5 Signs You’ve Outgrown Your Home Office (And What to Do Next)

Working from home used to feel like freedom.

No commute, comfy clothes and full access to your fridge – what’s not to love? But over time, many freelancers, remote workers and small business owners start to feel the cracks. What once felt empowering can gradually become limiting, isolating and even unproductive.

But how can you spot the signs you’ve outgrown your home office? What key differences exist between office vs working from home? And how do serviced offices represent the ideal flexible upgrade from your kitchen table?

Let’s explore whether it’s time to make a change in your own setup.

The Reality of Working From Home (And Why It’s Wearing Thin)

For many workers, setting up shop at the kitchen table during the early days of remote work felt like a dream. You had flexibility, comfort and complete control over your work hours. For solo founders, freelancers or growing teams, it was a practical, cost-effective way to get things off the ground.

But as your business evolves, your needs evolve too – and the home office can start to feel like a poor fit. The line between personal and professional lives blurs. Productivity drops. Days stretch longer, not because you’re working harder, but because you’re working without structure.

You might find yourself questioning whether this is still the best setup for you. If you’re feeling distracted, isolated or like your work and personal life are merging into one, you’re not alone. In fact, many workers are finding that in office work – or even just having a dedicated space outside the home – leads to better outcomes for their well-being, focus and professional image.

With 77% of remote workers finding working from home more distracting than in-office working, the productivity boost from making the shift cannot be underestimated.

This doesn’t mean giving up your freedom. But it may mean rethinking what kind of working environment actually supports your goals – and your growth.

5 Signs You’ve Outgrown Your Home Office

The shift doesn’t always happen overnight. One day you’re thriving in your home office setup, and the next, something feels off. If any of these sound familiar, it might be time to consider a change.

1. Your “office” keeps migrating around the house

What started as a desk in the spare bedroom has become a rotating setup – kitchen table, sofa, bed, wherever there’s space. You might not realise it, but this constant reshuffling can chip away at your routine, posture and focus. A dedicated space signals to your brain: this is where work happens. Without that, deep work becomes harder to achieve, and distractions creep in more easily.

2. Client calls now cause anxiety

It’s not the meeting itself that’s stressful – it’s what might happen in the background. The doorbell rings. A pet barks. A family member forgets you’re live on Zoom. You find yourself more focused on controlling your environment than delivering your pitch. As virtual meetings remain a core part of doing business, having a quiet, professional space becomes less of a luxury and more of a necessity.

3. There’s no boundary between work and personal life

You “just check one more email” after dinner. Then another. Before you know it, you’re working longer hours without even noticing. When your workstation is five steps from your bed, it’s easy for the day to blur. This lack of separation can lead to burnout, disrupt your well-being and make it harder to fully switch off and recharge.

4. You’re craving human interaction (yes, really)

The freedom of remote work has its perks – but it can also feel isolating. Many workers find themselves missing the small moments of in-person work: chatting with a colleague, sharing ideas, even just saying good morning. These social connections are more than just nice-to-haves; they play a big role in mental health, motivation and creativity.

For 20% of remote workers, loneliness is the hardest struggle to overcome and it’s easy to underestimate the toll this can take on us as social creatures. Take a look at our post on combating loneliness whilst working solo for some tips if you find this is a problem you encounter.

5. Your business has grown, but your setup hasn’t

You might need space for a new hire, a more professional setting for client meetings or simply a working environment that reflects where your company is now – not where it started. That home address on your invoices was fine in the beginning, but as you grow, so should your workspace. A proper office signals to clients (and yourself) that you’re serious about what you do.

Office vs Working From Home – What’s Right For You Now?

Working from home isn’t wrong – it’s just not right for everyone, all the time. As your priorities shift, it’s worth comparing the pros and cons of both setups to determine what actually supports your focus, well-being and professional goals.

The case for staying home

Remote work offers autonomy, flexibility and control over your environment. You can set your own pace, take breaks when needed and avoid the commute. For some, especially those with non-traditional schedules or caregiving responsibilities, it’s still the ideal setup. But it’s not without trade-offs.

The downsides of working from home

Over time, many workers report productivity dropping, along with a decline in mental health and work-life balance. The lack of a structured environment makes it easier to stretch tasks across the day. Distractions – kids, noise, clutter – start to pile up. And while virtual meetings are convenient, they rarely replace the creative energy and natural collaboration of being physically present with others.

What a dedicated office adds to the equation

A dedicated office provides physical and mental separation between personal and professional lives. It reinforces boundaries, promotes focus and offers a space where your work can take centre stage – not compete with your household. For client meetings, team collaboration or deep work, an office environment often leads to better outcomes and increased productivity.

You don’t have to go back to a traditional office model and you don’t have to give up the parts of remote work you love. But if your current setup is holding you back, it might be time to explore what a more structured, flexible office solution can offer.

Why a Serviced Office is the Ideal Step Up

If the signs are pointing toward change, the good news is: it doesn’t have to be drastic. Moving to a dedicated office space doesn’t mean locking yourself into a rigid routine or a long-term lease. That’s where serviced offices come in – offering the best of both worlds for modern professionals and growing businesses.

Flexible, professional and made for focus

Serviced offices give you a private, distraction-free space that’s ready when you are – no fit-out costs, no furnishing logistics, no waiting around. Whether you need somewhere for focused work, client meetings or simply a place to draw the line between your personal and professional life, a dedicated space changes how you show up in your business.

A smarter next step

You don’t have to go from zero to five days a week. Many workers start by coming in a couple of days and gradually building up as it fits their schedule. It’s perfect for hybrid work, where you keep the flexibility of remote days while gaining the benefits of being in office when it counts most.

Why JetSpace works

At JetSpace, our serviced office suites are designed for people just like you – workers who’ve outgrown the home office and are ready for something better. We offer blank canvas spaces you can make your own, with high-speed broadband, dedicated meeting rooms, and 24/7 access to suit whatever schedule you work.

What’s more you can benefit from a professional business address – a place from which you can conduct business, meet clients and customers and update the details on your website and stationery. Unlike in a professional coworking space, popular with younger workers, where every day might mean a different desk with different neighbours, your JetSpace suite is yours and yours alone. It offers the perfect balance of community and productive dedicated space for when you’ve outgrown home office working.

Whether you’re looking for the creative buzz of Brighton city centre, or the easy parking and transport links of Shoreham Airport, JetSpace locations are built around access, focus and flexibility. Free yourself from home office distractions and reclaim a healthy work life balance.

Ready to see what a change of space could do for your business? Enquire today to view current availability in our serviced offices in Brighton and Shoreham.