Don't Replace Your Chair Without Trying These 5 Adjustments

Just to be clear, we're an office furniture and seating company. We love to sell new ergonomic chairs. That being said, you might not need one just yet. With a few proper adjustments you'll likely be able to get more out of your current seating situation. From adjusting the height of your chair to tweaking the angle at which you work, the 6 adjustments show here might just prolong your need for a new chair and save you a little money in the process.

1.) Adjust Chair Height

First things first, you've got to analyze your chair height. Even if you've got the best new office chair on the market, if it's set too low you'll be restricting blood flow in your legs. Restricted blood flow can lead to cramping and fatigue. If your chair is set too high you'll be straining to compute. The perfect chair height is slightly different for everyone as we are all different for everyone. You want your chair set to a height that allows your thighs to rest flat across the seat with your feet flat on the ground, thus creating a 45 degree angle. This creates stability, optimal blood flow, and support.

2.) Adjust Chair Arms

Even many of the basic ergonomic office chairs manufactured in the last 5 years come standard with height adjustable arms. Your chair might even have width adjustable arms with swiveling arm caps. Setting up your arms for healthy computing is essential. Your forearms should be flush with the arm pads and level with your keyboard. Proper arm height will reduce muscular effort in the neck and shoulders to minimize risk of pain throughout long work days.

3.) Adjust Tilt Tension

Your chair tilts from a pivot point underneath the seat. The tilt tension knob (typically located underneath the front edge of your seat) controls the rate of recline. You don't want your chair set so loose that it creates a falling feeling every time you lean back. Alternatively, you don't want your tilt tension so tight that straining is required to rock gently throughout the work day. A little rocking motion in your personal task chair is a good thing. When you lean back and forth on your chair back, your muscles are active, working, and effective. It's when you sit stagnant for long periods of time that fatigue strikes!

4.) Adjust Seat Depth

If your chair has an adjustable seat, you definitely need to use it. It's an awesome weapon in your ergonomic arsenal against discomfort. The seat depth feature allows you to slide your chair up behind your thighs for additional knee support. If there's a wide gap between the back of your knee and the office chair when sitting naturally, it's a problem!

5.) Adjust Lumbar Support

Shoppers always want a chair with an adjustable lumbar support. The problem is, they seldom use the adjustment feature to improve comfort. The "set it and forget it" approach to office chair comfort isn't going to work regardless of what chair you use. Like all chair features, the lumbar support needs to be adjusted to your specific body type to provide optimal support. Adjusting the lumbar area of your chair will increase or decrease the curvature of the chair to fit the profile of your lower back. If you perform all of the adjustments above, your lumbar will need to be tweaked as well. If you don't have an ergonomic computer chair with an adjustable lumbar support feature, lower back pads are available at a fraction of the cost of an all new chair.

Bonus Tip: Take Short Breaks

Lat but not least, you need to take short breaks. Even the most advanced office seating solutions are not intended to be used around the clock without short breaks. As you sit for hours on end, even the best posture habits suffer. Take a 5 to 10 minute break once an hour to stay refreshed. Walk away from your desk, get a drink of water to stay hydrated, and stretch out your muscles to get the blood flowing!

Are You Getting The Most Out of Your Drafting Chair?

The proper use of your drafting chair will make you a more effective designer, artist, or architect. That being said, drafting chairs are commonly left unadjusted and full potential in the workplace is never reached. In today's post we'll highlight 5 of the various ways you can improve your sitting experience and achieve higher comfort while operating from your drafting chair.

1.) Adjust Height

If you find yourself hunched over while working or reaching up regularly from your chair, there's a good chance a simple height adjustment will help you operate more effectively. Most drafting chairs adjust easily via simple lever underneath the chairs seat. Those who use ergonomic seating properly often adjust chair height numerous times per day to minimize body movements and improve posture. Try adjusting your chair height to find a comfortable position that works best for you and your body and don't be afraid to adjust multiple times for a variety of applications!

2.) Practice Good Posture

Practicing good posture is just plain smart. Sitting upright and ergonomically correct will ensure good blood flow and more comfortable days at work. Various studies have shown that those who operate from a slouched or hunched position reach high levels of fatigue much quicker and thus operate at lower levels of productivity. Meeting with your physician to discuss your sitting position will provide valuable insight as to where you can improve posture at work. You can also visit several excellent ergo friendly sites online with posture tips for improved performance while working from your drafting chair.

3.) Lumbar Support

Lumbar support has become a standard feature on most drafting stools in 2014. The industries top brands have added this feature in both adjustable and integrated styles to help users operate more comfortably. If your chair has an integrated lumbar support, you are already reaping some very helpful benefits. However, those using a drafting chair with adjustable lumbar support will have a distinct advantage... if they take advantage of the feature! Be sure to test your chairs lumbar support feature while working. Try a few different settings and determine which ones work best for your specific work style. Low back pain is a major concern when working and the proper use of your chairs adjustable lumbar support will have you ready to defeat this common issue.

4.) Adjust Arms

If your chair is outfitted with fixed arms it may be time for an upgrade! Adjustable arms are a must for those long days at the office. Interior designers, architects, and artists will all benefit greatly by using a drafting chair with height and width adjustable arms. Brands like Mayline, Global Total Office, and Eurotech offer a variety of affordable models to consider. If your chair already has adjustable arms it's time to put those bad boys to use! Throughout the day, try adjusting to various heights and widths while working. You'll find more support and comfort in no time at all! It's sad to say that most opt to add all the bells and whistles possible on their chair but commonly fail to use the features properly. Don't be afraid to test your chairs limits and reach your full potential.

5.) Adjust Back Angle

Most well made drafting chairs offer a tilt feature that will allow you to adjust the chairs back angle with the pull of a lever. Do you ever find yourself working from an angle that your back has no contact with the chair back? If so you're not alone! Many of us are so used to accepting this common practice that regularly leads to back problems. Adjust your chairs back angle while working throughout the day. When computing, drafting, and drawing we typically lean forward to engage in our works. Tilting the back of your chair to meet the curve of your body will provide better support while simultaneously improving your workplace functionality.

The 4 Levels of Ergonomic Comfort

 

So you've purchased a new office chair and a few ergo accessories, but something's still missing! Not to worry. In today's article we'll highlight the 4 key levels of ergonomic comfort and the products you'll need to achieve each. Enjoy!

Level 1: Low

The lowest level of ergonomic comfort is typically achieved through a lack of product knowledge and your specific work style. While not every ergonomic product is a must have, some definitely are! If you're working with an office chair that doesn't fit your body type and specific needs effectively, you're probably stuck in the lowest phase of ergonomic comfort. For those dealing with discomfort in the workplace on a daily basis, it's time to make a change! Start by working with an office chair specialist to choose a cost effective seating solution that works for you.

Level 2: Medium

Once you've added a quality ergonomic chair to your space, be sure to educate yourself on it's features and adjustment capabilities. To fully achieve a healthy medium of ergonomic comfort in the workplace, mastering your office chair is a must. Once you've customized your sit, it's time to improve your space with a retractable keyboard tray. There's no doubt this product is the unsung hero of the workplace. Once considered a niche product, adjustable keyboard trays that retract have now become a must have for any individual who cares about reducing the risk of carpal tunnel and is in need of more useable desk space. That being said, mastering your chair and adding an ergo keyboard tray will help you achieve level 2.

Level 3: High

Those working at a high level of efficiency are no doubt utilizing the correct office chair and keyboard tray for their space. However, the must have item needed for this stage of ergonomic comfort is the dual screen monitor arm. Why you ask? The wide range of adjustment capabilities and versatility achieved from these products will no doubt improve the rate at which you compute while simultaneously freeing up ample desk space from where your monitor used to sit. With a quality monitor mounting system you'll be able to quickly adjust the computer screen angle in any direction. Those who wear glasses or contacts will enjoy the ability to move screens closer or further away when need. Any ergo specialist will tell you, visual comfort matters in a major way!

Level 4: Exceptional

If you're looking to take your workspace over the top to achieve exceptional ergonomic comfort, we'll tell you just how to do it! In 2014, innovative new products such as desks that adjust in height along with CPU holders and adjustable foot rests will have you optimized for the peak performance. Being exceptionally ergo minded doesn't mean adding every product we've mentioned today. It means using them effectively to meet your specific needs in the workplace. An ergonomic chair, keyboard tray, monitor arm, and height adjustable desk will have you ready to work in a whole new way, but only if you take the time to master them correctly!

5 Simple Ways To Test A New Office Chair

When shopping for new office chairs you'll be met with ample products designed for a variety of different applications. When shopping, it's important to know the key ways to test chairs to ensure they meet your individual needs while providing the support and comfort you need to get through the work day. Today's article highlights the 5 best ways to test office chair functionality to help you make an informed purchasing decision and smart chair investment.

1.) Lumbar

Once thought of as a luxury option, lumbar support mechanisms are now becoming a standard option on most office chairs priced over $300. While both lesser and far more expensive solutions are available, a lumbar support is a great way to relieve back pain regardless of the chair you choose to purchase. Models with built in lumbar supports will often not require adjusting. Simply sitting in the chair will give you a relatively good idea of how much support you'll be obtaining from the feature. Higher end products will often offer users the ability to adjust the lumbar action via a knob or lever typically located on the back of the chair. When testing, you'll want to rotate between both ends of the features spectrum to determine the full range of support obtainable. Brands like Global Total Office are a great source to consider for those shopping for computer chairs with lumbar support features.

2.) Mobility

The mobility of an office chair is an important feature to test. While we aren't suggesting a full on chair race around the showroom floor, simple leg assisted chair slides are a good indicator of just how well a chair moves. Heavier chairs are often a bit bulky to move on carpet while lighter models are often very touchy on hard surfaces. As a side tip, be sure to ask you dealer of choice if the chairs you're interested in can be purchased with a choice of hard floor or carpet casters. Specifying the wheel type based on the surface you plan to be working on is a great way to improve mobility and stability.

3.) Durability

Unfortunately most chair providers won't allow full on crash test dummy experiments with their showroom chairs. Needless to say this would be quite fun but also unnecessary. A chairs durability is often a direct reflection of the manufacturer and upholstery used on the product. Searching for reviews online will be a good indicator of just how well a chair is made. Inquire with your dealer about what grade of fabric or leather the chair is upholstered in. The grade indicates just how high of quality the seating material is and how many double rubs or approximately how many times you can sit in a chair without wearing down the fabric.

4.) Seat Height

Most of the new office chairs available this year are equipped with pneumatic cylinders for adjusting chair height. This feature is easily tested via a lever typically located underneath the right side of the chair seat. Pulling the lever up should provide a smooth releasing action that lowers the chair when under weight. lifting your rear from the seat and pulling the same lever should raise the seating surface via the cylinder. A quality chair should require minimal effort to raise and lower effectively. The movement should be smooth and gradual.

5.) Arms

Chairs with fixed arms don't provide much versatility in the workplace. When shopping for a new seating solution for your home or business, models with adjustable arms are definitely preferred. Most of the top executive chairs for home use offer a wide range of arm motion capabilities such as width, height, and angle adjustments. The various movements are designed to increase circulation, take pressure off the wrists, and provide support during those long computing sessions. Testing the chair arms should be simple. Most models offer a single button or lever located under the arm rest that allow for a full range of motions. Be sure to check if the arms are wobbly before attempting to adjust. This could be a good indicator of poor craftsmanship and a sign of future problems to come. The chair arms should be sturdy and firm once a desired setting is reached.

Essential Products For The Modern Office

Designing a modern office can be fun an exciting. Unfortunately, if you don't know where to look and what products to use it can be a real bummer! Luckily, this article highlights the essential products you'll need to create the modern workspace of your dreams. From desks to accessories, we've covered it all. Enjoy!

Any modern office is focused around the main desk configuration. As this will be your main purchase, it's where the majority of your budget should be directed to. The good news is, shopping for modern desk configurations online has never been easier. Brands like OFM, Mayline, and Cherryman Industries offer some of the coolest modern executive desks money can buy. No matter the size of your space and budget, these awesome brands will have your executive space looking tip top in no time. Models like the Cherryman VL-749N desk set boast the cutting edge good looks you'll need to start your office makeover project off on the right foot. Those looking for a blend of old and new will love the Mayline Napoli series and products like the NT4 Napoli desk with choice of 3 in stock finishes. Another bonus of Napoli line of Mayline furniture is that it features a wide variety of accenting products that allow you to utilize one cohesive line throughout your entire business.

Once you shopped a variety of modern desks for your home or business and settled on the perfect set, it's time to go ergo! Adding ergonomic office chairs for sale from brands like Flash Furniture, Eurotech, and RFM Preferred Seating will will provide an instant boost to your efficiency and overall effectiveness. Once of the coolest computer chairs on the market today, the Eurotech Bodyflex Chair is a great choice for those looking to save a buck. Priced at only $322.99, it's truly an excellent value. Looking for a more high end solution? No problem! The RFM Verte Chair is one of the most user friendly office seating for comfort on the market today. If you're truly looking to take your modern space to the next level, Verte will certainly do the trick!

Keeping your office organized will certainly keep you more productive throughout your work day. In 2013, a variety of modern storage cabinets are available for executive and home office environments. Products like the Venice series contemporary wall cabinet by OFM will definitely do the trick for any modern space. Those looking to maximize their filing potential will enjoy products like the metal lateral file cabinets from the Mayline CSII collection are great for adding an industrial element to your work area. The commercial look has been incredibly popular this year, and units like the C843H file cabinet definitely bode well for that highly desired look!

Once you've handled the modern office furniture and seating for your space, it's time to add some wow factor! Top selling ergonomic office accessories like dual screen monitor mount solutions from ESI will definitely add that extra element that takes your space over the top. Affordable articulating monitor arms can be purchased from reputable brands like ESI through a variety of online dealers. Priced starting around $150 for single screen monitor arm models, you'll definitely get your money worth out of this excellent office investment.

Last but certainly not least, any modern office should be equipped with a cool desk lamp and accenting office lighting that compliments your look. Products like the ESI Solstice Desk Lamp also provide a USB charging station. Priced at $197.99, this item makes a perfect gift idea that any high tech person will surely love. In addition to the Solstice, products like the Symmetry Poise Desk Lamp also provide valued office lighting solutions that will improve your decor and versatility. This adjustable unit can be moved and rotated to fit any specific task. Use this in conjunction with your ergonomic furniture and you'll be on your way to the perfect modern office!

In the long run, adding products like desks with ergonomic benefits, chairs, and storage products from brands like those mentioned above will help you get your office started on the right foot. Meeting with industry professionals and reading helpful office furniture review articles like this should provide the insight you need to get your makeover tackled successfully.

How To Arrange Your Reception Furniture Effectively

Making a good first impression is essential for any business. As the reception area is commonly the first space seen by guests of your company, it's essential to have your furniture arranged in a professional manner. This article highlights simple and easy ways to coordinate, arrange, and layout your professional reception furniture and seating. Enjoy!

Place Your Reception Desk

The reception desk should be used as a main focal point of any guest area.  Any well designed business entry space will provide visitors with a clear method of first contact, and the reception station provides just that. The preferred method of placement for larger reception areas is at a central point in order to provide a welcoming appearance from any angle. Smaller reception areas typically utilize back wall placement to maximize the amount of usable square footage for seating. This is also acceptable. Areas designed with side entries will want to utilize an L shaped reception desk configuration along the opposite wall to provide an open feel. Top reception desk layouts from manufacturers like Mayline, Offices To Go, and Cherryman Industries provide solutions for areas of any size. Keep in mind, most large and small reception desks are somewhat heavy. Measure your space properly to ensure a proper fit and minimize movement efforts. Essentially, the first place you put your desk is where it should stay.

Layout Your Seating

When planning your reception furniture makeover project, it's best to pull out a note pad to make a few practice sketches. Plot out your area in a variety of different ways to see what feels most effective. Remember to identify important factors like the number of guests you hope to accommodate, power access, and child entertainment.

Popular reception seating layouts include the wrap around look, which consists of guest seating configured around the border of your space accented by a center table. The back to back look essentially combines the general theme of the a wrap around layout with chairs placed back to back through the center for additional seating. No matter your choice, it's always smart to draw out a few ideas no matter how poor your drawing skills may be! Professional design services are also available from most reputable office furniture providers.

Once you've chosen chairs for the reception area and a layout configuration, you'll need to determine what style of chair works best for your business. A variety of wood reception chairs are available for traditionally styled spaces. Modern businesses will prefer contemporary solutions like modular beam seating from brands like OFM Office Furniture for their space. A modular product is always a wise investment. Mobilized chairs, gang seating, and stacking office chairs make for easy to clean spaces that can rearrange in minutes.

Arrange Your Accent Furniture

Shopping for new reception tables and matching accent furniture can be fun! This simple step really allows office employees the chance to let their interior design skills shine. Popular items for accenting your reception, lounge, or waiting room furniture include magazine displays, lighting, and versatile end tables from a variety of top brands. As a side tip, if you choose wood reception tables, makes sure they are cohesive with the reception station finish you've chosen. One form of accent furniture can also double as yet another focal point. The coffee table, if arranged in the center of a seating layout can showcase business style and get the style compliments flowing! Using any of the office coffee tables provided from brands like Lesro Industries are a great way to achieve just that.

When accenting your reception space ask yourself a few simple questions. Does this item improve the look of my business? Does it improve efficiency and effectiveness? Will it improve our guests visit? If you answer yes, the product is probably worth purchasing. If the answer is no, it's more than likely a luxury item that can be left out to save your budget. In the long run arranging accenting office reception tables should be a fun step that allows your professional ingenuity to shine. Strive for a welcoming space that offers a great first impression. The rest will fall in line!

Office Furniture Installation Tips To Remember

So you've decided to undergo an office makeover project for your business. Excellent! The purchase of office furniture is often overshadowed by the fear of the installation portion of any project. Not to worry! Furniture installation is typically quite easy and with the simple tips included in this article, your office will be up and running in no time.

Tip 1: Prep Your Space

The first tip is an absolute essential. There is nothing worse than being surprised by a semi truck at your business looking to drop off thousands of dollars worth of furniture when you are ill prepared. The best way to avoid this is to track your shipment accordingly and prepare your space. By removing old furniture and properly storing important documents, you will already be ahead of the curve! On a side note, consider taking pictures of your old furniture for listing on classified websites. Selling your used business office furniture is an excellent way to add additional funds to your corporate budget.

Tip 2: Staging Your Furniture

Once the applicable office environments have been properly prepped it will be time to receive your new furniture. In most cases, furniture delivery only includes a curbside service unless otherwise specified and requested. If you've opted for curbside delivery it will be your responsibility to bring your new office desks or seating into your business. As most work environments are limited on space, it's incredibly important to dictate a staging area to get your installation plan situated. Once you've made a plan, you'll be able to un carton and pre build major components and move them into your space. With larger items like a conference table, it's best to stage and build out products in the main area to minimize heavy lifting and dangerous carries down the hallway! Another important benefit of the staging area is organization. You'll be surprised at just how much debris and cartoning comes along with a major furnishing makeover. The staging area will provide an excellent place to organize parts and instructions for your project.

Tip 3: Helpful Tools

While several of the top office furniture collections for home and business use come standard with the tools needed for installation, some do not. Lines like the Marque OFM Reception Desk collection actually require no tools at all for assembly! Regardless of the furniture you purchase and what's included arming yourself with a few basic tools will make your job much easier. A box cutter is great for getting into cardboard packaging and removing pallet straps for larger furniture like the reception desks mentioned above. A screwdriver is also nice to have on hand for obvious reasons. A multi purpose driver with a variety of bit options can be purchased for around $10 and will pay for itself over a variety of projects. The last essential item needed is a decent set of allen wrenches. Everything from executive office chairs to small computer desks feature some form of allen related component. In most cases, the included allen wrench will work okay but a back up set is always advised as you might be over zealous and strip your one and only wrench! It's never fun to stop a project midway for a trip to the local hardware store. Additional tools like power drills are nice to have but not necessary in most cases. Any reputable manufacturer will be happy to recommend helpful tools for any specific project.

Tip 4: Work With a Friend

Small office projects like building out a few computer chairs can easily be handled by a single person. A typical computer chair should only take you around 30 minutes to assemble. Larger jobs like the installation of office cubicles often takes a team of professionals. This tip refers to those medium sized projects that involve some heavy lifting! On average, executive desks weigh over 100 lbs when built out. The individual components can often be tricky to work with individually. For this reason, requesting the help of a trusted friend will be a huge help. Adding a coworker to the makeover project will also help you improve the overall safety of the installation. Holding pieces in place to be connected is a benefit that should not be overlooked. While most installations will only take an hour or two, adding a trusted helper will cut down your overall work time by helping to share the work load.

Tip 5: Odds & Ends

A few minor things will help your project in a major way. The use of a furniture dolly will provide ease of mobility when moving furniture of any kind. Positioning heavier products on furniture sliders is also a great way to improve the modularity of any office. Furniture sliders can be found at any local hardware store for around $10 and are truly back savers! Be mindful of your walls and the finish of your furniture. Blankets are a great way to protect both when moving. Lastly, doors stops will save you some tricky maneuvering through tight spaces. It's easy to imagine the difficulty of holding a door open while trying to move a desk though safely. If any job becomes to difficult or seems unsafe in any way, stop. Evaluate the situation, ask for help, and call the professionals. No furniture is worth getting hurt over. Industry professionals will always be available to provide helpful advice to get you through your project with ease.