Distractions in the workspace: Is your chair making you unproductive?

By Meg Harris

Today, many people are self-employed or working from home therefore allowing the option to customize the workspace. When designing the workspace, aesthetics are important, but to maximize your full potential, the perfect chair is key. The places we spend this vast amount of time contribute largely to shaping who we are and how we behave. This effect on our behavior in turn has a massive impact on our mental well-being and performance in terms of creativity and productivity. 

 we tend to spend around eight hours a day in the workspace. - BUSINESSFIRST.COM

​According to Doctor Virve Peteri’s article, A Case Study of an Office Chair, based on data it seems that the new organizational culture or the brand of the company indicates a new mode of thinking about work environments. They are no longer seen as offices, public spaces, lounges, entrance halls or board rooms. Now, more emphasis of furniture design is made with the user in mind rather than the chair's aesthetics. Peteri’s study goes on to define the perfect chair as, “one to encourage workers to be on the move. A chair needs to be good enough to sit on, but not so good that people would enjoy remaining seated for long periods of time.”

photo taken at Chicago's NeoCon 2017

​The chairs with too much comfort are tempting for the workspace, however this is what Peteri refers to as the “passive chair.” One would feel comfortable but unable to move adequately. The study further warns, that the consumer is tempted to give into purchasing and using these “passive” chairs, because of their safe and comfortable feeling. What they don’t know is the work that will be produced in this chair will not be as efficient and productive. 

“In other words, the consumer needs to be directed, so that they do not choose products that feel good, but from a designer’s point of view Will function properly.”

Ergonomic furniture is the answer to success in the workspace. The desk and chair are the two most important factors of the workspace. There are short and long term benefits of using the right furniture. Studies have proven that the appropriate furniture will allow one to work more diligently, stay healthier in the long run, and maintain good posture. Below are some modern chair and desk options to consider for your corporate or home office from The Human Solution.  Many of the chairs come in an array of colors to suit your workspace. 

​Now to the real question, what chair is best for you? The chair needs to be designed to suit your daily as well as long term needs creating a healthy balance in your home and work life. Chair pricing can range considerably, so finding one in your price range that provides ultimate productivity is key.

Need any further assistance? Don't hesitate to contact us at DecArte Interiors to begin building your ideal office space.

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