When many of us first started working from home, we made do with what we had: a laptop on the kitchen table, a quiet(ish) corner in the living room, or maybe even the bedroom floor during nap time. And to be fair, it worked. With a few clever adjustments (like setting clear work hours and creating a comfy chair setup), we got through those early days just fine. If you’re looking for simple, family-friendly ideas, these home office tips are a great place to start. But what happens when working from home becomes more than just a temporary solution? If you’re planning to make remote work your long-term reality, it might be time to take your home office game up a notch.
Let’s talk about what you really need to build a space that supports your productivity, not just for the next few months, but for the years ahead.
You need a full office space
Perching at the kitchen table might have worked in a pinch, but if remote work is now your everyday reality, it’s time to think bigger. A proper home office for remote work isn’t just about popping a desk in the spare room. It’s about creating a space that’s genuinely set up for work. That means having shelving for your files and books, drawers for all those pesky cables and stationery bits, and proper office appliances like a printer or even a second screen.
One of the biggest game-changers? Having a quiet, private space where you can take calls without hearing the kettle boiling in the background or a toddler demanding snacks. If your home is bursting at the seams, you might want to consider a home extension. Creating a dedicated office room can do wonders for your focus and work-life balance.
Companies like Newtech Construction & Roofing can help with exactly that. While they’re known for quality roofing, they also offer home extension services that are ideal for anyone ready to invest in a long-term workspace that actually works.
You need tech that works for you
Gone are the days when working from home meant just having a laptop and hoping for the best. If this is now your full-time setup, your tech needs to do some heavy lifting.
That starts with upgrading from a single screen to dual monitors. It might sound a bit over the top, but once you try working with two screens, there’s no going back. It makes everything from editing documents to jumping between video calls and emails so much smoother and faster.
Then there’s sound. If you’re still relying on the headphones that came with your old phone, it might be time for a change. A good quality headset can block out background noise, improve call clarity, and make your day feel more professional.
You need extra storage for your work
Once you start working from home full-time, the clutter creeps in. Papers pile up, notebooks multiply, and suddenly your once-tidy desk is a minefield of “important” things you meant to file away last week. That’s where proper storage comes in. A decent set of shelves, a filing cabinet, or even a few stackable drawers can make a world of difference.
But storage isn’t just physical. Digital storage is just as important, especially if your work involves large files, media, or detailed reports. An external hard drive or solid-state drive (SSD) is a smart investment. Look for one with at least 1TB of space: that’s enough to store around 250,000 photos or hundreds of hours of high-definition video. For most remote workers, that’s more than enough to keep everything safely backed up without clogging your computer.
You need some decor
If you’re going to spend eight hours a day in one room, it really shouldn’t feel like a holding cell. A little thought and a bit of personality go a long way when it comes to your home office. While a photo frame on the desk is a nice start, the space needs more than that to truly feel like yours.
Think about what lifts your mood: soft lighting, calming colours, maybe a few houseplants or a pinboard filled with your favourite quotes. Adding touches that make you feel calm, focused or even just a bit cheerful can completely change the way you feel about sitting down to work each day.
Wall art, an inspiring custom photo calendar, or even a scented candle can bring a sense of calm and comfort. It doesn’t have to be Insta-perfect, just somewhere you want to be. Because when your space reflects you, it’s a lot easier to stay motivated and productive.
Working from home long-term isn’t just a change of scenery. It’s a lifestyle shift. With the right setup, tech, and environment, your home office can become a place where you actually enjoy working. So, whether it’s a simple upgrade or a full-on home extension, the question is: what’s the next step you’ll take to make remote work truly work for you?
