Working from home can make daily life more convenient, but it also comes with its own challenges. Without a traditional office, residents need to find ways to stay focused, take calls, attend meetings, and separate work hours from personal time. The apartment itself matters, and features such as apartments with in unit laundry near Santa Ana can also make daily routines more convenient for remote workers.
For people searching for an apartment that supports remote or hybrid work, features such as coworking areas, libraries, quiet rooms, and creative spaces can provide useful alternatives. Broadstone Atlas, for example, advertises a coworking lobby with a coffee bar, a library and tea room with reading nooks, and an acoustically treated podcast studio with recording equipment. These spaces can give residents more choices when working from home starts to feel repetitive.
Creating a Comfortable Apartment Workspace
The first step in working from home is finding a place where work can be done comfortably. This does not always require a separate home office. A desk in a bedroom, living room, or another suitable area can work if it provides enough space for a computer and other daily work supplies.
A dedicated workspace can also help create a boundary between work and personal activities. When the workday ends, closing the laptop and leaving the workspace can make it easier to shift into personal time.
Renters should think about the layout of an apartment before choosing a floor plan. A studio apartment may be enough for someone who works independently and does not need much separation. However, someone who takes frequent video calls or shares the apartment with a roommate may prefer a larger floor plan with more room.
Coworking Spaces Offer a Change of Scenery
Working at the same desk every day can become tiring. An apartment community with a coworking space can give residents another place to work without requiring them to travel to a coffee shop or public library.
Broadstone Atlas advertises a coworking lobby that includes a coffee bar. A space like this can be useful when residents want to work outside their apartment while remaining close to home. It may also provide a different environment for tasks such as answering emails, reviewing documents, or completing independent work.
Coworking areas can be especially useful for residents who do not have enough room for a full workspace in their apartment. Instead of trying to fit a desk into a small floor plan, they can use shared areas when they need additional space.
However, renters should check how the coworking space is designed before relying on it as a daily office. They can ask about seating, outlets, Wi-Fi access, operating hours, and whether residents can reserve specific areas.
Quiet Spaces Can Help With Focus
Not every work task is easy to complete in a busy apartment. Background noise from roommates, televisions, cooking, or other daily activities can make it difficult to concentrate.
A library or reading area can provide a quieter alternative. Broadstone Atlas advertises a library and tea room with reading nooks, giving residents another place to sit and work or read.
Quiet spaces can be helpful for tasks that require concentration, such as writing, studying, reviewing information, or attending a meeting. They may also provide a useful break from the apartment without requiring residents to leave the community.
When touring an apartment, renters should pay attention to the noise levels in shared work areas. A space may look quiet during a tour but become busier at certain times of the day. Asking current residents or property staff about typical usage can provide useful information.
Creative Spaces Can Support Remote Work
Remote work is not limited to emails and video meetings. Some people create videos, record podcasts, manage social media, or produce other types of digital content. For these residents, a creative space can be particularly useful.
Broadstone Atlas advertises an acoustically treated podcast studio with recording equipment. A dedicated studio can provide a more controlled environment than an apartment bedroom or living room, especially when recording audio.
Having access to a space designed for recording can also reduce some of the challenges associated with working around household noise. Residents should still check how the studio is accessed, whether reservations are required, and what equipment is available before assuming it will meet their needs.
Even residents who do not record podcasts may appreciate having different spaces for different activities. The idea is to choose a location based on the type of work being done.
Checking Wi-Fi and Mobile Reception
A comfortable workspace is only useful if the internet connection can support daily work. Before signing a lease, renters who work remotely should ask about Wi-Fi options, internet providers, and whether internet service is included with the apartment.
It can also be helpful to test mobile reception inside the apartment and shared work areas. This matters for workers who use their phone for calls, two-factor authentication, mobile hotspots, or work-related messages.
People who depend heavily on video meetings should also think about where they will take calls. A strong connection in the bedroom may not be as useful if that space has poor lighting or frequent background noise.
Renters should consider both the apartment and shared spaces when checking connectivity. If a coworking area is advertised as a work-friendly feature, ask whether residents have access to Wi-Fi and enough electrical outlets.
Taking Calls Without Disturbing Roommates
Calls can be one of the biggest challenges of working from an apartment. Someone may be able to complete quiet tasks from a shared living room, but frequent meetings can make the space difficult to share.
Roommates can also have their own schedules. One person may need to attend a video meeting while another wants to watch television, cook, or relax.
Having access to a separate workspace can make these situations easier. A coworking area, quiet room, or other shared space may provide a better setting for important calls.
If the apartment itself is the main workspace, renters should think about privacy and sound. A larger bedroom or separate room may make it easier to take calls without disturbing others. Those who work with roommates should also discuss basic schedules and expectations before problems develop.
Separating Work From Home Life
One of the benefits of working remotely is avoiding a daily commute. However, the lack of a commute can also make it harder to stop working.
A dedicated workspace can help create a simple routine. Starting work at the same time, using one area for work, and leaving that area at the end of the day can create a clearer boundary.
Shared apartment amenities can support this separation as well. For example, someone might work at home in the morning, move to a coworking area for the afternoon, and then return to the apartment when the workday ends.
This small change in environment can make the day feel less repetitive. It can also help residents avoid spending every part of the day in the same room.
Practicing Good Coworking Etiquette
Shared work areas work best when everyone respects the space. Residents should be aware of how their behavior affects other people who are trying to work.
Simple habits can make a difference. Keep conversations at a reasonable volume, use headphones when appropriate, clean up after using a table, and avoid occupying large areas longer than necessary.
People taking calls should also consider whether the space is designed for conversations. If a coworking area is quiet, a long or loud meeting may disturb other residents. Moving to a designated call area or another suitable space may be more considerate.
Renters should also check the community’s rules before using shared spaces for work. Some areas may have specific hours, reservation requirements, or guest policies.
Choosing Between a Studio and a Larger Apartment
The right apartment size depends on how a person works. A studio can be a practical option for someone who lives alone and does not need much separation between work and personal areas.
However, a larger apartment may make remote work more comfortable for someone who spends most of the week at home. An extra bedroom can become a dedicated office, while a larger living area can provide additional space for furniture and equipment.
People who work with roommates may also benefit from additional space. Separate bedrooms and common areas can make it easier for everyone to maintain their own routines.
Before choosing a floor plan, renters should consider how many hours they spend working, whether they take frequent calls, what equipment they use, and whether they need a quiet room.
What to Look for During an Apartment Tour
Remote workers should evaluate more than the apartment’s kitchen, bedroom, and living area. They should also consider how the community supports their work routine.
Ask about:
- Wi-Fi availability and internet providers
- Mobile phone reception
- Coworking space hours and seating
- Access to quiet rooms or libraries
- Electrical outlets near work areas
- Rules for taking calls in shared spaces
- Reservation requirements for private amenities
- Available recording or creative spaces
- Noise levels during busy hours
- Whether the apartment has enough room for a desk
It can also help to visit the community during the time you normally work. This can give you a better idea of noise, traffic, lighting, and how busy shared spaces are.
Making Apartment Workdays More Flexible
Working from home does not have to mean sitting at the same desk from morning until evening. An apartment community with different work-friendly spaces can give residents more flexibility throughout the day.
Broadstone Atlas offers an example of this approach through its coworking lobby, coffee bar, library and tea room with reading nooks, and podcast studio. Each type of space can serve a different purpose, from focused work to creative projects or simply getting a change of scenery.
