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30-Point Home Office Setup Checklist
Work through this list once with your current setup. Every item you can tick is one less thing slowing you down or making you sore by Friday.
Desk & surface
- Desk depth is at least 24 in (60 cm), so the screen can sit an arm's length away
- Elbows rest at about 90° with shoulders relaxed when you type
- Thighs clear the underside of the desk with room to move
- Only today's work tools live on the desk surface
- Notebook, phone and mug each have a landing spot
Chair & posture
- Feet rest flat on the floor or on a footrest
- Seat depth leaves 2–4 fingers between the seat edge and the back of your knees
- Your lower back is supported by the chair's lumbar curve or a cushion
- Armrests sit at desk height or drop out of the way
- You stand up and move at least once every 30–60 minutes
Screen & tech
- The top of the screen sits at or slightly below eye level
- The screen is about an arm's length away (20–30 in / 50–75 cm)
- Laptop users have a stand plus a separate keyboard and mouse
- Keyboard and mouse are close enough that your elbows stay by your sides
- The video-call camera sits at eye level, not below your chin
Light
- The desk sits side-on to the window to cut glare on the screen
- A task lamp lights paperwork without shining into the screen
- Room lights are on in the evening, so the screen isn't the brightest thing in the room
- Your face is lit from the front for video calls
Sound & focus
- A door, divider or headphones signal "working" to the household
- Soft surfaces (rug, curtains, books) cut echo on calls
- Notifications are batched or silenced during focus blocks
- A visible clock or timer keeps breaks on schedule
Cables & storage
- The power strip is mounted under or behind the desk, not loose on the floor
- Cables are bundled with ties, sleeves or a cable tray
- Chargers live in one spot
- Every item on the desk has a home within arm's reach
- Paper has an inbox, a to-file spot and a weekly clear-out
End of the day
- Work things can be closed, covered or put away when you finish
- Tomorrow's top task is written down before you log off