Getting The Right Office Furniture for Computing
Having the right furniture in your office can not only help you to be more productive, but it can also provide the correct support for your body as well, especially if you spend a good majority of your time in front of the computer. And whether you’re at home or the office, you most likely know that there are proper and improper methods and heights for sitting while you work. But did you also know that the wrong office furniture can lead to Repetitive Stress Injuries that include chronic back and neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, eye strain and a variety of other health problems? Let’s take a look at the best methods for avoiding these issues.
Sitting in an ergonomically correct chair is one of the best things you can do for yourself. The right chair should be easily adjustable to provide proper support for the small of your back and your lumbar curve overall. It should also be ‘user friendly’ so as to fit well with your body type. And when sitting, your feet should be comfortably flat on the floor or on a footrest in front of you.
Whether your keyboard sits on top of your desk or on a pull-out keyboard tray underneath it (which is actually the recommendation), it should be a comfortable level of between 27 and 29 inches from the floor depending on how tall you are. There should be sufficient distance between your shoulders and the keyboard so as to prevent any stress or strain in that area, as well as in your elbows and wrists as you type.
Lighting
The lighting you choose can greatly affect the quality the work you produce. The computer screen is quite bright in itself and adding even more intensity to that with the wrong lighting can cause headaches as well as eye strain. A good idea is to utilize a lamp that has a dimmer mechanism so that you can adjust it to your personal preference.
And don’t forget to take regular breaks from the computer! Sometimes we get so caught up in what we’re working on that we forget to do this. But getting up and stretching your back and muscles as well as giving your eyes a rest will greatly help you in the long run.
Home Office Furniture
Furniture are designed to make you feel like you’re in the office when you are at home is called home office furniture. They are not similar to office furniture. Manufacturers design home office furniture to suit the home environment.
Some of the home office furniture includes computer desks, regular desks, desk chairs, book shelves, desk lamps, file cabinets, and home ergonomics products. They have softer edges, as they are designed for home.
Home office furniture gives you extra time to work at home after the burden of heavy work at the office. Your mind is relaxed when you’re home. Some jobs may be required to work from home, like freelance or online work. In these cases, you need an office environment to work peacefully so there are no interruptions.
Home office furniture is different from traditional office furniture, as it is designed to look softer and more casual, and made to blend in with other home furnishings. Above all, the furniture should suit the tastes of other family members, as it will be a part of your house. And the room will serve more than one purpose.
Go for the furniture that enhances your ability to get your work done in an organized, comfortable manner, and also consider not sacrificing beauty in the process. If you find a beautiful home office desk but it won’t provide you a comfortable and functional workspace, don’t go for it. Similarly, if you find the perfect office desk in terms of organization and comfort, but it’s ugly, keep looking! You will find furniture that fulfills both the requirements.
Many customers misjudge the space available at home and they end up buying furniture that is too big to fit in their house. They over-estimate the space available at home for their new furniture. To avoid this basic problem, measure to the exact inch how much space you have for furniture, and note it down so it will be easier for you when you shop.
Office Furniture Workstations
If you’re considering some office furniture workstations for your office environment then there are a few things that you will need to consider before investing any time or money. The three major factors you will need to address are; the space that you have, the functions for which the furniture is intended and the image you wish to portray with you new office design. After addressing these three factors you will be better informed to make wise and appropriate choices.
The first consideration is the space that you have and the amount of workstations that you plan to fit into the area. A floor plan of the area will help you to determine how many workstations you can comfortably fit into the space. On your floor plan don’t forget to include pillars, emergency exits and any other permanent fixtures that may affect the placement of workstations. Be sure to take this with you when meeting with suppliers or designers. Sometimes when you have to fit a large number of workstations into a less than ideal space, a floor plan can help you and your designers come up with clever utilisation of space.
When designing the use of space you need to also take into consideration the intended use of the workstations. At a workstation level you need to consider the size of the work area, any computer and accessories, credenzas and filing. Not all desks will be the same, some may have special requirements for such things as extra flat working space, display space or extra filing. Consider whether you need private work spaces or low partitions and if you need private offices or meeting rooms. Also, be sure to consult your workforce to find out what their needs are, they will be using this space everyday.
Budget is often a limiting factor for many businesses but well designed office furniture workstations need not be too expensive. But be mindful of the image you portray to customers, business partners and suppliers who may enter you’re workspace. Does your office environment look professional & modern? Have you used sustainable products that reflect your companies commitment to the environment? Have you used local suppliers, reinforcing your support for the community. These factors may not directly influence the comfort or productivity of your workforce, but you can use this fit-out as an opportunity to display your business ethic to everyone you have business dealings with.
Utilising the space you have, designing office furniture workstations that fit their intended use and using the opportunity to portray the right image are all factors you should be considering before fitting out your office environment; this will ensure that you have a happy and comfortable work force that have the space and equipment they need to do their job properly.
1-2-3 Office Furniture Tips and Advice
If you have decided to open up a new office then you may want to think about purchasing the best office furniture to suit yours and your companies needs. Purchasing office furniture is quite a hard task, as you will have to consider the people you are buying it for. Sometimes you may get into hard times just thinking about what to buy yourself, let alone that of your colleagues. I believe that if you know what you are looking for, then the task becomes much a simpler process. You should get to know the people that you are working with and carefully pick up there likes and dislike, this way you cannot go wrong.
A few simple facts to keep into mind when purchasing office furniture is comfort levels, as you and your staff will be using these for most of the day, infact for most of the week you will want to obtain furniture that can give you and your employees that little bit of extra comfort. Basically you will have to shop around and find furniture that is not too comfortable, but that is also not too uncomfortable, because both have there downsides. If you get furniture that is too comfortable it may put the employees off of working as they will be too relaxed, and if you get it not so comfortable they will probably start complaining.
A new range that has hit the market at a tremendous rate are the ergonomic furniture parts, these are not only comfortable but will also help in reducing injuries and strains among yourself and your staff. You can get a wide variety of different ergonomic equipment which include but are not limited to keyboards, a mouse and all other parts of computer accessories, as-well as chairs and desks.
All of this being said it may sound quite costly but you should always remember that the price can be quite deceiving on some items, as you may find it elsewhere if you shop around at a much lower reduced rate. So to sum up you should get the most suitable furniture for the environment you are in, not too comfortable and not too uncomfortable but always remember to take style and vision into account. Especially if you have an open plan office because you will need to look like a professional company if you are getting clients visiting on a regular basis.
Exchanging Old Office Furniture For an Ergonomic Office Chair
When Purchasing An Office Chair, Why An Adjustable Height is Important
If you work in the office area at your job, you will know the importance of moving round every so often and getting your circulation moving is. In fact, getting up to take a little walk to the fax machine or just to stretch your body helps to keep the productivity going.
What many people do not know is that the chair they are sitting in can be bad for their health if they are not careful; especially if the chair is not an ergonomic office chair such as a height adjustable office chair! If it is not, then it may be time to do some new office chair shopping!
Why Non-Adjustable Chairs Don’t Match Up to Height Adjustable Chairs
One of the biggest reasons why height adjustable chairs are so important is because everybody is built differently. By that, for one person the seat of a chair might be the most comfortable thing, but for the next, the seat may be too large and awkward feeling. However, when it comes to sitting at your own desk in your own chair, it is crucial to see that your back is well supported so that your neck does not become stiff; your back does not ache or any other potential problems that may occur due to a bad seat on your chair.
For many people, a height adjustable office chair makes things so much easier as well as comfortable on an everyday basis. In fact, the best models of chairs that allow you to make adjustments are those that allow you to get the most supportive and comfortable position you can be in.
What’s The Best Position For You?
The first thing to keep in mind for the height adjustable office chairs is the actual height you need the chair to be. If you can barely get your feet to touch the floor, then you have the seat of your chair too high; as you should be able to put your feet flat on the floor in front of you.
Another thing that you will want to try on the height adjustable chairs is the backing. As for the backing, your entire back should not be supported; but just the small of the back should be. Therefore, if your lower back is not being supported enough then you may need to try a different chair.
One thing that many people do not realize until it is too late is the seating arrangements in the office; as it affects your posture from using bad chairs. In fact, back problems are known to be one of the biggest problems as to why employees need time off.
In the end, getting height adjustable office chairs will be the best thing for the company as well as all of its employees!
Choosing Home Office Furniture
Choosing office furniture can be a daunting task. It is expensive and your choices will impact your daily life for many years to come. Chances are, like many others in the same situation, you are not exactly an expert on ergonomics or interior design.
Before you begin to shop for desks, chairs and cabinets, think carefully about your furniture needs. It is important to choose strong, long lasting furniture which can have similar pieces added should you require it in the future. Rather than going with trendy styles that may go out of production next year, it may be prudent to choose a classic line that is likely to be manufactured for many years.
Office furniture for a home office is a bit different from traditional business furniture. In a business office, you would probably not be able to choose your own furniture and have whatever the company chose, however, it should still present a professional and simple office space. In your own home office though, you will be free to be as creative as you want. As it is in your own home, the temptation is to be totally casual, but this should be avoided as you still need to maintain an air of professionalism for when the customers come to visit.
Office chairs are perhaps the first thing you want to choose because the chairs can literally set the whole ambience of the room. If you are likely to have visitors, it is important to provide them with comfortable chairs or small couches to sit on. Mismatched, uncomfortable and unattractive chairs are not good enough when trying to attract potential clients, so choose something that you find comfortable too.
Office furniture cabinets are also important. The first thing you should do is make sure that they can accommodate for all of your materials and documents. Items such as software and other business supplies are important and need to be stored properly in suitable cabinets. For all your business documents, you should definitely consider an attractive set of filing cabinets. These are different from standard cabinets because they have fittings that will contain all of your office documents correctly. If possible try to keep away from boring grey metal filing cabinets.
There are some beautiful complete sets of wooden office furniture to consider. You can have these fitted as part of the package as well. Make the most of the space available to you and decide on the office arrangement. A U-shaped arrangement is best as it lets you use three surfaces keeping everything within reach. An L-shaped arrangement provides a good working surface if space is limited. Your business tools and office supplies should all be within easy reach. Buy office furniture that suits the arrangement you’ve chosen, remembering to include desks, tables, cabinets, shelving and chairs. The issue of good lighting is important to productivity, so don’t neglect it. Once the furniture is in place, the room should give the appearance of being open and bright and in the end, be a pleasent place to work, you will after all, be spending a good deal of time there.
Papasan Chair – Furnishing Your First Space on a Budget
A papasan chair, also known as a dish or moon chair, has been a popular choice for individuals furnishing their first dorm rooms, apartments, and other spaces. This chair often has a rattan frame, although some have metal, and a removable cushion. Papasan chairs have been so popular because they are extremely comfortable and adjustable, making them a great place to hang out while you watch TV or talk to friends.
Due to the popularity over the years of papasan chairs, you can often pick one up at used furniture stores for a great price. New ones won’t break the bank either, as you can often find single chairs for under $200. If you buy online, you’ll need to factor in shipping costs which can up the price, however. You can also purchase replacement cushions which is great if you find a used frame but want a different pattern or cushier seat.
Experts recommend that when you approach furnishing your first space that you keep in mind five actions: sleep, sit (or socialize), snack, study (or work), and sanitize. You’ll need items that address each of these everyday activities. You may want to keep a list going of items that you’ll need and add to it while you go through the day. For example, sleeping requires some sort of bed unit (frame and mattress), pillows, sheets, and blankets at the basic level.
Once you have your list, head out to do some shopping. Many individuals, when furnishing their first place, take advantage of old furniture that family members are ready to get rid of. Often, the items will be free and with a little updating, you can adjust the style to fit your own. Used furniture stores and discount stores are also good places to look. You can find items like papasan chairs, futons, bed frames, lamps, and tables without having to spend a fortune.
When you are decorating your first place on a budget, you may need to compromise a bit. If you can’t afford the pieces that you want now, remember that you can gradually replace used items with new ones as you save up the money. Find a couple of pieces that you love and then slowly build the rest of your space around those items. Replace the items that you’re not crazy about over time and soon, you’ll have the space that you wanted.
Papasan chairs make a great choice for a first space because they are so durable and comfortable. You also won’t have to spend a fortune to get a great chair. With a change of cushion, you can transform the look of the one you have. A papasan chair gives you versatility and a comfy spot to hang out.
6 Home Office Furniture Essentials
Worried about the cost of tricking out your home office in a down economy? Don’t fear – we’ve boiled down your home office furniture needs for you so that you’ll only be spending money on essential items that will provide comfort, enhance productivity and just plain look great. Let’s get to the big six!
1. An adjustable office chair – In terms of comfort and productivity, it all starts with a great office chair. Executive office chairs have the power to transport you – even if your home office is filled with distractions. Be sure and choose a chair that is adjustable and features good ergonomic design to provide support for arms, shoulders and the lumbar area of the spine.
2. An executive desk – The center point of your home office, the executive desk is a place to start your day, get organized and set the stage for all your business dealings. Try to purchase a desk that gives you ample room to do your work but does NOT dominate the entire home office area. You need to be able to get up and move around during the course of the day, which is hard if you desk has you pinned in a corner of the room.
3. A reliable file cabinet – Papers flying around without a filing system can lead to all sorts of problems – especially in a home office where there are complicating factors such as kids roaming wild and hungry pets around every corner. That’s why a good, heavy-duty filling cabinet made our list of home office essentials. It doesn’t have to look great – but it needs to be functional (and if possible, expandable to grow with your business).
4. Ergonomic computer accessories – Your computer is going to be your small business lifeline. You will be spending many, many hours there every week. As such, it is a good idea to buy ergonomic keyboards, mouse devices, and anti-glare monitor covers to insure that you avoid workplace illnesses such as eye strain, repetitive stress disorders and back pain.
5. A good desk lamp or lighting system – Proper lighting is a must, but not always a no-brainer for the home office (because the space was built to house people and not working people). With that in mind, buy a couple of nice desk lamps and position one of them behind the computer to cut down on glare. Use the other in the vicinity of your file cabinet so you don’t need to strain in order to locate the paperwork you seek.
6. Inspirational artwork – You don’t need an original Picasso gracing your walls to be inspired by art. For most people, the latest crayon masterpiece by a son or daughter provides plenty of peace and motivation throughout the course of a day. Whatever type of art is inspiring to you, try and feature it in your home office space. Remember, it needs to be an expression of who you are and where you are going!
Ergonomic Suggestions and Restraints For Office Furniture
Whilst each environment and office space will be different, there are certain guidelines from The European Directive on Working with Computers and Safety Legislation which calls for an office working environment to be ergonomically modified to best serve each individual’s specific needs.
Office furniture in the UK is tested and certified to either British or European standards which satisfies the requirement for the furniture to be safe and stable and not expose the user to possible risk of injury.
Workspace
The workspace needs to be the best available space when taking into account the following requirements: The workspace needs to accommodate all equipment and paperwork required for the user to do their specific job properly. The workspace also needs to fit the anatomy of the user and the tasks they need to perform. The workspace needs to do both of these things as well as take into account the other users’ workspaces that may be adjacent or around it in the whole office space. Workspaces can be all shapes and sizes depending on the above factors.
Clearance underneath
With most office desks being around 720mm from the floor to the top of the desk and having a usual desktop thickness of 25mm – this leaves 695mm from the floor to the under side of the desktop. 650mm is usually considered the minimum height to the underside of the desk and can only be achieved using a height adjustable desk at its lowest setting.
Clearance along length
600mm is considered to be the absolute minimum width of legroom beneath a desk. 1000mm would be the ideal minimum to allow some movement space for the users legs.
Work height
Most office desks with have a standard height of around 720mm from the floor to the desktop, this is judged to accommodate around 90% of the population. A height adjustable desk will usually have a range from around 650mm up to 1200mm – this type of desk can be used for wheel chair users or tall users. A height adjustable desk is also beneficial for users with bad backs and users that have a job that benefits a change in working position from sitting to standing on a regular basis. Users that are shorter will benefit from a footrest under a normal height desk to achieve a standard working position.
Working depth
The main criteria for the depth of an office desk, is to ensure that the user is not too close to the computer monitor. Most computer monitors are now the thin TFT or LCD style which can be situated on or mounted to the desk in varying ways. (See the Monitor Height Section Below!) As these types of monitors are in their nature thinner than the old style CRT monitors it gives greater scope for designers to produce desk depths from 600mm which is classed as narrow to 800mm or 900mm in depth.
The basic rule of thumb should be that from the user side of the desk there should be approximately 100mm of clear desk before the keyboard for the user’s wrists to rest on whilst using the keyboard. A keyboard is usually about 150mm in depth leaving 350mm depth to the back of a 600mm deep desk or 550mm on a more standard 800mm deep office desk for the monitor.
Monitor height
Each user will have different requirements for the height of their computer monitor, although it is generally recognized that the top of the monitor should be aligned horizontally with the users vision unless altered for a specific task or adjusted to avoid glare from light.
In order to get the correct adjustability as described above, it is usually necessary for the monitor to be mounted on an articulated monitor arm.
The monitor arm can be mounted to the edge of the office desk or through a cable port via a clamp or bolted directly through the desktop. (Not really recommended as this will damage the desk!) Another style of monitor arm can be mounted to a free-standing or desk mounted screen, although the screens will need to have two toolbars in order for the bracket to attach.
Laptop height
In some countries, legislation limits laptop use to as little as two hours, although there is no such legislation in the UK. It is always a good idea to adjust posture and not stay in the same working position for any length of time” especially when using a laptop. Taking on board the same theories for making a normal TFT monitor work in an ergonomic fashion, if a laptop is placed on a stand and used in conjunction with a separate keyboard and mouse, it enables the laptop user to achieve a better viewing distance and working posture thereby avoiding fatigue in the arms, hands, neck and eyes.
