6 Best Ergonomic Features for New Office Furniture

Creating a new office space with ergonomic office furniture is an exciting opportunity to design an environment that inspires and empowers your team.

Yet beyond aesthetics and functionality lies a crucial element: ergonomics.

Ergonomic office furniture considerations for your new office aren't just about comfort; they're a strategic investment in employee well-being and productivity. By incorporating the following principles, you can minimize discomfort, fatigue, and the risk of musculoskeletal pain issues your team may encounter otherwise. 

This translates to a happier, healthier workforce with a sharper focus, increased productivity, and fewer sick days.

Let's delve into the top 6 ergonomic features you should consider for your new office that best prioritize the well-being or your employees.

Adjustable desks encourage movement throughout the day

Research has linked extended periods of sitting to a variety of health problems, including obesity, heart disease, and even diabetes.

Adjustable desks, also known as sit-stand desks, offer a revolutionary solution by allowing employees to alternate between sitting and standing positions throughout the workday.

The benefits of adjustable desks are many:

• Improved Circulation: Standing throughout the workday promotes better blood circulation, reducing fatigue and lethargy.
• Enhanced Posture: Standing encourages a more natural and upright posture, reducing strain on the back and neck.
• Increased Productivity: Studies have shown that alternating between sitting and standing can lead to improved focus and cognitive function.

Adjustable desks come in various styles and functionalities. Some offer electric height adjustment for seamless transitions between sitting and standing positions. Others are manual, requiring the user to adjust the height with a crank or lever system. Consider space limitations when selecting adjustable desks, as they may require slightly more floor space than traditional fixed desks. However, the long-term benefits for employee health and productivity outweigh the investment in these desks.

A few options to consider that combine the best features for the cost are the Herman Miller Nevi or Renew Link sit-to-stand tables, the Knoll k. stand and Reff height-adjustable tables and the Global FreeFit height-adjustable table. HON Coordinate is also a strong option to consider.

 

Knoll k. Stand desks

 

Ergonomic Office Chairs: The Foundation of Back Support

The office chair is arguably the most crucial piece of ergonomic office furniture. Spending hours hunched over in a traditional chair typically leads to back pain, neck strain, and a host of other very uncomfortable issues. Ergonomic office chairs have been specifically designed and tested to provide the correct support and adjustability for excellent posture.

Here are some key ergonomic features to look for in an office chair:

• Adjustable Seat Height: This allows employees of various heights to adjust the chair for proper foot placement on the floor, ensuring proper leg and hip alignment.
• Lumbar Support: A built-in lumbar support cushion helps maintain the natural curve of the lower spine, reducing strain and preventing back pain.
• Adjustable Armrests: By adjusting height and position to the employee, armrests are able to support forearms and shoulders correctly for better posture and reduced neck fatigue.

Consider different chair types to suit the specific needs of your workforce. Task chairs, designed for long work sessions, typically offer a more contoured shape and increased adjustability features. Some executive chairs, while offering a more luxurious feel, may not always prioritize ergonomic features as heavily. The ReGeneration chair by Knoll and Aeron or Cosm chair by Herman Miller are excellent office chair options to consider.

Herman Miller Cosm chairs are offered in low, mid and high-back models

 

Proper Lighting: I Can See Clearly Now

Lighting plays a significant role in employee well-being and productivity. Poor lighting conditions can lead to eye strain, headaches, and fatigue. Conversely, a well-lit workspace fosters focus, improves mood, and enhances overall work performance.

Here's how to achieve optimal lighting in your new office:

• Natural Light: Whenever possible, maximize the use of natural light by incorporating ample windows and skylights. Natural light provides a more energizing and healthy work environment.
• Artificial Light: Combine natural light with artificial light sources that mimic natural daylight. Opt for LED lighting solutions that offer excellent color rendering and are energy-efficient. Muuto produces a variety of interesting options that work well and are aesthetically pleasing too.
• Light Control: Incorporate dimmer switches to allow employees to adjust the light level based on their needs and the time of day. Task lighting options like desk lamps can further enhance illumination for specific work areas.

By implementing a combination of natural and artificial lighting with proper controls, you can create a well-lit office environment that minimizes eye strain and fosters a more comfortable and productive work experience for your employees.

 

Muuto Linear lighting

 

Comfortable Seating in Common Areas: Beyond the Workstation

Ergonomic considerations extend beyond individual workstations. Break rooms, meeting spaces, and other common areas should be designed with comfort and well-being in mind.

Consider the following ergonomic office furniture options for more comfortable and functional common areas:

• Lounge Chairs: Opt for chairs with adequate back support and comfortable cushioning to encourage proper posture during breaks or informal huddles. Many lounge chairs offer a variety of back heights to address a range of needs. Low back chairs typically work well for collaboration in open settings. Mid-back chairs offer more support and fits more private settings well while high back options offer a more enclosed environment to help eliminate distractions. Knoll and Herman Miller provide some of the best options available.
• Adjustable-Height Tables: Meeting spaces and collaboration areas can benefit from adjustable-height tables. This allows employees to switch between sitting and standing postures during meetings or brainstorming sessions, promoting movement and reducing fatigue. 
• Community Seating Arrangements: Create a variety of seating options in common areas that include reconfigurable bench and sofa seating. This caters to different needs and preferences, allowing employees to relax, socialize, or focus on individual tasks comfortably. PURE recommends NaughtOne and Global Furniture for a variety of options.

Incorporating these ergonomic principles into your common areas allows for a space that invites collaboration, creates natural communication, and improves employee well-being.

 

NaughtOne Hush office sofas

 

Laptop Stands: Happier Hands

Perfect for working in hybrid and remote locations, laptop stands offer great ergonomic viewing by tilting the computer to an angle that provides an easy, clear view of the screen and comfortable angles for hands and wrists. Laptop stands fold up neatly and quickly as well. An excellent option is offered by Colebrook Bosson Saunders with the Oripura portable laptop stand 

Investing in laptop stands for your team is a highly cost-effective way to provide ergonomic comfort for your employees wherever they may work.

Computer Monitor Placement: Optimizing Viewing Angles

The position of your computer monitors has a significant impact on posture and eye strain. Improper monitor placement can lead to neck pain, headaches, and blurred vision. Here's how to ensure optimal monitor placement:

• Monitor Height: The monitor's top should be at or slightly below eye level. This ensures a neutral neck position and prevents excessive upward or downward gazing.
• Monitor Distance: The ideal distance between the user's eyes and the monitor screen is approximately an arm's length. This minimizes eye strain and allows for comfortable viewing.
• Monitor Arms: For each individual workstation, consider using monitor arms to adjust the monitor's height, tilt, and swivel. This allows employees to personalize their monitor position for optimal comfort and viewing angles. Colebrook Bosson Saunders, Humanscale and the HAT Collective offer monitor arms with some of the best features and value in the industry.

Proper monitor placement can significantly reduce the risk of eye strain and neck pain which ultimately contributes to a more comfortable and productive work environment for your employees.

 

HAT Collective E5 Dual Dynamic monitor arms

 

Connect with an Expert

The modern office is all about balance. It's no longer just about productivity at any cost... It's about creating a space that prioritizes employee well-being and a place the team enjoys using. A happier, healthier workforce, higher employee retention, and a more successful company is the outcome.

Do you have questions about how to transform your office into a space that gets the most out of your teams? Or about how the look and feel of your workspace can help attract and retain top talent?

Contact PURE today and we'll reach out to discuss actionable insights on how creating an ergonomic office space can help you create the perfect workspace for your team.