A lot of people began working remotely during the pandemic and grew to love working from home. The truth is there are more remote jobs than ever and the trend won’t be slowing down in the future.
People scrambled to create a home office space where one didn’t exist before. Clearing a corner of a bedroom…taking over your studio apartment…claiming the kitchen island as your work zone… and it didn’t take long before we were reimagining what our office space could be. Top of that list? Our desk and chair must be comfortable and ergonomic.
Key Insights for Choosing Ergonomic Furniture in Small Spaces
Ergonomics enhances comfort and productivity: A good ergonomic setup promotes better posture, reduces pain, and boosts overall productivity, making it essential for remote work or long desk hours.
Comfort is the top priority in ergonomic chairs: When choosing an ergonomic chair, ensure it is adjustable, comfortable, and offers strong lumbar support for your lower back and spine.
Chair options for small spaces: Ergonomic chairs like the Sayl Chair by Herman Miller, the NEUHAUS chair with adjustable features, and the compact Vari Active Seat are all excellent choices for studio apartments.
Desk space needs to fit your body: A good ergonomic desk should provide adequate leg space, be adjustable in height, and allow for a neutral wrist position to prevent strain while typing.
Desk size matters: Choose a desk that suits your workspace needs—ensure it offers enough depth for your monitor and room for comfortable movement.
Desk options for small spaces: Ergonomic desks like the Work From Home Desk, Seiffen Laminated Standing Desk, and Ikea BEKANT Sit/Stand Desk are great solutions for small spaces, offering adjustability and functionality.
Standing desks can help: Incorporating a standing desk or a sit/stand option, like the Seiffen Laminated Standing Desk or Ikea BEKANT, allows for healthier posture and can prevent the discomfort of sitting for long periods.
Take breaks for your well-being: Regardless of your setup, it’s crucial to take regular breaks to stretch and move around. This will keep both your body and mind refreshed and prevent strain.
A personalized ergonomic workspace improves your well-being: Creating a tailored, ergonomic office space in your studio apartment can lead to increased comfort, less pain, and a more productive day overall.
What Is Ergonomics?
Ergonomics is all about the design and placement of things so that the people using those items do so in an efficient, safe way that supports their physiological health. Ergonomics is primarily concerned with safety, ease of use, productivity, and comfort, with the goal of promoting a holistic workspace environment.
Good work space ergonomics can:
- Boost productivity
- Decrease pain
- Help you stay mentally alert
- Strengthen muscles
- Fight fatigue
- Support lower back issues
- Increase blood flow
- Improve mood
- Promote an overall sense of wellness
- Foster mental alertness
- Prevent injury and strain
- Supports a holistic lifestyle
No matter if you work from home full time, part time, or simply spend a lot of time at your desk, it’s important to have ergonomic office furniture that is comfortable and supports your physical health, so today we’re sharing our quick guide for ergonomic desks and chairs for studio apartment spaces.
What Makes A Good Ergonomic Chair?
Hands down, it must be comfortable. If you’re going to be working at your desk for hours on end, comfort is the most important attribute of your ergo chair.
It’s got to be adjustable. Humans are not all the same height, and in order for our chairs to be a good ergonomic fit, it must be adjustable to get it at the perfect height for our body and desk.
Finally, any ergonomic chair you choose for your studio apartment shouldn’t sacrifice on back support. The back of the chair should offer good lumbar support and support both your lower back and the natural curve of your spine.
Now, let’s take a look at some of our favorite ergonomic chairs that work well in small spaces.
The Sayl Chair by Herman Miller
Minimalistic and modern, the Sayl Chair by Herman Miller is at the top of our list.
The environmentally friendly design of this chair was inspired by the Golden Gate Bridge and we absolutely love the sleek design—perfect for a studio apartment.
With six different colors to choose from like “fog / studio white,” you’re sure to find a color perfect for your space.
NEUHAUS Ergonomic Office Chair
The NEUHAUS ergonomic rolling office chair has adjustable armrests that flip up and down which is great when you get into stealth typing mode and want those babies out of your way…also great to flip them up and slide the chair under your desk in order to save space in your apartment.
This ergo chair has an adjustable 5-click lumbar support system so you can find the perfect support for your back. The seat is adjustable to 18.7 – 22.4 inches from the floor to help you find the perfect ergonomic height for your body and desk height.
With a stylish mid century modern aesthetic, this vegan leather executive beauty will have you feeling boss vibes while you work away at your desk in style.
The Vari Active Seat: Adjustable Ergonomic Standing Desk Chair
The Vari Active Seat is referred to as a “wobble perch stool” and is definitely an ergonomic standing desk chair for the modern era.
This ergo chair is literally made to move and offers a rocking motion that engages your core muscles while sitting or standing and has an adjustable height from 22” to 35”.
The cushioned seat measures only 17” wide which makes it a good choice for small spaces—perfect for your studio apartment living lifestyle.
What Makes A Good Ergonomic Desk?
A good ergonomic desk will have enough space to fit your legs, knees, and feet underneath it so that you can properly align yourself to the worktop space.
If you do a lot of keyboard typing, it’s important to find a desk that your wrists will be in a comfortable neutral position for typing. Whether standing or sitting, desk height is important.
You also want to take into consideration the amount of work space you require on your desktop. Are you using a computer monitor on your desktop? If so, you want to be sure the desk is deep enough to have a good amount of space between you and your monitor.
Here are a few small ergonomic desks for you to check out:
The Work From Home Desk
We are totally crushing on Work From Home’s flagship desk, the WFH Desk. It’s beautiful, modern design is ahead of its time and the fact that it’s ergonomic, sustainably made, and can be set up as either a sitting or standing desk makes it a must see.
The flat packed desk is adjustable and modular so you can create a dreamy workspace to fit your needs in your studio apartment.
Because there is no hardware involved to assemble it, you can easily flat pack your desk away and store it under your bed when you need more space in your apartment.
Seiffen Laminated Standing Desk
We love that this Seiffen Laminated Standing Desk comes in four different desktop sizes from 42” x 24” to 60” x 24” and there are so many desktop colors and wood grains to choose from, from a special walnut, to graphite, to white, there’s sure to be a color that matches your design style.
This strong and stable desk is motorized so you can switch from a sitting position to standing with the push of a button and offers a choice of single or dual motors.
Ikea BEKANT Desk
And finally, we can always count on Ikea for a great small ergonomic desk option that works well in a studio apartment.
Ikea’s BEKANT Sit / Stand Desk is a simply designed ergo desk that has an adjustable height of 22” to 48” to guarantee you find the proper height for your ergonomic home office space.
Take Care of Yourself
If you’re working from home or spending a lot of time at your desk, don’t forget to take little breaks to just stretch and breathe. Your body and mind will thank you.
Creating a thoughtful, ergonomic workspace in your studio apartment will not only make you feel more productive, but it may also improve how your body feels after a long day of working at your desk.
If you are not one of our residents, but are interested in studio apartment living in the D.C. area check out the available studio apartments we have at multiple locations throughout Washington, D.C.
FAQs about Ergonomic Desks & Chairs for Studio Apartment Spaces
Why is ergonomics important for productivity and comfort?
Ergonomics helps create a comfortable workspace that supports good posture, reduces physical strain, and boosts productivity. By designing your workspace with ergonomics in mind, you can reduce pain, prevent injuries, and stay mentally alert throughout the day.
What is the most important feature of an ergonomic chair?
The most important feature of an ergonomic chair is comfort. It should be adjustable to fit your body and desk height, and offer excellent lumbar support to protect your lower back and maintain a healthy spine curve during long periods of sitting.
What are some ergonomic chairs that work well in small spaces?
Some ergonomic chairs that are well-suited for small spaces include the Sayl Chair by Herman Miller, which is sleek and minimalistic, the NEUHAUS ergonomic office chair with adjustable features, and the Vari Active Seat, a compact, adjustable ergonomic standing desk chair.
What should I look for in an ergonomic desk for my small space?
In an ergonomic desk for a small space, you should ensure it has enough room for your legs, knees, and feet, and is at the right height for comfortable typing. It should also provide adequate space for your monitor, ensuring a comfortable viewing distance to avoid strain.
How do I know what desk size is right for me?
When choosing a desk, consider the amount of space you need. If you have a monitor, make sure the desk is deep enough to keep a comfortable distance between you and the screen. Also, choose a desk that fits your space without overcrowding, while providing ample room for your work materials.
What are some good ergonomic desk options for small spaces?
Great ergonomic desk options for small spaces include the Work From Home Desk, which is adjustable and modular, the Seiffen Laminated Standing Desk, which offers a motorized height-adjustment feature, and the Ikea BEKANT Sit/Stand Desk, which is simple and adjustable for your comfort.
Why should I consider a standing desk?
Standing desks, like the Seiffen Laminated Standing Desk or Ikea BEKANT, can improve posture and reduce the discomfort of sitting for long periods. They allow you to alternate between sitting and standing, promoting healthier blood circulation and reducing strain on your body.
How often should I take breaks when working from home?
It’s essential to take regular breaks to stretch and move your body. Even a few minutes of stretching or walking every hour can help prevent strain, reduce fatigue, and improve mental clarity throughout the day.
How does an ergonomic workspace improve my well-being?
Creating a personalized ergonomic workspace helps reduce pain and discomfort, promotes better posture, and increases productivity. A thoughtful setup can lead to improved physical health, better mental focus, and an overall more enjoyable working experience.
