Over the last few years, workplace dynamics have changed significantly. Thanks to the pandemic. Today, around a quarter of the workforce in the U.S. is working remotely and the trend is likely to continue for years to come. Statistics reveal that 22% of the American workforce will continue with remote working by 2025 and beyond.
But if the pandemic is over, why is there a continuous increase in remote working?
Remote working saves commute time and cost for employees and provides a better work-life balance. Hence, it is a lucrative choice for individuals with a desk job as they can look forward to improved physical and mental health and general overall wellness.
However, as the trend of remote working continues to surge, there's a need for remote workers to invest in essential ergonomic office equipment for their home offices so they can enjoy better health and productivity. And that's what we look at in this post. In what follows, we share an insight into 6 essential ergonomic office equipment you will need as we enter the new year.
With the changing work dynamics likely to continue in 2024, here are 6 essential ergonomic office equipment that you need to invest in to make your remote workplace more ergonomic and functional.
6 Essential Ergonomic Remote Office Equipment You'll Need in 2024
#1. An Ergonomic Keyboard
You may not like the shape and design of these keyboards when you first see them and even use them.
However, once you get used to the style and get over the learning period, you will regain your normal typing speed while realizing that it's a kind of keyboard designed to fit your needs.
If you have a desk job that requires you to type, using a conventional keyboard can significantly increase your risk of developing repetitive strain injuries, including carpal tunnel syndrome. However, this awkwardly designed keyboard allows you to position your hands in a more neutral posture instead of being bent, like a conventional keyboard.
If your wrists hurt after a long day at work, know that it's time to switch your regular laptop to a more ergonomic solution that is now widely available in the market.
And while an ergonomic keyboard can be a great workplace pal, you must ensure that you follow the appropriate keyboard placement guidelines. According to these guidelines, your wrists should be placed straight over the keyboard and shouldn't be bent. Moreover, your elbows should make a 90o angle with your hands while you are working on your keyboard.
With these keyboard placement guidelines in mind, you can maximize your comfort and get the most out of this ergonomic workplace accessory.
#2. A Vertical Ergonomic Wireless Mouse
As with the use of a conventional keyboard, using a regular mouse also puts your hands at risk of developing painful repetitive strain injuries. The inappropriate shape and handling of the mouse increase strain on your wrist and hand muscles, tendons, and nerves, causing awkward postures and overexertion of your hands.
A vertical wireless ergonomic mouse helps solve these concerns. The mouse's ergonomic shape allows you to position your hand in a neutral posture, helping alleviate pain from the tendons, muscles, and nerves in your hand.
You can find a vertical ergonomic wireless mouse in different shapes and sizes, so you can choose the one that best fits your hand. And while investing in an ergonomic mouse is essential, it's critical that you follow the mouse's usage advice appropriately.
Place the mouse close to your body (in your primary work zone) and maintain a neutral hand position when using the mouse.
#3. An Ergonomic Gaming Chair
You may not be a gamer, but if you are a remote worker working from home, we recommend investing in an ergonomic gaming chair in 2024.
Individuals with desk jobs are required to spend long hours in a sitting position. Hence, they need adequate support for their lumbar spine, and while a regular ergonomic office chair may offer the support you need, a gaming chair offers a little extra.
With a sturdy construction, a gaming chair features a bucket design for greater comfort. Moreover, it provides firm support, decent lumbar cushioning, and various adjustability features. A gaming chair allows you to adjust the height and depth of the seat and include adjustability features of the armrests that allow you to maintain a new body posture.
Furthermore, a gaming chair is designed to provide enhanced support to your spine, so you will find adequate cushioning for your lumbar spine along with an adjustable neck rest that supports your neck for as long as you work on your screen.
While a gaming chair often makes a more expensive investment, it's worth it, for the benefits of using it far outweigh its high cost.
#4. A Height Adjustable Standing Desk
If you have been working from home since the start of the pandemic and still need to invest in a height adjustable standing desk, now is the time to do so.
We don't suggest a fixed standing desk but recommend using a height-adjustable standing desk that allows you to alternate your position from sitting to standing and vice versa.
A motorized, height-adjustable ergonomic desk allows you to comfortably adjust your position and switch between sitting and standing so you can reduce strain on your neck, shoulders, back, and hips. With a desk that offers appropriate height adjustable, you can avoid awkward postures and reduce the risk of a wide range of musculoskeletal concerns.
However, since height-adjustable standing desks make an expensive investment, there are several things you need to consider before you invest in one.
Always ensure that you go for a height-adjustable standing desk by a reliable supplier like FlexiSpot, that's known for offering top-quality ergonomic office furniture and accessories. You should also look for a few features in your height-adjustable standing desk, such as height adjustment range, weight, programmability, and noise while adjusting height, speed, and power requirements.
Kana Pro Bamboo Standing Desk by FlexiSpot makes one of the most reliable height-adjustable standing desks that you can find on the market. Offering a wide range of seamless height adjustments, this height-adjustable standing desk makes a perfect choice for remote workers as it makes an efficient and environmentally sustainable choice. Moreover, its exceptional aesthetic appeal makes it a perfect addition to your home office.
Find out more about Kana Pro Bamboo Standing Desk here.
#5. An Adjustable Laptop Stand
Given a laptop's construct, its screen is far lower than a conventional monitor. A screen that is too low or too high can neck and shoulder muscles and lead to muscle strain, headaches, and even awkward back postures. And given that most remote workers resort to the use of a laptop, an adjustable laptop stand makes one of the essential remote office must-haves.
An adjustable laptop stand allows you to place your laptop at an appropriate angle, so you don't have to bend your neck for too long. Moreover, it aids in reducing physical strain on your neck, shoulders, and upper back. Furthermore, an adjustable laptop stand is associated with increased comfort and enhanced productivity.
Several types of laptop stands are available on the market, and you can decide on the best one that suits your needs and helps you increase your comfort while working at your home office.
#6. An Under-Desk Footrest
An under-desk footrest is one of the last pieces of ergonomic office equipment that we recommend you invest in this year. An ergonomically designed under-desk footrest enhances blood circulation, which is critical for employees who spend long hours at the desk. Improved blood circulation can significantly reduce the risk of clots which is often a concern for employees with a desk jobs.
Moreover, it aids in improving your posture and allows you to maintain a neutral sitting position. Furthermore, using an under-desk footrest prevents the discomfort associated with legs from hanging uncomfortably, which is why it makes a worthy investment.
Final Words
As 2023 comes to an end and we need to prepare for the new year, it's time to upgrade your remote office setup and make it more ergonomic by investing in ergonomic office equipment. Several accessories can enhance the functionality and ergonomics of your remote office space from an ergonomic keyboard to a mouse, a laptop stand, and an under-desk footrest. Moreover, ergonomic office furniture like ergonomic gaming chairs and height-adjustable standing desks from a reliable supplier like Flexispot can enhance the functionality and comfort of your remote office.
