“Computers and related products, such as computer desks and chairs, are frequently the focus of ergonomic design. A great number of people use these products for extended periods of time — such as the typical work day.”
-Margaret Rouse, technical writer for Tech Target
Rouse continues to say that “if these products are poorly designed or improperly adjusted for human use, the person using them may suffer unnecessary fatigue, stress, and even injury.”
In today’s fast-paced and hectic lifestyle, the study of people’s comfort and efficiency in their working environments is a very important topic. In this article, we will focus on the most important piece of furniture, your office desk.
Desk Size
In Feng Shui, your desk represents the space where you create your financial health to provide for either yourself and/or your family. The size of your desk is one of the key factors to work productivity.
If your desk is too small, you will constantly be frustrated. Sooner or later your projects end up on the floor and clutter starts to build around you and your desk. This will affect your business performance and you may start to lose ambition.
When you have a larger desk top where you have plenty of open space to work and you don’t feel suffocated, this allows for financial gain and opportunities to flow your way.
If you are looking to advance in your career and attract prosperity, then an executive desk size, either, 7 ft. x 3 ft., 6 ft. x 3 ft., or 5 ft. x 3 ft., works best. The depth of your desk is important so that your computer or your laptop is not sitting right in front of your face. It is important to keep a safe distance from electromagnetic fields, which permeate from your computer screen.
Desk Shape
The shape of your desk is another important factor to consider. The best shape is a wood, ‘kidney-shaped’ desk. The shape wraps around you nicely and offers you ample room to work. Even Oprah has a ‘kidney-shaped’ desk.
Next in line is the rectangular wood desk. This is a common desk shape. As I mentioned earlier, it is a great desk for financial gain. It is solid and grounding.
What about an L-shaped desk, you ask? There is some feng shui controversy about L-shaped desks.
All corners in feng shui represent poison arrows. If you look around, nature has no straight lines. In Feng Shui, life force energy is called ‘chi’. When chi energy travels along two solid walls and it comes crashing together to hit a corner, the chi energy darts outward like a poison arrow. If two walls come together and point outwards, this, too, represents a poison arrow.
Think about your L-shaped desk. Where the two corners meet, the chi energy has nowhere to go and darts right back at you. Some L-shaped desks have rounded corners. These desks are fine.
If you are going to keep your L-shaped desk, then make sure to use the two pieces separately. Try not to point yourself directly in the corner. Place your computer on one side and your working area on the other side. You can get creative. Purchase a small plant that has long-stemmed leaves that you can drape over the corner. It will help stop the darting arrow energy.
If you are actually working in the corner with a pull-out keyboard and computer, you can fill in the corner of your desk with coloured masking tape. It is not very appealing, but it does the trick to round the corner so the ‘chi energy’ can meander around the desk and back out.
Desk Materials
Although the modern glass desk looks beautiful, from a feng shui perspective, a glass desk represents the element of water. It is not the wisest choice. Glass is a liquid. Sales and projects can ‘fall through’, so to speak. Also, everything will be amplified with reflections from the glass.
A sturdy wood desk is always the best option for your workspace. It represents healthy growth in your business. I have also seen some nice wood desks with metal legs.
Beware, though. Your desk can be the most toxic piece of furniture in your office space. Wood is heavy. Cheap wood is light. Unfortunately, the wood that is being made today, whether plywood, pressed wood, or particle board is generally treated with formaldehyde. This toxin has been known to be a suspected carcinogen. It emits fumes for up to five years.
If you are a health-conscious individual and would like to learn more about toxic chemicals and furniture, the Environmental Working Group, is a great place to start.
To learn more tips on ergonomics in your work space purchase my book through my website, “Is Your Home Office Positioned for Stress or Success?” www.kimlouiseeasterbrook.com
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About Kim Louise
For more than three decades, Kim Louise Easterbrook has been decorating, staging, styling, and shifting spaces of many a variety. Today as Interior Space Consultant, Numbers Coach, and Life Extension Practitioner, Kim Louise specializes in working with her niche clientele, the home-based entrepreneur. She is best known for her expertise in home office feng shui, and utilizes her intuitive ability to shift, style, beautify, and align your purpose and business goals to your living and working spaces to achieve greater business success. Kim Louise is also writer and author, and facilitates Living Well Workshops as an educator. |