Ultimate Home Office Setup for Developers

Ergonomics First

• Chair: adjustable lumbar, seat pan depth, armrests at elbow height.
• Desk: sit-stand if possible; top at ~elbow height when typing.
• Monitor: top of screen at or slightly below eye level; 50–70 cm from eyes.

Hardware That Pays for Itself

• External keyboard (mechanical/low-profile) and pointing device to reduce strain.
• Second monitor for docs/specs; consider a vertical monitor for logs and code.
• Quality microphone/headset for clear async recordings (Loom) and calls.

Lighting, Acoustics, and Air

• Front-facing diffuse light; avoid strong backlight to reduce eye strain on calls.
• Acoustic panels/rugs/curtains to cut echo; crisp audio increases perceived competence.
• Ventilation and plants; comfort improves focus and reduces fatigue.

Cable & Power Hygiene

• Docking station + cable sleeves; label power bricks.
• UPS for brief outages; surge protection for expensive gear.

Security & Privacy

• Physical privacy screen if sharing space.
• Dedicated work user profile; auto-lock after short idle.
• Camera cover when not in use (policy permitting).

Setup Checklist

• Chair/desk adjusted; wrists neutral; feet flat (or on footrest).
• No glare on the monitor; comfortable brightness.
• Mic test and noise suppression configured.

Maintenance Rituals

• Weekly: dust/clean, wipe lenses, check cables.
• Monthly: posture review, desk height check, replace worn pads.

FAQ

Is a sit-stand desk necessary? Not mandatory, but alternating posture reduces fatigue over long days.

Do I need two monitors? One ultrawide or two standard monitors both work—pick what suits your tasks and room depth.