The working from home thread: tips and advice

Anything off the shelf (no pun intended) to allow me to store my laptop under my desk?

I've got a standard 160x80cm Ikea desk with a BEKANT frame/legs.

The frame is 35mm high and runs the full width of the table giving only 200mm to the edges front/back. There are no holes or anything in the frame that could be used to mount anything, and the frame is quite sturdy steel (I don't want to be drilling into this).

At a guess I'd need something with brackets long enough that would screw into the desk (20mm thick) and give me space to put my laptop that is 235 x 500 x 40 underneath. The extra width is because all of the cables (2xUSB3, 1x USB-C, HDMI, power, network, headphones) attach on the sides and nothing attaches on the back/front. So with the frame to consider I'd need something that gives me at least 75mm of 'space' (between the brackets and the top of the shelf).

I rarely, if ever, need to open the lid of the laptop as I've got two monitors attached, nor do I ever need to access the DVD drive so I'm not fussy about easy access.

I don't want anything that keeps the laptop on the desk itself, it already gets stuff left on it (which I want to stop doing). The two monitors are on a separate arm clamped onto the desk.

Clever ideas?

Photos would be good.

But my first thought is mounting some sort of set of U-brackets to give you the equivalent of screwing into the frame.

Or make black paracord hoops.

Or even better use this as an excuse to buy a decent helicoil set.

Otherwise Google led me to this Penn Elcom Under Desk Laptop Drawer, Lockable, for 550mm/20 Inch Laptops - Premium Sliding Security Drawers https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01M9JN63B/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_n2O0Eb66PRP8G

Which would have the advantage that you can access it if needed.

Something like this do? https://www.techsiting.com/best-vertical-laptop-stands/

Otherwise Google led me to this Penn Elcom Under Desk Laptop Drawer, Lockable, for 550mm/20 Inch Laptops - Premium Sliding Security Drawers https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01M9JN63B/r­ef=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_n2O0Eb66PRP8G

That can't work as the frame would get in the way.

But it did lead me to https://www.amazon.co.uk/Emuca-bearing-underdesk-platform-adjustment/dp/B076CSNNG8 and the mounting brackets (green in diagram) can attach without being fouled by the frame and then I can use a thin piece of plywood (red outline) as the tray.

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Does anyone else have a problem with swollen feet?
It's hot and I'm spending most of the day standing up at a desk. My feet have turned into puffy balloons and it's rather uncomfortable. I try to put them up when I can, like taking a break, eating meals etc but it's not really enough. It's a bit warm for compression socks, but I guess that's the most obvious solution.

Finally got something better from my home made make shift ironing board to a proper sit stand desk.

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The state of that carpet under the bike

Tried to clean an oil stain, made a huge mess instead 😭

May I suggest a small sacrificial mat or rug?

Going to clean this and then definitely a mat of some sort.

A car foot mat would be perfect as they have a grippy underside. Otherwise ex-demo carpet samples*.

*totally impractical at the moment I know

Any good chair recommendations? Decided that a dining room chair is no longer optimal

From my (rather good) physio

measure from your hip to your knee - You want the seat depth to be approximately 3/4 of this length,

measure from the base of your spine to the bottom of where your neck starts - The backrest length should be similar in length.

Aeron look the part, but I rather suspect aren't all that. Corrigo are pricey af, but really good.

£50 Ikea charis is doing me fine, the most important part is having arm rests.

Is/ has anyone tried one of those yoga balls to sit on? Like @greentricky said my dining chair is getting a little uncomfy.

My co-worker for the Covid period.

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I have one. Didn't really find it very useful for work. The height wasn't quite right and it was difficult to get close enough to the desk.

I have a cheapish Ikea office chair with something like this for extra back support https://www.amazon.co.uk/SANLINKEE-Lumbar-Support-Elastic-Office/dp/B07F2WBDDR

Being height adjustable is the major thing.

thanks, I just checked the IKEA offerings - what did you get.

Funny to see there’s an ÖRFJÄLL for £50. Truth in advertising is great, but who’s going to buy that?

Gee, tough room.
https://youtu.be/d6IBiR9m3vY

I recently got one of these, very comfy. Company was good too, quick delivery and response to emails.
https://www.officefurnitureonline.co.uk/comfort-fabric-manager-chair.html

I bought mine years ago so it's not available now and it was partly bought to look not too officey. Personally if I was buying a chair primarily for working from home and didn't care about the look I'd get something like a refurbed steelcase one. Something like one of these with lots of adjustability.
https://www.officeresale.co.uk/refurbished-furniture/free-shipping-products/swivel-chairs-free-shipping-products/steelcase-please-v2-task-chair-in-black/

https://www.2ndhnd.com/collections/steelcase/products/steelcase-lets-b-hi-back-task-chair-with-arms-recovered-black-fabric

Thanks for the links! Yes, the Steelcase from 2ndhnd looks like it would be suitable. I’ve been borrowing an Aeron since mid-March. The return to a knackered Arkana dining chair has been brutal.

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/lidkullen-active-sit-stand-support-gunnared-dark-grey-70445786/

I want one of these - anyone tried?
Was out of stock everywhere, now showing low stock but I can't go for a couple weeks :/

Desk finished and now in situ. Like the Ikea chair above.

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Just ordered the steelcase, hadn't heard of it but read some online reviews and my back is very excited