Category Archives: Office Furniture

Office Furniture

Modern Offices, Office Furniture

Height Adjustable Desks

Ergonomics is all about choosing something that fits the individual like a Electric Height Adjustable Desk Similar to choosing a suit or a pair of jeans, if the item feels good, then so do you. That’s why ergonomic desks come in all shapes and sizes, taking on board the person and the responsibilities of the job.

The height of a desk or table normally falls within 24 and 27 inches and, with an ergonomic chair, the set-up should be that the user’s lower arms lie horizontally on the armrests, to meet the desk comfortably. But a chair is height adjustable, meaning that if a tall person is sitting in the ergonomic chair, there may be little clearance for the legs under the desk and the forearms may be on a downward slope, as they reach the keyboard. It therefore makes sense that desks are also height-adjustable.

So, when the ergonomic office chair and the height-adjustable desk come together, they should be covering the following points:-

• The legs slide comfortably under the desk and the person’s feet sit firmly on the floor (someone with restricted growth may make use of an ergonomic footrest, to achieve ideal posture)

• The forearms are positioned horizontally, using the armrests for full support, so that hands meet the desk comfortably, without any need to bend the wrists unnaturally

• The monitor is placed directly in front of the user but set back at least 20 inches and its height should be such that the eyes look down ever so slightly, to read the screen. Some ergonomic desks have an extra shelf attached to the back of the desk top, on which a monitor can stand, though getting the eye-to-screen mathematics right is paramount, when making a desk choice. There are also monitor lift arms, which can mount a monitor at the right height for the individual

• The desk is not too deep, that reaching becomes an issue.

Ergonomic desks come in a variety of shapes – the normal rectangular, L shaped, curved front, rounded edges, split level and also with suspended keyboard tray. Height-adjustable tables also cater for work which is better done standing up e.g. looking at plans and pointing to information being discussed, or sorting information into folios or piles where, without that extra height, stooping would be necessary.

Working out what’s right for you may seem a bit of a challenge but, with the above information, you can see what ergonomics is all about. Like that suit or pair of jeans, you now know what you’re looking for.

Whats left is a ergonomic office chair like the Active Ergonomics Flo Chair or the heavy duty Bodybilt chair

Bodybilt Heavy Duty Office Chairs
Bodybilt Heavy Duty Office Chairs
Active Ergonomics Flo Chair from OrangeBox
 
Active Ergonomics Flo Chair from OrangeBox
Electric Height Adjustable Desks
Electric Height Adjustable Desks
Ergonomic Office Chairs, Office Furniture

Better Posture

If you sit poorly, it doesn’t take your muscles long to think that this position is the way it’s going to be and your muscles work alongside this bad posture, causing an imbalance in muscle support. Also, if you slouch, you are restricting digestion, circulation and breathing and your bones aren’t too happy about it either.

Knowing about good posture is very important but, whilst looking for this information, I came across a mention of how bad posture affects more than just your back.

Once the aches and pain start in places like your neck, shoulders and back, maintaining a sitting position for any length of time becomes difficult and you may have to restrict sitting to twenty minutes or so, then move around to give your muscles and your skeletal frame a change of position, before returning to your earlier task.

If you have a job that allows regular movement e.g. a shop assistant, moving and changing position is part and parcel of the requirements of the post. If you are in a sedentary job (the list is endless!), that earlier acquired bad posture and its accompanying aches and pains is going to cause havoc e.g. discomfort, irritability, distraction and concentration problems.

The truth is that we probably don’t know what good posture entails i.e. does it mean more than sitting with a straight back?

So, these points indicate a good sitting posture but that’s not the end of the story. The chair is only good for you if it’s ‘user-friendly’ in relation to the height of your table or desk, as your forearms need to reach the task in a horizontal position.

Good posture includes having your feet firmly on the floor: dangling feet and crossed legs are definitely ‘no go’ areas. Your tailbone should be right up to the back of the chair and so should your back, unless you are slanting slightly forward, in which case the line between your head, chest and pelvis should be straight (not curved).

This is where ergonomic office chairs are worth their weight in gold. They adjust not only to support your back but also to meet your height. The arm rests can be adjusted to ensure horizontal support for your hands and, together, you are sitting comfortably and working well.

There is quite a range of adjustable chairs, as each of us is different and an ergonomic chair means that the chair fits you and not the reverse! When choosing a suitable office chair, it will pay you to call on the advice of someone knowledgeable in ergonomics, to make an assessment of both your skeletal frame and the duties of your job. This will make sure that you choose the office chair that meets your needs.

Elementary, don’t you think?

Choosing an office chair is difficult, so lets start with a good all rounder. Enjoy Office Chairs are very popular as they are comfortable and excellent value for money. The best selling Enjoy Chair is from the same range of Mesh Office Chairs as the Ergohuman Office chair.
The Ergohuman is a tried and tested office chair with extra lumbar support helps to support the back thereby influencing better posture. Take a look at the Ergonomic Office Chairs for more information on the different choices

Ergohuman Office Chair with Leg Rest
Ergohuman Office Chair with Leg Rest
Mirus Mesh Office Chair Black Frame
Mirus Mesh Office Chair Black Frame
Ergonomic Office Chairs, Office Furniture

The Ergonomic Office

If you know anything about office furniture, you’ll know that we’re now in the world of ergonomics the aim is to adapt to an Ergonomic Office. In a nutshell, this means making the office environment fit you. It means looking at your personal working space, your job responsibilities and also your body frame measurements and weight, to get the ‘best for you’ as regards to working conditions.

Ergonomics
Ergonomic Office Chairs

‘Getting it right’ will cover space, light, noise and overall sitting comfort:-

Space. A good ergonomic layout will mean that your work system is organised in such a way that you don’t have to carry heavy weights over long distances, you don’t have to overly stretch and you’re not working in cramped conditions etc..

Light. Good daylight is important and, where this isn’t possible, good simulated daylight is the next best thing. Knowing what type of lighting to buy for your office space is essential. Also bear in mind that a lot of light comes from your computer screen and this is going directly towards your eyes, which isn’t a good thing, as good light should always come from over your shoulder. I would always advise getting a filter screen for your computer, to reduce that ‘sunlight’ effect which really is too bright.

Noise. We now often hear of noise pollution and, in a busy office, pollution is often the case. For example, how often have you had to speak with call centre staff and can’t hear what your contact is saying as clearly as you can hear her colleagues? In that modern-day office, false walls in the form of screens are often used, to give that feeling of private space and to somewhat reduce the effect of the overall noise.

Overall Sitting Comfort. When it comes to seating, always look at ergonomic office chairs, as these are designed to offer many adjustments, making the chair of your choice match your overall needs. The Ergohuman range has several models, like the Ergohuman, the Ergohuman Plus, the Mirus, Enjoy and the Nefil. Spend some time finding out what these chairs offer. The features include seat tilt and glide, seat height, adjustable armrests, a lumbar support region and many other useful features and there are also additional extras, such as a headrest, a leg rest and a note table. Knowing what your job responsibilities ask of you will help you decide which of these additional extras are necessary.

Overall. An ergonomically-friendly environment makes work a pleasure and the day less stressful. It’s like any job, a bad workman always blames his tools, so getting the environment right for you means success all round.

It’s simply ergonomics.

Ergohuman Plus with Leg Rest
Ergohuman Plus with Leg Rest
Office Furniture

Office Evolution and Work Life balance

Working practice has changed some much in the last 10 years from being mostly paper based to digital and computerized storage of documents. Finding data and cross-referencing information has never been easier. One example would be the police service using their new databases to solve crimes dating back 30 years or more. The example of computer power would be NASA or climate change scientists who have managed to harness the power of millions of computers through the internet to map the earth, weather predictions and more.
So what do you have in your office now?

The most obvious would be a computer, computer monitor, office desk, office chair and a pedestal. So how could you change the environment of the office to make it so people can enjoy their surroundings? The first is colours, having an office, which is bright, and vibrant creates an exciting dynamic happy office where as a dull office would be gloomy and sad. Some people also suffer from a condition known as SAD caused from deficiencies of natural sunlight light.
The workplace has been changing over the decades from office rooms, to partitions and cubicles, moving on to open space offices, and now going towards hot-desking areas used by executives with their own lap-tops. Even the home office users are on the verge of converging their home office with home living with new high-tech devices and trends such as integrated home cinema and home automation. Computer usage such as Internet and email is now diluted between mobile phones, iphones, blackberry, ipads, miniature laptops and giant desktops and is now making ground through our TV screens as some of the main Internet websites can now be browsed on your super thin / flat / sharp latest hd tv screen.
At the same time tv is also bleeding into the Internet ever directing us to a web-page after a program or prompting us to watch the next episode on the tv channel website. Everything is merging, tv , computer, mobile devices, telephones. Everything is converging, work life and home life. Everything is one: entertainment & communication. The telephone is now on the Internet with Skype and voice over IP, the music is now accessible on TV and on the Internet in the form of downloads. Games can be played equally on computers and play stations wired to your TV.
So in this ever-changing environment what will be the home office furniture of the future. As most of the information is stored digitally then one will have to be creative to adapt their home office even more than an office as they will normally spend more time there as they work from home. So if you can’t get away from it you need to improve it to be as versatile as our lifestyles.
The office chair will need to be adaptable to fill a number or roles and transform from a traditional office chair to a multi task, multi functional chair for the home office. Image will also play an important part as it will be the home office that you are proud of and not just what you were given by the management. An office chair will have to be convertible in a lounge chair or a game chair, a desk will need to be modular (adjustable and extendible) as well as mobile (desk with wheels) and ergonomic.
Any idea what tomorrow’s home office will look like?
So what will your ergonomic chair look like?

Ergonomic Office Chairs, Office Chairs, Office Furniture

Are you working in the right position?

Have you ever thought about how important it is to sit in the right position?
The majority of people subconsciously sit in the most comfortable position they can. It is fine to do this occasionally, but not a good practice for many hours of work. If you don’t take regular exercise and your work is desk bound, you might end up with back problems. Office workers often complain about stiff back, sour neck and lower back pain. Some companies will offer free gym membership or yoga lessons, in house back training exercises, and even massage services. The office furniture is also important: sitting on the right type of office chair should not be overlooked. Nowadays, office chairs are specifically designed to suit specific needs and tasks. Some of the most ergonomic office chairs are fully adjustable to the human body, which include adjustable arms, knee tilt and back height. Some of the leather office chairs are incredibly comfortable for many hours of work. The foam of the seat can be molded in a very ergonomic shape that fits perfectly the curves of the human body. Some will argue that Mesh fabric also stretches to your body shape giving well-distributed support.

Once you are equipped with the right chair, you should follow basic guidelines regarding your position. One of these is to sit in an upright position with your elbows at a 90-degree angle, while typing. Additionally, your monitor should be levelled with your eyes, or slightly lower, and at a comfortable distance, neither too far, neither too close. It is also important to move your legs on a regular basis to avoid feeling numb. If you don’t want to get up, flexing your feet and tiptoeing will also be beneficial. Simple exercises like these will help avoiding thrombosis, as it will help pumping the blood up to the heart (a well-known advice on long distance flights). Standing up from time to time, stretching or taking a brisk walk will also help. Ideally you should also take a 10-minute-pause from looking at the screen – at least every two hours. Use this time wisely to do your filing, post the mail or tidy up your desk. All in one it is necessary to have the right office chair to sit on and work at, combined with a healthy living, you should enjoy many hours of work while becoming more productive.
Get Your Ergonomic Chair

Ergonomic Office Chairs, Office Furniture

Glasses or Contact lenses?

I have been working in an office for a couple of months now and I used to wear contact lenses in my former job as a sales rep, but since I work in an office and stare at the screen all day my eyes become dry and the lenses start bothering me. Despite regular pauses, looking away to rest my eyes, I become tired more easily and my eyes start itching. I think it is because of the office air conditioning and the problem becomes worse when I work at my height adjustable desk standing up. This is why I had to give up my contacts for glasses during office hours.

I bought a new funky red frame to match my ergonomic office chair and uniform at the call centre, which hasn’t come unnoticed by the floor manager and my fashion obsessed colleagues – I am hopping that wearing the company colours will show my commitment and affect my next pay review. It’s all about perception and image. Fingers crossed.

To complete your office you need a chair, so how about a mesh office chair. Choose from Enjoy Office Chairs or Ergohuman Office Chairs

Enjoy Office Chairs