Home office

A good chair has independent adjustments for seat height, backrest tilt, seat depth and armrest height, with adjustable lower back support. For long working hours and the warmer months a mesh backrest breathes much better than a solid or leather one. Set the height so your feet are flat on the floor and your knees are bent at a right angle.

The standard desk height is about 72 to 75 cm, which suits most adults of average height. The real test is that, when you sit, your forearms rest on the surface with your elbows at a right angle and your shoulders relaxed. There is no single correct height for everyone, so shorter people often do better with an adjustable desk.

Start with three basic elements, a desk, a comfortable chair and good light, then go vertical to free up the work surface. Wall shelves and small cabinets keep supplies within reach without taking up floor space, and a desk depth of about 60 cm is enough for a monitor, keyboard and mouse. Light wall colours bring back daylight and make the space feel bigger.

It is best to place the desk to the side of the window, ideally at a right angle, so you get daylight without glare on the screen. If you face the window directly, the bright background tires your eyes, and if your back is to the window, your own shadow falls on the keyboard and the light reflects in the monitor. Also avoid sitting directly under a strong ceiling light.

Place the monitor so that the top third of the screen is at eye level, with your gaze falling about a third lower, at a distance of about 50 to 100 cm. This keeps your neck in a natural position and avoids leaning forward. If the desk is a fixed height, a monitor stand or shelf helps you reach the right height.