This site has limited support for your browser. We recommend switching to Edge, Chrome, Safari, or Firefox.

Our Spring Event is here — Save Up to 15% Off

How to Set Up an Ergonomic Workspace at Home

How to Set Up an Ergonomic Workspace at Home

The pandemic has taught us many useful life lessons. One of them being How to make the most out of a difficult situation. Like thousands of people around the globe, we found ourselves working from home. Many of us had to get creative in order to set up a new and productive workspace at home. Whether you are looking to upgrade your existing setup, or are creating your first ergonomic workspace, let us guide you through our 6 steps and extra tips on how to set up an ergonomic workspace at home.

What is Ergonomics?

The principle of ergonomics is a science. It is the science of designing objects, environments and systems to fit the user’s needs. On a daily basis, ergonomics aims to improve general efficiency, productivity, and eliminate discomfort.

In the workplace, understanding and valuing ergonomics is essential to prevent injuries that can happen due to poor posture or the impact of repetitive movements. The importance of movement throughout the day is also something to consider in ergonomics. Having a sedentary lifestyle with office furniture that promotes a fixed posture and little to no movement plays an important role in the overall comfort and performance of a desk worker. Ergonomics encourages a balance between sitting and standing during the work day, which is attainable with the help of an height-adjustable desk, an ergonomic chair and ergonomic accessories.

Why is Ergonomics Important?

At ergonofis, making sure you are in a comfortable, healthy workspace while keeping you productive is our raison d’être. So, we want to help you create an environment that will boost your energy and motivation. We all deserve an active workstation that we can thrive in, one that will last.

Making sure you are working comfortably is a crucial step in keeping a healthy relationship with work. When you are working in an office, you have little control over the kind of setup available, but when working from home, you can create an ergonomic workspace that is optimal for your productivity and well-being.

Whether you are looking to invest in quality furniture and accessories, or need tips to DIY your way to a functional home office, here is our advice for creating an ergonomic and productive workspace at home.


Step 1 : Adjust Your Desk Height

Before getting started with the smaller ergonomic accessories and lifestyle habits needed to create a comfortable ergonomic workspace at home, you need to focus on what’s most important: the desk.

What You Need to Know

The ideal ergonomic desk height depends on your body measurements. It is, therefore, important to check in with yourself to make sure your work surface is the appropriate height. Here is what to look for:

      • Your elbows should be bent at a 90-degree angle and be at the same height as your desk.
      • Your arms should hang loosely near your torso, with most of the forearms on the desk or the chair’s armrests.
      • Your wrists should be straight in front of you and remain in a neutral vertical position.

The Optimal Solution

Kitchen tables are often too high, and traditional desks are mostly designed at a height ideal for writing, not typing. Our ergonomic standing desks aim to tackle this exact problem. With an easy one-touch adjustment, you can set up your desk at the perfect height for your height and body type. Take a look at our guide to help you use our standing desks correctly.

Do It Yourself

If you are not ready to invest in a standing desk, there are a few methods and simple hacks you can try to experience the idea of working standing up:

A sit-stand frame

Already have a desk surface you love? You can get the adjustable Ergo frame, which supports most tops and allows you to build your own standing desk.

A converter

Acquire a desk converter or create one yourself by adding boxes, books or other materials over your current desk to increase its height.

Leg risers

Add risers, books or solid blocks under the legs of your desk to bring it to your ideal height - but be careful! Always make sure your desk stays steady and safe.

A dresser

Use the dresser hack! For a quick and cost effective fix, working on a tall dresser may be a great idea to test the idea of working at a standing desk.

Extra Tip : Protect Your Knees and Lower Back

Having an anti-fatigue mat not only allows you to work longer in a standing position, but also enhances the entire experience by giving you an ergonomic posture tool and accessory. Your knees and your lower back will thank you for the relief.

No anti-fatigue mat? Make sure you wear comfortable shoes with proper support and alternate which foot you put your weight on, either by doing it consciously or by using a small footrest to elevate one foot at a time.


Step 2 : Choose the Right Ergonomic Chair For You

Even with the best possible standing desk on the market, a good ergonomic and comfortable chair is essential. Considering that we spend almost half of our day sitting, it is one of the most crucial aspects of a health-conscious work environment. Being sure you have a good ergonomic chair and footrest, if needed, should be a priority when it comes to setting up a home office.

What You Need to Know

Here are a few pointers to look out for on your current chair:

      • The adjustable height of your chair should ensure that your thighs are parallel to the floor and your knees are bent so that your legs are at a 90 degree angle and do not bump against the surface of the desk.
      • The chair should be adjusted in height so that your feet are flat on the floor or on a footrest.
      • Your armrests must slightly touch your forearms, but allow room for your shoulders to be relaxed (if they don’t allow this, you can remove them altogether).
      • Your back should be supported by the chair, preferably with adjustable lumbar support.
      • The seat pan needs to be the appropriate length to support your thighs without hitting the back of your knees and at least one inch wider than your hips on either side.

The Optimal Solution

A good ergonomic chair can make all the difference on how you view your work days. Not only does an ergonomic chair support your lower back and your arms, but most importantly it prevents any injuries from sitting in a bad position. An ergonomic office chair will follow your body shape, support a proper posture, keep your joints and tissues in a neutral position, to keep you focused without any discomfort.

For the long run, the optimal solution is to invest in a chair that fits you perfectly. We understand that there are many ergonomic chairs for every budget. Whether you want to invest 200$ or 1000$, plenty of options are available to be comfortable at your desk. For a more active seating option, you could try a desk stool or a gym ball.

If you prefer to adjust your chair to your height, your arms and your back, you may want a traditional ergonomic office chair. The YouToo ergonomic chair offers a variety of adjustments so you can work without any discomfort.

Still not sure what to choose? Take a look at our Ergonomic Chair Shopping Guide.

Do It Yourself

If you are not ready to invest in the ergonomic chair that meets your needs, there are a few ways to improve your daily experience on your office chair.

Cushion

Adjust the chair you use at home by adding a cushion for height.

Lumbar Support

Add a rolled towel for lumbar support. You can also use a small stool or books as a footrest.

Good Posture

Practice good posture. Click here for a few tips from our team to help you prevent back pain.


Step 3 : Protect Your Eyes and Your Neck

Often underestimated, this next step is as important for your long term health as the other steps. Take care of your eyes, head, and neck by making sure your monitor’s placement is optimal and ergonomic.

What You Need to Know

Here is what to look for:

      • Your monitor needs to be at an arm’s length distance from you.
      • Your eyes should be vis-à-vis the address bar of an internet browser page, so your head is in a straight, neutral position.
      • The screen should be straight in front of you, protecting your neck from unnecessary torsion.
      • Place your monitor perpendicular to, and about a meter and a half away from, a source of natural light (or any bright light source).

The Optimal Solution

An ergonomic monitor arm or a desk shelf to elevate your screen(s) to the perfect height to prevent neck strain are the ideal tool to prevent any injuries. If you are working on a laptop, try our laptop stand, or consider buying an independent keyboard and mouse, or an auxiliary screen to prop on a stand.

Do It Yourself

In the meantime, you can try stacking books or boxes to support your monitor or laptop. Just as the trick we mentioned earlier with the DIY desk risers, books or a small box could help you bring your screen to the right height. As long as you key points of monitor position stated above, anything can be used to prop up your monitor.

Extra Tip : Take care of your eyes

Want additional protection for your eyes? Try blue light protection glasses from our gift guide! You can also practice the 20-20-20 rule: after 20 minutes of looking at your screen, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds, or get up and move a little.

Extra Tip : Opt for the Right Lighting

Did you know that the type of lighting you use in your office can impact your mood, your circadian rhythm, your physical health and also affects productivity and creativity during the work day. A lighting that is too dim can strain your eyes whereas too bright lighting can be too harsh on your eyes and trigger migraines.

If possible, natural light is the best option one could choose. Having a window in your home office could impact your day to day health. According to a study by the department of design and environmental analysis at Cornell University, employees who are being exposed to natural light while working reported a 84% decrease in eye strain, headaches and blurred vision.


Step 4 : Surround Yourself with the Right Tools

Curating the most efficient and ergonomic workspace at home goes beyond office furniture. Often forgotten or taken for granted, these next smaller tools and accessories are essential for anyone who wishes for the complete and productive experience of working remotely.

What You Should Have

While your computer and monitors are the main characters of the tech aspect of your office, you also need a quality mouse and keyboard to be able to work.

Ergonomic Mouse

An ergonomic mouse is designed to embrace the natural grip and movement of your hand. That brings us to the basics of ergonomics! Working with an ergonomic mouse can help prevent any problems in the future by promoting a neutral position and relaxed grip.

Ergonomic Keyboard

Standard keyboards force you to hold your wrists and arms at unusual angles, which can cause discomfort or pain in your hand, arm, or shoulder in the long term. An ergonomic keyboard can help you position your body more naturally, with your shoulders relaxed, your upper arms close to your torso, and your forearms level with the floor.

Wrist Support

For additional ergonomic wrist support, using a wrist pad or rest can increase your comfort while working while preventing injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome or tendonitis.


Step 5 : Get Organized

Now that you’ve got all the ergonomics bases down, it’s time to curate an ambiance in which you feel productive and can be the best version of yourself.

What You Need to Know

In order to be productive in your home office, there are a few things that go beyond ergonomics that need to be in place. Organization is a critical factor to work better and be more productive. It’s effortless; good organization reduces the number of obstacles and possible complications. A well-thought workspace also helps you to stay more focused, to reduce wasted time and to motivate you throughout the work week.

The Optimal Solution

Storage Solution

If clutter is your biggest enemy, maybe a storage solution is what’s missing from your home office. Any non necessary item should be kept away from your workspace to avoid any distraction. Try to keep what is most important closer to you, this may be a calculator, a notepad or your phone. Everything that you frequently use should be easy to reach, anything else should have its own place away from the desk or stored in a drawer. Out of sight, out of mind!

Cable Management

They say that a clear space equals a clear mind; this also applies to your cable management! Sometimes in the way and all of the time unpleasant to the eye, your electronic devices wires can be optimized for a better and more efficient ergonomic workspace at home. Our Cable Management Solution hides and organizes perfectly all of your wires in one place.

Do It Yourself

Cable management can also be as simple as hiding your power bar in a cable box or tying your wires with small clips. For a new desk, you could look for a desk surface with grommets to make the whole process of cable management easier.

Extra Tip : The Sound of Music (or Silence!)

Not only does music improve mood and productivity, but it also allows you to get rid of distractions, stay motivated, and get your tasks done quicker. Want a boost of energy? Try upbeat music to increase your alertness and catch your attention. Have repetitive tasks you keep postponing? Take this time to explore new music genres and up-and-coming artists to stay motivated. If you have work that requires deep concentration, choose slower music, with fewer lyrics, or even streamlined music, which has been shown to improve task persistence and creative thinking.

Listen to our in-house productive playlists on Spotify!

If you don’t have a designated office in your home, find a quiet spot where you are the least likely to get interrupted. If you have a busy household, we recommend investing in quality noise-canceling headphones so you can tune-in to motivating playlists or hop on a teleconference call without distraction.

Extra Tip : Decor with a Purpose

To avoid the hypnotizing effect of all-day meetings in front of a screen, we have to remind ourselves to have the reflex to move our eyes somewhere else. We recommend placing on your desk (or near) a picture frame of something you love or a plant to have something soothing to look at. This hack not only acts as a mood booster against Zoom fatigue, but also brings some character and personality to your home office.

Resting your arms and wrists throughout the day is also a matter of concern in the ergonomics world. If you are spending all day typing at your computer, you should do it on a comfortable surface (and even better with an accessory that matches your style!). Ergonofis’ desk pad is made out of 100% genuine leather to provide the softest surface that protects your desk.


Step 6 : Get Moving!

We believe movement should be a fundamental part of your workday. After all, we are built to move!

What You Need to Know

Movement can include small stretches to prevent back pain and short walks to get the blood flowing, but the ultimate way we include movement in our workday is by using a standing desk. Standing desks have been shown to increase productivity and lower back pain. Our standing desks allow you to program 2 different heights to make the switch from standing to sitting easily.

The Optimal Solution

Here are a few tips to make the most out of your standing desk heights:

      • Alternate between sitting and standing every 20-30 minutes.
      • Make sure you follow the guidelines mentioned above for your desk height and monitor placement. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
      • Use an anti-fatigue mat to prevent tiredness.
      • Keep your posture in check.

Step 7 : Stretch It Out

In addition to getting moving, think about adding a few corrective exercises to your routine to counteract long workdays. Moving regularly will redistribute the stress on the different tissues of the body.

It is essential to do the stretching first and then do the corrective exercise afterwards. Stretching will "deactivate" the overloaded muscle, and the exercise will teach the body how to maintain the ideal posture using the right muscles. Here is a stretch/exercise duo to use during your long working days.

Stretching the Scalene Muscles

      1. Sit at the end of a chair and grab the edge of the chair.
      2. Lower your shoulder and extend your head toward the ceiling.
      3. Keeping your head in the initial axis (do not rotate), lean towards the opposite side of the hand, grasping the chair while exhaling.
      4. Do three (3) stretches of 15 to 20 seconds per side every hour.

Tip: It is important to relax while stretching; we are trying to stretch the envelope of the muscle and not the muscle itself. If you force the stretch too much, the tissue will try to contract.

Activation of the Upper Back Muscles

      1. Lie face down on the floor or a yoga mat.
      2. Tuck your chin in and make sure you feel the muscles in the front of your neck.
      3. Begin the movement by lowering and bringing the shoulder blades towards each other; the arms will then follow by rising. Note that it is important not to lift only the arms without movement of the shoulder blades.
      4. Hold the position at the top of the movement for 4 seconds.
      5. Reverse the movement. Make sure the shoulder blades "slide" across the rib cage and away from each other.
      6. Perform two (2) sets of 12-15 repetitions 2-3 times a day.

Tip: Relax your arms and stretch your upper back muscles before starting the movement.

General note: It is better to do a simple exercise in the right way than to undertake an overly complex one using the wrong mechanics.

The exercise recommendations are from Julien Couvrette, founder of Studio Synergex: a new concept high-end training space located in Laval. It links therapy and training. You can benefit from exceptional supervision that will ensure that you reach your goals while enjoying a luxurious space all to yourself.


Achieving an Ergonomic Workspace at Home

The best workstation is one that would allow you to work in the most neutral body position to create the least amount of strain. The best workstation is one that would allow you to work in the most neutral body position to create the least amount of strain. The adjustability of your workspace is, therefore, crucial to a healthy environment. We believe that with the appropriate desk height, an option for standing, a comfortable chair, and a monitor stand, you are creating an active and ergonomic workspace to make the most out of your workday.

We want to know: how are you adjusting your workspace at home?

Leave a comment

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published

Almost Perfect products and bundles policy:

All almost perfect products and products bundles are final sale: no returns, cancellations or exchanges will be accepted.

Learn more about our return policies

Cart

No more products available for purchase