6 Proper Ergonomic Desk Setup Tips

Having a proper ergonomic desk setup makes for a comfortable eight-hour workday. It reduces strain and injury so you can say goodbye to body aches, and enjoy improved focus and productivity.

We’ve collected informative tips on how to achieve proper desk ergonomics—from selecting the right chair and table to the correct placement of your work gadgets. Keep on reading to learn more about assembling an ergonomic office desk setup!

The first step in having an ergonomic workstation is choosing a chair that provides proper support. Unfortunately, not all chairs in the office can be a good fit for your health. You need something that prevents you from leaning forward or slouching and offers adequate lumbar support. 

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Ergonomic chairs are not a “one size fits all”, so here’s what you should look for to maximize their benefits:

• Lumbar Support - Avoid placing too much stress on your back by choosing a chair with a curved backrest that follows the natural curvature of your spine. 
• Chair Height - Find an office chair that offers a wide height range. This allows you to sit properly with your feet flat on the ground or on a footrest.
• Adjustable Armrests - Your arms should comfortably rest close to your sides. That’s why you need to find adjustable armrests to stop your shoulders from hunching up or drooping down, which causes musculoskeletal disorders. 
• Recline Angle - If you want a relaxed but ergonomic seat, choose a chair that allows a 100 to 110-degree angle recline. This keeps your body within arm’s length of the desk without causing muscle strain.

An ergonomic desk setup isn’t complete without an adjustable sit/stand table—a must-have for employees working at home or in the office. Sitting or standing for too long causes back pain, tighter joints, and weaker muscles, causing productivity loss. Break this by adding movement to your work routine, to allow proper blood flow throughout the body.

Adjustable standing desks allow you to sit and stand comfortably whenever you want while working, giving you adequate body movement throughout the day. These desks can give you the perfect desk height that makes way for good posture.  

Just because you’re standing doesn’t mean you’re already doing what’s best for your back. Standing desk ergonomics are a thing, and you should never neglect them. Below are some tips to ensure you’re comfortable and productive in a standing position:

• Adjust the desk to the proper height according to your body. Your arms should be in a neutral position or parallel to the floor, while your eyes are level with the monitor.
• Practice the proper standing desk posture by keeping your back straight and shoulders relaxed. You’ll know you’re doing it incorrectly if your upper back starts aching!
• Stand with both feet on the ground. Avoid shifting your weight to one foot because it creates muscle imbalance.
• When you feel like sitting, do so. Always listen to what your body is saying.

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Ergonomic mats are now here to improve your comfort. Anti-fatigue mats lessen the pressure on your muscles and joints when standing. These can remove the stress on the balls of your feet and allow you to stand for longer durations while reducing the risks of developing musculoskeletal disorders. 

Desk mats are a different thing—they’re mats on your desk where you put your keyboard and mouse for proper desk ergonomics. These can be flat or raised with cushions for your wrists. 

Proper desk ergonomics also involves keyboard placement. You’d be surprised how this factor greatly affects your performance at work! Poor keyboard positioning may cause wrist pain that could lead to severe cases of carpal tunnel syndrome. Prevent this by following these tips:

• Adjust your keyboard height so that your wrists rest flat or tilt downwards. 
• Center the keyboard to your body so you won’t reach far to access all the buttons. 
• Add a mouse pad with palm support to your workstation setup to prevent wrist strain. 
• Keep your elbows at a 90-degree angle to the keyboard, so the device is at elbow height. If you can’t adjust the desk height, consider adding a keyboard extender. 

Don’t forget to add a mouse to your ergonomic desk setup! Doing repetitive motions with this device strains the wrist and fingers, making you feel uncomfortable. Choose a unit that fits your hand perfectly and provides a comfortable grip. 

Monitor positioning matters in achieving an ergonomic office desk setup. Placing the monitor height too high or low strains your neck; a computer monitor’s LED screen should be level with your eyesight. At the same time, keep it 20 to 40 inches in front of you so you won’t have to lean forward or suffer from eye strain. 

Worried about light glares? Find a computer monitor position on your desk that doesn’t capture too much light. If it’s impossible, try adding screen films to reduce the glare. 

💻Pro-tip: If you’re having trouble reading texts from a distance, wear bifocals. This pair of sunglasses lessens eye strain because it assists your eyes to adjust to the distance vision.

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Build a Proper Ergonomic Desk Setup With Integr8

Sitting and standing desk ergonomics benefit employees in the office or at home. This mindful design improves overall health and comfort, boosting efficiency and productivity. Assemble an ergonomic office desk setup with Integr8.

We offer a comprehensive catalogue of gadgets, tools, and accessories for the workplace. From monitors to computers to ergonomic mats, we have everything you need. We’ll help you build an ergonomic desk setup in no time!

Ordering in bulk for the entire company? Send us a message and we’ll help you in no time.

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