Since we spend a major part of our daily lives working on our desks, it has become all the more essential to ensure that our workspaces are comfortable. You need to pay an immense amount of attention to the setting up of your workstation and needless to say, all desks have a computer these days.
Using dual monitor and multi-monitor desk setups is becoming more and more popular by the day. However, a lot of people don’t feel confident enough to get dual monitor setups despite needing it badly because of lack of space. Dual monitor setup is quite beneficial for all types of computer users but mostly for any high-end gamer, video editing professionals, etc. All the desk workers can attest that no amount of space will ever be sufficient. What we need to do is organize and set the equipment we use on our workstations in a way that the space available is optimally utilized without hampering our productivity.
But how to optimally set up dual monitors on a tiny workspace? Don’t worry! Keep reading to find out how to perform a proper dual monitor desk setup.
Dual Monitor Setup
Correct monitor placement is extremely important because an incorrect one can contribute to several issues like shoulder pain, incorrect body posture, eye strain, neck and back pain, etc. Now, setting up your dual monitors properly on your computer desk requires you to factor in three major points:
- Usage of each monitor
- Type of work
- Dominant eye of the user
First and foremost try figuring out how much you use each of the monitors and estimate a percentage of the same. Also, jot down the type of work executed on each of these screens. Ask yourself the following questions:
Do you use one of these monitors more than you use the other? Is one of the monitors primarily used for data storage? and so on.
Case 1: When Both Monitors are Used Equally
In such a situation, it is implied you’ll have to frequently move from one monitor to another. So, our advice would be to reduce the discomfort involved in such movements and in shifting from one screen to another. The following tips will help you achieve the same:
- Place both your screens in a way that their inner edges touch each other. Also, the screens should be placed in front of you, if possible, exactly in front of your nose.
- To relieve your eyes, you should angle the screens a little bit so that they take up a concave formation. This will create a semi-circle and ensure that your eyes maintain a consistent focal distance from the screens.
- When you work on the monitors, make sure that you are around 18 to 28 inches away from them.
- The height of the screens should be at level with your eye so that you don’t have to place your neck at an angle while working. Always maintain a straight head posture.
- Also, it would be much more comfortable if you could use a swivel chair for turning from one monitor to another. This wouldn’t require you to twist your neck.
- Reorient your keyboard and mouse so that they are placed exactly in front of the monitor you are working on at the moment.
These tips and recommendations will help you build an ideal monitor set-up even with dual monitors. Furthermore, these will also reduce the strain caused on your neck, back, and shoulders while you switch between the monitors.
Case 2: One Monitor is Used More
If you find yourself using one of the monitors for more than 80 percent of the time, then, you need to place the primary monitor properly. Pretend that it is a single-monitor workstation and place your primary monitor screen accordingly. Then, place the secondary monitor beside the primary one on the side of your dominant eye at the ideal height and distance in a concave fashion.
Make sure you place the primary monitor exactly in front of you and at your eye’s length when your neck and head are held in a straight posture. Also, ensure that it is at arm’s length from your seating area. If you wear bifocals or other progressive glasses, then, place the screen below your eye level.
These tips will help you maintain a neutral neck posture, diminish eye stress and maintain visual acuity throughout your working time. And as already mentioned, the second monitor needs to be placed on the side of your dominant eye.
How To Fit Dual Monitor on Limited Desk Space?
A tiny desk might make you feel a bit restricted while setting up dual monitors. But, trust us, you can easily fit two monitors on your desk even if it is small and here’s how:
1.Via A Monitor Arm
All you need to do is hook the monitor arm to your desk and a sturdy, flexible hook is created for your monitor. If your monitor has clamps, then that will be an added plus for you to keep the setup solid. This arm holds the two monitors side by side on top of your desk and so, no extra space will be occupied on the desk. The monitors will be suspended in the air, hanging from the monitor arm.
2.Monitor Stand
Besides the monitor arm, using a monitor stand is yet another amazing option you have at hand for setting up two monitors on your desk. Not only does it solve the space issues but also helps in organizing your computer desk properly. Other than that, it proves to be aesthetic and creates an overall comfortable space for you to work in.
3.Space-saving Monitors
If your desk is really tiny but you still need dual monitor screens, then another solution is to buy small monitors so that they fit the area. There are several such space-saving aesthetic monitors available in the market that will suit your small workstation and save you plenty of space.
4.V-Shaped Setup
The problem of space restriction can be done away with if you set your monitors in a V-shaped manner. Not only does it look pretty cool but also frees up a lot of space to place your other accessories. You’ll be impressed and quite surprised to check out how the two monitors fit perfectly on your table.
5.Add Extra Space
If you have tried out the aforementioned techniques but nothing is working, then what you could do is add an extra wood piece beside your desk. Attach it to your desk with screws and this way, it won’t get loose howsoever. The wood should be sturdy enough to handle your monitor’s weight. Think of this method as a makeshift way to accommodate your dual monitor setup until your bigger desk for dual monitors arrives.
Points To Remember
- We do not recommend placing your second monitor above the first one. This might cause spinal problems and neck pain because you’ll have to angle your neck upwards while working.
- Moreover, placing the second monitor below the first one is also not recommended either. This means that you’ll need to tilt your neck which again, can cause musculoskeletal problems.
- Keeping both the monitors in front of you with edges touching one another is the best position to go for.
- Don’t use many personal decorations on the desk since the space available is less and you don’t want to overcrowd it.
- Reduce the clutter on the desk by making use of drawers attached to the desk. Only place the absolutely essential items on the desk like notebooks, pens, and other essentials.
- The way your deskspace is lit up matters a lot! It can directly affect your mood and your productivity too. So, try setting up your workspace somewhere with a lot of natural lighting coming in from the windows.
- Keyboard and mouse placement is also a pretty important aspect to consider. If you are not comfortable while using your keyboard and mouse, then it might end up hindering your productivity and giving you wrist pain and shoulder strain.
- The keyboard should be placed 2 inches above your thighs. If this is not possible with the desk setup you are using, then consider installing a keyboard tray. Else, you can lower the desk a bit if its height can be adjusted.
- The distance between the mouse and keyboard should be around the same distance that your shoulder edges have in between. Also, these two accessories should be at the same level.
- If you don’t want to keep your monitor setup horizontal all the time, then don’t worry because now you can place them vertically as well. There are several monitors available in the market that allow you to position your monitor screens vertically. The best option would be to keep one vertical and another horizontal.
Wrapping Up
If you thought that a dual monitor desk setup cannot be installed effectively on a small desk, then think again. This article tells you all the steps you need to follow to efficiently install your dual monitors in a tiny workspace, be it for your home office or regular office area. There are several dual monitor desk setup ideas that people have tried out. We have mentioned some of the most ergonomic setups by weighing in their productivity and health benefits. Hopefully, the tips and recommendations mentioned in this article will allow you to establish a perfect workspace regardless of any space issues that you might have.
