Ask HN: What does your ideal home office look like?

Most important for me has been a really good monitor. I've used two externals in the past, but lately I've been really digging my 34" Dell monitor in the 21:9 form factor ("ultrawide"). I think the extra width is really helpful for work, being able to put several windows side by side. It's also pretty cool to watch 21:9 movies, but that's a secondary consideration.

Side question: is your employer paying for your home office re-design, or is this just a personal project? Did you discuss any of it with your employer, or just opt to do it yourself from the beginning?

(Both approaches are good, just curious!)

sit/stand desk that goes both high enough to walk on a treadmill, and kneel on the floor. A soft standing/kneeling pad. With this combo I find I rarely use my chair. (not never, just rarely)

Bonus would be a treadmill that is easy to get out of the way when I don't want it (I've never seen this, but you asked about ideal).

sdsd

I have a comfortable couch, a plastic lap desk, and a pillow below it. On top of it is a fairly old MacBook Air. I used to think I needed multiple monitors until I got the MacBook. Its three-finger-swipe to go from one virtual desktop to another is my favorite feature. I work laying down.

It is fairly dark. I have a Sonos speaker to play music whenever I need to. I get up to stretch and walk around a bit at least once an hour.

Absolutely must have a treadmill desk. Sitting down for eight hours at a stretch is tough on your prostate. Standing for eight hours at a stretch is tough on your feet. Walking for eight hours is invigorating and makes you feel good about yourself.

I sed to have an office-in-a-closet setup: an Ikea aneboda wardrobe (single) with a small modification: I lowered the upper plate at a desk height and it effectively became a closet-door gurded office: on the inside of the closet doors i had timetables, todolists and calendars, in the "table" I had my X220 and an external monitor (put on some books to rise it) and a mouse.

If I had to do it again, I'd use some sort of embedded computer like an intel nuc (or in general, something the size of a mac mini). After all such computers are way more than enough for sysadmin / development work.

I have a separate work space in the backyard, an entirely separate building with a view of some flowers and plants, and a door that locks. Walking to work (about 12 feet from the house) and closing the door behind me does wonders for my focus and productivity.

Worth over-spending on a quality chair that fits and can adjust, too. I tried a dozen or more until I got the right one and it's been money very well spent. Don't skimp on the ergo!

I just recently got a rolling tool chest from Home Depot with a lot of somewhat shallow drawers. Perfect for stowing a laptop, laying out pens and pencils in neat order, and other miscellaneous cruft. The whole thing rolls (quite heavy though) and plugs in to the wall with a surge-protected outlet strip built in. Put the laptop on the top and it's a reasonable standing desk, too.

If you're setting up a desk, I would highly recommend something with adjustable height. It doesn't necessarily have to be sit/stand, but that's probably ideal. The standard desk height of 29ish inches is too high for 95% of the population [0]. Your shoulders should be relaxed and keyboard a few inches above your lap. You could mitigate this with a keyboard tray too, but I'm not a fan.

0: https://www.nbcnews.com/better/health/5-adjustments-you-need...

I'm slowly getting towards my ideal with my latest addition of a treadmill, motorized desk, and 4k monitors. I definitely could use more above-desk power though. I enjoy having oversized desks that are large enough to stretch my legs out under when I do sit, like 30-36"+. A great set up I had was when two 30" table tops met in a corner - there was about 45" of legroom there! Chairs and lighting are always important too, and I definitely put some emphasis on color. I used a warm, cozy brown in a cold climate, and a lighter blue in a gray and rainy climate. I do try to have a view and natural light, otherwise it gets a little bland, and I like having both overhead lights and task lighting.

In an ideal world I'd have more audio options than just headphones and Sonos. It'd be awesome to have in-wall high quality speakers, but headphones will suffice for now. If I could get a water supply and coffee/espresso maker in the room too, that'd be sweet, but it's probably good to move around and go to the kitchen every now and again.

App wise, RescueTime and WakaTime have been interesting products for getting and keeping focus. In the past I've engaged in "rituals" to get in the zone like certain playlists, beverages, an Esington hour glass for pomodoros. But other pomodoro apps have been reasonably effective too.

I like having a couple "things" around, e.g. art, tchotchkes, that are meaningful, but I lean towards (what I think of as) an art-gallery-meets-cozy-reading-space type of aesthetic - a few books, a couple choice pieces of art, etc.

I'd love to eventually have a separate work space - a little shed/nook in the backyard, that I could spec out with all the "wishes," but alas that dream will have to wait a bit longer...

Ideal for me is a giant window facing a green space. My current fav is guest bedroom on 2nd floor of my house with great views of the park.

I would have a super comfortable office I am to spend any time in it.

* I would go for a Herman Miller Aeron chair, I have been using one since 2005

* I would want a high ceiling and good sound acoustics if I wanted to play music. Also good sound proofing in case there is a lot of external noise.

* I would want a set of shelves on one wall to store books

* I would want windows for natural light

* Ideally I would have a zone for heating and cooling or other devices to keep the temperature at a setting I like.

* I would want a really soft couch that is easy to nap on if I decided I needed to short rest.

I have a home office that I love. I spend a fair bit of time in it, but not 90%.

Ikea Standing Desk (Skarsta, crank, 63"). Dual 34" monitors, a desktop I love, Kinesis Freestyle 2 keyboard, and a Kensington Expert Mouse. Pen holders, notebooks, filing cabinet like thing, and a standing mat. I also have a glass whiteboard (essential) against the wall, art in front of me that I appreciate.

I have bookcases full of books, technical, religious, and science fiction - different things to chill out with should I need it. I keep a guitar handy, on a stand, ready to go, with a stereo system, decent speakers, and a great turntable.

I have a papasan chair, and a roadbike on blocks, so that I can force myself to change my space, to explore an idea, or calm down.