Creating a DIY Reclining Workstation at Home
If you’re spending long hours working at a desk, you know how draining it can be to stay in the same sitting position all day. Not only can it be physically exhausting, but many people who work at a desk all day also experience symptoms like stiffness, back pain, and muscle fatigue that make it harder to focus and stay productive day after day.
Traditional desks and office chairs aren’t always designed for comfort or with bodily support at the forefront, making it all the more important to create an ergonomic solution like a recliner workstation. By adjusting your workspace to support your body more naturally, you can create a setup that works with you rather than against you. Where commercially available setups may be expensive, there are ways to create a DIY reclining workstation at home without spending as much or losing out on the potential benefits.
Today, we’re discussing what a reclining workstation is and why it may be the right choice for your home office setup. We’re covering the different parts that go into making a DIY reclining workstation and considerations like using a zero gravity chair for even better bodily support. Keep reading to see how you can have a budget-friendly DIY zero gravity workstation and change the way you work from home.
What Is a Reclining Workstation and What’s It For?
Like other home office design ideas, a reclining workstation aims to make your setup better and more productive. Instead of focusing on just the aesthetics, a recliner workstation at home is designed with ergonomics in mind and designed to allow you to work while reclining rather than sitting upright in a standard chair.
Unlike a traditional desk setup, a reclining workstation lets you adjust your posture to a more comfortable and supported position while still keeping all of your essential work equipment within reach. Some reclining workstations are simple setups, while others incorporate specialized furniture like zero gravity chairs to further reduce excess strain on your body.
There are several reasons someone might want to build a DIY reclining workstation at home. Many people create these setups as a method for alleviating back and neck strain, improving blood circulation, or to make working for long hours more comfortable. They may be instrumental in avoiding sitting disease or other negative health conditions that can arise from being at a desk all day.
A DIY zero gravity workstation takes these benefits even further by incorporating a zero gravity chair into your home office setup. This type of setup can provide better ergonomic support than a traditional reclined seat, making it a popular option if you’re looking for long-term comfort and health benefits while you work.
Parts of a DIY Recliner Workstation
Your DIY reclining workstation will have several elements that work together to create a comfortable but functional workspace. The core of this kind of setup is the ergonomic chair that reclines. It serves as the foundation for the entire build and presents the most opportunity for adding potential health benefits to your recliner workstation. While you can use a traditional recliner, these put excess pressure on your lower back and are bad for your body in the long term. Instead, consider creating a DIY zero gravity workstation using your pipe setup and attaching your keyboard to a zero gravity recliner. These chairs provide better support and a wide range of potential health benefits.
A reclining workstation will also include a stable surface for holding your keyboard and mouse, plus a pole setup for mounting one or more monitors at a natural viewing angle. Many DIY setups use adjustable monitor arms or a custom-built frame to hold the screens in place. Some setups also incorporate a lap desk or an articulating keyboard tray to make typing easier.
Other elements of a DIY reclining workstation include footrests (which may be part of your zero gravity chair already) and cable management solutions. These all come together to improve the overall functionality and comfort of your home reclining workstation to support health and productivity.
Additional Info: Debating on the need for an ergonomic chair for your recliner workstation? You don’t want to skip this element. Learn more about the benefits of an ergonomic work chair after this article.
Considerations for Building a DIY Zero Gravity Workstation
If you’re creating a DIY reclining workstation at home, it takes some planning to tailor each element to fit your needs. This means taking time to really decide what will work best for you, like choosing a zero gravity office chair over a regular recliner, getting the right pole for mounting your monitor, and other considerations. You’ll also want to take into account the overall cost so you know what to expect for your recliner workstation setup.
We’ve put together factors to think about so you can plan accordingly. When you’re building a DIY reclining workstation, take into account these:
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Evaluating reclining workstation cost
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Making a zero gravity workstation
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Choosing the right monitor size
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Getting the right monitor arms
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Building a stable reclining workstation setup
1. Evaluating Reclining Workstation Cost
If you’ve taken a look online at ready-made reclining workstations, you’ll find they can go for upwards of $10,000 or more. For many, that’s not the amount they want to spend, even if the benefits are appealing. Instead, people are turning to DIY reclining workstation builds to cut costs without impacting their effectiveness.
The cost of a DIY reclining workstation can vary widely depending on how advanced your setup is. A simple reclining chair with a monitor arm may only require a few hundred dollars, while a full zero gravity workstation with high-quality ergonomic accessories may be a bit more. No matter which you choose, the investment will be less than buying a ready-made setup and is important for your overall wellness. If you're on a budget, you can start with foundational elements like a high-quality zero gravity chair and gradually upgrade the rest over time.
2. Choosing a Reclining Zero Gravity Workstation
As previously mentioned, your chair is the central element of any DIY reclining workstation and is where you need to start your planning. If you want to make your reclining workstation even better, you should skip the traditional recliner and get a zero gravity chair instead. Not only is a zero gravity chair ergonomic, but it may provide major potential health benefits like better blood flow, back pain relief, and bodily support that other recliners simply can’t match.
When setting up a DIY zero gravity workstation, make sure you’re choosing a high-quality model that facilitates easy positioning for your keyboard, mouse, and monitor to complete the setup.
Even if ready-made setups aren’t compatible with your zero gravity recliner, there are ways to create a reclining zero gravity workstation to meet your needs. Svago zero gravity chairs aren’t compatible with a ready-made setup, however, you can still put together an independent pipe frame setup for your monitor and other accessories, and then use keyboard clamps to attach that particular component to your Svago zero gravity chair, instead.
3. Selecting the Right Monitor Size
Your monitor size plays a big role in how comfortable your reclining workstation will be, too. Larger screens provide better visibility to reduce eye strain, but they also require more space and a sturdy mounting solution. If you use multiple monitors, you’ll want to consider arranging them in a curved setup to match your natural field of vision and prevent you from having to turn your neck in odd positions throughout the workday.
4. Getting the Right Monitor Arms
Part of your DIY reclining workspace considerations should also be around how to mount your screen once you’ve chosen it. Monitor arms are helpful for a reclining workstation since they allow you to position your screens at an optimal angle.
Look for fully adjustable arms that will support the weight of your monitor and have smooth movement for easy adjustments as you’re seated. Gas-spring arms are a great option because they allow for more effortless positioning without needing to constantly tighten knobs or worry about the security of your mount.
5. Building a Stable Reclining Workstation
One of the biggest concerns when building a reclining workstation is ensuring that everything remains stable while you’re working. You don’t want your equipment to come crashing down and cost a fortune to replace. Your support pole, monitor stand, keyboard tray, and any other equipment should be securely built or mounted to prevent shifting or falling when you change positions. Using high-quality mounts and securing cables properly will help keep your setup safe and functional, especially if you’re attaching your keyboard to your Svago zero gravity chair as part of your DIY reclining workstation.
Starting off with a durable seating option for your reclining workstation like a luxury zero gravity chair also ensures its longevity, so you do not have to replace your ergonomic work chair from wear and tear.
Start Building Your DIY Zero Gravity Workstation
A DIY reclining workstation can be a game-changer if you’re spending long hours at home working at a desk. Whether you go for a basic reclining setup or invest in a zero gravity chair for added comfort with a DIY build, designing your recliner workstation for optimal ergonomics will help you stay productive while reducing strain on your body. Consider factors like cost, monitor positioning, and stability, then build a DIY reclining workstation that supports your body while keeping up your productivity. It’ll be the smartest decision you make for working from home.
Disclaimer: This content is not medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare professional when considering implementing changes to your health or workout routines to ensure it’s compatible with your needs.
