Setting Up Your Home Office in 2026: Complete Checklist for an Ergonomic and Productive Workspace

Working from home is no longer a temporary exception but a structural part of the work routine. In the Netherlands, in 2023, over half of the working population (52%) worked from home occasionally, and according to the latest CBS research, this share has remained stable since then (CBS, 2026). In Belgium, teleworking grew from 6-8% in the early 2000s to nearly 31% in 2020 and has since become a fixed reality in many sectors (Statbel).

The issue: a home workstation is not always set up with the same care as an office workstation. TNO figures show that 44% of Dutch employees engage in screen work for at least 6 hours a day, and 24% for 8 hours or more (TNO Factsheet Screen Work, 2024). The RSI Association estimates that around 2 million people in the Netherlands are at risk of developing RSI complaints, which account for 11% of all sick leave (RSI Association). A significant portion of these complaints can be prevented with a properly arranged workstation.

Why an ergonomic home workspace is no luxury

In both the Netherlands and Belgium, the employer remains responsible for a healthy workspace, even if it is located in a living room or bedroom. In the Netherlands, this follows from the duty of care under the Work and Safety Act (*Arbowet*); in Belgium, the Code on Well-being at Work (Book VIII, Title 2, on screen work) stipulates that the rules regarding screen work also apply to telework, requiring a mandatory risk assessment to be repeated at least every five years (Codex Book VIII, Title 2). Specifically, this means that in Belgium, if you work more than an average of 4 hours per day on a large screen (or more than 2 hours on a laptop), the same ergonomic obligations apply as in an office.

What must your employer legally arrange?

In the Netherlands, a tax-free remote work allowance of €2.45 per remote work day applies for 2026 (Second-Office, 2026). This allowance covers expenses like utilities and coffee—not furniture. The duty of care for ergonomic setup (desk, chair, screen) remains separate and falls under the employer’s Arbowet obligations.

In Belgium, the obligation stems from the Employment Contracts Act (art. 20, 1°), the Welfare Act (art. 5, 1°, f), and collective agreements (cao) nr. 85 and 149: the employer must provide, install, and maintain the necessary remote work equipment, or reimburse costs if the employee uses their own materials (FPS Employment). An ergonomic office chair is not always mandatory by law itself, but it is required once a risk assessment identifies issues.

Checklist: These Standards Apply for a Healthy Home Workspace

• Desk height: a fixed-height desk typically measures 74 to 76 cm according to NEN-EN 527; an adjustable-height desk ranges from 65 to 85 cm; a sit-stand desk can go up to 130 cm according to the Dutch practice guideline NPR 1813 (Ergonomics specialist — NEN-EN 527).
• Office chair: according to NEN-EN 1335, the seat height must be adjustable between 40 and 51 cm, with a seat depth of 40-42 cm and a backrest of at least 22 cm in height (Ergonomics specialist — NEN-EN 1335).
• Screen Distance: 50 to 70 cm between your eyes and the screen, with the top edge at eye level (Arboportaal; Pearle Opticiens).
• Keyboard and mouse: keep them separate from the screen if you engage in screen work for more than 2 hours per day.

The 8-point checklist for a healthy home workspace

• Is your desk at the correct height (fixed: 74-76 cm, adjustable: 65-85 cm)?
• Does your chair have an adjustable seat height (40-51 cm) and supportive backrest?
• Is your screen positioned 50-70 cm away, with the top edge at eye level?
• Are you using a separate keyboard and mouse (not the laptop itself)?
• Do you have enough (natural) light without glare or backlight on your screen?
• Are your feet flat on the floor, possibly with a footrest?
• Alternate between sitting and standing, for example with a sit-stand desk?
• Do you take a short standing or movement break every hour?

Do you meet fewer than 6 of the 8 criteria? Then there’s a real risk your home workspace will cause issues in the long run.

From checklist to purchase

You can quickly resolve many issues with the right furniture. For a seating height that grows with you, a good office chair or specifically a home office chair is the starting point; for alternating between sitting and standing, a sit-stand desk or a compact home office desk works well. Unsure where the biggest risks lie in your organization—both at home and in the office? Our free workplace well-being scan and employee survey will clarify this concretely, and on the services page, you’ll find out how we guide you from inventory to setup. Also see our older article tips for working from home and, for translating to office space, how many m² per workstation.

Frequently asked questions

Is my employer required to pay for an office chair for remote work? In Belgium, the employer must provide or reimburse the necessary remote work equipment (cao 85/149); an ergonomic chair is mandatory only if a risk assessment indicates it. In the Netherlands, the obligation arises from the general Occupational Health and Safety Act (Arbowet) duty of care, separate from the remote work allowance.

How much home office allowance do I receive in 2026? In the Netherlands, €2.45 per home workday is tax-exempt. This allowance is intended to cover expenses such as energy, not furniture.

How far should my screen be from me? The guideline is 50 to 70 cm, with the top edge of the screen at eye level.

How high should my desk be? For a fixed desk: 74-76 cm; an adjustable desk ranges from 65 to 85 cm (sitting-standing up to 130 cm).

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Sources: CBS — Remote Work Unchanged Since 2022 (2026); Statbel — Homeworking Gains Traction Among New Occupations; TNO Labour Monitor — Remote Work: Risks, Health Effects, and Measures; RSI Association — Facts and Figures; Code of Practice on Occupational Well-being, Book VIII Title 2 (Belgium); FPS Employment — Remote Work Obligations; Second-Office — Homework Allowance 2026; Ergonomiespecialist.nl — NEN-EN 527 and NEN-EN 1335; Arboportaal — Screen Work; Pearle Opticiens — Screen Distance.

Last updated on 24 October 2026 by Stijn Belmans