(Links in this post are Amazon affiliate links to products we love)
by Paul J. Sorell III, MD
Director, Ergonomic Design, Sorell Interiors
So, you’re now faced with working from home. Under any other circumstances congratulations would be in order; no more long commutes, no longer wondering, “what am I going to wear today”. But these are not ordinary times. You had no time to prepare. So, what to do? Sitting at the kitchen table, hunched over your laptop just ain’t gonna cut it. But you also have neither the spare room, time nor money to invest in outfitting a full-fledged home office. Like I said, what to do?
The good news is that, today, one DOESN’T need to break the bank to not break their back! As a physician specializing in Occupation Medicine for more than twenty-years I have been helping individuals avoid work-related injuries and now, most recently as the primary ergonomic consultant to Sorell Interiors, advise on all workplace and home office health-related design issues. When I first started out years ago, the well-appointed home office cost well-over $10,000. But thankfully, times have changed, and I’m going to show you exactly how to put together an equally functional and highly decorative home office for less than $500! Don’t believe it can be done? Read on…
The Office Chair
Let’s start with one of the most important elements to any office, home or otherwise; the office chair. Time once was that the least expensive “ergonomic” office chair cost well over $700, was ONLY available in black and ONLY from a few select high-end office furniture retailers. Today, one can easily shop at the local IKEA and pick-up their highly adjustable, cool mesh back MARKUS Office Chair for less than $230!
But yes, we’re all under orders to “shelter-at-home”. So shop online for the awesomely customizable Modway Articulate Ergonomic Mesh Chair (Model EEI-757)
in six (6), YES, that’s right… SIX different colors (Blue, Brown, Gray, Green, Red, and, of course, Black); currently on Amazon for only $158.00 & FREE Shipping! You can’t get much better than that!
The Desk
Next, we need a desk. As the kitchen table won’t work (for too many reasons to go into here) AmazonBasics offers a highly affordable ($120 & FREE Shipping) Gaming Computer Desk (Item # OD008BLK) that is stylish, durable and, best of all, very compact so it will fit into the corner of ANY of your rooms. It too comes in multiple colors (Black, Red & Blue) to match your décor. But, you say, a “Gaming Desk”? Why yes… just think about it… if it’s good enough for the gamers who spend hours each day trying to build a fantasy empire, it will more than suit the professional needs of building your real empire!
Want something a little different? Something a little more ergonomic with a better-positioned place for your detachable or separate keyboard?How about Flash Furniture’s Black Glass Computer Desk with Pull-Out Keyboard (Model # NAN-JN-2824S-BK-GG) also on Amazon for even less; just $107.04 & again, FREE Shipping!
Retrofit: Even MORE Affordable
But… what if you already have a basic, “decently configurable” office chair and desk and just want to repurpose them for increased service. Well, GOOD NEWS!
Breathe new life into that chair by simply adding SOFTaCARE’s Orthopedic Memory Foam Seat Cushion w/ Lumbar & Coccyx Support (#SYNCHKG096036) and again, you guessed it, available on Amazon and elsewhere for less than $45!
And for that existing desk of yours, why not try standing to work in addition to sitting; the latest and newest idea in healthy computing. Simply add an ergonomic “topper” like BestOffice’s Standing Desk – Adjustable Stand Up Desk Computer Workstation Riser (#B07G36F79M), at just $94.99 & FREE Shipping.
Avoid Eye Strain
Finally, let’s talk about eye strain. While companies spend hundreds of thousands of dollars ensuring that their offices are properly lit and computer screens properly sized, you can achieve similar results at home for far less!
Begin with TaoTronics LED Eye-caring, Dimmable Desk Lamp (Model # TT-DL13), available in four (4) different colors/finishes ($39.99 & FREE Shipping); task lighting that’s as fashionable as it is functional. Now that’s what I call preventing eye-strain in style!
The other gift for your eyes is a larger computer monitor. If you already have a spare one just lying around one, GREAT! Just purchase the proper cable, typically $5-$15 (if you don’t already have one) to hook it up to either your laptop’s HDMI or Thunderbolt port and, voilà… you’re done! Or, if you really want to treat your eyes, why not splurge (said facetiously) on a spacious new 24” Full HD 1080p Computer Monitor (w/ adjustable height, tilt and swivel) by HP (Model # VH240a) for only $109.99 & FREE Shipping!
One last option on-the-cheap… one can actually rent entire workstation setups (i.e. desk, chair and other ergonomic office furniture) from companies like Cort (www.cort.com) and others for as little as $50/month!… a LOT LESS than commuting on the Long Island Railroad for 30 days!
So How’d We Do?
Add some finishing touches, like inexpensive accessories (i.e. keyboard wrist support, mouse pad, etc.), a picture of your loved one and, depending on the options chosen, you’ve got an ergonomically healthy and totally functional home office for between $179.98 – $430.02! Either way, LESS THAN $500… as promised!!
So, even if you have to go back to commuting next month, you didn’t break the bank. More than likely however, as I’ve been told by several sources, our work culture is likely to change post-pandemic. More employers are going to realize the benefits of having their employees continue to work from home, at least part-time, and guess what?… you’ll already be ahead of the curve! You’ll already have a beautiful and highly functional home office workspace that didn’t break the bank!
And, One Final Thought…
Now that you’ve gotten all your new toys, just exactly how are you going to set them up so that they all function together properly so that they provide you with the best economic experience possible? Well, GOOD NEWS again!… If you’ve got at least several fingers and a little DIY-sense, there are many FREE online resources that can help.
For starters, check out the Mayo Clinic’s Adult Health pages, “Office Ergonomics: Your how-to guide”. There are also many YouTube.com videos that can be referenced as well. But, if you’re just a little patient, by the time your new toys arrive, we here at Sorell Interiors will have launched our own YouTube channel featuring “How To” videos on proper ergonomic office set-up and more! All developed and produced by none other than yours truly. So stay tuned… and check back for a link to the new videos!
So why are you still sitting there!!! Just click on any of the above links to get started!
Be well… and stay safe, healthy & productive!
Paul J. Sorell III, MD
Director, Ergonomic Design, Sorell Interiors
(Prices shown are as of 2020/04/10)
I really appreciated the in depth factual information in this post, Dr. Sorrell. Thanks so much.
Glad to Help!
Having had a really uncomfortable old desk that was retro-fitted to use with a computer, I understand the importance of correct ergonomics! Thanks for a great post!
What an informative post.
One more thing… blue light filtering glasses. Either “cheaters” or plain glass. Makes a big difference. Less eye strain.
Christina,
Excellent point! More is being learned each day about the potential benefits of blocking some of the blue-light spectrum we’re all being subjected to more and more on a daily basis due to our digital devices. Here’s an excerpt from a good article on the subject that appeared in Good Housekeeping in 2018:
“As scientists learn more about potential problems of blue light, blue light blocking glasses have gained popularity as a way to subdue digital eye strain and avoid disrupted sleep cycle. In addition, many of the frames also have glare reduction to prevent digital eye strain from looking at screens.”
You can read the full article Here (I Wore Blue Light Blocking Glasses Every Day for a Week — Here’s What I Learned, Good Housekeeping, Jul 11, 2018)
Dr. Sorell
Great post and information on ergonomics. So important!
It is amazing what you can get delivered to your door – as we are all finding out these days 🙂 Thanks for this great post and the excellent ergonomic graphic from the Mayo Clinic!
Ergonomics are key to avoiding repetitive stress injuries. Thanks for the advice.
Ergonomics are key to avoiding repetitive stress injuries. Thanks for the advice.
This is fantastic information. My question is that I use a laptop with a fixed keyboard. What desk do you recommend?
Julie,
An excellent choice for someone like yourself who still wants to use their laptop is the UNICOO – Height Adjustable Sit-Stand Computer Desk Workstation (Model # U101). It’s extremely compact and allows extensive adjustments of height and tilt to accommodate many different work positions and individual body-types (i.e. overall height, torso length, arm length, leg length, etc.) As an interior designer, you’ll also appreciate that it comes in three (3) different colors (Black, White & Ancient Oak) to match just about any decor. Best part? It costs only $99.96. You can find it here on Amazon. Also, be sure to check out the third picture down on the left side of the Amazon page; it shows the desk being used specifically with a laptop. Please let me know what you think and feel free to recontact me if you have any further questions. Good Luck! Dr. Sorell