Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Overview of Functional Office Furniture

One of the decisions that will impact a business for the long term is the type of office furniture that is selected. Many offices keep their office furniture for several years. It is important therefore, that when one selects their office furniture it be chosen with an eye on quality, function, and long term usability.
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<br>Choosing office furniture that will meet both the design and ergonomic needs of the individuals working is very important. When furniture is selected that does not meet these needs one will find that the cost of replacing furniture and paying for injuries will be more than the initial purchase of the correct furniture.
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<br>When selecting desks for an office, it is important to take into consideration the height of the individuals who will be using those desks. Desks can vary in height from twenty-six inches to thirty-two inches. A person who is sitting at a desk that is too short for them for long periods of time suffers from back and neck pain that can result in long term chronic conditions.
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<br>While staff may change in an office, the office furniture rarely changes. It is therefore wise to get furniture that can be manually adjusted to fit the height requirements of the person using the desk. Many manufacturers are designing desks that have designs which fit formal or contemporary office decor that are manually adjustable. Some of the wooden desks have an adjustable surface that slides within the frame. Other desks are made with adjustable legs that adjust the height of the desk as desired.
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<br>Chairs are also an important consideration for staff use. While many chairs adjust up and down hydraulically, people have different needs. The shape of a chair used by an individual who types at a desk all day must have adjustable back support in addition to height adjustments. These chairs often have ergonomic enhancements to protect the back and neck of the individual who is working at the desk.
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<br>When selecting a chair that will be used by an individual who will spend most of their time in the chair there must be proper lumbar and arm support. While many chairs come with armrests, these are often ineffective. In many cases armrests are not adjustable and while the chair may be adjusted to the height needed, the armrests do not raise to a level that will support the user.
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<br>Getting a chair with adjustable armrests provides the support needed by a person who has their hands on a keyboard for much of the day. With proper arm support the person is less likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome. Including a keyboard tray on a desk is also a way to protect the hands and wrists of employees.
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<br>A keyboard tray may be built in to a desk or may be attached. When the tray is attached to the desk it is often bolted to the frame and pulls out from beneath the desk. Before installing a keyboard tray it is important to determine if the tray will encroach on an individual's ability to move their legs under the desk.
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<br>About the Author: Annie is an expert furniture and interior design writer. Her current area of specialism is <a href="http://mydeco.com/c/furniture/258/" rel="nofollow">furniture</a>, <a href="http://mydeco.com/c/furniture/258/" rel="nofollow">living room furniture</a> and <a href="http://mydeco.com/christmas/" rel="nofollow">christmas gifts</a>
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