This is the tight squeeze. I am slim so seat can be small but I need a good back support.of course, arm rests that go down would be ideal but probably too expensive for me. Thanks for any suggestions - i welcome your help.

Cannot push file cabinet further right as the braces for desk legs is blocking that. I put the desk on risers to allow cabinet to slide under but I cannot assemble desk any other way ( at least i was not able to). Thanks for chair suggestions.

Can you just move the file cabinet somewhere else altogether and get yourself a proper desk chair?

If not, maybe you can find another option for your files so you don't need to jerry rig this whole thing.

You shouldn't have to fold yourself into a pretzel and find a mini and foldable office chair and be uncomfortable to accommodate your file cabinet.

It makes way more sense to find a more appropriate storage option for your files.

Maybe some people here on Houzz have some suggestions.

The Container Store has people that give advice too.

I don't know if you are an employee or not.

If you are, and your employer is making you work from home because of COVID or the economy, well there is no end in sight for this.

Furthermore, many companies have found that they are saving a lot of money by having people work from home instead of in the office, so you may never go back to the office.

Your set-up is not ergonomic and OSHA would not approve at all.

Furthermore, it is not in your employer's best interest for you to develop chronic musculoskeletal problems and become a strain on their health insurance and or liability insurance.

Your employer (if you have one) should be providing you with better work accommodations than this.

I suggest you check out what would work for you and then confirm your rights in this matter with OSHA or other appropriate agency and then contact your employer in writing (but not threaten.)

P.S. Lyla- Please give yourself something pretty to look at when you sit at the desk all day.

I am working at my dining room table because I love the room, the decor and the views and the easy access to coffee. Although, I do not need the files that you do.

well said! wish i could exercise some rights but i am only starting at this job part time hoping for full time and benefits in the future. i am living in a studio apartment. this is the only wall available, the other wall has the bed. the file cabinet also has clothing and other articles as well.

thanks for such a supportive message!

Hi Lyla-

So are you saying this isn't a bedroom, but a studio and the whole apartment is all one room?

If that is the case, then you must treat your space like a boat, and make the most of every inch (cm) and be very clever about the storage.

You simply cannot give over that precious acreage to the file cabinet and kill your back.

Have you thought about putting up sturdy shelves over the desk and putting the files there?

It is not at all difficult to stand up to get files, especially if you organize them systematically.

You can move your clothing elsewhere, such as under your bed.

You can get something to elevate your bed.

I don't know where you live, so I don't know what to suggest.

Lumbar yards and stores such as Home Depot sell cinder blocks or bricks. You can put them under the legs of your bed to elevate it. That can give you 6 extra inches or even more of storage space depending on how many you use.

You can store purses, shoes, sweaters, linens, whatever you want under your bed. In proper boxes or vacuum plastics, etc. I have all sorts of things under my bed, all covered by a long bed skirt.

Look on the internet for storage and organization ideas for studio apartments, small apartments, office ideas for small spaces, etc.

You would be amazed what people have thought up!

Even look up ideas for dormitory rooms, there is nothing smaller than a dormitory room!

When I was in school my shelves were thick wood planks from the lumber yard with interspersed cinder blocks, my textbooks were heavy! Nowadays, textbooks are online, times have changed!

we do what we can.

Well, you just keep up the good work at your job, and soon your employer will see how good you are and hire you for full-time hours!

The thing is, when someone is not good, they don't even work their part-time hours, but if they are serious, they work way more than their part-time hours.

I think employers take advantage of this and keep employees part-time so they don't have to give them the benefits they have to give full-time employees.

So given that, be sure to keep a careful record of all the work you are doing.

If you are going to get feedback that is good, try to get it in writing rather than on the phone, the same for performance reviews.

If you are getting paid for 20 hours, don't work more than 26.

I know that's easier said than done.

Spend your extra time improving yourself.

Attend courses improving your job skills, either online, or Zoom.

Attend professional meetings, either Zoom or in real life and try to get the contact info for at least two people at every course or meeting for networking purposes.

You never know from whom you can learn, and you never know from whom a job referral or recommendation can come.

And you never know who has a single brother for you!

Keep your curriculum vitae on LinkedIn and continuously update it as you take more courses, get more certifications, acquire more skills, etc.

wise encouragement . thanks

Lyla this isn't a perfect answer for you but many large cities have used office furniture stores (Office building A remodels and buys all new furniture, the old stuff goes somewhere and is perfectly serviceable) My office chair is an $1800 Herman Miller Aeron chair that I paid $300 for...

Wowza, that's a steal!

You say your are slim.

Google "Junior adjustable desk chairs" or "adjustable task chair"

Good luck!

found this, https://www.target.com/p/quincy-task-chair-buylateral/-/A-81804167?preselect=79750862#lnk=sametab

Another suggestion is to look at what were called “secretary chairs.” Smaller, armless chairs on rollers. Ergonomic. Honestly, I am a small woman and most “office chairs” were far too big for my frame. I used a “secretary chair” in my office because of its scale. Also…check out IKEA for affordable small scale chairs. If you look at Pottery Barn Teen or Crate and Kids, you might find something that is the right size for your space, too. Good luck to you AND to your career!

ptreckel- Lyla said slim, not short!

(I am slim, too!)

What's the chair budget?

thank you to friends ptreckel, paulaA and apple_pie order for search suggestions. I have repeated to myself - what is a healthy back worth? how much should i pay forward for this. as little as necessary ! love the possibility of a second hand as Hallett and co had found but at a much much lower price point. i will diligently proceed with my search and i welcome all your support and encouragement.