Productivity

Optimise Your Remote Workspace

Remote Nomad Team12 min read

Your workspace shapes your work. Research from the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society shows a 15% increase in productivity when employees work in an ergonomically designed environment, and a Cornell University study found that poor workspace design contributes to increased rates of musculoskeletal disorders, eye strain, and mental fatigue. When you work from home, there is no facilities team optimising your environment for you. That responsibility falls entirely on you.

The good news is that building an excellent home office does not require a massive budget or a dedicated room. It requires intentionality. This guide covers every element of a productive remote workspace: from the chair you sit in to the light that falls on your face during video calls: with recommendations at every price point.

The Foundation: Your Desk

Your desk is the platform everything else sits on, so get this right first.

Sitting desks

A standard sitting desk should be 28 to 30 inches high for most adults. The critical measurement is that when you sit with your feet flat on the floor and your thighs parallel to the ground, your elbows should rest at a 90-degree angle on the desk surface while typing.

Budget pick (under USD 200): The IKEA BEKANT (USD 199) or even a simple IKEA LAGKAPTEN tabletop on ADILS legs (under USD 50) provides a functional, spacious surface.

Mid-range (USD 200-500): The FlexiSpot E7 electric standing desk is widely regarded as the best value standing desk on the market, with a sturdy frame, smooth motor, and programmable height presets.

Premium (USD 500+): The Herman Miller Nevi or Fully Jarvis Bamboo offer exceptional build quality, larger surface areas, and whisper-quiet motors.

Standing desks: the real story

Standing desks have been heavily marketed as a health revolution, but the evidence is more nuanced than the advertising suggests. Prolonged standing can cause its own problems: lower limb fatigue, varicose veins, and foot pain. The science points to one clear conclusion: the healthiest approach is frequent position changes, not standing all day.

Cornell University's Ergonomics Lab recommends the "20-8-2 rule" for every 30 minutes: sit for 20 minutes, stand for 8, and move or stretch for 2. A height-adjustable desk makes this rotation seamless.

If you choose a standing desk:

Invest in an anti-fatigue mat (the Topo by Ergodriven at USD 99 is excellent)
Wear supportive shoes or cushioned slippers: do not stand barefoot on hard floors
Start with just 30-60 minutes of standing per day and gradually increase
Use the programmable memory buttons to save your perfect sitting and standing heights

The Throne: Choosing Your Chair

If there is one item to invest in, it is your chair. You will spend 6-8 hours a day in it, and a bad chair will eventually cause back pain, neck strain, and reduced focus. The cost of a good chair is far less than the cost of physiotherapy.

What to look for in an ergonomic chair

Adjustable seat height so your thighs are parallel to the floor and feet flat on the ground
Lumbar support that follows the natural curve of your lower spine (adjustable is better than fixed)
Adjustable armrests that let your elbows rest at 90 degrees without hunching your shoulders
Seat depth adjustment so the seat edge does not press into the back of your knees
Breathable mesh back for temperature regulation during long sessions

Recommendations by budget

Budget (under USD 300): The HON Ignition 2.0 (around USD 250) and the Autonomous ErgoChair Pro are solid choices with good adjustability.

Mid-range (USD 300-800): The Steelcase Series 1 (USD 400-500) offers excellent lumbar support and build quality. The Secretlab Titan Evo, while marketed for gaming, has genuinely good ergonomic features.

Premium (USD 800+): The Herman Miller Aeron (USD 1,395+) has been the gold standard for 30 years for good reason. The Steelcase Leap V2 (USD 1,200+) is equally excellent and preferred by many for its flexible back and natural movement. Consider buying refurbished from certified dealers: you can save 40-60% with a full warranty.

Monitor and Display Setup

Your monitor setup affects your posture, eye strain, and ultimately how many hours you can work comfortably.

Positioning guidelines

The top of your screen should be at or slightly below eye level
Your screen should be approximately 20 inches (an arm's length) from your face
Tilt the monitor slightly upward (10-20 degrees) to reduce glare
If you use dual monitors, place the primary screen directly in front of you and the secondary to the side at a slight angle

Single monitor recommendations

For focused work like writing and coding, a 27-inch 4K monitor is the sweet spot. The Dell U2723QE (around USD 400) and LG 27UN850-W (around USD 350) offer excellent colour accuracy and USB-C connectivity.

Ultrawide monitors

If you need multiple windows visible simultaneously, a 34-inch ultrawide can replace a dual-monitor setup while eliminating the bezel gap. The Dell U3423WE and LG 34WN80C-B are popular choices in the USD 500-700 range.

Laptop users

If you work primarily on a laptop, invest in a laptop stand (the Rain Design mStand at USD 50 or Twelve South Curve at USD 60) to raise the screen to eye level. Then use an external keyboard and mouse: this single change dramatically improves your posture.

Lighting: More Important Than You Think

Good lighting affects your energy, mood, eye strain, and how you appear on video calls: a consideration that barely existed five years ago but now matters for every remote worker.

Natural light

Position your desk perpendicular to a window rather than facing it (which causes glare) or with your back to it (which puts you in silhouette on video calls). Side lighting provides the most even, flattering illumination.

Task lighting

Add a desk lamp with adjustable colour temperature. During daytime, cooler light (4000-5000K) promotes alertness. In the evening, warmer light (2700-3000K) is easier on your eyes. The BenQ ScreenBar (USD 109) clips to the top of your monitor and illuminates your desk without creating screen glare: it is specifically designed for this purpose.

Video call lighting

For professional video presence, you want soft, even light on your face from the front. A ring light (Neewer or Elgato Ring Light at USD 40-200) or a key light positioned slightly above and to the side of your camera works well. The goal is to eliminate shadows under your eyes and avoid the harsh, washed-out look of overhead fluorescent lighting.

Blue light management

If you work into the evening, enable blue light filtering on your devices. macOS Night Shift, Windows Night Light, and f.lux all reduce blue light emission after sunset, which can improve sleep quality.

Noise Management

In a remote work environment, sound quality matters in two directions: what your colleagues hear from your end, and what you hear while trying to focus.

Microphone quality

Your laptop's built-in microphone picks up everything: keyboard clicks, room echo, passing traffic. A dedicated USB microphone like the Blue Yeti (USD 100), Rode NT-USB Mini (USD 99), or even the budget Fifine K669 (USD 30) dramatically improves how you sound on calls.

Noise cancellation for calls

Software-based noise cancellation has improved dramatically. Krisp (USD 8/month) and the built-in noise suppression in Zoom and Google Meet can eliminate background noise in real time. For hardware, the Apple AirPods Pro, Sony WH-1000XM5, or Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones provide excellent active noise cancellation.

Soundproofing your space

If you do not have a dedicated office with a door, consider these options:

Acoustic foam panels on walls (a set of 12 costs around USD 20-40 and makes a noticeable difference to echo)
A white noise machine or app (Noisli, myNoise) to mask household sounds
Weatherstripping tape on door gaps to reduce sound leakage
A heavy curtain or bookshelf can act as a sound barrier

Internet Connectivity

A reliable internet connection is the single most critical piece of remote work infrastructure. Everything else is meaningless if you are dropping off video calls or waiting for files to load.

Minimum recommended speeds

Video calls (1 person): 5 Mbps upload, 10 Mbps download
Video calls (group): 10 Mbps upload, 25 Mbps download
General remote work: 25 Mbps download minimum, 50+ Mbps recommended

Improving your connection

Use ethernet whenever possible. A USD 10 ethernet cable provides a more stable and faster connection than any WiFi setup. If your desk is far from your router, a powerline adapter (TP-Link AV1000 at USD 40) sends internet through your electrical wiring.
Upgrade your router. If your router is more than 3 years old, a WiFi 6 router (TP-Link Archer AX55 at USD 80-100) can significantly improve speed and reliability.
Create a dedicated work SSID. Some routers let you create a separate network. This lets you prioritise your work devices.
Have a backup connection. A mobile hotspot plan (even a basic 5GB plan) can save you during an outage. Tethering to your phone works in a pinch.

Cable Management

This is the detail most people skip, but it has an outsized impact on both aesthetics and functionality, especially with a standing desk where cables need slack to accommodate height changes.

Cable tray: Mount an under-desk cable tray (USD 15-30) to keep power strips and excess cable out of sight
Velcro cable ties: Far superior to zip ties because they are reusable (a 50-pack costs around USD 8)
Cable sleeve: A neoprene cable sleeve bundles multiple cables into a single, tidy run
Wireless peripherals: A wireless keyboard and mouse eliminate two cables entirely. The Logitech MX Keys and MX Master 3S are industry standards for remote workers

Plants, Aesthetics, and Mental Wellbeing

A workspace that you enjoy spending time in is a workspace where you do your best work. This is not about interior design: it is about creating an environment that supports sustained focus and mental health.

Plants

Research published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology found that indoor plants can reduce stress and improve concentration. Low-maintenance options for an office include pothos, snake plants, ZZ plants, and succulents. If your workspace lacks natural light, a pothos or snake plant will survive almost anywhere.

Personalisation

Add elements that make the space feel intentionally yours: a framed photo, a piece of art, a meaningful object on your desk. The goal is a space that feels distinct from the rest of your home, signalling to your brain that this is where work happens.

Keep it minimal

A cluttered desk creates a cluttered mind. Use drawer organisers, a monitor stand with storage underneath, or a small shelf to keep your immediate work surface clear. The only things on your desk should be what you actively use during the workday.

Budget-Friendly vs Premium Setups

The essentials setup (under USD 500)

IKEA LAGKAPTEN desk: USD 50
HON Ignition 2.0 chair: USD 250
Laptop stand and external keyboard/mouse: USD 100
Desk lamp: USD 30
Cable management kit: USD 20
Total: approximately USD 450

The professional setup (USD 1,000-2,000)

FlexiSpot E7 standing desk: USD 480
Steelcase Series 1 chair: USD 450
Dell 27" 4K monitor: USD 400
BenQ ScreenBar: USD 109
Blue Yeti microphone: USD 100
Total: approximately USD 1,540

The premium setup (USD 3,000+)

Herman Miller Nevi sit-stand desk: USD 800
Herman Miller Aeron chair: USD 1,395
LG 34" ultrawide monitor: USD 600
Elgato Key Light: USD 200
Rode NT-USB Mini: USD 99
Total: approximately USD 3,100

Remember that many remote companies offer home office stipends ranging from USD 500 (Buffer) to USD 2,000 (Zapier) or more. Check with your employer before purchasing: these benefits exist precisely for this purpose.

Home Office Tax Deductions

If you are a freelancer, independent contractor, or self-employed, your home office expenses may be tax-deductible. However, the rules differ significantly depending on your employment status.

Who qualifies (in the US)

Under current IRS rules, the home office deduction is available only to self-employed individuals: freelancers, sole proprietors, and independent contractors. W-2 employees cannot claim the federal home office deduction, even if they work from home full time. This restriction was introduced by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in 2018 and remains in effect through 2025.

The two calculation methods

Simplified method: Deduct USD 5 per square foot of your home office, up to 300 square feet (maximum USD 1,500 deduction). This is easy but often results in a smaller deduction.
Actual expense method: Calculate the percentage of your home used exclusively for business, then apply that percentage to your rent or mortgage interest, utilities, insurance, and repairs. This requires more record-keeping but usually yields a larger deduction.

Requirements to claim

The space must be used exclusively for work: not a corner of your bedroom that doubles as a desk
It must be your principal place of business or a place where you regularly meet clients
You must keep receipts and records of all expenses

State-level deductions

Some US states offer home office deductions even for W-2 employees. California, New York, and several other states have their own rules. Consult a tax professional familiar with your state's regulations.

Other deductible expenses for the self-employed

Computer equipment, monitors, keyboards, and peripherals
Internet and phone bills (the business-use percentage)
Office furniture (desk, chair)
Software subscriptions used for work
Business-related travel and mileage (USD 0.70 per mile in 2025)

Important: Always consult a qualified tax professional for advice specific to your situation. Tax laws change frequently, and the guidance above is general in nature.

Putting It All Together

Building your ideal workspace is not a one-time event. Start with the essentials: a good chair and proper monitor positioning: and iterate from there. Pay attention to what causes discomfort or friction during your workday and address those pain points systematically.

The most productive remote workers treat their workspace as a tool that requires the same thoughtful investment as their software, their skills, and their time. A desk that is the right height, a chair that supports your spine, light that energises rather than strains you, and a reliable internet connection that never fails during a client call: these are not luxuries. They are the infrastructure of a sustainable remote career.

Invest in your workspace and it will pay you back every working day.