Office Chairs

If you are expecting visitors to your office, the last thing you want them to do is to leave with a bad back. That is why you should always consider the comfort of your visitors when designing your office’s reception areas or meeting rooms. Even if you are setting up a home office, you should still consider the comfort of your guest chairs when looking for office furniture.

Uncomfortable and poorly designed furniture can create a negative first impression and act as an unwanted distraction during important meetings. Therefore, you should take a moment to look at these guest chair design tips so you don’t needlessly shoot yourself in the foot.

First Impressions Count

Your reception area is going to be the first area that your visitors enter, so you will want to make a positive first impression. Comfortable, well-designed furniture can really help. Uncomfortable furniture in lousy conditions will get the meeting off to the wrong start, especially if your clients start feeling any sort of discomfort.

Remember that all areas of your office are a reflection of your brand, so make sure your choice of the furniture fits that purpose.

Style Is Important

Stylishly designed furniture really looks good and represents a sound investment. However, make sure the style fits in with your existing color schemes and office layout. You don’t want anything too big or too small, as that could make space look cramped or potentially cause embarrassment if the chair size would be better suited for a school.

Choose materials and colors that fit with the part of the office they are in. Matching colors with paintings or wall colors is always a good idea. Also, if you are a modern company, you probably don’t want to go for guest chairs, which creates the impression of a hospital waiting room.

Functional as Standard

While it is important that your visitors are comfortable during their stay, you don’t want to go so far as to purchase La-Z-Boys for the meeting room. You need to make sure that the chairs are functional and can be easily moved should you choose to reconfigure your office, reception area, or meeting rooms.

Ergonomic features should be considered if you think that the guest chairs are going to see a lot of use. Also, take the time to think about the space that you have so that you can choose the ideal type of chair for your business.

Think Long Term

One of the things people forget when purchasing furniture is that a piece of furniture will need some TLC if you want it to last for a long time. If your guest chairs are in regular use, then they are likely to suffer from general wear and tear. Certain materials are better suited for some offices than others. For example, if you are going to be moving the furniture around a bit, then you might be better off going for metal or plastic frames, as wood can be more easily damaged.

In recent years, there have been a lot of reports and studies into the role the workplace environment plays on employee well-being and productivity. Traditional office design involved boxy furniture with a lack of natural light, which created a stuffy atmosphere not ideal for employee collaboration.

The result of these reports has been a significant shift towards workplace design with collaboration and employee well-being at the forefront. One development has been the use of benching systems instead of individual desks or cubicles. In this post, we will highlight five key benefits of adding a benching system to your office.

Increased Collaboration

Breaking down the barriers of traditional office designs have been proven to increase collaboration. As the employees can see one another, it is much easier to bounce ideas around the room, which helps to build stronger workgroups and more creativity.

Benching systems enable ‘work teams’ to work more closely in a highly adaptable space, which can actually save time and can streamline work processes.

Versatility

Bench systems are incredibly versatile and can be adapted for different tasks and group sizes. Also, they can be used as fixed workstations or as hot desks, which make them a very flexible alternative to cubicles or rigid desk systems.

Benching systems are generally much lighter than conventional desks, and therefore easy to move. The adaptable nature of these systems can make the workspace much more dynamic by allowing different seating arrangements and layouts. Therefore, they can be used for a variety of different tasks.

Maximizes Office Space

Being able to use the space on hand as effectively and productively as possible should be a critical factor in any office redevelopment plan. And, if you have a small office or natural light is at a premium, then bench systems are a financially available solution.

Bench systems take up less space and can be adapted to fit different areas. Most importantly, there are fewer physical barriers in place which can create a feeling of space and encourage the free exchange of ideas.

Nicer Office Environment

Employee well-being can have a massive impact on productivity, and this has been a significant driver of office design in recent years.

Removing barriers and walls allows natural light to flow through the office. Also, employees can see each other, so they can communicate more effectively and don’t feel isolated when they are in the office.

Cost Effective

Alongside all the benefits previously mentioned, the really great thing about benching systems is that they are a cost-effective solution. Not only will they help save space and increase productivity, but they will do so without breaking the bank.

As they are adaptable, they can be used for a wide variety of purposes and can also be used to fit a large number of employees around without feeling like they are sitting on each other’s laps.

A Great All-Around Solution

Benching systems look good, they are fit for a variety of different purposes, and are very cost effective, making the ideal long-term office furniture solution.

If you work in an office, it is more than likely that you spend the majority of your day sitting in your office chair. The chances also are that while your chair may have been adjusted to its best setting for you, it is not perfectly molded to or purchased with you specifically in mind. This may mean that you are not entirely comfortable, or even worse than your office chair is causing you pain. It doesn’t have to be this way, however, and there are things you can do. The following eight tips, in fact, will tell you exactly how to make your office chair more comfortable!

Sit correctly in your office chair

Before you check your chair and make any alterations to it, you should ensure that you are sitting correctly in it. This involves sitting with your feet on the floor and your back straight. Doing this can alleviate many uncomfortable sitting positions and problems that result from them.

Adjust and re-adjust your chair for proper alignment

If sitting correctly does not solve your sitting problems, you should take a few minutes to adjust and tweak your chair. Adjust the height, seat, arms and back as often as you need to. Remember that daily usage can knock any adjustments you have made out of alignment as can other people using your chair.

Add accessories to your chair as needed

Designed to fit the curvature of your back, a lumbar support attaches to the back of your chair and supports where you need it. This also provides more padding to your chair and creates more comfort.

Purchase a footrest

Ensuring that your feet are in a proper position when seated can help with your posture, keep your back aligned, and improve your circulation.

Adjust the arms of your chair where possible

Not all office chairs come with adjustable arms, but where they do, you should adjust them to avoid your shoulder muscles tightening. Where arm adjustment is not possible, avoid leaning on the arms altogether.

Buy a chair that is just right for you

No two people are the same, and not every office chair is one size fits all. Tall or overweight people, for example, may find that a standard office chair really does not suit them no matter how they adjust it. The best thing you can do here may be to purchase a chair that is specifically suited to you. Of course, this will involve some additional cost, but it may well prove to be a price worth paying.

Or invest in a stand-up desk

The best solution to pain caused by sitting may be to just limit your overall amount of sitting by purchasing a stand-up desk that is adjustable. This solution gives you the option of standing up for a while, which not only could eliminate your chair discomfort but also benefit your health. The stand-up desk has been linked to lowering the risk of diabetes, heart disease and even extending life expectancy. So while you’ll still need a comfortable chair some of the time, you won’t need it every minute.

Office chairs and furniture fit for purpose can have a positive impact on employee well-being and productivity. However, purchasing office furniture can be a very tricky proposition, and going for something just because it is cheap will not be a good idea. The last thing you want is employees taking time off because they have a bad back.

There are so many factors which need to be considered alongside costs such as comfort, size, ergonomics, and durability. Unsurprisingly, it is easy to get bogged down in the details, so we have prepared these five essential rules to follow when purchasing an office chair.

1. Think About Ergonomics

Uncomfortable chairs can lead to your employees taking time off and a reduction in their overall productivity. Obviously, this isn’t something you want for your business. Therefore, you should search for ergonomically designed chairs.

Ergonomic office chairs will be fully adjustable and designed to offer maximum support while your employees are at their desks. Look for features such as adjustable height, seat depth, armrests, and whether the seat swivels. And don’t just take the salesperson’s word for it; try before you buy to make sure that the seat can be easily adjusted and does what it says on the label.

2. Think About Logistics

Before you go ahead and place an order for office chairs, you should carefully consider the dimensions of your office and the type of work your staff does. Chairs come in all shapes and sizes, so you need to think about the workspaces and desk sizes.

Employees also come in different shapes and sizes, so you may need extra room and support for employees that weigh more than 250 pounds, are taller than average, or have disabilities. All of these things need to be taken into account, or you will purchase chairs that will not be fit for purpose.

3. Think About Corporate Image

What do you want the office chairs and furniture to say about your business? The kind of office chair you choose can tell a lot about your company values and display a professional image.

Purchasing high-end chairs will create an impressive image when your customers and employees walk into your office. On the other hand, more modern designs can create a fresh image, and traditional designs give a classic image. It all depends on what your business does and how you want to position your brand.

4. Think About Supplier’s Reputation

This is a no-brainer. If a company tells you something that sounds too good to be true, then it definitely will be. A trustworthy supplier will be willing to work with you to find the best solutions for your business, through design, manufacturing, and installation.

Look for companies which have a proven track record and offer support and product warranties.

5. Think About the Future

The last thing you want is to buy a chair which will fall apart in a couple of years and is difficult to get rid of. Therefore, make sure you try before you buy to make sure that the chair does what you want it to do.

Also, you may be trying to make your business more environmentally friendly, in which case you will need to check what materials are used in the chair and packaging. Many chair manufacturers are using recycled or sustainable parts and materials at the moment, as well as products low in chemicals.

In the modern office, spaces are being used much more differently than in the past. Open plan offices and collaborative workspaces are all designed to create an environment conducive to creativity and to maximize productivity. Purchasing high-quality office furniture is essential for ensuring a motivated workforce, with office chairs being a key item. The type of office chairs you will need will depend on numerous factors, both practical and aesthetic:

• size of workspace/conference room
• kind of work undertaken on site
• overall function and comfort
• the image you want to portray to your clients

Whatever your needs, it is important to carefully assess all of the above to make sure you make the best purchase for you and your team. The last thing you want is an office that looks good but drives your employees mad due to a lack of comfort and functionality.

Conference Chairs

If your office has a conference room, then it is likely to be the site of many significant decisions for your business. Therefore, having comfortable chairs, which are ergonomically designed, is an essential for those long meetings.

Comfortable chairs can make a difference, as poorly designed ones will result in the employees wanting to get out of the conference room as quickly as possible. If this occurs, the level of decision making and creativity can be severely impaired.

Therefore, take the time to make the best choice for your conference room. Look at buying chairs with excellent support and adjustable features, such as armrests and height. These will all help to keep your employees alert and ready for action.

Desk Chairs

Comfortable and supportive desk chairs are also integral to a productive workplace. No matter what kind of work you undertake your employees is going to spend a good portion of the week at their desk, so you want them to be as productive as possible.

Cheap and uncomfortable chairs will make your employees miserable and can lead to back pain, a common cause of lost time in the workplace. That is why the chairs you choose should offer lumbar support and be fully adjustable for the needs of each employee. Making sure this will reduce the need for time away from the desk and days off because of back pain.

Guest Chairs

If you are expecting clients to visit your office, then comfortable guest chairs are a worthwhile investment. Regardless of the size of your office, you want your clients to gain a favorable impression when they walk into the office, and their first impressions have been negatively affected if they sit down on an uncomfortable chair. Your client may jump to all sorts of conclusions, none of which are conducive to future business success.

So, get your meeting off to a positive start and don’t underestimate the power of comfortable chairs.

Choosing the right kind of office chair

Before you place an order for your new office furniture, make sure you take the time to review the needs of your business and look at different styles. The time spent in the planning stage can save much time and money in the long-term.

“Ergonomic” has been a buzzword in the office seating and furniture world for many years now. To many, the term basically just means squishier or more comfortable—or just more expensive. However, the science behind furniture being more ergonomic has actually been very well studied, and it is clear that different furniture can affect the back and other parts of the body differently.

Anyone who has sat for too long in an improper position or gotten wrist pains associated with carpal tunnel has already felt the effects of what poor posture and improper equipment can do. Below is an explanation of some of the more technical details of why having good office seating will benefit the health of the office staff.

Problems with Standard Chairs

Office seating that is too firm and has a low backing can lead to a number of issues when sat on for too long. First, the hard bottom is not good for the lower back and bottom muscles and bones. Second, and most problematic in the long term for many people, is that this kind of chair encourages slouching.

When one slouches for too long over many years, the spine can become misaligned, causing a permanent slouch. This is affecting a large percentage of the American population and is certainly a concern for doctors and chiropractors.

Ergonomic Fixes

Ergonomic chairs attempt to relieve these issues by promoting better posture and supporting the lower back and bottom. An ergonomic chair should be cushioned enough to not create tension, but also not so soft that there is a lot of sinking, which can weaken lower muscles.

The back of the chair should curve slightly out towards the bottom, which will help keep the lower back propped up and the shoulders supported in a more upright position.

Backless Alternatives

Being able to lean back in the chair, as mentioned above, can be nice for stretching out the back muscles that could become too stagnant. For those who are more physically fit or interested in a unique solution that goes even further than a flexible chair backing, is to choose a “chair” with no back at all.

The most obvious example is the inflatable exercise ball or balance ball, which has actually gained steam as a legitimate alternative to the standard chair in some offices. The reason why an exercise ball is thought to be so effective is that it essentially forces you to have better posture and to utilize muscles that otherwise can become weakened when sitting for long periods of time. Because of the lack of stability, your muscles should be activating, from your legs up to your abdominals.

However, this is not agreed upon by everyone, and some studies have even shown that exercise balls and similar office seating alternatives can actually cause more pain in the lower back because of the lack of support.

Sitting is not something that humans were ever meant to do for extended periods of time. Every chair, when sat in for too long, will cause pain and damage. Nevertheless, the office culture of today demands sitting for hours. Finding office seating furniture that is as ergonomic as possible and standing up to stretch frequently will help with prevention.