These 3 signs mean it’s time to upgrade your home office setup

After a year of working from home, you’ve probably mastered a few things. You’re a quick draw on the Zoom mute button, for one, and you’ve slyly been wearing pajamas with your button-downs this whole time.

Besides these clever modifications, there’s probably a big detail you have yet to fully embrace: ergonomics. “Ergonomics provides a workstation that fits the worker and eliminates stress on them,” says Kermit Davis, Ph.D, a professor at the University of Cincinnati. “Ergonomics has several benefits. It reduces discomfort and potential injuries, it increases productivity, and it oftentimes improves the physical and mental aspects of work.” 

Dr. Davis’s research focuses on how 9-to-5s place physical demands on the body, especially in regard to workstations. So it’s no surprise that his expertise has been particularly insightful ever since offices abruptly closed and couches became the new cubicles. If you’ve noticed that your body feels out of whack at the end of each weekday, then you probably need to upgrade your home office. Pay attention to these three signs, and follow Dr. Davis’s lead on creating a WFH setup that works for you.  

1. Your neck aches

There’s a good chance you’re reading this sentence too closely—and your tired neck is trying to drop a hint. Laptop screens may be convenient, but they also create an opportunity to hunch over as you scroll. If a desktop isn’t in the picture, Dr. Davis says that it’s best to place a laptop on a flat surface and to prop it up to eye level using a stand, books or a few boxes. The screen should be centered and not under or in front of a direct light source. Your neck will feel better, and no glare will help your eyes, too.

2. Your back is sore

Hiring a masseuse at the end of each workday might not be an option, but changing your chair definitely is. Upper back pain tends to have a direct correlation to a lack of armrests, while lower back pain usually stems from an unsupportive seat. In this case, Dr. Davis recommends a chair with casters, a customizable height and two armrests. Position the armrests slightly above the desk’s surface for the most comfortable results, and for added lumbar support, a curved pillow or towel will do the trick. Casters make moving around a cinch, without fear of toppling over.

3. Your arms are strained

Maybe your wrists and forearms don’t make their discomfort as obvious as your neck and back, but they also feel the pressure. To keep them happy, Dr. Davis says that desks with curved finishes are ideal, since they keep any hard edges from pushing into your skin. But a cut pool noodle or rolled towel can pass this test in a pinch. Finally, it’s wise to keep any accessories, especially keyboards and mouses, within easy reach. “The most important thing is to make sure the work environment is adjustable and fits a person’s needs,” he says. “I will also say that people need to take breaks every 30 minutes.” All of this advice should be easy to follow, but that last tidbit should be the easiest. 

At home with
Jamie & Fillip Hord

See how the professional organizers outfitted their New York home.

Tour this airy, art-filled historic home

Our collection brings new life to a 1910 charmer in Brooklyn.