What should I buy for a home office under $200?

If you can buy only one thing under $200 for a home office, buy a comfortable adjustable office chair first. It has the biggest day-to-day impact on comfort and posture.

Best order to spend under $200:

1. Adjustable office chair — prioritize seat height, lumbar support, arm adjustment, and a return policy.
2. Compact desk under $200 — good if your current work surface is too small or unstable; a 40-inch compact desk can fit small rooms.
3. Desk lamp + monitor/laptop riser — best low-cost upgrade if you already have a decent chair and desk.

My practical pick: spend most of the budget on the chair, and use any leftover for a simple lamp or laptop stand. Avoid buying a very cheap chair-and-desk bundle if it means the chair has poor adjustability.