Working From Home During Covid-19? Here Are 4 Ways To Improve Your Home Office Setup
A guide to optimising your work-from-home space
Four months ago, when COVID-19 was just creeping up on the world, I received a message from the bosses for everybody to start working from home. Movement was restricted, so I couldn’t go back to the office to grab all my stuff. Fortunately, I had my trusty 5-year-old MacBook with me and a decent desk to start the work-from-home routine. My mom, my sister, and my partner had similar experiences as well and had to start finding space in the house to do their work. After a few weeks, things started getting uncomfortable…
Wrist pains. Shoulder pains. Neck pains. Back pains.
Body pains started appearing one after another. We tried shaking them off, twisting and turning until we realised the pain is here to stay unless we make some changes. That’s when we decided: Let’s revamp our workspaces. The past few months have been spent on improving different aspects of our home offices and searching for the best ways to improve workflow. While our current setups are still work-in-progress, Dylan Lim and I want to share some of the things we’ve learnt along the way and what we think are important for overall well-being.
1. Desk Configuration
A proper desk is one of the most important aspects of a proper setup. There are 4 components to consider when trying to achieve the optimum workspace:
Height
Shoulder pains often come from desks that are too high that forces you to shrug while typing or writing on the surface. On the other hand, back and neck pains stem from desks that are too low and force you into a hunched posture. The concept is the same for both standing and sitting workstations. Allowing your shoulders, neck, and back to be in a neutral position when working will allow you to work for longer hours without worrying about fatigue.
- Adjust your desk/chair to allow your elbows to rest gently in a 90-degree angle on the table or the armrest.
- The weight of your arms should not be on your shoulders.
Depth
Having sufficient depth in a desk is often overlooked. You would want to have enough depth such that you are able to configure the setup according to your own use case.
- Getting a dual/ultra-wide monitor setup for multitasking requires the monitors to be positioned far enough to comfortably face either screen without having to twist your neck excessively. Minimal movement should be needed to be able to see the contents of either screen. Having depth in a desk allows you to play around with your viewing angles and get the optimal configuration for your use case.
- Depending on how you tuck yourself into your desk, having a table with more depth also allows you to rest your arms comfortably on the surface to avoid physical side effects due to awkward forearm/wrist positioning.
Width
This component largely depends on the space you have and the number of items you need on your desk. If you’re an Architect and you need to build physical models all the time, you would probably need a wider desk to space the items out adequately so that you avoid colliding into them.
Storage
To allow us easy access to documents or stationery, some of us might need cabinets or drawers that are installed under our desks. Do note that in such situations, we lose manoeuvrability on the desk in exchange for storage space. The chair may constantly be blocked by the storage below. You could add some desk risers that sit on top on your desk and have built-in drawers. But make sure you give yourself sufficient space to move/pivot to reach for items that you need.
2. Chair Support
Lumbar support is a term many chair manufacturers throw around and it is no mere marketing gimmick. Before we dive into how it would help with your setup, try correcting your sitting posture first. Assuming you use a chair with a backrest:
- Scoot your bum all the way to the back of the chair such that your lower back is touching the backrest.
- Extend your spine upwards like a Meerkat.
- Roll your shoulders back and lean completely on the backrest.
How does it feel? If your body is used to a different position, it may feel awkward or even uncomfortable at first. But the key is to consciously try improving your posture day by day.
Now that you are aware of good sitting posture, let’s talk about how to improve the chair setup.
- If you feel that there is a hole at your lower back area when you lean on the backrest, there is probably not enough lumbar support which contributes to lower back pains and stiffness. Without needing to spend extra money on a new chair, get a small pillow at home to fill up that gap between the chair and your lower back.
- The pillow chosen should be firm enough not to deflate too much when your back rests on it. A pillow that is too soft will be unable to provide any substantial support.
- Also, try to adjust the height of the chair such that your feet are flat on the ground. If you are unable to place your feet flat on the floor, adding a footstool can help too.
These are some simple steps you can take to improve your overall working experience. However, if your current chair is already worn out or unsuitable for the above-mentioned improvements, we would still recommend purchasing a proper chair with good support whenever it is possible for you to do so.
3. Monitor Setup
Most of us would probably need to be staring at screens for extended periods of time. Choosing a monitor is a whole different ball game altogether with considerations such as built-in keyboard-video-mouse (KVM) switches, compatibility, different use cases, and more. For this article, let’s just focus on two simple but important aspects of a home monitor setup: height and size.
If your neck is constantly pushed forward from trying to see the small text on your laptop, it probably would be worth considering to invest in a separate monitor to help blow up your screen size. This way, you can place the larger monitor further away from you without having to strain your eyes and neck. There are some pretty affordable monitors out there assuming you don’t need the fastest frame rates or highest pixel densities. Do consider investing in one if you’re facing difficulties using your laptop screen.
Whether you have a 13" laptop or a 38" monitor for your PC, a good practice is to make sure your line of sight is set on the top one-third of your main screen when you look straight ahead. Try to elevate your screen to prevent your head from dipping down and forcing your shoulders to hunch forward. Use a separate keyboard and mouse for your laptop if you need to. Your neck and back will thank you for this change.
4. Decluttering
Decluttering can be very empowering as it serves a higher purpose than just being organised. Clearing up and configuring your workspace according to your needs will greatly improve how effective you can be at your desk. Here are some steps you can take to start the process:
- Categorise items on your desk according to your frequency of usage.
- Sit into your usual desk position and start placing the items that need to be within your reach.
- Adequately space your items to give yourself room to manoeuvre.
- Those items you use less frequently can be stored neatly in a drawer, shelf, or cupboard.
Apart from increased productivity, decluttering can also help give your desk a much cleaner aesthetic. Being forced to work from home can be depressing at times, but with a fresh environment, you can start your days with a clear head and a positive mindset!
Get the Mini Post-Grad Survival Guide
A 5-day email course with amazing tips on budgeting, investing, and productivity for 20-somethings. Learn how to spend $40 per week on groceries, among other things, by signing up for free.
