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When it comes to choosing the right chairs for your office, there’s several factors you’ll need to consider. Cheaping out on a mish-mash of second-hand options now, can ultimately lead to more expense further down the line. Before you look into purchasing chairs for your office, it’s a good idea to think about what you want from your office seating beyond just being able to sit on it.
Consider the ergonomics
If you or your staff are likely to spend most of the day sat at a desk, you’ll almost certainly need to look at seating that offers ergonomic support to maintain good posture. Invest in adjustable chairs that support the lumbar, and you’re more likely to avoid future back problems for your staff.
It’s important to consider DSE (Display Screen Equipment) regulations when deciding on any purchases. Tailoring your desks to match up to each staff members’ individual measurements is unrealistic, so good chairs with plenty of scope for adjustment can save you a lot of trouble here.
Make the right impression
For seating that clients or customers might use for a short spell, the onus should be on style more than anything else. Dedicated boardroom seating for instance, creates a much better impression than having to wheel beaten-up office chairs into the meeting room.
This is an opportunity to cement your brand’s image with a potential client. Chairs with a modern design will echo the ethos of a forward-thinking company, whilst different coloured chairs can allow you to match your boardroom decor with your branding.
How much movement do you need?
Think about the type of meetings you expect to have in your boardroom. Will your staff be addressed by one person, or will there be opportunity for collaboration and bouncing ideas around? If it’s the latter, you’ll need seating that allows for this.
To encourage creativity and collaboration, seating with wheels is an absolute necessity. Not only does a chair with wheels provide a freedom that promotes expression and innovation, it also allows members of a meeting to move closer to one another to discuss ideas.
Do your meetings include food?
If you occasionally use caterers to furnish your meeting room with food, you’ll no doubt already know how messy certain clients and members of staff can be. Even if you’ve never had food ordered in for a meeting, you’re still likely to have had the occasional spilt cup of coffee from a gesticulating arm trying to get a point across.
Because of this, it’s worth steering clear of light fabrics on your boardroom seating. Drinks get spilt and crumbs get everywhere, and after a year of seating munching meeting goers, your stained chairs will look worn and scruffy. Opt instead for wipe-clean surfaces that are unlikely to stain. These will still look new many years after stained fabric chairs have had to be ditched.
Should your staff/clients be relaxed or rigidly paying attention?
Your choice of seating can dictate how a meeting goes. If you want everyone to pay careful attention to what you’re saying, then a more gigid, upright seat might be just the ticket. If however, you’d prefer clients to be able to relax as you sell your services to them, then a padded chair that allows them to recline a little, may help them to start feeling comfortable in your meeting room.
Take all of these factors account when you next come to buy some new office seating, and you’ll find it easier control how you want your meetings and business to run.