Improving your workstation ergonomics can help you to avoid injuries, muscle strains, and headaches at work. Below, we take you step-by-step to setting up the perfect ergonomic workstation, whether you’re setting up an office for remote work or want to improve your desk in the workplace. 

Standing Desk Converter

For the ideal ergonomic workstation, you should use a standing desk converter. This will allow you to raise your monitor to the correct height for the task you are doing and also alternate between sitting and standing. This will keep you active while you work but also avoid overdoing it in any one position and straining muscles.

 

 

Our Leitz Ergo Standing Desk Converter is fully height adjustable, with a minimum height of 48mm and a maximum height of 310mm. This gives you ultimate customisation, so you can find the optimum height for whatever you’re doing.

Our desk converter has pneumatic-assisted height adjustment, making it quick and simple to change the height, so you can stay focused on your work. It has a compact footprint to save space and folds flat when not in use for easy storage and transportation.

An extra benefit of a standing desk converter is that it can be used on almost any desk, so you can enjoy a sit/stand workstation without having to invest in a completely new desk. Our riser will instantly transform your workspace to help improve your posture and productivity.

Research shows that it’s best to stand for at least 30 minutes every hour, but you could also aim for 15 minutes every hour. It’s important to find the right balance that works for you, so you can keep active while avoiding injury that can come from sitting or standing for too long.

An anti-fatigue mat is a great accessory to use with a standing desk. It helps to relieve pressure on the feet and ankles while you stand so you can stand for longer. Our Ergo Cosy Anti Fatigue mat is made from soft and strong foam that can withstand heavy foot traffic and won’t tear or lose shape.

 

 

Laptop Stand and Monitor Stand

For the perfect ergonomic workstation, your monitor, or monitors, should be directly in front of you, around an arm’s length away. Your eye line should settle around two inches from the top of the screen. This will stop you from slouching while you work and help to keep your eyes from straining.

A monitor riser will elevate your monitor to a better viewing position. Our Leitz Ergo Monitor Stand raises your monitor and also provides extra desk space, with an area under the stand to store desk accessories. Alternatively, you could use an adjustable monitor stand. Our Leitz Ergo WOW monitor stand has two different height options, so you can find the right setup for your needs.

If you work from a laptop, you can use a laptop stand to elevate your screen. Our multi angle laptop riser has multiple height and angle combinations, giving you ultimate customisation for your laptop positioning. Our adjustable laptop riser can lift your screen higher than most standard risers and is quick and easy to use.

It has a small footprint so it will take up minimal space on your desk and features an integrated hook and rubber feet to keep your laptop secure. Plus, our laptop risers help to promote airflow around the battery of your laptop, helping to keep it cool and functioning.

 

 

Wireless Accessories

Using wireless accessories means you’ll have a free range of movement while you work. This can help prevent you from working in an awkward position or posture, which could result in muscle strain. Using wireless accessories to improve your desk ergonomics is especially important if you’re using a laptop riser, as attempting to use the trackpad and keyboard on the laptop could result in injury to your wrists and arms.

Your keyboard and wireless computer mouse should both be used on the same surface and should be within easy reach. You should be able to access the keyboard and mouse with your forearms straight and your upper arms close to your body, with your elbows at a right angle.

Our Leitz Cosy Wireless Mouse features precision tracking and smooth performance on all kinds of surfaces, so you’ll only need a light touch to use it. This can help to prevent strain and injury that can come with heavy mouse use.

If you work a lot on the phone, you should use a wireless headset. You should always avoid holding the phone between your ear and shoulder, as this can cause an injury. A wireless headset allows you to speak on the phone while using your keyboard or taking notes and also maintaining a comfortable posture.

Ergonomic Office Chair

Your office chair should provide adequate lumbar support for your lower back. You should be able to sit on the chair with your feet flat on the floor or on a footrest and with your knees at a right angle. You should sit upright with your back against the back of the chair, so it can support you.

Ideally, your office chair will be height adjustable and if it has armrests, these will also be adjustable. This will let you position the chair to the correct height for your requirements.

There are also alternatives to an office chair that can help to improve your workstation ergonomics. You could use a sitting ball, which will keep you active as you work. A sitting ball can improve your core strength and help you to work at a good posture.

 

 

You should aim to use a sitting ball alongside a traditional office chair and sit on the ball for a maximum of 20 minutes at a time. This will be the optimum period for activating your muscles without causing strain. 

You could also use a desk stool. Our Leitz Ergo Cosy Active Sit Stand Stool 2 in 1 can be used for when you’re sitting and also for extra support if you’re using a standing desk. The stool features a rounded base that encourages movement by rocking as you work, which strengthens your back.

Our desk stool is lightweight but strong and sturdy – it can support up to 110kg and remains stable at any height, from 46cm to 79cm. It’s easy to adjust the height and has a nonslip base to keep you secure.

 

 

Foot Rest and Seat Cushion

If your feet don’t touch the floor when you’re sat in your chair, you could use a under desk foot rest for additional support. A foot rest will help to prevent strain in your legs. Our Leitz Ergo Cosy Desk Foot Rest can be used as a traditional foot rest to support your legs, or it can be turned over and used as an ankle rocker, to encourage healthy circulation and movement.

Our Cosy Desk Foot Rest has a soft and comfortable core and a sturdy, washable cover. Rubber dots along the fabric help to prevent slipping to keep you working comfortably for extended periods.

If you need additional support while you work, an ergonomic seat cushion can ease pressure on your back while giving you additional height for optimum screen viewing. Our Leitz Ergo Cosy Seat Cushion has been designed to relieve spinal pressure, improve circulation and encourage a healthy posture. 

 

 

Lighting

Your workstation should have as much natural light as possible. You should avoid having only your computer screen as the sole source of light. If it’s not possible to obtain your office or home office lighting from natural light, you should look to lamps.

Ideally, you’ll have multidirectional lighting for your workstation. This will allow you to find the optimum light so you don’t have to strain your eyes in darkness or irritate your eyes from glare. Look to use desk lamps and floor lamps. Dimmable lighting can be a great choice as it gives you total control over how much light is in the room.

You can read our guide to find out more about the best home office lighting for using a computer.

Leitz has a huge range of ergonomic office equipment to keep you working comfortably and productively.

Read more about the importance of ergonomic design in the workplace:

Ergonomics for Office Workers – Employer Considerations

How to Identify and Fix Poor Ergonomics at Your Workstation

What does Ergonomic Design Mean and Why Is It Important?