What layouts and home types work best for work-from-home families in Markham?For work-from-home families, the floor plan matters more than the neighbourhood. Look for a main-floor office or den with a door, a second workspace away from the bedrooms, such as a loft, finished basement or converted fourth bedroom, and walls between work and family areas. In Markham, many detached homes from the late 1990s onward include a main-floor den or family room that can become an office. Back-split and side-split homes separate levels well. Check for good light, sound separation and enough outlets before you offer.
When one or two adults work from home and children are home after school, a layout that looked great on a Saturday showing can feel crowded by Tuesday morning.
Michael John Lau, a REALTOR® with the Kaizen Real Estate Team, one of the most active real estate teams in Markham and York Region, helps work-from-home families tour homes with their weekday routine in mind, room by room.
Layouts that work
| Layout feature | Why it helps | Common in |
|---|---|---|
| Main-floor den or library with a door | Quiet office away from bedrooms; good for client calls | Many detached homes from the late 1990s onward |
| Second-floor loft | Open workspace that can be closed in | Newer detached homes and some townhomes |
| Finished basement with a separate room | Full separation from family noise | Older and newer detached homes |
| Fourth or fifth bedroom | Easy conversion to an office | Larger detached homes |
| Back-split or side-split | Split levels keep work and family spaces apart | Older subdivisions from the 1960s to 1980s |
Two offices, not one
For neighbourhood picks, see Markham’s best neighbourhoods for remote workers; this guide is about the house itself. Families with two remote workers often need two separate spaces. A common setup is a main-floor office for the person on more calls and a basement or upstairs office for the other. When touring, ask whether two people could take video calls at the same time without hearing each other.
What to check in each room
- Doors and walls: a real door matters more than square footage.
- Light: a window for daylight, without glare on screens.
- Outlets and wiring: enough outlets, and the option to run network cable.
- Heating and cooling: basements and over-garage rooms can run cold or hot.
- Sound: rooms above the kitchen or beside the laundry can be noisy.
Need a home that works on weekdays too?
Michael John Lau can short-list Markham homes with real office space and quiet layouts.
Book a buyer consultationSearch Markham homesPrefer to talk? Call the Kaizen Real Estate Team at (647) 370-8885.
Home types compared
| Home type | For work from home |
|---|---|
| Detached | Most room for two offices; no shared walls |
| Semi-detached | One shared wall; put the office on the other side |
| Freehold townhouse | Often three levels; ground-floor rooms can work as offices |
| Condo | Den or second bedroom; check for a door and a window |
Quiet streets and internet
A quiet office starts outside. Check traffic, nearby construction and school drop-off times. Courts and crescents tend to be quieter than streets near collector roads. Ask the sellers which internet providers serve the address, and test mobile signal in each room during the showing.
Adding an office later
If the home is close but not quite right, a basement room or garden suite may help. Finishing a basement room or adding a garden suite may need a building permit, and rules apply to bedrooms and egress. See the Markham home renovation permit guide before you plan the work.
A weekday touring test
- Sit in each possible office and imagine a two-hour video call.
- Have someone talk in the kitchen while you listen from the office.
- Check where children would do homework after school.
- Look for a spot for printers, files and storage.
- Ask the sellers how warm or cool each room gets in summer and winter.
- Check whether the office window faces a busy street or driveway.
A home that passes this test on a weekday will usually feel right for years.
Resale thinking
Rooms that work as offices today also appeal to future buyers. A main-floor den with a door is useful for guests, older parents or a future bedroom, which helps resale. Ultimately, the decision is yours. The goal is to make sure you have all the information before you choose a layout.
The best layout fits your Tuesday, not only your Saturday. Call the Kaizen Real Estate Team at (647) 370-8885 or book a consultation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best layout for working from home?
A main-floor office with a door, plus a second workspace away from bedrooms, such as a loft or basement room.
Are basement offices a good idea?
They can be, with good light, heating and a door. Check moisture and ceiling height.
Which Markham homes have main-floor offices?
Many detached homes from the late 1990s onward include a main-floor den or library that works as an office.
Do I need a permit to finish a basement office?
Often yes, especially for new walls, plumbing or electrical work. Check with the City of Markham.
Is a townhouse good for two remote workers?
It can be, especially three-level townhomes with a ground-floor room, but shared walls can carry sound.
Does a home office help resale?
A main-floor den with a door is useful to many buyers, as an office, guest room or space for older parents.
Michael John Lau and Neeraj Moolchandani are licensed REALTORS® with the Kaizen Real Estate Team, eXp Realty, Brokerage, 9763 Markham Rd, Markham, ON L6E 1A4. Licence #4784577. Call (647) 370-8885. Layout descriptions are general observations about Markham housing types and vary by builder and model. Permit requirements are from the City of Markham. This article is general information only and is not financial, legal or tax advice. Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract with another brokerage.
