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Ask HN: What hardware/furniture/hack greatly improved your WFH setup?

47 points by remoquete ↗ HN
I'm getting some new gear to improve my WFH productivity--for example, I've just got a better webcam and an ergonomic mouse. Last year I got a raising desk accessory and that helped quite a bit with back pain. So does my leg rest and ergonomic office chair.

I'm now wondering if I've overlooked something. For example, I'm not very happy with lighting in my home office (this room is facing Northwest, so it only gets some light in the afternoon).

What hardware, piece of furniture, or hack has made a difference in your remote work comfort?

54 comments

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throw737858
Laser printer and printing all books and documents. About 300 pages/week.

8x4k 27" screens in portrait mode plus TV. I connected laptop and two desktops with Barrier, so all share single mouse, keyboard and clipboard.

I found it better to work on multiple machines simultaneously. Background tasks do not slow it down. And connecting 9 displays to single machine is tricky. It is cheap junk, but looks like power plant control center. And productivity gain is there.

https://github.com/debauchee/barrier

rwol
What's the benefit to using multiple desktop machines with Barrier? More processing power?
throw737858
Some tasks make computer less responsive. This way it is isolated.

And it is cheaper for the same price. I can have lightweight laptop, yet relatively beefy desktop cpu.

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matt_s
I have a 5.1 stereo connected to the TV and watch concerts on youtube sometimes while doing coding work. Crank the volume, turn off notifications and get lost in the work for a bit. I think the continuous stream of music and intermittent crowd noise probably helps the immersion.
mattowen_uk
Constant notifications are the bane of a WFH life. And I say that as someone who loves WFH.
happynacho
I do the same thing. Either EDM concerts or the classic "Summer mix 2021 Deep House" streams going on.
karmakaze
This is one of the less frequently cited perks--taking full advantage.
catonmylap
I built an air quality monitor with a Wemos D1 and some parts from ali express. Now I open my window, and air my home office way more often. It's also interesting to see how concentration and air quality are related.
dalmo3
Concentration of what?
dkarp
I think they’re saying that their ability to concentrate depends on air quality
akg_67
I got a honeycomb seat pad, I no longer get numb butt from sitting for a while. Also, an Amazon Basic single monitor arm, much easier to move monitor up and down and sideways.
apuchitnis
Two things:

1 - An additional monitor. Before I used to work on just my laptop. Now I have a 24" monitor on the side. I use it for offloading non-essential tabs and windows, and it makes working so much easier. I'm considering getting another monitor for the same reason.

2. Clearing and cleaning my desk at the end of the day, so it looks tidy and all non-essential things are removed. For me, a tidy desk == tidy mind :)

hajile
I’d add that an ultra wide monitor is great in general, but even more so when you’re M1 Mac can only have one external screen.
jjice
I recommend a Display Link dock. Just started work with an M1 MacBook last week and I can power 3 external monitors with it, no real issues after the first day (they're releasing updates to the driver regularly at the moment).
schwartzworld
Is that true? One external screen? What rationale did they offer for that?
bierjunge
It wasn't intended for working from home, but I've got a hammock with the corresponding structure to set it up everywhere I want.

As Covid-19 hit last year, it was really a great place for having remote meetings. Just set it up in the garden, get a coffee and have a nice day enjoying the sun (and the envy of other people in the call).

domano
I have bought a curved high-res 21:9 screen with presence detection and automatic brightness and can not go back - actually thinking about a second one.

The curved aspect makes no difference for me, the other stuff does.

Never having to manually turn it on or off is very nice and removes yet another step from getting into work.

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hajile
I’d note to UI developers that on curved displays lines can appear different than they really are. It’s perhaps not a big deal, but something to keep in mind.
robalfonso
Here I was thinking I was the only one. I have a presence sensor under my desk, when I sit down it triggers the following:

1) Turns on my monitors and desk lamp 2) Turns on the tv in my office 3) Using an hdmi multi plexer sets the hdmi switch to have 4 screens 3-work, 1-with apple tv. 4) Changes a busy light to red outside my office so family knows I'm working

As you say it takes no time to get to work, I was really surprised how automating this helped me get going in the morning because on it's own none of this is terribly time consuming.

tomasz207
I still have an old desk for a desktop PC I had at my parents house and took to university with me. It is made of cheap particle board, has many nicks/scratches, and a warped surface, but is still sturdy. Since it isn't new or made of expensive wood, my favorite part has been customizing it to fit my needs by drilling holes, adding makeshift shelves made of scrap wood, drilling in stands for my speakers, attaching pipe for mounting a camera, making an under-desk mount for my laptop, itd. It isn't pretty, but it has allowed me to fix any annoyances I had as far as comfort, desk space optimization and efficiency go. I drool when I see some of the battlestations people post, but my desk makes me happy because it is the one I have to use.
theriddlr
SAD lamp. Helps with my Seasonal Affective Disorder and keeps me more alert.
KMnO4
Do you get enough natural sunlight? My location currently gets over 15 hours of daylight so I try to spend at least 4-5 hours outside.
theriddlr
No, as you might guess – I live in Blighty (the UK). During winter, we commute home after sunset. In November to December, daylight hours would only be during the workday (8 am to 4pm).

The only time I didn't have SAD was when I worked in a building with full-length windows.

biql
Avoiding eating too much. It was easy for me to get used to frequent snacks and meals but this ultimately kills productivity and make me lazy and sluggish, not to mention other downsides. Moderate hunger on the other hand helps to stay focused and persistent.
remoquete
This. I wish I had more self-control, though.
atatatat
There are surgeries and drugs for this. Cannabis makes me forget to eat...and use cannabis, which is interesting.
agesome
A "USB sharing switch" to switch the USB hub with all peripherals between work laptop and personal PC. KVM switches are too expensive and not really available, esp. with USB 3 support.

Saves me from having to get under the desk every day. The only thing I have not solved yet is switching headphones, will eventually get an external USB DAC for that.

randcraw
1) Macbook Pro

2) An excellent office chair (Herman Miller Aeron)

3) Two external 27" 4K monitors (Viewsonic)

4) Good external keyboard (Logitech MX Keys)

5) Kensington trackball (precise, no more mousing around)

6) Plugable 7-port USB-A hub

7) Gigabit ethernet over FIOS (connected via cable)

8) Good external speakers (M Audio) w/ angled stands

9) Adjustable foot rest

cityzen
hello fellow trackball user! Which kensington are you using? I have the MX Ergo which I like but the scroll wheel clicks and it drives me crazy.
randcraw
I've used an Expert Mouse wired for over a decade. I recently bought a SlimBlade for its lower profile. But the Expert works so well, I'll probably just stick with it 'til it dies.

I do a lot of image processing where stability and precision are a big plus. That, and I love that the inertia from one quick flick of a trackball can zip my cursor across three screens.

schwartzworld
I use the Kensington Expert and I couldn't recommend it more. The ball is the size of a billiard ball, and I love the clickwheel.
tkinom
Standing desk from Costco is best purchase I made for WFH.
remarkEon
KVM switch. Hands down the best $35 I’ve spent on WFH gear.
karmakaze
Setting up multiple work areas if you can. An outdoor deck/patio in the shade, another room with a door that doesn't have people in it during the workday, a cool place downstairs on less good HVAC days. We tend to use computers for work and recreation, try to make the two feel distinct.
danielscrubs
A proper monitor arm to raise the monitor up to be in proper eye-level did wonders for my otherwise slouching back. Also if you use a laptop, consider NOT using it as an extra display.
navhc2
Why not use it as an extra display? Cheaper to get an adjustable laptop stand for ~$30 for my desk than buy another monitor
cout
The #1 recommendation I can make for working from home is: get dressed before you start work. It helps to separate work from rest when you do both in the same place. It's easy to stay in your pyjamas and start work, but doing this every day blurs the lines between work life and home life, which can lead to burnout.
legerdemain
I bought a house with a large back yard and converted a garden shed into a personal office with an awesome view down the hillside. Wouldn't trade it for the world!