The pandemic changed how we work, and many of us discovered we could do our jobs from almost anywhere – including beautiful Muskoka. At Laketree Properties, we’ve seen a surge of remote workers moving to our Huntsville, Gravenhurst, and Parry Sound apartments, trading city life for lakeside living without sacrificing their careers.
But not all apartments are created equal when it comes to remote work. The right layout can make the difference between productive workdays and constant frustration. Having helped numerous professionals find work-friendly spaces in our properties, we’ve gathered insights on what makes an apartment work for remote employees.
Space Requirements: How Much Room Do You Actually Need?
Before diving into specific features, let’s talk square footage. While our cozy 500-square-foot one-bedrooms can absolutely accommodate remote work, you’ll need thoughtful planning to make them function well. Our 700-900 square foot two-bedrooms offer more flexibility, particularly for those needing dedicated office space.
When touring apartments in Huntsville or Gravenhurst, consider your specific work setup. Do you need dual monitors and multiple peripherals? Do clients visit you? Do you need space for physical materials? Be honest about what constitutes a functional workspace – that cute breakfast nook might look charming, but could you sit there comfortably for eight hours?
Morgan, one of our Parry Sound residents, initially tried working from a studio apartment but upgraded to one of our one-bedrooms after three months. “I needed psychological separation between ‘work space’ and ‘relaxation space’,” she explained. “Even just having a bedroom door to close at the end of the workday made a huge difference in my stress levels.”
Layout Analysis: What to Look For During Tours
Remote work success often comes down to how an apartment’s layout accommodates separation between professional and personal life. Here’s what to consider:
Open Concept vs. Divided Spaces
Open floor plans, popular in modern Muskoka apartments, offer excellent natural light and spaciousness. However, they can present challenges for video calls and concentration. Look for natural dividing points – like partial walls, different flooring transitions, or alcoves – that could help define a workspace.
In our Huntsville properties, several remote workers have successfully used the IKEA KALLAX shelving units (available at the Barrie location) as room dividers. These create visual separation while providing valuable storage and don’t require any permanent installation – perfect for rentals.
Strategic Placement Options
Corner units typically offer more windows and often have better sound insulation from neighbors. End-of-hallway units in our Gravenhurst buildings tend to have less hallway foot traffic noise – something to consider if you’re on calls frequently.
When touring, pay attention to logical places for a desk. Ideally, you want:
- A space not visible from the entry door (to avoid distractions)
- A position where computer screens won’t face windows (to prevent glare)
- A spot away from kitchen and bathroom noises (for better video call quality)
Remember that most of our units feature well-planned layouts with at least one wall space that works perfectly for a home office setup. During tours, don’t hesitate to ask our property managers, “Where do other remote workers typically set up their desks in this unit?”
Connectivity: The Lifeblood of Remote Work
Internet reliability in Muskoka has improved dramatically in recent years. Most of our Huntsville and Gravenhurst properties now offer fiber options through Bell or cable internet through Lakeland Networks. Parry Sound units primarily use Bell and Rogers services.
When apartment hunting, ask specific questions about:
- Available providers (competition typically means better service)
- Average speeds current residents experience (not just what’s advertised)
- Any common connectivity issues in the building
Cellular reception varies throughout Muskoka. While our downtown Huntsville and Gravenhurst properties generally have excellent coverage, some lakeside locations may have spotty service. Bring your phone on apartment tours and check signal strength in different rooms – particularly where you plan to work.
Sound Management: Creating Professional Call Environments
Nothing undermines professionalism like background noise during important calls. When touring potential apartments, pay attention to:
- Sound transfer between units (can you hear neighbors through walls?)
- Traffic or outdoor noise (especially if near main roads)
- Building mechanical sounds (elevators, HVAC systems, plumbing)
Visit properties at different times if possible. That quiet morning showing might not reflect the reality of afternoon noise levels. Our newer constructions in Gravenhurst and Parry Sound feature enhanced soundproofing between units, which many remote workers find essential.
For improving acoustics within your apartment, local solutions abound. Majestic Blinds in Bracebridge offers sound-dampening window treatments, while Staples in Huntsville carries a selection of sound-absorbing room dividers and desk panels. Even strategic placement of bookshelves from JYSK in Bracebridge can dramatically improve call quality by reducing echo.
Light and Visual Backgrounds: The Zoom Factor
Natural light improves mood and productivity, but it needs to be manageable. North-facing units provide consistent, glare-free light – ideal for screen work. South-facing apartments offer abundant light but may require window coverings from stores like Home Depot to control brightness during video calls.
Consider what will be visible behind you during video meetings. Apartments with walls at right angles to windows offer the best setup – you can face the window for natural lighting while having a wall behind you for a professional background. If such an arrangement isn’t possible, Room Dividers Canada (with shipping to all Muskoka locations) offers collapsible backdrops specifically designed for video calls in small spaces.
Space-Saving Work Solutions
Even our more compact units can accommodate effective workstations with the right furniture. Canadian Tire and RONA carry several space-efficient desk options, including wall-mounted folding desks that can disappear when not in use.
For those in our studio or one-bedroom apartments, consider a “cloffice” – a closet converted to an office space with a floating desk and shelving. The Home Hardware in downtown Huntsville stocks everything needed for this increasingly popular solution. Best of all, these modifications can be removed before move-out without damaging the apartment.
For ergonomic chairs that don’t overwhelm small spaces, Office Solutions in Bracebridge offers apartment-friendly models that provide proper support without the bulk of traditional office chairs.
Separating Work and Personal Life
Perhaps the biggest challenge of working from an apartment is maintaining boundaries between professional and personal time. Strategic layout choices help tremendously:
- Use furniture to create visual barriers (bookshelves, plants, screens)
- Employ different lighting schemes for work hours versus personal time
- Establish “work-only” and “never-work” zones within your apartment
Several of our Gravenhurst tenants have created innovative solutions using tension rod systems from Home Hardware to hang curtains that can partition off work areas when the day ends. These install without any permanent modifications and create a visual cue that workday is over.
Finding Your Ideal Remote Work Apartment in Muskoka
Each Muskoka community offers unique advantages for remote workers:
Huntsville apartments tend to offer the most robust internet infrastructure and are popular with tech workers and online professionals who need reliable connectivity.
Gravenhurst units often feature larger balconies and outdoor spaces, providing valuable “third spaces” for creative professionals who benefit from changing environments throughout the workday.
Parry Sound apartments typically offer more square footage for the price, making them ideal for those needing separate work rooms or specialized setups.
When touring our properties, be explicit about your remote work needs. Our property managers can highlight features particularly beneficial for your situation and suggest layouts that have worked well for similar professionals.
All Laketree Properties apartments include modern amenities remote workers appreciate – reliable building security, in-suite laundry, and sound-reducing features. Many of our newer units also feature built-in nooks that naturally accommodate workspace needs without sacrificing living areas.
Remote work offers the freedom to live where you want while maintaining your career – and Muskoka offers the perfect backdrop for productive workdays and rejuvenating time off. With the right apartment layout, you really can have the best of both worlds.
Interested in finding a remote-work-friendly apartment in Muskoka? Browse our available units at www.laketree.ca/notice-board or contact us to discuss specific work-from-home needs. We’re committed to helping you find a space where you can be productive, professional, and still enjoy all the beauty Muskoka has to offer outside your working hours.
