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Insight
Home Insights Office furniture: where ergonomics meets aesthetics
Great office furniture blends form and function in perfect harmony, boosting wellbeing and performance.
The aesthetics of office furniture often seem at odds with the ergonomics. There are countless studies on the correct posture for working, but with the rise of informal workspace like sofas and bean bags, it can be hard to strike a balance between office furniture that is aesthetically right for a business, versus that which ensures the health and wellbeing of employees.
Back pain is one of the leading causes primary and emergency care, with strained muscles, poor posture and wear and tear, and poor posture being most common symptoms. While it’s been known for many years that being slouched at a desk is bad for your back, heart disease, diabetes and obesity all result from a more sedentary lifestyle.
Furniture can play a huge role in alleviating these health concerns. Ergonomic seating can provide lumbar support and encourage better posture. A footstool can help create the right angle for your legs, whilst an adjustable computer stand ensures the head and neck aren’t tilted down when working. Although companies have been advocating for good posture for years, it seems that even that’s not enough. If jobs require working at a desk all day, no amount of seating or desk alignment will negate the damage done by sitting.
The solution? Standing desks, sit-stand workstations and even treadmill options. But with comfy sofas, benches and stools rising in popularity, it seems paradoxical that companies are increasingly adopting a ‘coffee shop’ feel to their workspaces. Is this a reflection of businesses showing more consideration to aesthetics over ergonomics or due to a higher cost of standing solutions?
First Group's sit-stand desks
This paradox is easily explained. Every business has a responsibility to provide a working environment that is conducive to their employees’ health and wellbeing but employees also have a responsibility to not put themselves at risk. In essence, a company shouldn’t only provide bean bags, nor should employees choose to work solely on one.
The best thing a company can do is provide a variety of settings that encourage people to move about the office. Although an ergonomically designed workstation may be a part of this, but so might a stool, standing desk or sofa. Individuals have the responsibility to choose a furniture that benefits both their task and wellbeing.
Soft furnishings at Trident Place
Once ergonomics have been considered, businesses can move onto the fun part – colours, fabrics and style. From the ping-pong table to Chesterfield sofas, a company’s choice of furniture communicates to employees and clients a lot about their values. Whatever look and feel they’re going for, companies should ensure their standards are met with furniture that meets their aesthetic, functional and ergonomic requirements.
Get in touch with our designers today about your office furniture.
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