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How to set up an ergonomic workspace

Can you feel it? That twitch in your neck, or that pain in your lower back? It might be the way you’re using your workspace. We can’t promise you less hours working, but we can help out with making a body and mind friendly office space that’ll cut down on that work fatigue.

A Gunnared beige LIDKULLEN active sit/stand support in the home office
A Gunnared beige LIDKULLEN active sit/stand support in the home office

Think movement

Spending long hours at a desk or bent over a laptop unfortunately contributes big time to fatigue and aches in the body. Interior designer Fredrik says the first thing you can do is simply to think about movement. Posture pain is something that accumulates from being in a fixed position for too long. My advice is movement. The key is to not have everything close to hand, give yourself room to move, reach around for your files, or go in the kitchen for that cup of coffee.

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Think of your seating space

Look for a chair that gives back support, is adjustable, and swivels allowing for movement. Height-wise, you want to be able to sit upright with your monitor at eye height, and your arms and elbows at a 90-degree angle with your hands, just above your keyboard. Armrests on the chair help support in this position. Switching between sitting and standing during the day can help strengthen your core and improve your metabolism.

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A brown swivel chair next to a desk with a clock, a typewriter and other diverse items, a green plant and window.
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Standing up

Working in a standing position carries the same ergonomic rules as sitting. You want to adjust your desk so that the top of your monitor is at eye height, and that your arms can rest easily just above your keyboard and you aren’t reaching up. If you have a hard floor underneath you, a mat makes things easier for your knees, as does a pair of comfortable shoes. The important thing here is also to move and sit down from time to time too.

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A Gunnared beige HATTEFJÄLL office chair with armrests
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Structured storage

Structured storage helps make your workspace an easy place to work. Fredrik’s advice is to organise things so the equipment you use most is closest to the desk, and the things you use less often are further away. Labels are an easy way to find everything, and boxes keep paper filed and collections uncluttered.

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An office with closed storage and shelves holding boxes, files and diverse items, work desks with lamp and a chair.
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The right light

A well-lit environment also helps concentration and relieves eye strain. Especially using light levels similar to daylight. “If you can, setting up a workspace next to a window is ideal. But you can also recreate daylight using light bulbs that have similar light spectrum to natural sunshine (Kelvin 5000 or up). Task lighting on the desk helps provide focused lighting on work too.”

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A white GLADHÖJDEN desk sit/stand
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Let in nature

Plenty of fresh air also helps concentration, if you don’t have a window that opens, plants are great for filtering stale air and oxygenating your working environment. Finally, make sure to keep hydrated. Drinking water has been shown to help with focus even if you’re stuck in the middle of doing spreadsheets.

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A white/green UNDERBLOMMA cushion cover
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Disclaimer

This solution contains a mix of articles developed for domestic and non-domestic use. Please verify that your purchases are compliant and suitable for their intended use in your area. Contact IKEA for Business for more information about the range.