DeskDNA · Home Office Checklist
Home Office
Setup Checklist
Everything you need to set up a productive, ergonomic, and professional home office. Tick off the easy wins first — most setups land 80% of the value in the first ten items.
Furniture Essentials
Desk with at least 48" of surface width
Wider is better. 60" is ideal.
Chair with adjustable seat height
Lumbar support is a bonus.
Monitor at arm's length from your face
20–28" is the target range.
Keyboard and mouse on the same level
Avoid reaching up to type.
Display & Input
External monitor (at least 24" FHD)
Biggest productivity upgrade for laptop users.
Monitor top at or slightly below eye level
A stand or monitor arm makes this easy.
External keyboard (full-size or TKL)
Required if monitor is on a stand.
External mouse
Reduces wrist fatigue vs trackpad.
USB hub or dock (for laptop users)
One cable connects everything.
Lighting
No window directly behind your monitor
Causes glare — reposition desk if needed.
Adequate desk lighting (300–500 lux at surface)
Desk lamp or monitor light bar.
Front-facing light for video calls
Ring light or soft box.
Bias light behind monitor (optional)
Reduces eye strain significantly.
Video & Audio
Webcam producing at least 1080p
Laptop cams are usually 720p or worse.
Dedicated mic or USB headset
Audio quality matters more than video.
Test audio and video before important calls
Don't discover problems mid-call.
Clean, neutral background for calls
Or use a virtual background.
Cable Management
Under-desk cable management tray installed
Keeps cables off the floor and desk.
Cables bundled with velcro ties
Not zip ties — you'll re-route later.
Power strip with surge protection
Under the desk, not on top.
Cable labels on both ends
Saves confusion when troubleshooting.
Ergonomics
Feet flat on floor (or footrest)
Knees at 90° or slightly open.
Elbows at 90°, forearms parallel to floor when typing
Adjust chair height first.
Screen tilted slightly back (5–15°)
Reduces eye strain for most people.
Keyboard directly in front of you — no reaching
Break every 90 minutes
Pomodoro or Stretchly app helps.
Productivity
Reliable internet (test at fast.com)
At least 25 Mbps upload for video calls.
Ethernet cable if Wi-Fi drops on calls
More reliable than Wi-Fi.
Noise-cancelling headphones for focus work
ANC beats ear plugs.
Do-not-disturb signal for your household
Physical boundaries matter.