If you’ve been inspired to make the transition to a sit-stand desk, you may be wondering where to begin when it comes to the right standing desk setup. An ergonomic standing desk setup is essential to prevent back pain, neck strain and discomfort when you’re working but there are various ways you can approach this type of office furniture.
Table of Contents
Why choose a standing desk?
Standing and moving more throughout the day can help to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, and even certain cancers, among several other conditions. It improves your circulation, keeps your muscles and joints moving, and even enhances productivity, mood and energy levels. More and more offices around the UK are including sit-stand desks into their office layout to give employees more flexibility in their working day.
Ergonomic experts agree that sit-stand desks can be a great resource to add to your office, giving you more versatility throughout the day to alternate between sitting and standing. They’re great for productivity and will keep staff healthier while they’re working. In this guide, we’ll explore how to create the best standing desk setup with tips on how to incorporate a sit-stand desk into your office environment.
Choose the right size
You need to be sure that your sit-stand desk will fit in your office, but also that it’s going to work for your needs. Some people just need enough space for a monitor and a keyboard whereas others need room for additional tech equipment or notepads, so making sure you’ve got ample desk space is important.
Sit-stand desks come in various widths, with a host of different top sizes to choose from, so consider how much desktop space is needed for you to work comfortably. You also need to ensure there is sufficient height to move the desk up and down without it hitting anything on the wall or to the sides of the desk.
Consider your power usage
When it comes to creating the right home office standing desk setup, you need to consider how you will personally use the desk. If outlets are in short supply in your home office, for example, think about how you’ll power the desk and if you’re setting up multiple desks in a commercial setting, will you need surrounding outlets to accommodate multiple desks transitioning at once?
Most sit-stand desks only require power when they’re in transition, so if you’re low on outlets, you may be able to unplug when each one isn’t moving to reduce the need for outlets. Bear in mind that not everyone will want to stand and some may only want to stand when they’re working, so think about how you and anyone sharing the office environment will use the desk so you can set up the layout accordingly.
Think about accessories
There are various options when it comes to home office standing desk setup ideas, from minimalist approaches to numerous accessories that will enhance your work experience, so consider what you need to be comfortable at work. Desk accessories like a clock or a plant, for example, aren’t essential but they may make your desk more convenient to use or simply make it more aesthetically pleasing.
Naturally, you’ll need a chair or a stool for when you don’t want to work while standing up. Ergonomic chairs with lumbar support are great for protecting your back and preventing strain on your neck, but if you prefer, you can buy a stool designed for sit-stand desks which encourage you to sit up straight for better posture.
You may also need a drawer or filing cabinet unit for storing documents and cables, but if this is the case for you, consider the height as you don’t want the cabinet preventing your desk from lowering. Anti-fatigue mats are ideal for protecting your leg muscles and joints and reducing discomfort and achy legs, as they improve circulation and cause small muscle movements which keep the legs comfortable.
Other accessories include monitor arms to encourage better ergonomics for your sit-stand desk, and keyboard trays which are easier on the wrists and lower the risk of you developing carpal tunnel when you’re typing. Many sit-stand desks can be placed on casters to enable you to move the desk around easily, so you may want to consider this if you need the flexibility of changing your office layout quickly.
Common Questions
You may have a desk you love and you might want to convert it into something new and more versatile. You might want a desk that can be converted to a standing desk gaming setup, for example, or you might not want to waste a perfectly usable desk that you don’t want to waste.
Instead, look for options that come as a frame only so you can reuse the desktop. Frames come in various styles and sizes, so you’ll simply need to take your existing desk apart and reuse the desktop. It’s an affordable way to enjoy the benefits of a standing desk and still keep the aesthetic you enjoy.
Sit-stand desks require a nearby socket but if your office layout doesn’t accommodate your desk being right next to an outlet, you can always run an extension cable from the outlet to your desk’s plug. Just make sure that cables are tucked away or run under carpets or rugs where possible to avoid a tripping hazard.
Ergonomics are important when setting up a desk space, because working from a desk can put stress on your body if you don’t take the right precautions. Standing has been shown in numerous studies to reduce the risk of chronic diseases, back problems, neck strain and even improve your mood and energy.
However, just because a sit-stand desk encourages you to stand more doesn’t necessarily mean you’re dealing with an ergonomic setup. Rather, you need to set your desk up properly to really enjoy the benefits.
As previously mentioned, there are accessories you can use to ensure your desk is setup properly for your needs, but at the very least, you need to make sure your desk height is appropriate for your elbows to be at a comfortable bend with a 90-degree angle to the floor, and your monitor set to eye level at a distance of 20-inches from your face. An anti-fatigue mat, an ergonomic chair or stool, and a monitor arm can all help to create a desk that’s ergonomically designed and will prevent back and neck strain.
Final thoughts
Hopefully you’ve found several standing desk setup ideas in this guide to inspire you to make the transition to a sit-stand desk over a stationary desk, from making sure you’ve got the right layout to accommodate power requirements and height changes with your desk, to giving yourself ample room for tech items, gaming devices or simply decorative pieces that bring a smile to your face.
Once you’ve made sure you’ve set up your desk to be ergonomically suitable, it’s easy to incorporate a sit-stand desk into your office and you can start to enjoy this new item of furniture every time you’re working.
