Selecting the Perfect Desk for Comfort and Better Health
The desk you select is not only the centerpiece of your
workplace; it is the key to efficiency and comfort in your
everyday life. If you spend a lot of time at your desk there are
a variety of factors that you need to consider before making a
new purchase. First ensure that the desk area is deep enough to
accommodate a monitor placed at least 20 inches away from your
eyes. This is critical to reduce eyestrain and I can speak from
experience that this is VERY uncomfortable and deleterious to
your health over time. Also, avoid glass tops and glossy
desktops. Ensure that your desktops have a matte finish to
minimize glare.
Choose a desk with a work surface large enough to accommodate a
monitor and a keyboard. Normally, a desk with a depth of about
30 inches is used to accommodate these items. The height of the
desk should be adjustable between 20 inches and 28 inches while
the user is in sitting position. The desk surface should be at
about the height of your elbow while sitting with your feet flat
on the floor. Adjustability between seated and standing heights
is desirable.
Ensure that you have sufficient space to place the frequently
used items like keyboard, mouse, and monitor directly in front
of you. Remember the more efficient your workstation is the less
straining and stretching you will be doing on a daily basis.
Your desk should provide enough space underneath for your legs
while sitting in all convenient positions. The minimum
under-desk clearance depth should be 15 inches for your knees
and 24 inches for your feet. There should be at least 20 inches
clearance width. If you purchase a desk with a fixed height,
ensure that you have a keyboard tray to provide enough height
adjustment to suit multiple users.
The leading edge of the work surface should be wide enough to
accommodate the arms of your chair, usually about 24 inches to
27 inches. If the space is lesser than this, it will interfere
with armrests and restrict your movement. This is to be kept in
mind especially while working in four-corner work units. Rounded
or sloping surfaces are preferable to prevent scraping of the
skin.
While this may seems like an extensive list it is crucial that
all these items be considered in order to maintain good posture,
good health, and retain vitality after working at your desk all
day long.