What your workstation needs to be ergonomic

Do you know what an ergonomic workstation is? It’s a workspace made to match your body and keep you comfortable during long hours of work: the desk is neat and at the right height, the chair supports your back, the monitor is at eye level, and your keyboard and mouse are easy to reach. 

Highlights  

• An ergonomic workstation starts with a height-adjustable desk and a supportive ergonomic chair. 
• Your screen, keyboard, and mouse are within reach: the monitor is at eye level, and everything is within easy arm's reach to avoid strain. 
• Accessories keep the workspace tidy: cable trays, channels, and an under-desk drawer clear clutter and complete the setup. 

What are the key components of an ergonomic workstation?  

An ergonomic workstation includes a few important items organized in the right way. The Desktronic team created this list to help you focus on what matters most. It’s the desk, chair, monitor(s), computer mouse and keyboard, desk accessories, and keeping your space clean, whether you work at home or in the office with your colleagues. 

Here you’ll find our tips on how to correctly set up a healthy and comfortable ergonomic workstation.  

How do you choose the right desk?

Begin creating your ergonomic office setup with the desk, since its height usually affects everything else. If your desk is too high or too low, your posture can suffer. You might feel your shoulders lift, your wrists bend down, and you could be stiff by the afternoon. 

The ergonomic standing desks fix this by matching your body whether you’re sitting or standing, and it lets you easily change between the positions so you can keep moving during the day. 

How steady your desk is matters too. A shaky desk can distract you and make standing work uncomfortable. That’s why a strong 4-leg standing desk is often better than a 2-leg one when it’s fully raised. And if you’re not sure what height works best for you, our ergonomic desk height calculator can help you pick the right setting for your setup. 

How do you pick the right chair?

Your chair supports you most of the day, and your body usually depends on it. The main jobs of the chair are to provide support and to be adjustable. A high-quality ergonomic chair lets you change the backrest, armrests, and seat height to match your body, and its lower back support follows the natural curve of your spine, which helps prevent slouching during long hours. 

If you find it hard to sit still for a long time or like to move while sitting, a wobble stool could be a better option. Its rounded base makes you do small balancing movements that use your core muscles and keep you from staying in one fixed position. It works especially well with a sit-stand desk, so you can change between sitting, standing, and wobbling throughout the day. 

Where should your computer monitor(s) be placed?

Did you know that the place you put your monitor can make a big difference in reducing neck and eye strain?  

Set the top of your screen at eye level and keep it about an arm's length away. Most monitors sit too low, and using a monitor arm helps you adjust the height, angle, and distance, and it also clears up desk space. 

If you prefer a simpler option, a monitor stand can raise your screen to the right height and even add some extra space. The monitor stands are especially useful for laptop users who use a separate keyboard, as this setup lifts your screen to eye level but keeps your hands at a comfortable height. 

Where should your keyboard and mouse be placed?

What usually answers this question is the ergonomic reach zones. These are the spots around your desk where you can easily grab what you need without hurting your muscles or joints. 

There are 4 horizontal ergonomic zones that set the place for your daily items: 

1. Your computer keyboard and mouse should be in the primary zone, along with your water bottle or coffee cup, within about 14 inches. 
2. Items you need occasionally, like a notebook or a second screen (if you use multiple displays), can sit a little farther out where your arm stretches slightly. 
3. Things you only need a few times a day, such as a charging cable or desk lamp, can go farther. 
4. Keep your phone in the last zone to cut down on distractions. 

In short, the more you use something, the closer it should sit. 

How do you keep your cables and desk organized?

A tidy desk means an organized and tidy workspace, not only a tabletop without any unnecessary things. A few accessories can keep your daily items under control: 

• Under-desk cable tray. When you change your desk height, the power strip and extra cables move up with the desk, so they don’t get tangled. 
• Magnetic cable channel. If you have just a few cables, use the channel that holds the cables along the frame, keeping them hidden.

• Under-desk drawer. This accessory is for people who like to stay organized. Store chargers and other small items off the desk to keep your workspace clear. You can also put your laptop in the drawer when you’re not using it but want a clear desk or need space for other tasks.

A desk layout like this and proper products can be the last piece that makes your work setup ergonomic and still matches your personal needs and style.