You should be able to sit in your chair with your elbows at right angles when you type and your shoulders should not be hunched. If you have a chair with armrests, check that they are not getting in the way of this position. Your body, hips, knees and legs should also form a series of right angles, and you may need a footrest to achieve this. The chair should also be able to swivel and move, so that you don’t have to twist and strain your body. However, this doesn’t mean that you will need to spend a fortune on a smart office chair. You can often find perfectly well designed ones that fit all these criteria and are comfortable in second hand office suppliers or inexpensive office furniture outlets.

As you plan your desk layout don’t forget that you need space for paperwork whether it is a bank account, notes or the letter you are replying to. You will also need a printer, which will probably need to be close by, and you may want a fax and a telephone. Printers and faxes are now fairly compact, but around 41cm (16in) square is average, with room needed behind for cabling. You may also want to consider installing an additional telephone line, especially if you are planning on using a fax machine, modern and email for sending and receiving work.

Proper ergonomic design is necessary to prevent repetitive strain injuries, which can develop over time and can lead to long-term disability. By implementing good ergonomics, you will be able to maximize your productivity and preserve your health at the same time.