Over the past two years, I have been working from home. Personally, I find organization to be the most important thing. When the pandemic first hit, I didn’t have a proper desk.

Image a dining table covered in multiple computer monitors, a mouse, a keyboard, work-papers that must be constantly shifted and moved about because there isn’t enough room.

It wasn’t pretty and it wasn’t very functional.

Having a desk that helps contend with clutter…. game changer.

I guess the answer depends on what kind of work you do while working remotely.

I agree with Toronto Vet. I think it all depends on what your work involves. I chose comfortable desk and chair. I was remote long before covid. I need my computer(desk top or laptop) my phone, a piece of paper, pencil and headphones for my job. I can work from anywhere as long as I have those things and a secure internet connection. I dont need privacy because I dont take phone calls. I dont have video calls. I am about function over form so a beautifully designed space would be lowest on the list.

I voted for a comfortable desk and chair, but that was a proxy for ergonomics more generally. How can you have a poll about what's most important in an office and not have ergonomics on it? Or tech? Oh yeah, this is a home decorating site and you don't care about function.

I agree it depends on what kind of work you do remotely .

@Kelly Kashian I've been at my kitchen table since March 12, 2020. I should take your advice!

Separated space from home, would depend on your nature. A comfortable desk and chair, you need, so you are comfortable to get working!

All the above are important but it definitely helps to have a nice window with a view. I look out at my neighbors garden. She has bird feeders, wind chimes, hummingbird feeders, water falls, an assortment of beautiful flowers. It helps me get through some boring or chaotic moments during the day. The hummingbirds are amazing little blessings. My office is upstairs and I look down into her backyard. Yes, our homes are way too close!

I've had a a home office since 1995. Raised 3 kids while working at home. I feel like I'm no longer the odd one out in the last couple of years. Things that helped me: Some degree of privacy or at least the ability to shut a door when needed is nice. Fast internet is essential to my business. Room to spread out workflow and not have to put things away before the job is done(but I concede that depends on the kind of work you do). Well planned spaces to sort and organize supplies to keep things where you can see/find them easily (drawers, file cabinets, shelves, bulletin board, whatever) ideally well though out for size and location for whatever you do. A comfortable desk/chair layout is also a big deal if you are working for at least a few hours at at time.

All of the options are great to have, but I literally could not work without adequate internet connectivity and consistent electric service.

All of these are important for working remotely, but if I'm getting the opportunity to work from anywhere in the world, I'd try to look for a beautifully designed space. My current home office setup is very function over form, so that would be a nice way to switch things up!

A beautiful space but without distractions that will interrupt work.

Reliable Internet service, preferably fiber, and wireless peripherals, headphones/earbuds.

Having worked from home for 20 years, the number one thing you must have is reliable, fast internet. Hands down. Everything else is gravy.

I had a home based business for 25 years and have worked the last 14 years as a telecommuter. Both required home offices and my husband worked remotely for 20 years, but the needs were different and priorities were different.

Home based business with employees - needed a separate space. The first few 10 years it was a room in my home and I had 8 people trapesing through the house. Not ideal. Converted the garage with a separate entrance. Game changer!

Telecommute - work with teradata - need high speed internet and a comfortable chair, ergonomic workspace.

Husband worked remotely, but was a sales rep - needed a private space for phone calls, but only spent an hour or two a day on the phone. The rest of the day was driving and spent many nights in hotels. His "office" was a series of file cases.

Since COVID the one thing that has changed is the perception of others that your not working when your working from home.

I have worked remotely for years and years. Fast internet and decent phone service are a must. Because I have serious back issues, I am most comfortable working from a comfortable sofa with my laptop. I have bookshelves behind which make a nice background for horrid Zoom calls. I don't generate paper - all my work is online.

Just being allowed to work from home at all is the most important aspect! I do not get to do it full-time sadly. If I did, the other details would all be to my liking. Being with my cat at home instead of away from him at work is treasured time.

I have had a home based company for 25 years and like to be in a central hub for flexibility and access to amenities plus a great view and out door access is also key to managing maintaining a healthy physical body while allowing the creative mind to flow

Windows that open.

I like flexibility. I don't want a separate office that would feel like a prison to me. But I would need that if I had kids at home. I like to be able to have different views. I don't like anything with me but my laptop. But I would need more if all I did was work from home.

My husband prefers the prison style office, but he likes the window in his, even though he doesn't face it. We have fast internet and take it for granted I guess. He also likes to accumulate tons of clutter and I am glad he keeps it shut away in what was supposed to be a small bedroom. His stuff has also spilled over into the dining room. He thinks of that as his personal office. This is a bone of contention. But I love him, so I try to forget about it. And it's not like we're having company over.

Calm, quiet, north window light creative space where I can leave things out so I can simply sit down & pick up where I left it. Especially, for watercolor paintings where they need to dry before continuing. All I'd need to do is get up, close the door & everything will be where I left it. A "do not disturb" sign on the door while I'm in and/or out of *my* space! *grin"

Show us pictures

I chose a comfortable desk and chair, but my number 2 choice would be lighting! I think so many people negate this, and just plonk a desk in a corner with an unused table lamp. But good lighting helps you work better - it prevents eye fatigue, headaches and tiredness. Also, good lighting equals looking good in video calls, side bonus!

Certainly a private space to focus. Everything else would add to the experience but it does you no service if you cannot perform while you're "at work".

When I worked remotely (such as in Mexico City while my main residence was San Francisco), I was designing and making clothes. A friend that I was staying with in a huge house allowed me to use his late father's office as a sewing room, and it had a desk that I could use with a sewing machine that I borrowed from another friend who never used it.

I needed a table or space for cutting fabric and designing patterns.

Most important item: ample electrical outlets.