LOS ANGELES — In the coming weeks, kids will be hitting the books again.
One of the best things parents can do for tweens and teens heading back to school is to carve out a study space for tackling homework — and, hopefully, one that encourages good posture.
Granted, many households are short on disposable cash these days. But an ergonomic desk and chair are still comfortably within reach at midlevel retailers.
And they're super-stylish to boot.
The new crop comes in a kaleidoscope of colors, styles and versatile designs. But before you hand over the plastic, posture expert Esther Gokhale suggests first letting your kids take the furniture for a test drive in the store.
Especially chairs.
"Most of the notions people have about ergonomics are problematic because they're based on the modern assumption that the human spine is S-shaped, which reflects the average American but is not truly a normal or ideal curvature," says the author of "8 Steps to a Pain-Free Back" (Pendo Press, 2008).
Gokhale's work is based on observing cultures free of back pain. They all share the same human architecture, she said, including J-shaped spines — bottoms out and backs straight — and not S curves.
"We're taught to tuck our pelvis," she says. "Tucking the pelvis is like positioning the foundation of a structure poorly, and from there on up you're going to have problems. So when you're sitting you're either relaxed and slumped over or upright and tense, and they both do damage."
The ideal?
She encourages parents to find their kids a chair that tips the pelvis forward a bit and lengthens the spine.
And when it comes to putting the chair and desk together, Gokhale suggests sitting close enough so that you don't hunch over.
Now onto some eye candy.
A neutral study space can really benefit from a pop of color.
At CB2, there's no bolder statement than the Go Cart desk in red. Though the desk also comes in a carbon finish, it's the red, recently seen all over Milan Fashion Week, that's been drawing eyes to the $149 unit with sturdy industrial-style casters.
"If you're going to be working at a desk, it's more fun to add a splash of color," says Judy Miller, product manager for Crate & Barrel's hip young sibling.
IKEA shoppers also are responding to color this back-to-school season.
Not only are they opting for black-brown desks — the new JONAS desk, $129, is hot — but splashy accessories such as the MARKUS Swivel Chair in orange fabric, priced at $149.
"It's the new sexy in-crowd color," says Yumiko Whitaker, a spokeswoman for the Swedish retailer, of the latter. In fact, stores are perpetually ordering new stock just to keep up with demand.
Functionality isn't the only criteria for a desk and chair these days. And why should it be? Stores are filled with office furniture to fit every style, from cottage chic to modern.
Take, for instance, CB2's gender neutral Dwight Collection.
It boasts clean, architectural lines with a charcoal finish on the frame to complement the clear glass that floats on top. The industrial collection includes a desk ($149) and a console ($169) that can be paired If you have a large space, or used alone to accommodate a smaller area.
Among the store's selection of chairs you'll find the ever-popular Studio Office Chair ($189), featuring bungee-cord seating that molds to the person sitting.
There are desks for every need, whether your kids' study space is crammed into a corner of a room or you're looking for a piece that can grow with your teen, such as West Elm's multifunctional Parsons and Pratt desks (each $299).
The clean, streamlined look of the former, with its flush drawer and variety of colors — white, yellow, walnut veneer, chocolate and polished black — can work as an entry console or dining table. Just as versatile is the Pratt, which features a white powder-coated steel storage drawer and a top in either walnut or white.
At IKEA, versatility includes allowing users to configure their work spaces the way they like. Take, for instance, the JONAS desk, which features a pullout drawer and cabinet that can be placed on either the left or right side of the unit.
The VIKA AMON table ($103) comes in handy with its adjustable shelf for a desktop-computer tower or storage.
"It's a really good use of space," Whitaker says, digressing for a minute to bring up her own desk at home. "It has boxes underneath, I know that's bad, but they're clear boxes so it looks really nice. But if you have something like this, you're already planning for the use of space instead of the desk taking up the space."
And finally, there's the MICKE, priced from $79 for a basic desk to $149 for the tricked-out corner workstation featuring a top shelf with storage and cable outlets.
So now there's no reason to skimp on style.
Chair-sitting tips
When shopping for a chair for your child's study space, it's best to find one that's ergonomically suitable.
But what if your child falls in love with a chair that doesn't quite fit the bill? Don't worry. Most any chair can be navigated if you know how to use your body well, says Esther Gokhale, author of "8 Steps to a Pain-Free Back."
Gokhale recommends a process she calls "Stretchsit."
Here's how it works:
1. Scoot yourself back in the chair.
2. Bend at the waist and curve your rib cage forward slightly to lengthen your back.
3. Grasp the armrests, backrest, or seat with both hands and push downward. Move your torso toward the back of the chair until you touch the backrest.
4. Attach your back to the backrest so that it holds you in the elongated position without any muscle effort. Think of pinning a point on your midback as high as possible on the backrest. You might need to enhance the backrest with a rolled towel or Gokhale's therapeutic Stretchsit Cushion ($49.95; egwellness.com).
5. Relax your arms and the rest of your body.