To set up a home office on a tight budget (roughly up to 500 EUR), put your money into an ergonomic chair first, then a stable desk, and accessories last. The goal is not the cheapest gear but the best value per euro: pieces that protect your spine long term and survive years of daily use. Most of our chairs are price-on-request because the final figure depends on configuration, so plan around ergonomic features rather than a single number.
This advice comes from Heka Interior, the office-furniture brand of Hit Preless d.o.o. from Slovenia. We make our furniture in our own production in Medvode, where Hit Preless has equipped hotels and business spaces since 1986, today with more than 80 employees and our own logistics and installation. Our ergonomic solutions equipped over 1,200 workstations at NLB, and our references include Triglav and Volvo. That means the same quality large companies receive is also adapted to a home office.
How much do I realistically need for a good home office?
You do not need a large budget for a functional, ergonomic home office, but you do need the right allocation. A practical rule is to put the largest share into the ergonomic chair, since you sit on it the most, then into a stable work surface, and the rest into accessories such as a footrest and rubber castors. Because our chairs are mostly price-on-request and depend on the chosen configuration, it is smarter to plan by feature priority than by a fixed sum.
Why is home office equipment an investment rather than a cost?
Home office equipment is an investment because it directly affects your health and productivity across every year of working from home. If you work from home several days a week, you spend a huge number of hours in your chair, and unsuitable gear over that time can cause chronic back, neck and shoulder pain, weaker focus and extra physiotherapy costs. Ergonomic equipment addresses these problems at the source and pays back over time as less pain and more concentration.
Which piece of equipment should I buy first?
Buy the ergonomic chair first, because it is the most important piece of a home office. You sit on it for hours each day and it is in direct contact with your body, so saving on the chair often means paying with your health. Only once you have a good chair should you invest in a desk and accessories. This order ensures a limited budget first covers what most affects your posture and comfort.
When choosing an entry chair for a home office, focus on the key adjustments we describe in our guide on how to choose an ergonomic office chair.
What should I look for in an ergonomic chair on a limited budget?
On a limited budget, focus on the features that affect posture the most, not on looks. The key ones are adjustable seat height, proper lumbar support and a breathable backrest for longer sitting. Even an entry model can deliver real ergonomics if it has these basics. At Heka Interior our entry options include the mesh-back Aria, while the active chair Clever Evo is a step up for more demanding use.
- Adjustable seat height, so it matches your desk and positions your legs correctly
- Lumbar support that holds the lower back in its natural curve
- A mesh backrest for ventilation during longer sitting at home
- Adjustable armrests that relieve the shoulders and neck
Is a sit-stand desk worth it in a home office?
A sit-stand desk is worth it in a home office because it lets you switch between sitting and standing, which relieves the spine and improves circulation. It is not a luxury but a health tool, since even a few moves into a standing position each day reduce static load. If your budget does not allow a height-adjustable desk at first, you can start with a stable fixed desk and upgrade later. Read our breakdown of the benefits in the guide on whether a sit-stand desk is worth it.
Our range includes a single-motor model for home use and the CoreLift with a dual motor, electronic height memory, a 60 to 125 cm range and 125 kg load capacity.
Which accessories improve comfort the most for little money?
A few inexpensive accessories greatly improve comfort once you have a chair and desk. A footrest lifts and relieves the legs and improves posture, especially if the chair is set higher than your feet can reach the floor. Rubber castors replace the standard plastic ones, protect hard floors such as parquet or laminate, run quietly and roll smoothly. A desktop power socket with USB outputs tidies the cables and clears the work surface.
How should I build my home office in tiers by budget?
Build your home office in three tiers so the budget matches your workload. Basic ergonomics means an entry chair with a footrest and rubber castors, suitable for working two to three days a week when you already have a desk. A complete home office adds a stable fixed desk with a metal base. A premium home office combines a better mesh-back chair, a desk and a footrest for everyday work from home.
- Basic ergonomics: entry ergonomic chair, footrest, rubber castors
- Complete home office: ergonomic chair and a stable fixed desk with a metal base
- Premium home office: a breathable chair with lumbar support, a desk and a footrest
Can the equipment be tailored to my space and company?
Yes, all Heka Interior products are made in Slovenia and available for full personalisation. You can choose between different fabrics, colours and materials, and companies can order chairs with a logo or in corporate colours. If you are equipping a space for several employees, we offer quantity discounts from five pieces upward and planning advice. That way the same quality we build into large business projects is adapted to the home too.
Frequently asked questions
Do I really need an ergonomic chair if I only work from home occasionally?
Yes, an ergonomic chair makes sense even for occasional work from home, because even a few hours a day in an unsuitable chair load the spine. Even an entry model with adjustable height and lumbar support clearly improves posture. If you work from home only a few days a week, basic ergonomics with the right chair is the most sensible first investment, which you can upgrade later.
How do I set up the chair correctly once I get it home?
Set the chair so your feet rest on the floor, your knees sit at roughly a right angle, and the lumbar support follows the natural curve of your lower back. Match the seat height to your desk so your forearms stay horizontal. You will find a step-by-step procedure in our guide on how to adjust an office chair. Correct setup is free and often makes a bigger difference than a more expensive chair.
Why is a good backrest with lumbar support so important?
A good backrest with lumbar support is important because it keeps the lower back in its natural curve and prevents slumping that leads to pain. Ergonomists recommend support that follows the shape of the spine and adapts to movement. Read more about recognising quality support in our guide on office chairs with lumbar support.
What are the delivery options and how long does it take?
We handle delivery and installation with our own logistics, because we are a manufacturer and not just a reseller. Delivery is fast for stock items, while for personalised configurations the lead time is agreed at ordering, as it depends on the chosen fabrics and colours. For an exact timeline and a quote for your configuration, contact us, since the price is on request and depends on the choice.
Try before you buy and consult with us
A chair is best tested in a real working environment, not just for a few minutes. That is why we offer a free 7-day chair trial: choose a chair, test it at home or in the office and see the difference for yourself. To browse the full range, visit the office chairs category, and for help building your home office within an optimal budget, contact us.
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