Published: Thursday, September 08, 2011, 6:00 AM

By Julie Washington, The Plain Dealer

School bells mean its time to start a new academic year off right. Get those textbooks off the dining room table, the laptop off your lap and that pillow out from under your backside.

Whether your favorite student is entering first grade or is a middle-age college sophomore, he or she deserves a proper desk and chair -- ones that are comfortable, well-lit and ergonomically designed to reduce strain on muscles and joints. We turned to an interior designer and an ergonomics expert for advice on choosing a study or computer desk for adults and children.

First, ask yourself how the desk will primarily be used, said Mary Fisher, an assistant professor in the University of Dayton's physical therapy program. Will it be used for a desktop computer, laptop or writing? Is extra desktop space needed for a mouse or multiple monitors? The answers will determine the size of the desk that's needed.

Kids often end up at the dining room table because it has room to spread out books and writing notebooks. "They need adequate space to do the work," Fisher said. Skip the kiddie desks; buy an adult desk and let the child grow into it, she suggested.

A pullout keyboard can be adjusted to a comfortable typing position and help declutter the desktop, she said.

Don't be tempted to go through a school year flopped on the sofa with a laptop on your lap. When a laptop is on your knees, it's impossible to place the screen at eye level, Fisher said. Your body sinks into the sofa cushions, and there's no support for the legs or back. It may feel comfortable at first, but you'll develop aches after a few hours.

No matter what size desk you need, it will need to be set up ergonomically to ensure that you can use it comfortably. Ergonomics is a set of principles that reduce the risk of repetitive-motion injuries, such as lower back pain or carpal tunnel syndrome. An ergonomically correct posture does not place strain on any joints, said Pamela Bayer, a Cleveland-based interior designer who has worked for residential corporate clients.

If the desk, chair and computer are adjusted properly, the student's neck is straight and the computer monitor is at eye level. Back, knees and elbows are bent at 90-degree angles. The keyboard and mouse are at elbow level, and wrists are held straight. Feet are flat on the floor or on a footrest.

Use an adjustable chair on wheels that can be raised or lowered so that it is the correct height for the desk and has lumbar support for the lower back, Bayer said. Don't grab a pillow to boost you up or cushion your back.

"If you have to put a pillow behind you, then find a chair that's comfortable without that," she said.

Chairs with adjustable arms -- ones that swing in and away from the body -- are good for women, who tend to have smaller torsos.

Whether your student is working on a laptop or desktop computer, screen placement is important. The best viewing distance is about 18 to 24 inches. If the monitor is too low, set it on a ream of paper or a book.

Desks with upper storage shelves will force you to stand up occasionally and stretch your back, Bayer said.

Ikea, Pottery Barn, Kohl's, Crate and Barrel, Office Max and Staples are among the many retailers that offer desks to fit contemporary and traditional decor.

There's also Home Office Direct, a Twinsburg-based firm that sells only online. The website lists buying tips for desks and chairs; prices range from $150 to $900.

If you're in the mood to go the do-it-yourself route, Matt Fox, co-host with Shari Hiller of the television show "Around the House With Matt and Shari," shared a few ideas.

Buy a hollow-core interior door and place it on top of two small file-drawer cabinets. Or, mount the door on wall brackets to make a desk.

"It's a really nice workstation for a printer, if you don't have a lot of room," Fox said. "Around the House With Matt and Shari" airs at 12:30 p.m. Saturday on WEAO Channel 49.

"There's nothing better than doing your own labor to save cash, to buy more pizza," Fox said with a grin.

But, not until your homework is done.