Need a little guidance in the best furniture for your needs? Our handy articles will talk you through everything from the different frame finishes available, to bar stool maintenance. Offering expert advice and a little inspiration too, they’re sure to help you on your way.
Inspiration and Advice
Setting up the Perfect Home Office
These days, more and more people are choosing the freedom of working from home. With benefits including less time spent commuting and more time spent with your family, it’s obvious why. Whether you need a dedicated home office to work from every day, or a place for the kids to do their homework in, we’ll show you how to create an area that maximizes productivity and reduces distractions. Space-Saving Techniques for the Study We know that home offices come in all shapes and sizes. When they’re located in smaller rooms, or squeezed into the corner of kitchens, bedrooms or sitting rooms, it can be difficult to avoid feeling like you’re working in a cramped environment. Luckily, there are lots of ways that you can make the most of the space you have. With some resourceful techniques, you can create a functional workspace that you’ll love working at. First, try to situate your workspace in an area with as much natural light as possible. If you can, avoid busy areas with lots of distractions to create the ideal workspace in your home. For more compact rooms, or for workspaces tucked in the corner of other rooms, Saddle Stools are great. They don’t take up much room, and can easily be stashed away when they’re not being used. If, however, you’re looking for the comfort of an office chair without the size, choose a model with a low back like the Rochelle Office Chair to emphasize the space that you have. Space-Saving Techniques for the Study We know that home offices come in all shapes and sizes. When they’re located in smaller rooms, or squeezed into the corner of kitchens, bedrooms or sitting rooms, it can be difficult to avoid feeling like you’re working in a cramped environment. Luckily, there are lots of ways that you can make the most of the space you have. With some resourceful techniques, you can create a functional workspace that you’ll love working at. First, try to situate your workspace in an area with as much natural light as possible. If you can, avoid busy areas with lots of distractions to create the ideal workspace in your home. For more compact rooms, or for workspaces tucked in the corner of other rooms, Saddle Stools are great. They don’t take up much room, and can easily be stashed away when they’re not being used. If, however, you’re looking for the comfort of an office chair without the size, choose a model with a low back like the Rochelle Office Chair to emphasize the space that you have. "Remember, light colours can help to make more cramped areas appear roomier. Our collection of white office chairs offer a clean, modern look, plus they come in a wide range of styles and designs, so you can choose one to suit your individual tastes and requirements." Achieving an Executive Aesthetic Of course, you may want your at-home workspace to feel just as professional as any other business. There’s no reason that you can’t achieve this look at home. For a business-like feel, go for a higher end, luxury model. Executive designs like the Stanford Office Chair Black combine chrome frames with faux leather for a deluxe aesthetic. They’re also incredibly comfortable with lots of additional features, so you’ll have no excuse not to get to work! Multifunctional Spaces Often, your workplace will need to be a versatile space that can double up as an area where your kids can do their homework, or a place for relaxing in the evening. In this case, you’ll need to go for a model that is comfortable and fits with the design of your home. The Skyline Office Chair is a stylish alternative to the traditional office chair that offers just as much support as a conventional model. Lastly, make sure that you have plenty of storage to keep your workplace clutter free and organised. Remember: a tidy desk is a tidy mind! Whatever you’re looking for, we have a great range for you to choose from, you can browse our full range of office chairs below. Shop All Office Chairs
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Office Chairs for Bad Backs
From time to time we’re all susceptible to developing back pain. Due to the nature of your job or perhaps even a hobby, you’re likely to find yourself sat at a desk or workstation for long periods of time. As we get older we all experience varying amounts of arthritis, including spondylosis and spondylitis. Nevertheless, choosing the right office chair and knowing how to use it not only ensures you’re as comfortable as possible when seated, but they can also work to prevent back problems in the future. Selecting a Good Quality Chair First of all, you should look for an office chair with good padding and sufficient lumbar support. As well as the overall cushioning of the body for comfort, it’s crucial that the backrest supports the right areas of the spine. A chair that fits into the curve of the lower back (the lordosis) is vital. Encouraging a good posture, this will lessen existing back pain as well as preventing it from developing in the first place. Padding can also be employed higher up the backrest to support the upper section of the spine (the kyphosis) as well as the neck, as seen in the Bradgate. Creating correct posture is key. Sitting with bad posture puts unnecessary strain on areas of your spine, applying undue pressure on the discs, joints and muscles. This not only causes pain in the back and neck, but it can also lead to headaches and a string of other health problems. Yet just as important as choosing an office chair with the modern features is the way the chair is set up for you, and tailoring it to suit the height and size of your body. Adjusting the Ergonomic Features You can have the best chair out there with the latest features and functionality, but if you don’t adjust it to your personal requirements it won’t do you any good. The key to a pain-free back is setting your chair at the ideal position for you, and therefore it’s key you tailor it to your individual measurements before use. This will dramatically reduce the chance of developing a bad back, or if you already experience pain it can be adjusted as often as needed to find the most comfortable position. All good office chairs should have the following functionality: Comfortable padding Backrest with quality lumbar support A gas lift mechanism for variable height A tilt mechanism Adjustable seat depth Two adjustable armrests 360 swivel A nylon caster base We have covered all these features in detail in our Office Chair Buying Guide, but let’s look at them now in terms of how they affect the back. How to Set Up Your Chair First of all you need to adjust the height of the seat to the ideal elevation for your workstation. Being sat too high or too low at a desk can lead to bad posture as you have a tendancy to hunch or slouch, and can hence put strain on the spine. Ensure your eyes are level with the computer screen and your feet are flat on the floor. If your feet struggle to reach it, then invest in a footrest, as seen in the diagram above. Next, adjust your backrest and seat pad to find a comfortable working position. We’re all guilty of slouching, but this can actually result in a curvature of the spine. The pressure of this can cause pain down the line, and therefore you should set your chair to an upright position that will encourage you to sit up straight. Tilt the seat pad so your thighs are roughly at a 90 to 95 degree angle to the body, and fix the backrest to about 100 to 110 degrees. A tilting mechanism is recommended to allow flexible movement. Aches and pains can build when the body is fixed in the same position for too long, and thus a tilt function can aid good circulation as well as reducing tension and discomfort. Seat depth should also be adjusted to maintain good posture. Make sure you’re sat firmly against the backrest, hips as far back in the chair as possible. The curve of the backrest should fit snugly in the small of your back, and there should be a slight gap between the backs of your legs and front edge of the seat pad. Armrests should also be modified for your own usage. Your forearms and elbows should sit slightly higher than the desk, inviting you to lean back into the chair with your arms supported by the armrests, instead of hunching forward. Providing that extra support, it lessens the pressure on the shoulders and thoracic spine, as well as reducing the chance of developing repetitive strain injury (RSI) in your forearms. We’d also advise a 360 swivel function. This ensures that the chair rotates with you when you turn, the rotation going through the seat and not your back. Sat in a stationary chair you can put stress on your spine when you twist your body round to speak to colleagues or reach a document. It’s not good for the spine to rotate in certain places, and hence a swivel mechanism is designed to prevent this. Whilst not absolutely vital, a nylon caster base can also help. Instead of putting strain on your back by attempting to lift or drag the chair around the room when needing to move it, the wheels allow ease of mobility. Yet whilst our stylish range of office chairs are highly ergonomic and designed to alleviate back pain when adjusted correctly, the fact is that the spine is not meant to be immobile for too long. Take regular breaks when working at a desk all day - preferably every 30 minutes - to get up, stretch and move around. Not only will this reduce the chance of back pain from developing, but it will ease the pressure on your muscles and joints, helping to keep them loose and ache free. Now that you know the ergonomic features to look out for in an office chair, why not browse our great range by clicking on the button below. Remember, if you have any questions about choosing the model with the right support for you, you can contact us here.
Differences Between Office Chair Types
To get the best out of your office chair, you first need to decide what type it is you need. There are four main categories available, each suited to its particular usage. This article will talk you through the advantages of each one in turn, exploring their defining features to ensure you select the ideal design for you and your workspace. Operator Style Also known as task chairs, operator style office chairs are found in most offices. Whilst cheaper than other more premium models, they possess many ergonomic features. Indeed, their functionality is in their name. Designed to aid the task of operator type professions, for example typists, their upright shape supports an ergonomic seating position for those working at a computer all day. Shaped to the natural s-shape of the spine, they encourage good posture and provide quality lumbar support, with an adjustable tilt backrest so each user can vary the position of the back for their comfort. A gas lift mechanism in the frame provides variable height, a great feature if multiple people could be using the chair as each user can adjust it to their individual requirements. Set on a five spoke nylon caster base for optimum mobility, it allows workers to glide round the office with ease. Plus, 360 swivel enhances its easy manoeuvrability. Practical designs with a simple no fuss look, they cut a slim silhouette and are well-liked for their compact shape that makes them perfect for busy offices where space is tight. Padded for comfort, they’re typically upholstered in breathable fabric designed to withstand heavy usage, as seen in the Rome. Alternatively, modern mesh models like the Cologne (pictured below) further encourage the circulation of air, helping to keep you cool as you work. General Ergonomic Office Chairs Designed to create a relaxing and comfortable working environment, general office chairs encourage optimum concentration and productivity. A happy medium between operator and executive, they’re often favoured by those in management positions and prove brilliant all-rounders, ideal for meetings and interviews as well as desk work. At an affordable price, they provide all the features of operator models, plus some added extras. With denser padding and higher backrests, you’re able to sit comfortably for extended lengths of time, as seen in the Munster. What’s more, there are armrests for increased support, as well as a tilting mechanism in the seat that can be locked into place for an upright or reclined working position. Whilst some are upholstered in fabric, faux leather is proving increasingly popular due to the wealth of colours it facilitates. Executive Models With an exclusive luxury touch, executive office chairs will enhance the look of any workspace. Exuding importance and prestige when sat beside average operator models, they’re typically favoured by those in top executive positions. Whilst the most expensive type of office chair, undoubtedly you get what you pay for. As well as all the standard functions, from adjustable tilt to variable height, they also include a range of deluxe features to facilitate a truly ergonomic working experience. With generously cushioned seats, thicker layers of high-density foam and comfortably padded armrests, they promote a superbly sumptuous office space. Many are upholstered in faux leather, well known for its durable wipe clean surface, whilst an increasing number are covered in plush real leather for that premium aesthetic. Home Study & Professional Use Smaller in size than the average office chair, these chair-stool hybrids are more common than you might think. Designed to fit into more compact spaces, they’re great for a home study or at a homework desk in the corner of a child’s bedroom. With a cool contemporary styling, they’re often less formal and work-like in appearance, yet still include much of the functionality. The Rochelle is a trendy example with an encompassing backrest, and likewise the Skyline is popular for its retro style and unique shaped seat. This category also makes highly practical seating for non-office professions where mobility is key. From artists, beauticians and hair stylists to dentists, opticians and medics, 360 swivel allows optimum flexibility in order to reach equipment, documents or screens with ease. A wheeled base enables effortless movement around the room, whilst a gas lift mechanism allows variable height to find the ideal position to treat patients or customers. Often coming with a supportive backrest and being well suited to a whole range of occupations, listed in more detail in our Bar Stools with Wheels essay. So whether you’re after an ergonomic operator model, an indulgent executive design, or something in between, browse our full range of office chairs to find the ideal addition to your workspace.