The fastest way to improve your work at home is to fix the basics, chair, desk, lighting, and tech. How to set up a home office comes down to good ergonomics, clear zones, and reliable equipment. Do this first, then add style.
If you are short on space, you can still get a focused setup in a corner. Prioritise an ergonomic chair, a desk that fits, and a monitor at eye level. Add a task lamp and a simple cable kit. The rest can follow.
Why Home Office Setup Matters
Distraction, discomfort, and inefficiency are common when working from home. A well planned space boosts productivity, comfort, and mental clarity. If you keep thinking, “Struggling to focus while working from home?”, your workspace could be sabotaging your productivity. A few targeted changes often deliver the biggest gains.
Define Your Workspace Goals
- Start with your work style. Do you take calls, do deep work, or switch between creative tasks and admin? Write a short list of tasks you do daily.
- Map your space limits. Spare room, study nook, or a living room corner. Measure the available width, depth, and ceiling height. Note where the power points and windows are.
- “What do you need your home office to help you achieve?” If you need quiet for calls, plan for sound control. If you do long stretches of focus, design a space aligned with your work style.
Furniture Essentials: Comfort Meets Function
1. Desk
- Fixed desk height is usually 72 to 75 cm for most adults.
- A sit stand desk lets you vary posture. Aim for elbows at 90 degrees when typing.
- Minimum top size for a single monitor is about 120 cm wide by 60 cm deep.
What to choose
If space is tight, pick a 120 by 60 cm desk and a slim pedestal.
If you share the space, use a sit stand desk and a folding guest chair.
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2. Working Chair
Adjustable height, backrest, and armrests.
Lumbar support that meets the curve of your lower back.
Seat height so feet are flat on the floor, or use a footrest.
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3. Storage
- Keep daily items within arm’s reach, files, notebooks, chargers.
- Use drawers or a mobile pedestal to clear the desktop.
- Wall shelves or a credenza help in small rooms.
Filing Cabinets: Store essential documents in filing cabinets or rolling storage units for easy access.
Shelving Units: Wall-mounted shelves or bookcases provide vertical storage, keeping the floor space clear.
Cable Management: Use cable organizers or trays to keep cords tidy and prevent a messy workspace.
Multi-Purpose Furniture: Consider desks with built-in storage or ottomans with hidden compartments for additional space-saving solutions.
Layout and Lighting: Setting the Mood and Flow
- Let light lead your layout: Place your desk near a window for daylight, but keep screens side on to the window to reduce glare. Use blinds to control brightness.
- Layer lighting: Use a bright, flicker free task lamp for the desk. Keep warm ambient light in the room so your eyes are not moving from bright to dark.
- Design for flow, not just aesthetics: Leave clear leg space under the desk. Zone the room, work zone at the desk, storage zone behind or beside you, thinking zone with a chair or small bench if space allows.
Monitor placement and cable control:
Top of the screen at or just below eye level.
About an arm’s length from your eyes.
Use a monitor arm to reclaim desk depth.
Route cables to a tray under the desk, then down a single spine to a power board.
Tech Setup: Equip for Efficiency
No more glitchy Zoom calls or tangled cables. Your tech should help you flow, not frustrate you.
Core devices:
- External monitor, 24 to 27 inches is a sweet spot for most desks.
Separate keyboard and mouse for better posture.
Webcam and mic or a good headset for calls.
Internet and router:
- For smooth HD video calls, aim for at least 10 Mbps upload and 25 Mbps download.
Place the router in an open, central spot, not in a cupboard.
Use Ethernet to the desk if Wi Fi is weak.
Power and noise:
Add a simple UPS if your area has brief outages.
Use a surge protected power board with individual switches.
Control noise with a rug, curtains, and soft furnishings. Door seals and a draft stopper help too.
Decor and Personalisation: Style that Inspires
A beautiful space is a productive space. Choose a calm base palette, soft neutrals or muted colours, then add texture with timber, linen, or wool. Keep the desktop clear.
Bring life with greenery. One medium plant softens the look and improves mood. Add art that motivates you. Minimalist or expressive both work. Let your office reflect your creative energy.
Finish with small comforts, a water carafe, coaster, and a soft throw on a visitor chair. Keep anything that distracts out of sight.
Final Checklist: Your Setup, Simplified
The home office checklist you did not know you needed.
Essentials:
Ergonomic chair and supportive desk
External monitor, keyboard, and mouse
Task lamp and ambient light
Cable tray, power board, and charger dock
Notebook, pen cup, and basic storage
Headset or mic for calls
Nice to have:
Monitor arm and laptop stand
Sit stand desk or desk riser
Footrest and wrist rest
Acoustic panels or heavy curtainsDesk mat and under desk cable spine
Conclusion
Tier |
What is included |
Typical spend (AUD) |
Essentials |
Fixed desk, ergonomic chair, 24 in monitor, lamp, cables |
800 to 1,400 |
Balanced |
Sit stand desk, better chair, 27 in monitor, arm, storage |
1,500 to 2,800 |
Premium |
Sit stand desk, top tier chair, dual monitors, UPS, acoustics |
3,000 to 5,500 |
Typical Australian price ranges, actual costs vary by brand, region, and sales.
Your workspace should grow with your goals. Review it after the first week, then at 3 months. What is working, what is not.
Refine your setup like you refine your workflow. Adjust chair and monitor heights. Move storage closer. Upgrade the weakest link first, chair, monitor size, or network.
We did some lookups, just so you don't have to:
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is a standing desk worth it?
For most people, yes, if you alternate sitting and standing. Aim for short standing blocks of 15 to 30 minutes a few times a day. Keep the keyboard at elbow height and raise the monitor to match. A desk riser is a lower cost way to try i
What type of desk is best for a small home office?
Compact writing desks, foldable desks, or corner desks are great options for small spaces.
How high should my monitor be?
The top of the screen should be at or slightly below eye level. Sit upright, relax your shoulders, and adjust so you can look straight ahead without tilting your neck. An arm’s length viewing distance works for most people and screens.
How can I improve the ergonomics of my home office?
Use an adjustable chair, maintain proper desk height, and position your monitor at eye level to reduce strain.
What is the best lighting for a home office?
A combination of natural light, task lighting, and ambient lighting creates an ideal office.
What is the quickest way to set up a home office in a small space?
Pick a 120 by 60 cm desk, a compact ergonomic chair, and a single 24 to 27 inch monitor. Place the desk side on to a window, add a task lamp, then run all cables to a tray with one drop to a power board. This keeps posture sound and clutter low without needing a full room.
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