Setting up a home office can feel overwhelming when you are trying to balance comfort, functionality, and cost. Whether you work from home full-time or just need a dedicated space for admin and study, designing a productive workspace on any budget is achievable. This guide gives you three complete setups for every budget, the measurements that matter, and a clear framework for where to spend and where to save.
Quick answer: A working home office in Australia can start with just a desk and a supportive chair. A full ergonomic setup adds a motorised sit-stand desk and lockable storage. What you spend depends primarily on how many hours a day you sit at the desk. See current pricing on each product page.
The most common mistake when setting up a home office is buying furniture before thinking through the space. Before you spend anything, answer these five questions:
Your answers will determine which of the three builds below fits your situation, and where it makes sense to upgrade.
These three builds cover the most common home office situations. See current pricing on each product page.
| Build | Products |
|---|---|
| Starter | Artiss Computer Desk Metal Study + Rapidline Vesta Mesh Back |
| Everyday | Artiss Office Computer Desk 120 cm + Rapidline Hartley Ergonomic Task Chair |
| Full ergonomic | Artiss Standing Desk Motorised Dual Motor + Rapidline Executive High Back Mesh + Steelco Slimline Pedestal |
Add an Artiss Floating Wall Shelf to any build for immediate vertical storage without taking up floor space.
The Starter suits study, occasional admin, or a secondary workspace. The Everyday is the right choice for regular work-from-home days where you need a proper 120 cm surface and a chair with full ergonomic adjustability. The Full ergonomic is built for full-time desk work: a motorised sit-stand desk, a high-back mesh chair, and lockable under-desk storage.
A functional home office comes down to three core pieces. Get these right and everything else falls into place.
Your desk is the foundation of your home office. The right size and style depends on your available space and how you work.
When choosing a desk, prioritise surface area and cable management. Browse the full office desks collection with 40+ products, or explore the sit-stand desks range with 40 models if you want height adjustability.
If there is one area where you should invest more of your budget, it is your chair. Good office ergonomics practice recommends a chair that supports the natural curve of the lower back, allows feet to rest flat on the floor, and keeps forearms roughly parallel to the desk surface. A five-star base is the stability standard; four-leg bases tip more easily under recline.
Look for:
The Rapidline Vesta Mesh Back is the practical entry point. The Rapidline Hartley Ergonomic Task Chair adds adjustable arms and a contoured lumbar panel. For full-time desk work, the Rapidline Executive High Back Mesh provides the full adjustability range. Browse all 15 models in the office chairs range from mesh task chairs to fully ergonomic high-backs.
A clutter-free desk is a productive desk. Even a small amount of dedicated storage makes a significant difference to how your workspace feels and functions.
For a broader overview of storage options, see our guide to choosing the right office storage solution.
Buying the wrong size is the most avoidable mistake in home office setup. Check these before you order.
Desk height. Australian desks sit at 720 to 730 mm. Your chair must adjust to suit that height so your forearms rest parallel to the surface. If you are shorter or taller than average, check the chair's seat height range before buying.
Desk depth. You need at least 600 mm of depth so a monitor sits at arm's length from your eyes. Shallower desks push the screen too close and cause eye strain over time.
Monitor height. The top edge of your monitor should sit at or just below eye level. A monitor arm or a riser achieves this without raising the desk.
Pedestal clearance. A mobile pedestal must clear your desk height to roll underneath. Check the product specification before ordering.
Natural light. Position your desk perpendicular to a window, not facing it. Facing a window causes glare on your screen; having it behind you creates glare on your face during video calls. Perpendicular gives you the light without either problem.
Cable management. Trailing cables make a tidy office look messy. Look for desks with built-in grommets or cable trays, and route power leads before you set up your equipment.
Room size guidance. A 120 cm desk with a chair pulled out needs roughly 1.5 m of depth. A four-drawer vertical filing cabinet needs 500 to 600 mm of front clearance to open fully. Measure both before ordering.
| Item | Priority | Budget tip |
|---|---|---|
| Office chair | High | Spend more here if you sit 6+ hours a day |
| Desk | High | Choose the right size first, style second |
| Storage | Medium | A floating shelf solves most small-office storage problems |
| Decor and accessories | Low | Add gradually once the essentials are right |
One practical tip that costs nothing: keep your furniture finishes consistent. Mixing too many colours and materials makes a space feel disjointed. Sticking to one or two tones, such as white and oak or charcoal and black, makes a budget setup look considered.
Australians working from home may be able to deduct home office equipment expenses. The ATO offers two methods for calculating working-from-home deductions: a fixed-rate method and an actual-cost method. Rules differ between the two, and thresholds apply for whether an item can be deducted immediately or must be depreciated over time.
This is general information, not tax advice. Check with your accountant before claiming, particularly for higher-value items such as a motorised sit-stand desk or an ergonomic chair.
How much does a home office cost in Australia?|||A functional home office starts with a desk and a supportive chair. A more complete everyday setup adds a larger desk surface and a fully ergonomic chair. A full ergonomic setup includes a motorised sit-stand desk, a high-back mesh chair, and lockable under-desk storage. See current pricing on each product page.@@@How much should I spend on a home office setup?|||Spend most of your budget on the chair and desk, in that order. If you sit for six or more hours a day, a chair with proper lumbar support and adjustable arms is worth prioritising over a larger desk. Storage and accessories can be added gradually once the core pieces are right.@@@What is the most important piece of furniture in a home office?|||Your chair. You will spend more time in it than any other piece of furniture. A chair that does not support your lower back or allow your feet to rest flat on the floor creates discomfort that compounds over a full working day.@@@How do I set up a home office in a small space?|||Focus on vertical storage first. A floating shelf frees up desk and floor space immediately. Choose a compact desk that fits the room without overwhelming it, and keep the desktop clear with a small pedestal. A 120 cm desk with a chair pulled out needs roughly 1.5 m of depth, so measure before ordering.@@@Do I need a sit-stand desk for a home office?|||Not essential, but worthwhile if you work long hours. Alternating between sitting and standing reduces fatigue and improves posture over a full day. A desk riser converts an existing desk without replacing it.@@@Is an expensive office chair worth it?|||It depends on hours at the desk. For occasional use, an entry-level mesh chair is adequate. For full-time work, the additional adjustability of a mid-range or high-back ergonomic chair pays off in comfort over a full day. A chair you adjust properly is worth more than an expensive one set at the wrong height.@@@How do I make my home office look professional on a budget?|||Keep furniture finishes consistent, manage your cables, and keep the desktop clear. A tidy, well-organised workspace always looks more professional than an expensive but cluttered one. Position your desk perpendicular to a window for good light without glare on your screen or your face during video calls.@@@
