Optimise Your Workspace

A well-designed desk supports better posture habits. Learn key principles for chair height, monitor placement, keyboard position, and more.

The Foundation: Chair and Desk Height

Your chair is your anchor. The right height allows your feet to rest flat on the floor with knees at roughly 90 degrees. Your desk should place your keyboard at elbow height when your arms are relaxed at your sides.

Key Checkpoints

Feet flat on floor or footrest
Knees at 90 degrees or slightly open
Back supported by chair backrest
Elbows close to ribcage, forearms horizontal
Shoulders relaxed, not shrugged

Empty ergonomic office chair by wooden desk, natural soft light, minimalist workspace

Monitor, Keyboard & Mouse Placement

Element	Positioning Guideline	Why It Matters
Monitor	Top of screen at or slightly below eye level, arm's length away	Reduces neck strain and forward head posture
Keyboard & Mouse	At elbow height, close to your body	Prevents shoulder and wrist tension
Document Holder	Between keyboard and monitor if typing from paper	Reduces excessive head turning
Lighting	Natural or indirect, minimal glare on screen	Reduces eye strain, discourages forward slouching
Footrest (if needed)	Supports feet if they don't reach floor naturally	Ensures proper leg and knee alignment

Organized desk with monitor, keyboard, and plant, soft afternoon light through window, minimal clutter

Beyond the Desk: Workspace Culture

Ergonomic setup is only half the story. The other half is movement. A perfect desk won't prevent postural fatigue if you sit still for eight hours straight. That's where our micro-break practices come in.

Creating a Movement-Friendly Environment

Clear space near your desk for brief standing or stretching
Remove barriers to standing and walking (e.g., excessive cables)
Use reminders or calendar prompts for pause breaks
Normalise movement in your team or office culture

Self-Assessment Checklist

Use this to evaluate your current setup. Tick off items that already work, note areas for improvement.

My feet rest flat on the floor

My chair height allows 90-degree knee angle

My monitor top is at or below eye level

Keyboard and mouse are at elbow height

I have clear space for standing or moving

My lighting is natural or indirect, with minimal glare

Next Steps

A strong workspace foundation combined with regular micro-breaks creates the ideal setting for postural habit change. Schedule a consultation to discuss your specific workspace and receive tailored recommendations.

Book Your Workspace Assessment