Trend Spotting: 5 Office Chairs Sure To Be Hot In 2017

To operate comfortably in 2017, you'll need a high quality chair that's up to today's ergonomic standards. Have no fear. We've got you covered! Today on the OfficeAnything.com blog we'll highlight 5 cool new chairs from brands like Modway, OFM, and Offices To Go that boast the style characteristics and adjustable features needed to rock your work day.

First up, the Modway Pattern collection mid century modern high back office chair with checkered seat and back. Talk about cool! At just $265.99, this new office chair is an absolute bargain buy that's built for comfort. With it's sleek design, the EEI-2122 Pattern chair will help you maximize operating space. This versatile chair is perfect for executive interiors as well as professional conference room environments.

Next up, an awesome chair for the big and tall crowd. The 257 model Stratus chair from OFM is ready, willing, and able to accommodate users up to 350 pounds. This high quality mesh back big and tall chair comes standard with a built in lumbar support, 4 way adjustable arms, and much more to keep you operating posture perfect in 2017.

The Offices To Go 11980B high back executive office chair boasts un unrivaled blend of style and value. It's naturally pronounced lumbar area properly supports the lower back. The adjustable T shaped arms make finding the correct computing position a breeze. At just $225.99, the 11980B model chair from Offices To Go can be yours in attractive fabric seat textile options from the Pebbles upholstery collection to help customize your interiors.

The team at Global Total Office is kicking off the new year in a major way. Take one look at their new Luray seating collection and you'll see what we mean. With it's contoured back design, ribbed stitching pattern, and available upgrades, you'll be hard pressed to find a chair that's more up to date with today's hottest trends. The Global Luray office chair is available in a choice of 3 back heights. Our personal favorite is the 6460LM with leather upholstery. All models can be enhanced with polished frame and wood arm cap upgrades that really pop in professional settings.

Last but certainly not least, shoppers on the hunt for a cool new chair in 2017 will definitely want to check out the 404W model mid back task chair from the iDesk Collection. This Oroblanco series mesh back chair is perfect for everyday computing. At the everyday low price of just $299.99, it's set to be one of the best buys of the year. The Oroblanco tasker is available in a variety of attractive seat upholstery options like Celedon and Persimmon that your designer will love. The 404W model Oroblanco chair can be used effectively in both home and private office settings. We've even seen these versatile swivel chairs used to create ergonomically inspired conference rooms. In addition to the 404W model Oroblanco chair, high back models are also available from the iDesk collection.

Set Your Comfort Standards In 2017

Do you have standards for your personal comfort in the workplace? You should! As the new year gets underway, now is the perfect time to commit to ergonomic operating. Today on the OfficeAnything.com blog we'll provide you with the tips, product suggestions, and advice needed to make 2017 your most effective year ever. From mastering your chair's features to avoiding bad posture habits, we've got you covered.

First things first, you have to get to know your office chair. If you're unfamiliar with your chair and its features, you won't be able to operate it correctly. To get the most out of your chair, it needs to be synchronized to your body and workstation.

Go ahead and pull out your chair manual and give it a read. Refreshing yourself on your chairs components will help you set high quality comfort standards you can maintain. If you can't find your chair manual, visit the manufacturer's website. Most of them are available online. You can download it a file on your computer.

Once you've looked over your manual, you're now ready to start mastering the features. Memorize the functions of the levers on your office chair mechanism will have you ready to adjust at a moments notice. To set effective comfort standards, you can't take a "set it and forget it" approach.

Throughout the day, you'll likely need to adjust your ergonomic office chair a few times to stay posture perfect and true to the standards you've set. Each time you lean forward, your chair needs to tilt with you. It's absolutely essential to keep your back in contact with the chair at all times to stay properly supported.

The height of your chair should be set to a point that allows you to work with your feet flat on the ground and facing forward. The days of using your chair base as a foot rest need to come to an end as quickly as possible. Set the standard for correct operating by painting paper chair height and feet alignment. Perching on the base of your swivel chair will result in poor blood flow that leads to cramping and fatigue.

Operating comfortably in 2017 is more about you than your chair. Good habits go a long way, but you can also set up your office workstation to be more ergonomically correct. You'll want to start by getting your computer screen up to eye level. If you find yourself looking at a down word angle to see the monitor while typing, raise it up. Investing in an ergonomic monitor arm will get the job done professionally. That being said, if the budget is tight a stack of books or a shoebox box will do the trick.

Last but not least, you'll want to make a posture chair that highlights your personal operating goals to keep them fresh in your mind throughout the work day. Place your chart within eye sight of your computer screen. Believe it or not, studies have shown that workers who utilize posture tip charts report positive results. It's hard to memorize perfect sitting tips and comfort standards throughout task filled days. That's why a simple posture chart is a must.

Tips For Your Posture Chart:

Sit with feet flat on the ground and facing forward.
Don't use the base of the office chair as a foot rest.
Keep the computer screen at eye level for proper spine and neck alignment.
Keep your back in contact with the chair at all times to ensure proper support.
Take a 10 minute break once every hour to stay refreshed and avoid extended sits.

The last tip is a real biggie! You can't allow yourself to work for hours at a time without standing up. Studies show that this bad habit leads to serious health problems. Commit to comfort and productivity standards in 2017 by keeping your body refreshed. Stand up, go for a short walk around the office, stretch those muscles, and drink some water to stay hydrated.

The 5 Most Troublesome Sitting Habits Explained

Having trouble with your sit? Feeling uncomfortable and productivity is suffering? Have no fear! Our ergo experts are here! Today on the Office Anything Blog we'll identify 5 of the most troublesome sitting habits while sharing the tips, tricks, and advice needed to kick them to the curb. Enjoy!

1.) Slouching

You've heard it since you were little. Don't slouch! This all too common problem affects far to many workers. Each time you slouch and lean away from your chair, you're missing out on the essential support needed to operate effectively for long periods of time. To solve this issue, make it a point to keep your back in contact with your chair. Set your office chair back angle to a comfortable, upright position that ensures your spine is properly supported.

2.) Perching

When sitting at your desk, avoid using the base of your chair as a footrest. This bad habit, also referred to as perching, limits blood flow and leads to fatigue. Perching on your chair base can cause pain and cramping that significantly diminishes your chances of operating comfortably throughout the entirety of your day. The solution? Work with your feet flat on the ground and facing forward. It's a simple fix, you just have to commit to it. Many of the most common office chair posture tips revolve around muscle memory. This one is no different!

3.) Looking Down

This simple but troublesome sitting habit is typically the result of your computer screens being situated too low. Looking down at your keyboard or screens when typing over the course of the work day will cause you neck to stiffen up. This muscle tension will eventually lead to soreness and pain. To avoid looking down, raise your computer screens! The professional solution is the integration of a computer screen mount that offers a wide range of adjustment capabilities. If you choose to go this way, you can't go wrong with the monitor arms from ESI Ergonomic Solutions and Symmetry Office. If funds are tight, use a stack of books, or even a cardboard box to raise your screens up in the time being.

4.) Extended Sits

Believe it or not, one of the most common and troublesome sitting habits is directly related to sitting for long periods of time! Extended sits cause fatigue. When you become tired, your posture tends to suffer. To avoid this common problem, take short breaks. Once every hour, stand up and walk away from your desk. Stretch out those muscles and grab a drink of water to stay hydrated. The health risks associated with sitting for long periods of time are very serious. Studies have shown that sitting for long periods of time without taking breaks can actually reduce your life span. Take this bad habit seriously. Don't get overly wrapped up into a project to the point where you stay in your chair for hours upon hours. Force yourself to take short stretch breaks as often as possible!

5.) Sitting At The Wrong Height

Be honest. When is the last time your adjusted your office chair? If you can't remember, the odds are you're due for a quick chair and desk synchronizing session. All too often, workers take a set it and forget it approach to office chair comfort. To operate at peak performance levels and avoid troublesome sitting habits, you need to familiarize yourself with that fancy ergonomic swivel chair and the adjustment features you invested in. Don't be afraid to adjust several times throughout the day to meet the needs of any particular task. Sitting too low or high in your chair will cause your posture to suffer. You'll be limiting blood flow and subjecting yourself to unnecessary fatigue and physical strain that can be quickly avoided with the pull of a lever.

Improve Office Posture With Simple Reminders!

To sit correct, you'll need to form good posture habits that will help you through those strenuous days at the office. That being said, studies have shown that placing a list of reminders within eye sight of your computer screen yields major results. Today on the OfficeAnything.com blog we'll help you come up with a list of helpful reminders to post at your workstation. Use these tips to effectively fight discomfort and fatigue in 2016 and beyond.

1.) Keep Back In Contact With Chair

It's important to let your chair do it's job! If you find yourself leaning away from the main support structure of your chair, you'll be missing out on key ergonomic benefits. To avoid leaning away, get in the habit of utilizing your chairs tilt function. Most chairs manufactured after 2005 come standard with tilt ready mechanisms to help you operate effectively in all situations. Start by synchronizing your swivel chair seat and back. Set your chair to an angle that keeps you operating at 90 degrees when computing. Maintain this position as often as possible. When you need to access areas around your station, don't over extend. Stand up from your chair and avoid slipping into poor posture positions as a result of leaning away from your chair back.

2.) Don't Hunch To Type

This office epidemic causes major back pain, strain, and fatigue! Sadly, we all fall victim to this common problem. We find ourselves enthralled in important tasks throughout the day, and suddenly we're operating in over eager computing positions that have us hunched over our keyboard trays. Make it a habit to lean into your chair when typing. Each time you hunch over, your spine is provided with little to know support. Essentially, you're subjecting yourself to strain that's completely avoidable by sitting upright to type.

3.) Set Computer Screen To Eye Level

If your computer screen is below eye level, you'll be looking down to type. When you're looking down to type, you're straining your neck and eyes. This poor posture habit can be quickly solved by raising your computer screen to eye level. While an ergonomic monitor mount is the preferred option, those looking to save a few bucks and raise their computer screen up to eye level with a stack of books. In the long run, it doesn't have to be pretty to be effective!

4.) Place Feet Flat and Facing Forward

Don't use the base of your office chair as a foot rest. This bad habit limits blood flow to your legs and will cause productivity drops throughout the day. Instead, operate in your task chair with your feet flat on the ground and facing forward. This correct operating position ensures good posture and top notch stability. Other poor positions like "the relaxer" that involve extending your legs out in front of your like you're in a beach chair should also be avoided at all costs!

5.) Take Short Breaks

Here's a reminder that won't be hard to forget. Take short breaks! When you sit for long periods of time, your body becomes tired. Extended sits result in poor posture and can even shorten your life space. That being said, it's important to take a 10 minute break once every hour. Stand up, walk away from your office desk and stretch out those muscles. Go grab a drink of water or some fresh air. You'll return to your desk more focused and less strained. This simple practice will have you fighting key posture related problems that result from fatigue and muscle pain caused by rushing through the work day without standing up! To make a long story short, to achieve a better sit, you've got to stand up once in awhile!

Capitalize On Comfort: 5 Tips For A Better Sit

These days, it's all about ergonomics in the workplace. To operate at peak performance levels, you've got to be comfortable. By forming good posture habits and sitting techniques you'll be ready, willing, and able to adjust at a moments notice to achieve the correct operational position. Today on our first ever Capitalize On Comfort post, we'll highlight 5 key ways to improve your sit. Enjoy!

1.) Master The Mechanism

You can't take a "set it and forget it" approach to ergonomics in the workplace. While one chair operating position may be great for a variety of tasks, it's not the be-all-end-all solution to sitting correctly. Take the time to read the owner's manual that came with your chair and watch a couple of demo videos online to help you master your tasking chair mechanism. The mechanism located under your seat is essentially the brain. It controls about 80% of the functions associated with your chair. With an improved knowledge of how your chair mechanism works, you'll be more confident when adjusting. That confidence and knowledge will result in an improved sitting experience you can rely on day-in and day-out.

2.) Keep Feet Flat and Forward

It's time to stop propping up your feet on the base of your office chair. It's not a foot rest. We call this poor sitting position "The Percher". Don't extend your legs and cross your feet out in front of you. This operating position is known as "The Lounger". These bad sitting habit results in poor blood flow that results in muscle stiffness and even cramping over long periods of time. Make it a point to work with you feet facing flat on the ground and facing forward. This stance encourages good posture, stability, and support.

3.) Let The Chair Get Your Back

Every time you lean away from your office chair to reach for items around your workstation, you're missing out on key support. Do you hunch over your desk top and keyboard tray when typing? If so, you're spine isn't properly supported. You've gotta let the chair get your back! It's incredibly important to maintain contact with the chair's seating surfaces at all times when working. In the long run, your office chair wants to help you be at your best. If you lean away, it can't do it's most important job! Take your sitting experience to the next level by remembering to keep your back in contact with the chair back as much as possible.

4.) Don't Look Down

Don't worry, this tip has nothing to do with heights! That being said, looking down when you're typing can cause big time pain and strain. To improve your sit and avoid this common problem, raise your computer screens up to eye level. If you don't want to spend the money on an ergonomic computer screen mount for your office, a stack of books will get the job done in the mean time. If you're looking down to type because you need to see the keys, consider taking an online typing course. Take the initiative to improve your workplace capabilities. You'll be glad you'd did. Learning to type without looking at the keys will improve your overall efficiency while simultaneously reducing neck strain associated with looking down all day!

5.) Take A Break

Sitting for extended periods of time can actually shorten your life space. Believe it or not, to improve your sit, you actually need to stand up! Taking a short break once every hour will allow you to properly stretch out your muscles. When you return to your computer chair you'll be ready to tackle your tasks in comfort. The longer we sit, the more likely fatigue, strain, stress, and soreness become factors. Fight back by taking short breaks as often as possible. Too busy to take breaks throughout the day? Consider switching to a sit to stand ergonomic desk or keyboard tray. These handy ergonomic tools promote continuous movement in the workplace and improve blood flow.

Office Chair Q & A: Seating Issues Solved!

 

All too often office chair problems cause headaches and frustrations that can be easily solved with the right knowledge. In today's post we'll be answering 10 of the most common office seating related questions to help you better understand your chair and enjoy a more effective work day. Enjoy!

Q: Why is my chair squeaking?

A: This common question is one that most seating providers hear regularly. The squeaking sound is typically the result of two metal parts brushing against each other while the chair is tilting. To solve this issue, lubricate your computer seating mechanisms and pneumatic lift cylinder. WD40 normally will do the trick!

Q: Why does my chair lean back so fast?

A: If you've ever sat in an office chair and had that falling feeling, you know this issue well! This common problem is due to the tilt tension setting on your chairs mechanism. In most cases, office chairs will have an adjustable knob located somewhere underneath your seat. Try tightening the knob and testing the chair. Your problem should be resolved.

Q: How often should I clean my office chair?

A: Office chairs don't typically require much cleaning. In most cases a simple wipe down will do the trick. We recommend cleaning about once every 6 months.

Q: What should I use to clean my leather office chair?

A: Office chair leather is very similar to vehicle leather. That being said, picking up a tube of leather wipes at  your local auto supply shop will come in really handy. Once every few months, pull out a wipe and give your leather office seating a quick cleaning to keep the upholstery looking fantastic.

Q: What should I use to clean my fabric office chair?

A: You should only attempt to clean your fabric office chair if it has been stained. rubbing against the surface of your chair can be quite abrasive. However, if your chair requires a stain removal, consult your dealer on what types of cleaners will work safely on your chairs specific upholstery. In most cases, a simple fabric upholstery cleaner can be purchased at your local hardware store and used effectively.

Q: Why are my chair arms wobbling?

A: If you attempt to adjust your ergonomic office chair arms and they feel loose or wobbly, it's time for a quick adjustment. Grab a set of allen wrenches or screw drivers (depending on what your chair requires) and tighten the screws that attach the arms to the underside of the chair seat. This should solve your problem

Q: Why doesn't my chair roll effectively?

A: This common issue is most regularly caused from debris being caught in one or all of the casters. First,  flip your chair over and inspect the wheels. You might just be surprised at what you've picked up rolling around the office. Paperclips, tacks, and other debris can cause your chairs casters to function poorly. Remove all the fodder and the problem should be resolved effectively.

Q: My chair has a polished frame and arms that are starting to fade. How do I stop this?

A: It's true that the polished finish on your chairs metal parts will fade over time. To solve this problem, pick up a can of non abrasive metal polish at your local hardware store (you chair manufacturer will be able to suggest helpful products to use on your specific model). Apply the cleaning solution and wipe lightly. The finish should definitely come back to life!

Q: My chair is set at an angle that is uncomfortable. How do I fix it?

A: The owners manual for your chair should be available online if you've lost it. In any case, there should be a paddle style lever on the right hand side of your chair. Pulling this paddle in an upward motion while sitting in your chair should change the angle at which your sitting.

Q: Why is my chair leaning to one side?

A: If your chair is leaning to one side, it's typically the result of a bad connection between the pneumatic lift cylinder and the seat mechanism. Try removing the two from each other and reconnecting correctly. A good connection between the cylinder and mechanism should have your chair sitting level.

Hopefully we've solved some of your basic chair issues with today's post. If you have additional questions, or would like help fixing an office chair issue, we'd be happy to assist!