Many of us have been spending a lot more time working from home these days. Although working on the couch in your pyjamas may sound appealing, it isn’t great for your back and neck. To stay comfortable and injury-free, it is important to have a proper office setup in your home. Follow these simple tips to create an ergonomic, comfortable corner workstation for your home office.
Not working from home? These corner office tips can apply to traditional offices as well.
Step 1 – Choose the right desk for your corner office
There are plenty of office desks on the market to suit a variety of needs and preferences.
Most fall into two primary categories: straight desks and corner desks. Straight desks are what you are likely most familiar with, as they tend to be the most common.
This style of office desk typically consists of a single, rectangular table, either with or without drawers and shelving. There may be holes for computer cable management, along with other features to make your work life easier.
To truly make the most of a corner workstation, though, it is best to choose a desk specifically designed for that purpose.
A corner office desk will often be triangular in shape. The right angle of the triangle will go into the corner of the room, and you’ll set up your desk chair along the longest edge.
This way, you’ll have plenty of workspace while still having plenty of room for your computer monitor, notebooks and other office essentials.
Corner desks also maximise floor space, so you can add other furniture to your home office.
You can also find L-shaped corner workstations. With this setup, you’ll be able to roll your office chair from one side to the other as needed, giving you plenty of space for your computer, as well as additional space for manual tasks. You’ll also have more room for desktop storage, enabling you to spread things out and minimise clutter.
Step 2 – Consider additional corner workstation features
While a simple, straightforward corner office desk may be enough for most purposes, extra features can add even more comfort and convenience.
For starters, some office desks include drawers and shelving. You may find your home office is short on space, so having these built into your corner office desk can help provide the additional storage you need for office supplies.
Standing desks have been rising in popularity in recent years, particularly among those who are concerned with ergonomics and general health and fitness.
Sitting down all day has been shown to be detrimental to your health, so consider a height adjustable desk (also known as a sit-stand desk) that will enable you to stand up while you work. Don’t worry about getting tired of being on your feet all day, as many of these desk types are adjustable so you can switch back and forth between standing and sitting as needed throughout the day.
Step 3 – Select a suitable office chair
Now that you’ve got your corner desk in order, you’ll need an ergonomic office chair to suit your perfect desk.
Look for office chairs that provide good lumbar support, or extra support for your lower spine. Be sure to test out any office chairs you are interested in before you buy to ensure they are suitable for your height and body type. What works for one person may not work for another, as everyone’s body is different.
Adjustable office chairs make it easy to find your perfect fit. Whichever office chair you choose, you should feel comfortable and supported when sitting up straight so that you aren’t tempted to slouch or hunch over.
Step 4 – Set up your corner workstation
Computers are essential for many modern jobs, so you’ll likely need one for your corner office.
To keep yourself ergonomically safe and comfortable, though, there is more to this task than just plugging everything in.
You’ll need to set up your workstation desk height, arranging the monitor, keyboard and mouse strategically to suit your body.
Your monitor should be no higher than eye level. When you are forced to look up at your computer screen, your eyes can dry out over time. With the monitor positioned lower, on the other hand, your eyes will feel more comfortable and relaxed.
Your keyboard and mouse should be set up to optimise ergonomics as well. When typing on your keyboard, your wrists should be straight and relaxed, not bent or flexed in either direction.
A pad under the heels of your hands can help keep them in the proper position. The same goes for using your mouse; your wrist should feel stable and comfortable as you move the mouse around.
Step 5 – Arrange your most-used home office essentials
Take the time to think about the items you use most often in the course of your work throughout the day.
For example, you might need a phone, notepads and pens, a calculator, or other common office supplies.
Make note of which hand you usually hold your phone in so you can position it on that side of your corner workstation. This way, you won’t have to worry about reaching across the desk when you need to make or answer a call.
Small items, like pens and paperclips, should go in small containers or drawers to keep them organised and uncluttered. You can organise these items in any way that makes logical sense to you.
The point is not to follow a specific organisational strategy, but to find a strategy that works for your needs and preferences. To keep your work area clutter free, play around with different configurations to find what works best for you.
Step 6 – Add some decor to your workspace
No office is complete without at least a few personal items to customise the space.
Choose items that are meaningful to you, like photos of your loved ones or souvenirs from memorable holidays. Office corner desks may give you more room, but you only need a few items to make the office space feel warm and personal. So don’t go overboard, as this can make the space feel cluttered.
Aim to keep your workstation desk tidy by hiding computer cords and wires.
Add a personal touch to your office space with an indoor plant. Consider shopping for a statement office chairs to add a splash of colour or stick to classic neutral colours for leather chairs and sofas.
Try to keep your decor simple and soothing so that it doesn’t distract you from your work, but rather provides comfort, inspiration and a functional workspace.
Find everything you need at Arteil
We are proud to offer a wide range of office furnishings for both traditional and home offices. This includes a selection of desks in straight, L-shaped and corner configurations, including the Elevate Sit-Stand Desk, which is both a height adjustable desk and corner workstation.
We also offer an extensive range of office chairs and other office accessories as well.
If you’re interested in getting a corner office desk for yourself or your company, please contact us at Arteil. Our experienced staff are always on hand to answer your questions and help you find the perfect furnishings for your office.