A Comfortable Home Office on a Sensible Budget

When you set up an office at home it is tempting to buy everything at once. It is better to order your purchases by how much they affect your body, and add the rest over time. Start with the chair. It is what you sit on for eight hours, so give it the biggest share of the budget. Look for adjustable lower-back support and a seat that rises until your feet rest flat on the floor. Then the screen. Before buying a bigger one, raise the one you have. A simple riser or a monitor arm costs less than a new screen and changes your posture more. Next, the desk itself. If your current desk is steady and the right height, keep it. If you work long hours, an electric desk is a worthwhile investment, because it lets you stand for part of the day. Finally, the details: a small drawer unit, a lamp, a headphone stand. These can be bought one at a time, and each adds a little comfort. And choose where the desk goes with care: beside the window rather than facing it, so light neither reflects on the screen nor shines straight into your eyes.