The global COVID-19 outbreak has triggered a paradigm shift in the way we work and live, forcing us to re-engage with our home spaces. With the pandemic showing no signs of slowing down, homes will continue to be part of an expanded ecosystem of places where people will work some of the time, if not all of the time. Work-from-home has been normalised to the extent that architects and designers are factoring it as an important consideration in their design thinking for residential spaces.

As many have discovered over the past year, working from home is a challenge, especially when you have to carve out a comfortable workspace from a residential living area. However, with a few tweaks such as incorporating a height adjustable desk and using ergonomic support tools, you can create workspaces at home that increase comfort, enhance productivity and boost wellbeing.

Find the best place to work

Are you exposed to background noise and visual distractions? Do you have the level of privacy you need to focus or interact with colleagues and clients?

The ideal work-from-home space should allow you to control lighting and temperature for better comfort. You should be able to ensure privacy, especially when handling confidential information. A place with access to natural light and greenery will improve focus and reduce stress.

Adjustable work surfaces

Your work desk should be able to accommodate your laptop, keyboard, mouse, phone and other elements. The work surface should be at elbow height in a seated posture.

A height-adjustable desk allows you to sit, stand and move as you work, improving your physical health. Add an active lift riser to a stationary desk or work surface so that you can change posture from sitting to standing at will.

Ergonomic chairs

When a chair is designed for ergonomic comfort, it can help you correct your posture and eliminate the usual aches and pains that come with sitting for extended periods.

Ideally, the backrest of the chair should fit the natural contour of your back and maintain healthy alignment as you sit.

When you recline, the chair’s seat and backrest should move with you, opening up your hip angle and bringing you closer to a healthy sitting posture.

Contoured foam and a flexible edge provide pressure-free comfort for your bones, glutes and thighs.

The arms of your chair should stay parallel to the floor while you recline, keeping your arms straight on your desk and your eyes level with your screen.

The intuitive and easy-to-use back, seat and arm adjustments make a chair feel like it is made for you and your body.

Add computer support tools to improve ergonomics

There are several ergonomic tools available to make at-work experience even more pleasant.

A monitor arm places screens in the right position in any posture, reducing eye and muscle strain, increasing user comfort and creating a healthier and more productive workspace.

A keyboard platform keeps your external keyboard and mouse on the same horizontal surface and appropriate height for correct ergonomic positioning.

A footrest lets you stand or sit more comfortably while working and helps maintain good posture.

A mobile laptop support allows you to position a laptop at a height that’s both ergonomically correct and comfortable.