Making Room for Remote Work: Mum’s Home Office Guide

Ever tried taking a Zoom call with a toddler climbing you like a tree? As a mum of three, I’ve learned the hard way that working from home and having a home office is equal parts dream and chaos. Between school runs, snack demands, and toy explosions in every corner, finding a quiet, productive space can feel like manifesting a miracle.

Yet so many of us are doing just that. After COVID-19 reshaped how we work, the rise of remote and hybrid roles means more families than ever are rethinking their homes. For us, it wasn’t just about carving out a corner for my laptop—it was about creating a space where I could run a business and stay present for my little ones.

If you’re planning to carve out a home office in your busy family home, I’ve learned a lot about making the most of what you have—and also when it’s worth thinking about moving instead.

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My Own Work-From-Home Journey as a Mum of 3

When I decided not to return to my old job after maternity leave, our dining room became my office. It wasn’t fancy—it was literally my laptop on the table between football stickers and half-finished colouring pages.

But as my blogging business grew (and I embraced my Soft Girl CEO era), I realised I needed better boundaries—and a prettier, calmer space. Not just for Instagram shots (though let’s be honest… we all love those) but for my own sanity.

It didn’t happen overnight. It was decluttering, reorganising, painting, and budgeting for small upgrades over time. And it’s still evolving as the kids grow.

Why Families Need a Home Office in 2025

Remote work isn’t going anywhere. More companies are offering hybrid roles, and more parents (especially mums) are choosing flexible, self-employed paths.

But creating a work-from-home setup that actually works means planning carefully—especially when the UK housing market is… let’s say, less than easy.

Interest rates have risen in the past couple of years after record lows during COVID-19. The Bank of England Monetary Policy Report shows rates are higher now, making moving house more expensive. Many families are choosing to stay put and renovate instead of upsizing.

So if you’re in that boat, making space for work might mean rethinking the rooms you already have. A friend of mine who owns an Essex construction and consultancy company told me, “Unless you’re in your forever home, there’s no point in doing massive reno—unless it really adds significant value when you eventually move.” Honestly? That stuck with me.

Family-Friendly Home Office Ideas That Actually Work

Here are some of my favourite mum-tested tips for carving out a workspace in a busy family home:

• Repurpose a Corner: You don’t need a dedicated room. A spare corner of the living room or bedroom can become an office with a slim desk and shelves.

• Foldaway Desks: Perfect for small spaces—fold it down after work and reclaim your living space for family movie night.

• Hidden Storage: Keep supplies in pretty boxes or baskets so you don’t feel like you’re living in an office.

• Shared Work Zones: For school-aged kids, consider shared desk space so they can do homework while you work.

• Sound Management: Rugs, curtains, and soft furnishings help muffle noise. Noise-cancelling headphones = mum’s best friend.

• Light and Calm: Good lighting, soothing colours, and a candle can instantly make even a corner feel inviting.

• Budget Upgrades: Paint is cheap magic. Add peel-and-stick wallpaper, a new lamp, or secondhand furniture for a glow-up without the price tag.

It’s about making it yours—a space where you actually want to sit and dream up big plans while the kids nap or play.

Planning, Budgeting, and Big Home Decisions

Now let’s talk about the practical side of buying, selling, or renovating a home in the UK. It can feel overwhelming, especially with costs rising, but there are tools out there to make life easier.

One I really like is MortgageCalculator.uk, which was built specifically for the UK market. What makes it stand out is how easy it is to visualise things. It shows clear graphs of your loan repayments, plus monthly and yearly amortisation tables so you can really see where your money is going. If you want to check affordability based on income, explore overpayment savings, or plan a remortgage, they have dedicated calculators for all of that.

It even lets you share a specific calculation with the results already filled in—so you can save it for yourself or show your partner when you’re planning together. Little features like that make the whole process feel so much more manageable.

Rent vs Buy: Should You Move Instead?

Sometimes, it’s just not worth squeezing in another desk.

Maybe the kids are sharing bedrooms and fighting like cats and dogs. Maybe you really do need a dedicated office because you’re running a growing business (hello, Soft Girl CEO goals).

That’s when it’s worth weighing renting vs buying, upsizing, or even moving areas. We moved from East London to a small village in Essex, and honestly it’s one of the best things we’ve ever done.

With UK property prices and interest rates changing so much since COVID-19, it pays to stay informed. I always keep an eye on Rightmove’s House Price Index to see what local markets are doing.

And before making any big decisions, sites like Citizens Advice have brilliant guides on budgeting, legal steps, and your rights.

Before You Go

At the end of the day, your home is where your family’s story unfolds. Whether you’re in a five-bedroom house or a two-bedroom flat, it’s about intention.

Your home office doesn’t need to be Pinterest-perfect (though, let’s be real, that’s fun too). It just needs to work for you. To hold your dreams, your goals, your plan for your family’s future.Even if it’s a little corner desk in the lounge—make it beautiful. Make it yours.

Because you deserve to love where you work—even when the kids are building pillow forts behind you.