Is my office space a good one?

We can cope with a small area within a larger space, but if you are thinking of a minimum ideal space then you might consider the plan below;

It’s great to have at least a 1.0m wide space, so we can put supporting information close by to review, or that essential cup of coffee safely away from our elbow. If you are using a laptop and a second screen you will need at least this space. Likewise, space for adding family pics or a piece of artwork can actually stimulate your creativity or reminder there is a greater reason to be working!

The depth is ideally 800mm to give you flexibility if you have an extra keyboard for your laptop or a desktop set up with a free-standing screen and keyboard. In reality, if you’re just using a laptop, then 600mm is fine.

In terms of height, it depends on your chair and there are some keys to getting your body relating ergonomically to your set up. Typically your desk will be about 700mm above the floor, but the ability to adjust the desk too is ideal.

We might have a great set-up, but if we are not using it well then our bodies will suffer in the long run.

Staying in the same position and using the same muscles for hours at a time is not good for your back or neck. Ergonomists (those who design spaces to reduce discomfort and fatigue) agree that it’s also a good idea to take frequent and brief rest breaks. Eye breaks every 15 minutes, which mean glancing at a distant view for a few seconds is a good idea. Also, short physical movement breaks, every 30-60 minutes, like walking to the photocopier or making a coffee, make your body and mind focus better.

Check Up on Yourself

Have a look at this list and do checks on yourself to make sure you are doing it right. It’s easy to slouch or cross legs without thinking but ultimately if you’re sitting for long periods you need to think about how you are doing it.

• Your eyes should be level with the top of your computer monitor. This is easier with desktop PCs, but a struggle with laptops where the keyboard and screen are fixed close together.
• Your shoulders should be relaxed and low, not high and hunched up. You should feel like you’re not lifting your shoulders.
• Your lower arms should be parallel to the floor. They should rest on a support, rather than being held up.
• You shouldn’t be reaching too far for your keyboard and mouse. You should be able to control them easily with arms bent at the elbow.
• Forearm in a straight line from elbow to fingertips, with wrists straight.
• Your feet should be flat on the floor. Just putting your toes on the floor isn’t enough!
• Your upper back should be straight. Your lower back has a natural curve that should be supported by your chair.
• You shouldn’t slouch in your chair. Your hips should be as close to the back of the chair as possible.
• Your upper legs should be at a 90° angle from your body. If you’re short, this may mean that you need a footrest. If you’re particularly tall, you’ll need a higher chair (and may also require a higher desk).
• Two-finger widths between the back of knee and chair front.
  You should be sitting up straight and your screen should be a full arm’s length away from you.
• You shouldn’t be leaning to one side. It can be tempting to rest on one arm, but this causes your spine to curve.

Reading a checklist regularly is helpful, as we all have heard this before but habits can be easy to form, and then the result can totally undermine the greatest office space!