Beginner's Guide to Setting Up a Home Office

The shift to remote work has transformed spare bedrooms, dining tables, and living room corners into makeshift offices across Australia. While working from home offers tremendous flexibility and eliminates the daily commute, it also presents unique challenges that many first-time remote workers are unprepared for. A poorly designed home office can lead to reduced productivity, physical discomfort, and even long-term health issues that far outweigh the benefits of working remotely.

Choosing the Right Location

The first and most critical decision when setting up a home office is selecting the right location within your home. Ideally, you want a dedicated space that can be closed off from the rest of the household—a spare bedroom, study, or even a large walk-in wardrobe can serve this purpose admirably. Having a door to close creates both physical and psychological separation between your work and personal life, making it easier to focus during work hours and disconnect when the day ends.

If a separate room is not available, look for a quiet corner that can be consistently used for work. Avoid high-traffic areas like the kitchen or main living spaces where family members or housemates will regularly pass through. Consider factors such as proximity to power outlets, available natural light, and the acoustic qualities of the space. A location near a window can provide excellent ambient light and a visual connection to the outdoors, both of which have been shown to improve mood and productivity.

Selecting Your Desk

Your desk is the foundation of your home office, and choosing the right one requires balancing size, functionality, and the physical constraints of your space. At minimum, your desk should be large enough to accommodate your computer, keyboard, mouse, and any documents or materials you regularly reference. A surface area of at least 120 by 60 centimetres is recommended for most single-monitor setups, while dual-monitor configurations or work requiring physical documents may need 150 centimetres or more.

Desk height is equally important and often overlooked. Standard desk heights of 73 to 76 centimetres work for people of average height, but if you are particularly tall or short, you may need to adjust. When seated with your feet flat on the floor, your forearms should rest comfortably on the desk surface with your elbows bent at approximately 90 degrees. If your desk is too high or too low, consider an adjustable-height desk or use a keyboard tray to achieve the correct position.

Height-adjustable or sit-stand desks have become increasingly popular and for good reason. The ability to alternate between sitting and standing throughout the day can reduce the health risks associated with prolonged sitting while providing variety that helps maintain focus and energy. If a full sit-stand desk is beyond your budget, desk converters offer a more affordable alternative that sits atop your existing desk.

Investing in a Quality Chair

After your desk, your office chair is the most important piece of furniture in your home office. You will spend countless hours seated in this chair, and a poor choice can lead to back pain, hip discomfort, and circulation problems that affect your health and productivity. While it may be tempting to use a dining chair or that spare seat from the garage, investing in a proper ergonomic office chair will pay dividends over time.

Look for a chair with adjustable seat height, allowing you to position yourself so your feet rest flat on the floor with your thighs parallel to the ground. Lumbar support is essential—either built into the backrest or provided by an adjustable lumbar cushion—to maintain the natural curve of your lower spine. Adjustable armrests help support your forearms and reduce strain on your shoulders, while a seat pan with adequate depth and padding ensures comfortable support throughout long work sessions.

Monitor Placement and Accessories

Once your desk and chair are in place, attention turns to your monitor setup. The position of your screen has a direct impact on your neck, shoulders, and eyes. As a general rule, the top of your monitor should be at or slightly below eye level when you are seated in a neutral position. This allows your gaze to naturally angle downward by 15 to 20 degrees, reducing strain on your neck muscles and minimising eye fatigue.

If your monitor sits too low—as is common with laptops and many factory monitor stands—consider a monitor stand, riser, or adjustable arm to elevate it to the correct height. Monitor arms offer the greatest flexibility, allowing you to adjust height, distance, and angle with precision. They also free up desk space and make it easy to switch between sitting and standing positions if you use a sit-stand desk.

For laptop users, an external keyboard and mouse are essential when using a laptop stand or riser. Elevating your laptop screen to the correct height while using the built-in keyboard forces you into an uncomfortable position with raised arms. A separate keyboard and mouse allow you to position the screen at eye level while keeping your hands at the proper desk height.

Lighting Your Workspace

Proper lighting is often underestimated when setting up a home office, yet it significantly affects both your comfort and productivity. Poor lighting causes eye strain, headaches, and fatigue, while overly bright or poorly positioned lights create glare on screens and documents. The goal is to create balanced, comfortable illumination that allows you to work without squinting or straining.

Natural light is ideal when available, but it must be managed carefully. Direct sunlight on your screen creates glare and makes it difficult to see, while sitting with a bright window behind you can create shadows on your work and cause eye strain for video call participants. Position your desk so that natural light comes from the side rather than directly in front of or behind your monitor.

Supplement natural light with artificial lighting as needed. A combination of ambient overhead lighting and task lighting—such as a desk lamp—provides flexibility to adjust illumination throughout the day. Choose LED bulbs with a colour temperature between 4000K and 5000K for a neutral white light that mimics daylight without appearing too harsh or too warm.

Creating a Productive Environment

Beyond the physical setup, your home office environment plays a crucial role in your ability to focus and remain productive. Keep your workspace organised and free from clutter that can distract you or create stress. Invest in storage solutions such as shelves, filing cabinets, or desk organisers to keep supplies and documents easily accessible yet out of the way.

Consider the temperature and air quality of your space. A room that is too hot or too cold makes it difficult to concentrate, while stale air can cause drowsiness and reduce cognitive performance. If your home office lacks good ventilation, consider a small fan or air purifier to improve air circulation. Adding plants can also improve air quality while creating a more pleasant and calming atmosphere.

Finally, establish boundaries that protect your work time and personal time. Set clear working hours and communicate them to household members. When your workday ends, leave your home office space—physically and mentally—to maintain the separation between professional and personal life that is essential for long-term wellbeing and sustainable remote work.