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How To Design Your Home and Home Office With Ergonomic Furniture
Are you experiencing tight hips, back pain, and stiff necks? Ergonomic furniture may help ease your muscle fatigue after a long workday — and even help improve your focus. Keep reading to discover how ergonomic furniture can elevate your life, from the dining room to the home office.
Benefits of Ergonomic Furniture
Ergonomic refers to the products or systems designed for efficiency and physical comfort. It combines the principles of physiology and psychology into each piece of furniture to affect how people interact in their surroundings in a positive manner. In turn, this leads to some valuable benefits:
Increase in Productivity
The right ergonomic furniture is proven to be linked to comfort and support, which can even have positive cognitive feedback. After all, it’s hard to focus on work when your hips are sore, your neck is stiff, and your wrists are creaky. Imagine everything you can accomplish without physical discomfort distracting you throughout the day.
Relieve Stress on the Physical Body
Did you know that there’s research linking the use of ergonomic seating with better circulation and spinal alignment? There are even remote workers whose physicians prescribe ergonomic chairs to offset back pain.
But even for people without pain, ergonomic furniture serves as a good preventative measure to reduce risk of injuries stemming from bad posture. Some common workplace injuries for remote and desk workers include stiffness in the neck, tightness in the elbows and shoulders, eye strain and dry eyes, migraines, carpal tunnel, and pressure buildup on your spine, hips, and thighs that can ultimately lead to lower back pain.
But even for people without pain, ergonomic furniture serves as a good preventative measure to reduce risk of injuries stemming from bad posture. Some common workplace injuries for remote and desk workers include stiffness in the neck, tightness in the elbows and shoulders, eye strain and dry eyes, migraines, carpal tunnel, and pressure buildup on your spine, hips, and thighs that can ultimately lead to lower back pain.
Types of Ergonomic Furniture & Equipment
Ergonomic used to be a descriptor reserved mostly for footwear and high-quality office gear. But ergonomics now extends beyond the home office and study. Ergonomic design is now used to engineer a variety of furniture and equipment, such as dining tables, coffee tables, heigh-adjustable desks, computer mice, headphones, and monitor stands. Here are common ergonomic designs that may enhance the comfort of your home:
Standing Desk
We’ve all heard about the risk of a sedentary life, so it’s no wonder that sit-to-stand desks have become popular. Height-adjustable desks let you move from sitting to standing at the touch of a button.
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Ergonomic Chair
A comfortable and adjustable option, ergonomic chairs are designed to support the natural curvature of your spine. There are also active sitting chairs that engage your core, like a Pilates stool or ball, balance chair, or saddle chair.
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Height-Adjustable Dining Table
Instead of deciding between a counter or a standard dining table, consider adjustable dining tables that can move between the two — like a standing desk for the dining room.
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Height-Adjustable Coffee Table
A perfect dual-purpose furniture for a family, a height-adjustable coffee table is fitted with panels on the tabletop that can be lifted to a standard desk height, ideal for dining or working.
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Ergonomic Keyboard
Designed so your hands and wrists rest in a natural position, this keyboard can reduce strain and pressure you feel from a standard keyboard.
Ergonomic Mouse
Specially engineered for ergonomic support, this computer mouse can alleviate arthritic pain in your hands and forearms, and even prevent carpal tunnel.
Monitor Arm & Adjustable Stand
Whether you’re using a laptop or a large monitor, having an adjustable arm or stand is helpful to set your screen at an optimal height and angle so you don’t strain your eyes or crane your neck.
How To Choose the Right Ergonomic Chair
Available Space
We recommend measuring your room's dimensions, as well as allowing for enough room for you to easily swivel, stretch, and recline in your chair.
Angles
When you sit back in the chair, the seat should be adjusted to a height where your knees are at a 90-degree angle, your feet are on the floor, and your thighs are parallel to the ground. When your knees are below or over your hip level, your body naturally will lean forward, putting strain on your lower back and stress on your hips.
If you want armrests, ensure they allow your elbows to rest at approximately a 90-degree angle to maintain an ideal alignment for your spine, shoulders, and neck.
If you want armrests, ensure they allow your elbows to rest at approximately a 90-degree angle to maintain an ideal alignment for your spine, shoulders, and neck.
Width & Depth
Typically, chairs are designed to be 17–20 inches wide. When determining the depth of a chair, sit with your back flush against the back and measure the space between the back of your knees and the edge of the seat. There should be 2–4 inches of space, equivalent to a few fingers.
Lumbar support
Move side to side to see how well the cushion supports your buttocks and back. The back of the chair should align with your spine’s natural curvature, helping you feel supported and stabilized. To add lumbar support to an existing chair, use lumbar support pillows and a seat cushion.
Material
While there are ergonomic chairs made from leather, we recommend chairs with mesh and breathable foam to keep sweat and bacteria at bay.
Swivel
Think about how your workspace is set up. Can you reach everything without having to twist and turn yourself? If not, we suggest finding a chair that swivels and reclines.
How To Choose the Right Ergonomic Desk
Available Space
Measure the width and height of the available space. Ensure there’s enough additional space to accommodate any drawers and chairs. Plus, take note of the room’s features that may get in the way of installing a desk — including vents, moldings, and wall art.
Height
Make sure to change the height range of the desk or table — especially if you’re shorter or taller than average. Whether you’re standing or sitting, your desk should allow you to have your wrists and arms parallel to the floor, with your elbow at a 90-degree angle.
Surface Size
How much area do you need on the tabletop to house everything you need? Perhaps you need a desk that has more depth or stretches a little wider to fit your equipment alongside decor and accessories.
Enhance Your Comfort With Ergonomic Furniture
Welcoming ergonomic pieces can change your home life and improve your health. Ready to swivel to your heart’s content and stand up for what your body deserves? Start browsing furniture.com’s ergonomic furniture collection.
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