Frequently asked questions
How do I ensure ergonomic seating for my employees?
Employees will be happier and more productive when they’re comfortable and feel relaxed and at ease at work. Because of that, we recommend choosing office desk chairs with adjustable features and lumbar support to promote good posture and comfort. For customised support, the height, depth and armrest should be fully adjustable to adapt to different body types. When you choose your office desk chairs make sure you strike a balance between good design and ergonomic desk chairs for the best of both worlds.
Can I mix and match furniture styles in a single office space?
Of course! Too much of one thing will make a space feel monotonous, and that’s the last thing you want for an office. You want to make sure your office is dynamic, engaging, and keeps employees motivated, and your furniture choices should do the same. A harmonious blend of office furniture types or styles can add visual interest while ensuring a cohesive design language. Our team at Contract Chair Co. are experts and finding pieces that are different but that work well together. Make sure to reach out to our sales team to pick their brain.
Co-Working Spaces vs. Traditional Offices
Let’s face it, the workplace has changed. During, and after, COVID lockdowns work went remote, people’s jobs changed, entrepreneurship skyrocketed, and the traditional office was seemingly no more. With so many companies shifting to a fully remote, or a hybrid model, plus the increase in self-employed people in the workforce alternative ways of doing work started to pop up. The rise of shared co-working spaces has introduced a new dimension to office design. For these spaces, the focus lies on flexibility and adaptability. People can buy a membership to specific co-working spaces or can drop into hot desking coworking spaces. Most of the time these establishments have a range of spaces to choose from including private offices, single-desk cubicles or pods, long communal work tables, office lounge areas and more. The space needs to be flexible and meet the needs of the many different kinds of people that come and the various types of business they need to do. Because the needs are varied we recommend you opt for furniture that can be easily rearranged to accommodate different working styles and preferences. This might mean modular office furniture, or large office desks that can be rearranged to multiple configurations. For workspace lounge areas you will need to think about durability and comfort. Ensure your customers are comfortable coming to your workspace, but make sure that the office lounge chairs and sofas you choose are robust and have a durable rub count as the office furniture will see a lot of use. In contrast, traditional offices require more structured furniture layouts that cater to specific roles and departments. Recognizing the unique requirements of both settings ensures optimal furniture selection.
What is an office breakout area?
Your office environment has a massive effect on employees’ state of mind and productivity. That’s why modern offices have really made an effort to transform the work environment to be more positive and to create a sense of freedom, creativity and collaboration. And that’s where breakout spaces come in. An office breakout area is typically a separate part of the office that allows for alternative ways of working and collaborating. It’s a creative hub that can boost employee well-being by creating a different environment to be productive. They can be used to relax and take a quick break, have informal meetings, have a quick brainstorm with your team, or just work somewhere else for a while. Breakout spaces don’t typically follow the same form factor as an office or cubicle. Instead, they are supposed to create a break from that way of working. That means choosing comfortable office furniture like office sofas or lounge chairs, cafe-style tables and seating, and collaborative areas with screens or digital whiteboards.
When outfitting breakout areas it's essential to strike a balance between comfort and function. Choose versatile office lounge furniture that encourages relaxation, such as comfortable office sofas and ergonomic office lounge chairs. These items encourage employees to recharge, fostering a more productive work environment. You can also include modular office furniture so that the space is more customisable to suit the varied needs of employees. Incorporating vibrant colours and modern designs can inject energy into these spaces to elevate morale and creativity. These spaces, if designed well, will attract a lot of use so it’s important to choose office chairs and tables that are hard-wearing and easy to clean and maintain.
As we mentioned already, breakout spaces encourage employee collaboration. When people feel comfortable and relaxed they will be more likely to approach each other to introduce themselves, have a quick catch-up with someone they don’t typically cross paths with in their role, or discuss new ideas. Creating a space for that kind of interaction between your employees will make a difference both in productivity and company culture, and breakout areas can provide the ideal setting for this.
Breakout spaces are often located near the kitchen or cafeteria since these are places where people tend to gather naturally. Making the breakout area convenient and accessible is important so that employees actually use it and it serves its purpose. If you are designing an office and choose to tuck the breakout area away in a corner somewhere it will likely never get used. Think about employees' behaviour, how they’ll move through the office space and how the placement of the breakout area will impact their day-to-day experience. In the modern workplace providing amenities like this makes a big difference for employees who often just need a change of environment to re-energise and keep their productivity up.
What do I need to know about specifying an office desk?
As we’ve touched on in other sections of this FAQ, furniture plays a pivotal role in creating a functional and comfortable workspace. Let’s examine how an office desk affects your workspace and what you need to remember.
Of course, space is a consideration. You need to make sure your workspace and your employees fit in your office, comfortably. Make sure to measure your office space to determine the available area for the desks. Don't forget to account for walkways and room to manoeuvre around the desks. If it’s too crowded the office will feel claustrophobic and it will be inefficient. Don't forget to account for the desk chairs and other essential items.
Another consideration that is related to the issue of size is your office desk shape. The shape should maximise employee efficiency but also complement your workspace and style. You could have rectangular office desks, L-shaped, U-shaped, long tables for hot desking, or modular desks that can be moved around to suit the flexible needs of your employees’ demanding jobs.
The workspace surfaces should be large enough to accommodate computers, laptops, documents, notebooks, coffee mugs, etc… There is no shortage of things that will end up on your desks. Remember this when choosing the size of the work surface, and what kinds of things are included to make it more efficient. For example, you might want to get desks that have built-in power bars and USB plugs to manage cables on top of the desks and to make it more convenient for employees to get connected, plus cable management systems keep everything looking clean and tidy. Think about whether your employees need built-in storage like drawers or shelves to keep themselves organised.
Now, working 8 hours a day at the office means that office furniture goes through quite a bit of wear and tear so make sure you choose desks that are strong and durable. You will need to make sure that the office desks align with your vision and style for the office as well. It’s not enough for it to just be durable, it must also match your office aesthetic. Choosing desks that have a similar decor style, such as industrial office desks, or minimalist desks will ensure a cohesive and pleasant design and workspace.
Coming back to the employee experience, your choices should also be guided by ergonomics as they’re crucial for comfort and productivity. Ensure the desk's height is adjustable or suits specific requirements to maintain proper posture. Adjustable desk chairs should complement the desk to reduce the risk of postural issues.
We always recommend purchasing from reputable suppliers. At Contract Chair Co. we have a long history of providing best-in-class service and products to our valued clients. We have a wealth of knowledge to help guide you in choosing the very best office desks for your workspace.
How do I specify an office desk chair?
An office chair is not just somewhere you sit for 8 hours and then go home. It’s about so much more than that and it can make the difference between an excellent office experience and one that is truly challenging. When choosing an office desk chair the best approach is to focus on comfort and ergonomics.
Ergonomics should be the top priority when it comes to office desk chairs. You want to ensure your office desk chairs have lumbar support, and adjustable settings like armrest height, seat heights, seat depth, etc…These features will allow your employees to customise their desk chairs to have proper posture and reduce the risk of discomfort or injury. Adequate lumbar support is important for preventing back pain. Desk chairs with adjustable lumbar support allow people to position the support to follow the natural curve of their spine.
Ergonomics should be your top consideration when selecting desk chairs. Look for chairs that offer adjustable features like seat height, lumbar support, armrest height, and seat depth. Proper ergonomics support good posture and reduce the risk of discomfort and injury. Of course, our sales team are well equipped to help you choose the best options for your office.
The next thing you need to keep in mind is comfort. Obviously sitting for long hours means you will want a chair with adequate padding for your backside. But you also need it to be durable because of the fact that there’s so much movement all day, every day. Along with that, you want to choose a seat and seat back that’s breathable. There’s nothing worse than sitting for hours in a hot desk chair feeling damp from sweat… gross. A mesh seat back will help with airflow and keep employees cool and productive.
Obviously, style and design have an effect on employees. If an office is aesthetically pleasing it feels more relaxing and puts employees in a better state of mind to be productive and collaborative. Consider the chair's design and how it fits into your overall office design. We’ve already touched on the fact that comfort and ergonomics are essential, but you mustn’t ignore the value of good design, and your office desk chairs should also complement your workspace aesthetics.
Choosing the right office desk chair involves considering the specific needs of your office and your employees, ensuring ergonomic support, and finding a chair that suits your style preferences. We recommend always prioritising comfort and functionality helping you to create a workspace that promotes productivity and well-being.
What do I need to know about office meeting room furniture?
Meeting rooms serve as the backdrop for brainstorming and strategic discussions. They are spaces for collaboration. They’re where campaigns come to life and deals are made. These spaces need to be professional, ergonomic, and functional. Meeting room furniture will make a huge difference in how employees and business partners experience your spaces. When choosing your furniture think of flexible meeting room furniture that can work on various levels. The spaces need to suit a lot of kinds of meetings so the added flexibility is key. It’s also important to consider sleek and ergonomic tables and ergonomic office chairs. On a more functional level, ensuring sufficient power outlets and technology to facilitate presentations and collaboration will make your meeting rooms a success. Ultimately you want a space where the meeting room furniture helps to nurture innovation and critical thinking.