Pinterest-friendly ergonomics
Whether you work from home, work onsite, or have a hybrid schedule, you probably spend a lot of time at your desk (or desks). And that time can be more enjoyable, more productive, and safer when your workstation is comfortable. But what about aesthetics? Especially if your desk is in your home, and you don’t want it to stand out like a sore thumb?
When we hear the word “ergonomic,” I don’t think many of us picture an attractive setup. We’re probably all thinking of a plain wooden desk, a comfy old-school office chair, and some clunky but dependable equipment.
On the other hand, the kind of office that we might think of as “cute” might not be the most comfortable. Take a moment to google “pretty desk” or “cute workstation” or a similar phrase. See what comes up? Yep, those workstation are absolutely adorable. But nope, those desk drawers and built-in shelves and glass or metal surfaces are probably not going to work for an ergonomic setup. And the chairs? Super cute, but most of what comes up is non-adjustable, has a 4-leg base instead of a 5-wheel base, and is made from a material that won’t be too comfortable to sit on all day, such as wood or plastic.
So what can you do? Well, if you’re armed with a bit of knowledge, and willing to look a little deeper, you CAN find furniture that is both aesthetic, and ergonomic! It’s out there, but it can take a bit more digging.
First, some guidelines:
1. When it comes to chairs, there are some “must have” features that you’ll need, for both comfort and safety. Although there are some additional features that are nice to have – and can go even further towards getting the best fit from a chair – look for a chair that, at the minimum, includes the following adjustable features:
o Seat height
o Seat length
o Backrest angle
o Adjustable and/or removable armrests
2. When it comes to desks, plainer is better. Things like built-in drawers and shelves can prevent you from arranging your workstation properly. Your best bet is a simple, adjustable surface that provides plenty of room for you and your setup, and can be set to your ideal seated and standing heights.
Now, (the fun part), cute furniture:
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Let’s start with chair. Office chairs don’t have to be bulky, or to come in dreary colors. Some big names in office chairs, like Steelcase and Haworth, have sleek, colorful (and comfortable) options.
The Steelcase Series 1 office chair has a 5-wheel base, lots of adjustability, and comes in many different colors to match your decor. Another nice-looking, good quality chair is the Haworth Breck – it has the adjustability and safety features that you need, with some muted, on-trend color choices including blush pink and agave green. Both brands are available through Amazon.
For a chair with more customizability, including sizes for petite users, big and tall users, and everything in between, check out Office Master. Most of their chairs can be ordered in a variety of colors and finishes, with so many choices that they have a whole section of their website devoted to their fabric card collection. Start here to customize your perfect chair.
And, if you’ve already got a chair that fits you perfectly, but you’re just not crazy about the color, keep in mind that fit is always more important than aesthetics. Consider keeping your current chair, and spicing things up with an office chair slipcover like these fun 4-piece slipcovers from Tallew.
Next, let’s talk about desks. As more and more electric desks come on the market, they’ve gotten much cheaper. And some companies have started offering unique color choices and finishes.
The bamboo top with a choice of black or white legs gives the Flexispot E6 electric desk a simple, minimalist look that blends seamlessly into its surroundings. For a bolder look, consider the Tylah desk from Wayfair – you can choose from solid black, a warm wood grain, grey with orange accents, or even candy pink for a desk that really stands out. If sage green or a rich charcoal are more in line with your tastes, check out the Duo Standing Desk by Branch.
If you’re not in the market for a new desk, but you want to add some color or graphics, one of these desk mats from iCasso might be a great fit for your setup – there is even a mat with an Excel cheat sheet (that includes reminders to take breaks and move around), if you’re looking for something more practical.
You can also add a personal touch to your existing workstation by adding some fun accessories, or even a well-fitting keyboard and mouse. Logitech’s POP Icon keyboard and mouse combo comes in several colors, from a simple black and white to a unique lilac. Mechanical keyboard more your style? Check out Logitech’s POP Keys mechanical keyboard; it comes in a handful of colors, with Daydream Mint being the most notable – white and yellow keys on a mint-green background, with lavender trim.
So, if your workstation just isn’t inspiring you anymore, and you’re looking for a change, or if you’ve been wanting to refresh things with a setup that suits your style, check out some of these options! And, if you need a some guidance on getting the just-right fit and the comfort that you deserve, reach out – we’d be glad to help.