faster than those without.
But five years on, the trend is dying down:
- With 75% of US workers now required to work in-office regularly, dedicated home workspaces just aren’t as necessary.
- Only 13% of interior designers expect home office renovations to be their most-requested projects this year, down from around one-third in 2023, per 1stDibs.
Room for pastimes
Instead, homeowners are now repurposing their home offices to build out wine cellars, teen rec rooms, cigar lounges, pilates studios, and other spaces that promote entertainment, pleasure, and retreat. (So, basically, the opposite of a workspace.)
In cities like New York, where space is especially precious and “the once must-have home office is losing its crown,” industry expert Eric Brown told Bloomberg, hobby rooms are taking on multiple purposes.
“A room might start the day as a calm workout spot, serve as a kids’ gaming zone in the afternoon and then evolve into a sophisticated entertaining space by night.”
It comes at a time…
… when people are prioritizing wellbeing and experiences, and marks a shift away from work and toward play.
- A 2025 survey by Thumbtack found that 84% of homeowners are prioritizing projects that “bring happiness over dollars,” with 31% planning on spending $10k+ on such projects, regardless of a ROI.
Plus, given high home prices and mortgage rates, the majority (61%) of US homeowners plan to stay put for at least 10 years, so it makes sense that they might want to actually enjoy the place they live.
And, God forbid there’s another pandemic, a cigar lounge might make a pretty cool setting for an otherwise boring meeting.
