Adjust chair and table together first
A footrest should not be the first attempt to compensate for an unsuitable workstation as a whole. Begin by adjusting the chair so work at the table is manageable. Then check whether the feet have adequate support. If not, a suitable footrest may help. The appropriate solution depends on the person and complete setup.
A higher seat also changes the relationship to the backrest and the space below the desk. Assess these together. An arbitrary cardboard box is not a reliable permanent solution if it compresses or slides. The chosen product should be intended for the task and sufficiently stable in use.
Try size and angle
Place both feet on the surface and shift their positions slightly. A very small rest can leave the feet continually near the edge. Check that any angle adjustment works controllably and stays in the intended position. A moving model does not automatically suit the user better than a simple fixed one.
The surface should work with the shoes or indoor footwear normally worn. Test whether the rest slides on the actual floor. A non-slip underside needs to be compatible with that flooring. Adding improvised layers can change stability rather than improve it, so judge the complete arrangement rather than the product in isolation.
Keep standing up straightforward
Move the chair back and stand. The footrest should not become something to step over every time. Beneath a narrow desk it may collide with a pedestal or crossbar. Measure the remaining leg space, not merely the empty patch of floor in front of the table.
For several users, the rest should be easy to adjust or move aside. Do not treat one person's setting as a rule for everyone. After a few days, check whether it is used or repeatedly pushed farther away. That may indicate a mismatch in position, size or the whole seated arrangement. A footrest supplements suitable furniture; it does not replace individual assessment where discomfort continues.
