Muchita

Home office setup checklist

Set up a desk you can work at comfortably all day. The list runs from chair and desk to screen, keyboard, lighting and cables; mark what you already have and skip what your space does not need. Once you have picked an exact model, compare its price.

Ready-made list. It saves when you change something.
0/21 done

  • Desk and chair

    0/5
  • Height-adjustable deskLets you match the desk to your elbows, sitting or standing.1
  • Adjustable office chairLook for adjustable seat height and lower back support.1
  • Lumbar support cushionFor chairs without lower back support; a strap keeps it from sliding down.1
  • FootrestUseful when your feet do not rest flat on the floor.1
  • Desk risersFor a desk that is too low; check the weight limit and how much height each riser adds.1

  • Monitor and screen

    0/5
  • Computer monitorPlace it straight ahead, at least 20 inches from your eyes.1
  • Monitor arm or standRaises the top of the screen to eye level or just below.1
  • Laptop standIf you work on a laptop; pair it with a separate keyboard.1
  • Anti-glare screen filterFor glare that stays after you move the screen; buy it for your exact screen size.1
  • Screen cleaning clothA clean screen shows fewer reflections.1

  • Keyboard, mouse and calls

    0/6
  • External keyboardKeep your wrists straight and in line with your forearms.1
  • MouseChoose one that fits your hand; keep it by the keyboard.1
  • Keyboard trayFor a desk too high to type comfortably; check it mounts under your desktop.1
  • Wrist restPick one with a soft, rounded front edge.1
  • Headset with microphoneKeeps your hands free and your neck straight on long calls.1
  • Document holderHolds papers near the screen if you type from them.1

  • Lighting and glare

    0/2
  • Desk lampAim it so the light does not reflect on the screen.1
  • Window blinds or shadesControl daylight so it does not shine into your eyes.1

  • Cables and power

    0/3
  • Under-desk cable trayLifts cables off the floor so leg space stays clear.1
  • Reusable cable tiesBundle loose cords so nothing tangles under your feet.1
  • Power stripMount it off the floor to keep leg space clear.1

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Printable checklist (21 items)

Desk and chair

  • Height-adjustable desk
  • Adjustable office chair
  • Lumbar support cushion
  • Footrest
  • Desk risers

Monitor and screen

  • Computer monitor
  • Monitor arm or stand
  • Laptop stand
  • Anti-glare screen filter
  • Screen cleaning cloth

Keyboard, mouse and calls

  • External keyboard
  • Mouse
  • Keyboard tray
  • Wrist rest
  • Headset with microphone
  • Document holder

Lighting and glare

  • Desk lamp
  • Window blinds or shades

Cables and power

  • Under-desk cable tray
  • Reusable cable ties
  • Power strip

Get the chair right first and fit everything else around it: feet flat on the floor, lower back supported, elbows close to your body and wrists straight. Then put the monitor straight ahead, at least 20 inches away, with the top of the screen at or just below eye level.

Before you shop

Set the chair first

Adjust the seat so your feet rest flat on the floor and your lower back is supported. If the desk forces the seat too high for your feet to reach the floor, add a footrest rather than working with your legs dangling.

Put the screen at arm's length

Place the monitor directly in front of you, at least 20 inches from your eyes, with the top line of the screen at or just below eye level. A monitor arm or a laptop stand with a separate keyboard makes this easier.

Keep the mouse next to the keyboard

Keep your elbows close to your body and your wrists in line with your forearms. Place the mouse right beside the keyboard so you are not reaching for it all day.

Control glare before buying filters

Turn the screen so it sits at a right angle to windows, use blinds to control daylight and aim the desk lamp so it does not reflect on the screen. Add a glare filter only if reflections remain.

Questions about this list

What do I need first for a home office?

Start with an adjustable chair and a desk at the right height, since everything else is placed around them. Then add a monitor at eye level, an external keyboard and mouse, and a desk lamp. Use the list to mark what you already own.

How high should my monitor be?

The top line of the screen should be at or just below eye level, with the monitor directly in front of you and at least 20 inches away. If you work on a laptop, raise it on a stand and use a separate keyboard and mouse.

Do I need a standing desk?

Not necessarily. A height-adjustable desk helps when you want to switch between sitting and standing or share the desk with others. If your desk is a fixed height, adjust the chair and add a footrest or risers so your elbows line up with the keyboard.

More shopping lists

Sources

Updated:

  • OSHA - Computer Workstations eTool
    US workplace safety guidance covers chairs, desks, monitors, keyboards, pointing devices, telephones, document holders and wrist or palm supports, with a neutral posture of head in line with the torso, lower back supported, elbows close to the body, wrists in line with forearms and feet flat on the floor. It notes that no single arrangement fits everyone and offers evaluation and purchasing checklists. It does not recommend brands or prices.
    Checked: 2026-10-03
  • OSHA - Computer Workstations: Monitors
    US workplace safety guidance supports placing the monitor directly in front of you, at least 20 inches away, with the top line of the screen at or below eye level, placing it perpendicular to windows and using a glare screen when overhead lights reflect on it. It does not cover laptops, multiple monitors or specific models.
    Checked: 2026-10-03
  • OSHA - Computer Workstations: Desks
    US workplace safety guidance supports height-adjustable desks, enough leg clearance under the desk, enough depth to keep the monitor at least 20 inches away, keeping the space under the desk free of stored items, risers for desks that are too low, and rounded or padded desk edges. It does not address cables, power strips or specific products.
    Checked: 2026-10-03
  • OSHA - Computer Workstations: Workstation Environment
    US workplace safety guidance supports placing screens at right angles to windows and light sources, using blinds or drapes to control daylight, adding task lighting that does not reflect on the screen, cleaning the monitor and using glare filters. It does not recommend specific lamps, bulbs or brands.
    Checked: 2026-10-03