What You Need to Know Before Investing in Ergonomic Office Furniture

Ergonomic elements are crucial in building a healthy working environment for employees. Especially in the modern era, when workers spend over 8 hours a day at their desks, ergonomic furniture helps prevent health issues and maximizes work efficiency. So, how should you invest in ergonomic office furniture? Let’s explore with Okamura in the article below!

1. Top 3 Must-Have Ergonomic Furniture Pieces for Every Office

Choosing the right furniture in a modern office setting affects health and directly impacts employee productivity. Here are the 3 essential ergonomic furniture items every office should have:

1.1. Ergonomic Chair

An ergonomic chair is considered the most crucial furniture piece in any workspace. Each chair is equipped with modern features and technologies that bring users the following benefits:

• Supports Proper Sitting Posture: Ergonomic chairs are designed to follow the spine's natural curvature. You can easily adjust the chair’s height, tilt, and seat depth to find the ideal position, helping maintain a correct and comfortable posture throughout the workday.

• Distributes Pressure Evenly to the Legs and Hips: Ergonomic chairs are designed with optimal seat depth, allowing flexible seat adjustments for maximum comfort. Notably, the product is integrated with a unique forward-tilt mechanism, which ensures your feet are always firmly planted on the floor. Gravity is evenly distributed across the hips and legs when your body slightly leans forward. At the same time, pressure on the underside of the thighs is significantly reduced, allowing you to sit comfortably for extended periods.

• Maintains the S-Curve of the Spine: The ergonomic chair features a backrest that hugs the spine, helping keep the natural S-curve throughout 6 to 8 hours of work. This component can also be flexibly adjusted according to individual body shapes, effectively supporting the lower back and hips. Regular use of ergonomic chairs helps preserve proper posture and significantly reduces pressure on the spine.

• Boosts Work Performance: Sitting in a comfortable position eliminates the need for constant posture adjustments or enduring prolonged discomfort. This lets employees focus highly, enhancing work performance and minimizing end-of-day fatigue.

• Improves Mental Well-being: With ergonomic support, users feel more relaxed and comfortable after a long workday. This improves sleep quality and helps recharge energy for the next day’s challenges.

Ergonomic chairs support proper sitting posture, helping users maintain comfort and reduce spinal pressure throughout long working hours.

Some of the standout ergonomic chairs from Okamura include:

• Contessa II ergonomic chair: This chair perfectly blends sleek design and superior functionality. The mesh backrest is breathable yet strong, enhancing modern aesthetics while maintaining visibility across the office. Notably, all chair adjustments can be controlled with a single touch of the button just below the armrest. From locking/unlocking the backrest to selecting one of five reclining tension levels, everything becomes easy with this smart control feature.

• Choral ergonomic chair: "Choral" refers to a chair that is "perfectly adjusted" – designed to fit the user's body and harmonize with the workspace. With a simple yet refined appearance, this chair offers timeless beauty and effortlessly suits various office styles. In addition, the cleverly designed U-shaped frame in the backrest gives the Choral a compact and modern look. Although minimalist on the outside, its internal mechanism is complex and sophisticated.

• Finora ergonomic chair: Characterized by sharp lines and a balance between style and functionality. The adjustment mechanisms are neatly hidden beneath the seat cushion, maintaining a clean and elegant design. Users can choose between mesh or standard fabric, with four stylish color options matching their workspace aesthetics.

• Sylphy ergonomic chair: The backrest of the Sylphy chair gently follows the body's natural curve thanks to its special dual-frame structure connected at a few specific points. The inner frame supports the back, while the outer frame adjusts the curvature of the backrest, making it suitable for both broader and narrower back profiles.

The Sylphy chair's curved backrest offers the most natural and comfortable sitting posture.

1.2. Height-adjustable desks

Height-adjustable desks are becoming an essential trend in modern offices. These brilliant desks provide numerous outstanding benefits for both health and productivity, such as:

• Health benefits and disease prevention: A height-adjustable desk can improve physical and mental well-being during work. Instead of staying in a single posture for long periods, users can easily switch between different positions, helping reduce pressure on the back and shifting the load on spinal discs.

• Suitable for a wide range of users: These desks can adjust between 60 and 130 cm, making them ideal for users of various ages and heights. By adjusting the desk height, you can personalize your work/study space and create the most comfortable working environment.

• Boosts productivity: Frequently changing postures thanks to a height-adjustable desk keeps the brain alert and enhances concentration and creativity. According to a study by Hong Wang, Diran Yu, and colleagues, users allowed to work at standing desks stood for about 47 minutes a day and interacted with computers more frequently. Additionally, their productivity increased by approximately 6.5% compared to when seated only. (1)

• Modern and aesthetic design: Today’s premium furniture products are expected to combine functionality with aesthetics. A height-adjustable desk with a sleek, contemporary design is a great choice for individuals or businesses seeking to create a visually appealing workspace.

Height-adjustable desks allow users to flexibly switch their posture from sitting to standing, helping reduce pressure on the body and enhancing concentration at work.

Some featured height-adjustable desk models with advanced technology from the Okamura brand include:

• Swift height-adjustable desk: Designed to optimize flexibility, comfort, and safety. This work desk model fully imported from Japan helps you make the most of office space, easily transforming from a work desk to a standing meeting table in just a moment. Mainly, the desk operates quietly and supports users in adjusting the height up and down smoothly. At first, the desk moves slowly and gradually speeds up, stopping at any height you want.

• Risefit height-adjustable desk: A flexible work desk model used in any area of the office, lounge, or company lobby. The desk allows continuous height adjustment to suit the needs of each user, whether sitting or standing. This is done through a flexible lever and an easy-to-use hydraulic switch.

The Swift desk optimizes flexibility and safety. It easily transforms from a work desk to a standing meeting table and operates quietly and smoothly.

1.3. Ergonomic accessories

In addition, ergonomic accessories such as monitor arms, keyboard trays, and footrests are essential in optimizing working posture. These accessories help reduce strain on specific neck, shoulders, arms, and legs, thereby creating a more comfortable and efficient work environment.

Using these accessories improves your posture and enables you to work long hours without feeling fatigued or uncomfortable.

2. How to choose the right ergonomic office furniture

To choose the right ergonomic office furniture, you must consider several factors such as your work needs, product features, and budget. Below are some key criteria to help you make the right decision:

• Evaluate your daily work needs: You must identify your primary type of work — for example, sitting for long hours, frequent movement, or constant interaction. Also, consider the size and layout of your current workspace to select suitable furniture and optimize work efficiency.

• Determine the necessary features: It is very important to adjust specifications such as seat height, cushion depth, backrest position, or monitor height. Therefore, you should choose products that allow flexible adjustment to suit your body type and work habits, helping reduce physical strain.

• Consider your budget and long-term value: Although ergonomic furniture often has a higher initial cost, the long-term benefits of health, comfort, and work productivity should be considered to make the right purchase decision.

Choosing the right ergonomic office furniture requires careful consideration of your work needs, product features, and budget to ensure long-term effectiveness.

3. Frequently Asked Questions about Ergonomic Office Furniture

Below are some common questions about ergonomic office furniture that you might find helpful:

1 – How does ergonomic furniture support health? Ergonomic furniture is designed to minimize strain on the body during long work periods, especially issues related to the spine, neck, shoulders, and arms. For example, ergonomic chairs allow you to adjust the height, backrest, and armrests to fit each individual’s body shape, helping maintain a proper sitting posture and reducing the risk of discomfort. As a result, users can avoid common health problems such as lower back pain, spinal degeneration, or shoulder and neck tension. This contributes to better overall health and reduces the amount of sick leave caused by occupational illnesses.

Ergonomic furniture helps reduce strain on the body, particularly the spine and joints, improving overall health.

2 – Can ergonomic furniture improve productivity?

Ergonomic furniture can enhance productivity by creating a comfortable working environment. It helps employees maintain focus and reduce fatigue. When working posture is optimized, employees are less likely to experience pain or discomfort, boosting creativity and work efficiency.

A health-friendly workspace reduces stress and increases employee satisfaction and engagement. This improves individual morale and contributes to the organization's overall productivity.

Investing in ergonomic office furniture is not just a trend but a necessity in today’s modern work environment. By understanding the essential factors and making the right choices, you can build an ideal workspace that promotes health and maximizes productivity for your team.