Are desk risers worth it?

Efficiency and health in workspaces have dominated discussions in recent years. Ergonomic furniture like desk risers is leading the debate.

While terms like desk shelves, desk risers, monitor desks, and desk converters are often used interchangeably, they each serve distinct purposes tailored to improve your workspace experience.

Below, we'll talk more about each in detail and ultimately answer the question: Are desk risers worth it?

Understanding the Basic 'Shelf'

A 'shelf', in general, refers to a flat, horizontal platform meant to hold various items, whether at home, in a store, or in an office. Usually installed above the floor level, it is often fixed to a wall or attached to cabinets for added stability.

By this logic, a desk shelf falls into the same category, albeit with a more defined purpose related to enhancing workplace productivity and user comfort.

Clarifying Terminology: What's the 'Shelf' on a Desk Called?

The part of the desk encompassing storage compartments above and below the workspace is typically referred to as a 'hutch.' It may be wall-mounted or freestanding and is integral to the concept of a desk shelf. Not to be confused with basic desk drawers, a hutch is an effective storage solution for a range of items.

Purpose Of Desk Shelves

Simply stated, a desk shelf brings order to chaos. Its primary functionality lies in creating manageable space for storing items such as books, notebooks, and loose-leaf papers—all crucial companions for the thought and creation processes.

This makes a desk shelf vital for optimizing your workspace, allowing you to work efficiently amidst the digital revolution.

How high should a shelf be above a desk?

Correct shelf placement is quite critical when using a shelf as a desk. Ordinarily, you should place the shelf about 22 to 24 inches above the top of the desk, especially when dealing with open shelves or uppers; this height is sufficient to clear most computer screens. It might also leave enough space to accommodate undercounter lights.

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Desk Risers or Desk Converters

Desk risers, often referred to as desk converters, are devices designed for use on your existing home or office desk. These units allow you to elevate your screen and keyboard when standing is preferred.

They add a dynamic quality to your workspace, enabling you to switch seamlessly between sitting and standing. This practice of alternating postures contributes to muscle movement, improves circulation, and reduces the risk of long-term musculoskeletal problems.

However, these are not exclusively for your monitor. Desk risers typically have a dedicated space for both your mouse and keyboard, adding to their functionality. For more insights into the purpose of desk risers, consider reading this comparison between standing desks and standing desk converters for further information.

Are standing desk converters worth it?

For those seeking an ergonomic workspace on a budget, standing desk converters can be an excellent option. These devices can contribute significantly to improving bad posture and alleviating back pain.

Thus, depending on your specific needs, a standing desk converter could be the solution to your ergonomic concerns. For more evidence supporting this statement, browse through the resources available on osha.gov.

Monitor Riser or Desk Riser

Monitor riser plays a pivotal role in adhering to ergonomics, allowing you to work efficiently and comfortably. It's a matter of positioning your monitor correctly.

Monitor risers can significantly contribute to enhancing the quality of your work life by adjusting your computer screen to meet your eye level, thus rendering the ideal viewing angle. Provided that you use it appropriately, it places the top of the monitor screen at eye level and about an arm's length away.

Long hours of work at the desk can bring a great deal of strain to your neck due to the improper height of the monitor or even cause other posture related issues.

A desk riser seamlessly raises your computer screen to a comfortable eye level. Even better, it can be adjusted to sit slightly beneath your eye level for optimum ergonomics. No more leaning into your screen or squinting, we say!

Alternative Options for a Monitor Riser

While computer risers are made specifically to cater to your ergonomic needs, there are alternatives that may serve the same purpose temporarily.

However, it’s crucial to ensure that these alternatives continue to uphold ergonomic guidelines, particularly in terms of monitor screen level and viewing distance.

More so, remember that none of the makeshift arrangements can replace the functionality and convenience a riser brings to your workspace.

Monitor Stands Or Desk Shelves

Desk shelves, or monitor stands as others may prefer to call them, serve a thoughtful purpose in our workspaces. Their primary function is the creation of an intact work surface beneath them, a provision that adds value to your workspace's usability.

With this additional tier, items such as speakers, plants, and other accessories find a perfect and convenient space. Ultimately, this kind of setup offers an opportunity to have a streamlined and efficient workstation.

Is it worth investing in?

Consider a desk shelf to be an investment in better health. It's not just about storage; a desk shelf also serves as a monitor riser, bringing your screen in line with your sight and ensuring optimal viewing at eye level.

Consequently, the neck strain from continuously looking down is significantly reduced. For those who spend a considerable amount of time in front of screens, we recommend working in comfort with a sturdy desk shelf, which is a key feature of ergonomic workstations.

Optionally, choose a desk with adjustable heights, such as our Desky Dual Mini Sit Stand Desk, to accommodate the perfect viewing angle.

Advantages of Desk Shelves

• Increased organizational space.
• Elevation of screens plus an extra layer of space.
• More productive utilization of your desk area

Difference Between Monitor Stand and Monitor Riser

Monitor stands and monitor risers are often confused with each other for they serve similar purposes. However, there is a significant difference. A monitor riser, also known as a monitor arm, not only supports but also elevates your computer screen, laptop, or tablet.

It goes beyond the basic functionality of the regular monitor stands that come along with monitors. A monitor riser provides an array of benefits in terms of space optimization, ergonomics, and versatility.

Height Adjustable Desks Or Rising Desk

Height adjustable desks, also known as sit-stand desks or rising desks, are innovative workstations that allow users to easily change the height of their desk surface.

This functionality enables users to alternate between sitting and standing positions throughout the day, promoting better posture, reducing the risk of sedentary lifestyle-related health issues, and enhancing overall comfort and productivity.

Are height adjustable desks worth it?

Adjustable-height desks, often called rising desks, are an investment worth making. Research suggests that using a height-adjustable desk can provide impressive benefits to users. Studies show that up to 47% of users report a significant decrease in their upper back, shoulder, or neck discomfort resulting from static positions.

Furthermore, 65% of users believe their overall health, even beyond the workplace, is positively impacted by using these desks. You can delve deeper into standing desks and their benefits in this article.

What about floating desk?

Floating desk, on the other hand, is a unique type of furniture that plays a significant role in space optimization. It's a desk that you can mount on your wall and unfold whenever you need to use it, hence the term 'floating.'

While not literally defying gravity, its design allows you to retract or lower it at will, providing a work surface that saves on your room's floor space.

Learn how to hide the cords at a floating desk here.

Conclusion

Desk shelves, in essence, are a seamless blend of practicality and health consciousness, enhancing storage potential while promoting correct posture.

Whether providing storage solutions or serving as a monitor riser, desk shelves contribute incredibly to an efficient and ergonomic workspace. Use them to add structure and organization to your desk to foster an environment of productivity and comfort.