Creating a work-from-home setup can seem simple at first. All you need is a desk, a couple of monitors, some peripherals, and you’re good to go, right? It gets a bit more complicated than that.
There are dozens of options to choose from, and plenty of considerations to make, which can make building your setup overwhelming. At one point, I even had four monitors. It’s all about finding the perfect balance between functionality and sanity—where you’re productive without making your wallet cry.
Consider your requirements
You don’t need to spend thousands on a setup
Before you start purchasing items from your wishlist, consider your needs. Often, you don’t need to spend a lot to get good hardware.
Sometimes, that expensive monitor or laptop you’re eyeing might be overkill. The same applies to furniture as well. Just because that desk and chair combination looks great doesn’t mean it’s going to fit perfectly in your space.
Next, consider everything else you’ll be doing at your setup. I practically spend the whole day at my desk, and it involves a combination of writing, research, programming, gaming, and sometimes video editing. What I needed to focus on was a good display, a mechanical keyboard, and a gaming mouse comfortable enough to use for longer durations.
The kind of equipment you need can vary wildly based on what you need to do. If you’re writing code at your desk all day but don’t play games, perhaps a split keyboard and a vertical mouse might be a better choice. If you’re a photographer or video editor, you can avoid spending money on an expensive keyboard and put more funds towards a proper OLED monitor.
Once you know what you’re looking for, making individual decisions about the furniture and peripherals becomes easier. This is also a good time to fix a budget so you don’t strain yourself financially. You don’t have to buy everything in one go, so start from the most important parts and work your way down the list slowly.
Ergonomics are vital
Comfort and productivity go hand in hand
I recommend starting with a good desk and chair. Measure out how much space you have available for a desk and get the biggest one possible. You don’t need a standing desk, and there are plenty of changes to make working at your desk pain-free. If you can afford one and have the space, I highly recommend getting one.
You also need to focus on the chair. Gaming chairs can look great, but they’re often not as comfortable as more boring-looking office chairs. Having the right sitting position can keep you productive for much longer without making your back feel like you’ve aged a decade during your shift at work.
I was using a relatively small L-shaped desk due to space constraints. However, when I shifted into my current apartment, I had more than enough space for a proper desk. I ended up getting an electronic standing desk from The Sleep Company. It’s almost 63 inches long and 27 inches deep. There’s plenty of space for everything that needs to be on the desk, with enough space for a desktop if I ever decide to build one.
I ended up with a gaming chair from Lethal Black, mostly because I like the upright seating position most gaming chairs offer. However, almost everyone I know hates this chair, so I implore you to take a look at office chairs as well. Office chairs also tend to be cheaper than their gaming counterparts, so there’s a chance you might be able to save a decent amount of money.
Regardless, this chair and desk combination allows me to rest my elbows at a 90-degree angle that is comfortable for both my arms and shoulders. The desk also rises to a comfortable height when I’m standing, and I can even lower it along with my chair when I want to turn my setup into a sim racing cockpit.
Don’t bring a knife to a gunfight
The most important piece of equipment here is your PC. Whether you choose a MacBook, a Windows laptop, or a desktop depends on your specific workload and mobility requirements. I travel often and like working out of cafes or coworking spaces, so a gaming laptop with enough power to handle my games, editing work, and programming tasks is a must.
I ended up purchasing the HP Omen Transcend 14 a year ago, and it’s been amazing. I was used to 15-inch laptops, so switching to a 14-inch device took some getting used to, but it was well worth the effort. My backpack weighs much less, and I can use my laptop more comfortably when I’m not at my desk.
Connected to the laptop’s HDMI port is my 24-inch MSI G24 gaming monitor. It’s a 1080p curved panel running at 144Hz with decent color accuracy. It’s not the sharpest display in the world and was purchased when I had a much weaker laptop. Regardless, it’s the perfect size for work and gaming, and 1080p works fine for me, so I’ll take the savings over larger, more expensive monitors.
Next are peripherals, and this is where I’ve splurged a little. I’ve got a Keychron K2 V2 keyboard, Logitech G502 X Plus Lightspeed mouse, and a Stream Deck Neo. Both the keyboard and mouse are great for gaming and work alike. They’re also wireless, which makes them a lot easier to use when on the go.
I wanted a small mechanical keyboard that wouldn’t take up too much space but isn’t too cramped either, and the K2 V2 fits the bill. You shouldn’t overspend on a mechanical keyboard in 2025, especially considering the dozens of options at every price range.
I’ve been using gaming mice well over a decade now, and the extra buttons always come in handy, whether you’re gaming or zipping around Photoshop. I’ve also previously owned a G402 and loved the form factor, so the G502X felt like a natural upgrade.
I don’t stream a lot, but the Stream Deck Neo still finds plenty of use at my desk. It’s got a bunch of shortcuts programmed that handle a variety of tasks, from controlling music to launching programs, and shortcuts for frequently used tools.
Audio is handled by a pair of F&D speakers. I also have a pair of HyperX Cloud Core wireless headphones for gaming and meetings, in addition to a Sony WH-CH720N for general use
Finally, don’t be afraid to throw a couple of posters on the walls and show some personality. I bought all white PC hardware, and it’s caused some issues, but it’s well worth the look. Also, just because you’re working in the room doesn’t mean you can’t show off your Hot Wheels or Lego collections. Some posters on the wall with a bookshelf and a lamp can go a long way in enhancing the vibe of your office.
Building a work-from-home setup is an opportunity to build a place where you can hit maximum productivity in the comfort of your home. If you’re careful about your requirements and budget, you can build the perfect setup without going overboard.
