If you’re working from home like the rest of us amid the COVID-19 pandemic, you’ll already know what a literal pain in the neck (and the back!) your makeshift office can be. Of course, sitting on your sofa whilst hunched over your coffee table isn’t the best for your body, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still work on the couch.
Contrary to popular opinion, we totally disagree with the notion that you should avoid using your sofa when working from home. In fact, we have a few golden tips on turning your sofa into the ultimate workstation!
Get a lap-desk
If you work on a laptop and like sitting on the sofa with your feet up, a lap-desk will provide just the support you need. It isn’t as heavy or bulky as a table, so it will provide you with a proper flat surface to prop your laptop and mouse on comfortably! The general rule of thumb is to always have a solid flat surface to work on. With a lap-desk, you’ll be able to have this while still being able to change your sitting position on the couch every now and then.
Our picks:
1. Cooper Mega Folding Laptop Desk
Buy the Cooper Mega Folding Laptop Desk
2. LapGear Home Office Lap Desk
Buy the LapGear Home Office Lap Desk
Get a side-desk
If you are like me and love sitting cross-legged on the couch, a side desk may be your new best friend. You’ll be able to prop your laptop on it and pull it as close to you as you need while keeping your posture upright. You can even drag it to the very side of your sofa so that you can have your own little corner work-station.
Our picks:
1. Tatkraft Portable Laptop Desk
Buy the Tatkraft Portable Laptop Desk
2. This neat little sofa side-end table (from Amazon)
Buy this sofa side end table
Use lumbar-support cushions
This may seem a little overkill, but the truth is most couch cushions are designed for non-productive comfort at the end of a long day. While they may be super comfy at first, you may find your back seriously hurting in the long run. Using a lumbar cushion can significantly increase your long-term comfort and overall spinal health when working remotely on the couch. For the most part, it will keep you sitting upright and better focused on your tasks.
Our picks:
1. SOFTaCARE Seat Cushion Set of 2
Buy the SOFTaCARE Cushion Set
2. This cute little lumbar support pillow (from Amazon)
Buy this lumbar support pillow
Make sure you have appropriate lighting
To avoid eye-strain and petty distractions, getting enough of the “correct” lighting is key. Too much or too little light may very well affect our productivity and eyesight in the long run. Of course, this is a matter or personal preference so be sure to spend some time looking for the best table/standing lamp or even install a dimmer to your ceiling lights at home. Whichever works!
*Pro tip: get a pair of anti-blue light glasses as added protection against eye-strain caused by blue-light rays from your laptop screen.
Our picks:
1. TaoTronics LED Desk Lamp
Buy the TaoTronics LED Desk Lamp
2. TW IVY LED Desk Lamp with USB Port
Get a sofa arm-tray
While they may be small, these added accessories tend to get more use than you might expect. Since it molds to the shape and size of your sofa’s armrest easily, it makes an ideal addition to your lap/side-desk and offers just enough space for your drink/phone/tablet or any knick-knacks you might not want on your little desk. When your sofa isn’t serving as a workstation, you can still use the tray to put your drinks on while watching tv.
Our picks:
1. This bamboo sofa arm tray (from Amazon)
2. This sofa arm clip table (from Amazon)
Use a vertical mouse instead
Alright, this might not be an accessory for your sofa but it does make a huge difference in comfort. Using a regular mouse actually requires us to keep our wrist upturned and this may lead to wrist strain or even carpal tunnel syndrome in the long run. The discomfort may not be so apparent when sitting at a desk, but you might feel it when you’re on the couch (especially in all the different sitting positions!). A vertical mouse allows us to keep our wrist straight while using it, which relieves a surprising amount of wrist-strain and discomfort while working.
Our picks:
1. MX Vertical Ergonomic Mouse
2. Evoluent VerticalMouse 4 Right
Buy the Evoluent VerticalMouse
Put on your comfortable slipcovers
When it’s hot and humid, a leather sofa is the worst. When it’s cold, you might want to keep warm with a velvet sofa. When you have removable slipcovers, never again do you have to be limited to the sofa you have as long as you change it up for the season.
With our slipcovers, you can even opt for smart sofa options such as built-in USB options and wireless charging pockets so that you’ll never have to leave your sofa.
Spotted something you like? Then you’re one step away from turning your sofa into the ultimate WFH station! And if you plan on switching it up with a set of Comfort Works slipcovers, be sure to give our fabric samples a test in person to find out which works best for you.
