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Where to spend first
Spend on the things your body touches for hours: your chair, your desk height and your screen position. Those affect how you feel at the end of the day. Gadgets and decor can wait.
The essentials
| Item | Why it matters | Typical budget |
|---|---|---|
| Ergonomic chair | Supports your back through long days | $170–$500 |
| Desk at the right height | Keeps wrists and shoulders relaxed | $100–$650 |
| External monitor | Bigger screen, better posture than a laptop alone | $120–$300 |
| Separate keyboard and mouse | Lets you raise the screen without hunching | $40–$150 |
| Reliable internet | Calls and uploads fail without it | Varies |
| Good lighting | Reduces eye strain and helps on video | $0–$60 |
The full checklist
Furniture
- A chair with adjustable height, lumbar support and armrests. See ergonomic chairs worth the money.
- A desk where your forearms rest level when you type. A standing desk lets you change position through the day.
- A footrest if your feet don't sit flat on the floor.
- An anti-fatigue mat if you'll stand.
Screen and input
- An external monitor, with the top of the screen near eye level.
- A monitor arm or laptop stand to get the screen to the right height.
- A wireless keyboard and mouse, so your hands aren't reaching up to a raised laptop.
Calls and video
- A webcam better than your laptop's built-in one.
- A light in front of you, not behind you.
- A headset or USB microphone so people hear you clearly.
Our guide to webcams and lighting for client calls covers all three.
Power and connectivity
- A surge protector for your computer and monitor.
- A USB-C hub or dock if your laptop has few ports.
- An ethernet cable or mesh Wi-Fi if your connection drops during calls.
- Cable clips or a tray under the desk to keep cords tidy and safe.
Comfort
- A desk lamp for evening work.
- A small fan or heater; home offices are often the warmest or coldest room.
- Noise-canceling headphones if you share your space.
- A plant or two. They won't make you more productive, but they make the room nicer to spend the day in.
Business basics
- A backup for your files, in the cloud or on an external drive.
- A password manager.
- A calendar and task tool you actually use.
- Receipts for your office purchases. If you're self-employed, some home office costs may be tax-deductible; ask a tax professional.
Three sample budgets
| Budget | What it gets you |
|---|---|
| About $400 | Budget ergonomic chair, budget electric desk, monitor arm or laptop stand, keyboard and mouse |
| About $1,000 | Mid-range chair, desk with storage, external monitor, monitor arm, webcam and light |
| $2,000+ | Premium chair, sturdy dual-motor desk, quality monitor arm, 4K webcam, key light and microphone |
Set it up in this order
- Adjust your chair so your feet are flat and your knees are about level with your hips.
- Set the desk so your elbows bend at about 90 degrees when typing.
- Raise the screen so the top is near eye level, about an arm's length away.
- Position lights in front of you and reduce glare on the screen.
- Route cables and test your camera and microphone before your first call.
Last updated October 2026