A home office should be free from distractions and set up in a way that increases productivity from the comfort of your home. Have a look at some advice from a local Ergonomist!
Your home office furniture plays a part in how productive you are during your work hours. Since you likely spend hours sitting at your desk, using improper furniture can result in poor posture and discomfort. Over time, this can escalate into chronic pains and orthopedic issues. That is why it is necessary to ensure that your set up meets the required home office furniture standards
Ergonomic Tips to Meet Home Office Furniture Standards
Expert ergonomic consultants recommend the following tips to keep in mind when you’re setting up your home office.
- All your furniture, i.e., chair and desk, should be adjustable so that you can easily change its height according to your comfort level.
- If you’re using a laptop, it is advised to use an external keyboard and mouse with it. This will prevent aches and pains in your wrists and elbows.
- The location of your workspace is important. The area should be dedicated only to your work, if possible. Try to select a room that has sufficient natural daylight and is removed from external noise or distractions.
- Your desk should be hard, stable, and flat to provide support. It should have leg space underneath it. Examples of make-shift desks are folding tables, countertops, or even ironing boards.
- Adjustable office chairs are your best option when it comes to home office furniture standards. In case you don’t have access to one, you can try out different chairs around the house as an alternative. A back rest is essential, so do not use stools.
- Your chair’s height should allow for your elbows to be above your work table, while letting your feet still touch the ground.
- If your seat is too high, you can use support underneath your feet, using boxes, crates, books, etc. If it is too low, you can elevate yourself with cushions, towels, or pillows.
- Your monitor screen should be at eye level. With a laptop, you can elevate it by using a laptop stand, or a box.
- Make sure that your wrist is level with the mouse and keyboard. If needed, you can use support underneath your wrists with folded towels.
- If you want to alternative between standing and sitting, an adjustable desk is ideal for this. Otherwise, you can move to the kitchen counter or adjust the height of your ironing board.
- Remember to take movement breaks every 30 minutes. For example, you can walk around while answering work calls or while taking your coffee break.
Creating a safe, productive, and ergonomically-sound workspace that meets home office furniture standards is vital especially if your work involves you sitting for long hours at your desk. You can choose to have an expert conduct a remote or virtual ergonomic assessment to recommend the optimum workstation setup for you.
If you would like to consult one of our ergonomic experts, click here for a free quote.
