Setting Up a Home Office: How to Design Your Workspace

Whether it's permanent or just a few days a week, a well-furnished home office makes the difference between "somehow at the kitchen table" and working with focus and enjoyment. With the right desk, a comfortable chair, a bit of order and good lighting, you can create a workspace where you're productive and still feel at ease. Here's how to go about it.

1. The Right Desk

The desk is the centrepiece. Make sure you have enough work surface (at least ~120 cm wide if space allows) and a comfortable height – usually around 72–75 cm. Enough legroom underneath is also important. For small rooms there are compact or narrow models that will fit into a corner too. Browse our desks for the right size.

2. A Chair You Enjoy Sitting On

When you're sitting for hours on end, the chair matters almost more than the table. Look for a good seat height (feet flat on the floor, knees at a right angle) and a supportive backrest. If you don't want a classic office chair, a comfortable chair with a straight back will do for occasional work – the main thing is that you sit upright and relaxed.

3. Order & Storage

Nothing disrupts concentration more than chaos. Make room for documents, tech and odds and ends:

• A shelving unit above or beside the desk makes use of the wall and keeps books and folders within easy reach.
• A sideboard or a chest of drawers stows documents and tech away behind closed doors.
• Bundle cables and use trays – a tidy desk means a clear head.

4. The Right Light

Position the desk side-on to the window if possible – not directly in front of it (you'll be dazzled) and not with your back to the window (the screen will reflect). Supplement the daylight with a desk lamp for the darker hours. Warm light at the edge of the room makes the home office cosier in the evening.

5. Don't Forget Comfort

A workspace is allowed to be cosy – it even boosts motivation. A plant, a nice picture, a rug or a comfy armchair for your coffee break turn the "office" into a room you enjoy spending time in.

6. Small Home Office? How to Set Up a Work Corner

No spare room? No problem. A quiet corner in the living room or bedroom is perfectly sufficient. A narrow desk or a console table, a shelving unit on the wall and a chair that visually suits the room – that way the work corner stays unobtrusive yet still separate from the living area. Tip: finishing work also means putting the laptop away – it helps you switch off.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How big should a home office desk be?
Around 120 x 60 cm is enough for one monitor; 140–160 cm wide is more comfortable. In small rooms, narrow models from about 100 cm will do the job.

What is the right desk height?
Usually around 72–75 cm. Rule of thumb: if your forearms rest loosely on the desk and your elbows are at roughly a right angle, the height is right.

How do I set up a home office without a separate room?
Use a quiet corner with a narrow desk, a wall shelf for storage and a suitable chair. Good lighting is important, as is the option to "tidy away" once work is done.

Conclusion

Setting up a good home office isn't a question of lots of space but of the right basics: a suitable desk, a comfortable chair, clever storage and good lighting. Add a few personal touches that make you feel at home, and working from home becomes a real pleasure. Discover the right desks, chairs and shelving for your workspace.