Home Office Setup: Work From Home Essentials

You do not need an expensive studio to work well from home. A few essentials make a large difference to comfort, focus and how professional you appear on calls.

Start with the essentials

A reliable internet connection

Everything depends on it. Where possible, connect your computer with a cable rather than wireless, place the router in a central position, and know what your plan can handle. Consider a backup, such as a phone hotspot, for important calls.

A comfortable chair and desk

You will spend hours here, so this is where spending pays off. A supportive chair and a desk at a comfortable height reduce strain. If you cannot buy new, adjust what you have: a cushion for lower-back support, a footrest, or books to raise a screen.

A screen at the right height

Place the top of your screen roughly at eye level and about an arm's length away. Laptop users benefit from a stand plus a separate keyboard and mouse, so the screen can sit higher without forcing your wrists into awkward positions.

Ergonomics in a few lines

  • Keep your feet flat on the floor or on a footrest.
  • Keep elbows near 90 degrees, with wrists straight.
  • Look straight ahead, not down.
  • Stand up and move regularly.

If you experience persistent pain, consider speaking to a health professional.

Make calls go smoothly

Audio matters more than video

People will tolerate a plain picture but not poor sound. A headset or a decent microphone, and a quiet room, improve calls the most.

Light yourself from the front

Face a window or place a lamp in front of you. Avoid sitting with a bright window behind you, which turns you into a silhouette.

Tidy what the camera sees

A simple, uncluttered background is enough. Many video tools allow a blurred or neutral background if your space is busy.

Camera position

Place the camera at about eye level so you are not looking up or down at people.

Reduce distractions

  • Set work hours and a physical boundary if you can: a corner, a door, or a routine for starting and finishing.
  • Let others at home know when you are on calls.
  • Turn off non-essential notifications while focusing.
  • Keep water and basics within reach to avoid wandering.

Power, storage and security

Use a surge protector, back up important files, and keep your software updated. Use a strong, unique password and enable two-step verification on work accounts. Lock your screen when you step away. Follow your employer's security rules for any work data.

Doing it on a budget

Prioritise in this order: internet reliability, a comfortable seat, a headset, and a raised screen. Secondhand furniture often works well. Many employers offer equipment or a home-office stipend, so ask about it. Our negotiating guide lists what to request.

If you do not have space at home

Look at alternatives: a library, a coworking day pass, or a quiet café for non-sensitive work. A small, consistent place, even a corner of a table, helps your brain switch into work mode.

Make it yours

A plant, good lighting or a framed picture makes the space pleasant. Remote work is easier when your workspace is a place you do not mind spending time in.

Put it into practice

Browse live remote jobs, explore global remote roles, or see openings by field such as customer support, software development and AI & machine learning.

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