Curious about building a home server? See how a simple project turned into a full homelab for media, ad-blocking, smart home control, and more.

So, I did a thing.

It started with a simple thought: “I wonder if I can host my own movies?” I was tired of juggling streaming services and wanted my own little media library. That simple question led me down a rabbit hole, and now I have what the internet calls a “homelab” humming away in a closet.

It sounds intense, but it’s really just a computer that’s always on, running things for me in the background. And honestly, it’s one of the most rewarding projects I’ve ever tackled.

From Simple Storage to a Private Cloud

My first goal was just media. I wanted my own personal Netflix. I got an old office computer, stuffed it with a couple of big hard drives, and installed Plex. Suddenly, I could stream my movies and shows to any TV or device in my house. It felt like magic.

But then I started thinking… what else can this thing do?

That’s when the real fun began. The old office PC became a proper server. I installed a piece of software called Proxmox, which is a bit like a magic filing cabinet for operating systems. It lets me run multiple “virtual” computers on one physical box, all separate from each other.

This is where the homelab really came alive. Here’s a peek at what my little server closet is doing for me 24/7:

• Blocking Ads for My Whole House: I run a service called Pi-hole. It’s a network-wide ad blocker. Instead of installing extensions on every browser, this thing filters out ads and trackers before they even reach my devices. The internet feels faster and so much cleaner.
• Running My Smart Home: All my smart lights, plugs, and sensors used to talk to servers somewhere in another country. Now, they talk to Home Assistant, running right here in my house. It’s faster, more private, and I can create automations that commercial products just can’t handle.
• Hosting My Own ‘Google Drive’: I set up a service called Nextcloud. It’s basically my own private cloud storage. I can sync files from my phone and laptop, and it automatically backs up all the photos I take. No more paying for extra cloud storage.
• And Yes, My Personal Netflix: Plex is still there, chugging away. It’s better than ever, with a library of movies and shows that I actually own.

Was It Hard? Is It Worth It?

I’m not going to lie, there was a learning curve. I spent a fair few weekends watching YouTube videos and reading guides. There were moments of “Why isn’t this working?!” and the satisfaction of finally figuring it out.

But it was absolutely worth it.

It’s not just about the services I get. It’s about what I’ve learned. I understand how networks work now. I know my way around a Linux command line. I feel more in control of my digital life because I’m not just a consumer of services anymore; I’m running them myself.

You don’t need a huge budget or a degree in computer science to start. My first server was a dusty old computer that was destined for the landfill. The key is to start with one problem you want to solve—like creating a media server or blocking ads—and build from there.

My little server closet isn’t just a pile of hardware. It’s a project. It’s a source of learning. And it’s a surprisingly practical way to take back a little bit of control over your digital world.