Ergonomics first
Let's start with the most important, though for many also the most boring aspect - ergonomics. Although healthy sitting is being discussed more and more often, very few people actually pay enough attention to it. However, healthy sitting for employees should be a priority for every employer. Why?
Today, many studies focus on workplaces as a whole, not excluding various factors including design, tidiness, or suitable furniture. Among the most important aspects that can significantly affect productivity are light, furniture, and decor. However, in the case of furniture, design is not the most important thing, but its functionality; in the case of chairs, it is specifically comfort.
One of the most common problems that arise when working in an office is back pain, which affects up to 80% of people. Discomfort when sitting leads to a decrease in concentration, productivity, and thus performance, which ultimately costs not only the employer but also the entire economy. The great news, however, is that by simply replacing furniture, you can create much better conditions for your employees, which can make a significant difference almost immediately. According to studies, replacing old, uncomfortable furniture can improve productivity by up to 23%.
The role of design
More and more people are starting to perceive the role of design in our daily lives. This applies not only to our homes and private spaces but also to public, community, and even work spaces. Office design can significantly affect our productivity and concentration. Important roles are played, for example, by the colors used, materials, but also the amount of natural light, the size of the space itself, and many other factors.
Of course, chairs are part of this whole and should fit into the sophisticated office design. 74% of millennials, who are slowly becoming the dominant working group (born between 1980 - 1995), perceive workplace design as a significant factor in their perception of the entire brand and company identity.
Nevertheless, the choice of chairs from a design perspective should not be focused solely on current trends, but quite the opposite. Timelessness, elegance, and quality are what every age group can appreciate, not only today but also in the future.
So, what is the ideal chair?
There is probably no universal recipe for creating a healthy workplace, as each of us has different preferences. However, the basis should be the possibility of personalization by individual employees and the ability to adapt one's own workplace to one's needs. Although the chair is a very important part of this whole, it should only be a starting point.
The best solution is ergonomic chairs with active sitting support. This type of sitting can significantly reduce the most common problems arising from office work - from back pain to migraines. It literally forces its owner to keep their spine in the correct position, thereby preventing these pains.
Our Vertebro chairs are a great example, as they:
- provide lumbar support
- support correct shoulder blade posture through active sitting
- promote correct pelvic posture
- provide suitable head/neck support
- allow for appropriate elbow and thus trapezius positioning
On today's market, you will find various styles and designs of office chairs, many of which, of course, do not meet basic ergonomic requirements. However, even among the more classic ones, you will find better and worse models. Focus on office chairs that fulfill their ergonomic role at least partially. They should provide:
- lumbar support (support for the lower back)
- adjustable armrests
- a headrest
What makes a quality ergonomic chair different?
- headrest - the headrest serves to relax the muscles in the cervical spine area
- backrest + lumbar adjustment - correct adjustment of the lumbar support supports the most curved parts of the spine, thus bringing it into its natural double S-curve. It prevents slouching
- armrests - correct adjustment of the armrests helps to relax the muscles in the cervical spine area, shoulders, and upper back. It is important to prevent tension when working in a rigid position
- seat cushion - the front edge is rounded to prevent compression of blood vessels and allow blood to circulate naturally to the legs. When sitting correctly, it is important to use the entire surface of the seat cushion to distribute body weight
- mechanism - the synchronous mechanism allows the seat and backrest to be adjusted at the correct angle. This supports dynamic sitting
Only when a chair meets these parameters can we move on to design. In this regard, the best bet is always on the safe side, which means neutral colors and reliable materials. Nothing is worse for an office and productivity than a beautiful but not very practical or low-quality chair. So choose basic colors like black or gray, or neutral and natural colors like beige, brown, or muted shades of green and blue.
If a chair is an investment you want to rely on for many years, avoid trendy materials, colors, and silhouettes that may bore you over time or quickly go out of style. Such materials include velvet or boucle, and silhouettes include armchairs with short backrests without back or arm support.
Such colors will fit into almost any style of space and are easy to combine. The materials should exude quality, whether we are talking about upholstery, or metal or plastic components. A chair is an investment that should pay off not only in better productivity and employee satisfaction but also in terms of "years worked."
In our e-shop offer, you will find various ergonomic office chairs with delivery within 7 working days. You can also personally view and try out our entire ergonomic workstation collection in our showroom in Bratislava.
