Take a phone book, computer monitor and the supplies above and you have yourself a great new craft project. Crafting?! In the office?! Click through the jump to see how to recycle your old phonebooks into a useable project while saving your back at the same time...
Between my husband and I, our home office is well used. Dare I say, it's the most used room in the house. This isn't a bad thing mind you, I really love our office space, with one exception. My chair. Technically that's not true either, because I really love my chair. It's a kelly green mid-century steelcase chair. It isn't bulky, it's comfortable to sit in, and is in perfect condition.
So what's my problem? The height. I can't adjust it. Which wouldn't be a huge deal if I didn't spend so many hours sitting right here where I am now. Typically slightly slouched to see the monitor and do the work that needs to be done.
Well today I decided to change that...with a phone book. Check out the steps below to see how I solved my "slightly slouching-back achy-general annoyance" issue.
How To Raise Your Computer Screen Without Leaving Home
First, track down some scotch tape, scissors and some random paper or fabric. I happened to have a roll of wood-grained contact paper hanging around, as well as the end of a sheet of paper picked up at Paper Source.
Dig out your old (or new even) phone book. I don't have a problem using this as the anchor for this project as I don't use my phonebook. Thanks Google.
Tape your paper choice (it could be wrapping paper or a tshirt even!) and wrap it around the book like you would a christmas present. If you are using contact paper, you may remove the adhesive backing and stick it directly to the book, although I just used tape to stick it down in case of a power outage where it could have purpose again.
Wrap it tight, running your fingers along the edges to form a hard crease at each side of the book. Place your monitor on top....and step back to admire your handywork. I first covered the book with the red paper, deciding that it wasn't quite right, I then tried the woodgrain contact paper.
It's amazing what 2" does for your back!
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
neat! think i might do that at my office.
view Oneformybaby's profile
I slouch terribly in my chair at work so I tried this immediately. Works great! Creative paper will be added soon...
view Mubs's profile
I love the woodgrain paper ....and OMG what a great solution for the utilization of a useless phonebook.
Aren't phonebooks pretty much obsolete at this point for most people?
I officially have a collection of them, that I will eventually have to lug to the dumpster. *ugh*
view copelli21's profile
This is a great idea!
view moetbubble's profile
WOW, A must in my house.
Thanks for the super idea.
view Haunted_Studio's profile
this is a good idea, at first i thought they were going to make lumbar support pillow with it, glad to see this was much more realistic
view Stephvixen's profile
Good solution. Too bad the phonebooks here are not nearly thick enough for that. Instead, I use my hardcover 3-in-1 edition of the Lord of the Rings as I also have them in separate paperbacks (and I prefer those when I read it as they're lighter and easier taken somewhere)
view Tse Moana's profile
It seems like a good idea at first sight, but your eyes are gonna pay for it. You should always look downwards when you look at your computerscreen, never up or never straight.
The upper part of the screen should be on eyeheigths.
view bettina playa's profile
bettina playa- That is the level it sits on my desk.... great tip for others who might have caused themselves more eye strain!
Thanks!
view sarahrae's profile
I have a wonderful wood and leather antique office chair at my desk, which I love, but does not adjust. I took three books from a beloved children's series and stacked them under the monitor. Makes me feel good just to read in beautiful gold "Book Trails" on the spines.
view kath001's profile
I did this to my monitor at work last year...and was instantly more comfortable....but I didn't make it all pretty like that!
view amiencc's profile
I love the red wrapping paper-- where is it from?
view marie516's profile
Oops, sorry, just saw it was from Paper Source.
view marie516's profile
Also try a Chicago Manual of Style—no need to wrap it, the bright orange is so pretty and it's the perfect height! (and then the style manual is right at your fingertips, too..)
view abialek's profile