Specializing in Office Furniture
Desks: A Buyer’s Guide
For every space and personality, there is a matching office desk. When you’re picking out your new desk, keep in mind the Three Ss:
Size
Shape
Style
Mission Pointe Desk by Kathy Ireland
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Guest chairs and side chairs make attractive, functional additions to any conference room, reception area, or executive office. Position them across from your desk for in-office meetings or interviews. Place them in your conference room for supplemental seating. Arrange them in the front office to create an inviting waiting area. There are numerous possibilities.
Oxblood Vinyl Luxurious Conference Chair by Office Furniture in a Flash
But what kind of guest chairs and side chairs will meet your needs? What features should you look for? And just what is the difference between a side chair and a guest chair?
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If your work puts you above and beyond standard desk height, you’ll need a chair that can get you there. A drafting stool or chair may be the perfect solution.
Black Fabric and Mesh Drafting Stool by Office Furniture in a Flash
Drafting chairs and drafting stools offer more height than standard chairs. They extend your reach for use with work surfaces like counters and laboratory tables. Drafting chairs and stools are particularly suited for use with the large width and depth of angled drafting table surfaces.
When shopping, it should be noted that the terms ‘drafting stool’ and ‘drafting chair’ are used almost interchangeably. Drafting chairs tend to offer more cushioning and look more like elevated standard chairs than do drafting stools, but this is not always the case. Both have great features like adjustable backrests, armrests, seats, and footrests. But how do you know which features you should look for?
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Tired of the usual leather and fabric office chair fare? A mesh office chair may be just what you’re looking for. Mesh office chairs add a modern touch to any office. Lighter and sleeker than their bulky counterparts, mesh office chairs offer comparable comfort and durability along with superior breathability and ergonomic qualities.
Black Mesh Contemporary Office Chair with Headrest by Office Furniture in a Flash
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When customers and clients come into your place of business, what do they see? More importantly, what do you want them to see? The best way to make a great first impression is with a comfortable, professional reception area. But what kind of reception furniture do you need to take your business to the next level?
Most reception areas can be divided into two key sections: the reception desk and the waiting area.
The Reception Desk
Napoli Reception Station with Return by Mayline
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A User’s Guide to Ergonomic Chair Features and Adjustments
Ergonomics, or ‘the science of work’, can increase your health, efficiency, and productivity by tailoring your work environment to suit you. A key component of any ergonomic office is the ergonomic office chair.
Viola Mesh Back Task Chair by ADI
An ergonomic office chair is a must for anyone who spends a significant amount of work time seated. These chairs offer contoured, highly adjustable components designed to support healthy posture and good sitting habits. Many ergonomic office chairs offer a range of features to accommodate a wide number of users.
So how do you know which features you should focus on? How should they be adjusted? To help you search for your new ergonomic office chair, we’ve compiled the following breakdown of common features and adjustments.
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Many people feel a bond with their office chairs. With all the shapes, colors, and styles available, no other piece of office furniture feels quite so personal or unique.
Ideally, your office chair will be with you for years. But what if something goes wrong? Don’t let one of these fixable mishaps send your trusty office chair out to the curb.
The Mystery Bolt
Discovery: You find a bolt on the floor underneath your office chair.
Cause: Repetitive movements, wear and tear, regular chair use.
The Problem: Since most office chairs have many connecting points, you may not notice a missing bolt or two. However, even one missing bolt puts more stress on the remaining bolts and can strip connections, damaging your office chair.
The Fix: If you find even one loose bolt, it’s time for some simple maintenance. With either a Phillips or flathead screwdriver, check the tightness of all your chair bolts. Make sure each is in properly. As you work, you should come upon the empty bolt hole. Screw your bolt back in and tighten it.
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As a quick and affordable seating solution, Stack Chairs tower above the competition. These convenient chairs stack one on top of the next, forming space-saving columns that allow you to easily store and relocate your group seating.
Stack Chairs are the perfect seating solution for your school, meeting room, banquet hall, church, or auditorium. They come in a wide variety of styles and colors to fit every occasion and budget: basic plastic stack chairs, ergonomically-shaped padded stack chairs, luxury banquet chairs, and more.
No matter which model you choose, a group of matching Stack Chairs will give your meeting or event a professional, cohesive look.
Stax Guest Stack Chair by High Point Furniture
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According to the International Ergonomics Association, “Ergonomics (or human factors) is the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system, and the profession that applies theory, principles, data and methods to design in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance.”
Scratching your head? Simply put, Ergonomics is about fitting activities, objects, and environments to people in ways that improve productivity, efficiency, health, and safety. In terms of your office, that might mean reorganizing your workstation to easily accommodate switching tasks, upgrading to an adjustable office chair, or taking periodic stretching and rest breaks. Implementing ergonomic principles in the workplace can pay big dividends. In the short term, you may notice an increase in focus and morale; over the long term, ergonomics can help prevent the development of painful and costly musculoskeletal disorders like carpal tunnel syndrome.
Making your office more ergonomic doesn’t have to be difficult. By making a few simple changes, you too can reap the benefits.
Chair Ergonomics
A comfortable office chair isn’t a luxury: it’s a necessity. If you get up from your chair at the end of the day with knotted shoulders or a nagging ache in your lower back, you may be on a path towards chronic pain. An ergonomic office chair that provides proper lumbar support and reduces contact pressure can mean a pain-free future as well as a comfortable present.
Continue reading ‘Office Ergonomics: Staying Healthy and Comfortable in the Workplace’
Cost
Office chairs can run anywhere from tens to hundreds of dollars. Decide on a price range before you begin shopping. This helps limit your choices and staves off buyer’s remorse.
Do keep in mind that your office chair may be a place where you spend a significant portion of your day. A comfortable, well-designed office chair improves efficiency, productivity, and wellness; for these reasons, many buyers think of their office chairs as an investment in themselves. If you plan on keeping your chair for some time, it may be better to spend a little more to get that perfect model. No matter your budget, there are models in most price ranges that offer great features like extra padding, lumbar support, and adjustability.
Length of Use
How much of your day do you spend in your office chair? Users who work long hours sitting down, like dispatchers and programmers, should consider an intensive use chair. These types of chairs include 24 hour use chairs, dispatch chairs, and call center chairs. Intensive use chairs offer incredible endurance and support.
24 Hour Use Executive Chair
If you spend the majority of your day sitting, consider an executive office chair or deluxe task chair. These chairs feature highly adjustable ergonomic designs and generous padding that make them suitable for heavy use. Choosing an office chair with a high back will help support the neck and shoulders over the course of a long day.
High Back Ergonomic Task Chair
Those who spend a moderate amount of time sitting should look for office chairs with at least a comfortable level of padding, basic adjustability, and lumbar support. Look for computer chairs, task chairs, or desk chairs. Also check for features like good quality casters that will allow you greater mobility.
Adjustable Swivel Computer Chair
If you spend much more time on your feet than in your office chair, you may want to investigate lighter fare, like bungee chairs or mesh chairs. Bungee chairs use flexible bungee cord to give your chair bounce. Mesh chairs are supportive and comfortable without the bulk of a standard office chair.
Mesh Chair
Sitting Style
The way you sit now can help determine the features your perfect office chair needs. Do you prefer to recline? Recliners should be on the lookout for a chair’s ‘tip factor.’ When leaning back in a chair, do you ever feel you might tip over? Unless you’re a thrill seeker, steer clear of chairs with narrow rolling bases coupled with high-set, heavy backs. Do you like to tilt back and forth or swivel from side to side? Swivel and tilt mechanisms are a must. Do you tend to sit forward? Look for back angle and seat angle adjustment features to make sure your back remains supported.
Super Ergonomic Task Chair
Size
Your size is another important factor. A smaller person may have trouble adjusting a large chair for proper support. A long seat can put pressure behind the knees and restrict circulation, and a curved back designed for someone larger can put a smaller person in an uncomfortable position. Smaller users should consider selecting a chair with adjustable seat depth and back angles.
Larger users with too small a chair may strain their bodies by not getting proper leg and back support. Most standard office chairs only accommodate weights under 275 lbs, and best support a specific range of heights. Luckily, many manufacturers offer big and tall chairs designed to better meet the needs of larger users.
400 lb Capacity Air Grid Ergonomic Office Chair
Upholstery
The most common kinds of office chair upholstery are mesh, fabric, vinyl, and leather. Each has its own specific characteristics you should bear in mind when selecting your chair.
Mesh will conform closely to your body while remaining breathable. For warmer offices, this can be a definite plus. This material is a great choice for those who want a chair with a modern feel.
Fabric is often a cost-effective upholstery choice, and the wide array of fabrics offered allows you to match your chair with your décor. It also breathes well, but can be more difficult to clean than other materials.
Vinyl upholstery gives you a professional look with less cost and care than leather. Vinyl is very durable and wipes clean, but doesn’t breathe well and may trap heat.
Leather is a timeless upholstery material. It is breathable and may be available in many different shades. Leather does require occasional care to stay in good condition.
