Working from home has become a permanent reality for millions of Australians. While the flexibility is welcome, many home workers have discovered that kitchen tables and couches make poor long-term workstations. Creating an ergonomic home office doesn't require a massive budget or dedicated room—it requires smart prioritisation and understanding which investments matter most for your health and productivity.
The Ergonomic Essentials: Prioritising Your Investment
When budget is limited, you need to allocate funds where they'll have the greatest impact. Based on ergonomic research and practical experience, here's how to prioritise your home office investments.
Priority One: Your Chair
If you can only invest in one piece of ergonomic equipment, make it your chair. You'll spend six to eight hours or more each day in contact with it, and no amount of posture awareness can compensate for a chair that doesn't support your body properly. A quality ergonomic chair with adjustable seat height, lumbar support, and proper seat depth makes a measurable difference in daily comfort and long-term health.
You don't need to spend a thousand dollars on a premium brand. Many mid-range chairs in the $300 to $500 range offer excellent ergonomic features. Look for chairs with adjustable lumbar support, armrests that move up and down, and mesh or breathable fabric backs. Test chairs in person if possible, as comfort is subjective and what works for one person may not suit another.
If a new ergonomic chair isn't feasible, add lumbar support to your existing chair with a dedicated cushion ($30-60). This single addition can dramatically improve comfort while you save for a better chair.
Priority Two: Screen Height (Your Laptop Stand)
After your chair, elevating your screen to eye level offers the most significant ergonomic improvement. A laptop stand transforms your portable computer into a properly positioned workstation, eliminating the neck strain that comes from looking down at a flat laptop for hours.
Laptop stands are remarkably affordable, with quality options available from $30 to $100. For home office use where portability isn't a concern, adjustable aluminium stands offer the best combination of stability, adjustability, and value. The investment quickly pays for itself in reduced discomfort and improved focus.
Priority Three: External Keyboard and Mouse
When you elevate your laptop, you create a new problem: the built-in keyboard rises too high for comfortable typing. An external keyboard and mouse, positioned at elbow height, complete your ergonomic setup. These peripherals allow your screen to sit at eye level while your hands rest at the correct height.
External keyboards and mice are inexpensive investments. Functional wired options cost as little as $20 to $30 for the pair. If you prefer wireless freedom, Bluetooth peripherals in the $50 to $100 range offer reliable performance without cable clutter. Ergonomic-specific designs with split keyboards or vertical mice can be worthwhile if you type extensively or have existing wrist discomfort.
With just three pieces of equipment—a supportive chair, a laptop stand, and external input devices—you can create an ergonomically sound workstation for under $500. These fundamentals matter more than any desk or monitor upgrade.
Optimising Your Desk Space
You may not need to buy a new desk. Many existing tables and desks can work with proper adjustment. The ideal desk height places your elbows at roughly 90 degrees when typing, typically between 65 and 75 centimetres from the floor depending on your height and chair.
If your desk is too high, raise your chair and add a footrest to maintain proper leg position. If too low, desk risers or furniture leg extenders offer affordable solutions. Purpose-built ergonomic desks are nice but rarely essential for home office success.
Desk depth matters more than most people realise. You need at least 60 centimetres of depth to position your monitor at arm's length while leaving space for your keyboard. Deeper desks provide room for documents and reference materials alongside your computer setup.
Lighting Considerations
Poor lighting causes eye strain, headaches, and fatigue—yet it's often overlooked in home office planning. Your workspace needs adequate ambient light plus task lighting that illuminates your immediate work area without creating glare on your screen.
Position your desk perpendicular to windows rather than facing them directly. This orientation provides natural light without sun glare on your monitor. If your only option is facing a window, adjustable blinds or sheer curtains can diffuse harsh sunlight.
For task lighting, an adjustable desk lamp with multiple brightness settings offers flexibility for different times of day and tasks. LED lamps with colour temperature adjustment let you choose warmer tones for evening work and cooler tones for alert daytime focus. Quality desk lamps cost between $30 and $100.
Creating Space in Small Homes
Not everyone has a spare room dedicated to home office use. Many people work from bedrooms, living areas, or even converted closets. The principles of ergonomic setup still apply in compact spaces; you simply need to be more creative with implementation.
Wall-mounted folding desks provide a full workstation that disappears when not in use. These range from simple shelves that fold flat to more elaborate designs with storage. Paired with a foldable laptop stand and a chair you can tuck away, a wall desk creates a complete office in under two square metres of floor space.
If you're working from a dining or kitchen table, consider a portable ergonomic kit: a foldable laptop stand, a compact keyboard and mouse, and a seat cushion for lumbar support. This kit can be set up in minutes at the start of your workday and stored when it's time for dinner.
If your office is in your bedroom, create visual separation between work and rest zones. A room divider, bookshelf, or even a rug can delineate your workspace and help you mentally transition at the end of the workday.
Budget-Friendly Ergonomic Upgrades
Beyond the essentials, several affordable additions can improve your home office comfort.
Monitor risers or arms ($20-100) allow precise positioning of external monitors. If you use a second screen, ensuring both displays sit at the same height prevents constant head-turning throughout the day.
Footrests ($25-50) support proper posture when your chair can't adjust low enough or your desk is too high. Look for adjustable models that accommodate different angles.
Document holders ($15-30) position reference materials at eye level beside your monitor, reducing the neck flexion associated with looking down at papers on your desk.
Cable management solutions ($10-20) keep cords organised and prevent them from cluttering your workspace or creating tripping hazards. A tidy desk contributes to mental clarity and reduces distractions.
The DIY Approach
While purpose-built ergonomic equipment offers the best performance, creative DIY solutions can bridge gaps when budget is extremely tight.
A stack of books can temporarily elevate a laptop screen while you save for a proper stand. Ensure stability and that air vents aren't blocked. This is a short-term solution, not a permanent substitute.
A rolled towel provides basic lumbar support in a pinch. Position it in the hollow of your lower back and secure it with the chair's backrest. Replace it with a proper lumbar cushion when funds allow.
Shoe boxes or sturdy containers can serve as footrests. Ensure they're stable and the right height to support your feet with your thighs parallel to the floor.
Remember that DIY solutions are temporary bridges, not destinations. They can prevent immediate discomfort while you prioritise funds toward proper equipment.
Movement and Breaks
No equipment can compensate for prolonged sitting. Even the most ergonomic setup requires regular movement breaks. Set timers to remind yourself to stand, stretch, and walk periodically throughout the workday.
If budget allows, a standing desk converter ($150-300) enables you to alternate between sitting and standing throughout the day. This variation reduces the health risks associated with prolonged sitting and often improves afternoon energy levels.
For a zero-cost option, identify tasks you can do while standing or walking: phone calls, reading, brainstorming. Breaking up seated work with movement doesn't require special equipment—just intentional habit-building.
Building Your Setup Over Time
Creating an ideal home office is a marathon, not a sprint. Start with the essentials—chair, laptop stand, external keyboard—and add improvements as budget permits. Each upgrade builds on the last, progressively improving your comfort and productivity.
Track what's working and what causes discomfort. Your body provides feedback about your setup; listen to it. If neck strain persists, perhaps your screen needs to be higher. If wrist pain develops, examine your keyboard position. Use these signals to guide your next investment.
Your home office is an investment in your health and career. The equipment may seem like an expense, but compare it to the cost of physiotherapy treatments, lost productivity from discomfort, or long-term health consequences of poor ergonomics. A thoughtfully designed workspace pays dividends far exceeding its modest cost.