Are you looking for ways to better adjust to working from home this year? If you’re improvising with an at-home workspace, you should make sure this space is safe and efficient for your workdays.

To do so, the ergonomics experts at Solutions Northwest Inc. have put together some quick ideas that can help you with your ergonomics at home. Optimizing your workspace will allow for comfort and effectiveness so that you can stay productive while working from home.

1. Start with your desk.

If you’ve been improving and using your kitchen table or counter as a desk, you may want to consider investing in a real desk this year. An ergonomic desk setup at home can help you avoid posture issues or back and neck pain. Make sure your desk allows you to comfortably fit your legs underneath so that you are not crowded or bumping into anything. 

Make sure your desk is the right height so that your mouse and keyboard are at elbow height when you are seated. To find the best desk height for you, sit comfortably at your desk and put your arms down naturally at your sides. Then, bend your elbows outward as if you were typing to find the right work surface height for you. 

If you’re having trouble choosing the right desk for you, consider having a virtual ergonomics assessment done for your workplace. This option is affordable and could save you money in the long run by helping you choose the most optimal desk for your work.

2. Re-evaluate your home office laptop setup. 

While laptops are a popular work from home option due to their ability to transport with ease, laptops tend not to be the best in terms of ergonomics. This is because the laptop keyboard and screen are connected which doesn’t allow for much customization or rearranging.

However, there are still a few things you can do to improve the ergonomics of your laptop, such as investing in an ergonomic mouse and keyboard and a monitor to connect to your laptop. 

This will allow you to use a laptop in a similar fashion as a desktop computer.

3. Monitor your screens. 

If you use multiple monitors, you will want to be mindful of how you place them on your desk. Monitors should be at or slightly below eye level so that you can keep your neck straight and still see the screen. Bend your monitor up or down if you find that you are bending your neck up and down to observe your monitor. 

Your monitors should also be an arm’s length away from you so that you can see the whole screen at once. This allows you to view the screen without moving your head. You may also want to adjust the tilt of your monitor to avoid glares and get the right head positioning. 

Read our recent blog: The Ergonomic Way to Sit at Your Desk and View Your Monitor

Ergonomics at home is just as important as ergonomics in an office setting.

As a remote worker, your home workstation may not be traditional, but you can still work to achieve the proper ergonomics at home. If you haven’t paid too much attention to your at-home work setup, your body and your productivity could be taking a hit. Use these tips to improve your home office today.  

Are you looking for a way to improve your home office workspace? Contact us today an affordable virtual ergonomics assessment.  All you need is access to e-mail or a smart phone.

Have a specific question about home office ergonomics? Contact the ergonomics experts at SolutionsNW.com, we will be happy to help you!

At SolutionsNW.com we value the importance of a positive workplace culture. Part of a positive workplace is a safe workplace, Contact Us to schedule an ergonomics consultation or ergonomics assessment for your office today.

Subscribe to our ergonomics blog for more ergonomics tips from Solutions Northwest Inc., ergonomics evaluations available on-site at: Seattle, WA, Tacoma, WA, Olympia, WA, Vancouver, WA, Kent, WA Renton, WA, Beaverton, OR, Portland, OR, Salem, OR, San Diego, CA, Carlsbad, CA, La Jolla, CA, Irvine, CA, Costa Mesa, CA, Newport Beach, CA.

Virtual Ergonomics Assessment available nationwide!

Contact the Ergonomics Experts at Solutions Northwest Inc. Below:

If you work from home, it may start to feel like you live at your desk. Especially if you’re a new remote worker due to the pandemic.

It is likely you will be working from home for a while, so be sure to invest in some ergonomic furniture for your home office space. Ergonomic furniture will allow you to work from home in comfort and even improve your work productivity.

In this blog, our ergonomics experts will help you decide on some great ergonomic office furniture for your home office setup.

Choosing the right ergonomic chair.

Since you’re likely to be sitting a lot, the first thing you’ll need to buy is an adjustable, ergonomic chair for your home office. While every home workstation is different, below are a few features every ergonomic chair should have.

The features of a good ergonomic work chair include a good backrest that can support your back throughout the day. The back of your chair should extend from the shoulders to the seat as well as curve to support the lower back and lumbar spine.

A good ergonomic chair will also have adjustability features. For example, your chair should have adjustable armrests that evenly support your arms while you work. Your ergonomic chair should also be able to adjust in height. Height adjustment is important to ensure that you are at eye level with your computer monitor. Height adjustment will also prevent your neck from staying at an uncomfortable angle.

Sitting in a chair with a good back helps prevent injury to your spine and promotes excellent posture. You will experience less back and shoulder pain sitting in a ergonomic chair with good support.

Once you have your ergonomic chair, be sure to read our blog about the perfect sitting posture for viewing your computer monitor.

Every setup is different, so be sure to contact an ergonomics consultant for more help.

Choosing the right ergonomic desk.

After you have chosen the right chair for your ergonomic home office setup, it’s time to start thinking about options for your ergonomic desk.

There are a few key elements you will need to consider before choosing the right desk for your home office setup. Some of these elements include the equipment space (keyboard mount, space for your mousepad, etc.) and other aspects like available leg clearance between your desk and chair. Additionally, you will need to consider the height of your desk to ensure your monitor is at eye-level, whether you’re sitting or standing.

Having a desk that can adjust may help but getting it perfect may be a bit tricky. We must suggest that you look into getting an ergonomics assessment to decide what works best for you.

You may also want to consider investing in a standing desk. While there has been a healthy debate about sitting versus standing at work, it seems a healthy balance between the two is key. A standing desk will allow you to have variety during your workday, as you can choose to alternate between sitting and standing while you work.

Consider investing in an ergonomics assessment for your home office setup.

Your furniture selection may vary based on things like body size, height, right- or left-handedness. The best way to ensure your home office setup is comfortable and productive is to hire an ergonomics consultant. Due to the pandemic, companies like Solutions Northwest Inc. have setup virtual ergonomic assessments for remote workers.

A virtual ergonomics assessment will allow you to assess your needs from the comfort of your home office. All you need is access to a phone or e-mail. Generally, this is an affordable option either for yourself or your employees and it will pay off with a more productive and pain free workday.

Investing in your home office ergonomics leads to a happier and healthier workday.

The foundation of every home office setup is investing in good, reliable, ergonomic furniture. You’re likely to be using your home office for at least 8 hours a day, so you’ll need to make sure you pay close attention to your home office setup.

When you’re comfortable, happy, and pain-free – your work becomes much easier. If you’re ready to invest in your home office setup, contact us today for a virtual ergonomics assessment.

And if you’re looking for more tips on how to create an ergonomic workspace contact the ergonomics experts at SolutionsNW.com and we will be happy to help you!

At SolutionsNW.com we value the importance of a positive workplace culture. Part of a positive workplace is a safe workplace, Contact Us to schedule an ergonomics consultation or ergonomics assessment for your office today.

Subscribe to our ergonomics blog for more ergonomics tips from Solutions Northwest Inc., ergonomics evaluations available on-site at: Seattle, WA, Tacoma, WA, Olympia, WA, Vancouver, WA, Kent, WA Renton, WA, Beaverton, OR, Portland, OR, Salem, OR, San Diego, CA, Carlsbad, CA, La Jolla, CA, Irvine, CA, Costa Mesa, CA, Newport Beach, CA.

Virtual Ergonomics Assessment available nationwide!

Contact the Ergonomics Experts at Solutions Northwest Inc. Below: