Embody Chairs from Herman Miller
As sitting for long hours has become the unavoidable reality of today’s work life, choosing the right office chair is essential. A well-designed chair that helps with posture and is easy on the body can make the difference between hours of pain and an enjoyable day at work. This is even more important for offices where employees’ enthusiasm and productivity have a direct effect on the bottom line. That is why we advise our clients to use the five-point checklist below when selecting office chairs for their employees.
Back Comfort. Sitting for hours puts a lot pressure on the back, so back support is very important in preventing muscle pains. However, each body is different, so the ideal desk chair should come with an adjustable backrest that allows for lumbar support. Such a chair helps you retain an erect, yet comfortable and relaxed posture and makes a huge difference in preventing or even reducing pain and stiffness. Make sure that the support remains the same when you adjust your chair from one position to another, for example when you choose to use the reclining feature.
Embody Chair from Herman Miller. One of the best designed and most ergonomic chairs on the market.
Seating. A hard seat is uncomfortable and poses a real problem for blood circulation. By contrast, a padded chair made of breathable material is easy on your legs and doesn’t overheat. An important feature you should look for is a rounded seat front that doesn’t cut the circulation in your legs. A good rule of thumb is that there should be some room between the lip of the seat and your legs when the seat transitions from a horizontal to an oblique plane.
The Think office chair from Steelcase
Armrests. Your torso should not touch the chair’s armrests, but allow you to slightly stretch your arms away from your body. Since bodies differ in built, it’s important to test the chair before making a purchase and ensure that the seat is not too narrow for comfort. Choose adjustable armrests that offer the right support when working and are compatible with the shape and height of your desk.
The Zody chair, the first one to ever be endorsed by the American Physical Therapy Association
Height. The most important thing to have in mind when choosing the right office chair is compatibility with a good seating position. A correct seating position means that thighs are parallel to the floor, feet flat on the ground and wrists straight while typing. To achieve this ideal position, the height of your chair must be adjustable. A last resort would be adjusting the height of your keyboard. However, that solves only part of the problem and may not be enough to prevent back stiffness or pain due to uncomfortable leg positions.
The Trey chair can convert into other pieces of office furniture, from rockers to side tables.
Stability. Finally, make sure your chair is stable. That means that it safely locks into position and that it doesn’t topple over when reclining or moving around. Swivel desk chairs on wheels give you some extra mobility so that you don’t dangerously test the stability of your chair every time you reach out. In addition, a five-point base ensures that the chair doesn’t fall when you recline or move around in your seat.
Zody chair
Choosing the right office chair takes a little effort, but it may turn into a fun little adventure. Try to meet the chair in person before buying it. Sit in it and play with its adjustable features to see if the chair is a good match for you. A good choice pays in hours of painless sitting, in developing and retaining a good healthy posture and in avoiding the possible back problems of tomorrow.
Please take a look at our Before and After images of selected projects from 2018 HERE.
If you are thinking to open up a new business or in a process of rebranding and remodeling your existing business, contact us to get a free consultation from Mindful Design Consulting. Click HERE to price your project design.
Also, take a look at “Branding By Interior” e-book, the only book written on this subject at this time. It brings insight on how you can turn your business into a market-dominating competitor by using human cognitive responses.
Did you know that one of the most powerful tools you can use to grow your business is your office? It’s where people come together to do their best work, and it’s also a showcase for your brand. If you transform your office into an efficient, inspiring workplace, your employees and your business will benefit.
One place to start any office transformation is with a furniture refresh. Here are a few factors to consider when selecting new office furniture and décor.
Have you ever considered what sort of personality your business has? Is the culture more causal or formal? Is the exchange of ideas open and democratic, or closed to just a few? Answers to questions like these can help you determine the right type of furniture for your workplace.
As an example, if you work at a law firm, the culture may feel more formal due to the nature of your work and the need for privacy. People will need places where they can have confidential conversations. The environment may need to feel quieter and more subdued, so visiting clients feel like they are being taken seriously.
Contrast this with a tech start-up, and you have a completely different vibe. People may dress casually and seek an environment that’s like a cooler version of their homes. Brighter colors, funky artwork, and modern furniture draw people into the office and increase the energy of everyone working there.
In recent history, if you wanted to boost the cool factor in your office, you added a slide. Maybe threw in a ping pong table and gaming system for good measure. But if your people don’t want these fun yet potentially distracting features, what are you accomplishing?
The best business leaders start by asking employees what they want in a workplace. Some even analyze the types of work people do throughout the day. Are people in many in-person meetings, or are they camping out in private offices stuck on all-day Zoom calls? Is the work they are doing highly collaborative, or do they need more quiet and privacy to complete their work? Answers to questions like these can help you better understand people’s actual needs so you can give them supportive furniture that will enhance their work.
When you think of an ergonomic office chair, your mind likely goes to adjustable task chairs for private offices and employee work areas. But through Herman Miller, you can access a variety of ergonomic furniture designs that will help people work more comfortably across the entire office. This includes seating for lounge areas, conference rooms, break rooms, and more.
Want to create the ultimate ergonomic setup? Consider pairing our Aeron Office Chair with a Renew Sit-to-Stand Desk and an Ollin Monitor Arm. This trio will help your body stay in constant motion, helping you stay focused and work more efficiently.
One of the biggest challenges customers share with us is the lack of square footage in their office space. We have good news for you. Through Herman Miller Professional, you can create a space that looks bigger than it is. Forgo bulky traditional desks and storage cabinets and look for tables and chairs that are light in scale and easy to rearrange as needs change.
Perhaps our best advice is to declutter regularly. Keep items up off the floor and hidden with an OE1 Trolley, and choose a clean, neutral palette for the walls. And if you are lucky enough to have windows, make sure everyone has access to them. Natural light and views of the outdoors go a long way to make a space feel larger than it is. If supplemental light is needed, consider the sleek Flute Personal Light for each employee’s workspace.
When planning an office refresh, keep in mind that you aren’t just buying furniture for the current space—you should be thinking about the future, too. Changes—in staffing, the competitive climate, and more—happen more frequently than you might think. We encourage you to invest in furniture that’s easy to move and adapt as your business grows.
Interested in refreshing your office space with Herman Miller Professional? Sign up to discover all the ways you can save on the best furniture for your business.