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How to Make an Ergonomic Corner Desk

Make an ergonomic corner desk or make any desk ergonomic using simple techniques. "Ergonomic" means that the object design fits the user, and anything you use for hours at a time should be adjusted to fit you, personally. Adjust your desk at home or at work to fit you correctly. An ergonomic fit will help prevent repetitive motion injuries such as carpal tunnel irritation caused by mouse and keyboard overuse, or static injuries such as a stiff neck from staring at a monitor.

Things You'll Need

  • Desk
  • Computer (including monitor, keyboard and mouse)
  • Adjustable desk chair
  • Wood scraps (1x4 or 2x4)
  • Bed lifters or empty cans (optional)
  • Box or stepstool (optional)
  • Gel wrist rest for keyboard
  • 2 Gel wrist rests for mouse
  • CD rack or small box (optional)
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Instructions

  1. Setting Your Desk Chair Correctly

    • 1

      Adjust your desk chair so that your feet are flat on the floor and your thighs are parallel to the floor. Take into consideration the height difference when you are barefoot. Adjust the height of your chair every time you sit at your desk. If you work in an office and wear high heels, take them off when you are at your desk.

    • 2

      Ensure that you can put your feet flat on the floor. If your desk and chair are too tall for your feet to be flat on the floor, use a box or stepstool to rest your feet on.

    • 3

      Use a taller chair or place scraps of wood or other items to raise the height of the chair if your knees are higher than your hips. Do not use a wheeled chair on raised objects as it will be unstable and could fall over.

    Adjusting Your Desk For Proper Ergonomics

    • 4

      Adjust the height of your desk for your arms. Your elbows should be as close as possible to a 90-degree angle when using your desk. You should never have to raise your shoulders to work at the desk. Lower the legs of the desk or raise your chair so that your shoulders are in a neutral position. If you have to lean over to rest your forearms on the desk then lower your seat or raise the desk with wood blocks or risers.

    • 5

      Set the height of your monitor at eye level. You should not have to bend your neck up or down to look at the monitor. Place your monitor on a small box or CD rack to raise it if necessary.

    • 6

      Throw your mouse pad away. A modern optical computer mouse doesn't need a mouse pad to function. Mouse pads are a leftover artifact from the days of the trackball mouse. Using the mouse in a small area is the biggest cause of wrist and shoulder injuries among desk workers. Clear off the surface of your desk so that you have a large area on either side of the computer for sliding your mouse. Develop the habit of alternating hands when you use your mouse doing computer work.

    • 7

      Use a good quality gel wrist pad with your keyboard. Your wrists should be straight when you type, not curled or bent. If your keyboard sits far away from the edge of the desk you can place the gel pad under your forearms closer to your elbows. Drawer-style keyboard holders may not be the correct height or may have an edge that digs into the wrists. Consider the angle of your elbows and wrists and don't use a keyboard drawer if it is not ergonomically correct for you.

    • 8

      Keep two high-quality gel mouse pads on your desk. Always use one when you are pushing the mouse. Your wrist should be straight when you move the mouse. If necessary, place the gel pad under your forearm closer to your elbow. Use both gel pads under one arm if necessary for adequate comfort. You can stack them if necessary. If you lean on your desk with your opposite hand, then use one gel pad under that arm or elbow. Don't lean any body parts on the desk surface or edge.

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