The desk is a key component of your workstation whether remote or in the office. Often we don’t get to choose our desk if we work in a corporate office, but one of the benefits of working remotely is you can choose an ergonomic desk that fits both your comfort and utility needs. This guide will help you choose a desk that is right for you.
Here are a few important areas to consider when selecting the desk for your remote office.
Desk Space and Sizing
What kind of work are you planning on doing at your desk? Do you just use a mouse and keyboard, or do you take notes or scribble sketches to the side on a notepad? Will you be doing art of any kind and need to use a drawing pad, whether paper or digital?
How big are your monitors? (You have more than one right?) Are you using a monitor arm or are they standing on your desk?
The answers to these questions will help you determine the size of desk that is optimal for your work. Using an undersized desk can lead to a feeling of clutter, or a need to move things out of the way every time you switch tasks. This is bad for productivity and flow.
There is also the possibility that you have limited space to place your desk. Could be you live in a one room or studio apartment, or even with roommates. Your remote “office” might be sharing your bedroom or living room.
In this case, an optimally sized desk might not even be an option because you just don’t have the space. Get the measurements of the space you are planning to use beforehand to ensure your desk will fit properly and leave you room to push your chair back from your desk.
Pairing Your Chair and Desk
You should have a comfortable chair. Well what happens if it doesn’t mesh well with your desk?
Pairing a desk with your chair can be tricky. You want a desk that lets you sit with good posture and keep your arms going straight from your armrests to your mouse and keyboard. This will help you avoid developing carpal tunnel and other hand or wrist pain.
You will also want a desk that allows your chair to get close enough so you do not have to lean forward to reach your keyboard and mouse. This is partially done by picking a chair with proper armrests and partially by picking a desk with enough space to accommodate your chair.
Make sure the desk you choose does not have parts that block your chair from rolling into a ergonomic working position.
A desk with a sliding keyboard tray could help solve some blocking and spacing issues while also helping you maintain an ergonomic posture.
Desk Height
A desk that is too high or too low will lead to poor hand and wrist posture. A good way to get the right desk height is to get your chair properly situated first, then find a desk that will line up with the armrests.
If you are having trouble finding a desk that is the correct height, furniture risers are an inexpensive way of raising a desk to the desired elevation.
When your are ready to go all out, a fully adjustable height desk is the way to go. You should be able to customize it to exactly the height you need. A desk that can convert fully into a standing desk is a bonus.
Standing Desks
Standing desks started to become a thing not too many years ago and for good reason. Changing posture throughout the day will help prevent fatigue and improve blood circulation.
The important thing about a standing desk is that it rises to the height that allows your arms and elbows to be in the best posture. This is the same arm and wrist posture as sitting, roughly 90 degree angles and allowing your hand and wrist to maintain a straight line.
The best ratio of standing to sitting is different for everybody. Some people don’t like standing up to work at all, while others find it enjoyable.
Also, don’t feel like you need a standing desk. A short walk every hour is likely better than switching to standing for a few minutes. But we will discuss that in a later post.
Conclusion
Before you buy your desk you will consider all the kinds of work you want to do on it.
You will measure the space you have available to place it.
You will consider your chair and how it will fit with the desk.
And you will get one that is the proper height or adjustable.
Remember, don’t wait until your office is perfect to get work done. But make small improvements over time and you will find you get more done with less frustration and discomfort.