apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I always work on my laptop while sitting on the floor, with my back leaning against the sofa. It's the most comfortable way to work, for me.

Not anymore - Not with my back...

...but you will often find me reclining in bed or on the sectional with the laptop on one of those Offi breakfast trays.

I tried working on the floor back in college when I was a TA grading paper. I had a teeny apartment, with no room for a desk, so I though the coffee table floor cushions would work. NOT AT ALL. My legs would lose circulation, and cramp up all the time. The angle that your arms need to be to use a laptop is just not possible with the height that the coffee table needs to be to fit your legs under.

For me at least, a real desk is the only way to go. I can always sit cross legged on the chair, but as a bonus, I can also stretch my legs out if they start to get cramped.

Craftypants - I sit with the laptop on a small, thin cushion on my lap, legs crossed. No circulation problems and my arms are at a 90 degree angle, perfect for typing.

I love the floor.

"I sit with the laptop on a small, thin cushion on my lap, legs crossed. No circulation problems..."

I could do that several years ago too without problems...
...But we all get older.

The ability to sit low to the floor really struck me after a recent visit to Thailand--all generations were flexible enough to do it.

I often sit on the floor. I am most comfortable sitting with my legs crossed. So much so that if I can find a discrete way of doing so I sit this way on sofas and chairs... So for me an arm chair is the least comfortable way to sit because it gets in the way of my knees.
I had not thought of adding a low bench or shoe rack as a desk but it strikes me as a very clever idea.

I have the most awesome drop-leaf coffee table. It is the perfect height for sitting on the floor and working.

i could, until ten years ago or so ...
i am clearly not the only one :-D

I do this all the time too. Either sit the lap-top on the floor, (and lie on my stomach on the ground), right now (after moving) I am using an empty cardboard box as a laptop stand, nearly the perfect height.

Floor pillows are your friend. I am couch-challenged and I actually find it more comfortable to be on the floor on my little stack of cushions than at my desk.

No longer! Once, when I was young! (I used to sit on the floor doing my art school projects all the time -- never a table sufficient for that in my life in those days...) But now -- chairs can hurt!

Unless you've really got that laptop low to the ground and are SUPER disciplined at sitting straight... this is nerve problems (both carpal tunnel and in your back and shoulders) waiting to happen. I highly support doing many things, from eating to craft projects, on the floor... but laptop work is not one of those things. Your hands need to be below your wrists when you type, and I just can't see how that can happen with this set-up.

I too find it more comfortable on the floor. I have one of those Japanese kotatsu tables. Perfect. During the day I do use an ergonomically correct desk set up but when I come home I feel relaxed on the floor.

Only if I planned to not get up for some time - my back would so throw a fit.